During the period of preparation, a person ascends the degrees in order to cross the Machsom, and enter the king’s palace. Each time one goes through states of receiving, a great illumination from above supports, fills, and awakens them.

Then the person falls, and instead of an even greater light, they receive darkness. In the state of darkness, a person is “tested” because no matter how high one has risen, if they haven’t crossed the Machsom yet, as soon as the light stops shining upon them, they immediately fall into an animalistic state. They know nothing, and nothing is important to them except simple animate existence.

They feel they have made no progress. The animalistic nature present during the descents they experienced one or two years ago remain unchanged. Indeed, when the divine spirit departs from him, only the animal soul remains.

In such states, it is possible to measure whether a person is advancing spiritually in the direction of bestowal or not. If they are capable of reading even a few lines, or simply reflect on them without necessarily penetrating deeply, and if they realize the extent to which the state of darkness is becoming increasingly deeper, then it can be said that the rudiments of vessels of bestowal have appeared in them.

They see that they have nothing, no sense of fulfillment. But despite this, they live by the conviction that this state is somehow connected with the spiritual path. Then they are not confused by the pleasures that shine upon them, nor are they confused by the pleasant sensation of receiving fulfillment that might otherwise cause them to “swell.” On the contrary, in such a state they have no calculations for themselves. They cannot justify the Creator since they receives nothing from Him and live only by faith.

What is faith in this case? Faith after crossing the Machsom is the light of Hasadim, and complete faith is the light of Hasadim with the illumination of Hochma. But during the period of preparation, when there is neither one nor the other, faith is the illumination that comes to a person from above, the light that sustains them.

Alternatively, in a state of descent, specifically when this illumination disappears, what remains is only the importance of the goal in its pure form, which is something a person receives from the group, not from above.

That is, they hear or heard in the past from the friends about the importance of the goal, and now this sustains and serves them. Now in a state of darkness, one is sustained by the importance of the goal that they acquired in the past when they were able to hear and were working in the group.

They drew inspiration from what they read, what they were told, and by what they heard from the teacher, that is, by the three sources: the group, the books, and the teacher.

In other words, the greatness of the goal now comes to them not from above, but from the environment. The importance that they feel in the state of darkness, they perceive as an illumination coming from the outside, and this is called the faith that sustains a person.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/29/26, Rabash, “One’s Greatness Depends on the Measure of One’s Faith in the Future”

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Question: Must the importance of the goal and the realization of one’s own lack of strength always advance in parallel? Doesn’t the importance of the goal increase during an ascent, given that it is felt just during an ascent?

Answer: The highest point in recognizing the importance of the goal, and the lowest point in evaluating one’s own strength, are revealed through two processes: ascent and descent.

It cannot be said that only an ascent increases the importance of the goal for me, and a descent brings only disappointment in my own abilities. In reality, the difference between these states generates both. In other words, it is the direction in which you are moving that gives rise both to the importance of the goal and to disappointment in your own strength.

Of course, the feeling of the goal’s importance comes during an ascent. But it never happens that something is born without its opposite appearing alongside it. There is always a contrast between black and white; otherwise, no definition would be possible. Every definition is based on two opposites, just as black letters are perceived only against a white background.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/13/26, Rabash, “And the Lord Appeared to Him at the Oaks of Mamre”

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A person acts out of habit, and feels and accepts only what they are accustomed to. Everything unfamiliar passes by us and remains elusive.

We unconsciously disregard everything new before we sense or, become aware of it. That is why it is so difficult for us to encounter spirituality!

We live in a world we select from the world of infinity; we choose the familiar and habitual.

To expand our world with the world of bestowal, we must not push it away, but accept the states of bestowal through “faith above reason,” accept the properties, desires, thoughts, and actions of the “anti-world.”

To do this, you need to combine two opposing levels within yourself: realize your current egoistic state, the lower degree, and from the perspective of the property of bestowal, the highest degree.

One must exist between these levels, rejoice in the sensation of the lower level’s emptiness of the lower and in the opportunity to find the strength to rise above it.

This strength comes to me from the upper light through the group; it holds me above the “earth” as if by a magnet.

Truth and faith (bestowal) should pull me upward more strongly than the sensation of animalistic egoism pulls me down toward the “earth.”

The true state lies in sensing both degrees simultaneously while each one in isolation is a lie. Even if I am entirely in spirituality, that alone is a lie.

The true state is always found between two degrees that simultaneously bring a sense of both perfection and lack, gratitude and prayer.

I must rejoice that I experience both sensations at once and constantly remain in a transitional state sensing obstacles yet holding myself above them by force of will, like a climber scaling a mountain who feels that if they were to relax their tension for even a moment they would immediately fall.

This is the only true state; we need to train ourselves to remain in it all the time, and to find joy in it.

This is how we can test ourselves. Are we capable, despite all our discontent, eternal struggle, and constantly vacillation between inspiration and utter despair, of remaining in joyful nevertheless?
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/2/10, Rabash, “The Meaning of Truth and Faith”

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Right and left, mercy and judgment. Israel are to the right and the idol worshipping nations are to the left.

Israel, even when they are wicked and yielding, they are on the right; they do not cling to the left, and never mingle with it.

This is why it is written, “Save with Your right hand, and answer me,” for when the right ascends, Israel—who cling to it—rise and are crowned in it.

Then the left side and all who come with it surrender, as it is written, “Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy” (The Book of Zohar, Chapter “Shmini,” Item 25).

We do not need to concentrate on the left line, because if you begin delving into those desires, it will seem to you as though you are clarifying something and rebelling against your evil qualities. But in the meantime, you become connected to them, and that is not good.

We should try not to notice them, as though they do not exist. We do not want to deal with them. Instead, we should constantly strive toward the right side! And when you aspire toward the spiritual goal, toward adhesion with the Creator, toward the upper degree, toward bestowal, its light will correct you and your egoistic desires (the left side).

You yourself will never be able to fight against them, and it is better not to engage with them at all. The left line awakens within you only so that you will cling even more strongly to the right line. This is our path.

But a person turns to the left line and imagines himself a hero, capable of working with these desires and defeating them. No! The Creator will defeat them for you! The Creator fights this battle, not you.

We do not have the strength for it. One who aspires to the Creator is small and weak; he is incapable of fighting on his own. The Creator arranges everything for us. All we need is to want it to happen—to ask!

Therefore, all our work is called the Creator’s work, because the upper force, the upper degree, the Creator, performs all the actions, while we only express our desire for them to take place.

Our entire work is to desire this in advance. This is called: “I awaken the dawn,” like a horse that obediently moves forward, sensing the rider’s desire even before the rider gives the command.
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From Daily Kabbalah Lesson on 11/1/10, The Book of Zohar, Chapter “Shemini”

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It is said about the embryo: “The mother gives him the red part, the father the white part, and the Creator the soul.”

A frequent problem in the work is that we forget about the third component, about the Creator, who must finish all the work for us.

A person makes tremendous efforts and then wonders: where is the desired result?

They fail to realize that they are not bringing this action to completion, because they forget that all their actions must begin and end with the Creator, with the upper force. The person stands in the middle.

In the same way, we ascend from the initial state (one) to the final state (three); we emerge from infinity and return to infinity.

Along the way we develop and correct ourselves, either by the path of suffering or by the path of light. In any case, it is the light that works, and we only add our desire. We do not correct ourselves; we only accelerate our development.

Yet, a person usually forgets that he is only one of the components of his development, one that slightly intensifies it, and because of this feeling how the action changes from bad to good.

But the action itself takes place by virtue of forces that already exist in nature. The main thing here is the force of the Creator.

If a person does not draw the Creator to his aid so that He will complete the action, this third component, absent from his picture of nature, then not a single action is brought to completion, and therefore the person remains as he was!

This is a well-known mistake that often remains unnoticed. And there is only one solution: to turn to the group for help.

If there is a common opinion in the group that the Creator is the main force that determines the outcome of the action, then each one included in the group will not forget about this. Then he will not have to experience the bitter disappointment of having worked so much and having achieved nothing.

Seek the Creator (as it is said: “By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves,” Song of Songs) and remember that a person is not able to win this battle by himself, there is also a partner.

And without Him, a person has only an empty desire, which gradually dies out like a small flame.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/19/10, Rabash, 1985 “On My Bed at Night”

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Question: We have discussed how a person must come to a state of complete disappointment regarding one’s own powers. How, can this be reconciled with the need to say: “If I am not for myself, who is for me?”

Answer: In every state, a person must say: “If I am not for myself, who is for me?” If I have completely despaired of my own strength, then what? Does that mean everything is over for me?

Does this mean I am saying: “That is it! The Creator must help me!”? But how do I know when that should happen? Perhaps it is now or perhaps only ten years from now? Should I constantly wish to reach a state of despair?

On the contrary, I know that it is precisely from such a state that the leap into spirituality takes place. As Baal HaSulam writes in one of his letters in A Sage’s Fruit:

There is no happier state in man’s world than when he finds himself despaired with his own strength, that is, he has already labored and done all that he could possibly imagine he could do, but found no remedy. It is then that he is fit for a wholehearted prayer for the Creator’s help. And the Creator hears such a prayer.

So now am I supposed to strive to become disappointed with my own abilities? No! If I did that, I would never reach that state. I must constantly press forward with the thought: “If I am not for myself, who is for me?”

And if, at times, it is revealed to me that I am incapable of it, so be it. Then I am incapable, but I still continue moving forward, toward a new state, toward new attempts. As Baal HaSulam explains: “If you fail in one endeavor, then begin another. And if that also fails, start yet another.”

You are living, you continue working and continue making attempts. When will complete disappointment in one’s own powers finally be revealed? We do not know.

It reaches a point that Nachshon (the brave one) jumps into the sea, wanting to cross it by his own strength, and only then does the sea part. He jumps. He does not wait around thinking, “Well, the Creator ought to arrange everything now. My enemies are behind me, the sea is before me. Since I have been placed in such a situation, I will just cry out and throw up my hands.”

No. We do not raise our hands and surrender. We jump into the sea. There has to be a leap. Your task is to jump.

Question: And what about “There is none else besides Him”?

Answer: “There is none else besides Him” is not referring to that at all. It means that behind every situation and every state stands the Creator.

But I accept this only as the result of what has already happened, only as the outcome.

Question: When Nachshon jumps into the sea, is he trying to end his life, or is he hoping for a miracle?

Answer: When one jumps into the sea, one does not count on a miracle.

Likewise, we do not jump because we want to end our lives,  we jump because we want to live. We want to cross this sea.

A person simply has no other choice, and therefore does everything within one’s power. They believe that they can cross the Final Sea (Yam Suf) through their own efforts. It is not so much a matter of belief; rather, they have no alternative, and on the other hand, this is simply the only correct course of action.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/13/26, Rabash, “And the Lord Appeared to Him at the Oaks of Mamre”

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Question: What does it mean to reveal the Creator?

Answer: Revealing the Creator means revealing the cause of one’s state.

Question: Is it necessary to remember that the Creator is the cause?

Answer: It is impossible to remember. A person, according to his preparation and his environment, can reach a state when he immediately feels the root of what is happening.

In every state, he will feel the Creator hiding behind the reality surrounding him. And instead of thinking and fearing “How should I act, what should I do? The judges want to put me in jail. There, they want to beat me, here, everyone is angry with me, and there is something else going on…,” he immediately sees the root of the problem.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/23/26, Rabash, “What Is the Importance of the Groom, that His Iniquities Are Forgiven?”

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Comment: When you suggest something new (for example, a “spiritual stimulant,” people say: “Here goes Laitman with another new scheme. Later, there will be something different.”

My Response: Of course there will be!

We are looking for a way to create something that constantly unites us, helps us adjust to each other, keeps us together, and compels us to return to the same fundamental question. This is a pressing issue for us, and it is not going away. It can be in this form, or in a different form, or in a third. We shall see!

Comment: There are people who take a passive, waiting stance, andothers who are active. As a rule, newcomers tend to be more active.

My Response: Those who wait around lose! Spirituality is not like our world where you can dodge responsibility and do nothing. Here, you work for yourself and not for a boss! So, if people want to pass us by, let them. I am not driving anyone with a stick.

Question: What is the importance of a “spiritual stimulant?” Is it dictated by forces from above?

Answer: No, we have advanced to a state where we have to work on unity. The “stimulant” is a means for uniting. Come up with something different, more productive, and we will be happy to switch to it. Why not, if there is something more effective?
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From KabTV’s “I Got A Call. Laitman’s bullying” 10/13/10

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Question: What does nature want from us?

Answer: Nature wants us to want to be good and kind.

Question: Is that all?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Stop being evil and become good? What do you mean by “good and kind”?

Answer: Good and kind means that absolutely everyone is truly pleased with you. Not in this world. This cannot happen in our world. Those egoists around us… .

Question: So, I am not just playing along with those who want… ?

Answer: No. When I speak about humanity and about nature in general, I mean
a completely different level of existence.

Question: When will they be pleased with me? What is the goodness they expect
from me?

Answer: When I correct them, and they become absolutely good,
perfect, and corrected.

Question: Correct whom?

Answer: All people.

Question: I have to correct all people?

Answer: Of course.

Question: Me?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is this my job? Correcting things is the Creator’s job!

Answer: It is your duty.

Question: Perhaps I need to correct myself rather than all the others around me?

Answer: This is how you correct yourself.

Question: By correcting all people, I correct myself?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: This is something new. By correcting myself, I correct people.

My Response: It is the same thing.

Question: Is it really the same thing?

Answer: Of course. You see yourself in people.

Question: So, if I help with their correction, I am thereby correcting myself?

Answer: It is one and the same! You see a reflection of yourself. In this way, you correct the Creator.

Question: Every sentence is a revolution. The Creator needs to be corrected?

Answer: Of course. We have to create Him!

Question: Is He imperfect? Is He not constant?

Answer: He does not exist at all; you have to create Him! Constantly strive to make Him better and better.

Comment: We will never unravel this riddle.

My Response: No. Nor do we need to!

Question: So we should just leave it at that? Create the Creator?

Answer: Yes. That is exactly what is written in the Torah: “You have made Me.”
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman,” 6/20/26

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Question: You say that if I correct myself, the entire world will appear corrected to me. Then why are so many Kabbalists needed to correct the world if the world is within me?

Answer: To correct the world means to correct yourself. You do not exist in some vast external world and the people you see do not exist by chance; they are parts of your soul.

Therefore, besides you and the Creator, there is no one else. Everything you see— the still, vegetative, animate, and human levels—is you; they are all parts of your soul! By uniting them within yourself, you will attain complete unity with the Creator. This will be your complete correction.
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From Kabbalah Lesson on Russian, 8/19/18

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