Baal HaSulam, “The Peace”: Thus, in our world, there are no new souls the way bodies are renewed, but only a certain amount of souls that incarnate on the wheel of transformation of the form, because each time they clothe a new body and a new generation.
Therefore, with regard to the souls, all generations since the beginning of Creation to the end of correction are as one generation that has extended its life over several thousand years, until it developed and became corrected as it should be.

And the fact that in the meantime each has changed its body several thousand times is completely irrelevant, because the essence of the body’s self, called “the soul,” did not suffer at all by these changes.

Question: How does the population on earth keep growing if the number of the souls that reincarnate from one generation to the next is fixed?

Answer: The souls are divided according to the number of bodies. Basically there is one soul that is divided into many parts, but this division doesn’t really exist and we only perceive it that way.

In fact, reincarnation is a change of form of the desire to receive. There are many such reincarnations at every given moment.

There is only one soul, which seems broken. We see that it is dispersed in different bodies and divided into seven billion people and besides there are also animals, plants, and inanimate rocks. The whole world is part of the desire to receive that undergoes changes or reincarnations in their desire.

A Kabbalist writes about the reincarnations of the corrected desire that is equipped with an anti-egoistic Masach (screen).

Question: So what is the meaning of the corporeal world that we see, changing it in time?

Answer: The meaning of this world is to use it correctly to ascend to the spiritual level, that is, to add the spiritual essence to the corporeal picture that we see. By that we sanctify this world and it becomes spiritual.

We discover the connections between all the parts of creation: the inanimate, vegetative, and animate nature, and most importantly, the speaking that are increasingly more connected by ties of love and mutual support until we reach the picture of one whole reality.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/21/15, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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In the news (netcom.md): “Our consciousness is the way by which we perceive our reality, our thoughts, the essences of information and our intentions. But the search for our consciousness in the brain is like searching for the announcer on a radio.

“Our consciousness is the basis, and matter is a derivation of our consciousness. We cannot transcend the limits of our consciousness. The claim that consciousness creates reality may refer to the fact that we can form and create any reality that we wish. How do we do that?

“Modern physics recognizes the fact that the spectator creates reality. As spectators we personally participate in the creation of our own reality.  We are forced to admit that the universe is a material structure. Knowledge directs us to a reality that is not mechanical and the inverse begins to seem like a giant thought, not like a huge machine.

“The mind no longer appears as an “accidental intruder” in matter. We should welcome it as the creator and dominator of the kingdom of matter. We have to accept the unequivocal conclusion: the universe isn’t material but mental and spiritual.”

My Comment: These findings come from researchers of nature. Today they don’t fear moving from the study of matter to the study of forces: of desire, thoughts, and intention.

Matter exists only in our subjective consciousness. Then they will acknowledge that everything that exists (forces) is only perceived by our subjective feelings, and then according to Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol.1, “Histaklut Pnimit.”
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Question: Are omens, amulets, Feng Shui and other methods important in the process of our spiritual growth in any way?

Answer: Spirituality means love and bestowal above and in contrast to our egoism. This property appears in us only as a result of the influence of the Upper Light (Surrounding Light) on us.

We can awaken and summon the Surrounding Light (Ohr Makif) by mutual efforts in the group. This actually sums up the whole Kabbalistic method. Everything else refers to how by increasing the mutual love and bestowal among us, we use our new common attribute to attain the upper world that operates only according to this principle.
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The first letters on the main banner of Judah carried the first letters of the three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The inscription on the main flag of Reuben carried the second letters of the names of our forefathers, and the main banner of Ephraim carried the third letters of their names.

The flag represents the main attribute of each of the twelve tribes that properly connect in order to become the attribute of bestowal over the increasingly growing egoism that is continuously revealed in us.

Therefore, the banners should not be confused or interchanged. They have to move in accordance with one another. Just like a human body advances according to its motor skills, so does the general soul have to advance by digesting and properly correcting the ego revealed in it since Adam’s sin. Thus the common soul has to constantly turn the ego into the attribute of love and bestowal.

There are many names and letters inscribed on the banners that symbolize the right sequence of the correction of the attributes.

All the attributes are mutually connected, but the main thing is that there isn’t one bad attribute among them. If you are a thief, a liar, or a traitor, is there anything good about that? If we take ten grams of a lie, twenty grams of a theft, and thirty grams of treason, mix them properly, and correct them into the opposite attribute, the outcome will be the next level.

The correct combination of the letters (Kelim – vessels) according to the three lines provides precise guidance as to how to advance step by step in the correction of our shattered egoism.

The image on the banner of each camp symbolizes a certain part of the general soul. Everyone knows how to properly connect with all the others in order to advance step by step.

If a group is made of ten men, everyone must properly and in accordance with one another weave a common basis for increasingly better conditions for the revelation of the Creator. This is actually how the 40 year journey in the desert is fulfilled.

Question: Is there a difference between the first letter, the second letter, and all the other letters that appear in the name on the flag?

Answer: Of course. But the point is that they appear exactly like the four letter name of the Creator: “Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey.” Even if there are other letters they replace His name in a particular order.

Keter and four letters is the foundation (the ten Sefirot) of the spiritual vessel. It is impossible to attain the attribute of love and bestowal in Malchut if the first nine Sefirot don’t precede it.

This means that absolute bestowal in the first Sefira Keter has to go through ten different filters, changes, in the different attributes of egoism, until the created being attains the last phase that enables him to fulfill the attribute of bestowal, thus raising himself to the level of the Creator.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 12/31/14

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In each one of us there exists an informational record that is called a Reshimo (remembrance) (Roshem – impression, from the word “Rishum” – recorded). For the Russian-speaking Jews, the Reshimo was transmitted from their grandparents and their great-great-grandparents, and from all the generations of Kabbalists from Eastern Europe. So they were specifically more sensitive and were inclined towards the spiritual idea.

Along with this, the Jews of Russia adopted many traits of the Russian people: uncompromising, yearning for something higher, and impulsive irrational actions. All this typified them because they lived on the same land that gave such drives to the people who lived on it.

There are many things that are derived from the land. For example, if a European lived in China or in Mongolia, he would become similar to the local inhabitants, if not externally (although apparently that too) then no doubt in his character.

In turn, the characteristics that the Jews adopted from the Russians helped them make the transition to the land of Israel and to draw all the rest after them. They established a socialist nation here paralleling the nation that was established in Russia. Many years before declaring independence, they began to build and establish Kibbutzim, organize trade unions, and found several businesses on the basis of socialist principles. But gradually they lost the connection with the internal Judaism, with the principles of “Love your neighbor as yourself,” “One whole people,” “All of us are one family,” and so on.

Question: Weren’t the Kibbutzim founded on this basis?

Answer: Every Kibbutz had its own character, but there were no relationships of connection between the Kibbutzim. The immigrants didn’t lay the basis for the laws of the Jewish settlement so that everyone who came from abroad would know that he had to become separated from his egoism and become part of one single family.
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From KabTV’s “About Our Life” 5/7/15

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Question: How does the soul control the body?

Answer: There is no connection between the soul and the physical body, the body exists by itself. It is only if a person acquires a soul that the upper world is revealed to him or her.

One begins to feel not only that reality perceived within his ego for his own benefit that is our small limited world. He goes out of his ego towards love of others and horizons open up in front of him; he also begins to see the upper world together with our world. His view is expanded; he begins to see the entire creation in depth, seeing the connection between everything that exists, the entire creation.

The upper world is the system of higher management that operates our whole world. The purpose of this system is to elevate all those who live in our world to the level of the soul, so that everyone will be involved in mutual bestowal, instead of what is now, each one wanting to grab something, to get something for oneself. We need to work differently, with mutual bestowal towards each other.

Everyone must reach this sooner or later. If we are late in this correction, then we receive blows from all sides. But if with the help of Kabbalah we begin to change, to correct ourselves, then we merit a life where we see the entire world from end to end.
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From Israeli Radio Program 103FM, 5/10/15

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Preparation for the Lesson

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Writings of Baal HaSulam  “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 46

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The Book of Zohar — Selected Excerpts, “Fear,” “Fear Is the Gate to the Creator”

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Talmud Eser Sefirot Vol. 6, Part 16, Item 52

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Writings of Baal HaSulam “Exile and Redemption”

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Question: For a long time, humanity dreamt about democracy and freedom of speech. A lot of blood was shed fighting for this right. Freedom of speech is one of the most significant achievements of modern man.

When dictators come to power, the first thing they do is limit the freedom of speech. Why is it so important to us to freely express our thoughts and opinions?

Answer: The desire for the freedom of speech stems from human egoism and our desire to be “important.” Freedom of speech adds social “weight” when we proudly stand up and express our opinion. This is how we state our presence in this life and world.

The desire to express oneself derives from our egoism; everybody has it. When our egoism grows, it becomes more and more complicated and demanding. So, it requires a broader range of self-expression.

Thousands of years ago people didn’t have a need to speak openly. Living in a small village, they didn’t lack freedom of speech: What were they supposed to talk about anyway?

Modern man appreciates his freedom of speech, but do we know what it is?. If this is the freedom to say whatever we want, then how are we sure of the correctness of our views? Do we really understand that we are responsible for the words, which can hurt someone?

The same can be said for government elections. Do we understand that we are responsible for the future of our countries and even for the entire world when we submit our ballot?

Freedom of speech depends on a person’s developmental level, education, and understanding of what they talk about and what influence they produce by saying what they say. These are not the speeches in Hyde Park, London that entertain tourists.

Before we take advantage of the freedom of speech, we have to be properly educated because it imposes a great responsibility. Not only are uttered words strong weapons, but even our thoughts. Our thoughts soar around the world and collide with each other, creating a field of thoughts that impact us and the whole world.

Therefore, freedom of speech obligates us to be at a certain level and to accept a huge responsibility. When saying something out loud, we have to make sure that our words spreading around the world will enhance correction instead of just proving my truth as it appears to me in my egoism.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 6/21/15

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Question: Do we have freedom of choice?

Answer: Every person who feels a need for freedom of choice can attain it. And with the Jews, as the carriers of two lines, this need is always always there because they initially received it in ancient Babylon.

Even today every person who feels the imperative of freedom of choice can join the method of Abraham as followers joined him in his time, left ancient Babylon, and received guidance from him about the correct spiritual development. In our time anyone can join in studying Kabbalah because it speaks about souls and about how to develop them.

Entry into Judaism is very simple: someone who wants to, please; nationality doesn’t matter. Jews don’t judge other people according to their nationality because they themselves don’t have one. The only criterion is self-development with the help of the method of ascending and connecting all for the sake of mutual love. And all humanity can join in this without any limitation.

Comment: According to your words, the process of conversion is very simple.

Answer: Was there some process of conversion for ancient peoples? When a foreigner came to Hillel the Elder and asked him, “What is your Torah, Judaism?” Hillel the Elder answered him: “What is hateful to you, don’t do to your friend.” That’s it; it’s not necessary to say anything more!

Question: What is the freedom of choice of the Jews?

Answer: The choice is only to be linked and connected between them in spite of their ego, and to create the characteristic of bestowal and love within them. All of those who are involved with this are called Jews, they rise above the ego and unite to bring a positive force into the world. If a person has this imperative, this is a sign that hidden within him is a spiritual gene. And so he is absolutely equal to the Jewish people regarding the question of freedom of choice.

Question: Does this mean he can pass this gene on to his children?

Answer: This doesn’t pass as an inheritance, but is the result of education. Someone is called a Jew not because he is born to a Jewish mother as everyone is accustomed to think, rather someone who prepares himself for a transition (Ever) from the egoistic paradigm to the altruistic.

Comment: But most of the current Jewish people have no idea about this..

Answer: They have an inner inclination which is called a Reshimo (Remembrance), an informational record about this, that they can develop the spiritual gene that has been in them from the start since the days of Abraham. Every person who joins the Jewish people searching for love of others and ready to engage in this method, conveys to his progeny the same spiritual inclination.
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From KabTV’s “About Our Life” 6/04/15

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