MONDAY PRAYER: GEVURAH-TIKKUN CHATZOT תקון חצות – LESSON WITH RAV MICHAEL LAITMAN

READING: BETWEEN AFTER MIDNIGHT AND DAWN MONDAY

Zohar for All. Introduction of The Book of Zohar. Lock and Key, item 41

Morning Lesson December 31, 2022 Transcription

Transcription is made from simultaneous translation which leaves a possibility for differences in the audio

Part 1:

1. Zohar for All. “Introduction of The Book of Zohar”. Lock and Key. #41

1. Rav’s Introduction: The lock and the key is a bit of a technical article. When does the path open for the light from above downward and when is it shut? Here there are many different terms from the Wisdom of Kabbalah. Galgalta Eynaim, the AHP, the Sefirot, but nevertheless we will go through it and I hope that we will understand what it is about. The thing in itself is very important; what is it closing for us and what is opening for us our connection with the upper one. The lock and the key.

(01:32) Reading 41 “Lock and Key”

2. R. (04:43) I think we should read this again from the explanation of things.

(04:56) Reading again from “Explanation”

3. S. (07:31) What does it mean that the Torah is ZA?

R. ZA is that light that comes to us from Bina, from the GAR, from the Creator and this is called Torah that light. All of the light that we eventually get from above, from the Creator is called Torah.

S. Later it says the light comes from Bina through ZA?

R. Yes, he will elaborate more and more. We have to wait and it will settle in us as we advance.

S. In order to draw the light it seems that we need to be in ZA and attract it from Bina?

R. We will wait and see, we will read and we’ll see, be patient.

Reading 41 continues (08:46)

4. R. (13:07) Do not be shy, anything that is not clear go ahead and ask, what’s going to happen?

5. S. (13:22) What is the bottom Hey and what is Ateret Yesod of Malchut?

R. The bottom Hey is the end of the Partzuf, the Sof. Malchut, it’s the seal, the end of the Partzuf and this is how she guards the shape and the form of the Partzuf.

S. What is the Ateret Yesod of Malchut?

R. Ateret de Yesod, the crown of the Yesod of Malchut, meaning Malchut is the end of the degree and Yesod is what imparts to Malchut, and Ateret Yesod is the part in Yesod which is specifically designed to connect with Malchut. This is why all kinds of corrections have to be done on it.

6. S. (14:38) We understand that Yesod is the foundation and the text is telling us that this is Ateret of Yesod, the crown. We are wondering what is in between the crown and the foundation, what is happening there?

R. These are great things that we are going to learn later. This is the connection between Ateret Yesod and Malchut and under which conditions there could be a connection between them, and the upper light could pass from Yesod to Malchut. We will learn this. It is related to the circumcision and all kinds of things we are going to learn later. We are going to learn these things later.

7. S. (16:21) Part of the article says that the GAR of Mochin are concealed, they are hidden in the Partzufim above because only the VAK of the lights are revealed. What does it mean for Partzufim to have Mochin?

R. This is the light of Hochma that fills the Partzuf at least to some extent. It’s called Mochin, it is an internal, inner filling.

8. S. (17:07) The inner lights are hidden in the upper Partzufim, so what is causing the upper lights to be revealed and cascade down to the lower Partzufim?

R. It is that the lower Partzufim want to draw them in order to reveal them, and then the lights are drawn to them. We will learn these things gradually.

9. S. (17:51) What does it mean that the Mochin is used only in the qualities of the VAK of the upper Partzufim?

R. The Mochin is the inner light that can pass from Partzuf to Partzuf, from degree to degree, under certain conditions that the vessels are suitable for the light. This is actually the rule.

S. In relation to the lower ones, those who want to receive the Mochin?

R. If the lower one wants to receive a filling of the upper one, it has to reach the same quality of the upper one and then he will receive it.

S. How do we make these conditions?

R. We have to ask, we have to perform all kinds of actions that will connect the lower to the upper, in the end it is the prayer.

S. We can really just ask, as it says here, to resemble the VAK of the upper Partzufim?

R. Of course, yes, why not? This is what we have to do always to resemble the VAK, which is the last degree of the Partzuf above us and if we will ask properly, all of us together, then of course we will receive a connection to the higher Partzuf to it’s last degree and we will start to receive the forces from there and it will elevate us to that Partzuf to that higher degree and there we will settle and be filled with the upper force and we will start to think about how can we rise even higher up. This is how it is, through 125 degrees like mountain climbers, this is how it is.

S. What does it mean for the ten: the VAK of the upper Partzuf?

R. The upper Partzuf, it’s what the lower one can receive and can connect with so that all of its vessels will be arranged just like the VAK of the upper Partzuf. Meaning the light of the upper Partzuf that the lower is capable of receiving and suffering and through that he will change and bit by bit to resemble the upper one.

Look, we give a baby, let’s say milk and also not just any milk but milk that is heated to a particular temperature and the milk itself has to be particular and it has to come from a small bottle, through a small hole, in small doses and we truly measure each and every gram of how much the baby should eat. This is how it is with the upper one with respect to us and we need to be ready and capable of receiving the filling from the upper One and to thank Him for it because by us receiving we become like the upper one. That is our goal should be to become like the upper One and then we will receive from Him.

Our life, on our degree, in this world to grow up, it is a force that is compelling our bodies, let’s say like a baby, it wants to grow: why because it is registered in its qualities but we, in spirituality must ask to have these qualities within us, we have to ask for each and everything and then we get from the upper One desires, forces, such qualities then we can already come closer to the upper One and connect with Him and suckle from Him and receive from Him.

10. S. (23:07) The bottom half of each degree extends the GAR of lights at the same time of Gadlut: is this GAR of light from above to below so the Partzuf can extend?

R. It is written that from the heavens you do not get a half, that the heavens do not give you half and so we receive a complete portion from above and through our actions we need to make corrections over it. What is it that we want and how much do we want so even when a baby is just one day old, nevertheless, he receives through the mouth and suckles from the mother and this is how the baby grows and then it, itself checks if it wants it or not, if it wants to fall asleep and we have to wake the baby up, as we learn in the suckling of the babies.

11. S. (25:22) When there’s only the VAK of Hochma in the Partzuf does that mean that the central adhering of the Partzuf is to the light of Hassidim only?

R. No, this is much more complicated. No, we will learn that, this is not so simple.

12. S. (25:49) We are talking about the Partzufim of Atzilut that has a special shape or all the spiritual Partzufim?

R. No, this is about Atzilut; we are only studying about Atzilut.

S. In Atzilut, do these Partzufim lack Malchut; there’s no deficiency there?

R. It is not written about all the Partzufim of Atzilut and I don’t like it when you speak in such general forms as if you found some great rule. That’s it so let’s read and understand it, bit by bit, it is much more complicated than you think.

13. S. (26:40) I came to a conclusion that since Malchut rises from AHP to GE, it turns out that AHP remains without the Malchut and cannot receive so then the Malchut appears in him and the lower one gives his Malchut, meaning the GE of the lower one that rose to the Malchut to connect to the AHP of the upper One, as if gives him His Malchut: is that true, does it work that way?

R. Until we read that I don’t want to talk about that. I do not understand why is it that you’re running ahead, as if you understand it and you are in it: learn what is written.

14. S. (27:33) What does it mean that the Bina came back to be Hochma, is it not the foundation of Hochma?

R. Bina returns to being Hochma. It’s that Bina connects with Hochma and works like her, soon we will see that.

15. S. (28:00) What are the small ZON and great ZON?

R. It is the Gadlut and Katnut in the Partzuf of ZON.

16. S. (28:13) When everything is so hidden and the key is the connection, how do we build Arvut in the ten, how do we raise our cry to the upper light?

R. We need to understand one thing only, that the Creator feels us without any hindrances, without any screens or curtains and therefore, what we feel, He feels: what we ask for, He hears it and so on. We only need to be in the same conditions that the Creator dictates to us; to connect between as and to turn to Him and then we attain everything and of course gradually, not at once but then begin to climb on the ladder.

17. S. (29:34) What does it mean that one Partzuf stays at the same height of another Partzuf?

R. This is how it is, this is its particular state for the time being. We can’t talk about it because he doesn’t explain more here.

S. What does it mean to remain in its height and to receive from Him?

R. It’s going through changes and one of the changes is arriving to that state and we have to see what happens to it next.

18. R. (30:20) Just realize I am teaching you how to relate to what is written and it is not necessarily the knowledge, that will come there is no question about that, but we need to get what we get from above, from the Heavens and if he says we hear it, we try to understand it, we try to remember it, we try as much as possible. There are those who remember immediately, there are those who have difficulty even thinking about it and hear it, but this is how, nevertheless, we progress. It is not the wise who studies so just listen.

Any moment that we are hearing the Zohar, we are correcting ourselves even though we don’t feel it. However, we are already in the upper light that is correcting us. Now I only have a question for you: do you feel that the text is difficult and it would be better for us to move to easier parts of the text? Nevertheless, there are many terms here that truly come from the wisdom of Kabbalah. Everything is okay. Let’s continue, let’s try to flow along.

Reading Item 42 (32:55) “But in the essay, Beresheet,..”

19. R. (41:44) Here it explains to us in what conditions the upper light spreads downwards towards the souls. We’ll have to study this carefully more and more. Now I understand the text is not so clear and we have to set up some prior explanation to this and then we will get to it again.

20. S. (42:20) The state in the Partzuf where there is the GAR and the VAK is it a corrupted state or a corrected state?

R. It fits the Partzuf, then it fits, otherwise it does not.

S. Do I have to make this division inside of me or in the ten that there is the GAR and the VAK?

R. Yes.

21. S. (42:44) What’s the relation that we should have when we do not understand anything and we feel confusion because we do not have a grip on anything?

R. It is very good that we feel that we do not understand anything because this is first of all that it’s the truth and we must not run away from it and we should not feel ashamed or try to hide it. Now the question is how to overcome it or how we manage to work with this material which is above our understanding, our knowledge, our attainment, so we need to learn how we can do that.

Usually we go over it a few times, we divide the text into smaller parts and then we try somehow to connect it with us. This is how we swallow it in smaller portions so in each and every portion we explain what it is already with those terms that we have learnt and understood already and this is how we are going to do it; there is no problem.

All in all, we are learning about the connection of the ten Sefirot into one Partzuf: this is the entire wisdom of Kabbalah. There is the reality of the worlds and the Sefirot, no matter where it is, there is nothing else to do, just to connect everything into a single system.

22. S. (44:44) I understand nothing is clear but I would like to understand one thing only: the second restriction that the Malchut is rising to Bina, does it mean that in every Partzuf the bottom Hey rises to the upper Partzuf and is hidden there?

R. First of all, the second restriction, Tzimtzum Bet, is not just that Malchut rises to Bina. The second restriction is truly a great limitation for the Partzuf so it would be able to work only with the vessels of bestowal, only with the vessels of bestowal and it cannot work with the vessels of reception. This is actually the condition for the second restriction.

S. What is written here is that the bottom Hey of each Partzuf is hidden in the Partzuf above it. That seems to be the main thing we get here; we learn here.

R. This means that the Malchut of the lower Partzuf cannot work as Malchut so it is hidden in the upper Partzuf; it means that it can receive from the upper one only Katnut; the smallness.

23. S. (46:33) I wanted to be precise about the quality of the Avir: the Avir is it Hassadim, the quality of the light?

R. Yes, it is the quality of Hassadim.

24. S. (46:57) I do not understand anything but there is one thing that lands on me that we are learning about the lower Hey and I understand that this is part of the name of God, Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey, so it is very important that the lower Hey goes goes down. What does it tell us about God when we are learning about the lower Hey being passed on?

R. It is that the upper light opens up for itself a way and it reaches the lower Partzufim in order to correct them and later on in order to fulfill them.

25. S. (48:05) Adding to the difficulty of reading the passage, is that in the book, it is quite different, the writing and the terms are different. Would you suggest comparing the two or just to follow the internet version we are reading now?

R. I do not know what is happening and which book?

Chaim: The book the friend is holding is a translation of Russian of the Introduction to the Book of Zohar, and that what we are reading here, which is, Zohar For All. Of course there are changes between this text and the text we are reading

R. She has to have the right book with the right translation.

Chaim: It is on the internet, take the study material we have on the internet and then the text will be matching what we are studying.

26. S. (49:30) What is this key, is that our prayer that is rising to the spiritual world which is unknown?

R. The prayer that rises above which opens up to us that possibility to contact the Creator, the upper force and then receive from Him strength by which we attain the whole system to an extent that we are investing.

27. S. (50:12) It is written here that it is counted correctly. What is this operation? What does it mean that it is properly counted?

R. That the lower ones cannot connect to him.

S. If so, the question arises, how because they are the ones who should be the key so what does it mean to be the key? What should we acquire in order to have this key: what is this key?

R. We will learn that the lock and the key, we will learn that and by what key we are opening the lock.

S. This place in the Zohar gives the impression that it is very cunning.

R. Seems to you that way. This is 99% of the Zohar is like that.

28. S. (51:48) Can we control the process of reception of the light, if so what do we need to attain for it and how does it work?

R. We have to control the reception of the light otherwise we do not receive the light at all. We have to understand the laws of the expansion of the light from above downwards, meaning the commutation laws that we have with the light as from below upwards and then we will be filled with light, with some portion of it and we can measure it in advance, weigh it, receive it and to that extent we will bring contentment to the Creator. That’s what we need to do.

29. S. (53:18) We learn like a little one who loves the adult. We are learning how to speak now, out of love to the upper one, we are acquiring the words He is teaching us. We will read, we will listen and learn. We breathe these words and taste them and then we tell ourselves that these are the limitations, so it’s through the letters that we understand what is written there?

R. Basically, it is correct. We do not feel it though because it happens in us, since we do not understand the way of our thoughts and our feelings and how we come closer to a feeling to an understanding of some object, so this is what it is about, but bit by bit, we will start feeling in what way our attainment happens.

S. It speaks about a mechanism that is opening up the degree of speaking?

R. Yes, most important is patience. Nothing else is important here besides patience because in your patience you give the Creator the possibility to influence and shape you and equalize you more and more with the upper light. Therefore, it is said it is not the smart one who learns, it is not the smart one who learns but only the one who lowers his head and does what he can and in that way he allows the lights to work on him.

30. S. (55:40) He is writing here that after the AHP acquired the AHP of Kelim it also acquires the GAR of Atzilut. What is acquiring, is it acquisition, is it a corporeal concept?

R. No, to acquire means I acquire the screen. Then I receive the light into the screen and fulfill myself through the screen and all of that, with the intention to give pleasure to the Creator.

S. We constantly say that you have to buy yourself a friend so it seems to project to our ability to acquire these vessels that later on allow us to receive the light of Hochma. This is what I am trying to scrutinize here.

R. Yes, yes, all of these actions ultimately lead us to the light of Hochma

31. S. (57:15) I wanted to ask. I heard you say earlier, that only according to how much we want to be like the upper One we will be able to receive from Him.

R. Right, according to the equivalence of form.

S. What does it mean to be like the upper One?

R. In bestowal, in the quality of bestowal; receiving in order to bestow or bestowing in order to bestow.

S. But how do we create from ourselves this form?

R. By the connection between us. By prayer, by all sorts of such efforts we receive from above the light that reforms, that influences us and gives our desires an intention to bestow.

S. And it says if this is something where you know you’re like the upper One or it just happens?

R. No, it will happen and as a result of it happening, bit by bit, more and more, I begin to understand that I am already in connection with the upper One, resembling the upper One and thus, we will advance; we will rise.

S. I wanted to ask in this article when he writes about the key that opens up a certain gate, what exactly opens here?

R. These are the degrees between the Sefirot, between the Partzufim, in this way we rise, we make an effort and we raise MAN and then we rise. We make an effort, then we raise MAN and then we rise.

S. So the key is our prayer?

R. Yes.

S. What is the lock?

R. The lock is the difference between the degrees.

S. And our ability to create the key from our prayer, what does it depend on?

R. I didn’t understand. Please repeat.

S. If we need a key in order to open up the gate for the next degree, on what does our ability to do it depend on so we will have a key in our hand?

R. That we want to nullify ourselves towards the upper degree; this is called the key to it. That the more we want to resemble the upper one, we basically make a shape out of ourselves like the upper One and so it’s as though the key enters the lock and unlocks it.

S. How does it work, these opposites, that on the one hand we want to annul towards the upper One and on the other hand we want to be like the upper One?

R. It is like a mold and a fulfillment of it, like two opposites that are compatible, the seal and the imprint, like light and the darkness; two opposite forms.

S. So our efforts to resemble Him that is our expression of us wanting to annul before Him?

R. Yes, yes we are willing to nullify to what level, to what height, to the extent that the upper One opens up to us and invites us.

32. S. (01:01:24) Earlier you said that our ability to absorb everything that is happening here in this study now depends on our patience, so what does our degree of patience depend on?

R. Where does he write it? I can’t recall right now.

S. Those whose patience endured.

R. Yes, those whose patience stood up for them are only the heroes, yes, the Introduction to TES.

S. Okay, we can go and find that source but if you can explain what allows us to develop such patience? Patience with respect to what?

R. Patience with respect to everything we are going through. I can’t demand the Creator something that I am not receiving. I am just praying to receive help for what appears to me as a disturbance and that the Creator will help me go through this disturbance but to just cry for something I didn’t receive as a disturbance, that I can’t do.

33. S. (01:03:00) I would like to continue and also would you said about patience. How does the lower one know that the upper one is working on him or maybe the lower one just has some illusion that he’s working?

R. We have to try to connect as much as possible with the friends and as a result of this connection to try to get closer to the Creator so that we will begin to feel us getting closer, our closeness. That’s up to us.

S. How is the nearing felt? What does it mean that we feel that we’re getting closer?

R. That I understand what the Creator is doing with me, I agree. I open myself up to His work.

S. That is exactly the point, what does it mean that I open myself up?

R. I opened myself up to all the actions the Creator wants to do with me. I want to be willing in advance to all His actions.

S. So let’s say the lower one can say I want, I’m ready, I’m willing but in practice, in actuality he’s not ready and he doesn’t want it.

R. As much as he can, as much as he can, or to pray to be willing.

34. S. (01:04:53) Another question about patience. Patience is with respect to what? Meaning what is the measure that the lower one is working patiently, correctly? The patience is with respect to what?

R. With respect to the actions of the upper one that He is doing on him. I have to accept that each and every moment I am governed by the Creator, there is None Else Besides Him and whatever happens He governs me, He rules each and every state I have.

S. How the lower one not delude himself that he’s in that state? Where are the signs on the path that he’s actually doing the right work?

R. If you need signs then that’s not faith.

S. Signs with respect that I need some change but I’m doing the right work. If I’m not doing the right work maybe I am just [..]

R. Check yourself and scrutinize and do things differently then.

S. That’s what I’m asking, check with respect to what?

R. How much are you together with the friends in mutual bestowal that’s aimed at bestowing to the Creator? To that extent you advance correctly, there’s nothing to add here.

35. S. (01:06:50) Even if one understands nothing still we want to continue with the text. The question is will this information be revealed to us later on or do we have to build everything from the beginning?

R. No we have to continue and advance, not from the beginning.

36. S. (01:07:22) When he writes that everything is in this key because this key closes and opens this key, who creates it? Is it us through our prayers?

R. Yes.

S. And the place for the key that we have made already, to put it into the keyhole is this our intention, that everyone will hold the same intention?

R. Let’s say so. We have to discover that, it’s still ahead of us.

S. I just wanted to add that this study is challenging and exciting and I’m very happy about it.

37. S. (01:08:23) About the study of the Zohar if there are students who feel that they lack fundamental concepts like the Sefirot and other things that I didn’t study enough is this the time to study these things and know the basis or should we simply be along with everyone and just flow along?

R. I don’t think it’s a problem. We will see it over time, here and there you get these details.

38. S. (01:09:00) About the key is it a combination of the intent to receive for the friends or to pray for the friends?

R. No, we’ll learn, we’ll learn that from the book. Don’t look for getting some basic discernments from me, we have to see those things in the book.

39. S. (01:09:54) A question by a friend, earlier you gave an example like a child who is given milk in connection between the lower one and the upper one. When we rise to the upper one we feel ourselves according to Him, in bestowal but in the example it seems like the upper One adapts itself to the lower one so how do we actually meet?

R. In the connection between them and of course the upper One adapts himself to the lower one because he has the power and knowledge. The lower one has nothing, just a blind desire.

40. S. (01:10:48) What can you say about let’s say as the minimal rule for us that we should not agree to the fact that we don’t love others and desire to demand to do it. Is it how we will find the key?

R. Try, it actually suits your character.

41. S. (01:11:17) It seems like the essence of this whole process is hidden here in the two successive couplings over the Reshimot; the record with coarseness two and then the record with coarseness four and the coupling happens after the MAN is raised?

R. Basically you’re right. The main thing for us is to do the coupling at the level of Bina and then at the degree of Malchut, yes.

42. S. (01:12:02) You said that the patience is the most important in the study but we’re also told that we have to be in a constant state of demand. How do we combine these things because it seems like it’s almost a contrast?

R. That’s right. On the one hand we have to be with a great strength towards the goal, on the other hand we have to have great patience throughout the whole path. Yes, that’s how we have to be, both this and that.

43. S. (01:12:58) Every moment does the Creator put a lock on a person’s heart?

R. Yes of course, each and every second if you can speak in seconds a new lock, a new key, everything is new.

S. What does the Creator want, what response does He want when He puts a lock on our heart in every moment?

R. That we will open it, open up the heart to the friends, through them to the Creator.

S. That means that He’s actually pushing us to pray for the friends in the ten, that’s the response He’s expecting from us?

R. Yes.

S. How can a ten recognize the next degree every time?

R. It doesn’t need to, he doesn’t need to identify anything. He simply needs to move closer and closer between the friends and when that happens, the assent between the degrees they will understand it from the results.

44. S. (01:14:14) How to come out resistances because the Creator gives them to me and I have to respond somehow with faith. How do I combine the two?

R. I don’t know how to explain it. You need to work against corporeal, earthly perception, that is what I would say. But we will go through these things, it’s hard for me to find the words for it.

S. When you hear it it seems that […]

R. Okay, okay. You have a good soul, so you will advance.

45. S. (01:15:44) If the Creator determines my state why does He give a desire with no fulfillment?

R. So you would ask.

S. What should I ask for, correcting the desire?

R. Whatever you feel that you need, that is necessary. What is your goal?

46. S. (01:16:20) What is the prayer in the ten that we need to raise for the Creator to give us more patience? And asking for patience is that work on the amount of light that the Creator will shine on the vessels?

R. I don’t quite understand.

Translator: He’s asking two questions. First of all, he said how to ask for patience and then he was asking if we do ask for patience is it like a regulation on the light that bestows upon us?

R. The main thing for us is to enter connection between us, between the friends because inside this connection we will find the solution, the correct attitude, correct understanding for everything that’s going over us. We can even imagine those things how everything is solved, resolved if we reveal a degree of connection between us, the form of connection between us, the intensity of connection between us. That is what we need to do.

47. S. (01:18:17) My friend is asking when we acquire the Masach do we need to be able to differentiate the different Masach? Are there are different names for them, do we need to be able to differentiate the Masach when we acquire them?

R. Yes.

S. How do we do that please?

R. We don’t do it but we begin to identify for each and every state what screen belongs to it, what kind of overcoming has to happen, we will learn about it. Its like in our lives when we begin to get familiar with life we divide it into different approaches, different little boxes, that is how it’s going to be in spirituality as well.

S. How will it feel when we have a Masach?

R. We feel it of course as a force that we understand and we’re able to do something with and we’re able to hold in the screen what we’re attaining, yes.

48. S. (01:19:59) The key is the prayer that comes from us but the Yud that comes out of the quality of the Avir becomes all light. So it turns out that the key activates this mechanism. What is this Yud? It’s been an hour and I can’t grasp onto this.

R. No, I can’t, keep going.

49. S (01:20:49) On every degree is there is a specific key that opens it?

R. Yes there are many many keys and it’s the same principle.

S. Because it seems like there’s a master key that can open everything. Is there such?

R. No, it has to be the right intention each time relative to what you’re trying to open.

S. Does the lower one needs to adapt himself to the higher one in the perfect way and then it opens?

R. Yes.

S. So there’s a lot of work of delicacy and sensitivity to search for where it all comes in?

R. Without it you don’t even come close.

S. On the other hand there’s that famous quote that every lock has a key but if it doesn’t open the thief breaks the lock and those are the ones the Creator likes the most. So what’s the work, to try to be delicate or to break the lock?

R. You should have the desire, the willingness, the power to break, it’s better than to open.

50. S. (01:22:14) You said to be in annulment to the next degree, does that mean to annul towards the ten?

R. Annulment from?

S. Before the next degree.

R. Yes, relative to the next degree, we should always get to annulment.

S. But does that mean to annul before my ten?

R. Of course.

51. S. (01:22:58) How do you recommend to open the heart towards the friends without being through self profit?

R. We go through many states from self profit, self gain to impersonal gain, until you see the impersonal gain as the greatest gain there is.

S. Are there certain rules that you recommend to open the heart to the friends in some way?

R. Yes, first of all think that we’re not working without any profit, there’s always a calculation and we’re always working with the goal and with known and anticipated profit. And we demand and we ask and that’s it. But the profit has to be clear, to give contentment to his Maker, fine, through the group, okay, and so on and so forth. Meaning I should always check where I’m at.

52. S. (01:24:20) This key, is that the point we find the love between us?

R. Yes, everything opens in it, through it, because it’s Mifteha. Also in Manula we have work because in Manula we need to see how much we have to close ourselves relative to certain conditions and lights and fulfillment and open ourselves up under such and such conditions. Meaning it’s a key and lock that work together until they equalize.

53. S. (01:25:33) That is exactly what I wanted to ask about because it feels that if I don’t adapt the key to the lock nothing will open no matter how many keys I have. So how do I make this equalization as you said, how do I see that my key will actually open the lock I have on the heart?

R. That’s a matter of experience when we begin to feel where we need to add, where we need to subtract, how do we adapt ourselves, it’s typically through the ten.

S. How do I depend on them, why do they depend on me?

R. Adapt yourself to them and you will see how much it helps you to become the correct key.

S. You also said I have to be concerned about the intensity of the connection between us. How?

R. Try, if you will adapt yourself to the opening of the heart of the entire ten then you open everything up.

S. I have 12 friends in my ten and in each one is different and each one has a different heart.

R. Yes, so you have in the key all those different shapes that you can use to fit to each and everyone.

S. The key has to go through everybody?

R. Yes through everyone, all the way up to the Creator. Then you open up the Creator, the end of all the gates, it’s written about it.

S. The end of all the gates, you come to it like the friends, you search for signs, you lose the path eventually.

R. Don’t ask too much, but rather work and then you’ll open everything up.

54. S. (01:27:43) What we just read, he speaks about the principle that the Malchut of the lower one adheres to the Nikvey Eynaim of the upper one. So I wanted to ask about this principle because usually we learn that the Galgalta Eynaim of the lower one is adhered to the upper one, but here all the Partzufim, the Malchut is adhered to Nikvey Eynaim, what is that?

R. It’s the second restriction. The Malchut starts from the Bina of the upper one, not from vessels of reception but from vessels of bestowal.

S. The Malchut of the lower one? Let’s say the Malchut of ZA is [..]

R. No, no, each and every degree ends on Galgalta Eynaim and the AHP is concealed.

55. S. (01:28:40) Can I ask about how to study? What should I think about when we are reading the Zohar?

R. About what we’re reading. We wish to approach a state where we will give some contentment to the Creator.

S. Why in order to feel the book I have to try and understand what’s written, all these terms?

R. Because it gives you the opportunity to approach the book, to hold it. It’s not simply reading, it’s helping you build your vessel.

S. Four years ago or so when we read the Zohar for the last time, we went through it all and there was a clear direction, only think of the connection and everything will be clear. All the questions were about that, how to connect, how to work in the ten and now nothing is clear, what to think about, so now we have to understand?

R. Over all these years didn’t you understand that you have such times and such other times?

S. Now I don’t understand what to think about. These concepts, these terms, now I’m completely disconnected.

R. How can you be the closest to the friends, to everyone and through them to the Creator?

S. That’s clear, so why do I have to try and understand all these terms? To think of the friends and connection is one direction, and this is a completely different direction.

R. For the time being it appears this way, I understand. To think about connection is seemingly easier and more understood.

S. At least I understand what it means, it’s clear.

R. Okay, for the time being you can be in that.

56. S. (01:30:51) Question from the friend, what does it mean to give contentment to the host through the group, how does that happen in practice?

R. If the entire group thinks about how in the connection among the friends they bring contentment to the Creator, then it fulfills its purpose, its mission.

57. S. (01:31:35) Will there be a connection between the lock and the shame?

R. Yes, but I can’t answer it directly like that. Certainly until we open the lock we will have all kinds of negative feelings including shame.

58. S. (01:32:12) They say that the prisoner can’t release himself from prison, so the key to release the person is in hands of the friends?

R. Yes, correct.