Question: On one hand, all our work lies in correcting the connection between a person and a fellow human being. On the other, the correction is done through The Book of Zohar. How can I tie it all together?

Answer: Correction results from the Light concealed in the texts written by Kabbalists. Yet it happens on the condition that we desire to perceive and comprehend the reality they describe so that all that is written in these texts would clothe in us and we would be in the same system of relationships between us.

It implies the connection between all souls to such an extent that we reach unity, become a unified system: Malchut of Infinity. If I strive to achieve unity as in “love your neighbor as yourself,” if I desire this, then The Book of Zohar starts talking about me.

As a result, I receive the force of correction from The Book of Zohar and gradually advance by reading it. In fact, the book itself contains nothing, but by reading it and wishing to be in this system, I draw the power of the force field that does reside in Malchut of Infinity—and thereby I reach this system.
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From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/20/2011, The Zohar

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To be in a state of Lo Lishma (for oneself) means to know what Lishma (bestowal) is. We cannot make judgments about any quality if we have not attained its opposite. That is why we have to feel to some extent what Lo Lishma and Lishma are, in order to assess in which state, relative to these, we are.

All of the Lo Lishma steps begin with the moment a person imagines himself to be in the upper Light, in the absolute quality of bestowal, but he does not feel this quality because his own qualities are not yet corrected and they conceal the true perception from him, meaning that they conceal the Creator from him personally. Then, a person says that he is located in Lo Lishma, in egoism.

He can say which qualities in particular are concealing the Creator from him during each moment, at any given opportunity. He is like a child who is perceiving life on the level of a two-year-old or a ten-year-old.

In other words, we have to imagine what bestowal is. We may not perceive it yet in its true sense, but we already feel that we are located opposite to this quality, besides which there is nothing.

However, in our perception of reality, we see our own dark qualities, opposite to bestowal, that draw us such a picture, all kinds of forms against the white background of the quality of Bina, the property of bestowal. This picture, the level of concealment from us of the quality of bestowal, is called this world. On the other hand, this world “covers” (compensates for) my imperfections and conceals them from me, and I am able to exist behind this concealing screen.

The Creator simultaneously reveals and conceals Himself from us, and we need to take this example from Him and clarify both of His qualities: His revealing Himself to us and His concealing Himself. That is, there always exists some kind of revelation and concealment called the “screen,” “covering,” which conceals and at the same time adds and compensates.
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From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/19/2011, Writings of Rabash

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Question: What is closeness to the teacher and what is study “mouth to mouth”?

Answer: Closeness to the teacher does not mean that a person is physically close to him—this does not matter at all. A person is close to the teacher when he feels that the teacher can transfer everything he has to him and desires to do so, but to the extent that the person opens himself to it. This is because when it comes to contact and communication, the one who transfers and the one who receives have to connect.

So first of all, one should believe that the teacher constantly transfers and there are things that can be taken from him. This depends on the student. Second, the student needs to understand that he can receive whatever comes from the teacher only to the extent of his sensitivity to it.

Of course, in general everything depends on the student. Only on the student! Practically nothing depends on the teacher. On the other hand, the student must completely attune himself to receiving. What does it mean to receive? It means to connect. In other words, he needs to have thoughts, feelings, and directions somewhat like his teacher’s, even if it is only in one percent similarity. He must desire to perceive from him, he must be tuned to the same current. And then he will succeed.

The study consists of two levels:

1. “From mouth to ears,” which is verbal communication, when I speak with my mouth, and the student perceives with his ear.
2. “From mouth to mouth,” where the mouth refers to the common screen, which is in the mouth of the spiritual Partzuf.

So when we communicate in such a way that the student does not want or is not yet able to be on the same level as his teacher, then he listens. He can listen without a desire, without much effort; he can even be against his teacher and still hear him in a way.

This is not yet one screen, one aspiration, some kind of a mutual connection, when they are connected at least by one percent. When they are connected, the student will be able to receive information from mouth to mouth to the extent of this connection, that is, to the extent of this shared screen, shared aspiration. This is something to strive for. This is difficult work with one’s egoism, but it is possible, and then everything the teacher has flows into the student.

Question: Do you have the opportunity to choose who will be close to you?

Answer: Whoever will be close to the teacher does not depend on him. Whoever puts himself in the place of a student, will be a student. Sometimes the teacher really wants for certain people to be his students because these people have certain special attributes, and it might be easier to convey the ideas to humanity in a faster and more vivid way through them, but these people might be incapable of it, neglect the opportunity, and miss the chance.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson from Moscow 6/16/2011, Writings of Rabash

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Writings of Rabash, “He Who Did Not Toil Himself on Shabbat Eve, What Will He Eat on Shabbat in the Work”
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The Book of Zohar – Selected, Chapter, “Truma (Donation), ‘Gold and Silver and Bronze,’” Item 249, Lesson 10
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Talmud Eser Sefirot Part 1 “Table of Questions and Answers for the Meaning of the Words,” Item 24, Lesson 29
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Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah, Item 13, Lesson 8
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“Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah),” Item 7, Lesson 4
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Question: Why aren’t modern scientists discovering the essence of what is happening?

Answer: On the contrary, they are gradually digging out the essence. Many people are already discovering and writing that human society has to strive to unite. It is written, “Believe in the wisdom of the nations.” They have knowledge and they see that unity really is necessary. We simply don’t have any other choice. People can see this with their own eyes even without being on the spiritual path, without acquiring the method of correction.

Moreover, they will widely voice the need for unity themselves. We should only encourage this process with all our might.

But the most important thing that will be required of us is to let all the people know through all the possible means, using all the channels, that there is a method, a means. This is where the problem lies: How can we present this method to the world so it would take the medicine? How can we rewrite the entire science of Kabbalah in a way so people won’t turn away from it?

We have to act gradually: Now we aren’t talking about the Creator, the Torah, the commandments, and so on. We are only picking up the thought about unity and continuing it. We continue to explain more and more, until people’s understanding will undergo specific changes and most importantly, they will undergo inner development by means of the Light. Then new points in the heart will be revealed, and besides, the world will be able to realize that “Israel” is a function, a predestination. And suddenly, everyone will begin to interpret us differently.

For that we must gradually bring our part, the method of correction, to the people. They will talk about the crisis and the need to unite on their own. We must only explain how exactly that unity can be accomplished.

We feel pained by the inability to unite, as if the Creator, nature, is leading us to a dead-end just so we would kill each other. Just like in Ancient Babylon, we are standing before an invariable law. We hate one another and at the same time we totally, boundlessly depend on one another. So what should we do? My enemies are standing behind my back ready to kill me, but I am falling asleep in their arms like a baby. Is that possible?

Nature is leading us to a dead-end, a catastrophe. This is what we have to talk about with the world, clearly showing it that this is the best possible state in order to receive the method of correction.

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From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/21/11, “Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah)”

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Kabbalah talks about desire. There is no time, motion, or space, but only a state of being. Then how about the past and the future? And how about the spiritual worlds? I don’t feel them.

So are there other states in existence besides the current one, besides our world? I don’t know because I have not experienced them. I don’t have sensations or Reshimot from there. I cannot reach them now and confirm their authenticity.

A person judges everything by what he sees. This is not just an axiom, but the result of what the desire feels when it has developed to the level of being where it is aware of itself and understands what it feels. Otherwise we become detached from reality and go off into fantasies.

I don’t talk about the higher dimension myself. I am told about it by Kabbalists, whom I trust. I consider their words true when they tell me that it is possible to exist in different states. “Aspire to them, ascend to them,” the Kabbalists tell me. “They are better than what you now feel.” Then I move from one state to the next in my desire by correcting and improving it. By revealing it as giving, I reveal new states in it.

In our times all of humanity is crossing this vertical axis in order to move from below upwards. We have completed the horizontal axis of history and there is nowhere to keep moving on it. From here on, our path is upwards.

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From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/21/11, “Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah)”

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Question: My body consists of multiple cells that are programmed to constantly “think” about the entire organism instead of themselves. Each cell works as if it is certain that the latter will provide it with all that it needs, as in the mutual guarantee.

How does this mass of cells ultimately produce my “self” that is completely opposite to them and desires to receive for its own gratification? When does this switch occur?

Answer: In other words, there is a system that includes the still, vegetative, and animate degrees governed by nature from Above, and it remains in harmony and mutual guarantee. What happens with the speaking degree? It seems as if you can do whatever you please and get away with it, answering to no one, that it’s all up to you.

Nowadays, in our world, we begin to understand and become aware of the fact that the speaking level requires correction just like all the other levels preceding it, which are operated by nature in the correct way. The still, vegetative, and animate degrees within us and nature that surrounds us indeed exist in the mutual guarantee. You don’t need to correct anything else but the intention at the speaking degree.

Question: So, does it mean that my body is spiritual while only my “self” is corporeal?

Answer: Your body is spiritual, and you must not correct it. At its level, it acts as a spiritual one. In phases one, two, and three of the expansion of the Direct Light, there isn’t a vessel yet. There is no desire; therefore, there is no separation from spirituality.

It could be compared to the degrees of our bodies for which correction is not necessary. They have flaws that we project onto them from the fourth, speaking level and thereby impair them. However, that doesn’t mean that they are uncorrected.

We damaged nature, and we view it as damaged afterward. However, it is we who did it! As to nature itself, it always stays in balance, in equilibrium. We observe how one beast consumes another, and in our mind, it is an evil act. However, it is not. If we would take the time to thoroughly examine it all, we would see that this is their way of taking care of each other, cleaning nature, and ultimately living in peace since everything derives from the balance of forces.

Thus, only the fourth phase, human within human, needs to be corrected. The first three degrees are corrected in Him, and if the fourth phase becomes reformed, we will see the world as perfect, including man’s body and all that exists.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/20/2011, “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

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Baal HaSulam, “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Item 11: Now you can understand the real difference between spirituality and corporeality: Anything that contains a complete desire to receive, in all its aspects, which is Behina Dalet, is considered “corporeal.” This is what exists in all the elements of reality before us in this world. Conversely, anything above this great measure of desire to receive is considered “spirituality.” These are the worlds ABYA—Above this world—and the whole reality within them.

There, where the desire to enjoy, the intention to receive for oneself, reigns, where personal gain exists, where I look at reality, myself, the world, and the others through the egoistic paradigm, through the intention of “what can I get from this?” that is inherent in me, there, I see the corporeal world. I was born and grew up like this, and I cannot look at anything differently.

I recognize only what appears good to me and useful or dangerous and harmful. In short, I see only what my desire to enjoy can get pleasure from or what it should move away from to avoid suffering. I do not notice to whom I can give, and I see only from whom I can receive. This picture presented before me is called “this world.”

If I change my paradigm, my perception of reality, and wish to look from the point of view of to whom and how much I can give, then I already see the future world, above our world. Then, of course, I see other forms, different relationships, which I imagine in spirituality. This is called the spiritual world.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/20/2011, “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”

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Question: Do I have to correct the desires that unfold in my relationships with other people today, such as wealth, power, and knowledge?

Answer: No, you don’t. You don’t consider these desires. Why should you? Leave them. After all, they appear in every person individually in a unique combination, while you must correct your attitude to others as a whole, without breaking it into parts.

Treat your desires simplistically. First of all, you must reach the degree of pure bestowal: “What you hate, do not do to your friend,” meaning don’t take pleasure in the suffering of another.

At any rate, whether I am aware of it or not, I always prefer to look down on others. If a person is lower than me, I rejoice, and if I am lower than him or her, I suffer. Thus, my priority is to reach a degree where I stop comparing others to myself. I don’t wish to measure them against what I am.

When I gain such an attitude, the world takes a very different form in my eyes. It is as if I tear off one veil, take one filter off my perception—and open wide a new world. I suddenly get to see others as having no connection to me, to my ego. I eliminate any personal benefit, any interest.

I don’t measure a person by how he or she looks, what they wear, or how they act. I don’t look at them at all. I have neutralized all our relations. The world is full of opportunities. What kind of opportunities? I don’t know just yet. In fact, I don’t need anything. I simply exist along with the others and don’t do anything to them which I, myself, would hate.

It is a very, very transparent, pure spiritual degree since it unfolds above all the material desires of a person. On the outside, it is absolutely undetectable, yet you see the world very differently now.

It is difficult to describe its contours. Are people suffering in your eyes? Are they all righteous, or do you still sort them into good and bad? It is very complicated to explain the inner picture that appears in a person when he or she takes the egoistic filter off.

However, one way or the other, you are faced with a totally different reality, another type of relationship between people. After all, everybody judges by his or her own flaws, whereas you have rid yourself of it and see the world undistorted by the false egoistic mirror.
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From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/20/2011, “Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah)”

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Question: Only upon completion of the current phase does desire realize that it must cross onto the next level. How do we convince humanity that the egoistic desire has reached its limit?

Answer: We are not going to convince anyone. We want people to realize that it is so on their own. This awareness should never come from us. On the contrary, the clever minds among humanity do understand that it is impossible to continue egoistically since in this manner we are consuming ourselves and the Earth.

It isn’t that obvious yet and doesn’t make us shiver. However, it has penetrated into the mind. We already understand that this is the path of evil, despite the fact that we don’t feel it just yet. After all, a sensation is a correction made.

People are prepared to discuss this issue, but have no clue as to how to resolve it. They have a basic thread of connection with the method, an understanding that man’s nature should be reformed, but they don’t know yet how to accomplish it.

We are being ruined by egoism, our “angel of death.” The “thinking” crowd is willing to agree with this much. However, they are not clear yet as to how to reform it and what benefit it will bring. Still, it’s a start.
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From the 5th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/20/2011, “Matan Torah (The Giving of the Torah)”

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