Morning Lesson October 3, 2023
Transcription is made from simultaneous translation, which leaves a possibility for differences in the audio
Baal HaSulam. The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee]
1. Rav’s Introduction: (00:37) The purpose of creation is for all of us to connect, for all of us to connect together and be like Adam HaRishon, ‘as one man in one heart.’ Even when we have a great quantity of people, ultimately we all need to connect. It has nothing to do with any particular area on the face of the planet, but on the understanding that we have to be ‘as one man in one heart.’ We all belong to the human group, to one man, one Adam. That will be the end of our development when all the souls will reconnect into one soul and that's the purpose of our development. The Arvut is the final state, our purposeful state we have to reach. It's not that far from us, it's not that difficult, it's not as unrealistic as it might seem, rather it all depends on the upper Light, the Creator, to the extent in which He will direct us and influence us, so we will need to connect. Let us read the article, we have additional excerpts added to the excerpt, in whichever form or order and think where and what form we can reach and if we can take even the smallest step forward toward it, it's ahead of us and we are facing it.
The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (03:58) "All of Israel are responsible for one another.."
2. R. (04:10) Israel means as Yashar-El, Israel, we all have to reach one soul; it has nothing to do with nationality or anything else. That has to do with what we know and how we differentiate it to people here on Earth, rather each and every person who sees himself as belonging to everyone. Not everyone has gone back to have one feeling in one soul, that person is called Yashar-El, Israel. In this way we attain the Creator and the connection between us and this is the purpose of creation although for thousands of years humanity was in a state that was opposite of connection, but we have reached a point as Kabbalists, the advantage of light to darkness where to the lack of the separation between us we now have to come to a state where we all connect.
The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (05:48) The Torah was not given to them…
3. R. (06:17) That is why we don't relate ourselves to any nation or any group, but instead there's a special group that is gradually being built from all the people in the world. Because its members reached connection and that to uphold the thought of creation to connect ‘as one man and one heart.’
The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (06:51) “Once the whole nation…”
4. R. (07:46) Meaning after the friends, once the friends want to connect in such a way that there's no difference between them. That they all understand that what they need is to be connected and to begin to feel the general desire, the general soul, the collective soul that exists in them to such an extent that through that they understand and feel they participate in this power that clothes in them that is revealed in them which is the upper Force called the Creator and then they truly become a part of it. That's why they're called Yashar-Kel, straight to the Creator.
The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (08:46) “With this collective responsibility…”
5. R. (09:38) Meaning they discover that their quantity is complete. In each one there is a special soul and these souls unite into a soul, a single soul called Adam. Why is it called an Adam? Because he resembles the Creator of the word, Do-Meh.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (10:08) “For this reason they were not…”
6. R. (11:23) Meaning by connecting they begin to feel how they are being filled since each one becomes like a conduit to feel the other, a pipe and then the ability to feel not oneself but the entire collective opens up all of nature, all of the forces of nature, so that one can feel in place of himself the upper Force.
The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (12:02) “Consequently, as long as the individual…”
7. R. (12:59) Meaning the Torah is the general law of all of reality of all the other laws. We are learning about through science, physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, it doesn't matter what. All in all, we begin to reveal or discover this law completely. It's revealed in us especially in the connection between us.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (13:43) “It turns out that even after the…”
8. R. (14:20) To the extent we are separate, we cannot grasp the general law completely, that we're all connected. All the parts and nature, still, vegetative, animate and speaking and especially all the people. That's what is weighing on us and doesn't let us understand what is their purpose of life, the purpose of our existence of all of humanities and all of nature.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (14:55)“Hence, the fulfillment of the Mitzva…”
9. R. (15:30) Meaning those who don't keep the law of Arvut or keeps it incompletely, this general connection, he causes harm to himself and to others, this separation and it will be felt in each and every one.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (15:56) “You therefore see that all of Israel…”
10. R. (16:10) Meaning ultimately all of humanity will have to reach the revelation of the Creator, the upper Force, One Unique and Unified in nature and this is the purpose of our development.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (16:30) “On the positive side, if they keep the Arvut…”
11. R. (17:25) As much as each one can keep the law of Arvut, connect with others and be together with them in one system, accordingly he will feel the uniqueness of nature. He will identify with, connect with and cleave to the upper force of nature and thus reach the complete purpose of his existence.
Questions thus far? In conclusion: Coming to the state of Arvut is the purpose of the development of humanity. We will have to reach it no matter what. It is in nature and nature is exerting on us the law of Arvut gradually more and more and obligates us to develop accordingly.
12. S. (18:43) I heard that each needs to be like a pipe.
R. Yes, because we're all connected and we need to open up the connections between us which are like pipes that carry the feeling of that connection between us so that we will become one system.
S. What do I need to open to become a pipe?
R. A good attitude toward the others to be connected to them in a way where each one gives to the others his desire to be in one system.
13. S. (19:50) To fill the commandment in its complete measure, what are we talking about here?
R. The complete connection between each one and everyone. That is what is required of us, all of us, every person in the world.
14. S. (20:21) I heard you said whoever doesn't observe the Arvut fully brings separation inwards and we all feel it? But when I feel separation I can think that only I?
R. We're talking about keeping the general law of nature that we're approaching and eventually will have to keep it. That's it. To the extent that each and everyone is not keeping it yet relative to the others he will feel a lesser degree and it will obligate him to keep it in full.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] Item 18. (21:36) “Therefore, the Tana described…”
15. R. (23:04) In other words as long as we don't keep the law of our Arvut fully we will suffer. According to our level of development, we will need to keep it nevertheless either from the positive side of things or the negative side of things, but ultimately we have no choice in the matter. We are forced to keep such a connection between us so that everyone feels everyone else as cells in one body.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] Item 19. (23:55) “Rabbi Elazar, son of…”
16. R. (26:17) This means that there were several developed people in history. We don't know them that much Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were able to keep the Arvut and they were the first to observe it and everything that will clarify to them they gifted to humanity.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (26:57)“Undoubtedly, both the physical purity…”
17. R. (27:35) Meaning we will keep all the laws of connection required of us by nature so to be inside nature ‘as one man in one heart,’ truly be connected internally between us.
Reading The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] (27:58) Because of this, we were chosen,...”
18. R. (28:28) Meaning there was only a small group that was ready to connect among them in a way called Arvut. Where each one wanted to approach the others differently just like Yashar-Kel in one body, that we are all cells, interconnected cells. This group took upon itself to be in Yashar-Kel the group aimed to reach the degree of the Creator, “return the children of Israel unto the Lord, your God,” and that is why the Lord took care of them and wanted to help them climb all the way to His degree.
19. S. (29:26) What is the spiritual root of a nation? How will Bnei Baruch become that nation?
R. Each and everyone in the world has a desire and understanding that we must reach a connection between us so each one from the people in the world is called Yisrael. It doesn't depend on where he was born, which mother or father, which group. Rather each one belongs only according to his inner desire, a person who discovers such a tendency in his heart is called according to this tendency Yashar-Kel, Israel. From such people, ultimately we connect into greater and greater masses and humanity keeps moving between families and troubles and problems. But ultimately, we need to reach connection so all of us can be connected in one body ‘as one man in one heart.’
20. S. (31:38) At the beginning of the article we talked about the nation of Israel and other nations and the giving of the Torah. That's inside of us in our feelings. Later, we talked about the relations and the Ten inside of our world group and the Arvut between us and then it talks about the mutual connection within the whole world. The question is that we see here the principle of the individual and the collective being equal. How should we be working at all levels or is it enough for us to work on one level and everything else will be corrected?
R. The only thing we can do is to be connected and to grow the connection between us gradually to such an extent that we will feel each other close by, so close as if we are incorporated in it and in this way we repeat the principle that in the world exists one system, one man.
S. My question is about dissemination, the dissemination of the connections between us that we felt in the convention, that we what we built between us, that's what we need to concentrate on and pass on to others?
R. Yes.
21. S. (33:52) When you answered the friend you said I have to pass this desire?
R. As much as we came to show everyone the necessity to be connected in a good way and to become one whole, a soul, a cell in one body.
S. How can I intensify the desire or increase it?
R. For that we gather in Tens greater and greater. In groups we learn, we invite upon us this general energy that connects us and influences us so that gradually we become one whole.
S. Does this pass to others through channels and I don't see?
R. We can't see and can't feel it for the time being, but we depend on one another. We are connected and can give it to one another. That's what we learn.
22. S. (35:26) In point 18, it is written about those who burden people, who.. how can we take upon ourselves this burden of the people that are problematic?
R. It depends on our mutual concern where we all wish to be connected and influence the friends so that no one will forget about it, no one will stray from our general goal, that's it.
Reading Item 20. (36:20) “But the end of the correction of the world will only be …”
23. R. (36:45) We have to come to a state where we are all connected to such an extent that the upper Force, the general force of nature rules over us, connects us. He develops us and we feel that we are in it, that we exist in it and we develop until the complete state, final state. We include all of it in us and it includes all of us in it.
Reading Item 20 continues: (37:26)“The text specifies, “on that day," and not before”...
24. R. (38:50) Meaning those people who feel that they need to take upon themselves this connection between them to be ‘as one man in one heart,’ they also need to publicize it among the other people in the world so that all over the world everyone will understand and feel that this is the purpose of Creation. Of course, it's not up to human power to do it but the Creator the upper force and nature spreads and such a way covers all of us and connects all of us.
Reading Item 20 continues: (39:46) “Thus, each and every that each person…"
25. R. (40:54) Meaning we need to develop until everyone, everyone each and everyone will be able to be impressed as to incorporate into others and by this way all of us will discover that we belong to a new society. A new society where each one cares about everyone else and the Creator, the upper force fills us and we live inside of him.
26. S. (41:43) Caring for everyone, a concern that, expressed in action, is kind of clear and also on the level of words. We have the rules of the group, we see the example of the friends, we can learn how to do this. How is this expressed in feelings and intentions?
R. It's actually simpler. Everything is done by the Creator, all the thoughts and feelings they're all controlled by him and that's why we advance. Each time a little bit we will want to take bigger steps, but for the time being we can't digest them internally. Nevertheless our time is special when we go from a past state to an active one.
Reading Item 21 continues: (43:11) “These are the words of Rabbi Elazar….."
27. R. (46:45) Meaning this law of Arvut has to spread across all of humanity. Eventually everyone has to accept it and become as one nation and not as it started with a few people. We too, should think how to publicize this matter between everyone all over the world. There is no doubt that ultimately the Creator only needs our vessel so we can help Him seemingly across all over the earth.
28. S. (47:47) The merit of the fathers does that automatically come to us because we are of the system of Adam HaRishon?
R. Yes, everything is before everybody, it belongs to everyone.
29. S. (48:10) The whole universe is built out of one system. Still, vegetative, animate and speaking and there are transitional points of all those degrees. Where is the degree of speaking in this article?
R. The point of the speaking degree does not belong to the animate level. The animate level exists in our corporeal bodies but the speaking point belongs to the soul, to our spirit. That is, why we need to try and raise ourselves to this degree, to the connection between us, against our ego with the help of the Creator, this connection on the speaking degree the Creator does it.
S. If the degree of speaking is the peak of this pyramid in the universe in the circle and we are living inside this system and everything depends on one another and includes everything what exactly are we doing?
R. It is the whole thing about the article of the Arvut. He explains to us how much we need to be connected between us. In that connection we attain such a connection called the Arvut, mutual guarantee, mutual responsibility, and in it we will be able to feel the uniqueness of creation and the unifying aspect of creation.
30. S. (50:59) What is the measure of a good deed in the balance on the scales compared to a bad deed?
R. We need to in the end, through good and bad actions, reach an understanding of this system and try to tip the scales of the system to the side of good and connection.
Reading Item 22. (51:48) “And this is what Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon quotes….."
31. R. (54:12) Meaning we need to observe the law of Arvut that exists throughout nature in a complete form.
Reading Item 22 (54:24) “He sentences himself and the whole world to the side of sin…”
32. S. (55:50) When the Ten gathers it has to have the goal to reach love of others and the Arvut, is that it's right to exist?
R. Now it's clear why we're dividing in Tens.
33. S. (56:41) At that time when we learn in our generation the condition of Arvut, are we building a connection not just between us but also with our fathers.?
R. We build a connection not just between us or with our forefathers but with everyone all over the world with all the created beings. Even though we do not feel it, it's not revealed yet but we are already in it, already instructing it all of these connections already passed through us.
34. S. (58:00) In our regular life we tend to not take responsibility for our things. What can we do to take true responsibility for the friends in the group?
R. For the friends in the group we need to be in Arvut. We can be connected between us correctly in mutual help we by that help everyone be in a complete system. And everyone would feel this tendency for connection so only in such a way we are connecting together and the system works smoothly, correctly and keeps us in a good state, in the correct state.
35. S. (59:50) If I breach the Arvut in the group what happens with my friends?
R. You denied them your help, all of them together, in each one of them and accordingly you lose everything you had to give to them and you take it upon yourself negatively. This is for you to understand how incorrectly you acted.
S. What do we need to do to correct that?
R. To change your attitude to the group drastically most importantly and feel as if you are completely dependent on the group and the group depends on you.
S. You talked about our father's Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who observed the law of Arvut?
R. These are in essence spiritual forces.
S. How did they absorb the law of Arvut? Can you give an example?
R. No, You will not know you will not understand it it is too early. We need to develop some more.
36. S. (01:01:04) How will we be able to understand what scale of merit we're putting our sesame seed? Because many times after some negative actions there are some ramifications that change, that are positive. Should we understand where we are putting the sesame or is it the intention that matters?
R. Most important is our efforts, efforts for general connection. we have to feel this mutual help and support from the friends, that is it.
37. S. (01:02:40) It is best to know your enemy in order to battle him or those who compel the observers of Torah to be strengthened?
R. Where we all love them and we do not want to get rid of him.
S. How to identify what is written here very sharply?
R. Only if we will have a clear connection between us in the group with the friends, then we will be able to identify these qualities inside of us and disconnect from them.
38. S. (01:03:50) What is the need for Arvut in the general system? Is it one active vessel or these many vessels that are corrected upon the filthy desire?
R. Many vessels.
39. S. (01:04:12) What does it mean to keep the Arvut fully according to our level of development? What is their relationship between this development and the full keeping of the Arvut?
R. Arvut, mutual responsibility is that web of the connections between us where we are all connected, everybody to everyone like parts of the body, like the organs in the body that are connected. Similarly, we have to be more inner-connected in order to feel all of creation inside of us. We have to strive to reach that.
S. More of full Arvut according to the order of development?
R. 125 degrees of spiritual development in each and every degree we have to keep it, the Arvut.
40. S. (01:05:35) We usually talk in groups about something called Arvut, something that pulls you forward but when Baal HaSulam talks about this great responsibility between us, we talk about this but it does not get exactly observed this way. Without responsibility no one will have the forces and not be able to succeed to even overcome small lusts. Where will I have the forces? If I will not be responsible my friends will not tell me that you are drilling a hole right now?
R. Everything you say is correct, this is what you have to do.
S. [no translation]
R. I don't know what is happening in the Tens, we are not learning about it now.
S. I want to ask something else. Each one wants to be a righteous and yes, we need to get the support and we need to get forces. You tell a friend that you have been for a long time, don't do that thing.
R. You say that you are breaching the Arvut. My dear we are not scrutinizing concretely what is happening in the groups, specific examples, rather only the general system in theory. What happens in the group then it happens in the group. Say no, later, these are practical things.
Reading Item 23. (01:07:30) “With these words, we clearly understand…”
41. R. (01:08:55) Meaning that everyone if they disagree they will have to agree to the fact that we need to reach mutual guarantee, mutual responsibility, all of the humanity.
Continue with Item 23: (01:09:08) The exception was the Israeli nation…”
42. R. (01:11:09) There is nothing to do, nothing else to do. We were created in such a way that we are disconnected from one another and even more than that each one is looking at the other and wants to swallow what exists in the other. We need to reach the opposite form. Where each one is willing to help the other with everything he has got. This development from minus to plus is something that we have to go through here in our lives, in this world right now. There are no questions on that? Everyone is so quiet.
43. S. (01:12:08) What is this great feeling?
R. This great feeling is the use of, it is the destruction of the individual ego, not destroying it but rising above it.
S. It's unclear.
R. Rising above the individual ego. All of these thoughts, all those egoistic thoughts, and desires that are revealed in me. I can only rise above them.
S. Where am I rising above to?
R. You are rising to the degree of bestowal and love.
44. S. (01:12:56) Is the purpose to move all the sesame seeds to the scale of merit?
R. Yes.
S. Why is it in the first stage we need to scrutinize and differentiate the desires. What is called Yashar-Kel, direct to the Creator. Why in order to move the sesame seeds to the scale of merit that we need for some ships, some clothes, a vessel that is only directed to the Creator?
R. Otherwise we cannot develop or we will drown in the ocean. We need to be as you say enclosed in the belly of the boat.
S. He did not explain what those evil doers are doing, only that we have to differentiate, divide and do this work in stages. So the right attitude is all that matters?
R. Correct.
Reading (01:14:08) The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] Item 24. “Thus, because of the above…”
45. R. (01:15:43) That means that eventually through the efforts between us we need to reach a system where we will all be connected together in the ties of Arvut. Meaning that each one is in guarantee towards his friend and in this way we will reach a net of connection between us to be in one soul.
Reading (01:16:18) The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] Item 25. “Now there remains to complete…”
46. R. (01:17:45) That question Baal HaSulam remains with that question, but up to here, after this question.
47. S. (01:18:11) It says that we agree, he agrees to take upon himself this Mitzva, this commandment. That person that agrees to take upon himself the commandment of Arvut, mutual responsibility, is he not immersed in the nature of self-reception to begin with?
R. Of course he is.
S. So, how can he agree?
R. Because the upper Light shines upon him and gives him a second nature.
S. And what did he do in order to merit it?
R. As he writes it depends on the purity of their soul, of these specific people who were rewarded with this or they worked on it in a very difficult way.
S. What is the work?
R. Coming close to one another above their egos.
48. S. (01:19:15) In the excerpt we read the whole nation unanimously said we will do and we will hear. When speaking of unanimously, where everyone together is it, everyone together in the heart?
R. From one heart, they are so connected in one heart that they are speaking from the heart together; from one common heart.
49. S. (01:20:11) In corporeality if I guarantee someone who is in debt, then I have to pay if they fail to pay the loan. In Arvut what are we exactly guaranteeing for the friends?
R. In the spiritual Arvut we are in guarantee that each one is willing to incorporate in the others in order for them to have a connection of Arvut, and in that connection they can bestow to the Creator and reveal Him, and by that give Him contentment.
S. So, if my friend fails to do that, what should we then do for the friends?
R. You need to feel it from within the Arvut, what you can do for her and maybe instead of her or together with her.
S. So, it seems to me that Arvut puts us in the conscious state of servants towards the friends?
R. Correct.
S. It means that the greatest work that we can do is to be servants to our friends.
R. Correct.
50. S. (01:22:37) At what moment does the light of the Torah enter our souls? At what moment does the light of the Torah permeate our souls?
R. The moment we are connected between us on that minimum level at least. It is not one person, but at least two. That they are willing to be in Arvut, the mutual guarantee, one towards the other. Now it's starting to come closer, to be more felt in which way our system has to be in, which form it has to be connected, and when we feel the revelation of the Creator in the connection of the Arvut between us.
51. S. (01:24:07) When does the Creator allow a person to rise above his egoistic desires?
R. When a person asks from the Creator in such a way, and the Creator can't turn His back on him anymore. Then he answers the person.
S. What should one feel or see at that moment?
R. That the Creator is willing to listen and go into a connection with him.
52. S. (01:25:09) Yesterday we visited the graves of the Kabbalist.
R. They went to Hebron or Tiberius?
S. Their merits did not go away did not disappear?
R. Of course their merits did not disappear because you are immersed in them.
S. In other words we must continue this path?
R. Yes.
S. You said to a friend that there is no difference between Arvut and the law of love your friend as yourself?
R. Correct.
S. Afterwards you said that we are already ready and the end of correction is close?
R. It only depends on us, yes.
S. You will not leave us, what will happen to us?
R. What do you mean, I'm not going to leave you, everything's going to be fine with you. There's a Creator who brought you here and He will lead you onward. What am I? I’m just a little helper. Everything's going to be alright.
S. What is the final correction?
R. When we all connect together as one heart. We need to come back to that image called Adam and we will connect to such an extent that we only feel that Adam. That we are all together.
S. Let's do it together.
R. We will, thanks for reminding us.
Reading (01:28;04) The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee] Item 26. “Bear in mind that these matters…”
53. R (01:29:24) This is already the second half of the area where a Baal HaSulam explains it more in depth, where there is not really, there's not too much to pick here. We’ve already gone through at least half of a lesson. Let’s sing a song.
https://kabbalahmedia.info/en/lessons/cu/3uZAv09