The transcript has been transcribed and edited from English simultaneous interpretation, thus there may be potential semantic inaccuracies within it.
Daily Lesson (Morning) January 20, 2025.
Part 1: Baal HaSulam. The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee].
Reader: Hello, we are reading in The Writings of Baal HaSulam. You can find the study material on kabbalahgroup.info and in the Arvut system. You can also send questions live through those websites. So, we are reading the article of “The Arvut” [The Mutual Guarantee].
Reading: (00:32) The Arvut [Mutual Guarantee].
(Continued from “Matan Torah”)
All of Israel are responsible for one another (Sanhedrin 27b, Shavuot 39a)
This is to speak of the Arvut [mutual guarantee], when all of Israel became responsible for one another. Because the Torah was not given to them before each and every one from Israel was asked if he agreed to take upon himself the Mitzva [commandment] of loving others in the full measure expressed in the words “Love your friend as yourself,” as explained in the article “Matan Torah,” Items 2 and 3, examine it thoroughly there. This means that each and every one in Israel would take upon himself to care and work for each member of the nation, to satisfy all their needs, no less than the measure imprinted in him to care for his own needs.
Once the whole nation unanimously agreed and said, “We will do and we will hear,” each member of Israel became responsible that no member of the nation will lack anything. Only then did they become worthy of receiving the Torah, and not before.
With this collective responsibility, each member of the nation was liberated from worrying about the needs of his own body and could observe the Mitzva, “Love your friend as yourself” in the fullest measure and give all that he had to any needy person since he no longer cared for the existence of his own body, as he knew for certain that he was surrounded by six hundred thousand loyal lovers standing ready to provide for him, as explained in the article, “Matan Torah,” Item 16.
For this reason, they were not ready to receive the Torah at the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but only when they came out of Egypt and became a complete nation. Only then was there a possibility to guarantee everyone’s needs without any care or concern.
However, while they were still mingled with the Egyptians, a portion of their needs was necessarily given into the hands of these savages, permeated with self-love. Thus, the portion that is given into the hands of foreigners will not be secured for any person from Israel because his friends will not be able to provide for those needs, as they will not be in possession of them. Consequently, as long as the individual is troubled with concerns for himself, he is unfit to even begin to observe the Mitzva, “Love your friend as yourself.”
Thus, you evidently find that the giving of the Torah had to be delayed until they came out of Egypt and became a nation on their own, meaning when all their needs were provided for by themselves, independently of others. This qualified them to receive the above Arvut, and then they were given the Torah. It turns out that even after the reception of the Torah, if a handful from Israel betray and return to the filth of self-love, without consideration of others, that same amount of need that is put in the hands of those few would burden each one in Israel with the need to provide for it themselves because those few will not pity them at all.
Hence, the fulfillment of the Mitzva of loving one’s friend will be prevented from the whole of Israel. Thus, these rebels cause those who observe the Torah to remain in their filth of self-love, for they will not be able to engage in the Mitzva, “Love your friend as yourself,” and complete their love of others without their help.
You therefore see that all of Israel are responsible for one another, both on the positive side and on the negative side. On the positive side, if they keep the Arvut to the point that each one cares and satisfies the needs of his friends, they can fully observe the Torah and Mitzvot [commandments], meaning to bring contentment to their Maker, as mentioned in “Matan Torah,” Item 13. On the negative side, if a part of the nation does not want to keep the Arvut, but to wallow in self-love, they cause the rest of the nation to remain immersed in their filth and lowliness without finding a way out of their filth.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (08:17) He writes, they were not ready to receive the Torah during the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but only when they came out of Egypt and became a complete nation. So why, at the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they were not ready at all to receive the Torah?
M. Laitman: According to what's understood, the amount was insufficient to hold this principle of “Love Thy Friend as Thyself". That's first.
Student: You mean, qualitative amount?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, even though there was Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, there was wholeness, yes?
M. Laitman: Yes, but a certain wholeness.
Student: Yes. So, in terms of a complete nation, something was still missing.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, the second question, just to clarify, when they were a complete nation in and of themselves, this means they have all the vessels that they already entered Egypt?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (09:59) It writes here that the giving of the Torah had to be delayed until they came out of Egypt and became a nation on their own, meaning, when all their needs were provided for by themselves independently of others. This qualified them to receive the above Arvut. What does it mean that all their needs were provided for by themselves independently of others?
M. Laitman: I understand that the amount was such then that was sufficient to exist as a complete nation and to continue with the matter of Arvut.
Student: He speaks of corporeal needs that they can take care of themselves?
M. Laitman: Probably so, first of all.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (11:05) He writes, here, that they became a nation on their own.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And all their needs were provided for by themselves independently of others, and this qualified them to receive the Arvut, then the Torah. So, what is this reality of a nation that's independent of others? What is this reality of being disconnected from others?
M. Laitman: That everything a nation needs they have and they're able to be connected in such a way, that there is one man in one heart.
Student: What are the conditions that turn a group to a nation, independent of others with its own laws?
M. Laitman: They feel they must, that they are part of the world, part of all nations. And they provide everyone with the conditions necessary to reach Arvut.
Student: Not clear, what a nation that's not dependent on others?
M. Laitman: That, what needs to be is a group that exists in terms of the inner calculation, that exists in them.
Student: What are the conditions that turn it into such?
M. Laitman: The conditions are mostly the connection, responsibility.
Student: And if I take it to the Ten, the Ten as a nation?
M. Laitman: The Ten is not exactly a nation. It already exists within a nation, and therefore, I don't think that it has to carry out all the laws of Arvut. However, it's a question.
Student: So, who has to keep it, if not the Ten? At what point, what size that we consider the nation?
M. Laitman: 600,000.
Student: And in our reality, what does it mean?
M. Laitman: In our reality, I don't know. This is when they connect, and each one sees himself as a part of the whole.
Student: So, in the Ten, there is no level of 600,000, no intensity?
M. Laitman: In the Ten, no. Rather the Ten must also include within it Aviut [coarseness], connection, all the conditions that exist in a nation.
Student: Exactly. So, what conditions does the Ten lack in order to reach Arvut within it?
M. Laitman: I think that if the Ten is not corrected, then it's lacking many things. But when it achieves correction, then it feels that it has the desire, passion, understanding, powers that lock them all in a circle. So that each one feels how the collective coarseness of the group works on him; how much he owes them, and they owe him.
Student: What is the coarseness of the group?
M. Laitman: Like he writes, that in a small number of people, they couldn't fulfill the Mitzva of Arvut.
Student: So, coarseness relates to the quantity of friends?
M. Laitman: Quantity, as well.
Student: So, can the Ten reach Arvut?
M. Laitman: If it exists within a greater nation, then I believe so.
Student: In the nation, in our case, is the world Kli?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And then the Ten has to reach Arvut inside of it?
M. Laitman: Yes, inside of it.
Student: And what is a greater Arvut? Is there such a thing on a larger scale in the group?
M. Laitman: Yes, but that's no longer really relevant to a single Ten.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (17:14) What does it mean that the Ten is within a nation, to be within a nation?
M. Laitman: That it arrives at an amount of people called, a nation, and then it is ready to submit to the conditions of the Ten, over the Arvut.
Student: So, these conditions are required of the Ten. So, let's say the laws of Rabash and such things, that the Ten has to realize that.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: But how does it connect? You said that the world Kli can be likened to a nation. So, what's the connection between the Ten and the world Kli?
M. Laitman: The world Kli is already a Ten that includes in it many individual Tens.
Student: A single Ten can reach Arvut inside of it, only if it is a part of the world Kli. I'm asking about being a part of the world Kli. It doesn't mean that it just sits around the table. What does it mean that it's a part of it, that it's inside it, within it? When is it a part of it?
M. Laitman: When it grows within them and is connected with them. And tries to also be somewhat detached from them in order to guard their consistency, their uniqueness. And that's how they come through the guidance of the upper force to a state called, a nation.
Student: Then, who does, which is the state of the nation?
M. Laitman: They, meaning the Ten, which grows and becomes a nation.
Student: You said the world Kli is the nation. What is it, Ten that becomes a nation?
M. Laitman: No, the world Kli is a vessel you can't really define in a specific way. But when a part of that world Kli becomes a Ten, that already gives them the possibility to connect among them like a nation.
Student: Practically, in our state when we try to reach Arvut in the Ten, do we need to take into consideration our relationships with the rest of the Tens? Or only focus on what's happening in the Ten or in general, just look inside the Ten?
M. Laitman: I think that altogether, the entire B'nei Baruch group that exists across the world, this whole group we could call, a nation, the bigger nation.
Student: We said that we try to reach Arvut in the Ten?
M. Laitman: Arvut needs to be achieved according to the rules inside the Ten, yes.
Student: According to the rules in the Ten but Arvut takes place between the entire world Kli? Or between the friends in the Ten?
M. Laitman: In the Ten. That would be sufficient for them if all the friends in all the groups, in all the Tens, they're also drawn to it somewhat.
Student: So, when the entire Ten is drawn toward Arvut within it, it bestows a kind of example onto the collective?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (22:57) He writes that until everybody reaches an agreement, and we'll say, “we shall do, and we shall hear”, it will not take place. What is this agreement? It's not a verbal agreement, or is it?
M. Laitman: Unanimously, it's not a verbal agreement, it's a desire, an agreement of desire.
Student: So, before they have that unanimous agreement, there will not be as one?
M. Laitman: Right.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (23:38) Who is Israel?
M. Laitman: Those who are drawn to the Creator, Yashar El [straight to the Creator].
Student: So, it's not speaking of just any nation but the nation of Israel that has to be guarantors to one another. If he's drawn to the Creator, doesn't he already have a seed of the Arvut in him? Or there's another action he needs to do?
M. Laitman: If one is drawn to Israel according to his nature, according to the desire growing in him. Then he enters a Ten, who finds themselves wanting to get close to the Creator. Then, when he becomes included in it and carries out the conditions they learn, the rules they learn. Then it turns out that he already becomes included in the general condition of Arvut.
Student: In other words, once he enters the Ten, he accepts upon himself “we shall do, and we shall hear”.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, all of Bnei Baruch, all the Tens here, are already within the rule of “we shall do, and we shall hear”?
M. Laitman: Should be.
Student: Because he warns against falling into the impurity, of that Israel will have to click to that.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, this work you'll do in the Ten?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (25:42) If I wrote it down, correctly, you said that the members of the Ten have to connect amongst themselves like a nation, eventually.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: What does that mean?
M. Laitman: What does it mean? That all the laws, the general laws, “Love thy friend as thyself”, “Love the Lord your God”, “Being as one man and one heart”. These general laws, they become laws that each one tries to carry out.
Student: And we know that in the Ten there should also be the laws of Arvut?
M. Laitman: Yes, for sure.
Student: So, what's the difference between being like a nation, as you explained it, now, and the laws of Arvut that we are familiar with?
M. Laitman: I think it's one and the same.
Student: Okay but what makes it a nation, why is it called a nation because there's a different name, maybe it's a different level.
M. Laitman: The amount of people who reached the realization of nature's law by which they rise to a degree of a single nation.
Student: So, can a Ten be a nation or only a root of a nation, a basis for a nation?
M. Laitman: A Ten could be a basis for a nation.
Student: If it observes the conditions of the Arvut?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (27:56) We spoke of a group that is drawn to the Creator, attracted to the Creator – that would be their condition. It says that each one will have all his needs assured without any concern. Whereas when they are involved with the Egyptians, when a part of their needs was in the hands of these Egyptians that are full of self-love. What are the needs that people should have in this group that were still in the hands of the Egyptians? What are those needs?
M. Laitman: Actually, I can't say.
Student: If we could characterize what we need in order to be not given into the hands of the Egyptians or disconnected. Maybe, we could sort it out and see how we get to it.
M. Laitman: Do think that would be easier than being connected in the positive Mitzvot?
Student: This is how Baal HaSulam writes about it. He provides these discernments in this way. He lets us see in this part of the article the separation. What are the conditions for the Arvut? Not merely be drawn to the good but pay attention that the group is independent and does not rely on those who have self-love. I'm trying to scrutinize this dependence?
M. Laitman: I think this condition only says, they have to grow and expand their boundaries, unboundedly. And then, you could say that they're in a correct Arvut.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (30:19) Also, from the text following what was read, it's found that to the extent that they are in the hands of the foreigners, his friends will not be able to fill those needs because it's not in their hands. Basically, as long as I can fill them, to some extent they can be my guarantors. So, the precondition for them to take care of me, I have to get rid of self-care?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: How can a person disconnect from this self-concern if they're not guarantors to him?
M. Laitman: I can't tell you, but it sounds like it is. Even if a person is, say, ready for Arvut but in the collective Arvut there's a condition that everyone will belong to him. Meaning, that all the members of the nation will be interconnected, holding each other. And then they will fulfill the condition of Arvut.
Student: He continues and says, as long as the individual remains in concern for himself, he won't be able to completely engage in the Mitzva of “Love your friend as yourself”, meaning, I can't come out to the action of Arvut. It seems like the individual has to leap out of self-concern before he can enter this connection.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: How does he make that leap before he's already in the field of connection that gives him the confidence to leave himself? How can we break out of it before we are in this connection?
M. Laitman: No. He leaves the connection to a free life, not because they lock him from the outside and then they keep him belonging to the nation. Rather, he becomes incorporated with the desire that rules outside of them, outside of each of them, where there is a force of Arvut that's in control. And therefore, he goes out free.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (34:02) I'm missing the clarification of “we shall do, and we shall hear.” What is this “we shall do”? It's because it's something that, as we heard, a person is not accustomed to do, it's not in his nature. And he's going towards something, and he has to be certain he's going to hear something. So, what is this “we shall do”?
M. Laitman: “We shall do” means that he tries with all his qualities to be in a giving connection to the others. And thus, try to provide the others with the support, the Arvut [the mutual guarantee]. That each one must receive in order to carry out his part of the Arvut.
Student: But as was read for us, he has to be certain that he receives all these conditions from the society. But he's not certain because he hasn't heard yet. So, what will make him take that step, take that “we shall do” part and care about the needs of the friends from whom he hasn't received anything yet?
M. Laitman: He's already able to carry out the Arvut on his part because he has received such forces from above.
Student: So, also the agreement “to do” is a force he receives from above.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (36:16) The person who wants to observe the Arvut receives the desire to observe it from above. And he writes here about a part of the nation that does not want to observe the Arvut but they are immersed in self-love. Now, if they know that they need to observe the Arvut, why would they be immersed in self-love?
M. Laitman: They can't, it's not that they choose so.
Student: Should they feel, should they suffer from this situation? On the one hand, they have a desire to be in Arvut; and on the other hand, they find themselves wallowing in self-love.
M. Laitman: It doesn't say, how much they enjoy or suffer. It's written about how much they're capable. So, it turns out that they are in self-love that fulfills them, for now, in a way they can't let it go.
Student: And about the part of the nation that does want Arvut, about that inner desire, a person wants our Arvut? What does he truly want? What is that desire? What does he desire?
M. Laitman: That is to receive from outside of himself, forces that keep him above his will to receive for himself.
Student: Now, about a situation that is relevant on all levels, if a nation decides on an action and half of the nation does not agree with this action. It could be in the Ten, it could be in any group, I'm speaking about those who disagree with the action that a portion agreed to, and there is Arvut between them. What should I feel as part of the nation about that action? I disagree, I don't agree with it, but there is Arvut.
M. Laitman: What do you mean there is Arvut but they disagree?
Student: Well, we decided on the Arvut, there is a group, that is in Arvut naturally. It belongs to that same group. So, there is a responsibility of everyone, it's a tendency, no?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, this is more internal compared to being told that I belong to something, rather, internally I feel I belong to a group. Now this group, now I know that I need to have an inner attitude toward this group. I must have it, otherwise, I don't belong to this group. Now, that group has made a decision, and I disagree with that decision. But as I said, I'm obligated to this group. I feel like I want to be in Arvut to this group. What should be my attitude toward this disagreement that I'm feeling?
M. Laitman: You need to think, carefully, where you are, why, and what forces you to think otherwise. And try to surrender.
Student: Surrendering, an attitude of submission, is something that stems from the Arvut toward this group?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (World Kli): (40:34) Many friends are asking, what is required of me in order to observe the Arvut in the Ten, daily?
M. Laitman: To become incorporated in the Ten above your head, literally. Just to immerse all of it, to feel that you're in their connection under their governance. And more than that, you don't need.
Question (Women MAK 43): (41:16) Is the state of “we shall do, and we shall hear” can be defined as complete annulment? Or is it a deeper process of conscious reception of the friend's desires?
M. Laitman: Yes, and yes.
Question (Novosibirsk): (41:41) On the path to Arvut, while each one still cares about his body and fulfilling his basic needs, how should I relate to the friend's needs, to his disturbances?
M. Laitman: To accept the needs of the friend as the disturbances that he has to work with and you're willing to be in Arvut with him.
Student: What to do before we reach Arvut?
M. Laitman: So, you work on that.
Question (Women PT 38): (42:40) It says, each individual is relieved from his, from the concerns for himself. Which concern is relieved from, does it mean I don't have to worry about my own intention, but I only friend's intention?
M. Laitman: No. These are scrutinies that each one should do to the extent that the general intention, collective intention, is mixed with their personal intention.
Question (Turkiye 8): (43:31) What does it mean to be responsible for those who don't wish to keep the Arvut? What should those who do want to keep the Arvut do with those others?
M. Laitman: Those who want to carry out the Arvut, you take them with you, you are included, you incorporate with them in the Ten that's building up. And those who don't want to carry out their Arvut, you do the opposite, you stay away from them as much as possible because it's clear to you that he's not a friend on the path for you.
Student: What if I discover about myself that I don't want the Arvut, yet?
M. Laitman: You're clear on what you have to do.
Question (PT Center 1): (44:29) What is the model for love, “love your friend as yourself”, is based on how much a person loves himself?
M. Laitman: It's an example, that according to the measure of self-love that appears in him, he can measure his relation to others.
Question (Woman MAK 33): (45:12) If in “we shall do, and we shall hear”, we'll do an action above reason, when we hear, it will reveal the light. Wouldn't it turn faith into reason?
M. Laitman: Again?
Student: When in “we shall do and we shall hear”, we try to do actions above reason. When we reach Lishma, the hearing part, wouldn't that turn faith into reason?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: It sounds contradictory.
M. Laitman: No, it's not because that's how it happens. If I accept this condition of Lishma and first it was Lo Lishma. Then this is how I add and get closer to the complete Lishma.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (46:29) I'll come back to the nation: I'm reading this paragraph again. I see stages. The giving of the Torah is delayed until they're ready to come out of Egypt. Then there's the matter of becoming a nation independent of others. Then, this qualifies them to receive Arvut, and then they are given the Torah. So, there's the matter of establishing a nation. It reminds me of the writings of the last generation. Until we build such a system where we're independent of others, an independent judicial system. This dependence on the world - we have to build it between us, it's felt like this is what's missing, the world Kli will all together feel that there's a foundation we can build on, and not to be dependent on the outside world. I feel like this is missing.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, how do we advance in that direction? How do we build it because it sounds like, that's what we're missing.
M. Laitman: Yes. I think that in the upcoming Congress in February, we should already begin to feel the boundaries between the inner group, that's moving towards Arvut. And the rest of the mass, that is still not ready for it. And then, build in the inner group a system of Arvut.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (48:28) Two things: I feel that the nature of Arvut is to expand. We start from the Ten, we want as much as possible within the Ten. And then this nature grows in quantity and quality.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: What do we do when you see that a friend, a certain disturbance overcomes him, it doesn't matter the clothing of it. No matter how much you do, he doesn't reach out to the Ten and ask for help. Rather, he sinks into it, and he finds excuses for why this disturbance is sort of independent of them. At what point do you come to realize that you've done everything? There's nothing more you can do?
M. Laitman: I don't think there's such a point in the development, where you say, more than that, I don't need. To ask, to send forces, to pray, no, I don't think so. But you should always examine to what extent my desires, vessels, thoughts are on the other side; meaning in order to connect everyone in Arvut.
Student: But someone needs to want to receive the help. If a person is certain that the disturbance is the correct thing, is what's disturbing him, and he doesn't want to receive any help, what can you do?
M. Laitman: I don't think there are such, these are examples from the Bible, really. It's impossible that in our time there are such souls, people, who are so very against it. Everyone is in various doubts – this way or that way – but to be so far against, I haven't seen it, didn't feel it.
Student: A person doesn't feel that he's against, he just thinks that something is more important right now. And it's so important, that he gives up on the things that used to be important to him.
M. Laitman: Yes, so?
Student: So, you can see that he's dealing with something, you want to help him but to help someone, that someone needs to want to receive that help.
M. Laitman: The issue is here, the collective and the individual, the particular and the collective. We have to influence the whole, the collective until all the individuals will want to connect to it and achieve implementation, that's how it comes out. Nevertheless, the general formula exists, and everything will come back to its root. Therefore, I don't think that there's some endeavor here to go higher and more, no. I think it's a matter that becomes more quantitative.
Student: I have to invest in the general importance in the society, it will pull everyone up?
M. Laitman: Yes, that's for sure, that's definitely needed.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (53:21) You touched on it just now and I heard that in order to maintain the basic necessity between us in the Arvut, you have to have a certain inner calculation. What is this inner calculation we have to have between us? You also said we have to check our boundaries.
M. Laitman: The inner calculation means that, internally, at the core of that nation, we're all aimed at unity, correction. And being more and more belonging to one.
Student: You said, there's an inner circle that has to examine itself relative to the outer circle. I feel like it's in the Ten.
M. Laitman: Yes, everywhere.
Student: So, what does it mean to check the inner circle against the outer circle? What should be the correct attitude that we are on the right direction?
M. Laitman: That the values of the inner circle will be each time, more and more, covering all the circles.
Student: Which will guide us so that love covers everything?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And if there are friends who can't come out of self-love, they're called, an outer circle?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, how do we bring friends from the outer circle closer to expand our inner boundaries?
M. Laitman: Well, that's already work inside the group, work that we understand. What's most important is to give them room, freedom to work.
Student: To the outer circle?
M. Laitman: Yes. And then they'll discover that the goal, that the inner circle had, was real.
Student: Meaning, we need to let the light, the Creator, work between us.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (56:00) We heard that in the Congress in February, we'll understand how the inner work works relative to the mass. I want to talk about the Arvut, it's a very expansive topic. Does Arvut necessitate mutuality?
M. Laitman: Basically, yes. Mutuality, reciprocity, yes.
Student: So, in this Arvut, if I understood correctly, there are circles. There's the individual work of a person; there's the work of a Ten. We spoke also about a nation, which I guess is some sort of a critical mass. Who am I? I'm trying to work and provide Arvut. I think of whom, friends in the Ten, friends in the group, all of humanity? What is the perimeter of this work?
M. Laitman: I don't cut that myself, rather, I give all my strength to allow everyone to enter the boundaries of the collective Arvut. And I help them keep these boundaries as broadly as possible, that's what I would say, that's what I think. Everything else should come from above.
Student: So, we are speaking mostly about man's exertion. And we shouldn't place boundaries with those, yes, with those, those, more.
M. Laitman: No, no, no. To actually go the other way. That there's no nation, group that can't enter the Arvut.
Student: The tendency in the Arvut is to try to be like the Creator, He bestows without limits.
M. Laitman: Yes. No limits.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (58:25) In the Ten, how do we discern when failing to keep the Arvut between the friends is preventing them from connecting? Or is this new coarseness that they have to overcome?
M. Laitman: The more we can bring everyone into connection, into Arvut. Into being as one man with one heart, the more we do that, there's no limit to it.
Student: The fact that a portion of the friends does not keep the Arvut, does that serve the goal?
M. Laitman: That, yes and no; I hope we'll all see that this too is included in the condition of Arvut.
Student: When we feel that some of the friends do not observe the Arvut, I might be a part of it, I am not criticizing anyone. That the heart does not yield, devote itself, that's the main problem. So, I don't know if it's a failure in the Ten or this is something that you can also overcome.
M. Laitman: I think we have to overcome that as well, all of us together, and then there will be no disturbance in front of us.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:00:17) You said in the Congress, you have to feel the boundaries between the inner group that's going to an outer group that is not ready, and to build Arvut in the inner group. So, what does it mean to build a system of our vote?
M. Laitman: Building a system of Arvut means building a group which is entirely, completely, concerned about everyone's connection. And holding everyone, holding everyone in a single action; that everyone is drawn to a single center. And only with respect to that, we choose the groups.
Student: What's the way to know if someone is ready for Arvut? Everybody is concerned with it, how do you know the friend is actually ready for it, is worthy of it?
M. Laitman: As he writes in the Arvut article, you have to be as one man with one heart, with no boundaries, that to you, anyone who's drawn to that connection is called yours.
Student: How do we know? Do we need to know what's in the friend's heart, if he's ready, if he's concerned? As far as I'm concerned, he's perfect.
M. Laitman: Yes, and?
Student: So, what does it mean that someone is not prepared for Arvut or is prepared, if we're talking about an inner attitude?
M. Laitman: That he's willing, that he's ready for Arvut, that's clear according to his actions. That he's ripe for connection with everyone.
Student: What actions?
M. Laitman: Actions of connection.
Student: So, it brings us back to a good desire for connection. Everyone here in the world Kli has a good desire for connection, no?
M. Laitman: There's nothing to say about that but there are some that, still, the force that's opposite to them, still stands out.
Student: Is this external circle that's not ready for Arvut, yet? Does it hinder the inner circle that is ready for Arvut?
M. Laitman: Of course.
Student: In what?
M. Laitman: In that they don't want to advance in the same direction.
Student: But, okay, but there is a group that is ready to advance?
M. Laitman: There is a group that is ready and willing, and advancing; and then there's a group, or several smaller groups, that are incapable. They don't want, they don't advance, they don't connect.
Student: What should the inner circle, it's called, demand from the outer circle. Is there something a circle can demand from any other? Or each circle is in its own orbit?
M. Laitman: To the extent that a circle is more internal, the more it is engaged in its own inner connection as well as connecting outer groups.
Student: We need to detect the boundaries between those circles, is that important?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And these circles, you find them in every Ten, in every group? Is it natural, is it rooted in that?
M. Laitman: That is rooted but I still don't know if we're ready to begin feeling them, sorting them out, and actually working with them.
Student: What does it depend on? I mean, why do we need it? Why do we need to make it clear that there's an inner group? The world, who?
M. Laitman: For now, we still don't need it, for now, no. But soon, we will feel what the center of Arvut means and what is a group activity.
Student: The center of the Arvut – to feel the need for it – what brings the need to feel the center of the Arvut? Why suddenly now?
M. Laitman: Because that's a law that guards all the individuals, meaning the components of the world group as one.
Student: And why is this law appearing now? Who needs the Arvut in the group, who are we doing this to, or for? Is it for the sake of humanity, the Creator, for ourselves, to be clear that we're separate?
M. Laitman: For the sake of humanity.
Student: Okay, we're talking about a congress in February, a month and a half from now. Right now, the topic is “Connecting in Lishma”, do you think we need to change the topic of the congress to the “Matter of Arvut”?
M. Laitman: I don't think there's a big difference between this and that, we'll see.
Student: What's the connection between Arvut and Lishma?
M. Laitman: Lishma is about the general tendency, Lishma is the general tendency which has to show us what we're drawn to.
Student: And again, the connection between Lishma and Arvut?
M. Laitman: Arvut is a more external form of connection.
Student: More external. Going back to the circles and the boundaries, who scrutinizes the boundaries between the circles? Is this an action that the light does? Where does it come from, when we can detect it?
M. Laitman: Certainly, by the light.
Student: And our job is to expand the circles, the boundaries of the inner circle? Or to maintain the circles, maintain each one?
M. Laitman: To guard, to make sure that every external circle will go deeper into the more internal one.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:08:50) Are we ripe, is the time right to work when a person detects all these groups, we discussed, inside of him, the circles, I'm sorry, the circles inside of him? Then there's an indication, he can relate every tendency on the outside to a circle inside of him, the inner, outer, etc. But he must have it in order to advance to Lishma. A person first has to detect those circles inside of him. Is this correct?
M. Laitman: I don't know if you can communicate to someone else what is inner, outer, what makes something more inner or more outer, and so forth.
Student: That's what I asked.
M. Laitman: It's words so, we still don't have some actual measurement, here.
Student: If there's no measurement and there's no indication to a person, how can he say what is external and what is internal? According to what? If he doesn't feel it inside, if he doesn't have an inner circle inside of him?
M. Laitman: Right. This is all we still have to acquire.
Student: Can we talk about how to acquire it because it looks like we're coming closer to the feeling?
M. Laitman: No, we're getting closer, but still, no one has that.
Student: So, we're not ripe yet.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:10:35) I didn't quite understand the process. First of all, there are forces called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who did not receive the Torah. Then, we speak of the need to come out of Egypt and then you receive the Torah. Meaning, the condition for receiving the Torah is to come out of Egypt. That's what it says, what Baal HaSulam wrote.
M. Laitman: Yes?
Student: So, to be in Arvut is not with the help of the power of the Torah?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: Not with the help of the Torah?
M. Laitman: No, no, no, with the help of the force of Torah. To reach Arvut, you also need the power of Torah.
Student: So, it looks like you don't need the power of Torah. First, you need to be in our root and then we receive. Meaning, first you have to come out of Egypt, then we receive the Torah. To come out of Egypt to be in Arvut around the Mount Sinai and then to receive the Torah.
M. Laitman: Alright.
Student: I still didn't get it.
M. Laitman: It doesn't matter. You just want to write it down somewhere for yourself? It doesn't matter.
Student: No, no, no. Where am I now? Am I before the exodus from Egypt? I have to be in Arvut to come out of Egypt.
M. Laitman: Mister, you didn't purchase a ticket, that tells you here are the stops where you have to go through. So, wait. Once things become clearer to you, you'll understand where you are, where you're going, where you're headed, when you need to leave, when you need to do something else. Everything will become clear.
Student: So, let's say I want to scrutinize now. If I'm even a member of the Israeli nation, what does that mean?
M. Laitman: Read what's written about it. Read what's written about it and then see.
Student: It says that Israel is in the direction of the Creator, the Arvut, as one man in one heart.
M. Laitman: Okay, yes.
Student: So, if I have such a desire, I'm considered a member of the Israeli nation.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:13:28) If I understood, correctly, and I also heard you say in the beginning of the lesson, the Arvut is the law of nature. So, whether I like it or not, I observe it, either positively or negatively. How can I check, if I'm observing it, positively or negatively?
M. Laitman: Look at what you end up with, from how you weigh yourself with these scales.
Student: Relative to what do I measure it, what's the correct measurement, if I'm going positively or negatively? I understand it's relative to the Ten but relative to which discernments in the Ten?
M. Laitman: So, what, we need to once again read the article of Arvut, I don't know. What do you all think? Your question is where are you advancing towards? So, what does it mean to advance towards Arvut?
Student: The way I understand it, it says until each one cares for the needs of his friends, that's from the positive. And from the negative, each one remains in his self-love, immersed. So, I understand you have to keep the Arvut on the positive. But the question is am I moving in that direction or not?
M. Laitman: That every day you measure yourself and see that today you have more concerns towards connection.
Student: Okay. I can say, maybe, that I have more concerns towards connection. But what does it really mean? I feel that only if there's a friend that gives me concern, then I can even start paying attention to what concern really is. That for myself, I don't have any right measurement.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, that's the way to measure, it’s between two friends, that suddenly between them, a feeling of concern was revealed. So, only then they can start measuring if they're in the right direction or not?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, an individual can't even measure?
M. Laitman: No, no, no. He has to be in a Ten that is connected with other Tens. Only in such a way, he reveals the truth.
Student: And the Arvut, that's a law, it's a condition of nature. But the more we try to keep it, does it become viral, does it go from one to the other? If somebody keeps it in a positive way, so it goes to another person and another person?
M. Laitman: It's not the flu that you transmit to one another this way. Arvut is a condition to sustain a group of Kabbalists.
Student: But, if by me keeping this condition, how does it add, let's say to my Ten?
M. Laitman: That you're in a Ten and you're talking and disclosing yourself, then like it or not, even verbally, people and friends receive it. They get it also, like the flu.
Student: And they're drawn to it?
M. Laitman: They're drawn to it.
Student: And it gives them an ability to keep the conditions.
M. Laitman: Of course.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:18:21) The Creator said, “I created an evil inclination and the Torah as a remedy”. And here he says that there's a condition called, Arvut. Arvut is something we determine we have the good inclination. It's as if I'm concerned about a friend or I come out of self-love to the love of others.
M. Laitman: Arvut is where if you're in a certain number, you perform a connection above the separation, then you move forward towards the correct goal.
Student: The correct goal, according to the way I see it, is to reach the reception of the Torah?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And the Creator determines that it's in order to correct the evil inclination.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, how can we determine that if we're good to one another in mutual guarantee and making sure I'm not concerned about myself but only to the friends?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, how is that a need to receive the Torah for a remedy? Because we're doing good. We're concerned about each other?
M. Laitman: If that's correct, then you're already corrected.
Student: So, that's the question.
M. Laitman: But check.
Student: The question is this Arvut we're reading about, that's the correction or does it bring a need for correction?
M. Laitman: Arvut is correction.
Student: Okay, so the Arvut is also that a person already loves the others, isn't it?
M. Laitman: Yes, it's a form of connection.
Student: Corrected. I love the others, I'm concerned about them, I'm not concerned of myself. It's like the desired state. But if I see I'm not in this, so that's my need? I'll hold on to it in a covenant in Arvut?
M. Laitman: Then you need more and more, even more to try to be connected with everyone.
Student: This polarity between the state we want to be in, this Arvut that is sustained forever, that the whole world is under this Arvut?
M. Laitman: Yes?
Student: Compared to the current state that in each moment I see that I'm not in it.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, this polarity is something desired to one on the path?
M. Laitman: Always. I always need to feel between this and that.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:21:50) He speaks about the evildoers or those who don't want to keep the Arvut. Now, every such state is that a coarseness that adds to the vessel? That's what he means, Baal HaSulam?
M. Laitman: Every revelation of lack of connection is the revelation of evil, the coarseness that's being revealed in the Kli.
Student: So, it should help the group advance?
M. Laitman: Eventually, yes, but it could be that in certain actions. It's the revelation of evil, and not the revelation of good.
Student: So, what is this state, as he's writing in the end of this article, the end of this part? It's a dead end, there's a few of you that you don't want to keep it or can't keep it. But it's a state that sticks everybody?
M. Laitman: Yes, it could be, and then we need to discover external forces that will correct the internal forces, that are not capable between them to connect.
Student: So, prayer, that's the direction?
M. Laitman: Prayer, many things.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:23:39) I'm going back to the needs. Even if I recognize in a friend something that he needs help with, I don't see I can truly help. We're speaking about internal things even if it's giving him the pencil. So obviously yes, but if there's a need that I can't fill, even to pray for it doesn't really help him. So, it's not only the inner tendency but also the ability to implement that I can't do for him. So, is that, as it's written here - these needs, I don't have them, they're in the hands of the foreigners or?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: I can't really give him because I'm lacking something to give. Where is that, why can't I give it to him?
M. Laitman: You don't see that by this, you can fill oneself, empty oneself, make something of oneself. It has yet come to the necessary calculation.
Student: To fill a friend, I can't?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: But I recognize that if he had what I see he's lacking, it would help him. Even to try and give it to him and to see a result, I'm not able. I can give him a pencil and I'll say “no, thank you”, or “thank you”. But the inner force, I can't give it to him. So, if we're speaking about filling internal needs, spiritual needs, forces that I think the friend is lacking and I'm supposed to be the one filling. We don't have that ability to give it to one another.
M. Laitman: Because we don't see the direct actions to one another. But the actions with several approaches from one to the other, to the other, to the other - that we do. But this is only revealed to us in the form of forces of bestowal.
Student: I think I understand. So, directly it's impossible?
M. Laitman: Impossible.
Student: To find a structure of the Ten?
M. Laitman: Yes, that's the whole problem, that such actions we see only through friends.
Student: It's still lacking the ability to bestow to the friend, to see the system and to give something to the friend. In our world, we have the mail or many ways to do it, but here we're stuck. We don't have the system that we can give it through, we don't feel it right.
M. Laitman: Yes, so what do you want me to do? Gradually, through these actions and I think it's the next stage we need to get wise in. We will see, how we can stop ourselves with force and let these friends and those friends be right forward. And it will be like playing chess in such a way. It's a wonderful thing.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:27:59) Why only after “we will do, and we will hear” do we become worthy? What's an action that makes a group worthy?
M. Laitman: Because you already have no direct connection with what you're doing and what you receive. That's it, that's how I can say.
Student: Sometimes, it seems that “we will do, and we will hear” is something that I need to help the Ten reach. Sometimes, it seems that the whole Ten is already in it and I just have to join in; it's two different detections.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: So, what's more right to adhere to?
M. Laitman: That unity?
Student: That they're already in it and they're only lacking me.
M. Laitman: Yes, you're closing the circle.
Student: I wrote down that five years ago you said that those who keep the Torah don't work correctly with the evildoers, and we are guilty that the whole world is in the state of this. And we can't walk ahead with our heads up because we're the dumbest and we have a purpose that we don't want to look at, and it'll all come back as a big trouble. You also told us back then, that we'll see how the Americans and Trump are going to sell us for nothing. That was five years ago, that's what I wrote; it sounds very relevant, current, as if you said it right now.
M. Laitman: So, what do you want to hear?
Student: So, we didn't advance at all in these five years?
M. Laitman: No, we've advanced, we've advanced.
Question (Kyiv 1): (01:30:16) You were taking about inner circles. What needs to happen at the Congress for us to feel some kind of illumination that will bring us the sensation of that inner degree?
M. Laitman: We need to receive an illumination from above which will raise us above our usual place. And we will be able to connect with more external circles.
Student: Me, in my Ten, how can every moment I check that I'm in that inner circle pushing the Ten, there?
M. Laitman: That is through work with other Tens, that's it, that's how it is.
Question (Hungarian-Polish): (01:31:42) Let's say, someone wants to incorporate a friend from the world Kli inside him. I feel his deficiency, I want to help him, but I feel resistance. What should I do?
M. Laitman: Continue. Not for long but continue.
Student: And when I want to include more, more friends, and I feel even more of a resistance?
M. Laitman: Try a little more and then let go of it. The most important thing you can do is to hug him and with him, move to a new place.
Question (Women Moscow 6): (01:33:19) How, when bestowing to the external circle or only in bestowal, not caring of ourselves?
M. Laitman: So, what do you want? Open your borders, open yourself to the external ones?
Student: Yes, how to open myself to someone external, to bestow to them. But not to get an impression from them, not to judge them, not to be proud, just to bestow.
M. Laitman: For that, we need to first prepare such vessels with which we will be able to raise others up with and then to open yourself to such work.
Question (Almaty): (01:34:25) You said, our next degree is that when we'll be able to stop ourselves and to give priority to our friends. You also answered a friend that there's a readiness to work about disturbances, and it's combined with the ability to stop myself. How will that work with a friend who gets blows? I want to take the blows instead of him?
M. Laitman: Yes, it includes that.
Question (Kyiv 3): (01:35:24) I heard that if I see the friend isn't yearning for Arvut, so I need to stay away from him because he can't be my friend on the path. What does it mean to stay away from him?
M. Laitman: We need to take with us on the path those with which we will do all the work, ascents, descents, etc.
Student: On the other hand, you said that those friends need to get a push, to push them into Arvut.
M. Laitman: Seemingly, begin with them and then do all the work as if you're with yourself.
Student: If I see that the friend isn't aspiring for Arvut. Doesn't it show me that I myself am not aspiring for Arvut?
M. Laitman: No.
Student: It doesn't mean I'm making him a zero and me one?
M. Laitman: No, it doesn't mean anything, yet.
Question (Haifa 1): (01:37:00) Is it right that when we work in the two stages: The first one is the giving of the Torah and with the help of the Torah, we ask for the force to come out of Egypt. And afterwards, when we will have the mutual guarantee between us, the Arvut, that's called “the receiver of the Torah”, two stages?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Question (KabU 12): (01:37:59) The article says that we're responsible for each other on both the positive and the negative side. How should we carry this responsibility? Should we feel the weight of the fact that our lack of effort could be keeping the Ten from moving?
M. Laitman: Yes, probably, that way.
Student: How do we work towards the Ten in our group as a single desire instead of seeing them as separate people?
M. Laitman: That we can't see, yet. It's like in high mathematics where there are certain functions that we can raise them several degrees above us, to do with them the actions, and later come down. So, it's the same here, this is how we have to do it. To work on our connection, to attain a higher degree and then to try to expand it, and explain it, and simplify it to the lower degree. And then we will understand, what we're working with in truth.
Question (Women MAK): (01:40:09) The ego of each of us depicts these pictures that distance us from Arvut. How to hold on to the hands of the friends and hold on tight to go out to the correct observance of the Arvut? How to identify where the friend's hands are, to see them and identify them in time?
M. Laitman: We have to want to be with one heart with a friend. Then you'll quickly feel those hands holding you. The Creator never does any actions directly towards a person but only through others. That's why we can hold on to the friends and through them, we can feel in which direction the Creator is pulling us.
Student: Actions that proceed that break the chains of the ego of the friends, what are those actions besides prayer? What else can assist?
M. Laitman: I don't think there's anymore.
Question (Women PT 8): (01:42:01) This whole topic of our root is pretty attractive on one hand, and on the other hand, it feels very distant. I heard, you saying there's many actions that can bring us closer to it. What actions can we do, what actions can I do towards my friends in order to come closer to real Arvut?
M. Laitman: Simple actions of connection that you intend to fill each and every friend. And whatever she needs, that's it.
Student: How can a person know what another person needs, and how to fill him also?
M. Laitman: Do you see what she needs?
Student: I don't see my friend's heart. I can see simple things.
M. Laitman: Yes, simple things. Simple things.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:43:24) You said, the Creator never performs actions directly with a person, only through others. So, what is private Providence?
M. Laitman: Private Providence that I know that now I'm affected, influenced by the upper light, the upper force. But not directly but, let's say, through you.
Student: Meaning, the Creator is operating upon me through others. But upon me directly, with me directly, is there no such thing?
M. Laitman: There also is but it's something rare.
Student: Okay and the other way around? Me towards the Creator?
M. Laitman: You need to build such an action in order to clothe in the other and to work from his behalf.
Student: When we say to talk to the Creator, contact with the Creator the individual attains. There's no such direct connection? It's always through others or is it two paths?
M. Laitman: Both.
Student: Another question about what you said earlier, you said, we need to receive an illumination from above, that will raise us from our regular place, and we will be able to connect to more external circles. All the inner circles and external circles are within us in B'nei Baruch and the world Kli or between B'nei Baruch and more external circles from us.
M. Laitman: In B’nei Baruch.
Question (Petah Tikva Center): (01:45:20) I heard you said the next stage for us is that gradually through actions, we will see how we can stop ourselves with force and to give the right-of-way to these friends or those friends. What does it mean to stop ourselves with force?
M. Laitman: That we don't let ourselves act, freely.
Student: In what manner?
M. Laitman: That what I think, that now, I can do some kind of action, an action that will affect directly, like on the path, towards the world.
Student: Okay, so what does it mean to give the right-of-way to these friends or those friends?
M. Laitman: So, I don't enter my action, but I put the friend before me, what he chooses to do towards the others.
Student: So, let's say, if I have a certain idea, something to do, that seems to me as good, towards bestowal, towards dissemination, towards the society. I don't do it, I stop myself. There's an idea for a friend or other friends and I choose their idea, and I do their idea and not mine. Did I understand this correctly, or is it not connected?
M. Laitman: No.
Student: So, I don’t understand.
M. Laitman: You realize your desire and along with that, you help a friend. Well, ask in a different way.
Student: I simply, it's not clear to me. You explained to me that it's the next stage and there's certain actions that we need to do to reach it.
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And in them, we need to stop ourselves, forcefully. It's just not clear to me with what and towards what? In what is it to give this right-of-way to the friends, meaning preference for them before mine, but in what exactly?
M. Laitman: In importance.
Student: You said, it'll be exactly like a chess game, and it'll be wonderful. In what is it like chess, what do we need to do here, what does this mean, as far as our work is concerned?
M. Laitman: When you attain your desired goal, in the number of entrances that only in the end it gets clarified, the whole process, as much as it's directed towards that goal.
Student: So, these are kind of like moves that you do, and at the end it's clarified what their goal was?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: How will we know what are the actions we have to do, that we need to stop ourselves in?
M. Laitman: Again?
Student: How will we know what the actions are we have to do within which we need to stop ourselves, forcefully?
M. Laitman: Stop ourselves in order to attain the goal?
Student: In order to give the preference early, right-of-way to the friends?
M. Laitman: So, that's the purpose, to help the friends advance; to help the friends advance is the purpose of the action. And in order to help them advance, we need to do actions, in force, so they will move, move the enemy, let's say, towards the goal. Let's say, if I play with you and before you, I put some, some opportunity. So, from those opportunities, you start discovering what I really want to do. Then, it seems to you that you caught me. And then you decide that you are in contact with me but I, in this, actually meant that you'll be happy to rise above me. And by now performing an action, I will acquire you in a different way. There aren't many actions, here, it's two, but that's what changes all of our relations. And then it turns out that that's how we end the game. We can finish the game.
Student: If I understood, correctly, my annulment brings you to an action towards me?
M. Laitman: Yes.
Student: And then as a result of that, I acquire you?
M. Laitman: Well, let's say.