Preparation for Reading

In this world, we have to prepare ourselves to read books. If it is an English novel, we should know English; if it is an architectural reference book, we have to possess at least some knowledge in this field, and if it is a report of a chemical experiment, we should know something about chemistry, etc.

We always need a certain elementary basis that is transmitted from generation to generation.

In spiritual attainment, the written Torah is accompanied by the oral Torah. The name “Torah” is derived from the word “Ohr – Light.” Thus, the written version of the book must be preceded by a preparation period, which is  the oral Torah.

The oral Torah accompanies the written book and is transferred from one generation to another by word of mouth, from a Kabbalist to another Kabbalist. It is conveyed through a chain of people who are capable of understanding the book.

If we really strive to learn what it talks about and aspire to reveal the world and understand the One who plays the movie of our lives, if we are willing to change in order to become similar to Him, to penetrate into the essence of images that are demonstrated to us, then we have to find people who know the oral Torah.

Performance with a Surprise

Question: What does it mean “to be similar to the force that plays the movie?”

Answer: It is about similarity of properties.

Let’s say, I am not familiar with the theater. I attend a performance and am totally unable to immediately comprehend what it is about. Then, somebody whispers in my ear that the author of the play is a very special man with a unique biography, and that the characters of the play are based on live people, who in fact, experienced the events described in the play.

I didn’t know anything about these facts. I was not prepared. Now, I know the story, the background, and if I penetrate a little deeper into it, I will develop new properties and sensations. Thus, I start sympathizing with the main characters as if I am in their shoes and even go through their states. I acquire the same qualities, and that’s why I regard the performance from a totally different angle.

Otherwise, we have no ability to understand the world.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 1/04/15

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Question: Is it possible that I interfere with the upper governance’s code that descends to me in the form of a letter? In any other system, writing codes define the way the material the system is made of “behaves” and outlines what processes will take place.

Answer: The code includes everything. At the same time, there are certain gaps left for us deliberately in order for us to contribute our reaction. In other words, we don’t move blindly as robots without having any freedom of will, solely following the immutable laws and forces that govern us.

We accept the program that works within us and that leaves a certain space for our independence.

The program needs us to learn the letters and enter them correctly in the empty spaces that are specifically left open for us at the time the program was keyed into a typewriter or computer.

We are supposed to place the letters in the empty places in such a way that we work in unison with the author of the text, thus helping the program advance nicely in accordance with His and our desires.

Question: So, is it right that the letters can be split into two separate parts:

1.   The letters that are printed within us and that define what will happen to us, and

2.   The letters that we add on our own when we attain the wisdom hidden within them and begin actively participating in the process, i.e., when we write the letters ourselves.

Does it mean that I learn how to control things that define my reality?

Answer: Yes, it is true. What do those empty spaces in the text (the program) mean? You are given a power from above, the will to receive, and the power of bestowal. When they are combined together, the gaps in the text are filled.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 12/21/14

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The Midrash “BeShalach”: Why didn’t the Jews continue their journey? Why did they camp in Pithom even though this decision involved additional risk for them? The answer lies in the fact that they were stuck because there was a sea in front of them; nor could they run to the desert, since wild beasts were waiting for them there.

But the people of Egypt did not agree with the Pharaoh’s plan: Recent losses were still too fresh in their memory. Therefore, Pharaoh used every means of persuasion and various tricks to force the Egyptians to agree. “Know! he told them. Even though according to the royal tradition in order to protect myself I should be riding in the rear of my army, in this battle I’ll be at the head!”

“Why are you going to behave so unusually?” they asked the Pharaoh. “Because this war is not against the Jews, said the Pharaoh. It is against their very G-d! So I’ll be at the head of the battle!”

This extract is about a very serious degree of detachment in those who are engaged in the Torah religiously, but study it for their own sake, i.e., for the sake of the Pharaoh.

The Pharaoh is not against the Creator since both of them help identify each other. This explains why the Pharaoh says: “Blessed is the Creator! I am a sinner…” There are many interesting developmental stages that oppose this state, but the major thing for Pharaoh is preventing a human being from engaging in altruistic actions and detaching from selfish fulfillment.

Regular egoistic inducements that are originally built in us do not count since they are given to us by nature. They are not considered “Egypt.” Only the actions that one does for one’s own sake and that are mentioned in the Torah, in the Pentateuch, are considered to be of importance.

This explains why, when exiting Egypt (rising from one’s egoistic intention), actions are annulled and Egyptians die as a result of the ten Egyptian plagues. The desires and people who follow the instructions of the Torah for their own sake remain under the power of the Pharaoh because they aspire to this kind of power. They are seriously engaged in the Torah and all earthly commandments for the sake of their own fulfillment and hold on to them very strongly. They are the ones who stay in Egypt and chase those who really want to run away from it.

The Pharaoh says: “I’ll be at the head of my army,” i.e., this is the moment when their oppositeness manifests itself: either for one’s own sake (Lo Lishma) or for the sake of the Creator (Lishma). “For one’s own sake” means for Pharaoh, “for the sake of the Creator” signifies those who exit from Egypt. At this point, a struggle between them begins.

Usually, Pharaoh follows his army. It means that all egoistic actions “feed and nourish him.” When his confrontation with the Creator starts, he heads the army since the most important thing at this time is ideology: whether you do it for your own sake or you do it being completely detached from yourself, i.e., for the sake of the Creator. That’s why the Pharaoh considers it a sacred war that is directed “against their very G-d!”

Right after that, Egypt starts withering since Pharaoh nourishes himself from the source other than Egyptians, from those who aspire to being with the Creator but so far are not there yet. This is why anti-Semitism emerges; however, this kind of “fuel” is absolutely essential.

Pharaoh gets stronger with the help of the desires that “are afraid of the Creator but work for the Pharaoh,” i.e., that follow everything that is commanded, however, they are doing so for their own sake. When they tend to change the intention and start working for the sake of the Creator, Pharaoh immediately feels that this might be his end and starts a war with their G-d.

At this point, our egoism faces a huge problem: What if the Creator wins? The mere fact that there are people who exited Egypt and then returned irritates Pharaoh since our egoism is afraid that the intention for the sake of bestowal might win. Egoism doesn’t have any other way but to reveal itself and try to survive, otherwise Pharaoh stops being the Pharaoh. It won’t be an intention for “one’s own sake” any longer.

Comment: They return and frustrate the Pharaoh.

Answer: They don’t return to Egypt, though! It’s a different level even though they have already reached the cities of Pithom and Ramses that were built for Pharaoh. At some point, they worked “for his sake”; however, now they return to the same level, but with an intention “for the sake of the Creator.” This is why the Pharaoh (our egoism) is not able to accept the fact that people return liberated and attack the Pharaoh’s “jurisdiction,” i.e., their own egoism.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 4/23/14

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Writings of Rabash, “Shlavei HaSulam,” Article 4

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Talmud Eser Sefirot, “Histaklut Pnimit,” Vol. 1, Part 1, Chapter 4, Item 19 

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In the News (The Huffington Post): “The State of Palestine’s strategy of joining the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a qualitatively new approach to the bilateral negotiations with Israel and the US brokerage of the “peace process.” This strategy does not undermine the pursuit of a two-state solution, which is the title of the international consensus for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Rather, the strategy puts everyone before the test of choosing between the earnest implementation of the two-state solution, or putting the Israeli occupation and settlements on trial before international courts.

“What is new is that the Palestinian side, which is traditionally considered weak and has been forced to submit to dictates, today has the right to go to the ICC to sue Israel for war crimes and other practices related to occupying another country, from building illegal settlements to forcibly deporting Palestinians.”

My Comment: Appealing to reason, justice, and independent investigation is useless. Everything is planned in advance by the Creator from above because we do not prevent the inclusion of the negative forces of our development. We anticipate them by our desire to unite, and this desire can cancel out all our enemies, changing them into our friends!
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In the News (from The Times): “The French are turning to tranquillisers as never before to overcome the anxiety provoked by last week’s terrorist attacks. Sales of anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills were 18.2 per cent higher than usual between Friday and Tuesday, researchers said yesterday.

“French shoppers are staying away from the seasonal sales, too — not only because they are afraid of more attacks but also because they are too demoralized to buy new clothes.

“Only 49% of the French made purchases in stores in the first week of sales, which began on the 7^th of January – on the day of the shooting at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

“Experts call this situation unprecedented not only for France, but also for the whole world. … There is also an increased demand for psychotherapist services.”

My Comment: Unfortunately, this is only the beginning. After all, to make Europe “come round,” to act according to the plan of creation, to understand the necessity of real unity, not just one event like this but more “serious pressure” on French Jews will be required.

I can only urge anyone who understands the meaning of what is happening to try to convey it to all his friends. This can effectively reduce the suffering!
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Question: The latest terrorist attacks are no surprise for the Jews in France. There were too many signs indicating the approach of something like that. As a consequence, the question of moving to Israel is on the agenda for many. The young see this as a logical step. Are we waiting for a new wave of immigration in Israel?

Answer: Absolutely. However, people here still do not understand this.

I, myself, came here more than forty years ago after nearly thirty years spent, as they say, in exile where I was born and grew up. Until now, I remember the feeling with which native Israelis are not familiar. Some even believe that there is no anti-Semitism in the world. People who grew up here just do not feel what this exile is and everything connected with it.

Question: Do you think that France is a special case or, conversely, a symptom of the general malaise?

Answer: France is really a special place. It is special with respect to aspirations for freedom of speech and to a very negative attitude toward the Jews and to the huge migration from Muslim countries.

I anticipate there to be great complications and not necessarily associated with Jews. Indeed, today, the goal of radical Islam is to show the world that its influence and power is spreading everywhere. The essence is in threatening, in a powerful psychological pressure throughout Europe.

Therefore, the recent terrorist attacks are only the beginning. Radicals have countless people who are ready for anything.

Question: What can the French Jews do?

Answer: They can do nothing. They have no security umbrella. They are defenseless.

The solution is in the general task of the Jewish people: to show the world the method of uniting all the people that will let us align with global nature that is manifested today. The world needs to establish correct connections. Otherwise, confusion, chaos among us, and confrontations between countries, regions, nations, and so forth—as a result of being opposite to nature—are destroying us.

Therefore, anti-Semitism will grow in the world. After all, subconsciously, people feel that only we will give the solution. This awareness is in the blood of the nations, and, of course, they are not to blame for this. It is a natural phenomenon.

It is only necessary to understand that it is up to us.
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From KabTV’s “Like a Bundle of Reeds” 1/11/15

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Question: What do the latest terror activities in France signify for Israel?

Answer: I don’t believe that any world event can bring something good for us. That is my initial position. Even if they begin to speak about some kind of solidarity, it lasts for only a few days, then later everything will return to how it was before, and again we will see a negative attitude toward Israel, including open anti-Semitism, recognition of Hamas, and the like.

France is one of those nations that stands at the head of this process. It is convinced that only ISIS and Al Qaeda are the bad boys. If terrorists go against Israel and see this as the main target, it doesn’t bother France to give them legitimacy.

As a result, I suppose that tragic events like the latest ones will repeat themselves. This is only the beginning because the goal of extreme Islam is to show Europe that it is old, tired, and unable to oppose the pressure of the young revolutionary Islamic movement.

Actually, this is the case. I see this in my conversations and interviews in Europe. For example, when we talked with the mayor of Vienna, he admitted that nowadays Europe is not able to awaken and encourage people to do things. It is tired, exhausted, and is experiencing the sunset of its days.

Comment: Today we are reminded that Jews took part in the formation of the republic, and if they leave, then France will no longer be as before.

Answer: That is correct. According to my information, in spite of its attitude to the Jewish community, which is far from good, about a thousand Jews in France are supporting its infrastructure. If they leave, the nation will not be able to recover. Since the matter here is not quantity, but the same weight of influence that the Jews acquired in industry, banking, science, and the like, France will not be able to manage without them.
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From KabTV”s “Like the Bundle of Reeds” 1/11/15

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Writings of Rabash, “Shlavei HaSulam,” Article 31

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The Book of Zohar  – Selected Excerpts, “Evil Inclination and Good Inclination,” Item 89 

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Talmud Eser Sefirot, “Histaklut Pnimit,” Vol. 1, Part 1, Chapter 4, Item 17

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Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol. 6, Part 6, Item 94

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