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“It is forbidden to teach a gentile Torah, as was said, ‘He did not do so for any nation’” (Hagigah 13a).
According to what Baal HaSulam interprets concerning prohibitions, wherever it is written “forbidden,” it means impossible. It follows that the prohibition to teach a gentile Torah, even if he has been circumcised but does not observe the commandments of the Torah, is that he cannot learn Torah.
How are we supposed to understand these laws which appear to be laws from Judaism ? I discovered this on kabbalah.info and I’m really struggling with all the covenant laws, the seperation of Jews and gentiles and who better than who ? So as a “Gentile” myself how am I to continue studying kabbalah as it requires a lot of laws and covenants in order to be fully corrected. But on the surface I’m told it’s for “everyone”. But it seems non Jews won’t go far with it but a Jewish person will. It’s very hard and stressful to understand all this.
Hey Luke,
This is why when our curriculum does not begin with teaching new students how to interpret the Torah, the Zohar or any other Kabbalistic texts other than Baal HaSulam and the Rabash–generally. It’s a lot of material and a lot of changes that a person starts going through. Part of these changes is redefining words, so to speak, or creating a new library of words paired with emotion which is what gives us the feeling behind every word.
We have to understand the language the Kabbalists used when they wrote these things and why they used that language. Someone who is in attainment of the upper forces cannot really speak about them in a clear way because there are no words to describe those things. They can however use the words we have in this world and point to their spiritual root. Remember, spirituality is the attainment, the revelation of the causal forces of reality. We can’t “see” a force, but we can talk about that force as an expression in a reaction with matter.
This is what the Kabbalists did to describe to us the forces at play, the will to receive and the will to bestow–how the Creator influences the created being, the will to receive. Kabbalists don’t talk about the force itself, but rather how it’s expressed in matter-in the will to receive. Therefore, when we read these texts, we have to remember the Kabbalists are pointing to the spiritual forces at work and how they come and fill, detach, correct, reveal etc., many, many actions and interactions a person has with the light and they are sensed as feeling–emotion.
When a person begins to yearn to feel these things and reveal the purpose of their existence in an eternal manner and they find the wisdom of Kabbalah, they will they begin to hunt for new and greater feelings, ones that fill this specific desire. They are very hungry for it. What they don’t know, what they can’t see yet, is how this is all so perfectly set up from above–from the future. We are heading towards what Kabbalists say “correction”, something that the created being must perform and achieve. This awakening point in the heart wants the pleasure in adhesion but our logical brains that serve only the ego has no sensation of what that can even be. The logical brain serves this desire of wanting to “know” while our heart yearns for fulfillment. These two are often contrasting one another since on one hand the ego wants fulfillment and on the other, and the fulfillment it wants cannot come into that desire without a change in intention.
Therefore, this disagreement doesn’t let a person rest, which on one hand is good, it pushes us forward, but on the other hand truth is attained along with false. Meaning, once we discover that this reality is false and truth is bestowal, only then can we solve this dispute between the mind and heart.
The correction is change in intention, a change in how our matter is used–what new force does it acquire. We need to long for this. This is the whole path, the whole work–building the desire, because as said above, the Kabbalists write only about how the light influences the desire. The light is there, it’s infinite, we just need to change our matter to perceive something different. We change, we change reality.
That’s why their advice relates to bringing ourselves as close as we can to the forces that guide us towards correction, through correction-things we encounter on the way–just like a mother or father who prepare a path for their child to grow and help them stay on it. We come closer to these forces by yearning to feel them, to be like them. This yearning shapes our desire. We start wanting that contact, and it “shines” from a far.
You can understand now, that wanting to be as close to those forces to be with them in heart, mind and soul, that would include bringing the expression of those forces into our world. That’s why they’re things that don’t really make logical sense. They’re meant to be used more like…a reminder, along with other things, but the significance of the action is not the action, it’s the intention with the action. Action without the intention is like dust. Kabbalists exist in intention, there’s no other way to exist from their point of view. But physical actions weigh much less because this world is the world of consequences. Yes, there’s a certain contact from physical action but it’s not the main thing. I don’t want to add percentages or numbers, but if you were to imagine what the “essence” of a thing is, it’s “main thing”, you’d imagine that it’s the majority–it’s what counts.
It’s also important to mention that the Creator wants our hearts. Yes, we can offer this if we receive correction and I want to do the most to enable the best conditions for this to happen, but often, if we are concerned about the action, it’s because the intention has already eluded us.
Hey Chris
Hope that my questions aren’t bothering you. I can understand what you’re saying. I’m currently reading the writings of the Baal HaSulam and in it he mentions many of these things. But I don’t think he is telling people to go and receive a Brit milah and enter the covenant rather it seems like to me he is talking about these things that are spiritual states and not corporal action’s. But I could be wrong. And even then it seems like this is more or realization someone comes to and not another “moral correction”. Just hoping that I’m understanding this 🙂
You’ll “understand” only when you “attain”. In the meantime, you can logically “agree” and follow what our teachers tell us about the surrounding light. This is what lifts us to those levels and from there we’ll “understand”.
It’s like speaking with a child. You don’t expect them to understand your instruction, you just wish they would. Then later when they grow up, they understand what it is you were trying to say 🙂
Rav laitman gave a lecture on Brit milah and how it correlates to Malchut. this topic however never seems to be given a clear cut answer as to whether a man should actually undergo the Brit milah particularly when that person isn’t Jewish and does not desire to be Jewish. In order to actually have the Bris with all the accompanying tradition’s an individual would ideally need a jewish mohel and a jewish mohel in my country won’t do this for a non Jew. so, my question is, is there another way to do this correction ?. Would focusing on the “Circumcision of the heart” not be an alternate option ? as it seems like an even greater correction than a random religious action to fulfil a covenant (with all my respects to the Jewish people whom i love). Looking at humanity i see so much hatred wars etc and it breaks my heart and for me i think my biggest correction and the worlds biggest correction is to cut the evil desires from within ourselves (harbouring hatred in the heart). Please tell me though if this not sufficient. I want to experience the Kabbalah in its entirety and i need this to be clarified please.
Hi Luke,
Of course this is the main thing. Kabbalists of the past had all kinds of physical customs tied to spiritual meaning. That certainly was incorporated into religion and the spiritual significance was completely lost while the physical action continued. This, in fact, was one of the reasons they initiated the physical customs–particularly because they wanted to keep the nation tied with some kind of thread to spirituality.
In our case today, when the points in the heart are awakening around the world–like yours and mine–the Creator wants the hearts, and not the “arms and legs”. In our times, the most important thing is the correction of the heart, the change in intention. This is the path of Kabbalah, the “work in the heart”.Chris
Dear Chris and Luke – I am reading with great interest your conversation and everything that Luke asked is also in my mind.. Chris, regarding your answer on the actual corporeal fulfilling of the Mitzvot in the Torah, you said that “This, in fact, was one of the reasons they initiated the physical customs – particularly because they wanted to keep the nation tied with some kind of thread to spirituality.” The problem is, that this fact caused for a GREAT DIVISION, not only between the Jews and non Jews but between the Jews themselves – the religious and secular. I am aware and totally understand that everything comes from HASHEM and so is this, but inside me I feel that the corporeal mitzvot DO HAVE an important meaning but they need to be perceived in a total different way , especially by The Jews . But this is impossible so long the majority of the Rabi’s do not start explaining\teaching\guiding differently, and they strictly hold to the ‘preciseness’ of performing these Mitzvot’ , so much so as dividing families, friends and even communities that have different perspective on the subject. There are also millions of books written by our sages on matters of the Halacha , Gmara, Mishna , the views of Bait Shamay and Bait Hillel , all of them dwelling\discussing and interpreting the physical aspect of Torah and Mitzvot. If even one of the main and respected Rabis would rise and start emphasizing what we learn here in Kabu, it could make a great change within the Jewish communities . On the other hand, I have a bit of a difficulty with the fact that Kabu ignores some of the major Torah Laws (like regarding activities on SHABATH) because I am Jewish and hold these ‘customs’ very dear but also, it causes me for facing a conflict – weather I am going against my family and participating on SHABATh in Kabu events, or am I compromising and trying to be in both ‘words’ at the same time – and this too raises the question of selfishness – learning in KABU is a great pleasure for me so do I follow my passion without considering how it affects my family (they are not forcing me to do anything but I know that it will deeply hurt them) or do I consider them first and try to navigate my studies in such a way that it will not hurt them? And one more thing – our sages and past Kabbalists were all conducted their lives according to the laws in the Torah and we learned in Kabu that the student strives to be like the teacher…. My understanding is that so long we are living in this physical world , the mere fact that we are here in flesh and blood, means that we still have to pay attention also to the physical interpretation of the laws…. otherwise, our sages for sure would have put in place something to ‘open the mind\heart\perspective ‘ of the current religious\spiritual leaders of our times to start ‘turning the tide’ and ease the burden of all the restrictions, if they are really not needed anymore. Thanks for the opportunity yo ‘jump in’ and bring up my thoughts 🙂
This another issue Jews have with Kabbalah as soon as the real meaning of a Mitzvot is explained they go straight into this cognitive dissonance panic like state and want to drag the corporeal Religious customs back to Kabbalah. You can just practice your religion if it bothers you so much. We need to get past this idea of kabbalah being the salt and pepper of “Judaism”. Judaism is a religion, kabbalah is not. Corporeal matters are not the be end all of Kabbalah. If Jews and Muslims and Israelites feel they need to Circumcise infants then they should do what they feel is most important to their religious customs. Kabbalah goes beyond this. Thanks for chiming in seems like a more Religious question you have here not necessarily a kabbalistic one. The Brit milah is a screen after all 🙂
No not at all I’m just saying what you said mentions exactly that, stirring the focus back to Religious laws and corporeal actions. When dealing with the corporeal you stay in the corporeal. Kabbalah opens the window to to the upper levels. Would love to see the response if you post it as a question! Because if KabU really is about Jewish rituals and upholding corporeal actions I don’t need to be here Because I’m not Jewish and have no interest in Judaism ! To me when you understand the metaphorical symbolism of corporeal language like Mitzvot and covenants you don’t really need the physical unless you need it as a reminder. It’s an interesting topic one I find has some conflicting information.
Kabu is a science and does not stir anyone toward any rituals, in addition, as Dr Laitman mentioned, it must be exposed to all that have a point in the heart . The fact that you are here means that you belong here, no matter from where you come, religious or not. Chris gave a great explanation on your previous questions. As per my question, it comes from a place of a genuine willingness to understand , because I had sort of a turbulent past regarding the religion and currently I am faced with navigating between two different worlds . Believe me – it is no fun ! So, I’ll post my question in the main chat and lets see what happens 🙂
Forgive me for misunderstanding as you can tell I really need to “Circumcise the negativity from my heart. I hope you can get an answer here. I used to be in your situation I was really religious and had to keep customs and abide by rules and regulations. But I eventually came to a place where I felt that spiritual aspects of life are more nourishing. But this took me 10 or more years to get to this position. This is what I like about kabbalah it takes you above and beyond. There is quote from a poet that says “Out beyond ideas of right and wrong there is a field I’ll meet you there” I’ve found that middle space between right and wrong it is: “just be” all we have is here and now. That probably doesn’t help. I hope they give you an answer to your question 🙂
Hi Luke,
Here is the link to the hardcopy of the Zohar:
Not really much of a question, but as I learn something new every week Bible verses I had long forgotten come to me. Nehamiah 8:10 reads And he said to them, “Go, eat fat foods and drink sweet drinks and send portions to whoever has nothing prepared, for the day is holy to our Lord, and do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. .” I find myself emotionally charged and encouraged to keep studying, albeit still independently. When these seemingly random recollections happen is it perhaps a sign that the upper force might be preparing me for what’s to come? I pray every day for my future 10. I have no control of what environment he will bring my way and I have no way to do anything on my own. This is quite a bit to process.
It’s exciting, Greg. Everything is a preparation for the next state. We can’t know what or why, and it’s good that way. We can though be confident that all that that’s be done, is doing and will be done was towards the lofty goal of bringing us into adhesion with Him again and this includes every small detail in each and every one of our lives.
Chris
Hey Brad,
By now I’m sure you know we aren’t in control of what desires we receive. Certainly we can put ourselves in an environment and depending on the strength of our ties their and how much we allow it to influence us, accordingly you could say we can “control” the desires, but again, we have nothing within us that can “choose” a desire. There’s room to unpack this more if you want but I think you understand.
I catch your direction though…you’re asking if the Creator gives you some desire, you want to reject it or accept some other desire instead. The correct approach would be to first acknowledge this is coming from the Creator. Secondly, see what it is you’re supposed to do with that desire and if that means you discover it’s something that is deviating you from the path or an opportunity to strengthen your ties to the environment etc..
The important thing here is to be sensitive to what the Creator gives us each moment, to react accordingly and not just let moments come and go, desires come and go, where we just flow with whatever. Our action needs to be intentional and conscious.
Chris
It’s not a stupid question at all. The Zohar uses all types of symbolism. If you think that’s “stupid” then clearly you’ve never read the Zohar or the Torah. Good luck to you on your journey.
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