זוהר ויקרא — דף יג ע”א

Rabbi Elazar opens with the verse 'Ask for yourself a sign' and explains the difference between earlier and later generations in their knowledge of supreme wisdom. Studying Torah at midnight, when the north wind stirs, rouses 'the hind' (Knesset Israel) to praise the Holy One, blessed be He, joined by thousands and myriads of angels. Whoever merits this joins that praise and stands before the King as a servant of the Lord. The verse 'lift your hands to the sanctuary' is explained: the sanctuary is the supreme place from which the river of Eden flows. The blessing 'may the Lord bless you from Zion' comes from that same source, and 'peace upon Israel' multiplies peace above and below. The folio closes describing the soul's descent into the world: it is sworn to commitments, passes through a thousand and eight worlds, dwells thirty days in the Garden of Eden, and is crowned with seven crowns before entering a body.