Birth of the Soul

This transformation is called "the birth" of the soul because the soul corresponds to the desires turned toward the Creator. When this phase takes place it reveals the soul of man. It is the intensity of this new desire, which helps man begin to sense the Creator. This desire to receive pleasure coupled with an intention "turned toward the Creator", fills itself with His presence, spiritual bliss and light (all these are synonyms of one and the same sensation).
The right intentions appear progressively along with the study of Kabbalah. Kabbalah is the science of intent (kavannah), enabling man's heart to long for spirituality. If man studies Kabbalah but cannot grant an altruistic twist to his intention while studying, this corresponds to the "lo li chema" period during which there is no orientation toward the Creator. At this stage man still works for himself and he belongs to his selfish desires, to our world. This is the level preceding the crossing of the makhsom (barrier).
If man does not care about the transformation of his intention, he is not at the "lo li chema" level. The gestures he makes are lifeless. However, all beings must eventually return to the Creator. The change of perspective will take place for those who observe mechanically as well. They will be obliged to clarify their relation to life, to its source, the Creator, and move from "lo li chema" to "li chema". In any case physical gestures are justified but man must strive to surpass their limits. This is what makes Kabbalists different.