Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Concerning the Obligation of Each Person to Study the Wisdom of Kabbalah

Now it is upon us, relics, to correct that dreadful wrong [detachment of the masses from Kabbalah]. Each of us remainders should take upon himself, heart and soul, to henceforth intensify the internality of the Torah [Kabbalah], and give it its rightful place [in their hearts], according to its merit [in bringing us to eternality and perfection] over the externality of the Torah [that speaks only about the external observation of rituals].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar,” Item 71

Not only are these secrets [of Kabbalah] not forbidden to disclose [to everybody], on the contrary, it is a great Mitzva (very good deed) to disclose them [because the Creator reveals Himself through them]. And one who knows how to disclose and discloses them, his reward is plentiful. This is because on disclosing these Lights to many, particularly to the many, depends the coming of Messiah soon in our days [elimination of affliction].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of The Ten Sefirot,” Item 30
[24383]

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - No Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Concerning the Obligation of Each Person to Study the Wisdom of Kabbalah

It has also been clarified that it is impossible for the whole of Israel to come to that great purity [elimination of egoism] except through the study of Kabbalah, which is the easiest way [of correcting the human nature], adequate even for commoners.

However, while engaging only in the revealed Torah, it is impossible to be rewarded through it, except for a chosen few and after great efforts, but not for the majority of the people [whereas according to the Thought of Creation humanity as a whole has to arrive to complete correction of their egoistic nature].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 36

Since the whole of the wisdom of Kabbalah speaks of the revelation of the Creator [to everybody] naturally, there is no more successful teaching for its task. This is what the Kabbalists aimed for—to arrange it so it is suitable for studying [as Ramban writes, by every person, be it a man or a woman, children, an educated person or a commoner, in order to reveal it gradually, to the measure of one’s correction].

And so they studied in it [the system of Kabbalistic education] until the time of concealment [it was agreed to conceal it for a certain reason]. However, this was only for a certain time, and not forever, as it is written in The Zohar, “This wisdom is destined to be revealed at the end of days.”
– Baal HaSulam, “The Teaching of the Kabbalah and its Essence”
[24305]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About Studying Kabbalah, Part 1
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 1
Laitman.com Post: How To Unite All The Pyramids Into One

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - No Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Concerning the Obligation of Each Person to Study the Wisdom of Kabbalah

It is known from books and from authors that the study of the wisdom of Kabbalah is an absolute must for any person from Israel. And if one studies the whole Torah and knows the Mishnah and the Gemarah by heart, and if one is also filled with virtues and good deeds more than all his contemporaries, but has not learned the wisdom of Kabbalah, he must reincarnate into this world to study the secrets of Torah and wisdom of truth [because only with its help will he attain the purpose of his creation].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Book, From the Mount of a Sage”

Therefore we must ask, why then, did the Kabbalists obligate each person [literally, every person!] to study the wisdom of Kabbalah? Indeed, there is a great thing in it, worthy of being publicized: There is a wonderful, invaluable remedy to those who engage in the wisdom of Kabbalah. Although they do not understand what they are learning, through the yearning and the great desire to understand what they are learning, they awaken upon themselves the Lights that surround their souls.

This means that every person from Israel is guaranteed to finally attain all the wonderful attainments that the Creator had contemplated in the Thought of Creation to delight every creature.
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 155
[24174]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About Studying Kabbalah, Part 1
Laitman.com Post: Perfection Reads Equality
Laitman.com Post: The Moving Force Of Creation

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - No Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Concerning the Obligation of Each Person to Study the Wisdom of Kabbalah

The direction of revealing the secrets of the Torah is the ideal goal in life and reality [because in this case a person acts optimally].
– Rav Kook, The Lights of Sanctity, 1, 132

The secrets of Torah bring the redemption [from egoism and, thus, from all suffering]; they bring Israel [those who desire to reveal the Creator] back to its land [desire – “Ratzon” comes from the word land – “Eretz“].
– Rav Kook, Orot [Lights], 95

Precisely at a time of great peril [to solve the problem as usual, by a world war] and crisis [global, complete interdependence] we should take the best of cures [the path of Light instead of the path of suffering].
– Rav Kook, Igrot [Letters], Vol. 2, pp 123, 125

The young, or those who find themselves heavy [from this world] and of little desire [a point in the heart, an aspiration to the Upper world that arises in the heart, the egoistic desires] for the Inner Light [true nature of the world], must, at the very least, make it a rule to dedicate one or two hours a day to the wisdom of truth. In time, their minds will broaden.
– Rav Kook, Letters of the Raiah, 1, 82
[24071]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About Studying Kabbalah, Part 1
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 9
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 8

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - No Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Concerning the Obligation of Each Person to Study the Wisdom of Kabbalah

The study of the wisdom of Kabbalah is an absolute must for any person [otherwise he will not fulfil his purpose and will live his life in vain].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Mouth of a Sage”

The Creator feels no contentment in His world except when people engage in this wisdom [since with its help they will reveal Him]. Moreover, man was created only to study the wisdom of Kabbalah [since only by applying it a person reaches the purpose of his creation].
– Rav Chaim Vital, “Preface to the Gate to Introductions”

It is of utter [implicit] necessity [given from Above] for anyone from Israel, whoever he may be, to engage in the internality of the Torah and in its secrets [Kabbalah]. Without it, the intention of Creation will not be completed in him.
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Mouth of a Sage”

The redemption of Israel [from egoism and, hence, from all of its problems] and the rise of Israel [its independence, safety, and the right place among the nations of the world] depend on the study of The Zohar and the internality of the Torah.
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar,” Item 89

[23956]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 9
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 6
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 3

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - 4 Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Studying the Concealed Torah Is Preferable to the Revealed Torah

Indeed, if we examine his [Rav Chaim Vital’s] words they will clarify before us as pure heavenly stars. The text, “he is better off leaving his hand off it [off the Talmud], once he has tested his luck in this [revealed] wisdom,” does not refer to luck of wit and erudition [knowledge for the sake of knowledge]. Rather, it is as we have explained above in the explanation, “I have created the evil inclination; I have created for it the spice of Torah.”

It means that one has delved and exerted in the revealed Torah [not for the sake of getting knowledge, but rather for correcting the evil inclination, egoism], and still the evil inclination is in power and has not melted at all. This is because he is still not saved from thoughts of transgression [understanding that he studies not to correct evil, but rather for the sake of getting a reward], as Rashi writes above in the explanation, “I have created for it the spice of Torah.”

Hence, he advises him to leave his hands off it [off Talmud] and engage in the wisdom of truth [Kabbalah], for it is easier to draw the light in the Torah while practicing and laboring in the wisdom of truth than in laboring in the literal Torah.
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 22
[23813]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About Studying Kabbalah, Part 1
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 8

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - 1 Comment →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Studying the Concealed Torah Is Preferable to the Revealed Torah

Hence the Braita warns us (Hulin 24) to not wait [for our correction by the Light of the revealed Torah] longer than five years [of studying].

Moreover, Rabbi Yosi says that only three years are quite sufficient to be granted the wisdom of the Torah….

If one does not see a good sign within that length of time [from the time when he began to seek similarity with the Creator], one should not fool himself with false hopes and deceit [while studying the revealed Torah], but know that he will never see [in his studies] a good sign [attain correction].

Hence, one must immediately find himself a good tactic by which to succeed in achieving Lishma [the property of bestowal] and to be granted the wisdom of the Torah.

…The surest [easiest] and most successful tactic is the engagement in the wisdom of Kabbalah. One should leave one’s hand entirely from engagement in the wisdom of the revealed Torah, since he has already tested his luck in it and did not succeed [in correcting himself]. And he should dedicate all his time to the wisdom of Kabbalah, where his success [in achieving the goal of creation: similarity with the Creator] is certain.
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 23
[23733]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 7
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 6
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 5

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - No Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Studying the Concealed Torah Is Preferable to the Revealed Torah

Even though they [unfortunately] do not succeed [do not reach correction of their egoism] through the practice in the revealed Torah, since there is no Light in it, and it is dry [not by itself, but rather] due to the smallness of their minds, they could still succeed by engaging in the study of Kabbalah. This is because the Light in it is clothed in the clothing of the Creator – the Holy Names and the Sefirot [for example, is closer to them]. They could easily come to that form of Lo Lishma, which brings them to Lishma [the property of bestowal and love]. [In spite of being unsuccessful in their study of the revealed Torah they still remain unwilling to change it into the study of Kabbalah and thus remain uncorrected.]
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 35

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 6
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 5
Laitman.com Post: What Is The “Torah”?

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - No Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Studying the Concealed Torah Is Preferable to the Revealed Torah

It is easier to draw the light in the Torah [the only Light that can correct us] while practicing and laboring in the wisdom of truth than in laboring in the literal Torah. The reason is very simple: The wisdom of the revealed is clothed in external, corporeal clothes, such as stealing, plundering, torts, etc. For this reason, it is difficult and heavy for any person [who reads these “material” stories] to aim his mind and heart to the Creator [essential condition] while studying, so as to draw the [Upper, correcting] Light in the Torah.

It is even more so for a person for whom the study in the Talmud itself is heavy and arduous. How can he remember the Creator during the study, since the scrutiny [described in the Talmud] concerns corporeal matters, and cannot come in him simultaneously with the intention for the Creator?

Therefore, he [Chaim Vital] advises him to practice the wisdom of Kabbalah [instead of studying the Talmud], as this wisdom is entirely clothed in the names of the Creator. Then he will certainly be able to easily aim his mind and heart to the Creator during the study [of Kabbalah], even if he is the slowest learner. This is so because the study of the issues of the wisdom and the Creator are one and the same, and this is very simple. [This is why the study of the internal essence of the Torah, the wisdom of Kabbalah, is the only possible way for masses to reach correction and to reach the purpose of creation.]
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 22
[23458]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 5
Laitman.com Post: Everything Begins With A Secret
Laitman.com Post: There Is No Past or Future in The Torah

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - 2 Comments →

Dear Friends, please ask questions about these passages from the great Kabbalists. The commentaries in brackets are mine.

Studying the Concealed Torah Is Preferable to the Revealed Torah

It has also been clarified that it is impossible for the whole of Israel to come to that great purity [complete correction of egoistic intentions] except through the study of Kabbalah [in the group with the right intention], which is the easiest way adequate even for commoners [regardless of one’s level of development]. However, while engaging only in the revealed Torah [rather than Kabbalah], it is impossible to be rewarded through it, except for a chosen few and after great efforts, but not for the majority of the people [who are not yet ready to go through affliction for the sake of correction of egoism].
– Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot”, Item 36
[23305]

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalists About The Concealed Torah And The Revealed Torah, Part 3
Laitman.com Post: A Dual Action With A Single Purpose
Laitman.com Post: The Students Of Rabbi Akiva

Filed under: Kabbalistic Sources - 1 Comment →