We can see in scripture that people prepare themselves to approach God or to do thing they are called to do. Moses was told to remove his shoes. People kneel in preparation for prayer. People fast, and so on. We do this to draw to ourselves holy power, or holiness, to be purified.
Regarding those who wish to be holy the Zohar says:
“Therefore when a man wishes to be purified, he receives help from above, and the help of his Master encircles and protects him. He is then called 'holy'.”
You could say that by a person’s preparation he or she arouses the influences or powers of heaven.
The Zohar teaches about people who wish to do witchcraft and sorcery. It teaches us that “Whoever is drawn here [practicing witchcraft] becomes defiled.”
But more than that, evil practitioners do evil in order to defile themselves in preparation of spells and other such activities.
“If a man wishes to be defiled, several groups of lights of Klipot are waiting for him. They all hover about and around him. They defile him, so he is called unholy. They go before him and proclaim, Unholy, unholy, as it is written: "And shall cry, 'Unclean, unclean'" (Vayikra 17:45). They are all connected to the primordial serpent and are hidden in the deeds of the people of the world.”
And,
“Moreover, one should be impure to cast a spell. One has to draw upon oneself that side of the unholy spirit.”
I wonder if we “draw upon” ourselves holiness, or impurity, by the small things we say and do?
When confronted with a problem, do we say a little prayer, or do we say a little curse (ie “oh XXXX”)? Which one prepared us to meet the challenge?
Jesus said we would be judged by even our idle words.
Some ancient Jews would add an oath to saying yes and no, but Jesus taught them not to do that.
Do we need to add heck (or worse) to “yes,” or “no?”
I think this is a part of holiness, and is a big problem in the lives of some, and a smaller problem is the lives of other.
[All of the Zohar references above are found HERE or The Zohar, Matt, Vol II, pg. 216]
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3 comments:
It is interesting to to see the ZOHAR being quoted as scripture. not that ANY book has not been revised,changed or edited, including the 4 standard works.
It would be interesting to Take up the basic Topic of Grace&Faith
and draw difference Between the View of Paul as included in the Romans and Corithians
The Mormon View is very Different from what is written By Paul and the interpatation of the "Fundamentalist" position on
Grace&Faith
This argument and issue is a core deviding point between Mormon and the "traditional" Christian point of View
It could be an edifing dicussion as Many are not sure exactly what their own personal position is, or what the Mormon position is, and what the Fundamentalist position is.
To open the discussion When Joseph Smith received his first vision He was told to Join none of the Churches, because their Doctrines and Creeds were an abomination. with that point of view in mind.
The fundmentalist will respond with the following.
Ephesians 2:8-9 Saved thru faith thru grace not of works.Eternal life a Gift of God
Romans 3- 5: Exhaltation and Eternal Life are free gifts of God and not of Works based on faith in his Grace, not Based on works because all fall short,Christ decended below and has acended above all thru faith and His grace we also shall ascend to heaven as we are Gods children thru faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:6-9 there is One Gospel and Good story of how we receive the our Citizenship in the Kingdom of God, become Children of God and ascend to Heaven.
Perhaps you could create a Faith&Grace post and Move this Post there.
That is certainly a worthwhile discussion, but I think I already this it here: Salvation is Free. Let’s discuss it there.
-David
Where is the Zohar being equated with scripture? Because a book is quoted it is considered scripture? I don’t consider it scripture.
But I do see it as a great book. It is a compilation of the Oral Teachings of the Jews, and the written Torah, presented story form. There is a lot to be learned from the Zohar, for those who are ready to receive.
-David
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