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I realize I am arguing in foreign territory. I no longer
know what Herman represents. Is this observant Jew, caressing my
clay body a heretic? Does he belong to some strange cult? I decide
to stop faking and admit my ignorance on the subject. “No, I am not familiar with whatever you just mentioned.” I reply, awaiting my lesson. The sound of his hands hitting the clay subsides and then comes to a halt. I hear him breathe deeply. He speaks: “The Zohar is one of the most significant Jewish books, some even call it the third bible since it is second only to the bible and the Talmud. Much of the Zohar is interpretations of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai and his students dating back to the second century. These passages analyze the psychology of God and try to establish...” I feel the need to interrupt in order to prove my attention. “Wait a minute, you mean that God is analyzed like a person, with character flaws and everything?” “Pretty much”, he continues to explain, “The Zohar describes conflicting elements that comprise the consciousness of God. The book establishes a personality for God based on his actions of creation and his revelations to man.” I sigh. I let the air that I breathe flow through my body in a dance. Even though I am motionless, the air dances within me. “Well, in that case, what is God like, what kind of personality does the Zohar say he has?” “Well, the Zohar constructs ten sefirot that embody all aspects of God’s personality: Kether, Hokhma, Bina, Gevura, Hesed, Tiferet, Netsah, Hod, Yesod and Malkuth. These characteristics are dynamic and their relationships are dynamic. An energy flows from Sefira to Sefira, activating and intensifying different characteristics as it moves...” Herman continues to speak in his high monotonous voice, and I lose focus. I am dizzy and I can no longer |
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