The initial picture that appears before a beginner who reads The Book of Zohar is very disorderly. He gets confused, not understanding what kind of language it is using exactly—the language of Kabbalah, or talking through the Lights, Kelim, and Partzufim, or in the language of stories.

Often the same paragraph in The Zohar uses a mixture of languages. For example, on one hand it is talking about Adam, Eve, the snake and so on. On the other hand it is talking about Malchut and Zeir Anpin and how they unite, attaining ZAT or GAR of Bina. That’s because the same sin and its correction which is described in the Torah can be described in four languages—those of Tanach, Halachot, Hagadot (stories), and Kabbalah. However, a person does not connect all of this together yet.

Nevertheless, to the degree he advances, inside his more corrected Kli or desire, he will understand how to translate things from one language to another. He can then use the language of Tanach or Halachot to explain the things written in the language of Sefirot. The language of stories is deeper, and therefore it is more difficult to explain things in it.

He can go from one language to another, from one expression to another. That’s because in essence he expresses his inner sensations or how thoughts and desires which used to be opposite now unite inside of him.

This is the only thing we express. I don’t need a language, letters, or anything! I have feelings (sensations in the desire) and the mind. Previously they were driven by hatred, whereas now I transfer them to unity and love. We do not have anything more than that. All that we do is reveal the disunity and the breaking, and by correcting them we attain the implementation of love.

However, it is possible to talk about this using words of four languages, and besides, instead of explaining it with words, it’s also possible to just feel it inside. That is why a person who attains spirituality doesn’t care what language it is written in. He shifts between languages since for him this is all the same thing.

It’s the same as how an experienced musician looking at notes hears the melody that these notes play inside of him, or how a professional chef looks at a recipe and already experiences the taste of the dish.
[35511]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/16/11, The Zohar

Related Material:
Attaining The Wisdom Of Creation
The Four Levels Of Understanding
A Messenger Between Two Poles

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Kabbalistic Sources, Love, Torah, Unity, Zohar - No Comments →

[Show slideshow]

[34992]

Filed under: Kabbalah Dissemination, News - No Comments →

Question: All of reality is the Light and the Kli, the Creator and the creation, myself and the neighbor. Then why does The Zohar seem so complicated and confusing?

Answer: The Zohar seems complicated and confusing to us because we haven’t attained the unified picture. To us, “myself” and “the world,” my desires and thoughts, the forces operating in this entire reality, and all the things filling it seem separated from one another, broken. Therefore, this force of the breaking gives me an extremely complicated and confusing picture. It’s all because I do not see it in unity and the division brings me confusion.

To the extent we can see all of these details of perception united together, not in our mind since that won’t help, but rather in our feelings, and to the degree we desire to connect all of these things together—me, the neighbor, the Creator, the studies, the group, the environment, and everything that exists—that is how much Light these efforts will bring me. The Light will in turn cause me to see a more unified picture, all of whose elements will start to slightly unite.

All wisdom comes from the unification of all these opposites which begin to support each other and be interconnected. The more distant and opposite all of these details of the picture of reality used to be, which I now see as united together, supporting and complementing one another, the deeper I attain the plan of creation, the program of creation, the process we go through.

From all these opposites I begin to live, to feel this incredible wisdom, to unite the upper governance into one, and to relate it to the single force. All of this happens as a result of the Light’s influence on my broken desires and thoughts when I want for the Light to connect them into one.
[35514]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/16/11, The Zohar

Related Material:
Hearing The Melody Of The Spiritual World
The Force That Enlivens The World
Steps Toward Uniting With The Creator

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Perception, Q&A, Unity, Zohar - No Comments →

You can tell me about a thousand interesting things that are going on, but I don’t accept them as real if I don’t see and know them for myself. Help me get to know and feel these things. I’ll be ready to listen only if you are going to expand my organs of perception and not my imagination.

If you want to give me a telescope or a microscope, I’m willing to accept them. I’m ready to develop a new sensory organ, but only if it remains within the realm of my rational and critical analysis.

This is the kind of scientific and realistic approach that Kabbalah talks about. However, thousands of years ago, an “error” occurred: The Kabbalists taught the future Greek philosophers the correct scientific approach, but these students stepped outside of it. They didn’t want to go against their egoism and use the science of Kabbalah for their own correction. They thought that they could examine the world without correcting themselves. This led to the development of philosophy.

This doesn’t only pertain to ancient Greece. This is a simple human approach. Almost anyone will say: “Why should I correct myself when I understand everything!” But this is impossible. First, one must reveal the state he’s in. Then, only in this degree, is he allowed to discuss it.

Religion is also based on this approach in the sense that it doesn’t require self-correction. You carry out some action, and all is well. You believe that you’ve established a connection with the Creator. This is called spiritual exile. It’s the “spiritual” form of existence without any real sensation of it. Thus, it is said in regard to this period: “We were like in a dream.”

Kabbalah calls upon people to return to the proper way of approaching reality, to go from philosophy to science, from religion to love and bestowal, and toward obtaining a new organ of perception by which a person will see everything for himself.
[31519]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/2/2011, “The Wisdom of Kabbalah and Philosophy”

Related Material:
Useful And Harmful Fantasies
Knowledge And Fantasy
Electrical Impulses Of Doubt

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Religion, Science - No Comments →

Every day there is a completely different illumination, which comes by virtue of the influence of Zeir Anpin, consisting of 6 Sefirot, upon the 7th Sefira, Malchut. Over the course of these “6 days” Malchut becomes corrected and joins Zeir Anpin.

Once all 6 Lights—Hesed, Gevura, Tifferet, Netzah, Hod, and Yesod have influenced Malchut and corrected her, they unite together. This is called the 6th day, Friday. On this day an illumination comes that is made up of all the Lights that were received during the week. This is called Yesod (foundation), after which the Sabbath begins.

On the Sabbath all the previous Lights shine together with one great Light and there is nothing new on our part, from the “awakening from below.” That is why there is no work, discernments, or corrections made on the Sabbath. It is the result of the work done throughout the week, the result of all the preceding clarifications and corrections.

Then an ascent takes place by virtue of this additional illumination, which happens “on the 5th hour of the 6th day of the week,” meaning from the 5th Sefira of the 6th day, because the 6th day, Yesod, contains its own Sefirot: Hesed, Gevura, Tifferet, Netzah, and Hod. This time is the beginning of entering the 7th day, the Sabbath.

This Light brings additional clarification, understanding, and bestowal. This is the addition of the Sabbath called “an additional soul.” This is the reason why the Ari introduced a custom to wear two jackets on the Sabbath instead of one. It symbolizes the fact that a person needs a double screen against the new additional Light that he receives from Above.

This Light influences Kelim or desires and raises them because it is impossible to remain in the same place while receiving Light.
[35530]
From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/16/11, Talmud Eser Sefirot

Related Material:
A Spiritual Week: Preparing For A Saturday Feast
The Spiritual Calendar
Saturday As The Result Of Corrections

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Spirituality, Torah - No Comments →

Question: When a person is convinced that he can feel the Creator, is there a way to test whether this is a real sensation or a religious fantasy?

Answer: One must not try to convince a person that what he is feeling is not real. After all, you cannot put your head on his shoulders.

Let us say that you really know something, and he does not, but he incorrectly imagines something. If you were to pressure him and try to convince him that you are right, then instead of the image he was previously imagining, he will receive a new image from you. However, it will also be an imaginary image, even if to you this is an obvious fact and the truth (although this is also questionable). Once it goes over to him, it merely will become a new fantasy.

This is why Kabbalah does not allow this. One should not get himself involved with trying to convince people otherwise, even more so because your truth also changes all the time. When you rise from one degree to another, all your previous knowledge fundamentally changes.

You constantly experience polar states as you are thrown from side to side until you cross the Machsom (the barrier separating us from spirituality). It is written: “Do not trust yourself until the day you die (meaning the death of your egoism).”

This is why you should not be changing anyone’s mind. We only explain to people how helpless we all are in the given situation, and we encourage them to genuinely examine things, to have a sane approach. This is considered to be a direct attitude: We have five senses, so let us only rely on them.

However, it is written that it is possible to acquire additional senses. Once we develop them from a scientific, sane, and logical approach, without taking anyone’s word for it, and discover another reality, then we will begin to examine it. We will then begin to understand it and acquire new knowledge, once again based on the same principle: “A judge has only what his eyes can see,” on the basis of a real sensation.
[31528]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/2/2011, “The Wisdom of Kabbalah and Philosophy”

Related Material:
Useful And Harmful Fantasies
From “Philosophy” to Real Sensation
A Play Of My Imagination

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Inner Work, Q&A, Science - No Comments →

Question: If imagination interferes with a scientific approach and leads to religion and philosophy, then how can there be imagination that helps with scientific research?

Answer: The imagination that helps us is not an abstract form separated from matter, but a form of the upper one clothing onto us. Every informational gene, Reshimo, has two parts: information about “today’s” desire (Reshimo de Aviut) and information about “tomorrow’s” Light (Reshimo de Hitlabshut).

For example, there are a couple of Reshimot, Gimel de Aviut/Dalet de Hitlabshut, “3/4.” When I realize Reshimo “3,” I will be able to receive the form of the upper one from the degree “4” within it, and this is referred to as creative fantasy. I do not receive it for realization, but only as an example.

Reshimo de Hitlabshut suggests a new future form to us because it is always a degree higher than our current state. These are “memories” that have stayed with us from the expansion of steps from Above downward, and now we can ascend because of them.

Man operates like a machine. If we have these informational genes, Reshimot, then we are able to work due to them, but if we do not have them, we can’t. If one’s entire memory were erased, he would not consciously know how to move a finger. Have you seen the helpless behavior of newborns? They are not able to make even the smallest conscious move.

Everything only comes from Reshimot, and if I am able to correctly realize my desire (Reshimo de Aviut) on my degree, then I will be able to receive the degree of the upper one which clothes onto me (Reshimo de Hitlabshut) as an example. The fantasy helps us work on this basis.

This is not an empty fantasy that has no grounds to it, but a real form which is meant to manifest.
[31531]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/2/2011, “The Wisdom of Kabbalah and Philosophy”

Related Material:
Knowledge And Fantasy
From “Philosophy” to Real Sensation
Electrical Impulses Of Doubt

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Philosophy, Q&A, Religion, Science - No Comments →

Question: Today, there are numerous organizations in the United States, which are trying to find solutions to the crisis and ecological problems. They claim that in the nearest future, America will face hyperinflation which may lead to social disintegration and civil war. This is why they advise making changes in the social infrastructure. Are there any grounds for cooperation between us, and what can Kabbalah offer them?

Answer: The broadest platform for cooperation is the fact that the world is facing an escalating crisis which isn’t accidental, but rather a natural process governed by Nature.This crisis involves multiple areas. Hence, it is able to serve as reliable grounds for cooperation since it presents tangible proof on the still, vegetative, and animate levels, even including humans on a societal and individual level.

Nowadays, this tendency is evident to all and is normal. A person who views it from more or less higher ground understands that it isn’t really up to a person. If we look from an even higher point of view, the following questions arise: What should we do with this tendency? Is it a program of Nature which has a desire, plan, and final purpose?

At these levels, we can, indeed, seek allies with whom we may be able to discuss such things, but they have to be real partners who are inclined toward a realistic, scientific approach that excludes religion, philosophy, and ungrounded claims. By analyzing these factors evident to all, we need to examine how to reach the point where everyone will admit the need to reform human society and reach an agreement. The majority do acknowledge that the world is in crisis, ecosystems are threatened, and the financial crisis isn’t over yet, but the question is what do we do next?

After all, if we don’t do anything, there is no point in talking about it. Then the officials who cover these issues up are right. It’s true that we will die tomorrow, but today, we can still enjoy life. Some numb themselves with drugs, others manage not to think about it at all, yet others gamble in the stock market as if they were playing “Monopoly.” We are not talking about these, however, but rather about people who are searching for how to resolve the crisis.

On the other hand, we should discuss the fact that the world has turned global and integral. Global means that the crisis is pulling the entire world in, and no part of it can be left out. It is integral because all of us are connected by all types of relationships, internal and external, such as thoughts, technologies, industries, banks, and even to the point where we don’t know or understand anything.

Whether we like it or not, we are all in the same boat. Now, we have to decide what we should do. At this point, Kabbalah can offer its solutions by giving a person clear, simple, and logical explanations about the value of our inner connection, how it is built, etc.

If Kabbalists enter within the entire external movement toward oneness, it is enough for our correct intention, which we are able to build based on our nature, to link with this great human society that, so far, participates just physically, without intention. Baal HaSulam writes in the article “The Last Generation” that there will be people who will come and say: “We are willing to join you and do our part. Just tell us what to do.”

If we gradually manage to build a correct attitude in each part of society, at the proper level, it will give us an opportunity to get closer to the solution. I think that this is exactly the form we need to employ for our work while developing educational methods for children. It’s all because humanity is yet to face very serious problems.
[31179]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/29/2010, “The Wisdom of Kabbalah and Philosophy”

Related Material:
How Can We Change Our Fate?
The Dawn Of A New World
The World Is In Danger

Filed under: Crisis, Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Kabbalah Dissemination, Q&A - No Comments →

In the world, in reality, there are only two forces: the force of the Creator and the “force” of the created being that the Creator intentionally gave to it in the opposite form. This force is opposite to the Creator, thanks to which the creature steps outside the boundaries of His degree and acquires its own reality. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be able to exist.

In our world, a “created being” is someone who possesses matter of the still, vegetative, or animate degrees. If spiritual existence signifies a personal reality outside of the upper force, then in our world, the upper force doesn’t manifest to us openly, which is why we define reality by the existence of matter.

In spirituality, it is not the matter but autonomy that counts. In order to be a created being, one has to be autonomous. The degree of the creature’s independence determines to what extent it can consider itself as an authentically existing being.

In our world, we do not take babies and children seriously because they have not gained independence yet. Only as an adult does a person become autonomous, and then he is treated accordingly.

Likewise, in spirituality, no matter what rung the creature is at (the still, vegetative, or animate), the determining factor is whether it has a personal status before the Creator. And in order to stand before the Creator, a person first has to become aware that the Creator exists, meaning that He exists before him, and that they are opposite to each other.

Then, in this opposite state, the work begins. A person divides the entire reality into two: the Creator and I, the reality that I observe. And afterward, he chooses what is more important.

In fact, in order to give independence to the creature, the Creator brought it outside Himself and gave it a sensation of existing on its own. And now, the creature must make a correct use of getting to know itself outside of the Creator, as if He doesn’t exist at all, as if He disappears from its view, from its desire. With the help of forces and instruments that the Creator provides, the creature must find the correct attitude to Him. And this means that it has to accept the Creator’s power over itself, over its independence, without annulling it.

Then, on one hand, the creature keeps its status outside of the Creator, meaning it continues to receive pleasure into the receiving desires, without nullifying itself before the Creator. But on the other, by being autonomous in regard to the received pleasure and over it, the creature acquires equivalence to the Creator. Thus, the created being receives complete, total, autonomy.

However, it can occur only if the creature obeys both these conditions: It is willing to annul its attitude to the Creator if it doesn’t harm its desire (the will to receive). Thereby, the creature evolves in the middle line. On one hand, it keeps the desire for pleasure, while on the other, it acquires the form of bestowal that is the attribute of the Creator. In this way, the image of man, Adam, gets formed in it.
[35280]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/14/2011, Writings of Rabash

Related Material:
Why Does The Creator Need Me?
Winning The Contest With The Creator
Coming Back More Grown Up

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Inner Work, Spirituality - No Comments →

Question: Baal HaSulam writes that before starting to study Kabbalah, it is necessary to understand what it is. How can everyone learn its language if it’s so complicated?

Answer: To understand what the wisdom of Kabbalah is means to acquire the screen in order to rise above one’s egoism and see spiritual actions. Then, you will be able to understand a Kabbalist teacher and learn from him what to do next. You will comprehend and be able to verify all that he will tell you in practice, right here right now, as it is done by regular students in this world.

But until you are born in spirituality, how can I explain anything to you? It is as if I would be telling about this world to an unborn child that is still in the mother’s womb. So do Kabbalists speak to us from another world. We reside in this world, within its sphere, like in a bubble, while we are being told what is taking place outside of it.

Therefore, Kabbalistic texts work for us only as “miraculous remedy” (Segula). The articles are written for the beginners, but The Study of the Ten Sefirot is written for those who have been born in spirituality, who are already "spiritual babies" that can be told about the upper world. Thanks to it, they will advance and will start exploring the new world they were born into.

As for those who are still inside the mother’s womb, it is only a stimulus, motivation to be born as soon as possible.
[35312]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/14/2011, “The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

Related Material:
This World Is A Dictionary Of Spiritual Terms
Talking To The Deaf
Why Do We Need The Language Of Branches?

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Internet, Kabbalah Study, Q&A, Spiritual Teacher - No Comments →