The externality are the nations of the world. The branch that extends from the externality is the rest of the nations. They have not been imparted the qualities that make them worthy of receiving the conducts of development of the purpose one at a time. Rather, they are fit to receive the correction at once and to the fullest, according to their upper root (Baal HaSulam “A Handmaid Who Is Heir to Her Mistress“).

Question: What does it mean that Israel, unlike the nations of the world, can receive the conducts of development of the purpose one at a time?

Answer: It depends on how we define Israel. Israel is Yashar El, straight to the Creator, that is, those who are directed at the Creator, no matter whether they are white or black.

When there is no difference between them, then Israel is everyone who has a desire to come closer to the Creator either from birth or after some event in life. Accordingly, a person decides to develop.

The nations of the world are those who have not received or do not want to receive the desire for development in the direction of the Creator.
[320339]
From the 3^rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/5/23, Writings of Baal HaSulam “A Handmaid Who Is Heir to Her Mistress“

Related Material:
Rest or Movement?
Absolute Rest At The Speed Of Light
A Candle Lights From Another Candle

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Israel, Israel Today, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: What is essentially called the sin of the people of Israel, and what is the sin of the nations of the world?

Answer: They are both egoism. But the egoism of the people of Israel is central and fundamental, and the egoism of the nations of the world is much smaller and not so dependent on each other.
[320290]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah lesson 11/5/23, Writings of Rabash “What Is, ‘A Ladder Is Set on the Earth, and Its Top Reaches Heaven,’ in the Work?“

Related Material:
Egoism Of The Two Parts Of Creation
Two Parts Of Common Soul
The Soul Of A Jew

Filed under: Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Israel Today, Nations of the World, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: What condition in Israel’s current war would you call victory? What is a victory for you?

Answer: It is a state where both sides raise their hands and agree not to fight anymore.

Comment: Many people say that one of the reasons for the current war was the split in Israeli society, which has been intensifying over the past year.

My Response: I think so too. This war can be called a punishment from above for our rift in society.
[320944]
From KabTV’s “Spiritual States” 10/29/23

Related Material:
This Will Be the Solution for Everyone
The Advantage of the Accelerated Path
What Does it Mean to Be the People of Israel?

Filed under: Israel, Israel Today, Nations of the World - No Comments →

Dear Michael Laitman,
Trouble has brought us together again. We are again confident that the people are united, we will defeat any enemies, we can, we are strong, and we defend our home. I agree with all this, but where is the Creator now, the one you keep talking about? Or is it implied that He is inside this unity of ours?
Ilya

My Response: We can say that we are close to misfortune. It is our enemies who have silenced us relative to each other.

Question: Do you mean that there is still a lot of work to be done?

Answer: Not only that still needs to be done, but we need to do the work! We were forced to forget about some internal quarrels. But we must understand that we must do serious work on a mistake. The mistake is mutual hatred, revealed in us by the Creator who specifically awakens it so that we ask Him to make peace and love between us.

Question: Do we still have to come to this?

Answer: Of course! And come in what way? We have to recognize and feel that there is mutual rejection and hatred between us. We have to rise above it.

This work is constant! It is not something that will pass in a couple of weeks, and that is it. This hatred will not go away. We have reached a level of connection between us, which is called mutual hatred. We have to suppress it from above with our love for each other. It is through hatred that we can reach love.

Question: You just said a very interesting thing. Is this a level of hatred? This level is already very high. Should love have the same level?

Answer: It should be even more, above the hatred.

This love is not ready, and it is not there so that you can take and replace one with another. It must be born out of ourselves! Precisely, in such serious labor pains. I think it is not easy, this work is for many years to come.

Question: Now everyone is thinking and talking, of course, about victory. Tell me, please, what do you call victory?

Answer: By victory, I mean the victory of a person over oneself. When one realizes that to win, he must defeat himself because besides him there is only the Creator. Here, nothing can be otherwise.

The only thing we need is to truly understand that we have always behaved incorrectly. Now is the time to understand, realize, and admit who is to blame.

It is us. By hating each other, we have led ourselves and the country to the fact that it cannot exist in this way. We must give a clear answer to this and proceed with what we must do to make this country Jewish and viable.
[319678]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/12/23

Related Material:
We Are All Brothers, And Not Only in Misfortune
What Does it Mean to Be the People of Israel?
The Main Weapon Is Our Heart

Filed under: Israel Today, News, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Why Does Israel, a Small Nation, Get So Much News Focus?”
In today’s complex global landscape, there exists a stark contrast between those who support and oppose Israel. It is a tension that stretches across borders, reflecting a force compelling the people of Israel to establish their unity amid the discord.

Israel, one way or another, bothers the world at large. It stands vividly in the spotlight, revealing itself in all its potency like an open wound on the world’s collective body. It is a major disturbance that draws attention and demands a close examination of the more concealed dynamics at play.

Considering Israel’s tiny size compared to the global superpowers, the surface picture based on our immediate narrow, corporeal and materialistic worldview falls short of grasping this nation’s full impact. Despite its minuscule geographical footprint, the unity of the nation reverberates globally, perplexing anyone who tries to gauge its real impact. It is a puzzle that requires a shift in focus from the physical realm to the deeper connections that bind people and nations.

How, then, does such a small nation, almost inconspicuous on the world map, elicit such widespread attention and reaction? The answer is in understanding the intricate interplay between corporeal existence and spirituality. We, the people of Israel, stand at that very juncture. Whether or not we are aware of it, we actually hold the key to resolving the complexities surrounding us.

Despite our relative smallness in size and quantity, it becomes imperative for us, the people of Israel, to assert our significance on the world stage. Our existence indeed holds a great level of importance in the grand tapestry of global affairs. How? It is that when we unite as a single nation above our internal divisions, then we impact the world with an unprecedentedly harmonious and healthy influence. Doing so brings us into contact with the deeper positive forces dwelling in nature, and such a unifying influence within humanity’s subconscious awakens the ability in everyone to unite above the harmful, exploitative and divisive egoistic desires that lurk in human nature. By contrast, if we let our egoistic desires and our internal divisions get the better of us, then our own wound infects and inflames the rest of the world, leading to increasing animosity against us.

It is thus my hope that we evoke our unity “as one man with one heart” above our divisive drives, and realize our full potential to unite and spread unity worldwide.
[320818]

Filed under: Israel Today, New Publications - No Comments →

If we start to investigate, we will quickly understand that we, the people of Israel, are to blame for what is happening. We have not followed the straight and right path, which is called the path of the Torah. Therefore, we must now correct our path.

And in this, we need to support and strengthen each other so that instead of lamenting and regretting, we can look truth in the eye and figure out how to move forward on the path to unity, peace, and common harmony and how we can also explain to our enemies that the way to universal harmony lies only in unity among all, so we would stop fighting and proving one’s righteousness, as such a path does not lead to a solution.

The strength of our people lies only in unity. And if we direct our unity toward the Creator, we will find ourselves at the center of creation. From this point, we can achieve success, not just by defeating someone by force, but by proving to everyone that global unity is possible above all enmity and will be the solution for everyone.

We should not consider ourselves righteous, acting at the pinnacle of justice. If that were the case, we would not be in the situation we are in today.

In reality, our condition is no better than that of any other nation or group. Everyone is in complete confusion and global shattering. Therefore, we must know that there is no truth behind anyone. The truth lies only in turning to the Creator and wanting to draw closer to Him so He will care for us.

The only way to escape the trap in which humanity finds itself is if everyone wants to join the central point that gathers all the humanity together and leaves no one outside that center. There will be no good or bad, no disputes between nations and religions; everyone will be obligated to accept all others as members of one community because all people are brothers.

The Creator gave us all an egoistic, evil nature only so that we could rise above our egoism and acquire a good nature against it.

We must understand that humanity has fallen into such darkness that no one comprehends where the truth is, where justice is, and how it is possible to live in peace. If there is no external war somewhere, there is an internal war. Therefore, to bring about the right balance, we must change ourselves.

I wish for people to discover the upper force that can unite all people into one group, into one people of the Creator. Then, we will be in the right state.

May the Creator gather us together into one people and teach us how to relate to each other, what to feel and think about each other. Otherwise, these wars will not end today or tomorrow, but will continue for many, many years.

Therefore, we must demand the Creator to show us the right direction in our development and the right attitude among all nations and all the people.
[320296]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/30/23, Writings of Rabash “It Is Forbidden to Hear a Good Thing from a Bad Person“

Related Material:
May The Creator Help Us
What Does Israel Need to Win?
Jews Cannot Be Annihilated

Filed under: Crisis, Daily Kabbalah Lesson, Globalization, Israel, Israel Today, Spiritual Work - No Comments →

Question: Is it possible to live without suffering? Sometimes you say, “It is possible without suffering,” and other times you say, “It is impossible.” Yes, or no?”

My Response: It is possible to live without suffering if we will imagine how we grow thanks to suffering. And then, we will perceive suffering as an incentive to growth.

Question: So, when sufferings come, what should be my response to it?

Answer: That I investigate, analyze, and rise above them.

Question: Analyzing them means: Where did they come from, why? Is that analysis?

Answer: And that is too, of course.

Question: Does that mean that I have to respond to every suffering with analysis?

Answer: Certainly yes. Otherwise, it will pass without a trace. We’ve had this before. We have already been to Gaza and have already expelled terrorists from there. So what? It just gets worse from time to time.

Comment: It is not easy all the time. If I feel pain, I feel it.

My Response: Everything I am going to say today is not easy. Because this is the situation!

Question: In other words, if I feel pain, I still have to, even go through the pain, come to an analysis, as you say, where did it come from and why did it come to me?

Answer: Yes.

Question: And then the pain goes away? Or is it changing? What happens if I actually analyze?

Answer: I thank this pain for what it does to me. Thanks to it I feel where I am ill, in what ways, and how can I get rid of my illness and come to a healthy life. And it is indeed the path to a healthy life.

Question: So, it turns out that it is possible without suffering, right?

Answer: Of course. It is possible without suffering if we correctly depict what suffering means. And sufferings are in mutual hatred. This is what real sufferings are! And I have to rise above them to mutual love, and then everything will work out.

Question: Meaning, that I have to suffer from the hatred for another that lives in me? Is that what you call real suffering?

Answer: Yes. Exactly to that extent I have to suffer.

Question: And what about that I am pushed with a stick to happiness and so on?

Answer: No, that is not it. This is a result of my behavior, a consequence of my hatred.

Question: So, you are going back to the root again? Everything is in the root.

Answer: And what can you do?

Question: Let’s imagine if I turn this hatred around, will be able to, then the stick will no longer push me?

Answer: Obviously who would it push? It only pushes us to bring us to a state of love.
[319988]
From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/12/23

Related Material:
What Is The Meaning Of Our Suffering?
Is It Possible To Avoid Suffering?
How Does One Become Free From Suffering?

Filed under: Crisis, Globalization, Israel, Israel Today, News - No Comments →

Michael Laitman, On Quora: “How can the world be better?“

The power of connection, unity, mutual responsibility and care is the key to making a better and more balanced world.

Today’s calamities and threats are ultimately in order to make us open up more to each other, and by doing so, draw ourselves to a more unified, harmonious and peaceful state.

We should thus use today’s crises in order to better connect, and to spread unity and mutual responsibility as the solution to our every problem.

Based on the video “What Is the Key to a Better World?” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman and Oren Levi. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

Filed under: Israel, Israel Today, Q&A, Quora - No Comments →

Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “What Are the Main Challenges That Israel Faces Today?”
Several Kabbalistic sources emphasize the need for the people of Israel to unite like a family. Especially on tragic days, the truth of this message becomes apparent, and it is important to clarify that the family is not one of blood relations, but a family that transcends blood ties. It is about everyone coming to feel that the person standing beside them is part of the same family.

We all need to sense that we are parts of a single unified entity. When we achieve such unity, we not only overcome our apparent enemies outside of us, but more significantly, we rise over our internal enemy: the egoistic desires within us that constantly pull in the direction of detaching from others and using everyone and everything outside of us for the sake of personal benefit.

The idea of uniting above our egos when we are all individuals with different backgrounds, personalities and worldviews—including many that oppose and resist the others—can seem like an impossible task. However, we need to raise awareness that we can be victorious in bringing about a harmonious and peaceful life for all solely through the achievement of such unity. If we set aside our contradictions and differences, recognizing that we are one interconnected whole, then we can overcome our internal struggles, and by doing so, we will find that we have no more enemies outside of us.

A key stage in the development of the people of Israel was when we accepted upon ourselves the pact to stand “as one man with one heart” at the foot of Mount Sinai. We were faced with a life-and-death choice: “Either unite now or face dire consequences.” Today, we once again face a challenge of immense magnitude, and it is imperative for us to understand that we need to unite above all else.

We need to recognize that we play host to an egoistic inclination that constantly makes us want our own opinion to override everyone else’s. While this ego is indeed a problem, we should not try to subdue or eliminate it, because it is our very nature. On the contrary, together with recognizing its determinant force in drawing inwardly to ourselves, we need to develop a supportive and encouraging atmosphere around us where we raise the need to unite above our egoistic inclination as being of much greater importance, i.e., as a matter of life and death. If we fail to unite above our egoistic inclination and simply drift away with its divisive views and opinions, then we are bound to find ourselves again in situations where we suddenly awaken to an onslaught of enemies outside of us, similar to what we experienced in the tragic events of October 7, 2023.

Therefore, now that we are in the midst of a severe state of war, we need to deal with the situation at hand and also raise awareness of what can prevent such extreme states from materializing in the future. It all points to our need to unite above our divisions.

What steps should each of us take to achieve this unity? Simply put, we should each shift our focus away from ourselves and onto others. For instance, today there are several stories of selflessness that emerge from the frontlines, where people risk their own lives for the sake of other people. These acts demonstrate the inclination to rise above ourselves. When we hold a strong sense of the need to be there for one another in such a way, then we can unite and succeed. True success comes when we unite “as one man with one heart” above our divisive egoistic drives.
[320431]

Filed under: Israel, Israel Today, New Publications - No Comments →

Michael Laitman, On Quora: “How can we prevent future wars?“

The suffering and sorrow in the present war should awaken the feeling that we lack positive human connection.

If we want to prevent future wars, then we need to connect harmoniously to each other, and to relate to such connection with paramount importance.

Moreover, in our closeness, we should discover a state of mutual responsibility. That is, if one person does something detrimental to others, then we all take responsibility for that act—that we have yet to create the required unifying spirit throughout society that would make everyone willingly rise above their divisive and negative drives.

We should thus pray with all of our strength for our hearts to soften and understand that only our heart-to-heart connection can save humanity. We can then progress to a state of world peace.

Based on the video “How to Prevent Future Wars” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

Filed under: Israel, Israel Today, Q&A, Quora - No Comments →