The Zohar talks only about the desire and what takes place within it. My friends are also my desires; they are aspirations to connect with each other and with me in order to reveal the Creator. The desires that work against that are called my enemies.

This is how I divide all reality. There is no such thing as “this world” or “the world to come,” but only one desire. We have to get used to these definitions and stop seeing the world in other ways. We have to get rid of the habit that we have from birth – seeing the world as a structure that exists outside us. We have to feel that we have had enough of that false perception and we want to return to the truth. We don’t want to live in this illusion anymore.

I want to understand my desire and reveal the force that operates within it. This force is attained through its actions. This is why The Zohar explains how my desires are connected with each other and how they influence one another. By learning what’s going on between my desires, I begin to understand this force.

This force cannot be revealed on its own, but only through its actions inside the desires. For example, how do we recognize a magnet? We do it by seeing how it moves pieces of metal. In order to identify it, you have to be smart and understand the sequence of cause and effect. If you show it to a child, he’ll think that you are performing miracles.

We perceive phenomena through cause and effect, through the reaction of matter as well as the consequences. We can’t see an electric current, but only the resulting effect, such as a moving or rotating object. Thus, we only perceive the manifestations of something, but cannot grasp the essence, even if it’s our own essence. This is why The Zohar explains all phenomena to us inside the general desire.

The problem is that Kabbalists do not have words at their disposal other than the words that belong to this world; that is why they use the language of branches. They use words that describe things in this world to depict things in the spiritual realm. It’s a true blessing that this language exists, as it allows us to enter spirituality independently and voluntarily, by learning to understand it from the outside in.

How can we find out about spirituality if we are on the outside and we don’t know or understand anything about it? In relation to spirituality, I am like a newborn. The difference is that a baby develops instinctively, pushed ahead by nature (the Creator), whereas we have to ask Him to give us the strength to advance towards Him. Yet, by doing so, we exercise our freedom of will – the freedom to become similar to the Creator.

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Two questions I received about the nature of spiritual pleasure:

Question: If genuine fulfillment comes from bestowal, does this mean that at this point I am unable to be fulfilled?

My Answer: Right now the only way I know how to be fulfilled is by fulfilling myself. There are desires or empty spaces within me, and by fulfilling them I receive pleasure, temporarily satisfying my relentless “appetite.”

However, a different type of fulfillment exists, one that arises when I connect with other people and feel that I am fulfilling them. Depending on the level of our connection, we become a single whole, just like parents and their children.

In reality we are all part of one soul, and a soul is a desire. By connecting to other people’s spiritual desires, I fulfill them as if they were my own desires, and I take pleasure in doing so. That is what we call spiritual pleasure. It is also felt through desire, but the only difference is that previously I used my own, natural desires, whereas later on I start to sense pleasure through somebody else’s desires, which are not natural to me.

The desires of others seemed so distant that when I compared myself to them, I felt that the worse off they are, the better off I am. But now, after completing my correction, other people’s desires become my own; I obtain the opportunity to fulfill thousands of desires and to enjoy doing it. The pleasure is then much bigger than the fulfillment of only my personal desires.

The conflict between the desire and the effort I invest in it does not disappear. By replacing hatred with love, I only increase the difference between them, and thus enhance the pleasure. After all, Light is measured in contrast to darkness. Even in our regular lives we have a much higher level of appreciation for peace when it is attained after a long period of hostility.

Question: What is more important in spiritual pleasure: to broaden our spiritual horizons by finding answers to our questions, or helping others reach spiritual attainment?

My Answer: Both are important. Spiritual pleasure is something I sense when I connect with the Upper Force. The revelation of the Upper Force occurs even when I just begin to approach it, even if I don’t see it clearly yet.

The world is divided into two parts: the Creator and the creation. “Spiritual pleasure” means that I unveil the Creator as if He appears out of the fog. I start to understand and feel Him a little more; I follow His example and become more familiar with Him.

Studying helps this process because when I study the system He created, I receive an illumination. Even though I haven’t fully revealed Him yet, the connection with Him still shines on me from afar. It makes me more sensitive and I start to feel how I am getting closer to Him, and that I am under his control. Then out of the corner of my eye I begin to see the contours of spiritual phenomena.

Of course, my sensations are still egoistic: I feel good, more secure, tranquil and hopeful about the future. Yet, the spiritual pleasure is felt from a connection with the Upper Force, illumination whereas material pleasure concerns ourselves and others who are like us.

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We are starting to talk about the development of soul. In order to sense the spiritual world, we use a sense called “the soul.” However, we presently don’t have this sense. In order to obtain it, we must have the desire to develop this ability from a point and by using it, begin to sense all the images that The Zohar tells us about, such as Noah, Leah, Elokim, Yud Hey Vav Hey, the ark, a house, the Light and many other things. We know nothing of their true spiritual meaning yet, just as a baby that’s newly born into this world starts out with a blank, white page. Nothing is yet written on that page!

The baby must become acquainted with this world; little by little, he begins feeling more through his senses. We often do not notice how he prepares himself for this or how he expresses a desire to learn something. He appears closed inside himself and we simply give him nourishment and take care of his basic needs. However, as he grows, he begins opening up and reacting to things more.

In the spiritual world, however, we develop differently than a newborn body does in this world, because there is a soul developing from a point of desire that is inside us. If we read The Zohar under the influence of this point, we absorb all sorts of impressions from the study and this point begins to develop and swell. When it grows into a sphere of a certain size, we will begin sensing the spiritual world within it.

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When reading The Book of Zohar, every person has to try to find a more internal state within. We do not have the capability to imagine a state any higher than the adjacent one. I can fantasize to no end and think that I am imagining the World of Infinity, but it will only seem that way to me, whereas in reality, I will later discover that this was just the following inner state, slightly higher than my state today.

Therefore, one must aim all of one’s energy and efforts at trying to discern the inner desires and qualities which correspond to every word written in The Zohar. For example, “city,” “tower,” “ascending,” “descending,” “angels,” “demons,” “spirits,” “the sons of Efraim” – no matter what or who is being described, it is all referring to one’s inner desires and qualities.

The book or the author is speaking to us like an adult to a baby, telling us only the things that are suitable for us. We will not be able to read any more than that in The Book of Zohar, or to imagine, hear or see more. But in fact, the contents of this book are much greater than what we currently see. We just can’t see it for now. We are only able to see a small bit, as if we are being taught by an experienced teacher who is able to give us only what is beneficial to us, and no more.

Therefore, we shouldn’t be afraid to give everything in trying to find the inner concepts within us, which are described by the text in front of us. We will ascend to these notions,  recognize them and experience them for a time, like a baby that grows up over a day, a week or a month, and is then able to understand more than before; he gains the ability to reveal deeper, more internal things. Previously a baby could not see or recognize these things because they were simply beyond his field of vision.

Our spiritual development happens in the same way: by rereading the same text, we will continually reveal new inner qualities and new connections.

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A question I received: Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world watch our lessons on The Book of Zohar. As opposed to other books, is The Zohar able to awaken the right kinds of desires in a person regardless of whether he has a point in his heart?

My Answer: Everybody has a point in their heart; however, it can be concealed or exposed. If it is concealed, there is a possibility that it can reveal itself in the next moment. No one knows when and in whom it will show up next.

There have been many people who have come to us with burning points in their hearts, but alas, it subsided several weeks or months later because they did not apply enough effort toward their spiritual development. They were given a chance, but they lost it and the point in their hearts became concealed again.

The transition from concealment to revelation of the point in the heart, as well as the reverse (from revelation back to concealment), depends entirely on the effort that a person makes. This explains why some people who did not have a particular desire for spirituality at first, but kept listening to our lessons out of respect for The Book of Zohar or simply to be polite were able to accelerate their growth.

By doing this, one’s point in the heart, the embryo of the soul, will reveal itself quickly and one can begin to develop it consciously.

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Spiritual development through the method of Kabbalah is similar to our development in this world. Just as a child doesn’t understand how he grows, so we don’t understand how our spiritual development occurs. A child has to break everything, make mistakes, fall, cry, and go through childhood illnesses; without this he cannot grow up. This is a real and natural process, and it is the same with spiritual development. There is no place for mysticism.

Because the Upper Degree is hidden from me, I have to exert effort like a child, without understanding or feeling my following state. Then I will acquire or “find” the spiritual world. It is like a child who works, grows, and becomes smarter.

This is how we can intentionally activate the mechanism that connects us with spirituality, the Creator. This mechanism influences us indirectly, through alternative paths, in order to connect the spiritual and the material forms. We have to use this existing Upper Mechanism of connection between our world and the Upper Worlds.

The science of Kabbalah uses a strictly realistic, scientific approach. We invoke a real system; anything else would be mysticism.

When we look at how a child grows up, it might seem mystical. Show a newborn to someone from another planet and tell him that the newborn will grow up to be Napoleon; the alien creature won’t believe you because it seems illogical – how will that baby suddenly become smarter?

However, a child plays and learns through the game. Kabbalists have prepared a very similar kind of game for us. However, this is a very serious game that includes many stages, and it is not mysticism. In the science of Kabbalah, there is a connection that exists between the Upper Level and the lower level, between the one who develops and the one who develops him.

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The spiritual world is a world of forces that act according to laws that we partially understand, while some aspects remain unknown – just like mainstream sciences that explore the nature of this world. We understand parts of the spiritual world, while other parts remain hidden.

We have to exercise a strictly scientific and sober approach to spiritual research, just like we do when studying physical nature. What’s concealed today will reveal itself tomorrow. The science of Kabbalah provides us with research tools (Kelim), which can be likened to a microscope within us that we can use to see spiritual forces, the forces of bestowal.

However, we have to possess the power of bestowal in order to measure these forces, to see and discern them. A human being interprets all the knowledge and experiences he receives through himself.

After we develop our powers of bestowal, we tune them just like we would tune a sensitive microscope and use it to penetrate into the depth of matter (desire) where we observe various phenomena (giving and receiving) in accordance with the sensitivity of  each of our vessels of perception (Kli)

In any science we always serve as an instrument since we are the ones who ultimately receive knowledge, and to a certain extent we do so subjectively. When we study the science of Kabbalah, we do so consciously and we ourselves become an instrument of research. However, the research itself must be purely scientific. Our research becomes objective because it is in our nature to strive towards objectivity.

On many occasions, Kabbalists said: “I will know You from Your actions,” “Know your Creator and serve Him,” “For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know Me.”

There are only two forces (properties) in the whole universe: the Light (property of bestowal) and the desire to be pleased (property of receiving) that it created. Everything else follows from these properties.

The same applies in mathematics: we have a zero, and a value other than zero. Everything else follows from those values and is simply a matter of calculation. Physics is also the same: there are two forces which are different from one another.

This applies to the Upper Light as well. The moment a point that is a little darker than the Light appears, we have two different properties. That is when progress begins and the science of Kabbalah emerges.

As with any other science, Kabbalah studies discrepancies between two forces (phenomena). This becomes possible by enhancing the differences between them with the help of a microscope (analysis), or by finding points of connection (synthesis).

Science is based on finding the interactions between two forces – the Creator (bestowal) and the creation (receiving) on all levels of their manifestation within desire (matter). It’s impossible to identify and study one force without the other. With the help of analysis and synthesis, we study their interaction and then arrive at certain conclusions. “There is no Creator without the creation and there is no creation without the Creator.”

Contemplating only one force is wrong and won’t lead to scientific conclusions, but rather brings up deliberations about an abstract form. When I say, “The property of bestowal,” what do I mean? What is it? Who does it give to? Who does it influence? Where do signs of it show up? How do I know that it is bestowal? The answers is: by understanding the opposite.

You can tell the difference only by comparing opposites – by studying someone who is receiving. We cannot simply say that something is positive, because in relation to what is it positive? Where is the negative?

In other words, you cannot discern something on its own – you can do so only in relation to something else. The foundation of any science lies in comparisons. There is nothing in the universe except two forces.

This approach is strictly observed in the science of Kabbalah. If you distance yourself from matter and the form that defines matter, it becomes mysticism.

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A question I received: How can a person ask for bestowal if he does not know what it is?

My Answer: Spiritual growth is like the development of a child, for whom it is not enough to be just a passive participant in the process. This is natural development where a child reveals the world for himself in a natural way. He needs to taste it, hold it in his hands, recognize it, put it together, and break everything. He himself doesn’t know what he is doing since he is operated by nature. Later, having experienced everything, a child begins to think about and build connections between things; he begins to understand and demand.

This is very much like we act in regards to our spiritual development. No matter how smart we think we are, and no matter how many serious subjects we discuss, this is not what causes us to develop. Just like little children, we bring the force of development onto ourselves, which is the same force that develops a child.

Therefore, a person needs to reach a demand for bestowal on his own. There is no button you can press and immediately be allowed into the Upper World. If a demand, an aspiration is burning in you, you express it involuntarily within yourself. A “prayer” is work in the heart and is the innermost desire of the heart, which you may not even suspect exists.

After all, is it possible to compel yourself to pray? You can’t oblige the heart. Therefore, we need this force which develops in the material and the spiritual worlds and which constantly changes our desires. The Light created these desires, and it also reveals and transforms them through its influence. Therefore, our goal is to draw the Light onto ourselves with the help of books and our studies.

It is in our power to evoke a response, to turn to the source of Light in order for It to cause a faster development. This is the only means by which we can speed up this process. Nature develops us according to a designated program, in planned time frames; however, starting from this particular stage in human history, it has become possible to speed up the process.

Today we are able to activate the force of correction so that it influences us even more intensely. The science of Kabbalah is in fact that tool, that vehicle that allows us to achieve a shortened period of development.

The point is not in gaining more understanding. It is enough to “wave your arms and legs,” like a restless child, within the bounds of the Kabbalistic method – in lessons and dissemination. In other words, we must become animated and engaged in the process of our development. We intensify the Light by trying to aspire to It, rather than through our business-like manner and thoughtfulness.

Questions, answers, lessons, and discussions – all of this is here just for us to “play” with. A child is the same in this regard. When you play with him, something awakens in him and causes him to develop. This is called “the Light that returns to the Source.”

Whether a person is smart, phlegmatic, or sensitive is irrelevant. In the long run, whoever behaves in a more active, engaging manner will advance more rapidly.

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Three questions I received regarding moving through a descent and acquiring the desires of others:

Question: I know you say we must leave a descent as soon as possible. It is true and I agree. But when you are in a descent, people around you notice your lack of energy, for example, in the workplace where you have to be alert and taking calls and you are under management. Are there any tricks for concealing your emotional inner state from people to avoid them influencing you negatively?

My Answer: 1. You should learn how to get out of your descent through spiritual work in a circle of friends and by participating in group activities.

2. People around you see that you are tired, sick, and annoyed when you are in a descent, but they do not understand that this comes from your spiritual states. Don’t worry, in relation to you they are like an animal that only understands your external appearance.

Question: In the preparation to one of your lessons, you mentioned the difference between rapid spiritual advancement and actual inversion of the desires. My question is: How is there advancement without inversion?

My Answer: There is no advancement without inversion, and we have already discussed how to approach it.

Question: You mentioned the following: “However, if you want to bestow to others, you must first acquire all of their desires. You must make everyone’s desires become your desires. You will then transmit Upper Light to these desires, connecting them to the Creator. By doing so, you will be unique, like the Creator.”

How does one accomplish this? How does one acquire all of the desires of others? Above all, how does one transmit Upper Light to these desires?

My Answer: All correction happens only when there is a desire to attract and receive the Upper Light and then see its effect within yourself. We do not feel the Light itself, we only see its effect.

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A question I received: When the entire world reaches its final correction and ascends, merging with the Upper Worlds, then it will turn out that we haven’t yet enjoyed life in this world but have already passed to the Spiritual World?

My Answer: You are worried that you will never get the fame you are entitled to, or the glory, money and power over everything? You are afraid that you will correct yourself and get rid of these desires, ascend to another world where the Creator will meet you, hug you and ask, “Well, tell me what you want?” But you will have nothing left to ask for!

You already don’t want money, glory, power, or anything else. So what do you do then? What do the righteous need? A sip of water and a handful of berries for a week. And this is called the final correction, to which we all aspire?

But don’t worry, the higher a person ascends, the greater his desires become. Today’s material desires relative to the spiritual ones are a billion times less than the desires of an infant relative to an adult. In fact, we are completely cut off from the spiritual world, while an infant lives in the same world with us.

But as the child’s desires grow with age, he already wants to enjoy life as adult – the same way the desires of the soul grow within us. When we cross the barrier separating us from the Upper World and enter the spiritual world, there we find entire layers of impure desires, which we need to correct. By correcting them you rise above them into the Upper World!

How much can you lose here compared to what the system of the spiritual impure worlds can give you? It gives us such huge desires that our universe is nothing compared to them – they comprise all the worlds and not just our world, which is like a small grain of sand next to them.

Therefore, don’t worry, our desires grow all the time. And the greatest desires of this world, all its wealth, fame and power are just worthless minuscule feelings compared to spiritual fulfillment.

Besides, now the world is in such despair and depression that a person doesn’t even desire such minuteness.

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