Morning Lesson November 19, 2021, Transcription
Transcription is made from simultaneous translation which leaves a possibility for differences from audio
Part 1:
Baal HaSulam - Shamati 65. Concerning the Revealed and the Concealed
1. Rav’s Introduction: Let's read this very short article; it has a very clear direction. Let's read it and then we can talk about it. Questions from the friends will come through the scrutinies.
Reading Shamati 65
2. S. (06:04) What does it mean to do the revealed part? What is the hidden part?
R. There is a concealed part and a revealed part in everything we do. This is only in respect to man. It is not that reality is divided into revealed and concealed, but only in respect to the person as to how much something is revealed to him and as much something is hidden from him. The revealed part is revealed with respect to that person according to how much he can discover. Who knows if what he is discovering is true or not true; the concealed part, if it is concealed, then the person does not know what is hidden. There are many different manners in the revealed and the concealed and each time we can see how they change and the revealed part once again becomes hidden and the hidden part becomes revealed. However, with respect to what he is talking about in this article we are talking about two different states. We are in the preparation; this is called the revealed part. We can say that we have succeeded and finished the preparation according to how the Creator, the upper force, the upper light, is revealed in our actions and gives it life. This is how we reach the concealed part. We need to do the revealed part, the preparation, which is the group, connection, whatever is given to us. The concealed part will happen later on when the Creator is revealed. He was concealed due to lack of preparation on our part. We will reach a state where the concealed part will actually be revealed. It was concealed due to the lack of preparation on our part.
The Creator does not mean to hide anything from us, on the contrary, He wants to open it up. When he opens it up, He opens it according to the effort from our side which is the exertions. We then understand, we feel, we discover what was concealed 620 times more. It becomes more clear, conspicuous, and felt through our exertion relative to how we would discover it without any preparation or effort from our side. The whole of reality is divided into the concealed part and the revealed part. If it is concealed it is a sign that we have to put in more efforts. The concealed is also revealed to some extent, but I discover that there is something concealed from me. Concealment is also a kind of revelation. Let's say another person who does not know how to read or understand the language, or a little child who passes next to something, they don’t detect that something is hidden there and it is possible to discover and reveal it. Whereas when we come to the wisdom of Kabbalah, we have a demand to discover the concealed and this is how we come closer to the revelation.
It is good that we have questions, inner pressures, and the feeling of the concealed because these are the vessels we have to collect and in them we eventually discover what to demand from the Creator to reveal. If preparation from our side in the concealed part will reach the proper state, if we put in enough quantity and quality of exertion properly, which is the quota, then the Creator will be revealed. We will reach the revealed part, which is the same concealed part. We reached it because during the time it was concealed, we built the efficiency, alertness, a demand, everything that is necessary in order to discover that this is necessary for us. It becomes revealed through the construction of the vessel in the group, in turning to the Creator and trying to bring forth a connection between the group and the Creator.
3. (13:30) How do we bring this picture that is still blurry closer to us? What is the unit of measurement that allows us to see the hidden more clearly?
R. We need to understand that the concealed is concealed in all kinds of different manners, in different feelings that we have, because we need to reveal the correct deficiency. There is a part in the concealed process that builds in us all kinds of deficiencies, like I lack this or I lack that. I build the vessel by searching for whatever is concealed. It is like a little child standing opposite a computer doesn’t know what it is. It is not concealed or revealed but as he grows, he starts to discover certain actions in that box and he starts to understand that he is lacking this. This is how he advances. There is a period of time then we are indifferent to the revealed and concealed, we have no interest in that, but as we get closer to entering the spiritual work, we start to feel that there is something here. We are drawn to the method that can reveal to us what we are drawn to, what we are craving, what we are yearning for, and then come to the wisdom of Kabbalah. We do not even know how we get there. This is called ‘the concealed part to the Lord our God.’ This is concealed. How a person reaches the method, discovers the Creator, or how he comes closer to the Creator, we do not know. This is done from above; the upper force arranges these things. We, first of all, have to develop our desire to reach this because everything depends on the desire, on arranging the desire to be ready for the right demand, and to receive the right answer, to receive the filling. This is the work.
4. (17:36) Who are the mother and father on this path and how do we relate to them?
R. The father and mother, Abba and Ima, are the qualities. Hochma is Abba, and Ima is Bina. These two forces operate on a person and in the wisdom of Kabbalah they are called Abba and Ima, father and mother, Hochma and Bina. They work on us, they educate us, and they develop us, and this is how we advance toward the Creator. The Creator is the Keter, and he Himself is unattainable. It is only through Hochma and Bina, when we arrange them in the right way, that the vessel of Bina is ready to receive light from Hochma.
5. (19:07) What does it mean that some people have more knowledge in the revealed than in the concealed?
R. Rav reads: “It is written, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, and the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.” We do all the words of this law until the very end, to discover the stages until things become revealed to us, as it says, “the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…” Children are our continuation until we discover everything. The Creator does not want anything to be revealed. The concealed things belong to the Lord our God means that what is revealed is revealed to us here and now and what is not revealed we need to yearn for it. We will reach it. Rav reads: “We should ask, “What does the text come to tell us, that the secret things belong to the Lord?” We should not say that concealed means unattainable and revealed means attainable. We can see that there are people with knowledge in the concealed part, as there are people who have no knowledge in the revealed part, but it cannot be said that this means that there are more people with knowledge in the revealed part than in the concealed part.” We need to realize that concealed and revealed things are not with respect to these people or those people, but instead it is with respect to each and every person. Rav reads: “The thing is that in this world, we see that there are actions that are revealed as actions to our eyes. This means that man’s hand is involved there. Alternatively, there are actions where we see that an act is done, but man cannot do anything there. Rather, a hidden force operates there.” This is how he divides the whole of reality. He then gives an example of the man and woman that the two of them make a beastly act which is revealed and understood to everybody but the Creator adds His own force to it. The father and the mother make a coupling and the Creator puts in the soul; this is how the newborn is born. Rav reads: “Similarly, with the Mitzvot [commandments], we must do only the revealed part.” The primary Mitzva is from the love of people to the love of the Creator. This is how we should hear what they are telling us. Only we can do this act, to reach love and connection between us, which is to engage in Torah and Mitzvot, meaning doing his words as much as possible. Of course if the Creator did not help, meaning if the Creator’s act would not reach inside of us, we would remain without any result. Rav reads: “However, the hidden part, the soul in observing Torah and Mitzvot…” Meaning all the deeds we can do in order to reach the right vessel in which the Creator is revealed. This is the whole purpose of performing such actions called Torah and Mitzvot. Torah means the light that comes and fills our efforts and the Mitzvot, the commandments, are all the efforts we make in order to reach connection above rejection, even if we do not want it. Any deed we try to perform between us in connecting between us, in all different forms, is called a Mitzva, a commandment. A person cannot do anything on his own in receiving the Torah. Rav reads: “When we observe Torah and Mitzvot in action, called “doing,” we should pray to the Creator that He will do the concealed part, meaning place a soul in our practice….”
5. (25:45) What exists that can reveal the hidden in us?
R. Only by us preparing the vessel and then the Creator is revealed there in the revelation of the light inside the vessel, only according to the equivalence between the vessel and the light. Meaning that to some extent, our actions and the relations between us will be in bestowal and then the upper light will be revealed because it is the light of bestowal. We begin to discover the whole essence of creation through the revelation of the Creator to the created being.
6. (26:37) Can we choose one direction or another in the revealed part and return to the Creator?
R. What is unclear about this? What problem do you have in the revealed part so that you turn to the Creator?
S. I do not know the circumstances or the state that is going to appear before me.
R. This is the revealed part, you can discover it without turning to the Creator. Rabash writes that you need to connect with the friends. It is revealed to you, but do you, do it? No, you want to receive some additional explanations and discernments. It is true that you do lack this but start to do it and you will discover it just like in any profession. When you start to learn some profession, even the most simple one, you do not know anything and don’t know how to approach it. When you start to do it, the work itself awakens questions and answers within you and you begin to see how that is this way or that way, but if you do not start you will not have any questions and then you will never advance. This is why we do not ask before we start to do, and when we start doing then we discover relevant questions. Those questions we have already pertain to the hidden part.
7. (28:47) What action is it talking about when the parents do the revealed part properly and then the Creator puts the soul into the newborn.
R. I said this already. We need to do everything in order to construct the Kli. This is what depends on us and then the Creator will be revealed in the Kli. We have to reach connection. All in all, this is the correction of the broken soul that was broken deliberately in order for us to work and make exertions for the correction, for that connection. Like little children, when we want to build something out of building blocks and we try, then this effort brings us to a state where we begin to get help from above. This is already the concealed part, however, we have to make the efforts in the revealed part, in whatever is revealed before us and whatever we have to do. If we do not do that revealed part, we will not reach the concealed part. Our work is to give the Creator the possibility to work on His part, and this is called ‘the work should be for the Lord.’ We have to discover Him in the concealed part so we have to work on the revealed part in connection between us and as much as possible to try to be properly connected. It is like children building a house from building blocks. The Creator is always with us and, if necessary, then He is revealed. He is revealed only on the condition that we build the right deficiency for His revelation. Here the laws are very clear, they are absolute laws of nature. We build the right deficiency for the revelation of the Creator by trying to connect between us. It is not that we just cry and the Creator is revealed. The Creator is not being revealed because our deficiency is like little children who just cry. When we begin to build the right connection out of ourselves and in that right connection we constantly try. Each and every day we try more and more to establish ourselves correctly and according to that, our cry becomes a demand which is directed and justified. The Creator is then revealed and helps us. This should be revealed in a way that is very much to the point.
8. (33:13) In the text it says that the parents are part of the revelation. What part is this talking about? What forces do they awaken?
R. This is what we talked about right now. We need to try to create the right connection so as to restore our broken vessel. We are all a part of Adam HaRishon. This is why we are called Bnei Adam, sons of Adam, to bring the connection between us back to the state of the single body as one man with one heart, all of us together. This pertains to all people in general but at least this should be as individual discrete parts from the system of Adam HaRishon. These parts are called 10's. At least try to compose a connection between us in such small groups 10's and then in that also we can begin to discover a part of the Creator called the upper light that assists us and fulfills us and brings us a certain part, a small part but nevertheless, a certain part of the vitality of the general body of Adam HaRishon. In Adam HaRishon it is the NRNHY of NRNHY, meaning all of the light of Ein Sof. However, we discover a certain small part of that in our 10, in our group. Nevertheless it is felt as the attainment of the Creator inside the created being. We must not forget that we are working on the correction of the vessel of Adam HaRishon and if we do not disconnect from this picture then we will not be wrong. We will always have it before as an example
9. (36:03) At this point, it is the concealed part that creates life for we are the revealed part that with our efforts we can make so that the concealed part will have life?
R. We build a vessel and the construction of the vessel reveals the revealed part and, in this vessel, we can discover the general force of the connection of the vessel which is the Creator. Try to understand it in this way that we are taking parts and as we arrange them together suddenly, we begin to feel that they start to come alive. That they are beginning to have a certain arrangement, how should I call it, that we are establishing them, arranging them together, uniting them together that we are trying to depict these parts. These parts are us. When we connect then it turns out that out of the connection between us, as much as we feel it where else we have to add connection add connection between us. We by this established ourselves more and more correctly as one man with one heart until suddenly we begin to feel that there is life in it. There is an upper force in it, there is a revelation of the force of bestowal in it, the will to bestow. This is how we discover the Creator in the connection between us. Then more and more we understand what else is missing in order to establish ourselves in a way that is even more internal. By this we shift from the most primitive bodies, organisms like amoebas in nature. All the way to bodies, organisms like in evolution. organisms that are more and more complex until we construct from our parts, we build Adam in which there are the most complex the most intricate systems and that he is called Adam because what we discover out of our connection, out of the connection of the materials and opposing parts, we build them in such a special and complex way that out of this matter out of this matter we study the creator. We begin to study Him, to work with Him, to talk to Him to be in a dialogue with Him through what? through which device? By us working on the connection between us in such a complex way and in such intensity that we truly discovered the upper force. We do not discover Him, it is not possible to discover Him, but what we discover is the matter that takes on qualities of the Creator.
10. (39:57) What brings life into this body? When does it start to come alive?
R. We pray that the Creator will bring our pieces together. Like a little kid who is trying to put blocks together until he sees that he cannot but is trying this way and sweating for it. It is the same thing with us, as we want as we try to connect our pieces together. This is basically how we come to a state where we realize that we can't. This is done to us deliberately by the Creator so we need him and then we are praying to Him and then He arrives and fixes this for us and teaches us. He is also teaching us behind the scenes like we do with kids. Sometimes they do not understand that we help them. We help them both directly and indirectly when we want to develop them. Let's say by building these bricks together. This is how we advance. Everything comes through efforts in connection and as a result of this we discover a lack for the Creator and then we discover him. We discover him in the material of the connection, in the wisdom of connection
11. (41:40) There are actions of revelation, especially the actions. One of the actions we do in the 10 is for example coming to the lesson and the concealed part the reforming light we do not see but it activates us works on us so the questions is this, when we meet in our zoom meetings or other such a thing how this work does, what preparation do we need to do so that concealed action of the Creator would appear and show itself
R. I do not understand your question.
S. We come as a 10 to the morning lesson, this is a revealed action. The concealed is the reforming light?
R. Yes, let's say it is so. It is not that you come to the lesson. It's your connection, where is your labor. The action means that you make efforts against the desire. If it is not against your desire, it is not considered an action. What can you do against your desire? Try to bring yourself closer to the friends as much as you can. How much can you? If you have come closer to the friends to the maximum that you can then you run into the fact that you do not want connection, that you exhausted all of your inner conditions and you'll see that you cannot that it is above you and that brings you to a prayer by the friends, by the Creator. What else can I obtain? So what is your question?
S. Besides that morning lessons we have other meetings or a meal so how to make the right preparation as you said so that they're all so we can discover the Creator?
R. I do not know what to tell you because there are so many aspects here and you are asking it in relation to the article. I cannot go into that. We just need to know that our connection it is what we have to do as much and as best as we can and for the rest we pray to the Creator
12. (44:42) How a person perceives the world, relates to the world when the person is still an embryo the Creator inserts into him the plan of creation, in which there is faith, through his faith.
R. That does not belong to us. That is why it says the concealed are to the Creator, and the revealed is to us and to our children. We have to work through what is given to us, and through working on that, we will understand what is hidden from us. That is how it works. To try and explain now things which we are not present in, that will just confuse people. That will only pose a disturbance in one’s progress. You have to do what is up to you, and that is the matter of connection. In the connection you will discover all the answers. You do not need to hear these answers from me, because you're not going to, you are going to discover them on your own. So your questions about the concealed are before you have done the revealed part you need to do in order to disclose them. So you will stay with your question.
13. S. (46:48) How should we arrange our connection with friends so that we will be able to build a right deficiency for the Creator?
R. It is like Rabash writes to us. Why do we need to connect with the friends, why did the Creator who created man, then dispersed this image to many pieces, and from that, the still, vegetative, animate, and human levels began to evolve, which is both the corporeal and spiritual matter? We will yet discover these things. It is all in order for us to find, in our connection, the plan of the creation and to discover the purpose of creation, and the Creator Himself. This is called ‘’From Your actions we know You.’’ When we correct the world, which The Creator shattered deliberately in the beginning, He broke those pieces apart, and we have to regroup them and reconnect them. As we do that, like Rabash writes in the ‘Social’ articles, we have to arrange ourselves together, so by that, we learn the mind of the Creator, His intention, His purpose in creation. That is how we become human beings, that is the only way. So without interconnection across all the people in the world, we are not going to get any correction, and we are going to just go in circles and suffer more and more. We are at a time where we can advance ourselves towards connection, as well as showing an example for all people and attract them towards connection. By that, the whole world comes to the realization of the plan of creation in a smooth and pleasant, and beautiful way. That is what is up to do, that is why we were given this urge and desire.
S. Through our connection you said we build the image of the Creator, so by the connection we gain a perception towards the Creator. But on the contrary, how does the Creator see us so we know that He says that I am the Creator, I do not change? So if He does not change, He needs to have a certain stable perception to us, so He is seeing us in a stable level - in His eyes, we are not changing. But in our eyes, He is changing through concealment, through revelation, through images, through perception. Why is it built this way? In His eyes we never change, we are stable on the same level, but in our eyes in each degree and state He changes?
R. Listen. The Creator treats us according to our state. This is called the descent of the worlds, Partzufim, and the Sefirot. We are at the end of the line, in this world. So the Creator’s attitude to us, which is absolute, which is whole, it is the light of Ein Sof [ Infinity]. Until it reaches us, it clothes in various clothing which makes it more and more hidden, more and more coarse, more reduced until it reaches us, and then we discover this light, the Creator, in a corporeal fashion. What I see in front of me is the appearance of the Creator in front of me, everything that I am revealing is how the Creator appears to me. So that is the Creator, because that is what He paints to me, the picture He paints to me in the meantime, that is how it is for now. If I want to reach a higher attainment, then I have to get closer to Him by resembling Him. Resembling Him is possible only if I join to this feeling a force of love, a force of bestowal, a force of connection, by which I raise myself to the Creator. This is what is in front of us is an opportunity, this is what we are working on. The Creator deliberately, the upper light, like we learn in the wisdom of Kabbalah, created 125 degrees, 5 worlds, and 5 Partzufim in each world, and 5 Sefirot in each Partzuf - 125 altogether, worlds, Partzufim, Sefirot, degrees, all in all, that we rise, rise, and rise through until we come to complete equivalence, resemblance, with the Creator. That is it. Only through connection, that is only what is up to us to do, the most despicable thing, the most unacceptable to us, that is basically because we are shattered, and we are at the final the greatest shattering.
14. S. (54:00) We do and pray in order for Him to give us the hidden part. So we come to the lessons, we read, we draw light, which is really the Torah, we connect in the ten between us, we do things in order to connect, we have all kinds of duties and things which really are Mitzvot [commandments] towards the friends. These are doings towards the Creator?
R. I do not know. You are asking me what maybe what you are doing is what you are doing and that is it, that's where it ends. I am asking why do you come and do some connection? What do you want?
S. To do His will.
R. Are you discovering it somehow? Is it clear to you that in all your actions you want to fulfill the Creator's will as you want to see you all connected into one Kli [vessel], to be revealed in one Kli [vessel], because His desire is to be revealed in the created beings, is that what you are doing - is that your intention? If so, then it has to be the intention throughout the whole action, from beginning to end, and then there is no question. Do the action properly with a demand, with a prayer, then you will see whether you get some response, some feedback or not.
S. Between us and the friends, we see it all the time that there is a response or not. We are able to detect that.
R. So what are you asking?
S. Everywhere in the sources there is always dividing as you said, the 613 Mitzvot [commandments] are divided between things that are between us and the friends, and things that are between us and the Creator?
R. This we are not discussing yet. You should follow what Rabash says about connection in the group.
15. S. (56:20) You emphasized that from the matter we discover the Creator. Can you elaborate, what it means, is it about the ten? Can you explain, please?
R. I do not understand the question. Repeat.
S. A few minutes ago, you said in a very emphasized way that we discover the Creator in the matter. Were you talking about the work in the ten?
R. We do not discover the Creator Himself. I will tell you even more than that. We never discover the Creator Himself ever, we rather reveal within the Kli [vessel], and inside the Kli [vessel] we can clarify Him, feel Him, understand Him. Do you understand? We can’t discover this concept of the Creator Himself. The Creator already means what you come and see, it is two words “come and see,” where we come to a state where we can reveal Him, see Him. That is what we call Creator. But above that, what is the source to everything we discover as the Creator, that is unattainable to us. This is called His essence. So you are asking?
S. So will it be right to say that we discover among the friends the spirit or?
R. We do not discover the spirit, also. We only discover the matter and how this matter behaves. From that, we refer to that as the spirit, Ruach or even Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Haya, Yechida. All these are levels of changes that we find within the vessels. We never come out of the Kli [vessel], we never discover something above the Kli [vessel], or the actual cause to what is changing the Kli [vessel], we never discover the reason itself. We discover the changes inside the Kli [vessel], and we call these changes ‘lights.’
16. S. (58:37) How can we always remember that while performing the revealed Mitzvot [commandments], we do not forget to pray to the Creator that He will put a soul into these actions so it will not be in vain?
R. You should see from how Rabash explains one should help his friend, that we should always make sure that we do not forget about the friends, that during the lesson we see them, and then at least twice a day, in addition, speak to them, we have once or twice a week maybe some meeting between us. So that is how we come to a state where we begin to feel more and more a necessity towards each other. We always have to learn about the connections between us, the more we examine them, the more we see that this is urgent for us.
17. S. (01:03:17) We talk a lot about connection. I called quite a few friends, and every time I received a different answer what connection is. Is this concept connection, should we uniform for us, or is it good for the time being that we feel connection differently?
R. We have to see how much we understand and don't understand what connection is. It is how it is dynamic that concept is for us. Until the final correction, we will always have questions about this connection, because it is the correction of the Kli [vessel] of Adam HaRishon. That is the only thing we need to envision for us - what is this Kli [vessel] of Adam HaRishon, what does correct it mean, to what extent is the connection happening there? All the parts are different, just like in our body, different organs, different cells, different functions, and each one is doing the function it needs to be doing for the sake of the whole body. Then, accordingly we say that each and every part functioning this way for the sake of the whole body is healthy. That is how we have to see ourselves. I do not exist in and of myself, that is only on the animate level as an animal. If I want to raise myself to a human level, I have to be already arranged, arrange myself with the others so that I can complete my role with regards to the society, the group, connection in short. That is the only way. That is what we are facing, and that is why we exist in this kind of world. You were going to see soon how the world is becoming more and more disintegrated through all kinds of pieces, no countries, no borders, no nations. Things will become so intermingled that it is hard to describe, everything will be cancelled. All of the structure that survived for thousands of years, and how it exists in various ways such as continents and nations, and people, it is going to become so mixed up until we come to a point where there is no choice but to follow just one guideline - everyone has to complete the collective structure. Big changes and fast changes should be happening.
18. S. (01:06:11) We are constantly searching for a connection between us. We learn that a lot of it depends on annulment. What is this act of annulment? How do we start, how do we continue, how do we finish it in order for it to happen?
R. I have to see in front of me a group that the Creator leads me to and tells me ‘Take it.’ I have to take upon myself what is on up to me, in everything that is up to me, so as to bring this group to a connection like one man in one heart, that it will be such a mechanism, such a commando team, that you see that they are working in connection between them like a single unit. That is it, that is all. By doing these things in practice, as much as we can, we are doing the revealed action and we are expecting that the Creator will help us to also do this revealed part and provide His hidden part in this action of the group, that He will shine to us in levels of Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Haya, Yechida, according to the level of our connection that we have to do. So here, everything depends on setting examples, that we try to set an example to each other. That is what we are facing, that is what the world is facing, that is what we have to do.
19. S. (01:08:20) According to what we see, at least, we really try and we do it. The question is what is missing? I do not know what, in annulment?
R. What we are lacking for connection? Importance, importance. That I will see before me that there is no problem in the world, in life, in all of reality, besides the importance of connection, going back to the structure of Adam before the shattering. We only need that.
20. S. (01:09:08) What does it mean that the Creator puts in a soul? What is this thing that He gives?
R. The upper light that fulfills the right connection between us, that enlivens us and raises us to His level, that is called the soul.
S. Without that, everything that we do.
R. Without that, we are dead. Wicked in their lives are called dead. Wicked, meaning one who does not follow the commandment of the Creator of connection.
S. What are all these actions that we do, all of our deeds, our efforts?
R. These are efforts. We are trying to get closer, to at least on the first degree which nullifies his ego opposite the connection. This is what we call devotion.
S. But in the actions that we do, in them, is there already? Because earlier you said that if we do not have intentions, then the actions are empty, we are not doing anything. So can we control that?
R. We are in control of our action. The intention we are never sure about it. The action, however, testifies about the intention.
S. Who is in charge of the intention then?
R. Apparently, we. But we can’t be certain of our intentions. If the action is proper, then the result of it is that we see our intention was also correct.
S. But he ends the article by saying that we have to be rewarded with the concealed, with a soul.
R. Of course. Our goal is that by the revealed part, which is basically in our hands, we will come to the concealed parts, which means the Creator becomes revealed in us, the spiritual fulfilment, our spirituality - our spiritual life.
S. The intentions that we have to correct, does that come as a result of being awarded this from the Creator? When do they change our intention? When does the intention change?
R. The intentions change each time, each and every moment, to the extent that we want to be more connected. The light is a result of the Kli [vessel]. It exists as Ein Sof [Infinity], complete rest, and the Kli [vessel] is what is changing.
S. That is clear. What about the fact that many times you are like a log of wood, just sit there, you are just there, you have no intentions?
R. Right. That is because you lack connection with the friends, that in them, together with them, you can clarify, scrutinize, your correct intention. These are actually good states when we feel ourselves as dead, it is a direction towards connection. That in you, in yourself, there is no spirit of life, look for it in connection and you will find it there. It is actually the most obvious prominent thing, you are being shown the remedy.
S. How do you rise from that death?
R. Both you and the friends have to have corporal preparation with each other to awaken each other. The more we prepare ourselves together in the ten, then we have to believe that the Creator will also make sure to awaken us. He will arrange such a relationship between us, such roles and states that we will awaken each other, as long as there is a connection. Try to connect as a group before you go to sleep, and maybe, also when you wake up. Let's say, if I am with Vlad in one group, and he calls me at 1:15 or 2:15 every morning. So, let us communicate that way as long as it does not bother the preparation for the lesson, or family issues, things like that, depending on night or day, where you are.
21. S. (01:15:00) Yesterday we had a meal and it was a very strong connection. Now, I feel exhausted, I cannot even read the article, I'm just falling asleep.
R. You are being given an opportunity to renew the connection already on a higher degree. That is why you feel that you do not have the strength for it, because you need to renew that force on a higher degree. That is help from the Creator that comes to you in such a way.
S. I have to make a preparation after the connection?
R. No. You need to understand where it comes from, from none else besides Him. That you need, despite the lack of importance and connection, the lack of necessity, the lack of anything, you want now to nevertheless raise the importance to yourself. So start to connect, start to sing, start to do all kinds of actions to revive yourself - to live. It is like you are revitalizing a sick person, it is like you are putting to death the previous degree, and you want to revitalize or to revive the new degree. Why is it higher? Because He gives you more ego, and you have to connect above the ego.
22. S. (01:16:46) It is not clear what to do before you go to sleep. Call before you go to sleep, call when you wake up, I am alive, what else?
R. After sleeping?
S. Before sleep, after sleep, you said there is an important point of connection.
R. It is best that when we go to sleep, we all go to sleep together, as if. That is it, we are all going to sleep, there is no break. When we get up, also, you can call. I am not saying that is a law. With Rabash we did not have that, we did not have it that way. You can call, but just don't confuse one another, because in the morning when you wake up or in the middle of the day there are groups it's in the middle of day for them. So, be careful. But nevertheless, a few times a day, we need to be connected in order to remind one another about the essence of connection. That is it.
23. S. (01:17:53) He writes, ‘’do everything in your hands to do, do it.’’ How do we know that we gave enough exertion, enough effort, that we don’t just give up before?
R. Until I re-feel myself that I am nullified before the friends, I am like melted there, I am dissolved there.
S. There is always a feeling that we are really far away from everything in your power to do, we never reach the maximum effort.
R. Try to do it in shorter periods of time, to do such exercises.
24. S. (01:18:46) When I am here in the lesson, now in this little square, what does it mean that I am giving the friends an inner example in annulment, and that the friends feel it? Is there such a thing to give an example?
R. If you want to bring such an example and a feeling to friends, then your thought and desire already operate. You do not need to talk about it, it is already acting, that is already a part of the connection in the group. We are not, too, aware of this. We are not aware of the extent in which with our thoughts we can act, we can operate.
25. S. (01:19:52) The deed is the candle of the Mitzva [commandment] which we must light by the light of the Torah? The light of the Torah lights the Mitzva [commandment] and gives the soul vitality in practice. What is the candle in the spiritual work, and how do we build it?
R. A candle in the spiritual work is our effort to connect. As a result of that, to the extent that in which we try, the light comes as a reward of it and we feel the essence of our connection in the group.
26. S. (01:20:37) Is the revealed part according to, is our work according to Rabash articles? What does it mean if we can’t do it, ask and pray? Is the prayer what connects the revealed and the concealed?
R. The prayer is actually necessary in every place. Before we operate, prior we are connecting, at the end of our actions. The prayer needs to constantly assist us, accompany us in all of our actions, because in every step of the way, any turn along the way, we cannot succeed unless the upper light accompanies us and does the small actions of ours. All the changes can take place, all together what can happen, is only under the condition that the upper light is in it. Because without light, there is no existence. The light precedes the matter, the state, and therefore, we need to always be together with it.
27. S. (01:21:55) Is the Creator, like in the flirt, revealing and concealing in different forms every time?
R. Correct. Yes, that is how He does in order to stimulate us, in order to grow in us deficiencies.
28. S. (01:22:13) So what should we demand in that game?
R. From the Creator? Support. I can demand from Him also guidance, also connection, also fulfilment. In everything I need to be with the Creator, but in all these things, divide the state to the revealed part which is mine and the concealed part which is His. The Creator is revealed towards me in the clothing of the group. Meaning, if I turn to the Creator, I first turn to the group and to the internality of the group where the essence of the Creator is.
29. S. (01:23:00) How to discover something concealed without having a deficiency for it?
R. I need to receive that from the ten, as well. I don’t have anything for spirituality except for that initial ignition where the Creator turns my engine and brings me to the group, and says ‘take,’ like Baal HaSulam explains to us in the article of ‘’Arvut’’ or is it in the ‘‘Freedom,’’ in the ‘’Freedom.’’ That is it. All the rest goes according to the degrees.
30. S. (01:23:44) It says a lot of times that the Creator gives a light, and a vessel. So how in our deeds is it even possible to reveal these two forms? Or are we always working through the fog, and then only revealing?
R. Our work is on the vessels. Certainly, the vessel can’t do any action if the light is not vibrating the vessel. Therefore, we need to pray for the vessels always, vessels, vessels to connect till they reach the degree of Adam HaRishon. That is actually our entire path, from here to the end of correction. We are actually bringing back all the shattered vessels to their corrected state, and accordingly receive the lights that connect the broken parts and fill them until we reveal in this, NRNHY, the full form.
S. The question is if the revealed and the concealed can turn into one form?
R. It actually emerges as one form. The question is whether I am ready to receive that which I discover as a result of my action, as the result comes as revealed from the Creator?
S. It is only a result, it can’t be in the same line, I don't know, if you can say the same train of thought as the Creator, and do actions that He wants us to do?
R. Yes, that is what I intend to do, I want to do, and the Creator corrects me each time. That is exactly how we play with children, that is one to one.
31. S. (01:26:03) Revealed and concealed, Lishma [for Her sake] and Lo Lishma [not for Her sake], is that like the body and head?
R. You can say.
32. S. (01:26:17) In the end of the process, in the end of correction, will we all reveal the same thing?
R. No one reveals the same thing because each has his own vessel. But, because of the connection between us, to one vessel, we discover the correct role of each of us and the general role of the whole body of Adam HaRishon, meaning the general creature, and what is revealed in it, which is the general force of the Creator. That is called ‘’and the Lord will be a King on all the land, and on that day He and His name will be one.’’ His name is the Kli [vessel], and the light is what He fills. We reveal these two things together, both the vessel and the light, ‘’Darkness shall shine as light,’’ and that is the end of correction - as much as I understand, we will reveal it together.
33. S. (01:27:27) In our work we aspire for revelation. Is there a concealment we should aspire for, and what is it?
R. We should never aspire for concealment, only for revelation.
34. S. (01:27:49) What is the right action that ten has to do for the Creator to put the soul in there?
R. Only connection. There is nothing but that, only connection.
35. S. (01:28:08) When does the prayer from the ten become a body for the soul?
R. Again.
S. When does the prayer, as an action from the ten, become the body for the soul?
R. In the aspect of the soul, we have the vessel and we have the light. So if we are connecting our desires, our different desires together, it will be different desires but with one intention. That will be the vessel of the soul, and it will receive the filling according to the equivalence of form, or the intensity of the equivalence of form with the upper light, that will be the light of the soul.
36. S. (01:29:06) How to find the place where we can complete each other?
R. The place is the place between us. Rabash writes about it in his ‘Social Writings.’ It is worthwhile for us to mention this and not forget this, the center of the ten we call it, where we need to depict to ourselves that we are connected and the Creator fills us.
37. S. (01:29:41) If the Creator uses concealment in order to fill us, can we use concealment in order to give Him joy?
R. That is how we need to do. The whole revelation is revelation in concealment - restriction, screen, reflected light. Only in such a way, when we receive in order to bestow, not for ourselves, that is called reception in concealment. That is why it is called the wisdom of reception, of Kabbalah. Meaning, it is not how to receive, but how to receive the revelation of the Creator as it comes to us through concealment.
38. S. (01:30:22) What does it mean in practice to yearn for a state of one desire?
R. This is when, as much as we learn and scrutinize things, we all start to be closer, in being closer to the goal, and understanding the means to attain the goal. That is how we come closer to one another. We become more and more understanding, more similar to one another. And whoever has the great difficulty to incorporate with others, and has a greater will to receive, then specifically when he, one day, will succeed to rise above it, will reach an even higher degree than everyone.
39. S. (01:31:24) How can we reach a point where we feel that we did everything we could, and we need the help of the Creator? It feels that we can always make more efforts. Will we ever reach a point where we feel that we truly did everything possible?
R. That is only through connection. The answer is, with love. Love is where it is truly above all the conditions. We need to try to understand that we come from one body, we are parts in one body, and we must complete one another that way, above our egos, where our ego is that knife that cut us one time in the sin of the tree of knowledge, in the sin of Adam HaRishon. We need to bring ourselves back, to reunite all these parts together.
40. S. (01:32:33) What does it mean to ask for support from the Creator how to do this through the ten correctly?
R. That we actually need to depict to ourselves the center of the ten and we are there and we ask for the connection with the Creator, to that extent that I am ready to connect with the friends I can ask for connection with the Creator that I'm ready to connect with my friends to that extent I can ask for connection with the Creator. No more than that because more than that is already a Klipa [shell]. According to the measure that I can annul myself towards the friends I can nullify myself towards the Creator. More than that is a Klipa.
Reading Shamati 65 (01:33:51) again
41. R. (01:34:34) It means that it always will be like, that the revealed belongs to us and the concealed belongs to the Creator.
Continuing Reading Shamati 65 (01:34:47)
42. R. (01:39:16) That is why the wisdom of Kabbalah is called the wisdom of concealment. That we need to correct the vessels until we reveal in them this soul. The soul is called NRN it means we reach the vessel of bestowal in its whole form.
43. S. (01:39:43) When we say of the center of the group are you speaking about the Tifferet because in the rest is in between?
R. No, I'm talking about the place, the deficiency in which we all want to be connected as one man with one heart. Although for the time being we cannot depict such a thing because we are in some rejection towards one another, certain calculations towards one another. Eventually we need to discover the center of the 10 and also the center of a Bnei Baruch, the hearts of all Bnei Baruch, meaning the desires of all the Bnei Baruch meaning above all the differences. Then by this way to reveal the Creator filling our hearts then we will be as one man with one heart
44. S. (01:41:20) The request for the Creator to bring his light into our deeds, the request is that part of our deeds of the revealed or is that part of the concealed?
R. The request is a request. Why is the revealed or concealed part? The revealed and the concealed part is what we divide. Their request is our action.
S. So it is revealed, it is on us to do?
R. Yes, I do not understand what you mean.
S. I'm asking you if that is part of our deeds. You said we need to do commandments, connections like Rabash writes and the Creator needs to finish the work and then put the soul in there.
R. Yes, we need to bring forth as much connection as possible and of course we're not capable of any connection. That is why we need to turn to the Creator and to ask him to connect us. Not just to connect but also provide the connection to disclose from within the connection the point to reveal in the connection, his essence.
S. I'm asking because the request in the beginning is not scrutinized. It can't really be that the Creator will put light in our actions, we even forget about and we don't remember him at all. That is why I'm asking, is the request part of our doing?
R. Yes, I don't quite understand the question. Our request needs to be also for the vessel and also for the light that reaches the vessel which is also for the vessel. Our problem is only to be concerned for the vessel. According to the vessels the light is only in absolute rest and fills all of reality and it will be revealed and according to the equivalence of form between the light and the vessel. We just need to pray for the connections, for our correction and the light will fill in with the equivalence of form. You can ask but how will the lights fill them according to the equivalence of form. After all the light only comes in Zivug deHakaa but when we have the right that's how we will have the vessel to carry out those actions.
S. We say that the request has to be clear too, so how can we ask correctly? How is the request upon us if to begin with we cannot as correctly?
R. If we can ask together and try to turn to the Creator as much as we can depict him then our request is correct. That's it. These things need to always be on our level on our degree. The Creator judges a person where he is and not that we have to be angels or something.
45. S. (01:44:45) I heard you say that if the Creator is concealed that is a revelation so how can we really lose our doubts? How will we really know to be in the right intentions when we do our part?
R. By the connection to the group. Alone you can't aim yourself to any place. In order to aim yourself you need several points along the way. To find them, you need the group and if arranged towards the center of it, it is certain that you will get to the Creator.
S. To agree that He is concealed, that is a revelation?
R. It's not a revelation. I don’t know what you mean in this whole philosophy here. We need to lose the doubts. I don't understand why you need to rid yourself of the doubt. We need to do things as much as possible according to what Kabbalists write. If you are a scientist and come with your own intellect, try for the time that you are in the lesson to rid yourself of all of those things. Try to take on the intellect of the author.
S. For sure just might direction is how not to waste the time that we have left in this world
R. Adhere to Him.
46. S. (01:46:43) What does it mean to know the revealed or concealed?
R. What does it mean to know the revealed or concealed? The knowledge that by that I get to know more the ways of the Lord towards the creatures. That is the knowledge that we need to discover. This knowledge gives me the feeling that he is the good that does good. That above all the doubts, above all the will to receive and so on and then to that extent in me in appreciation towards Him and love towards Him is revealed.
47. S. (01:47:46) In our work of connection, our connection is something that we can feel that is the revealed part of our work. What is that concealed that is added to the work? Is that an extra force? What is that extra factor?
R. The concealment comes up in our actions where we want to conceal our will to receive to raise ourselves above it, to connect between us above our individualistic, egoistic will to receive, each one of us. Then in such a way we will be more similar to the Creator.
S. That is what is concealed on our behalf but what is revealed? What didn’t we reveal before? Is something added there?
R. Just as our upper root that made us this way. As much as we suit ourselves, adapt ourselves to him then according to Him that is how we get to know His attitude towards us. The Creator is called 'come and see' Bo re. We cannot reveal more than our qualities.
S. So it turns out that to the extent that we concealed ourselves we reveal the root?
R. Of course. This is called revelation in concealment. Yes. This is the meaning of restriction Masach (screen) and Ohr Hozer, reflected light which are all together the components of concealment. The restrictions, the screen, the reflected light and then according to our adaptation towards the upper light we reveal him.
S. With the concealment is clear I do not think of myself only of the friends and the connection between us but what are those extra actions to reveal the Creator?
R. You need to try to build a vessel that works completely in bestowal. Just like I said again restriction, Masach, Ohr Hozer, reflected light everything that is outwards from m. In the inclination towards me, towards bestowal so that I will resemble the upper one and then to that extent that we are in equivalence with the upper we start to reveal Him. Meaning I don't actually reveal the Creator I reveal come and see, Bo re. Meaning the measure of correction in me.
S. This bestowing the reflected light, the screen that is the Creator? The force of the Creator working? That is what I reveal?
R. Revealing the Creator in these vessels, I do so in equivalence of form. I do not know who he is
in my vessels that are corrected in the restriction screen and reflected light, The, to the measure that I adapt my will to receive after these corrections of the restriction, the screen and reflect the light then in my reflected light I reveal His new form, His new fashion and that is what is called Bo Re. Bo re - come and see.
S. What this action that after restriction, after I restrict my ego and connect with the friends, what is the action called the reflected light and screen
R. That is where I want to adapt myself practically to him. If I did a restriction, the first stage after the restriction is that I want to make an action that is even more progressive towards the Creator.
Meaning to do an act of bestowal. How do I do an act of bestowal? By receiving in order to bestow.
I need to check and develop in me this ability to receive in order to bestow to measure and start to do it. How do I do this? Only between the creators, between the friends and then we can reach the action with the Creator.
48. S. (01:53:17) If we close every state that the Creator operates in and receive everything from Him is this the prayer that is renewed all the time?
R. If you escort your actions with a plea that is a prayer too. A prayer is a request, a plea for forces for understanding, for succeeding in connection. That is a prayer. A plea for help.