About Giving And Receiving

Baal HaSulam, “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar“:We should know that spiritual matters are not like corporeal matters, where giving and receiving come as one. In spirituality, the time of giving and the time of receiving are separate. This is because first it was given from the Creator to the receiver; and in this giving He only gives him a chance to receive. However, he has not received a thing yet, until he is properly sanctified and purified. And then one is rewarded with receiving it. Thus, it may take a long time between the time of giving and the time of receiving.

Question: Why is there a disparity between the time of giving and the time of receiving?

Answer: Giving is bestowal and receiving is bestowal. But the giving prepares the “vessels” in us, the details of perception. After all, there is no concept of “time” in spirituality, but when it comes to our “matter,” to our desire to receive, the upper bestowal cannot be in contact with it.

There is a “shell” between them that keeps the dualism of their relationship—separation and mutual connection.

How does the Light reach the vessel in the first place? How can the connection between these two opposite attributes exist? There is nothing like it in our world. When fire and water come in contact, one of them annuls the other, but they both belong to one world and the inner nature that is aimed at conquering, at mutual annulment, is concealed in them.

On the other hand, when a spiritual force reaches a corporeal force, they cannot come in contact, they cannot “get to know” one another.

The first attempt to come in contact would evoke mutual annulment in them. We know about such phenomena in physics. Contact between opposites is simply impossible.

This is the reason for the “shell” that should be highly respected, which is wonderful, powerful, whole, and very complicated.

It is exactly what creates the right connection between “Holiness,” which means the attribute of bestowal, and the egoistic desire that simply wants to receive pleasure. The “shell” brings the “lie of the truth” and the “false truths” to life, what “has not been said to the end,” and “what has not been fully clarified,” as areas that “coordinate” between the poles that cannot be tied into one. We use such tricks in politics and in other fields.

So the time of giving is not the end of history. All of creation—its essence is in the difference between the time of giving and the time of receiving.

The chain of events from the top down into this world and the ascent back from the bottom up are only so that from state 1 we will reach state 3, and they are the perception of the Creator’s message to the created being. You also see how long it takes to “digest” this idea and to respond to it.

Question: According to what formula does the connection between the opposites exist? How is the string from the upper to the lower actually drawn?

Answer: If we speak about an initiative that comes from the upper, it is possible only if we annul ourselves and receive His desire as the one which determines things instead of our own desire; this is the connection.

Using the same technique, we bring different parts in contact, equalize their ranges, and use a certain link as a “coordinator” between them.

We have to create a certain place in which this equivalence takes place.

In spirituality it is the seven lower Sefirot of Bina, the “mother’s womb,” the lower third ofZeir Anpin to which Malchut connects.

We have to design this special “adaptor” which in Kabbalah is also called YESHSUT, or the system of TzeLeM.

One way or the other, the task of the two sides that are connected is for each side to annul itself in order to connect to the other. But while the upper can do that since it is perfect, the lower, being totally imperfect, attains it, accepts it, and annuls himself before the upper.

It is about simple things. In everyday life we constantly renew our place on the scale of connection and communication. In media, instruction, education, and culture the connection is built even instinctively by itself. If I want be in contact with another, I have to withdraw from my uncompromising stance to some extent, and to accept the other’s opinion.

Question: How does the lower become adapted to the giving of the upper?

Answer: The upper descends to the lower and gives him what he wants, but in this “package,” in this message, there is the whole inner force that develops the lower.

After all, the lower only wants to “fill its belly.” He doesn’t want to grow and doesn’t know what it is. But in the “milk” of the upper, which means in the Light of Hassadim, there is the “blood” that operates, the Light of Hochma that raises the baby. The lower would not be able to grow without the “blood” in the “milk.”

First, during the time of Ibur (gestation), the lower annuls himself before the upper and agrees to receive everything from Him. Then he receives the “blood”—the direct bestowal of the upper. Then the lower becomes more independent and the upper intentionally designs a system in the lower one that matches it and that is used as an adapter between them. It is exactly like the mechanism of lactation, feeding milk. In fact, it is about the same “blood,” about the Light of Hochma, but it receives the “dress ofHassadim.” Now the lower can compare the attribute of bestowal that is typical of the Creator and the attribute of receiving that is typical of the created being, and when he grows, he receives them both simultaneously.

But at this point, the lower is still small because he annuls himself with regard to the “milk,” and agrees to receive it from the upper…
[100054]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/10/13, “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar”

A Big Void And How To Deal With It

Question: How is external dissemination connected to internal work?

Answer: Today internal work is impossible without dissemination. In fact, the general pyramid of humanity is divided into two parts: the upper part called “Israel” (Yashar—El – straight to the Creator), and the lower part called “the nations of the world.”

The people who belong to “Israel” have a “point in the heart” (•), and as a result they are in contact with the Creator. Those who belong to the “nations of the world” have only a big void (-) and they feel bad, but don’t know what to do.

So “Israel” has to bring the correction to those called “the nations of the world.” This is why they exist, otherwise they wouldn’t exist at all.

The “created being” is actually the lower part of the desire to receive, while “Israel” are “the Godly part from Above.” On the whole, “Israel” is called “a point,” “a spark,” in the desire and not the desire itself. On the other hand, “the nations of the world” are the main “matter” of creation. It is for them that the world was created; everything exists for them, and the correction should take part in them. It is here that the third Temple will be built. “Israel” is the link, priests and educators. Every person with a “point in the heart” belongs to this group.

On the whole, the whole pyramid is called “Babylon,” since everything in it is confused (same root in Hebrew) and mixed after the shattering.

[99903]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/7/13, “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar”

The Embryo Is Part Of Mother “Bina”

Some time before the last convention we began our preparation for the state of the spiritual “embryo” and we continue persistently.

This is the short-term goal for the major part of our global group. In the group there are more advanced students and less advanced ones, but the majority are in a state that they must prepare for the conditions of existing in the form of an “embryo” in the spiritual world.

It says that an embryo is part of his mother, which means that he totally annuls himself and “eats what his mother eats.” Mother clarifies what is best for him and he receives everything gratefully as something that comes from “there is none else beside Him.” He is completely incorporated in the Creator without taking any independent decisions. All his powers are focused only on how to follow with eyes closed.

This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have his own opinion and his own feelings, but he tries to resemble the upper in every way possible. He still has no inner “vessels,” not in his mind and not in his heart, which enable him to start working with such desires by himself. He can only rise above them.

This means that he has no “mouth,” but that he receives everything through the “Tabur” (the umbilical cord), which means straight into his “vessels.” A “Peh – mouth” (the mouth of the Partzuf) is the place of the Masach (screen), 32 teeth, 32 routes of wisdom. When he has teeth, he will already be able to chew with them, to examine, to divide, and to decide whether this filling is suitable for him or not, but in the meantime, all this does not exist in the embryo, and he receives everything thanks to the bestowal of Hassadim from his upper, from mother Bina, although he is in total darkness.

If we could imagine this state of Ibur (gestation), and see ourselves as an “embryo” with regard to the group, which means that we annul ourselves before the group, then by our collective effort we will enter the spiritual world.

This is a very high level. It is unlimited, since by the annulment of his vessels a person becomes independent and unlimited. He receives everything that comes to him and is ready for any condition. He accepts everything that comes to him from the upper “above reason,” and thus advances through all the months of pregnancy.

Everything depends on us, on our effort. We don’t have to wait for this to come from Above by itself. Nothing will come just like that except for sufferings that come along the path of “in its time” instead of along the path of “I shall hasten it,” the path of the Light.

But if we want to hasten this state so as not to develop according to the natural speed that will take many years before we attain it, we have to spur one another, as it says: “Every one shall help his friend.” We have to set an example of the spiritual embryo for one another, which means showing how each one annuls himself before the group and accepts everything gladly, enthusiastically, in elation, and in awakening. Although a person doesn’t feel it internally, he annuls himself before the upper.

This state is called an embryo since all this doesn’t match his desire, but is against it, in contrast to his feelings and his mind. But if he rises above himself, above his mind and feelings and begins to receive from the upper who is whole, he will advance and gradually become an embryo.

This state is built above the corporeal feelings and mind and is the first level that is built above them. In it we already have to clarify how to fulfill the advice of Kabbalists by mutual help, awakening, and feeling the importance of the goal. This the immediate goal facing us.
[99962]
From the Preparation to the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/8/13

Accelerate Time

Baal HaSulam, “The Peace”: And besides the blows we suffer today, we must also consider the drawn sword for the future. The right conclusion must be drawn—that nature will ultimately defeat us and we will all be compelled to join hands in following its Mitzvot with all the measure required of us.

We are in one force called “nature,” the force of bestowal. We are the second force, the force of receiving. According to its size, we have to keep the balance, the equivalence of form with the force of bestowal.

Although we don’t know and are not acquainted with the force of bestowal, we have to work with the environment. If I keep the balance by receiving and giving in this world, then it means that everything is fine. If I want to give to the environment more than is necessary to keep the balance, it means that I advance by the path of “I shall hasten it,” accelerating my development. Then the force of my ego is evoked in me faster than in others and it is as if I rush forward leaving them behind since if I am drawn to the force of bestowal. The force of receiving will grow inside me, thus hastening the emergence of theReshimot (spiritual genes) so that they can be fulfilled.

On the other hand, if I lag behind the pace of the general development of the system ofMalchut, which means the “assembly of Israel” and unity, then I feel pressure. The upper Light evokes the shattered Reshimot wanting to raise them to correction. If this chain ofReshimot develops faster, then it is good, and if it develops more slowly, then we feel the Light as bad.

On the whole, this whole system is called “this world.” In it there is Malchut, the “assembly of Israel,” meaning those who want to correct themselves and to attain connection and also the “nations of the world.” Everything is included here in Malchut. It is called the world. But it is hard for me to work with the whole world and so there is a small part before me, the group, in which I fulfill my corrections.

The Creator, the upper Light, has a beginning (0) and an end (100%). And we have no other choice but to reach the end. The question is only how exactly do we reach it. This is only what it is about.

We have been through three phases in our evolution: inanimate, vegetative, and animate. These phases are essential and no one asked for our consent.

But starting from the level of the “speaking,” we must be conscious, by our own consent, we raise a request for correction (MAN) and not otherwise. This means that the upper Light will pressure us every step of the way until we turn to it by ourselves with our request.

It is impossible to advance by sufferings. On the contrary, they force us to stand still until they accumulate and change our attitude to what is happening. Only then will we be ready to bow our heads.

In any case, without the preliminary deficiency, we will not be able to go through the phase of “speaking” in our evolution. It is because this phase requires understanding and recognition, which is possible only if I have a deficiency for it. However, on the levels of inanimate, vegetative, and animate, I advanced and developed without any understanding and recognition.
[99970]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/8/13, “The Peace”

As Long As The Drill Doesn’t Reach The Nerve

We can find many excuses for ourselves, but if we face the laws of nature, then we must comply with it. The wisdom of Kabbalahspeaks about absolute laws. The Kabbalists explain to us how the system of reality is structured. And we think that they aren’t rigid laws, but are something that changes according to our desire: the relations between people, the connection between man and nature, destiny, luck, and various events of yesterday or tomorrow.

All of these illusions come from the lack of knowledge of the system, from the lack of understanding that it is defined in an exact system and it is not in our power to change it. There is nothing to do. It is that way and only that way! We even treat science as if we can somehow get around it. This comes from the lack of feeling that you are connected with the system by thousands of threads, billions of nerve fibers.

Imagine that coming from you are an endless amount of threads that connect you with all of reality, and all of them are especially sensitive, like exposed nerves. Everyone knows what an unbearable pain it is when you suddenly touch an exposed nerve from an aching tooth. All of us have felt this once. And from you are millions and billions of exposed nerves that connect you with others. All of us are wrapped in these thin white fibers, as if immersed in gel.

Imagine how sensitive you are to everything that happens in any place, anywhere. You depend on everyone and they, in turn, are dependent on you. We are tightly connected through these thin, nerve fibers, completely in everything. No matter what happens, your question is if this touches your nerve or not.

We are now detached from this understanding, but slowly we get closer to it through suffering. The drill between us doesn’t directly touch our nerve. It only drills a hole in the tooth and sometimes causes a certain pain, which we are able to bear. And sometimes we even manage to escape from the dentist, refusing treatment, what will be, will be.

And here it is not possible to give anesthesia and get rid of the pain, since the pain is the measure of the problem. The pain points to the place of the problem; you can fix it: go to the doctor and take medicine. In this case, if you are able to cure a physical disease, then it is allowed for you to use anesthesia. But it is not possible to give spiritual anesthesia since you have to correct its reason. And for this, you must discover the system of connections.
[99690]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/1/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

The Future Of The World Is In Connection

Question: Today, when life seems tasteless and humanity encounters endless problems, what can the wisdom of Kabbalah tell us about the meaning of life?

Answer: Kabbalah says that we can find the meaning of life only if we are adapted to nature. Then we will receive fulfillment, which is in fact the meaning of life.

So I can receive fulfillment if I am adapted to nature. The adaptation generates a connection, and then whatever is in nature is also found in me. I become the inner system that is connected to nature.

How can we connect to nature, to something that is whole, eternal, and great? It is only possible through the similarity of properties. The similarity of properties refers to being inbestowal and connection, just like the rest of nature is connected. The still, the vegetative, and the animate levels in nature are all connected to one system. But it’s as if man is left outside the system in order to connect to it by himself consciously, willingly, by making his own efforts in order to find the way to fit into it and become an integral part that completes the whole system, just like the last part in a jigsaw puzzle.

This is what we have to reach. To the extent that we approach this state, we will feel better since there is a whole life in the general picture of the puzzle.

So the wisdom of Kabbalah speaks about how to receive, to gain, to make the best out of our life in which everyone suffers, and to move on to a better life.

This is fulfilled by connection. The connection depends on a person’s ability: There are people who are brought to high levels of spiritual connection and unity by their deficiency, and there are people are brought to the simple “common” connection by their desire and deficiency, but one way or the other, the future of the world is in connection. So everyone will surely find his own form and intensity of connection according to his internal attributes. The main thing is to complete the picture.

This is what the wisdom of Kabbalah teaches us. So, it has nothing to do with religions and beliefs. If a person feels bad and connection seems the right solution for the world, if he feels internally that this it worth it, that it is good, beneficial, and desirable, then he will reach the wisdom of Kabbalah or the system of the integral education.
[99817]
From the 4^th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/7/13, “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar”

A Tuning Fork For The Out-Of-Tune Strings Of The Soul

You have to humble yourself not before certain people but before the means for attaining the spiritual goal—the study, theteacher the friends and the group. It’s because these are not just people, but a system, and if you annul yourself before it you will enter your first spiritual state: Ibur (embryo). Of course, there has to be a different kind of annulment with regard to every means; with regard to the study, you should examine its essence and why it’s needed and what it is that you study.

The system is revealed to you in the image of the teacher and the friends. It is one upper system, which by its revelation to you depicts in you the images of Kabbalists throughout the generations and of the friends. It’s you that builds these images, and they are in you. It says, “Thou shall not make statues or images,” in the sense that you are forbidden to perceive them externally, that they exist outside your feeling. You are in front of the Light that depicts all these discernments in you.

So the work is in imagining only the Creator’s bestowal upon you instead of all these images. But in this general behavior of the Creator, you are allowed to discern all the individual manners with regard to which you can focus yourself.

It’s as if you are playing a chord on a musical instrument and you need several strings that are perfectly tuned relative to one another. In order to do that, you have a teacher, friends, this world, and the study. If you tune all the “strings” correctly by perceiving everything as coming from the Creator, you will be able to come to Him.

If you regard the teacher, the friends, the group, the study, and the world as coming from one upper source, then everything that you do to tighten the connection with them allows you to tune yourself more accurately. It’s as if you are checking every one of your strings according to the sound of this tuning fork and thus advance.
[99885]
From the 1st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/7/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam

Not Entitled To A Day Off

Question: What is a sin in the internal work that corrupts its outcome?

Answer: If a person is already incorporated in the internal work but is now too lazy to constantly support it and to add to it, it’s considered a sin. Since if he doesn’t advance, it means that he is going backward. It’s impossible to stop and stand in the middle.

We sometimes think that we can allow ourselves to take some time off and to rest from this work, but in spirituality there are no days off, the clock is constantly ticking and the counter constantly counts our efforts, so it isn’t like our world where we can stop and be idle, to go to sleep and not do anything until the next day.

This does not exist in spirituality. Perhaps I don’t perform any physical actions, but during this time many Reshimot (spiritual genes) go through me, and if I don’t fulfill them, then it means that I go backward. So I have to make sure that I constantly do something.

My advice is to place yourself, even passively, under the maximal influence of the environment: to listen to tunes and songs, to read our material, to see a lesson one more time or to listen to it, to be among friends. But we have to be very careful in using this means of communication, since along with the gain and the great benefit it can also bring about great loses and harm if we don’t use it correctly.
[99892]
From the 1^st part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 2/7/13, Writings of Baal HaSulam