The transcript has been transcribed and edited from English simultaneous interpretation, thus there may be potential semantic inaccuracies within it.
Daily Lesson (Morning) July 22, 2024.
Part 1: Baal HaSulam. Letter 7.
Reader: Hello, we're reading in the writings of Baal HaSulam, Letter number seven. Again, you can find the study materials in the Sviva Tova and Arvut websites. You can also send us questions live through our websites. Anyone asking a question here in the study hall is asked to stand up, hold the microphone close to his mouth and speak loud and clear.
Reading: (00:30) Letter 7.
To my friend, my heart and my point, the glory of his name is my glory, may his candle burn and shine for all eternity, Amen, may it be so:
Since the ninth of Elul [last month in the Hebrew calendar] to the second day of Hanukkah, some four months, I have been anticipating the joy of your written word. But in the end, a long letter is lying before me, full of poetic phrases and intimations that no one understands, like the dust that a fox lifts up when it walks in a tilled field. What fault have you found in me to make me unworthy of knowing anything about your states, although you know how much I care about them?
I am also surprised that you did not pay attention to what we said, that you would not write me anything that is covered with poetic phrases, in which I flee endlessly, so much so that I cannot find you in even one of them.
I ask of you, for God’s sake, that from now on, when you write me some information, write with care and make certain you interpret it simply, as a person speaks to his friend, who is not a prophet, making certain he will not stray or even contemplate, nor note the eloquence, but rather the ease of explanation. And most important, not to mix in his words poetic phrases or intimations, for there is no fear of any foreign eyes... and in my house there is no entry to foreigners.
When you write me innovations in the Torah, clarify them to me without any names or Partzufim that are common in the books, but in ordinary people’s terms. For myself, I also take notice to explain my points in ordinary language, and it falls under my senses in complete simplicity, through and through, for it is a near and true way to clarify something to the fullest.
While I clothe the matters in the names of the books, at that time appears in me the desire to know the thoughts of the books, so my mind strays from the goal of my way, and this I have tried and tested. Moreover, when I obtain some direction in the poetic phrases in the books for my way, the joy even increases to mingle falsehood with truth.
Therefore, when I come to scrutinize something that I must, I keep myself carefully from looking in books both before and after. And it is likewise in writing; I do not use poetic phrases with them, so as to always be ready in purity to find a word of truth with admixtures or assistance from something external to it. Only then does the palate taste...
Yehuda Leib
M. Laitman: I have nothing to add. Just to be impressed by the language, by how he relates to his student. Let's continue. There's another letter, right?
Reader: (06:04) Now we will read letter 12. In Hebrew, it's page 699 in “The Writings of Baal HaSulam, Letter 12.”
Reading: (06:15) Letter 12
To the honorable students, may the Lord be upon them.
... You must grow stronger in what concerns our prime wish. You know what I interpreted about the verse, “And the Lord your God will bless you in all that you will do.” The lower man must do everything that he can do, and only then is there room for instilling the blessing. However, it is folly to think that this makes the Creator obliged to instill the blessing precisely in the place of one’s work.
On the contrary, for the most part, the work is in one place and the blessing is in another, in such a place where the person did not work at all, since he did not know or could not do anything there for his part. In the real blessing, it is an unbreakable law, and this is the meaning of the finding, as in “I labored and found,” and I have already elaborated on that.
As for me, I enjoy my labor; hence, “They who seek the Lord will not lack abundance,” and it is written, “My salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.” But what I ask most of all is that you brace yourselves and be strong, and the Creator will be with you. Do speak to the sagging friends to join us, and foreign fears will depart from them, and if they make the house vacant, there will be room for idols. Do not fear the blaze of the swirling sword on the way of the tree of life.
And if you wish to know, I will inform you that I do not find myself far from you at all, and one who feels remoteness, it is because of himself.
There is no more news.
The words of the one who longs to unite with you in complete union...
Yehuda Leib
M. Laitman: What else will we do?
Reader: Maybe the friends have questions?
M. Laitman: Yes, but what is there to ask about? Please, anyone who wants to say anything about these letters?
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (10:08) In the introduction to TES, we say that because of the longing for, in item 155, because of longing for what we read in the book, it awakens the surrounding lights. Here it says, tells him not to look at the book and to describe whatever, something that he sees, with simple words. So, what does he look at, and what should he describe? From where does he study?
M. Laitman: I don't know. I have no way of knowing from here.
Reader: (10:55) So, we'll move on to the next part, if there are no questions? Okay, quick transition, and we'll move on to the next part.