A question I received: Thousands of people will come together at the upcoming Zohar Convention 2010 How can we receive them so as to retain a connection with them after the Convention?

My Answer: We are not a cult. We don’t drag people into religion and we don’t chase after their souls. Our doors are always open whether a person is coming in or going out. Whoever comes in doesn’t owe us anything. If he wants to, he is welcome to come in, sit down, and study together with us. If he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t even need to say goodbye. If he goes out the door, nobody will ask whether he’s left for a minute or for good. Therefore, we’re not looking to attach anybody to us during the Convention or afterwards.

We want to continue our broadcasts on television and on the Internet, and to continue hosting conventions and gatherings such as this one, but we’re not luring anybody to us. Nobody owes us anything. A person can come, participate, and leave. He’ll decide to what extent he wants to be connected to the science of Kabbalah. It’s not even about us; it’s that all people must be connected together. First, all of Israel must unite as brothers, and then the whole world. That is our hope.

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The Zohar, Chapter “BeHaalotcha (When You Mount the Candles),” Item 4: “It is as a bridegroom coming out of his Huppah (wedding canopy).” The sun, Zeir Anpin, spreads to the west, Malchut. When the west approaches, the north side, Gevura, rises up against her first, approaches the west, and mates with her in her place. This is so because the beginning of Zivug Zeir Anpin is in the left, Gevura, which is reconciliation and obtaining permission, as it is written, “Let his left hand be under my head,” and then the south side, which is right, Hesed, as it is written, “And his right hand embraces me.” Then, “He rejoices as a strong man to run his course,” to illuminate the moon from the middle line, Yesod.

As we are reading this, we have to try to feel that we are together. We should understand that this is the only way that we can receive the revelation. We are trying to find these descriptions within ourselves regardless of whether we understand them or not. Understanding isn’t that important because the main thing is the intention.

Sometimes, The Zohar describes very vivid, impressive pictures, but one should be wary of being carried away by these descriptions. He shouldn’t perceive them as fictional literature while completely forgetting about the intention. On the contrary, when the text is completely confusing and unclear, he has no other choice but to think about the intention. Since he doesn’t understand anything, he recalls that the most important thing is the intention. He’s happy that this is what he has to work on because his mind can’t grasp what is written. He doesn’t even understand how to connect these words. Therefore, in any state, we first should try to discern our reality which is the one common desire.

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The Book of Zohar – Selections, Chapter “BeHaalotcha (When You Mount the Candles),” Item 39
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“Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Item 179, Lesson 70
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“Introduction to the Book of Zohar,” Item 48, Lesson 22
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