Question: There is a parable about a sage who used to carry water in two pots, one of which was cracked. Every day he brought the cracked pot home filled only halfway with water. One day, the pot itself said: “I am sorry that I cannot fulfill my task completely.” The sage replied: “You fulfill it completely. Thanks to you, I water the flowers that grow along the path on your side of the road.”

On one hand, there is a crack in us. It is our egoism that you keep talking about all the time. On the other hand, it turns out that this crack is necessary, that it gives something, waters something. What does it water? What can my egoism water?

Answer: It can water our egoistic desires. If they do not exist, then we will not be able to correct them. We will not be able to act, to exist. We were born with these egoistic desires, we live with them, and who knows when we will get rid of them.

Question: But are they necessary?

Answer: They are necessary.

Question: Here the pot itself said at the end that it did not fulfill its function. It said to the sage: “You carry me, but I am cracked.” What does the understanding that it is cracked mean for the pot itself? What does the realization that we are egoists give us? What does the fact that we are such cracked pots give a person?

Answer: It depends on the stage. But in principle, it causes bitterness and regret that you cannot escape from this realization anywhere.

Question: Does it mean that our realization that we are cracked is not very good?

Answer: No, this realization is good, but what next? Then we need to somehow influence the Creator so that He corrects our egoism. And this, unfortunately, is very difficult.

Question: Can there be a stage when we realize that we are egoists and stop there?

Answer: That is where we stop, yes.

Question: Is that wrong?

Answer: Of course it is wrong.

Question: What is more important for a person: to fix his “cracks” or to learn to use them?

Answer: You should use what you can use correctly, and what you cannot use correctly—ask for its correction.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 8/12/24

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Comment: I read seven tips that someone gave for a person to have an easier life.
“The ability to wait is the best thing one can master.”

My Response: If it is not about spiritual work, then yes; however, if it is about spiritual work, then no. When it comes to spiritual work, one has to constantly move forward.

Comment: “The first step is only the beginning.” It means that once you make the first step you are already halfway to victory.

My Response: The first step is not half the way to the victory, but it is still an entrance. Whether it is the beginning of the victory will become clear from the rest of the steps.

Comment: “If it is difficult, means you are advancing.”

My Response: I do not think that difficulty is a sign that we are moving forward correctly. No.

The evidence that we are moving forward is our ability to summarize all problems, information, and opposites into one whole. They all complement each other and add up in an absolute precise way into one single perfect picture in our root that we are moving toward.

Comment: “Break the chains that constrict your thoughts and you will break the chains that constrict your body.” At times we are standing still because of the thoughts that prevent us from moving forward. We have to remove the negative thoughts that slow us down and instill fear in us.

My Response: We move through both negative and the positive thoughts together. Both of them are necessary. It is like a wheel where some part is moving forward and some part is moving backward relative to the center of the wheel.

Comment: “Calmness is a condition for success.” When we are calm we are capable of doing much more than when we are possessed by emotions.

My Response: No. All of Kabbalah is based on opposites, on the combination of opposites. We have to be calm in complete endless movement. There is no other way. We cannot be calm and rely on the will of a flow of life that we will end up wherever it carries us.

These are Eastern methodologies. They do not include the left line and therefore I cannot equate them with Kabbalah or give any comment.

Comment: “Judgment is darkness for a person.” We should never insult and lower the individuality of a person in any way. The only thing we can do is to condemn him for his actions, but not the person himself.

My Response: We should not condemn anyone. Absolutely no one! We have to correct ourselves. When you correct yourself, you correct the world in a way that there will be no one who would condemn you.

Comment: “Belief in one’s rightness is a limitation.”

My Response: Belief in one’s rightness has a place only when it is based on the absolute upper knowledge, not by you, but by the masses. When you are moving together with the masses and reveal the Creator in connection between you, then you find the true rightness. An individual person cannot have any correctness.

In order to have some overall orientation in life, it is necessary to have nine more friends together with you. In this way, in a ten, like in a laboratory, you will be able to create a mini-system, a mini- society, where you can clearly project the entire nature, entire humanity, and all the worlds between yourselves.

You would create such a magic balloon from your ten desires and intentions and would see all universes, all worlds, all their inhabitants, and the Creator in it like in the mini-image, in the mini-model. Then by working on this model you would clearly understand who you are and where you are going.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 6/25/19

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Preparation to the Lesson

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1st part of the Lesson — Writings of Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Item 3

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2nd part of the Lesson — Lesson on the Topic “A Prayer Lishma“

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Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 16

What Is “Back” or “Behind”?

When the Creator reveals His actions as if they are not in humanity’s favor, it is considered a descent. All doubts come to a person indirectly from the Creator. Just as with Moses, who asked to see the Creator’s face, the Creator responds, “I will show you only My ‘back,’ for it is impossible to see My face.” This means that revelation always happens indirectly, through the “back,” or through vessels.

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Question: The most talked-about name today either excites, terrifies, depresses, or inspires hope in people: Trump. How do you view today’s Trump? What is this phenomenon?

Answer: In general, it is not a new phenomenon and is quite known in America. He enjoys making all kinds of grand gestures.

Comment: To be in the spotlight.

My Response: Exactly. I think we will quickly get used to him, and people will realize that it’s like “letting a child play around.” That is his style, his hallmark.

Question: Why has the world reacted so strongly? How has the world changed to respond this way?

Answer: Every politician primarily thinks about how to attract as much electorate to their side as possible.

Question: So does he clearly understand that he stirs people up and wins them over in this way?

Answer: Of course. He is no longer young; he understands how this game is played.

Question: So do you think this is his strategy, that everything is calculated?

Answer: Definitely. Would he have been allowed to stay otherwise?

Question: To rule?

Answer: No, he would have been just killed.

Question: Is there a larger agenda behind this, and does someone benefit from it?

Answer: Absolutely.

Question: You said, “He is just like that.” What trait in him is necessary for the world today to be shaken up?

Answer: The need to show off.

Question: Is it that simple?

Answer: Not entirely, there are deeper layers, but fundamentally, yes.

Question: Is this what fulfills him? If we are talking about his fulfillment.

Answer: Yes.

Question: Are people celebrating him like this?

Answer: Yes, they are excited to have a presidential candidate who can “show who is the boss,” slam a fist on the table, and do something outrageous and unpredictable.

Question: Let’s be honest, he has accomplished things in the past. He did quite a bit for Israel: moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognized the Golan Heights. He has, in a way, proven himself as a man of action, has he not?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: I remember you said a true leader is someone who feels a sense of responsibility, as though they are caring for their own children, and who could come to the principle of “Love your neighbor as yourself”—or at least approach it.

My Response: I don’t think anyone expects those kinds of words from him.

Question: Do people expect direct decisions from him tough? And he will likely meet those expectations, will he not?

Answer: Yes.

Comment: He is also promising to stop wars.

My Response: I do not believe that. That does not depend on Trump.

Comment: Trump is known for unconventional decisions, his ability to take risks, and so on. But being President of the U.S. is not a gamble. Still, it feels like he is taking chances.

My Response: No, I do not think it is a gamble.

Question: So is he taking risks, bluffing, or not?

Answer: No.

Question: You still see calculation in his actions?

Answer: Everything is calculated.

Question: Many criticize Trump; that is well-known. What helps him ignore the criticism, the constant attacks from all sides?

Answer: What else can he do? He has to play the same game, accept their moves, and learn to respond. This is a high-stakes game.

Question: Do you think he still pays attention to the criticism?

Answer: He has a huge team of people monitoring everything, analyzing it, and explaining to him what in fact is happening, each from a different perspective. And what happens next, we will see.

Question: What would you personally, sincerely, want Trump to do?

Answer: I think the greatest thing he could do is stop the hatred between the left and the right across all countries.

Question: Do you mean worldwide?

Answer: Yes, he should try to address it. And then we will see.

Question: So you are thinking globally. Do you see this division as the root cause of all problems and conflicts?

Answer: Yes.

Question: What does the leader of such an influential country, one that the entire world watches, need to do? He cannot simply say: “Stop hating, love one another.” What foundational steps should he take?

Answer: I am not sure he has the strength to do it. But the time, the place, and the topic are precisely this: will the world continue trying to circumvent the opposing side…

Question: The right circumventing the left and vice versa?

Answer: Yes. Or will the world strive for greater balance after all? That is hard to predict.

Comment: So if he managed to lay this foundation, you would say: “This is what I would want.” To stop this hatred between people.

My Response: I think in his previous term he was more realistic. What he will bring this time, I do not know.

Question: What do you think the Creator is trying to convey to our world by placing someone like Trump as a world leader (essentially a world leader)? After all, “The hearts of ministers are in the hands of the Creator.” What message is being sent to humanity in your opinion?

Answer: That we need to learn how to live under leaders like him. I am not criticizing Trump; on the contrary, I am pointing out that we are in a unique period where we can come closer to solving our main issue. I think it is possible. Beyond that, I do not know.

He does not have any major obstacles! He can step forward and truly feel like a leader. I believe he should seize this opportunity.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 11/18/24

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Question: How does the body learn the qualities of the wise? How can we help this happen?

Answer: We help the body by trying to unite and to raise a collective prayer. This is how we attract the upper light that corrects us.

Question: Can we assume that a small self-annulment gives us the strength for the subsequent slightly larger annulment?

Answer: Yes, it always happens that way. Therefore we never stop, but we constantly clarify even the slightest problems.

Question: How do we rise above mind and reason to learn the quality of the wise?

Answer: Only together through a collective prayer to the Creator.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/17/24, Writings of Rabash “Abraham Arose”

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Question: Has there ever been a time in the history of Kabbalah when a teacher had as many students as you?

I do not think there has been.

Answer: I also think it has not been, but that does not mean anything.

Question: We think it means that you are the greatest, and we thank the Creator for such a teacher.

Answer: If I am great in your eyes, then try to fulfill what I give you homework assignments.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 11/18/24, Writings of Rabash “Abraham Gave All that He Had”

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Comment: Scientists have concluded that by 2050, humanity will face 10 major problems: genetic modification of humans, an increase in the proportion of the elderly population, the disappearance of cities, the evolution of social networks, new geopolitical tensions, transportation safety, depleting natural resources, colonization of other planets, expansion of the capabilities of our brain, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

My Response: None of this is going to happen. All of our current development is aimed at bringing us to a dead end. It seems that we can deal with multiple problems, populate planets, develop deserts, anything at all. We can build, destroy, or run amok with it all. But our egoism will not allow us to do this.

It will make our lives unbearable and lead to a state of a continuous chain of conflicts between us: between family members, children, and parents, with neighbors living in the same city or in the same borough. It doesn’t matter where or about what, we will be unable to get along with each other to the point that we will end up sprinting to the bakery with a machine gun through the deserted streets. And it is going to be a dreadful life. Egoism will lead us to this.

No inventions will help us. They will not give anything. First of all, we will use them to subjugate all people, to profit from everyone, to suppress everyone. We can see how technology is advancing and for what purpose it is being used.

So let us take a look at what prevents us from being happy!

Happiness is not about inhabiting other planets, these lifeless celestial bodies, and it is not about driverless cars driving instead of us, or that we would live for 200 years. Our 70 or 80 is enough for us. There is no need for more! It is not about how long to live, but how to live! There is no way to escape death. Pushing it away is just a foolish pursuit!

We need to make it so that while we are still alive in this world, we will start feeling ourselves eternal, existing infinitely. This is the solution to the problem, not getting caught up in solving mundane problems in our own egoism. It is going to ruin everything for us anyway.

We cannot say that today we are happier than those who lived 50 years ago. They did not have the electronic gadgets that we play with now, but that did not make them any less happy.

I see from today’s statistics that people are less happy and that humanity is in a deeper depression.

Nowadays everyone is starting to think about how and where to consume marijuana or something else to escape. Why would a person need to live for 200 years?! So that he could spend 100 of them in a narcotic dream?!

We have to create a good life for ourselves. And it is achieved very simply—through kind relationships between us. Otherwise we are destined for Armageddon.

Do you know what Armageddon is? There is a small mountain in Israel (har is mountain in Hebrew) called Megido. A couple of thousand years ago, there were some skirmishes there. Since then, this figurative expression has been used: Armageddon—the end of the world.

Actually, we do not have to wait for that. You can still climb this hill and look down from it. It is not that big, only 700 to 800 meters high. Let us not push ourselves to extreme states. Let us make our lives calm, good, and happy today, not in 50 years from now.

And most importantly, with the help of the science of Kabbalah, we can begin to feel the next life, the upper world, the transition from one state to another, from one cycle to another. It is all within our power.

I wish you to discover the eternal state of growing and contented matter for yourselves.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 10/26/17

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Comment: Genetic engineering has challenged the Bible and says that Adam and Eve were not created by God.

Science has come to the conclusion that even in the formation of an embryo, as well as everywhere else, we observe a certain managing component. By studying the genome and knowing that there are managing and executing cells, it is possible to not only understand, but also to manage this process.

My Response: There are no problems in managing biological processes. But that does not mean that we create them. We interfere with their work, and that is what we call management.

Question: And who creates them?

Answer: This happens on a level above the human being. For this, a person must rise above himself.

How? Here is where the science of Kabbalah appears. Do you want to comprehend the next level? Do you want to reveal it? Please, you can. But to do this, you must seriously work on yourself and the connection with the next level—the managing one.

First of all, imagine that you are under this managing level all the time, under it. It constantly guides you and holds you. You try to get into resonance with it. You are managed by it. You agree and want to be managed by it. You do not want to act on your own—neither with your desires, nor with your thoughts, i.e., neither with your heart nor mind—not in any way!

You only want to feel this level and execute everything with your desire toward it; as it wishes, let it manage you. And you will be happy to add yourself to its governance.

This is how the next step is attained. This is called “annulling oneself,” annulling one’s egoism.

If we act this way, we will begin to feel this next level—its management, its qualities, its nature, and its intention. This is called attaining the Creator, because the next step for me is my Creator.
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From KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” 6/20/18

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