My new article on Linkedin “Neither Diplomacy Nor Military Will Convince Iran Off Nuke”

It has been clear from the get go, but after the latest round of talks, everyone understands that Iran has no intention to stall its nuclear arms program. Even before the talks began, Iran’s former head of the nuclear program, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, admitted to his country’s efforts to build nuclear weapons. According to Reuters, “Iran abandoned any compromises it had made in talks to revive its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, pocketed those made by others, and demanded more during indirect U.S.-Iran talks.”

It is written, “If one comes to kill you, kill him first” (Midrash Rabbah, Bamidbar 21:4, and elsewhere). Currently, it appears that Israel will have no choice but to land a preemptive strike to intercept Iran’s plan to destroy it. However, a permanent solution to Iran’s aggression lies not in severing its nuclear power, but in uniting our own ranks.

Regrettably, diplomacy does not work. No one is naive enough to believe that diplomats can solve anything. At best, diplomacy can maintain a facade of communication, something to maintain contact, but no one believes that there is any solution other than a military one.

Even threatening Iran with retaliating with a nuclear weapon in case it strikes with one will not deter it. Considering Iran’s treatment of its own people, it would have no problem losing half of its population for the pleasure of eradicating Israel.

And if we think that economic sanctions will derail Iran’s progress toward a bomb, we should think again. If anything, it will invigorate it and give it an excuse to attack Israel, which will be portrayed as the force behind Iran’s economic woes.

Therefore, as hard as it may be, I think we will have no choice but to “denuke” Iran on our own. If we let it launch a nuclear attack against us, it will not help us to know that we were right all along in assuming their foul intent. It is better to be alive and criticized than justified posthumously.

At the same time, a military solution can only help for so long. If all we rely on is our strength, we are in deep trouble. Currently, it seems like this is the case.

A lasting solution can be found only in our unity. If we unite, it will solve not only our problems with Iran, but with the rest of the world, as well.

Moreover, as I have explained in countless articles and several books (links to two of them below), Israel’s unity will “neutralize” the world’s hatred toward it. We may think of Iran as the aggressor and of ourselves as the potential victim, but the world sees it very differently. Look at the recent resolutions of the UN General Assembly, voting almost unanimously against Israel’s right to sovereignty. When it comes to Israel, the world sides with Iran, and we must ask ourselves why this is so.

The divided society in Israel is sending negative messages to the world. Not only do the nations ridicule us, they also blame us for being the aggressor in the region. Israel is accepted only when it is united. When we are divided, no one appreciates us, and everyone accuses us of their own troubles.

We are always at the center of attention, even, and especially when we do not want to be. We are the only country in the world that is a permanent, mandatory item on the agenda of several UN committees. Because we are so conspicuous, even if against our will, when we are hateful toward each other, this is the example we give to the world. As a result, the world hates us for inciting war and division.

But because we are always “on stage,” we are in a unique position to be a positive influence in the world by setting an exemplary society that others will want to emulate. If we rise above our differences and establish a society based on solidarity and mutual responsibility, this is the example we will give to the world, and the world will reciprocate it with appreciation.

This is why the only lasting, and in the end, possible solution to our problems with Iran, as well as with all other countries, is to work out the problem of our own division. If we do, our problems with the world will dissolve by themselves.

Further reading on the topics of Israel, Jews, and antisemitism: Like a Bundle of Reeds: Why unity and mutual guarantee are today’s call of the hour, and The Jewish Choice: Unity or Anti-Semitism, Historical facts on anti-Semitism as a reflection of Jewish social discord
[290809]

Filed under: Anti-Semitism, New Publications | Add Comment / Ask Question →

In the process of integral studies, people change, they become a little closer to connection with each other. Imbued with the fact that nature is integral and we are a cancerous tumor in it, they already understand that there is no use holding on to the past and that it is impossible to manage today with the old methods they were taught; therefore, everything in the world is falling apart.

Why do we have such discord in the family, at work, between countries, and even in nature itself? Because we do not know how to behave correctly inside what is called society and nature.

The most comfortable state that a person can have is being in balance with the surrounding nature. That is, there are two systems here: one system is me, within me, which must be in balance; and around me, there is the second system, nature, which itself is in balance.

I induce destabilization in it, and therefore it turns out that it gives me negative feedback and presses on me. As a result, my entire internal system (health, psyche, etc.) goes beyond the norm.

In addition, we affect nature negatively; climate, pressure drops, and everything else depend on us. We do not even know what we are affecting. There are a lot of parameters in nature that are unknown to us. Most importantly, because of evolution we ourselves change and reach a state in which we do not want anything. This is the problem. To solve it, we need to get in balance with nature.
[290059]
From Kab TV’s “Through Time”

Related Material:
That Loud Word “Nature”
“Human Change To Climate Change” (Linkedin)
Two Forces – One Law

Filed under: Children, Crisis, Education, Egoism, Globalization | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Question: In the book Prophets the word “stone” is often used. It can be taken in different interpretations.What are they?

Answer: In principle, a stone (Even) from the word “Avana” means understanding, awareness, comprehension. Therefore, in each case, it means the main comprehension of some event.

If it is said that an altar is built of stones, then here it is necessary to realize what a sacrifice is. The bottom line is that a person takes his egoism, builds a special property from it above which he rises, and he sacrifices all his egoistic desires—transforms them into the property of bestowal. This is the sacrifice.

When it is said that the body is buried and the grave is covered with stones, something quite different is meant. The body, as it dies, becomes like the dust of the earth. This means that our desires, with which we worked for bestowal, are finished with now, and therefore we no longer use them.

This is called the deceased, i.e., Izdahechut Ha-Partzuf (weakening of the Partzuf). When there is some Partzuf, a spiritual action, a person stops working with it. He no longer needs to use this desire for bestowal, for love, for communication with others, and therefore it is believed that it seems to die off. Then a new one arises in its place.

A stone placed on a grave symbolizes the fact that a person pays tribute to the past understanding what came of it, and the next stage begins.

In the primary sources, the expression “casting stones” is still found. Naturally, this is not a physical act. “Stone” (from the word “Avana” – understanding, awareness) means that one conquers the other or himself and casts away his previous understandings with new concepts.

In fact, it is enlightening and ascent. The point is that past understandings no longer need any realization and instead a new stage arises.
[290199]
From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 9/27/21

Related Material:
“Stone”—A Part Of Malchut
Altar Of Whole Stones
Turn A Stony Heart Into A Live One

Filed under: Spiritual Work, Torah | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Why are so many people dying taking photographs and selfies?“

They mostly fail to realize the risk in what they are doing at the time of the photograph or selfie.

Showing ourselves off to others in risky situations gives us very powerful feelings of being special and standing out among the crowd.

The fact that such deaths continue rising is testimony to the fact that the human ego constantly grows, and blinds more and more of us from considering the consequences of our actions.

When taking a risky photograph or selfie, we consider the triumph of the human ego: “Look at me! Look where I am!” The strength of this ego boost often outweighs the risk involved in making the photograph or selfie. We think about the virality of the photo, all the eyeballs, likes and shares that it will get—and it clouds the risk in the current moment. We end up paying for that moment with our life.

Such situations should lead us to the conclusion that we need seek a remedy for our overblown egoism. We correct our egoism by rising above it. Unfortunately, the method for rising above the ego is mostly unknown, so people have no such thoughts, and also fail to acquire any such abilities. As a result, suffering accumulates more and more in humanity.

Rising above the human ego means learning how to control it. We cannot and should not try to run away from or diminish the ego, but rather learn how to relate properly to it: to take it by the reins and guide it in a way that lets us release it slowly and in proportions that, at the very least, do not cause harm to ourselves or to others, and in addition, to benefit others. By doing so, we will reach the realization that the ego comes to help us rise above it. However, we require a method that guides this elevation, otherwise we will continue falling victim to the ego’s impulses.

Based on “News with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman” on October 11, 2021. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

Filed under: Egoism, Q&A, Quora | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Question: What does it mean to build an altar?

Answer: To build an altar means to make a desire subordinate only to the quality of Bina, the quality of heaven, the quality of the Creator, by using your lowest desire Malchut, stones (“stone,” from the word “Havana”). I build an altar out of it.

That is, I want all my egoistic desires to participate in the process of raising the quality of bestowal, raising the Creator.
[290512]
From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 9/27/21

Related Material:
Altar Of Whole Stones
In Order For Evil To Work For Good
Joshua’s Spirit Of Wisdom

Filed under: Spiritual Work, Torah | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Question: It would be wrong to treat a person only as a protein body. Why are we originally created so that there are two levels in us: “animal in man” and “man in man”?

Answer: The fact is that we have been developing for many thousands of years. But this development in us is, in general, primitive. See what the media is filled with today.

We do not know how to raise children. I do not see that a good world has been prepared for them. Why can’t we do this? We are, after all, human!

But we are worse than animals. Animals try to equip themselves and their offspring as much as possible. We deliberately create an uncomfortable, inconvenient, unsafe world for our offspring, and we generally don’t know what will happen tomorrow. We, parents, are preparing bad conditions for the next generation. Is this rational?

Question: But you say that in man everything is inherent in nature, he is completely controlled by it. So does nature push us to take such unreasonable actions?

Answer: Quite right. Nature pushes a person to unreasonable actions in order to bring him to the understanding that he needs to do something with himself, with the environment, and with the nature that dominates him and leads him to self-destruction.

This is where the “human” level begins in a person. When he realizes that his nature is evil, that he is ruled by evil forces, he will begin to ask the questions: “Why? What for? Why is everything arranged this way? What is the meaning of my existence? After all, it is useless, imperfect. I personally would not design it that way for my son or grandson.”

This suffering and awareness accumulates in us from generation to generation and leads us to the understanding that we need to understand this life, we need to do something with it. People start to engage in terrorism, using drugs, getting divorced, and breaking up families, they are unable to create anything. But all this is accumulating suffering that will ultimately lead to the need to find a true solution.
[290628]
From KabTV’s “Close-Up. Centaurs” 1/15/10

Related Material:
Toward The Human Level
A Man Or A Beast
The New Image of the New Man

Filed under: Body and Soul, Egoism | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Question: Vesuvius is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. Tens of thousands of people died there 200 years ago. Can those engaged in spiritual development now prevent future volcanic eruption with their thoughts and behavior?

Answer: No, not in any way. We can say in advance that the direction in which humanity is developing is moving us toward fierce natural disasters, shocks, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, everything that exists in nature. And we are already beginning to feel it.

This correction takes place in order to force humanity to think about how it affects nature and that it is the basis of such responses from nature.

Comment: It seems that natural disasters come directly from the Creator. After all, wars are also terrible torments, but they are started by man.

My Response: All this is caused by man himself. There are no specific negative signals coming from the Creator, that is, from the general force of nature. All negative forces manifest themselves only because man does not bring the forces of nature to correction at all its levels.

Question: It is written in Kabbalah that the whole world is inside man. How do I understand that the volcano is inside me? What does it mean?

Answer: It really does exist only in our senses, like the rest of nature.

Question: Can I somehow extinguish this volcano inside myself so that it no longer erupts and kills people?

Answer: If you bring nature into balance at your level, it will come into balance at all the lower levels too.
[290570]
From KabTV’s “Spiritual States” 11/24/21

Related Material:
“Volcanic Eruptions Are Corrections, Too” (Linkedin)
What Is The Connection Between Vegetarianism And A Volcanic Eruption
Back To Nature

Filed under: Crisis, Globalization | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Question: What is the greatest danger that you see as a result of the fact that trust between the individual and society is breaking down?

Answer: A person who loses touch with his nation, his state, and the land itself, does not care whether he lives here or any other place. If he does not feel that the government represents him, it is not important for him to fight for the government either. There is no connection to nationality here, and that is the problem.

The education that we have received is that a person should care about himself, and that if you are happy here—fine. And if not, you can look for another place on the globe. If you succeed, it is fine. But what is important is not to be a sucker.
From Kab TV’s “New Life #1325” 11/28/21

Related Material:
New Life 1325 – Building Public Trust
New Life 1204 – Trust
New Life 467 – Trust In The Elected Officials

Filed under: Education, Egoism, New Life | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Preparation to the Lesson

Writings of Baal HaSulam, Shamati #121 “She Is Like Merchant-Ships”

Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Peace in the World”

Selected Highlights

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson | Add Comment / Ask Question →

Listen to an Audio Version of the Blog
Download:MP3 Audio

Filed under: Audio Version of the Blog | Add Comment / Ask Question →