Zohar

The Zohar (Hebrew זהר Zohar "Splendor, radiance") is widely considered the most important work of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. It is a mystical commentary on the Torah (the five books of Moses), written in medieval Aramaic and medieval Hebrew. It contains a mystical discussion of the nature of God, the origin and structure of the universe, the nature of souls, sin, redemption, good and evil, and related topics.

Appendices and additions

The Zohar is not considered complete without the addition of certain appendixes, which are often attributed either to the same author, or to some of his immediate disciples. These supplementary portions are almost always printed as part of the text with separate titles, or in separate columns. They are as follows:

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• "Sifra di-Ẓeni'uta", consisting of five chapters, in which are chiefly discussed the questions involved in the Creation, such as the transition from the infinite to the finite, that from absolute unity to multifariousness, that from pure intelligence to matter, etc;
• "Idra Rabbah", in which the teachings of the preceding portion are enlarged upon and developed; and "Idra Zuta", giving a résumé of the two preceding sections.

To the larger appendixes are added the following fragments:

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• "Raza de Razin", (Secret of Secrets) dealing with the connection of the soul with the body;
• "Sefer Hekalot", describing the seven heavenly halls, paradise, and hell;
• "Raya Mehemna", giving a conversation between Moses, the prophet Elijah, and Simeon ben Yohai on the allegorical import of the Mosaic commandments and prohibitions, as well as of the rabbinical injunctions;
• "Sitre Torah", on various topics;
• "Midrash ha-Ne'elam", explaining passages of Scripture mystically by way of hints and gematria (mystical numerology);
• "Saba", containing a conversation between the prophet Elijah and Simeon ben Yohai about the doctrine of metempsychosis;
• "Yanuḳa", on the importance of washing the hands before meals and on similar subjects, written in the name of a child of Hamnuna Saba, whence the title "Yanuḳa" (child);
• "Tosefta" and "Matnitin," in which are sketched the doctrines of the Sefirot, the emanation of the primordial light, etc.