Question: Why is it written that “this world is created for none else except Israel” rather than for the nations of the world, although their correction is the goal of creation?

Answer: We need to follow scientific definitions of the wisdom of Kabbalah. The “world” (Olam) means “concealment” (Alama). Concealment is created only for Israel, those who aspire “straight to the Creator.” Those who desire to reach the Creator need to go through concealments, suffering, and blows in order to build within themselves a negative form opposite to the Creator and then desire to reach the Creator’s quality: bestowal detached from reception.

This is the point that we need to reach. Meanwhile, our desire should not be similar to the Creator in all His might. Not at all! You can have a desire that weighs only 1 ounce, but it should be correct! A correct desire means that you feel what it means to be detached from reception. This quality is most important, and we need to experience it.

After all, for the time being we are able to give only if we see a benefit. As it is written, we “trade a cow for a donkey,” as we receive what we consider more preferable. For example, a book is more important than money for me. Then I give money and receive a book. This is called an acquisition.

But why is it an acquisition? Didn’t you pay? Didn’t you give your money? No. What I gave is less important to me than what I received. If I needed to give something of equal value in exchange, I would be unable to do this. I always need to imagine that what I receive is more preferable to me than what I give. And the greater the difference between them, the more it fulfills me since I profit from it: “Look at what I found! It was almost free!”

This is how you live: Your fulfillment should be as preferable as possible relative to what you give in return. And then it is not called bestowal.

How does one feel the separation from reception in order to give and not to receive anything in return? I am willing to work without receiving anything in exchange if I believe that I thereby earn myself the world to come. It is as though I open an account in the future and make installments there. This is even more reliable: No one will take it away and nothing will get lost like in this world.

But how do you feel that you are completely detached from the result of bestowal, that you do not profit in any way from it, and it is completely isolated from you? You work arduously your whole life, and no one, including the Creator, knows anything about you. But you know about it; you work and wish to remain only in this. However, if you work in order not to feel guilty, this is your pay.

So how can we tear away from desires of reception? You need to feel this detachment in as little as one ounce, and that’s all; you don’t need any more than that. Then you are ready for revelation. After all, that is already an image of the genuine quality of bestowal, an image of the Creator.
[40367]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/11/2011, The Zohar

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Inner Work, Q&A, Zohar | Add Comment →