זוהר ויקרא — דף יג ע”ב

Rabbi Yossi examines the verse 'the soul that sins,' continuing from 'until the day fades and the shadows flee' - advice for the soul to guard against its sins and return before the harsh day of judgment arrives. Rabbi Elazar teaches that a person has two images (tzelamim), one large and one small, and when they are united the person is in his full completeness; one must therefore examine one's deeds and correct them before the Lord. Solomon's verse 'remember your Creator in the days of your youth' is cited. It is explained that the soul was sworn, upon descending into the world, not to betray the holy covenant inscribed in the person (circumcision) - whoever betrays it betrays the very name of the King. This is illustrated by Avraham: before his circumcision it is not said that he kept the Torah; only after being circumcised and marked with the holy sign is he considered to have kept the entire Torah; likewise for Yitzchak.