Those parts of “the created” by the Creator’s desire, that can awaken towards the spiritual, are called Israel. And those that are not yet able to awaken are called the “nations of the world.”

These parts exist within every person, in accordance with his desire. The wisdom of Kabbalah does not look at the bodies but only at a person’s desires.

Also, as soon as a person acquires the desire for the spiritual, he begins to be called Israel. But as soon as this desire disappears, fades, and begins to hide among his egoistic desires, he immediately begins to belong to the “nations of the world.” And this pertains to all of us.

The egoistic desire that is referred to as “nations of the world” also divides into two parts: “the righteous of the world” and “the beasts” (these want to hurt their neighbor), and the other ones achieve what they want, but not at another’s expense.

All the desires divide this way into these four groups:

• Egoistic desires called the “nations of the world”: harmful and harmless
• Desires that are inclined to “bestow,” which are called Israel: those devoted to bestowal and those that are not.

When one studies Kabbalah, he inclines the entire world towards the good, because he attracts the Upper Light with his studies, which causes the world of egoism to become kinder. But when one only studies the regular Torah (the open Torah), only the physical observance of the commandments, he worsens the suffering of the world (he inclines the world towards blame).

There is no state in between. This is why every person connected to the Torah must begin to study Kabbalah! Otherwise, he harms the world.

The Zohar tells us about this and Baal HaSulam explains the meaning of this.

The entire system is made in such way that when people only take care of the corporeal observance of the commandments without studying Kabbalah, they lead towards a state when all other parts of the soul, which do not pertain to spiritual work, but only the egoistic desire, gain a greater strength and feel more opportunities to realize their ego.

That is, these people, who only do the corporeal observance, evoke all the evil, which later becomes revealed in the other three parts of the soul.

And those souls that pertain to the three lower parts do not posses any freedom of will of whether to be good or bad. Only those who study the Torah have a choice: they can incline the world towards good or evil. And the highest group, which studies the “inner Torah,” or Kabbalah, have little choice if they do everything that depends on them!

The entire choice belongs to those who exclusively study the “external Torah”; this is the most problematic part. Everything depends on whether they will also begin to study Kabbalah, and to what extent.

Those who can study it but do not, absolutely harm the world. But those who study it, though not to their full ability, they benefit the world to a greater or lesser extent, but they do not harm it. This is a big difference!

If all the people who have some kind of connection to spirituality studied Kabbalah at least a little, there would be no evil in the world! There would be no crises, no problems. This is the key to success, nothing else needs correcting, not the banking system, nor ecology. And nothing else will save us from our misfortunes.

The only thing that will help is for all the people who are connected to the Torah to study specifically the inner Torah, instead of the external Torah, and then the entire world will come to goodness; all the people will only feel the desire to do good deeds.

This is the conclusion made in The Zohar and by all the Kabbalists of the following generations.
[28799]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/5/10, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar”

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What is the purpose of creation? What are we living for? What is the purpose of life on earth? Mankind was interested in these questions at all times, but it especially concerns our generation, and even though we often hear about different forms of the existence of life in the universe, in reality, we see that we are alone.

We really are alone in this entire, enormous system of the universe, and we do not understand at all that we exist on earth in special conditions that made life possible, and this is a very complicated thing.

Just to originate the material form of life requires a collection of forces and a formation of conditions that enable its creation, not to mention the state that will be the origin of the development of life in the spiritual world.

All these things always have astonished the great human minds in all generations. How and why did it happen? What is the need in nature or the upper force that has created everything in this exact form?

Additionally, if not for the Kabbalists who actually have revealed the spiritual world and attained that exact point where life originated, we would not have known anything.

We know that the physicists who tested the collider in Switzerland wanted to attain the point of origin of the so-called “Big Bang.” In other words, they were trying to simulate the spark of light that burst into this world and brought with it all of the matter that has formed in this world following this burst.

However, Kabbalists already have gone beyond the limits of our world in their attainments, and they have completed the entire journey from the beginning of creation in the spiritual world to its final correction, and they have told us everything that happened there. We can find out about it from the Tree of Life by the Ari.

Kabbalists who have attained the spiritual world tell us that the upper force that made and created all of reality operated on the basis of a program and decision, and that all of that is called the “thought of creation.”

They explain to us that there is an Atzmuto (the essence of the Creator) of which we do not speak because we cannot attain Him. We only attain the actions that come from Him. They are called the “thought of creation,” a thought or program. This program goes through us and constantly manifests in us since we are its derived action.

On one hand, Kabbalists tell us that this program is directly carried out by us. However, on the other hand, we are not just parts regulated by it, but also can come to understand it, feel it, join it, and even participate in it, since that force unattainable by us wants us to become its partners.

This is why you launch your “inner collider,” which brings you directly to the beginning of the universe, and you return to the spiritual world through the beginning of the universe, and rise from the lowest spiritual world of Assiya to the worlds of Yetzira, Beria, Atzilut, Adam Kadmon, and the world of Infinity. In addition, when you tune into the world of Infinity, you acquire infinite attainment, perception, and understanding outside of time and space.

We will be able to attain this only by uniting together as one man with one desire.
[29118]
From the Lecture, “Kabbalah for the Nation” 11/16/10

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Question: The Creator is called Bore (“come and see”). What does “come and see” mean? What does He want us to see?

Answer: When I was a student, I also asked Rabash, “What does a person see who attains the spiritual world?” He responded that if one were to gather all the pleasure that mankind has experienced over the course of its existence into one enormous pleasure, this will only be a tiny glow—that is, a tiny spark—in comparison to the pleasure that exists on the first spiritual degree.

Imagine that you are enjoying yourself like all of mankind in all the generations! This would be a kind of pleasure that we would not be able to even hold onto! This is why, when we attain the spiritual world, our desire acquires an intention for the sake of bestowal and we become able to hold onto the pleasure that is a billion times greater than the pleasure of this world.

Where does this pleasure come from? In order to convey my sensations, I was not able to find a better word than “harmony” or “balance,” or “a union of opposite properties and processes.” This gives us the sensation of perfection, the greatest pleasure.

It is written that “There is no greater joy than the resolution of doubts.” This is exactly what we feel. All the things that are considered to be opposite in our world begin to connect and complete each other in the spiritual world because one cannot exist without the other, like darkness and light.

In this way, the desire to receive pleasure and the Light begin to complete one another and work together through the screen.

As it is written, “Even darkness will not obscure [anything] from You, and the night will light up like day; as darkness so is the light.” Before the entrance into the spiritual world, we feel a great darkness that suddenly begins to shine like light, and this is the first, small sensation that comes from meeting it.

However, gradually, we will see how all the problems and suffering, failures and wrongdoings, suddenly begin to bring us satisfaction and understanding of their need and purpose.
[29112]
Excerpt from the “Kabbalah for the Nation” Lecture 11.21.2010

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I have a problem: I do not know how to advance toward the spiritual goal. I do not see it, and I cannot aim at it. This is why I constantly need to analyze to make sure that I do not deviate from the path. This is because even the slightest deviation in the beginning can lead to my inability to reach the goal, even if I continue going in the correct direction.

However, I will think that I am going in the true direction, and I will not even notice “having strayed from the path.” This is why it is best if I stop, check where I am, and maybe even go back. Then, it may be possible for me to continue correctly on my path.

However, which signs will help me determine and make sure that I am advancing in the needed direction, even though the goal is concealed from me?

After all, for instance, for a rocket to hit its target when it is launched, the course of its flight is calculated according to very complicated formulas taking different factors into consideration: wind, speed, earth rotation, and so on. However, at least, we know all these laws.

However, when speaking about the spiritual goal and rising to every new degree, we need to do the entire analysis in the beginning of the path while we do not understand anything yet, do not see the Creator, do not imagine the path, and who will tell me whether I am wrong?

This is why Kabbalists say that the correct formula for the attainment of the goal is “Israel, the Torah, and the Creator are one.” Besides that, it is necessary for all three of its components always to be equal; none can prevail over another. All of them need to be together, constantly tuned into the same point.

Israel is a person in the world who strives to come to the goal: straight to the Creator (in Hebrew, Isra (straight) and El (Creator). The Creator is a level of Bina, and Bina is the property of bestowal, Hafetz Hesed.

What is the Torah? It is the Light that Reforms. In other words, I always need to strive toward a certain correcting force that can influence me and correct me until I reach a state where Israel, Torah, and the Creator will become one.

The Creator is the root toward which we strive. He is our goal, the absolute, complete property of bestowal. In other words, when I correct myself completely in all of my desires, my correction will be called the Creator (HaKadosh Baruch Hu).

This is why, before I undertake anything—whether it is my thoughts, desires, or intention—I need to hold on to all three components within me every moment in order for them to be equal and give me the sensation of unity between them.

Then, I will walk correctly toward the goal.
[29109]
From a Lesson on “Kabbalah for Beginners” 11/17/10

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Writings of Baal HaSulam  “Introduction to the Study of  the Ten Sefirot,” Item 49

Writings of Baal HaSulam  “The Essence of Religion and Its Purpose” Title: “The Absolute Good”

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Question: What do we need to do in order to become a true nation of Israel? It seemed to me that I was seeing examples of mutual support and solidarity all around.

Answer: This is a solidarity that arises intuitively during a common danger, but it is not called mutual guarantee. In difficult times, we all are willing to help each other, flocking together instinctively.

This happens in any society, in any group, and even among animals because it provides psychological support, elevates the spirit, and gives a feeling of greater confidence and connection. However, it has nothing to do with “Love thy neighbor.”

Love for one’s neighbor is such a deep inner bond that it only can be achieved through a special connection between us, attainable through the wisdom of Kabbalah.

We receive an example of such feelings during special discussions in a circle, and in workshops, but this is not enough. We need to pass the basis of this method to everyone so that each person will understand where this feeling comes from, why it arises, and how to implement it.

Each of us must become a carrier of this method, because in it, lies one’s life and one’s soul. With it, one builds their eternal existence, their independence. This is why it is not enough simply to hear about it for a few minutes. Rather, one must understand what world we are living in and what system operates us. Through this, we can understand the forces of nature, change them, and use them for our own good.

Then, we can show an example to the entire world and call upon it to unite, “Look at the world that is opening before us! We can ascend to an eternal and absolute degree, instead of existing for a few decades on this earth and ending it at that. The gates to a new world are being flung open before us.”

This is what each of us subconsciously is awaiting and what the nations of the world want. However, the Jewish people hold the key, and we are obliged to open it up. It is ready for our use!

I very much hope that the pressure that we are feeling today, from the internal anti-Semitism that exists within us and the external pressure, would be enough to turn the attention of the entire nation to the inner teaching, in other words, to the wisdom of Kabbalah.

There are people with a book of instructions by which this nation must live. Without them, we are attempting to imitate the nations of the world, but it does not work. We need to structure ourselves in accordance with these instructions.

I hope that the suffering we are enduring today will be enough to draw our attention to this topic, because otherwise, problems will increase and continue to grow until they oblige us to become a true nation of Israel and a light for other nations in order to lead the entire world to correction, to the good connection.

Comment: We join you in your good hopes!
[142152]
From the program “A New Life” #426 8/14/14

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Question: Even during a period of military actions, Israel transfers many tons of food to Gaza. However, for some reason, the more food we send, the more we are disliked by the world.

Answer: In fact, the world doesn’t consider or take into account these food supplies. It simply is said that the Gaza Strip is getting money from Qatar, and Israel is selling food to Gaza in exchange for this money. So, in this case, the idea is not about the “unique attitude” of the Jewish nation.

Besides this, we have opened an entire hospital on the border with Gaza that serves the Palestinians. There is even a maternity department for women there and so on. We aren’t talking about just helping the wounded.

I think that all of these things are very correct. Why wouldn’t we need to give them something to eat and drink? All the more so because their surface water is depleted and contaminated with sea water due to improper usage. In general, we must supply them with humanitarian aid.

Why? Because we are to blame for everything that is happening. If we had the right intention, the correction of the world would not be lagging behind “schedule,” and we would not need any military operation. So, it follows that, against our will, we must feed the Palestinians, and it is specifically we who must correct the existing relationships, uniting among ourselves.

So, in the meantime, the humanitarian supplies are not charity on our part. We ourselves have caused this.

Certainly, we must give a strong resistance against the enemy. I will not betray my people and nation. The main thing is that we must carry out the work of the Creator, but we aren’t. After all, we are responsible for the entire world, and if you feel you are to blame for the troubles of the world—the wars, the brutal cruelty—you must agree with the anti-Semites, however, not with their actions, not with their desire to kill and annihilate us, but with their accusation against us; this accusation is correct. This is because we are the only ones with free choice, and the key to the happiness of the world is found with us alone.

So, we must feed Gaza. Moreover, we should not hate Hamas, a small organization that has seized control of the wretched population of the strip, for, in this way, we arouse these people to take action and make them into bad guys.

Such a perspective seems to be the opposite if we take into account that we ourselves are the only reason for all the events that are happening.

Question: How is it possible to reach a feeling of responsibility like this? How do we educate the people about this?

Answer: Don’t lay it out all at once. Rather, we will feel this little by little. We will not hear, we will not agree, but we will feel much more that this is so.

This is called receiving the baton from the Creator and beginning to manage things correctly. Otherwise, how is it possible to be connected with Him if we don’t look at the world like this?

After all, everything that is happening awakens the Upper Light. If we have complaints and claims about anyone except ourselves, then it is a complaint against the Creator. If I blame someone other than myself, this means that I am blaming the Creator.
[142055]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/22/14, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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Question: I would like to separate what is happening today from the historical stories about events thousands of years ago that some people believe and some do not. I am a practical, realistic person and ancient history doesn’t interest me.

I look at the result and don’t agree at all that the situation in the nation of Israel is bad and that this nation requires extreme changes.

When I hear these kinds of statements from Jews—such as: “Death to the Arabs! We need to enter Gaza and kill them all!”—I am shocked that I belong to a society like this. I consider behavior like this to be inconsistent with the moral state of the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.

Can you take a clean page and draw how, in your opinion, the nation of Israel should look so that it will become a place in which it is possible to raise children happily, without being ashamed that you are Jewish and Israeli?

Answer: This is a very simple picture that everyone can draw for himself: one circle and that’s all. A circle means that all are connected with each other with good and open relations. This means that, within the society these principles operate: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”; “that which you hate, do not do to your friend”; “be as one man in one heart,” and “all of Israel are friends.”

All of these principles must be realized in us to some degree, from an initial degree to a full and complete degree; and together with this, we must offer this as an example to all the nations of the world; in other words, we must “be a light to the nations.” If we begin to engage in this, then we will see how the entire world will understand and accept us totally differently. The nations of the world very much want the people of Israel to become a guide for them.

Question: Is there room in such a society built in the form of a circle for such statements as, “Death to the Arabs?”

Answer: Certainly, in a place like this, there is no room for statements like this about anyone. The society must be built in the form of a circle, and, within this circle, ultimately, the entire world will enter. However, first, the people of Israel must show an example to everyone. This means that, instead of a source of problems, we become a source of good for the entire world.

Question: In school, they teach children that it is necessary to realize the principle, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” but that this applies only to Jews.

Answer: However, we only give lip service to this general rule. This is not called teaching love for others. A child perceives this love formally, like a dry mathematical formula.

Question: I would wish that when my son hears about those killed in Gaza, he would cry and not be happy. Is this a justifiable demand?

Answer: Do you understand what this love is that we must attain when your heart hurts for someone you love? For you, love is a dry formula that isn’t alive if you are asking a question like this.

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” means that all of humanity is linked in one man. We must attain something like this, and all the troubles are sent to bring us closer to this until we understand, with the help of the wisdom of Kabbalah, and model it, that the Jewish people must show the entire world how to reach it through a short, pleasant, and rapid way.
[141996]
From Kab TV’s “A New Life” 8/14/14

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From the book The Essential Secret of the Jews, M. Brushtein:

A Desire – It Is Matter

Let’s go back to the primary creation—the desire. We figured out how the desire appears and how it developed after its appearance.

Doubt may surface that the desire is primary. However, it does not bother Kabbalists, since in any case, it is the desire that determines the individuality of any object.

“And of course, it makes no difference whether this force, being the will to receive, is a result and a fruit of the material that had produced it through chemistry, or that the material is a result and a fruit of that force. This is because we know that the main thing is that only this force, imprinted in every being and atom of the ‘will to receive,’ within its boundaries, is the unit where it is separated and distinguished from its environment. And this holds true both for a single atom or for a group of atoms, called ‘a body.’  (Yehuda Ashlag, “The Freedom”)

The consequences of the primary four phases of development of desires we can see everywhere.

“That force, the will to receive, is present in every element of reality, as we have explained above. Also, all four types: still, vegetative, animate and speaking emerged from them.” (Yehuda Ashlag, “The Freedom”)

The desire to bestow upon the Creator (Nature) was further manifested in the following way.

“And if we define things by their own names, using the concepts that will cause no errors on any side, then we need to distinguish two forces—negative and positive. In the mechanism of natural human development they act as ‘egoism‘ and ‘altruism.’

“I am talking about not the ethical meaning of these concepts, inherent in everyday language, but only their material part.

“These forces are present in all parts of reality, in each in accordance with its essence, as well as in man, in accordance with his essence.

“They are the primary motives of all human actions.” (Yehuda Ashlag, HaUma [The Nation])

Experience suggests that altruism cannot be taught as it cannot be learned. Meanwhile, the “altruistic” method exists. We will talk about it later.

And finally, the main reason that this book was written.

“It turns out that when humankind achieves its goal, with respect to the success of the bodies, by bringing them to the degree of complete love of others, all the bodies in the world will unite into a single body and a single heart, as written in the article, “The Peace.” Only then will all the happiness intended for humanity become revealed in all its glory.” (Yehuda Ashlag, “The Freedom”)

We are talking about perfect unity with the Creator (Nature).
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