The ordinary understanding of joy and awe stems from our natural qualities, those with which we are born. We are born with the quality of the desire to receive; that is, all our thoughts, intentions, desires, and passions are directed toward how to fill ourselves.

This is the very first form of the desire to receive. The true desire to receive that exists in each of us is far greater than what we currently feel. It has been reduced to a minimal level, called “our world,” or “this world” (Olam HaZeh), so that we may, by our own efforts, add a screen (Masach) to it, an intention for the sake of bestowal.

As soon as we are able to add a screen for the sake of bestowal to this small desire, greater desires will come. Therefore, each time we ascend from degree to degree, we find ourselves within a desire to receive for the sake of receiving. Then we discern the evil within it, wish to correct it for the sake of bestowal, ask for strength from above, add an intention for the sake of bestowal to it, and receive fulfillment.

There is no other path. Of course, one may ask why we weren’t born with an intention for the sake of bestowal? Why must we ourselves search for the way to attain it, and how to add it to the desire to receive? Why must we do this independently?

The answer is simple. Intention cannot come from above, because it concerns our attitude toward the giver; otherwise, it would not be for the sake of bestowal. It must originate from us.

Therefore, we are given only the desire to receive and, alongside it, the opposite intention, to fill ourselves. First, we must neutralize them, not use them at all, and then transform this into bestowal.

The correction in which I neutralize my desires and reach a state where I do not want to use them at all is called “correction by restriction” (Tzimtzum). After that, I begin to work truly, for the sake of bestowal to the Creator. And if I had not done this independently, it would not be called bestowal and I would not feel it. Then the pleasure received would remain merely the smallest pleasure, the one that in our world is called a tiny candle (Ner Dakik), which can be received for the sake of receiving.
[351682]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/7/26, Rabash, “Concerning Fear and Joy”

Related Material:
The Basis For Spiritual Work
Restoring The Broken Screen
The Vessel Of Intention

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