The Shell of Noga is half good and half bad. It belongs to me and doesn’t belong to me; it’s something that stands in the middle, connecting me with all of reality. On one hand, it is an impure force (shell), but on the other, it’s a shell that I can use in the transition from one reality to the other.

There is always a bridge that connects between the good and the evil. There is no evil that is totally disconnected from the good, except for the stony heart (Lev HaEven). The stony heart has no contact with the good. The Creator is the attribute of “existence from existence” (Yesh mi Yesh), and He created the attribute of the creature “from absence” (Yesh Mi Ein) that did not exist before, and so there is no connection between them.

There is no Shell of Noga between the attributes of “existence from existence” (the Creator) and “existence from absence” (the desire of the creature). There is no connection between the stony heart and the Creator, and so it’s impossible to correct it directly. But among all the other properties there is such a transition, and we should always try to look for it. Therefore it is said: “A person should always turn the good inclination against the evil inclination,” which means that we should create a conflict between them.

But I should know from the start that at the end of this conflict, of this strong friction, of the real explosion, something new will be revealed, something in the middle, that connects the two hostile sides, just like the monkey is the link between the animate level and man, the transition between the levels, between the states.

This transition is the most important thing. It’s because the two opposite sides, the good and the bad, remain on the current level, while the transition suddenly becomes the place of a new birth that raises me upwards. Therefore, the middle third of Tifferet in which Bina and Malchut, GE and AHP, connect is the most central point of creation, where the Creator and the created being begin to build their “family nest,” their common home.
[105642]
From the 1^st part to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/19/13, Shamati #68

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Preparation to the Lesson

Writings of Rabash “Dargot HaSulam,” “Article 217”

The Book of Zohar – Selected Excerpt, “Bereshit,” Item 45, Lesson 6

Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol. 3, Part 10, “Histaklut Pnimit,” Item 17, Lesson 37

Writings of Baal HaSulam “The Mutual Guarantee,” Lesson 4

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Baal HaSulam, “The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)”: This means that each and every one in Israel would take it upon himself to care and work for each member of the nation, and to satisfy all their every needs, no less than the measure imprinted in him to care for his own needs.

An approach like this sounds as something unrealistic. So in spite of all this, how is it possible to realize it? If this condition is already laid in creation, is means that whether we want this or not, we will have to fulfill it.

In general, there are many things that we do against our will, even if we sometimes naively suppose that we want it. But any intelligent person is able to discern what results from nature that arouses in us all kinds of drives, thoughts, and desires without asking for our opinion. We don’t decide about them beforehand, but rather we only discover them within ourselves post factum.

Today we already see that in the end, the system will oblige us to resemble it. Should we tremble in fear as if we are standing before the volcano eruption, something that cannot be prevented, and flee from it? Or can we do something in spite of all this?

Whatever the case, Kabbalists claim that we need mutual guarantee. And if we look at the whole world, we see that we probably won’t have other choice. If we begin to oppose this, we only arouse our entire ego and in the end, we will be finished with the entire earth. After all, nobody thinks that he is capable to truly unite. In our eyes this seems impossible; it is simply easier to die. But we won’t even be allowed to “get off” that easily….

So, if this condition is standing before us, it is a sign that we must learn how to realize it by way of hastening. It is already clear that this path will save us from sufferings that are worse than death since they are derived from something that I hate the most, something with which we are not prepared to agree.

And therefore it is necessary to consider all these seemingly unrealistic principles: loving one’s neighbor as yourself, mutual responsibility, brotherly love, and being as one man with one heart. After all, the solution is hidden here: It’s not merely a way to avoid troubles, to get off the path of suffering; rather, a surprising possibility is here—we didn’t even think that meanwhile, through love for another, the eternal world will be revealed to us.…
[105716]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/22/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam “The Mutual Guarantee”

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Question: What characterizes our free choice in the work?

Answer: True free choice, as opposed to all “false free” choices, is possible during preparation for, and not at the time of the deed itself. When the action is taking place, then it’s no longer possible to influence it. Some kind of state comes from Above and only in the beginning can we establish how we will accept it.

Nothing depends on us other than this. The plan of creation already exists and cannot be changed. We can only hasten our development. Besides this, we still don’t understand our connection within the entire great system. How could it be that I will advance faster than others if we are in a single system in which all components have to develop in harmony? It follows that all of us depend upon each other.

But if you want to know what our free choice is, it’s in the preparation. I have to isolate that single datum that I’m able to influence and work to change it. All of this change depends solely on how I raise the society so as to succeed in evaluating every state as given by the Creator, by “there’s none else besides Him,” and the “Good that does good.”

Only the environment that I organized for myself will determine how much I will succeed in rising above the forces of separation that deny the unity of the Divine Providence, “there’s none else besides Him,” and the darkness that opposes the “Good that does good.” Then I can see whether or not I can justify every state both personally, internally, and also in general, in the entire group.

Suppose that some general problem, a great trouble is discovered. Here we can check whether we are prepared to deal with it and overcome it all together. Have we prepared for it or not? So accordingly, everyone must check himself, how much is he joining with everyone and strengthening them all.

All this depends on preparation and on the recognition of our evil, the clarification of our egoism, and the aspiration to do good. Here we also examine the person: Is he really controlled by his ego or does he feel the importance of the environment, group, which is above all of his personal, egoistic evaluations? This is our entire preparation, meaning our free choice.
[105261]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/17/13, Writing of Rabash

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Question: Can I get the group’s response for my attempts to annul myself before the friends? Is there an indication that the work has been done?

Answer: You accept their opinions, desires, and thoughts, but at the same time you make a distinction and they don’t dominate you. You perceive their cumulative “image”—thought-desire-intention—and begin to sort out the data: What are the criteria according to which I judge myself and them? How do I connect the two parts, separate them, or put them together one on top of the other? According to what plan?

How can I fulfill my perception? How can I connect to the environment correctly? How can I be sure that the result of this clarification, of becoming equal to them in my thoughts, desires, and intentions I will not deceive and lie to myself? How can I be an expert, a true analyst, an “appraiser”? What tools do I have to measure things? After all, what’s important is that I should be neutral. Even if I see fraud, I should be as objective as I can with regards to the details.

So having no choice you need the Creator. Everything is before you except for one thing: You don’t know how to get started. You are not sure what angle you are looking at, you don’t understand what controls you, or what obligates you to come to certain judgements and not others…

This question about oneself is already a good sign. Although it’s an unpleasant situation and you feel confused, you don’t look outside anymore and don’t attribute any meaning to the external conditions, but rather, you turn your sight within, trying to examine your essence that determines all your thoughts, decisions, and your judgment.
[105659]
From the 4^th part to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/21/13, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar”

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Preparation to the Lesson

Writings of Rabash “Dargot HaSulam,” “Article 21”

The Book of Zohar – Selected Excerpt, “Bereshit,” Item 24, Lesson 5

Talmud Eser Sefirot, Vol. 3, Part 10, “Histaklut Pnimit,” Item 16, Lesson 36

Writings of Baal HaSulam “The Mutual Guarantee,” Lesson 3

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Question: How can we reach the innermost point from which we can rise above the ego? What is that point?

Answer: This point is my “Self.” What can be more precious to me in all of reality than my “Self”? We are still not aware of how extreme our selfishness, the egoistic tyranny, is. Nothing can compare to it.

Our mistake is that we usually compare and measure everything according to the physical, beastly, corporeal concepts of life and death. This drastically lowers our “expectations,” and often under the pressure of troubles a person is even ready to give up life, which seems worthless to him compared to his suffering. Many are ready to put an end to their lives because of the wrong standard, because of a “beastly” perspective on life.…

But if you measure your life with respect to eternity and wholeness, you cannot give it up. You cannot give it up since your true “Self” is hiding here, the most precious thing that you have, although you have not yet revealed it and have not compared it with the real standard, with eternal life, with the eternity and the power of the real creation and not with the corporeal life on the level of our world.

Question: Do I need a strong and secure environment into which I can “dive in” in order to give up my egoistic self?

Answer: We must understand that generally speaking, only the Light that comes from Above can help us here. In the meantime, we have not actually realized this and live in a lie, measuring everything with respect to corporeal life. When we begin to measure everything according to the spiritual standard, we will discover terrible depths, in which self-abnegation is utterly impossible.

Then you will see that the intervention of the upper force that is above you is necessary. You will finally understand that there is room for the upper authority.You will have such sensation for the first time, and this is already a new step along the way.
[105528]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/18/13, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar”

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Baal HaSulam, “The Peace”: He believes that this world is not like an open store without an owner, but that there is an owner present, a shopkeeper, who stands in his store and demands of each customer the right price for the merchandise he is taking from the store…

Such a person is regarded as one who wishes to borrow. Thus, even before he stretches his hand to take from this world, which is the store, he takes it as a loan, to pay its price. 

Question: What is this loan?

Answer: The loan is a collection of forces, thoughts, and actions, correctly arranged in order to bestow. This “individual order” is exactly what you have to do in your state. You are given all that is required, a complete package deal.

However, the trouble is that you already have left this state. You already want to “debit,” to steal part of this loan. Well, this happens in general. Some organization demands a budget for lofty purposes, and afterward they do business “on the side” instead.

I don’t accuse anyone; we only have to draw a conclusion from this. This is how a person is built. This is our nature, and this happens everywhere in the world, in every nation. It happens even when someone speaks enthusiastically, he’s sure that he is truly and simply handling the means at his disposal. However, a different desire comes along with a different usage. It is natural that when a person receives millions, his desires heat up.

Generally, theft and corruption are natural things; they always have existed. In the past, leaders didn’t need to take anyone into account and did what they wanted, but today some things emerge on the surface. This is even though we still don’t understand where to find the correction.

The problem is only a lack of an environment that will support and hold you in the right state. If the environment were strong enough, you would correctly use a loan, which comes in response to a request that has been approved. You are not guilty; you simply are not connected to the right environment, which would be the one thing that would maintain the right approach for you.

Therefore, it is first necessary to build the right environment. Without this, there is no chance. This is so even if a person submits a truly justified request and receives the means correctly. A number of years go by, and they discover that he has accounts abroad or secret real estate investments or something else. And we ourselves are to blame. We didn’t investigate all the conditions, not at the time the loan was approved, but at the time it was received.

On the other hand, in spirituality, there are no mistakes like these. If you don’t prepare the environment, then your request simply is not accepted. You can knock on the door all you want, but no one will open it for you.

Question: Which is to say, without friends who are guarantors for me, I cannot receive any loan?

Answer: Right, this is because you intend to realize it from the start with unsuitable conditions.

Question: Which is to say, my request for receiving a loan needs to pass through the group?

Answer: Yes. I want to help the friends so much, to unite them, to see them as one body that I must do something, and then, with this, I raise pain through the group. This is not talking merely about a “transition,” rather it is about absolute despair that rips me apart. I am like a mother who suffers because she cannot feed her children. I turn for help with this and then receive the loan.

However, this is not a loan on our terms. The Creator wants to help the friends himself. Therefore, this is speaking here about the Torah. I receive the Light that Reforms and the Light that fills the Kelim. I receive this on condition that I truly have a desire, an urge to bestow. I’m boiling up, but I don’t know what to do. And then everything will be arranged for me: I will be given the understanding, the Kelim, the means, and all that is required.

Question: So, how do I ask ? To whom do I turn?

Answer: This is my internal appeal. Not everyone is prepared to express the burning, inner love. Sometimes, it is the opposite. From the outside, it seems that it is contempt.

Love doesn’t burst out like lava from a volcano. It is the opposite. In accord with the spiritual source, it always comes with limitation, concealment, with covers and with modesty. Don’t expect hugs and kisses from the friends. The love burns within, and outside of us is a screen and the Reflected Light, which is to say, something completely opposite. After all, the screen with the Reflected Light are built above the egoistic desire, dark and gloomy to death. Therefore, love always is covered with modesty. The screen itself is concealment.

So, we return to the loan from the Creator. I receive the power to bestow to the group from Him. I help the friends, unite them so that they will join together wholeheartedly, and I feel that the Creator becomes revealed in the connection between them, with a laughing, happy face.

This is all the realization of the action. His powers act on me inside and out. By constructing the vessel, I see these forces when He is revealed. So, what did I do by myself? In sum, I prepared a place for this revelation.
[105545]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/19/13, “The Peace”

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Question: Why does it say that the picture of this world is fictitious and not real?

Answer: The picture of the world that appears before us is fictitious and not real because the Creator is always good and benevolent to us. Eventually, the created being will reveal the Creator’s love in everything. But in the meantime, having no choice, He must hasten us to develop and even threaten, pressure, and confuse us.

We do the same thing with children since otherwise, they will not develop. This is why the Creator treats us in the same way. The problem is that we don’t see who is taking care of us and we don’t know the plan of creation.

A baby also doesn’t understand what is going on, either. He doesn’t realize that his parents are giving him exercises; for him, it is simply a game. It is only when his mother or father begin to pressure him does he pay attention to them and begin to shout that Mommy is bad!

I never have heard a child shouting that Mom is good. He takes this for granted since it is obvious that she must serve him. But when she suddenly does something against his will, he resents it.

So, we must understand that the only way to advance is by exercises that are not very pleasant and will only get more complicated. Everything depends on our preparation and on our ability to recognize them. In fact, we are given a certain exercise every moment, and we can be constantly in the process of clarification. However, a person doesn’t make the right effort, and so the Creator’s stimuli accumulate and are felt eventually as a hard blow.

It is as if you have complaints about someone, but restrain yourself and suffer. You accumulate anger and frustration inside of you, instead of easily and immediately clarifying things the moment they come up. Eventually, however, you lose patience and explode, and this happens suddenly and unexpectedly and those around you don’t understand what is going on.

So, it is better not to come to such an outburst, but to be aware of what is going on all the time. This is possible only through mutual guarantee when everyone thinks about this and deals with it, when everyone wants to support one another. In fact, we are building the one, general vessel of the soul. A person has nothing that is private in spirituality.

The solution is only in connection, and it has to do with what I think about the friends and about the connection between us. This is the only thing we have to correct since this is how our soul is built.
[104963]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/8/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

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Writings of Rabash, Volume 2, “What is the Prohibition to Greet Another Before Greeting the Creator, in the Work”: The most difficult part in the work is the order of the work that consists of two things that contradict one another, and it is hard to understand how they can both be true, when we attribute the work to the Creator, believing that the Creator accepts our work no matter how we see it.

This means that it doesn’t matter whether a person works for the greatness of reason and understanding, whether a person attributes the work to the Creator, which means that he works with the intention of in order to bestow; the Creator accepts his work willingly. This means that a person has to follow the right line that is considered wholeness, to pray to the Creator, and to thank Him, even if he doesn’t find any desire for spirituality in him. Otherwise, how can he thank the Creator and say that the Creator hears what he says to Him?

If he can thank the Creator, he feels joy and from “Lo Lishma (not for Her sake) he arrives at Lishma (for Her sake),” and thus he rises from his state of wholeness. Since the gratitude that he feels towards the Creator makes a person feel that he is whole, and to the extent  the joy he feels he continues, he is able to rise to the next level.

The state itself doesn’t change, it is constant. Only a person’s attitude towards it changes, his perception of it, and it happens to the extent that he clarifies and correctly interprets this state, his reaction to the constant state in which he exists all the time.

New Reshimot (spiritual records) are revealed in him each time, and he judges the upper Light, the level of bestowal that is revealed to him. So he is constantly going through inner changes, which means that his evaluation of the attributes such as bestowal, connection, and love, all the attributes that belong to spirituality, to the idea of the Creator, change as well.

This is revealed in a person’s shattered or partly corrected desires (vessels),and hence all the changes take place only internally. Therefore, everything depends on how he corrects his vessels and brings them closer to the Light. Everything depends on the equivalence of form, to the extent that the Reshimot that are constantly revealed match the Light. The only way to make them equivalent to the Light is by the environment that serves as an adapter between the Reshimot that are revealed and the Light.

If a person uses the environment and his Reshimot correctly, he can reach adhesion with the Light very quickly in every state. Then he can feel that his state is good. Of course, he does that not in order to feel good, but in order to resemble the Light and to detach himself from the egoistic accounts, to truly become the one who bestows. Here one ascends the levels of consciousness, of understanding, and of the appreciation of the Light.

We must tie these two sensations together, the two factors that contradict each other, the contradiction that we discover, and it’s only possible when a person transcends himself. On one hand, everything is “against” bestowal, and on the other, everything is “for” it, and a person doesn’t know what to do. This is the world; this is the way a person is internally, so how can we tie these two opposites? It’s impossible unless the third factor comes and decides between them. This requires studying and lots of experience so that a person will understand that this is the only way to advance.

On one hand, he feels absolute helplessness, tension and doesn’t understand how he can come out of this state and be saved from the threat of Pharaoh.”On the other, he understands that there is no room for such states in love and bestowal, where everything has to be nice, good, and perfect!

The world is divided into two armies: The forces of evil, conflict, hate, and separation are confronting the positive, good forces of connection and love, and there is nothing in between. All this is so that the third Participant will come and decide between them. Only the Creator can make peace between the two hostile parties, which is called “My sons have defeated me.” It says: “He who makes peace in Heaven will bring peace unto us.” This is already work in three lines.
[105552]
From the Preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/19/13

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