Our perception of descents and ascents does not align with the true state of affairs but rather with what the will to receive feels. When the light influences me, I experience an ascent, and if it does not, then a descent, and I fall into depression.

That is, I check according to how full or empty my stomach is, or how full my pocket is, based on my vessels (Kelim) of reception. But from a spiritual point of view, this constitutes neither a descent nor an ascent.

How can I truly measure my ascents and descents? Only when the light does not shine upon me. Do I exalt the Creator on my own and not only when I receive from Him? Do I praise Him because He is great in my eyes? I can exalt the Creator by 10%, by 10 or 20 grams, or perhaps I am completely unable to do this. That is the measure.

It is impossible to determine this while receiving pleasure because the light cancels the Kli (vessel). Such measurement is possible only in a state of darkness when I make a restriction on myself and say that what is happening does not matter. The main thing is that I do not want the presence or absence of light to influence me. I want to relate to the Creator as He is, without this having any relation to me.

If I am able to cope with states of darkness, then it can be said that I am, as if, in a state where I maintain the restriction, not wanting the light to shine on me. I do not want to go toward the purpose of creation by means of the fuel that the Creator gives me, since when He gives me light, I go, and when He does not give, I do not go. I want to advance by means of my own light, in a state of darkness, the goal is important to me and this serves as my fuel.

Only I myself can develop the sensation of the importance of the goal within me, and precisely when I am in darkness.

This is what is called faith. And whether I feel good or not depends on whether I can go forward with the light of faith. If the light of faith serves me instead of the illumination coming from above, then I will feel good. And if the light of faith does not serve me, or it is weak, or there is not enough of it, this means that I have not yet reached the above-described state.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/29/26, Rabash, “One’s Greatness Depends on the Measure of One’s Faith in the Future”

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Faith that Sustains a Person
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