The Baal Shem Tov, in his last will, speaks about Noach’s ark. What the kabbalists teach is the word tevah, ark, can also mean a word. What the Baal Shem Tov explains, and another appreciation and understanding we should have of the Zohar, is that there are two ways to connect. We can connect from the outside looking in, the way most of us make our intellectual connection. And then there is entering into the Zohar. The Zohar explains that the Light that is the Zohar can act as a Light that protects us from negativity, but only if we enter it.

Unfortunately, too often we make connections outside of the ark, looking in. Although that is important and reveals Light, it is not the ultimate connection we can and should make with the amazing Light that is the Zohar.

In order to make the maximum connection, we have to enter into the Zohar. How do you make sure our connection to the Zohar is not from the outside? There is a story in the Midrash that there was a person who did not enter the ark, but he held onto it and survived the flood. How do we make sure we are not outside the Zohar, but holding onto it? How can we be like Noach and enter into the protection that is the Zohar?

The first is an understanding. The Rav says, over and over again, consciousness is the key. We cannot think about this enough. The only way we can enter into the ark that is the Zohar is if we have a true appreciation of the power of the Zohar. Through that understanding, we desire, and beg, and ask consistently that not only do we connect from the outside, but also that we enter it completely. Every time we have the opportunity to open the pages and connect to Zohar in any way we can, we need to make sure our connection is not outside looking in. We need to awaken a true appreciation of the Zohar’s power and enter into the letters of the Zohar with our mind, our heart, and our soul. It might be better to say one word over and over than to read thousands of pages.

We understand we are not connecting simply to reveal Light, to gain wisdom, but we are connecting to enter into the words and letters of the Zohar. We are connecting to enter in with our mind, our heart, and our soul. Then we are truly in the ark, with the protection the Zohar can provide.