READING: FROM MIDNIGHT TO DAWN SUNDAY

Baal HaSulam. One Commandment

SOURCE MATERIAL:

One Commandment

“If he performs one Mitzva [commandment], he is happy, for he has sentenced himself and the whole world to the side of merit.”

There is no serving the Creator and observing the Mitzvot [commandments] except Lishma [for Her sake]—meaning to bring contentment to one’s Maker. Yet, our sages have already instructed to engage in Torah and Mitzvot even Lo Lishma [not for Her sake], since “from Lo Lishma he will come to Lishma”… I say that the first and only Mitzva that guarantees the achievement of the aspiration to attain Lishma is to resolve not to work for oneself, apart for the necessary works—merely to provide for one’s sustenance. In the rest of the time, he will work for the public: to save the oppressed, and every being in the world that needs salvation and benefit.

Serving People According to the Commandment of the Creator

There are two advantages to this Mitzva: 1) Each one will understand that he is working because this work is approved and agreeable to all the people in the world. 2) This Mitzva may better qualify him to observe Torah and Mitzvot Lishma, since the preparation is part of the goal. This is so because by accustoming oneself to serving people, one benefits others and not oneself. Thus, one gradually becomes fit to observe the Mitzvot of the Creator under the required condition—to benefit the Creator and not himself. Naturally, the intention should be to observe the Mitzvot of the Creator.

The Part of the Torah Concerning Relations between Man and Man

There are two parts to the Torah: one concerns man and the Creator, and the other concerns man and man. And I call upon you, at any rate, to engage and assume that which concerns man and man, for by this you will also learn the part that concerns man and the Creator.

Speech, Thought, and Action

Work, of any kind, should include thought, speech, and action.

We have already explained the “practical” part of the one Mitzva: One should agree to dedicate all of one’s free time to benefit the people in the world. The aspect of “thought” is more imperative in this Mitzva than in Mitzvot relating to man and the Creator since in Mitzvot between man and the Creator, the “act” in itself testifies that the intention is to benefit one’s Maker, as there is no other room for such an action but Him.

Yet, with what concerns man and man, they are justified in and of themselves, since human conscience necessitates them. However, if one performs them from this perspective, he has not done a thing. In others words, these actions will not bring him closer to the Creator and to actual work Lishma.

Thus, each person should think that he is doing all this only to bring contentment to his Maker and to resemble His ways: As He is merciful, so I am merciful, and as He always imparts good, so do I. This image, coupled with good deeds, will bring him closer to the Creator in a way that will equalize his form with spirituality and with Kedusha [holiness], and he will become like a seal, fit to receive the true Higher Abundance.

The “speech” refers to the prayer in the mouth—during the work and in fixed times—for the Creator to turn one’s heart from reception to bestowal. Also, it is contemplating the Torah and matters that promote achieving it.

Bringing Contentment to One’s Maker Inadvertently

It is hopeless to wait for a time when a solution is found that enables one to begin the work of the Creator in Lishma. As in the past, so is now, and so will it be: Every servant of the Creator must begin the work in Lo Lishma, and from that achieve Lishma.

The way to achieve this degree is not limited by time, but by his qualifiers, and by the measure of one’s control over one’s heart. Hence, many have fallen and will fall in the field of working Lo Lishma, and will die without wisdom. Yet, their reward is nevertheless great, since one’s mind cannot appreciate the true merit and value of bringing contentment to one’s Maker. Even if one works not under this condition, since one is not worthy of another way, one still brings contentment to one’s Maker. This is called “unintentionally.”

Prophetic Truth in Physical Measurement

Since it is an absolute certainty, the prophetic abundance must be received in those combinations of letters completely suitable for the spirit of beginners, that is, to benefit them and to be open to the self-interest of that generation. Only then is it guaranteed that the word of the Creator is accepted by the generation in the form of Lo Lishma, for the Creator did not prepare them in any other way.

Hence, this is the sign of a true prophet: His prophecy is best suited for the physical success of his contemporaries, as it is written, “And what great nation has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?” It is so because the nearness of the physical success will confirm their truthfulness, that in the end, this is indeed the entry point.

The Necessity to Observe the 613 Commandments

The 613 Mitzvot, considered the holy Names, are private Providence for all who approach the reception of the Godly abundance. One must experience all these orders without a single exception. Hence, the complete ones crave them with their hearts and souls, to keep them down to their corporeal branches, as it is written, “In every place where I mention My name, I will come to you and bless you.”

The Wisdom of Truth

Earlier sages chose a private way for themselves, and I have chosen a general way, since in my view, it better suits the Godly matter to be clothed in eternal letter combinations that will never change. I wish to say that with physical success, they will not change at any place or at any time. For this reason, my words are limited.

Because of the above reason, I was compelled to express spirituality in a general manner. Yet, instead, I chose to explain all the details and spiritual combinations down to very small details, which have no other source or origin other than this collective, meaning the purity of Kabbalah. And since I clarify the spiritual details without clothing in corporeal combinations, it will do much good to the development of attainment. This wisdom is called “the wisdom of truth.”

Prophecy

There cannot be mistakes or lies in prophecy, as how can there be a mistake in the light of truth that stems from the Creator? Rather, it is as certain as the rain and snow that fall from the sky on the ground and do not return there until their mission is successfully accomplished. Yet, there is a difference in the receiver, in the ground: Soil that has been prepared by stone removal and by plowing is better suited to receive than unprepared soil. Everything depends on the preparation.

Also, there are certainly differences in the receiving prophets. One is not at the same degree as the other. This greatness or smallness is measured by the preparation in that prophet: One in a lower degree due to absence of superb preparation will necessarily miss some inclination in the course of the light that pours upon him, of which it could be said that the light of prophecy does not suffer any mistakes. Yet, one’s smallness causes him multiplication in letter combinations, which is multiplication of conduits and vessels until he attains prophecy.

Prophetic Success Is Speed

Although the truth in the prophecy ultimately appears in the desirable success, a prophet of a smaller degree still compels a longer way upon the people to whom he was sent. Conversely, one of a great degree, whose preparation is more complete, will suffer no deflection upon receiving one’s prophecy from the Creator. Hence, he will not multiply the vessels and conduits, for which his prophecy will be clear, concise, and easily accepted by those to whom he was sent.

The Small May Succeed More than the Great

Besides the above words, it is possible for the smallest of prophets to succeed in his prophecy even more than the greatest prophet—concerning the above-mentioned speed—since he relies on revelations of prior prophets who paved his way for him. Obviously, it also depends on the development of his listeners, since clear and concise words require a more developed generation, so they can understand him. If these two additions are added to one of small degree, he can succeed far more than a great one.

Prophecy through the Generations

Although Moses received the Torah and the laws for all the generations, to such an extent that the prophet is not entitled to make any innovations, his prophecy was only given for a time. This is supported by the verse, “A prophet from the midst of you, from your brothers, like Me, will the Lord your God raise up for you, and to him you will listen.” If Moses’ prophecy were enough for all eternity, why would the Creator raise other prophets like him? Clearly, his prophecy was effective only for its time. When that time is through, the Creator sends another prophet to continue and complete His will.

Yet, the prophet is not permitted to renew or take away anything, for this would mean that there was a deficiency in the prior prophet. Rather, the words of the Creator are always complete, as it is written, “I am the first, and I am the last.” Rather, his only task is to extend that same prophecy to those generations that are no longer worthy of receiving from the first.

And the last prophet is the Messiah, who completes them all. He, too, is certainly not permitted to add or take away, but his success will be greater, since the whole generation will be fit to accept his words and be completed through him. This is so for two above reasons: either because of their greatness, or because of his contemporaries, or because of both.

The Essence of Prophetic Success

The essence of prophetic success is to extend the upper light to the dwellers below. The one who brings it the lowest is the most successful. Above and below are measured in spirit and in physical benefit, since the physicality obtained by prophecy is the point that gives people footing, and it is known that the focal point in the work of the Creator is the first footing.

A General Force and a Particular Force

Their uniqueness is the unity of the Creator and the Shechina [Divinity]. A particular force is the prohibition on reception down to the lowest degree. The general force is increase of bestowal to the point of “with all his heart and soul.”

LESSON

h the friends be stronger than the Morning Lesson?

R. It could be, yes, but it depends on the person, depends on the person.

38. S. (01:32:14) It is not really a question but more of a request for help from the Tens: Yesterday in one of the articles it says that “bestowal is a source of life:, lately the Creator is limiting us in the abilities to bestow by giving us different corporeal conditions. I see the friends, I justify them, and I understand that it all comes from the Creator. Suddenly there is a complaint to the Creator ‘why isn’t He giving us this connection’, and we would like to ask you for help from the world Kli on what to do in order to bring the ten back to work?

R. Ask, ask.

S. Is it enough that we have two or three in a meeting?

R. Start with that. 

Part 2:

Baal HaSulam. One Commandment (The Wisdom of Truth)

Reading The Wisdom Of Truth (00:19 – 03:29) “Earlier, sages chose…” Twice.

1. S. (03:41) One question, what is he aiming us towards, towards studying The Study of the Ten Sefirot?

R. Where does he say about TES?

S. Because he says “by me to clarify the spiritual details without clothing it in corporeal combinations, it will do much development for attainment”.

R. Okay?

S. I think TES has no corporeality at all, so that supposedly helps us, maybe I’m not explaining it.

R. It’s not that you’re not explaining it, I don’t see the connection.

2. S. (04:37) Baal HaSulam says that “he chose a general path so that means clothing combination of eternal letters”.

R. Yes?

S. What does he mean that “the general way is by clothing combinations of eternal letters”?

R. We still haven’t reached it in order to understand it.

3. S. (05:17) Could you explain who the earlier Sage’s were?

R. The earlier sages were those who were before him, before Baal HaSulam on the path of attainment.

S. And what is that private way that they used to teach in?

R. There’s a private way and a general way: The private way is that each and every private one, every individual reveals His path and the general way, as we’re already talking about the general reality.

S. They both describe attainment one in a private way and one in a general way?

R. Yes, yes.

S. How did Baal HaSulam explain it because it’s not clear from what he writes here, I didn’t understand it, how did he explain it in the general way?

R. Reading : “Earlier sages chose a private way for themselves and I have chosen a general way since in my view it better describes the Godly matter to be clothed in eternal letter combinations we will never change I wish to say that with physical success they will not change at any place, or at any time. And for this reason, my words are limited”, because they belong to all times, all cases, all events, and thus they appeared quite limited. “Because of the above reason, I was compelled to express spirituality in a general manner. Yet instead I chose to explain all the details and spiritual combinations down to very small details which have no other source or origin other than this collective, meaning the purity of Kabbalah”. Meaning, so only according to the one general, he wishes to explain everything, you can say the size of the screen. “And since I clarify the spiritual details without clothing in corporeal combinations, it will do much good to the development of attainment.” Why, because he does not tie the spirituality with corporeality not according to examples and not according to all sorts of other definitions and this wisdom is called the wisdom of truth, meaning we speak only of spiritual details, that is called the wisdom of truth.

S. And how was it called earlier, not the wisdom of truth, when the earlier sages chose a private way, was it the wisdom of truth?

R. No, not, if you take only the sources and there were really great Kabbalists, bug Kabbalists of great attainment but how they wrote it, it was clothed also in corporeal matters, seemingly. And thus it is not clean, it is good for the previous generations but not good for the following generations after Baal HaSulam who can be quite confused by this approach.

Reading: “There cannot be mistakes or lies…” (09:56 – 10:55)

4. R. Meaning to the extent that human beings and people grow over the sources and invest in them and get confused in them and scrutinize in them, all these things operate for the benefit of attainment

Reading Continued “And also there are certainly differences…” (11:18 – 12:19)

5. R. Yes, meaning the great, long work must be here for a person until he reaches the true high attainment of Prophecy.

Reading continues (12:40 – 14:52) “Although the truth in the prophecy ultimately appears in

the desirable success, a prophet of a smaller degree still…” Twice

6. R. (14:54) This is the difference between the great in prophecy and small in prophecy but it’s not really for us, it’s not for us.

Reading (15:09 – 16:17) “The Small May Succeed More than the Great..”

Reading (16:24 – 19:07) “ Prophecy through the Generations – Although Moses received the Torah and the laws for all…”

Reading (19:18 – 20:58) “The Essence of Prophetic Success”

Reading (21:05 – 22:05) “A General Force and a Particular Force – Their uniqueness is the unity of the Creator and the Shechina [Divinity]…”

7. R. (22:21) What’s next, what’s according to the plan?

S. There’s no more study material according to the plan, we didn’t have the Preface today because we have a lot of new students today and it’s advanced material.

8. S. (23:06) I believe that prayer and true faith annul this concept of time and space, so my question is how should we prepare the prayer in order to hasten the realization of the connection between us, what are we missing here?

R. That we don’t have enough of a tendency to connect, that what stops us, it’s slowing us down from reaching the corrections.

9. S. (24:22) We learn from love between us, we reveal more love between us than in the articles, from what we learn in the articles, so is this what Baal HaSulam means when he wrote here that he defines spiritual matters without corporeal enjoinment?

R. “Clothing it on corporeal combinations”, that’s on us; when we reach ‘clothing spirituality n on corporeality, we’ll understand everything and attain everything, that’s the future of our development.

10. S. (25:18) He writes here in a number of places of the connection between prophecy and the lower ones in all sorts of matters regarding speed and the deficiency of the prophecy. What is he trying to indicate here in that he needs to bring the light to the lower ones, how do we pass the light of Prophecy to the lower ones?

R. By on one hand, studying his secret ways, concealed ways; on the other hand, we want to clothe them into the material. Material, I mean our feelings and intentions and desires will all start uniting and connecting between them, and from them they will create the correct system.

S. What system are we talking about?

R. A system that will completely be under spiritual laws.

11. S. (27:09) If we can talk about this wonderful article that we read about in the first part and also regarding the matter of truth that Baal HaSulam mentioned in the second part. 

R. Yes?

S. Previously we talked about the topic of how much I need to feel myself lowly and reach this degree of zero. In our world we need to exit self love and it’s difficult work. And here I have the measure of truth, meaning how much I truly exited self-love and I need to understand that I’m lying to myself because I’m not really sure that I have exited from self-love to measure in all the degrees. To the extent that I’m not sure yet of how much self-love I have, myself, then it helps me to see how much I’m small and zero. Is this the correct way to think and feel this way?

R. Yes, the success only demands only being persistent, the more and more you’ll want to see yourself in such systems.

12. S. (29:04) The prophecy has been given to us, the Shechina, in order to bring us closer; in what are they different than the angels who bring us the laws of nature and what the Creator wants to grow in us?

R. Again?

S. In what are the prophets different that were given to the Shechina in order to bring us closer to Him and towards the vessel compared to the angels that just show the forces to us that shows how to operate inside nature in order to advance to the Creator?

R. On that it is written “in every generation there’s people”, meaning that in every generation you cannot give the same laws and demand, and force a certain generation to do what is right for the previous generation, what can you do? This is the way we have to understand that we are working in this generation and according to this generation we have to take our teachers, Baal HaSulam and Rabash, and also the method to build the tens and this is how we have to do it, it says that is written in their words and advance in such a way.

S. Is this ability to identify with the profits because we in the Ten feel them closer to us than their more human aspect, that we do it on a daily basis compared to the angels which are absolute laws of nature?

R. No, we cannot understand at all what is revealed in the generations of the Prophets, it’is not for us. We have to go according to the way we are, that we’ll have a connection with the upper Force, we’ll be connected to Him through our vessels.

13. S. (31:47) Can we advance in spirituality in the ten without the complete understanding of the process between lights and vessels?

R. Nobody knows the true process between light and vessels and we have nobody to turn to and nobody to learn from but we try to advance towards it. And the Creator from His height brings it down to us, the exercises, the thoughts, the desires, the actions; and in this way we advance, the main thing is to want to invest in a general way according to those teachers and rules that we got.

14. S. (32:54) Wwe just read how the main heaviness in man’s work is the first grip, the first footing, what is this?

R. It is that the system is revealed to a person in a way that is near him, close to him, and he can grasp to it, that’s called the first grasping, the first footing, that he’s on it and start developing according to that system

S. 33:28 Why is it called a footing or a grip, you attain the system?

R. In a somewhat way you are correcting it.

S. Why is all the heaviness on this point then?

R. Because it is in a different kind of nature it is in an opposite nature, and then to hold on to it you don’t know how to grab it, spirituality is here everywhere but what, where do you see it?

S. In our senses we’re not even aware of what we have, so how do you grip on to something you can’t grasp?

R. That’s what they give you that first time and somewhat to hold on to spirituality.

S. We are given this first grip? Why is the point of heaviness with the focal point, it’s not dependent on you? 

R. But when you grab on to it, so for you to reach that point that first holding, is something very difficult.

S. What can you do then in order to lower this fog, to begin to see this is the same system you need to grip onto? 

R. You need to do all the actions that will expand your grasp on the spiritual system.

S. You perform actions and the results of these actions is to begin to grab on to this system?

R. Yes, more and more.

S. What does it add, I understand the current state but what does it mean that you live that you are gripping onto the system?

R. That more and more you will get used to doing actions of bestowal and connection and anything possible.

S. Meaning you are operating only out of what the system dictates to you?

R. Of course, what else could you work in?

S. It turns out that the system, the moment we have the first footing the system annuls you entirely because you only operate out of it, it dictates to you what to do?

R. Of course it dictates what to do, also before you didn’t understand it and you didn’t recognize it.

S. What is this addition here that you are suddenly aware of it?

R. That I myself start feeling in what actions or tendencies that I have to be in, in order to get even more of a grasp of that system.

15. S. (36:42) On one hand, he says regarding the Wisdom of Truth he scrutinizes all the matters here is without corporal matters that helps with our attainment and it is called the Wisdom of Truth. Then he talks about prophetic success if I understand correctly, it talks here about corporeal benefit which is obtained above and below the measure of spirit and the physical benefit and physicality attained by prophecies about the point of the footing. On one hand he talks about the Wisdom of Truth is not tying the wisdom to physical matters and then he talks about prophetic success and by tying it to physicality it gives people of the world a footing, a grasp. Are these two things, how can we understand both these matters?

R. I don’t know I’m not on that degree of prophecy so I cannot tell you exactly what’s going on, but it is clear that we are advancing from degree to degree by us getting more and more of a grasp on spiritual spiritual actions.

S. When he talks about prophecy here we should understand that the expansion of the Wisdom of Kabbalah in the world?

R. No, prophecy is a spiritual degree, It has completely nothing to do with the world, humans or anybody, no.

S. What is he talking about giving people a footing, a grasp in prophecy if it is a very high level of attainment?

R. Everybody will have to reach all the degrees in Gmar Tikkun, the final correction, the incorporating of all souls, also everybody will have to reach all the degrees.

S. Regarding this matter of the Wisdom of Truth this is also a degree of attainment? Under the title the Wisdom of Truth when he talks about he tries to pass on the wisdom without combining it with corporeal matters and physical matters. He’s talking about the Wisdom of Kabbalah, right?

R. Yes.

S. Can we take what he explains here regarding the Wisdom of Kabbalah that we do it cleanly and without tying it to corporeal matters and we will be more successful this way?

R. Yes, that’s what he’s saying, that by him passing it on the way he’s writing it, there’s no connection to corporately that’s why it will be more successful.

16. S. (40:16) I heard that we have to have a greater grasp on the system, meaning to be a part  that gives more to the system, more equal to the system that is a system of bestowal?

R. Yes.

S. Also we hear today that we are going through many states.

R. You don’t feel it, relatively alright.

S. How along with all the states can we utilize all the states we go through in order to be more active participant, more giving in the system and be more like the system?

R. That’s through what we are studying by connection and bestowal.

S. Let’s say states that pass through our mind and emotion that there is something more important than the states we have to go through is that we have a goal above them. And these states are in order for us to adhere to this goal and the goal is to be like the Creator, bestowal. Maybe my question is not scrutinized enough yet but I will try to ask it. How to utilize all the states that we go through in the lesson and outside the lesson in order that we will truly be a part and to be participating more in the system?

R. That is through the connection between us. I want to incorporate with all the friends in the Ten or as much as there will be, and in that I want to incorporate in them with all the desires thoughts, my abilities to help them support them and complete them. In this way each one that when we do that every group, inside the group so by that they build a system that will eventually be spiritual.

S. But there are many shades and many varieties of work, like in the article by yourself a friend and make yourself a Rav, judge each person to a scale of merit, all these varieties of work. But there’s one goal that will be similar to The Creator, so how do we adhere to this goal above all these states that there will be just a means for this?

R. You can adhere to the goal if you are one, but if you are in a group that we are all trying  more or less to adhere to that goal so then you can reach it, you can all resemble the Creator.

S. What are we truly lacking to adhere to the goal?

R. Connection between us and resembling the Creator, no more than that.

17. S. (43:51) In the last part of the article he says, the most successful prophet is one who can show the will to receive to the masses that spirituality pays off. Out of this, is it enough to truly take everyone to a spiritual degree?

R. I guess so, I don’t know what means or what actions but yes, in that way if he can show them that it’s worth it, so it takes them all.

S. It sounds like the best ability of this prophet is that he has some physical ability or expression?

R. I don’t know, don’t ask me it’s so high above all of us because we are speaking about actions from the end of corrections. 

S. Explain to the masses?

R. Wait patiently. Okay friends so we finished this article and we have more questions from women.

18. S. (45:27) He’s written into the second to the last part of the article the main part of the prophetic success is to extend the upper life to the dwellers below and the one who brings to the lowest is the more successful. We learned that everything comes from the Creator so what’s the matter of success here on a certain person and some action?

R. The Creator but then it goes down through people and prophets in a way that everything cascades downward.

19. S. (46:19) In the past article it says that our work towards people is to reach all the way to the degree of prophecy. What is to reach the degree of prophecy in the Ten and what is our personal work that brings us to this attainment?

R. As much as we try to connect between us, to be as one man with one heart we buy this advance in our nature to the upper light and then it shines on us more and more. That’s a secret of our success but please ask but we don’t have any more to do, just to connect closer between us in order that from our desires, separate, shattered, distant we will be as one desire. Meaning as one man with one heart and then the upper light will shine more and more in our system and show us the upper force.

20. S. (48:19) We’re going through many states but we don’t feel them, you said we’re going through many steps but we don’t feel them. In our spiritual development do we need to reach a state that we can feel any changes?

R. That’s the difference between a small and big like in our world, does a child understand what he is going through? No, he doesn’t feel, but when he grows more and more then he starts being more organized ,more understanding, more feeling and in this way he is advancing and it is the same in our spiritual work.

S. In the meantime we’re suddenly making leaps to feel changes in ourselves?

R. Yes.

21. S. (49:10) The general forces of the Creator it says in the article, how does a person exit the influence to the general force?

R. From his ego, the way he connects to the friends and wants to reach a state that he does everything for the group and for the Ten, and according to that the upper light works on him and he goes from the personal system to the general system.