Question: Many studies show that rewards often ruin our pleasure. For example, children who were promised a prize when they painted, became used to that, and were unable to paint without receiving prizes.

The same thing applies to school grades, which has a deleterious effect on the thirst for learning and knowledge. But on the other hand, we, in any case, know that our material is the desire to receive. This means that a reward is, in any case, necessary. So what is the difference between the pleasure of playing and the pleasure from working?

Answer: Rewards can be different according to its worth. A game gives me higher ‘’abstract’’ pleasure. In a game, I connect and cooperate with others. It isn’t by chance that people have been attracted to games for generations; for example, the tradition of the Olympic games began in ancient Greece.

The game reverts man back to childhood, and he simply feels good from it. It is not because of money or superiority over others, and not because of honor that he receives, it is something else, something abstract. Our games are matched to the upper game where the Light enters the vessels. About this it is said, “the Creator plays with the leviathan.”

The whole issue here is my attitude. I can work hard from morning until night and see this pleasure, rest. The picture changes with the reward that I receive at the time of the effort, which is called, “on the spot.’’

With regular work the reward comes afterward, and in games and other similar situations, we receive the reward “on the spot.’’ For example, by lifting weights I feel that I become healthier and stronger. There the work itself becomes the reward.

So we need to bring ourselves to such a state where we enjoy the action itself, as it is. Now I am with friends, I work with them shoulder-to-shoulder, I connect with them, and that gives me joy. Why? Because in our connection, I want to discover the Creator, so that He delights in what we do.

The key to all of this is the society. Only in this way, can our values be changed to place the correct priority and in general to raise the scale of values above the level of the “beast’.’ From the moment we descended from the trees and began life in humanity, the society, and only the society, determined everything I do. Whether I want it or not, consciously or unconsciously, I carry out its wish.

Thus, if in the eyes of the society the Creator and bestowal are given the desired importance, then I willingly and happily will work together with the friends and enjoy it like once I enjoyed, for example, the process of playing soccer with friends, even apart from the result.

In each moment of our efforts in connection, we give delight to the Creator. He doesn’t enjoy afterward; He enjoys it now. And we also need now to receive enjoyment from this great and important act without a need for a greater reward. As soon as we reach this, the barriers will disappear and everything will open.

The result is that the Creator is revealed to you when you don’t even feel a desire for it, simply because you built the vessels of bestowal.

Question: So why is He revealed? What should I do?

Answer: There is no need to do anything. You are with Him, embracing each other…..
[101395]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/24/13, Writings of Rabash

Related Material:
One Works – All Receive
The Payment Will Be Just
And Then You Will Steal No More

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Group Work, My Similarity to the Creator, Q&A | Add Comment →