Audio Version Of The Blog – 3/8/23
Posted on March 8th, 2023
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From My Facebook Page Michael Laitman 3/8/23
Dear Women,
On this International Women’s Day, however much I can say “Thank you” to women around the world, I cannot express the true amount of gratitude for your consistent immense contribution.
While gray clouds gather over our world with divisive forces tearing away at every sphere of human relations, it becomes increasingly clear that if the world developed according to the will of women, then we would be living in a completely different world.
The Kabbalistic sources write that it is thanks to righteous women that we succeeded in exiting Egypt. “Egypt” in this context has nothing to do with the geographical location. Rather, it means the egoistic human nature behind our divisiveness, conflicts and wars. Therefore, I sincerely hope that your desire will help humanity overcome its egoistic nature and that you could impact a major positive shift in the world.
You have the special ability to understand what it means to care about the world’s future and the next generation of children and families. For the time being, we fail to understand the full extent of the world’s dependence on you, but the more we transition to an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, the more we will see how much we all depend on you.
I thus hope that you will wish for everyone’s hearts to open up to one another until we discover how we can all live together in harmony and peace.
The most important thing is to continue, as it is said: “Do anything but leave.” This “Do not leave” applies to every moment. In the moment in which you are, do not run away, but continue the same path to the same goal. Then these moments will very quickly become stages of the path and will lead you to the goal. This is the main thing.
Here, of course the group that can pull you and take care of you is very important. We need to awaken each other all the time and advance in such a way.
[309690]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/22/23, “Preparing for the opening of the heart at the Congress”
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When we discuss the topic of Passover, we don’t study the details of the holiday according to the calendar on the wall, but rather, the spiritual path and progress toward the final correction. This path is not short and it includes many stages. The very first stage is to begin to relate correctly to your will to receive, to your nature, in order to understand why this state is called exile or Egypt.
Everyone who wants to come to the land of Israel, to ascend to the upper spiritual degrees, must first go through exile in Egypt. We study spirituality in a state of exile, that is, when we are distant from spirituality.
Exile teaches and educates us and reformats us in the correct form. When we realize that it is absolutely necessary, then we will be able to come out of exile to redemption. Redemption is impossible without prior exile.
What is this exile? It is not corporeal troubles, the suffering from hunger, thirst, or hard work. Exile should be represented as an exile from spirituality. But we do not know what spirituality is yet! Yet it is precisely at the time when we are in a state of exile that we begin to feel what spirituality should be, where it exists, why we are far from it, and what we lack.
This is how we gradually begin to receive Kelim, desires for spirituality. When these desires reach a full measure, we escape from the state of exile. It really becomes unbearable for us, and we cannot stay in it.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 3/5/23, “Pesach (Passover)”
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The path from a person of this world to the state that is equal to the Creator is divided into many degrees and states through which we need to ascend. That is, each person needs to correct his inner qualities until he turns from an ordinary person into one who is similar to the Creator. This entire path can be divided into stages, just as physical routes are divided into kilometers along the way. There are 613 commandments in the Torah, states that we need to go through. The commandments are also called advices, which must be fulfilled in order to become more and more similar to the Creator, with their help, up to complete adhesion with Him.
Commandment also means advice because in each such appeal of the Creator to us there is a preparation for attainment, which is called posterior, as well as the attainment itself, which is called face. The Creator offers us some kind of action. If we fulfill it, then in accordance with it we will receive some kind of spiritual elevation and new qualities will be revealed in us, and thus we will take a step toward the Creator.
Performing the action itself is considered the posterior; that is, at this time we still do not understand anything and do not receive anything, but when we finish the action, we reveal some quality, the next degree, a new state of the Creator, and this is called face.
Therefore it is written in the Torah: “We shall do and we shall hear!” These are two states. When we do some actions exactly as it is written, we reveal within ourselves the ability to hear and rise to the next degree.
There are 613 such degrees in total. There are 613 preparatory degrees that take us to a new level. And there is also the side of the face when after preparation, we begin to hear and understand what is being said and to reveal something new. This is how we attain the meaning of these commandments, the meaning of these instructions.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 3/4/23, “Introduction of The Book of Zohar“
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Question: Why were your first students Russian speakers?
Answer: I published several books in Russian first. So people came to me and literally forced me to study with them. Actually it was easier for me to read and write in Russian back then.
Besides, I did not see anyone needing it in Hebrew at the time. Thus, in the closed Russian circle I felt free and unrestricted. I was afraid to reveal myself in Hebrew. Who am I even if I am a student of a great Kabbalist? I still lacked confidence and it was not time yet.
It was 1991-1992 and I was giving talks on the radio in Russian at that time. Therefore Russian speakers came and said they wanted to study.
Question: Why did you feel the need to speak on the radio?
Answer: This need had developed in me long before. Kabbalah itself called for this and I felt a certain inner pressure. It is like childbirth when you give out what is in you, give birth, and have room for the next portion, for the next buildup and attainment of the material.
I accumulated the material, attained it, compiled it within myself and then poured it into the book. Through this I gave birth in a way. Then my inner capacity was vacant again, and it was possible to start thinking about the next topic, accumulate material, process, and study from the sources.
It was a huge incentive to develop, read, process, realize, and express everything on paper and get a reaction from people.
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From KabTV’s “I Got a Call. Laitman’s Soul Root” 6/2/12
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Question: There are a lot of articles in the media questioning where we are going. Many articles today report on what is happening in Israel and concludes that Israel is becoming a tough and cruel country as evidenced by 55,000 cases of physical violence, 32,000 of domestic violence, and mayhem on the roads.
Instances of a driver in a traffic jam getting out of his car and beating up another driver, knives instantly being pulled out in altercations, and domestic violence turning into death have been noted. There is also violence in hospitals, in ambulances, and incidents of doctors being beaten.
Tell me please, what is happening with Israel? Or maybe we haven’t seen this before?
Answer: It used to be a little different because egoism was not so big everywhere. Today it is a terrible condition and it will be even worse.
Question: Does this mean we will not be able to stop it by any earthly, ordinary measures?
Answer: No, not by any ordinary measures. Egoism is getting bigger, more merciless, and more uncontrollable by the minute. That is how it happens.
We are influenced by the egoism growing in us, which we must correct, and yet we do not correct it.
Question: So it will inevitably grow and require only correction?
Answer: Yes. And we cannot look at others to compare with others, how they are and how we are.
Question: So the correction is on us? Only?
Answer: Yes. Just turn everything into friendship, into good relations. Nothing else. If it will work, yes, and if it will not work, it will be the end of us.
Question: So you think the goal of the country is good connection and friendship between all citizens of Israel?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Just like that, in a simple way?
Answer: It is not easy and simple, but it should be like this.
Question: So you think that the laws, even the economic and political laws of the Knesset, should be brought only to this?
Answer: Of course.
Comment: They say that we simplify everything, that sentences are too simple, so simple for people! But, on the other hand, it is impossible to implement, as it turns out.
My Response: So if they can’t do them, then what does “we simplify” mean? We should only say good things to each other.
Comment: Meaning, to radiate only warmth to another.
My Response: Only!
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 12/8/22
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New Life 258 – Mixed Neighborhoods
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Nitzah Mazoz
What do we need to do to make our neighborhoods the best in the world and live with our neighbors as one family?
Neighborhoods of mixed cultural values are colorful, but they present special challenges. How can we create harmony within such diversity? What happens when there are populations with different needs and little common ground?
Each prefers their own approach to life and while they may not want to impose it on others, they also don’t want to change their approach. We need to work against our rejection of each other and feel that our neighborhood is our common place. We must increase the profitability of going against our ego and see that working together is safer and better in the long run. We need to go from self-concern to social concern through psychological and social education; we need to take the needs of others into account in mutual respect and assistance. We need to elevate above the differences to something greater.
I might start when we can make common efforts to address common problems, like trash or crime. We will more easily connect when we are faced with a big common loss or a big common benefit to be achieved. We can strive to succeed and to celebrate our successes together.
In practice, we need to gradually prepare different groups for eventual mutual connection; it won’t happen immediately. We should look for opportunities to connect a little. We can lay the foundation for connection in each group separately and then mix them a bit, like inviting others to wedding celebrations for example.
Through intention and effort, love will grow in each separately and awaken together between them. The most diverse groups can be taught to love the others above their differences, for everyone’s common benefit.
This summary was written and edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman
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From KabTV’s “New Life 258 – Mixed Neighborhoods,” 11/20/13
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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “What story is read on Purim? Why?“
The story starts with Ahasuerus, King of Shushan, enjoying a royal feast, and then his wife, Queen Vashti, disobeyed one of his commands, so he divorced her and sought another wife.
The king had a loyal minister called Mordecai, who was a Jew and who had a beautiful niece, Esther. Mordecai sent Esther to apply for becoming the king’s new wife, and the king was so impressed with Esther that he married her. However, following her uncle’s order, Esther kept it a secret from the king that she was Jewish.
Soon afterward, Mordecai, while sitting at the king’s gate, overheard that two conspirators, Bigtan and Teresh, were plotting to assassinate the king. Mordecai thus passed on this knowledge to Esther, who told King Ahaseurus, and he executed Bigtan and Teresh. While we would expect the king to reward Mordecai for this deed, the king surprisingly rewarded and promoted not Mordecai, but Haman, and Haman gained a very powerful position in the kingdom as head of all ministers.
Out of all people in the kingdom, Mordecai was the only one who refused to accept anyone besides King Ahaseurus as ruler. This infuriated Haman, and as a result, Haman ordered the genocide of all Jewish people—women and children included. He justified his decision to King Ahaseurus by stating that the Jews were scattered and dispersed, and that the king would be better off without them because they do not obey his laws. The king approved Haman’s request.
When Mordecai heard about the order to kill all Jews, he was shocked. He proceeded to tear his clothes, cover himself with a sack, and pour ashes all over himself, and then he started yelling about it all over the city of Shushan until he reached the king’s gate.
When Esther heard about Mordecai’s frenzy, she sent servants to dress him up but he refused. He told them to tell Esther about the plan to kill all the Jews, and that she must beg the king to undo it. Esther was terrified because she thought that the king would disapprove of her request. However, thanks to Mordecai’s persistence, she finally agreed but passed on the message through Mordecai to the Jews of Shushan that they need to unite around this request to save their lives.
The Jews’ uniting gave Queen Esther the strength she needed to approach King Ahaseurus with the request to reverse his decision. It is considered a miracle that he accepted this request, because it was only customary for the king to call up anybody whom he had a request for. At that point, she revealed to the king that she was Jewish, and that Haman was planning to kill them all.
Around this point, the king also learned how Mordecai was the one who saved his life from Bigtan and Teresh’s plot to assassinate him, and his attitude to Haman turned bitter. While Haman had been preparing gallows upon which he would execute Mordecai, the king became so upset with Haman that he ordered his execution, and the execution of his entire family, on the very gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai. And from then on, the Jews’ lives were saved, and they reveled and feasted in their unification.
Since that time, it has been customary to celebrate Purim with a lot of joy, eating cookies called hamantashes [hamentashen] (Haman’s Ears), giving gifts to the poor, wearing costumes and masks, and drinking so much alcohol so that we cannot tell good (Mordecai) from bad (Haman).
Besides the joyous atmosphere that surrounds Purim, it has a very important and serious message specifically for the Jewish people. Especially in times when antisemitism is exponentially on the rise globally, the Purim story shows us that the Jews’ only “weapon” against the rising hatred toward them is their unity.
We can and should protect ourselves and our loved ones. However, if we wish to rid ourselves of the negative sentiment coming at us from all directions, then we need to unite. The custom of giving gifts to the poor (usually portions containing hamantashes and wine) is a sign of closeness, an expression of a desire to bring all factions of the nation together. Our great sages over the generations have repeatedly told us that our unity will be our salvation from any negativity toward us.
The Book of Zohar, in the portion, Aharei Mot (item 66), takes the importance and seriousness of our unity one major step forward, that our unity not only brings us peace, but it brings peace to the whole world.
You, the friends who are here, as you were in fondness and love before, henceforth you will not part from one another, until the Lord rejoices with you and declares peace over you. And by your merit there will be peace in the world.
Antisemitism is a constant pressing reminder that we Jews need to unite just as the Jews did in the Purim story, and that if we do, we will be saved from harm. Moreover, as The Zohar writes, our unity will spread beyond our own bubble to humanity at large.
Similarly to how Haman’s reasoning to commit genocide on all Jews, including women and children, seemed over the top, we likewise see how seemingly illogical so much anti-Jewish reasoning is. It is because a lot of people instinctively feel how the Jews’ are behind the various forms of pain and suffering they feel in their lives, and they blame the Jews for standing behind much of theirs and the world’s suffering—while Jews themselves have no such intentions.
If we thus unite among each other, and show that we wish to share our unity with the world, we would then serve as an example of brotherly love above differences that no other nation could display.
Humanity today desperately needs the inclination to unite above differences, and this is the ability that we Jews have the potential to provide. Haman is a symbol of our rampant egoistic desires for honor and power at all costs. These desires stop us from caring about each other, and make us wish to trample on others in order to expand our own personal empires. If we Jews give into such desires, then people around the world instinctively feel that we are doing something wrong, and antisemitic sentiment swells against us.
Antisemitism is thus part and parcel of the laws of nature, a reminder of our need to unite above our differences, and to serve as a unifying example for the world. If we exercise the condition that our ancestors once met, “love your neighbor as yourself,” we can revitalize the emotion of unification, which would in turn overcome our rampant egoistic demands represented by Haman.
When we do so, then the world will see the true value of what Jews represent—that there is no matter of superiority in the Jews’ existence, but a need to reach a state of genuinely caring for each other and acting as a conduit for such care to spread worldwide.
We then reach a sensation of humanity as a single soul, i.e. we feel a unified desire connect us, and in such unity, we experience harmony and peace.
The purpose of antisemitism is thus to push us to realize our unifying role in the world, which is the meaning of us being “a light unto the nations.” We would be wise to learn how to unite, and to exercise unity above our own differences, because by doing so, we would experience its myriad benefits of joy, strength and prosperity. When we unite, we eliminate hatred, antisemitism, wars and all forms of negativity that emerges from within human egoism to divide people.
It is my hope that we use the Purim holiday as a reminder of our need to unite, and that we move in a unifying direction sooner rather than later. We would then spare ourselves and humanity much suffering.
Based on “The Meaning of Purim” by Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.
Preparation to the Lesson
| [media 1] | [media 2] |
Lesson on the Topic “Pesach (Passover)”
| [media 3] | [media 4] |
Lesson on the Topic “Connecting the World in the Last Generation”
| [media 3] | [media 4] |
Selected Highlights
| [media 5] | [media 6] |
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