Lesson Preparation
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Writings of Rabash, Vol. 1, Article 33 “The Felons of Israel” (1985)
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Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol. 6, Part 15, Item 11
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Writings of Baal HaSulam, “A Handmaid That Is Heir To Her Mistress”
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Question: Can we depict our three-hour morning lesson as one big prayer that includes 612 commandments? We are constantly turning between them in order to come to the commandment of love for our neighbor.
Answer: Yes, consistent fulfillment of the commandments means that we climb the degrees of Jacob’s ladder.
The constant expansion and deepening of egoism in us happens to ensure that we implement connection with each other at greater and greater levels. Every time egoism increases, we perform the commandment of connection on it, up to the love for each other.
Question: Are there 613 commandments at each degree?
Answer: Of course. But we don’t need to consider this because we are originally created this way; our soul’s vessel consists of 613 parts.
In performing 612 advices (Eytin), I receive the influence of the upper Light, which corrects me. It is called Pkudin (from the word “Pikadon – deposit”). In this manner, I constantly fulfill and correct, and again fulfill and correct.
Question: Does the division between 612 commandments and the 613th commandment also exist at each degree?
Answer: Yes, because the 613th commandment does not exist on its own, I am incapable of fulfilling the commandment of love. I cannot be forced to love the other. If I, by fulfilling 612 commandments, receive the upper Light upon my desires, then I become loving and bestowing.
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From KabTV’s “The Last Generation,” 3/15/18
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A kenes (convention) is a kinus (gathering) where we want to be in the sensation of a single system, and the feeling of that gathering depends on the extent to which each one gives strength to it and acts in connection for everyone, then everyone receives the reward from that. I don’t think the daily lesson covers the congress, both in terms of the quantity and quality of people participating, and also in terms of us not scrutinizing the things as we do in a congress. In a congress, we act only in a positive way to increasingly awaken unity, whereas in our daily lessons, we have the line of criticism. That is the main difference between a lesson and a congress.
Other than that, in a congress, there is a gathering in quantity, not just quality. You have many people gathering together for two to three days in an effort. We will see how we can activate that effort in a virtual congress. On one hand, there is this direction to connect, and on the other hand, it is all more internal and virtual.
It is all organized to us from above where according to what we learn now—what is true connection, where is it, where do we measure it—we also see that it comes to us from above where we even don’t understand exactly what a virtual congress is. Until we reach it, we see exactly it is specifically suited to our state more than a physical congress.1
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 9/10/18, “The Month of Elul And Rosh HaShanah”
1 Minute 0:00 – 0:05
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Jewish News Syndicate published my new article: “‘Tikkun olam’ in the New Year 5779“
(September 13, 2018 / JNS) “I wish all my Jewish friends in Iran and Jews worldwide a very happy new year filled with peace and harmony,” said Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “Despite all the challenges the Jewish people have faced, their strength and perseverance continue to inspire us all,” U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted.
But among the dozens of blessings for the Jewish New Year by various leaders, that of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo touched a main point: “Tikkun olam is the Jewish principle that teaches us that while the world is often imperfect and broken, we have a shared responsibility to fix it.”
World leaders are right to shed light on the unique role of the Jewish people, and especially with regards to the concept of tikkun olam (“correction of the world”). According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, that will only happen when we first repair the relations between people.
At a time when humanity’s interdependence is tightening and showing itself as the basis of all our human-made systems, there is a dire need to build new relationships of mutual consideration among all people. In fact, the numerous crises we are witnessing in all areas of life point to a terrible lack of healthy and positive connections between citizens of the world.
So what is the role of the Jewish people in light of today’s escalating global crisis? Some will say that the Jews are causing it, while others say they hold the key to tikkun olam. The wisdom of Kabbalah explains where both views emerge from.
The Jewish people were formed as a result of the first global crisis that afflicted humanity. Some 3,800 years ago, between the banks of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in a desert region near present-day Iraq, humanity lived in great clans in Babylon. They lived together as kin until that relationship was shattered. The egotistical desire increased within the Babylonians, made them quarrel with one another and led to severe crises in all spheres of life.
One of the Babylonian priests named Abraham wondered about the nature of the deepening social rift. He discovered that it stems from a natural and inevitable growth of humanity’s egoism. In other words, Abraham discovered that tikkun olam is nothing other than a correction of the relationship between people. He wandered among the various tribes and clans, and called upon anyone who felt the need to build a new society.
The Babylonians who joined Abraham learned how to build healthy, positive and correct relationships, above the growing egoism. In time, the group grew into a new people: the people of Israel. Thus, the Jewish people were founded from a collection of representatives of humanity’s past civilization. The common denominator between them was the value of tikkun olam—the discovery of unity in diversity, and choosing mutual concern over mutual exploitation.
It has a ripple effect, spreading from the inside out. The Jewish people are essentially the first circle. They are a mini-model of humanity, a model of universal connection between people. That connection is destined to spread and shape the other circles around it.
At the peak of this process of tikkun olam, humanity reaches unity beyond borders, across the globe. That is, unity of the broadest circle that encompasses all of humanity—from world leaders to sheep herders in remote mountains. The correction must reach every man and woman, and every boy and girl. Everyone is equal, everyone is important; there is no preference and no discrimination.
In our time, the first step towards tikkun olam is raising awareness around the globe to the need for unity. Every person in the world must recognize the natural, integral system that binds us and requires us to be considerate of each other.
The Jewish people carries the idea and must reawaken it. Its role is to be as “a light unto the nations,” by being an exemplary society. Today, the nations of the world also have a duty to awaken the people of Israel to its role as a catalyst for tikkun olam. And just like the cordial greetings of leaders around the world, it is better to experience friendly and positive pressure from the world, rather than the hateful and anti-Semitic kind of pressure.
However, when it comes to tikkun olam, we should not expect salvation to come from leaders and rulers. The change will begin with the masses. It is not for nothing that the modern world became connected through the Internet. The virtual connection between millions of people enables us to raise the awareness of unity in a positive way and bring about tikkun olam in pleasant ways.
When masses of people consider the value of connection, even slightly, they create a tremendous wave of mutuality and consideration. The power of connection is greater than any individual, and it enables human society to rise above its narrow, egoistic nature to discover a vast space of happiness that stems from unity.
Tikkun olam begins with tikkun adam (“the correction of man”). A tiny change of consciousness in each of us is all that is needed. And if you still lack a clear call to action, share this message with everyone.
New Life 1039 – Taking Responsibility For My Feelings
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Tal Mandelbaum ben Moshe
All that surrounds me is a theater that exists in order to help me correct myself. Every person represents a part of my inner qualities and attributes that I have not yet corrected. The responsibility for my feelings is in my own hands even though I may sometimes feel that others are treating me badly. With good will or bad will, I shape my image of the world. My freedom of choice is to treat everything and everyone in reality as myself, with love. I must reach love for all people and for the Creator, which is the general power of nature. Correcting my relationships in this way will reveal a good, all loving, whole, and eternal world.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 1039 – Taking Responsibility For My Feelings,” 7/19/18
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A “year” is a period from the beginning of creation to its end. It is written that a man called Adam was created on the eve of the new year, on Rosh HaShanah, and before that, the whole world was created. Therefore, within a year, we need to complete all the corrections, and if we do not succeed this year, then the next one comes.
A year is a complete cycle of states necessary to correct all of our properties. Therefore, our program for the next year is to reach a final, corrected state, and for this, it is necessary simply to awaken the Creator constantly so that He gives us strength to make corrections. We should not let Him go.1
Blowing the Shofar evokes mercy, the power of the good. Prayer, Shofar—all this is meant to awaken the upper level to make corrections in us.2
From the Daily Zohar Lesson 9/11/18, Zohar for All, “Rosh HaShanah”
1 Minute 25:30
2 Minute 28:54
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In the News (The Earth Chronicles of Life): “‘The Dalai Lama revealed the secret of happiness’:
“Less envy and anger, more love and compassion – only through this man can come to harmony in the soul, the Dalai Lama XIV said in Riga during the spiritual teachings for Buddhists from Russia and the Baltic States.
“Man is destroyed by anger, envy, a sense of competition, fears and other negative emotions that lead to suffering, while happiness is achieved not through the implementation of unbridled desires, but through the ‘peace of mind’. Compassion and altruism help to come to him.
“’It has already been scientifically proven that anger literally destroys the immune system, while compassion and peace of mind strengthen it. If you treat others with compassion and altruism, then malice, envy and competition in you will be much less, and happiness – much more,’ said the Dalai Lama.
“A materialistic system of values makes a person a money-grubber.
“’Unchecked desires destroy both man and the environment, and this does not bring happiness to anyone. Happiness comes when the mind is at peace, when there is peace in the soul. Therefore, it is so important to train your mind,’ he said.”
My Comment: He is absolutely right, but how can this be accomplished?
Remark: In principle, it is clear what the Dalai Lama is leading to: it is a specific view of the world, meditation…
My Comment: This method is good for people with very little egoism, which used to manifest itself in humanity thousands of years ago. Also, today it also applies, but only in some parts of the world where it can really be offered and accepted.
Question: How can the state of happiness be achieved?
Answer: To do this, you need to change a person in order for a person to change the world so that the world does not chase artificial goals, but everything is in balance with nature and with each other.
It is possible, but not through a technique of just sitting and feeling happy.
Question: You said that the ego will develop and grow and that there is no escape from it. What can be done with egoism that grows and kills me?
Answer: I’ve talked about this many times. Until we show people that this final state leads us to destruction and instead there is an eternal and perfect state that we can achieve in this world now, today, until we convince humanity of this possibility, we can do nothing.
Question: How can this be done?
Answer: Only by working on ourselves, bringing ourselves to a state where we can truly become an example of correct human relationships, finding happiness and the highest quality between us.
Question: What should our relationships be like?
Answer: Love each other. The Dalai Lama also speaks about this, only it must be achieved. It is not easy and is accomplished through tremendous effort and by a trustworthy method that connects the impossible with the desired.
Is it necessary to get to this? It is necessary. Is there an opportunity? There is, but it’s hard. Here, we must reshape human nature, change it.
Question: How does human nature change?
Answer: Only under the influence of the revelation of the upper force. In attempts to unite, we reveal this force. We want this power to change us, but only this force! And not that I want to be good, and I’m already good.
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From KabTV’s “News with Michael Laitman” 6/20/18
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The desire to enjoy is the material of creation, so it cannot be good or bad. It is just matter that can be neither praised nor condemned—it is just how it was created.
If the desire to enjoy cares only about itself at the detriment of others, it is called egoism. If the desire to enjoy, which receives the ability to give from above, that is, the ability to work with one’s desire in contrast to one’s natural instinct to enjoy himself and instead to give pleasure to others, it is called the desire to bestow.
A desire is able to behave this way if it considers the one to whom it gives more important than itself. If I value you more than myself, then instead of taking for myself, I will give to you.
In our world, it is easy to do. After all, if I see that I depend on the one who is higher, more important, and stronger than me, then I am ready to give to him. I do this based on the same egoistic calculation because by giving it to him, I will win even more than if I took it myself.
There are, however, two conditions for genuine, non-egoistic bestowal. First, the object I want to give to has to be hidden. I should not feel its importance, otherwise I will certainly give with egoistic intentions, as it plays out in this world. Besides, I need to get more strength for such bestowal, despite the total lack of egoistic motivation.
First, we are helped from above, the importance of the higher is hidden. Then, one needs to do it on his own. Other than that, one has to receive the power of bestowal from above. Then I will have the opportunity to give to the Creator although in my corporeal eyes He has no importance. On the contrary, I see that the whole world and I myself am much more important. However, I gain the power of bestowal atop my nature. This is called faith above reason, above one’s own opinion. This is a true miracle from above.1
It is said: “A lifeline has been thrown to us by the Creator.” Why are there so many disappointed people who have not achieved anything? It is because they did not want to hold onto the rope. Everyone gets a lifeline; it hangs right in front of your nose, but you do not want to notice it.
Once one grabs the rope, he starts to get closer to a Kabbalistic group, he gets absorbed in it, and dissolves. We people think the opposite: that we are ready to do anything alone and that these actions will help us.
People remain in this delusion for 10, 20, 30, even 40 years, until they finally agree not to bow down. The force comes from above and they become ready to annul themselves in everything, bow their heads, and join the ten. They are ready to do anything: to give up everything just to join the group.
This is very difficult. It requires self-scrutiny, clarification, and overcoming. One should be very straightforward and honest with himself and with the group.2
From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/29/18, Writings of Baal HaSulam,“A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar“
1 Minute12:40
2 Minute26:40
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