The disciples continued the work of Abraham and developed his method. But in the meantime, their egoism grew more and more, meaning they became enslaved by it and found themselves in the Egyptian exile. The evil Pharaoh who rules over them is revealed.

This doesn’t mean that they moved to Egypt physically. But they felt that the evil force within themselves had gained such power over them that they couldn’t cope with it.

The egoism became much more powerful than the good force that was left in them from the times of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The evil force erupted and it was impossible to hold it back.

The children of Israel wanted to come together, work on their unity,  and draw the good force, but they couldn’t. This brought many sorrows upon them and sparked internecine strife. Eventually they realized that they just must run away from this evil force. Allegorically it is said that the children of Israel fled from Egypt, from the slavery of the Pharaoh.

They succeeded in disconnecting from the evil force, but nothing else. They didn’t know how to attract the good force yet. And only once they disconnected from the force of evil did they reach the good force and begin to reveal its hidden presence between them. The force of evil remained, but they already knew how to protect themselves from it, i.e., the mutual hatred.

They realized that they were standing around Mt. Sinai, a mountain of hatred (Sina) and that to cope with this negative force was possible only through revelation of the positive force.

Mt. Sinai is a mountain of hatred that is revealed within each of us. In every person in this group is an ability to raise a special force, a desire, a special yearning above his hatred. It means that they connect between themselves and rise like Moses, meaning Mashiach, the one that pulls (Moshech) them from the egoism and ascends the mountain.

Through this common force, by their joint efforts, they are able to rise above their hatred. This way they attain the upper positive force of nature and feel that it has created everything and controls everything. And it also created the evil inclination in a person specially so that through it, through the negative force that is opposite to the positive force of the Creator, he would reveal the good force and would exist between these two forces.

And when they rise above all their hatred and reach contact with the upper force, which is called Moses ascends Mt. Sinai, they feel that because of this fact their egoism grows even more. It turns out that at a time when one of their forces rises to the top of the mountain, the second force builds a golden calf at its base.

However, the main fact is that they discovered the good force of nature and from this moment on it is possible to be in contact with it.
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From KabTV’s “A New Life” 6/2/16

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Torah, “Deuteronomy,” 04:05 – 04:06: Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the Lord, my God, commanded me, to do so in the midst of the land to which you are coming to possess. And you shall keep [them] and do [them], for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, “Only this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

This commandment suggests that if the people of Israel really begin performing the commandments correctly and carrying out all their actions not for their own sake, but for the sake of bestowal, for the benefit of others, and through them for the Creator, then all the nations of the world, all the properties of nature will come into harmony with each other and the world will come to universal balance.

And seeing the example of a happy life, humanity will say, “How wise and intelligent are these great people!”
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 2/10/16

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Question: My fellow businessmen know how to be sneaky and they cheat their clients. And I, on the contrary, am trying to be decent and rely on the honesty of others. And in the end I am left without anything and begin to envy them: “Why can’t I arrange my matters like them?” Is this a Klipa, impurity?

Answer: Klipa—is work against holiness, against the Creator, very sophisticated work.

Regarding your example, it is possible to say that one that deceives people in the end deceives the Creator and distances from Him. It is beyond a doubt.

If I take what I don’t deserve from the public or from nature, which is the Creator, then this is already the beginning of the Klipa. And what do I deserve? I deserve something if I work in order to bestow, if I exist in order to reach bestowal. In this case, I receive even necessities only in order to exist and be in bestowal, in order to be similar to the Creator and do the work of God. All the rest that is beyond necessities, I cannot take for myself. All the rest I need only to bestow to others. This needs to be a person’s calculation. He determines for himself: “This is what I need to exist in order to bring contentment to the Creator.” Everything beginning with this decision and continuing in the same vector is called Kedusha – holiness.

And in Klipa, I am the opposite, taking from others although I don’t deserve it and maybe didn’t even earn it. This also applies to the part of the people of Israel who do not work at all and completely immerse in the study of the Torah.

In general, due to the miscalculation in this respect, we are all drowning in the sea of egoism and distancing from the upper force. Year by year, it affects all more strongly, and at this stage we are starting to decline to a state that we already experienced in the previous century.

But it doesn’t mean that everyone has to go to work, or the opposite, to live from hand to mouth. Part of the nation really needs to study and part needs to work. Maybe there needs to be a certain rotation. Why not get organized in such a way that everyone will have the opportunity to work and also study?

Of course, in the time of the Temple, many from the nation devoted themselves to study. And the question here was not in quantity but in discernments. This is our work.

Moreover, the era ahead of us will not demand the same number of workers like before. Therefore, we only needed to arrange everything in the correct form.

The problem is that the two parts of the nation, the secular and the religious, don’t know how to talk to each other, don’t understand each other. This is the only obstacle. After all, if we were able to find a common ground and corresponding positions, I think everyone would understand: the one that studies should continue in his study. But there is no contact between the parts of the nation, there is no good attitude, there is no constructive and real dialog; there is only mutual hatred, and therefore we lack the correct analysis of the situation.

Actually, the country does not need tens of thousands of workers and soldiers. The size of the job market will contract over the years, and the modern army needs more technology than people.

Therefore, the current conflict in Israel is caused by political games. The powers that stand behind are deliberately igniting the fire.

And on the other side, the serious problem of the religious audience is that they cannot create a correct contact with the secular part and explain its position. The religious part does not start a dialog from fear of being influenced by the exterior culture. But lack of dialog causes war between brothers.

Remark: Although the walls are crumbling and the exterior influences are penetrating inside.

Answer: But this does not lead to contact, to mutual understanding. The walls are crumbling not according to our will but at the behest of time.

The parts should contact each other and begin a mutual clarification. Our problem comes from having a mutual “basket.” In the US there is no collision between the secular and the religious; they “don’t eat from the same plate,” they don’t have the same army, there are no contact points, there is no conflict that someone lives on someone else’s account, or that they don’t understand each other.

And in Israel, the nation is divided, split, and thus we continue the destruction of the Temple. Actually, the two sides are participating in this process, including those that study Torah. They call the secular part “the spoiled baby.” But if he is a baby, then he needs a special patient attitude, he demands care. Isn’t this what the Torah says? Where is the big heart, the nice caring approach, and not squabbles and strife.
In the end, all this weakens us and brings us to collapse.

Question: What would you say to the religious part of the nation?

Answer: I don’t have legitimacy in their eyes. Therefore I don’t have anything to say or anyone to talk to.
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/20/14, Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Book of Zohar,” Item 55

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Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, and the Temple embody within them much more than what comes to mind when we first think about them. Their spiritual meaning leads us to the necessary understanding that the connection between us is not only for our sake, but for the sake of all of humanity.

Forty-nine years ago, paratroopers entered Jerusalem, liberated the Old City, and united it. It seems that there is no city in the world in which every stone within it is steeped in a history so important to the shaping of the human species. The city that gives hope to an entire people is today the focus of outrageous announcements devoid of all logic from UNESCO, that “the Jewish people have no religious connection with the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.”

International organizations are trying to sever the connection between the Jewish people and their heritage. The EU intervenes in every activity in the city, and given the pace of events, don’t be surprised if the enlightened world wakes up tomorrow morning and decides that Jerusalem is not connected to the nation of Israel, and this doesn’t just mean the separation of East Jerusalem.

Tireless efforts and money are invested in creating a false consciousness, which must awaken this question in the heart of each one of us: How can it be that the capital of Israel—an ancient city that encompasses within it the abundant history of the people of Israel, our religion, and our culture, the city in which two Temples were built and, unfortunately, also were destroyed—is liable to be erased from the map of the land of Israel? In general, from where has such a decisive opposition popped up among the nations of the world to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel? What does this say about the negative attitude toward us as a people?

We Have the Key to the Gates

The wisdom of Kabbalah maintains that the reason for this persecution lies in our not having realized our role as a people, a role that is rooted within us from the nature of creation, upon whose basis the people of Israel were established. According to ancient wisdom, humanity is connected by a network of mutual links. Within this network, the people of Israel were intended to be “a light unto the nations[FD1] ,” which is to say, connected so that the positive force that is inherent in nature would stream into the world and function to connect people and nations.

The world subconsciously feels that the source of all evil and the root of the suffering that it is experienced is derived directly from the fact that the people of Israel are not realizing their role. This feeling continues to bubble up more and more, and is crystallizing into an agenda that is expressed in the attempts to boycott the nation of Israel. Voices from the international community are calling for a recognition that the world was mistaken when it allowed the establishment of the Jewish nation in the Middle East and that perhaps the hour has arrived to take back the scepter.

Rav Yehudah Ashlag (Baal HaSulam) writes:

“Judaism must present something new to the nations. This is what they expect from the return of Israel to the land! It is not in other teachings, for in that we never innovated. In them, we have always been their disciples. Rather, it is the wisdom of religion, justice, and peace. In this, most nations are our disciples, and this wisdom is attributed to us alone. …”

“This would certainly prove to the nations the rightness of Israel’s return to their land, even to the Arabs. However, a secular return such as today’s does not impress the nations whatsoever, and we must fear lest they will sell Israel’s independence for their needs, needless to mention returning Jerusalem.” (Rav Yehudah Ashlag (Baal HaSulam), “The Writings of the Last Generation,” Part 1, Section 12, pp. 75-76.).

UNESCO, the UN, the EU, and the rest of the international bodies that protect us are a kind of reflection for us of the lack of fulfillment of our function. In other words, we are determining our fate with our own hands. If the world is exhibiting so much hatred and anti-Semitism toward us that it denies the connection between our people and our home, it depends only upon us. In our hands is the choice to decide the future of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, for better or for worse. All that is up to us to do is to decide to implement an essential change in the interpersonal relationships between us, connecting as “one man in one heart” instead of each person being concerned only about himself. As a result of the positive force that we create among us, we balance the forces of separation and bring to completion the system of connection between people. The forces of connection between us also will permeate the nations of the world and oblige them to begin a similar process as well, to connect and recognize us as the origin of connection and goodness.

“The built-up Jerusalem is like a city that was joined together within itself.” (Psalms 122:3)

According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, there is a parallel and direct connection between the system called the spiritual land of Israel and the state of the physical land of Israel. The desire (Ratzon -רצון) that is in the heart of a person is called Eretz -ארץ, the land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael – ), which has a desire Yashar El (Straight to God), meaning that it has narcissistic desires, but only love for others (The Writings of Rabash). “Jerusalem – ירושלים” comes from the words “Ir Shalem” (Perfect/Whole City) and Irah – יראה (Fear), a city that is built on the fear of separation, representing the sense of necessity in preserving the perfected connection between us.

In the center of the shared fear of Israel, right in the heart of the connection between us, a unique spiritual stratum is revealed that is called the Temple Mount. In it, we build the Temple, a term for a more internal connection between us, a shared desire for love. The moment we stop striving for inner connection, the links begin to unravel, and the people of Israel are expelled. When the roots hidden in the earth are uprooted, this kills the entire tree. That is how the first Temple was destroyed, that is how the second Temple was destroyed, and that is how it has continued until today. And this is not the destruction of a building constructed from wood and stone, but the destruction of the network of love  between us that connects into one. This is because “The house [Jerusalem] was ruined because of unfounded hatred” (Rabbi Israel Segal, Netzah Israel, Chapter 4).

The same general rule applies in our day, “According to the connection of the people of Israel and their awakening to love and fear, Jerusalem is built” (Koznitzer Maggid). Jerusalem will be built only when we establish it first in our hearts with corrected relationships of connection and love. Until then, the unfounded hatred will continue, and Jerusalem will remain as a ruined capital until then, as a torn city full of conflict and bloodshed, for instead of a place where love dwells, after the destruction, the power of separation and hatred dominates.

“The Messiah sits in the gate of Jerusalem and waits for people to be worthy of redemption. He is in cuffs and needs complete people to release him from his chains. …now he craves men of truth” (Sayings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel). The wisdom of Kabbalah, the wisdom of truth, is a method that teaches us how to connect and apply the general rule, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). With the help of the power of connection, we can realize our role as a nation and restore the spiritual concept of Jerusalem to its full glory.

Then, Jerusalem will become the capital of love for all of humanity. As it is written, “In the future, Jerusalem will be like all of Israel, and Israel will be the entire world” (the Yalkut Shimoni). Then the world will understand the words of the prophets: “…for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7), and “for they shall all know Me from their smallest to their greatest” (Jeremiah 31:33 ).
What else did the sages of Kabbalah write about Jerusalem?
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From Ynet article 6/2/16

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New Life #588 – The Limits Of Freedom Of Speech
Dr. Michael Laitman in conversation with Oren Levi and Yael Leshed-Harel

Why does society abuse the freedom of speech today? How can we learn to use the freedom of speech correctly, and how can we teach effective social criticism?

Summary

There are influential actors, musicians, and artists whose opinions are highly regarded, but there is actually no justification for that. People have lost any sense of good taste and those who express themselves in a more vulgar way are more highly regarded. The media is also becoming more provocative and we can definitely say that we have crossed the line.

Humanity is in retreat: in the past we were eager to know more, and today we have everything but people are like a herd. Today there is no point restricting people artificially and shutting their mouths. We must invest in education and publicity. This cannot be done instantly. It can only be done through an educational process that includes all of society. We have to learn that our negative attitude toward one another is very harmful in every aspect of our life. After all we are connected and integrated.

Everyone wants to feel good, but people don’t know that their well-being depends on the well-being of others. A person who knows how to use his freedom of speech effectively will be a most positive component in society. After all, everyone is special, and no one can contribute to society what others can and so it is vital that everyone cooperates in this system.

Today everything is based solely on power. Those we are stronger, richer, and more cunning can buy themselves a platform. The problem today is not freedom of speech but the fact that we don’t educate the public for tomorrow. There must be some form of control, intelligent control, which stems from knowing the laws of human development.
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From KabTV’s “New Life #588 – The Limits Of Freedom Of Speech,” 6/21/15

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Question: From the article, “A Second Holocaust? This Depends Upon Us,” I understood that all that the Jews must do is unite. What are those who are not Jews supposed to do?

Answer: They must unite, following the Jews. The same method of unification is for everyone. It is open to everyone today.

The time has arrived that all of humanity needs this. The wisdom of Kabbalah invites everyone, without distinction, to join in studying it and implementing it.
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From the Webinar 5/8/16

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Question: Why do the Jews live well?

Answer: It is because they use the Jewish property they were given to unite, they use for their commercial interests, in order to make money, in order to stand out in different ways, and to manage better in this world.

This will not lead to any positive outcomes in the end. We can see what is left of the Jews in Europe when the terrible Holocaust came.

Question: Anne Frank said that a Christian is personally responsible for everything he does, while all of the Jews are responsible for what one Jew does. Why is there such injustice?

Answer: Because the Jews are one unique nation that is capable of mutual guarantee, and no one can escape it. The Jewish nation was created in order to be as one man in one heart. This is the reason that every person among the nations of the world is judged individually, while the Jews are judged collectively.
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From the Webinar 5/8/16

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Question: Following 2,000 years of anti-Semitism and persecution, have there been any qualitative changes due to the fact that the State of Israel was established?

Answer: Currently in most countries, anti-Semitism has become a clear direction. It has been adopted by the public at large and is breathing in the pages of the media. It is different.

In the past, anti-Semitism was narrow in its nature. If it thrived in one nation, in another nation, in opposition to it, Zionism was encouraged as it was in America and Russia 60-70 years ago. And now, all over the world there is an identical attitude regarding the Jews.

I have been warning about this; you can pick up articles that I wrote two decades ago and make sure. But then, no one listened.

Comment: The latest studies show that for every Jew in the world there are 70 anti-Semites. It is assumed that the whole world will become anti-Semitic.

Answer: The whole world will become absolutely anti-Semitic. So we must implement our mission swiftly.
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From the Webinar 5/8/16

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Question: It turns out that there is still slavery in the modern world. 45 million people around the world are abused as slaves. This number is equivalent to the population of Spain.

According to recent research, slavery is the exploitation of a person who cannot leave because of threats of violence, coercion, or deception. People can be enslaved because of a debt and so forth.

Answer: Before the destruction of the Second Temple the slaves among the nation of Israel had many privileges. The landlord was required to take care of his slave, and the slave was obliged to work for the landlord according to his powers and his abilities. At the same time, the relationship between them was normal and mutual, just as they are today between an employer and an employee. A slave did not want to leave his landlord because the latter provided everything he needed, as it is written, “… give your slave your pillow.”

As for other nations, they had a completely different attitude toward slaves. They beat them, humiliated them, killed them, and did not treat them as human beings, not even as domestic animals, which were looked after, cherished, and fed.

Question: What is slavery from a Kabbalistic perspective?

Answer: According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, slavery is total obedience to your landlord, “This is what the landlord wants, so this is how I move.” A slave constantly looks to the landlord and carries out his will, and at the same time, totally suppresses his own desire. His efforts, his opinion, his desires, and his thoughts all are aimed at the landlord’s desire so as to continue the latter’s desire. A slave has no desire of his own, but only the desire of the landlord.

Question: Can we say that, in this world, we all are slaves to our egoistic nature?

Answer: Of course! We also can say that we are the Creator’s slaves, but unconsciously! This is because the Creator is the only force of nature that manages us, but He wants us to be independent. This is our problem: to be independent of Him and even above Him!

It is written, “My sons have defeated Me,” which means becoming free of slavery, becoming totally independent, and taking the leadership of the entire world from the Creator’s hands. This is His real desire, His dream. And we, unfortunately, do not want to think about something higher, more sublime, and thus we remain slaves and live as animals.

Therefore the Creator pushes us through suffering so that we will perceive and understand our absolutely poor, paltry, miserable, and limited state, and will want to rise from it.

I hope that as the sufferings grow, people will begin to perceive and understand that. There is no other way to influence people. Then, people will use what the Creator offers them: His knowledge, His method, His wisdom, the wisdom of Kabbalah.

If we begin to implement it, we will see how much we gain from becoming the masters and ceasing to be slaves. This is how we enter a completely different level of existence, a world of eternity, infinity, and perfection, a totally different entity, a different dimension. But this is for free people.
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From KabTV’s “News with Michael Laitman” 2/6/16

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In the News (Reuters): “Few would have imagined that Adolf Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf would again become a bestseller in the 21st century. But that’s exactly what happened earlier this year with the expiration of a German state copyright that had been used to prohibit reprinting of the book.

“On Saturday, “Mein Kampf” became even more widely accessible in Europe. The Italian newspaper Il Giornale distributed copies of the book to readers of its Saturday edition… .”

My Comment: In any case, after the lifting of restrictions on the distribution of this book, there are people and resources to deliver it for free to all comers.

And then it depends on the people of Israel; if we are to fulfill our mission and show the world our unity, the force of correction will flow to all the nations of the world, and they also flock to the unity.

If we, the people of Israel, will continue to mutually separated, then, accordingly, the force of correction will act in the opposite manner to lead us to the right decision— and we again will receive another Holocaust, but on a global scale. So, Jews decide!
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