The transcript has been transcribed and edited from English simultaneous interpretation, thus there may be potential semantic inaccuracies within it.
Daily Lesson (Morning) December 1, 2024.
Part 2: On the Verge of Lishma - Selected Excerpts from the Sources. #15.
Reader: We are reading selected excerpts on the topic of “ On the Verge of Lishma”. We are in item fifteen. From Baal HaSulam.
15. Baal HaSulam, "The Arvut" [Mutual Guarantee, Item 22 Twice
Reading: (00:20) The impression that comes to a person when engaging in Mitzvot between man and the Creator is completely the same as the impression he gets when engaging in Mitzvot between man and man, since one is obliged to perform all the Mitzvot Lishma [for Her sake], without any hope for self-love, meaning that no light or hope returns to him through his trouble in the form of reward or honor, etc. Here, at this exalted point, the love of the Creator and the love of his friend unite and actually become one.
Reader: (01:25) Again, Item 15
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (02:43) It says here, the impression that comes to a person when engaging in Mitzvot between man and the Creator is completely the same as the impression he gets when engaging in Mitzvot between man and man. Is this about the state of Lishma or Lo Lishma?
M. Laitman: It doesn't matter. You see, he doesn't write it.
Student: Meaning, the impression needs to be in Lo Lishma, as well?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (03:21) What is one's fuel to work if he has no reward, or honor, or anything?
M. Laitman: But he has a sensation of impression that comes from the commandments between man and the Creator, which is exactly the same as the impression from the commandments between man and man. So?
Student: Then he says that all the Mitzvot should be done Lishma without any hope for reward, or honor, or anything.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So this impression compensates for all the other rewards?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, he lives from this impression, from the inspiration?
M. Laitman: He lives from this inspiration. Okay. All right, go on.
16. Maimonides, Mishneh Torah
Reading: (04:27) “Our sages said: ‘One should always engage in Torah, even if Lo Lishma [not for Her sake], since from Lo Lishma he comes to Lishma [for Her sake].’ Therefore, when teaching the young, the women, and the uneducated, they are taught to work only out of fear and to receive reward. Until they accumulate knowledge and gain wisdom, they are told that secret bit by bit, and are accustomed to that matter with ease until they attain Him and know Him and serve Him out of love.”
M. Laitman: Yes?
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (05:35) Why does rejecting the reward and there's no hope for something in return leads to love? What's the condition for this rejection to lead to connection? It could also be just a mechanical action. I just reject whatever comes to me?
M. Laitman: No, that's impossible.
Student: Why not?
M. Laitman: Before he performs a mechanical action, he has to perform an action in the desire.
Student: How do you develop love beyond the action?
M. Laitman: Through gifts
Student: To give gifts?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (07:04) Also in the previous he was speaking about The Last Generations, the big the small. Here he mentioned people that are in Lo Lishma they work from fear and reward. And people that work from love can work 110, these obvious approaches, right?
M. Laitman: Why not?
Student: So what does it mean that you reveal this gradually because their could be a state in the Ten that some reveal this approach to quick and it will cause damage?
M. Laitman: No, it won’t cause any harm. In short we need to see. We need to see to what extent your actions, your speech can be of help.
Student: What approach can connect a few approaches in one Ten without them falling apart?
M.Laitman: Mutual bestow, mutual influence between everyone.
Student: So there’s work on both sides to hold onto what? Mutual bestowal?
M. Laitman: Alright?continue.
17. Mishnah, Masechet Avot, 6:1
Reader: (08:44) Rabbi Meir says, “Whoever engages Torah for Her sake is rewarded with many things. Moreover, he merits the whole world. He is called friend, beloved, he loves the Creator, loves the people, delights the Creator, delights the people. It [the Torah] dresses him with humility and fear, and qualifies him to be righteous, pious [hassid], honest, and faithful. It drives him away from sin, and closer to merit. Counsel and sound wisdom, understanding and might benefit from him, as was said, ‘Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.’ It gives him kingship, rulership, sharpness in judgment, and the secrets of the Torah are revealed to him. He becomes as an ever-flowing spring, as a river that never ceases. He is humble, patient, forgiving an insult, and it raises and elevates him above all the actions.”