Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 62

What Does It Mean to “Rejoice in Darkness”?

To “rejoice in darkness” means to be joyful about the purpose behind it. “Darkness” refers to the state of darkness we might be in, while joy stems from what the darkness brings. We might be in an unpleasant state, yet surrounding light shines upon us, enabling us to sense both the darkness and the positive outcomes it will yield in the future.

This is not the same “darkness” that we feel during the preparation stage, which consists only of confusion, emptiness, weakness, and helplessness. The darkness that comes from the illumination of surrounding light also contains a glimpse of the future—spirituality—called the “light of faith,” yet it is still darkness.

When Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai descended to the level of “Shimon from the market,” he determined, from that level, that he was in it, and deduced that the corresponding level would be the state of complete correction. When did he determine this? It was while he was still at the level of “Shimon from the market,” and not from another state.

Did he descend to the level of “Shimon from the market”? Yes, he descended, but it was Rabbi Shimon who descended. He did not become entirely “Shimon from the market,” but rather Rabbi Shimon dressed in the state of “Shimon from the market.” He was at that low level, yet determined from his overall state what this level would bring him.

Even before crossing the barrier (Machsom), we experience states of darkness differently in order to prevent excessive discouragement from descents. The states that take place after the barrier are felt in a certain way before the barrier as well, albeit within the material world, not the spiritual.

The correction of the screen over the desire to receive is called “an act,” meaning taking a negative desire and turning it into a positive one. The Mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah are 613 Eitin (counsels) on how to correct the soul, followed by 613 Pekudin (commands), directives for filling the corrected parts with light.

If we correct all of our parts and fill them with light called “Torah,” we attain the general Torah. Upon completing the correction of the entire vessel, the general light called “the Creator” becomes revealed.

Related Material:
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 61
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 60
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 59

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