Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 265

Chapter 23. Strengthening the Group

The thought of creation is to create a created being that will have the same perfection as the Creator. This is His desire to do good to His creations, in a complete, eternal, and absolute measure. In order to reach this state, the created being must go through the entire path from the extreme opposite of perfection, from lack of perfection to true perfection, which is the degree of the Creator. Therefore, the nature of the created being is evil, the “evil inclination,” the opposite of the Creator’s nature.

The means for passing from one extreme to the other is, as it is written, “I have created the evil inclination; I have created the Torah as a spice,” which means that the Torah was given only in order to purify the created beings through it. That is, it was given to enable the created beings to see the evil within them, to correct it according to the measure of the revelation of the evil, and thus draw closer to the good. The Creator is called “The Good That Does Good,” and we can draw closer to the Creator only if we acquire the quality of good and the action of doing good, like the Creator.

Where will we get this desire from? The Creator gave us freedom of choice. What is choice? There is one action that we are free to perform, which is to choose what influences us, good or bad things. By doing so, we determine our independence and individuality. We can join a society whose entire concern is advancing to the Creator, or a society that advances toward all kinds of other goals. That is our sole choice.

It is written that from the beginning, the Creator does not simply leave us in bewilderment and confusion, but brings us to a good place, to a good society, and tells us: “Take this for yourself, be in it and strengthen yourself. Strengthen the society as you would want it to influence you, so that genuine mutual work will take place, and this will bring you to the goal.” In other words, no one can say that the Creator did not give us an opportunity to choose.

Therefore, the first point into which we are born is the opposite of perfection, and this is necessary. Later, we only discover more and more of its true form, how opposite it is from perfection, according to the extent by which we want to attain perfection. And the end is also clear, absolute, and prepared. The path, too, depends on the structure of the soul, which has already been predetermined by the general structure of Adam HaRishon. But the path itself depends on us, whether we take the Creator’s choosing us and the Creator’s choice to bring us to a group, and build a group increasingly directed at the goal. According to the extent of the flaws that become revealed in us, we will need to improve ourselves.

Indeed, all the work is work in the society, in the group. The actions we perform to organize the society, for dissemination, at meals, on Shabbat, and on holidays, are what advance us. It is not the actions themselves, but the action toward expanding and strengthening the society, both in breadth and in height. This is the only means in existence. There are several necessary conditions: a society, a group, inner work in the framework of the group, connection among the friends, acquiring a strong desire from them, which is called “buy yourself a friend,” and investing in the society. It is actually quite complex, and the results come slowly, but this is the only choice, and according to such a choice, the flaws become revealed, and likewise, the flaws become corrected.

Related Material:
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 264
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 263
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 262

Question: Are there specific exercises for exiting one’s “I,” or does everyone find their own path independently?

Answer: In fact, this is a person’s personal work, his inner work, in relation to the group and to the world.

One can also use exercises. For example, in the morning we agree on a particular motto and work in accordance with it throughout the day.

This helps because it unites us, allowing us to strengthen our collective efforts, and direct our intentions more precisely. It is worth doing.

However, here too, the work remains a personal work of each individual. A person’s connection with the Creator is, after all, a personal connection. Everyone attains their own personal adhesion with the Creator.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson for the holiday of Sukkot, 10/5/26

Question: What should my intentions be during work when I spend eight to ten hours away from the group?

Answer: All your intentions during work are within the group that you carry inside you, in your heart. You are with it.

A person must become accustomed to the fact that he consists of several layers. The innermost layer is the Creator, above it is the group, the next layer is the family, and beyond that are work and the entire surrounding world.

A person must live in all these layers simultaneously and feel that, inwardly, he is divided and separated.

But gradually, as he advances in his inner work, he will discover that all these layers are actually one. He will see that one force unites everything and acts within everything, and then he will have no problems.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson for the holiday of Sukkot, 10/3/26

Question: How can one remember the Creator throughout the entire day? How can one bring Him into every moment?

Answer: We are in Malchut of the world of infinity, which is entirely filled with light. However, instead of this eternal, perfect state, we see and feel our own properties, which paint the material world for us.

So, if we want to direct ourselves toward the goal, toward feeling the world of infinity, we need mutual guarantee from the environment. Friends must give us strength, desire, persistence, diligence, and awareness of the importance of the goal.

After all, my only goal is to acquire the right desire and nothing more. Even if I constantly lack the concern to bring contentment to the Creator, just as He bestows it upon me, that is the focus.

One might object here: I don’t know what He gives me. Judging by my life, one could argue that it might have been better if He gave me nothing.

That is true. Of course, everyone’s denial is according to their own flaw. Therefore, my attitude toward the Creator can be defined as follows: I want to reach a state in which I will wish to bestow upon Him.

The result itself will come through the influence of the light, through the efforts we make time and again. The light pours down again and again, and suddenly these illuminations create a desire in a person.

We do not know what Lishma is or what awakening from above is. But when it comes, a person can say: “Now I know; now I understand.” We must make efforts, like a small child—and from these efforts, a sensation will emerge. Not before.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 7/5/11, Baal HaSulam, “Lishma Is an Awakening From Above, And Why Do We Need an Awakening From Below”