- Raya Mehemna, "the Faithful Shepherd," a Kabbalistic exposition of the commandments and prohibitions of the Torah (scattered throughout vols. 2 and 3. The bulk of the Raya Mehemna can be found in Zohar II, 114a-1121a, III 97-104, 108b-112a, 121b-126a, 215a-259b, 270b-283a).
The Structure of the Zohar
Although the Zohar is generally referred to as a single multi-volume work, comprising Zohar, Tikunei Zohar and Zohar Chadash, it is actually a compilation of several smaller treatises or sub-sections - approximately twenty main sections. These are:
- The main bulk of the Zohar, sometimes also called MidrashHaZohar, written as commentary on sections and passages of the Torah.
- Sifra d'Tzniuta, or "Book of Concealed Matters". This is a commentary on Bereishit, the first parasha of the book of Genesis(Zohar II, 176b-179a).
- Idra Rabba, or "Greater Assembly". In it Rabbi Shimon bar Yochaireveals the mysteries of the extremely recondite passages of the Sifra d'Tzniuta to his disciples (Zohar III, 127b-145a).
- Idra Zuta, or "Lesser Assembly". Here are described the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the teachings which he revealed just prior to his death. The methodology of the Zohar's redaction is also described briefly (Zohar III, 287b-296b).
- Idra de-bei Mishkana, the "Assembly of the Tabernacle", in which the section of the Torah dealing with the Tabernacle is discussed (Zohar II, 127ab-146b).
- Razin d'Razin, the "Secret of Secrets," or "Mystery of Mysteries" discusses chochmat ha-partzuf (the "wisdom of the countenance") and chochmat ha-yad (palmistry) (Zohar II, 70a-78a; Zohar Chadash 35b-37c).
- Heichalot, "Chambers", a description of the seven chambers of light perceived by the mystic during prayer, or by a righteous person as his soul passes away from this world and ascends on high (Zohar I, 38a-45b and Zohar II, 244b-268b).
- Matnitin and Tosefta, are brief statements of Kabbalistic principles which are explained more fully in the sections which follow them. (These are spread throughout all three volumes of the Zohar and are also found in several places in the Zohar Chadash).
- Raya Mehemna, "the Faithful Shepherd," a Kabbalistic exposition of the commandments and prohibitions of the Torah (scattered throughout vols. 2 and 3. The bulk of the Raya Mehemna can be found in Zohar II, 114a-1121a, III 97-104, 108b-112a, 121b-126a, 215a-259b, 270b-283a).
- Sitrei Torah, "Secrets of the Torah," a mystical interpretation of certain passages of the Torah (found in Zohar I, 74a-75b, 76b-80b, 88a-90a, 97a-102a, 108a-111a, 146b-149b. According to some, the section of Zohar I, 15a-22b is the Sitrei Torah on Genesis).
- Midrash HaNe'elam, "Hidden Midrash," on various sections of the Torah (Zohar Chadash 2b-30b; Zohar I 97a-140a; Zohar II, 4a-5b, 14a-22a) and on Song of Songs.
- Saba d'Mishpatim, the wisdom of an old man who reveals the secrets of reincarnation and transmigration contained in the section of the Torah dealing with the laws governing the Hebrew slave (Zohar II, 94b-114a). [For more dicussion of the Saba click here.]
- Yenuka, "The Child." The discourse of a young child who reveals mysteries of the Torah (Zohar III, 186a-192a).
- Rav Metivta, a description of a journey through the Garden of Eden, and a discourse on the destiny of souls (Zohar III, 161b-174a).
- Zohar on Shir HaShirim, a Kabbalistic exposition of the Song of Songs (Zohar Chadash 61d-75a).
- Kav HaMiddah, "The Measuring Rod." Mystical insights into the Shema Yisrael prayer (Zohar Chadash 56d-58d).
- Sitrei Otiot, "Mysteries of the Letters." An exposition of the secrets of the Hebrew alphabet (Zohar Chadash 1-9).
- Tikunei Zohar and addenda. Discussing seventy permutations of the first word of the Torah, "Bereishit", and commentaries on various other sections of Scripture.
- Zohar Chadash, commentary on the Torah and on Song of Songs, Ruth, and Lamentations. The section on Song of Songs is actually part of the Midrash HaNe'elam.
[Adapted from "Zohar", Introduction by Rabbi Moshe Miller; and Foreword to Zohar, by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet.]