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I chose an excerpt from Shamati 19. What Is “The Creator Hates the Bodies,” in the Work?
Hence, one must know that when he sees that the body claims that it belongs to the Sitra Achra, and cries the famous questions of “Who” and “What” with all its might, it is a sign that one is walking on the path of truth, meaning that one’s sole intention is to bestow contentment upon one’s Maker. Thus, the primary work is precisely in this state.
One must know that it is a sign that this work hits the target. The sign is that he fights and sends his arrows to the head of the serpent, since it yells and argues the argument of “What” and “Who,” meaning “What is this work for you?” meaning what will you gain by working only for the Creator and not for yourselves? And the argument of “Who” means that this is Pharaoh’s complaint who said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?”
This excerpt creates a sense of calm and patience in me. It makes so clear that hearing the Pharoh’s voice objecting to our work in Kabbalah means that we are successfully doing the work. It takes away my desperation to “arrive” at any kind of stable state where I stop questioning, stop having doubts, stop having complaints. Quite the opposite! This passage lets me know that if these questions ever stop, it would mean that the work has stopped.
Catching up on the assignment–What does it mean to make yourself a Rav?
For me, this means (after sufficient evaluation), I choose to follow the Rav’s teachings, respect his authority and strive to do my work in such a way as to bring contentment upon him.
Summary of “The Purpose of Society 1”
The Goals of Our Society:
1. To follow the path and method of Baal Ha Sulam
2. To climb the degrees of man
3. To not remain a beast
4. To follow the spirit of bestowing upon the Creator
5. To begin with bestowal upon man (love of others)
6. For the Divinity to be among us
The Purpose of Creation:
1. For the fear of God
2. To benefit his creations
3. To delight the creatures so they would be happy in the world
The Process of Correction:
1. Necessary because of the disparity of form between the Creator and the creatures
2. Because there is no reception in our root, man feels unpleasantness when he needs to be a receiver
3. Olam (world) was created so that delight and pleasure are concealed
4. Man must fear using his vessels of reception for self-benefit
5. Torah and Mitzvot were given to cleanse Israel
6. One should receive pleasures that bring contentment to the Creator
“But if we can relinquish, or contract, our own personal interests, then the spiritual space vacated by egoism can be used to receive the Upper Light, which will act upon the vacuum by filling and expanding it.”
Rav in “Attaining the Worlds Beyond,” P. 303.
