Afternoon Lesson November 28, 2023, Transcription
Transcription is made from simultaneous translation which leaves a possibility for differences in the audio.
Baal HaSulam. Shamati 13. A Pomegranate
Reading Article. (00:43) “A pomegranate, he said, implies...” Twice.
1. Rav Reading: (04:56) A pomegranate Baal HaSulam said implies to what our sage said, “Even the vein ones among you are filled with Mitzvot like a pomegranate.” He said Rimon [pomegranate] comes from the word Romemut [exaltedness] which is above reason. And the meaning will be that “The vain among you are filled with Mitzvot.” The measure of the filling is the extent to which one can go above reason and this is called Romemut. There is emptiness only in a place where there's no existence. You find that what is the measure of the feeling of the empty place? The answer is the extent to which one raises himself above reason.
This means that the emptiness should be filled with exaltedness, meaning with above reason, and to ask of the Creator to give him that strength. This to rise more and more above the measure of the fulfillment of the empty place. This will mean that all the emptiness was created, meaning it comes to a person to feel this way, that he is empty, only in order to fill that place that feeling with the Romemut of The Creator. In other words, one has to take everything above reason. This is the meaning of the verse, “God has made it that He will be feared.” This means this comes to a person, these thoughts of emptiness in order for one to have a need to take
upon himself faith above reason. Meaning why do we feel emptiness? Only in order to fill it right away this feeling of emptiness with the feeling of faith above reason. And for this, we need the help of the Creator. It follows that at that time one must ask the Creator to give him the power to believe above reason.
It turns out that it is precisely then that one needs the Creator to help him since the exterior mind lets a person understand the opposite. Hence at that time, one has no other choice but to ask the Creator to help him. It is said about this, “One's desire overcomes him every day; and were it not for the Creator he would not overcome it.” It’s only the Creator that can help him come out of that state of emptiness. It follows that only then is the state when one understands that no one will help him but the Creator. And this as it is written, “God has made it that he will be feared.” The matter of fear is discerned as faith, and only then is one in need of the salvation of the Creator.
2. S. (09:14) If we will try to organize this picture of emptiness?
R. The emptiness we feel, we feel we don't have, don’t have any connection with anything and there is nothing to fill ourselves up with.
S. What from here on?
R. From there we need to turn to the Creator to ask of him to shine to us on this emptiness, the emptiness is an empty vessel that only the presence of the Creator can fill up. Meaning in such a form this feeling of emptiness that the Creator opens up for us a vessel for the revelation of the Creator, for his presence for his fulfillment. Specifically, this feeling is very important, and we don't need to turn into despair or depression and to also empty the spirit states, but the opposite. By the Creator opening, making for us this empty place he makes space for his honor, for himself and this is what we shouldn't forget and right away we need to try to use it.
3. S. (11:18) Why do we need fear in order to reach faith in the Creator?
R. In other words, how can we invite the light of faith for it to shine on that empty place of ours?
The Creator builds in us an empty place, the vessels and we need to be concerned for him to fill that with himself with his presence. That's what's happening. So he does half of the work he makes an empty place and we feel that we are empty and that we don't have anything as if we are truly in a state that we are lacking something, that we don't have it we are empty and that's all in order to understand that this comes to us from the Creator and he wants that we will demand His revelation in us.
4. S. (13:05) That point in which a person simply feels his emptiness from the inside he is like an unrecognized screen from inside of him towards the Creator and he asks the Creator and raises the request to the Creator. How can you turn it into a conscious turn to the Creator?
R. Speaking of a person needing to constantly look for connection with the Creator, even in those states in which there is no Creator he needs to try to find him, to ask him, for the Creator to get revealed to him and to fill up that emptiness. The Creator on purpose is creating such feelings in us so that we will demand Him his revelation.
S. Meaning simply God’s side to be revealed?
R. Yes, yes.
5. S. (14:38) From what does the feeling of emptiness stem?
R. From the Creator, creating in us a new vessel for it to be revealed afterward, but that for the time being he's not revealed so then we feel ourselves empty.
S. Is it referring to any feeling of emptiness or is it a discerned feeling of emptiness that it is from a lack of connection with the Creator?
R. It is possible to say every feeling of emptiness, that every feeling of emptiness will ask for the revelation of the Creator for it to fulfill him.
S. And if a person is connected with the Creator never feels emptiness?
R. Of course, he feels it only as if it's from degree to degree from state to state.
S. So through each feeling of emptiness that is of lack of connection with the Creator, let's say, that every feeling of emptiness?
R. Okay, nonetheless, you need to turn to the Creator and ask.
S. How not to come into depression, despair this feeling of emptiness?
R. You shouldn't forget that in this state of emptiness, you receive it from the Creator and that he's doing it on purpose so that you will demand Him.
S. What to demand from the Creator when you are feeling emptiness?
R. For him to get revealed in that empty place, he himself created that empty place, he restricted it, went away from it, created it through all sorts of actions so that you feel that you have a place to reveal the Creator, and then you turn to the Creator, and you ask of him to get revealed.
S. So, I demand from him a feeling of a change of the feeling of emptiness within me?
R. Yes.
6. S. (17:03) The place of emptiness is filled with faith and the person demands from the Creator filling a need that it will be filled with faith, this empty place, so now whatever was faith above reason is turning to become knowledge?
R. Well, yes.
S. And as it goes on, it goes bad. Can we make sure that it will not turn bad and stay as faith in the Creator?
R. Demand more and more the revelation of the Creator, is that clear?
7. S. (18:02) A person, or we feel a feeling of emptiness and then we are reminded of what we heard in the lesson, or what we had from the Rav, which is basically, a feeling of emptiness is an invitation from the Creator. That we will feel this deficiency and then we feel as if that this is true that is his intention, but our intention is to run away from this feeling. What is the advice to do in such a case, do we nevertheless invite him?
R. Yes, yes.
8. S. (18:45) How do we receive the empty space with the disappointment and the loss of interest in the material thing?
R. Yes, so?
S. We are disappointed in the corporeal things, so how do we receive this place of this emptiness that it is aimed correctly?
R. We don't have experience, I simply feel that my life is empty, but I cannot fill it up with anything. Why am I alive for what? What goal and what connection? I don't have anything to fill myself with and that's what we feel.
9. S. (20:31) Is this empty space, could be from lack of good deeds from lack of connection with the friends and only the Creator can help?
R. Of course, of course, this result can also be from the lack of work of the correct work on the side of a person, but however, it will be we need to ascribe it to the Creator, from him inviting us to invite Him to fill up that empty space.
10. S. (21:21) It turns out that the person needs to develop in him some sort of sensitivity which is unique for the emptiness, some sort of lack of patience to it.
R. Yes, yes that's every minute of our lives we check ourselves. What did we spend it on in closeness with the friends, with the Creator, what did we attain, and what are we trying to attain? If we direct ourselves in such a way, then we will always have a clear representation of how the Creator is working in us. Especially when he creates in us emptiness which he invites us to fill up with Him.
S. So there is no neutral state?
R. No, no.
S. So this neutral state which I want to live in now, there is no such thing. It should be either in acceleration or?
R. Yes.
11. S. (23:02) Are there different degrees of emptiness?
R. Of course.
S. And does it come according to the state that the person was before that?
R. This comes from calculations that are above us.
S. That means that each fall is not from the same high place?
R. It is not your matter, meaning it all comes from the Creator all these spaces come from the Creator.
S. So it's not one against the other as we study?
R. It's not worthwhile now to start clarifying these things and get confused.
12. S. (24:00) How do we avoid the external thought that wants to establish the measure of fulfillment?
R. First of all, to be connected with the friends and all of the time to think about the purpose of life and how we attain it through the Creator.
13. S. (25:01) You said there are different levels of emptiness. So, my question is, might there be an emptiness where we feel that the only, that what we have to do is feel it with an increased faith?
R. Yes, yes of course. That's the answer for the feeling of emptiness, the most correct one.
14. S. (25:56) Is emptiness a state of meaninglessness and dissatisfaction within us, and can we say that in this empty space, there's a longing for the Reshimot?
R. That's correct that's a part of the Reshimot.
15. S. (26:50) The state of emptiness is that an indication of some sort of a spiritual degree?
R. Yes.
S. The ascent of faith above reason does it always come from the state of emptiness?
R. Yes.
S. In our actions when that happens is it always one-to-one with the Creator or is it with the Ten. How does that happen?
R. With the Ten and the Creator.
S. So we're going with this, that to the Ten?
R. Yes.
16. S. (27:42) So, in essence, we need to come to the Creator with the request, not that he will fill our vessels of reception but that he will allow us to identify with Him?
R. That's not important, how you will clarify your request, your prayer, but the main thing is to turn to the Creator with the request, and gradually the request will receive a new form.
17. S. (28:10) You said that the Creator clears an empty space for him and immediately uses it. In the Ten, for example, I have emptiness and I don't know if my friends have the same emptiness is it correct that I go into the Ten with a prayer to the Creator to fill this place?
R. Correct.
18. S. (28:49) A pomegranate is a very strong fruit, can we say that it is like an example that when we are in the Ten, in the group, the Creator will always help us?
R. That's correct.
19. S. (29:17) In the article it speaks about the exaltedness that fills the empty space between us and the empty space, the emptiness is felt now as the greatness of the friends and we see in us there is something new that has opened up and it is felt like some sort of a reward. Is that the revelation of the Creator?
R. Not yet, not yet but continue.
20. S. (30:04) The emptiness you need to be awarded it because you usually thank the Creator, or you are upset with him. There is no state that you are not in him. The emptiness will not let us feel it.
R. Let's say so, start working from that.
S. Does it come to me personally or can I only feel it through the Ten?
R. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how.
21. S. (31:10) Is it correct that we need to come to a constant prayer to the Creator and gratitude that he gives us these states of emptiness so that we can fill it with love? Is this the constant eternal prayer?
R. Yes.
22. S. (31:36) States in which you don't know where to go, you don't know what to do next, how to do work. It’s as if you’re standing in, is this the place of emptiness?
R. Ask the Creator all the time, ask.
S. And this cry that he will reveal, it is a request that he will be revealed. I heard from the friends we are not asking for the revelation of the Creator, but that we need to work in each state and not to ask for his revelation. So, do we need to ask for his revelation or not, and how is he revealed?
R. Ask him to get revealed, yes.
23. S. (32:38) In this space that appears in the work is it like a sensor that needs to reach certain discernments to make intentions so why am I doing it?
R. You are doing it in order to turn to The Creator with prayer. Is it clear?
24. S. (33:11) You already answered that the state of emptiness is given to us to turn to the Creator but the feeling itself do we do something with it, maybe we need to run away from it, or thank for it, or are we incapable of influencing it?
R. Try to turn to the Creator.
S. And he will tell us what to do?
R. And he will tell you what to do.
25. S. (33:47) What does it mean that the Creator fills up this emptiness?
R. He gives you some sort of answers.
S. He needs to fill up any emptiness that a person feels?
R. Whatever you are asking, where you are looking for an answer from Him.
S. Here there is this very simple connection that I have this emptiness and He needs to fill it up. How do we turn to Him correctly so he will fill it up correctly?
R. Well what we are reading is what we need to do. Ask Him to be revealed in this emptiness that he created initially in advance, you feel it and you are asking Him to be revealed in it.
S. It turns out here as if he's a servant to my desires?
R. So what's the problem, what's the problem? You are asking him to be revealed in this emptiness in order to give him contentment.
S. So that addition brings him contentment?
R. Of course.
S. How do I need to feel that request?
R. This is not a question from me about how to feel, the more you practice it the more you will reveal your feelings.
26. S. (35:36) We have the same question and before the lesson, there was this huge emptiness and we asked in this lesson for the Creator to fit it up and we want to clarify. Is there a specific desire that the Creator needs to fill up with the friends, but now you answered to Kyiv, we need to listen to it again, that we need to search for these unfulfilled emptiness’s within ourselves, or what is the most important thing that we need to ask for?
R. Yes, yes you are correct look inside of you for the emptiness.
27. S. (36:23) Can we say that if I ignore this feeling of emptiness and I don't describe it to the Creator, then the Creator sends a more difficult state, a descent, and then we need to raise the sensitivity of this feeling?
R. Yes.
28. S. (36:50) In order to fill, in order to complete the question from Kyiv, who feels that emptiness because we feel something when we justify it? So how do I clarify that there is no space, an empty space in spirituality?
R. No, here we are saying that there is a space, and that the Creator is making it in order for us to ask from Him to fill this emptiness, this open space.
29. S. (37:37) Is it correct to say that my perception of the filling is that There Is None Else Besides Him, gratitude, joy, and all of the above, even the prayer is the filling?
R. It is correct, but at the same time no. On the side of the person and on the side of the Creator it is not the end of the road.
30. S. (38:25) Can we count that feeling of emptiness as a sort of litmus test where I test my connection with the friends, is it so?
R. No, here we need to aim ourselves only to the Creator and only to rely on that.
31. S. (38:57) To fill up the emptiness with faith above reason. Faith above reason is after all our bestowal. Does it mean that this feeling of emptiness in us is the feeling of the bestowing vessels?
R. It does not say yet, but it is on the way to, on the way.
32. S. (39:26) In previous lessons we talked about the Shechina the Divinity in exile, in the dust, these feelings of emptiness, are they different?
R. Yes, these are different. states.
33. S. (39:53) That place full of evil, that is the empty place?
R. Yes.
S. What does it mean to fill up the place with the Creator? How is it done?
R. That the Creator will be revealed in.
S. If I see around me there is a war?
R. No, no, you still don't see it.
S. I see the friends arguing, I see the place full of evil. How do I need to get it corrected and direct that place in faith above reason? How do I depict the Creator to get revealed there?
R. Search, search I will not give you any hints.
34. S. (40:46) Is the feeling of emptiness given to a person as preparation for the work of restriction and the intention for everything to be for the Creator's benefit?
R. Yes.
S. So when we ask for the Creator to be revealed from that emptiness and for him to fill up the space, is that the feeling of the force of the restriction?
R. Yes.
S. So is it more correct to ask for a restriction on what we feel from to get revealed and to fill it up?
R. Yes, but the restriction is not the goal of creation. The goal of creation is that we will feel the Creator, and we will feel the state with the Creator, that we are connected together and adhered together.
S. Yes, my question is simply to ask the Creator for fulfillment, and revelation. It's as if there needs to be something in the middle before we ask for that. That will, first of all, restrict the feeling and work with what he's giving us as the revelation is the result after all.
R. Yes, yes.
S. So we feel emptiness, it means that he giving us an awakening from above if we already feel this emptiness?
R. Yes, of course, the Creator gives us an awakening.
S. The goal is to reach this awakening from below, that we will identify in action that we are always in emptiness and then if we are not fulfilled with the Creator it is emptiness?
R. Then that is your reaction: yes, the Creator is always first.
35. S. (42:42) That feeling of emptiness we can turn to the Creator with the intellect because there's this feeling that there is no emotional appeal there?
R. You could turn from your knowledge, from your brain with reason?
S. What will help in that moment to reach those thoughts?
R. Desire.
36. S. (43:21) When we rise above the reason we are in another state: How do we feel the feeling above reason?
R. How do we feel? If we are entering the same state, then we feel the fulfillment.
37. S. (43:60) Do I understand correctly that before the emptiness we had questions to the Creator and before the answer he creates the emptiness and, in that emptiness, we need to feel that the Creator is inviting us to have this conversation with him?
R. Yes.
S. And in this way, we will enter into a dialogue with him?
R. Yes.
S. And the emptiness is the renewal of the state?
R. There are all sorts of states in emptiness.
38. S. (44:42) Throughout the lesson, when we are with you a lot of empty vessels appear in front of you, our question is, can we use this as the raising of MAN?
R. Yes.
S. Does it matter if this empty vessel is out of what a person feels or if it is in the general Kli with the Creator does it make a difference?
R. No.
39. S. (45:14) The empty space is that the egoistic vessel that was replaced with the Creator?
R. Well let's say that it is like so, let's presume so, it will change many times.
40. S. (45:40) What to do when a person doesn't have pleasures from corporeality but also doesn't have any pleasure from spirituality from connection, how do we deal with the intermediary state?
R. Try even artificially to awaken inside of you a deficiency for spirituality, for spiritual pleasures.
41. S. (46:21) Is there a difference between the feeling of emptiness and the feeling of darkness or is it the same thing?
R. They are out of the same type.
42. S. (46:41) Is that empty place the place where I don't succeed in building the right connection, the right connection with the others?
R. Yes.
43. S. (47:00) If you can help us to clarify if we are not uniting in the Ten truly and then emptiness gets revealed, and we have to awaken as the Creator gives us a greater revelation of ego do I understand correctly?
R. Yes, correct.
44. S. (47:26) How can I help a close one who is suffering and feels an emptiness in life? What can we do in order to help him to overcome it?
R. Only psychology, only psychology. Turn to a psychologist.
45. S. (48:00) What to do if a friend in our Ten for a long time is feeling empty?
R. We need to take care of him. We need to take care of him. First, find out what is the cause for the feeling of emptiness and then we can go against it and work on him. Second, we need to drag this friend in whichever Ten it is to do all sorts of actions. We need to do something with him.
S. The emptiness of a friend is it something that he takes care of, or is it the Ten that takes care of it? Who takes care of the emptiness?
R. In essence, it's both him and the Ten. Both he and the Ten, but the Ten for sure needs to do it, and he to whatever extent he can to do it alone.
S. And where does the Creator enter into this whole treatment?
R. The Creator is in the middle; he is organizing all of these conditions that we need to use everything that is in us in order to come out from these negative conditions to transition to positive conditions, that's what we need to do.
S. What does a Ten need to do in order to succeed in identifying the emptiness of a friend and take care of it?
R. The Ten need to recognize the state and to talk between them outside that friend and to talk about what can they help. Because each and every one in it must not be distant, each and everyone needs to see which role he can fill.
S. It's clear, and is there such a thing that there is an emptiness that the Ten cannot fulfill or it can fulfill every emptiness?
R. No, there is no such state, if he does not feel the emptiness then it is a sign that it cannot not work.
S. The emptiness is for the friend or the Ten?
R. More to the Ten.
46. S. (51:04) To ask of him to get revealed in that emptiness that he made, but that's the whole problem when he feels this, he's incapable of ascribing it to the Creator, or to himself there is a certain shame for what he did. He can't ask the Creator so what is the first action of the person out of that situation of feeling empty?
R. To read these articles a few times and the next article in Shamati which is what is the exaltedness of the Creator and at least in something to try to uphold what is talked about, what he's being told about, and to talk about it with the friends.
47. S. (52:16) When I feel emptiness in that moment where is the group? The group is this opportunity to receive fulfillment from the Creator and an opportunity to hear his answer?
R. Yes.
48. S. (52:44) Can we define emptiness as a deficiency without a deficiency, meaning a person feels what he is lacking but he cannot exactly define his deficiency, he doesn't have the intention? Can we define it like that as a deficiency without a deficiency?
R. Correct.
49. S. (53:15) How do I invert the emptiness into the love of friends?
R. You do together with them and action to feel the emptiness and then you, by that, come to love of friends.
50. S. (53:34) You asked the Creator to fill up the emptiness for him to answer, and he gives an answer, and you understand that he gives an answer, but your ego says no, I don't agree. How in that situation what do we do?
R. You need to step a little bit more on your ego in order to agree with your group.
S. But it's like that same question that you ask Rav, you ask Rav, and he answers you and you cannot agree to it, how do I ask the Creator for him to give that inner agreement for me to step on myself?
R. Write down the answer that is not to your liking or you don't understand it, then turn to the group and turn to the Creator until you solve this problem. That means until you agree with this question and then you will have a clear image of what the Creator is giving you.
S. Did you always agree with what Rabash told you?
R. This will stay between us.
51. S. (55:12) Is spiritual pleasure, pleasure derived from us loving?
R. Yes, yes, it is correct. The spiritual pleasure is a pleasure from love.
52. S. (56:01) Do I understand correctly that there are two levels of emptiness: there's a psychological emptiness when something in life is not working out there's a certain problem and then there's also a spiritual level where we truly feel spiritual emptiness? Is there such a difference? Is there a distinction, it seems to me that there are two levels: the psychological emptiness where when something in life is not working out for us, a certain problem and we feel empty, something is lacking, and there's also the spiritual level of emptiness that these are two different levels?
R. Yes and then what is the question in essence?
S. The question is can the decision on one level bring out another level? Let's say, I have an emptiness that I have certain problems in life but I am working spiritually in the Ten, and as a result of that, that emptiness also gets resolved, or the opposite, or do we need to resolve it on two levels like when we are working with the body and there's sickness and we act not just spiritually but we also turn to the doctor and we heal the body and at the same time, we work spiritually as well. So, we resolve the problem on all these levels? What's the connection between these levels?
R. In principle, we reveal more and more that these two levels are connected between them. They are connected between.
53. S. (58:31) When I want to ask a question I get an answer from the question right away from the friends, through you and there's this joy that I want to thank you and the friends for the questions and to the Creator for this dialogue with him thank you very much.
R. Well done. In principle all those who ask questions need later on to dig into them and find the answers, because in principle to all the questions that my students have, I give answers. Not the ones that we discern and scrutinize here through the internet, but those who are already around our common vessel.
54. R. (59:39) Thank you all the best until tomorrow.