My new article on Linkedin “There Is No Shortage of Energy; There Is Shortage of Normalcy”

Despite increased production of energy from renewable sources, and despite the slowdown in car manufacturing, oil prices are skyrocketing. Even though fewer power plants still burn coal, coal prices are skyrocketing, as well. Natural gas prices, too, are going through the roof, and energy demand seems to outpace supply in every country and in every form of energy. Have Earth’s energy sources dwindled so drastically in a matter of months? The answer is a resounding “No!” There is no shortage of energy; there is a serious shortage of normalcy in human relations. I hope the current crisis will put some sense into humanity’s insane consumption.

The energy crunch indicates that we are over consuming. We are producing too much, throwing the excess production to the trash, polluting the ground, the air, and the water, and then we are complaining that we do not have enough. It is about as sane as killing one’s parents and then pleading for the court’s mercy because I’ve recently been orphaned.

It is time we reconsider everything we produce—how we divide production, profits, and goods, which services are necessary and which are redundant, and most importantly, how we treat one another. The goal of this process should be clear to everyone: survival.

There is no ulterior motive, no attempt to dominate or deprive anyone of power or wealth. It is simply that reality is forcing us to take all of humanity and the entire planet into consideration. If we don’t, our entire civilization will collapse like a deck of cards.

Since we still do not understand it and insist on running things the way we have always been running them—through power games—I anticipate a very cold and gloomy winter for the northern hemisphere. The energy crunch will leave many in dark and cold houses; there will be no gas for cars, and renewable energy will not replace traditional sources since there will be little sun during the winter. I hope that at least, it will make us rethink our values. If it doesn’t, next summer will be even worse than the awful summer that just ended.

I know that many people are counting on the promise of renewable energy to solve the energy problems of humanity. I think they are mistaken. There is plenty of energy, far more than we really need. We could cut emissions by at least half tomorrow. But the more we have, the hungrier we become, so our thirst for energy will never be satiated, and we will never stop exploiting the planet or each other until we reeducate ourselves and start being humane toward each other.

We have been behaving like spoiled brats whose parents buy them whatever they want. Now, our parents have run out of money and our childhood is over. It is time for us to mature and conduct ourselves like responsible adults, caring for all of humanity the way a mother cares for her entire family. If we think like a family, we will achieve normalcy.
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My new article on Linkedin “What Trump’s Comeback Would Mean to Israel”

If U.S. presidential elections were held today, former president Donald Trump would return to the White House, according to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey. If such a forecast were to become a reality, we might assume that Israel would recover a friend. However, this actualization would entirely depend on Jews themselves.

The poor handling of the illegal immigration crisis and the messy U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan are some of the factors attributed to American’s disapproval of President Joe Biden. 58% of likely U.S. voters disapprove the President’s job performance, while just 40% evaluate it positively, based on the new poll. The survey also predicts a Trump victory in 2024 if he runs for president against Joe Biden or Kamala Harris.

The recent failed push from the Progressive Aisle within the Democratic party to halt U.S. assistance to Israel to help fund the critical Iron Dome defense system was a clear warning of the antisemitic interest to wipe Israel off the map. Moreover, we cannot and must not ignore the rise of antisemitism and anti-Israeli sentiment in America which is evident in social media, in politics, and at schools and universities.

Back in 2005, when I was visiting the United States, I tried to warn of just such a scenario. I lectured at one of the universities and argued with Jews who filled the hall about the fact that America had a bad future, and that antisemitism would raise its head to a height that would not fall short of Germany’s hatred on the eve of World War II. They refused to heed my warnings. “Your predictions cannot be. We have strong organizations. We are admired by everyone.” They looked at me with total incredulity.

Nine years later, in 2014, I went back and again tried to speak to their hearts. The hatred towards Jews was already brewing, it could be felt, but I perceived the same indifference in them. To this day, most Jews are still ardent supporters of President Biden, not grasping the array of forces hostile to Israel that stand behind him. At least half of the country, with remarkable support from American Jews, chose a Democratic Administration. That’s what they chose, that’s what they got.

The root of the problem is that Jews are not clever. We keep asking ourselves why there are so many blows against us? We do not realize that we bring this upon ourselves by being such short-sighted people. We love our haters and despise our friends, throwing them away and distancing ourselves from them. So it is no wonder we find ourselves in states of constant turbulence and unpleasant situations.

Why is it that American Jews did not support Trump’s reelection? Who was better for Israel than him? Do we really think that the Left will guarantee our existence for the future? It does not guarantee anything; to the contrary, we are digging our own grave.

The Torah speaks of Jewish stubbornness when it refers to the people of Israel as a, “stiff-necked people” (Exodus 32:9.) Our growing ego rules us with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.

It’s a paradox: we can be wise people, with a sharp mind, experts in science, economics, in every field we touch on, except one: spiritual corrections. When it comes to correcting the evil instinct—to convert it into a good instinct, willingly for the good of others—we fall into a deep numbness of the senses.

The ego makes us ignore that the world is a reflection of what happens in the relationships between ourselves. If we are united, we are perceived as a positive force in the world, and when the opposite is perceived, our apparent weakness causes predicaments to befall us.

Foremost Kabbalist, Rav Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam) writes in his wonderful article “Introduction to the Book of Zohar,” that when we Jews are connected to each other above egoism, we radiate from the power of connection to all humanity. Whereas, when we are immersed in self-love and allow the evil instinct to prevail and separate us to the point of rejection and hatred, the result is the unleashing of negative forces upon us, the empowering of them to act against us.

The antisemitism that manifests both from the Right and from the Left, is the reflection of the hatred that exists between the factions of the people of Israel. What is happening between us permeates the whole world.

Therefore, we have but one goal: connection above all differences. Because only by uniting above all egoistic disagreements is it possible to evoke a higher power, a solid foundation on which the people of Israel are able to exist and sustain the world.

It is the Supreme force, the power of love that brings about the correction of egoism and balances hostility. And if we Jews will overcome our disputes it will resonate strongly to the world and finally neutralize the hatred as well. Therefore, the choice of Jews should be: become as one, close to one another above any personal consideration. By this, we will determine our fate and the right leader for Israel, America, and the entire world will appear accordingly.
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Question: The Sukkot holiday was described in the Torah 3,000 years ago, and it was celebrated from the sixth to the eighth century. Why?

Answer: Kabbalistic holidays have nothing to do with calendar dates and any incidents in our world. While studying Kabbalah, we study the upper roots. Whether they descended into our world or not, does not matter. The Kabbalist feels and sees all this.

Question: There is a custom in Sukkot to take the Torah and spin with it. What does it mean?

Answer: This means that the surrounding light, the so-called Ohr Makif, from the surrounding, gradually becomes the inner light of the soul. The soul is slowly being corrected within the seven days of Sukkot.

Therefore, spinning with the Torah is a tradition, that means nothing; it is just that in our world we want to mark special states of the soul in this way.

Question: On the last day of Sukkot, it is customary to read the final part of the Torah and start a new chapter. What does it mean that a certain chapter is read every week?

Answer: The Torah is given in order to correct the soul, so during the year by reading a portion from the Torah, each time we correct our soul, and the light gradually enters it. On the last day of Sukkot, we finish the annual reading of the Torah and immediately begin to read again. The year of the Torah begins with the last day of Sukkot, not with the New Year, but with Simchat Torah.

Question: What is the essence of this celebration?

Answer: The essence of the Sukkot holiday is to give the opportunity to the huge upper light that surrounds us, which we call the Creator, to enter the corrected soul, as we are corrected by connection, by being under one common roof in a hut. The upper light enters into us, corrects, and fills us.

Sukkot is a really big celebration.
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From KabTV’s “Spiritual States” 10/7/19

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To achieve a connection, it does not matter whether we are physically in the same room or at a great distance from each other. In spirituality it is not the physical distance that is considered but the desire. If the desires are directed to the same goal, it means that we are together, next to each other.

We may be at opposite ends of the universe, but this entire material universe with all its stars and galaxies is just one tiny point inside the infinite spiritual world.

After all, infinity does not mean the absence of an end, but that the end is exactly where the desire is fully realized.
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From the International Kabbalah Convention 9/25/21, “Entering Impregnation – Revealing a New World”, Lesson 1

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When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. (Dakota wisdom)

Question: What does this mean for you?

Answer: For me this means that in my life I use a vehicle that leads me to death, which in itself, the very source, the very paradigm, is death. We must get off it.

Question: What is it? Is this the ego that I ride all the time?

Answer: I jump in my life trying to achieve some goals, maybe they are noble, lofty, and great for me, and gradually I discover that the horse is dead.

Question: Then what does it mean to you to ride a live horse?

Answer: Riding a live horse is when both me and the horse feel we are moving toward the goal. And this goal is life. And when I discover that the means with which I am jumping (egoism) is dead, it kills everything around and as a result, also itself, then I have to get off it.

Question: You said jumping to the goal. For what purpose?

Answer: Whatever I want to achieve in life, it doesn’t matter what, I must make sure that selfishness does not lead me to it but in an absolutely opposite direction. And if I am convinced of this, then I am already riding on a live horse.

Question: Immediately? Automatically?

Answer: Not automatically, you have to reveal what it is, that is, transfer to a horse not facing its tail, but head to head.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 8/5/21

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Michael Laitman, On Quora: “How can the decent people of the world help each other while the actions of their leadership are self-serving and internationally divisive?“

The decent people of the world still need to understand what true decency is and what the true benefit of the world is—exclusively altruistic actions, directed toward humanity’s unification as a single organization and system.

This is how we exist under the laws of nature. We currently do not follow these laws, which is the reason for our suffering.

If we would understand that the laws of nature are altruistic, and that we are moved by our inner ego and need to thus rise above it and unite with the general nature, by doing so, we would organize our worldwide unification into a single humanity and a new civilization.

We would then create a force that counteracts the current egoistic rule over the world, and there would remain no way out for them, i.e. they would have no one left over which to rule. They would also have to change and gradually accept people into the government who take care of humanity’s benefit. This is how we can reach an altruistic form of governance that would govern the world purely for its benefit.

Based on a Q&A with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on September 9, 2006. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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Question: Probably there is no point on the map where Jews do not live. What are the reasons for their dispersion around the world? Why is this necessary?

Answer: This is preparation for the future. The Jews are the group of people from ancient Babylon who received the method of correcting humanity and lifting it to the next level of existence, to the next dimension. Now they must present it to the entire world. The time has come.

As it is written in The Book of Zohar, this should have happened at the end of the 20^th century. We see how in our time the wisdom of Kabbalah is becoming more and more popular because humanity needs a new method, an understanding of the causes, consequences, and purpose of its existence.

The Jews kept this method for 4,500 years. Although they do not represent a genetic group, during this time a special genetic tradition, sequence, and connection appeared also on our corporeal level.

Since they were engaged in certain spiritual corrections and attainments, this left its mark on their corporeal capabilities: history, geography, and everything we see throughout all millennia.

In addition we should take into account the hidden current of this ancient Babylonian group called Jews, from the word “Yichud” (unity), which is based on reaching unity of all of humanity between themselves and with the Creator. These are the ten tribes that broke away from the general group 2,800 years ago at the time of the destruction of the First Temple. They are all scattered around the world and we do not know where they are or who they are.

As a result there are huge undercurrents in humanity, and we do not understand why some events suddenly occur. All of this is in order to bring the world to correction, and therefore it is somehow connected with this group. However the rest of humanity is relatively passive.
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From KabTV’s “Close-Up. Expulsion” 12/11/09

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And he shall dwell in that city until he stand before the tribunal for judgment, until the death of the High Priest that shall be in those days. Then shall the slayer return, and come to his own city, and to his own house, to the city from which he fled (Prophets, Joshua, 20:6).

We are talking about the fact that a certain segment of correction is closed, and then a new stage begins that a person no longer relates directly to. Then he can, as if, start a new life.

Question: Does it mean that this is a new cycle, the path of correction again?

Answer: The length of punishment is determined from above, but the person does not know for how long.

Question: It is written that after the death of the High Priest, the murderer can return to his city, to his home. Does he return to his old desires or already to some kind of new ones?

Answer: Everything that he has done wrong is erased and he begins a new cycle.

However, he definitely gets credit for everything that happened because it is due to these years that he undergoes corrections, and therefore now is able to live them again in the correct form. Everything he experienced accumulates in him, does not disappear anywhere, and later he uses this experience.
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From KabTV’s “Secrets of the Eternal Book” 8/16/21

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When a person dies, he is given permission to see. He sees his kin and his friends from the world of truth, he recognizes them (Zohar for All, “VaYechi,” Item 168).

“When a person dies” means that he has risen from the previous degree to the upper degree, i.e., he has connected even more with the rest of the souls above his animalistic egoistic desires. There he sees those kindred, close-to-him souls, with whom he will now begin to connect to master this degree.

That is, each spiritual degree is arranged according to a very simple principle and is based on an even greater connection of souls between themselves both in quantity and quality.

Question: Are the close here called those who were close to him in life?

Answer: Of course not! The father, mother, brothers, sisters, or children have no relation to spirituality. Only your friends from the spiritual work or those upper souls, your teachers, who helped you do. You discover that they are around you. This is your spiritual environment, your spiritual group.

First you discover your friends, and possibly not even those you had before on previous levels. Additionally, you discover upper souls who are now connecting to you. In the same way at school, for example, you move from one class to another, change teachers, or move from one place of work to another and change your environment.
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From KabTV’s “The Power of The Book of Zohar” #20

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The end is guaranteed, but in its time, meaning it is completely connected and dependent on time.” (Baal HaSulam, “Peace in the World”)

If we don’t hasten our development, it will take place in its time, which means in 221 years, the years that remain until the end of 6,000 years.

But we will not be rewarded with living in our current corporeal clothing this way until then. So, let’s try to attain the 6,000 years in our spiritual clothing and wrapping now in this life. We will make efforts and we will attain it.

According to the above-mentioned law of gradual development, one must go through many degrees, which tend to come heavily and very slowly and lengthily, and stretch over a very long time before one reaches the end.

Kabbalists don’t hide the fact that there are problems along the spiritual path. But these are our growth problems just like the growth of small children. They are beaten, fight with others, cry, and express their discontent, which are all phases of their growth, and nothing can be done about it.

It is the same in spirituality. But it is a process that can be accelerated. We begin to understand very quickly that it is when we act this way that we advance.

Because the objects we are discussing are evolving, sensing, living beings, they, too, must suffer great agony and pains in those states of development, since the compelling force that exists in those degrees in order to raise man from a lower degree to a higher one is but a pushing force of pain and torments that has accumulated in the lower degree and that can no longer be tolerated.

This is about the path of suffering and not about our path. Our problems are only in the ten, in order to guide us to increasingly greater unity, and then nothing can scare us and we will not undergo any suffering.

But if we don’t begin to do that, the world will undergo terrible afflictions. Today the media everywhere don’t even hide the fact anymore that our world has reached a dead end. All political and economic systems have ended their functions and there is no solution.

We are living in wonderful times and it is so good because we are given an opportunity to ascend above our dull and gloomy life to a totally different state.
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From KabTV’s “Fundamentals of Kabbalah” 7/14/19

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