Questions I received on the source of our problems and the way to solve them:

Question: Is the source of all the problems taking place in the world my desire “to receive for myself”?

My Answer: Yes. And this is true for each and every one of us.

Question: Does the solution lie in redirecting this desire so as to use it for the good of the society?

My Answer: Yes. Then it will come back positively for you.

Question: Do I have to develop the desire to bestow?

My Answer: Yes. In fact, this is the only commandment (instruction given by the Creator).

Question: But if I don’t have this desire, how will I know what to develop?

My Answer: From the point in the heart, with the help of the right environment.

Question: I don’t understand: what kind of a connection do I have with the Creator?

My Answer: You’re connected to Him through the spiritual “navel,” and you’ll discover it through connecting with friends.

Question: How can we do something good for those who don’t aspire toward spirituality?

My Answer: Tell them about the cause of the suffering in the world and how to transform it to joy.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Correction Lies In Unity
Laitman.com Post: The Method of Attaining Happiness
Kabbalah Today Article: It’s All about Pleasure
Chapter from the Book Spiritual Search: “Our Desire to Receive is Equal to the Creator’s Altruism”
Baal HaSulam Article: “The Freedom”

Filed under: Suffering - No Comments →

A question I received: I recently started studying Kabbalah, and I am still curious about “practical Kabbalah” and the attributes it uses, such as red strings, holy water, and so on. If these things have been in use for such a long time, then they must also have meaning. For example, a red string symbolizes Rachel who protects a person from the evil eye, or from people’s harmful energy.

My Answer: Practical Kabbalah is when you correct your egoistic qualities, transforming them to the qualities of bestowal and love in practice. This is what is written in all Kabbalistic books, and it is done by studying in a group that unites in order to attain the goal – “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Can you show me any authentic Kabbalistic source texts, from the Ari to Baal HaSulam, that talk about using red strings, fortune telling, holy water, and so on?These things have only a psychological meaning, just like religion. On the other hand, Kabbalah is a practical correction of yourself and as a result of it – attainment of the Creator, in this world, and in this life. This is practical!

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: What Does the Torah Say About the Red String?
Laitman.com Post: Other Methods of Kabbalah
The Kabbalah Experience – Chapter 7. “Beliefs, Mysticism and The Supernatural”
Interview With the Future – Appendix A: “From the Authentic Sources”

Filed under: Spirituality - 1 Comment →

A question I received: It follows from the articles “The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)” and “The Future Generation” that from the economic point of view, a Kabbalistic society is one of collectivism or communism, and that this is a necessary condition for everyone to receive the Torah and reveal the Creator, since only then can people stop thinking about themselves completely. Are there plans being made regarding new economic relations within the framework of the “Virtual State of Kabbalah?” Or is it still to early for it? Maybe we can implement transitional economic schemes and incorporate them into the modern capitalistic global economy? Generally speaking, how do you think the world economy will develop toward the ideal state?

My Answer: We should not change society and its institutions artificially, but rather we should correct the connections between us from egoistic to altruistic, by means of the Upper Light. The wisdom of Kabbalah explains how we can become similar to nature. Hence, by studying it we evoke upon us the Light of correction (the Surrounding Light, Ohr Makif) from above. It changes us, giving us the desires, thoughts, and forces to change everything in us and between us.

If we won’t change under the influence of the Light, but will instead change in whichever way we want to, then we’ll create a big mess all over again, like what happened with socialism in Russia and with the Kibbutzim in Israel. America is now compelled to nationalize businesses, and thus it is becoming socialist instead of capitalist. However, this is not the kind of socialism (or communism) that Kabbalah speaks about.

We, the members of the International Kabbalah Academy (the Bnei Baruch group), must do the following:

1. Provide ourselves with the necessary level of existence;
2. Correct ourselves by studying Kabbalah in the right environment (in our environment – see the article “The Freedom,” which explains what lies in our power of action).

The rest is done by the Light.

Our objective is to create a virtual society, which will serve as an example for the entire world.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: The Creator Will Become Revealed Inside the Unity of Our Virtual Meeting Space
Laitman.com Post: The Condition of Entering the Upper World Is Mutual Guarantee
Baal HaSulam Article: “Building the Future Society”
“Freedom of Will” – Lessons

Filed under: Economy - No Comments →

Questions I received on marriage, family, abortion, and jealousy:

Question: Today, when people’s life expectancy is so long, it seems unlikely for people to stay married just once. How can a couple live together for so long and stay happy?

My Answer: Everything depends only on your willingness to give in to each other.

Question: My husband is turning 45, and I would like to get him involved in Kabbalah. Where should I begin?

My Answer: Leave him alone! He lives with you, so I think that by now he has heard about Kabbalah many times. If he’s not interested in it, then stop trying to “educate” him. This big egoism of yours is only harming you. You should love your husband as a person. His time to grow spiritually will come when the time is right for him.

Question: Why is it that even though the Jerusalem Temple doesn’t exist today, it’s still forbidden for a Cohen to marry a divorced woman?

My Answer: This isn’t a question for me, because Kabbalah is the method of revealing the Creator to a person in this world. Kabbalah deals with one’s spiritual ascent, rather than one’s earthly well being.

Question: What is your opinion on abortion?

My Answer: I’m usually against it.

Question: Is jealousy just another manifestation of egoism?

My Answer: Jealousy is the same as greed.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Abortion – How Does Kabbalah View It?
Laitman.com Post: Everybody Has Their Own Path
Kabbalah & Relationships

Filed under: Family - 1 Comment →

Dear friends!

Thank you for visiting this blog and taking part in it.

I have no choice but to skip the recurring questions, as otherwise the blog will turn into a list of questions and answers. Still, I am really trying to create a different structure for the blog.

I persistently ask you to study the blog from its beginning to end. I assure you that you will find answers to practically all your questions, and your diligence will be rewarded.

With love,
The author.

Filed under: Notices - 1 Comment →

Two questions I received on soccer and Kabbalah:

Question: Soccer draws the attention of many people. What is its spiritual root? I heard that you once drove by a soccer field with Rabash, and he said that it is a special place because it brings joy and pleasure to people. Soccer is full of corporeal, egoistic desires of the fans. What kind of ascent did Rabash see in this place? Maybe his words were a joke or a parable, or is there really a spiritual root to soccer?

My Answer: What’s important is not the game of soccer, but that a person receives pleasure from life. And this pleasure, of course, comes from the Creator. There are many parables like this.

If a person’s point in the heart – the yearning for the Creator – hasn’t surfaced yet, then he exists in exile from spirituality,even without being aware of it. As long as he is in this state, he enjoys the small pleasures of this world, called “a weak glow.”

Here we are talking about people who are not yet ready for spiritual work. The Light gathers people together and gives them some contentment – and hence it is a special place. By being there, they don’t harm anyone, but on the contrary – unite with each other.

Question: What if I want to be a soccer player and a Kabbalist at the same time?

My Answer: Give it a try!

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: The Olympic Games Should Be Played Like Giveaway Checkers
Laitman.com Post: The Kabbalistic Meaning of the Star of David, and Why We Should Respect Sports Stadiums
Laitman.com Post: The Soul Is the Property of Bestowal, and Without It We Are Animals
Lesson on Shamati #2: “Divinity in Exile”
Chapter from the Book Attaining the Worlds Beyond: Transforming Egoism to Altruism

Filed under: Sports - No Comments →

A question I received: What Is your opinion on the negotiations to divide Jerusalem? Are you for or against its division?

My Answer: I don’t have an opinion of my own; I accept the opinion of the great Kabbalists. Baal HaSulam writes: “If the people of Israel will accept the laws of Kabbalah, then it will be possible to build the Temple and bring back all the past glory. And of course this would prove to all the nations of the world – even the Arabs – that the people of Israel have the right to return to their land. This will be very different from the present secular repatriation, which does not impress the nations of the world. We need to act quickly, or else they might sell Israel’s independence for their own needs, not to mention giving away Jerusalem.”

He wrote this 93 years ago, when there was no talk of  repatriation yet, or the state of Israel, or our Jerusalem, and moreover – its current division. I am neither “for” nor “against” it, because I know that the only thing that will help us is our correction. Hence correction is the only thing I am “for.”

It is also written: “If you follow the path of the wisdom of Kabbalah and accept the Creator’s teaching – things will be good. And if you don’t accept it, then you will still advance toward the goal He has set, but your path will be one of suffering. In other words, wars will break out in the world, fought with atomic and hydrogen bombs, and all the nations of the world will search for counsel on how to avoid the wars. And they will come to the Messiah in Jerusalem, and he will teach them this wisdom.”

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: The Third Temple and the Coming of the Messiah
Laitman.com Post: Building the Third Temple
Baal HaSulam Article: The Last Generation
Chapter from the Book The Kabbalah Experience: The Messiah and the End of Days
Chapter from the Book Interview with the Future: A Spiritual Task

Filed under: Israel - No Comments →

Questions I received on alternative healing methods, old age, and celebrities:

Question: What does Kabbalah think of energy healing? Will it interfere with my spiritual development?

My Answer: People who study Kabbalah use only the obvious healing methods.

Question: Why are people so afraid of getting old?

My Answer: Due to a feeling of helplessness, emptiness, and uncertainty.

Question: Why do people worship celebrities?

My Answer: A celebrity figure isn’t important in and of itself, but because the society makes it important. Take Caligula’s horse for example (a horse that was worshiped in the Roman Empire): You can make society think that a horse is important, and then society will worship it. And because your values are determined by the society, you will also begin to worship the horse.

Question: Why do we feel good when other people suffer more than us?

My Answer: Because everything is measured in relation to the society.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: How Can We Stop Being Slaves of the Advertisement Industry?
Laitman.com Post: The Method of Achieving Happiness Is for All or None
Article – “Importance of Society”

Filed under: Q&A - No Comments →

Questions I received on spiritual advancement:

Question: I have been studying with you for three years through the Internet. I used to attend a local group and even came to one of your lessons. Ever since I started studying Kabbalah, I have become grave and withdrawn. It has become very difficult to communicate with people, including you. My girlfriend left me, nothing seems to be going right in life, and I’ve been planning to write you a letter for a few years already. On the other hand, I am doing better: I have registered on the forum and am writing you a letter. I hope that I’ll be able to keep in touch with you at least virtually. There are many times when I’d like to talk to you.

My Answer: If you’re drowning, you have to save yourself. And if you don’t have friends, then who will rescue you? Hence, success can only come by becoming included in the group, even if you have to force yourself to do it. Then the friends will support you and push you toward the goal.

Question: In one of your lectures you said that we shouldn’t forget that there are ups and downs and that they lead a person toward the goal only if they come from the right aspiration. What is the right aspiration? How can I know that I aspire to the right goal? And generally speaking – does my desire or aspiration really depend on me?

My Answer: If your aspiration emerged in you as a result of unifying with the group, then it is correct.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: We Must Only Unite Our Points In the Heart
Laitman.com Post: In All Life Situations, Your Behavior Should Be Determined Only by the Spiritual Goal
Laitman.com Post: The Group Is the Place for Discerning All Your Spiritual Questions
Article: “The Structure of the Soul”
Baal HaSulam Article: The Arvut (Mutual Guarantee)

Filed under: Unity - No Comments →

A question I received: My wife was victim of a maniac: she suffered physical and sexual abuse. How can I help her in this moment of pain and despair? What can I do if she doesn’t like to hear or see a thing about Kabbalah? What can I do now, when she is at risk of getting HIV and other diseases, like HPV, syphilis, and hepatitis? I don´t know what to think or do. I know I have to continue to study Kabbalah, but my depression has no end…

My Answer: You should only rise above your animate body, live higher than your body – both of you. Then you will reveal the cause of what happened.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: What Is Pain, and How Can We Stop Feeling It All the Time?
Laitman.com Post: Now Is the Time for Freedom!
Kabbalah Today Article: The All-Purpose Remedy
Article: “Spirit and Body”

Filed under: Family - No Comments →