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 3: The Spiritual Power Of A Physical Gathering

Reader: Hello, we are going to be reading from a document with select excerpts from the sources on the topic: The Spiritual Power Of A Physical Gathering, Excerpt Number One.

Reading: (00:17) Shem MiShmuel, Portion Haazinu

The beginning of the correction of gathering and assembling people to serve the Creator, which started with Abraham and his descendants. Abraham would roam and call out the name of the Creator until a great community gathered unto him, who were called “the people of the house of Abraham.” Thus, the matter grew until it became the assembly of the congregation of Israel. In the future, the end of correction will be when all become one bundle to do the Creator’s will wholeheartedly.

M. Laitman: Any questions? Let's keep going. 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:28) This topic, the spiritual power of physical gathering. I want to ask, what power is there in a physical gathering relative to a virtual gathering? 

M. Laitman: I don't know. I don't know how to scrutinize it. I don't know how to weigh one against the other. No answer. For sure that a physical gathering is more on behalf of a gathering, and it's a benefit but it could be that a virtual gathering could be even more powerful than a physical gathering. Let's see, maybe he adds something. 

Student: So I didn't understand. What's special about the physical gathering is different from virtual gathering? 

M. Laitman: There's common influence by each one on the other ones. 

Student: Why am I asking? Because I remember that during the time of the COVID, when we were all at home, you said that the virtual space is kind of a means between corporeal and spiritual, and we can attain a lot. So much so that there was a feeling like, that's it, that's our new reality. Each in his corner but with that we're connecting on a spiritual layer. 

M. Laitman: Yes.

Student: And then we came back to our physical form, and again, it's received its kind of importance. So, I'm trying to understand, what is it, a matter of times? 

M. Laitman: It's a matter of the time, yes.

Student: Today, in our period, if there is an opportunity for a physical gathering, is it correct and more important, or not? 

M. Laitman: Yes, of course, a physical gathering is much more important than a virtual one. 

Student: What is there in the physical gathering that I can attain much more spiritual power than in a virtual gathering? 

M. Laitman: Bestowal. Each one on everyone else, bestowal, influence, that's what I see. That's still, but on the other half, we have to keep awakening ourselves and to try to come closer. And not just, don't just follow your eyes. 

Student: This generation is much more virtual, it looks like people, it's much easier for them on that realm than on the physical level.

M. Laitman: Yes.

Student: So, I'm asking, can't you work virtually, meaning, to reach such powers like this mutual bestowal like in physical?

M. Laitman: We see that even though people study all over the earth but still they have a need to come into connection. And not only once, every so often to come to physical gathering. 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (05:20) Each time we look at the situation from a different state that we're in, and we discern it. We kind of take different angles and impressions. So, if I look backwards towards the period of the COVID time, in that time it felt like a great advancement and there was this sensation that the whole world Kli, all of us, are equals. We're on the screen, we're blocks on the screen, whether we were in a group in the world, everyone was equals. You also turned to Tens, you didn't talk to individuals, you would say, you're calling upon the groups. And there was a sensation that was very powerful of equality, and we're all one that was the feeling. And after COVID, now the center moved here to Petah Tikva. The world Kli asks questions only after people ask here and it creates the sensation of inequality in the whole world, that's kind of a feeling. The question is whether in the given state, the current state right now, there's people that are sitting at home and not here physically. The question is whether this division that was created, that are some like this and some like that, whether that's a thing that is correct? Or it is preferable to be either this way or that way. 

M. Laitman: You have to work into a direction that there won't be division. 

Student: Where we'll be unified? 

M. Laitman: That everyone will feel connection through the Tens into one world Ten.

Student: Like the time of the COVID for that feeling, that's the direction? 

M. Laitman: Yes, yes.

Student: So, the format today is less good that we're in right now? 

M. Laitman: It's not less, but we're not ready for such a format to do now, to connect as one Ten.

Student: So, this format will be correct when an inner need arises in us for that state? For us to feel that, at the moment we don't feel that, yet? 

M. Laitman: Yes, I really hope that that's what's going to be soon. 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (07:54) Can we say that physically or virtually, it's more beneficial according to this type of person? Or it's decided that physical is better than virtual for everyone?

M. Laitman: We see that Kabbalists still take that more into consideration. That physical is better, okay? 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (08:30) I remember when we came back from the COVID time, it was not a return, there was resistance. I remember that myself, we didn't want a return, kind of. There were all kinds of reasons, excuses why. But inevitably, it was felt as something that was very correct to do. So, is that simple measure a right one to do? What you usually don't want to do, the world to receive doesn't want. So, it's a sign that it's something that's correct to do? 

M. Laitman: Could be, yes. 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (09:12) What is spiritual power? 

M. Laitman: Spiritual power, a force that draws a person to implement the correction of creation. 

Student: Not too long ago, you told us that our uniqueness is that we know how to be flexible in every single state. No matter what state the Creator brings us, we know how to be flexible and to be worthy from that state. So, I'm asking a question, we're in a certain state right now. How do we actually raise our forces every single moment, virtually, physically, no matter what? After all, we're talking here about a feeling, I feel that we're not as one; I feel that there's a difference between this and that one. Where here is our correction in our common effort where no matter what we receive from the Creator, we feel like we are all as one and it doesn't matter what we'll be.

M. Laitman: You're right. 

Student: But with that being just, as they say outside, you can't go to the store with that, you can't bank on it. I don't want to confuse my mind every day, virtually, physically, I really want to feel that we are all in the same direction towards the goal. That we really want to connect and it doesn't matter if the friend is now on the small screen here on my cell phone that I see around the table or that we're here sitting next to each other. What are we missing to truly feel between us that we are all in the same direction? That we want, all of us, the same goal and one desire? 

M. Laitman: We're lacking seriousness. 

Student: What does it mean, seriousness because you said right now a very important word. Because also yesterday we had a discussion about this; what is this seriousness? 

M. Laitman: Seriousness that we'll be able to understand that our whole future, our good future, only depends on connection. 

Student: I'll say a word here that you said it more than once, soul devotion. Each and every one of us has to come every single day, anew, to gather his forces. Not for himself but for the friends; that's what we say every day in a new way. What do we need to ask from the Creator? What prayer do we need to ask from the Creator, so that He will give us that common force so we won't have excuses every day, ahh like this and like that, but rather for us to truly. I'll give you an example. We probably talk about this in many circumstances, friends, I can wake up three times a week for the lesson. And you see that friends don't withstand, they cannot withstand that kind of commitment. So you're asking, where's the seriousness, where's the commitment, where's the devotion? So I'm saying, wait, maybe they really don’t have the strength, the power. What do we need to ask from the Creator, so that we will all have that seriousness, that commitment? So that we will all be towards the goal? 

M. Laitman: We have to pray that everyone will have the powers. Like you said. That’s it, ask from above to send us forces.

Student: Yes, I'm asking for it, and I'll continue to ask. I won't stop asking. Thank you, Rav.

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (13:16) Whether it's virtual or physically, one of the things that decides here is the effort because it brings you in a different way to the lesson. And that's actually the most important point, the exertion, and the effort in the importance of the goal. 

M. Laitman: Okay. Let's keep going. 

Reader: We're going to read the second excerpt from Rabash. 

Reading: (13:45) Rabash, Article No. 6 (1984), "Love of Friends – 2"

If several individuals come together with the force that it is worthwhile to abandon self-love, but without the sufficient power and importance of bestowal to become independent, without outside help, if these individuals annul before one another and all have at least potential love of the Creator, though they cannot keep it in practice, then by each joining the society and annulling oneself before it, they become one body.

For example, if there are ten people in that body, it has ten times more power than a single person does.

M. Laitman: Is that clear? Next, Reader.

Reading: (15:14) Excerpt No. 3 Maor VaShemesh, Portion Re’eh

The main rule by which to come to the path of the Creator is through adhesion of friends, as it is written in Pirkey Avot [Ethics of the Fathers], “Acquiring the Torah, one of forty-eight things by which the Torah is acquired is adhesion of friends.” And how is it adhesion of friends? By gathering together, where each one annuls before his friend when he sees his friend’s merit, and he becomes lowly in his own eyes and his friend is greater than him. And he loves each and every one, and his desire is to truly permeate each one because of joy and love.

M. Laitman: Yes

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (16:26) What should we put more of an emphasis on, annulling myself? 

M. Laitman: Yes?

Student: Or to see the virtues of the friend, to love the friend? 

M. Laitman: To see the friend's merits, that's the most important thing. 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (17:05) There's a feeling that all the excerpts we're reading and all the writings of the Kabbalists they don't give an answer to this question of the physical or virtual gathering because when you read the writings of the Kabbalists, when they wrote, there wasn't a virtual realm. Rabash, when he writes “gathers”, so I don't know what he's talking about. Maybe we can gather on the Arvut system as we used to be doing, so I don't know what to ask about it. But when we speak about the importance of a physical gathering, compared to a virtual gathering, so what really is? What’s better in a physical gathering than a virtual gathering? 

M. Laitman: Bestowal, that each is influenced more from the friends. 

Student: A lot of times, when we used to be in the old systems, and sometimes when you go away, so there is a feeling of closeness, specifically, through the virtual system.

M. Laitman: Sometimes yes and sometimes no but we are talking about, after all, what's preferred? It's best, where everyone sits and feels the circle.

Student: You're saying that if there's an ability, it's always better to have a physical gathering? 

M. Laitman: If there is a possibility to choose between physical and virtual, physical always, yes. 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (19:08) I think the main question that should be asked is, how important is it to sit around the Rav? That people will be here, around you, then sitting at home, that’s the main question that I think could be asked. 

M. Laitman: That's already another matter but, at least, if you're going to sit alone or in a Ten with the books then of course, a Ten with the books much more important, yes. 

Student: I see you every morning. There’s issues with your health but you make so many efforts to come here. Really, if I had a quarter of what you have, I wouldn't come here. But you give your soul and your whole life and you come, here, and we sit at home, how can that be? You're the best example for me, that I have to stand before you. So I think the question isn't even a question, whether to come or not. If the Rav is here, coming down here every morning, giving his life in the most difficult states. So what, I have to ask myself, whether to come here or not? I think it's not even a question.

 M. Laitman: Well, there's this and there's that. I'm not doing a critique on someone who doesn't come to do this or that. Rather, each has his reasons. Next. 

Reading: (21:13) Excerpt No. 4 Rabash, Article 17 (1984), Part 2, The Agenda of the Assembly – 1

At the very beginning of the assembly, when gathering, we should praise the friends, the importance of each of the friends. To the extent that we assume the greatness of the society, one can appreciate the society.

“And then pray” means that everyone should examine himself and see how much effort he is giving to the society. Then, when he sees that he is powerless to do anything for society, there is room for prayer to the Creator to help him and give him strength and desire to engage in love of others.

M. Laitman: Yes. Any questions? 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (22:41) How do we create such a power in the assembly when each one in the Kli has different conditions? 

M. Laitman: Specifically, from that, comes the power of the gathering. 

Student: But in what exactly is the power defined?, what’s a powerful gathering? 

M. Laitman: Where, from all together, all the common desires of all the friends, who all want, each from his nature, for the goal and that's how they connect, even though they don't know this. Let's say, in the beginning of our way, then we don't exactly know why we're connecting and what we connect, and how precisely to combine the deficiencies of each and every one. But it works! 

Student: When there is a gathering, what to bring to this gathering? 

M. Laitman: When there is a gathering, I need to come to the gathering with a deficiency. That if I don't connect now to my friends, I won't have the opportunity to connect anymore and if I connect to them, then I have the possibility to come to the purpose of creation, to the purpose of life.

Student: What is the place of gathering because each one gathers in different conditions. So, what is the place where all the desires gather? 

M. Laitman: It's the place where all the desires gather. 

Student: Where is that? 

M. Laitman: It's in the air.

Student: So what, we bring a desire into the air? How does it work?

M. Laitman: I discover somewhat, I disclose my desire somewhat towards the society and hope that they too are making such efforts towards me, and towards each and every one and then our desires become a circle, which is the general soul. 

Student: Clear, so, what does my ability to be part of the gathering depend on? 

M. Laitman: The ability depends on your preparation. On the extent in which you think about this and yearn about this, that's it. Okay, what's what's happening? 

Question (Petah Tikva Center): (25:44) Sometimes, there's a feeling that if a friend isn't sitting at the table with us, so there's no common area to work in.

M. Laitman: Yes.

Student: How should a Ten work with this? 

M. Laitman: Try to bring everyone to the lesson so that the lesson will be a common action of everyone. 

Student: If we're not successful in it? What if a friend really can't come, so, what's the action the Ten needs to do? 

M. Laitman: That the Ten wants to complete him. 

Student: How? 

M. Laitman: As if he's there.

Student: How do you do it? 

M. Laitman: Think about that, and you will see. 

Question (Unity 3): (26:54) You said in the past that Rabash related very seriously to the preparation of every gathering and I think there's some kind of advice, here, how to do it. Should every person prepare himself individually before the gathering? Or before a Ten gathering we need a common preparation, too? 

M. Laitman: I think that it's good to do a common preparation for the group gathering. But, if there's the time for it and the conditions. Okay? Alright, continue. 

Reading: (27:52) Excerpt No. 5 Rabash, Article No. 6 (1984), Love of Friends – 2

When they gather, each of them should think that he has now come for the purpose of annulling self-love. It means that he will not consider how to satisfy his will to receive now, but will think as much as possible only of the love of others. This is the only way to acquire the desire and the need to acquire a new quality, called “the will to bestow.”

And from love of friends one can reach love of the Creator, meaning wanting to give contentment to the Creator.

Re-Reading:  (27:52) Excerpt No. 5 Rabash, Article No. 6 (1984), Love of Friends – 2

When they gather, each of them should think that he has now come for the purpose of annulling self-love. It means that he will not consider how to satisfy his will to receive now, but will think as much as possible only of the love of others. This is the only way to acquire the desire and the need to acquire a new quality, called “the will to bestow.”

And from love of friends one can reach love of the Creator, meaning wanting to give contentment to the Creator.

Reader: (29:46) Friends, we're going to have a workshop, now on the topic of our lesson, let's speak about the spiritual intensity, spiritual power, in a physical gathering. Let's discuss the spiritual power we find in a physical gathering, please?

Reader: (39:47) Okay, friends, let's continue to a lesson summary, we went through a special article, Baal HaSulam, two letters. Baal HaSulam, we were impressed by them also from the writings of Rabash, when we read about the Malchut of the upper, which becomes a Keter of the lower one and also, the last part where we read, excerpts, we received a special portion from Rav, a special dose. Let's summarize everything we received, all lesson long and all our impressions so that we will prepare ourselves with that for our upcoming day. Please, lesson summary. 

Reader: (50:08) Announcements. We'll end, have a good day, everybody.