Entries in the 'Nations of the World' Category

The Chosen People

938.07Question: What are the chosen people?

Answer: The chosen people are the souls who gather together and raise MAN to the Creator so that He will bring MAD to them, and they would unite with the help of this light and receive a portion of advancement to the Creator.

This nation carries a unique ability (Sgula) inherited from their forefathers. It awakens in every person who studies Kabbalah regardless of who he is by origin.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/24/24, Writings of Rabash “Abraham Begot Isaac”

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How Were the Twelve Tribes of the People of Israel Formed?

749.01Why were the people of Israel divided into twelve tribes? The fact is that there is a four-letter (Yud-Hay-Vav-Hay) or four-phase development of desire. The light that generates desire guides it through these phases, and the last one is egoistic.

It turns out that there are four phases in our soul, and if I feel something, it means that I have gone through the previous stages of development and feel their manifestation in me.

Moreover, spiritual work is carried out along three lines: right, left, and middle. The right line is altruism, the quality of bestowal and love, the left line is egoism.

And I am in the middle line because I have to select from the left line only those egoistic desires that can be corrected, compare them with the right line, and place them together in the center. At this moment, at this phase, this is my prepared soul.

Therefore, the four phases multiplied by three lines result in twelve parts, twelve tribes, twelve fundamental qualities that make up the collective soul.

Each of us does not have a soul; the soul can only be common—one for all. And if we unite in it, we will acquire it; each and every one.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book

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The Foundation of the Jewish Nation

767.2Any culture is the filling of a nation. Kabbalah is a very important part of the culture of Israelis as it is essentially the foundation of the Jewish people.

On what basis did this group emerge three and a half thousand years ago under the leadership of Abraham? The basis is the unification of completely different people—descendants from various nations whom Abraham gathered together, created a group from them, and called it “the people of Israel” because Israel means straight to the Creator, because this group is aimed precisely at attainment of the quality of bestowal, and connection.

In fact, the Jews are not a nation, but a collection of representatives of all the nations of ancient Babylon, a few from each nation. Therefore, we see how ready they are to distance themselves from one another.

They do not feel a biological connection between them. Only when an external danger arises do they involuntarily unite because for them that is common. If the world did not have a special attitude toward them, they would not think about uniting at all and would not even look at each other, because biologically they represent completely different roots. They are united only by the external hatred of those around them.

That is why if the Jews themselves do not want to unite, then hatred toward them arises among the nations of the world, and then they involuntarily draw closer to one another. But this unification is not for the correction of the world, but only for a certain correction.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/28/19, “Questions and Answers”

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Frank Answers to Difficult Questions

961.2Question: You are often asked personal questions like have you ever experienced real fear? If so, how did you feel about it then, and how do you feel about it now?

Answer: I have probably not experienced real fear. I have had fear of death, and I have had fear of failure.

Question: And any primal fear?

Answer: It is the fear of suffering. I have had that too, but I would not say those are the highest forms of fear.

Question: How did you get out of these states?

Answer: I would retreat into my activities, into Kabbalah, and try to find their root. And when I would find it, I would realize I was creating these sufferings myself. And the fears would disappear.

Question: Perhaps this is exactly what people want to hear in response, that they need to go inward, search for the root?

Answer: That is a problem. If a person feels that they have enough strength to fight such visions of suffering…

Question: What brings on fears?

Answer: Yes, that is a problem. A person first needs to understand that they are heading toward suffering. They will have to endure it, accept it, rise above it, and so on. It is not an easy task.

Question: So, you are talking about suffering and, by extension, talking about fears?

Answer: Yes, it is the fear of suffering

Question: So I should go toward it like in the movie “Into the Storm”? I should face it head-on, and then I can reach the root?

Answer: Yes.

Question: But what if I am just afraid? What if fear just overwhelms me? What should I do? People are full of fears nowadays.

Answer: Then all the more so, you must immediately break out of that state.

Question: How?

Answer: Under no circumstances should you remain in it. I believe the best thing for a person in this case is serious exercise like cycling. Go forward, forward, and pedal for an hour a day.

Question: But if you recommend your science, Kabbalah, is not for everyone?

Answer: No, it is not for everyone. It is only for those who can place their mind above their emotions. Otherwise, it will not work.

Question: Another question: “You write that you were constantly with your teacher. Does that mean your wife raised the children? As a woman, it is very important for me to know her feelings, please forgive me.”

Answer: Yes, that is how it was.

Question: What were your wife’s feelings? A woman is asking.

Answer: At least she had the children, participated in their education, and so on. Meanwhile, I was only focused on my teacher.

Comment: That is a heroic life on the part of the woman.

My Response: For her, yes.

Question: And you fully acknowledge that?

Answer: Absolutely! She has earned everything the Creator can give.

Question: And you could not have done it differently?

Answer: No.

Question: And today you understand that you could not have done it differently?

Answer: I understand that, of course.

Question: And does she understand that?

Answer: Yes!

Question: One more question: What do you think about when you are teaching your regular students? And what do you think about when you are giving a public lecture to people who know nothing at all?

Answer: When I am giving a public lecture and no one knows anything, I have to teach them the most basic, most understandable fundamentals of Kabbalah so they feel they understand, accept, and adapt it within themselves.

Question: So you practically have to come down to their level?

Answer: Yes, of course. But with my regular students, I try to structure the lesson so that it consists of two, maybe even three levels. So that they rise through them and start looking a little higher than the perspective they had before the lesson began.

Question: What should a student leave a lesson with?

Answer: With the feeling that they have risen above what they came with, and that this satisfies them, lifts them up, and makes them feel worthy.

Question: So they should leave with a mental checkmark that they have achieved something?

Answer: Yes, absolutely.

Question: Does this fade away during the day, and then the next lesson again, right?

Answer: Relatively, yes.

Question: And what should a beginner leave with after your introductory lecture?

Answer: That they came, got filled, and left generally satisfied.

Question: And do you need them to feel drawn to your wisdom, for you to awaken that in them?

Answer: Of course, I worry about that and think about it, but it depends on the person.

Question: Another question: What does Israel mean to you? Do you consider yourself a patriot of Israel?

Answer: Israel means a special place to me, a truly holy place in the world where all Jews can and will live.

Do I consider myself a patriot? I do not think about it. I just have a practical, and I believe, correct assessment of this country.

Question: Then the question is: What is that assessment?

Answer: That this is the place for us. And we must cling to it by all means.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 9/23/24

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A Strong Israel

963.4Question: Should our country be strong?

Answer: It should take care only of those citizens who according to the state policy must live, exist, and be protected here.

We have no other land! We have no other place! We have no other state! We must have our own—our strong army and our place on this planet. And although everyone will encroach on it, we must tell everyone the truth directly: “This is ours! It was, is, and will be.”

Question: How long will this position hold, as you have described?

Answer: Until the final correction of human egoism across the entire planet.

Comment: But you constantly speak about connection, about the unity of people…

My Response: That is what we will achieve along the way.

Question: So by remaining this strong camp, this fortress, will we still move toward the unity of all humanity?

Answer: Only! Only on this condition! Set an example and lead the way.

Question: Are you not bothered by the combination of these two poles? One pole is a strong, powerful state ready to fight against everyone etc., and the other hand there is unity, connection, and a warm state?

Answer: That is correct, and it is precisely thanks to being a strong state.

Question: Should we radiate this warmth, one way or another?

Answer: Yes, without concessions whatsoever!

Question: And what if we declare that we want to rely solely on ourselves?

Answer: Yes. Is that not exactly what is happening?

Comment: But we do receive assistance.

My Response: Yes, but regardless, we rely on ourselves.

Question: And is that right?

Answer: We accept the help, all of it, but we still count on the strength we have. We do not sign any agreement and then sit back and rest.

Question: So you think if some conditions come like, “We will help you if, for example, you establish two states here”?

Answer: No! That is all entirely ruled out. Any compromises or agreements of that type are excluded. We do not owe anyone anything, we are not obligated, and we will not concede.

Question: And must this state, in the end, as you said, radiate warmth, connection, and love for its neighbor?

Answer: Yes, a light for all the nations of the world.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/13/23

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What Should We Understand after the Tragedy of October 7th?

560Question: A year has passed since the catastrophe on October 7th when the war began.

Terrorists from Gaza broke into Israeli territory and killed 1,432 people including 341 women and 36 children, one of whom was a 10-month-old baby.

251 people were taken hostage and transported to Gaza and 97 of them are still in captivity.

The phrase that had been said before: “Quiet for quiet”—if you’re quiet with us, we will be quiet with you did not work. On October 7th they started killing us.

A year has passed. What should we understand about ourselves and our society after these events?

Answer: We need to understand that we must not fear anyone. We must not show anyone that we can forgive when they come to kill us. We should not do that.

We must clearly understand that our salvation is only in our own hands, only in our weapons, and in nothing else.

Question: Do you think the events of October 7th changed how we perceive ourselves as a nation?

Answer: I think they did. They changed us.

Before October 7th we had hoped for some semblance of mutual, humane relations with others. After this we understand that such a thing is no longer possible, not in any way! Therefore, we now have greater confidence that we will not be dragged into another mess of egoism, bloodlust, and so on, as we were on October 7th.

Question: How can we ensure that the pain from these events stays with us? And should it?

Answer: It should. It is forever! For as long as we live on this Earth, we must remember that our neighbors are our most bitter enemies. We must never allow ourselves any weakness in this regard.

Question: How will we achieve peace?

Answer: That is when peace will come.

Question: So when we talk about peace, at the same time, do we always know that they do not want it? Is that how it works?

Answer: Yes, that they do not want it and do not even think about it. But when you think about war, then they will strive for peace.

Question: So if I ask you what steps we should take toward peace, are these the steps you are talking about?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Think about peace but at the same time?

Answer: Arm yourself.

Question: You always talk about unity, the unity of the people, and you say that this is our main weapon. It is clear to most people that unity is probably the most important thing. So why can’t we unite? Please explain.

Answer: Because we still do not truly understand within ourselves how necessary it is.

Question: Do we not have that understanding yet?

Answer: No.

Question: Does it come through suffering or what?

Answer: Gradually, through blows, we begin to realize that unity is in fact the most important thing.

Question: But through blows?

Answer: Yes.

Question: So if we do not realize it now, do you expect more to come?

Answer: Definitely.

Question: How can we realize this in a peaceful way, as they say, through light and not through darkness?

Answer: We must become such a strong light that they will fear us.

Question: When you say “we must become a light,” what do you mean?

Answer: That in our desire for peace, we are willing to do everything necessary so that those who oppose it cease to exist.

Question: When you talk about our desire for peace, do you mean peace with our neighbors? Or peace in general?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: And at the same time, you say that we must always be preemptive.

My Response: Of course.

Question: So Israel should always have a policy of preempting strikes.

But how did it happen that for 20 years we lived knowing that in the south they were digging underground Gaza and in the north Hezbollah was arming itself? We knew all this, and yet we somehow lived on. Can you explain this to me? I am trying to understand the mindset of the leadership or even of ourselves.

Something terrible was brewing nearby, and we did not act. Why? Can you tell me what this kind of complacency was about?

Answer: We wanted to appear kind, good, and peace-loving to each other and to the whole world. But this is a terrible delusion.

Question: Really? Should we not care about the world, about the world’s opinion?

Answer: Not at all!

Question: What should we care about?

Answer: Only about the necessity of our existence as the people of Israel because our existence is aimed at achieving the highest state of humanity.

Question: So you call our position, even a corporeal one, the center of the world?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: Today this is becoming more and more apparent. You have always said this actually, that this is the central problem, the central point of the world.

My Response: Yes.

Question: What healing process must we go through?

Answer: We must explain to everyone that the world exists for the purpose of bringing all nations together, uniting them around the most important thing in the world, which is to love your neighbor as yourself.

Question: Are you saying that the whole world should somehow push us toward that?

Answer: Yes.

Question: The world should constantly signal to us that we need to do that?

Answer: Yes.

Question: For them?

Answer: For everyone. This is the central point of the entire existence of the universe.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/7/24

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We Must Learn to Unite

229I believe that in our days the people of Israel will rise and unite. After all, the external pressure on us is growing day by day, squeezing the ring around us more and more tightly. And the nations of the world’ seem to support this pressure, making claims against us that we are not fulfilling what is assigned to us.

We have no choice but to understand the reason for this attitude toward us, which has been going on for thousands of years and has recently become simply critical.

There has never been a time when other nations have blamed the people of Israel and wanted to completely erase them. We have to start changing; there is no more time to wait because everything that the prophets and Kabbalists wrote about has already happened to us. However, no unity emerged among the people. Apparently, a group is needed that will reveal the need for this connection and lead the entire Israeli people and then all nations to correction.

The people of Israel still do not live up to what they should be. You have to learn this. The main problem is that we do not understand our mission, the purpose of our existence, or our duty toward all nations of the world, all mankind.

We must study all this, accept it as a law of nature, and fulfill our destiny. Otherwise we will not be able to continue to exist here. The whole nation is obligated to unite as one man with one heart; there is no other solution.

The solution lies only in the correct unification through which we will raise ourselves above all and be able to show all other nations an example of what the only correct form of existence for all should be. This is the kind of unification that Kabbalists talk about; that is, complete unity as one man with one heart, when everyone is a friend to everyone else and has no other aspiration in life than to be one nation.

When more such groups strive to unite within themselves, they will also find a way to connect with each other. This help will come from above. And when those who understand that humanity must take a step forward toward common unification come together, we will be able to move toward a general correction of creation.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/7/24, Writings of Baal HaSulam Newspaper “The Nation”

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Day of Atonement—How to Be Inscribed in the Book of Life

200.02Question: Perhaps the most important day for Jews is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It unites religious Jews and secular ones who do not follow any laws or commandments. This day brings us together.

Before this day, there are ten steps known as the Ten Days of Repentance. Please tell us what these steps are leading up to Yom Kippur.

Answer: These are gradual realizations by a person about how they live, how they have lived, and how they plan to live moving forward. Essentially, it is when a person reflects on themselves: who they are, what they are, and why they are.

Therefore, Yom Kippur is a special day. Everyone observes it in some way. Even if it is not outwardly observed, inwardly, a person still reflects on it.

Question: We ask for forgiveness on Yom Kippur. I might not even know exactly what I am asking forgiveness for, but I ask. How does this affect my life, even if I do it automatically?

Answer: The thing is, asking for forgiveness is hard work. It forces a person to think about his life, what he thought a year ago, and how he lived this past year. Essentially, it is a day when a person judges himself.

Question: Yom Kippur is also called the Day of Purification. What are we purifying ourselves from?

Answer: From egoism, from the things that spoil our lives and prevent us from being a united nation, striving toward the Creator. It is a very challenging day.

Question: Why is it important for us to ask forgiveness from other people before Yom Kippur? This is called Selichot.

Answer: Because it is said that if you are not forgiven by other people, even the Creator will not be able to help you.

The most important thing is to reach a level of connection with others where you ask for them and they ask for you.

Question: Should I ask forgiveness from others with the thought that they will forgive me? Or is it just because it is a tradition for this holiday?

Answer: No, you need to reach a state where you genuinely ask others to forgive you because no matter how strictly we judge ourselves, we often overlook things.

Question: What about when others judge us?

Answer: We must be sensitive and show maximal politeness, as every person in the community is completely equal to others. No one can escape their egoism or the harm we might cause each other.

Question: This is very interesting. It aligns all of us, right?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Whether it is an ordinary worker or a prime minister?

Answer: There is absolutely no difference.

Question: Is this through the act of asking for forgiveness and judging ourselves?

Answer: Yes, all members of society and the nation are neither higher nor lower. We understand that just as each of us stands before this great call from above, so must we act.

Question: We have been progressing step by step, and now we have reached the point where we fast on Yom Kippur. There are five prohibitions, things we cannot do on Yom Kippur. Could you please explain the essence of the fast? What is the meaning of these prohibitions?

Answer: The prohibitions on eating, drinking, and so on are all connected to the idea that people should humble themselves a little to realize that there is the upper force, and they must stand before it, completely detached from their egoistic desires, impulses, etc. This is the main point.

Question: So is this an external attempt to restrict oneself?

Answer: Yes, it is an external attempt, but it greatly affects people. When a person refrains from eating or drinking, reads specific texts, or participates in certain actions with others, such as praying, he elevates himself to a different level.

Question: Could you please explain what it means to be inscribed in the Book of Life? We often hear about being inscribed in the Book of Life. What does it mean?

Answer: The Book of Life is a book with blank pages where our deeds, whether good or not, are written down.

If you act righteously, then your name is inscribed in the Book of Life. There is the upper will, a hand that (as if) writes your name in this book.

Our actions are recorded, meaning they leave an imprint on the surrounding nature. We illuminate this nature with our deeds, and everything depends on how we understand which actions are good and which are evil and how we treat others—with good or evil.

Question: Could we imagine that all of nature is like a blank page, and we leave an imprint on it?

Answer: Yes.

Question: What is desirable? Should we enter it with white letters, or…?

Answer: Ideally, with white.

Question: Why is sincere repentance before oneself as important as repentance before others?

Answer: It is an important act that a person can bring himself to—genuinely repenting for his actions and misdeeds over the past year. In this sincere repentance, he can ask not to be judged harshly for his actions.

Question: What is a person afraid of when he wants to be justified, not judged, as you say? What is he afraid of?

Answer: The most important thing is if the person wants the Creator to forgive him because he does not want to be distanced from the Creator. That is the main concern. Everything else is secondary.

Question: So is my fear of being distant from the Creator what I fear most?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: And everything else—health, money, whatever else….

My Response: Those things come and go.

Question: When we talk about being inscribed in the Book of Life, is this what it is about?

Answer: Yes, it is about not being distant from the Creator and constantly trying to get closer to Him.

Question: You mentioned that people judge themselves—whether they have the right goal in life and so on. Yom Kippur is just one day a year. Does it help a person find the path to the purpose of life and how he should live?

Answer: Yes, of course.

Comment: But it is just one day!

My Response: It does not matter; it is 24 hours. If a person spends them in contemplation, he can correct many things he has done.

Question: In just these 24 hours?

Answer: Yes.

Question: You made a correct clarification here, 24 hours gives me a completely different feeling. And if we break it down further into minutes and seconds, it is even more profound.

Tell me, we try to cleanse our hearts on this day, just one day a year. What prevents us from doing this every day? Something is preventing us.

Answer: Our egoism! It pulls us in different directions toward different goals, and we lose focus. But on this day, the entire nation around us is doing the same thing. People gather in prayer houses and read special prayers, and thus, there is a greater opportunity for people to delve deeper into themselves.

Question: Is it possible to take the feelings we experience on Yom Kippur and somehow carry them into every day of the year, extend them throughout the coming year?

Answer: Yes, there is a part of our actions that we experience as a kind of “small Yom Kippur.” In each daily prayer…

Question: After Yom Kippur? Daily?

Answer: Yes, there are elements present when we judge ourselves, feel that we are in the wrong, and ask for forgiveness.

Question: So is there a “small Yom Kippur” in every day?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is this the way a person should live?

Answer: That is the way a person should live, of course.

Question: So should we judge ourselves every day?

Answer: This is present in our daily prayers, though not as intensely as on Yom Kippur.

Question: Indeed, the prayers of Yom Kippur carry such power! Can the prayer on Yom Kippur change a person’s destiny if he engages with it wholeheartedly?

Answer: I believe it can. It is a special state of the world, of nature, of the person, and the nation. Therefore, Yom Kippur can change everything.

Question: So, if we truly invest ourselves in Yom Kippur, could we even stop wars?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Does Yom Kippur help a person begin to live in a new way?

Answer: Possibly. How much it helps depends, but fundamentally, if a person wants to change, he should not wait for Yom Kippur. He should begin now. Then he will see that everything can truly be changed and that any day of the year is suitable for that.

Question: We have not spoken about Yom Kippur like this in a while. Tell me, you were talking about Yom Kippur just now, but there is a feeling that you were not just talking about a Jewish holiday, but about the entire world. Is that how you see Yom Kippur?

Answer: Absolutely! It is a day of atonement for the entire world. If a person treats the prayers as a kind of self-judgment, then in principle, it will cleanse him.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/7/24

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The Land of Israel Will Be Ours

933As the holiday season and the start of the new year approach, a question arises: “How should we best prepare for it?”

I believe that all the people of Israel living in this land understand the unique situation we are going through. It demands unity and solidarity from us as well as the strength to withstand our enemies who surround us from all sides. We must be prepared for this and confident that if we act in this way, we will succeed.

Everything depends on us. If we desire it, the land of Israel will be ours. These two states—our breakthrough into the spiritual world and our physical resistance to the enemies of the people of Israel are interconnected and are drawing closer together.

The more prepared we are for spiritual revelation, the more likely we are to secure the physical land of Israel. One influences the other. This connection is very positive and clear and is becoming more evident with each passing day as we can see in the recent series of successful military operations.

Baal HaSulam explains in detail in the “Introduction to The Book of Zohar” the connection between internality and externality. Therefore, the more unity and solidarity we have, the more success we will achieve in the corporeal realm. This is a very favorable situation, and the most important thing is not to miss this opportunity, not to show weakness toward our enemies, or hostility toward one another.

If we establish open, heartfelt relationships filled with love and unity among us, we can conquer the entire world through the force of good. Forces of kindness, unity, and togetherness will emanate from us, and the world will gladly accept and use them. This is a very favorable time for such a transformation.

The correction that we have been unable to achieve for thousands of years is now possible. Let’s hope, with God’s help, that we succeed.

What is this opportunity that is opening now that was not available before? Previously we did not have such a dedicated and tangible form of connection that determines both our current existence and our future. But now we can rise, and with our unique force we can compel nature, the Creator, to bring us to the pinnacle of existence.

We just need to desire for this to happen and bring order to our relationships as they should be: between individuals, between tens, between men’s and women’s groups, and between children as much as possible. The strengthening of the unity we achieve between us will inevitably change reality. The entire people of Israel united around our group will implement this connection in practice.

We must become the center of unity, not for the sake of being central, but for the sake of the connection itself. Everyone will be ready to give all their light for this. To break through into spirituality, each person must have only one thought—how to fill their friend’s heart. Entering a friend’s heart means conquering the land of Israel. In this way, we will achieve complete correction. After all, a friend’s heart for me is the land of Israel.
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From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/1/24, “Questions and Answers about the Spiritual Path”

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Become a Transitional Link

938.04Question: What does a corrected connection in Israel mean?

Answer: It is a desire for bestowal.

Question: If Israel is a means that must fill the Kelim of the nations of the world, how do I come to this both in feelings and in mind? How do I get the desire to become a transitional link?

Answer: It doesn’t matter how well you understand whether you are a transitional link or not. The main thing is that you strive for it, and the Creator makes it happen.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/18/24, Writings of Rabash “Run My Beloved”

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