to Dr. Dan
THE ARIZAL SAID THAT IN THE LATER GENERATIONS
IT IS A MITZVAH TO REVEAL THE
WISDOM OF THE ZOHAR
Thus it is Pnimiut HaTorah which is the Tree of Life, which is the revelation of
G-dliness, which leads to 'a perfect heart,' i.e., the love and fear [of G-d] which is
the essence of our occupation with the Torah and its mitzvos. For this reason, the
essence of Pnimiut HaTorah was revealed in these later generations. Thus Tanya,
Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 26, quotes the AriZal as stating that it is in these later
generations that it is permitted - and indeed, it is a mitzvah - to reveal this
wisdom. For in the earlier generations, this was not necessary. They were totally
righteous men [whose souls] stemmed from high [spiritual] rungs. Because of the
tremendous power of their souls, they possessed genuine love and fear [of G-d]
and studied the Torah lishmah. [To attain these levels] they did not require the
revelation of Pnimiut HaTorah. [Therefore these teachings were hidden, for] 'It is
the glory of G-d to conceal a matter. In [these] later generations, by contrast, the
souls do not stem from such high rungs, and [the spiritual potential of our] hearts
has diminished. Therefore, it is a mitzvah to reveal [this wisdom]. In each
successive generation, the revelation of Pnimiut HaTorah becomes even more
necessary so that [it becomes possible] to know G-d and [experience] love and
fear of Him Since the spiritual level of the souls have descended and they have
become more materially oriented, and there are a multitude of veils and
concealment, [were it not for the revelation of Pnimiut HaTorah, even those who
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF THE ZOHAR 9
cling to the Torah would not know G-d, and would not [experience] genuine love
and fear [of Him]. For love and fear are dependent on the knowledge and
comprehension of G-dliness. How is it possible to love something when you do
not know what it is?
RABBI SHALOM DOV BER MI LUBAVITCH ZTK’L
KUNTRES ETZ CHAYYIM