When the evil inclination brings us foreign thoughts, this is the time to take these thoughts and raise them above reason. [Meaning to rise above them.]

This is something one can do with everything one’s soul desires. He should not say that now he has received rejection from the work. [Or that he has been led astray.] Rather, he should say that he was given thoughts and desires, [which have now come to him] from above so as to have room to admit them into Kedusha (holiness). [And, through them, we establish a connection with the Creator, who sends us these distracting thoughts and desires.] (Rabash, Article 22, “The Whole of the Torah Is One Holy Name”)

Therefore, it turns out that a person is brought closer to spirituality through foreign thoughts and various desires unrelated to spirituality: food, sex, family, work, studies, hobbies, anything and everything.

One must simply accept all of this as necessary for existence and reject nothing. We are prohibited from vows of celibacy, fasting, and the like—nothing of the sort.

Instead, we are to use all the pleasures and fulfillments of this world to sustain ourselves for the work with the Creator. This condition is called “neither too much nor too little” (Lo Igune VeLo Ishubach).

It was said about this: “The ways of the Lord are straight; righteous walk in it and transgressors fail in it.” That is, if he is rewarded, he receives an ascent by it. If he is not (rewarded), [meaning if he is unable to use the group, the study, and the resources given to him for the ascent] he receives by it a descent in spirituality.

All phenomena, desires, and thoughts that arise within us are given so that we can evaluate them correctly, understanding that they are sent by the Creator Himself, “There is none else besides Him,” and that we should choose only what is necessary for normal existence.

No one says we must sit in a corner eating grasshoppers. Instead, we must use what is rationally required for our existence while directing all other forces and capacities solely for advancing toward the Creator, drawing closer to Him through the qualities of bestowal, which we cultivate between us in the group.
[338192]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 9/3/19, Writings of Rabash “The Whole of the Torah Is One Holy Name”

Related Material:
Between Two Lines
“With A Mighty Hand And With Fury Poured Out”
To Tango With The Creator

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Spiritual Work | Add Comment →