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Sefer ha-bahir – Para 26 - Gates of Zion
Identifier
014905
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Sefer ha-bahir - Para 26
Fragment 26: Rabbi Amora sat and lectured: What is the meaning of the verse [Ps. 87 : 2]: 'The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob'?
The 'gates of Zion'-these are the 'gates of the world'; for gate means an opening, as it is written [Ps. 118: 19]: 'Open to me the gates of righteousness.' Thus God said: I love the gates of Zion when they are open. Why? Because they are on the side of evil; but if Israel does good in the sight of God and is worthy that [the gates] be opened, He loves it more than all the "dwellings of Jacob," where there is always peace.'