Michael Laitman, On Quora: “Why is social division in Israel becoming more extreme?“

There are different kinds of divisions in every society and nation, but in the Israeli nation, the division is much stronger. This is because, as it is written, we are “a stiff-necked people.” It means that we are incredibly stubborn, and this stubbornness comes from us having an overblown desire.

It is unlike the desire in other nations. We can see it clearly among Israelis, among Jews in general, and everyone feels it one way or another.

How is it expressed?

We each feel as if we have a certain power, and accordingly we are ready to stand up to anyone. We do not care who it is. If you put the Prime Minister in front of any Israeli, you will see that there is an attitude as to a person of equal status. Moreover, it is common to feel smarter than others, no matter what position they hold, and to relate to them accordingly.

In other nations, there is a feeling of knowing one’s place and degree in society, an unspoken code of how to speak to one person or another. In Israel, however, no one cares about other people’s seeming status. It is the nature of the Israeli nation and of the Jewish people in general.

In the past, religion tied us more tightly together. It calmed and restrained us as it made us fear all kinds of punishments, and it also attracted us to various rewards for being nice people.

When we move away from religion—and this happens in all sectors, including the ultra-religious—it is called “the decline of the generations.” That is, we believe less and less in a common path, in the various higher forces of nature that we think might punish or reward us. We then become more and more stubborn from one generation to the next, and it leads us to a point where we take no one else into account.

In such a state, however, we cannot return to how we acted toward each other when we had smaller desires. Rather, we need to learn how to rise above our bloated desires today, to unite above our divisions, i.e. to realize the state of “love will cover all crimes” that we once discovered when we first became a nation. Our lives will become harder and harder in our stubborn divisiveness until we eventually realize the mutual detriment we bring to each other in such a state. We will then need to shift our course to unite above divisions through our mutual positive influence on each other.
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Based on the video “Why Is Social Division in Israel Becoming More Extreme?” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman, Oren Levi and Yael Leshed-Harel. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Michael Laitman, On The Times of Israel: “The New Refuseniks”

In the early 1970s, when I first asked for permission to immigrate to Israel, the Soviet authorities denied my request. In those days, I was not alone. Many soviet Jews who sought to leave the Soviet Union were refused and became what we now know as “refuseniks.” Even though I was denied, I kept hoping. After several years, I was finally given permission to make Aliyah ‎‎[immigrate to Israel].‎

I paid a heavy price to come here—money, career, family—and came to Israel penniless with a wife and newborn son to feed. I did this because I believed that Jews should live here, and I wanted to contribute my share to the revival of the Jewish people in their homeland.

I served in the army, and then worked for the Israeli air force as part of a team that calibrated navigation and stability systems of fighter jets. I knew that if I did not do my job right, I would risk the pilot’s life. I treated my job as a sacred duty and would not dare slight any aspect of it or allow myself any kind of negligence.

These days, a new kind of refuseniks has emerged. The new refuseniks are not denied anything. They are not refused; they are refusing. Many of them are Israeli air force pilots who declared that they refuse to partake in training or in military action until the government withdraws from its intention to overhaul the Israeli judicial system. They declare that they are doing this in the name of democracy, but their ultimatum attempts to force their opinion, a minority opinion, on the democratically elected government. Indeed, with each passing day, the true nature of our “democracy” is surfacing.

We should not be surprised. After all, we are the people of Israel, the obstinate nation where each member feels that they should be the prime minister. It is true that as we are approaching crucial times in the history of humanity, the people of Israel will have a special role and each member of the nation will have to function like a prime minister, but it will not be in the sense that we are absolute leaders and everyone obeys our orders. On the contrary, it will be by setting an example of kindness and love of others above all the differences. The current attitude, where anyone who thinks a little differently from me is my sworn enemy, is the exact opposite of how we should behave toward each other.

Worse yet, as time passes, we are growing increasingly vicious toward others. Our nation has a history of self-inflicted trauma. We do not need to go back to the days of the ruin of the Second Temple, when a ruthless civil war destroyed the city of Jerusalem and prepared the ground for the Romans’ takeover of the land. It is enough to look back at the days preceding, and during Israel’s war of independence, when Jews told on other Jews to the British authorities and got them hanged, or when Jews fought Jews over possession of arms that came on board the ship Altalena, resulting in multiple casualties by drowning and by gunfire, shot by other Jews, and the sinking of the ship with most of its badly needed weapons and munitions still on board. It was a classic case of Jewish egocentrism: Either I win, or no one wins.

The current struggle is no different. It is not about a judicial reform; it is about power. When we are willing to destroy our country if we are not in power, this is what will happen. We will sink the country just like Altalena sank. And just as with Altalena, the few survivors will blame each other for our destruction.

At the moment, the only way I see to reverse the trajectory of mutual destruction is through the world’s pressure. If the nations hate the Jewish state with sufficient ferocity, it may just be enough to force us to unite. But even then, we will remain united only while we are under threat. The minute the threat is gone, so will our unity.

Of course, we could unite of our own volition and resolve that nurturing solidarity is preferable to a pointless struggle to the death, but at the moment, I do not see that Israelis are even looking in that direction, they feel too entitled, and are too proud being refuseniks.
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My article in Newsmax: “Netanyahu Will Achieve Nothing With Appeasement”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pause judicial reform in order to give time for negotiation with its opposers will achieve nothing. The struggle is not about this or that law, or about how to appoint judges to Israel’s Supreme Court.

The struggle is about power and control, and when it comes to power struggles, there is no room for compromise. As several leaders of the protest have stated, as well as major media outlets, the resistance will not stop until they are in power and Netanyahu is behind bars.

It is to be expected that there will be disagreements and struggles between the coalition and the opposition. In fact, there are power struggles even within the coalition, and divisions into Right, Left, and numerous other kinds of disagreements.

We should not expect anything else when every politician wants nothing but personal promotion and does not care about the country, or even about one’s party. All we can and should expect is constant power struggles.

In light of such self-centered motivations, I cannot take sides and decide which side is right. Nevertheless, it pains me to see what is happening in my country. People often ask me about my position. I express my position in my lessons, but it is not political.

My position is that we have no choice but to connect above our differences. We will not feel any closer to each other, but at some point, we will realize that despite our mutual aversion, we have no choice but to learn to function like a united family.

As long as each side’s motivation stems from narrow, partisan interests, neither side can be right. The only thing that is “right” is unity; everything else is inherently wrong.

Regrettably, we are not only far from this perspective, we are growing further away from it by the hour. In the current situation, when political leaders and media outlets push for violence, I think that bloodshed is highly likely. I would not be surprised to see gunfire and casualties as a result of the political upheaval.

At the same time, I do not think that a full-blown civil war is imminent in Israel. Despite organized efforts by interested parties and governments to pitch Israelis against each other, I think that Israeli society is not going in that direction, at least not yet.

Even though I am pessimistic about the outcome of the current negotiation, I think it is good that we are talking. Talking is always preferable to fighting.

However, if the parties want to make the discussions productive, they must first admit that the struggle is not about laws, but about power. Regrettably, since the establishment of the State of Israel, I have never seen a real discussion and openness regarding how to share or manage power.

In all likelihood, we will continue to struggle until we face annihilation. Only then, perhaps, we will realize that we are governed by our own wickedness, and we will resolve to change our nature.

But to get there, I am afraid we will have to experience despair, anxiety, and a physical threat of destruction. We always have been an obstinate people, and we always will be. We are in for a rough ride; I only hope we wise up before we crash.
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Michael Laitman, On The Times of Israel: “The Debate Is Not about Laws, It Is about Control”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pause the judicial reform in order to give time for negotiation with its opposers will achieve nothing. The struggle is not about this or that law, or about how to appoint judges to Israel’s Supreme Court. The struggle is about power and control, and when it comes to power struggles, there is no room for compromise. As several leaders of the protest have stated, as well as major media outlets, the resistance will not stop until they are in power and Netanyahu is behind bars.

It is to be expected that there will be disagreements and struggles between the coalition and the opposition. In fact, there are power struggles even within the coalition, and divisions into Right, Left, and numerous other kinds of disagreements. We should not expect anything else when every politician wants nothing but personal promotion and does not care about the country, or even about one’s party. All we can and should expect is constant power struggles.

In light of such self-centered motivations, I cannot take sides and decide which side is right. Nevertheless, it pains me to see what is happening in my country. People often ask me about my position. I express my position in my lessons, but it is not political.

My position is that we have no choice but to connect above our differences. We will not feel any closer to each other, but at some point, we will realize that despite our mutual aversion, we have no choice but to learn to function like a united family. As long as each side’s motivation stems from narrow, partisan interests, neither side can be right. The only thing that is “right” is unity; everything else is inherently wrong.

Regrettably, we are not only far from this perspective, we are growing further away from it by the hour. In the current situation, when political leaders and media outlets push for violence, I think that bloodshed is highly likely. I would not be surprised to see gunfire and casualties as a result of the political upheaval.

At the same time, I do not think that a full-blown civil war is imminent in Israel. Despite organized efforts by interested parties and governments to pitch Israelis against each other, I think that Israeli society is not going in that direction, at least not yet.

Even though I am pessimistic about the outcome of the current negotiation, I think it is good that we are talking. Talking is always preferable to fighting.

However, if the parties want to make the discussions productive, they must first admit that the struggle is not about laws, but about power. Regrettably, since the establishment of the State of Israel, I have never seen a real discussion and openness regarding how to share or manage power.

In all likelihood, we will continue to struggle until we face annihilation. Only then, perhaps, we will realize that we are governed by our own wickedness, and we will resolve to change our nature.

But to get there, I am afraid we will have to experience despair, anxiety, and a physical threat of destruction. We always have been an obstinate people, and we always will be. We are in for a rough ride; I only hope we wise up before we crash.
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Comment: Jewish people have their own purpose and that is why the point in the heart is revealed in them. But others do not have these sparks. But sometimes you say they will still awaken in everyone.

Answer: No, the shattering was only among Jews. Therefore, there are parts of the desire of the common Malchut into which the sparks of bestowal have penetrated more or less, but they necessarily exist somewhere.

Therefore, there are such nations, such parts of civilization, that cannot independently feel the point in their heart or ignite it by attracting the upper light upon themselves and creating an inner light out of the surrounding light. And there are those who gradually will be able to do so.

Thus, there are nations closer and further from correction in accordance with the so-called 70 nations of the world—the 7 Sefirot of Zeir Anpin. Therefore, they are divided into more active ones, not as low, with awareness and perception, as well as less active, more passive ones.

But this does not say which of them is higher or lower. This only speaks about the correction process: who is earlier or later, who should help those lagging behind.

And then, once everything is formed into a general system, it turns into a sphere where everyone is absolutely equal.
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From KabTV’s “I Got a Call. Jews Always Win“ 6/9/12

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New Life 454 – Israeli-Arab Relationships
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Nitzah Mazoz

Summary

How does the connection between the Jews influence the Israeli Arabs for the better? How will this change the sense of discrimination felt by some of the nations of the world? How can we understand the crucial role of the Jews?

The way to work with Israeli Arabs is to show them how we, the Jews in Israel, connect among us, and how we can accept them among us so that they can also be connected with us. Let’s investigate the systems of our connection, but from the perspective of the corrected form. For this we have a method and we know from the forces of Kabbalah what form we need and how to implement this. Then we will reach tranquility with our neighbors and the rest of the nations of the world and they will come and help us. The nations of the world will carry the children of Israel on their shoulders and bring them to the temple in a perfect state.

We are falling behind in this. There is a unique partnership here. We should form the head. The people of Israel have an idea, a message. The nations of the world have the forces. We do not have the forces, and they need a goal.

All parts of the body are important in order to reach the goal. Since each one’s unique role is equally necessary, they won’t feel that they are deprived. They don’t want our role; they just need us to fulfill our role so that they can perform their role. Once we do the work, once we wholeheartedly want to achieve wholeness, they will adhere to us and be devoted to us heart and soul. By this we can turn them into aiding forces. The work is therefore not among the Arabs, but among the Jews.

The moment Israel acts as the head, this force of connection will pour from Israel to the nations of the world, and the world must respond accordingly.
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From KabTV’s “New Life 454 – Israeli-Arab Relationships,” 11/13/14
This summary was written and edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman

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New Life 453 – Wave Of Upheavals In Israel, Part 2
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Nitzah Mazoz

There is very little understanding as to why there is such an upheaval at this time. It is unclear what should be done regarding the violence being committed against common citizens.

The final state is determined by the initial thought. It is all part of the waves of development governed by the absolute laws of nature. We are under this system of laws whether we are conscious of it or not. The process we must go through in history begins in the chaos of the shattering of harmony on all levels. There are different periods within this process— still, vegetative, animate, and speaking.

The periods within the speaking level are of a different nature. Humanity was not conscious of the way it has developed until 5,775 years ago when Adam discovered nature’s plan. Since then, we have some kind of knowledge about what is happening to us, and we have been given the tools with which to research our internality. Our future form already exists and we need to reach it. By our participation, we can initiate an easier, more pleasant process.

When I participate, the force inside me is felt as desirable and good. We are learning how we can influence our fate. How do we hasten the process and consciously participate in our own attainment?

If we discover certain phenomena that are outside of this harmony, it means that we are not keeping nature properly. A very tiny part of humanity called Israel determines how the rest of humanity will act. Others can also join this process. If there is no wholeness, Israel is to blame. We need to understand that Intifada and anti-Semitism indicate that Israel is falling behind.

Already a long time ago, Israel began to fall short of its correct participation. We needed to start pulling ourselves and the rest of the world into its whole and perfect state. We only need to think how we can take the forces of nature and arrange the connection between us within Israel. When we connect among us, we disperse the force of wholeness and perfection, of love and connection to all of humanity.

We were once connected in the time of the First Temple and we fell from that state into the nations of the world. We integrated with them and absorbed all of their desires. It was necessary to absorb the entire human ego inside of us, and this is what we went into exile for. Now we need not wait for anyone else. It is up to us. Once we have connected among ourselves, the nations of the world will come and help us. If we do not perform our role, we can expect worse calamities to occur.

We need to understand the measure to which we are still not in a corrected place. The people of Israel must awaken and start doing what is upon us to do. Let us make of our life and the lives of all nations a good, pleasant, and beautiful life.
This summary was written and edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman
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From KabTV’s “New Life 453 – Wave Of Upheavals In Israel, Part 2,” 11/13/14

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Question: In everyday life, Jews cannot get along with each other, but at the same time they very quickly developed the country and literally raised it from the swamps. In addition, whenever war starts they win, although they remain scattered. How is this possible?

Answer: It does not depend on them. Do not credit them with it. This happens only because they have the upper purpose! It is only because they have a special quality of light, but in no way is it because they have the best brains. Also physically they are definitely not stronger than others. They owe this only to their upper purpose!

Therefore it is pointless to fight with them in general regarding any matter. Those who do, possibly not now but maybe for tens or hundreds of years, lose in the end, by and large.

We see this by the movement of Jews during exile from Spain to France, from France to Germany, from England, and so on. They came, the country blossomed, they were kicked out, and then the country fell into decay.

All this is the manifestation of the upper system. I am talking about what is happening when the upper governance is clothed into people. If they act against the Jews, who have a method of correcting the world inside of them, then in the end they are opposed to the Creator’s program.

From this they should suffer in the course of history by the manifestation of evil. Thus they show everyone else and themselves that the opposite of correction, manifested this way, is negative and deserves punishment. This is the path of suffering.

Question: In principle this is not their choice, right?

Answer: Of course not. After all, they had no way to be different. Where can a person have freedom of will?

Question: Should people learn from these things?

Answer: Actually no. If ordinary people do not have freewill, there is nothing you can do. You can only turn to those who have it.

If a person has egoism and a point in the heart and he can cause light to act on his ego through it, it can form the right dipole so that egoism and altruism are together as Keter and Malchut, one is put above the other so that the quality of bestowal prevails over the quality of reception, and in addition if he connects with others to make sure he is in the quality of bestowal with regard to them, and if he hides his quality of reception, then the upper light is revealed; it corrects this person, and this construction rises to the first degree of the spiritual world. And that is it.

Those who do not have a point in the heart, from the awareness of the crisis, meaninglessness, inevitability, and worthlessness, to the extent that they join this system, they also go up and move on. The feeling of the correctness of connection awakens within them and connects together into one system, and they feel the correct direction.
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From KabTV’s “I Got a Call. Why Do Jews Always Win” 6/9/12

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Question: There are a lot of articles in the media questioning where we are going. Many articles today report on what is happening in Israel and concludes that Israel is becoming a tough and cruel country as evidenced by 55,000 cases of physical violence, 32,000 of domestic violence, and mayhem on the roads.

Instances of a driver in a traffic jam getting out of his car and beating up another driver, knives instantly being pulled out in altercations, and domestic violence turning into death have been noted. There is also violence in hospitals, in ambulances, and incidents of doctors being beaten.

Tell me please, what is happening with Israel? Or maybe we haven’t seen this before?

Answer: It used to be a little different because egoism was not so big everywhere. Today it is a terrible condition and it will be even worse.

Question: Does this mean we will not be able to stop it by any earthly, ordinary measures?

Answer: No, not by any ordinary measures. Egoism is getting bigger, more merciless, and more uncontrollable by the minute. That is how it happens.

We are influenced by the egoism growing in us, which we must correct, and yet we do not correct it.

Question: So it will inevitably grow and require only correction?

Answer: Yes. And we cannot look at others to compare with others, how they are and how we are.

Question: So the correction is on us? Only?

Answer: Yes. Just turn everything into friendship, into good relations. Nothing else. If it will work, yes, and if it will not work, it will be the end of us.

Question: So you think the goal of the country is good connection and friendship between all citizens of Israel?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Just like that, in a simple way?

Answer: It is not easy and simple, but it should be like this.

Question: So you think that the laws, even the economic and political laws of the Knesset, should be brought only to this?

Answer: Of course.

Comment: They say that we simplify everything, that sentences are too simple, so simple for people! But, on the other hand, it is impossible to implement, as it turns out.

My Response: So if they can’t do them, then what does “we simplify” mean? We should only say good things to each other.

Comment: Meaning, to radiate only warmth to another.

My Response: Only!
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 12/8/22

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In our world, Jews are carriers of a spark of light; therefore, people subconsciously hate them: “There is something peculiar about them, something about them is not right. They are not like all other people; they are like a special race or space aliens.”

And in fact, it is true. After all, there are fragments of sparks in them, which are opposite to the egoism of an ordinary healthy person. Therefore, on the one hand, people are drawn to them; on the other hand, they hate them.

From this, they inflated an entire system, anti-Semitism, and everything else. Why? Such is the difference in qualities! In our world they are the only ones who have a spark of light.

These Jews are still trying to convince everyone that they are like everyone else. But this spark is embedded within you, you cannot cut it out with any surgical instruments! You have something that others do not have. Other people are obliged to hate you because this is an opposite quality, it is not from our world at all!

Therefore, until the same quality is manifested in all people, anti-Semitism will exist. That is, on one hand, it is impossible to destroy these people, this tribe, this practically Kabbalistic group, because they have an upper purpose: to transmit the highest state to the entire world.

On the other hand, as long as they do not realize their mission, which they themselves do not suspect, anti-Semitism and hatred for this quality will not pass. They must reverse it, but not for their own sake.

Anti-Semitism somehow drives them to this and catalyzes the process.
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From KabTV’s “I Got a Call. Those Jews Again!” 6/9/12

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