While he was imparted the desire and thought to at least occasionally do holy work, even in the simplest possible way, if one can appreciate the importance of this, according to the importance one attributes to the holy work, to that extent he should give praise and thanks for it (Baal HaSulam, Shamati 26, “One’s Future Depends and Is Tied to Gratitude for the Past”).
Question: It seemed to me that the convention was conducted on a much lighter note compared to previous ones. It felt like we didn’t exert ourselves as much; there weren’t deep clarifications during the lessons, although from the first moments, a pressure from above was felt.
After the convention, a dense cloud of pleasure descended upon us. It’s unclear whether we deserved it or if it’s an advance that still needs to be earned.
Answer: No, you don’t need to “earn” it; you deserved it. You made a great effort to come, and it wasn’t easy to physically get here. Therefore, all of this was well earned by you.
I am confident that we will begin to better understand our mutual connection and ascend higher and higher on the rungs of the ladder leading upward.
Question: In fact, I want to express deep gratitude for such a powerful convention. Can this gratitude be strengthened by analyzing everything we’ve gone through, or does it come naturally through feelings?
Answer: I believe it is gratitude for the past, present, and future. Baal HaSulam writes that a person says to the Creator, “I thank You for all Your mercy toward me,” meaning for the past. And thanks to this, they can immediately say with confidence, “And for all that You will do for me in the future!”
In other words, a person is grateful to the Creator for everything He has done for them in the past, and for everything He will continue to do from this moment onward. There is no doubt that we will feel the Creator’s benevolent attitude toward us.
[334771]
From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 9/14/24, “Continuing the Congress with an Ascent”
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