1: Daniel Matt: **When the people of Israel were in Egypt…** Their enslavement represented demonic control, and they were in a state of impurity similar to that of a menstruant. Once they were circumcised (before leaving Egypt), they entered the realm of holiness, specifically the domain of Covenant (here apparently symbolizing *Shekhinah*, who sometimes shares this designation with *Yesod*). Just as a menstruant counts seven days after her menstrual blood disappears, so Israel counted seven weeks from the Exodus on *Pesaḥ* to *Shavu’ot*—which became instituted as the Counting of the Omer. According to various rabbinic sources, the Israelites circumcised themselves before the Exodus 2: Daniel Matt: ***for yourselves*, precisely…** Rabbi Abba takes this to mean “for your own benefit.” Just as the menstruant’s counting benefits her (by enabling her to be purified and then reunite with her husband), so Israel’s Counting of the Omer enables them to be purified by the stream of emanation and then join King *Tif’eret* and receive the Torah on *Shavu’ot*. 3: Daniel Matt: **Why *seven weeks*?…** Because these symbolize the seven *sefirot* from *Ḥesed* to *Shekhinah*, which issue from the gushing river of *Binah*. **Just as a woman’s purity takes effect at night…** After her count is completed, she immerses herself in a *miqveh* that evening and can then resume sexual relations with her husband. 4:Daniel Matt: **the Torah that is required on this night…** On the night of *Shavu’ot*, Rabbi Abba recommends studying Oral Torah (which includes Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash). This aspect of Torah symbolizes *Shekhinah*, and its devotional learning ensures that Israel will be purified along with *Shekhinah* by the flow of emanation issuing from *Binah* above. During the ensuing day, *Tif’eret* (symbolized by Written Torah) unites with *Shekhinah*. 5: Daniel Matt: **Let us come and array the jewels of the Bride…** The various elements of Torah become jewels adorning *Shekhinah*, preparing Her for union with *Tif’eret*. 6: Daniel Matt: **But who prepares the King…** Who prepares and adorns *Tif’eret* for His wedding with *Shekhinah* (known as *Matronita*) on the next day? This role is played by the Divine Mother, *Binah*. 7: Daniel Matt: **So it is with the Holy King…** The Companions adorn *Shekhinah* by studying Torah through the night of *Shavu’ot*, while *Binah* prepares Her royal son, *Tif’eret*. 8: Daniel Matt: *Shekhinah* is known as צדק (*tsedeq*), *righteousness*, and each person who arrays Her by engaging in Torah becomes צדק‎ פועל (*po’el tsedeq*), *one who activates righteousness*—enabling *Shekhinah* to unite with Her Beloved. (*Selections* from Daniel Matt's Commentary on the Zohar from **The Pritzker Zohar**)