Question: There is confusion between what is called love and our sensations. You said that you relate to your students with love, but this is not always what we feel.

Answer: When you have children, I am sure you will love them, but I am also sure that sometimes they will receive punishment from you. Tell me, how is that possible?

You always relate to a person with love, but your momentary attitude toward them is determined by what they do compared to what they should do. Then, despite loving them, you may strike them as if you hate them.

Do you really hate them? You hate their external form that does not correspond to the level they should be at. You hate their lack of correction, not them. In order to pull them out of it, you punish them precisely to the extent necessary for them to free themselves from that deficiency.

The punishment lies in revealing suffering in them, which shows them that they must extract this deficiency themselves. The suffering they feel becomes their salvation, their fuel, a precise indication of what they must now uproot from within them.

If you do not do this correctly, they will not understand why you punish them or what you want from them. Then they begin to hate you. But if the punishment is directed precisely against the evil within them and they understand that through this punishment they can free themselves from it, uproot it, cut it off, and discard it, they will be grateful to you. But this is the ideal case.

This is how we come to understand the Creator’s attitude toward us. He causes us harm, creates negative qualities within us, and then punishes us, but in a targeted way, so that we rid ourselves of those negative qualities.

You may ask: what is the benefit of this? The Creator appears harsh, He punishes, points to where the evil is, and this punishment ultimately frees us from it. And who am I in all this? The one who is present, with whom all these events occur? Why do I need this?

It is so that I change my attitude toward this process. In this way, I study the actions of the Creator, who created the evil and now assigns punishment against it. That is, He shows me His attitude toward evil and thereby brings me to the side of good. Thus, I acquire His mind.

Can I learn this without punishment? Only if I try to look at this entire process happening within me in the same way that He does.
[355572]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/15/26, Rabash, “What It Means that the Generations of the Righteous are Good Deeds, in the Work”

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Question: What would we see if we lived just a single day? Besides this transition, what else should we see? If I am living solely in the moment?

Answer: You want to drink it in, to gulp it down until you are gasping for breath! You want to experience it from beginning to end, to draw everything in between, to draw it all into yourself!

Question: What does it mean to live this moment correctly?

Answer: To live it correctly means to attain it. Life is but a moment. Who is in control of it?

Question: Is that what we need to attain?

Answer: Yes. And furthermore, for what purpose was this moment given to me? What was I supposed to do What did I fail to do? And perhaps, do I still have the opportunity to do it?

Question: Are you talking about a constant work within this moment?

Answer: Yes, within that moment, that single moment.

Question: Then will there be another moment, and I will ask the same questions and move in the same way?

Answer: I do not know if there will be another moment. That remains unknown.

Question: Exactly! So, this is how I should be living this moment?

Answer: Yes.

Question: But people do not live this way, right?

Answer: People do not live this way, but they should!

Question: Should they? Will we be taught how to live like this?

Answer: No, I think that capacity is already built into us from the start. That is just the nature of human beings.

Comment: So are we controlled in such a way that this internal mechanism, our intellect and all these ongoing probing questions, is switched off and we just go on living like that.

My Response: The Creator made it this way on purpose.

Question: Why did He do that?

Answer: So that not too much would be demanded of us.

Question: Otherwise, He would demand it?

Answer: Of course!

Comment: Meaning: “What do you live for? What do you live each moment for? Who governs the world?” And so on, and so on.

My Response: Yes. If He had placed His own mind, the beginning, the end, all actions, and so on, into the creation, and we required to provide an answer to all this…

Question: So what is it that a person should understand? Let’s focus on the person.

Answer: A person must understand that there is a mystery in life that he must constantly strive to reveal. Not that someone else uncovered it long ago and now he can read and know about it; rather, he must dig deep within himself, within life, and within the Creator, and search for it himself.

Question: Is this what you call  a person’s real life?

Answer: This is life.

Question: What will he ultimately reach if he proceeds this way, if he takes these steps?

Answer: I do not know. Each one reaches something unique to themselves. Everyone has a completely precise, personal task in life!

Question: Is a person destined to arrive at this mission, at this root of one’s being, one way or another?

Answer: A person is nudged toward it, but I do not know whether he is going there. No one knows. Only the Creator. And even that may not be known in advance.

Question: So absolutely everything depends on the Creator—whether I move or not, everything?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Should I turn to the Creator and ask: “Reveal my path to me”? Or is that useless?

Answer: Try to ask.

Question: Should my prayer be to live life correctly, in a good way?

Answer: It should.

Question: What would you say to a person now?

Answer: You should live in such a way that in every moment you are trying to uncover the mystery of life.
[354606]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman,” 3/18/26

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Question: You always say that we must turn our descents into constant ascents. Is this merely a mental attitude or is it something more? What is the difference between a descent and an ascent?

Answer: It lies in your attitude toward them.

Comment: Suppose a person feels bad, but he understands that, thanks to this, he will connect with spirituality on a psychological level.

My Response: No, that is religion: “I will suffer, and then I will receive a reward.” There is no such thing in Kabbalah. The Creator does not want you to suffer. Since He is in an absolutely perfect state, He wants you to attain this state as well.

Comment: But people say that if you feel bad now, it means you are in a state of ascent.

My Response: Absolutely not! This is simply foolish and incorrect!

An ascent is when I evaluate my state, whatever it may be, solely according to whether or not it brings me closer to the Creator. A descent is when I am unable to evaluate my state on terms of its proximity to the Creator, but instead I evaluate it by how I feel.

Comment: So in any case, regardless of the sensation…

My Response: What importance does the sensation have! If a sensation dictates my attitude toward my current state, this is called a descent. But if my connection with the Creator dictates my attitude toward my state, this is called an ascent.

Question: How do I transform what my “flesh,” my physical sensation, dictates?

Answer: Here lies the little problem: how to rise above yourself.

Comment: But surely I can do this psychologically.

My Response: You cannot do anything on your own. You can say whatever you want, go through all sorts of training exercises, but in doing so, you do not actually change yourself; you are merely training yourself. You can accustom yourself to pain, do whatever you like, it will give you nothing.

There is a vast array of techniques, but none of them alter human nature. A person cannot reach a demand to the Creator that would actually transform him.

Question: How can one use a descent as a means of ascent?

Answer: You must undergo a transformation that you receive the force of bestowal from above, the quality of Bina; this alone can effect this change within you.

Comment: All this seems conceptually clear: the light acts on you and everything falls in place.

My Response: You will understand nothing until it takes place within you, within you!

Such is this wisdom, because it speaks of transformations that must occur inside of you. If you have not experienced them, you will not understand what it is. You may construe a purely intellectual image in your mind, but it will bear any resemblance to what actual reality will be.

It is like trying to explain the concept of a human being to a dog. It may gaze at you with utter devotion as if it is with you with all its soul and heart, but with its dog’s soul, it will not understand you.

Therefore, all sorts of psychological changes are nonsense. You can find a multitude of techniques, throughout the world, but you will not find one that alters human nature. This is a truth that cannot be explained to yogis or to anyone else.
[355451]
From KabTV’s “I Got A Call. Use the Descent” 9/26/10

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Question: Why must a Kabbalist necessarily be married? What is the basis for this?

Answer: A home, a wife, children, and responsibilities are essential so that one may make efforts in our world akin to the spiritual level of the inanimate (Domem).

When you correctly manage all this on the earthly level, understanding that this is necessary for achieve resemblance to the spiritual, this too becomes a condition four your spiritual advancement, and all your efforts are taken into account.

Question: How did this work in your case? You spent practically all your time with your teacher. You didn’t seem to place such a strong emphasis on family.

Answer: Regardless, my family was constantly beside me. So much so that my children also became connected with my movement toward spirituality. They take an active part in it. And no one forces them.

Question: But your wife surely must have thrown tantrums from time to time?

Answer: Never! I cannot even imagine what tantrums she could possible make. I provide the home and the family with everything necessary, and I ensure that the family lacks nothing. I make sure there is always food on the table, clothes to wear, all the basic necessities in the house; that is, I provide a normal standard of living. This is a Kabbalist’s primary concern, this simple earthly, fundamental concern. It is his duty to do this.

Only after that comes the concern for his spiritual development. That is all; nothing more! There are no problems.

The home is a woman’s primary domain. I cannot imagine what else she could possibly demand. To go out to the theater or visit friends? My wife did not demand this; she knew that I was not cut out for that.

Nevertheless, I always devoted a certain amount of time to her to go for a walk in the park, to sit at home, to talk or to listen to something together, especially as we grew older. And aside from that were were the children and then grandchildren.

She always had plenty to keep her occupied. She was fully aware of what I was doing. Had she ever hindered my spiritual advancement, I would have left. Knowing this perfectly well, we maintained a normal, honest understanding between us. Moreover, she helped me in my work with my teacher. She prepared food for him and looked after him; he was an elderly man after all.

A woman must know why she is getting married and whom she is marrying so that later you will not spring any unexpected surprises on her. That should not happen.

She must know that you work in order to provide for her and the children. But beyond the usual normal level of provision, you dedicate everything else to your spiritual development that she benefits from just as much as you do, acting as a full and equal partner in the process.
[355407]
From KabTV’s “I Got A Call. Spiritual Couple” 9/15/10

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Preparation to the Lesson

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1st part of the Lesson — Writings of Rabash, Article 24 “The Difference between Charity and Gift” (1986) (10.15.2002)

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2nd part of the Lesson — Studying with Friends

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3rd part of the Lesson — Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Vol. 2, Part 5, Item 48

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4th part of the Lesson — Conversations of a Kabbalist with His Students During the Day

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5th part of the Lesson — All the Prayers of the World – Excerpts from “Zohar for All”

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Question: How can one learn to feel the point of contact with the Creator and use it for good while being in a group?

Answer: To use the point of contact with the Creator for evil means that I begin to enjoy it for myself. The moment I start taking pleasure in it, I am immediately allowed to feel: “How wonderful this is; it is worth engaging in spirituality. Now I am better than everyone else in the world. I feel good and comfortable with everyone, the sensations are amazing!” And then, I become empty.

What should I do instead when I discover this point? I need to build all kinds of systems around me in advance that will help me rise in the future. But right now, I should channel all my excitement and inspiration into progress.

Question: When I’m inspired, I pass that energy on to the group, but when I have nothing to give, can that harm it?

Answer: When you have something to give, you give it to the group. Also, when you are full of inspiration, it is a good time to study more. Then you will better understand what you are learning, connect more deeply with the books, notice things you did not see before, and develop a kind of connection with spirituality.

But when you fall again, failing to hold onto the connection at the point of contact with the Creator, right at the peak of your choice, and unable to use it for the sake of giving, you will see that the group is indeed capable of supporting you in a state of emptiness caused by misusing the excitement and inspiration that came to you. It can happen both ways. However, from every state we must draw a lesson.
[355676]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/17/26, Rabash, “What Is the Difference between Law and Judgment in the Work?”

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The group should always provide me with the strength on the path toward the goals I have chosen to achieve.

I have to be constantly told: “Listen, we are going to tell you something now! There are people among us who have already achieved this, and you know, it is so wonderful, so marvelous!” And then, believe me, everyone will run there, and we will all achieve this together.

I have the opportunity to measure the extent to which my goal corresponds to the Creator. At every level, there are states where you feel that you are more connected with Him. In addition, if I cannot become aware of myself in relation to the goal, then I can become aware of my growing egoism within me or some other negative states. This is also a preparation, part of our path.

If I do not pay attention to my feelings, whether I feel good or bad, but I examine them as some kind of outside observer, then I can say whether I am actually advancing or not, no matter whether these things are negative or positive.

The problem is that the spiritual path is a path of feelings, and feelings shut off the mind. A person can only say that he feels bad, and that is all. But this is not a test, not a measurement, not research. No matter how smart he is, if you take away two hundred grams of pleasure from him now, he, despite all his wisdom, will not be able to do anything. So the problem is not in measuring how much our goal corresponds to the Creator, but in being able to accomplish it.
[355812]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/19/26, Rabash, “Moses Went”

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Comment: Sometimes it is a pity that a person cannot endure the spiritual work and leaves.

My Response: There are very few such people. In the time of Baal HaSulam and Rabash, the dropout rate was very high. I estimate that throughout Rabash’s entire lifetime,  between 3,000 to 5,000 people passed through his hands. And how many remained? Probably somewhere around 70 to 80 people. And even that is a generous estimate. In other words, there was a very high dropout rate. Today, it is much lower.

And where can people go? Our time is completely different. Today, it is clear to a person what Kabbalah gives him. We explain this in plain language.

People think that in Kabbalah, you have to penetrate somewhere with your mind and operate there just as one does with everything in our world. Suppose I am a physicist. They teach me how to work at a nuclear reactor, and I do it. That is all. Do I have to change myself for that? No. I received a degree, clearance, and went to work.

But here, no. Here, you must begin to change yourself. The whole science is built on changing yourself and never anyone else. Therefore, Kabbalah is a completely different method.
[356169]
From KabTV’s “I Got A Call. The Sufferings of the Kabbalists.” 10/8/10

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Comment: You say that if a person does not cross into the spiritual world in this life, then they will in the next one. But surely this is a waste of time.

My Response: And what can you do about it? A waste of time. So what? When I look at my children, my parents or other loved ones, of course, they will have to return to this world once again. But am I myself in complete correction? No I am not. We will meet again as well. I have not yet finished all my corrections.

Question: Do you think that you will not be a Kabbalist in your next incarnation but simply as an ordinary person?

Answer: I do not know. And maybe I will be born as my own grandson.

Question: Are you afraid that you might have to change your current ?

Answer: If I were afraid of what the Creator does, I would not be who I am.

Question: Aren’t you even afraid that you will lose your present spiritual sensation?

Answer: Well, let it vanish! This is entirely in His power. He could take all this away from me even now.

Do you imagine that my strength, my position, or some personal means hold me in the state in I am currently in? It is only that the upper light has raised me a little and sustains me.

Question: How can one make a contract with the upper light?

Answer: “You do this for me, I’ll do that for you”? “Save me a spot”? In spirituality, this cannot be.

On the contrary, I completely give myself over to the power of this force, and only in this way do I receive the possibility of being in contact with it. I want it to rule within me for me to become a part of it and for it to become a part of me.

And what else do I possess other than the capacity to nullify myself and thereby acquire all the qualities of the Creator?

Comment: I do not know. You have a different perception; therefore, you make different calculations.

My Response: A person indeed must make a calculation. What is there in us besides foolishness, arrogance, and the desire to dominate? Why should I cherish what is in me? What is there in me that would be worth keeping?

After I begin to examine myself, I see that there is absolutely nothing, except for one thing—that spark that tells me that everything else must be changed. It is this spark that I cherish deeply. Everything else in me is flawed.

And I am feel no shame. Therefore, I do not hide anything, I do not try to be good, kind, corrected, or beautiful in the eyes of others. In reality, who am I? I am even worse than others, because I see more in myself due to the influence of the upper light. And it is not that this is pleasant to me. What is pleasant to me is that this is being revealed, and that I can replace my qualities with the opposite ones.
[355965]
From KabTV’s “I Got A Call. Cycles of life…” 10/8/10

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