https://kabbalahmedia.info/en/lessons/cu/UUjlJpn9 

The transcript has been transcribed and edited from English simultaneous interpretation, thus there may be potential semantic inaccuracies within it.

Daily Lesson (Afternoon) July 14, 2024

Part 1 Lesson on the Topic of “Connecting into One Soul”    

Reader: (00:27) We learned together the foundations of wisdom of Kabbalah. We just had a global course of new students, and now they're approaching the very exciting point where they conclude their first stage of the study, and from now on they'll grow together as a young group. And today we celebrate this growth, this development, and so we asked Rav Laitman to join us and to dedicate this lesson to all those new friends from all over the world. We're very happy, very excited, and I hope we connect together all over the planet to stand together as one group in front of our Rav.

M. Laitman: Yes, hello. Hello to everyone. I am also very excited to meet such students, such as yourselves. First of all, as you embark upon this course, begin this course, and I don't know you yet, I hope we'll get to meet on some occasions more often and more often, and that you will come here to my lessons also, and we'll get to know each other, get closer. I'll be very happy to hear your questions, and I'll make an effort to answer as clearly and as nicely as possible.

Reader: (02:09) So, in this lesson we're going to do a couple of things. We'll read special excerpts from the sources by Kabbalists that we prepared, and we’ll ask Rav to explain them. Also, we will ask you, all the friends who are watching us on Zoom, to put up your hand, and we will give you the permission to speak. Please open your cameras and ask a question. We will start from source excerpts. 

Reading First Excerpt: (02:36) Baal HaSulam, “Introduction to the study of the Ten Sefirot,” 

Item 2. 

If we set our hearts to answer but one very famous question, [...] meaning this indignant question that the whole world asks, namely, “What is the meaning of my life?” In other words, these numbered years of our life that cost us so heavily, and the numerous pains and torments that we suffer for them, to complete them to the fullest, who is it who enjoys them? Or even more precisely, whom do I delight? 

It is indeed true that historians have grown weary contemplating it, and particularly in our generation, no one even wishes to consider it. Yet the question stands as bitterly and as vehemently as ever. Sometimes it meets us uninvited, pecks at our minds and degrades us to the ground before we find the famous ploy of flowing mindlessly in the currents of life as always.

M.Laitman: That's what Baal HaSulam wrote in the “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot.” It has six books, for those who know it, and this is what he says in the introduction to the book. So, this is what he wants to evoke in the students who are just beginning to study the wisdom of Kabbalah. What are they studying for? It's to understand the purpose of life, the goal of our life. For us to know, in short, why we live. What for? The question is simple. What are we alive for? And so, the wisdom of Kabbalah answers this very famous question, as he puts it, which is asked by each and every person in one way or another, perhaps more clearly or less. What are we living for? And that's why, in the wisdom of Kabbalah, we study that, and we try to answer, and we, as teachers, try to convey this to our students.

Reader: (05:50) We’ll get questions by each one on Zoom. Whoever wants to ask a question here will put up his hand, and I will give him the right of speech.  We'll open him or her on the sound, and they'll ask a question. So, inviting anyone who wants to ask to put up their hand and receive the right of speech. Everyone is invited. In the meantime, until the first question comes, we'll continue to the second quote. 

Reading Second Excerpt: (06:17) Baal HaSulam. “Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah,” Item 9

All the worlds, upper and lower and everything within them, were created only for man. [...] In the beginning, they were restricted and hung down degree by degree and world after world, down to our material world, to bring the soul into a body of this world, which is entirely to receive and not to bestow,[...]. In that state, one is regarded as the complete opposite of Him, and there is no greater remoteness than this. Afterward, through the soul that clothes within one, he engages in Torah and Mitzvot. Gradually and slowly, from below upward, he obtains the same form of bestowal as his Maker, through all those qualities that hung down from above downward, which are but degrees and measures in the form of the desire to bestow. [...] In the end, one is awarded being entirely to bestow and not to receive anything for himself. At that time, one is completed with true Dvekut with Him, for man was created only for this.

M. Laitman: We heard this second excerpt from Baal HaSulam, from that same introduction to the study of the Ten Sefirot. So, now questions.

Question (Spain): (08:40) Every day I write down this question, I ask myself, what am I living for? And I answer, in order to feel the reforming light. But why do we go through correction? 

M. Laitman: It's for a simple reason. We want to know everything. Where we are situated, in what kind of world, who created us, who formed our reality? What are we doing here, and what will we be doing after a person passes away from this world? Where does he transition to? Why? How? All those things which each and every person asks, but usually we don't get any answers from our life. We don't get any answer.

And so, the wisdom of Kabbalah was discovered, by which we can be awarded with opening our eyes, to open the world up to ourselves, to see the reason for which we exist, why we exist. What are we to expect? What's waiting for us? How to live in order to be awarded with the opening of our eyes and the next world, the world to come, meaning the spiritual world, so as to be able to see all the forces operating upon us. To advance in the right way, until we reach the degree of the Creator. and be awarded with seeing the whole of reality as He does. That's what we have ahead of us, that opportunity, that ability.

Therefore, we are studying the wisdom of Kabbalah. We publicize the wisdom of Kabbalah. Let us hope that many thousands more students will come, who will all be able to open their eyes to spirituality, to the spiritual world, and so to see all the forces operating upon us, and that we will merit seeing all of us in the highest eternal degree, where we come to the Creator's degree, and so we shall continue.

Question (Ukraine): (12:23) Besides prayer, how can I correct my desires, besides prayer?

M. Laitman: Through the study, through your connection with the friends who also want to achieve the same goal, we build a very special system, a group. Then, by our efforts to achieve a connection with the Creator through equivalence of form with Him, we elevate ourselves, lift ourselves closer and closer to the Creator, until He opens the entirety of the upper world for us, and Himself as well. That's what we hope will happen. 

Question (Women China): (13:43) What are the differences and connections between will, thought, and intention? And also, what is the connection between those things and lack? Again, the connection between will, desire, intention, and what's the connection between those things and the lack?

M. Laitman: One should direct himself in life to attain a special state, a special degree, and so, the main thing is to develop the will. The will which we were born with is not sufficient for us, although it is very important, but if a person has the desire to attain more, all the instances and happenings of this world, to answer all the questions, to hear all the secrets of nature, then that is all possible through a correct study of a person's intentions. And that way we can truly open up the whole world for ourselves, so it becomes clear to us, so that everything that happens in the world becomes clear to us, everything that may happen and does happen. 

Question (Women Latvia): (15:45) How can we give something? I need to have something in order to give. What are these desires that we need to develop so that we will have what to give? Because I don't have anything to give. So, what are the desires that I need to develop so that I'll be able to give? 

M. Laitman: You are correct. We are born only with the will to receive. We do not have the will to bestow, to give, and if we do give, it's the underhanded actions of the will to receive.

We just manipulate it a little bit so that it wants to give. But what we learn is that if we connect together, as one group, men, women, then gradually we approach a state where we see that we have no choice. If we want to reach the sensation of the spiritual world, we must achieve bestowing, giving. And that's something that we absolutely cannot find within ourselves, within our nature. 

So, what can we do? That's why we arrive, ultimately, at the wisdom of Kabbalah, and through it, we turn towards spiritual forces, towards the upper nature, the Creator, so as to receive from there the force of bestowal, the desire to bestow. Through the desire to bestow, we begin to come closer to the Creator, we begin to feel Him, and to feel the whole upper spiritual world. And so, we truly discover the whole world, the spiritual world, and our world as well, everything. 

Just by being together in a group and connecting amongst ourselves, such that each one wants to help the others, let's say in a group of ten people, where each one of the Ten wants to bestow upon the rest, that is how we reach the desire to bestow. 

Question (Japan): (19:00) [no translation] In order to reach the desire to bestow, we have to learn in the group of ten people I mentioned earlier. In the group of ten people, if there are no teachers, that is, if there are no Kabbalists, how should we learn? That is what I would like to know.

M. Laitman: By connecting our desires together, all of us wanting to reach an opening of our eyes in the upper nature, and the knowledge of the Creator, the sensation of the upper reality which is concealed from us. By that, we gradually come closer and closer to the upper nature and then begin to feel it. And so, the upper world opens up to us and the Creator, and what we did not know, did not consider, suddenly becomes clear to us, openly revealed. That is, in essence, the goal of our study. So, as we study, it is worthwhile for us to think about that, about how to open up the upper world, the upper force, who is the Creator, and how to reach a situation where we connect together, with them together, and then we will all feel who it is that is above us. 

Question (Indonesia): (21:47) In one of the lessons, we spoke about Shamati, Article 67, Depart from Evil, where it’s written that when a person lies to his friend, he is lying to the Creator, and when he causes sorrow to his friend, he causes sorrow to the Creator. How can a person cause sorrow to the Creator? What does it mean that a person causes sorrow to the Creator? 

M. Laitman: Other than the person, every person, the individual, whatever happens to the individual is only the Creator. There is None Else Besides Him. You have probably heard this sentence, there is None Else Besides Him. Therefore, we always need to think about how we turn to the friends, how we approach those who are close to us, or distant to us, it doesn’t matter who, we are always only turning to the Creator. So, it is very important for us to know how to connect together, and each time to elevate the level of our connection higher and higher. 

Question (Asia): (23:52) Is the wisdom of Kabbalah the only way by which we can learn?

M. Laitman: According to what we know, yes, that is the only way. Although, it is possible to reach the revelation of the Creator in smaller degrees through various faiths, religions of various sorts, but this happens in a way which is not high attainment. So, you need to go through the wisdom of Kabbalah as that is the method which is equal for everyone, available for everyone equally, turns us directly towards the Creator, and is open to all nations, everyone, whoever they may be. That is how we accept everyone as well.

Question (Germany): (25:39) [no translation] What should one do that it is not true, that it is different? What can I do then? What is the right thing to do to feel that it is different? What should one do to feel something spiritual and then it vanishes?

M. Laitman: If you feel something spiritual, which later vanishes, that’s good. By that, you’re being awakened to persist and continue more and more and draw parts from spirituality, from the spiritual world, the upper world. Pull yourself toward the Creator more and more until you reach a state where you feel Him and connect with Him. Then you will enter the spiritual ladder, the spiritual degrees, of which there are many. We can ascend and climb until we reach the degree of the Creator in full. So, all our work, in essence, is to continue pulling ourselves toward the Creator and to try to rise and climb higher and higher. And that’s what we should do. 

Question (Sent via the Internet): (27:48) This campus has people from all over the world and we overcome the differences of languages and cultures. What influence does this have over the world? What special force do we have in such a group? 

M. Laitman: Beautiful, thank you for the question. Indeed, we have great influence as we learn the wisdom of Kabbalah and want to bring ourselves closer to the upper force, or we can say it differently, to bring the upper force closer to us from above downwards. That has very great implications. We can feel the upper world and discover the upper world and bring the forces of the upper world closer to our world, by which those forces fill our world more and more. Then by that we rise more and more towards spirituality, to the spiritual degree. At some point we'll reach a state where our entire world enters into the higher degree. 

The spiritual world and humanity as a whole will feel it, the Creator will be revealed throughout this reality, throughout this whole world, and that's how we'll see it happening. But for the time being, a few dozens or even hundreds of people in our world are making an effort, rising, men and women both, and to some extent are entering the spiritual world. By that we can draw those spiritual forces more and more and they will influence our world more and more accordingly.

Question (Poland): (30:51) We talked about it in our Poland Ten that joy comes from good deeds, it's the feeling of the upper world. What can Rav recommend if a person has lost the taste, the point in his life, in his corporeal life and only thinks about the attainment of the upper world and the normal, material life and no longer interests them? 

M. Laitman: First of all, that's good. There's not much to regret here because our world doesn't contain things that are so good that one should invest himself fully into. Our world we received initially just to rise above it more and more. So, do not regret not having any taste for this world. All the tastes you have for spirituality, right? That's good. There are many such people in the world now, thousands and thousands. So, you will see how much compensation you receive for your desire, which now is a small desire but more so and more so, with these spiritual actions you take, you will begin to elevate yourself by your own power higher and higher. You won't be sorrowful, you won't regret it. I promise you. 

Question (China): (33:33) The Creator created everything, all of the creation, so who ultimately enjoys it? Who stands to gain and enjoy this creation? 

M. Laitman: That's what excerpt 2 is all about.

Reader: (34:00) ” All the worlds, upper and lower and everything within them, were created only for man. [...] In the beginning, they were restricted and hung down degree by degree and world after world, down to our material world, to bring the soul into a body of this world, which is entirely to receive and not to bestow,[...]. In that state, one is regarded as the complete opposite of Him, and there is no greater remoteness than this. Afterward, through the soul that clothes within one, he engages in Torah and Mitzvot. Gradually and slowly, from below upward, he obtains the same form of bestowal as his Maker, through all those qualities that hung down from above downward, which are but degrees and measures in the form of the desire to bestow. [...] In the end, one is awarded being entirely to bestow and not to receive anything for himself. At that time, one is completed with true Dvekut with Him, for man was created only for this. 

The student from China wanted to know, who was all of this created for? 

M. Laitman: As we have just read, it was created only for man. What does mankind get from this, all these worlds and degrees. So many states, situations. A person needs to rise above all these states, all these degrees, and ultimately, in every single state he attains the upper world more and more. Ultimately, he begins to become like the Creator, and that is where the person is climbing this ladder to, all the way through to ‘the Lord your God,’ as it is written. So, we have something to live for, we have what to do, and everything is prepared for us. 

Question (England): (37:10) Basically, we're more connected today than ever before. We have more information available at our fingertips than ever before. Through social media and the likes of the  individual's world, it's more connected, yet we're actually more separated than ever before. A person's world seems to be fed to them through their own algorithms, their own ego. Do you think that we can bridge the gap for humanity to develop a deep empathy, with an innate desire for the actual overall good of humanity, or do you think we're actually at a point where this has gone too far? 

M. Laitman: No, we're exactly at that border, you're correct. The line from which onwards we can bestow well upon the whole of humanity, and that is our work, that is our goal, and the goal of the wisdom of Kabbalah, which teaches us how and in what way I can benefit the whole of humanity. So, let's hope we learn that and then you won't have this question anymore, rather you will know exactly what to do. 

Question (Spain): (39:08) In lessons with the texts and with the workshops and the explanations of the Kabbalists, we feel that we understand with our emotion and our mind, and there are no questions. Does it mean that I don't have a deficiency, no lack? 

M. Laitman: You have a deficiency, a lack, and your lack is in your heart, and it is felt. So, say thank you to the Creator for arranging for you such a feeling, a heart, yearning to discover the Creator and to connect to Him. And I hope that you'll come to feel it very quickly in practice. 

Question (Ukraine): (40:29) I'm in such a state where it's like a state of being in love, that I want to embrace the whole world, but after that come rockets and children die, and I fall into a state of pain and suffering, and I cannot get out of this state and move on. A wave of disagreement arises in me. So, how can I be and remain in a state of love and overcome other states? 

M. Laitman: To make an effort. There's nothing else for it. I understand you, but to make an effort to relate to all men, all people, with love, in a simple way, yes. Soon, we will be awarded with seeing a world of peace and calm. 

Question (Burkina Faso): (41:55) How is it possible to bring our friends so that they too will want to study the wisdom of Kabbalah together with you, because the word Kabbalah sometimes scares people. So, how can I speak about it so that they'll be interested, so that they too will want it, to connect and get closer to the Creator? How can I do this?

M. Laitman: I think that we should simply speak to them without saying the word Kabbalah. Because many people have heard about the wisdom of Kabbalah, and they have some negative impression as though they know something about it, though they know nothing about it. But still, it's worthwhile for us to speak to them simply about life, about how to open up the secrets of life, what we live for, what happens to the person, for what purpose do we travel the paths of this world, what does it give us? So, to gradually come closer to what the wisdom of Kabbalah speaks about. Try it and you'll see. Otherwise, we have books in Spanish, in English, in French. There are many people who have bought these books, and they learn and teach using them. 

Reader: (43:39) Before the next question, we wanted to thank for the fact that this campus was translated online to more than thirty languages for many months and we want to thank, and it's happening right now too. We want to thank the hundreds of friends, men and women from all over the world who serve the campus in translations, preparations. It exists thanks to you, so thank you, everyone. 

Question (Romania): (45:49) In the last generation, the light that connects us with the Creator awakens in us a desire to be connected to the Creator, or not because I feel it's the same thing. In someone in whom this desire awakens, they will agree to anything. So my question is, is there a desire here to get to know Him or the desire to discover Him or to get to know Him, they lead us on the same way, to discover Him?

M. Laitman: No. It depends on the person's work in our world. After he receives this awakening, as everyone here did, meaning receive this awakening, so that we want to know what this world is about, what the upper world is about, what we live for, and so on. Those questions a person attempts to answer, and then he comes to the wisdom of Kabbalah and begins to show interest. And it explains to him the purpose of his life. That's what we recommend, to try to answer that question, what am I alive for? And then it will become clear to a person what to do. 

Question (Congo): (47:04) I would like to know how we can continue studying the wisdom of Kabbalah, in spite of all of the physical and corporeal difficulties? 

M.Laitman: It is good that you have some difficulty. It's written in all the books, Kabbalists always say that those who study under duress, later receive the upper degrees, the upper attainments more easily. And so, don't regret the fact that it's tough. Rather, add more and more exertion, and so you will all reach the goal, which was predetermined from above for each and every individual. It's just that from below, from our state, we need to give from below upwards, some exertion, power, will, prayer, so we will reach a higher degree in the upper world. And it will become clear to us why we live, what for, what we need to attain, what happens to us after we leave this world, what world do we go to, what happens with us. All these things will become very clear to us as they happen. And so, don't let go, continue, persist, and you will see how the wisdom of Kabbalah opens your eyes to everything. 

Question (Indonesia): (49:31) We have understood that we should have the desire and we should be a vessel, and when we are full, then we can attain the state of this world. How to prepare ourselves to receive from the Creator, so that we can become full and reach the stage of the this world? 

M. Laitman: Prepare yourself to retain your questions and try to solve them, to answer them, by hearing the lessons, trying to participate in the lessons to the best of your ability. Sometimes even maybe to repeat a certain special lesson that you heard, go over it again, so you will come to a stage where it becomes more and more clear to you. It's like waves in the sea. Sometimes it's more clear, sometimes less so, more confused, sometimes easier, sometimes harder, but through that process you learn, in that manner. You will all see that you can, all of you, understand what's happening through the wisdom of Kabbalah, what's happening in our universe, what happens to us, to nature, with all the great planets and stars. It will all become clear to you, and so we will advance together.

Question (Ukraine): (51:51) Not too long ago I started to work in the group, and I gradually began to feel the love of my friends, and from the psychological aspect it's very pleasant for me. It seems to me that the desire for pleasure actually grows in me, to receive for myself. How can I not fall in the work in the Ten? 

M. Laitman: Don't you worry. It may be that your will to receive right now, for the time being, is hard, harsh, heavy, pulling everything to itself. Gradually through the study, through your connection with your friends in your group, by connecting with them, you will come to feel that you have such friends with whom you can study, discuss things, ask, and they will care for you as well, they will answer. You can also come to us and see the building here, our center, where we study, see all the books, there's no problem at all. Sometimes we hold congresses and then everyone, whoever wants to, can come here and study for a few days to connect with everyone. It's all at your disposal.

Question (Czechia): (53:49) How to reach a state of peace and balance inside the group so that it will be manifested in the whole of Creation? 

M. Laitman: What a tough question. How can we connect so well that it will influence the entire world, shifting it towards a good connection? It should be like that, but let's hope that we're truly advancing towards it. 

Question (Hungary): (54:59) How can I increase my desire to attain faith above reason, because I truly feel that I'm the most egoistic person alive. 

M. Laitman: That's very good. To feel the magnitude of the ego, that's good, but after that, a person needs to start working to correct that ego, to give it the intention in order to bestow, and that is great work. We learn how to do that, and we help each and every one walking this path. You receive support and assistance. You're being held so as not to fall. So, come closer, and you'll be able to achieve it, to reach it. 

Question (Angola): (56:26) When we reach the revelation of the Creator, can we talk to Him as we speak with the friends, or is it only in the feeling? 

M. Laitman: Even more so than every friend, because He understands you even as you say half a word. You just open your mouth, and He already understands everything you want to say. With the Creator, it's very easy to enter into a connection.

Question (Spain): (57:05) What does the correction give us? What do we need the ego for? 

M. Laitman: We need the ego so as to overcome it, to reach bestowal, giving, love, connection, instead of what we have inherently by our egoistic nature. So, we need to rise above all of our egoistic qualities and to reach love and connection between all of us, 

men, women, the young, the old, all nations, everyone. 

Question (Ukraine): (57:51) How can we feel in our heart all the souls of the world as one soul? 

M. Laitman: That takes some work, serious work, by each one on himself to open his heart towards everyone, and then he'll feel who's ready to enter his heart and who isn't. It all depends on the person alone. 

Question (China): (58:18) What is the difference in the connection between desire, thought, and intention? 

M. Laitman: Desire, thought, and intention, those are qualities we have which we need to work with only in order to bestow, so that good comes out of these qualities of ours, benefit comes to others. Before that they’re egoistic qualities by which we want only things for ourselves, and to the detriment of the public, and we need to turn it to be for the benefit of others. 

Question (Spain): (59:10) To know myself and know what is my correction, my spiritual root, what is my role in the puzzle, is this what it means to reach a deep connection with the Creator? 

M. Laitman: Yes, the purest connection, the deepest, most strong connection possible with the Creator, and everything else will connect of its own. 

Now, I want to bless you all. I want to tell you that I'm willing to see you and speak to all of you at any time, all of you together or individually, everything according to your desire. And so, connect together, ask questions, and you will get from me whatever you want. I wish you all the best in corporeality and spirituality both. Good luck. 

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