The Hidden Power of Color in Jewish Mysticism: From Tefillin to the Rainbow

All Sefirot (divine emanations through which G-d reveals himself in the world) originate from the same absolute good. We may think that there are “positive” and “good” Sefirot on the side of Chesed (kindness), and “negative” or “evil” ones on the side of Gevurah (discipline) but this is incorrect. In fact, the line of Gevurah represents the attribute of Truth. The world was originally intended to be created with this attribute alone, but G-d chose to combine strict judgment (from Gevurah) with compassion (from Chesed), and thus created the world with both. Still, human perception, limited as it is, experiences the manifestations of Gevurah as difficulty. However, everything is for the person’s benefit, as our Sages teach: “Everything G-d does is for the good.”

The Meaning of Color- Even Black

Every color represents a spiritual root that is good and beneficial, so long as the person uses it properly. For example, the evil inclination, which is represented by the color black, is alluded to in the Torah verse: “Very good” (Gen. 1:31). How so? Because when one resists it and uses its challenges as a springboard for growth, it becomes a force for greatness. Without the evil inclination, a person would remain static, with no opportunity to elevate the soul or refine the self.

Black, which absorbs light and reflects none, seems like a “negative” color. However, tefillin, a holiest of objects, must be black! According to the teachings of Kabbalah, when a person wears tefillin, with its black straps wrapping around the head and arm, extending down the chest, they connect to the infinite divine light, drawing it inward to the soul. The Torah mandates that tefillin be written and bound with black ink and black leather. Even gold ink, though beautiful, invalidates the tefillin. It's like trying to transmit electricity through a non-conductive (though valuable) material. For this reason, even the Torah scroll is written only in black ink. Black conducts spiritual light powerfully.

The right strap of the head tefillin is longer than the left. This is because tefillin are intended to activate an inner alignment: that G-d's kindness (right side) will overflow abundantly, while divine judgment (left side) will operate only minimally- embodying the phrase, “The left pushes away, while the right draws close.” Every detail of halacha contains profound depth.

Auras, Colors, and Human Design

Scientific studies of human auras through special photography show color variations: violet (rare), blue, turquoise, green, yellow, red, and in very rare cases, white. Fascinatingly, research has found that the aura changes to a higher vibrational color when one puts on tefillin. This is because, in that moment, the soul is connected to the infinite divine light.

Every force in creation was designed to serve G-d. Even the evil inclination, if used correctly, becomes a vessel for holiness. As the Mishnah teaches: “You shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5), meaning with both inclinations of good and evil. Even “negative” qualities like absorption or craving can be harnessed positively to absorb divine light and draw it inward.

Male and Female Differences in Vision: A Spiritual Insight

Even the physiological differences between men and women are spiritually designed. Studies have shown that women generally perceive more colors than men- up to 10 distinct hues compared to the male average of seven. Colorblindness is also much more common in men. This difference is relevant in halacha, especially in the laws of family purity, where accurate color discernment is vital. Divine design ensured women would be better equipped for this role.

The Rainbow’s Message After the Flood

The deep connection between colors and divine conduct explains why, after the Flood, G-d chose to symbolize His covenant with a rainbow. As the verse says: “I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth…and I will remember My covenant…and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:13–15)

Although the rainbow is a natural phenomenon, its timing is divinely orchestrated. It appears specifically when divine anger is stirred. The rainbow serves as a visible message that although strict judgment (represented by red) should now be enacted, G-d has shifted to mercy (represented by blue), in honor of His covenant. The order of the rainbow's colors reflects the transition from judgment to mercy along the lines of the Sefirot.

The rainbow is a reminder to humanity of its spiritual state, and a call to repent, especially for the sin that brought about the Flood in the first place: the desecration of the sexual covenant.

The Flood and the Violation of the Covenant

The Torah states: “All flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth” (Gen. 6:12). This refers to extreme sexual permissiveness, even to the point of institutionalizing immoral unions. As the Sages taught, the final straw that brought the flood was the legal recognition of such relationships.

It is chilling that in modern times, movements that openly celebrate similar violations have chosen the rainbow as their symbol. What was originally a heavenly warning not to repeat the sins of the flood, is now used to glorify them.

There is also a startling hint in the name of a virus associated with modern sexual permissiveness HIV. Its initials align with the Hebrew phrase “ה' ישמרהו ויחייהו” (“May God protect and give him life”). A perfect mirror of divine duality: “G-d made one opposite the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:14). Human beings have free will to choose to remember the rainbow as a sign of divine mercy, or to misuse it as a banner of moral decay. To live a healthy, holy life in line with divine guidance, or to experience breakdown, suffering, and spiritual loss.

Thus, through every color, challenge, and law, we are reminded that everything in creation can be elevated. Even darkness, if used wisely, brings us closer to light.