A question I received: Wherein lies my freedom? I always choose what’s best for me anyway. And if I don’t want to, suffering will force me back to the path of Light, correct?

My Answer: We exist below the dividing line called the Machsom; this is the border separating us from the spiritual world. This corporeal world is located beneath it, and above it, there is the spiritual world. Here, in our world, we live like animals, meaning that we are motivated by our instincts one hundred percent. Biologists, physiologists, geneticists, and physicians confirm this, concluding that a human being is totally programmed and controlled by internal and external systems.

So where does the desire come from? Does it come from emptiness accidentally? It only seems to us that life is governed by the rule of chance because we don’t see the source of and the reason for what happens in life.

Yet, we discover that nature is a closed system. The more we explore it, the more we become convinced that nature is global, and that we are its integral part. Nothing can escape the power of this common law called “nature.” In its Gematria (a numerical value of a word), the word “nature” is equivalent to the word “Creator.” Nature is the law, and by exploring it, we see that all laws are interconnected, precise, and invariable, which leaves us no freedom of choice.

If we look at the complete picture of nature, its whole sphere, we will see that it is governed by a singular law. We constantly make mistakes because we think we are above nature. So instead of studying its laws and following them, we keep trying to reform nature to fit our desires. Hence, our life is a strand of failures. The human ego is the only defect in the entire reality, and it is the cause of corruption to everything else.

However, along with our world, there awakens within us a tiny desire for spirituality called the point in the heart. If we follow this point and go beyond the parameters of this world, we enter the world governed by the Upper laws. All laws, in this and the Upper Worlds, are called the Creator or nature.

In other words, we are governed by the laws, as Above, so below. However, by ascending from one type of laws to the other, we perform the act of free will. We are not free to be above nature’s laws, but we choose in what nature we wish to exist, meaning that we can switch from the path of suffering to the path of Light. We are not free to refuse, yet we do have a choice to agree and see life as good or disagree and suffer.

From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/2/10, Shamati #38

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A question I received: If I raise my children on the principles of Kabbalah, through teaching them about love and bestowal, how will they survive in this egoistical world?

My Answer: Don’t fret over it. A child who grows up in an environment that provides only positive examples and motivates kind attitudes toward it does not become weaker than all other children. On the contrary, he discovers a multitude of good forces that assist and work for him, protecting him from the forces of evil.

Even in everyday life, we instinctively shield children from anything we consider bad and teach them to be kind to others, to compromise, and to be courteous. We act so because we innately understand that good relations with the environment – and not fighting with it or gaining something by force – imply security and peace.

It is evident that violence doesn’t solve any problems for an individual or a country. Those who use force always lose in the end, though they are hoping to succeed. This is how the corporeal world is built, where the only power that rules is that of the Creator. And even when it seems that someone is winning from using violence, we will surely see him fall. This refers to one person, a nation, and the world in equal measure.

We can succeed on one condition: having the equivalence of form with the Creator. This similarity is the key to success. Therefore, don’t be afraid that a child will receive a “soft” upbringing. Our task is to raise a person so that he becomes as close as possible to the Creator, and then, he will definitely succeed in life. Any other model of behavior will only harm him.

From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/1/10, Introduction to the Book, Panim Meirot uMasbirot

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The Zohar, Chapter “VaYetze (And Jacob Went Out),” Item 176: The keys to the treasures are on her right hand. These are the third discernment that she brought down with her from Ima to the Garden of Eden, the light of Hassadim whose place is in the right hand, which clothe the Hochma, and which are called “keys to the treasures,” since they open the treasures of the wisdom. Without them, all the treasures of the wisdom would remain hidden, like a lock and bolt.

Ultimately, what is the wisdom of Kabbalah telling us? It explains how we make use of the changes within our desires, which we have certain control over, to become similar to the Creator. All desires come equipped with the original structure, called HaVaYaH, which we cannot change. All the material of the creature, created by the Creator, received its original imprint, its true model called Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey. Indeed, otherwise this material would not perceive the Light as coming from the Creator. And that is why this imprint must be in the material, for otherwise there is no creature; that is, something that feels that it is one, receiving and two, receiving from the Creator.

Therefore, HaVaYaH signifies the very minimum below which there is no creature. The Light must spread through the full four phases of the desire. This form must exist in the material. After the creature already has this original imprint of the Creator, we learn the forms that the creature assumes, adopts from the Creator as it begins to grow in similarity to Him.

HaVaYaH is the perfect structure. Its perfection is either that the creature’s material does nothing, while the Creator imprints everything in it, or that the creature does everything, becoming similar to the Creator and existing in perfect HaVaYaH.

For the creature to exist in perfect HaVaYaH by being similar to the Creator, it must bestow back to Him the ten Sefirot of the Reflected Light, akin to the Creator’s ten Sefirot of the Direct Light. How is this possible? It is possible, if the creature has the power to bestow, which it elevates from Malchut to Keter.

From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/28/10, The Zohar

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We are inside a system of souls that are interconnected and exist in a corrected state, which was initially created by the Creator. It is written, “The end of the action is in the initial plan.” The Creator does everything with His Thought. He had a plan, and it all came true.

We have to attain the same state through our own work. Why? It is in order to be able to differentiate all the nuances, qualities, and components of that state. We have to feel that we own, sense, and attain it.

That is why we are in the same state, but totally unconscious. What should we do? We should ask for consciousness. I want to see, discover, and feel where I am! Which state in the world I feel is similar to the spiritual state that the Creator made? That state is the connection among people who aspire toward Him.

Right now the corrupted connection among us gives me a sensation I call “this world.” I experience our connection this way because I feel only myself. I am entirely immersed in myself. However, if my senses start to work in the opposite fashion, from within to the outside, then I will feel the true reality where I exist.

This change of the sensation “from within to outside” takes place gradually, along 125 levels, by virtue of our work, our efforts, and our request for it to happen. Where do I implement this entire process in order to avoid living inside illusions, getting confused, and making mistakes? I do it in the group and in my current state. That is where I have to implement it in practice.

This is exactly what I ask for. Everything is very tangible and simple: There is a group in which everyone aspires to attain a connection among them. This is what we ask for while reading The Zohar. Why? Because by reading this Book, we awaken our true connection with the force that rules us, the force called “the Creator.” Then our expectations have a chance of coming true, even if they are inauthentic and artificial. Concerning this it is written, “We will do and we will hear.”

This attitude to our state, to the studies, and to what should happen is called “intention,” and our work is man’s inner work, the work of the Creator. The use of this system through a book and through the force that rules inside us is called the science of Kabbalah.

These are all phases of revealing the Creator to the creation. What is the meaning of “the revelation of the Creator?” It is the revelation of the force of bestowal inside us. That is why the Creator (Bo-reh) means “Come (Bo), See (Reh).” At the end of the day, we are doing the Creator’s work, and that is the entire science of Kabbalah.

From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/4/10, The Zohar

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Do you remember the story about the good magician? It says that stones, flowers, and animals were unable to give the Creator a sufficient desire for the fulfillment that He wanted to bestow upon them, or to return His love and bestowal. Only man can understand Him, feel Him, and be like Him. That is why the two are able to attain unity with one another.

We have to attain the same kind of unity among us, just as this man (who incorporates everyone within) did with the Creator. We have to understand that unity is the best thing that can possibly be, and it is the reason why the Creator broke us into parts – in order for us to unite among ourselves. He tells us: "If you can become such great, beloved friends that you unite as one man with one heart, then you will be able to understand and feel Me, and join Me!"

Clearly, this requires tremendous work. The Torah talks about how the angels (meaning the forces of nature) did not understand the Creator’s plan before creation developed to the final, fourth phase. Understanding comes only at this final, human level, as it is written, "This field has been sown for me." This means that everything is done for man’s sake, but it is impossible to understand the final goal until the desire develops to this level. That is the meaning of the verse, "Do not show a fool a job half done."

Angels are forces inside us which are still underdeveloped and don’t understand the Creator’s plan or the need for this development. Two points – the beginning and the end of creation – are already set in advance and they determine everything that will happen on the path between them. If we unite these two points, the initial point and the final point, then we will immediately reveal the Creator’s entire program from beginning to end. It will be clear, along with all its details. Then we will only have to implement it in practice, but we won’t have any questions or doubts about what is happening.

Nevertheless, there is just one small addition that occurs inside this program: It is called our freedom of will! This is the necessary effort that comes from man himself, where man has to understand and desire of his own accord to become part of the Creator’s higher program.

So let’s agree with the program, just like the angels listened to the Creator’s explanation and agreed with it.

From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/1/10, Introduction to the Book, Panim Meirot UMasbirot

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The Torah talks only about how to unite all the souls together and mend them into a single soul. It is written, “I created the evil inclination, and I created the Torah for its correction because the Light in it Reforms.”

The Light of the Torah returns us to a single desire. The whole narration of the Torah is devoted exclusively to describing the process of unification among the souls. The Torah talks about the forms of connection between parts of ZON (Zeir Anpin and Nukvah) in all spiritual states. Therefore, the Light from these states of connection restores the connections between us and returns us to the source: the Creator.

It is difficult to imagine how unification of a single soul’s fragments can be elucidated so extensively, yet, the whole Torah tells us only about this. Although the Light of the Torah comes from a single soul, it passes through the systems that were created after its breaking. For this reason, it has adapted to our broken state and has the ability to correct it.

From the 2nd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/30/10, The Zohar

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A question I received: If I give something to my son, he doesn’t feel shame because of my love for him. Why then should we feel ashamed before the Creator if He gives to us?

My Answer: A son doesn’t feel shame in receiving from his father because a son belongs to his father and perceives himself as part of the parent. He receives from the father since he is entitled to it, and everything he gets is not his, but his father’s. Yet, the son doesn’t develop independently this way.

This form of development is called “conception” and “feeding,” meaning that the son, being small, receives everything from his father, the adult. But then children grow up and don’t wish to receive from their parents any longer because by this they remain under their parents’ authority. Thus, a father starts to feel the need to distance himself from his son so that his child will grow into an independent adult, eventually becoming a parent to offspring of his own. Therefore, according to the degree of their independence, children separate from their father, no longer wishing to receive from him, and begin to make a living on their own.

The Creator wants us to become independent and similar to Him. To achieve this, He performs a restriction and hides Himself, giving us an opportunity to become like Him through our own devices, to earn our own perfection, greatness, and fulfillment. Otherwise, if we continue receiving from Him, we will remain small and all our work will consist solely of annulling ourselves and begging the Creator. So after we go through the stage of being small, while learning from the Creator how to be like Him, we acquire independence.

However, the Creator does not want us to remain in such a state. Hence after the initial stage, when we, like the little ones, learn from the Creator how to become like Him, we acquire independence. In spiritual development, even during the stages of “conception” and “feeding,” we act against our nature, and this is why these degrees are already levels of independence.

The sole problem in making a creature is in nurturing its independence, allowing it to detach from the Creator. Hence, there is no creature without separation from the Creator. Detachment is necessary and obligatory; it is our essence. Otherwise, we will not feel ourselves as existing.

However, as of yet we don’t even feel ourselves as a drop of semen in the Creator.

From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/29/10, Article, “The Need For Love of Friends”

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We don’t yet fully comprehend what a serious task has fallen into our hands. Billion of years of the evolution of the Universe, all of Earth’s nature, and the accumulation of human history up until our time are pressing on us so that we (with the still, vegetative, animate and human levels of nature standing behind us) establish a connection between the Creator. The whole mass of this will to receive must merge with the Creator through a tiny hole: the quality of bestowal that we must attain. The responsibility to pull all of the egoism created by the Creator through the “eye of the needle” has been laid upon us.

We sense that we are facing the wall of our egoism, but we don’t yet understand what kind of wall it is. This wall is the force of the Creator. Our ego is the force of the Creator! We think that it is an ordinary vice that we can beat or discard. That won’t work. We will have to recognize that only the Creator can change our egoistic nature. He must do it, but only at our request, our prayer.

In fact, the entire path of the descent of the spiritual worlds from the very World of Infinity, from Above downward, including all the human evolution in the corporeal world that followed, is now coming to the point of culmination, to merging with the Creator. It is our duty to draw it to the Light. Just imagine how much creation has gone through, and now we must implement this merger.

Our mission seems too grand, but the Creator has placed it on all of us. How many times in the Torah does Moses complain to the Creator that he is incapable of completing his task, but the Creator orders him to continue? Today, we are in Moses’ shoes; we have received strife to rise above our nature. We are to play his role for our generation. ("Moses" or "Moshe" comes from the verb “Mosheh,"  to pull.)

This is why we have to understand that our task is extremely delicate and subtle; it works through the eye of the needle that we can barely discern. However, if we focus the efforts of all who are studying within our system around the world, we will succeed.

We are given all that we need for this from Above; there is no doubt. We just need to have a clear vision of our goal and ask the Creator to assist us. We are that very creature that must come to adhesion with the Creator, and through that, we give all souls an opportunity to ascend to the state of perfection. Unlike the Kabbalists of the past who were only preparing the path for us, we must complete this path by realizing it on ourselves and the others.

The wall before us is the Creator Himself. He stands and waits for us to "break" Him in order to rejoice that “His sons have defeated Him.”

From the Talk during Friday’s Festive Meal 6/25/10

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A question I received: If presently I don’t feel shame before the Creator, does it mean that I still don’t have the need to become independent?

My Answer: Obviously, at present, we still do not feel the need to become independent because we do not yet sense our dependency on Him. For that, we have to undergo a gradual, cause-and-effect development, the process of developing the creature.

We see an example of this kind of development in our children. They want to develop, but refuse to listen to their parents since they aspire to do everything themselves. Nature compels them to act this way since otherwise they would not grow. The same principle applies to us.

However, our spiritual development  is under the condition that we feel our dependency on the Creator and He does everything instead of our doing it ourselves. When we sense this condition, we don’t want to remain in this state; we wish to become independent, big, and do something ourselves!

For this reason, the creature begins to feel shame, its dependency on the Creator, and detaches itself from Him. That is, we are willing to take upon ourselves the concealment; we want to feel and protect it and make sure it does not disappear. Above the concealment, we build our similarity to the Creator. Meanwhile, this concealment, the First Restriction, does not go away. We adopt it on ourselves. We do not want to become annulled in front of the immense force of the Creator.

From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/29/10, “The Need For Love of Friends”

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The Creator Is Absolute Good
Questions on the post "Kabbalists On The Purpose Of Creation,” Part 1

Question: Will our future corrected state really make up for all the current suffering?

My Answer: Undoubtedly, as soon as you rise above your egoism and begin to feel yourself not in your body but above it, in the others, to that extent you will begin to associate yourself with the soul: the feeling of others rather than your own body. Accordingly, you will begin to feel the goodness that fills this world.

Question: You teach us that the Creator is the laws of nature, forces, like the law of gravity in our world. If so, how can the Creator be good?

My Answer: We perceive any force as either good or bad depending on how it affects us. That is, we talk not about the force itself, but how we perceive it.

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