Question: What is the connection between a person’s advancement in spirituality and the length of the periods of darkness?

Answer: The periods of darkness (Achoraim) test us; they check how ready we are to make efforts in order to come to a good state in our sensations. But this does not mean that we disconnect from the work.

Let us say I was in a good state, I had an excellent mood, a good attitude toward the study, I felt some closeness to spirituality. Now I have run out of steam, I no longer feel my former enthusiasm, my mood has worsened, I again lose interest in spirituality.

If I stop studying now, go on a trip, go have fun in a bar, or simply go to sleep, I would not build new Kelim, I would not advance myself in spirituality. Of course, I will experience some sensations, and these Reshimot will be added to the general fund. In time, based on these Reshimot, a shift in the right direction will come.

But the most effective and powerful shift is achieved when we resist the state of darkness with all our might. We strive to return to the feeling of spirituality as much as possible.

From above, I was given the opportunity to return from the state of darkness to light by my own strength. I can attach myself to spirituality despite the fact that I am not being helped from above. My emptied Kli, which had previously been under the influence of the surrounding light, must be filled with my own impression of the importance of spirituality, and then I will feel myself as I felt before the state of darkness.

Previously, this feeling was given to me by the light that filled me. Now, I give myself this feeling of closeness of spirituality. However, for this, I need an environment, a teacher, books, and various actions that help me acquire the greatness of the Creator. That is, I must fill my empty Kli myself. And the ideal situation is when I succeed in doing this.

Then I instantly move to a new state. I succeeded, I did it, I rose one degree higher by myself. Now an even heavier feeling of darkness is added to me. That is, I took a step forward toward the mother, again fell into her tender arms, I rejoice, but suddenly the mother leaves me again. I have just embraced her, again united with her, and she takes a step back again. And this step back is now much greater than the previous one.

If it were the same small step, I would not worry. But now the situation seems to have worsened. That is, each time you fall even lower, the states of descent are heavier. A person thinks that they have become worse, have moved even further from the Creator. This is a sign of advancement. Because they will now be able to step forward even further by themself. This is the process.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 3/31/26, Rabash, “Show Me Your Glory”

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