The Torah, “Exodus,” Mishpatim, 23:8: You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe will blind the clear sighted and corrupt words that are right.

This is relevant with regard to everyone today, from simple workers to heads of governments.

From a spiritual point of view, “to bribe” means tempting a person through his ego. Every filling our ego receives is called accepting a bribe.

Question: So it turns out that we are all bribed in this world.

Answer: Not bribed, but thieves. A bribed person receives something that he doesn’t deserve, but he doesn’t take it from others by force. We are thieves since we steal from others, sometimes by force. We even can be called robbers, although we don’t feel that since it is standard behavior for us.

It turns out that all of this world’s laws are laws of thieves since the entire world is based on the ego. This is how the ego operates. We are not speaking about the fact that a person finds a million dollars on the street and doesn’t give the money back to anyone, but about the fact that we consciously steal and enjoy the theft.

It isn’t only about receiving, but, as it is written, “Stolen water is sweet.” Remember the story about the Italian princess who sits on the balcony on a hot summer day, eating ice cream, who said,” I wish it were a bit forbidden too!” This means that the feeling of theft sweetens the ego since this is what we consider sweet.

If it is just food, if I feel like it, I just take it. However, when I take what belongs to others, intentionally and without permission, then it is a totally different feeling! If I just take something, there is nothing special about it, but if I steal, I rise above everyone. I must feel a void that is created in them through that and its filling within me. Thus, I rise above them, and the ego thus feels superior.

Arkadi Raikin (a Russian comedian during the Soviet regime) used to say, “If you don’t leave a certain deficiency, then the income tax inspectors will simply remain engineers,” which means that there must be a certain pleasure in being superior.

The greatest superiority is, of course, being cleverer, wiser than others. Feeling superior is a terrible thing in spirituality, and only love can correct this.

When you take care of others like small children, they indeed are smaller than you, but you must cover your attitude toward them with love. Then they are not smaller anymore but rather greater than you since you depend on them, and so they seem greater than you just like a baby seems to his parents.

Question: However, the feeling that you are smarter than this baby still remains.

Answer: It makes no difference! Since he controls your mind, you are great, strong and clever, and, if he cries, you pick him up and bring him to the place he points at, which means that you are his servant. Thus, you compensate for your superiority.

These states can be between a teacher and his students, or between friends since people are different. We must constantly keep the balance and compensate for any feeling of superiority through love.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 5/24/13

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When we disseminate, we correct ourselves. We bring the parts of our soul closer to us and try to correct them. We were given a chance to correct them as if they were on the outside.

Imagine that you are inside a black point called this world. You begin to feel the great external world that you see before you on the outside around this point. You must correct the world that is external to you, but why was it made this way? Why were all these desires taken out of you and laid out before you?

It is so that it would be easier for you to correct them! If these desires were inside you, you wouldn’t pay attention to the fact that they are corrupt, as now you don’t pay attention to your inner deficiencies.

Just imagine that all the unsatisfied thoughts in every person and all the events that take place in the world are inside you. You never would discover anything negative inside you. So, how would you correct it? If these attributes were inside you, you would just be happy with them, but you look around and the only desire burning in you is to correct them! You see negative attributes on the outside that are actually inside you, but you can identify them only thanks to the fact that you perceive them as external.

So, when we disseminate and want to bring people closer to us, we don’t account for the fact that we actually are correcting ourselves. Our greatest desires are actually in them, in AHP, since they are not under the domination of our point in the heart but external to it. Only thanks to that do we have a chance to correct them.

So, there is no other work but to provide our corporeal body with what it needs for its existence and to approach the correction of the world, which means to bring the nine lower Sefirot closer so they would join my point in the heart. It is a blessing that we see this world as cursed. It is said that Divinity brings its lost parts closer to it, which is exactly what we engage in. We don’t understand the extent to which our time is different, from the point of view of the possibility of dissemination, than anything in the past.
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From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/04/13, Shamati #121, “She Is Like Merchant-Ships”

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Preparation to the Lesson

Shamati #42 “What Is the Acronym Elul in the Work“

The Book of Zohar — Introduction, “Torah and Prayer,” Item 183, Lesson 67

Writings of Baal HaSulam “The Peace“

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Baal HaSulam, “The Peace:” Because the purpose is undoubtedly built over all the laws of nature, none excluded, … he who alters even a single law harms and damages the purposeful aim that the Creator has set, and will therefore be punished by nature. Hence, we, too, creatures of the Creator, must not pity him because he is desecrating the laws of nature and defiles the purpose of the Creator.

From here, it is clear to us that, if I see that someone is acting against the laws of nature, I must stop him for we are in one system, and if a person goes against one of its laws, then, necessarily, he has a bad influence on all of nature and on everyone.

Generally, all of your actions must be accompanied by an understanding of what you are doing. This is because you are influencing a great collective mechanism, the mutual connection of a multitude of parts, integrally and globally. If you don’t know the laws of nature, this doesn’t mean that you still won’t cause damage.

Nature accepts your action as it is, and, if the intention is good or bad or there is a lack of intention, this is already superfluous. However, whatever it may be from a materialistic point of view, we need to understand that we essentially are in a closed system, and therefore, all of us depend upon each other. No one can feel himself to be free of an obligation not to harm the system.

After that, it is possible to continue. Am I also free to benefit the system? And, if you think about it, well, you are not. This is because, in a closed system, each has its place and function, and therefore, each is obliged not to harm the system and is obliged also to benefit it, and no one has free choice about this. Rather, to the contrary, all of us are obliged to be corrected parts within it, beneficial to the system.

However, among all the parts of the system, there is yet another mechanism called a “clutch.” The more that we are pressed together—soldered together into the general system—and to the degree of our mutual adherence, this “pedal” is gradually released more and more, raising the mutual dependence, and we are obliged to act accordingly, doing no harm and bringing benefit according to the “negative commandments” and the “positive commandments.”
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From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/28/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam “The Peace“

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Question: If we all form one system, then how can the human, being its inseparable part, make mistakes and violate its laws?

Answer: The fact is that a person is now connected to it like a baby. Adults take care of him and give him a slightly higher degree so that he would begin to integrate into it, to evolve, to connect, and to see how much he can match it, how much benefit or harm he brings it.

Only in our time are these mechanisms finally manifested: We are harming the world and it responds so much so that our very existence is threatened. Environmental hazards today are such that humanity with all its history can disappear from the face of the Earth that can no longer bear it. We ourselves cause the extinction of plant and animal species and suddenly we find ourselves on the same list. Moreover, one global war is sufficient to end civilization even before ecology would do this.

The conclusion is that if we do not learn from nature, meaning from the general system, the correct integration into it, we come into conflict with it and to an unpleasant end.

Question: The problem is that if a person comes face to face with a steadfast system that is stronger than he, then at some point he raises his arms: “Come what may…”

Answer: That’s right; today a person feels helpless and doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t know because he is incapable of understanding the world, feeling it correctly, making the right decision, and most importantly, realizing it correctly.

That’s why Kabbalists, sages, come to our world. They are also part of the general system. And apparently, no matter how many of them appear, the world does not need more. After all, people still need to be given freedom of will to ensure the realization of evil; they have to be brought to their own decision whether to join those sages or not.

It turns out that the world has a chance, provided by the system as well. And this opportunity is us the world organization Bnei Baruch. In the framework that we were given, we are obliged to act, sparing no efforts, so that everyone in the world would know upon what his good future depends.

A “good future “is the correct inclusion in the system of nature. If we do not violate its laws, the conditions set by it, we will be fine. If I judge wellbeing on the basis of my egoism, then I behave like a small child who doesn’t want to listen to adults.

Anyway, being in the general system, I cannot choose their laws according to my taste. Either I am against nature and in helplessness follow the path of suffering, or I study the laws of nature in order to associate myself with it and move forward by the good path, drawing from nature forces which are useful for my advancement.
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From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/28/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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Question: What does it mean that before we go out to people it is necessary to obtain the power of the Creator with the help of the group, the teacher, and the books?

Answer: To obtain the power of the Creator means understanding that His power, His revelation in that Kli, which is designed for this, is necessary for me. That is to say, not within my Kli, but rather in the Kli of the other. I take other people’s deficiencies and raise them to the Creator; that is, I ask for the power of their correction from Him, for the discovery of the fulfillment within them.

People want more money, but I know that it’s possible to satisfy this desire only through approaching the Creator. All the unsatisfied desires for money, honor, control, health, security, and problems in education are derived from a lack of Light. This is specifically why people are screaming. They go out to demonstrate in the streets or sit at home and silently curse the whole world and governments, but basically they want Light.

They simply don’t know what this is, like an infant who doesn’t know why he is screaming; he only knows that he hurts! But why he hurts and what needs to be done in order not to cry but to laugh, is unknown to him.

And since I do know this, and therefore, through the reception of the deficiencies of people, what they suppose they are missing, I raise them as I feel them, in a different form already. I feel that they lack Light! And this is what is called turning to the Creator. I work for their sake, as on a higher level, and raise their requests to what is above that, to the next level above me.

In this manner, their prayer, their MAN, which is only: “Give, give, give! Give us food, sex, family, money, respect, information.” I pass these to the Creator and say: “We, which is to say they and I together with them (because they stick to me in my AHP, and we become a single spiritual Partzuf), need your help! We require your Light so that it will correct us and fulfill to give You satisfaction.

And as proof that I truly want to please the Creator, I nullify myself towards the group, the teacher, the study, and the outer world, humanity. I am ready to make concessions to these in order to show the Creator that I truly want to attain bestowal, even just a little, even without intention, but at least a little! And then according to this “small amount” the Light acts on me, and through me, it passes to those below. Thus a link is created: lower—upper—upper upper, and I am like a big brother to the little ones, taking twice as much in order to convey it to others.
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From the Preparation from the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 08/26/13

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Question: What should we do with the doubts that we often feel that everything that we engage in is only a false illusion?

Answer: Everyone has such doubts on every level. Even if you are a great Kabbalist, you still have such doubts and even greater ones.

You feel them between the levels, in the transition between one state and another. This period is always designed in you by the Creator so that you will clarify it internally.

It is impossible to attain an external revelation before you discover that you are totally dependent, that you don’t understand anything, that you don’t know anything and don’t believe in anything, don’t feel anything and you should feel an emptiness in which you can later feel the filling. This will be a revelation; the emptiness is revealed this way at the moment.

It will not be revealed in the form of doubt since you don’t even see this world and what the wisdom of Kabbalah offers you in a practical perspective. So as a result of everything that happens, it offers you the only solution. What is more, it is absolutely logical, strong, and rational since there is nothing else in our world, even if you look at everything with the wide-open, mature, normal eyes of a scientist, a businessman, or an ordinary person.

They can say: “Yes, but I want to deal with my own business.” If you want to, then do so! Everyone plays with his own toys. On the whole, if we speak about the fact that we can change ourselves and our world and build a different society (I am referring to different conditions, types, and styles of corporeal living), then it is possible to fulfill it only by the method the wisdom of Kabbalah offers. It is impossible to offer anything else now. If before there were many theories and many ideas, they are all passé now. As of today nothing makes sense or is rational anymore.

I follow the media and current scientific thinking, if there is such a thing today, I don’t see anything. Humanity is becoming so empty that there is no one to argue with. People don’t want to clarify this, and that is their business.

The only problem is how to change ourselves in order to change the world, our perception. The world is only a subjective personal feeling. The question is whether the force that can change us really exists?

Everyone agrees that the ego is harmful, that we should get rid of it, and that it destroys us. There are many conferences and international forums on this issue, but no one takes it seriously since it is considered human nature, which cannot be changed.

We, however, say that it is possible! In this same nature there is an upper force that is above our ego, which has created the ego, the desire for one’s self, and which can change it to a desire for the sake of others.

This transformation can take place in us only if we want it. But how can I want it?! It turns out that I have to pull myself out from the swamp I am in by the hair. It is indeed so to some extent, but not totally, since if I connect to the other friends in the group, we can help one another and thus take all of us out together; it is possible. If we pull one another out by the hair, the most important thing for me is to think about the friends and about how I should pull them out and that they should think about me. Thus everyone thinks about the others.

By annulling ourselves and connecting to others, we summon an extra force. We don’t even know where it comes from, but we suddenly begin to feel it. This force influences us and raises us, we begin to feel that there is something in nature which is above our ego and can change it, turn it into something else, and manage it.

The main thing is to wait for this state when all the circumstances around us will make us feel the need to unite. We see that many in the world already understand that by uniting we can solve any problem there is, which we cannot without connection.

So we can tell people about unity and connection in order to solve small concrete, ordinary daily problems, since even by solving these small corporeal problems, we will begin to feel the special quality of connection. Thus people will realize that we can also change our nature, our society, and even our world, which means our perception. It is all possible.

So the doubts that you feel are true. What’s important is not to drown in them but to constantly be above the doubts and to look for accurate scientific explanations so that we will be able to connect these doubts in our mind and make the correct picture of the questions and provide the answers for them; I am ready to take part in this.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/25/13, Question and Answers with Dr. Laitman

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Question: How can we tighten the connection with the friends in the group and in the group of ten, in order to hold on to the force of unity in our daily work connecting the world around us?

Answer: How can you tighten the connection in the group of ten and in the group? Only if you feel the need for it, if you feel that it is essential!

When the Light spreads from the top down it creates a desire. In the fourth phase of the development of the desire it begins to respond to the Light, to restrict itself, to form a Masach (screen), the Returning Light, etc.

Since we come from the desire and not from the Light, we need a reason in order to do something. You are asking: How can we tighten the connection among the friends in the group?” But is there a need for it?

If I go out to disseminate, to connect to other people in the outside world, I see that I need the group’s support and to hold on to the group. I feel the need for the connection with the friends and I connect to them. But if I have no desire to succeed in the outside world; I have no need for the connection with the group.

We are disseminating integral education in Israel in a very intensive campaign and all our people are involved in this external work. Wherever they are they speak about the need to unite in order to solve daily problems and they feel a greater need for connecting with the group! When they return, they feel how important the friends are to them, and how important they are in providing them with the power to convince others.

So keep on tightening the connection with the world around us, enter it, disseminate, and bring it to connection and unity. Thus you will tighten the connection with your friends qualitatively.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/25/13, Question and Answers with Dr. Laitman

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Rav Kook, “The Purpose of Israel and Its Specificity”: The love of others is the most clarified feeling, and it is based on sensory perception. Indeed we should follow it and a person should prepare himself for this cause so as to be part of the life of others, and in this lies the whole point of individual morality.

Love of others is the rule that includes all of a person’s actions. In other words, he shouldn’t do anything if it doesn’t stem from the eruption and expansion of love. Otherwise, this action is not compatible with the Creator’s plan, and eventually it will lead to negative results. This is exactly how our initiatives are examined: If they are aimed at love of others, then it will work, and if not, then it will not work.

But how can we explain this to people? If they hear about it, they will say that they don’t need our preaching. They only want to live and enjoy life.

Still, we have to look for ways to reach their hearts, not in order to give them love, but in order to reach the love of the Creator. I will learn to love the Creator only if I learn to love the created beings first. I use the whole world only for the sake of the ultimate goal, which is love of the Creator.

What kind of love to the created beings is it if I just use them? Still, that’s the way it is. I really love them since only thanks to them do I reach the love of the Creator. The means becomes as important for me as the goal.

The great ego implies that I should rise above it since then I will attain something that is much bigger. It turns out that if we become greater egoists, we understand how to use our ego in a new more efficient way, and we don’t enjoy in it but above it. Then I will be like the Creator.

It is according to this healthy approach, without any illusions that I intend to use all of creation, including the Creator, since I will not continue to advance if I don’t reach the level of Pharaoh. I have to feel and to experience everything, but together with the right clarification, without vague illusions. I advance accurately without diverting from the goal.

It says: “A judge only has what his eye can see.” I approach every roadblock with the package of my attributes and I usually don’t have to get rid of it. I have nothing but the ego, and it evokes me to join the group, to annul before the friends, to be incorporated in them, to advance towards the Creator and to turn to the public. All these steps stem from my ego. Suddenly I understand that from now on I have to use it differently, not from the inside but above it.

How can we attain this? How can you benefit from the ego? We can do so with the help of the Surrounding Light. It will influence me and will give me a chance to rise above the ego. I don’t want it to limit me, since I already understand that I cannot perceive much in it. It only offers this world only, but I want more than that…

When I look at myself now, I see an animal that enjoys food, sex, family, comfort, tranquility, money, respect and knowledge. But above the animal level, I ask myself if I should rise a bit more. Then I receive a method that enables me to rise. Thus the greater ego evokes me more than all the other previous desires, and I advance above them.

This is the only way to grow without neutralizing my ego but by using it wisely. The whole course of development is aimed at turning us into greater egoists, but wise and not primitive ones. Other people are ready to settle for little. Give a person a million dollars in order to solve all his problems and he will feel satisfied and well off. But I don’t settle for that; I have to control the worlds. I am Pharaoh who declares “Who is the Lord that I should listen to Him? No, I will rule in His place!” This is the ego I will discover in me if I don’t stop on the way.

But this truth is revealed only to people who have the point in the heart, who have a spiritual potential; “This secret is revealed to them bit by bit.”

Question: How can I avoid making mistakes and not sink into the ego over my head? How can I know that I am on the right course?

Answer: If you are connected to us then you advance correctly. You can be sure only if you are in the right environment and want to be there; there is no other way.

The problem is not in feeling weak and lacking the understanding, but when a person adds other methods. A person is not a hindrance to himself, but if he begins to catch external “viruses,” he will not succeed.
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From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/27/13, Writings of Rav Kook

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