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Hi Hing,

How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the teacher/guide?

When Kabbalists refer to the greatness of the Creator, we have to understand that have no connection to this concept. There are no examples we can learn from in this world. So in order to continue without deviation towards the goal we must learn from one who has already attained higher degrees. It’s like being in Italy for the first time. In order to know my way around I might follow a tour guide, and in this way I learn for myself what the guide too knows.

How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the books?

The wisdom of Kabbalah is the method of attaining the Creator while living in this world. This method can only be passed directly from teacher to student. This is why Kabbalists wrote their books. They wish to guide us to attain what they attained. Their books, the authentic source texts, primarily the writings of Baal HaSulam and the Rabash, act as a method that a person can come to know the Creator—like steps of a ladder a person climbs rung by rung on the path of adhesion with the Creator. But without the books a person would have no idea how to format themselves properly to be suitable for a conscious connection with the Creator. This is similar to a person in Italy who uses a map to get from point A to point B.

How “Faith in the greatness of the Creator depends on” the friends?

The path we undergo towards attainment of the Creator eventually leads a person to a state where he must choose it in spite of not having a desire for it. The Creator removes the desire from a persons heart in order to build a stronger and more true one—one that will ultimately lead a person to the desired goal. This is assuming that one learns how to work through these states. For this, a person needs a group of friends who also aspire towards the same goal. Together, they help each other, reminding one another about what they once found to be so important. By correctly incorporating oneself in the environment, including the friends, one is capable of renewing their desire for spirituality every day and continue developing in the fastest and most comfortable way. This is similar to a person who travels to Italy, and loses contact with their guide, and then they lose their map. So what does one do? Asks directions from those nearby him. And eventually he finds his way.

Joseph

Hi Orly,

1. What does the term “Higher Household” mean here?

The thought of the Creator which is to create a creature and fill it with pleasure.

2. What exactly is “His will”? How can we really know “His will”?

The Kabbalists tell us that His will is to bring us to a state of perfection and fulfillment. Initially we do not know this and have not revealed it. So in the beginning, we must follow those who have traversed this path before us. Eventually, we must also reach this same discovery for ourselves. When we acquire the quality of bestowal, we become similar to Him, and then we begin to understand “His will.”

3. How can we be sure that it is “His will”, and not fall in the illusion of thinking that it is “His will” when actually it is our will? Because as human we often fall prey to this deception, if you see what I mean.

Without the guidance of the teacher it is certain that a student will fall into illusion. That is why this wisdom can only be passed from teacher to student. The measurement is to what extent I undergo self change—from receiving to bestowal.

4. It is the correction of what?

The correction is over our intention. We were created with the intention to receive, but this causes separation from the Creator. Accordingly, in order to achieve connection with Him, we must correct our intention to be in order to bestow.

5. What is the meaning of “left” and “right”? Why choosing those specific words?

Left and right refer to the two forms of development we undergo, both of which complement each other. From the left we feel that the Creator is not as the Kabbalists describe Him, “The Good that does Good,” and “There is None Else Besides Him.” We feel there are many forces working in the world and we can develop in any of several ways besides adhesion with Him. Reality is split into many disconnected pieces. On the right our purpose is clear, we understand why things happen in our life, and we arrange ourselves according to our ultimate spiritual goal because we understand that everything in this world ultimately serves that purpose.

6. Why is it that the “left” rejects and the “right” adducts? Why not the “right” rejects and the “left” adducts? Is there a pecularity to the “left” and “right”?

7. What does it reject and adduct?

The left rejects because this is a time when the Creator moves away from a person giving them the freedom to make efforts to draw nearer. This is a time of prayer as it’s felt that the Creator is distant. Hence, a person is rejected from spirituality. The right is a time when a person feels the Creator has drawn closer. Through an increased equivalence of form a person feels a certain degree of adhesion with His quality.

8. What is the “right way”? Is there a “wrong way”?

The right way is to strive to see that everything comes from the Creator and that it is all for a persons benefit in order to bring one closer to Him. At times, a person is unable to make this effort. Any thought that goes against this perception is considered the wrong way, but even this is also sent from the Creator. A person later realizes these difficulties were specifically given to Him to further strengthen one’s desire to attain spirituality.

9. What is the meaning of “Sanctity” here? I do understand generally speaking that sanctity is the state or quality of being holy or sacred (that is being put apart for a specific purpose). So I want to know if it has the same definition in this context. Does “Rejected from Sanctity” mean being “rejected from our purpose”?

Sanctity is bestowal. To be rejected from sanctity means that we reach a state where we no longer wish to achieve adhesion with the Creator.

<b>10. Does it mean that we receive help from the Creator to achieve equivalence of form with Him?</b>

Yes. The rejections give birth to a true desire.

11. What is ” Lo Lishma (not for Her Name)? What does it mean?

Lo Lishma means that a person still does not work for the sake of bestowal, but for self reception.

12. Does “above reason” in all those writings means “contrary to one’s nature (that is the will to receive, hence will mean the will to bestow)”?

Yes, well said. Sometimes the actions we are instructed to do by the Kabbalists do not make sense to our will to receive, which does not agree to change to be in order to bestow. In those moments, one should try to rise above their egoistic reason, which is preventing them from making the correct efforts, and act according to a higher reason—the advice of the Kabbalists, the influence of the environment, and the will of the Creator.

Hi Pooya,

I don’t understand your question. Can you elaborate? I need more information. “Back” in what context.

Joseph

Hi Ricardo,

A human without a soul is as an animal in this world, meaning they exist in an unconscious connection with the upper force. A conscious and reciprocal connection with the upper force is called a soul.

Plants and animals are created, to begin with, in complete adhesion with the Creator, but this is in an unconscious manner. They receive everything they need directly from that force, and all their actions exist in accordance with the ultimate plan of nature. The same is true for microorganisms or anything else in this world.

The only part of creation that must rise to a conscious connection are human beings. Hence, it is only we who must carry out the work of coming closer to this force by building our soul.

Joseph

Hi Jurgis,

Kabbalah in Action will be opened on July 7th.

Joseph

Hi Permal,

1. Any place where the Kabbalist refer to degrees they are referring to ones equivalence of form with the Creator. Every action that brings us closer to the quality of bestowal is considered that we are climbing from one degree to a higher one.

2. In this passage, Baal HaSulam refers to a specific state of one who has already attained the discernment of above reason. In that state, one should add the discernment called within reason only to the extent that it can strengthen one’s work in above reason. Our entire work should be primarily in above reason.

For now, you are working with neither, so you shouldn’t confuse yourself. A student begins their journey in the preparation phase. Once a person has established a more conscious contact with the upper force, we can begin discussing the states of within reason and above reason. About pride, I asked my teacher a similar question once. The answer I got was that even if you feel prideful as a result of a certain action, it is still beneficial. Later we will learn how to add on top of the action the intention of bestowal.

3. Faith above reason means bestowal above reception. A person is born with the quality to receive. This quality governs all of ones thoughts and actions and determines everything that a person does. Through the influence of the reforming light, which one receives through the correct study together in the proper environment, one acquires the intention of bestowal which enables a person to act according to the will of the upper force and the plan of creation. The acquisition of the intention to bestow to the upper force, which is contrary to ones nature, is considered faith above reason.

4. A rod refers to the work of above reason, the intention to bestow without thoughts of self benefit. A serpent refers to the work of within reason, meaning one wishes to advance according to the knowledge they receive and not because they wish to be similar to the Creator and by that to bring Him contentment.

Joseph