Zohar Quotes

“The nature of a letter can also be revealed within its numeric value. All letters and numbers behave in a certain but recognizable way, from which we can deduce its nature. The number two is the only even prime. There is an inherent mathematical dilemma with, “one.” No matter how many times you multiply it, by itself, you still can’t get past “one” (1 x 1 x 1 x 1 = 1). So, how does “one” move beyond itself? How does the same, produce the different?
Mathematically, “one” is forced to divide itself and work from that duality. Therein, hides the divine puzzle of bet (b). To become “two,” the second must revolt from wholeness—a separation. Yet, the second could not have existed without the benefit of the original wholeness. Also, the first wanted the second to exist, but the first doesn’t know what the second will become. Again, two contains potential badness, to a Hebrew. (Ge 25:24)”
― Michael Ben Zehabe, The Meaning of Hebrew Letters: A Hebrew Language Program For Christians

“Adam was told to name the animals. Adam studied each kind and gave them a name based on his observations. Every animal “kind” has some behavior or characteristic that is unique to that animal type. When you know the Hebrew name for an animal, you get a peek at how a perfect man, speaking a perfect language, understood that perfect animal.”
― Michael Ben Zehabe, The Meaning of Hebrew Letters: A Hebrew Language Program For Christians

“The inner, subtle essences can be contemplated only by sucking, not by knowing. [p. xxix]”
― Daniel Matt

“The Daily Torah Portion is to your concealed fate, as a flashlight is to a dark path.”
― Oliver Oyanadel, 4 Parables

“The Holy Zohar speaks of achieving the likeness of God, but I could never even begin to be like God. That's how Moses saw God's back, and that's how I know what His face looks like... How merciful is He?!”
― Oliver Oyanadel, How To Visit Heaven Alive

“Gehinom, or Gehenna, passed into use as a metaphoric designation for the place of punishment in the hereafter. According to a Talmudic view, the doors of Gehenna close behind apostates, informers, promoters of sin, and tyrants for many generations. According to the mystical holy book, the Zohar, sinners are punished for twelve months, half of the time in fire and half in snow. Among those who do not face Gehenna, a Talmudic passage includes the very poor and diseased. Despite the many differences of opinion as to the meaning of Gehenna, it is nowhere considered to be a dogma or a doctrine of faith that Jews are required to profess. Even those rabbinic sages who delighted in describing the torments of Gehenna and other shadowy places were usually aware that they were permitting their imagination to roam freely.”
― Rabbi Ron Isaacs, Ask the Rabbi: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How of Being Jewish