The Kabbalistic secret to keeping Eisav (the Western world) and Yishmael (the Arab world) apart relies on the spiritual power of Jewish Shabbat observance. According to the Zohar, the ox represents Eisav and the donkey represents Yishmael. When these two opposing spiritual forces combine (“plowing together”), they possess the power to threaten global survival.
The Ox and Donkey Prohibition
The Torah explicitly commands in Deuteronomy 22:10: “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.” While the literal meaning ensures animal welfare, the Zohar explains that this is a cosmic boundary. By keeping these species separated in the physical world, Jews prevent their corresponding spiritual roots from merging into an uncontrollable force of destruction.
How Shabbat Protects the World
Shabbat acts as the ultimate shield against these spiritual forces through two main mechanisms:
- The Universal Rest Commandment: The Decalogue specifically mandates that on Shabbat, “your ox and your donkey may rest.” By enforcing rest upon these specific animals, Jews temporarily disarm the spiritual energy of Eisav and Yishmael.
- Spiritual Boundaries: The Zohar Chadash notes that Shabbat protects the Jewish people from all “evil sides” or impure spiritual forces. It creates a sacred barrier that keeps external chaos at bay.
The End of Times and “Oreiv Zarzir”
The concept connects heavily to messianic prophecies and the phrase “oreiv zarzir” (the raven and the starling), a Talmudic idiom meaning “birds of a feather flock together.” In the End of Times, the greatest danger is a coalition of these two historical adversaries. Yaakov Avinu (Jacob) anticipated this when he sent a message to Eisav saying, “I have acquired an ox and a donkey,” signaling that he possessed the spiritual counter-strengths (Yosef as the holy ox and Mashiach riding the donkey) to neutralize them. Complete Shabbat observance and repentance (teshuvah) break the negative klipah (impurity) of the ox and donkey, paving the way for the true redemption.