The Broad Dissemination of Torah
The Broad Dissemination of Torah
“The Torah is not the heritage of only one place”
Analysis of an extensive walking story shows the Zohar's awareness of the controversial nature of its commitment to walking. Rabbi Abba encounters the mystical devotees of Kfar Tarsha. Unlike Rashbi's disciples, they insist upon remaining in their “nest,” loyally following their forefathers. Exchanging teachings regarding circumcision, a ritual that literally transfers a sacred text to the human body of one's son, they achieve states of mystical union that are more intense than those usually achieved by the walking Companions. R. Abba is enchanted. Issues of filiation arise when Rashbi hears R. Abba's story. He punishes his unfaithful “son” and decrees exile for the villagers. In their refusal to disperse and wander beyond their space, they have apparently been guilty of the same sin as those who built the Tower of Babel. The sacrifice entailed by walking into mundane space must be borne with gnostic good humor.
Keywords: Kfar Tarsha, circumcision, union, Tower of Babel, filiation, nest, humor
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