The Book of Zohar. Chapter “The Intention in the Prayer” (abridged).

“Each day a voice calls upon all people in the world, ‘This depends on you. Separate a part of yourself and devote it to the Creator.’” At some point in life, thoughts and desires to draw closer to spirituality come to every person, and it depends on us whether or not we heed that inner call.

To correct himself, man needs to receive the strength that exists outside of him, beyond the bounds of his egoism. Hence, all of man’s efforts aim to create the only true desire within him – to feel the Creator!

In spirituality (and, consequently, in corporeality) a person can be in one of three states: lying, sitting, or standing. A newborn infant in our world and a spiritually newborn person develop in the same order. Lying means that the position of the head, the legs, and the body are at the same level. In spirituality, this corresponds to the embryonic state, when all that exists in the ten Sefirot is the same. This is the lowest spiritual state.

Sitting means that the head is above the body, and the body is above the legs, but one cannot use his legs. Such a state is called Katnut (smallness) or VAK. Standing implies absolute distinction between the levels of the head, body, and legs. It is called Gadlut (big state) or GAR. Thus, according to one’s ability to ask for correction, he gradually receives strength from the Creator and grows.

The “time of desire” is an appropriate state for making requests and receiving the answer – the strength for self-correction. The King and Queen are ZA and Malchut. Each blessing constitutes a sequence of individual corrections of man’s soul.

Consequently, man ascends to a Higher spiritual level. Thus, he gradually attains Supernal Unity with the Creator.

Although Kabbalah is considered a secret teaching, it holds no secrets. It is perceived as secret only by those who are still unable to create the spiritual organs within themselves with which to perceive their surroundings. We are the only ones who conceal our surroundings from ourselves in default of the corresponding sensory organs.

As soon as the soul tears itself from egoism altogether, it completely merges with the Creator and is no longer obliged to descend into this world, clothe in a physical body, and receive an additional portion of egoistic desires. A sacrifice to the Creator signifies rejection of the body’s egoistic desires; it is called a “sacrifice,” for our body is no different from that of an animal. Therefore, the aspiration to rid oneself of the animate body and its desires is called a “sacrifice.”

All of the characters described in The Zohar are spiritual objects, Partzufim. Therefore, it is said that the wise (Hacham) sees only for himself, from himself upwards, and cannot pass the Light to others below.

It is hence said that wisdom is found within the heart, as the heart receives from below upwards; whereas he who understands (the Sefira Yesod, Tzadik, the righteous one) shines with the Light of Mercy, Ohr Hassadim, from Above downwards. He sees that he receives for himself, and shines upon the others, i.e., shines upon Malchut, as it is written: “The righteous knows his animate soul.”

Related Material:

Filed under: Zohar - 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 →

Spirituality is called that which will never be lost. Hence, the will to receive, with the intention “for one’s own sake,” is called “corporeality,” and it will be canceled from this form and will adopt the form of “for the sake of the Creator.”
Baal HaSulam. Shamati article, “Spirituality Is Called That Which Will Never Be Lost”

We have to work for bestowal, because it is opposite to our nature, which is “the will to enjoy.” We have to do the opposite – aspire only to bestow, and not to receive for ourselves.
Baal HaSulam, article “The Essence and Correction of the Creation”

“One who is angry is like an idolater,” because when one is angry one enjoys the anger and moreover, one is proud because he knows he is right. There are two sins here: enjoyment and pride. It is written about pride, “I cannot be together with a proud man” – and one’s soul leaves such a person.
Baal HaSulam, article “One Who Is Angry”

One must know in one’s heart that the Creator chases him just as much as he chases the Creator. One must never forget that, even through the greatest longing for the Creator. When remembering that the Creator misses and chases him, he should aspire for the Creator even more, until reaching adhesion through love.”
Baal HaSulam, Letters, p.70

We can draw the great souls into our world, and they will bring about the redemption of the world by virtue of their great desires. Everything depends on our desire to become similar to the Creator.
Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, “Arpilei Tohar,” 41

Here is the knowledge that a person is obligated to have: to know his Creator and to know himself – who am I? How was I created? Where did I come from and why? Where am I going? How can I correct my desire? How should I appear before the Creator?
The Book of Zohar, “Shir HaShirim”

The law of Kabbalah is that there is no connection between spirituality and corporeality, not in any word, notion, or letter, because the letters are figures drawn on white paper, while man is a body and a soul.
Rav M. Faivosh, “Esher Divrei Emet,” p.27

“Impudence will increase in the end of days” (Talmud. Sota, 49). That’s because this generation is extremely removed from the Creator, for people are proud of their igonorance. And he who is more removed from the Creator, is more deceitful and impudent.
Rav M. Faivosh, “Esher Divrei Emet,” p.28.

Filed under: Spirituality - No Comments →

The Book of Zohar. Chapter “Raising a Prayer” – 2 (abridged)

The first Commandment finds its place in the blessings that King David sang during his offerings in the Torah, where man must fear his Master, for these songs stand in a place called “fear” or Malchut. And all of these written blessings constitute the essence of fear of the Creator, Malchut. And man must sing these songs with his desires in fear.

Man must achieve a level of spiritual development where his desires will coincide with what is said in the texts of these blessings. It is impossible to force someone to wish something; all our feelings are the product, the result of our spiritual level. The Light of that degree influences one’s egoism and corrects it with the power of that degree.  Therefore, man can only ask for correction, but it will come from Above, from the Light, from the Creator.

Here we have a list of degrees that man must gradually go through in his correction. These degrees are usually called Commandments, and in all there are 620 of them between us and the Creator: 613 Commandments of the Torah for Israel (altruism) and seven Commandments of the Torah for all the nations (egoism). Here they are expounded in a different way: since the most important thing is to ask for correction (and if the request is genuine, it immediately receives an answer in the form of Light that descends to it), all of man’s work on himself, all of his efforts in the study, all his work and actions are intended only for creating a true request, MAN.

Hence, the stages of man’s spiritual development are described as his path in prayer; as if he stands and prays, although this process continues within him throughout his life on earth.

The second Commandment is to love the Creator. (As it was repeatedly stated, this feeling is the result of correction; see the “Introduction to Talmud Eser Sefirot,” item 45, which describes the four stages of one’s sensation of the governance, from darkness to love). It is when through one’s prayer, one reaches Ahavat Olam (great love) and Le El (for the Creator). These two blessings precede the appeal, Shema Israel (Hear, O Israel) and Ve Ahavta Et (and love the Creator), the blessing of the Creator for one’s love for Him that follows the appeal Shema Israel. And this is the secret of love for the Creator.

The third Commandment takes place when one reaches a place in the prayer that is called Lehishtabe’ach (blessed is the Creator). He must then attain praises and blessings of the Creator in his desire, as in parts of the prayer Yotzer Ohr (He who creates Light) and Yotzer HaMeohrot (maker of the stars).

The fourth Commandment is to proclaim the Creator’s unity, i.e., Shema Israel (Hear, O Israel, our Creator is one!). From this point (degree) on, one must express the secret of the Creator’s unity (in all His manifestations to man) in his heart’s desire (one’s heart must be filled only with the sensation of the One, Upper Force). Afterward, the Commandment to remember and remind others of the exodus from Egypt (egoism) is observed, as it is written: “Remember how you were a slave in Egypt.”

The fifth Commandment is for a Cohen to bless the people (the Light’s descent to the Partzuf), so that Israel will be included when the prayer (the Cohanim’s blessing) ascends, for at this time (state), Knesset Israel (all those who correct themselves by aspiring to the Creator and constitute a part of Malchut de Atzilut), i.e., Malchut, receives a blessing (Light).

The sixth Commandment and the desired time (spiritual state or level when man wishes only to give all of his desires, i.e., his soul, to the Creator, meaning that he can act for the Creator’s sake in all of his desires) is to entrust one’s soul with the Creator with complete desire in one’s heart. When one falls (willingly accepts the small state) on his face (Hochma) and proclaims (raises MAN): “I entrust my soul with You, O Creator.” The intentions and desires of his heart are to give his soul completely to the Creator (this desire is the consequence of this spiritual degree and comes naturally to those who attain it).

These six Commandments of the prayer correspond to the 600 Commandments of the Torah. And the remaining thirteen Commandments are required in order to attract the thirteen properties of mercy (thirteen Midot HaRachamim), which include all the rest. The prayer is adorned with 600 Commandments, which corresponds to HGT NHY, to what the prayer, Malchut, receives from ZA.

Happy is he who heeded and focused his desire on this (who was able to raise a proper request for his correction), who completed all that was required each day (in the Creator’s daylight), and directed his heart’s intentions and desires to fulfill this Commandment, which depends on the word.

Related Material:

Filed under: Zohar - 1 Comment →

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 →

We were visited by the President of the University of Haifa – Professor Aaron Ben-Ze’ev (left in the photograph below). Prof. Ben Ze’ev is considered one of the world’s leading experts in the study of emotions and perception. He has written many books and articles on these topics.

There were no contradictions between us. The only difference is that Kabbalah clearly defines every desire and the sensation inside it, and it graduates the sensations according to their levels and qualities. However, the earthy sciences cannot do this, because we can only research something while being on a level above the object being researched. Hence we can research the still and vegetative levels of nature, and a part of the animate level, but we cannot accurately research man since we are at the same level as the object being researched.

This is why psychology isn’t an accurate science. Kabbalah, on the other hand, lifts man above his animate and psychological levels, allowing him to measure and reproduce any sensation, and to examine its cause, process, and consequences.

One of Professor Ben-Ze’ev’s specialties is the research of the feeling of love. He has an enormous amount of empirical data on this, yet this earthly science does not enable him to systematize them. In the future scientists will discover that it’s vitally necessary to systematize knowledge and to have a clear understanding of the nature of feelings and sensations. Then this “crisis” will lead psychologists to Kabbalah.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Kabbalah and the Earthly Sciences
Laitman.com Post: The Sciences Are Subordinate to the Wisdom of Kabbalah
Laitman.com Post: Love Is Providing Others With the Means to Fulfill Their Point in the Heart
Lesson on Baal HaSulam’s article “The Wisdom of Kabbalah and Philosophy”

Filed under: Science - No Comments →

Baal HaSulam writes in the article “The Peace,” the section “The Necessity to Practice Caution With the Laws of Nature”:

It is vitally important for us to study the commandments of nature and know what it demands of us, lest it would mercilessly punish us. Nature obligates man to lead a social life, and we need to examine the commandments that nature necessitates us to observe in society. There are in fact only two social precepts to observe: “reception” and “bestowal.”

Meaning, nature obligates each member of society to:

1) Receive his needs from society, and
2) To benefit society through his work for its wellbeing.

And he is obligated to observe both commandments correctly, for if he breaks one of them, he will be mercilessly punished.

When one violates the commandment of reception, the punishment is carried out immediately, which prevents any neglect and forces us to observe it. But in the other commandment, that of bestowal upon society, not only does the punishment not occur immediately, but it is given indirectly. Therefore, this commandment is not properly observed.

Nature, like a competent judge, punishes us according to our development, for we can see that to the extent that mankind develops, so increase the pains and torments of providing for our existence. And the suffering will continue to increase, until the global crisis will show us that the Creator’s providence has commanded us to observe with all our might the commandment of bestowal upon others with utter precision.

And as long as we are idle in performing this law to the fullest, nature will not stop punishing us. And of course, nature will defeat us and we will all be compelled to join hands – as one man – in the following of the commandments with all the required measure.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Correct Yourself and Everything Will Radiate Harmony
Laitman.com Post: Another Pointless Conference of the World’s Leaders
Kabbalah Today Article: The Hurricane Within
Kabbalah, Science and the Meaning of Life: “The Spiritual Gene, Part IV – Nature’s Laws”

Filed under: Society - No Comments →

The Upper Light shines upon one who is engaged in the study of the wisdom of Kabbalah, even though he doesn’t feel it, because he is not yet corrected in order to receive this Light. Nevertheless this illumination from afar gradually corrects him, making him fit to receive the Light within.
Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to Talmud Eser Sefirot,” item 155

All the obstacles that come to a person are from the Creator, in order to push him toward spiritual development, so he will not stay satisfied with his current condition. Only for those whom the Creator wishes to bring closer does He send help by showing them that they don’t advance in spirituality, sending them hindering thoughts against the Creator.
Baal HaSulam, Shamati article, There is None Else Besides Him

The goal of creation is to please the creatures, and as long as a person doesn’t receive all the abundance that the Creator prepared for him, this means that he still hasn’t reached the goal of creation.
Rabash, article, “The Essence and Correction of the Creation”

It is man’s duty to reach the goal of creation by correcting himself. The correction lies in acquiring the intention of bestowal. To the extent one has this intention, one receives that which the Creator has prepared for him.
Rabash, article, “The Essence and Correction of the Creation”

A person should not correct anything about his externality but only his internality – his “I,” his egoism. It cannot be corrected through any actions, such as fasting and other restrictions. On the contrary, egoism loves such actions because it can be proud of them. Correction lies in feeling one’s insignificance relative one’s friends – those with whom one studies Kabbalah, but under no circumstances relative others.
Baal HaSulam, “Pri Chacham – Letters,” p.75

A small hole in the heart is enough for a person to return to the Creator, but under the condition that it will be as a needle stuck into living flesh, and not dead.
The Kotzker Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel), “There is No More Whole Broken Heart,” p.30

The holy war is not a war between people but against yourself. It’s when you strike blows against the evil inside you and tell the good in you, “Grow.”
Rav Kook, “Maamarei Reiya,” 508

Numerous false doctrines will arise before the coming of the Mashiach. You can save yourself from them only by studying The Book of Zohar every day. Even if you don’t understand anything in this book, this is already enough for cleansing the heart.
“Ohr Yasharim.” Mira Dah’ya

Studying of The Book of Zohar for one hour brings more than studying the simple commentary for a year.
“Kisseh Melech,” Tikkun 43, ch. 60

The Creator can’t have more pleasure than when people study Kabbalah. Moreover, a person was created only for the study of Kabbalah.”
Rabbi Chaim Vital, “Introduction to Shaar HaHakdamot”

While the Creator conceals Himself, He allows evil, but not to the point of the complete destruction of the world. Through this, one later reveals the oneness of the Creator and the correction of all evil by His Mighty Power.
Ramchal (Moshe Chaim Luzzato), “Da`at Tevunoth” p.185

There is no action in the world that does not come from the Upper Light.
Ramchal, Adir BaMarom, p.227

All the commandments, though they seem to talk about physical actions or verses to be pronounced, are intended only for correcting the heart, because the Creator only demands the correction of the intentions that are in the heart.
Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra, “Yesod Mora” p.8

Filed under: Spirituality - No Comments →

Questions I received on the economic crisis:

Question: Many of your students live in Russia. What do you think of how the economic crisis is progressing there?

My Answer: Russia will experience the economic crisis harder than Europe, America, or China. Russia will also experience its own crisis of self-love, ambition, separatism, and power. It will recognize that it is a part of the rest of the world, and that it needs to stop being hostile and aggressive. It will realize that it can’t survive any other way. Blaming America for the economic crisis will not solve the problem.

However, Russia can truly have its own “special path” if the people of Russia, with their inherent sensitivity and willingness to sacrifice material things for the sake of spirituality, will recognize the cause of suffering and the opportunity to rise above it. Then the Russian nation will really become special in the world.

By demonstrating to the entire world new social relations – the future of the world, not by order from “above” (from the authorities) but truly by order from above (from the Creator or Nature), by observing the law of love and bestowal, Russia will quickly become the leader in every regard. The choice is in its hands.

Question: Who will suffer most from the economic crisis?

My Answer: America will suffer least – not in terms of numbers, but percentage wise. Then Europe, and finally – Russia and China will suffer the most. There aren’t many consumers of Chinese products and Russian oil and gas.

Question: What will happen if Russia will close itself off from the rest of the world? After all, it has everything in order to be self-sufficient.

My Answer: The fact is that the current crisis is global, and no one can hide from it because everyone is fully integrated in the international economics. This is why political decisions cannot go against the economic decisions, and since there is only one economy, this also forces politics to become one! This has never happened before in the world. There were crises of a purely economic nature, or purely political, or social crises, but the present crisis is universal! This means that no one can separate from the rest of the world.

Question: Does the economic crisis affect only the finances in a direct manner?

My Answer: No, it also affects politics directly. I think that America is leaving the position of a “police officer” in the world. Now everyone will have to engage in this: Iran and Pakistan will advance toward the Caspian Sea, while China – toward Siberia. Islam will simply fill Russia – which is weakly Christian and halfway Islamic. To counterbalance this, Fascism may arise on the wave of patriotism.

Question: What is your organization doing during the period of economic crisis?

My Answer: We want to send our message out to the world – the method of correcting the economic crisis. We must therefore unite with the suffering of the world and share it. Only then will we will be able to correctly speak to the world and it will hear us.

What does it mean to suffer the suffering of others? Even though you personally don’t experience it, you are united with others, fully sharing their misfortune and helping them. This must happen according to the rule, “He who empathizes with the suffering of the masses merits mercy with them.”

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: The Financial Crisis – An Analysis
Laitman.com Post: The Remedy for the Global Crisis
Laitman.com Post: Russia and Israel Have the Opposite Problem
Laitman.com Post: The World Will Never Be the Same

Filed under: Crisis - 2 Comments →

Mutual Guarantee (Arvut) is the condition for life, for the existence of any living organism. When all of an organism’s forces and actions are coordinated and aimed at a common goal, then the negative correcting forces (crises and illnesses) do not emerge in the organism, and the system exists in permanent balance (homeostasis).

The current events (the financial crisis, general depression, drugs, breakdown of the family unit, emptiness, aimlessness, the global crisis, the ecological crisis) are revealing to us the single and general reason for everything taking place – that we are all an integral part of Nature, that all of Nature’s parts are interconnected, and hence they must behave accordingly. However, we – humanity – do not behave this way. We are akin to a cancerous tumor in Nature’s single, harmonious organism.

Mankind must realize that it constitutes one whole organism, and the law of the common mutual guarantee – of care for every person and for everyone at once – is the essential condition of our collective survival. The Biblical principles, “Do not do unto others what you don’t wish done unto you” and “Love your neighbor as thyself” are laws that determine the general balance of nature and our society. If we don’t abide by them, we will perish.

Baal HaSulam’s article, “Arvut” (Mutual Guarantee), describes how we can attain balance with Nature using the Kabbalistic source texts. The book, Kabbalah, Science, and the Meaning of Life talks about my meetings with American scientists who research the scientific fields bordering the Upper World.

Related Material:
Laitman.com Post: Why Isn’t Spirituality Attained Individually, but Through Mutual Guarantee?
Laitman.com Post: Equality and Brotherhood Are the Means of Attaining Spirituality
Laitman.com Post: Correction Lies In Unity
Lessons: Article “Arvut”, 17.11.05 – 23.11.05

Filed under: Unity - 2 Comments →