Morning Lesson January 02, 2024

Transcription is made from simultaneous translation, which leaves a possibility for differences in the audio.

Part 2:

Baal HaSulam. Introduction to the Book Panim Meirot uMasbirot, Item #21.

Reading Item 21. (00:26) “Now it is thoroughly understood why the…” Twice. 

1. R. (15:59) It is a massive part, yes.

2. S. (16:19) If we are the will to receive, how can we even scrutinize truth and false? We are working with bitter and sweet. Is it even possible to perform such a scrutiny?

R. Nice, yes. Good question.

S. Is there an answer?

R. The whole purpose of creation is for us to start scrutinizing things. Not only bitter and sweet but from truth and false.

S. But inside, I don't have?

R. You will, you will have it. Inside the system will help you discern between true and false. Just as between bitter and sweet.

S. Is that connected, as you said, on behalf of the Yetzira, there was a force scrutiny imprinted in man before the shattering. So, could man discern between truth and false? Or only after the shattering?

R. Before the breaking through the taste.

S. Bitter and sweet?

R. Yes.

S. So, the shattering gives us the ability to scrutinize truth and false? What does it mean that there's a new form that starts sweet and ends bitter? What is that form?

R. False, a lie.

S. And it wasn't there before? Whatever was sweet ended sweet?

R. Because it is sweet. Afterward, once a person gets into it, it becomes revealed as bitter. But it is too late, already.

S. Why did they put this form in there?

R. Otherwise, you will not be able to scrutinize, to distinguish. How would you live, only in sweet? I understand you do not object to that, but without it you won't be able to understand, to feel, to obtain all of creation.

S. So in the end, he writes that we return to the scrutiny of bitter and sweet?

R. Yes, but you already know how to make the correct scrutiny. And how to sort them, and in the end, you turn the bitter into sweet and the false into truth.

S. So now in our work here, right now, how do we relate to bitter and sweet in the work between us? Should we be suspicious about it?

R. Of course, try a little bit.

S. We are trying all the time, but it always grabs you. You do actions with the friends in the Ten or try in the lesson. You do something and then you find that maybe it is sweet, maybe it is pleasant. So, you’re asking, is it right? Or should I start by staying away from the sweet and preferring the bitter?

R. In other words, you still do not have a system for scrutinizing.

S. I know in my mind. We say sit, make efforts in the Ten, connect, pray. But it is not always that truth, it doesn't always clothe. Sometimes it clothes on the sweet, sometimes on the bitter. That is what is confusing, right now.

R. That is the intention of the Kabbalist. Present the material in such a way that you will be confused; and afterwards, you will be able to sort out.

S. Our aspiration in the work is to get the force to sort out, to discern? Or do I just want to be able to work correctly?

R. You will be ready to reveal the work.

S. I want to receive a place to work. But also, to be able to recognize it, to understand it.

R. Yes.

S. Not just to be confused about bitter and sweet but to recognize the truth, too?

R. Yes.

3. R. (21:12) Let us continue. It is clear to us that we are not done with it but let us continue.

Reading Item 22. (21:25-35:59) “Now we understand the words of our sages…”