Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 53

Why Is the Goal Called “Adhesion with the Creator” and not “Correction of the Soul”?

The goal is referred to as “adhesion with the Creator” because it involves attaining a specific state, while correcting the vessels is a means to that end. Correcting the vessel is necessary, but the primary focus is the ultimate purpose for carrying out the correction.

Correction without understanding its meaning is not genuine correction. One could simply be a “good person,” but the Torah demands more—it demands adhesion, equivalence of form, and becoming Adam (man, human)—a term derived from “Adameh leElyon” (“I will be like the most high”).

How can we know what to correct without knowing the Creator? It is through “From Your actions we will know You.” We need some level of revelation of the Creator to emulate Him and understand what we need to become. When we truly seek revelation to understand what we need to correct, the Creator reveals Himself to us. This is called “From Lo Lishma, one comes to Lishma” (from “not for the sake of the Creator” to “for the sake of the Creator”).

Initially, we seek the Creator’s revelation for personal benefit. However, with the revelation, our attitude shifts—we start valuing and desiring the Creator Himself. The Creator reveals Himself to the extent that this revelation changes us and not merely fills us with pleasure.

Related Material:
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 52
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 51
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 50

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