4th Of July, Time To Celebrate And Reflect

Dr. Michael LaitmanFrom My Facebook Page Michael Laitman 7/4/19

American pride is at its lowest since it started to be measured about two decades ago. That is the conclusion of a recent Gallup poll showing that only 70% of US adults say they are proud to be Americans. Fewer than half (45%) are “extremely” proud. This marks the second consecutive year that this percentage falls below the majority of the population. The discontent is mainly attributed to the current state of the political climate and social wellbeing. Therefore, this 4th of July marks a good opportunity for reflection on the future Americans want for the country before the divisions intensify to a painful climax. Only a common sense of unity can avert such a dire path.

America’s escalating politically-based divisions are becoming increasingly virulent every day. The situation seems so volatile that a social explosion could ignite suddenly if political passions manifest as physical violence or killings from one side or the other. Of course, we hope that this will not happen because it could rapidly destabilize the entire country.

Today, America is under major pressure from inside and outside the country. Internally, immigration policies and their implementation are increasing political and social tensions; the divisions between immigrants of European origin and others are becoming more dramatic; and the rapidly-growing Muslim population is reshaping American society. There are many different interest groups in America that hold no perception of themselves as part of one unified body under the same roof.

As part of the evolution of any society, human egoism grows and every group makes exaggerated demands for its own benefit at the expense of others. If no efforts are made toward uniting for the sake of a common enterprise, then I fear for America’s positive future. Money, weapons and laws will all be of no help.

Externally, Europe is distancing itself from America and moving closer to Russia and China, losing its independent hegemonic power and strength in the international arena. Such a scenario might become a dangerous situation for America considering the ability of foreign interests to debilitate the US industry and social fabric for their own gain.

President Trump has taken US economy to record level highs but it is insufficient without the implementation of a social agenda for more national cohesion. So far, there are no signs pointing in that direction. Therefore, internal political forces will take advantage of this vacuum to create even more tensions and separations to the point of a social outburst.

Given the current state of affairs, what does America’s positive future depend on? America’s positive future depends solely on strengthening its social fabric so that people can disagree and maintain their differences while still allowing the wellbeing of the American family to prevail above their feuds. Unity should be the centerpiece around which other agendas gravitate.

Conversely, a coldhearted and hostile social atmosphere enslaves each interest group to their selfish demands and blocks their entrance to the pursuit of liberty, happiness and a prosperous and peaceful life for all. That lofty goal can only be achieved when the common interest is fulfilled by every stakeholder.

As written by foremost Kabbalist Yehuda Ashlag, “if all the nations of the world consent that no man should care for himself but only for others, war shall cease to exist” (“The Writings of the Last Generation”).

Nothing Is Worse Than Indifference

laitman_259.02Indifference is a result of the discrepancy of properties. Indifference is given to a person so he discovers who he really is without influence from above or the influence of the group. Through the group, I also receive influence from above because only through the group can I connect with the Creator and awaken His influence by myself.

Indifference is the most difficult thing. It testifies to the fact that a person has not established a devoted connection with the group, and through it, with the Creator. The chain: “Israel, the Torah, and the Creator” does not work, and therefore, indifference appears. There is nothing worse than that. Even conflict or disagreement is better, because it is at least a scrutiny. Indifference prevents you from any kind of scrutiny and one can get stuck in it for years.

Then awakening will come because a person is not alone, but is a part of a broken system. If other souls connected with the root of his soul begin to change and correct themselves, then they awaken him. He may even give up on spiritual advancement, but he suddenly wakes up because others need his presence and participation in reaching correction.

At the lowest level, indifference manifests in the fact that a person falls into this world and is satisfied with it, egotistically enjoying his life. He is only concerned with material fulfillment and becomes indifferent to spiritual advancement. The point in the heart stops shining because a person has not made enough of an effort to connect with his friends, with the teacher, and with the method.

Pride disallowed his connection to others. He felt stronger and smarter than others and it knocked him down. A person can invest tremendous energy in material matters, but can completely cool down to spirituality. It seems to him that he will succeed and earn a fortune, and this is a huge obstacle.

The group is obliged to sustain a sense of equality in each member. Although we are all different—some are more intuitive, others more knowledgeable—we all should be on an equal footing with no advantage of one over the others. The group must help a person on this point or his pride will grow and deflect him from the path. This is called “rescuing him from prison.”

He can feel at his best and completely fine, confident, and strong—and this is the egoistic prison. Because of this, he finds himself in a turbulent stream, carrying him to a high waterfall where he will be smashed into pieces.

Indifference is a very important feeling because it shows how much I lack the greatness of the Creator. I must therefore increase the importance of all the resources: the group, the teacher, the books, and the method. Indifference and even rejection constantly appear and we must overcome them, working in such a way. These are necessary stages (blows) on the path.1
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/11/19, Writings of Baal HaSulam “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,”Items 11 – 16
1 Minute 14:25

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Restriction And Blow

laitman_213Restriction (Tzimtzum) is when I close my desire, disallowing myself to receive pleasure, like a baby who tightly squeezes his mouth shut and refuses to eat. A blow (Bitush) already assumes a condition: if I have the opportunity to eat for the mother’s pleasure, then I will happily open my mouth. But I do not have such an opportunity right now, so what do I do? Help me, give me the desire to please you, and I will be happy to open myself to receive.

The restriction is an unconditional action, and the blow occurs on the condition that I am ready to take pleasure if there is an adhesion between us. In the blow, my goal is connection. While in restriction there is no goal of connecting, only preventing  yourself from receiving. I do not want any contact because I have no strength for more, only to restrict myself; otherwise, I will burn with shame.

The striking merger is already above shame. I no longer take shame into account, but only think about love and the connection between us, rising above selfishness. With a blow, I show that I am ready to receive a treat, not for myself, but only for the pleasure of the host.

At first we check our relationship with the host, and only when this spiritual connection of the heart has arisen can we translate it into action, and it descends into matter, into the desire to enjoy. Therefore, first of all, the decision is made in the Rosh of the Partzuf, in pure thoughts and feelings, disconnected from the clothing of the light in the desire, in matter. You can then perform this action, step by step, from easy to complex: the light of Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Haya, and Yechida.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/17/19Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

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How To Respond To The Creator’s Tremors

laitman_527.02Question: How does one properly respond to the internal shocks that are awakened by the Creator? Should we disagree with what He sent? After all, He is “the good that does good.” How can I be against what He aroused in me?

Answer: No way! You should react only in the direction of even greater connection between us. Only in this way can you force His influence on us to be more positive and kind. To the extent of our connection between us, we influence Him in such a way that we positively change His governance.

Question: How do I recognize that He pushes me precisely to that, exactly toward what He is correcting?

Answer: For this you have to listen to Kabbalists. Until you enter the system, you will not recognize anything.
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From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian, 3/17/19

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New Life 1102 – Intolerance In The International Arena

New Life 1102 – Intolerance In The International Arena
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Yael Leshed-Harel

Israel is perceived as a very aggressive nation that wants to dominate the entire world and exploit everyone for its own good. If Israel wants security, it must invest in research and development of new relationships between people. The level of connection in the world depends upon the level of connection between us Jews. We determine how everything will be managed. Kabbalah teaches people how to connect with each other correctly.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 1102 – Intolerance In The International Arena,” 3/28/19

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Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 7/4/19

Lesson Preparation

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Lesson on the Topic “Deficiency For The Greatness of the Creator” 

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Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Item 69

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Lesson on the Topic “Building The Future Society” 

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Audio Version Of The Blog – 7/3/19

Listen to an Audio Version of the Blog
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My Thoughts On Twitter 7/3/19

Dr Michael Laitman Twitter

Yearning for the goal fulfills us more than its attainment: the desire is fulfilled, and without desire, the pleasure disappears. Hence pleasure is possible only out of yearning, rather than satisfaction of the desire.
Desire was created to be filled by fulfilling the beloved

A person receives fulfillment not so much from love in and of itself, but from the craving of love, the yearning for the one you love.
Hence a spiritual action is performed by faith above reason, “for the sake of bestowal.”
It is the yearning that fulfills a person—it is most important and must be cultivated.
From Twitter, 7/3/19

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“Guns At The Synagogue? Unleashing The True Weapon” (The Times Of Israel)


The Times of Israel published my new article “Guns at the Synagogue? Unleashing the True Weapon

The spike in hate crimes has opened the debate over the use of guns for self-defense among the American Jewish community. “We live in a time of danger,” stated the US official for combating anti-Semitism, Elan Carr, in a recent conference in Jerusalem. He suggested to post security guards at every Jewish temple, community center and school in America. A rabbi in Boston backs this view and proposes that his members carry guns to the synagogue for protection. Others are already taking firearms training. It is better to be safe than sorry, but these are band-aid solutions to a problem that can only be solved from another level: through Jewish unity.

The deadly attacks in Pittsburgh and Poway, California prompted to reinforce security measures at Jewish facilities in the US. Incidents against the Jewish community increased 57 percent from 2016 to 2017, the highest in 20 years and the largest single-year rise in history, according to the Anti-Defamation League. And even though white supremacists are responsible for recent attacks and threats to synagogues, terrorism and violence inspired by Islamist extremism “continues to pose a serious threat to Americans,” says a recent report by the anti-Semitism watchdog group. It states that as June, three people have been arrested for plotting Islamist terrorist attacks including Jewish targets.

The uneasy feeling and menace facing Jews in America are, in fact, a wake up call to reflect on our state as a nation and follow what the Torah mandates to us: to connect by the principle of “love your neighbor as yourself,” and radiate that positive force to the rest of the world. If we fail to do that, non-Jews perceive our disunity as the cause of their problems, putting pressure on us through violent acts. Therefore, until we unite above our differences, anti-Semitism only will get worse. Arming ourselves will simply give us a false and empty sense of security.

We currently do not realize how humanity’s unity depends on Jewish unity. Both are deeply interrelated, as Jews have a central role in the world’s wellbeing. As it is written in the “Introduction to The Book of Zohar,” “Israel refers to the inner part of the world, whereas other nations are considered its outer part.” That central role of Jews is also explained in that seminal text as “a man of Israel elevates his outer material part over the inner, spiritual one, the outer part (the coarse and harmful elements in the nations of the world) accordingly rises over the inner part (the righteous among the nations of the world) and calamities and wars befall the world.”

Therefore, unity should be our priority. By getting closer to each other, narrowing the huge gap that currently separates us, we will become an example to humanity. The power of unity will make any form of hatred against Jews vanish. It is not only the strongest weapon—it is the only weapon that can guarantee peace and safety.
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Striking Of The Inner And The Surrounding Light

laitman_962.1The inner light (Ohr Pnimi) is what I receive from the host, enjoying in all my desires the taste of fulfillment and the attitude of the Creator who with all His greatness invites me to connect and bestows upon me. I feel all these corporeal, human, and spiritual pleasures on all levels and I am obliged to extract all possible pleasure from them.

However, all this is clothed in my intention to bestow to the host. I subjugate myself to Him and want to give Him contentment. There is no pleasure here that I feel outside of my relationship with the host. First of all, I connect with Him in the Rosh, become included in His intention, in His attitude toward me. I absorb His attitude toward me and I build a reciprocal attitude toward Him from it. Our relationship, His and mine, becomes clothed on each other and the inner light appears.

The surrounding light (Ohr Makif) shows how much I am not ready to do this. The surrounding light emerges out of my regret that I have to stop receiving pleasure from the host, rejecting His appeal to me due to my inability to respond to Him in the same way because of my lack of His greatness. The surrounding light is a consequence of my awareness of how small my love for the host is compared to His love for me.

The surrounding light is the clothing of the spiritual Partzuf, which reflects the reaction of the created being to the revelation of the Creator in it. Therefore, it presses on the Partzuf and asks it to receive fulfillment, like a mother standing in front of a baby with a spoonful of food and trying to persuade him to open his mouth.1

My attitude toward the group and my care for it instead of caring for myself is an exact reflection of the work of the Partzuf with the upper light (Ohr Elyon). Even if I am not yet at such a degree that I can work directly with the light, it is already a close relationship. The Guf of the Partzuf is a measure of my connection with the group, and the Rosh is a calculation of how much I am able to connect with my friends according to my discernments, thoughts, and emotions.

Coupling by striking (Zivug de Haka’a) is striking at my egoism and adhesion through my decision above my mind and feelings to connect with friends like one man with one heart.

I strike my will to receive, push it away, and rise above it because I want to follow the mind and the emotion of the group and the Creator in it. Desire is my nature and the thought is something peripheral; therefore, it can be received from above or through the group, giving me the ability to understand, feel, and make decisions above my own thoughts.

My own thoughts and desires are the animate level. The desires and thoughts of the group can be above them only if I try to work with them.2

Restriction and Striking

Restriction is when I shut my desire, disallowing myself to receive pleasure, like a baby who tightly clenches its mouth and refuses to eat. The striking, however, already implies a condition: if I have the ability to eat for the sake of bringing contentment to mother, I will gladly open my mouth. But I do not have such an ability, so what do I do?! Help me, give me the desire to bring You contentment and I will be happy to open myself for the reception.

Restriction is an unconditional act and striking occurs on the condition that I am ready to accept the pleasure if there will be adhesion between us. In striking, my goal is connection. During the restriction, the purpose is not to connect but only to prevent me from receiving. I do not want any contact because I have no strength for anything but to restrict; otherwise, I will burn from shame.

Coupling by striking is already above shame. I do not take shame into account, but think only about love and connection between us, rising above egoism. By striking, I demonstrate that I am ready to receive the meal, not for myself but only to give contentment to the host. First, we check our relationship with the host and only when this heartfelt spiritual connection is established can we implement it in action and it descends into matter, into the will to receive.

This is why the decision is made first of all in the head of the Partzuf, in the pure thoughts and emotions not associated with the clothing of the light in the desires, in the matter. Only then can we perform this action, step by step, from light to heavy: the light of Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Haya, and Yechida.3
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/17/19, Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Items 30 – 38
1 Minute 29:10
2 Minute 36:08
3 Minute 1:06:05

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