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Patach Eliyahu Ed I l ` g z R
By Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai i`geixa oerny iax z`n
From the alternative introduction to Tikkunei Zohar 17a-b :f"i-.f"i cenr xdef ipewz ,dipy dncwd
Elijah [the Prophet] opened the discussion, saying: x n ` e Ed I l ` g z R
Master of the worlds, oi n l r oFA x
You are One, c g `Ed Y p ` C
the unthinkable [One]; .o A WEg a ` l e
You are above all beyonds, oi ` N r l M l r d ` N r `Ed Y p `
More mysterious than all mysteries .oi ni z q l M l r ` ni z q
No thought can grasp you at all. :l l M K a ` qi t Y ` a W g n zi l
You produced ten emanations oi pET Y x U r z wi R ` c `Ed Y p `
that we call Ten Sefirot, o xi t q x U r oFd l o pi x w e
to lead the worlds with them, .oi n l r oFd a d b d p ` l
mysterious worlds that are not revealed o i l B z ` ` l C oi ni z q
as well as the revealed worlds. .o i l B z ` C oi n l r e
Through them You conceal Yourself z `i q M z ` oFd aE
from human beings, .` W p i p A n
but You connect them oFl xi W w c `Ed Y p ` e
and unite them; .oFl c g i nE
and because You are within them, e` b l n Y p ` C oi b aE
anyone who causes these Ten Sefirot to diverge Di x a g n c g Wi x t ` C o` n l M
from one another o xi t q x Ur oi N ` n
is regarded D l a X g z `
as if he had caused a divergence within You. :K A Wi x t ` EN ` M
These ten Sefirot proceed .o xi t q x Ur oi N ` e
according to their order: .o x c q M oi l f ` oEP `
one long, one short, xi v w c g e Ki x ` c g
and one mediating [between them]. .i pEpi A c g e
You lead them, .oFl bi d p ` c `Ed Y p ` e
but nothing leads You K l bi d p ` C o` n zi l e
not above, not below, ` Y z l ` l e ` N r l ` l
and not from any side. :` x h q l M n ` l e
You made garments for them oFl z pi w Y oi WEa l
from which souls fly [in]to human beings. .` W p i p a l oi z n W p oi g x R Ed i P n C
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You have fashioned many bodies for them, oFl z pi w Y oi tEb d O k e
which are called bodies only relative to the garments oi WEa l i A b l oi tEb E`i x w z ` C
that cover them. :oFdi lr o i q k n C
They are entitled as follows: .` c ` pET z A E`i x w z ` e
Chesed [Kindness] is the right arm; .` pi n i ` rFx C c q g
Gevurah [Power] is the left arm; .` l` n U ` rFx C d xEa B
Tiferet [Splendor] is the torso; .` tEB z x ` t Y
Netzach [Eternity; Triumph] and Hod [Glory] cFd e g v p
are the two thighs; .oi wFW oi x Y
Yesod [Foundation] is the end of the torso, ` tEb c ` nEI q cFqi e
the symbol of the sacred covenant; .W cw zi x A zF`
Malchut [Kingship] is the mouth, d R zEk l n
Which we refer to as the Oral Torah. .D l o pi x w d R l r A W d xFY
Chochma [Wisdom] is the brain, ` gFn d n k g
meaning inner thought; .e` b N n ` a W g n Edi `
Binah [insight, understanding] ` A l d pi A
is the understanding heart. .oi a n a N d D aE
Regarding these two last sefirot oi x Y oi N ` l r e
is written: (Deuteronomy 29:28) ai z M
The hidden mysteries belong to HaShem our God Epi d l ` d Fdi l z x Y q P d
Keter Elyon [the Supreme Crown] oFi l r x z M
is the crown of kingship. .zEk l n x z M Edi `
Concerning this it is said: (Isaiah 46:10) x n z ` D lr e
He Who declares the outcome from the beginning, zi x g ` zi W` x n ci B n
and this is the head that wears teffilin. oi Ni t z C ` Y t w x w Edi ` e
Within [the tefillin] is [the Four-Letter Name] Edi ` e` b N n
whose letters are Yud Kei Vav Kei `"d e"`e `"d c"ei
which is the path of Atzilut [spiritual emanation]. .zEli v ` g x` Edi ` C
It irrigates the tree of the Sefirot ` p li ` c Ei w W Edi ` e
with its arms and branches, .iFR p r e iFrFx c A
like water that irrigates a tree, ` p li ` l i w W ` c ` I n M
causing it to grow, thanks to that irrigation. :Ei w W `Ed d A i A x z ` e
O Master of the worlds, mi n lFr d oFA x
You are the cause of causes, zFN r d z N r `Ed Y p `
and the reason of reasons, zFA Q d z A q e
who irrigates the tree through that wellspring. .Eri a p `Ed d A ` p li ` l i w W ` C
That wellspring is like Edi ` Eri a p `Ed d e
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the soul to the body ` tEb l ` z n W p M
in that it gives life to the body. .` tEb l mi I g Edi ` C
However, in You there is neither resemblance oFi n C zi l K aE
nor likeness ` p wEi C zi l e
to anything either within or without. :x a lE e` b l C d n l M n
You created heaven and earth ` r x ` e ` I n W z` x aE
and drew forth from them oFd P n z wi R ` e
the sun, moon, stars, and constellations; ,` I l G nE ` I a kFk e ` x di q e ` W n W
and on earth ` r x ` aE
[You drew forth] trees, vegetation, the Garden of Eden, o c r c ` z p b e oi ` W cE oi p li `
grasses, beasts, cattle, oi xi r aE o ei g e oi A U r e
birds, fish, and human beings, ` W p i p aE oi pEp e oi tFr e
through whom to make known oFd A ` r cFn Y W ` l
[lofty concepts] of the universe, oi ` N r
how the upper and lower realms function, oi ` Y z e oi ` N r oFd A oEb d p z i Ki ` e
how the upper realms can be discerned o` r cFn Y W ` Ki ` e
from the lower ones i ` Y Y n i ` N r
but no one can know You at all. .l l M K A r c i C zi l e
Without You there is no unifying force ` cEg i zi l K P n x aE
above and below. .i ` Y z e i ` N r A
You are known as the reason for all ` lFM l r z li r r cFn Y W ` Y p ` e
and master of everything. .` NM l r oFc ` e
Each sephira, ` xi t q l k e
has its particular name ` ri c i m W D l zi `
which identifies the angels; .` I k ` l n E`i x w zi ` oFd aE
but You have no particular name, ` ri c i m W K l zi l Y p ` e
for You fill all their names. o d n W l k ` N n n `Ed Y p ` C
You are the perfection [wholeness] of them all. :Ed N k c Eni l W `Ed Y p ` e
When You withdraw from them, oFd P n w N Y q Y Y p ` c k e
their names all remain o d n W Ed N k Ex ` Y W `
like a body without a soul. .` z n W p ` l A ` tEb M
You are wise, mi M g `Ed Y p `
but You cannot be known through wisdom; .` ri c i d n k g A e` l e
You are understanding, oi a n `Ed Y p `
but You cannot be understood through understanding. .` ri c i d pi a A ` l e
You have no identifiable location. .` ri c i x z ` K l zi l
[All is only for] Your strength and force K li g e K R w Y ` r cFn Y W ` l ` N `
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to be known to human beings, .` W p i p a l
to show them how the world is led ` n l r b d p z ` Ki ` oFl d ` f g ` lE
with judgment and mercy .i n g x aE ` pi c A
which are righteousness and justice h R W nE w c v oEpi ` c
according to the deeds of human beings. :` W p i p a C oFdi c aFr mEt M
Judgment is Gevurah, strength; .d xEa b Edi ` oi C
justice is the middle column; .` zi r v n ` c ` cEO r h R W n
righteousness is the Holy Kingship; .` Wi C w ` zEk l n w c v
the scales of justice w c v i p f`n
are the two supports of truth; .hFW w i k n q oi x Y
the measure of righteousness w c v oi d
is the symbol of the sacred covenant. .W cFw zi x A zF`
All this is to demonstrate d ` f g ` l ` NM
how the world is conducted, .` n l r b d p z n Ki `
but not that You have K l zi ` C e` l l a `
a righteousness that is knowable [to human beings], ` ri c i w c v
which is judgment; .oi c Edi ` c
nor a justice that is knowable [to human beings], ` ri c i h R W n ` l e
which is mercy, .i n g x Edi ` c
nor any of these attributes. :l l M zFC n oi N ` l M n ` l e
Rise up, Rabbi Shimon oerny iax mew
and renew secrets of Torah jci lr oiln oeycgzie
for you have permission jl zi` `zeyx `dc
to reveal hidden secrets. jci lr oixinh oifx d`lbl
This permission was not given d`lbl eyx aidiiz` `lc dn
to any human being until now. .ork cr yp xa meyl
Rabbi Shimon arose, oerny iax mw
opened [the discussion] and said (I Chronicles 29:11): xn`e gzt
Yours, HaShem is the greatness and the power, d xEa B d e d N c B d d ed i L l
The beauty, the victory and the glory. cF d d e g v P d e z x ` t Y d e
Exalted ones, listen to those erny oi`lr
who lie buried in Hebron [the Patriarchs] oexagc oikinc oepi`
and the Faithful Shepherd [Moses]: `pnidn `irxe
Arise from your slumber. (Isaiah 26:19) .oekzpyn exrz`
Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust x t r i p k W E p P x e Evi w d
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Those are the righteous ones, `iwicv oepi` oil`
who are from the side, `eddc `xhqn oepi`c
upon which it is said: (Song of Songs 5:2) da xnz`c
I am asleep, but my heart is awake. x r i A l e d p W i i p `
They are not dead. mizn oepi` e`le
That is the reason it says about them, oeda xnz` `c oibae
Awake and sing, etc., .'eke E p P x e Evi w d
Awaken, Faithful Shepherd, `pnidn `irx eviwd
Awaken, You and the patriarchs oda`e zp` xrz`
to awaken the Shekhinah, `zpikyc `zexrz`l
who sleeps in exile. .`zelba dpyi idi`c
Until now the righteous all lie buried oikinc edlk `iwicv ork crc
And sleep in their eyes. .oedixega `zpiye
At the time of redemption, `zpiky zaidi cin
Shekhina will immediately let out three voices oilw zlz
toward the Faithful Shepherd, `pnidn `irx iabl
saying to him: dil `niie
Arise, Faithful Shepherd, `pnidn `irx mew
for about you it is said (Song of Songs 5:2): xnz` jlr `dc
The voice of my beloved knocks w tFc i cFC | lF w
With regard to His Four Letters. .dilic oeez` rax`a i`abl
It is said by them (Song of Songs 5:2) oeda `niie
Open up to me, my sister, my love, i z i r x i zg ` i li g z R
my dove, my wholesome one i z O z i z pFi
For (Lamentations 4:22): `dc
Your iniquity has ended, O daughter of Zion, oF I vz A K perm Y
He will not continue to keep you in exile. K zFl b d l si qFi ` l .
It is said (Song of Songs 5:2):
For my head is filled with dew, .l h` l n p i W` W
What is the meaning of filled with dew, .lh `lnp i`n
The Holy One, Blessed Be He, said: `ed jixa `ycew xn` `l`
You thought zaiyg zp`
that from the day the Temple was destroyed `ycwn ia axgz`c `neinc
I ascended to my home above ilic `ziaa `pl`rc
and ascended to my abode. .`aeyia `pl`re
That is not so. ikd e`l
I have not ascended to my abode `pl`r `lc
as long as you are in exile. .`zelba zp`c `pnf lk
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Here is your sign (Song of Songs 5:2): `pniq jl ixd
That my head is filled with dew... .l h` l n p i W` W
The letter heh resides in exile, .`zelba `zpiky `"d
but when my name is complete .dlic enily
and when there is life in it, the dew .lh edi` dlic miige
that is yod heh vav .e"`e `"d c"ei edi` `ce
and heh is the Shekhinah, `zpiky idi` `"de
which is not included in the calculation of dew .l"h oayegn `lc
but yod, heh, vav e`e `w cei `l`
calculate to [39,] the value of dew. .l"h oaygl oeez` ewilqc
They fill the Shekhinah `zpikyl `iln edi`c
from the spring of all higher sources. .oi`lr oixewn lkc eriapn
Immediately, the Faithful Shepherd arose `pnidn `irx mw cin
and the holy patriarchs with him. .dinr oiyicw oda`e
*
Up to here is the secret of unity. .`cegic `fx o`k cr
From now on [let us now discuss] jli`e o`kn
the first section d`ncw `zyxt
on the secrets of Torah. .`ziixe` ixzqc
[The first interpretation of seventy interpretations to the
first verse of Torah, Bereshit, which constitute to book
of Tikkunei Zohar]
*
Rabbi Shimon opened and said (Genesis 1:1): xn`e oerny iax gzt
In the beginning, God created... (Psalm 25:144) mi d l ` ` x A zi W` x A
The secret of Hashem is to those who fear him; ei ` xi l d ed i cF q
He will tell them of his covenant. m ri cFd l F zi x a E
Secret [valued 70] is the seventy times oipnf oiray oepi` oil` c"eq
Where the word Bereshit in the beginning ziy`xa zln yxtz`c
Is interpreted in this book... ...`zyxt i`da
May it be the will before mcw on `erx `di
the Ancient Holiest of all holy, oiyicw lkc `yicw `wizr
the most concealed of all concealed, oixinh lkc `xinh
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mysterious of all, `lkc `nizq
that the supreme dew extend from Him dipn d`lr `lh jynzic
to fill the head of the Zeer Anpin oitp` xirfc diyix `ilnl
and to grace the field of holy apples oiyicw oigetz lwgl lihdle
with the light of His countenance, oitp`c exidpa
with will and joy to everyone. .dlkc `zecge `erxa
Let there be extended from the Ancient Holy One, `yicw `wizr mcw on jynzie
Holier of all holies oiyicw lkc
more concealed than all concealed, oixinh lkc `xinh
more mysterious than all will and compassion ingxe `zerx `lkc `nizq
grace and lovingkindness `cqge `pg
in the supreme lightness d`lr exidpa
with will and joy, decge `zerxa
upon me and upon all members of my household, izia ipa lk lre ilr
and all that are joined with me, il` mielpd lk lre
and all of Israel your nation. ,dinr l`xyi ipa lk lre
May He redeem us opiwxtie
from all serious troubles that befall the world. ,`nlrl oeziic oiyia oizwr lkn
May He prepare and give us and all our souls `pzytp lkle `pl aidizie onfie
grace and lovingkindness, ,`cqge `pg
long and healthy lives, ikix` iige
abundant provisions igiex ipefne
and love from Him. .dincw on ingxe
Amen, may it be His will. oevx idi ok on`
Amen and Amen. :on`e on`
(Psalms 89:53)
May HaShem be blessed forever, m lFr l d ed i KE x A
Amen and Amen. :o n ` e | o n `
Set and edited by Ronnie Serr, Los Angeles, Elul 5764, Tamuz 5765. The first part of the translation is based on Rabbi
Avraham Suttons translation. The second part of the translation (beginning with ) is based on Earl Klein and Rabbi
Moises Benzaquen. A Selihot Prayerbook According to the Oriental Sephardic Rite. With a New Translation and
Commentary. Los Angeles, Tefillah Publishing, 1995, pp. 41-47. Thanks for Dinah Berland for editing help. Draft 4.
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