New Life 440 – The Sukkah In The Heart
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Tal Mandelbaum ben Moshe

What does the Sukkah and its special structure symbolize? What is the meaning of the lights and shadows that are typical of this holiday, and what does it mean to build the Sukkah in the heart?

The Creator is the general force of all of reality and He is absolute love and bestowal. Every natural phenomenon is felt only after a person prepares the right sense for it. The Creator is the force of love and bestowal. If there is a little bit of love and bestowal in me, I will feel Him. The wisdom of Kabbalah is the wisdom of absorption and of how to tune ourselves to the same wavelength as the Creator.

The covering of the Sukkah symbolizes the Masach (screen), meaning that I don’t want to receive this illumination for my own pleasure but for the correction. The soul is not in the Sukkah that we build in the yard, of course, but it is our desire that is aimed at bestowal. How can we aim our desire at bestowal unto others? By the Lights, the forces of correction, called Ushpizin.

The four varieties (used in Sukkot) represent the four parts of the soul, י-ה-ו-ה – Yod – Hey – Vav – Hey. The etrog (citron) is very important since it represents the Sefira of Malchut, the foundation of our creation. We hold the four varieties together and move them from side to side. Other than the external custom, we also have to move the soul from side to side.

In addition to the custom of building a Sukkah in the yard, we also have to build a Sukkah around our heart. That’s the main thing.

Developing our love and bestowal, just like the Creator’s, is called building a Sukkah around my soul. Seven Sefirot separate me from my next state. Sefirot are the levels of the correction of the soul. The covering of the Sukkah symbolizes the fact that I don’t want to receive the abundance for my own pleasure but so that it will correct me. After Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Chanukah comes Purim, the end of correction, when everything is permitted.

Building a Sukkah in the heart is establishing the conditions for our desire and our intention to be corrected to love and bestowal.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 440 – The Sukkah In The Heart,“ 10/2/14

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New Life 439 – The Lights Of Sukkot
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Tal Mandelbaum ben Moshe

What is the internal meaning of Sukkot? What do the lights, that are typical of this holiday, symbolize and how is that related to the transition of a person from evil to good?

On Rosh HaShanah we crown the force of love and bestowal. During the Ten Days of Repentance, we separate the desires in us that can be corrected and those that cannot. The seven days of Sukkot are seven special illuminations that turn the evil in us into goodness.

The lights that come are called Surrounding Lights. They symbolize the Sukkah and the Sukkah covering. The measurements of the Sukkah match the measurements of the soul. In the Sukkah, these are Amot (the length of a forearm), in the soul, it refers to desires and Lights.

A soul is a desire that is totally aimed at love of others. Repentance is the examination of the heart: which desires are in me and to what extent I am willing to work for the sake of others. Sukkot are the Lights that correct the evil in us into goodness until Shemini Atzeret (the eighth day of Sukkot) when there is nothing more to correct.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 439 – The Lights Of Sukkot,” 10/2/14

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New Life 438 – Yom Kippur
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Nitzah Mazoz

What is the spiritual meaning of the Yom Kippur customs and how do they awaken us to scrutinize our internal desires and intentions in our attitude to others, to connection, and to true love?

Almost everyone goes to the synagogue on Yom Kippur. According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, Yom Kippur is a very special state in the cycle of the year for a person who develops spiritually.

We are used to examining our actions, but we should also examine our intentions, especially with regard to others: Where do I stand with regard to the upper force whose nature is love and bestowal? The examination, just like an X-ray of the intention of the heart, is done by the Light that comes from studying Kabbalah.

The Ten Days of Penitence are ten X-rays of the heart, which show where I am for my own sake and where I am for the sake of others.

The Torah requires a person to correct his heart. Nature, God, examines only the intention in the heart. The fasting symbolizes the need to first stop receiving for only my own sake, restriction. Then we can bestow. We learn from the story of the prophet Jonah that we have to put ourselves aside and act for the sake of others. A person cannot turn to the Creator if there are people he has hurt in the world.

True reconciliation with others is not that they should forgive you, but that you should build in your heart whole love for them.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 438 – Yom Kippur,” 9/30/14

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New Life 437 – The Ten Days Of Repentance
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Yael Leshed-Harel

What is the meaning of the Ten Days of Repentance? How do they direct us toward our personal and social development and how do connection workshops help us do so according to the wisdom of Kabbalah?

The wiser and more sensitive a person becomes, the more he sees what he has to correct internally. Identifying as many flaws as possible is the first step toward correction. Just like in a medical diagnosis, I examine what is flawed in me with regard to the goal of my development, which is to be as one man in one heart.

When we begin to examine our attitude toward others, we discover a system called Ten Sefirot between us. On Rosh HaShanah I decide to correct it, and during the ten days of repentance I examine exactly what needs to be corrected.

The repentance reveals ten desires in me, which I have to change from for my own sake to the sake of others. This is called performing a Mitzva, a commandment of the general plan of nature, of God. The ten days of repentance symbolize the ten groups of desires that I have to sort out, the ten Sefirot.

The ten days of repentance are establishing a plan for correcting the evil in me. This requires inspiration from above. Such introspection doesn’t require great wisdom or academic knowledge. It is done in a group. While working in a group, sitting in a circle with ten people, we develop the right attitude toward others.

This process of self-correction can be done any day of the year and not only during the ten days of penitence.

During the ten days of repentance we clarify which desires can be used for the sake of others and which cannot. It is a closed system. Everything a person takes for himself beyond what he actually needs is at the expense of others. At the end of the ten days of repentance, a person discovers that all his actions are only for his own sake and begins the corrections.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 437 – The Ten Days Of Repentance,” 9/28/14

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New Life 434 – The Meaning Of Israeli Holidays
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Nitzah Mazoz

What are the spiritual meanings of the holidays of Israel, how are they connected to realizing the goal of our lives, and what is the difference between them and the holidays of other nations?

Abraham studied the trend of developmental in ancient Babylon. He understood that everything advances toward connection. Abraham discovered that humanity must come to identity with nature, balancing and harmonizing with it. To be balanced with nature, we need to understand this enormous system. It is profound.

Abraham discovered the law by which all of reality evolves toward general unity, and humanity is a part of this. The process of rapprochement of mankind’s union has steps, such as during the course of human life. The connection is expressed in “What is hateful to you, do not do to your friend” (Shabbat 31a), and after that, “And you shall love your friend as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Abraham told this to the Babylonians. Most of them didn’t want to hear it. Tens of thousands followed him to love of others. The stages of development on the way to connection can be given the name, “The Annual Cycle.” It repeats on every level.

It follows that the holidays of Israel are spiritual and not a commemoration of historical dates as with other nations. The holidays of Israel are determined by nature as states of development on the way toward complete connection.

• From the start, we are within the connection and harmony of nature in an opposite state of division and destruction. It is necessary to do some soul-searching. This is called the month of Elul.
• Crowning the power that connects all parts of nature—to rule over us: Rosh HaShanah
• Connecting all of humanity to this, not just us the people of Israel—Yom Kippur—the reading of the book of Jonah.
• On Sukkot: we connect the four species together, corresponding to the four stages of correction of the egoism that separates us.
• Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Torah)—we are happy that the upper force connects us.
  Chanukah–a spiritual holiday above the ego.
• Purim—we correct the entire ego, all of the bad tendencies that were in us, and we can celebrate.
• Pesach (Passover)—symbolizes how we always depart from the slavery of egoism to freedom.
  Counting the Omer —we count how many of our desires we have already corrected.
• Shavuot—the giving of the Torah, the power of correction. Through the Torah we build ourselves, but we cannot hold onto this and shatter.
• Tisha B’Av—from this we learn the depth to which we truly must correct ourselves through complete connection.
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  From KabTV’s “New Life 434 – The Meaning Of Israeli Holidays,” 9/14/14

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Question: Should you treat a person the same way he treats you?

Answer: Under no circumstances should you respond to someone’s negative attitude toward you in the same way! On the contrary, you should display the right attitude toward him and purposefully exaggerate your positive attitude toward him.

If he responds correctly, it is good. If not, break away from him. This indicates that he cannot understand and appreciate correctly your attitude toward him yet.
[193761]
From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian 5/1/16

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New Life #484 – Choosing Discovery Of The Creator And Concern For Humanity
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Tal Mandelbaum ben Moshe

Summary

Question: Besides the heavy obligations, does belonging to the “chosen people” give the Jews any advantages, benefits, or “concessions”? What is good about being the chosen people?

Answer: We cannot simply refuse and reject our mission: neither those who belong to the Jewish people today nor the twelve tribes who were lost almost 2,500 years ago. We cannot hide from our role; we are obligated to carry it out.

Being or not being chosen doesn’t depend on us. We only have to look at where it is possible to add our independent participation, thanks to which we will come to a good and calm life so that everyone will understand and appreciate us. This is not in the sense that we will be superior to others, but that they will aspire to the same goal and become included in the same process.

We cannot escape. In any case, we must carry out our role. Nothing will help, not hiding from it or dying, but only fulfilling our mission.

Question: Does this mean that being chosen signifies that we discover the plan of development of life and act accordingly, making it possible to achieve success in everything? In what way is the daily life of someone who discovers the plan of development distinguished?

Answer: A person like this will understand where he is, how to connect correctly with people, how to build a more and more secure basis at every moment for an even greater revelation of the upper force. He constantly advances toward discovery of the upper force within him, and this fills him with higher knowledge and emotion. All of his desires and thoughts will be directed only toward it.

Even today we unconsciously yearn for and only aspire to the revelation of the upper force. We think we supposedly want food, sex, success, family welfare, money, honor, and knowledge. But in fact, in all of this we are searching for the unique taste of the upper force.

And now thanks to this we are alive; we feel the taste of the Creator in everything. Everything, every object that brings us pleasure contains a microscopic detection of the Creator. But if we want to feel the full extent of this so that it will fulfill all of our desires and thoughts, revealing the entire perspective of the future, to do this we must prepare ourselves, meaning we must connect with the environment correctly.

Question: Throughout the history of the Jewish people, there have been many sages in every generation who sought and explored the upper force. This was the lot of the greatest minds of the generation, the elite. But is it possible that now every person on the face of the Earth can attain the Creator, all seven billion people?

Answer: First the seven million Jews in Israel must reveal the Creator and show everyone that they have this power. All of the people will feel it. The moment the people of Israel begin to advance toward the revelation of the Creator, all of humanity will freeze with tense expectation, understanding that after the Jews achieve this discovery, it will pass to all the peoples.

Question: So what is this “chosen people”?

Answer: The chosen people are a people who choose the revelation of the Creator and a concern for all of humanity, for this is the purpose of the discovery,: the revelation of the upper force, the general power of nature, to all people. This is our obligation, and then everyone will truly be happy. They will transcend the concept of time, movement, and space, thus exiting to another dimension.
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From KabTV’s “New Life #484 – Choosing Discovery Of The Creator And Concern For Humanity,” 12/28/14

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Question: There is a negative relationship between my grown son and I. What should I do if I want to make contact with him and he doesn’t understand me? How can I help my son and myself through the wisdom of Kabbalah?

Answer: This is a problem! Your son doesn’t want to be in contact with you because he feels that you suppress him, while you feel that you need to take care of him, and he should accept your care and care for you in return.

However, the relationship between a mother and a child should be such that a mother won’t give a child reason to think that she limits him.

The young generation needs its freedom from the previous generation. They need the parents to provide them with all the necessities and move aside.

My teacher Rabash used to say, “All that our children need from us is to close our mouth and open our pocket.”

This is what they require. Do you want to have a good relationship with them? Then close your mouth and open your pocket.

Of course, this is somewhat exaggerated, but I advise you to keep him in your thoughts (because they influence your son) and show him that you require nothing from him: no changes in his life at all. You want, if possible, just to add somewhere, anywhere he wishes.

This is what we learn from the upper providence that treats the lower system this way.

Every upper Sefira only does what is necessary for the lower in order for it to fulfill itself, to grow, and to attain. It doesn’t think about itself in any way.

This is exactly how the Creator treats us: we don’t owe Him anything and only He owes us.

Comment: It is said that we are obliged to keep the commandments…

Answer: You do that in order to correct yourself and not for the Creator! The Creator is perfect. You can’t give Him anything and you don’t give Him anything. Absolutely nothing! After all, if we speak about a perfect attribute, then it won’t gain or lose anything no matter how you conduct yourself. Everything is done only for your own good and nothing more.
[193681]
From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian 5/1/16

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Question: How does the wisdom of Kabbalah relate to abortions that are not associated with any danger to the embryo or the mother?

Answer: Every birth is a sign that we are participating in the correction of the world. Even on the animate level, an embryo and the future human being it will grow into has an opportunity to perform certain actions of bestowal. Therefore, it is important to keep it.
[193557]
From the Kabbalah Lesson in Russian 4/24/16

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In the News (The Guardian): “Significant numbers of under 30s lack self-confidence and are at risk of mental health problems, with women worst affected, says report.

“Despair, worries about the future and financial pressures are taking a toll on millions of young Britons, according to a poll which found young women in particular were suffering.

“Low pay and lack of work in today’s Britain are resulting in “suspended adulthood”, with many living or moving back in with their parents and putting off having children, according to the poll of thousands of 18 to 30-year-olds.

“Large numbers describe themselves as worn down (42%), lacking self-confidence (47%) and feeling worried about the future (51%). …

“Young women are being particularly affected. The percentage of women reporting that they lacked self-confidence was 54%, compared with 39% of young men.

“While four in 10 young people said they felt worn down, the percentage for young women was 46% compared with 38% of men. One in three said they were worried about their mental health, including 38% of young women and 29% of young men.

“Dr Carole Easton, the chief executive of Young Women’s Trust, which supports and represents women aged 16 to 30 struggling to live on low or no pay in England and Wales, said it was distressing that so many young people were struggling at a time of life traditionally characterised by youthful confidence.

“Make no mistake about it, we’re talking about a generation of young people in crisis. …’“

My Comment: The quality of life will not improve unless we start working on the explanation of the need to unite people in a common society in the likeness of nature. Then we will begin to awaken the positive effect on society and see the positive outcome in the young generation.
[194250]

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