Question: Why do we start spiritual work in the Torah and commandments with the egoistic intention of Lo Lishma (not for Her Name)?

Answer: Our matter is the evil inclination. It is described as “I created the evil inclination, and I created the Torah as a spice.” It turns out that the evil inclination is coated in some kind of seasoning, as if in some cream. The Torah carries the Surrounding Light (Ohr Makif) that “tiles” our matter and returns it to the Source. In other words, the Torah is the Light that corrects the intention and re-directs it from aiming at the personal benefit to the benefit of others.

The “evil inclination” is the desire aimed at evil, meaning personal benefit. The Light arrives and turns in into the “good inclination” or desire aimed at the good, the benefit of others.

Thus, the Torah becomes a “spice” since it adds just a “dab” and spices the will to receive with the correct intention. Previously, you were employing it to harm, and now you are using it to do good. As to the commandments, they are actions through which you realize the goal so as to make your desire similar to the Creator.

There is a chain of actions that follow one after the other in small doses, unfolding within you. You carry them out so that in the end, all your desires were aimed at bestowal. Thereby you do, indeed, perform the “commandments” or the Creator’s orders (your internal corrections).
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/4/10, ““What is the Foundation that Sanctity is Built Upon”

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