“This accords with what Rabbi El’azar has said, ‘It is written: You have magnified the nation; for them, You have increased joy (Isaiah 9:2). You have magnifued the nation —Israel of whom is written Who is a great nation> (deuteronomy 4:7). For them, You have increased joy –because of them, You have increased joy: the moon whose light increases because of Israel. Nati0ns of the world, by the sun; Israel by the moon…See the difference between Israel and them! Israel are joined to the moon, linked with the supernal sun, untited with the site that illumines the superrnal sun, cleaving there, as is written, You, cleaving to YHVH your God, are alive, every one you today! (Deuteronomy 4:4).  –Zohar, Pritzker edition, 1:236b-237a