Zohar: Idolatry and the Tower of Babel
"And (יהוה אלהים) Jehovah Elohim commanded (האדם H’Adam) the human being, saying: 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayst freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die'" (Genesis 2: 16, 17).
From tradition we learn that the word צו tzav (commanded) denotes idolatry in general, the name יהוה or Jehovah refers to blaspheming the holy name, whilst אלהים Elohim (Gods and Goddesses) indicates the denial of justice in the world. 'האדם H’Adam,' refers to the crime of murder; לאמר, זו גילוי עריות L'amar, 'saying' to incest, fornication; 'from every tree in the garden' to theft; 'mayest eat' to the prohibition from cutting flesh from a live animal.
In saying, 'From every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat' Elohim indicated that even if Adam should commit all these sins, he was not to despair. As we see that the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and also prophets, have eaten of it (the tree of life) and died not at once. Yet, He wished to warn Adam against tasting of the tree of death, as it is written, 'but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shall not eat of it, for whosoever does so dies as if he had taken poison.' 'But of the fruit of the tree (the genitalia) which is in the midst of the garden (our physicality),' Elohim has commanded, 'We should not eat.' 'The fruit of the tree' denotes אישה Aishah, the woman (better said: the אש Esh, fire of יה Jah within the sexual organ). Thou shalt not eat thereof (do not reach the orgasm during the sexual act with your spouse), because as scripture states, 'Her feet (testicles or ovaries by means of the orgasm) go down to death (impotency and eventually loss of physical life) and her steps (sexual degeneration) lead into שאול Sheol, Hell' (Proverb 5: 5)
Now, wherever the word צו tzav (commandment) is found in Scripture it is to forbid idolatry, the tendency toward which comes from the liver (כבד chabad), which word signifies hard, bitter, or grievous, and therefore idolatry is called or termed a hard service. The liver moreover is the seat of rage and wrath, and this is why it is said that whosoever gives way to anger and rage is as culpable as he who commits an act of idolatry.
And this is the meaning of the words "And Elohim (צו tzav) commanded Adam," that is, in forbidding idolatry he also forbade the indulgence in anger, for they proceed from one common source and lead to the shedding of blood and "Whosoever sheds adam`s blood, by Adam will his blood be shed, for in the image of Elohim made he Adam." (Genesis 9: 6). The penchant for murder comes from the liver and is as a sword in the hand of the angel of death: "For the lips of a זרה strange (the adulterous) drop as an honeycomb, and their mouth is smoother than oil: But their end is (a murder) bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword." (Proverbs 5: 3, 4).
The word "saying" signifies the spleen, of which it is said: "Such is the way of an adulterous spouse (Malkuth, our physicality); they eat, and wipe their mouth, and say, we have done no wickedness.'" (Proverbs 30: 20). This organ (the spleen) has no orifice nor canal, but is a solid substance with veins and arteries and absorbs dark blood from the liver. Adultery is therefore in scripture symbolized by the spleen, as (adultery) its perpetration leaves no traces behind it, whilst murder becomes quickly detected by bloodmarks and therefore men fear to commit murder more than adultery.
When these sins of idolatry, murder and adultery, cease to prevail among mankind, in that day there shall be one Lord, and his name One." - Zohar
Therefore, the biblical expression: “בני ישראל - Beni Israel," in the first instance, is addressing the Monads, Spirits, Chesed, or first born sons of ישר-אל Yashur El, the Upright God, Kether, the light, or, the sons of the manifested Elohim, as it is stated in the Book of Job 38: 7: “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy.” The morning stars are the 24 Elders from the 12 constellations, who, along with the Sons or Monads, of Elohim (Gods and Goddesses) or Sons of Israelישר-אל Yashur El, the Upright God, Kether, sang their song of praise at the creation of the world, in the present Mahamanvantara or great cosmic day. In a Sanskrit sense, the Sons of Elohim or Sons of Israel, are the Bodhisattvas, meaning, the Sattvas or essences of Buddhi wisdom; Trimurtis of perfection, spirit-souls of wisdom and light who in former cosmic ages attained union with Parabrahman, he who is beyond Abraham.
"On this account a man who is a true Israelite will find his unity in the secret doctrine, which is as a tree of life to them that lay hold of it: "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is everyone that retains her." (Proverbs 3: 18). This tree of life (or spinal medulla) is (the spiritual womb of) the Matrona (the Schekinah), symbolized by the tenth Sephirah Malkuth (Kingdom). This is why true Israelites are the children of light who are called Beni Malachim בנים מלכים (sons of kings or even better, בנים מלאכים sons of angels; in Sanskrit words, Bodhisattvas, the souls of those בנים benim, who rise their י Iod through their spine from Malkuth, on the ישר yashar, upright path towards Kether, אל El, God).”
“Now, about false Israelites it is written: "And the earth (physicality) was of one language and of the same (דברים debarim) words" and it is further added "And as they - these (דברים debarim) words - went from the east" (מקדם meqedem), this former word (east) here signifies he (Kether) who is the Alpha or Premier (Logos) of the world. It is also said, "They (these words) found (Daath) a plain or valley in the earth, attached to the (32) teeth (שן ער Shin-ar), וישבו שם and settled a name (in the 32 paths of wisdom)." (Genesis 11: 1) Chokmah, wisdom, is the second Logos, the sephirah number two.
The number two has thirty-two paths and fifty doors. The kabbalistic explanation for this is the following:
32 paths = 3 + 2 = 5 (the pentalpha, the human being)
50 doors = 5 + 0 = 5 (the pentalpha, the human being)
Let us add the results:
(a male + a female human being) 5 + 5 = 10
10 = 1 + 0 = 1 = The masculine and feminine principles are within the 0, which is the foundation of love through sex.
The Divine Mother, the Cosmic Mother ∞ Infinite, 5 the Pentalpha
5 + 5 = 10
This is reduced as: = ∞ = 5 the Pentalpha = (the human being). - Samael Aun Weor
“As soon as they (the words) detached themselves from this (Alpha or) premier (Logos), unity of thought and mind amongst them was no longer possible, and they (the words) became dispersed and scattered abroad in all parts of the earth (the human being).
“If in opposition to these remarks, anyone should refer to the words of scripture ‘And a river went out of (the upper) Eden (Daath) to water the Garden (human being) and from thence it was divided and became into four heads,' (Genesis 2: 10) in order to show that even in association and close proximity with the Divine Presence, divine separation occur and therefore it was nothing extraordinary that this deflection and revolt from the Premier (Logos) of the world should take place, just as it was with the river of Eden that it should become parted into four heads. In reply we admit that it was not impossible it should do so after but not before its exit from the garden, so with respect to mankind after the deluge, so long as they remained united together (as the 32 teeth) they were attached to the worship of Elohim, the premier (Logos, the א Aleph) of the world. “They had (אחד Ehad) one in common, one language, one faith, one mode of worshipping the Divine Being, binding them together (as the 32 teeth in the mouth) in a universal brotherhood that prevailed amongst them.
But declining in divine knowledge and reverence, they gradually deviate away from allegiance to (Kether) their great Premier (Logos, מקדם meqedem, east) until at length they found (confusion of tongues in) the plain (attached to the (32) teeth (שן ער Shin-ar), or in other words, (their שנע moving range of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability of their ר head diminished) they became ignorant of God (the Logos) their creator and (because of fornication) devoid of (Daath) all knowledge of the higher and diviner life.
Scripture relates of נמרד Nimrod (a person who resists the will of God), 'The beginning of his Kingdom was בלל Babel' from which we gather, it was he who first seduced the postdiluvians from the worship and service of the true god (or Logos), and introducing confusion and disorder amongst them, he eventually succeeded in usurping rule and sovereignty over them and led them to a plain (of confusion) in the plain (attached to the (32) teeth (שן ער Shin-ar), by which is meant, that from that time human beings forsook the worship of the Divine and began to live in defiance of his law, then degenerated and gave themselves wholly up to the pursuit of and indulged in worldly pleasures and enjoyments, worshipping the creature (personalities) rather than their creator (the Logos) who is blessed forever. It is further related, 'And they said, go to, let us build us a city and a tower whose head may reach into heaven and let us make us a name (שם shem)'
King Saul and the witch of Endor
Said Rabbi Hiya: It is written, 'The wicked are like the troubled sea' (כים נגרש kyam negrash) (Isaiah 57: 20). Is there then a troubled sea? Truly so, for when it (the fornicator) exceeded its boundaries, it becomes (כים נגרש kyam negrash) and bursting its barriers, as a (fornicator) man intoxicated with the wine (of lust), rolling and staggering and unable to keep himself erect, and scripture further adds, of the sea when in this troubled state, 'It cannot rest; and its waters cast up mire and dirt,' meaning that whilst it is calm (chaste), the mud concealed in its depths remains undisturbed but the moment its surface begins to be ruffled and agitated by the tempestuous winds and storms (of lust) it is ejected, similarly with a (fornicator) man who as long as he is devoted to the service of his Lord, his lower nature or self is calm and peaceful, its (Nephesh) animal propensities repressed and restrained (better said, transmuted and sublimated), but as soon as his relation with his divine higher self becomes disturbed and broken, like a drunkard, he begins to reel and stagger, and give utterance to the depraved feelings and emotions that have lain dormant within him, and in proportion as he babbles forth his obscure and filthy gibberish, so does his profanity increase, for it is the reflection of his (Nephesh) impure animal soul that then becomes manifested. Observe the words, 'And they said, go to, let us build us a city and tower whose top shall reach into heaven.' The term "הבה habah" (go to) whenever used in scripture is always found in connection with some thing or project unrealizable by those who conceived it. Their blind impulse to build such a city and tower arose only from a wicked and foolish desire that animated and prompted them to live in open revolt against (הא Ha’ שם Shem) the Holy One."
“And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick instead of (the philosophical) stone, and slime had they instead of mortar (or Lingam Yoni).” - Genesis 11: 3
Said Rabbi Abba: "They were the subjects of a horrible and demoniacal infatuation in that they impiously wished to abandon the worship of (נחש נחשת the serpent of brass) their Lord (their Schekinah) for that of Satan (their lust) or the (kundabuffer) serpent to whom they (the idolatrous fornicators) rendered homage and glory (through their bestial orgasm).
The words, "הבה habah" (go to) let us build us a city and tower,' have a deeply occult meaning and contain a mystery most profound. Remark that when the postdiluvians arrived at the plain (attached to the (32) teeth (שן ער Shin-ar) of Shinar (a strange kingdom or domain) and had become acquainted with and accommodated themselves to its natural advantages coming from its proximity to the sea (or cerebral spinal and genital fluids), they said amongst themselves, it will be best for us to settle down and dwell here, for with little trouble and at once we can indulge in those sensual (sexual) pleasures and delights that are the charm of life, making it worth the living. But why worship heavenward and what advantage will accrue to us in so doing. Here let us build us a temple and make a deity of ourselves. Come and let us make a shem (שם Shem, name, a synonym for God, or a Divine Being) whom we can adore and have him always in our midst as a center of attraction, and thus avoid becoming dispersed abroad on the face of the earth." - Zohar
Lo, only this I have found, that Elohim hath made אדם Adam - ישר yashur - upright; but they have entangled themselves with accountability masters. - Ecclesiastes 7: 29
“And these are the (מלכים Malechim) kings that reigned in the land of אדום Edom, before there reigned any (מלך Melech) king over the children (archetypes) of (ישר-אל yashur El, the upright God) ישראל Israel.” - Genesis 36: 31
About these rebel מלכים Malechim it is written the following:
“In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of יהוה, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him.
“Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.
“In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against יהוה their Elohim, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharoah king of Egypt, and had feared other Elohim, and walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom יהוה cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.
“And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against יהוה their Elohim, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom יהוה carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke יהוה to anger: For they served idols, whereof יהוה had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
“Yet יהוה testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
“Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in יהוה their Elohim. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom יהוה had charged them, that they should not do like them.
“And they left all the commandments of יהוה their Elohim, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal (better said, Belial).
“And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire (to Moloch), and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of יהוה, to provoke him to anger.
“Therefore יהוה was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Yet, also Judah kept not the commandments of יהוה their Elohim, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
“And יהוה rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following יהוה, and made them sin a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; until יהוה removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets.
“So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
“And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not יהוה: therefore יהוה sent lions among them, which slew some of them. Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the Elohim of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the Elohim of the land.
“Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the Elohim of the land. Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel (house of God), and taught them how they should fear יהוה.
“Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.
“And the men of בבל Babel made סכות בנות Succoth-Benoth.
“And the (כות Cuth) disabled people made נרגל Nergal (spy).
“And the חמת Hamath, angry people made אשים Ashim (important or vain people).
“And the עוים Avites or עולים immigrants made נבחז Nibhaz (the barking one) and תרתק Tartak (fascination).
“And the ספרוים Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to אדרמלך וענמלך Adrammelech and Anammelech, the Elohim of the ספרים Sepharim (or ספרדים Sephardim).
“So they feared יהוה, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.
“They feared יהוה, but served their own Elohim, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
“Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not יהוה, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which יהוה commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; with whom יהוה had made a covenant, and charged them saying, Ye shall not fear other Elohim, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: But יהוה, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other Elohim. And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other Elohim. But יהוה your Elohim ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your (psychological) enemies (which are all of those idols or graven images within your minds).
Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared יהוה, and served their (traditions or) graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” - 2Kings 17: 1-41