Question: In “Introduction to The Study Of Ten Sefirot,” Baal HaSulam writes that a person must strive to understand what he is studying. Does this apply to studying The Zohar?

Asnwer: Of course! After all, in both TES and The Zohar we understand nothing. But to understand means to aspire to know. Know, not understand! Understanding comes later. First, we must know, meaning we must reveal the Upper world and connect with it in the equivalence of form, as it is written: “And Adam knew Hava (Eve).”

In spirituality, mind (the Light of Hochma or Wisdom) comes in the degree of the desire’s corrections, in the Light of Hassadim (Mercy), and not according to the excellent work of the cells of the cerebrum, memory, or electrical impulses passing through the brain. We can attach electrodes or add memory cells to the human brain, but it won’t help to attain knowledge! It is described as: “Not the wise one learns.” It all depends on the correction by the Light of Hassadim since then the Light of Hochma has something to clothe in.

The connection between Hochma and Hassadim is regarded as “And Adam knew Hava, his wife.” Adam is Hassadim, and Hava is Hochma clothed in Hassadim. We can advance only in accordance with this principle.

Hence, no matter what we study, The Zohar or TES, we must think solely about the correction of desire, the place which the Light of Hochma will clothe. Thereby, we will indeed become wise for we will obtain inner wisdom, when the Light of Hochma will clothe in the inner Light of Hassadim.

We see little value in the external wisdom that characterizes “Kabbalists from Jerusalem,” as Baal HaSulam labels them. No matter how well a person has memorized everything written in the books, it will only confuse him.

It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t know these texts, but we must aspire to have them revealed as the Light of Hochma in the Light of Hassadim. We shouldn’t strive to fill the mind with information from the book.
[25559]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/1/10, The Zohar

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Question: Leading up to the Convention it appears that some people that were aspiring toward the goal a moment ago suddenly fall back just as we reach the decisive point. How can we use this state in order to grow, and not to run away?

Answer: This is correct. The entrance into the spiritual world is preceded by labor pains. On the hand there is an internal pressure, on the other, an external barrier. And so it is until these forces bring you to the moment of truth.

At the last moment nobody wants to leave Egypt. This is why the escape transpires in haste, darkness, and fear, under pressure of negative forces. This state is depicted by an ancient metaphor, where a serpent sneaks up to a doe, bites her, and then it gives birth.[25530]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/1/10, “And the Children Racketed Within Her”

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Question: Is the fulfillment, which I experience from time to time, reception with the intention to please myself? After all, I don’t feel the screen.

Answer: For now, yes, since present fulfillments are impressions from the Surrounding Lights in still unprepared desires (Kelim or vessels) which are unable to perceive these Lights and translate them from external to internal.

The Inner Light can be received solely with the help of the screen, according to my capacity to perceive another’s desire as my own. The value of the attached desire (Aviut or coarseness) is used to measure the value (thickness) of the screen.

Suppose I can absorb 10 ounces of your desire and accept it as my own so that it would exist in me as an embryo (Ibur) and I would take care of it. In other words, the measure of “mine-yours” connection is 10 ounces of your desires that I can fill. What I feel in your desire filled by me is regarded as the Inner Light, Ohr Pnimi.

Next, I suddenly feel rejection: A new revelation of egoism has surfaced. Above it, I connect with the past 10-oz desire and take care of it despite the egoism, meaning with an increased screen which is regarded as “nurturing or feeding” (Katnut, Yenika) when we are separated by a great distance, but I still overcome it. Then, I feel a greater rejection. I rise above it yet again, but this stage is called “adulthood” (Gadlut, Mochin).

In relation to whom is it called “embryo,” “feeding,” and “adulthood”? It’s in relation to me since I perform this work, and you are probably unaware of it.

This is how we evaluate the magnitude of the screen and get impressed by the Surrounding Light, Ohr Makif, or Inner Light, Ohr Pnimi.
[25438]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/31/10, The Zohar

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Question: What should we do with our “animal” desires? Should we enjoy them or limit them?

Answer: Don’t do anything with them. Just leave them alone. Let the animal graze out on the grass as befits it. If it lets the human in me act according to my mission, then a person will use the animate part of him correctly whenever necessary, and leave it to its own devices the rest of the time.

I have separated from the “donkey” and in the meantime I am going about my business. The human being in me must establish a connection with other people. I am working on elevating and raising him. The time will come when I will direct my attention to the animal in me, but for now I am simply giving it what’s necessary.

After all, I wouldn’t treat a cow to steaks and salads. It has its grazing field and it happily eats there. If we treat our animate body correctly, it won’t need any excess. On the contrary, any excess would harm it. An animal needs only the things that support its balance with nature.

Therefore, provide it with the vital necessities and “leave it out on the pasture.” If your head yearns for the “skies,” for spiritual attainment, then your animal won’t demand anything extra from you and won’t break through the fence. After all, now all the excesses for you belong to the human degree.
[25766]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/3/10, Writings of Rabash

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Question: Will the Convention be our exodus from the egoistic Egypt?

Answer: We must be certain that we will, undoubtedly! We are gathering at the Convention, connect together, and realize how paramount it is despite the fact that we may not be attracted to bestowal to the friend and to the Creator.

The condition of exodus is feeding on Matzot (unleavened bread, bread of affliction) specifically in the rich, successful, prosperous Egypt, dripping fat. Exile starts at the moment when you feel it. Return from exile is not a change of residence, but the exit to the revelation of the Creator, discovering the property of bestowal that starts illuminating…in you, in the same very Egypt where you used to be.

Therefore, right now, before breaking free, we must get to feel how we lack spiritual freedom. Then, we will come to the revelation of the Creator and the Upper world, the property of bestowal, in our desire.

Everything takes place within one and the same desire, not by way of moving from one place to another. The very same Eretz Goshen (Land of Goshen), which used to be the most prosperous in Egypt, turns into the Sinai Desert for us.

In the spiritual world, there is no space; everything occurs within the will to receive that undergoes all these states: Eretz Canaan, the descent into Egypt, the good and the bad Egypt (seven years of plenty and seven years of famine), the fleeing from Egypt to the Sinai Desert and, through it, to the promised land. All of this occurs in one place, the will to receive, depending solely on our experiences in it.

When in 40 years we reach the rung of Bina in this desire, then in this desert we find the land of Israel (“flowing with milk and honey”) and the completely corrected state. It all occurs in one place called the central point of Malchut of the World of Infinity. The only thing that changes is how we relate to the desire and evaluate it.

To the extent that we will be willing to include into Malchut the properties of the first nine Sefirot, accordingly, Malchut will receive all kinds of attributes, from the worst to the very best. Everything depends solely on Malchut, our desire to absorb the properties of the Upper One and become identical to Him. Everything takes place solely within the desire of a person.
[25445]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/31/10, “This is for Judah”

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Question: Why is it that every time I think about unity between us, some force pushes me away from it?

Answer: This is “help against you.” There are two forces leading a person toward the goal. One acts in the direction of unity and the other against. By being between them, a person has freedom of will to choose the right environment and with its help (influence) to choose the path toward the goal instead of the opposite path.

Accordingly, both forces help him from both sides. One force pushes him into the group while the other pushes him out of the group (the environment) so that he is always at the equilibrium between these two forces.

He thinks that he is being pushed away from unity, but that’s not so. He receives the force to overcome exactly proportionate to the opportunity to be strengthened in his environment that he received prior.

A person is never driven to failure from Above, as it is written, “One is only elevated in acquiring the quality of bestowal, and never stopped.” Even if there is an obstacle placed before a person now, prior to that it is ensured that a person will be able to overcome it with his free choice.

It’s the same as how we raise children. We consciously and deliberately give them exercises that are more difficult so they will become smarter and stronger.
[25689 ]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/2/10, The Zohar

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Question: We constantly hear that we have to unite and look for the Creator, but we do not perceive this as practical work. What should we actually do?

Answer: If the external actions are beneficial to the inner processes, then we have to carry them out. The benefit might come in the future. For example, suppose I perform a physical action for an entire year so that my actions will result in me attaining a more inner layer, or in other words, so I will come closer to the quality of the Creator, bestowal. I will realize how far away I am from it and then my desire will facilitate the correction of my intention from “for myself” to  “bestowal.”

In other words, the “end of the action” must be present in the “initial thought.” Either I am told what to do and I carry it out “above reason,” or I act this way myself. In any case the execution of the action belongs to the person.

However, if the action is not done with the intention “for the sake of the group’s unity,” then no matter how important the intention is, it won’t bring any benefit. A person’s work is precisely the work on the intention.

It’s impossible to go around it because the nature of the world is the desire to enjoy and the desire to give pleasure, the thought that is next to them, their unity and mutual inclusion. There is nothing besides the desire and intention!

The desire to receive of the lower one enters the desire to bestow of the Upper One as MAN (plea for correction), and the desire to bestow of the Upper One descends into the desire to receive of the lower one and fills it as MAD (the Light of Correction). Then the two undergo mutual unification: Bina in Malchut and Malchut in Bina, the Creator in creation and creation in the Creator, until they attain total equality. That is the entire act!

Where does this happen? It takes place only in the thought, in the desire, in the inner effort! Of course, that is the most difficult thing. Some of us find it easy to work mentally while others find it difficult. However, spiritual work is equally difficult for everyone, whether you are a scientist or a carpenter, because it is performed in the soul, not in the mind.

We do perform certain external actions that unite us with the right intention: Why are we doing this? Why do we do it together instead of individually? Why do we want to expand the circle of participants? This revives us and brings us inspiration.

Without an intention to our efforts, we are a “gathering of fools” because even the most important work is devoid of meaning if it lacks an intention!
[25698]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/1/10, Writings of Rabash

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Question: What do I receive from the Creator in the measure of my equivalence to Him?

Answer: In the degree of my similarity to the Creator, I receive His mind and sensation. I connect with Him through mind and feeling and obtain the same sensation of oneness, completeness, and eternity that exist in Him. In my “line” vessel I receive “circle” vessels.

The Upper system was constructed so that from each “circle” would expand a “line” (desire restricted by the screen), followed by a “circle” and a “line” again. To the extent of my efforts “from below upward,” I exert strength and ascend to the first circle which is regarded as the first revelation of the Creator and the first degree of similarity to Him. I exert effort again and reveal Him more in the next circle.

With each new step, I work with ZAT de Bina (seven lower Sefirot of Bina), and the Upper degree for me is GAR de Bina (the first three Sefirot of Bina) with which I cannot work and which I receive from Above as a result of adhesion. In this fashion, I climb the 125 rungs of the spiritual ladder.

“In the straight line,” I myself exert effort, annul myself, work with the anti-egoistic screens, and connect with other people. To the degree that I have completed this work, I come to the revelation of the Creator, the state of a “circle,” perfection, a mini-world of Infinity.
[25199]
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/28/10, “The Acting Mind”

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Question: What does it mean to think about unity during the reading of The Zohar in order to have the entire group cross the “Red Sea” and enter the spiritual world?

Answer: The Zohar reveals that what happens from the perspective of the spiritual vessels (desires), that is, different types of connection. It does not describe the picture from the Light’s perspective. There are Kabbalistic books that contain descriptions from the Light’s perspective: how different Lights come and how they spread. It is like we are being told what is depicted in a certain picture.

To provide a description from the desires’ perspective, however, is to explain how a picture was drawn, not what is actually drawn. It is like saying what colors one needs, how they are mixed, how to apply them on the canvas, or what technique and brush to use.

It turns out that a spiritual picture is not simply made by freely drawing whatever I want, like from the Light’s perspective. No, at first, everything needs to be arranged as if you were using a ruler and other graphing “tools” (Kelim, vessels); everything needs to be calculated. This is because it comes from the side of the desires, the spiritual vessels, and they need to be well-prepared in the first place.

This is the narrative style of The Zohar and the entire “practical” Kabbalah that comes from the side of the created beings: the depth (Aviut, coarseness) of the desire that is needed, the screens, different actions including screens, and that which will be consequently revealed. We need to use this description and draw the picture ourselves, instead of simply enjoying it.

If we already were in these states, we would be able to enjoy the picture in a different way. We would read and receive the explanations of the picture that we would already see. However, so far, we are unable to be impressed by the picture. We arrive from the side of the desires and learn to draw the picture. The Zohar tells us step by step where we need to arrive and hands us the instruments that we need to create this “canvas.”

We create this picture in the group, in the unity between us, and all the names, lines, and all the objects only stand for different types of interconnections of the desires. Once you connect them and create even the initial, minimal connection, you will attain the first spiritual degree, and the picture will become revealed.

It’s essential for us to understand the way everything operates, the way everything needs to be connected for the system to work. It is like constructing a vehicle, connecting all the parts and the power supply, putting in the gas, the oil, all the necessary fluids, completing the construction, turning on the ignition, and, voila, the car powers on! This is the result we need to reach.
[25048]
From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/27/10, The Zohar

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Question: If I am the one who creates and projects the film of my own life, this entire reality, then why do people create unpleasant films for themselves?

Answer: Creating a film is not yet in your power. You cannot yet be a producer. You need to rule over your desire, the Light, and be able to determine exactly how they can vary according to strict laws and not just the way you want them to. This way, you gradually build a better reality.

This is your only freedom of choice, and this is exactly why we study the wisdom of Kabbalah. Until you gain power over the film of your reality, the Creator is in charge of it in order to obligate you to create your own film. This is why our entire life and all our reincarnations are meant to “inspire” us to make the proper film, an authentic one, not an imaginary one.

This is what makes the perception of reality in the wisdom of Kabbalah so interesting. It is because this is neither a theoretical study nor a scholastic discussion, but a special method which I can use to really change my world, to escape to different dimensions, as it were.
[24999]
From Kabbalah for Beginners, “Perception of Reality” 10/26/10

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