READING: BETWEEN AFTER MIDNINGHT AND DAWN FRIDAY

Baal HaSulam. Shamati, 62. Descends and Incites, Ascends and Complains

62. Descends and Incites, Ascends and Complains

I heard on Adar Aleph 19, February 29, 1948

“Descends and incites, ascends and complains.” One must always examine oneself, if one’s Torah and work do not descend to the abyss. This is because one’s greatness is measured by one’s measure of Dvekut [adhesion] with the Creator, meaning on one’s measure of annulment before the Creator.

In other words, self-love does not merit reference, and one wishes to annul one’s self completely. This is because in one who works in order to receive, the measure of one’s work is the measure of the greatness of one’s self. At that time, he becomes a being, an object, and a separate authority. In that state it is difficult for him to annul before the Creator.

However, when one works in order to bestow, when he completes his work, meaning that he has corrected all his vessels of reception for himself from what he has from the root of his soul, then he has nothing more to do in the world. It follows that one should think and concentrate only on that point.

The sign by which to see if one is walking on the path of truth is if he is in the form of “descending and inciting,” meaning that his entire work is in a state of descent. In that state he is in the authority of the Sitra Achra [other side], and then he ascends and complains, meaning feels that he is in a state of ascent and complains about others. Yet, one who works in purity, cannot complain about others and always complains about himself, and sees others in a better degree than he feels himself.