אות - רעז

He said: There are found several teachings in the holy Zohar that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai revealed to his disciples after his passing. And this is the matter of "in the first assembly" [uvachavurah kadma'a] that is written in the holy Zohar in the portion of Pinchas (III, 219b) and in other places. For the world does not understand what this means. But the explanation is — that "the first assembly" is the assembly that was held after the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and at that time he revealed to them several teachings from the world of truth where he now was. And this is "the first assembly" — meaning the assembly that gathered after his passing. And this is also the meaning of "the second assembly" and "the third assembly" — that they are all assemblies that were gathered after his passing, at which he revealed to them from the world of truth.[457] And it is written there in the Zohar (Pinchas III, 219b) at the beginning of this teaching: "Rabbi Abba said: When the holy luminary [Rabbi Shimon] passed away" — and then he begins to say the teaching as if in the name of Rabbi Shimon himself. 457. RAK: Kesa Melech on Tikkunei Zohar 7; Zmirat HaAretz, section 64.