The Zohar, the great Kabbalistic work of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, makes a fascinating comment. It states that two great Jewish women, Tamar and Ruth, merited having the Messiah, Mashiach, come through their lineage because they both did kindness with those that had deceased.
What did Tamar and Ruth both do that merited them to be the Matriarchs of the lineage of Mashiach?
Join me as we explore the inner meaning of this Zohar, as well as other fundamental concepts, such as the role of man in this world and why did G-d create an imperfect world?
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
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Sources:
Zohar, Vol. I, 118b, linking Tamar and Ruth with King David and Mashiach – https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.1.188b.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Story of Tamar in Genesis Chapter 38 – https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.38?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Megillah of Ruth – https://www.sefaria.org/Ruth?lang=bi
Deuteronomy 25:5-10, discussing the Mitzvah of the Levirate Marriage, Yibum – https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.25.5?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Rabbeinu Bachya, Deuteronomy 25:9, Yibum is a great merit for the soul of the deceased – https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.25.6?lang=bi&aliyot=0&p2=Rabbeinu_Bahya%2C_Devarim.25.9.4&lang2=bi&w2=all&lang3=en
Isaiah 11:9, Mashiach will make G-d known to the world – https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.11.9?lang=bi
