Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Is Immigration Killing New York?”

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about an immigration crisis in New York. More and more migrants are making their homes on the streets of Manhattan, pitching tents and sleeping on the sidewalks in the cold winter months.

The mayor of New York has raised the idea of placing migrants on cruise ships. On the flip side, some are calling for closed borders, urging a return of migrants to their home countries. It is indeed a complicated situation.

Today, millions of people around the world are on the move, looking for a better life. But where they settle matters, and Siberia is not exactly topping their list. Manhattan definitely seems like a much brighter option.

On one hand, immigrants have built America into what it is today. But on the other hand, times have changed and now Americans feel like the landlords. They want their comfort and the idea of hosting everyone has lost its mass appeal.

The big question is whether it is right for a country to close its doors to illegal immigrants. I say yes. Every country has the right to decide who gets in and who does not, and it includes setting the rules.

But then comes a deeper inquiry. What about the sense of homeland? Is it right to feel that your home is exclusively yours? Well, not exactly. It depends on your values and feelings, but the idea of a shared planet for everyone is gaining ground.

I was once optimistic that people would come to the realization that nothing in this world is truly theirs. But nowadays, humanity acts like the world is its personal playground, tearing it up in the process.

The future? Ideally, humanity needs some serious re-education. We should view the entire planet as our shared home, working together to make it a good one for all.

Our world is undergoing changes today like no other time in history. The more globally interconnected and interdependent we become, the more we are being shown how we need to shift our perspective from “this is my place, my country” to “this is our common home, for everyone.” The time has come to break free from the mindset of organizing our lives for our own personal benefit to instead live in order to benefit others and the whole of humanity. If we succeed in making that shift on a mass scale, then we will bear witness to the birth of a brand new harmonious and peaceful world.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Is It Better Not to Have Expectations at All?”

Tis but a day we sojourn here below,
And all the gain we get is grief and woe,
Then, leaving our life’s riddles all unsolved,
And burdened with regrets, we have to go. …
O unenlightened race of humankind,
Ye are a nothing, built on empty wind!
Yea, a mere nothing, hovering in the abyss,
A void before you, and a void behind!
– Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat, #3 and #424

Omar Khayyam, a man who delved deep into the pursuit of meaning, concluded that everything he once cherished and lived for amounted to nothing. His realization echoes throughout his body of work, and it highlights the futility of his endeavors.

When we expand this perspective to encompass any person, it could be argued that recognizing life’s inherent nothingness is a significant tragedy. However, it also gives us mental readiness, understanding that every journey has a beginning and an end, and ultimately, everything is indeed nothing.

So, what then is “something”? It boils down to living in positive connection among each other, collectively acknowledging that the true meaning of life lies in acceptance. If we accept the given circumstances, we become satisfied with our lives.

But what if the desire for more persists? Wanting more is no virtuous pursuit. The essence of human life lies in understanding its limitations, reconciling with them, and not demanding more for ourselves. It is about trying to help others, accepting help in return, and thereby, existing.

Joy and happiness emerge as byproducts of this kind of existence. Ultimately, we come to realize that it is fruitless to expect anything more out of life.

Where does the Creator, i.e., the upper force of love and bestowal, fit into this picture? We find the Creator in the satisfaction we derive from the comforts we acquire in their measured and limited existence. Acknowledging and agreeing with the Creator’s design, without demanding more, then becomes our source of joy.

When we recognize life’s limitations, embrace them, and find contentment in the simplicity of existence, we discover true fulfillment. The Creator, then, is present in the agreement with the given circumstances and the rejection of surplus demands.

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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “What Are Your Thoughts on Elon Musk’s Concern About the AI Threat?”

Elon Musk’s warning about the potential dangers of AI has sparked discussions about its risks and the need for regulation. Musk, deeply involved in AI through various companies, highlighted the significant threat that it poses, that it holds the potential to bring civilization to destruction. He emphasized the importance of government regulation before it might be too late.

Musk’s concerns echo broader anxieties about the future of AI and its unabated progress. The more we advance, the more a dystopian fear of machines turning against humans shifts from fantasy to a potential reality. We can see throughout history that human inventions, even seemingly positive ones, have had negative consequences.

Since human nature is egoistic, where we prioritize self-benefit over benefiting others, then our inventions, including AI, reflect our self-centeredness. While there might be positive outcomes from various human creations, since we are prone to exploit, manipulate and abuse each other for self-interest motives, such as gaining wealth and power, we then see how our technology likewise fuels these negative motions toward each other.

Our narrow egoistic perception greatly limits our understanding of reality, and this is why any kind of positive transformation of ourselves requires connecting to the forces dwelling in nature, beyond our minds and hearts, in order to let the laws of nature navigate our lives.

In addition to the threat of machines causing physical destruction in the world is also the known threat of technological unemployment and the idea that much of today’s workforce will find itself unemployed due to AI developments. I have already written and spoken extensively on that topic, that a post-work era has the potential to give rise to a new kind of work: to treat connection-enriching learning as work through which we gain a stipend that covers our life’s essentials. However, that too requires a paradigm shift in how we think about work: that work no longer defines our lives as it currently does for much of society, but rather work takes on a more necessary form, and positive human connection becomes our central engagement.

Regardless of changes in technology and work, we should nonetheless seek how to adjust our attitudes to each other, to again and again choose a motion of uniting above our divisive drives, and develop our systems of learning and social influence in order to do so. The more we do, the more we will transcend our narrow egoistic limitations and activate a broader movement toward a harmonious and peaceful world.

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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Spirituality is not for isolated groups. It’s for humanity”

In the early mornings, I’d walk into the kitchen to find plates with leftover hummus, onions, bread and a bit of liquor. It was a place where a connection among people went beyond casual daily routines. That realization dawned on me as I delved into the wisdom of Kabbalah under my teacher, Kabbalist Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag (the RABASH). Around me sat six elders, disciples of the great Kabbalah Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam), forming a small, close-knit group, almost like a mini kibbutz within the city.

This group lived a simple existence, working only as much as needed and spending the remaining hours together studying and enjoying meals. The food wasn’t the focal point; it was about the connection of hearts, an emulation of our spiritual state as a single soul vitalized by a single force of love and bestowal. Baal HaSulam dreamed of creating a kibbutz with his students to embody the way of life of what he called “the last generation”—a life of spiritual sharing and material partnership.

However, if Kabbalah describes how to reach the final destination of our lives in the shortest, most pleasant and most conscious way possible—a state of humanity’s global unity—then why establish a closed society? Should they not live among everyone? The idea was not to isolate but to build a small society, a nucleus for the united people of Israel, laying the foundation for a united nation.

Even after Rabash passed away, and we formed a group named “Bnei Baruch” (i.e., the “sons of Baruch,” referring to my teacher), there remained a persistent dream of establishing a kibbutz. We explored options across Israel, north and south, searching for a place to live simply in which we could dedicate ourselves to the teachings. However, the more we sought, the more we found the doors shut tight to this idea, and we realized that it was not meant for our generation. We needed to connect under today’s given conditions.

As we approach the last generation that Baal HaSulam described, the era of the Messiah—where “Messiah” (Heb. Moshiach) is the force that pulls (Heb. Moshech) us out of our individual egos into a unified state—unity through the establishment of a small, closed society seems like an increasingly distant idea. Instead, today the idea of unity needs to break through to humanity at large, and those who identify with the need to unite above our inborn self-serving drives form the small pioneering group in humanity that initiates such connection. That group is not located physically in a closed-off kibbutz or camp, but rather a group of desires that yearn for our more advanced, future unified state to come about, and who are willing to apply themselves in raising unity to the forefront of human values and priorities.

Essentially, the search for a closed place to conduct our study and our connection led us to wake up from a dream to the reality that the Kabbalists of our time emphasize: that today’s unity is not solely for a closed-off group, but for humanity at large, and our path to unity lies in adapting to the global conditions of our era.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Over 100 Days of Prayer for the Hostages and Soldiers”

For over 100 long days, the people held hostage in Gaza have endured a chilling and uncertain situation in the shelters. It is very hard to fathom what they are going through. The key is for them to cling to an upper force, trusting that it protects them, echoing the wisdom that “Even if a sharp sword is resting upon a person’s neck, he should not prevent himself from praying for mercy” (Berachot 10a).

We, too, must exert great efforts in our hearts for them. Let us intensify our prayers, turning to the upper force of love and bestowal—the Creator—seeking a connection between us and them. We should implore the Creator to draw closer to them, and for us to unite with them in thought, living with them in one heart so that they will feel that they are not alone.

For the safety of the hostages and the soldiers, people from all walks of life who did not choose to be in the dark situation they now find themselves in, we need to be cautious. We must not allow divisive voices to erode our unity, which is our sole strength. We need to resist the temptation to let the forces of evil, which operate to divide us, materialize.

Every one of us should be mindful that speaking ill of another person is akin to harming one’s own kin. Conversely, showing love and readiness to protect those around us, whether in our buildings, on the streets, or literally anywhere, ensures our well-being. This unity keeps us all safe, wherever we might be.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “What Can We Learn from Ants and Their Colonies?”

Scientists from Rockefeller University conducted research on how ants behave in extremely high temperatures. The findings revealed a fascinating aspect of ant behavior. When an individual ant in a group senses the rising temperature beneath, it appears to carry on as if unaffected. It continues on its course without interruption, maintaining its determined path until the entire colony collectively changes direction. The ants collectively make decisions, showing a remarkable level of trust in the collective mind.

The question is: can humans apply this concept of unified decision-making to their own lives? Is it even possible for humans to reach a similar state of trust and unity with one another? The answer, as it turns out, is not so simple. Achieving such a state requires significant inner work and is not something that takes place instinctively, like the coordinated movements of ants, birds or fish.

In the case of such animals, their synchronized actions are instinctive. In contrast, for humans, reaching a state of collective unity and trust necessitates conscious effort and intention. It is a different kind of unity.

The idea of humans achieving a state where they feel connected to each other as if they exist in “one breath” is indeed a goal to strive for. However, such unity comes about through a deliberate process. It involves aligning our requests and demands in congruence with the integral laws of nature.

Nature’s laws develop everyone and everything to higher states of unification. When we reach a state of unification among each other and nature, self-aimed concerns dissipate as we fully immerse ourselves in the unified consciousness.

This state of unity with the laws of nature applies to everyone, and it results in the formation of a single body and heart, much like the synchronized movements of ants, birds or fish. However, unlike animals that act instinctively, humans require the involvement of nature’s laws to activate their unity.

The question then arises: why do we witness these synchronized behaviors in the animal kingdom? Is it meant for humans to see and possibly envy these creatures? The purpose behind observing these natural phenomena is to illustrate the possibility of achieving a state of adhesion, a complete state of unification where individuals willingly annul their egoism for the collective good.

Ultimately, humanity’s final destination is to reach that unified state, even though we are egoists by nature, where we wish to enjoy ourselves at the expense of others and nature. It is through overcoming these innate tendencies and embracing unity with others that we can find true happiness and fulfillment. In a sense, the existence of our egoism creates the backdrop against which we experience the joy of aligning ourselves with nature’s laws and being together with everyone.

This state of unity does not eliminate the presence of the human ego—the desire to enjoy at the expense of others—but it lets individuals rise above it. The ego remains, but love and connection override the ego. As it is said, “Love will cover all crimes,” indicating that egoism must persist beneath the surface, with connection and love prevailing above it.

Humans are indeed different from ants because we can experience happiness and revelation. Unlike ants, whose actions are driven solely by instinct, our ability to experience pleasure and happiness hinges on our ability to overcome our self-aimed drives and embrace unity. It is through such conscious effort that we can achieve true happiness.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “What Has Changed in the People of Israel since October 7?”

Following the tragic events of October 7 and the ongoing war ever since, the people of Israel have become much more united. I sincerely hope that we will continue increasing our unity to its fullest possible extent, i.e., a state of “love your neighbor as yourself” through which the tendency to unite will spread throughout humanity.

Despite the anguish that has led us to unite, it is nonetheless beautiful to discover a sudden upshot of mutual concern and appreciation.

Such states bring upon us certain corrections. Many people from all walks of life suddenly feel that the best position to be in is a unified one. Soldiers feel it on the battlefield, that it is their place, voluntarily wishing to remain, and feeling better than if they were in the center of the country. There have been several instances of soldiers returning home for a few days, saying that they feel much more alive when they are with their friends on duty.

Who would have thought that in our generation, people would willingly leave thriving urban centers and pleasant suburban neighborhoods for dangerous combat zones, putting their lives at risk? We are learning a major lesson and I hope it will remain with us. I thus pray for this newfound togetherness to strengthen, that we will not return to divisiveness, and that the power of unity will spread throughout humanity.

More important than the external conflicts that erupt out of necessity are the inner conflicts against the true enemy: the egoistic inclination dwelling within. At any given moment, a sabotaging thought can take us by surprise, making us reject and distance ourselves from each other. It is precisely at this juncture that we need to fight for the success of our unity over division.

I trust, though, that as we become more aware of the harm we cause ourselves by letting our divisive drives materialize, we will become readier to better manage them. We will then voluntarily push in the opposite direction—to support, encourage, respect and care about each other—and infuse a fresh new positive unifying spirit among us and into the world.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Why Should We Question the Meaning of Life?”

We do not choose to question the meaning of life. It is rather the emergence of a desire beyond our corporeal desires for food, sex, family, money, honor, control and knowledge, and more and more people are awakening with such questions in our times.

When we question the meaning of life, we start connecting with people who wish to expand the scope of their knowledge to discover the answers to life’s most fundamental questions: What is the meaning of life? Why are we here? Where are we from? Where are we now? Where are we headed?

These questions urge us to expand our feelings, to consider the world we are in, whether there is anything above our world, controlling it, a certain mechanism setting the world in motion, its cause and effect and its goals. When we ask these questions and cannot find their answers, we then start our spiritual search.

I remember when the question about the meaning of life first arose in me. I was only around five or six years old, yet I felt old, internally dissatisfied and detached from everyone. Other children were running around in the yard and playing, and I was thinking: “Why is all this happening? What is the point of it all?”

Of course, life goes on and you take interest in some hobbies, maybe some sports, hormones develop and you become interested in relationships. However, somewhere deep down, the question about the meaning of life still dwells and does not let us go. We pass through the motions of life as if mechanically and feel how meaningless it becomes.

We could attend symphonies, exhibitions and museums, trying to somehow cling to this world, to know and taste what people consider special. But why? We could look at a painting and think: “Someone took a couple of months to paint it. They painted it beautifully, but then what? What’s the point?”

I remember a teacher at school saying, “The meaning of life is to eat delicious food, relax, go to the cinema, read an interesting book,” and so on. It turned out, as the sages say, that you live not according to your own will, you get a little pleasure, calm down and forget about a higher meaning. Otherwise, life would seem like hell.

But what if we cannot silence the questions? Today, there are millions of people around the world who cannot stop asking about the meaning of life. These questions make us start to expand the field of our feelings.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Is Technology Detrimental?”

Technology serves us with medical breakthroughs saving lives and innovations that aid our professions and our day-to-day living. However, much technological progress wreaks havoc, as it goes into making more and more sophisticated ways of killing, hurting and exploiting people.

How can we then make sure technology benefits us?

On one hand, we are far beyond advocating for stopping technological advances and regressing to a primitive form of existence. We do, however, need to revise the ways in which we take the reins of technological development, and steer our innovations responsibly. If we fail, then we can succumb to a third or a fourth world war, and we might then truly degenerate to a primitive state.

Navigating technology beneficially for humanity does not mean stifling it with rigid rules and moral constraints, which is a point that often arises in relation to this topic. It rather requires its creators and operators to continually strengthen an attitude of mutual benefit, consideration and support for one another.

We should thus encourage connection-enriching learning, showcase examples of care and kindness, learn about the altruistic and integral underpinnings of nature, and seek how we can generate an increasingly socially-cohesive atmosphere that continually fuels people with confidence and happiness.

By doing so, we can tune our attitudes to each other from our inborn self-concern to a much more mature concern for others and nature as a whole. Such a transformation is the key to ensuing a positive path forward for technology, helping us reach states of more balance among each other and with nature.

Our misuse of technological advancements originates from a heart bloated with self-interest motives, lacking the learning of the nature-set need to reach positive connection and mutual consideration among each other. We have let our divisive drives push us to exploit, abuse and manipulate each other, thus using technology to overpower and deceive others.

Therefore, if there is any fear of technology turning against us and bringing about much harm to our lives, we should seek to upgrade the attitudes of those behind technology’s development and use. When we tune our hearts to genuinely wish for the utmost benefit to other people and nature, we will then use technology in a beneficial manner.
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Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “Grieving Parents Call to Embrace Unity in the Face of Loss and Tragedy”

“Yehonatan, my beloved son, we were merited to be your parents. You were such a gentle, emotional and believing person, without an ounce of rough attitude or cynicism,” echoed the father, Hagai Lober, of Staff Sgt. (res.) Elisha Yehonatan Lober, who lost his life fighting to defend Israel in the battles in southern Gaza.

“Before Simchat Torah we all went through a difficult time. We felt that our beloved nation was falling apart. The damned enemies came and reminded us that we are one nation and forced us to speak to each other and fight side by side. […] We request of the media and of every one of our nation please, one day of unity to uplift his soul, please don’t write of broadcast anything divisive, please, speak good [of others], find the good of the decision makers and of our amazing people who Yehonatan was proud to fight for.”

That such words were stated by grieving parents in the circumstances of losing their son indeed exemplifies a transcendence of the instinctive human capacity. They thus share a similar characteristic to sacred words, as if they emanate from the same field beyond the human egoistic forces, where we all unite as a single desire.

The bereaved parents’ focus on the benefit of society while feeling the anguish of losing their son showcases their greatness. In states where many people would naturally wish to have time for themselves, and in situations where it is possible to seek blame and redemption for what happened to their son, they instead come out with no less than a spiritual message: a calling for the unity of the people.

In order not to disregard the parents’ pleas, we should embrace their sentiments and try to internalize their deep emotions. By doing so, we can shatter the walls of division that stand between us, experience a significant transformation, live in unity, love, a readiness to forgive one another, and a mutual yearning to come out of ourselves for the greater good of humanity.
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