Preparation to the Lesson
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1st part of the Lesson — Writings of Baal HaSulam “The Acting Mind”
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2nd part of the Lesson — Lesson on the Topic “VaYeshev (And Jacob Dwelt)”
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Selected Highlights
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Accordingly, we should ask, “Why did He create the worlds, restriction after restriction down to this murky world, and clothed the souls in the murky bodies of this world? (Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah“)
Question: Was our reality, with our murky bodies, part of the initial plan of the Creator?
Answer: When creating our reality, the Creator envisioned our corrected state, not the form in which we initially exist.
Therefore we must understand the work before us, what we need to do, and what we must achieve.
Question: How is the quality of Adam manifested, which the whole ten should strive to hold onto?
Answer: That quality is only revealed in the world of Atzilut.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/4/24, Writings of Baal HaSulam “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”
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How is it that the degree of revelation in a spiritual vessel (Kli) is determined precisely by the degree of concealment within it?
The fact is that revelation and concealment are revealed together. It is as if you enter a dark cave with a torch and begin to reveal what is inside. The more light your torch provides, the more things you discover, finer and previously unseen details.
However, this also raises questions within you. Revelation is entirely built upon uncovering what is concealed. Only when we can rise above concealment do we reach a state where we can attract the reflected light that enables us to ascend the spiritual ladder.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/9/24, Writings of Baal HaSulam “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”
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It follows from all the above that we must always consider the goal, which is to “do good to His creations.” If the evil inclination comes to a person and asks him all of Pharaoh’s questions, he should not reply with lame excuses, but say, “Now, with your questions, I can begin with the work of bestowal.”
This means that we should not say about the questions of the evil inclination that it came to us in order to lower us from our degree. On the contrary, now it is giving us a place to work (Rabash, Article 22, “The Whole of the Torah Is One Holy Name“).
We rise above the desire to receive, but still work with it because it is the only material we have. What we receive within our desire is the energy that enables us to move, think, and act. Everything happens within desire.
The goal is to transform creation’s desire to receive into the Creator’s desire to bestow. To the extent that we achieve this, we become similar to Him and begin to feel Him.
However, our desire to receive, even when functioning as a desire to bestow, will never become pure bestowal because bestowal is the Creator Himself. But if our desire to receive externally manifests as the Creator’s desire, then it becomes for the sake of bestowal and makes us similar to Him. This is the essence of the process.
Our desire to receive remains intact and continues to grow. We do not resist its growth, but focus solely on how to use it correctly.
This is why our study is called the “wisdom of Kabbalah” and not just “Kabbalah” (receiving). Everyone desires to receive, every element of nature, every atom, and even its particles strive to receive.
Everything moves and exists from a sense of deficiency, a desire to fulfill, sustain, and realize itself.
Kabbalah provides the opportunity to exist in a reversed mode, to live not because we fulfill our desire, but because we bestow through it. This is the essence of the wisdom. It is not simple. We must acquire a special energy, the upper light, to redirect our desire toward bestowal. For this, we need a group, books, and a teacher.
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From Preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson, 9/3/19
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Eretz [land] is called Malchut, which is the kingdom of heaven. The whole of the land of Israel, meaning the Creator folded the whole of the spiritual land under the kingdom of heaven (Rabash, Assorted Notes, 368, “And Behold, the Lord Stood Over Him“).
To work on the quality of the upper Malchut means to believe that the Creator governs the world as good and doing good. This is what our work consists of.
Question: If I do not see benevolent governance, fear arises in me. How do I transform it into faith?
Answer: Everything depends on a person’s perception. It is not good if he feels the governance of the Creator as something that evokes fear. He must convert it into a benevolent attitude from the Creator toward him and from him toward the Creator.
Constant faith in the Creator is determined by the fact that a person desires to be in touch with Him all the time, to see the outcome of His governance. In this way, he gradually accustoms himself to perceiving only one Creator in everything.
Question: Is there a difference between the faith of the Creator and the faith that He places in our hearts?
Answer: This needs to be tested. Everyone must make sure that there is faith in the Creator in their heart.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/1/24, Writings of Rabash “And Behold, the Lord Stood Over Him”
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Question: How can I correct myself in the ten to reveal the holy Shechina of Israel? Do I have to physically live in Israel for this, or is it enough to be in virtual connection with others?
Answer: In order to reveal the holy Shechina, it is not necessary to live in Israel. It is enough to strive for connection with the Creator, to think about that constantly, and to desire to draw it closer to yourself.
Question: How does anger affect a person’s spiritual state? What tools can be used to overcome this property?
Answer: We must not only overcome the properties of anger, but also all negative traits that can distance us from the Creator. We need to detach ourselves from them.
Question: What does it mean when a person falls from his degree?
Answer: It means that the desire he previously had for the Creator and His actions disappears, and he falls.
Question: How can the ten develop such qualities that Malchut will be called by the name “Adon”?
Answer: You need to simply accept the Creator as the supreme force that governs you. In this case, He is called “Adon.”
Question: How can one be inspired correctly by the desires of friends?
Answer: Lower your head and try to feel what your friend is experiencing.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/1/24, Writings of Rabash “And Behold, the Lord Stood Over Him”
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Question: If a person includes everything within himself, then who gives him the name “man”? From what point does that come? Where is this observer?
Answer: A man includes within himself all of the created beings. And the Creator is above him, He gives man all kinds of problems in life so that he can solve them and develop.
Question: Who gives the name to the creation, which is between a person and the Creator?
Answer: It is said in the Torah that a man gives a name to all created beings.
Probably there is an understanding within him of how to call himself and those similar to him.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/4/24, Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”
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Question: When I feel an internal conflict between the desire to receive and the desire to bestow, I understand that I need to bring my desire to receive to work for the sake of bestowal. I know that bestowing is revealed in the potential of receiving. Why do I feel the barrier? I am always afraid to receive for the sake of bestowal.
Answer: Receiving for the sake of bestowal is very good.
Question: I am always afraid of making a mistake and falling.
Answer: That is a waste. It is better to advance and get help, whether for receiving or for bestowal. The main thing is that each step moves you forward. Trust the Creator and keep going.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/29/24, Writings of Rabash “Discernments in States”
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Question: What kind of work is “return from awe” and “return from love” in the ten?
Answer: With return from awe, a person is in awe of the Creator and wants to reveal the same state in his friends.
And return from love is when one feels love for the Creator and wants all his feelings, thoughts, and intentions to be imbued with this feeling.
Awe is the first property. Love comes later because love for the Creator is an immense, unlimited feeling for Him as the source of everything in us—what we feel, experience, and think.
Question: What should I do if I discover I have no awe yet?
Answer: Strive to connect with your friends, and you will convey these feelings to each other. You must work on it together and constantly expand and deepen this feeling, and infect others with it.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/1/24, Writings of Rabash “And Behold, the Lord Stood Over Him”
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