Entries in the 'Daily Kabbalah Lesson' Category

Daily Kabbalah Lesson – 08.08.11

Shamati #45 “Two Discernments in the Torah and in the Work”
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The Book of Zohar – Selected, Chapter “Truma (Donation) 2,” “Happy Are You, O Land Whose King Is of Nobility,” Item 904, Lesson 39
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The Book of Zohar – Selected Chapter “Hukat (The Statute), “This Is the Statute of the Law,” Item 1, Lesson 1
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Talmud Eser Sefirot Part 2, “Ohr Pnimi,” Item 90 (start with: “You can understand the reason for it…), Lesson 6
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Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah, Item 51, Lesson 31
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Rav Yehuda Ashlag “The Peace,” “Fifth Method: Left His Operation,” Lesson 5
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The Law Of The Existence Of The Soul

Dr. Michael LaitmanThe only way we can come closer to observing the principle of love thy neighbor is under the condition of mutual guarantee. And to reach it, we need to follow Kabbalists’ advice to the point; otherwise we won’t succeed.

Baal HaSulam writes in one of his letters that if a person even slightly deviates from the right path, the further he goes along, the greater his deviation and mistake becomes. It’s in this way that he completely deviates from the direction towards the goal, although he doesn’t feel that he has wandered from the path because he deviates from it a little bit at a time. But in the end, all these deviations add up and become one big, bitter mistake.

This is why the people who decide to go towards this goal must have an order, a charter. It is as Rabash writes: “We have gathered here to establish a society…” And the principle is for everyone to connect with the purpose of annulling oneself before the rest, above all the obstacles and disturbances that come from Above, the upper force, whether we see it or not.

Everything comes from Malchut of the world of Infinity where we are all connected: the Light and the vessel. All the desires and the Lights exist in the world of Infinity in absolute unity and adhesion, in the initial state created by the Creator, or the state of final correction (State 1 and State 3). However, we feel as if we exist in the intermediate state (State 2), either somewhere along the spiritual ladder or even beneath it, on its very last degree called “our world.”

This is why everything that happens to us comes from Malchut of the world of Infinity. That is the only place we must turn to for help—the form where we exist as one man with one heart, full of revelation of the Creator, the Light, according to our similarity to Him.

And the rule of “Love thy neighbor as thyself” is the law of existence of the collective soul which exists in the world of Infinity. This is why this law really is a “great, general rule” or, as Rabbi Akiva has said, a huge vessel for all the infinite Light that becomes revealed in it.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/20/2011, Rabash’s article

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Outer Distance And Inner Closeness

Dr. Michael LaitmanBaal HaSulam, The Study of the Ten Sefirot, Part 1,“Table of Answers for the Meaning of the Words,” Question 48: Who is “near” (Karov)? The closer one’s Tzura (form) [desires] is to another, the closer they are considered to be.

Distance and closeness are evaluated only according to the equivalence of form, the correspondence of properties. But the correspondence of properties does not mean that I am identical to Him. After all, I cannot change anything within myself. But depending upon how I use my properties, desires, and how similar they become to how the other uses his or hers, we measure our closeness accordingly.

One can be very big, while the other very small. But if the one who is small desires to acquire the same shape as the big one, he is viewed as someone who is close to the latter, who cleaves to him and is situated in his hands or inside of him. All of these are different degrees of connection between spiritual objects (Partzufim).

One can be found inside the other if he completely cancels himself and agrees to allow the upper one to work on him all the time, while the former just needs to find the strength to renounce himself. This state is the most familiar to us and is regarded as “embryo.” It is the stage of initial ascent to higher spiritual degrees.

Once he is born, it might seem that now that he is outside: It’s not such a strong bond, like the one that existed inside. But being on the outside, he supplements the connection that he had inside with his egoism which is now corrected. And so, although he is no longer an embryo but a “small” child (Katan) sitting in the adult’s arms, he cleaves to him evermore. His seeming existence apart from the big one is only the external form. But this difference shows us the corrected ego which can exist even outside of the upper one, and yet remain attached to him.

The third form is when he is no longer in a state of “feeding” (Yenika) in the upper one’s arms, in a small state (Katnut), but transitions into adulthood (Gadlut) and stands next to the adult. And then he already has his own “body” and a world. Between them, there is now a distance which does not bind the two by any “umbilical cord” or feeding.

However, all this separation is only in our eyes, while in a spiritual state this means that he has reached an even greater connection, a new form of adhesion. Even existing totally apart from the upper one, he merges with him completely. After all, even all these desires that seem to exist outside of each other are unable to separate them.

These are the stages we go through: embryo, feeding, and maturity. But it all begins with a total self-renunciation, when one struggles to override all obstacles that separate one from the upper one.
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From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/7/2011, Talmud Eser Sefirot

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The Language Of Branches That Connects The Worlds

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: According to the description of the “language of branches,” which defines the relationship between the root and the branch, it appears that these are certain forces or even fields that connect different states.

Answer: A field of energy is a certain state. Indeed, the language of branches connects together the field or domain of reception with that of bestowal. Every word is intended to indicate the path from one state to another and to take us from one state to the next.

It follows that the language of branches doesn’t explain something in one plane, whether in this world or the upper one, meaning in the plane of reception or the plane of bestowal. Rather, it shows you the path, it as if drags you away, wishing to take you from the state of reception to bestowal.

The main distinction of this language is that it takes us to another level, whereas all other languages remain in the same plane and don’t trigger an ascent to the next degree. The language of branches is called such because it aspires to raise you from the branches to the roots. It is built like a lift or a crane. That is why it indicates the spiritual root and also holds its complete cipher: TANTA (Taamim-Nekudot-Tagin-Otiot), the inner data of the root.
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From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/11/2011, Talmud Eser Sefirot

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A Word That Draws Us Upwards

Dr. Michael LaitmanBaal HaSulam, The Study of the Ten Sefirot, Part 1,“Table of Answers for Topics,” Question 56: What is the ordinary language in the wisdom of Kabbalah?

This language is a “language of branches” that points to their upper roots. That is because “You haven’t even a single blade of grass below that has not a root above.” Therefore, the sages of the Kabbalah have put together a language that is equipped to imply through the branches and teach of the upper roots.

There are no words that we hear or read in Kabbalistic books that don’t lead us upwards! In this world, we are able to express any concept in various ways: hearing a word, seeing it written, or saying it out-loud, but the essence of the word will still point to its root.

In other words, the language of branches doesn’t represent the root or constitute its material branch, but rather it shows us the attitude of the branch towards the root. Each word points from the bottom to the top, meaning from the property of reception to the property of bestowal.

Obviously, the words “down” and “up” do not imply position in space, but signify qualitative notions. When perceived in the correct way, each word always tends to move us from the state of reception to the state of bestowal. The more we penetrate each word, the more it elevates us towards the state of bestowal.
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From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/11/2011, Talmud Eser Sefirot

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A Cross Section In An Unknown Dimension

Dr. Michael LaitmanWhat is “faith above reason”? This is something that can only be understood through sensation, whenever it comes. And as long as it doesn’t come, we don’t even know that this kind of dichotomy exists in a person: a splitting into what is inside reason and what is above it.

We think that “above” reason means simply opposite to it. But that is not so. It is a cross section in a completely different dimension, one that we do not understand. This new dimension is called “spiritual space,” which becomes revealed to us. It’s as if one more world appears in my reality, which I did not even suppose existed before.

It’s like a cat that does not understand what a rich world man has. It thinks that it lives in the same world and has the same five senses as man, and it doesn’t need anything more! After all, man has the same thing.

The cat does not understand that man has his own world and all kinds of human calculations. A cat is incapable of understanding this.

And now imagine that this cat suddenly receives human feelings and reason, including all of the understanding that man has, which it did not even suppose existed before. To the cat, this is called “faith above reason”—above the feline reason that it had before.

But sometimes the cat falls from that level and becomes a cat once again, although one that’s stronger, wiser, and shrewder. However, it still exists in the boundaries that are fitting for a cat. And from there it will reascend again in order to become human!

These states are called spiritual ascents and descents. They are not the same as the psychological states where our mood gets worse and then better, and we consider ourselves in a “descent” when we’re down. A spiritual ascent is when you rise to true bestowal, to new desires.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/2/11, Shamati

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Working With Disturbances

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How should we work with disturbances?

Answer: The disturbances are exactly what helps us to illuminate our state and strengthen the connection between us even more. A disturbance shows the place where you didn’t finish your work yet. In reality, it is helping you. We only call it a disturbance, but it is actually a revelation of a defect that you are now able to correct because it has become revealed.

Everything becomes revealed gradually, in a step by step manner. There are many more obstacles that will become revealed to you on the path. But for now, this is what has been given to you. And you shouldn’t consider it a disturbance or try to run away from it. Just accept it correctly.

You don’t have to drown in this problem or get held up in it. You should immediately try to overcome it: Rise above it and absorb it, and that way, keep going right above it.

I do not erase this problem and I don’t pretend that it doesn’t exist. I don’t try to come up with different tricks, trying to ignore it. I accept it so that above it, I will strengthen my connection with others and with the Creator even more.

For example, suppose I reveal certain unpleasant qualities in you. Until now, we were friends, but now there is something about you I don’t like anymore. But I have to accept it by faith above reason, meaning to understand that I see flaws in you due to my own flawed nature. And I have to desire to be connected with you regardless of anything, as if you were just an angel. After all, all of the defects I see in other people are actually showing me myself, just like in a mirror.

But keep in mind that all of this belongs to our inner work and not to professional skills in dissemination.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/28/11, Shamati

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Appeal And Gratitude

Dr. Michael LaitmanWe have two states with respect to the force that develops us: appeal and gratitude. The most productive state is that of appeal. Gratitude is very useful as well because in it, we are in adhesion with the upper one, and in so doing we accumulate strength for the future, for when another appeal comes.

But our revelation that we are independent individuals who identify themselves with the Creator takes place precisely during the appeal. A wonderful example of this are King David’s psalms, which express absolutely the creature’s attitude toward the Creator in all its possible forms.

That is why he is called “King David” (“Malchut” means “kingdom”). This is a force that reveals and pulls me out (from the word “Moshech”), which is why the force that executes the final correction is called Mashiach ben David (Messiah Son of David). The Psalms are an expression of the creature’s complete desire in appeal and gratitude, in both of these states. By unifying these states, we actualize ourselves. And then the creature’s full desire is revealed correctly: as the Creator that exists and clothes in it.

Thus, all the completed states bring us to the finish, and the Thought of Creation that made the creature is now revealed in it, in the creature’s very consciousness. Herein lies the sole difference between the starting and finishing point of the path. From the state when the creature barely feels its own existence, as a kind of point detached from the Creator, it attains its own state within and realizes that it exists in complete adhesion with the Creator, and at the same time it is completely independent.

There is no reality other than the Thought of Creation. There is no process other than that of the creature attaining the state in which it exists from the very beginning. And every time the appeal must be achieved first. It is the tears of which the prophets spoke: “My soul weeps in darkness,” the highest possible state, when man demands the strength to attain his true state out of darkness, before the goal of creation is actualized within him.

And only after it is completed do we come to gratitude, song, and gratitude in which we achieve a partial adhesion with the Creator, until we come to complete attainment and adhesion.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/4/2011, Shamati #18

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The Theory Of Two Authorities And The Source Of Human Culture

Dr. Michael LaitmanBaal HaSulam, “The Peace”: They found it difficult to accept the assumption of Nature’s supervision… Consequently, they came to a second assumption that there are two supervisors here: One creates and sustains the good, and the other creates and sustains the evil. They have also greatly elaborated that method with evidence and signs along their way.

As I develop, I encounter different problems, discover new things, and gradually begin to project a copy of myself outwardly, populating the world with my qualities. For example, the computer irritates me by being slow, and I curse the failing machine with all seriousness.

This is instilled in human nature according to the principle of “We will know You by Your actions.” My attitude towards the external world comes from the inner world. Indeed, an objective external reality does not exist: Everything I see externally is a reflection of my qualities.

And for this reason, I transfer the degree of my development to the surrounding world without realizing it, and I expect it to correspond to my standards. Sometimes, when I communicate with people, I wonder sincerely: “How can they not understand or feel the way I do?” I have a deep-rooted requirement for the external world, a firm conviction that it must correspond to my understanding and perception.

This way the ancient approach of nature as a system of impassible and strict laws was replaced with a system of two authorities. People have discovered that nature also has potential and action, cause and consequence, will and unwillingness.

In their imagination, people have endowed it with something like a “soul,” given it reason, a purpose, and started a dialogue with it: “If I do this, the result will be good. If I do that, the result will only be worse. Thus, nature can react in a positive and a negative way. It is like me and other people.”

This way people started attributing their own qualities, desires, thoughts, and intentions to nature. There are two opposite forces in man: good and evil. Accordingly, they also exist in nature. People can either treat me well or badly, I myself can treat others and myself either well or badly, thus nature also has the same division into two forces.

In this case, how do I appease the good force? Or, on the contrary, the evil force? This marks the start of calculations arising from the idea of dual authority.

Moreover, there is an even deeper layer here. There is no way for me to “bring to life,” spiritualize, and endow with independent existence the authority of the single soulless nature. The single authority is always the same. This means it has no reason. How can you plan something when good and evil do not conflict within you, with your making your calculations based on their opposition?

Absolute rule is nature in its pure, mechanical form. But as soon as I attribute two forces to it, good and evil, the calculations begin. After all, I myself do calculations based on the correlation between two possibilities, two forces. And then, once I project myself outwardly, I find them in nature.

This way the resistance begins, but now man regards reality as an authority, power. Unified nature is not enough to account for the current rule, and only two powers put man between two authorities as between two fires. This is our perception of reality. Two authorities presuppose calculations, a plan, a fight of good and evil, and so on.

Religion appears at this point, including mysticism and different “squabbles” with nature. As man develops psychologically, he projects and transfers his inner world onto nature, attributing his own powers and qualities.

This is how beliefs blossom and place deities and idols of all kinds upon a pedestal. As time went by, they became the mythology of the ancient world.

Thus, initially the first theory marked the transition from the animate state: As man distinguished himself from nature and separated himself from it, he became man. And the second theory is connected to the subsequent development, the opposition of good and evil within us, the relationship between man and society. When two opposites arise within us, we can attribute corresponding considerations to nature as well.

This is where human culture originates. In relation to nature, we develop specifically as the human kind, and in this world culture and science are inherent to man by definition. This is exclusively his prerogative, which results from the theory of two authorities. Without it we would not develop culture, which distinguishes us from animals. Culture is everything: from clothes to speech and self-expression.

This is how the human race gradually developed in their perception of the world.
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From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/1/2011, “The Peace”

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Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: How should I relate to antipathy and hatred when they arise not toward friends in the group, but toward outsiders who aren’t with us on the spiritual path?

Answer: Why would I suddenly hate outsiders who have nothing to do with my spiritual path? I view them as angels without free will. If they aren’t in the group and don’t have free will, of what could I possibly accuse them? They are acting like puppets, following orders from Above.

That doesn’t mean I should disregard them. Simply, I understand that they do not act freely and independently. In everything that happens to them, I see the Creator’s hand. Consequently, I need to work either “for” or “against.”

As concerns external actions, I need to relate to people in the corrected form, trying to make sure that everybody has everything they need. Or I can begin working with them and pass knowledge about Kabbalah to them.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/31/2011, Shamati #26

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