Breaking the silence
Of an ancient pond
A frog jumped into the water—
A deep resonance. 
(Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated by Nobuyuki Yuasa)

Question: The concept of shibui refers to a Japanese aesthetic of a refined understatement in artistic representation. It has an underlying notion of life’s transitory and evanescent nature. This is reflected in traditional Japanese clothing that is more beautiful on the interior than the exterior fabric.

What is hidden beauty?

Answer: Hidden beauty is something one cherishes, treasures! It is more important to him than anything in the world.

Question: And this, it turns out, is not shown off and put on display?

Answer: It is not shown to anyone. Many nations have many prohibitions against exposure.

Question: Is it the same in spirituality?

Answer: In spirituality, necessarily.

Question: But how can I, an outsider, feel this hidden beauty if it is hidden?

Answer: You don’t need to feel it; you should strive to create your own beauty for yourself.

Question: Am I ever looking for another beauty?

Answer: No, you will not find the beauty you are looking for there.

Question: Won’t I find it in others?

Answer: No, no way. You will not be able to find another person who could display your beauty, what you need, or what you prefer.

Question: Is my life the search for my beauty? Specifically beauty?

Answer: Yes.

Question: What other word would you use to define beauty?

Answer: I would call it inner perfection, harmony.

Question: Where is the upper one you keep talking about in this? Where is the Creator here?

Answer: The Creator determines this from above. And we get it below and thank Him.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 11/23/23

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Question: Are there states when you feel that you have to cancel all your knowledge or it will drag you down?

Answer: Yes, it is a lack of faith.

Question: How can you cancel your knowledge correctly? Do you have to forget everything you learned, what you knew, and start everything from scratch?

Answer: No, you just have to move in the quality of bestowal and relate to everyone based on that quality.

In order to attract knowledge for the sake of bestowal, we must strive for it and at the same time for knowledge in order to be above. In this way we will obtain this stage.

Question: Is there a difference in what kind of knowledge to strive for?

Answer: You do not know this yet. Strive, and as a result, it will lead you to the desired result.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/3/24, Writings of Baal HaSulam “Receiving in order to Bestow”

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It is known that the Sitra Achra has no lights…. Therefore, as one rises from one’s bed daily and washes oneself to purify his body from the filth of the body, so one should wash oneself from the filth of the Klipa (Baal HaSulam, Shamati 59 “Concerning the Staff and the Serpent”).

Question: It is said that Sitra Achra (Klipa, evil spirits) does not have its own lights, but at the same time we can easily fall under its power.

Where does the Klipa get its strength and power without lights?

Answer: From us, because our egoism works for the Sitra Achra. And only if we go against it do we gradually weaken it.

To do this, we need to unite in a ten, accept the desires of the ten as higher than our own, and so continue to advance.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 12/30/23, Writings of Baal HaSulam “Concerning the Staff and the Serpent”

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Question: The twelfth commandment is to bring the first fruit of the tree (Baal Hasulam, Introduction of the Book of Zohar, “The Commandments of the Torah”, paragraph 245).

What does this mean in spirituality?

Answer: From everything that you have in the vegetative and animate world, from everything that is born and comes to you as suitable for consumption, you must separate a tenth and not use it. In this way you confirm the governance of the Creator in all nature.

Question: What is the difference between the eleventh and twelfth commandments? One says that one should separate the tithe of the fruits of the ground, and the other says that one should separate the tithe of the first fruits of the tree.

Answer: The only difference is in the technique, how and when it is done. But in principle, the essence is the same, separating the part that you cannot correct.
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From KabTV’s “Introduction of The Book of Zohar” 12/10/23

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Question: How should we discover the desire and striving for the Creator: in faith above reason or in reason?

Answer: Both in reason and in faith above reason. With a bit of luck, you will figure it out.

Question: Through what actions can a person gain mercy in the eyes of the Creator?

Answer: Only through love for his friends.

Question: Can Bnei Baruch be called the spiritual world?

Answer: Of course. Bnei Baruch is a separate part of our world that strives for universal connection.

Question: What is the rigor of the performance of actions in improving the ten?

Answer: For all of you to be as close to each other as possible.

Question: Before entering Israel, Moses taught the people the laws of the Torah. How can we adopt these laws in a new way so that we can change egoism to bestowal?

Answer: “Love your neighbor as yourself” needs to be checked every day. How committed you are to this principle?
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/2/24, Writings of Baal HaSulam “And If the Way Be Too Far for You”

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Preparation to the Lesson

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1st part of the Lesson — Writings of Rabash, “What Does It Mean that the Right Must Be Greater than the Left, in the Work?”

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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Is Technology Detrimental?”

Technology serves us with medical breakthroughs saving lives and innovations that aid our professions and our day-to-day living. However, much technological progress wreaks havoc, as it goes into making more and more sophisticated ways of killing, hurting and exploiting people.

How can we then make sure technology benefits us?

On one hand, we are far beyond advocating for stopping technological advances and regressing to a primitive form of existence. We do, however, need to revise the ways in which we take the reins of technological development, and steer our innovations responsibly. If we fail, then we can succumb to a third or a fourth world war, and we might then truly degenerate to a primitive state.

Navigating technology beneficially for humanity does not mean stifling it with rigid rules and moral constraints, which is a point that often arises in relation to this topic. It rather requires its creators and operators to continually strengthen an attitude of mutual benefit, consideration and support for one another.

We should thus encourage connection-enriching learning, showcase examples of care and kindness, learn about the altruistic and integral underpinnings of nature, and seek how we can generate an increasingly socially-cohesive atmosphere that continually fuels people with confidence and happiness.

By doing so, we can tune our attitudes to each other from our inborn self-concern to a much more mature concern for others and nature as a whole. Such a transformation is the key to ensuing a positive path forward for technology, helping us reach states of more balance among each other and with nature.

Our misuse of technological advancements originates from a heart bloated with self-interest motives, lacking the learning of the nature-set need to reach positive connection and mutual consideration among each other. We have let our divisive drives push us to exploit, abuse and manipulate each other, thus using technology to overpower and deceive others.

Therefore, if there is any fear of technology turning against us and bringing about much harm to our lives, we should seek to upgrade the attitudes of those behind technology’s development and use. When we tune our hearts to genuinely wish for the utmost benefit to other people and nature, we will then use technology in a beneficial manner.
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Question: How do we correct the Kelim (vessels) of the Egyptians in practice?

Each of us lives in our own “Egypt” and at the same time we strive to connect with our friends during the lessons. And it is like two different worlds. How can we correct these Kelim?

Answer: Try to connect with other friends with your Kelim and thus feel the common Kli in your unity. And it will already pull you up.

Question: It is said that the best way to increase the desire is to fall into egoism. Where is the guarantee that when I fall Moses and Aaron will come and get me out of there with my big desires?

Answer: It depends on how you work. You must descend into egoism with the intention, with the hope of, pulling out new Kelim from there with which you can move forward.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/2/24, Writings of Rabash “What Is the Need to Borrow Vessels from the Egyptians?”

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Question: If a friend does not feel any lack in spirituality, then it seems there is nothing we can do to help him. However, Rabash gives advice in his articles that one can always raise his friend’s mood and spiritual state. Do you have any recommendations on how to raise a friend’s spirit?

Answer: For this, you need to show an example and draw him to a more optimistic state. For example, I try to raise the spirit of my students at every lesson.

Question: How did you do this when you studied with Rabash?

Answer: We talked about the good forces in the world and about how much the Creator is waiting and eager to bring us to unity, bestowal, and love.

Question: Can a student raise the spirit of his teacher?

Answer: Yes, because the teacher loves him, the student can raise his teacher’s spirit by his actions when he shows a good progress within the properties of bestowal and love.

Question: Let’s say that when you pass by me you see that I am reading Talmud Eser Sefirot. Will it influence your mood in any way?

Answer: Even if I see that you are reading a book on Kabbalah will raise my mood.

Question: Or, for example, if you learn that I come an hour in advance before the lesson and prepare for it?

Answer: This would be a special attitude to the lesson that will make me want to help you, approve of you.
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From KabTV’s “Practical Kabbalah” 12/19/23

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