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My Thoughts On Twitter 7/18/21

Dr Michael Laitman Twitter

“Co-founder of @Wikipedia@lsanger: “Teams of #Democratic-leaning volunteers’ remove content from the online encyclopedia that isn’t to their liking”
The crowdsourcing project has betrayed its original mission by reflecting the views of the ‘establishment’, and left-leaning volunteers cut out any news that doesn’t fit their agenda”. #Wikipedia
From Twitter, 7/18/21

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“We Must Win The Race (Against Ourselves)” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “We Must Win the Race (against ourselves)

We’re living through difficult times, no doubt. We seem to be in conflict with everyone and everything: family members, coworkers, within countries, between countries, against nature, and generally everywhere we look there is chaos. The only way to restore order in our lives is by getting to the fountainhead that spews these disasters and stream the flux where it is meant to go instead of gushing all over the place and drowning everything in sight.

If we look for the fountainhead, we won’t find it anywhere since it is nowhere outside of us or within us; it is between us. The crux of the problem is that we treat each other hatefully. Among family members, coworkers, within countries, between countries, against nature, and generally everywhere we look, hatred sets the tone. Hate destroys, and when it sets the tone everywhere, it destroys everything.

An areal view after flooding at Erftstadt-Blessem, Germany, July 16, 2021

Imagine how people would feel toward each other if they all decided together to put an end to the common enemy, to the mutual hatred between them? Understandably, everyone who hates feels that there is a solid ground to the hatred. But if everyone hates, there is total destruction and everyone loses. Therefore, only if everyone decides to cultivate friendship instead of enmity, rise above our just causes and declare that hatred is our common foe, only then will it be possible to reverse the world’s trajectory toward mass destruction in humanity.

The crises are not only showing us that we are hateful; they are also our best, and in fact only impetus to nurture amity and harmony among us. Without a sense that we are sliding helplessly toward a precipice, we will not be motivated to make any changes. Therefore, while the crises are necessary in order to motivate us, the sooner we get motivated and start changing our relations, the lower the price we will have to pay for our hatred.
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“Tisha B’Av And The Building Of The Third Temple” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “Tisha B’Av and the Building of the Third Temple

Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) symbolizes the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), the deep severance between us caused by the revelation of divisive egoism.

The 9th of Av is a tragic day in Jewish history when the First and Second Temples were destroyed, and also when the Jews were expelled from England, France, and Spain. In addition, it was also the day on which the Jews were taken from the Warsaw Ghetto to be slaughtered during the Holocaust.

There is an intrinsic spiritual root for every holiday and special date on the Jewish calendar, spiritual forces that appear and influence our physical world. The fact that all these tragedies occurred on this same date across many centuries is not accidental. It underscores the spiritual root underlying all of the problems afflicting the people of Israel.

Why did the destruction of the Temple occur? Because we started to put emphasis on the Temple as a building instead of as a symbol of our unity. We, the Jewish people, got to a point where we forgot about the higher power available through our connection, the force that cements the bonds between us. We moved away from our purpose of being as one man in one heart, a state which allows the Creator to be revealed.

As it is written, “The evening of the unfortunate complaints will be the Ninth of Av. And the Creator ruled: you have cried in vain for no reason, and therefore, I will give you a reason for your weeping. The Ninth of Av went on to become a day of mourning for the whole nation. It is actually on this day that the First and Second Temples were destroyed…” (Midrash Raba, Shlach)

Today we are found precisely in the same situation as during the past destructions of the Temples. Nobody really holds good feelings about others. We are in a state in which egoism dominates us, separating and destroying everything that could be positive between us. Until we recognize our fatal flaw, there is no point in just remembering Tisha B’Av as something that happened in the past over which we need to mourn. We are failing to learn what it is that we need to do as a people here and now: to unite, and by doing that, turn evil into good. Therefore, unfortunately, horrific events keep affecting Jews, and even the forecast of a new Holocaust may be on the horizon, this time on a global scale, threatening all Jews wherever they are.

We simply must realize that the source of our troubles—unfounded hatred between us—is as vivid and alive today as in the past. So it is up to us to begin rebuilding our temple, building the Third Temple—the state of unity and completion of one another, of rising above hatred, arrogance and pride; the state of “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

We must create a connection between us sufficient for the good force called the Creator to be revealed. Meanwhile, this powerful positive force is still concealed in our world. The moment we establish proper and beneficial connections, the goodness of the world will be disclosed through us and we will be able to show the whole world how to build the Third Temple for all peoples and nations; as it is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7).

I wish that all the tragic events happening to our people would stop, that we would recognize and understand their cause and uproot it. I wish to see us rise above the suffering of the current world in connections of love. May we speedily succeed in this!
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“What Really Can Solve Our Problems” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “What Really Can Solve Our Problems

Siberian forests, of all places, are being consumed by fire; Germany, Belgium, the UK, and several other European countries, are drowning in floods in midsummer; British Columbia and Northwestern United States are still reeling from what is called a “heat dome” that covered them just over a week ago and sent temperatures past 120°F (49°C), melted roads, and claimed hundreds of lives. These, along with countless other “routine” problems that seem to pile up higher with each day, exacerbate the sense that the world is going out of control. Before we solve one problem, two new ones appear, and always at record breaking severity. Is there really nothing we can do?

In fact, there is a lot we can do, but it takes great commitment from all of us. There are two levels to deal with the crises: the particular level and the overall level. The particular level means dealing with crises one at a time. Here, the main thing we need to develop is cooperation. For now, each country is dealing with its crises on its own. In a globally connected world, this is a pathetic approach. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that an infection anywhere is an infection everywhere. But since each country (with a few rare exceptions) worries only about vaccinating its own people, countries that cannot deal with the issue effectively become hotbeds for new strains, which then spread into already vaccinated countries, rendering the vaccines far less effective.

The overall level derives from the particular level. In order to cooperate, we need to have some sense of solidarity, or at least a realization that we are dependent on each other. Indeed, we are dependent on each other for even the most basic things, such as food and water, clothing, health care, housing, and education. Our economies are completely intertwined, but somehow we want to destroy each other as if our own country will not be destroyed as a result, as well.

When a common danger threatens them, such as a flood or a forest fire, animals stop hunting one another. Humans, the apex of creation, are somehow devoid of this common sense. Instead of fleeing together, we try to exploit even the common tribulation to hurt others. We don’t even care that in doing so, we are cutting the branch we are sitting on, as long as we are the last to fall.

This sort of egoism is our core problem. To solve it, we must unite against it. Not against each other, but against ourselves, against our own egoistic nature. If we all commit to creating a positive social environment, everything will change.

Since we will stop exploiting one another, we will have no need to deplete Earth’s resources, and the negative trend of climate change will turn around. As the crises calm, we will be able to direct more resources toward helping the less fortunate among us, and all of humanity will benefit from the new attitude.

This is not a task for governments. Governors are those who excel in the traits that society values. In an egoistic society, therefore, the governors are the most egoistic people. As a result, they cannot lead a transition toward a non-egoistic mindset. It would be foolish to expect them to. This is why this task is on all of us. We must support each other in cultivating mutual responsibility and caring. If we are bold enough to do this, we will transform our world beyond our wildest dreams. If we do not, then as one newspaper title I read said, “The hottest summer you have ever experienced is the coolest summer of the rest of your life,” if not far worse than that.
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“How Would The World Be Different If Africans Were Never Brought To The Americas At All, As Slaves Or Otherwise?” (Quora)

Dr. Michael LaitmanMichael Laitman, On Quora: How would the world be different if Africans were never brought to the Americas at all, as slaves or otherwise?

The world would be nearly the same, other than America of course, which would look and feel completely different. America would be more like a Western European nation, such as France, Germany and England.

On one hand, America would be more closed off than it is today. On the other hand, we need to understand that nature unfolds according to a set plan, and it advances the world to a state of equilibrium. There is thus no point in discussing history in a subjunctive fashion, because the development we have undergone is absolute. We need to say that what happened yesterday had to have happened, and it could not have happened in any other way. Also, we should never regret the past, but on the contrary, we should always think and act with the present and the future in mind.

Regretting a particular course of historical events is an unhealthy, ineffective and detrimental approach to life. Why? It is because the unfolding of history is set in stone, and everything that has happened was for a very specific purpose—to guide us to a final state of balance with nature. Therefore, we would be much better off if, from this moment on, we adjust ourselves in a manner of “If I am not for myself, then who is for me?” and say in relation to the past that, “There is none else besides Him,” i.e. that nature enacted everything exactly as it needed to. We cannot change the way we have developed to this current point, and we should thus not focus on it.

Therefore, we have nothing to regret about the past. If we look back into the past with such an approach, then we become like the wife of Lot, who turned into a pillar of salt, having gained absolutely nothing by doing so.

We should thus focus on our future. What does a positive future for humanity look like? If we concentrate on building a positive future for ourselves and nature, then we will reach the conclusion that only by reaching the understanding of the laws of nature, knowing how nature works, and observing these laws, then we will be on course to realizing a much better future for all.

Based on a Q&A with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on September 9, 2006. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

“What Is The Relationship Between Individual Freedom And Social Responsibility?” (Quora)

Dr. Michael LaitmanMichael Laitman, On Quora: What is the relationship between individual freedom and social responsibility?

Society should feel, understand and decide on the boundary between the individual’s freedom and social responsibility, and not the individual.

The person mostly lives within society, and the life of a person should ultimately be for the benefit of society. This is why a major problem is to provide the knowledge that will let us feel social good as equivalent to the good of each individual. In other words, the goals of an individual and of human society as a whole should be the same: to reach a state of mutual benefit of each person to the greater circle of human society. We will then each live according to our loyalty to society.

In addition, society should influence every individual by raising the value of social responsibility and benefit to top priority, and rewarding every individual who acts to benefit society with respect, merits and appreciation.

We should thus understand the extent to which we are all influenced by society. Whatever society wants is what every individual wants, since everyone needs support from society. Our self, i.e. our ego, is activated by the values we receive from society.

If society pays no attention to egoistic acts that benefit individuals at the expense of society, and respects altruistic acts that benefit society, then everyone will strive to conduct altruistic acts in order to become respected, and feel that they are important and beneficial to society. We want others to support us, and to speak favorably about us. If we manage to instill an altruistic social influence, then we will all start realizing ourselves to our maximum in order to benefit society.

This is why society needs to be the factor that establishes the boundary between individual freedom and social responsibility.

Based on a Q&A with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on September 9, 2006. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

“Meet The Press – David Rosenthal – Session 2” (Linkedin)

My new article on Linkedin “Meet the Press – David Rosenthal – Session 2

Highlights from an interview with op-ed columnist and radio talk show host Prof. David Rosenthal

Below is the second collection of highlights from an interview recorded on July 12, 2021, where columnist and radio talk show host Prof. David Rosenthal asked kabbalist, scientist, and global thinker Dr. Michael Laitman about Kabbalah, current affairs, and his predictions for the future.

* Elaborated bios at the bottom of the page.

DR: Dr. Laitman, will there be a time when the wisdom of Kabbalah, The Book of Zohar, and all the other books are recognized and all of humanity studies them?

ML: I really hope so. We have published them in many languages and in every way we can. We have thousands of students in every continent, with free access to all the materials. Our sources predate even The Book of Zohar, and continue from The Book of Zohar through all the writings of the kabbalists throughout the generations.

DR: What advice would you give to the world, to humanity, and to the people of Israel in these days of uncertainty?

ML: Only that they should understand that we are within nature’s system, which requires that we become more connected positively until we truly become one mechanism, positively communicating among all of us. We have a lot of material about this on our site, for beginners and veterans, and it’s all available at no cost.

DR: I see, and what does the Jewish people need? Is it more prayers, more studying of Torah, or other activities to increase balance in the spiritual world?

ML: The only thing that the Jewish people needs is to understand that only through connection within the Jewish people can they become a good example for all of humanity, and this is the meaning of being “a light unto nations.”

DR: So what will be the position of Kabbalah in the future?

ML: I think that Kabbalah needs to be the basis of education, meaning that the world needs to shift to a state of “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and the wisdom of Kabbalah will explain about the system that we live in. We can become independent of our bodies. We can rise above it and begin to feel all of humanity and all of reality. We can attain this through the wisdom of Kabbalah, and we’re inviting everyone to come and learn it, as it is written, “My house shall be called ‘a house of prayer’ to all the nations.”

DR: Thank you. Do you think it’s important for Jews to return to Israel?

ML: The wisdom of Kabbalah does not attribute special significance to making Aliya [lit. “ascent,” but it means “immigrating to Israel”]. What is important is that people make a spiritual Aliya [spiritual ascent]. They may live in the State of Israel, but that doesn’t mean that they are truly in the land of Israel. The word Eretz [land] comes from the word Ratzon [desire], and Israel comes from the words Yashar-El [straight to the Creator]. So a person who has a desire straight to the Creator, to the quality of love and giving, is regarded as being in the “land of Israel.” But you can be in this state anywhere in the world.

I don’t think that people living in the current State of Israel are more spiritual than those living in Latin America; there is absolutely no connection between the two. Therefore, if we are speaking of the future of the world, the future of the world is that everyone will awaken to connection, and through connection become one world, one higher force, as it is written, “And they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” Therefore, one’s place of residence is irrelevant.

DR: On another topic, it seems as though the world is losing control over the environment, the climate, and even over governments and people as a whole. What’s going to happen?

ML: Climate is indeed one of the blows we are feeling, and will feel more and more. We need to wake up and start thinking about our future.

Through the climate, the pandemic, and other natural forces and natural disasters, nature will awaken us as it did before the exodus from Egypt. In those days, it was hail, locust, and other plagues. We, too, will feel plagues; I’m certain that there will be more natural blows that will eventually pressure us to the point where we will have to seriously contemplate why this is happening to us.

DR: Will there be more fatalities in the world and in Israel than we’ve already had?

ML: Many more fatalities the world over. I hope we can correct these states, but this is possible only through connection among the hearts of the children of Israel all over the world. If we don’t do this, these blows will bring upon us antisemitism from every direction so we don’t have a choice but to do it.

DR: In light of the hatred and egoism in the world, what is the main problem that the world needs to correct today, and what is the best way to do it?

ML: There aren’t many problems in the world. Our only problem is our ego. Human nature is egoistic, as it is written, “The inclination of a man’s heart is evil from his youth.” We can correct it only by learning what is this ego and how we can correct it by connecting among us. When we work toward it, we will make the upper force correct our ego. I hope we come to this very soon.

DR: Thank you. What advice would you give to the world, to humanity, and to the people of Israel in these days of uncertainty?

ML: Only that they should understand that we are within nature’s system, which requires that we become more connected positively until we truly become one mechanism, positively communicating among all of us. We have a lot of material about this on our site, for beginners and veterans, and it’s all available at no cost.

DR: I see, and what does the Jewish people need? Is it more prayers, more studying of Torah, or other activities to increase balance in the spiritual world?

ML: The only thing that the Jewish people needs is to understand that only through connection within the Jewish people can they become a good example for all of humanity, and this is the meaning of being “a light unto nations.”
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* Elaborated Bios:

David A. Rosenthal

Political scientist, analyst, researcher, journalist, and columnist in various national and international media outlets.

Host of “Sepharad’s Footsteps in the New World,” a radio show on Radio Sepharad about Sephardic heritage in America.

Michael Laitman

Michael Laitman is a global thinker living in Israel. Laitman has a PhD in Philosophy and Kabbalah and an MS in Medical Bio-Cybernetics. He is a prolific writer who has published over 40 books, which have been translated into dozens of languages. He is a sought-after speaker and has written for or been interviewed by The New York Times, The Jerusalem Post, Huffington Post, Corriere della Sera, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Newsmax, The Globe, RAI TV, and Bloomberg TV, FOX Radio, among others. Dr. Laitman teaches live daily lessons to an audience of some two million people worldwide, simultaneously interpreted into English, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, Russian, French, Turkish, German, Hungarian, Farsi, Ukrainian, Chinese, Japanese, and more than 20 other languages. For more info, visit www.michaellaitman.com.

“Does Freedom Depend On Where You Live?” (Quora)

Dr. Michael LaitmanMichael Laitman, On Quora: Does freedom depend on where you live?

Freedom does not depend on where you live.

The environment you live in is given to you from nature, i.e., from forces outside of your control. You do not choose your environment, just as you do not choose the society you are born into, the upbringing you receive, and the values you grow up with.

We can realize our freedom according to a single condition: freedom from our egoistic human nature. We can free ourselves from nothing else.

Freedom from our egoistic nature means living outside the laws and constraints that our egoism dictates to us at every moment, i.e., the urges of human nature from within. It is possible to realize such freedom if we prioritize benefiting human society over self-benefit. In other words, freedom comes from rising above our egoistic nature that automatically and constantly functions in the direction of self-benefit, in order to benefit others.

When we live in the desire to benefit others, we rise from the egoistic level of life to the altruistic one, and then we gain access to the flow of nature in its perfection and eternity. We thus also feel ourselves as perfect, eternal, and free.

Realizing this shift in consciousness depends not on where we live, our nationality or gender. It depends on how we each organize ourselves to rise above our inborn egoistic nature.

Based on a Q&A with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on September 9, 2006. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

Everyone Is Obliged To Correct Themselves

962.2Question: If a person does not correct something himself and we do it for him, we rob him in a way. Why is that?

Answer: Because we are going against the general law of the universe.

Everyone is obliged to correct themselves. Everyone must go out into the infinite higher universe, achieve the quality of eternity and perfection. Absolutely everyone!

And therefore, if a person suffers, we must help him, and not quit, so that it would not be like in Sodom and Gomorrah. They had another philosophy: “Do not help. Since this descends on a person, then this is what God sent.” And that’s all.

We must help people, but help them in what they need. At the same time, we must help them begin to recover on their own so they do not sit without working just waiting until they receive something. Train them, give them a job.

The wisdom of Kabbalah says: make them sit and study. We don’t have a job for everyone. Today our world is slipping toward a state where everything superfluous will gradually leave. The person will lose.

We already see that young people somehow do not strive for luxury, for fashionable clothes. On the contrary, there is some kind of rag and that’s it, nothing else is needed. All these conventions, all excesses, except for what is necessary for normal human existence, will leave our lives.

When humanity gradually comes to this, then many people will be left without work. After all, ninety percent of the population today lives from creating and advertising unnecessary things, and reselling them. Humanity is busy with all the time consuming unnecessary things and throwing them away, consuming again and throwing them away again.

This vicious cycle is already coming to an end. A huge number of unemployed will remain. What to do with them? The wisdom of Kabbalah says: “Do nothing. It is very good. Let them sit and study.” The state will pay them. And ten percent of humanity that wants to work will work.

Or perhaps ten percent of our time will be spent on work and the rest of the time a person will be directed to develop internally and gradually enter the upper world, into the upper universe. The law of nature pushes us to this. Then everyone will be provided with an eternal sense of their life, and a material one.
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From KabTV’s “Close-Up. Universal Law” 9/30/09

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