We see about the citron that the adornment is in it precisely before it is suitable for eating. However, when it is suitable for eating, there is no adornment in it anymore (Baal HaSulam, Shamati, 19, “What Is ‘The Creator Hates the Bodies,’ in the Work?”).

Each of the four plant species—etrog (citron), palm branch, myrtle, and willow—has inner qualities that we must somehow identify, unite, and do spiritual work for their common connection.

Question: If a person feels the splendor of the Creator, he might think: “How can I enjoy this alone?” Should he somehow hide it from himself?

Answer: No, there is no need to hide anything. Simply move forward, invite friends and others to unite and reveal the Creator among themselves.

Question: Does the whole group need to achieve the quality of splendor where there is taste and fragrance in the spiritual work?

Answer: No, each person reaches it in their own time.
[336131]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/22/24, “Sukkot”

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One should be in the form of “willows of the brook,” tasteless and scentless (Baal HaSulam, Shamati, 85, “What Is the Fruit of a Citrus Tree, in the Work?“)

The willow of the brook represents a unique state in which a person, despite lacking great spiritual attainment, continues to move forward.

Question: How can one value spiritual numbness in the work? What should one cling to in such moments to elevate oneself toward true taste, to only for the sake of the Creator?

Answer: It is precisely in such a state that you can bring yourself closer to connection with the Creator because feelings do not deceive you; you feel nothing, you do not know what it should be like, and you cannot be misled. In this state, you can be closer to the Creator.

Question: Is it possible that work without taste or fragrance can be true pleasure?

Answer: This is already a high degree.
[336098]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/21/24, “Sukkot”

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One should say, “When will my deeds come to be as the deeds of my fathers?” Through it, one is rewarded with being a “branch of the holy fathers” (Baal HaSulam, Shamati, 85, “What Is the Fruit of a Citrus Tree, in the Work?“)

Question: What does it mean that a person is the result of all the fathers?

Answer: When a person is connected to the Creator, the root of all the fathers manifests within him because he reaches it in his spiritual attainment.

Question: So can I have the same attainments that the fathers had, and know and sense it all?

Answer: I do not think it will happen all at once. But to some degree you will feel your direct connection to this. First, you must simply desire to be connected to both the feminine and male parts of the global vessel (Kli), and then, as you proceed, you will discover what it means to be in mutual connection with everyone.

To be a branch of the holy fathers means that a person supports everyone, helps everyone, and draws everyone toward mutual dependence with the entire global Kli.
[336082]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/21/24, “Sukkot”

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Question: How can one feel and realize in practice that each new Zivug (coupling) is not just a repetition of the prior correction but an advancement toward a deeper level of light and correction of the vessel?

Answer: We study this on ourselves when each successive step is higher than the previous one. Therefore it requires us to unite more.

Question: Do we need to return to the already corrected desire?

Answer: No, by no means; we do not touch the corrected desires.
[336128]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/22/24, “Sukkot”

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Question: Is rejecting any attainment in the intention for the sake of my friend a demand that the Creator is obligated to fulfill?

Answer: No. First of all, the Creator is not obligated to anyone. Second, we need to perceive in a more clear way what joy is when we enjoy what seems to be the Creator’s game with us.

Question: How can we move from the state when there is no taste in work to enjoyment from the Creator’s game with us?

Answer: It is only when we raise the greatness of the Creator and the greatness of the friends. There is no other way.

Question: What does it mean to enjoy the game of the Creator above tastes?

Answer: Such pleasure comes only in properties of bestowal.
[336134]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/22/24 on the topic “Sukkot”

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Question: If I understand there is none else besides Him, why do I feel sadness and panic?

Answer: Because you do not feel there is none else besides Him. If you really felt that, you would have no higher, happier, lighter, eternal feeling. Because then you will not be afraid of anything.

If there is none else but the Creator and only He exists, controls, and fills everything, then to be in Him means to be in eternity, in infinity.
[336256]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/28/19, “Questions and Answers”

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Question: Is it possible to reach a state where you no longer need to rise above anything?

Answer: Yes, this state is called the final correction.

If you have corrected everything, you have nothing to rise above. We always rise above our flaws, above the hatred of others.
[336263]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 8/28/19 on the topic “Questions and Answers”

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Comment: During the day, when working with the friends, I discover new areas where I am not connected with them whether in thoughts or desires, and I understand I have no inner strength. So I turn to the Creator, but it requires time for a new connection to be made in me where the connection was disconnected, was torn.

These steps seem like small steps that require time, but I feel that I fall deeper into these states and discover new aspects there.

My Response: Do not be afraid; fall in them. They only advance you.

Comment: If there are states where I feel pain or unpleasantness, I can work with it. But I am not comfortable when I think I hurt my friends with my actions.

My Response: It only seems so to you. Keep going forward, and do not be ashamed of feeling yourself with them in one desire.

Question: And when I feel that I did not finish something and something happened because of me, is this a wrong attitude?

Answer: That is not important. Anything is possible. The main thing is that you together with your friends want to reach such a desire that will correspond to the Creator.
[336279]
From the 2^nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 10/22/24, “The Study of Seven Ushpizin”

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Preparation to the Lesson

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1st part of the Lesson — Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 126

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2nd part of the Lesson — Lesson on the Topic “Parashat Lech Lecha“

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Selected Highlights

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