Question: The great Kabbalist Baal HaSulam told a parable about a man who committed a serious crime against the king and was sentenced to 20 years and was exiled to a remote island where there were other exiles.

Once there, the disease of amnesia struck him. He forgot that he had a wife, children, friends, and acquaintances. He began to think that the whole world was nothing more than what he saw, this distant place with people, and he thought that he was born there. That is, all this became true for him.

The question is, can we say that we are exiled to this Earth?

Answer: Indeed, it is not our place of birth and development. That is, we are aliens on this Earth. We have not yet been given the opportunity to know from where and how. But we are strangers here on this Earth.

We are not suitable either in our development or in our nature for what is here. We exist this way because this is how the Creator wishes it for now.

Question: Why do we not treat this Earth as a mother?

Answer: We have no connection with it.

Question: Why are we being punished?

Answer: We are not punished. We are going through a developmental stage. There is no punishment in this.

Question: So did we need to be here to develop? To the point where our connection reaches the level of a higher power?

Answer: Yes, I do not think we will feel it here, in earthly life, but we are moving toward it.

Question: One may ask, what is the true reality? We take our existence as truth. But it is not true, as you say. Is it not so?

Answer: Correct.

Question: What is it—actual reality, truth?

Answer: The actual reality is that we can move away from our usual ideas about nature, ourselves, and the Creator, and realize our cosmic nature.

Question: But what is it like?

Answer: It is entirely unearthly and has nothing to do with our body, thoughts, or anything. We must rise above all of this. The actual world is what is out there somewhere…

Question: Above all the senses, above everything?

Answer: Above everything! It is what we will comprehend later in our completely new sensations.

Question: And this, in principle, cannot be described to a person? It is impossible. Only one who has comprehended this can feel the actual reality.

Answer: Yes.

Question: Please tell me what we still need to do to be returned from here to there.

Answer: We just need to want to unite.

Question: As I understand it, humanity now wants to wake up more and more because this dream is becoming more and more terrible. Almost everyone has a powerful feeling that something has changed. Is this a search for the truth, or is it just an escape from suffering?

Answer: It is not even an escape from suffering.

Question: What is it? Is a person simply looking for where he will feel good?

Answer: A person is looking for something to adhere to. Otherwise, every second becomes more prolonged and it makes no sense. It is hard for a person and nothing more.

Question: And nothing more? Are there no higher thoughts?

Answer: No! Nothing and nowhere.

Question: Will they, sooner or later, introduce us to the understanding that we must, as you say, take all these steps toward eternity, toward truth, toward our homeland?

Answer: We will get there. I hope we will somehow wake up from a terrible noise, rumble, and see the sky exploding. What will happen to us? That is when we’ll start thinking.

Question: So the whole task is to come to the question one way or another?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Have we not come to this question yet?

Answer: No! Let us come to the egoistic question: “What will happen to us?” At least get close to it, and then these wheels will slowly begin to move.
[327988]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 3/25/24

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Inna writes:

I cannot stand being disliked; I have been this way since childhood. I always do my best to be loved: I give gifts; I do everything I’m told. And here I see how my people are disliked. I have been living here for 30 years and I feel ready to give up everything just to be loved. But on the other hand, I understand perfectly well that you can’t buy love that way. So what should I do?

Answer: Look for ways to get closer to other people.

Question: They don’t want us to be here. What kind of heart do you want to open to them? They say, “Maybe we will love you, just so you are not here.”

Answer: No, we are not talking about that. We received this from the Creator, and we cannot give in.

Question: Then what actions can we make to be loved? If you and I both have that desire, what should we do?

Answer: Show them our love, and if they do not agree, we are ready for war.

Question: What does it mean to show them love without giving in?

Answer: That we love them in our hearts. But if they do not agree to reciprocate, then we will be forced to fight.

Comment: Hamas is still nearby, here next to us. There is Hezbollah.

My Response: We can show that we want peace, we want friendship. If you are strong, you can say that.

Question: Is this the law of the East?

Answer: Yes.

Question: So, we must be strong for this?

Answer: Yes! This comes first!

Question: Do we have to show them this strength, that we are strong?

Answer: Yes, we must.

Question: Once Jabotinsky wrote an article: “The Iron Wall.” He said then that they will not back down from getting us out of here unless we create an “iron wall.” They must understand that this is impossible.

Does this enter into a state of love for us? Is this the construction of an “iron wall” that makes it impossible to throw us out of here?

Answer: Yes, that is the priority. We need to understand that, on one hand, we must come to peace with them, to mutual understanding. And on the other hand, we must always think about our security and not giving them the opportunity to capture us, conquer us, and so on.

That is the psychology of our neighbors, and there is nothing difficult to figure out here. Whoever they are, if they are our neighbors, especially our neighbors, then they are always against us.

Question: And we must show our strength?

Answer: Yes.

Question: And at the same time show that we are ready for peace, for communication, and so on?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Are these two states even possible, that you show strength and the second, that you are ready for peace?

Answer: Of course.

Question: So what is our miscalculation? We even sent them money, supplied them with gas, and more.

Answer: None of that does anything.

Question: What will?

Answer: Only strength.

Question: And what about what you always say that we must internally love our neighbor as ourselves, and so on? Where do you attribute this: to strength or to some other part?

Answer: To strength.

Question: Is that strength?

Answer: Yes.
[328928]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 4/15/24

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The entire system through which light passes into the world to all nations depends on Israel.

Therefore the people of Israel are created so stubborn and unyielding, stiff-necked, as they say. After all, the stronger the resistance is at first, the greater the path is for light to open up later.

Antisemitism has existed in the world throughout all ages. Today it is simply exploding and bursting forth because the egoistic desire in the world is becoming increasingly aggressive and demanding. Therefore, the nations of the world demand fulfillment from the people of Israel. They believe that Israel is stealing this fulfillment from the nations of the world; all complaints arise from this.

We see that hatred of Israel is growing more and more. At the same time, it is not evident that Israel seeks to compensate for it, provide fulfillment to the nations of the world, and become the center of universal unity and connection with the Creator.

Ultimately, under pressure from the nations of the world and from above, the people of Israel will feel that they simply must unite with the Creator and that there is no salvation otherwise.

Therefore, the people of Israel should preempt the blows with the remedy: study the system, learn what passing the light to all creations depends on, and how to begin and end this work to try to fulfill their mission.

The nations of the world see Israel as a source of evil and therefore seek to destroy it. After all, if Israel does not fulfill its role of serving as a source of goodness, it turns into a source of problems. Therefore, the nations of the world accuse Israel because they feel that fulfillment does not come from it to them.

The people of Israel do not understand their mission and do not want to know about their obligations to the nations of the world and the Creator because this imposes obligations on us.

The unity of the whole world depends on the Jews whose entire Torah speaks of love for one’s neighbor as oneself. This method, this rule, we must pass on to all nations, and then the whole world will be corrected.
[328796]
From the 2^nd part of  the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 5/6/24, “The Holocaust Remembrance Day“

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Question: Light and Darkness met. “What do people find in you?”—exclaimed Darkness in surprise. “Neither beauty nor mystery—you just hurt one’s eyes!”

Light did not answer. It just politely stepped aside and silently illuminated the road because Darkness was heading toward an abyss without even seeing it.

Today everyone has the feeling that we are approaching an abyss and there is no one to light the way. What can light the way?

Answer: Mutual assistance and compassion. Only that.

Question: So if we manage to approach each other, we will be able to see that we are approaching the abyss?

Answer: Yes.

Question: In this parable, Light did not say anything to Darkness, it simply stepped aside and illuminated the path. It illuminated the path anyway. Why does light shines on everyone: criminals, haters, simply everyone!

Answer: This is its property, to shine on everyone.

Question: It seems to say: “Move away, you are interfering with me.” And Light moved aside and continued to shine. This is some kind of annulment. That is, someone sees this light, and someone does not. How can one see it? How can one feel that it is light?

Answer: This is the light of bestowal, the light of compassion, the light of rapprochement. This is the meaning of light.

Question: That is, light as such, as something extraneous, does not exist?

Answer: No, these are not photons that illuminate our retina.

Question: And not the light that is spoken about in spiritual practices, but namely the rapprochement between us?

Answer: Yes, it provides the condition where light spreads from itself and further on in all directions. And if this connection does not exist, then light cannot unite and conduct itself through all the matter.

Question: Suppose, people connect, do they begin to shine for everyone?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Or is this abyss visible only to them now?

Answer: No, this cannot happen. It shines for all.

Comment: That is, connection of even a handful of people brings light for everyone.

My Response: Yes. Initially they should realize what they connect for if they get connected. There must be an intention in advance to achieve light for everyone.

Question: Why should people connect?

Answer: To shine for everyone.
[327571]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 3/25/24

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Question: Persians are an ancient people, Iranians. Why do they always want to destroy us? We have a long and varied history with them.

It started with King Cyrus, who released the people from captivity in Babylon and said, “Go to your homeland and build the Temple.” Everything was fine after that, but now we are constantly on the brink of a major war with them. Mostly, they instigate, but don’t especially take direct actions. Apart from these recent events: they launched drones, missiles at us. There was a lot, and mostly, thank God, they didn’t reach their target. Do they really want to destroy us or not?

Answer: What they want doesn’t really matter. Many want that. Everyone wants it! I don’t think they seriously hope to win a conflict with us. It’s more for show.

Question: Who wants it more, the ayatollahs or the people? If we can divide it like that.

Answer: I think the leadership.

Question: So you believe the people don’t have a deep, intense hatred?

Answer: No.

Question: What is your personal attitude toward Iranians? How do you feel about them?

Answer: Friendly.

Comment: In general, our relations with them have always developed differently, but in many ways they were very good in the 50s, 60s, even in the early 70s.

My Response: Yes.

Question: We built oil bases and cities there. They came here. Ben-Gurion went there, to Tehran. But at some point, almost eveyrones’ relationship with us starts deteriorating.

What is the turning point, this upheaval?

Answer: I believe it is from above, it is not our or their psychology’s fault. I believe it is from above. The Creator just needs to push us toward an upper goal.

Question: So He orchestrates these conflicts?

Answer: Yes.

Question: So you see it all as the Creator’s play?

Answer: Of course.

Question: In everything?

Answer: Absolutely!

Question: In everything that happens in the Middle East?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Toward us? His game?

Answer: Of course, to correct us, to make us correct ourselves. That is what we must do, and I think we are obligated and will do it.

Comment: It seems that until we come to the point of what we need to correct in ourselves, He won’t be satisfied. It will continue.

My Response: Naturally!

Question: So will it get stronger and stronger, more and more?

Answer: There is no need to even discuss that, it must happen.

Question: How are we not correct in His eyes? What makes us bad in His eyes?

Answer: In the eyes of the whole world we are not corrected, and we are not right, and everyone has some special claim against us.

In principle, if we speak at a higher level, we do not reach the level necessary for our development.

Comment: But we don’t know what that is. We’re like children it seems.

My Response: That does not matter. That does not absolve a person from duty, responsibility.

Question: So we need to first understand what we need to correct within ourselves. Right? And agree to it?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Who will tell us about this?

Answer: The Creator.

Question: And how does He do that—by speaking? Right now He only sends enemies against us, so to speak.

Answer: He wants us to become His people.

Question: What does that mean?

Answer: It means doing what He desires.

Question: What does He desire?

Answer: He wants us to show an example to all nations of the world of how everyone should be.

Question: How should that be?

Answer: With open hearts, love, and embracing everyone. Show everyone what the Creator expects from us and from creation in general. We must do all this ourselves and now.

Question: Is this our task? The task of this nation?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Can others do this without us?

Answer: No, no one! This is all entrusted to us.

Question: Then will it start spreading along the chain to the world and so on?

Answer: Let’s see how it goes. Yes.

Question: What if we don’t hear this? Naturally our nature is egoistic after all. So if I have a bad relationship with someone, if I don’t love someone, I push someone away. And you say: “You must love them, open your heart to them.” What if I continue to fight with my neighbor? Then will the war continue?

Answer: Yes it will until I am convinced that I need to seek another way of interacting with others. We are guilty before the world for holding the secret of creation, the secret of correction, within us.

Question: Which is this connection with others, with neighbors?

Answer: Yes.

Question: This simple formula—my connection with my neighbor—is the secret of creation? Is that what you’re saying? Open your heart and love them, despite everything.

Answer: Yes.

Question: I see. And are we constantly being pushed toward this?

Answer: We ourselves say that this is what the Creator desires. So if He desires it, let’s do it. Well! It doesn’t work.

Question: Why doesn’t it work? In principle, it sounds very beautiful.

Answer: It doesn’t work because we don’t want to turn to Him to teach us, to help, to push.

Comment: Right now, our natural response to all our enemies is to strengthen our army, the country’s security, and so on. And you say we need to…

My Response: We need to strengthen the connection between us and show the world that this is the path to a good future. And then all these games won’t make sense at all.
[328350]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 4/15/24

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Question: How can a person discover that he desires the force of bestowal if he was born with the desire to receive, and sees only that around him?

Where is an example of a permanent desire to bestow so that humanity could notice and appreciate it?

Answer: Of course we see that the whole world is in egoism, in the desire to receive rather than to bestow. But alongside this, we also see how egoism is constantly progressing in the world, and with it, so do pain, sorrow, and death.

In other words, egoistic desires manifest themselves as a source of all sorts of problems. Therefore people may not see a way out of them, but they understand that egoism alone is their enemy. Gradually, humanity is coming to realize that there is nothing to replace egoism, and therefore it sees no way out.

However, at the very least, it understands that our nature itself leads us to such unpleasant states.
[327906]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/9/24, Writings of Rabash “The Need for an Act from Below”

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Question: What is happening in the world now, wars, earthquakes, natural disasters, are these the plagues that our collective egoism must experience before the common exit from Egypt?

Answer: Yes and no. Imagine that, to put it mildly, these troubles that we have received over all the past centuries are necessary to correct our egoism.

Therefore, the Creator delayed the tribe of Israelites and did not allow them to immediately approach complete correction; this is because they did not yet have a complete Kli, i.e. regret and atonement.

Now it seems that we already have this. I think that if today our people rose up as in those days, we would certainly reach the place of the holy Temple and quickly erect it.

Question: What prevents us from rising? Lack of unity?

Answer: We lack everything. Absolutely everything. The most important thing is the connections between us.
[328343]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/21/24, Writings of Rabash “When Pharaoh Sent the People”

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Question: In northern Kazakhstan, a natural disaster has left 75,000 families homeless. The peculiarity of this flood is that people are coming together and helping each other. But livestock and domestic animals are perishing and the water continues to rise. Is this akin to the Egyptian plague?

Answer: No, this is not akin to an Egyptian plague. But it is certainly a very distressing, unfortunate situation. Water can wash away absolutely everything.

Therefore, all people should pray that in the areas currently experiencing flooding, we can see the mercy of the Creator rather than such punishment.

Everything the Creator does is for our good. Even what we perceive as significant problems with nature, wars, and natural disasters, ultimately all will lead to the common good.

So there is no need to cry, no need to reproach the Creator, only ask Him to change His harsh attitude toward us to be merciful.
[327859]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/10/24, Writings of Rabash “Concerning the Beginning of the Month”

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Question: What does it mean that the power of faith above reason cancels out all the forces that exist in the world?

Answer: Faith above reason is a special force that raises a person above his reason. It can only be increased with the help of actions above reason.

If a person is in such faith, then it indeed cancels out all forces that exist in the world that could influence him and turn differently.

By rising with the help of this force, we reach the level of Bina.
[327926]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/12/24, Writings of Rabash “He who Hardens His Heart”

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We are the source of joy and sorrow mine.
We are a repository of filth, and pure spring.
People, as in a mirror, the world is multifaceted.
He is insignificant and he is infinitely great! (Omar Khayyam)

Question: We are a repository of what? Are we a repository of filth or purity? Or both?

Answer: Both.

Question: What do you mean by that? What is it within us?

Answer: We were cast away from the Creator to the opposite side. We do not feel the Creator; we do not feel close to Him; we do not feel the need to get closer to Him. We simply absorbed within ourselves the very worst, the most egoistic things.

Question: Is this what you call filth?

Answer: Filth is the fact that we deny the world with the Creator altogether. What is important to us is not a connection with the Creator, but rather, a weapon in our hands.

Question: But you said there is also purity within us. What is that?

Answer: It is because we cannot understand our state. This is what saves us. Even the fact that we are so far from the Creator and do not accept His decisions, is all still forgiven and strengthens us because we truly are a lost generation.

Question: So where is the purity in all this?

Answer: The purity lies in the fact that nothing sticks to us. We do not become soiled by being in filth because we also do not feel it, it is also not with us.

Question: Do we not feel that we are filthy, that we are so bad? Do you call this a drop of purity within us?

Answer: Yes, this is purity. It will help us, and it does help.

Question: But should we feel that we are in filth in order to rise out of it, to want to cleanse ourselves?

Answer: We do not need that to such an extent. The extent we are in it is enough. We need to work on this. It will manifest in us to the extent it should manifest.

Comment: You have become more benevolent toward people.

My Response: I just belong to the generation I live in, and I see how they react to everything, to the extent that the Creator allows them to feel who they are and what they are.

Question: Is this enough? Should we not strive for more?

Answer: I believe it is. Everything else will come.

Comment: To be honest, I am surprised!

My Response: But how to do it?

Comment: To somehow make it so that a person feels that, as you said, he has a weapon in his hands, not the Creator and that this is bad, that he should somehow strive for connection with Him.

My Response: But that has no positive solution. We must necessarily understand that we are alone with the Creator.

Question: There is us and the Creator. Is this what we should come to?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Will this be enough?

Answer: Yes! This will be enough.

Question: What conclusion will come from this? Let’s say, God willing, we come to the state of “there is us and the Creator.” What next? You say, “This is high.” What is it? “There is us and the Creator,” we have reached that. What are my actions next? Is it always to be in accordance with Him?

Answer: Yes. Next, my actions are only with the Creator!

Question: Do I then feel the filth, do I already understand how to get out of it, and so on?

Answer: Yes.

Question: So do we just need this little first contact?

Answer: Yes, do not rely on anyone else, only on the Creator.

Question: I see. Does it come from the Creator or still from my efforts?

Answer: It comes from the Creator, but to the extent of our efforts.

Question: So do we still have to make efforts?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Further, from this quatrain of Omar Khayyam: What does it mean that a person is multifaceted?

Answer: Yes, it means that we are always trying to turn and look for something better, something closer, and so on.

Question: Are these our many faces?

Answer: Yes, but we do not find ourselves anywhere. Yet, we need only one direction and one solution.

Question: It is also said here that we are insignificant and at the same time great. In what way are we great after all?

Answer: We are great in that the Creator is with us and insignificant in that we do not pay attention to Him.

Question: So do we have both in us?

Answer: Yes, something needs to be done!

Question: Do we need to somehow come to one of these two?

Answer: To what?! How do you propose to bring that about?! It does not depend on just one person. It depends on a collective decision, on the spirit within the people!

Comment: But you have been involved in this your whole life.

My Response: So what? I see that in the end nothing really works.

Gradually, of course, we will still come to it, we cannot escape from that. But it is impossible, absolutely impossible, to reach a state where the entire nation rises up as one and says, “This is mine, this is ours, and we are together.”

Question: I see. But still, the whole nation as one I understand, but a group leads the people, they stand up and speak. And the people sort of join them willingly. It is still like that, right?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: You once told a story about going to some store to make a duplicate key a long time ago. And you had the book Tree of Life with you. You put it on the counter, and the religious shopkeeper suddenly said, “Take it away, take it away. Get rid of it!” No one even wanted to come close to Kabbalah, even to the great Ari.

Today it is simple, just go on the Internet. And we have accomplished so much more. You say you are feeling like giving up. Why? It happened! Look how many students we have now!

My Response: But on the other hand, it does not resonate with the people, with the masses. Not yet.

Nevertheless, we have broken through some barrier between Kabbalah and the people, which collapsed and opened Kabbalah to everyone.

Question: Do you think people are still driven by suffering to move forward?

Answer: I do not know. It depends on the path we have to take. Constantly proving to the people that salvation lies in unity between us and the Creator is our task.

Question: Is it our constant, specific task?

Answer: Yes. There cannot be any other way here!

Question: Do you reduce everything to one formula: unity among us is unity with the Creator?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is this the main formula?

Answer: It encompasses everything.

Question: Is all the wisdom directed toward this, everything toward this?

Answer: Yes.

Question: As Baal HaSulam said, the unity of humanity and connection with the Creator. Is this what it means for the Creator to be revealed to the entire world?

Answer: Yes. Exactly!
[326912]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 2/26/24

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