Zohar and Mesillat Yesharim

Both texts address kavanah but emphasize different aspects. Text 1 (Mesillat Yesharim) criticizes those who perform chesed for personal benefit rather than with proper kavanah directed toward 'ilui hakavod u'geulat Yisrael' (elevation of divine glory and redemption of Israel). Text 2 (Zohar) emphasizes the priest's kavanah during atonement as achieving yichuda shema kadisha (unification of the holy name) and coupling the King with the Matronita. Text 1 stresses kavanah oriented outward toward collective redemption; Text 2 focuses kavanah on mystical unification. Both require proper intention but direct it toward different ends—ethical-communal versus theurgical-mystical.