the Kohar... anyone heard of it? [Archive]

stlukesguild

07-06-2008, 11:40 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar

An introduction to the Zohar... which most certainly seems to match what you were seeking. I would somewhat caution you (or anyone) before jumping headlong into the Zohar, which is a central work of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah. This is an esoteric branch of "literature" that would make James Joyce seem light reading in comparison. The work was reportedly composed in an archaic form of Aramaic and published by a Jewish writer named Moses de Leon. It was credited by de Leon to a 2nd century Jewish Rabbi, Shimon bar Yochai, who composed the work, directly inspired by Elijah, while in hiding from Roman persecution. This claim is accepted by many in the Jewish community, but based upon statements of de Leon's peers and on inter-textual elements such as the use of Spanish idioms and syntax with this "ancient" Aramaic text, many experts, including the Jewish historian and perhaps leading expert on Zohar, Gershom Scholem, have concluded that the Zohar was actually a work by de Leon himself. The Jewish literature of this period is quite rich, including major poets such Shmu'el HaNagid, Shelomo Ibn Gabriol, Moshe Ibn Ezra, Jehuda Halevi, and Avraham Ibn Ezra. before jumping into Zohar, however, I would suggest a solid foundation in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and then perhaps some introductory works including The Essential Kabbalah: Heart of Jewish Mysticism- Daniel C. Matt:
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Kabbalah-Heart-Jewish-Mysticism/dp/0062511637/ref=pd_sim_b_5
Zohar: The Book of Splendor: Basic Readings from the Kabbalah- by Gershom Scholem (see above):
http://www.amazon.com/Zohar-Splendor-Basic-Readings-Kabbalah/dp/0805210342/ref=pd_sim_b_4
If you still wish to read the entire Zohar you can find it in 5 volumes for less than $200-300:
http://www.amazon.com/Zohar-5-set-Maurice-Simon/dp/0900689390

Rozzy

06-16-2015, 07:45 PM

THE BOOK OF SCROLLS
formerly called
THE BOOK OF BOOKS
or
THE LESSER BOOK OF THE SONS OF FIRE
this being
THE THIRD BOOK OF THE BRONZEBOOK

CHAPTER ONE
THE SACRED REGISTERS - PART 1
O departed one risen to glory, you are now a released spirit united with your spirit whole, the companionable Kohar, the everlasting one. Arise alive in the Land Beyond the Horizon and journey to the Land of Dawning; the stars accompanying you will sing for joy, while the heavenly signs voice hymns of praise and gladness. You are not far removed from us, it is as if we were in one room divided by a curtain, therefore we are not sorrowful. If we weep it is because we cannot share your joys and because we no longer know your touch.

O everlasting Kohar, take this man of goodness into your eternal embrace, let your life become his life and your breath his breath. He is your own, he is the drop returning to the filled pitcher, the leaf returning to the tree, you are the repository of his incarnations. As you grew there, so he grew here; you are everlastingly whole and he lives in you. If he is not even as you in face, let him enter, hide his faults, for they are not many. For this you were fashioned, for this you came into being, you are the overbody awaiting the returning spirit, and the spirit now comes. You are that which will clothe the newly arrived spirit in heavenly flesh. You are that in which our departed one will express himself.

O Kohar, hear us. Here is your vitalizing essence; before you were incomplete, now you are whole. Draw your own, your compatible one, to you and observe the many likenesses. We send fragrances, that they may spread around you. Now take the eye which will perfect your face, it is the perfecting eye, the eye which sees things as they are. See the fluctuating wraith, is it not beautiful? Does it not come with an aura of fragrance, sweetness filling the air? It has been purged of all impurities, all about it is fragrant. Therefore, grant it your substance, that it may become solid and firm.

O Kohar, long have you awaited the day of fulfillment, the day of your destiny. That day is here, it is now; therefore, take the spirit which is your own and enfold it with your wings. Each to his own and to his own each goes. You and he are bound together with unseverable bonds, each without the other is nothing. Now bear him up, for in that place you are greater than he, for you are the generator. While he rested in the womb you were active, as he grew you grew before him. If he has done wrong, and who among men is guiltless, then in you let the wrong be adjusted. You are his hope, you are his shield and you are his refuge.

This we say to the Brilliant One, the Guardian of Goodness: The departed one has not walked with ignorance, he has not been slothful in carrying the burden of his duty. He has not been swayed by passions of the body, he has not despoiled the house of another, he has not caused undue sorrow, nor has he maltreated a child for pleasure. He has succoured the poor and weak, he has done all that is good; therefore, let none of Those Who Lurk in Darkness seize him. His radiant light is strong, those who would seize him are repulsed by the light and slink away. He lives, he lives forever.

He has lived worthily, he has been purified by the fires of earthly life, he has been refined in the furnace of tribulation, he has overcome all earthly temptations. He has lived the life which enhances goodness, he has prepared himself for life in the light. Receive him, O Brilliant One!

O Kohar, absorb into yourself the life-force, it was meant for you, it is yours. It is the enlivening spirit which spans the two worlds. He, the departed one, was you and even more so were you he. Come to him as the Beauteous One came to Belusis, a great king, and gathered him in compassion and love. Come, that he may awaken to new life in your arms.
This man, the departed one, who in unity with you becomes the Glorious One, was born of a God and is the child of two Gods, after the nature of greater men. Now you are impregnated with the living spirit of he who was prepared by trial on Earth for you. Behold, in unity your twain are now throbbing with life and your brightness bedazzles the eyes. You are now a Star of Life, a Living Star, and to a star you shall ascend to rule its life.

The departed one is now freed, he is loosed from the bonds of illusion, he is saved from the dark waters of unreality and is one with the Eternal Light. These things we declare, so let them be. Our thoughts mould a new reality beyond the present real, and this becomes the reality of tomorrow.

O great substantial Kohar, protect this departed one, your own, from the accusations of false-fronted beings, remembering the faithful heart ever prevailing before the balances of our forefathers from far away. Put into his mouth those words which open doors. Let the goodness in him prevail, but you, yourself, stand up and bear witness for him. He suffered from the frailties of men. He was wrathful when provoked and surly when enduring great burdens. His temper flashed quickly when his words were not accepted or his ways followed, and at times he lacked consideration. However, these are small things inseparable from the frailties of mortal men, and in all greater things he was good. Let not the false-fronted one disguised in his brother's form possess him, guard him from the beings lurking in the shadows this side of the darkness.

I see this, my brothers. Behold, the departed one goes to meet his own image. It is his own self reflected in his image. It is his own self that comes to greet him. It is his Kohar which embraces him. It welcomes him as though he were one ransomed from captivity. I see them blend and he becomes a new seed in the heart of his Kohar.

I hear the Kohar speak, it names itself Nevakohar, it says,
"O man of pure thoughts, of kindly words, of quiet speech, of good deeds, come to me. I am your being, yet I am not you; as you have loved and cherished me, so I now love and cherish you. I am your reward, as I would have been your affliction".
They are now united and this is the place of the first threshold, from whence the Completed Beings depart.