Zohar Commentary Notes: Introduction, Chapter 8
The Text
Introduction Chapter 8
R. Hiya and R. Jose were walking along the road. When they reached the open country, R. Hiya said to R. Jose, ‘What you said about Bereshith signifying bara-shith (created six) is certainly correct, since the Torah speaks of six primordial days and not more. The others are hinted at but not disclosed;
nevertheless, from what is told us we can perceive the following. The Holy and Mysterious One graved in a hidden recess one point. In that He enclosed the whole of Creation as one who locks up all his treasures in a palace, under one key, which is therefore as valuable as all that is stored up in that palace; for it is the key which shuts and opens.
In that palace there are hidden treasures, one greater than the other. The palace is provided with fifty mystic gates. They are inserted in its four sides to the number of forty-nine. The one remaining gate is on none of its sides and it is unknown whether it is on high or below: it is hence called the mysterious gate.
All these gates have one lock, and there is one tiny spot for the insertion of the key, which is only marked by the impress of the key. It is this mystery which is implied in the words “In the beginning created God”, “In the beginning” (Bereshith): this is the key which encloses the whole and which shuts and opens. Six gates are controlled by this key which opens and shuts. At first it kept the gates closed and impenetrable; this is indicated by the word Bereshith, which is composed of a revealing word (shith) with a concealing word (bara). Bara is always a word of mystery, closing and not opening,’
Commentary
This section of The Zohar continues its mystical exploration of the word Bereshith (בְּרֵאשִׁית, “In the beginning”), deepening the symbolic interpretation of creation through Kabbalistic language. It introduces key mystical themes, such as the concept of divine concealment and revelation, the role of the “key” in unlocking cosmic mysteries, and the structure of divine emanation through the “fifty gates.” Below is a detailed commentary on the imagery and language of this passage as it applies to Kabbalah.
1. The Interpretation of Bereshith as “Bara-Shith” (“Created Six”)
The dialogue between R. Hiya and R. Jose reaffirms the previous Kabbalistic interpretation that Bereshith can be read as Bara-Shith — “Created Six.”
The Six Primordial Days
- This suggests that creation is structured around six fundamental principles or emanations.
- These six correspond to the six Sefirot that govern the divine flow into creation:
- Chesed (Kindness)
- Gevurah (Judgment)
- Tiferet (Beauty)
- Netzach (Victory)
- Hod (Glory)
- Yesod (Foundation)
- These six Sefirot represent the divine forces that shape reality, collectively referred to as Zeir Anpin.
The Hidden Days
- The text mentions that other days are “hinted at but not disclosed.”
- This alludes to the hidden Sefirot (Binah, Chochmah, and Keter), which transcend direct perception and belong to the unknowable realms of divine wisdom.
2. The Graving of Creation in a Hidden Recess
The passage states that the “Holy and Mysterious One” graved all of creation within a single point.
The Primordial Point as Keter
- In Kabbalah, the idea of creation beginning from a single point aligns with the concept of Keter, the highest Sefirah and the source of all existence.
- This “point” is often compared to the Hebrew letter Yod (י), which is the smallest letter but contains infinite potential.
The Palace as a Symbol of Divine Concealment
- The palace represents the hidden structure of creation.
- This mirrors the Heichalot (heavenly palaces) described in Kabbalistic cosmology, where divine secrets are concealed until they are revealed through spiritual ascent.
- The palace is locked, indicating that divine wisdom is not immediately accessible but requires the right “key.”
The Key as the Mechanism of Revelation
- The key that “shuts and opens” symbolises the process of divine revelation.
- This key represents Da’at (Knowledge), the bridge between Chochmah (Wisdom) and Binah(Understanding).
- It also reflects the principle of Tzimtzum — the contraction of divine energy to make space for creation.
3. The Fifty Gates of Wisdom
One of the most significant mystical elements introduced here is the concept of the fifty gates.
The Forty-Nine Gates and the Mysterious Gate
- The text describes a palace with “fifty mystic gates” but clarifies that forty-nine are distributed along its four sides, while the fiftieth remains unknown.
- In Kabbalah, the fifty gates are associated with the ascent of the soul and divine wisdom.
- The number forty-nine suggests a process of gradual elevation, while the fiftieth represents a level beyond human comprehension (Binah in its fullest state).
- This mirrors the Torah’s structure:
- The Israelites underwent forty-nine days of purification before receiving the Torah on the fiftieth day (Shavuot).
- Moses reached the forty-ninth gate of wisdom, but the fiftieth remained beyond his grasp.
The Mysterious Gate and Ein Sof
- The fact that the final gate is unknown suggests its connection to the Ein Sof (the Infinite).
- It is “neither above nor below,” indicating that it transcends the structured reality of creation.
- This reflects the paradoxical nature of ultimate divine reality — it both contains and exceeds all things.
4. The Lock and the Key: The Mechanism of Divine Emanation
The passage describes a single lock with a tiny imprint for the key, reinforcing the theme of controlled access to divine wisdom.
One Lock Governing All Gates
- The idea that “all these gates have one lock” suggests a unified divine system.
- The lock represents Malkhut (Sovereignty), the lowest Sefirah, which contains and manifests all higher emanations.
The Key as the Power of Speech and Torah
- In Kabbalah, the key is often associated with divine speech (Dibur).
- Just as a key allows access, divine words unlock spiritual realities.
- The Torah itself is the key to higher wisdom, containing within it both revealed and hidden knowledge.
5. Bereshith as Both Concealment and Revelation
The final mystical insight here is the dual nature of Bereshith — it both reveals and conceals.
A Word of Mystery: Bara (ברא)
- The root Bara (“He created”) is said to indicate concealment.
- This reflects the Kabbalistic idea that creation is an act of Tzimtzum (divine contraction), where God withdraws His presence to make space for finite existence.
A Word of Revelation: Shith (שית)
- The word Shith (“Six”) is described as revealing, corresponding to the six Sefirot that shape creation.
- This suggests that divine energy flows into the world in a structured and comprehensible manner, even as its source remains hidden.
The Key Controls Both Aspects
- The key’s ability to “shut and open” mirrors the dual nature of divine wisdom — it is both accessible and veiled, depending on one’s level of spiritual attainment.
Conclusion: The Kabbalistic Blueprint of Creation
This passage from The Zohar presents a deeply symbolic interpretation of Bereshith, focusing on the dynamics of revelation and concealment in divine wisdom.
1. Creation as a Structured Process
- The universe unfolds from a single divine point (Keter), expanding into a structured system of emanation (Sefirot).
2. The Role of the Six Sefirot
- The six revealed Sefirot govern the world, while the higher Sefirot remain hidden.
3. The Fifty Gates of Wisdom
- Spiritual ascent occurs through forty-nine stages, with the fiftieth gate representing the unknowable aspect of divinity.
4. The Lock and Key as Divine Access
- Divine knowledge is not freely available but must be unlocked through the right spiritual means (Torah, Da’at, Tzimtzum).
5. Bereshith as a Paradox of Mystery and Revelation
- The very first word of the Torah encodes the secret of divine concealment and revelation, setting the tone for the entire spiritual journey.
Through this passage, The Zohar invites readers to see creation not just as a historical event but as a mystical process of unfolding divine wisdom, where access to higher knowledge requires spiritual refinement and the right “key” to unlock the gates of understanding.
