Entries in the 'Daily Kabbalah Lesson' Category

A Black And White Movie With A Happy Ending

Dr. Michael LaitmanIt is written, “There is none else besides Him,” meaning that there is no other force operating in the world besides the Creator. But in this case, where will a person get the forces to work? And in general, how can he make any independent action, even the smallest one, whether mechanical, material, or spiritual, in desire or in thought?

After all, there exists just one single source of energy on which everything runs, like the Sun that gives life to the entire Earth. One force gives energy to everything, to all parts of nature and in every form, material and spiritual. All positive and seemingly negative things come from one source.

It turns out that the laziness that bears down on a person, and all of the obstacles obstructing his advancement toward revealing the Creator also come from one upper force. And a person is in the middle and has to decide how to accept this upper governance, meaning how to relate to the forces influencing his desire.

The entire universe is the desire of a person who feels that there is him and that around him there are the still, vegetative, and animate levels of nature, and people. But all of this, both the internal and the external, appears within his desire and comes from one upper force.

All he needs is to attach all of these forms, this entire picture to one source. And while trying to do so, a person begins to see one guiding hand in the entire process, in all of the occurrences that happen to him. In them he sees the expression of one upper governance of the Creator, who is the only thing that exists.

The Creator arranges things so we feel this single governance in the form of a multitude of forces that fight with one another, positive and negative forces that eventually unite in the middle line and facilitate the revelation of this single upper force to man.

By revealing this one force, a person begins to recognize the general program – the system of creation. And his desire, in which this reality is revealed, becomes ordered into the system of worlds. But when he properly arranges the picture of perception of reality and through his efforts relates it to one force, then suddenly, an occurrence takes place that destroys all fruits of his work.

Then he must once again work with new informational data (Reshimot) that awaken in him and must relate everything to one force, which is good and does good. Thus, by virtue of the Reshimot’s revelation from the Creator’s end and efforts from man’s end, the two work as partners. The Creator continually presents new conditions to a person, while a person has to use them to gather together this mosaic where just one force will operate and surround him.

It will confuse him, becoming revealed and then concealed again and again. And it turns out that on his end, a person constantly adds what is missing in the general picture, in this mosaic, in order to reveal the image of the Creator in it.

Every piece, every Reshimo, every state and situation helps a person to discover that everything comes from one upper force, and the forces of good and evil act together here to let him grab hold of the picture that is built out of black and white fragments. But he has to start paying attention not to the black and white, but just to his belonging to a single source from which these two forces come.

That is how he will reveal the upper governance. His objective is only to make efforts to reveal the Creator as the cause of everything happening inside of him and in the reality he perceives, in the process that he undergoes by virtue of all of these experiences.
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From the 1st pat of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/3/12, Shamati

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History Of The World: The Path To Mutual Guarantee

Dr. Michael Laitman“The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)” is the most important article of all articles written by Baal HaSulam because it talks about the principles, the roots, of our work. It explains why people of Israel were created both in history and in the overall process of development, why a transition link is important to transfer the method of correction from the Creator to the creatures, and why this methodology should come through a special group that separated from the rest of mankind in ancient Babylon in the times of destruction, which it symbolizes.

It was from there that a group that, after a long time required for preparation of humanity and themselves, passes the method of correction to the whole world. Baal HaSulam also explains the relationships of this group with the world and what processes both sides should go through, and that, in essence, is all our history.

And the main thing in this history is the current situation. We have reached the so-called beginning of the final stage and must now implement the method of correction. Besides, it is not enough to implement the method on us by overcoming rejection, rising above our egoism, uniting among ourselves, and revealing the Light of the Creator in this unity.

It is also necessary to bring Light to all nations of the world, by that we realize the methodology. We must bring people to the level of which it is told: “For they shall all know me from the smallest to the greatest.” And then everyone will reveal and know the Creator, each according to his vessels, desires. And by uniting and revealing a single Light together, the Creator will become revealed in the common vessel.

This is what the article “The Arvut” tells us. Different vectors can be drawn out of it to understand responsibilities put onto us that are mirrored in history, education, culture, and world events. Hence, it becomes clear why the world should have to go through all sorts of epochs and processes, striving for freedom, wealth, power, fame, and science. We understand why, as the result of this egoistic development, the world should plunge into a crisis, what is happening today, and what still has to be revealed before the world realizes the need of a fundamental, not just an external, correction.

After all, it is not about the natural environment and external systems that bring order, but in ourselves, among us, in relationships among us that we must adopt a new system connecting people. And in order to do that, we need to change our natures. Egoists can no longer give us a solution to the current situation. It will change only if we change ourselves. Then we will transform our network of relationships—and thereby change the world.

All of this together is a consequence of the foundation described by Baal HaSulam in the article “The Arvut.”
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/3/12, “The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)”

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Escaping The Foolish King

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: If I already feel the importance of the Creator, what should I do in order to connect with Him?

Answer: There is a constant struggle in us over who will control: the Creator or Pharaoh, our ego. But if a person already feels the importance of the Creator, there are no doubts. He will do whatever he can in order to constantly reinforce this feeling of importance. Then his desire will focus on the Creator’s work by being free of worrying about himself.

If I think that bestowal is important, I immediately think of different ways to work in order to bestow and have no questions about what I should do. The feeling of importance opens up all the roads and all the means for me.

Before that, the desire to receive held me chained, and I worked only for it. If I discover the importance of the Creator instead of the importance of my ego, I can already work for Him.

Everything is determined by a person’s desire, which is the matter of creation. This desire can work only for what it sees as important. So all our work is to clarify what the most important thing for us is: either an old foolish king under whose domination we were born, or a poor clever child, which means the desire to bestow and the feeling of the Creator’s greatness, which we can develop inside us.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/01/12, Writings of Rabash

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Adjusting Focus

Dr. Michael LaitmanThe attitude towards the friend, the group or towards all of humanity, which we currently perceive as existing outside ourselves, is actually the same thing. Such a perception of reality isn’t acquired immediately; we must constantly connect “Israel (one who yearns for Yashar –El, straight to the Creator), the Torah, and the Creator” to one whole.

A person should constantly work in order to form the real picture inside him. It is gradually stabilized, in all its parts, in all the connections between the different parts, until it is revealed to a person.

It is like seeing a blurred picture on a screen when you cannot distinguish anything and thus you feel confused. In the same way, we see the world through our internal photographic machine, which is totally out of focus. But gradually this picture is focused and becomes clearer according to how close I can bring my internal attributes to the attributes of the Light.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/01/12, Writings of Rabash

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Different Goals, Same Direction

Dr. Michael LaitmanBaal HaSulam, “The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah”: This wisdom is no more and no less than a sequence of roots, which hang down by way of cause and consequence, by fixed, determined rules, interweaving to a single, exalted goal described as “the revelation of His Godliness to His creatures in this world.

All the other things that we would like to attain by using the wisdom of Kabbalah have nothing to do with it. It is like using a physics book with the hope that we may learn medicine from it or going to chemistry lessons in order to learn political science. Here, too, it is the same thing: The wisdom of Kabbalah is only meant to help us reach the revelation of the Creator, period. If you want that, this wisdom will serve as a means for you; if you have no such need, do what ever you like.

Before the desire to reveal the Creator was evoked in people in the course of our evolution, the wisdom of Kabbalah wasn’t revealed so as not to confuse people. Today, when this desire is expressed generally and demands an answer, Kabbalists say that it is time for the wisdom of Kabbalah to be revealed to the world as a means, as a solution.

If you are looking for miracles, or for recipes of how to succeed in life, or how to make the world a better place, or for some secrets, holy water, red strings, or different promises, the wisdom of Kabbalah will be of no help to you in any way. It is a waste of time and you’d be better off going to a fortuneteller or a psychologist. The real wisdom of Kabbalah, and not the mysticism that is sold under this label, is only the revelation of the Creator to the created being and nothing more than that.

Baal HaSulam puts it very simply: If you have the right desire for it, go ahead. Then you have to ask Kabbalists: “How should I use the wisdom of Kabbalah in order to reveal the Creator?” They will tell you that there is the condition of “Love thy friend as thyself.” You should organize a group and in it fulfill this condition by studying and the mutual work against our ego in order to rise above it and to reach the goal.

But first I must clarify whether the goal of my life is adapted to the goal of the wisdom of Kabbalah. This should be clearly explained to people, leaving no room for confusion. Of course, everyone checks himself openly for everyone’s sake, but if the desire a person has isn’t ripe yet, if he isn’t ready for the revelation of the Creator yet, he mustn’t be drawn inside forcefully.

Our approach should be tough and clear cut: We treat everyone with respect and consider those who have a desire aimed at the Creator as members, friends. If you don’t have such a desire, Kabbalah isn’t for you—enjoy this world.

Today it is a new era: On the background of the global crisis and helplessness, the whole world is becoming aware of the fact that we have to discover the upper world, the Creator, because otherwise we will not survive and will not be able to exist. This is already a different situation in which we gradually have to tell everyone about the method to some extent. So, we begin to teach people about the principles of mutual guarantee, showing them that it is possible to transcend the troubles of the current crisis and to rise to a life of prosperity through unity and the love of others.

We don’t mention the revelation of the Creator to the general public, but rather present the good life in the world as the goal. By that we are already following the same path: On our part, it is the principle of the unity of Israel, the Torah, and the Creator, and for all the others accompany us, they want to fix their corporeal life. Eventually, thanks to the mutual support, we will all connect with the upper force and reveal it, so today we are taking a course with all of humanity.

The problem is that the masses only see the survival from the crisis and the material prosperity, while we see before us the revelation of the Creator. The goal is different, but the direction is the same.

So the wisdom of Kabbalah is revealed to one percent of humanity, and the method of mutual guarantee is meant for the other 99 %. Mutual guarantee is the same wisdom of Kabbalah but without the details and the forces that operate on us. As Kabbalists tell us, people who are not ripe for that should receive what is right for them.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/01/12, “The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

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One Light, Many Types Of Attire

Dr. Michael LaitmanOne percent of humanity that wants to discover the Creator is obliged to form the connection between Him and all the rest. This is why we were given this desire. In fact, the goal of creation is concealed in the 99% of humanity, while the one percent is evoked in order to act according to the Creator’s direct will. Thus, our only role is to serve the 99%.

Question: Their goal is to have a good life in the corporeal world by using the method of mutual guarantee and connection, while our goal is the Creator. How do these two things go along? How will these two goals, the corporeal and the spiritual, finally connect?

Answer: For you it’s a spiritual goal because you have to draw the Light and discover the Creator so that you’ll have something to pass on to others. Moreover, you’re already passing on the Light in the attire that’s right for them.

We receive the upper Light in the attire of our Returning Light, while the masses receive from us the powers, the guidance, and the solutions in the form of the method of mutual guarantee and connection. Although their goal is corporeal, the Light that operates internally passes on to them through us and then they feel the changes in their mind and feelings.

Under the influence of the Light, we feel that something has changed internally while they don’t feel it as much although they are also changing with time. Now people are also looking for advancement that stems from some inner force. It will change them, and then they will suddenly begin to see the world differently and to judge what’s happening and themselves differently: This is the result of the influence of the Light that Reforms.

It’s the Light and not us that does it internally while we only have to create the connection between the Creator and everyone else. This infusion should go through all of creation following the string of Ein Sof (Infinity) that passes from Ein Sof to the smallest, lowest level. Eventually, if the knowledge of unity comes from us, it will necessarily come to life, and things will begin to improve.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/01/12, “The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

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Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 06.04.12

Preparation to the Lesson

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Writings of Rabash, “What Is the Foundation on which Kedusha (Holiness) Is Built” (To: “We understand the construction of Kedusha“)

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The Book of Zohar – Selected Excerpts “Beresheet Bet (Genesis 2),” “Seven Palaces in the Garden of Eden,” Item 1, Lesson 112

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Talmud Eser Sefirot, Chapter 2, Part 2, Item 5, (Ohr Pnimi, Item 1), Lesson 5

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“The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)” Item 19, Lesson 4

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Mutual Guarantee: Not Rosy Dreams But Real Life

Dr. Michael LaitmanSome of our groups find it hard to tie the wisdom of Kabbalah with mutual guarantee. People who have come to study Kabbalah don’t really want to learn about mutual guarantee and of course don’t want to disseminate the message of mutual guarantee to the world.

Actually I understand them. When I came to Rabash at the age of 33, I was a scientist by character and in my previous occupation. Before I came to Israel, from the age of 6 to the age of 28, I studied and read scientific literature all the time. This also stemmed from a deficiency to discover the Creator, the force that manages everything.

At Rabash’s, I heard about “love thy friend as thyself.” In Russia this principle was distorted in favor of the elite and it was very unpleasant for me to hear it because behind the words about love there were the greatest swindlers and thieves who did the exact opposite and exploited others for their own good. It was very hard to get used to the idea that this principle is the basis of the wisdom of Kabbalah because it’s supposed to speak about the secrets of creation, and suddenly it speaks about the old stuff.

Then I started learning about the inner system: It turns out that the shattered desire to receive has become egoistic, and in order to return to the world of Ein Sof (Infinity), we should correct our ego. This means that we should bring inside and closer to us that which seems distant, to turn what seems as hated into beloved. Despite our current desire, despite the pride, the passions, the respect, you should step on yourself and reject your ego more and more by getting closer to people that you hate. Thus you climb the steps of the spiritual ladder.

Only after I understood the way, I stopped shuddering when I heard words about love. It took me about two to three years and it wasn’t easy at all compared to the strong repulsion I felt at the beginning. But the fact that I learned the system and its laws helped me, just like a doctor who looks at the results of tests or at an x-ray. Then I understood where these words were taken from; I understood that these words have nothing to do with human aspects or with being good and living in brotherhood. It’s about the source of all our conflicts, about the basis of our nature, which we, having no choice, must fulfill. This is what convinced me.

Therefore, we should explain to all our friends in Israel and abroad so that they’ll understand that dissemination to all those who want to learn the wisdom of Kabbalah and the wider dissemination of mutual guarantee to the whole world is what Tikkun (correction) means. If in the past a Kabbalist could correct himself by himself or with the help of a teacher, today it’s impossible.

It isn’t I who says this, Baal HaSulam writes about the fact that we have to do this. So you can’t reach internal correction if you don’t establish a group. For the group to start living and to advance in the right direction, you have to be connected to the whole world and to disseminate with all your might the idea about the essence of the current problems and their solutions to the whole world. First, dissemination should be done in Israel because the people of Israel should become the source of the system for the whole world.

Thus the circles are created: Around you there is the group, around the group there is Israel, and around Israel there is the whole world. If you don’t take this system into account you won’t succeed and you will not draw the Light that Reforms. You must encircle everything to a certain extent. This stems from the shattering of the vessels and from the necessary correction of the whole ladder from the vital period about which Baal HaSulam writes. People who don’t want to fulfill that simply don’t want to hear what our spiritual teacher says.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/01/12, “The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

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How Much Does My Correction Cost?

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How much do I have to pay the Creator for my correction, as if I pay a surgeon for an operation? What is the work that I have to do?

Answer: All you need to do is to connect; in our world there is nothing but connection. This work is very simple. You pay with your exertion; you have to connect with everyone and love everyone in order to transcend from the love of the created beings to the love of the Creator. Try to attain the greatest rule of the Torah: “Love thy friend as thyself,” the rule that includes everything, and then you will be filled with the Torah, with the Light of Ein Sof (Infinity).

It seems so simple, but this is the hardest thing for us. You can spin around this point for along time, like a dog chasing its tail, and find that it isn’t in your power to achieve connection. You’ll find many excuses; you’ll postpone it until tomorrow and suggest different conditions.

A person doesn’t attain connection by himself; he has to yearn for it and act for it. Suppose I hug you although I don’t feel that I like you. It’s for this reason that I chose you because I feel how much my desire to receive hates this action. Then it’s the gap between the action and the desire that draws the Light and brings me a new desire.

It’s common knowledge that people adopt children and invest so much in them until they begin to love them as if they were their biological children. If a person marries a woman who has a child, he must invest in the child with more efforts than with his own child. This is because if it were my child, he would naturally feel that I am his father, but another child doesn’t see me as his father and I also know that he isn’t my child, and so I have to invest in him many more powers. I’m afraid that he may disrespect me or may hate me because he’s a stranger to me.

But thanks to the fact that I invest in him more than in anything, I begin to love him more than my own child in whom I don’t invest so much. Everything is determined by the efforts made; therefore, there is nothing else you can do but invest your powers.
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From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 5/31/12, The Study of the Ten Sefirot

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The Writing Man

Dr. Michael LaitmanIsrael’s “Book Week” is starting soon and some call it “The Festival of the Hebrew Book.”

In general, a book is a source for the revelation of the human essence itself. It is here that the main difference between a human and a beast is found; at a certain point in our evolution, man began to write. Although at first it was carving on rocks and later writing on parchment, one way or the other, it was already human. Beasts pass on a lot of information to one another, but they have no written form to pass it to distant or succeeding generations.

Thanks to man’s ability to write, he can overcome distances, motion, and time and transcend the temporal axis and the three spatial axes, and overcomes nature’s control over his body. By knowing how to write, it is as if I exit my body since my writings reach those whom I will never actually meet. This is the essence of being human.

It is about very deep roots. In the past, books were parchment scrolls, but in the modern world there is still a form different from the electronic form. Although it is much more convenient to read from a computer screen and many have gotten used to it, I still don’t think that the paper pages of a book will disappear so fast.

We feel by seeing visual images: Clips can be moving and can evoke you, but written texts give you an understanding. The wisdom comes through letters and the feeling through visual images.

Therefore, it is worthwhile to publish books in any form. Everyone can disseminate them no matter if you are a veteran or not. Every group has a chance to participate in the correction of the world through the corporeal action and to “earn” a spiritual reward.

Because our world is the last and special degree in the ladder of the worlds, we can exert ourselves physically here and receive a spiritual reward. By embracing the friends despite the hatred we feel, I still summon the Reforming Light. So from an egoistic intention of Lo Lishma (not for His sake), we advance towards the intention of in order to bestow Lishma (for His sake), from the evil inclination to the good inclination. The Light comes in reaction to my physical action and changes my desire. This doesn’t exist in the spiritual worlds. We only need to know how to use it.

Similarly, by disseminating books, I actually bestow. Not even knowing how, by my inclination, I open up the way for the Light, which later passes through me to people. Thus I become a “pipe” that passes on the Light. What can be better than that? This is actually all of our mission: to pass on the Light from the Creator to the world. So it is actually an action that belongs to the Kabbalistic method, and there is nothing more beneficial to a person than to follow exactly this way, directly.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 5/31/12, “The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)“

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