October 16, 2018 · 00:05:16
Zayin represents the spiritual force that drives the so called war of existence. Many words that start with Zayin represent a movement of some sort in general, and specifically one that allows the world to continue and survive. For example: Zachar, man, who is needed in the perpetuation of creation. Zerah, seed, which allows a child to be born and plant life and vegetation to grow. Zikaron, memory, which connotes mental life and movement. Za’azuach, to tremble or shake. Zanav, tail, as on an animal. Zechila, drip or flow. Zan, to sustain. Zayin looks like a seed, pointing towards the letter’s power of creative potential, movement and flow needed to sustain the world. The first time that Zayin appears at the beginning of a word in the Torah is when Hashem is creating the world. The seeds were “mazreah zerah, to sprout forth.” The potential of the plant life and vegetation was hidden under the ground and was going to sprout forth at a later time. Similarly, the Radvaz explains that the secret of Zayin was expressed when Hashem appeared to Moshe for the first time at the burning bush. Moshe asked for signs to show that he would be successful in his mission to redeem Am Yisrael from slavery. The passuk in Shemos 3:12 says, “v’Zeh l’cha ha’os, and this will be for you a sign,” referring to the Zayin. The deeper understanding of this is that Hashem revealed to Moshe the power of the letter contained in the letter Zayin. Precisely through the force of movement needed for spiritual s