זוהר ויקרא — דף סב ע”ב

Rabbi Abba came and asked: it is written, "And Aaron shall place lots upon the two goats, etc." Why these lots? And why must Aaron give lots? And why this portion?<br />
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Rabbi Shimon opened, saying: "And he took Simeon from among them and bound him before their eyes." Joseph took precisely Simeon, for in every place Simeon (and Levi) are the opening of judgment: when Joseph went from his father to his brothers, Simeon was the first to open with judgment, as it is said: "And they said one to another, behold this master of dreams comes, and now let us go, etc." Afterward at Shechem, as it is said: "And the two sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, took," all of them were in judgment. Therefore it was good for Joseph to take this one, so as not to stir up strife with all the other tribes. And we have learned: why did Simeon pair precisely with Levi more than with anyone else, when Reuben was his brother and close to him? Rather, Simeon saw and knew that Levi came from the side of judgment, and Simeon himself was more attached to the side of harsh judgment, and he said: if we two intermingle, we will destroy the world. What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He took Levi for His own portion and said: from now on Simeon shall sit alone with the chain of Might. And we have learned that on the side of the mother two guardians, investigators of judgment, are held by the left hand, and we have already explained that they spy out the land every single day, and this is the secret of the verse: "Two men, spies."<br />
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And we have learned: happy is the portion of Israel more than all the idol-worshipping nations, for the Holy One, blessed be He, wishes to purify them and have mercy upon them, for they are His portion and His lot. This is what is written: "For the Lord's portion is His people, etc.," and it is written: "He made him ride on the high places of the earth." Specifically on the high places of the earth, for they are attached ever higher and higher, and therefore the love of the Holy One, blessed be He, cleaves to them. This is what is written: "I have loved you, says the Lord," and it is written: "For out of the Lord's love for you, etc." And out of the abundant love with which He loves them, He gave them one day in the year to purify them and acquit them of all their sins, as it is written: "For on this day, etc.," so that they might be righteous in this world and in the world to come, and no sin be found in them. And therefore on this day Israel is crowned and rules over all the investigators of judgment and over all the spirits.<br />
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We have learned: "And Aaron shall place lots upon the two goats." "And Aaron shall place" — because he comes from the side of kindness. "Upon the two goats" — precisely so, that the Mistress might be perfumed. One lot for the Lord and one lot for Azazel — behold there are two goats. Why then one for the Lord? Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: let this one sit beside Me, and let the other go and roam about the world, for were the two not to be joined together, the world could not endure it. The one that goes out roams about the world and finds Israel engaged in many works, many degrees, many good conducts, and can do nothing against them, for among them all there is peace, and it cannot enter among them with slander; and the other goat is sent off with the burden of all the sins of Israel. And we have learned that several bands of destroyers, placed under his hand, are appointed to spy out the land concerning those who transgress the words of the Torah, and on that day the accuser finds no opening to speak against Israel. When this goat reaches the mountain, all are perfumed by it with great joy, and that guardian who had gone out returns and speaks the praise of Israel, and the accuser becomes the defender.