The Midrash Says, Chapter “Acharei Mot,” On the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) all sacrificial animals were presented to the High Priest and he remembered them to be able to recognize them when conducting the service.

All our animate desires are displayed to us; we analyze, identify, and recognize that we have to raise them to the level of the Holy of Holies, i.e,. to the level of complete bestowal.

The Midrash Says, Chapter “Acharei Moth,” In the morning, sages who instructed him departed and were substituted by experienced Cohanim [priests] who exercised the art of shifting incense from a spoon into the palm, which was one of the most complicated actions that the High Priest had to perform during the service in the Holy of Holies at Yom Kippur.

“Spoon” is the Kli (vessel) of an inanimate level. “Palm” is the Kli of a speaking level.

“Incense” symbolizes the Reflected Light (Ohr Hozer), something that we raise to the Creator. It is very difficult to raise incense (the Reflected Light) to the speaking level. We have to “turn on” a different pool of desires , the ones that we never experienced previously, and re-direct them towards bestowal, that is, to cut one’s egoism to the extent that previously seemed impossible. It is hard work.

In this world, minor internal actions often are the most complicated ones. Imagine that I give you a half-glass of water. How does this action happen in spirituality? I have to impose a restriction, a complete correction of all desires that I feel towards a glass of water, rise above it to Hafetz Hesed, to the first level of sanctity, and then correct them to the degree of the second step, the Holy of Holies, and only then I can give it to you.

This is the problem! In materiality, all these things are adjacent, whereas in spirituality, it involves dozens of years of hard work and hundreds of steps.

That’s why in this world we are in the state that “kind of” allows us to fulfill spiritual actions. If we were not able to perform them, we wouldn’t be alive at all. Only due to observing them can we exist.

As to the spiritual realm, unless our most internal desires become ready for bestowal, we won’t attain It.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 3/12/14

Related Material:
Introductory Lecture “Yom Kippur” – 09.14.10
Yom Kippur And The Atonement In Every Soul
Yom Kippur: Sorrow Or Joy?

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