Ask A Question
You may ask me any questions you like on this page. I receive questions in many languages so, unfortunately, I am unable to get to every question. I try to select questions which speak to the widest readership, and you can search for my answers in upcoming blog posts. (If you subscribe to my blog’s RSS feed, then you can follow each new post from the moment it is added – click here to subscribe.)
Ask the Kabbalist
I will also be answering some of the questions asked here in my new English language TV show, Ask the Kabbalist, which is in production and will be published soon on this site. US residents can ask questions over the phone at 1-800-540-3234 (select option 3 and leave a message for the show).
Daily Lessons
Moreover, if you are studying Kabbalah materials, you can ask me questions related to the materials, and get answers live, in the daily Kabbalah lessons I teach from the Bnei Baruch Kabbalah Education Center, Israel, which are broadcast live on Kabbalah TV: 3:20am until 6:00am Israel (GMT+2) time, Sunday to Friday [Time Zone Converter].
Does really exist a reality outside of me?
what does it means outside of me? is something outside my phisical body or is something inside me?
We have lived many lifes before this one actually(Ghilgulim) . Building reshimot what does it means? is something like view or re-live past lifes to remake the street to arrive to him?
excuse me for this questions i know that probabily i didn’t understand anything and i don’t know why i feel to do this questions.
Thank you
About the Stimulator
Friends are depositing their desires when they log on and it may be inescapable that they are also depositing their emotional baggage. I go to get strength but it often happens I get burdensome heaviness. I am working on opening my heart and it involves releasing suppressed emotions. Is it possible that when I log on that I am depositing those painful emotions? Is it possible that others feel them? Is it possible that I feel others’ pain? Today after logging on I was overwhelmed and collapsed. It may just be descent after Unity Day yesterday. If I am depositing pain, I can’t help but ask — should I stay away? thank you
What does it mean when the Creator, “shuts” a person down. For example, what happened to Job from the bible.
best wishes
James
How do we correct pride ? If we try hard and the result is being too humble, forcing ourselves to forget what makes us different at times in better ways, while people around us seem to behave badly and be beyond any chance of improvement?
In the first 15 lessons of Tony Kosinec, I recognized a schema, a science, that makes sense with my inner self. The notion of the point in my heart and the longing that brings, brought and still brings tears because i recognize it to be true.
However, as I study more and I hear that this 5,000 year old plan is the only way to arrive, that the people of Israel must be the first to reach full connection with the Creator (I forget your terminology)–many doubts begin.
It is not anti-semitism to ask why you are so sure THIS is the only way, when I know many who have arrived at least at the point in the heart–through many other ways. Some were born with it, seeing, feeling and hearing much of the Upper World already.
Others arrived at the point where they see “The Blue Pearl” physically or in third eye. It, to me, may be the same concept as the point in the heart. It is a thing I see. I see that it enlarges when I am thinking, doing things that are in my true nature.
Yes your studies allow nothing of all those others who have arrived through other methods. Why? Connection between the separated Soul will be more likely if you are willing to see the possibility of arriving at the same point through different means, would it not?
Blue Pearl concept has been around for thousands of years too. Yes, a 5,000 year-old practice is old, but not when compared to a 4.5 billion year-old planet. How many times have entire series of civilizations been built, destroyed, built again? Not just those we know about.
In those 4.5 billion years, land emerged from water, land masses merged, separated. Planets crashed into Earth and were subsumed by it. Isn’t it likely that all through that period the human was evolving.
So I guess my doubts now, at this time after a great feeling of excitement about what you are teaching–is that it is lmiting or limited. Is it necessary to use the Hebrew words to explain the concepts? Why?
I have many, many other questions, which there does not seem to be a forum to have answered. These are basic questions which leave me wondering why I should adopt this particular method of correction, or should not just learn the concepts and move on with internal changes with my own chosen Groups, who are not all kabbalists.
I know I won’t receive an answer to this either, and I realize how disjointed it is. But it is, IMO, the kinds of questions that serious students will and should ask. And there seems to be no mechanism for having them answered short of going to Israel (why Israel? ) for a Group experience. There are many, many other spiritual practices that use this format to create connections between a group.
Sincerely,
Lora York
Is the point in the heart considered a soul?
I am not aware of being in constant conflict and controversy with the friends, does this mean I am not really revealing evil and my “inner work” is actually wasted effort?
How can I tell if my engagement in dissemination, the study, and group activities is working on me properly if I am constantly worsening in qualities and weakening against my will-to-receive? Is there some part of the equation my work is lacking?
Dear Rav,
People are discussing the ecological crisis that we have on our hands such as the flooding in Pakistan. Many people are blaming global warming for the problem and giving other scientific explanations for the problems. How do we explain to people, in a manner that will be acceptable to them, that these events occur because of the relationships that humans have with each other?
Dear Rav,
Could you explain why are circumcision and animal sacrifices (holocausts) so often mentioned in the Old Testament? What is their kabbalistic meaning, if any?
Thank you in anticipation!
Shamati 1 say’s “There’s none else besides him” No force or entity other than the Creator. In Shamati 192 “the devil” is referred to several times. What is this … Is this too the Creator, since there’s none else besides him?
I’m interested by our ideas, but my English is not enough to understand it very well. But it seems interesting. Do you articles in Portuguese or French, please? Thanks.
Where did the idea of God come from?
I am having a hard time coming to grips with Mr. Laitman’s concept of free will. I completely understand that we are making decisions in regards to pleasure and pain…and I can see how there is no freedom in that. What I cannot understand is why it is taught that there is freedom in the choice of “environment”. It seems this would follow the exact same equation – being most pleasure/least pain. It’s obvious we see some benefit in coming to the wisdom and surrounding ourselves in it. Even if we are to come to an understanding that it is not for our own sake…hypothetically, if I were to overcome my Ego…I would still be attracted to the wisdom as it is what’s best for all of creation and my creator. So, please explain how the choice of environment is any more free than other egotistical decisions. Thank you.
Shalom
If a person of this world wastefully spills his semen will that cause a separation between Malchut and ZA in the spiritual world of Atzilut?
In the Zohar, VaEra—Paragraph 77 and 78 mentions this.
Since every branch is related to its spiritual root, can a person of this world cause a separation between Malchut and ZA by his deeds?
I know you mentioned that no word of the Zohar refers to this world of ours. If this is so,then what is the real meaning of :”spilling of semen idly” the Zohar mentions ?
Thanks much
This question was posted on a link that I had put on my facebook wall.
I don’t want to answer him wrong so I am asking you how to answer this…..
Who is this third party, who loves the creator (1) and who loves the created beings (2)?
3-♥->1
3-♥->2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
are there really created beings in the first place, who are separated from the creator ??
Thank you in advance.
Deanna
If a woman receives “Lishma” as an awakening from above, possibly through certain inner efforts directed to the men. What is the most appropriate way of working with this while not lessening the importance of her responsibilities towards the men?
Or is this all my imagination?
Rabbi,
What happens to those who die and the only thing they can see is “this world”? Not being able to ascende to the ein sof and see that “everything is perfect”?
What if thay are jewish; what if they are not?
P.S. Thanks for the work you are doing.
Mr. Laitman: Why in all the years that women have been asking you the question below, did you not answer honestly and say, “we have nothing to help women”? Instead, you criticized them for “trying to be men”, and put them off with backhanded answers. I know because I myself asked you this question and did much research trying to find the answer before I did.
What kind of “perfect” system is this that it never had anything in place to care for the needs of its women if they are so important and vital to the goal? I and many others have suffered trying to come out of descents with nothing in place to help us.
You owe the hard-working and dedicated women of this organization an honest answer to this question.
From your blog Aug. 15 2010:
Question: Men have a group that supports them in any state. But what should a woman do when she experiences a “descent“? Where can she get the energy to withstand the growth of egoism which caused her spiritual descent, making her feel indifferent, sad, and lacking the greatness of the goal or of “bestowal”?
Answer: People have been asking me this question for many years and at every women’s lesson. But now there is a practical and effective answer to it: our spiritual stimulator which we are all building together.
Women have to participate in it just like men because all our desires come together into a general desire or Kli. Its size will determine our right to reveal the Light of the Creator.
I’ve noticed since joining you that people have a lot of questions. I dont. I dont think that I’m smarter or better than the others, actually I would say the opposite. I just dont have any questions to ask. Can you give me a little feedback on this?
Thank you, John Goergen
Dear Rav,
As a woman I feel that I am not able to watch each and every Zohar lesson in order to feel it with all my senses. And must admit that in doing so, it works on me without any additional eartly sensations etc. At the beginning I’v used to do it, I have watched each lesson, and now the case is the way I’v told You.
And here is what I wish to connect to my internal Zohar impressions in order to give what I receive from Zohar the way of dissemination in the form of translations, small writings etc. :
It is written, Zohar VaYechi [And Jacob Lived] Item 2…. “since Jacob is from Tifferet and Moses is from the interior of Tifferet—the Daat.” I have read, can’t remember where, that it is the junction point of mind and heart, and that Ari have spoken about it! You have also mentioned Daat today in Opening the Zohar, live Sunday afternoon lesson.
What Daat represents?
How can we feel it? Does it requires much higher attainments!
Thank You
With Love
As a wife and mother studying Kabbalah, I have felt that the best way to spiritually affect my husband and children (and all of humanity) was to work on myself, I have recently been “challenged” (in a positive way) to begin thinking of my family with respect to their spiritual awakening.
Am I failing my family by not engaging in specific thoughts towards them?
Lately, I came to a strong feeling that I myself cause the fall with my negligent behavior towards the work and the Goal. Is it my misconception, since we learn that there’s nothing else in reality besides Him? Why do I get this impression?
I have come to Kabbalah, specifically you, through my studies of and interest in the Science of Alchemy. How does the Science of Alchemy relate to and differ from the Science of Kabbalah?
Dear Dr Laitman,
I would like to quote you from your own blog, if I may:
Question: At the Congress you said that you advise people to get a practical profession and you are against all kinds of philosophy. So what should I do if I’m already a student of philosophy and only have to pass the final exams? I live in Israel.
My Answer: You have to find the junction between Kabbalah and philosophy and explain Kabbalah through philosophy. I have some students, including my younger daughter, who have completed studies in philosophy departments. We will find a use for your skills, so go ahead and complete your studies.
I also completed my studies in Philosophy at Oxford, specializing in Epistemology and the problems of conceptualization as applied to what may be termed ‘the unknown’. You mention that you would be able to find a use for such skills. I would be interested to know in what way, you might use such skills. I currently live in England but hope to visit Israel soon. I am, despite my many experiences and age, very grateful to have come across this site and the teaching at Bnei Baruch.
Respectfully,
Giordano
Respectfully,
What does it mean if I feel content, but at the same time I feel a lack because I am content and therefore am not moving on the path? Does the fact that I feel bad about being content mean that I am still making progress?
I over-analyze things frequently. I think obsessively about my responsibilities, my mistakes, opportunities, what people think of me, and all variety of corporeal matters. This obsession seams to bring me much pain, but I find myself latching onto any excuse I can to sustain it. For example, I tell myself that intense analysis will allow me to advance spiritually. Is there any place for analysis in Kabbalah, and if so, how can I distinguish the things that are worth thinking about?
After learning a bit about the perception of reality, my work (in design) starts to feel unnecessary. The importance I have had towards environmental issues and sustainable development seem now pointless in a way, since the reality we’re reaching out is not in the corporeal world and that the correction made in ourselves is actually the only key to get back in balance with the rest of the (corporeal)world. Is there any point to design another eco-friendly armchair?
You wrote : “… when the masses understand the Creator’s plan …”
My question : What let you believe, that a human being’s mind is even able to understand the Creator’s plan?
Best regards, Roland
I read in this article
http://www.kabbalah.info/engkab/life-love-family/women-Kabbalah?p_options=1#eve—-just-the-tool-in-the-creator-27s-hands
“A woman, on the other hand, can advance spiritually even if she is not a mother or a wife. Moreover, if she has the means for existence, she may also choose not to work. That is, in comparison to a man, a woman is relatively self-sufficient and can grow spiritually without many external conditions that apply to men. Thus, from the spiritual point of view, she is a considerably more perfect creature than a man”
Is this saying that a woman can advance spiritually without a man? I’m talking here of the possibility of this, not in relation to global unity.
Thank you, Anna
What / Who is Metatron according to Kabbalah?
Why is (or is not) Egoism the same as the strong will to survive?
Kabbalists On The Essence Of The Wisdom Of Kabbalah, Part 22
QUESTION: in this excerpt, there is the issue of working for the favor of the people and working to please one’s maker.
When one is part of the environment of kabbalists, must these 2 discernments still be scrutinized or is one “safe” , so to speak? If yes, how can we be certain we discern correctly in this subtle work?
How does one distinguish between having reached the discernment of powerlessness against one’s ego from laziness?
Dear Rav
but I wold be glad if you think it threw before you start correcting me.
I have a question about the breakup of Adam (as I understand it, Adam represents the human spirit).
This is mind boggling. I don’t understand the reason to why the system is set up this way. And if the creator created the needs that separated Adam in to six hundred parts (?) how is this beneficial for us?
How do you know the exact number of different parts the Adam soul have bin divided in, and also the number of desires different from the urge from being with the creator?
What does the old text’s say about this, and ware does the understanding come from?
This is some of my thoughts influenced by to much information without understanding
If all is a creation (and the creator is not the desires himself) , the desires that split Adam can only be other spirits/creations. The desires have much power, and I believe them to be more powerful then most men in a “power showdown”. This is because the man identify himself with the desire, but the desire is built up by thousands of other people including the man who whats a life change. Another angle in this is that the desires is dependent of humans, so they work with us and gives the illusion of free will, a way out.
I believe that the spirit world is full of different beings. Some of them is bound to earth because they are created to fulfill some of man’s desires.. it itself is the desire but it’s form of existents is of a living spirit, and it’s self knowing and has it’s own will. The will to exist and expand binds all the worlds together. Disharmony evolves us.
This might be a silly question .. but how can we know if the desire is from the creator or if it is man made, ore made by another creature (spirit ore not)?
Dr. Laitman,
I am very grateful for your dissemination of Kabbalah. I feel this is the truth about reality and how to accomplish the goal of altruism. I feel very different from when
I started studying Kabbalah and I find myself loving the act of giving for its own sake. What I want to know is when will I know that I have crossed the barrier to the first rung on the ladder to the Creator? Then how will I know that I am on the 124th level and so on? How do we measure?
By simply reading your posts on the website and watching some of the small clips, am I connecting to the group? What about watching the daily lesson once a week? I have limitations on my internet access in the country in which I live, is this enough connection? What is the best way?? How can I reveal the Creator in this situation?
thanks !!!
Dear Sir!
I am very greatful for your site and have many quoestions but I am also aware that you are really busy and could not answer all questions.If you find anything between these written down questions that could also help some people to answer I will appreciate;
If you have to learn Kabbalah from the beginning what would be your first steps?
Is there any way that I can help to someone near me with Kabbalah?
I have got a feeling I did Kabalah once ,as I read your articles my all body is full with enourmous plesure I even can see a small kind of smoke around me… is it possible ?
thanks
Rosh Chodesh:
You mentioned that there are certain times/moadim that have meaning in the spiritual as well as the physical world and that we should use them to call on the light. Rosh Chodesh has always been a special date in the Jewish tradition and especially for women. would that be a good time for women to gather?
Many thanks
meditation:
you often say that meditation is a way to relax and minimize the ego.
the latin root of meditation is to ponder in hebrew ‘lehegot’
why cant mediation be a form of scrutiny, when we read the Zohar, you ask them to read slowly and intently. when we sing the songs, when we chant nigun, when we hug each other and close our eyes these are all forms of meditations…
in most cases meditation is not a very relaxing thing because in most cases all your “crap” will start showing up and in fact you’ll start becoming aware of your huge ego and its ugly side…cant you practice that and bring that to the group. is it different for men and women, can women engage in that more than men?
Dear Rav,
It looks like never ending chain of disasters: floods, wild fires… Today, one part of humanity suffers as their victim, and another part now as a quiet observer, tomorrow will be the next victim!
What happens with this world right now? How to prevent this chain of plagues, or Nature has it’s own plan for us giving us ’lessons’ how to live in harmony with it’s lows and with each other?
According to Luria, man bears on his forehead a mark by which one may learn the nature of his soul. We know this not a literal mark, but could you explain what The Ari meant by this?
Dear Rav, When my husband starts to be filled with desires and goes after these I know it is building his egoism. My question what should I do in these times burst his bubble, encourage more to study and contact his friends, or let him run his course until the creator pulls him back again?
How can i empower my husband and work with him when he has too much pride to listen and trust what i say, know and do? I am well into Kabbalah but even though his spiritual side is well developped, he hasnt any concerns to explore kabbalah and the simple fact that this request is coming from me, makes him stubborn to be “humble & trust” in his wife, i still feel a blockage when it comes to his pride, his “i’m always right!” attitude, how do i make him trust me?
Please let me know your thoughts, thank you.
One
Dearest Rav,
1. In the bible we see many women names but we are not provided with any information on them. since nothing is random and pointless what is the inner meanings of these names. for example Asnat was given to Joseph and Asnat was Pharos’s daughter what does this mean now that we know what he represents in our journey…
2. You mentioned in one of your recent lectures of Kabbalah Lamatchil that we always need a negating force in our evolutionary journey. since this is a law. what happens in the final correction are we overriding this law of nature if all going to reach correction why would we need any more friction?
3. we learn that as we develop spiritual senses and start becoming aware of it the physical world doesn’t not necessarily disappear but we are not bound to it anymore. what would be the point in that case to bring new offspring to the world when we all reach the final correction. Aren’t birth is a representation necessarily of a lower level not in the negative aspect of it but in terms of planes of existence. do we give birth to corrected souls and if we all reach unity than what would be the meaning of birth
Many Thanks
Due to family matters, I have not been able to study Kabbalah for a few weeks. These last 3 nights, I have had disturbing dreams and visions about terrible things happening to my family. Should I interpret this as just my own personal guilt, or would this be the Creator trying to get me back on track with my studies?
I was just curious, how should someone read your blog?
Dear Mr Laitman,
The Creator created the evil inclination, but also did give us Humans The Torah
as a Spice, a medicine…
It seems to me there are two different forces at work; One true, one false…
The Creator of The Torah is not the same as the creator of the evil inclination.
Kind regards,
René
Hello Rav,
every Friday evening we used to sing this beautiful poem ‘A woman of valor’ and I remembered my mom crying…as a kid I loved it but thought its impossible to resemble or even aspire to be that perfect and super hero feminine being… as i grew up i read about the inner meanings of this poem but today studying the wisdom of kabbalah i would like to know what’s the inner meaning of this poem if we are not talking about a physical woman what’s the inner state the poem referring to and who is that woman of valor?
Thanks You!
Kim
Do Our thoughts come from the Environment or from the Creator?
I should have read further down in the last post! the question is clearly answered there.
Thanks!
do we experience the 613 desires yet to be corrected as the different “problems” in our lives? Or do we become aware of these only after attaining bestowal?
In shamati artcles there is written thar creator hates body so how can we attain him if we have body
Isn’t crazy??
Can You please explain the system of Returning Light?
If God is everything, and everything is God, what is God?
What is the basic theory of all Spiritual books?
Dear Rav,
In your fourth lesson during the Mega Congress you talked about the need for a man to be married. Does this advantage apply only to new students?
Being 67 years old & having lost my wife of 45 years (~18 mos ago), I have no interest in beginning a new relationship. I have felt a new relationship would be a distraction to my Kabbalah studies & spiritual growth, but your comments in the aforementioned lesson have caused me to question my stand.
Can you please expound on any differing conditions for the requirement to be married?
Thanks – Felix
Hi Rav,
What does it mean that the righteous take by force? After all we say that the Creator is only good and kind and so why is there the necessity for the righteous or the aspiring righteous to take by force? Is this something that only a person who has attained the 3rd type of fear, the fear of His greatness, can do?
From website http://www.kabbalah.info, in the library section there is an article The Prophecy of Baal HaSulam. What does this prophecy mean?
This quote from the article, “I see two people fighting—one wise and perfect and strong, the other small and silly, like a new born child…”
Who is the perfect and strong one and who is the small and silly?
“And God said unto me: “Rise up, and look to the east.” And I raised my eyes and saw that the little one has at once risen and equaled himself and his level to the level of the big one, although he still lacked taste and reason as before….” what does this quote mean?
Hi Rav,
In the Zohar it describes the process of the righteous souls being created in unison in the thought of creation. Baal HaSulam, wishing to make sure we tread properly, tells us that all the words in the Zohar describe only the connection between the souls and the Creator. So then what does the Zohar describe with the above situation?
For my condition in Indonesia I haven’t met any physical friend which has the same desire of “what is the meaning of my life”. And in my virtual environment within the existing group schedule is to learn with the group (such as morning lesson, and I have virtual group the Australasia group but the time table do not meet my time table), so the only thing I do for now is watching the evening lesson live and morning lesson recorded (as much as I can–concerning the limited so-called 24 hours). My question is how do I connect with the group? I feel a great gap here, I do not know where to start on the bonding with the group.
Dear Rav,
You recently emphasized that women should start pressuring the men from the inside rather than externally. That the inner pressure and desire will be felt by men with no words necessary.
The women in my group and i agree, had noticed that we had tried to fill that emptiness unconsciously with either with food, shopping, TV…etc
Will our men feel the desire undoubtedly, if we become aware of that action daily and begin to hold on to that feeling of lack no matter how suffocating it may be? (or is that just unhealthy?)
I would like to clarify if the rav discourages charity to the poor. He mentioned during the mega congress that giving charity to the poor does not change anything – that they need to study kabbalah to attract the light.
If everybody follows rav’s advice on this, nobody will take care of the poor. How can the poor study kabbalah if they are hungry, needy, and sick. In my opinion, somebody has to do charity in the corporeal sense, as the saying says “we shall do and we shall hear”– do acts of love and revelation of the Creator will happen.
This advice by the rav can really be misleading if misinterpreted literally.
Dearest Rav,
Recently I was asked by a newcomer who wants to join a physical group with BB but does not want to attend any classes through the learning center if he can be part of a physical group and our worldwide group. He has never taken any classes through the Learning Center but watches the archived lessons. He asked me if I could explain terminology he hears you say in the lessons. I told him he needs to sign up through the Learning Center to take classes as all these things are explained there. What else should I tell him and is it possible for him to join our physical groups or does he have to do classes of some kind? Thank you in advance.
i am seeking to understand the language of the kabbalah to better undertand it, so i have these questions about “WORLDS” that are used in books and lessons.
What are the worlds refering to?, and how do they connect or relate to the kabbalah itself, and the roots and branches and sefirots?
I have been studying Kabbalah off and on since the 1980s. I have recently been studying with a group here in Houston from the Kabbalah Centre. I have also been following your on-line study class for the past year.
I was wondering if you have study groups in cities and specifically in my city?
Were you once affiliated with Rav Berg of the Kabbalah Centre? He indicates that his teacher was also Rav Ashlag.
I know that there are differences and different views, and I am really just curious.
Also, the group here in Houston was once a small remote Centre, that recently closed down under a huge amount of issue and grief. The students here are very fragmented and have requested a new teacher be assigned to them due to the ego and controlling nature of the teacher who came to close the Centre down. He appears to be exuding everything that Kabbalah is not, yet he was a decent teacher (from a teaching point of view).
Anyway, some the students here were aware I was also studying from your site and really made no comment.
Right now I am just tring to figure out what is my best path in order to learn, grow, continue to receive Light and share. I appreciate any feedback you might offer. Thank you.
love & light,
Janet
Hi Rav,
You said in yesterday’s lesson that there is the revelation where the Creator shows one a klipot desire but the person doesn’t yet have the proper forces to restrict/correct it. Before you’ve said that a person isn’t given a state that he can’t handle and that something is revealed to a person because now he has an opportunity to correct it. So then how does one gain the proper forces to perform these corrections?
Dear Rav,
How can I start my days in order to receive a spiritual, emotional and material support for myself and my daughter when I am a single mother? Is there a spiritual tool for that? Is there a practical answer?
My question: if our soul is consciousness? can we retain it after our death. Thank you very much and I will appreciate your answer and advice.
During the lesson I am in the desire to give (inside myself I am trying to feel like that). Is it “that” desire to give? After the lesson, when I come back to my daily life I feel my self in the desire to receive. Should I make efforts to keep myself in the desire to giver during the day (the same I feel during morning lessons)?
Hello Rav Laitman,
After the end of correction will the process repeat itself in a larger form relative to us? The idea of many cells forming a body and then many bodies forming Adam or the next unity in the context of ein sof implies that the process will ascend higher and higher forever as a sort of repeating fractal.
After the end of correction do we become as parents, and see it again from a different view?
How, as a woman can I attribute everything to the creator?
I know that a lot of people today are weary of religious things in general and also ‘new age spirituality’ etc. They have developed a deep distrust of such things because of the falsehoods they stand for.
Perhaps we need to review the way we package Kabbalah to the world, and develop intensely practical and egoistically attractive content to attract people to the wisdom with no religious or ‘spiritual’ references at all. Perhaps not even call it Kabbalah!!?
When Abraham began discovering the system surely he had no name for it at that stage, it was purely practical to him then??
In the wisdom we have an exciting and enticing method to decoding ones reality and enhancing ones life on the surface. The focus is initially on ‘self-advancement’ but then as the person delves deeper into the content and the ideas and interacts more with the group the greater reality is revealed. The main idea is to package the wisdom in a completely new way.
I think if we appeal to the practical side of people we stand more of a chance in getting through to them.
Perhaps this is of no need?
What are your thoughts?
Hi Rav,
If a desire and thoughts surface for things that one knows are detrimental to his progress, to his connection with the Creator, and one makes efforts to study and to restrict such things but sees no change… then what is the course of one’s action if he continues to study and sees where he wants to head but can not get there in regards to overcoming such obstacles?
DEAR DR. LAITMAN, (RAV) LAITMAN
I AM TRYING TO STUDY THE KABBALAH AND HAVE SEVERAL OF YOUR BOOKS AND ALSO THE ONE BY MICHAEL KELLOGG.
I AM A SUPPORT PERSON FOR THE AMERICAN MILITARY IN IRAQ. I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MANY RELIGIOUS SITES OR BLOGS OR FACEBOOKS, ETC. SEVERAL OF YOUR LINKS CANNOT BE ACCESSED. ACCESS IS DENIED BECAUSE OF RELIGIOUS CONTENT. I CERTAINLY CANNOT SIGN UP FOR THE FREE ONLINE COURSE YOU ARE STARTING IN AUGUST. IN FACT, I CAN’T EVEN GET ON THE PAGE TO SIGN UP.
I HAVE NO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT. I AM ON MY OWN WHICH IS O.K. I AM USED TO BEING ON MY OWN. AS YOU CAN WELL IMAGINE THERE IS NOT A PLETHORA OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTMENT OVER HERE, AT LEAST I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SYLLABIS OR STUDY OUTLINE FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.
I CAN BUY THE BOOKS FROM THE BOOKSTORE AT KABALLAH.INFO OR FROM AMAZON. THAT IS NO PROBLEM. I CAN ORDER ALL THE BOOKS I DESIRE. I JUST DON’T KNOW WHICH ONES TO ORDER. I HAVE YOUR VOL. 1 OF ANNOTATIONS TO THE ASHLAG COMMENTARY. I PLAN TO START THAT NEXT. BUT WHAT ABOUT STUDY OF THE TEN SEFIROT, THE TREE OF LIFE, SEFER YETZIRA, THE ANGEL RAZIEL ETC. ALSO WHAT ABOUT RABBI ASHLAG’S FIVE PRELIMARY WRITINGS.
DO YOU HAVE LESSONS? IF THEY AREN’T TO LONG I COULD POSSIBLY DOWNLOAD THEM.
IF YOU READ THIS, I JUST WANT A LITTLE GUIDANCE. YOU MUST BE AN EXTREMELY BUSY PERSON SO I WON’T BE BOTHERING YOU ANY MORE AT ALL.
YOURS TRULY,
DORIS ANN DJEDJOS
In order to rise above my egoism, I am supposed to disregard any opportunity to take pleasure for my own benefit. Does this mean that when I do something for another that I should feel nothing inside me? Am I to reject all sensations of pleasure whenever I attempt to help another person in some way?
i was wondering what the relationship of yoga and kabbalah or Judaism was. i mean i know that yoga originated from india, but i wondered with the almost untouchable history of the blueprint for life originating with the Torah if there were certain instructions on how to exercise our bodies to stay both physically and in turn more spiritually fit? dates from the yoga sutras range from 5000 bc to 300 ad. this document as i have read it prescribes ways in which one can attain enlightenment through the practice of yoga most of which consists of moral and social observances that are right in line with Torah all the way down to vegetarianism which by nature can be a kosher form of eating. so again i would love if if you could shed some light on the parallels if any and the mention if any from torah on yoga or physical practice along with the commandments or utterances that guide our lives. thanks sincerely ,
greg fine
Just want to say a big Thank You to Rev Laitman! His teachings, movies and articles and the free online courses of Tony Cozinek have had a dramatic positive impact on my life and the way I perceive things.
I was writing a book on the purpose of life when I ran into the Benei Baruch initiatives. Until that point I have had many personal spiritual experiences without a clear explanation of their meaning. Kabbalah helped me connect a lot of dots on the screen of my life and personal philosophy. Thank you guys!
Why was Mirjam, the sister of Moses so punished by God ?
If studying Kabbalah I do correct my desires and I have to grow my egoism in order to do that, but I already feel my egoism enormous, I am afraid to grow it even more, I just don’t want to do it, I feel that I want to control my desires. Everything I do or think , first I think if it is an egoistic attitude! Is it normal?
Thanks
Please check link to the article “Disclosing a Portion, Covering Two” (on the right, under “KABBALAH SOURCE MATERIALS.”) Currently, it is broken. Correct link should be:
http://www.kabbalah.info/eng/content/view/full/31376
Is there such thing as idolatry in Kabbalah? Is it a sin for a Christian person to worship a Hindu god, and vice versa?
If God is not biased, if God does not show partiality, then why do some people have special abilities and talents like a supreme IQ or being able to foresee the future whereis others are born with a disability or born to an abusive family? How can I change my attitude and perceive that as a good thing?
Most cases of serial killers are born to abusive, raping families, which cause them psychological disturbances and they carry on in life raping and killing other people. So, as silly as I may sound, I think that they do not get a chance to see the possitivity in life, a chance to know about spiritual enlightenment, and a chance to get to correct their egos. So, the question is that, if there is reincarnation then Who/what would they be reincarnated as? Would they be reincarnated as another victim or rape and murder? And ‘where’ are they in this life, in term of the progress of reincarnation?
Do ALL people reincarnate? If they do, then why do some people claim to have seen ghosts or have the ability to communicate with the dead?
what is a “good person” in Kabbalah? How to unite with other people, animals, plants and everything else in Nature?
I am in business all my adult life .To survive in the business world it is vital to make money etc. on an on going basis !
Does this cause a conflict in my Kabbalah studies .ie desire to receive V desire to bestow?
Hello,
What do kabbalists mean saying “we must pass states”? I think they are talking not about emotional states? Don’t they? What about they are talking?
How can we “touch” those states? How can we control them?
What is the Kabbalah-informed understanding of the creation account in Genesis and the story of the fall of humanity? There is a powerful allegory there that is little understood among the profane. Clearly the fruit is not an apple – for instance . . .
Dear Rabbi;
I was wondering if in kabbalah mentions any thing about marrying non jews?
If kabbalah says that we (all humans need to unite to make Adam and Eve)
Why is it that in torah mentions that we are not at all able to marry the non jews, drink their wine …….?
Thanks
Elham Dalliah
Rav…
I would like to know if you think that the concept of Mashiach as an age or also a personification > KING (human) …please ask from your shoresh >>> .
TODÁRABÁ…
BSS
When a person knows that he is an extremely stubborn nature and he also knows that it is holding him back from advancing what can be done to get past it?
Is there anything that can be done to get past it?
We are getting spriitual knowledge, The knowledge that changes each everyone’s life style in a respectable way. Why is the cycle of birth and death keeps on going? ,In the cycle why we have to evolve spiritually evolve?, If knowing God and understanding God is the ultimate motto then from where we are coming where we are going?
Should one attempt to connect to the friends if he feels the sensation of their unity goes into his vessels of reception? Is the refusal the use the friends, in fact , a higher more beneficial form of connection for the collective? -or does one rob the friends of his contribution to that same unity?
Montie
How did the first Man in corporeality make contact with the light without the means in this world? (The books, rav, environment)
Hello Rav, thank you for holding us up!
My question is: does to fulfill another’s desire mean to only feel the others desire as your own, but not necessarily be able to fulfill every desire another person has? For example, a friend may have a real desire that you personally cannot fulfill, but the filling is in your understanding and connection of your friends desire.
Thanks
Dear Rav:
Recently you told us that from above you can see that we are ready to merge with the Creator, but we need to accept the challenge. What does this mean? What actions and internal shifts are required for us to accept this challenge and to realize it? Thank you!
Hello Dr. Laitman,
What is the right manner for our local group to handle abusive people who approach our table at book fairs and other dissemination events? I myself dealt with a man who was particularly vulgar and ranted how we hadn’t studied Talmud for 40yrs., and that’s why we were *****. Some in our group think we should talk with him, some not. Please help as we have many more dissemination events coming up.
shalom Rav
Could you please explain why in humanity family system with more than one woman have stopped? Is there a spiritual reason for that ? Woman have a strong desire for spirituality, and they also have strong influence on men, challenging them more that anything else, I am just trying to imagine how strong it would act on a man to be married to more than one woman. Beside that, there are more woman in humanity than men.
Ok, I am not trying to say anything – that it should be like that – don’t fire on me. But I would like to understand, since this really keep nagging on me somehow.
I see that non-christian society are actually still living in such system where a man can marry more than on woman and it seems actually to work, even sometime more than monogamous system in “modern” and “civilized” countries.
I am not trying to support any system but I would like very much to undertsand, and would be happy if you could elaborate on the subject.
Can you discuss your thoughts relating to those people who choose to study Kabbalah, yet have no background or even a general understanding of Jewish culture or history?
Why is ZA, which is comprised of 6 Sefirot ( Tifferet), called the Creator?
Why is ZA, the Creator, called the middle line?
Why do Kabbalists sometimes use the phrase “god forbid” if there is none else besides him?
what does the book of prayer (siddur) mean when it says “O cause a new light to shine upon Zion”
My boyfriend and I learn Kabbalah. We can not find Kabbalah group in our country. We live in Macedonia. We thought for the study of Kabbalah in Israel. Is there a chance to come to Israel and to learn Kabbalah. How can we do it? We do not have enough funds but our desire is huge. We can not get out of the country because we do not have enough funds. Is there a chance to study Kabbalah in Israel, would be accepted there? We have a great desire to come to Israel, I hope we will manage somehow to collect money and to come.
Dear Rav. Laitman,
I live in an isolated Jewish community, we are very fortunate however to have a Chabad synogoque.
I have been learning The Tanya with our Rabbi and a handful of others for the past almost 5 years.
What is your opinion of the Tanya…I don’t think I have ever heard you mention it?
With much appreciation for all of your lectures and classes.
Denise
Hi.
My question is, is there such a thing as witchcraft or is it all illusion(s)?
Should one have a background in Science to better understand the Zohar?
What is a spiritual action? What is the strongest spiritual action?
So if i am acting according to my feelings, i.e. making jokes and laughing when i’m in a good mood, and being a jerk when i’m upset, then i am acting upon/feeding my Nefesh. i think i understand that. And in order to do what the higher desire of the Neshama is asking me to do… do i basically have to act against my feelings? How do emotions tie into the soul? If i am always doing what my emotions are telling me to do then it seems like that would make me a slave robot thing to some crazy unknown force that i have little control over if any. i have a friend who says he can control his emotions, what is that? on the other hand, when i feel guilty, that moves me to change. so there my emotions are moving my thoughts? so what is Nefesh? and what is Neshama? i thought i knew but when i noticed that sometimes my emotions help me be good, and sometimes its the other way around, i lost it.
Dear Mr. Laitman,
Is it possible for a man to experience the Creator and be sent back due to it not being his time via what is coined as a near death experience?
Thank You
Jeff
Which is the position of Kabbalists regarding UFO and life in other planets or other Galaxies. I saw the first ovni when I was little, then in different times in my life. I would like to have a Kabbalistic interpretation of this, what I really saw? Thank you. Much light.
Militza
Dear Laitman,
every word has the meaning. what is the exact meaning of the word kabbalah and from which root word it has been taken? i need one word definition. no.2 what is the criteria to reach truth and wisdom? or through which tools we can reach truth and wisdom? just want to hear from u.
Good day sir: I have not started reading/studying the Zohar yet but I have read all your books and continue to read your recommended readings: my question is: is there power in the words that I am reading to reform me? The reason I ask is because I have prayed for many years for God to change me (my homosexual desires). And one day the desire to be with men just left me, I don’t watch gay porn and my desire to be with a woman is increasing a great deal. I know I still have some work to do on my part. This may sound comical but to me it’s very serious. Thank you.
In the lecture the other day you admitted that not everyone who studies or has the desire to obtain will be able to due to their individual tikun. So are Kabbalists leading those people on, giving them hope that they can do something they will never be able to do? The fix to that would be to limit the dissemination so as not to reach those people and mislead them. However if you do that than you won’t reach many people who can obtain. So then should Kabbalists tell some they won’t be able to obtain. But being that you don’t know your students personally how could you tell and again if that gets around other people who can obtain may not study. You would say its not my problem Hashem will figure it out. Sure. But its your problem. What are you providing for those people aside from a life dedicated to a goal they’ll never be able to reach?
I have a copy of the Introduction to the Book of Zohar. I read it and at times I understand. Other times it is as if I am staring at a jumble of letters on a page. Is there a way I can prepare my mind to receive the content presented?
hi mr laitman
i need to know should we try to fullfill our egos and ambitions or should we stop the ego and just try to bestow?
Dear Rav Laitman:
I have been studying Kabbalah with BB for a few months. I understand that suffering is the natural method to awaken people to follow the spiritual path. However my question is why is most of the suffering in this world focused on the people who have the least means of changing (poor, uneducated and powerless people)
Many thanks
Dear Rav Laitman:
Since September 2009 I have been taking Kabbalah classes on the internet with BB and in that period I have also been working with a voluntary organization. I have begun to notice the “mountain of hate” among the coworkers in this organization. Even though we are only striving towards a corporeal goal, it has become very clear how the individual egos interact to create problems. My question: Is this normal to observe this phenomenon even in non-spiritual groups or is it just my imagination?
Thanks.
Dear Rav Laitman,
After I started to study Kabbalah more seriously, I started to feel myself more and more egoistic, hopeless and lost. I feel as if I am alone in a dark labyrinth without any hope to find the way out. It also seems that the Light is concealing from me although I pray for His help. Is this normal?
Should we tell new people that we are better than the rest of the world?
I worry that it sounds like we come across as a cult and aren’t we trying to correct our self-serving I am better than my neighbor ego instead of boosting it?
Dear Rav:
In today’s world we see those who’s ambition or greed has made them billionaires, in many cases at the expense of others. Should we relate to these individuals as modern leaders because they are increasing their desire to receive to the fullest? Are they helping society to recognize ego and reach a state of connection with each other; are they holding us back due to lack of correct intention; or are they simply a reflection of the state of the world kli?
Thank you.
Dear Rav Laitman,
Thank you for your time in reading my questions!
The Talmud says that when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, because of that act they were separated from God’s light and they and all of humanity thereafter resided in the material level of Malchut.
My first question is: Knowing that God is a loving and forgiving God, I don’t understand why He put the Tree in the Garden of Eden in the first place. Why would He not put the Tree somewhere else, out of the area and out of reach?
My second question is: Since the Tree was in the Garden of Eden, why would God not forgive Adam and Eve, and bring them back up into His light, letting what happened be a lesson in itself. And why would all of humanity need to be separated from God’s light?
Sincerely,
Ann Edelman
Rav,
How do I know the Jewish people are the chosen people? Simple: look at all the outrageous hypocrisy coming from the world and directed to Israel. Nations that kill thousands wantonly will blast the Jewish state for defending itself. It would be laughable were it not so serious. Once again we see the world’s wolves gathering around Israel for the crime of self-defense.
I understand that Kabbalah states the hatred stems from the World getting angry with Israel for not revealing the Kabbalah, but what can we do? We are studying, and Attainment takes a long time. Until then, must Israel continue to suffer?
I am doing the best I can…I’m sure others are, too. I fall at times, but I pick myself up. This takes time, but the wolves gathering around Israel are getting hungrier, and they are resorting to lies, smears, and violence to get their way and to bring more people to their pack.
How can we help beyond studying Kabbalah?
How can ones family and friends forgive a loved one his old ego habits that has since disappeared and now surrounds him with light?
Hi Rav,
You say in the book, From Chaos to Harmony, English version, page 99, 3rd paragraph:
“The only difference between man and beast is that man can look forward to a future goal and agree to experience a certain measure of hardship and pain for a future reward.”
Animals also do this. Say, a beast agrees to chase its prey and go through the pain of running after it, fighting it, killing it, etc. etc., – all because the beast knows that its painful efforts will be off-set by the pleasurable reward of having something to eat. Therefore, here too, an animal, just like a human animal, “agrees to experience a certain measure of hardship and pain for a future reward.” – In this case hunting (pain) for food (pleasure). The hunting is the present difficult state the animal agrees to for the future pleasurable reward of food. There are many more examples like this.
Just curious. I have always searched to find the difference between man and animals. I have started to feel there is a difference – but I did not think this was it at all.
Love
I feel very lost. I feel connected with Hashem and disconnected at the same time.
I feel I have to help so many people who need help and as I run to help them. My family suffers and my friends because they are at different point in life.
They judge me, I always feel bad about my self.
I am teaching, but all around me are resisting!
Why cannot I separate my physical need? Such as working paying bills …….
Do not know where I am.
Does G-d need us to pray and praise him 24/7 and learn Torah?
All the pressure all around me is making me very confused.
How do i annul myself before the group if i am not anywhere near a physical group? nor am i currently able to partake in daily lessons due to limited internet access, and so be part of the virtual group online? I really want to progress and i think that i am seriously lacking a group.
the Zohar it mentions the Nukva a great deal, I wonder how is the Nukva different from/and or related to Malchut?
I just want to thank you. your site is an inspiration in all aspects.
Once again, thank you!
Shalom shalem!
Dear Rav,
I have been involved with a Kabbalah group for five years now and developed strong connections with the members of this group.
I now have the opportunity to move to a new country where there is a bigger and (as far as I know) stronger kabbalah group.
My questions are;
1. How will a move to a new group (after so many years with the same men) affect my spiritual advancement?
2. Will the new group’s strength help me in my spiritual advancement?
Thank you very much
Dear Rav,
I’ve just experienced being in a Kabbalah community (not Bnei Baruch), where the students were exploited for money, their time and energy to work for this organisation as volunteers, We were told that this was for the purpose of being givers and sharers, “sharing the Light, and becoming like the Light”, and disseminating Kabbalah to the world. I slowly realised to my horror that sadly, this wasn’t the case at all. This organisation used Kabbalah’s teachings to exploit their students not only to make money from them but also to work for them for free in order to recruit new students who they can also bleed for more money. When I found out, I blew the whistle and left, and encouraged others to leave. To me, this showed how Kabbalah’s teachings of bestowal upon others can be taken advantage of and used by unscrupulous profiteers. I’m actually devastated that a place that taught the Zohar and Kabbalah could be capable of doing such a thing!
My question is, how can we protect ourselves from being used and deceived by unscrupulous types who may wish to exploit our desires to bestow willingly without receiving anything in return?
Thank you, dear Rav.
What is it about the psychopaths in control of world governments that causes them to fear our interconnectedness so much? What is it giving them their power besides our lack of connection within internality? And how can we work to banish this evil in high places, like the Berlin wall falling for example? Raising a prayer?
Are Women closer to God then Man?
If I convince myself that only the Creator controls the world, then I find myself not moving. If I say the opposite, that I control my own world, then I find myself able to be an active part of the group and dissemination. How can I see that only the Creator controls the world, yet still be able to actively participate?
Hello Rabbi Laitman, I have several questions for you:
I understand that gravity is a physical force= mass multiplied by the speed of gravity. This is the extent that we are tought in most college physics courses. What is the kabbalistic explanation for it? It is an opposing force to the kli?
Also as I am studying more of kabbalah, I have found it difficult to relate to my friends and family members who don’t study kabbalah. I almost find myself living in a different emotional and spiritual dimension. Is this a normal feeling that one gets?
It seems to me from several lessons that Kabbalah teaches us to love people and accept them for all their imperfections. What does this “love” mean and what kind of “love” is it?
Please answer me: when a partsuf is formed (like galgalta) all the mechanism of in and out coming of the Light happens simultaneously whith other partsuf (like AB, SAG, Nekudot etc) or is step by step, one by one?
How can I yearn for bestowal when I have no concept of what it is?
Rav: Does the Zohar use the History of the Israeli people to explain the upper worlds?
Thank-you
Rav,
What is the most effective means for disseminating Kabbalah?
Katherine
When I feel I’ve been favored by the creator how should I respond with thanks?
Shamati says something very confusing. Like I should be aware that it is nothing I’ve done to have been favored, so I shouldn’t feel good about myself but don’t thank the creator either, or something?
How does dissemination bring us closer to the Creator?
Hello Rav,
I’ve been doing some thinking as to how to best disseminate the wisdom of kabbalah to the religious minded. For instance, the kabbalists often use the Torah, old testament, as a source material and of course the Zohar is meant to bring people to understand the Torah properly.
My question is this: is the new testament also written in the language of branches or only the old testament? Perhaps if kabbalists could expound on the new testament then many Christians would flock to the wisdom, to uncover the hidden Torah as well.
If Adam ha Rishon was originally broken into 600,000 smaller souls, why is the extent of the breaking considered to be the entire population of today’s Earth?
Since the population of Earth is continuously growing, wouldn’t this imply that the breaking is also continuing? And if the breaking is ongoing, is this because the ego is continuously increasing?
I can feel love connection with fellow Kabbalah students and seekers of the Creator, but not with everyone in the world; should I?
I was reading the JAHG(Jews and Hasidic Gentiles) website about the Noachide Laws. As a gentile should I be practicing the 7 Noachide Laws? They also say that some of what Kabbalah teaches is necessary or appropriate for righteous gentiles, is this true? I feel that Kabbalah has the answers I’ve been looking for and am interested in studying BUT there are many conflicting opinions. You say that it’s fine for anyone to study yet the religious community would say otherwise. Can you give a little clarification?
Thank you
I deeply respect and admire what you are trying to do for Humanity. I still hope to have an easier escape.
Why is it necessary for me to become similar to the Creator?
Why can’t I simply vanish in the Universe and be forgotten?
Dear Rav,
What is your take on the new “Synthetic Life” achievement recently made bombshell news worldwide?
Since we are not able to create anything new and since this is only another example of human achievement ‘from existence to existance’, does it nonetheless mean that we, as human species, are delving into a new approach to master life as of in the image of God?
Kindest regards,
Simone
The Creator creates the evil inclination then punishes- makes his creatures suffer when they use it. Is this just a game being played by the Creator for his/her amusement?
I read this in kabbalahblog
Machsom (Hebrew for “barrier”) is the barrier that stands between this world and the spiritual world.
Crossing the Machsom!
October 31, 2008 at 6:47 am
* Number of students in the world – around 2,000,000.
* Number of groups in the world – 73.
* Number of people who have crossed the Machsom – 19.
* Number of people who are about to cross the Machsom – 210. The rest will cross it by the year 2012.
* Annual growth of students – 700-900%.
Questions…1,2,3
1) what are the current data?
2) why 2012?
3) the 2012 apply to all students of BB?
Would you please give comment on the merkava body we have upon leaving this one. Once we disembody is the form our body takes on light? Do we reside in this light body in between incarnations?
Dear Rav,
When we disseminate Kabbalah should we appeal to peoples rational or emotional sides?
Kind regards,
Kristian
I experienced “shame” that is a terrible sensation and I couldn’t even defend from it. And now is as you wrote I started repossess my “I”, but what should I do??
I’ve lost a desire to receive to my body . How do I attain a second nature of bestowal? What should I do? How I will be able to enjoy of bestow? Is there any enjoyment with that?
Hello Rav,
Has my soul only been feminine or in any reincarnation has it been masculine? Does it remember?
While listening to the Zohar on my computer I become entranced and many times become in a dreamlike state and then fall asleep. Is this normal? Also, should I be reading the Zohar directly from the text, or does it matter?
I know this question is not relevant to many people and that you get a lot of questions. A reply would be greatly appreciated but I will understand if you can’t get to this one. I’ve been reading a lot of the posts on this site and as the separation between a man and a woman’s role in spiritual advancement becomes more and more clear, I wonder where I would even begin in my pursuit. I was born female but have been living as a male for 7 years now. Hormones and a hysterectomy make it impossible for me to bear children. I don’t know if it’s even possible to transition back. Do I return to Gd as a man, as a woman, or have I forfeited the chance to advance at all in this lifetime?
I’m male and I have 51 years old.
I was never very religious man but I always have try to keep certain religious traditions, as is invite all my family and friends to have Shabbat dinner at my house. In the last year, due to a series of circumstances that happened in my life I found myself closer to G’d, to my spiritual life and I have been trying to understand why I came to this world,
But lately when I’m praying or reading a spiritual book, bad thoughts cross to my mind, harass me and sometimes I even feel like I’m praying and asking G’d to have bad things happen in to my life. Thus, when this is happening I feel like I should stop to pray or to read because I’m concerned of the consequences of my thoughts, I’m not sure what should I do and why this happening to me.
I sense that I’m having a fight inside of me and I don’t want to lose it. What should I do about it?
Thank you in advance for your help,
Shabbat Shalom !
Dear Rav,
Yesterday you spoke of the need for the media output to change. But how do we break the stranglehold of the people that currently control it?
Dear Rav-
Shamati 114 reads in English:
We must understand how a prayer, considered “mercy,” is relevant. After all, there is a rule: “I labored and did not find, do not believe.” The advice is that one should promise the Creator that he will give him the labor afterwards.
http://www.kabbalah.info/eng/content/view/frame/31978?/eng/content/view/full/31978&main
So what does this mean…that if I feel that I have labored and I haven’t found I should not believe…not believe what exactly? Not believe in kabbalah? Do not believe in G-d? Do not believe one can labor and not find? Do not believe I have really labored? What? Rise above the feeling of not finding and keep laboring in concealment? Do not believe that I did not find…that I actually have found but don’t see it?
Also, the advice is to promise the Creator that “he” or “I” (as I interpret the words) will give him the labor afterwards? After what? After revelation? I thought that was absolutely wrong…to demand revelation without effort…I thought we are suppose to labor in concealment….and believe TINEBH, but work as if all depends on me…and beg for his mercy…because no matter the labor I cannot find without his mercy….
Is this translated correctly? It is very confusing….”afterwards”…that word..after what exactly????
Still studying -
Kim Fox
BB Eng Group
Miami Group
If this is our first time here on earth, is that most certain, that we are coming back,
a lot more to learn?
And can it be said how many times is the minimum or maximum, that a person
must come back here?
I have visited Israel last October, first time in my life. I have never felt anything like it , like the feeling being there. The most wonderful feeling in my life, and also the most spiritual.
As I was walking in Jerusalem in the old city on the stairs , suddenly I got a very strong feeling, that I have been walking there before. What is interesting that the feeling got stronger and stronger. So I was most certain that I have been there before, although, this was my first time.
My question is: could it be, that I had this feeling because I was really walking there before in my previous life? Or I enjoyed it so much, and I found it so spiritual, that my mind was playing a game on me?
P.S. I am not sure how am I going to get an answer for this question, or if I will at all. But could you please let me know, where can I check the answer.
I would like to know why in my 45 years old, i feel i do not know where i am going, what i like in life, and so sad, i have never like any job i have done, not even know, i only like living near the ocean, where i am now.
I feel lost, and i do not know what i want to do with my life anymore.
thank you.
I see a strong connection between what we learn with you and the writings of the 11th century sage Pakuda. I have a desire to read some of his writings but i’m not sure if it will do more harm than good. What do you suggest?
Dear Rav. Laitman,
I have a been curious about Kabbalah for about 6 years. This brought me to The Kabbalah Center. After an on and off I am very confused. There are some thing that make a lot of sense and then it starts to feel like manipulation. I don’t know if it is myown issue or both.
I notice that your web page has a different focus. I don’t see the use of the 72 names. I would like to continue my education on Kabbalah. Can you recommend how i should go about it?
Thank you in advance.
Monica
Are there people right now in our world living in spirituality, or is everyone only preparing to do so? For example, is Dr. Laitman in spirituality already, or is he also approaching spirituality while, in the process, guiding us toward crossing the barrier with him through the writings of those who have already attained?
This is not a question for Rav Laitman. This is a follow up concerning our message we had given him at the Toronto lecture last week.
This a copy of an email that we sent to Avi Hu Sofer and your son and Vlidimir Lider.
Thank you for the time that you took to discuss about our plans concerning the opening start of the new downtown “Montreal Group”.
We found that the energy and connection was strong and we are excited and eager to start immediately.
As we discussed briefly we have started our search for a studio or loft in the center of downtown Montreal so we have a location to further our musical projects and create an environment comfortable enough to create all our artistic needs and also separate projects.
Our goal with the new space is to create a group in the center downtown Montreal area for gatherings lessons diseminations etc..etc..for Kabbalah.
We have already started diseminations and have already met new friends from the Zohar convention from Montreal and also friends in Montreal, which are waiting and eager to have this place to gather. They are glad to know that they will have a place to unite with good intentions and be able to work together.
They are eager to embrace the flow of light in everyway so that everyone in the Quebec area can join together in harmony. And have always a peaceful platform with arms open wide.
We spoke with the women from the “Toronto Group” and they have been very supportive and offered to visit us in Montreal and guide us in the right directions for our group. Also they have invited us on occasional Saturday meals to prepare us for the group and children.
We are looking forward to the guidance and support to finally make this happen.
Paul Yellen 819 323 2701
Ro Rawrsun Jessurun 514 526 8845
Yachad Kavana
L’Chaim !!
Paul and Ro
Is the desire from a man to want to kiss or have sex with another man is purely egoistic ? Does it have a spiritual root or is it coming only from a “beastly” desire to receive pleasure? Is it better for spiritual advancement to restrict this desire and try to find a woman and have a family if you are also attracted to women? I would really like an answer to this question. Thank you!
Hi Rav!
First of all, thank you so much. You changed my life a lot for the better. Your words are a true inspiration for me. I would like to know if the hate I see in others (towards me or others ) is only a reflection of my own hate? If you see people acting egoistically, in person or when watching the news, does it mean you are still an egoist yourself ? Otherwise, you would not have seen it or heard about it? When you are corrected, do you see “a perfect” world where everyone act in a sharing manner and love one another?
Dear Rav,
Every since I left the World Zohar Convention I have felt literally that I can not live without the friends. The only thing on my mind is how I can be near them? My life depends on them, and when I am not near them, I suffer, I can’t breath! We learn in Kabbalah that the only choice we have is our environment, and now I feel even stronger that I need to be connected to a strong group, physically, to stay aimed at the goal and to support the goal. Is it just as natural for the female part of the kli to desire this intense connection with a physical group?
Thank you Rav,
Katie
Hi Friends!
The Creator creates us – he then fills us with desires, “There is None Else Besides Him”. He totally directs us and gives us no choices in the matter, we are like little, insignificant robots for all intents and purposes chasing one form of pleasure to another.
Then the Kabbalist comes along and says we DO have a choice! To serve ourselves in egoistic reception or to serve the Creator (each other) in total bestowal/love.
One leads to eternal death, hatred and ugliness. The other to eternal life, complete love and connection forever.
This is like saying to someone; “Don’t worry I’ll leave this one thing totally up to you; I can chop through your legs with a rusty hatchet or you can take this neatly packed container of $50 Billion dollars, but the choice is entirely yours I’m staying out of it!”?
Regardless of how much suffering we go through is this REALLY a choice for anybody?
Rav,
The writings of Rabash that we’ve been studying recently clearly state that we should regard the friend as being higher than oneself, above reason. With this in mind, how do we treat or regard the matter of the internal dissemination among us? Does one disseminate to those higher than himself? Does not that which he wishes to disseminate come through those friends to him?
Thank you,
Montie
Rav, can you please give me some advice on how to write from the heart?
You mention that “the world is standing on the brink of an abyss”; and yet, I’ve also read that the Creator’s plan for our correction and salvation will be brought to fruition regardless of what path we choose. How can both be true?
Dear Rav
I am Christian by background, but do not attend church. My ex-boyfriend is Jewish by background, but doesn’t attend synagogue. We both study Kabbalah which is what is important for us both. The only reason that we are not together anymore is because I don’t see reason to convert to Judaism and he says it is important for our correction. He says if we were to marry I would have to convert to Judaism. I don’t understand because Kabbalah is about spirituality and not religion! What is your view?
We are sometimes reading from Rabash’s articles about society that have not been translated into English. At such a crucial time, is there a chance these articles will be made available for those that don’t read Hebrew? One example was the article studied today (5-12-2010).
With Care and Concern,
Montie
While at the congress and during other lessons, Rav talked about that hatred that appears and our need to rise above and fill that gap with love thus correcting our selves and also choosing the correct environment. Regarding a marriage that is in trouble and looks like it will not work: One wanting to grow in all aspects and the other not wanting to grow in any way and being a very negative influence and creating very negative environment ( no point in the heart at all). What is the solution? Does one stick it out regardless and be in negative environment, or seek to get out of situation? How can I figure out what path to take?
Hello,
While at the Zohar Convention, I had a moment where I realized something so amazingly beautiful, yet downright evil and ugly at the same time. During the dancing and singing, I suddenly saw a deeper meaning to all of it, and I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
My feelings were that all of our dancing and singing was a ‘metaphor’ (maybe ‘root’ would be more accurate, though I am unsure) to the spiritual world, in several ways. First, we have many obstacles to overcome, such as fatigue, and pain mainly in the legs and arms.
The second thing I found was that because we were in such an environment, where we all had very strong desires, all for the same thing, we became annulled as a result, almost automatically. Even though everyone had to have been feeling the same fatigue and pain I was, no one cared, and it was still perfect. This is what I found beautiful.
What I found to be quite the opposite was that, when I had this thought about the sheer beauty in it, I also found that I had lost my annulment. And I hated all the dancing and singing, because it hurt my body and I was tired. And I lost all the energy I had and struggled to continue.
I also felt, for a reason that I cannot explain, that I needed to keep my feelings about this to myself, and not tell my friends despite how strong the feelings were.
Could you please explain to me why I am feeling this way? And could you please guide me on how to move forward from this situation?
Thank you and L’Cheim
If a person realizes now that he is in a state in which he sees he has very little connection to others, should he avoid his participation in yeshivat haverim until he regains connection? Does participating enhance connection? Would moving closer physically to the group aid in his spiritual shift as well?
Again and again, in almost every lesson and now during the convention, you tell us how important the descents are for our development, and that we should think of them as positive phenomena. Still I experience that this is a part of Kabbalah that many of us “choose” to ignore, even immediately after the lesson and among people that has been studying for a long time.
A lot of people make comments of how nice people at Kabbalah conventions are, and watch the external ways of how we treat each other. We seem to think that we should be nice to each other all the time, and that our gatherings should consist of just good feelings and a “cozy” ambiance.
The group experiences this as well, and we seem to look at discussions and disagreements as something that should not take place among us. We try to organize us so that we can avoid all obstacles, and we complain every time things do not go our way and blame it on others or external events. It is like we can’t manage to understand why bad things keep happening to us, even though the answer is presented for us every day.
Why is it so hard for us to think that it is good if we could manage to challenge each other, and that the bad feelings are good for us and our group? How can we help each other to remember this?
Will we finally manage to look at obstacles as something truly positive?
I feel as if I am not advancing like I should in my local group. They seem to want to do as little as possible. They listen to your classes and say “that’s a good idea” but nothing comes from it … I have been in the group for 2 months and the men haven’t really said 2 words to me. I want more. I want to be involved with Kabbalah 24/7, but my group is not supporting me (most pleasure for littlest effort) … I don’t know what to do. I TRY to influence the group … but nothing seems to help. They don’t show up for the readings or classes and they act like its OK… they say “were all connected already” but I cannot accept that … PLEASE HELP ME RAV!!
Mark R.
Dear Rav,
In one of the NY Zohar Congress lessons we experienced a moment of internal silence on your request. This profound internal connection was so real. My suggestion to you Rav is it possible to practice and strengthen this internal connection of dissemination together for a few minutes in our daily Live Zohar lessons either at end or the beginning of the lessons. I believe this internal dissemination apart from the external dissemination will be a powerful hastening way to build our internal kli.
Please consider I hope you receive this message…………….
Dear Rav,
It is said that Kabbalah will not affect your life here in this world, it speaks entirely of the spiritual world. However, over the past 3 years during my concentrated and intense study with the group and the materials it would be an utter lie for me to say my life here in this world hasn’t immensely changed for the better.
Before I was suffering, depressed and down most of the time with feelings of sadness and emptiness as the Creator put me in the path of pain. Now however (although I still have obstacles obviously) because of this new nature I’m not seeing them the same way. Now that I see the Creator’s plan as a much more important issue (elevated above my own) its changed the way I look at my petty issues and the way that I let them effect me (their importance).
With this new focus, new direction there can only be positive changes in our own lives just due to the fact that we start to see a new, larger purpose and put away our self centered reality.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you!
Dear Rav,
I know that everything is sent from the creator, and is sent to work on us and our intentions. However I have a wife whom was rape a couple of years ago and now suffers with PTSD.
How does rape fit in to Kabbalah and what does Kabbalah have to say about it?
What does Kabbalah have to say about such mental illness?
What does Kabbalah have to say about spouses of people dealing with problems like this?
This is an honest and sincere question from my heart.
Thank you Rav; for everything.
I really appreciate the links and diagrams now appearing in this blog… they are very helpful and they increase my desire for correction!
Are there any Kabbalists today that are consistently going into the upper worlds?
Dear Rav,
How can you be so absolute sure that your way is the right way?
Marlene
What is the purpose of the friend according to Kabbalah? And what the next is for Kabbalah?
I’m writing on behalf of my 4 year old daughter, Amelie. She would like to know: Where is the soul made?
Thank you,
Darren
We learn that the only free choice we have is the choice of the environment. But the pull, the drive to keep connected with the class, with the group, with the circulation efforts and all, is not sensed as freedom, even though I accept this pull with no criticism and gladly agree to this. However this pull, this drive is not felt as something as being “me” but kind of alien to “me”. Similar to the drive to the corporeal desires being sensed as alien as well. What is this sensation?
A rabbi told me I was in “denial” regarding a particular aspect of my life… but Kabbalah tells us concepts like:
1. True desire to attract miracles constantly; we cannot afford not to have miracles in our lives;
2. Believing in the impossible and that it can happen in any given moment
So, where is the place for such a thing like “denial”???
thanks very much
Rav, you said that a Congress is a woman’s only chance to participate in unification. Could you explain? What is different about what a woman does at a Congress, compared to what she does everyday in group support and dissemination?
This would be very helpful as I know that there are many women who feel that it isn’t that important for them to come to a Congress.
Thank you
Dear Rav,
I am truly perplexed by the subject of “Meditation” and BB’s interpretation of it. I can sense or taste that it is merely perception, yet the secret alludes me. Many people world wide practice meditation in the pursuit of self-awakening, these many are destined to be students of Kabbalah. Can you provide them with a more concise description of Authentic Kabbalah reasons for separating meditation from the Kabbalistic term of “Work in Intention”?
I read in the Kabbalah blog your comments about meditation; one part mentioned this “One who is not proficient in the wisdom of Kabbalah misinterprets the term “work in intention” and attaches it to terms that are completely foreign to Kabbalah, such as meditation.”
I have been a student with BB now for 2 years and obviously I am not proficient in the wisdom of Kabbalah because I do not grasp this wisdom sufficiently to understand the above statement. Does the name “meditation” appear foreign to Kabbalah because it is an “inner” process and therefore implies the will to receive without intention to bestow?
Can meditation techniques become tools in the wisdom of Kabbalah with the correct intention?
Can you explain some of the methods used by Abulafia, such as letter visualisations and incantations of YHVH with different areas of the mouth and vowel sounds, direction of head, etc in authentic Kabbalistic terms? Why would such a great Kabbalist (Abulafia) apparently perform meditation techniques to achieve ecstatic spiritual states?
If one is to apply scrutiny, inner scrutiny, then at this stage of my development Meditation appears to be a perfect tool to assist in this inner observation, please help me to understand why it is NOT.
L’Chaim
Paul from Tasmania
Hello Rav.
In the lesson of April 27th, you said we reach spirituality through our friend. Does our friend’s vessels actually become our screen?
Thank you,
Katie
My friend is not at all interested in anything spiritual. I am new to Kabbalah but not to the Creator. My friend and I were once a couple and we still care about each other and have stayed in close touch. Is there anything can I do to awaken him?
Does the study change the sensations inside the body? Does correct spiritual practice result in an over all feeling of pleasure within the body? All I really have is how I feel inside, so am I looking to correct physical sensations, emotional feelings, both, none?
I get the impression that my goal is to share what ever I have, whether that be a smile, a kind word, a helping hand, or material possession. Is this correct? Also, I have come to notice that I really don’t like people very much at all. The evil I have in me is bad enough. Seeing it reflected in others repulses me. How am I supposed to be loving towards someone I can barely even stand to be around?
Rav, you often say ” you don’t know” and; ” what does it matter”. Is this because the question deals with the individuals’ personal scrutiny on their own specific level?
I have read that a desire is action in the spiritual world. Can you explain why it is an action?
Is this correct? There is no such thing in reality like “desire to receive”. There is only “desire to give”. It’s only for uncorrected desire looks like that there is desire to get and desire to give. But in fact, that what looks like receiving, truly is giving. Desire, which looks like “desire to get’” is for the sake of giving – it’s just such realisation form of giving which is in “our world”. And giving involves all forms of reality: material and spiritual.
Is it true that we can get protection from Angels? Do you ha any book about the influence of Angels in our life?
Thanks
Luis
Dear Rav,
You teach us, that corporeal problems that we encounter are inside us, and that in real they are not the problems, as we miss the sixth sense. Do Kabbalists such us Baal HaSulam also have corporeal life problems once they attained the Creator?
Dear Rav,
There is left and right side and we should strive to find the middle one. What if, after a year of study, one still misses the left or right and would like to return to it?
Dear Rav,
What is meant by Malchut taking the place of Bina (NE)? Does this mean we have to nullify our ego’s entirely (Behina Bet) to cause the raising of MAN?
Is this the only way to have our Prayer heard and the only way to cause the vessels to move back into place?
(is this the secret of crossing the spiritual barrier?)
Thanks!
Dear Dr. Laitman;
I searched your blog for “indigenous people” and found the article “The Classical Wisdom Of Kabbalah And The Evolution Of The Urgently Needed Planetary Consciousness”, March 2006. As you say,the indigenous people “sensed nature and everything that surrounds him, and the sensation of reciprocity was his mode of communication with nature. In many respects it was even silent, as in telepathy, on a certain spiritual level. This mode of communication can still be found among indigenous peoples”. Today there are indigenous peoples who are teaching their ways to the West and these Western teachers are teaching to others – how to sense as the indigenous do- and in addition the levels of the Worlds, including ancient healing techniques utilizing these perceptions. My question is: What place do these indigenous teachings have today in our world? And are they seen as true teachers of the Upper Worlds?
In one of your lessons you gave an example of how a mother naturally nullifies herself to nurture a fetus. This made me think of an example where a mother does not naturally do this and her body actually attacks her fetus in cases of Rh incompatibility. I wanted to know the spiritual reason for this phenomenon. Why would a mothers body harm her own baby, If it is natural for her to provide everything it needs? Why does nature want to destroy mixed Rh children?
What is honesty in Kabbalah? How can I know this when I am constantly tricked by my ego?
Crossing the machsom as a group and the coming of the messiah; are these states related, or not?
Dear Rabbi Laitman,
Since you have an educational background in cybernetics I was wondering if you could tell us how this field of study relates to Kabbalah…
Like for example ‘rhizomatic’ growth of society as related to biosemiotics?
I mean, yeah this must be an ontology- but how do we approach our interpretation of the text? Deconstructively? Phenomenologically?
Perhaps this is covered in some of your written work….please direct
Dear Rav,
I am a new student and the purpose of my question is to “know” and not to “judge” or “criticize”.
As you always say “do not believe. check for yourself”, so I now ask you to help me understand, and I mean to REALLY undestand the following:
I have asked many times why women are not shown in the broadcasted lessons nor do they speak as facilitators for the beginners or intermediate lessons…. I have been told that women are there to support and enlighten men… Perhaps I am still immature and still too green to get this, but how can you think of convincing people to go to a congress where you only see men hugging and encouraging each other…?
where are women? we are just souls… the material body that surrounds our soul is just a vehicle that allows us to live on this Earth….it should not determine such a separation… why are YOU doing this separation? whilst you teach us about unity, love, equality? and why you only show one part of the human beings happy to bond?
We should just be there together, men and women alike. singing and encouraging and just being together no matter the sexual body that we have to “wear”.
Thank you very much in advance, I really look forward to your reply. And if there is something I should read or watch, please guide me, I am honestly determined to walk the path of kabbalah, and need your guidance.
With respect and love.
Elena
I fear to test my faith. I know full well that everything I have comes to me from the blessing of my father. I am selfish and greedy to my degree. I strive to serve my father not so much because I love him, but because I fear to loose what he blesses me with. I am a beggar to my father and I don’t like this. I feel no real worth in myself. I am a man of little skill. And I have always been a fearful person. I want to escape from this. I am offended by my own presence. But I am powerless. What do I do?
I fear to go out into the world and try to accomplish something. Others might make the mistake of depending upon me. And I would not be strong enough to meet their needs. I will always see an obstacle I can fall over, or a pit into which I can fall. There is always a wall I can’t climb or a qualification I don’t have. And my failure would cause the ones who believe in me or depend on me, pain and suffering because I wasn’t strong enough or a good enough person. This is what I mean by fearing to test my faith.
Hi Rav,
We are told by you and the other kabbalists to observe the spiritual commandments and precepts for the sake of pleasing the Creator. However, the texts offered by Bnei Baruch do not specifically go into this, or show the spiritual link between the corporeal commandments. In The Introduction to the Article “The Preamble to the Wisdom of Kabbalah” advice is given to study “Shulchan Aruch.” However, a search on Amazon.com reveals a number of different versions and the version recommended by Josef Caro is not even available, seemingly this was the one recommended because of it’s link to kabbalah. So which version do you recommend for us as students to purchase and is it available in multiple languages?
Best greetings for you Rav and all the blessings for the world Kli!
I would like to share a thought I’ve been experiencing. How long we people who have been awakened have to linger in this world while their loved ones doesn’t seem to grasp the opportunity to make things better by the realization or recognition of evil? Even when the method is shown to them, it gives the impression that there is no hope for them. It is like an old saying says: “There isn’t worst blindness than the man that refuses to see”. Do you see possible an early overturn to this situation where the rest of the world is approached in a massive and more direct way?
Thank you very much for reading.
Arvut!
Dear Rav
I want to express my gratitude for all you give to me, us, to the whole world.
I am studying Kabbalah together with my husband for little more than 1 year.
I feel blessed i was able to be at the Zohar Congress. Sinds the Zohar congress my husband and I have been changing enormous. It truly feels we have skipped years of teachings. Today I received true pleasure from the Creator, it did not leave me but stayed, it is nothing like we can ever think about with our minds. You can only know what your teachings and the Zohar is about by attaining it. We feel we attained a great deal. You just know. We are able to feel each other, to connect on a spiritual level. It is all about feeling and inner forces. I experienced today a connection between two of my inner forces, within the pleasure i could connect them. It is so beautiful, i have no words to describe this. I just want to thank you for all you do, everyday, day in day out, saying the same things over and over, until we attain what you have attained. You, A very strong force within me is leading us out of exile. Boreh, come and See. I feel.. I am grateful for the Creator, grateful for You. Thank you.
Much Love
Carmen (from Holland, the Netherlands
I have 2 questions. Will my consciousness always stay in material body(ies)? If yes can it be so that it’s bodies form will change? Other question is: will people study Creator forever? Or maybe, when we will reach final correction, then like grown ups, we will be able to live self-contained?
Can you give any practical advises how to wake up early for morning lessons and to stay bright during the day?
Dear Rav Laitman,
I would like to know if you can explain; why do bad things happen to good people?
Also, one of the 613 commandments states one should not indulge in astrology. Why is this so?
My understanding of astrology is that it does not tell you what is going to happen (as in predicting the future). Instead it tells you what to do with what is going to happen. How does one draw the fine line between these two explanations?
I would very much like to know your thoughts on astrology.
Thanking you
Hello Dr. Laitman,
Question: Is the Holy Grail the same as the force of the will to receive and the force of the will to bestow?
Hello Rav, i tried to find an answer to my question in your blog and couldn’t find it so i’m posting it here, please forgive me if you’ve answered this question already. What do you think of other organisations that disseminate Kabbalah where they charge people for classes and say that the reason for charging for Kabbalah lessons is so that the student does not have “Bread of Shame”, by receiving something without earning it so they will lack the appreciation of Kabbalah? I personally believe that this is a blatant misuse of the concept of “Bread of Shame”, in order to justify making people pay for Kabbalah. Is this correct? Do you believe that Kabbalah should be taught for free provided that the student tithes and/or makes donations which would ultimately benefit the student anyway as they’ll be tithing money to disseminate Light? I’d very much appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Thank you. Love and LIght, Sharon Olney
Rav,
I watch some of the news at night and talk shows when I exercise and I realized that not 1 of these people are contributing to the situation in our world. I have analyzed every person I have listened to (reporters, TV stars, actors, actresses, etc), and not a single person, even those that consider themselves “activists”, is capable of any type of bestowal. It amazes me how the general public listens to them and many (far to many) fall in behind them and agree.
Our job in dissemination is as tough as it has ever been. Can we ever hope to reach even a few of these “stellar prophets” and convince them there just may be a better way? I hope it all does not fall under the category of GREED.
Dear Sir,
I wanted to know, do we marry same soul mate in every re-birth? Is marriage predetermined by God?
Many fall in love and yet not being together does that mean he/she is not their twin soul? Some girl/boy marries the person chosen by their parents, so does that mean that person is his/her soul mate?
Sorry for lots of question. Hope to get answer on my queries.
Thank you
How is it possible to separate self interest from giving?
I’m wondering, nothing has been destroyed since the beginning of time; only altered. All the matter that there ever was is still here in some way in new form, and we are part of it. Maybe death is a way to escape the physical self as the pieces of a body recycle into new things and the soul engages in a new adventure. But if we are all of the same thing, what is there new to be gained? Experiences, emotions, and feelings are all powerful forces of life and more than enough of a reward to live, but what of the future? No matter how it is manipulated by the past it will eventually repeat itself, as we are all repeats or clones of the same person. To find the mold. The soul that borne us into this shape the original memory of the universe in all of us would be enlightenment. But what do you do with it?
I don’t have a serious, structured group such as there in Israel. I need your advice as I feel totally disconnected from everything. I was there in Israel for 3 months, and I see and feel the importance of a serious, structured group. What should I do?
Please help.
Charles Lease – Washington, D.C.
Rav, since the whole represents perfection how do you explain “shame” in Kabbalah?
Dear Rav,
No matter how much I study, it still makes zero sense to me……..If the Creator is benevolent and all loving, why did he even leave the option of having “the path of suffering”? How could such a path even exist from the All Loving One?! And even so, a person is obligated to suffer in this world, whether it is his own fault, another person’s or “The All Loving Creator’s” fault. A person at one time or another falls into a place of complete and utter inescapable hell. And what is he to do? He gets enough physical pain that cannot be healed, or even thoughts he cannot rid himself of, and no matter who is to blame, he is willing to take his own life…..and might as well to escape this hell. Why shouldn’t a person who is in utter hell take his life??? I mean seriously……I’ll be honest, I don’t know how a person is supposed to disseminate a wisdom that actually hasn’t helped him at all out of his inner hell??? I don’t expect much of this to get answered due to the nature and tone of my questions, but I’m in very bad shape and know no way to sugar coat all of this.
Thank you.
I have been looking over the Kabbalah material for a couple of years now. At the same time I have also been attending church. However it is becoming increasingly difficult to follow the church’s doctrine because of what I find in Kabbalah. The one thing that I do feel strongly about is the “community of believers.” It is nice to be part of a community with spiritual intentions. I would like to be a part of a new community that seeks spirituality. I live in Eugene, Oregon. How could I connect with a group to study authentic Kabbalah and to support one another?
Hello Rabbi,
Please help me understand. Since I was not born Jewish does this mean I am lacking a Nefesh? If so, how can one receive a Nefesh? I want to convert to Judaism…by taking your online course and getting involved with a group can I receive a document acknowledging my conversion…so I can make Alliyah?
Sincerely,
Marie
Dear Rav,
My family’s religious background is orthodox christianity.
Faith is important to me. I believe in God, But I don’t believe that Christ was His son.
Could I be Jewish?
I am lost in my search for spirituality.
With respect,
Irina
Dear Rav,
On many occasions, you stated, that the religious commandments started after the destruction of the second temple in the year 70 by Tytus, and that before that time Kabbalah was study with Rav Akiva and his 24.000 students. But historical resources without any doubt tell us that before that period in the temple were animal sacrifice?
Dear Mr Laitman,
Hereby I apologize for some remarks I made regarding you. I’m now convinced of you’re genuineness and sincerity. Although I still have some reservations about the BB groups, I will search for a group and take a look around.
Kind regards,
René
Dear Sir,
Recently, I happened to watch your program and found it very instructive and theoretical. May I ask a question? Some translations of the Zohar use the divine name of Elohim as “God”, “Gott”, “Dieu”, etc. They are , in my opinion, concepts, grammatically, common nouns, while, Elohim, which is in my opinion, a proper “name” , should not be translated into other languages. It should be used as it is used in the Hebrew Bible. I would appreciate very much if you answer my question.
Sincerely Yours,
Hidekazu Utsunomiya
(a retired teacher, Shizuoka, Japan)
Sir,
What does Kabbalah says about MEDITATION? Does it transcend the cycle of reincarnation?
Dear Rav:
During a wonderful and sensitive presentation on the difference between male and female souls in Kabbalah, they stated flatly (backed up by a film clip of your statement on the subject) that males are always reincarnated as males, and women as women.
I know that doctors often need to make a choice as to which sex to ‘give’ an hermaphroditic child (and sometimes they leave both sets of organs intact). As a Psychology Professor, I teach about extensive research that seems to indicate that sexuality is not dichotomous, but rather lies on a continuum. I have friends who are involved in ‘Past Life Regression’, who state unequivocally that their subjects report prior existence as both male and female.
What do you say, regarding the anomalies noted in my previous paragraph?
Sir,
Do we need to be vegetarian to learn Kabbalah and to receive the light?
Thank you.
Mr Laitman,
If there is no one else besides Him…. then the ego is nothing more then a illusion?
Kind regards,
René
Dear Rav Laitman,
I have recently completed viewing the video “The Difference in Kabbalah and Religion”. All of the information in this video makes complete sense to me but I am still left with the question:
I have struggled with “Religion” all of my life. Do I even need religion in my life?
Communication with our Creator has been a really big part of my life but since viewing “Kabbalah Revealed” videos, I have learned that my prayers have been completely inappropriate. I agree with no hesitation but after a lifetime of praying the wrong way, I still feel at a lost when I get down on my knees. I am so used to giving praise and thanks. I stopped long time ago begging and pleading and trying to make deals with God. Now I just ask him to lead me and guide me and I ask for strength for what the day might bring. I ask for Light.
I love to pray. Do you have a book on prayer?
Thank you,
Debra K. Johnson
I have a question however for Rav Laitman about Yehuda Ashlags’ writings: Has the Rabbi ever discussed 1) what we do after we break the barrier in terms of helping others if there is such a thing as helping them after this. I tried for 17 years and don’t expect it will change for me. 2) Did the Rabbi ever discuss what happens when we leave our physical form or will it just transform as all things do after we break the barrier?
What are the 5 levels of egoism that we need to reject in order to creat a screen? Please examples. Thanks.
I have heard you speak of an education program for the children of Israel to teach the them geography, physics, etc. according to the laws of altruism. Will this program be available as a accredited home schooling program for children in America?
I would like to explain how I came to Kabbalah.
On youtube I found a program of a rabbi and a group of scientist that called my attention ,and how the scientists attacked the rabbi and he calmly continued his speech.
I was mad for him, and at the same time admire his attitude. Weeks went by and I decided to lookup kabbalah on line. On my first class I thought it was some religion.
They want to sell books and have a group?
Despite my feelings I continue the semester.
On the next semester I was feeling the questions of the group within me, and they were the same question I had went I started. All I wanted to do was to make them feel this was a normal state.
The first congress on line was the best; I felt I had a family I had never met. I never thought this was possible. I found my self crying with the songs.
I ask my self, what happen to my heart of stone? I feel that I am a different person, I feel like a child.
I want to thank you for helping me to be a better person. Now I know why we need the books, the Rabbi and the Group.
Love,
Mizpah
Hello,
In recent weeks, the Obama administration has become very pronounced in it’s anti-Israel stance. Indeed, Obama is very critical of Israel and her policies for settlements and constantly portrays the Palestinians as the victims and the Israelis as the aggressors.
My question is how should Israel respond to this American-Israeli crisis? If Israel gives in to Obama’s demands they are ultimately weakening themselves before the Jihadists who want to destroy Israel – but America refuses to see this. How can Israel overcome this situation in the immediate sense – how can she fight her enemies when her allies are abandoning her?
If America was to no longer support Israel, and given that the Jews are not currently carrying out their purpose of uniting mankind with the creator, how can Israel survive against a world full of enemies?
I would really appreciate it if you were to answer my question as I feel this question is deeply poignant in light of current events. I am extremely worried for the Jews and Israel as I can see such an immense rise in anti-Semitism towards them which has compelled me to contact you.
Regards.
Dear Rav,
In one of your articles (excerpt from daily lesson; http://www.kabbalah.info/engkab/daily-kabbalah-lesson/the-daily-page-220310) titled: “Why Did The Marxist Theory Fail?” you said: ” Baal HaSulam ascertained that this theory can only be applied in a developed society, rather than Russia, which was socially and politically retrograde.”
Here what i understand from the verb ‘ascertain’ is that Baal HaSulam himself found out, made that assumption, however to my knowledge (B.S. in Political Science) Marx had already stated that Communism can or will be practiced only after a society reaches to the extremist level of capitalism; ie progressed, developed society.
My Question is; Did you mean Baal HaSulam himself made that assumption or you meant he confirmed Marx on that ?
Love you.
Burak Tozkoparan – Izmir/Turkey
What does a dream mean?
What does Kabbalah say on homosexuality? Is it wrong?
Dear Mr Laitman, everyone seems to possess feelings, goals and wishes, however I feel only a desert, nothing exists within me, no desire for anything. Working, pay a house, etc, these are only things that I’m doing in order to help my family, but I have no desire for anything of it. What is the purpose of the Creator to create a state of minimum desire, to merely exist? Furthermore, I’m still fighting with the question: what is an ability? How can I find my ability? Thank you.
Dear Mr. Laitmen,
I am not Jewish, but I follow the Jewish pathways as much as possible. I am a blue collar worker so my station is not great. I pay my tithe to two different shuls
since I attend both frequently. When I was 5 years old my older brother by 4 years
sexually molested me and made me do unspeakable things, I was terrified of him.
He was a pathological liar. Consequently, because of his stranglehold on me,
because I was frightened of him, if I wouldn’t do these horrible things he would lie
about me to our parents and I would be terribly punished. He taught me sexual
and pornographic trash while I was growing from approximately age 5 until I was around 13 or 14 years old. My folks did not know about all this because I was afraid.
By the time I reached puberty and beyond I had a terrible addiction for pornography. As a christian, I always wondered, “Where was this Jesus when I really needed help” ? I discovered Judaism in my thirties and have believed the
teachings ever since. NOW THE BIG QUESTION
I am still plagued by this demon and fight it continually. I fail at various times and then I am so ashamed I can hardly live. I can’t talk to the Rabbi due to the nature of this. I started searching for answers and found Kabbalah. I bought a
23 volume set from the Kabbalah Centre International and now I am not even sure if it is authentic. Mr. Laitman, how can I find total deliverance from this awful addiction? Do I really have a set of the true Kabbalah?
When you daven, I would appreciate your prayers on my behalf.
I apologize if I have bothered your busy schedule
Sincerely, Baruch Ben-Melech
LC (USA): Can the Rabbi please explain further his point re: when he
said nothing disappears in the world – or that nothing disappears in
The Creation. That it is only ever our perception that changes? What
can I hear from him that will help me further assimilate this
principal in my every day life? What can I know or do that will allow
me to implement this understanding every day in a practical way? For
instance when I experience direct suffering or when there are
challenges….Thank you.
Are you hopeful for humanity’s future? Do you think that something significant will happen in 2012? Do you think there will be other wars in the future or that we will finally achieve peace on earth?
How do you and Kabbalah in general view homosexual desires and same-sex relationships? I would like to know also what do you think about same-sex couples who adopt or raise children together?
On January 30 of this year, my Mother passed away. I had my moments but my wife was interested in the words I kept repeating, “There Is None Else But Him.” I kept my intention with the group, the Inner Group I have the privelege to a part of, and basically felt that a part of life was taking place and I needed to evaluate it and deal internally with it. Of course my family supported me but I was able to see this event from a different perspective. A perspective I really could not explain.
My question is “Did I have the proper intention regarding this happening?” I always knew it would come but I am at piece with this. But is this as it should be?
Dear Mr Laitman,
Can you please give some examples (daily life) how to receive in order to give to the Creator and His Creation?
Kind regards,
René
Dear Mr. Laitman,
Is our Creator an artist or a scientist? Or neither?
René
Right now we are reading from Beit Shaar Ha Kavanot and The Nation. Neither of these articles are translated into English. Without having a text to follow, it becomes almost impossible for me to integrate myself into the lesson. So I have no desire to study these texts. I have a choice of using this time to watch these live lessons or to watch something from the archive that I actually want to study, such as introduction to TES. Which is the better choice for spiritual progress?
Hi Michael
Thank you for taking the time to write the book ‘Attaining The Worlds Beyond’. certain trains of thought have been appreciated and enjoyed.
My first question to you is on the topic of Gender Bias.
Why is it you write, referring to God as male?
My second question is about legacy, albeit yours.
At the risk of being long winded I will state I do believe the world today is in perfect balance and all is exactly as it should be. However my question I ask from the conventional perspective, being which there is much wrong with the world and mostly caused by conflict between the peoples of this planet. My question then is; what do you leave behind? Do you leave a people still entrenched in the belief that they are better than any other group? Do you leave behind a people who believe their path is the only path towards salvation? Surely the responsibility of racial and religious conflict sits squarely on the shoulders of our spiritual leaders? Unquestionably the responsibility cannot sit with say the carpenter or the brick layer or even the doctor or the lawyer. Without a doubt the responsibility of all which is negative in human society must lie with the people whose job it is to lead people towards love and acceptance.
Your predecessors results are dismally pitiful. What will yours be? Again what is your legacy as a spiritual leader?
Third question: Who is your book ‘Attaining The Worlds Beyond’ aimed at? If I may I will elaborate. Is your book for all? If so then why use the title ‘Rabbi’ Surely you will agree this book will not be picked up by the average Muslim or Christian or even the Buddhist or Hindu. Would your book sell as well in Israel if not for your title.
Please I implore you not of think of my questions as affronts. I genuinely seek understanding.
Yours sincerely
Carl Mosca
Hello Michael,
I am totally new to Kabbalah I have not even started the on line course yet but I cant stop reading and thinking about the creator I follow every thing available to me at this stage this is absolutely not a problem but my question is that the environment that I am in know located in Sweden is not a good environment for me I can say whit absolutely certainty the thing is that I have always said long before I found kabbalah that if I’m not going to live in the town in Sweden I live in know I want to another country and it really feels like should go to Israel not only to study kabbalah but also study a so called normal study to for I have no education at all and I have heard you say that if you don’t feel good studying whit the teacher and the group you should go to another and I can tell you that this is exactly what I have felt is right for me to go to Israel and try to find a teacher there who feels right for the idea about moving from my birth town is not a new idea but I never knew were I wanted to go until I found kabbalah and know that I found kabbalah I just have destination were I want to go would really appreciate an answer my best and my thanks for receiving and guidance from you.
Hi!
I’m Paulette from Antofagasta, Chile.
I’ve two questions. The first is: How can I call to the sensation that when I feel a lack of study and at the same time I close my eyes and feel something very special… some kind of connection? Is there a name for that?
And the second: A lot of times I’m trying to make one study group in Antofagasta, but for many reasons it doesn’t become real. And I feel very lonely in this point. How can I make it real? Maybe my intention is incorrect regarding my desire and my action? Or now isn’t the moment for a group?
After the lesson about the revelation of evil I had a revelation about evil. Is it the fuel (dark matter) for the “rocketship” of the soul? We burn it to take us higher?
Rav shalom,
We have learned about the “VARIOUS DEGREES OF JACOB,Esau, Abraham etc,
In Kabbalah what do the Degrees of the” Sons of Aaron” mean? & the priest line?
Thank you!
Dear Rav,
1 -Since some time I feel hate within myself. It is not towards anyone or anything special, although a person or a situation can reveal it in me. It´s simply a sensation of hate that is revealed inside.
To handle it I go to sleep after reading a text, having a good sensation, and I do take hold of this newly revealed hate within me, looking at it and then grabbing the right forces to make a correction. With this new intention I go to study and it seems to work, but still there is more coming up. Also parts of my surrounding starts revealing hate and I watch the sensations coming up within myself and work with them.
But I feel week to, as I´m not controlling the situation around me as before.
I feel much more vunerable now.
Please do answer me if these things are correct experiances on our path, and if I have the correct attitude to them, handling things correctly!
2 -I also have some nights when I am asleep and when it seems as if I am awake, aware to some degree.
Please answer me if this is a natural situation on the path or not!
I need to know.
I am very upset and angry with God. I have bipolar disorder and a lot of anxiety and panic attacks and I don’t understand why God is doing this to me. I don’t see any benefit of what this does…it is ruining my life and others’ lives around me. I feel like cursing the Creator 24/7! What should I do?????
Dear Rav,
As a woman studying Kabbalah for several years, should I try keep intention during the Zohar lesson? It happens that many times I listen to the lessons while multitasking, however lately especially with Zohar lessons, I feel that I cannot fully concentrate. What can you suggest?
Best Regards,
If The Zohar covers the entire system of creation from top to bottom are there parts of the Zohar which refer to worlds that are not immediately above me? I am afraid that sometimes I am reading a part of the Zohar that may not concern me as of yet so I am afraid that I shouldn’t seek the light there because I won’t understand certain parts yet. If this is true then are there parts of the Zohar which refer strictly to the first stages of the ascent which we should seek the light from first?
Hello Rav Laitman!
I am a new student and am really enjoying the information Kabbalah has brought me. I have been studying myself and my connection by way of meditation for twenty years. When I first heard about the point in the heart I knew I had this from childhood.
I have been working with the idea of equivalence of form and correction through the upper light. I realized that I could apply/ to make a change here it has to come from above/ where equivalence of form applies/so if anything “negative” comes into my life it is because I have a piece of that in me that needs to be corrected/ so when I feel this negativity I call down the light of correction and it is corrected.
I have applied this for only a few weeks and already the lights are shining in me.
I feel lighter and more relaxed. I want to share this with other Kabbalists but they seem to think you have to be an expert before you have anything worthwhile to share. How can I share my discoveries and gratefulness for my new-found joy and freedom?
Thank you : )
Lloyd
Dear Rav,
I’m a non Jews and I’ve heard about kabbalah since 5 yrs ago. I’ve downloaded so many articles and reading materials regards with kabbalah such as Shamati, The Bahir, Tomer Devorah, The Path of Kabbalah etc. Last years, with all my efforts, i bought a few book from amazon.com such as Sefer Yetzirah: in theory and practical translated by Aryeh Kaplan, Moses Cordovero’s introduction to the kabbalah: annotated translation of his O Ne’erav,The Tree of Life (Palace of Adam Kadmon): Chayim Vital introduction to the kabbalah of Isaac Luria, The Zohar: annotation to the Ashlag commentary, The Thirteen Petalled Rose by Adin Steinsaltz, Window of the Soul: the kabbalah of Rabbi Isaac Luria and few others supplementary reading book regards with kabbalah. Most of the soft copies and all the books i have read and my question is: Are those books and soft copies with me is the authentic material for me to study kabbalah?
Thank you
Hello Rav Laitman,
Every time I study the daily lessons with the friends, I enter this inner and outer trance as if I am not sitting in front of a computer filled with intentions somewhere else. Is this a good state?
Dear Mr Laitman,
Is there emotion in The Creator?
Kind regards,
René Hermes
Question : I have heard that the veils are both lifting and thinning. What does this really mean for us?
Hi.
I’m following the free winter Kabbalist course.
I don’t mean to be brutal, but I’m aking this out of curiosity and I guess will to receive too.
Are you in contact with the creator?
Are you able to enjoy what you are teaching or are you teaching something like buddhist who aim to nirvana but do not reach it in this lifetime.
Sorry for the brutality.
Best regards
Through the study of kabbalah, i have re-awakened the connections inside of me to every single element of nature. With the study of the ten sefirot i can quantify and logically dissect many things tha lay hidden from my grasp. My question is: Is it valid if I’m building an illusionary world around me, even if its a false program to arrive one day with utmost intention to the true spiritual perception? Or can such an approach lead to to cataclysmic perceptions from which i will turn myself into a hermit and be bound to my reality by shackles? please help.
Good morning Mr Laitman.
I heard from a friend who is studying Kabbalah too that there is a list of 600 desires that a person might have.
I am wondering if this list is published anywhere or if you have it as it will help me a great deal. I am finding that I can not always define my desired in order to fulfill them and move forward.
Thank you
Galina
Could you please explain exactly what is meant by the middle line?
What do we need to do to walk on the middle line?
Thank you
Dear Mr. Laitman
Good evening teacher, its just a pleasure to be able to have this site thank you very much , i just wanted to say i watch march thirds videos and i heard u singing at the end and i think thats unity to me the men hand on the bak of there brothers. and the htought of corrections and loving the family when the study is done is what its all about. Also just wanted to say your voice is very soothing, puts me in a trace of peace, thank you. take care of your self . Ciao micheal
Sincerly an awaken soul
You said that, “The Messiah comes when you’re not paying attention”. Can you please explain?
Thank you
For me to absorb the desire for Spirituality that a Woman has, do I have to have some sort of interaction with a female person who studies Kabbalah? How does a Male properly absorb the desire for Spirituality from a Woman?
It scares me a lot to think of the day when you will die. It was very hard, sad, and terrifying (for me) listening to the third part of the lesson for March 2, 2010. It was a painful and sad feeling, I felt very alone and nervous thinking of that day. VERY nervous.
At what age is it appropriate to read kabbalah?
I’m new to Kabbalah, however, I have plenty of questions clicking in my head as I watched several of your broadcasts and shows. One question that really stands out is,
:Kabbalah believes that their is a higher power or creator
there are many religions around the world believing in certain God such as Jesus and Allah. Is there any correct religion out in the world that believes on a right God?
I’m orthodox Christian and I question my religion and others a lot and I can’t really get a hand on which one is correct and which creator to praise and pray for.
I don’t know, I feel like being a Kabbalist
Thank you for your time!
Dear Rav-
G-d created the evil inclination and Torah as the Spice….
The Evil Inclination = The Will to Receive = The desire to Receive Pleasure = EGO= Me!
To pass machsom… I need the first restriction…. I must FEEL that I am evil…I do not feel evil…to get there ….I must raise a prayer to the Creator to feel evil…the recognition of evil…I believe this will feel terrible…. nonetheless….I desire this very much…however nothing is happening,,,what am I mis-understanding? What am I missing? I need help.
Thank you-
Kim Fox
BB Miami
Hello Dear Rav,
In reading your recent blog posts, it seems that you define the term “confusion” as something dealing with the mind? Doesn’t confusion have to do with feeling? Whether we connect or not to the group brings confusion. Whether we feel or not brings confusion. It seems to me that this term “confusion” deals with both the mind and the heart.
If we are to be, as you have posted, confused during the studies, then how is one to connect when not only does the mind become confused, but also the feelings of the heart?
Love,
Debra
Rav, I feel a desire to go to my home country and translate, disseminate and try to build a local group, but there is also the feeling that this is running away from the current group. How can I make a decision, and is family (parents) even a consideration in this decision?
Hi Rav Laitman!
I have a question about what one can talk about in the group regarding inner scrutinised matters. After the congress I got a blow in the group and I started to work with it to find out what it pointed out for me.
I now think I can see the cause of it on my behalf and I can feel how it has been taken off my shoulders in some way. But how do I talk to the group about it? Should I just continue like nothing happened or put it on the table.
I´m afraid that it may prevent others from being able to do their own scrutinizing if I do and may be preventing the group from advancing if i don´t. I can´t really tell what is most beneficial towards the goal.
Mister Laitman,
When a person does not realize he is an egoist, that has to be corrected through Kabbalah, he is considered an animal. Does that mean that when he dies he has no soul and no consciousness. Will his essence mingle to become anything?
My daughter is retarded and could never understand anything about being altruist (she is very egoistic even compared to the other egoists). Will she have no hope to be corrected. If she will be reincarnated to have another chance, why did she have this ‘meaningless’ life (in perspective of her correcting her ego)?
Can a woman reincarnate into a man and vice-versa?
Will I be able to sense the existence of my family within the unity (when all souls have merged into one) ? Or will the unity be endless bliss without variation or movement. What about animals, will I be able to feel the presence of my pet animals or is everything gone and together at the same time?
I have so many questions, thank you for reading them.
My sincere greetings,
Anita (Canada)
Dear Rav,
I would like to know why sometimes you say nothing disappears and other times you say everything will disappear. This confuses me and makes me ask what are we praying for exactly. Are we praying for the world to end and just disappear for eternity, returning to nothing. Did the creator create us for this, so we would be so fed up with our lives that we are willing to disappear into nothing and he will grant us this wish if we desire it enough? Is this our goal?
Thank you in advance.
Patrick from Québec
Dear Dr Laitman
Re: Forgiveness and Forgetness
Many people have done me wrong, and I am trying to do my best to forget what they have done. The experiences were extremely traumatic to me, although some people may think that I am over reacting. I am sure that there are many people who are experiencing the same thing. I experience bad memories on a daily basis and I cannot control the thought. I try to fight it by praying and doing good deeds but I cannot help but feel extremely bitter because I did all I could to make things right but yet I am oppressed of my rights. Some friends who mine say that I should trust in Karma and believe that what goes around comes around. I do not wish ill for those who have oppressed me, but I only wish for a better future for myself and for those people who have hurt me to have a better heart.
My career has been put on hold. I have been undergoing psycho-therapy without any medication. I feel extremely rejected by life even though I did my best to make everything right by following the rules and G-d’s rules. I feel extremely guilty because I have tried to kill myself several times. But every time I did try, I failed for some odd reason. When I cut my wrist, my blood doesn’t seem to flow out. When I tried to get run over by a speeding bus, it comes to a stop just inches in front of me. When I tried to swallow poison and tablets, I ended up vomiting all of it – the doctors in the hospital are amazed that I had no traces in my system.
I have recently come across your talks on Youtube, and somehow the Kabbalah has pierced my heart and consciousness.
What does the Kabbalah say about dealing with trauma and renewing hope? I feel extremely tired, I do not know if I have hope.
Kindly thanking you
Maria
I am new to Kabbalah, but have been a disciple of an Eastern path (Path of the Saints, equivalent to Sufism) for 38 years. I have been frustrated by lack of progress for many years, but persisted on the basis my effort was inadequate.
Studying the common ground in different paths, I came across this form of Kabbalah. It was as if a desert in my soul had been watered. Recognition of truths resound within me. My criteria for integrity of a path and guide are met. As with the creation, my Jewishness finds its place, both its good and its evil. My practice of Lo Lishma is now being directed to Lishma. My direction is clear.
I am in London and will follow the April Semester- Can I study under you as my Rav via the Internet? Where can I find like minded souls to join a group?
Hello, the question I would like to ask is in regards to the forces that control man. Are forces in the egoistic worlds capable of good or beauty? Are any of them conciously doing the lords will? Are altruistic forces capable of punishing men? for example the angel of death who passed-over the hebrew houses in egypt. also the angel that says ‘grow’, does he do so by inflicting suffering? do men have 2 angels one good and one bad? or is it simply one angel who does exactly what is asked of him; sometimes good and sometimes bad? Thank you.
Dear Rabbi Laitman,
I am currently taking a course on the Zohar at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. I’m trying to figure out what to write my thesis on, but I’m most interested in the intersection of modern physics such as super-string theory and chaos theory with the teachings of the Kabbalah. I know you have been interviewed about this many times, including by the other scientists who appeared on “What the Bleep Do We Know?” but I was wondering if you had a particular book of yours that you would suggest on the subject, or the work of any other prominent Kabbalists.
I was directed to some of Aryeh Kaplan’s books, and these have been very helpful, but I was more interested in the teachings of a living master.
Should we work on our egoism in this world, in corporeality, or should we study Kabbalah, enter in spirituality, and solve everything from there, because it is said that “Things come from the top down”?
Andrei-Mihai
Romania
I’ve heard you say during your lessons that The Zohar is only meant to be studied in the group. Does this mean we shouldn’t read it on our own between lessons?
At the Zohar Congress you were asked the definition of “force.” At that time you were unable to give one. I have not been able to pin down the exact defined word but our Inner Group knew what was meant. Is this the way to define in our minds? I feel we were not able to get the words together.
What would be your advice?
Dear Rav,
I am finding that my corporeal job that used to interest me, does not interest me anymore and I am finding it hard to be enthusiastic and motivated toward corporeal work.
I find myself only enthusiastic about dissemination projects!
However, my corporeal work requires that I am motivated in order to get my work done.
How can I best regain my enthusiasm for corporeal work, or should I look for work that is simple and has less responsibilities so that I can just get it done and focus my energy on dissemination?
Regards,
Ravian Budde
Sydney
When we read in the books that we should keep Torah and Mitzvot, what was the intention of the authors when they wrote this?
hello dear rav,
These are amazing times. What does it mean for the letters to be female? What is the significance of the letters having gender?
love,
debra
Do you know of any methods to aid us in our growth during the time that we dream?
What is the difference between physical exile and spiritual exile?
Dear Rav,
Please clarify the role of women in the group. We understand that women connect in order unite our lack in order to push the men to the goal. What is not clear is the role of women within a group. We know that a woman must do dissemination to advance, but is this enough? If a woman is part of a physical group, and there is an opportunity for the women to connect their desires to influence positive changes in the group, then is it correct for the women to articulate a suggestion to the men’s group?
In the situation that I am referring to, the men welcome the ideas and thoughts of the women’s group, but some of the women in the group feel that we should only do internal work and never say anything to the men because it interferes with the work of men’s group. While I agree that the majority of the time, the women need to let the men figure it out, there are times that the women need to let the men know that there is a problem. Please clarify whether a women’s group should identify concerns to the men, or should they simply read an intention together and by doing that – it will bring a correction to the group?
Thank you!
Hello,
It’s said that Kabbalah has nothing to do with meditation and that only the study of the right books will lead the student to the spiritual.
From what I could gather, Chaim Vital was the only student of the Ari to understand his new system at the time, and that Vital was the one responsible for recording Ari’s teachings to the future generations.
Even so, Chaim Vital’s work include books such as the “Shaar HaKavanot”, the “Gate of Meditations”, the “Shaar Ruach HaKodesh”, the “Gate of Divine Inspirations”, for instance, wich deal with meditation methods.
So, is there such a thing as Lurianic kabbalistic meditation or not?
Thank you in advance,
A.
i was just wondering what is the difference from what is taught from here and what is taught from the kabbalah centers in los angeles and new york? i tried asking someone in my class and i felt like they got offended that i asked. thank you, i’m only looking for happiness in life and so far studying kabbalah has helped a lot.
Which work is more important in the group, to connect with the people I feel close to, or to connect with the people I feel completely opposite to? Should I even try to connect to people I don’t like if I’m new to Kabbalah?
I started studying Kabbalah with the K center in London, Yehuda Berg.
I am greatful for them to show me whats out there, but now i need to know why its there. I live far away from all, in the South of Brazil, but I seek more information and wisdom, especially on healing and reincarnation.
Please help me!
Sincerely
Uli Mezger
How can we interpret the history of Cain and Abel? I mean, what would be the interpretation of the history of Cain and Abel in the Bible?
I just happened to stumble upon the wikipedia essay about the Ari.
The essay quotes, assuming from the Ari: “As there are superior and inferior organs, so there are superior and inferior souls, according to the organs with which they are respectively coupled….”
Can you expound on this teaching?
I see all my selfishness. I understand that everything I do is in order to receive. How do I get to the point that I WANT the Creator to remove it so I am corrected. I want to stop suffering but to be honest I sometimes ashamed of my selfish motives but I understand them so I am not motivated to sincerely ask the Creator to remove them How does the desire to seek the Creator come?
how does the spiritual world affect our actions in this world?
Dear Mr. Laitman,
Who are we?
Whenever it’s said in texts and broadcasts that “we have a desire”, it is implied the we are not the desire. Also, it is said we don’t have yet a soul at this stage of evolution.
Are we consciousness?
Thank you!
Why are all of my desires self destructive? Why couldn’t my ego at least drive me to benefit myself rather than hurt myself? It’s a like a drug addict whose core desire that he cannot even remotely control is to do something that’s killing him. I understand the the will to receive as a whole is what kills us and everything, but why within corporeality does it give me nonsensical desires that only cause me harm? I have knowledge of this yet still cannot change, like an addict……
Could we consider the will to receive as complementary of bestowal rather than opposite?
Hi
Laitman I love you you saved my life
I experienced everything in my life what you wrote and it’s true.
hello dr. laitman,
i have been investigating and studying kabbalah via the internet (including the online course through ari online) and i am fascinated, confused and eager for more….
i have previously investigated various religious and mystical traditions and can say with some certainty that kabbalah has struck a deeper chord with me and i feel a greater affinity with kabbalah than these other traditions…
that said, i must also say that there are literatures and individuals that i have met in the past that follow different traditions than kabbalah and, while these other traditions or methods were not right for me, they seem to have been very right for others — to the point where i would say with some conviction that some people have, through these other practices, been elevated to high degrees of spiritual attainment…
this brings me to my question: why is it that kabbalists under your tutelage would say that the only true path to spiritual attainment is through kabbalah?
i find it difficult to accept that the dalai lama, for example, is missing a whole lot…
thank-you for all of your work,
respectfully,
rob ursel.
Dear Rav,
I understand that Kabbalah does not deal with this world and especially now it seems you want to address most of the blog to serious matters related to the zohar, but we as humans have many unanswered questions about sexuality. In raising our children and even for ourselves, we also yearn to know how to function appropriately in our world when everything seems like a gray area. If we do just follow all of our desires, we clearly end up hurting ourselves and others………so my question is:
Why are men especially given the ability to procreate at such a young age? Should we look to orthodox laws to guide us and if so, we don’t even understand these commandments. Is it wrong for a man to masturbate for example or use contraception, and if so what are adolescent males supposed to do? Even if they do nothing, they have nocturnal emissions which are said to be forbidden, so can you please shed some light on what is seemingly something inherently defective within all of nature?
What is energy?
the only way i can connect with the group is through the computer as there are no actual bnei baruch groups in my country that i have been able to contact. This interaction is basically is the daily lesson which i can seldom watch live due to commitments. is this the connection to the group that you talk about and will i reveal the extent of my desire through this? my corporeal interaction is little to none, can i receive the correct aim in theory like this? i have the burning desire but i dont know for what.
many thanks Rav
Hi Rav,
Since “understanding” the Zohar isn’t really necessary, only the intention is and acquiring the “ohr makif”; is it possible to just read the Zohar in a group, for say an hour or two, with the right intention without interpretation?
Doesn’t this accomplish the same goal? If we can’t FEEL what the Zohar says, what’s the point in interpreting it?
Thank you!
Dear Rav,
How should a person react when he hears his own name being used in the Zohar, such as Moshe, Aaron, or Jacob? You said one that a persons name reveals something about his pre-destination, so naturally doesn’t it really boost a persons ego to hear his own name like that used? How should he counteract that ego? Does it even mean anything at all that he has one of these biblical names anyway? I know its forbidden to picture the books as talking about people, but naturally he wants to relate to the character of the same name, so what is he to do? Many thanks Rav,
Aaron
Is the sole purpose of desires to set us in the pursue of the purpose of life? All my life I have strived to have a job (not an amazing job, but a simple job, that could help me pay my bills and allow me to raise my family). I have worked hard through school and college, I consider myself a good worker, but a succession of bad luck, unbelievable situations appear constantly in my life and my dream is unattainable.
In the pursue for explanations for this experiences I have read some Kabbalah books. What I don´t understand is: is it wrong to wish for something so ordinary? Is there something wrong with my wish? Does God always reward our “good deeds” and punishes the bad ones? When the “point in the heart” appears does God relieves the pressure that exists in that area of our life? I am sorry my questions are still very self centered, but this is where I am and where I have been for so many years that I feel I cannot move forward without understanding this.
You say that before studying Kabbalah and the Zohar in depth, one should be on his own, with a job, own source of income, a good head, and preferably a partner. The world is currently in a poor economic state and many are out of work. What is the Creator trying to tell us, “You must study this amazing science, but you must secure your existence in this world first,” if we cannot even secure our existence in this world? What are we to do if we live far away from other Kabbalists and have no way of getting work? Please answer this, because I think that this is something that MANY potential students are wondering about.
Mr. Laitman:
Where does the quote “kindness gives to another, Compassion knows no other” come from and who is the author?
Thank you for your assistance. I’m an architect and working on a Holocaust Memorial design competition and would like to maybe use the quote. However, I would like to know it’s origin.
Would it be possible to email me directly the answer. I really would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Mark Goodman
Nowadays a person who study Kabbalah is able to relate with friends in his town, state, and because of the internet he’s got a chance to relate with people and groups from all over the world.
Where is my group? What should I consider for my group?
Should I take into consideration only the obligations of mine toward the friends from my group (which is in my sity) or to be in conversation with so many people and groups is great chance and I must nullify myself toward everyone?
Is it important to follow the kosher laws of eating, and what is their significance?
Why have the teachings of Kabbalah been lost in the Jewish orthodox movement? Did orthodox rabbis ever teach Kabbalah?
Thank you.
With the study of the kabbalah I begin to find my self not as the body, but as surroundings and my human body together. I can check what says my surroundings, what emotions and feelings it has, and to check how it affects my human body – what it teaches me. On the other hand, sometimes I can find that surroundings absolutely correctly illustrate my feelings. Especially to grab this sensation helps knowledge about inanimate, vegetative, animal, human desire types.
You teach that our development to next one spiritual ladder begins with falling down to the point where we have started our spiritual development. So, shouldn’t we strive to earthly pleasures as strong we can, during this fall, in order to reach the bottom faster, and than to start climbing again? Is there any difference for work upstairs and work downstairs? Is there, in Kabbalah, such meaning like work downstairs, at all?
If we are not free, as it is being said, then who is responsible for the incredible suffering we see in history?
As part of the preparation of the congress scheduled in Israel, the Arvut is the main work to be realized in the group. There is no spirituality without union, to clean out all the breaks is important.
You say that we are “a seed (point in the heart) which has to rot in the ground (the group)”
Everyone have things which have been lived through before they arrive for the study of Kabbalah.
We have built our own rules, then, we have acquired some duties, some interdicts, or we have declared faithfulness, mutual aid … on oath. (family,
religion, or other networks).
- Which behavior to be assumed, on terms of Arvut, towards a friend of the group BB, when this friend could run counter the external rules of the group?
- When there is an opposition between these rules: (family, religion, other networks) and Kabbalah, what is to prevail?
- what are the limits of the arvut?
- Isn’t there a risk of complete power of the friend over the arvut? A friend who could abuse his authority over others under the pretext of arvut?
Thank you for your responses
Who is a friend?
In the article, Zohar for all-Conference:
What is the difference between the Messiah Son of Joseph, and the Messiah Son of David?
Can we correlate these different corrections with “historical time”?
Thank you
Adelina
Hello
My question is if a man and a woman study together and the man enters into spirituality does the wife automatically enter also because of the unique connection that they share?
Dear Rabbi Laitman,
I was tring to find my wholl live answers, and some years a go a friend gived me a book… Yours in Dutsh… It was a beginning off a new live… I was a little scared but afther a wile I found a rabbi in my place and I started to e-mail him… and afther mounths hi ask me to come to his class… we learned Thora and for the first time in live things made sens… i growed and i started to obsurve mitsvot… like keeping cosher but i didn’t told it to anybody… afther a year i found a other rabbi and i started to go to the synagoghe and to learn practikel jewdism… i learned some years and last Rosh Shanana I went to Bnee Barak to raf Karelits and the Beddin and i did gioer… it was verry special time… by coincidence i saw your movies one you tobe…
and now i saw that you studied in Bnee barak.. special… Its like i have to find you again? i dont know…
Shabath Shalom,
Channa – Noemi
Dear Rav,
you have said that we should send to you our experiences with the zohar.sometimes,when i read the zohar,despite i don’t understand a thing, i feel a sensation that fills me up and i can barley breathe..but the next day i wake up completely stupid and with a small desire for spirituality…it is possible to receive glimpses of spirituality?or if it was spirituality i wouldn’t have a doubt?
thank you and excuse me for my english.
Hello Dr. Laitman,
I have been on the Diamond Heart Approach, a contemporary spiritual teaching, for over seven years. This is a path for self realization and unfoldment and transformation of the soul, for people living in the world. It uses the method of inquiry into one’s experience, it incorporates traditional wisdom with modern psychological knowledge, and uses meditation and body awareness.
The originator is Hameed Ali (A.H. Almass).
I wonder if I need to continue with it, and start Kabalah also, or maybe it is time to leave it and start Kabalah.
I would deeply appreciate some guidance.
Thank you,
Batsheva Rotem
Greetings Rav Laitman, In the beginning of my studies I experienced a joy of finally being on the path of correction, now I feel as though I am being shredded apart from one sensation to another. Is this an experience I’m suppose to be going through now? and where does it lead?
Are eating disorders/food addiction purely psychological problems? Any advice on treatment?
Shalom Rav,
I have been studying Kabbalah for several months now, I can’t explain how my feelings are towards the Creator and my desire to increase it! and I am very thankful for your help.
And my question is ” What and why would you recommend for people who is seeking to develop a professional career nowdays?”
I do not have a lot of interest for any actual career where I can really feel or see any pleasure of doing. To be honest I just like to study Kabbalah, but then I cant get a job relating to that.
My english is not very good, but hope you can give me an advice.
Thank you!
Dear Rav Laitman:
In one of your recent postings, you’ve explained how to read the book of Zohar: “Every word in The Book of Zohar should be understood as existing inside each of us. The text talks only about our internal world”.
On the other hand, you have mentioned that this book contains some specific information pertaining to the material world:” The Book of Zohar, written 2000 years ago, says that our times (from the year 1995 on) is the time of this book’s revelation.”
Could you please elaborate where and in which format (gematria or other ) year 1995 is mentioned in the book? Does the book contain any other temporal information that one should be aware of?
With great respect and kind wishes,
Mark Feldman
My job at the moment prevents me from being able to make the journey to any of the congresses. i read your blog and study my book each morning and evening to try and keep involved with the world Kli as i want very badly to be part of the unification. what can i do from my side to aid in the effort?
many thanks
So many comments on understanding the Zohar….how about what we are feeling? It is desperate. It is empty. Nothing in this world tastes good anymore. Everyday is worse and more robotic….I study…I listen…but it only grows worse..but I cannot turn away…because there is nothing to return to anymore. But I seem to not be able to cry out to HIM either…to take us out of here …what is this state? How long will it last? I don’t care to understand the Zohar…I just want to get out of here…Why am I unble to make a whole prayer?
In the bible it is written keep your father’s commandments and other commandments .. if my father command me to be greedy which in the bible there is the verse do not be greedy .. what should i choose .. ?
and if G-d is good why there are people who go to hell .. ?
thank you ..
I was wandering what you thought of the “Indigo Children” people are saying this is our new step in humanity as it is these children which are born more everyday with physic abilites etc.
Dear Mr.laitman,
Hello Micheal, It’s an absolute please to share the same feelings as you. altough i do not know all the words or meanings yet, i very much so understand the words and the process which are beautiful if you ask me, beaucse i understand and feel it and are living it. i sent u a message already and i felt like one more or many more messages is a way i can release my self thoughts and emotions to you, for my family for now, dont yet understand becuase im not yet a teacher such as yourself. respond when you can , of course I understand your busy life trying to help those who seek it . Altough i have no questions for you other then a requst. That is to be on speaking terms with you from student (me) to teacher. id love to be on your team giving back to this world to our people who need us. I feel with my unique personality and skills i can build a world with your help and your connections i am 19 and loving my discoveries very much feeling so close to a true kabbalahist.
anyways my friend have a great day i will to Ciao.
Sincerly an awaken soul.
Rav.
I am very concerned with environmental issues, wars, and other political injustices that are taking place all around us. I recently read a statement you made, “It is really a wonder when we realize that all of the evil we see outside of ourselves is in fact our own, because it allows us to redirect our focus from trying to correct the outside, to wanting instead to correct ourselves.” My question is, is it appropriate for me to spend my time and effort trying to better these conditions and help those effected by them in the corporeal world, or focus my efforts on correcting myself and by doing so let these issues bring about there own correction?
Kirk Sanders
Greetings,
I am 17 years old and because of that I can’t travel without my parents or have the money to come to the congress. My mother isn’t interested in kabbalah so how I can’t ask her to come with me to this congress, it will seem absurd to her. I want so much to participate, but I can’t find any solution to this. My question is: if I really desire to be there with you, it wouldn’t matter the physical distance?
Regarding the article “What is love”: Is my assumption correct that you can’t love someone that does not have the same desires, tastes, dislikes and likes than that of yourself?
Maybe cannot is too strong, but my understanding is that it would be very difficult if not impossible to love some one that do not fit that mold.
Rav, please help me: I feel strong sexual attraction toward men; however, I have never seen myself “married to” a man; I want to get married (to a woman) and have children. Whereas I feel strong carnal desires for man, I feel at the same time a strong need, a desire for a woman to share my life with her and to have children. What happens to me? Do I have more than one soul conflicting to control over my body? Or is it a strong fight between yetzer ha-ra and yetzer ha-tov? I do not know what to do, I opted to keep myself chaste and have no relationship either with man or women. I am almost going mad with this and I would like to know the origins of this problem so that I can deal with it in a better way.
I thank you very much and I hope the Light may always use you to bring more light to this world!
What can a person do when he is in a state of hatred towards others?
When will there be a Spanish translation of the Zohar for Hispanic students?
Dear Rav,
The parts of the Zohar which i don’t understand (everything except the Table of Contents) contains parts which in the past have made me cry. I didn’t understand why really; is this something happening to me on some level I dont understand, or is it bringing something else out of me?
Thank you!
Greetings
I would like to get some information about the February congress in Israel in english as I have a great desire to go and can not find any information about this.
Thank you
Rav.
Can spiritual experiences be shared with others in my group or will they be harmful and should be kept private?
Dear Rav,
Why do all the words in Bereshith 32:15 had been ended in mem?
Respectfully
Anna
Hi Rav,
Why would i need to not receive so that i could bestow, in a way of nullifying myself. Wouldn’t i rather want to receive all that i could AND then have the ability to also bestow all that i had to others? Wouldn’t the Creator rather have me accept all the light and share it all with my brothers as one?
Isn’t it better for my brother and i to enjoy all we could together in unity?
Thank you!
Dear Rav,
Ok, so in Kabbalah we study at 3:00 am, we disregard our ego and our self love/reception (or try), we attempt to point our heart toward connection to the ones we don’t connect with at all and all the while we have no measurement to know our progress.
In addition, the more i study the harder the Creator makes my enjoyment of not studying.
Is Kabbalah meant to make us miserable, full time? In other words, at some point will i find joy in all this sacrifice OR RATHER will my ego eventually leave me alone?
Thank you!
As we have connected globally we also experience the global crisis alongside our own personal crises. Will that be my experience with my involvement in the group as well? As the group grows in connections, will I ascend and descend with the group along with my own personal ascents and descents?
The situation in Haiti- what is going on? What is the next catastrophic situation? What can we, I , do?
How do you know what root you come from in the soul of Adam Ha-rashon?
Dear Rav,
I am a student for a long time and attending the International Congress this past weekend. From your class you mention that you are not sure why the next state was attained and also your thought that the congresses should be light in the study. I must say most students thought the weekend would be a intensive in the Zohar lessons. I have to say I disagree with the direction of the congresses compared to the past. I believe they should not be light; they should be intensive lessons on the Zohar. We travel from so far to be with you and all the students of the world Kli. We want the most that you can give, the most we can give and these lessons really help us do just that. The lessons have become lighter, the questions are light and repetitive usually about maaser , books, etc and seems planted and not a real question from a real desire for a answer. I believe this is what many students want. The congress provides plenty of time for connections with the fellow kli; meals, workshops, entertainment, etc. Please increase the intensity of the lessons during the congresses and do not make them lighter. Even though the work in the preparation prior to the congress these lesson truly help us focus our intention as one so that the creator is revealed as a group.
What type of meditation do you practice?
Ana Becoach 42 letter name, or 4 letter name, 0r 72 names?
(Abulafia had no Zohar neither did Nehunia Ben Hakana author of Ana Becoach and the bahir)
I have attended a few group sessions. The women are annoying and I haven’t been back for a while now. I know they are to support the men but they don’t study!, I feel their infighting and disregard for each other, it’s more of a women chit chat club. How do I get past this? I want to be part of the group and advance. Help!
Professor Laitman,
I enjoy your talks on the philosophy of Kabbalah. I have watched the video lessons and read one of your books. You say that Kabbalah is not religion, it is a science for getting in touch with the Creator. My question then is: Isn’t it part of Judaism? Isn’t Kabbalah part of the teachings of Moses, the prophets, and so on? I consider it that the commandments are to be followed to bring us into position to better know and perceive the Creator. This would then make it both though in my opinion. If the Jewish people believe and act on the commandments because they came from G-d then that is religion. Kabbalah is supposedly the behind the scenes inner workings of such things, so I can understand how you would say they do not change. But I still wonder if it is not religion, not Judaism, why did all the great Kabbalists continue to practice their Judaism? Thanks for your time.
Dear Rav,
…………..well, first of all I might mention that this is not so much a question to be posted to your blog; but if you may make mention of it in one of your upcoming lessons….. in regards to massive confusion about the next step; and as usual, guidance on how to move forward correctly through this blinding concealment.
It seems that even though I advanced to the point where even though things got really bad on the surface, I was able to still keep things in perspective by weighing it against the actual picture.
But now, it seems like the verge of destruction as I struggle to keep the impure forces from taking over the part of my spiritual sanctity.
…..anyway, I’m hoping that this even makes sense to you.
What is your experiment?
What are the variables?
If a woman wants me and i dont love her, what can i do? You said that we should look into the mirror and see what we are ourselves. Well, i can do that but it still wont make me love her. In a work, do i really have to go so far, that i marry woman who doesnt attract me at all?
What if i like another woman? How can i separate this point of bestowal without completely ruining my life? Do we have to go so far, that this world will be so terrible for us that we will just have to go above our nature?
Hi Rav,
Are we supposed to use the others in the “group” as a measuring tool to find “love their brother as yourself” or is it all people around me in our world?
Thank you!
Rav, I am concerned. You institute is teaching a very advanced Judaic concept openly to the masses. As I hear the questions that are asked in your class, I feel that there are a great many that are missing the point and getting their own crazy ideas of what is going on here. I am concerned that the students of your classes will receive as my Rabbis calls it “scrawny legs”. Meaning, if you just exercise your arms at the gym, you’ll have a fabulous top, but a very weak bottom (foundation). When I hear other rabbis speak about the concepts that you convey in the Zohar, many times they fill in the gaps where you guys just skip, which provides me with the a bigger more clearer picture. As a student of a yeshiva and partially fluent in Hebrew, even I feel that myself is barely qualified to learn Kabbalah in the way that it is taught here.
My question is, what is your organizations intentions ?
How can we prove the existence of God to the growing number of atheists?
Shalom Rav,
I am the seventeen-years-old boy that was at the Italian congress of January. I have a question that can destroy my faith in the wisdom of Kabbalah, so I pray you to give me the answer. You affirm that the book of Sefer Yetzirà was written by Abraham, that lived in Babylon 5000 years before us. But the Sefer Yetzirà is written in a medieval hebrew, so it can’t be written in a so far period. The more ancient phrase written in paleo-hebrew is dated IX century before Christ! And the Raziel Hamalach? According to your words, it was written before the Sefer Yetzirà, but it’s written in Hebrew too. I hope you can dispel my doubts. Thank you for the attention.
How does Kabbalah explain the increased drug use among young people these days? My daughter has been using drugs and although she wants to stop, is unable to do so. How can she be led to open her soul up to the ideas of Kabbalah? What are the steps one can take to guide another as we all have it within us, some buried deeper than others.
Why is it so difficult to unite, even though some of us have the desire or are starting the correction?
shalom,
I`d like to know what will happen if a person dies in the crash announced for 2012. What body can his soul incarnate in if there wont`be any children to be born thereafter? What will happen?
Greeting Most Esteemed Teacher,
Without putting too much emphasis on my self-righteousness, I can say, since I was a child, I have recognised embedded within, a profound faith in the closeness of The Almighty Omnipotent Creator, initiated by my Christian up bringing and with some other ‘spiritual’ studies I recognise my perceptions are culturally specific. Even my primal physical perceptions are driven by culturally specific interpretations of my environment, thus I feel deficits screaming within me, not just my distance from the Creator, but also my distance from the rest of humanity.
How can we creatures who only perceive sensation within our own ‘type’ of humanity, perceive the same in all the other ‘types’ within humanity? Since we cannot feel equivalence with all humanity, what hope is there in achieving equivalence with the Creator of all the worlds?
Unlimited faith in altruism toward the Creator, brings in the everyday life the question of the limit of it;
For example, I help so much someone in need that I jeopardise my own finance and the family budget. I do have a choice to make and I choose to stop helping and saved my family, at that moment I did feel egoist.
How should I move forward from this situation?
I am just curious, for the last two months have experienced a ringing in my head. It is pretty much continuous. Is this some form of effect in studying Kabbalah? It doesn’t hurt it is just there. This is a first. Is there a ringing sensation associated with the study of Kabbalah?
I try to keep with me at all times my intention to become closer with the Creator. I think “Why has he brought me to this obstacle?” I know that when a negative thought or feeling comes to me it is only my ego that is getting hurt and cannot touch the soul. When things go wrong and I feel lost I try to find him in me. “What was his thought and intention behind this which is happening?” But I am faced with a dilemma.
Not always is his intention with me and therefore my correct intention isn’t clear to me either…I feel frozen in my mind and my heart. I ask what should I be feeling? How can I start asking the right questions of myself ? Is it because I am still a teenager and couldn’t possibly be ready to receive the property of bestowal until I go through more shedding of my ego in the corporeal world first?
Hello!
Me and my male friend had a existential discussion, and it ended with that he asked “Why is it the humans responsibility to understand why everything exists, why not the dogs or the elephants? Why is it the humans who have to come closer to God…solve the meaning of life question?”
Sarah Jonsson
Is it necessary for me to identify my current state of spirituality, and if so, how should I do that?
Dear Rav Laitman,
I live in LA and listen to your Hebrew lessons on the internet. I like what I hear, but being a Hebrew speaker, I think your message will be more effective if delivered, if possible, by someone who can speak the language fluently.
Are there any Bnei Baruch in LA? How can I get in touch with them? Your response will be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Yaakov Ben-Ami
DEAR RAV;
As I have been studying the wisdom of Kabbalah, its very clear to me that egoism is the most negative thinking in our society.
My question is -In order to have a good start should we start learning and focus in our “Love for others”?
Hello everyone,
Dr. Laitman please tell me why haven’t you say anything about what is happening in the Caribbean? Are we bringing these tragedies upon us with our thoughts? What do we disseminate in moments like this to millions of desperate people? Please someone answer these questions!!!
Love,
Nancy
Hi,
Here is my problem with Kabbalah, not Kabbalah itself, but its presentations and explanations through Kabbalists:
I’m born, I start to ask questions to my parents, then they say: we send you to school and they will educate you so you know who we are. I reply: Education will corrupt me and you, they will bring you down to an abstract level of spiritual science, they will kill my belief in you as my parents, please, PLEASE don’t send me away. I know you are alive, not a spiritual abstraction. Only you can raise me without education.
Study the creator? Study my roots, abstract connection? No Love, Master of the Universe? Creator, do I have to study you? Search for teachers? I know. Asking you to raise me is enough, study is only for those who seek power above LOVE
Mr Laitman, my questions:
Through study one can become One with the Creator?
Through study? Isn’t study the root of all evil?
René Hermes
Dear Mr. Laitman,
I’ve listened to 2 lessons online and about five 5 minute lessons. I’m interested in learning more about the bestowal concept and intention. When I brought my mother here to Colorado a year and a half ago, my intention was to manage her health, help her live these later years a little more comfortably, and healthily. I knew it would be hard, but not as hard as it was. I’m an RN and her health care is very difficult to manage. If my intention was only to give to her for her good, why did I get so clobbered: depression, exhaustion, getting sick frequently, incredible debt, had to rent out my house and get a smaller place, cashed in my IRAs, friends didn’t want to be around me because I was so stressed and depressed. I didn’t expect a reward, but I feel like I’ve been punished.
Can you give me some Kabbalistic insight on this process? I’m sure it’s not over; the process, challenges, and I’m not sure what’s around the corner.
Thank you for your time and help.
Sincerely,
Lori Winterbottom
Your writings help people to contemplate their soul and this is what remains important. My question may well be merely academic, but I hope not offensive for I feel you do good work. Nevertheless, I wish to clarify something that concerns me.
In your writings, in fact in most Kabbalah thought, it is assumed that spiritual calling comes from above to below. Yet, I have also read where you state that man is born without a soul, that is the soul must be realized then developed, which is confirmed if one truly observes the self over time. How then can man receive the reunification of the psyche to the soul unless he has a soul able to receive? It seems to me that man is not a part of the ray of creation until the point of the heart, as you have called it, has been created. The flow from above to below, as far as man is concerned, goes against all observation. In fact, the opposite seems true – in that development is drawn from below to above. From Malchut to Keter and only with a great deal of hard work can man attain a soul .
Is it possible that above to below is only in the ray of creation, while man, a “cog” outside of this ray, must strive to develop from a calling that first begins in Malchut?
Hi Rav,
How do we “sort out our desires and attach them to the Creator”?
Thank you!
Rav,
I have been a student of yours for 3 years. I have just finished reading the Bible code by Michael Drosnin. He references atomic-holocaust with the year 2000. He describes what will happen if this is not stopped. I found an interview you gave in November 2000 which you describe with such urgency about stopping the Arabs. You use the word atomic- holocaust and other such words that it has left me to believe that you new what was about to happen. Did your actions stop it from happening at that time? Did you help in delaying this war? Is your purpose to build the third temple? How is this accomplished? Do both corporeal and spiritual world have to come together to effect change?
Hi Rav,
Is attaining equivalence of form really just allowing us to just remove the layers of “negativity” that we see around us, slowly transforming the world into “positivity” since we slowly learn and understand that the Creator does only good to his creature? Is this what each world represents; another layer of this understanding?
Thank you!
Dear Rav,
My question is regarding the effect of the studying of Kabbalah. I have been studying Kabbalah few years with different intensity. And eventually I get to the point that I couldn’t do that anymore, because of my pride and egoism. I feel much more away from the spirituality then ever. I don`t believe in anything now. I feel like I lost my last ray of hope for spirituality. In the past I had big desire, but I think that in my case that desire was egoistic and full of self concern. And because of that Kabbalah was for me not as a cure, but as a poison. Now my concern is not spiritual life but this life here. I want to earn money and set-up a safe life for myself. Its very rare now, that my thoughts come back to spirituality. I walked away from the group and I don`t want to come back. All Kabbalah teaching seems to be fake for me now. It seemed to me just before I left that all of this is just a myth.
Is there anything I can do with this?
I feel like the only thing which could help me is an miracle. There is no desire in me anymore.
I wrote this question, not even knowing why.
I have questions.
How do you perceive the wisdom of attaining desire equal to the Creator in form of feeling equal to Him? How do you feel that is equal to the Creator when the desire is attained? How do you feel the point in heart that is equal to the Creator? Is the Creator giving the desires and people are receiving? So how do we feel equal to the Creator and the same time feeling it is received?
I am very perplexed.
Thank you Natka
Dear Dr. Laitman,
I have been with Bnei Baruch for a little over a year, and participate in every way that I can to help the men connect. I watch or listen to your lesson nightly and do 2 hours of dissemination in addition to working in my local group towards this same goal. My question is: Who can I turn to when I experience the inevitable downs or “night”? I know that you said women should not form bonds or are a group as the men are where they can turn to one another. Where can I turn when this “realization of evil” surfaces? Sometimes the lessons, books are not enough to help overcome this desire.
Thank you
Hello,
What does it mean talk to the Creator often?
It wouldn’t be the traditional form of prayer since it’s taught that this is a form of bribery, but it can’t be the same form of conversation we use with each other either. I’ve heard that it’s acceptable to just chat away and that doesn’t seem right.
thank you
Gail Robbins
Is attaining a spiritual condition completely safe for the physical body? Isn’t is strange or maybe dangerous for someone to live practically in another dimension and is it possible to have “bad” sensations on the other side of the border between reality and spirituality?
Dear Rav
I am a psychiatrist with a long experience. A question that comes to my mind is of the risk of getting psychotic with the studies of Zohar, specially for vulnerable people.
Can you recommend Zohar to anybody feeling attracted to the studies, or would you you say that people with certain known mental illnesses should avoid the intense studies.
Best Regards
Rachel Roth
I have been studying Kabbalah for a while and just recently started following the online course. In the second class (Jan 10th), one of the questions was about giving and receiving.
The teacher said that we can receive only if we do it to please the giver, even if we don’t necessarily want to receive that particular thing.
In doing so, don’t we become pleasers, and consequently boosting our ego?
Thank you!
Anna
Hi Rav – received my answer to the previous queston to the partzuf of World (external) and Soul (Internal) in yesterday’s lesson, thank you!
Dear Rav,
It is clear that there is a great urgency for humanity to unite in study of Kabbalah, to avoid looming disasters on the path of suffering. I understand that there is no coercion in spirituality and that dissemination is all we can do to spread this wisdom. But I was wondering if you personally tried to approach the public figures of high influence who hold the necessary funds? If they embrace Kabbalah, they can really create the tipping point in humanity’s adoption of the right path. Government, religious, scientific leaders? Obama? If not, why?
Dear Rav,
How do you know that you are a 100% right in what you say? That your believe and answers are true. Does not everyone build their own truth?
respectfully yours
Marleentje
Hello Rav,
How should women direct their intention to during Zohar lessons?
For men it is connection in the group. What is it for women?
Thank you
How can just scanning the Zohar, with out understanding the Aramaic letter, can I have Enlightenment? Or I misunderstood the concept and better I read a translation without scanning the Aramaic letters?
Thanks in advance.
How I nullify myself before my friends?
Hi Rav, I live in Sacramento and was wondering if there was a way to find other members of Bnei Baruch here. Whenever I search for groups on the internet it always turns up alarming results, those looking for mysticism, magic, etc. when all I want to do is search for those who want to study and disseminate kabbalah! Is there a Bnei Baruch message board to find others in the same city?
Hello,
I am from Scotland and my question concerns the issue of a nations independence and how this relates to a globalised world.
Scotland is part of the UK but there is huge sentiment in it to regain it’s independence from the UK. What would be Kabbalah’s or even your own opinion on this issue?
Should a nation seek it’s national self determination and in what manner can this be justified, if at all, in a world where we are meant to become interconnected?
Hi Rav,
Can you tell me the difference between the Universal Laws of Light of and the Properties of the Light and how they relate to the mediums and forces?
What is the difference between understanding and wisdom? This always puzzled me.
I feel like i have had a lot of pain in my life. I feel as if I don’t belong to this world. As I have been reading your Zohar teachings, they seem to have a lot for us empty souls. Please sir, what is your advice for those who don’t seem to fit well in this corrupt, heartless world?
Is love purely subjective? I believe so many things to be subjective. Something as influential and universal as love: Can that be subjective or is there an objective guideline to it?
Hello,
If The Notions Described In The Torah Represent Spiritual Actions for example circumcision, so why people practice that ritual in corporeal world ? Is any advantage for circumcised people to study Kabbalah? Or, it doesn’t matter?
Thanks for answering.
If I wish to logically talk to everybody about Kabbalah…do I really want to be that evil?
Hi Rav,
Could you please explain what the 8th commandment in the Zohar means: to love the convert? Is this the Zohar is saying that Kabbalah is only for people of the nation of Israel? I first read the 8th commandment some months ago and it was quite confronting to read.
If everything unites into one and everything outside of me, is in fact me: then in the final correction, when all is one, what of others? How will I deal with being the only creature opposite the Creator?
Please help. Ever since we started the Zohar I’ve had a landslide of grief in my life. Everything has changed. I feel like I’m clinging to this thing for dear life. . . I just have to. . . but I can’t get in. It pushes me away so hard that I want to let go.
I know that I am not attracting the Light by being in so much pain, but I don’t know how to stop the bleeding. I’m not asking it to stop working on me, but I don’t know how to be strong enough to agree with it.
What do I do?
Hi Rav,
Is the desire the same as “I want”?
Than you!
Dearest Rav, I would just like to say thank you from my heart for introducing Zohar to us!
THANK YOU so much!!!!
Wishing you all the best!
Tomas
Kabbalah is a science and science is about knowledge. What is the difference between studying kabbalah and studying knowledge?
Dear Dr. Laitman,
How do you interpret the failure of 428 periodicals in the US and Canada in 2009?
According to Mediafinder, business magazines lead the list of ceased publications after regional publications. With regional publication seemingly a wash, since 21 new titles were also launched in this category, the next largest category for new launches was in health.
What, if anything, does this tell us about humanity’s current stage of desire?
Hi Rav Laitman!
Is everything that the creator does for the best?
Hi Rav,
In the Matan Torah it states that we must “Go Study” when addressing the other 612 Mitzvah (other than “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”) to help compliment that most important Mitzvah… has the “go study” for us today changed from Torah and Mitzvot to “the group”?
Thank you!
Hi Rav,
Since G-d is perfect and always does good to his creation, is there a state that we eventually find ourselves in that removes all hate, anger and judgment toward our neighbors?
Since we would see all events as orchestrated by the Creator (in loving kindness), how would we be able to judge each other in any other way than “positive” regardless of the circumstances? Wouldn’t that mean we would altogether lose those emotional “faults”?
Thank you!
Hi Rav,
Are there any intentions toward things in this world (food, knowledge, power, sex, money, relationships, etc) that need to be alerted to help us cross the barrier? If it’s impossible for us to change our nature of reception, is there a benefit to “pretending” we’re limiting our egoistic desires here in this world to help build the desire to “cross” and gain bestowal? Or is this just the Creators job and we simply study and wait for her light to reform us?
Thank you!
Hi Rav
I understand that when studying the texts we must try and attract the Ohr Makif because only through that can we be corrected. So we must want to be corrected during the lesson. But there must be also some order of the correction.
I would like to know if you have at least some picture of the order of the corrections or diagram. From the first point of the machsom until the final correction. Even if I don’t understand because I am not in the spiritual world. I need some order to help me to be motivated in the lesson and not always lost.
Dear Rav,
How do women approach and study the Zohar and is it different from what you advise the men to do?
Hi Rav,
Currently I feel as though many desires keep getting forced upon me which are detrimental to me and to others. I have deemed these desires as stemming from self love so I restrict their use and continue to ask the Creator to correct me so that I will not cause his sorrow or that of others. However I still feel as though no progress is being made in this regard. Do you have any advice to offer me besides continue as a donkey to the load?
Hi Rav,
If someone was studying for 4-6 hours a day, 7 days a week (almost ALL of his free time after family, friends and work) and still finds a total and complete desire in the work even after 4,5 or 6 months, is this person on the wrong path?
Another words, since this person works through “the day” and “the night” of the Lord understanding both situations so that he gladly accepts the dark, is this person ever going to get to Lishma? Shouldn’t the “night” be difficult and troublesome?
I understand that in order for the ego to be slain we have to feel the pain in the work, but if we understand the “night of the Lord” that time actually becomes joyful because its our only time of progress… isn’t this a trap for this person since the ego can hide itself in that?
Thank you!
Hi Rav,
Can we achieve equivalence of form with the Creator, truly? Or is it because we can only learn to bestow from reception that will keep us slightly separated and unique from G-d since the Creator is truly only bestowal and differs from us in that way?
So there will always be G-d and an Adam Kadmon (us in the world)?
Thank you!
What is the meaning of the two candles on the wedding according with the Kabbalah?
Thank you
All my best wishes and good regards
Hello,
Can you please refer my husband and I to Kabbalistic texts that discuss partnership and togetherness?
Thank you
Some say that after death one can see a shining white Light of love. Also in some oriental paths you can perceive this Light in this world.
What is the explanation of Kabbalah related to this?
How does Kabbalah prevent a person from committing suicide? People with severe pain disorders, diseases, or just all out depression that cant stand the pain and emptiness of living anymore? You tell them about Kabbalah, and so what? A person needs to feel the proof that he can be helped out of his condition. It makes no difference to him what a book says, or what anyone says. I mean people say if not for anti-depressants they would be dead, yet you down them and I don’t understand.
Can a person internalize Kabbalah in an instant like a pill that helps him? You even say this is far from so and it takes a person many years in a certain environment to even feel any change. So how in the world does this method help the world’s masses that have been dealt hands in this life they can’t live with?
Dear Rav,
I want to ask you about freedom of will. If it is predetermined that tomorrow I will get in a terrible accident and become paralyzed, God forbid. I don’t know why I say God forbid, I mean does God forbid it? Couldn’t this after all happen? This will happen regardless and it turns out that I have no idea what bad things will happen to me in my life. The good things, great, because we all feel we deserve all the good and don’t we? I mean we didn’t choose to be here after all. Why shouldn’t we feel good? But only the bad raises questions or problems, the negative, or lets say the painful things.
So here is my main question: Does it turn out that my work in the problems of this world are to only work on accepting that the bad things that happen to me are in fact good and not my fault? This seems very cruel and even overly simple and certainly possible. Could you address this issue about freedom and predetermination of bad events please?
Rav,
How can we advance using the wisdom of Kabbalah without belief? In the preparation period, we can’t tell if we are advancing or not. Do we have to just believe that all of our efforts in the group, dissemination, and the study are bringing us closer the Spirituality (because we have nothing else to turn to)? Also, do we not have to just believe that a Spiritual world exists? How can we use the method of Kabbalah strictly as a science, with no belief? How can we tell someone that the wisdom of Kabbalah doesn’t involve belief, when in order for them to study, they have to believe that there is a force that develops them and what not?
Dear Rav,
After today’s lesson : concealment and double concealment , can we say that Creator (Nature) acts paradoxically?
Mr. Laitman
I’m young boy from Bulgaria. I am 23 years old. For about 3 days I have searched for information about The Zohar. Bulgaria is a small country in east Europe and we haven’t any information about this book. My question is from where Ii can buy the original book, The Zohar. Is it only translated in English book or is it available in other languages?
Thanks in advance.
Should a person stop studying for a while if his financial situation is out of balance and then come back to it? Or is it better to try to get it back on track and keep studying? I don’t want to get to far from it.
Hello Michael Laitman,
Here are quotes from two of your answers:
“Religious actions, however, are traditions and do not correct a person or his soul. It’s not necessary to observe them in order to attain the goal of creation. They are there for you in case you want to be connected to the culture of your people.”
“The purpose of all the corporeal commandments is to preserve the boundaries of one’s existence, but not to correct one’s soul. We at Bnei Baruch observe them as a cultural heritage or tradition.”
Do you think that Rav Yehuda Ashlag would have considered the commandments to be non-obligatory? Also, regardless of whether the answer is affirmative or not, who were the first Kabbalists to develop this idea?
Thanks for the blog,
Regards,
Michael
Rav, I am married and have a family. They do not always accept my decision
concerning Kabbalah. I have been listening to you for the past 3 1/2 years. I am afraid of examinations, but would like to attend Campus Kabbalah. You do not have classes in Netanya. I work sometimes many hours and in my spare time try and focus on your lessons and channel 66 on my computer.
Question: I work as a caregiver – and pay maaser – would that have an affect on my family?
Hoping to attend the February Congress 2010.
Why did the Creator create psychics and people who can see the future? What is the purpose of this, if it does exist. Why? Why create it and why does such darkness and mystical abilities surround such people? Why create black magic, psychics, mediums, witchcraft and all these things? There is none else besides Him, but Why do these things exist? What is the goodness and perfection behind such things?
Dear Rav,
I’ve been a student of BB for the past 15 months. I’m currently studying with you in your morning lessons and also reading The Zohar (Annotations to the Ashlag Commentary).
In The Zohar on page 25, “English translation”, you mention the books of Pentateuch, Prophets and Writings published by Mosad HaRav Kook with English translation and recommend referring to these as part of the reading of The Zohar. The only portion of the Tanakh published in English by Mosad HaRav Kook that I have been able to find is Psalms; Mosad HaRav Kook has not published an English translation of the complete Tanakh. Is there an English version of the Tanakh that you recommend?
Lisa Robb
Dear Rav:
What is your OPINION about this article?
WALL STREET JOURNAL
DECEMBER 11, 2009.
Can the Recession Save Marriage? .
By W. BRADFORD WILCOX
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
But the recession has made the soulmate model look impoverished. Today spouses are rediscovering the value of a husband with a good health-care plan, a wife with a good job or in-laws who are willing to provide free child care or a temporary rent-free place to live. In other words, Americans are rediscovering the power that family ties have to carry them—financially, socially and emotionally—through tough times.
Q) Would you please comment?
RAV SHALOM,
THE HOLIDAY OF HANUKAH IS ABOUT TO BE OBSERVRD, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE HOLIDAY MEANS IN KABBALISTIC TERMS, SUCH AS THE 8 DAYS & THE SO CALLED MIRACLES THAT TOOK PLACE? HOW DOES ONE CORRECTTION RELATE TO IT?
Hello Rav, could you please pronounce yourself about the way we should relate to our desires? Let’s say that we feel all kind of desires arriving into us, but we don’t know what to follow or either if they are really ours or they came purely from the society influence. Should we make any effort to achieve those desires? My understanding is that only by achieving those desires can we know ourselves, but this can be some kind of trick from the will to receive.
Dear Rav
Is there a place(s) where we can physically meet with you and other people who study Kabbalah at least every once in a while for special holidays or such ? I feel that learning over the Internet only may not be enough
We speak about the “Creator” , but does that term has the same meaning for everybody? I have been asked that question to other students and for some of them means “Nature” for others means “God” and for others just mean “Their selves”. Can you please explain the correct meaning of “Creator” or maybe all of the meanings are correct?
What path should I follow? Kabbalah or Buddhism? I’ve been juggling both for a long time now and I find qualities in both that I like, yet they both have different perspectives or teachings on things. For example, I like Buddhism because it is more down-to-earth and gives specific tools on how to deal with suffering, sadness, negative emotions etc and steers clear of things for which I cannot believe (supernatural) or explain or understand. Kabbalah on the other hand seems to be right on about the nature of humanity and desire and why people/the world is how it is now. It’s also interesting that way before science had an explanation on how the world came into being, Kabbalah stated so. Later on, they met pretty much on the same path. Wow. I feel myself being gently drawn back to Kabbalah. Any thoughts? Also, if you could please tell me how a person is to deal with real problems in life and maintain a positive attitude I would greatly appreciate it.
Very Sincerely,
Brandon
I often fight with my love. I want to stop that. When I get angry with her I scold her with very bad words. I am not able to control myself. When quarreling arises between us I derive pleasure when scolding her. She is younger than me. How can I change my attitude in these situations? Please help.
After 20 years of working as an engineer, I would like to start a business of my own in a different field, one that I would enjoy doing, provide an income to sustain my needs and give something back/have a positive impact on others. What other criteria should I consider in my choice of business that might help me in my spiritual work, if any?
A simple question with a complicated answer I’m sure. How do you show your friends what they need vs. what they want? This issue seems to cause a lot of conflict.
I was born with the genetics to be nice and give. I also have what they call a “Soft Heart.” How is this feeling different from the true desire to give? How do I know that I’m giving for the sake of giving in the times when I feel good about giving? I believe I’m asking this question right. If not, please just say what ever may pertain.
Dear Rav,
Thank you very much for the Kabbalah dissemination you are pioneering.
I’ve just finished my first course in Kabbalah. However, I have few questions I would like to ask
I know that there is no one else beside him. So how can I avoid evil eye or African sorcery as it exist in my tribes. I am a devoted Kabbalah student. I have no fear of these things as I believe that there is no one else besides him. Any advice on that?
Secondly, considering my Christian background, I was told that there is God and satan, now that I’ve finished the course I know that there is a Creator, but the other side of satan and his demons still obscure for me can you tell me precisely what is it all about please?
Thank you very
I have a hard time keeping a screen on my ego and still going out in the world. This is most likely because my friends are “a gathering of clowns” and I am unable to resist and see them in the light of the Creator.
My question is: If the strength in my screens are unable to resist the influence of my friends then should the screen be formed in solitude until the light comes and gives strength? Or will association with these friends bring on a more desperate desire and turn their company into something good?
Are there really holy places on this planet? If so why would physical places be special?
Where do ethics and integrity fit into the Kabbalistic framework? We are seeing a great deal of struggle for power in the political sphere especially and it deteriorates almost daily, it would seem, for lack of ethics and the integrity to hold together an external framework that pleases everyone. How does the gap become bridged between those in power controlling the masses and the masses waking up to the lack of these two seemingly missing qualities in their leaders? Like you said in a previous class, those in power can fix everything they want in externality and the next day we will have Armageddon right? Seems to just be a case of “follow the leader”.
Dear Rav
Can woman study the Zohar and will they benefit from it, meaning will they receive the light from it? Is it beneficial for women to watch (live) an hour of your morning lesson, because all the men are connected at that time?
Thank you
Carmen
Shalom Rav, and thanks for your answers
1.Since all of the holy books are texts of Kabalah, where in the Tanach do we find the idea of reincarnation? I would like to have this to be cleared – in order to put to rest claims that reincarnation is foreign to Jewish thought
2.According to Kabalah women cannot make Tikun by themselves (shoresh Bina…) and neither have they been asked to carry this task the way men do.
But if they study Chochmat ha’ Kabalah they contribute to create the right environment for men – so they (the men)will be able to choose the right path and succeed in their tikun. Is this inherited root the primal reason for women’s suffering in general? Since they always depend on the level of spiritual awareness of their counterparts, and never free to take the road of «personal salvation» on their own ?
what is “point in the heart,” simply?
Dearest Rav
In this mornings preparation to the lesson you mentioned the example of lending someone a $1000 dollars and only receiving $1 in return. That we need to examine: how we feel, and go above this in order to attain Lishma.
Can this example be related to how we feel towards the study of Kabbalah? For example, I have started to find coming to study more difficult, I think because my will to receive is not getting pleasure or getting back what it expected in return. As a result of this I can feel “what’s the point, don’t bother”, I should rise above and try to bestow to the creator and connect with the friends again even if I receive nothing in return of what I am trying to give to them?
Is this where the work is?
Thank you, love Dave
Dear Rav Laitman,
Who will teach us after you?
Thank you.
I have a few related questions. First, how can we be sure that the Creator is completely the will to bestow? Could He not also be receiving in ways that we can’t perceive, perhaps from an undetectable existence separate from us? Second, if our goal is to become like the Creator and our final makeup is the will to receive in order to give, would that not be different from the Creator, who is only the will to bestow and not both? Would we truly be like the Creator if we still have that duality in our nature? Thank you!
Dear Rav
Can you please explain to me can homosexual or some one who changed his or her gender study Kabbalah?
Rav,
I’m referring to your post titled “Today You Can Meet Many “Kabbalists” On Every Corner” Posted on April 6th, 2009 at 10:39 am.
When asked about Autism, your response was:
“Autistic people are unable to make corrections. It is a special life cycle of a soul in our world. Our task is to help them; this will correct both us and them.”
Are you referring to only low functioning Autism which can be severely disabilng, or is this the case for the entire Autism spectrum including high-functioning Autism and Aspergers Syndrome?
Aspergers is commonly thought to affect roughly 1 in 200 people, but it is also thought to be under-diagnosed so it could be more like 1 in 100. What do you mean “unable to make corrections”? Is it possible for someone on the high-end of the Autism Spectrum to cross the machsom in this lifetime?
What is the spiritual root of Autism Spectrum disorders?
You talk about reincarnation and all “past” lives but what about future ones? I have done some past life regression and understand it’s possible to choose from possible future lives to live as well. What is your opinion of past life regression?
How in a world full of so much pain, how in a world where your love goes forsaken, how do we go on in a world which causes you pain and just hurts you? Yes, i understand people do not realize what they are doing, and it is their ego’s. But how can I can go on and why should God forgive them?
Dear Rav,
From The Zohar Lesson, November 21 you said, concerning the natural order of development, that whatever becomes revealed is the natural order.
With regard to women’s development, what is the natural order: that women will connect their desires together to bring a collective deficiency to the male part, or that each woman will individually connect her deficiency to the male part?
Is this something that a woman should scrutinize that she can determine the order, or is it like a baby that the order of development is given from above?
And is it the natural order the same for all women or is different according to her reshimot?
Thank you,
Your student, Crystlle
What does “Your friend’s corporeality is your spirituality” mean?
Hi Rav! How do we not to go insane when we go through the phase of the recognition of evil in us?
Hi Rav! I watch the morning lesson daily. My question is what can I do when I lost my concentration during the study and start thinking about all kinds of corporeal matters during the lesson? I really want to concentrate on spirituality and the goal but find it difficult to do so for 3 hours. Does studying in a physical group something that can help me?
In some prayer books of orthodox Jews, the prayer begins ” For the sake of unification of Holy One” and on and on.
Q: Do we unify the Holy One, how can we effect His being if they believe that He is united and there is no need to unify Him? Is this a non-sense or there is a rational to this?
Dear Rav, a few years ago I was reading in the Zohar for about 6 months. During that time I felt a few things when reading and by time I also felt that a very strong energy was building up within me. Even at my job people starting to ask about from where I got this energy.
But listening to your lessons on Zohar from the 15th of november is so much more intense. It´s like getting 1000 times more energy than before within a very short time.
When I connect with others by thinking about them it´s easier to handle this energy or when I put my hands in a group projekt or something else. But otherwise, although I´m 54 years now, it´s like I just wanting to run around like a child full of energy or taking a jogging tour.
Then it sometimes goes over in feeling real stress, that almost does not let me sleep. Or just pushes my within all the time. Then it´s very difficult for me.
What can I do? Do I do something wrong or am I just not mature for this yet?
Together
Tomas
Hello,
Thank you for providing this spiritual information. I find this path resonates with me. I am new to Kabbalah and have been reading, watching lessons etc but am having a bit of difficulty with some of the Kabbalistic/Hebrew terms is there a dictionary of definitions available somewhere? Also, is there a physical place where a person could go on a regular basis to study and share with others? Something in the nature of a retreat or ashram? Again, I appreciate your willingness to share and make this information easily accessible.
Sincerely,
Rita
Hello,
We are doing a high school world religion project, we have been confused by some of our research, some have said that Kabbalah is close to Judaism, and others say it is closer to scientology. maybe you can clarify for us what Kabbalah is and the difference between Kabbalah and Judaism.
- Thank you
Callie and Katrina
Dear Dr. Laitman,
In the Student Forum I asked:
If one does not follow the (613) precepts or commandments of the Torah, does this mean he will never attain the Creator; that is: if I eat shrimp (to say), I am breaking the comandment not to do so, so this means I will not attain unity with the creator?
I was answered:
“The commandments have nothing to do with corporeal observances. They are spiritual acts, and are only possible after entering spirituality.”
MY QUESTION(S):
How do we interpret the 613 precepts in the spiritual sense or spiritual world? Where can we find the true (spiritual) meaning of these 613 precepts? Perhaps in the Zohar? or is it only, as stated in the answer above: only when we enter spirituality, which I would understand as something like: when one enters spirituality, the words depicted in the precepts, are understood in a totally different manner.
And, in the corporeal world are the 613 precepts of no use?, in other words, as an example, there is no difference in eating shrimp or not eating it; as it is stated that the Torah is “really” a guide to reach spirituality, or the state of bestowal?
Thank you for your time and kind attention towards the matter.
Why is it said, “God forbid should something bad happen”? God does not forbid bad things from happening; he in fact permits the worst things imaginable to happen. So how does this phrase make sense?
Thank you
What are your views on acupuncture? I have heard you talk about it a couple of times during different lectures of yours.
How do I work with myself towards the group when one of my strongest habits is to run away and hide myself?
I can feel that its deep-rooted in me and it keeps coming back to me stronger and clearer. Sometimes I can almost feel like someone is watching me and that I’m afraid it will reveal me.
Can’t think of anything that I should be afraid to show but I still have a big fear of it, and it leaves me with the question, what am I hiding from?
Dear Rav,
I recently began my studies with Bnei Baruch in May 2008. I then heard that a man must be married to be considered a serious member. I’m all for that, so in November 2008 I was married. This turned out to be a disaster! She didn’t like it that I studied Kabbalah. Not only that, she cut me off from my family and friends. I’m in a process of a divorce now.
More corporeal troubles came and I’m dealing with them now.
In sum, I want to bestow to the group, but I can’t feel any connection. And if I do, I think I’m just lying to myself and it’s all fake. All I know is my five senses and what their picture paints for me, and I’m very tired of them; they’re like toys and nothing to take seriously.
What must I do to attract more light?
Dear Rav,
Can you please explain the meaning behind the story of Jobe? On the surface it makes no sense to us, yet I think every person on this earth feels like Jobe at least at some point if not all the time, so if you could explain it from it’s true meaning, I think it would provide a great deal of insight. Thank you,
Aaron
Dear Rav,
As we all know, it is not black and white where those of us with physical problems lack internal suffering, and those with internal emptiness lack physical pain. I mean, after all, physical pain alone hurts us all. My question is this:
Why does He force us to be consumed with the physical body by giving us terribly painful conditions and deformities that we cannot fix in this world? He wants to raise us to Godliness, but forces us to live despicable lives where the troubles of the body prevent us from even functioning in this world. Why is this so?
Thank you.
Does man have free will regarding what happens to him while he is in the correct environment? How about whether or not he stays in the correct environment? Once you said the freedom is in fact only the strengthening along the way because all of this too is pre-determined, could u please clarify?
Rav,
During the lessons via Kab tv and congresses, I have noticed that you expect questions to be formed in a certain way: pertaining to the topic at hand and without story-telling or unnecessary details. What are the reasons a teacher needs his students to ask questions in the correct way? Can there be such a thing as too much ego in a question?
Unity
Dear Rav,
Since Baal HaSulam’s writings are so very vital for this generation, why aren’t we translating all of his material into all of the languages with all of our efforts?
Ahava,
Debra
Good day,
I have been very interested in studying the Zohar. What is the best way to study and learn. I am 49 years old, and feel that I need something or a type of direction for my happiness in life.
Thank you for any suggestions that you can make. I am not sure if there are any good online courses. I do have a copy of the 23 set Zohar.
Sincerely,
Al Overbeck
Dear Rav,
Following today’s morning lesson,
Could we say that every motion we perceive (even in our world) results of a balance/imbalance dynamics that reflects every time a coupling between the light and the vessel?
How can we know who is spiritual? A lot of people are spiritual with just mind and talking, lots of them are with heart and action.
I love man who is not sure about his believes, but he is very kind-hearted and helpful. I don’t think I am more spiritual then him just because my mind open to learning and believing. What do you think?
Thank you
Is the increasing development of a greater desire to study the wisdom of Kabbalah a reason enough to follow ones desire no matter what this may result in one’s personal life?
Rav,
What does it mean to use the environment correctly?
You say that the proper environment safeguards a person from bad decisions. Then what can be said for the person who does all he can ot put himself in the right environment and still makes a terrible decision that greatly harms himself, unintentionally ofcourse?
Dear Rav,
1. What can be done about suicide prevention in our world? I mean on one hand the Creator pulls the strings and we don’t deal with this world, yet Kabbalah is meant to save a person from depression, so what is the correct relation? More importantly, what can be said about suicide; that if you do it, you will only make your next incarnation harder? What if a depressed person hears about Kabbalah and says, “excellent, I can end my life and start over a new one clean and fresh without my current problems that are making this round unlivable?”
2. How can any action be “forbidden”, when the Creator permits anything and everything in this world to occur, and in fact He controls it? Take suicide for example? I mean I understand the evil in this world is an illusion, yet we must also say He is benevolent, so how do I make this discernment and not say He causes evil?
3. Regarding the past, you say don’t look back, but isn’t it true we must come to terms with it and say He meant for it to be as it was in order to move forward?
I’m a big fan of yours and Kabbalah, still learning so many things about this great wisdom and sea of knowledge.
Can’t tell you how much you’re writings is profound and makes me feel balanced and connected with the Creator, and I feel light in them.
My question is:
1. What is the Kabbalah perspective on the importance of building a third temple in Jerusalem? And how can it be justified if it will create turbulence and bloodshed? As my understanding it was prohibited for David, but then his son Solomon continued the order?
Thanks
Rav,
On several occasions you’ve told us to connect to the general desire for bestowal . You’ve also followed that advice with instruction to connect to the points. Is this a more exact connection than the general attribute of the kli, or is it the same thing? Is the level of connection in which we’re capable of feeling each individual point in our kli something we should hope to achieve?
Unity
Teacher,
At those times in our inner work when we receive neither burdening of the heart nor the sensation of light in response to our actions, does it mean we have been disconnected from the group?
I have asked people about whether they would want to live forever if given good health and lasting youth. Surprisingly, a lot of people say no! What does this say about us?
Rav,
I find it harder and harder to study and stay connected to the group. Is it helpful that I force myself to study the morning lesson? Will I eventually gain the desire I need from this? I get worried when I hear about people who study for years and then disappear. How can a assure spirituality to be permanent in my life?
I find that when we sing songs together I just want to shout how united I feel…is this allowed? or should I keep this volume to myself?? Sorry if I have wasted your time reading this type of question.
Is it any good to help someone physically (that is, give money to the poor)? Or should we only help them to attain spirituality?
Why do things that we know are bad for us and forbidden are so attractive to us? Is it the ego?
After death, do you immediately re-incarnate or the soul has to go through “a process”?
Hello Rav,
In this morning’s lesson you made mention of the issue of falling behind in the studies. At times when a descent seems to disconnect a student from the daily instruction, what can that student do to catch up? How can he avoid falling behind during a descent?
Unity,
Montie
Can a simple positive thought or a wish about someone from the group, friends, family, stranger or the whole world be considered spiritual? If yes, can a negative thought cancel spiritual one?
You said that step by step person must build desire similar to the Creator’s one. Question is: should/can we dedicate this desire to someone/something material from this world? Should I spread this desire from my heart – non-material place, to the world I live in?
Dear Rav,
Lately, there is a lot of thrust being exerted for women to organize themselves for the sake of the unification of the men.
What is curious about this request is that men (seemingly) do not have difficulty bonding with one another. Put them all together…..and they “play well.” While they may not think of their friend as a beloved child with great needs for ultimate fulfillment of Spirituality……..YET…….
That aside for the moment…I recall you saying that men are “female” until they learn to correct themselves. This makes perfect sense since the female aspect essentially connotes “the will to receive.”
Having said all that…I question that the breakage is more between the male and female aspects versus male-male. When men discern that their deficiency is precisely female in nature, then they will be better able to tap into our desire for wholeness. Moreover, they will realize that their resistance to the woman’s demands is perhaps the very thing that keeps them from attaining the goal.
The inevitable conclusion is that if our men continue to have bad attitude toward women in any way…the breakage persists.
So, the question is: how can woman create a viable environment for the men to rise above their deficiency?
Please comment.
Dear Rav,
What is the lack of “Meichin?
Dear Rav, I was reading “Love of Friends” by Rav Baruch Ashlag, where he explains about man wandering in the field, looking for his friends, to find them so that he would be able to achieve the goal together with them.
When I was about 18 years old I was given a very strong sensation of the Upper Light, giving me entirely new inner sensations and also accordingly changes in my outer life. I had this connection for many years, but no one taught me how to behave within, to keep it or to advance it. So, after many years I went into great sufferings and began to search for friends who could teach me about the system of Life.
I even went to the jewish congregation where I live, because I wanted to study, but there was nothing. (This was about 1983.) After much suffering I began to “understand” a few concepts about bestowal. Anyway, I was actually consciously searching for my friends that I knew was living somewhere! Almost screaming within for them.
It took until 2005 until I came to Bnei Baruch and started to study with you and 2007 and 2008 I was given the blessing and initiative to start two groups with friends where I live , so I´m now among friends!
My question are; Is attaining the first spiritual degree the only way to avoid wandering in the fields again?
Or should we not worry about it at all, just doing our best to walk the path?
Wishing you all the best
Tomas
Is there immortality in Kabbalah? Specifically, is there ever a time or a state one can reach when one remembers their soul in a different body before their correction?
If spirituality is the highest of all desires, I don’t understand how blows help bring a person to this? If anything, a terrible blow makes a person desire even less and less, he becomes content that he is simply alive after surviving a terrible disease. Or he becomes content that he simply can be out of pain, after suffering terribly. Is this not true?
Can you explain this quote from one of your lessons for me -
“We enter spirituality the moment we prefer contact with our source to concrete fulfillment”
What does this mean?
Dear Rav, lets speak just about the last 2000 years. For this period, Kabbalists have been the only representatives of the Creator, in this world, the only ones who understand Him and His actions. The rest of us, on the other hand, blindly suffered. Shouldn’t the Kabbalists be obliged to speak to every individual who wishes to about his or her individual, private circumstances and what the Creator expects him to do within this world to mend the problem? I understand Kabbalah does not speak of our world, but our world is included and before stepping on the ladder, shouldn’t one be OK on the ground? And when u say ask the Creator for help, this means what? I have no Creator to ask, the closest thing I can ask is a Kabbalist.
I’m sorry for asking 5 million questions, but when I feel them I need to get them out with the hopes of them being answered. Also, there tons of excellent questions on this site and I only wish there was a means for all of them to be answered by you. Thank u again
Dear Rav,
How is a person supposed to have faith in the creator? We know that we need the Rav, the books, and the group, but when he himself is going through the worst possible circumstances, what does he literally do inside to attribute this to him? Like you said, a person cannot turn the other cheek or be a martyr, but when we are forced into unimaginable situations, it’s as though reading the words “There’s None Else Besides Him” doesn’t mean a thing. How does a person actually believe in these things to get him through his circumstances? After all, if a person can’t get himself straight in this world how will he study Kabbalah, and we are given such problems of this world that we truly don’t know how to overcome.
Thank u.
Dear Rav,
There are many different “divisions” of spiritual levels. I understand that there’s a new level or state for each desire that gets corrected. But, it’s said that there’re 6000 desires while at other times the number is 613. Sometimes it’s even lower, 125. How is it that all these numbers are true?
Arvut,
Nick
Dear Rav,
In Abraham’s book, Sefer Yetzirah, he talks about the 10 sephirot. If there are only 10, then please explain the concept of sephira da’at. I think that’s how it’s spelled, I apologize if it’s spelled differently. Anyway, thank you for your time.
Arvut, Nick
Your post about how pain and pleasure are the same, it’s just a matter of who it is coming from, it doesn’t make sense. It simply isn’t true that pleasure and pain are the same, and no matter how much a person in pain “believes” it is from a higher source of Good, it makes no difference, he will only be tortured. And He does not provide cures for 99.9% percent of terrible ailments in this world, He obliges us to suffer, Why???? This leads me to the main question—–You say that Kabbalah does not involve belief at all, yet the books say we must believe it all comes from Him. Fine, I’ll even accept that, but how can a person bring the contradictions of terrible pain and goodness together?
Thank you.
You frequently say that we shouldn’t focus on corporeal life – to let it take care of itself and focus on the goal. Throughout my life I have been struggling financially – I just don’t seem to have the knack others seem to have to make money. I either feel I am taking advantage of someone as the employer/vendor or getting taken advantage of as an employee/worker. Now I am watching our county fall apart as our economic systems breaks down and this sense of financial insecurity is growing even more. This is a tremendous distraction for me. What can I learn from this situation and how can I use this situation in my attainment of the goal?
Will humanity advance into the cosmos, as NASA and ESA plan? Or is this a delusion?
Hey Rav,
Every Kabbalist I hear from says that Kabbalah is not a religion, it’s a science. I have been studying for about 8 months now and I have come to realize that I have no feeling or perception of the Creator, my soul, light, the group, or anything at all! I just accept these notions as true. How can I stay on this path in spite of my lack of perception? How can I test these claims in through my five senses? You said it is important not to just believe, but what else can I do? I have no means to feel “him” or the group. I attended the congress in Buffalo also.
What is considered an eternal desire?
Dear Rav,
What is the nature and role of the women’s group? You have discussed this many times but it seems there is still a great deal of confusion among women about our role.There are many opinions about the nature of the women’s group and it would be very helpful if we could get a clear, definitive answer that is written down for all of us to see.
Is there a need and ability for women to unite their desire in order to push the men to unite? I hear you say we should do this but then when I bring it up to others it is disregarded and is suggested that women only come together to work on projects. Should we do one or both or neither?
Thank you,
Annabelle
Recently I’ve been feeling a very strong pressure whenever I’m connected to a lesson, or trying to connect with the group. It’s a very corporeal sensation, it’s behind my face and pushes against my teeth and throat and intensifies when I focus on intention. Could such a sensation be related to spirituality or should I see a doctor?
Dear Rav–
Is the increasing acceptance of homosexuality among certain societies a result of relatively diminishing egos since there is less hatred (in some countries)towards homosexuals?
Thank you–
Chris
You say that other methods suppress the ego while Kabbalah uses the ego and rises above it.
To rise above the ego sounds like another way of saying to suppress it.
Natural Causes vs. Conspiracy Theories
Many seek out answers for the crisis we are in and look to conspiracy theories. Can you explain some points or some ideas to disseminate those out there that nature plays a bigger role to where we are today?
Thank You!
Why are there 2 different creation stories in Beresheet?
Thank you.
George.
Dear Rav,
It just doesn’t make sense to me. The Creator wants to give us boundless, infinite pleasure, yet he gives us physical conditions, injuries, diseases, etc. that cause us excruciating pain in this world, and that cannot even be helped in this world. Not to mention, even a person in spirituality feels the pain of this world. What does He expect us to do with incurable, unbearable pain and what is its purpose? And then suddenly we wonder why there is suicide in this world and act like it is some crazy phenomenon, not to mention the Creator punishes a person for suicide by making their next incarnation even harder?????!!!! It is said that we shouldn’t be martyrs but he leaves us with no choice than this. Rav, I am infinitely angry at Him for everything he does to me and everyone and all the studying in the world doesn’t help me, my despair only increases. So what’s next?
You once said there is no difference between pleasure and pain, simply we do not feel the source of all of it. I understand what you are getting at but what does this mean? Regardless, I can’t suddenly flip the switch in my brain and say “this pain is actually not pain,” so what difference does it make who sends it to us? Either way, he obligates us to suffer, and why?
Thank u.
It’s all Good – Where is G-d?
Hi Rav,
I have been involved with Kabbalah for about two years. Things have been getting steadily worse in my corporeal world to a point that absolutely nothing works – from my business to most relationships. However, i’ts all good and I am still learning.
My question pertains to deaf/blind handicapped people – those who cannot protect or look after themselves in this world. I am concerned that as the president of a non-profit society that is responsible for the lives of about 20 deaf blind people, does my personal corporeal downward spiral impact innocent lives? If so, should I step away from the board and board decisions of the society until a later date?
Thanks.
Arvut
Ed
Dear Rav,
Could you please say what you think about famous Godel Incompleteness Theorem? GIT says that in ANY formal system there ALWAYS exist formal statements which can be neither proved nor disproved inside this formal system. Is it applicable to spiritual worlds and to the Creator? Or, is the Creator mathematically infinite and so the theorem is not applicable to him?
Thank you!
Is it advisable to stay connected to the friends during the lessons if you feel that such activities like skype, yahoo messenger and such-like real time interactions, are a distraction?
Why do I feel closer to Him when I am alone?
Hello Rav
I seem to be going through a really tough time right now. I have a problem in the relationship between me and my Mother. I’m only 17 years old, and started studying about a year ago. I was at the Congress in Buffalo, NY and I remember you saying there will be people who criticize and scrutinize us. The problem is, one of those people is my Mom. I’ve tried showing her a couple videos, but she refuses to even consider them as correct. She’s even gone as far to say that I may as well be in a cult.
Fortunately, I won’t have to deal with this for much longer (only a year or so), but I’m wondering, how can I deal with her for the time being?
Thank you.
Tyler
Is love your friend as yourself and bestowal strictly a spiritual concept or can it also be applied in corporeality?
If they can, in what form and manner can we apply it in our world?
Hello Rav,
I asked you a question at the Buffalo congress during lunch while Norma Livne translated, in regards to moving either to St. Louis or New York to work with the Spanish Department in developing the American Spanish Speakers. I currently live in Orlando, Florida which is about 4 hours north of Miami where we have formed a group for study and dissemination of that same population.
I understand the importance of having a career or trade in order to provide for my family and to play my part in this world.
I have the ability to have the remainder of my degree in Business (or whatever else I chose) paid for if I specifically stay in Florida for another year, or however long it takes me to finish that degree. Somehow I feel that even if I finish my degree I will only just be barely making it financially with the state of the crisis.
I have a great desire to move to New York to assist in the development of the English/Spanish Department as well as anything else I can do in Dissemination and spiritual advancement.
Question: Should this be above all other things, even if my fiancée, who also studies agrees and sees the importance of moving?
This year that I spend studying, which I will still be working as much as possible with Spanish Department Dissemination, can this limit the possibilities of being the most benefit to the overall goal?
I have noticed that this type of personal questions are usually for us to decide. But maybe you could just offer a bit of your insight.
Thank you Rav
Dear Rav Leitman,
I just saw your lesson about the nations, thank you very much it is very enlightening .
Dear Rav,
I have infinite questions regarding the Holocaust and I hope in the future you can address it more. My question is this: This too had to be part of Nature’s plan, yet it occurred due to the Jews’ not circulating Kabbalah? How can this be? I don’t understand……if Kabbalah speaks to any situation a person could come across, what would the Kabbalists advice have been to a person starving to death in a concentration camp—”Don’t worry, the Creator is pulling this strings?”
Additionally, God forbid had a Kabbalist have been put into a camp, what would his attitude have been? This is part of my correction? Why should Ii fight my way out if the Creator is doing this to me? etc…….. Thank u.
If you were to describe living the life of bestowal 24/7 sincerely and truly from the heart, what would a persons day be like?
How can I make my change permanent? I flip flop back and fourth from being this dedicated caring and loving person to others, to the: I am the one giving, no one is doing that for me. It’s like Dr. Jeckell and Mr Hyde.
Dear Rav:
I’m interested in your comments on the Dalai Lama’s recent statement: “The world will be saved by the western woman.”
Thank you!
Dear Rabbi
My question is: What came first the desire or the pleasure received through the filling the desire?
We, as I perceive, have inner most desire “received” ( constructed) when we were child. It doesn’t belong to us anymore, but still is there conducting our lives, making us attracting things that in logical way we know its not good and it don’t will make us to be better person. How to correct this? What do we have to look for?
Thanks in advance,
Leonardo Goldfarb
p.s when i do know the answer its posted and where will be posted
Dear Rav,
How are we to deal with desires that we are given that do nothing but harm other or ourselves? I understand the egoistic intention as a whole does nothing but cause harm, but I am talking about desires like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or drug addiction. All of our desires come from Him, but what are we to do with desires that we cannot shake that stop us from being able to function even corporeally, much less spiritually? Do you recommend psychological medications, therapy, etc…. or can a person somehow shake these on his own? Many thanks.
My Dearest Rav,
Is it possible for a unified group who’s desire for Light is real and honest to become corrupted ? Can corruption come from those who are in higher up positions?How can corruption be guarded against ?
Thank You Rav
Sharon Robertson
My Dear Rav,
I would like to ask you about obstacles on the path and why they sometimes seem to come from the group and the Mentors. When there is discord among the students, and some adversity between students and Mentors, how does a simple student who just has an need for the correct path and the Light make a proper discernment about his fellow students and his Mentors? How does one go above this,since he has an attachment for his fellows and his Mentors?They both have a legitimate claim. However, they may both have fault in these same claims.
One feels the Creator in a place and suddenly the Light seems to have disappeared. How can one go above this?
Ahava,
Sharon Robertson
Dear rabbi,
Why not kab tv in Arab?
I am very aware of the cultural differences between me (Netherlands) and the Muslims, I am very aware how complicated they make things for themselves. they need a Kabbalah channel that is specially geared towards them. I love kab.tv, but it is simply too Jewish for them.
I am very concerned about them not adopting Kabbalah for this reason.
connecting,
Jurgen
Dear Micheal
Following on from the old interview with you by a Russian journalist: There you said that you don’t have female students….. the cause and effect of this type of statements is still affecting the women who study Kabbalah today. Especially if you say that men and women have equal parts…. This needs to be conveyed to the men who study Kabbalah tenfold as they are causing women great harm.
What teachings do you have about women of the past that can help us today? I know this question has been asked several times by other women around the world and to date we have not had an answer. If there isn’t anything then we need to create it in the now.
I trust the light this email gets to you and I would appreciate if you take this email very seriously, to answer it.
Love
Gail
Dear Rabbi,
When will the Bnei Baruch Kabbalah Education & Research Institute create some kind of home study curriculum for children of all ages, so that parents can teach their children the basics of Kabbalah at home, starting at an early age?
I have a 6 year old boy and a 2 year old daughter, and I would like to teach both children about Kabbalah, but don’t even know where to begin, or how to teach it to them at their level. If I could purchase some curriculum and workbooks to help me teach them at home… this would be a huge help!
Thank you so much and God Bless!
Sherry A.
Kennewick, WA (USA)
Dear Rav,
Would you please comment on President Obama receiving the Nobel Prize.
Thank you,
Maria
http://www.laitman.nl
Dear Rav,
What does Kabbalah say about babies created through IVF or artificial insemination – do they have a soul? Also, what if mankind were to be able to clone other human beings one day? Would the clones have a soul too?
Rav, good afternoon: After we reunite all the separated souls and do the last correction, what happens to us? We lose this experience of corporeal reality, we forget our last, better all the corporeal experiences. We transform in Adam, and all our memories are vanished off our brains? What happens to us?
How to know if I’m doing a good job to attain the upper light?
Our Rabbi added a line to the prayers at the end of the weekly service that promotes praying for the Arab Nation (children of Ishmael) as such. I take an immediate offense to this for obvious reasons, BUT I also feel I may be way off base here. I am very conflicted on this view. It seriously offended a lot of people, but am I in the wrong intention here?
I do not want to wander off into the wrong path and I feel very upset, more at me than him. Please, what is your advice?
Dear Rav,
Do you see the Creator giving the whole of humanity one global event that will undeniably prove his existence? As we study, is it normal to yearn for this event.?.. Whether it brings pain or joy….it seems that I just want it to happen no matter what it is….in order for humanity to come to Spirituality. However, that might be saying that I am yearning for pain and suffering not only for myself, but for the world..that doesn’t seem like a correct prayer… please advise..
Sincerely,
Kim
I’ve read three of your books, and I also read your daily posts. The message I’m hearing repeatedly is that the only thing within our control, really, is our environment, and that our environment is critical for changing our desires.
In response to a recent question, you answered: “Precisely the effort brings me to a realization that I am incapable, I have no strength, and I will never reach the spiritual world using my own strength. I can find the strength for this only in the group. A person can sit alone and cry for a long time, but this will not help him.
One must receive forces from others, connect them together, and then he will have enough strength to change his qualities, revealing a new world in them.”
Once again, the message about the environment, about connecting.
So my question is — how does one create and find the proper environment? My husband and I live in a fairly remote community that is entirely Hebrew speaking. Although I speak basic Hebrew, it is not sufficient to really connect on a deep level with others. I sincerely long for a spiritual community that would assist both me and my husband’s growth, but our geographical location makes it difficult. And we are not able financially simply to relocate.
Can a digital connection and community suffice to help me change my desires?
Are we born with our souls , or do we receive it with the point in the heart ?
How will wide spread egoism transform into altruism?
How does one deduce there is an issue with his psychological health, when he does not see it for himself? What requires correcting here?
Dear Rav,
When I had begun the study of Kabbalah, I was not considered mentally ill. As the process went on, intricate irregulaties in my mind had surfaced. My study peers said this was Reshimo being revealed and concealed. My psychiatrist appears to disagree with this view. Does this affect my study?
My utmost gratitude for your reply. I hope this assists others in their struggles.
Dear Rav,
Regarding the concept of no bread no Torah, it is He who gives us the very problems we try to escape in this world, so isn’t as though He rejects a person from Kabbalah? If He gives me a disease that prevents me from being able to have normal life in corporeality, or gives me an injury or natural disaster that takes everything from me, how can I focus in Torah? It seems very cruel that in Torah lies the method for happiness, yet He says we must function in this world fully, and He prevents a person from being able to have a life corporeally in this world???? And then I’m supposed to not blame Him and agree that He is good?
Also, your post about how pain and pleasure are the same, it’s just a matter of who it is coming from, it doesn’t make sense. It simply isn’t true that pleasure and pain are the same, and no matter how much a person in pain “believes” it is from a higher source of Good, it makes no difference, he will only be tortured. And He does not provide cures for 99.9% percent of terrible ailments in this world, He obliges us to suffer, Why???? This leads me to the main question—–You say that Kabbalah does not involve belief at all, yet the books say we must believe it all comes from Him. Fine, I’ll even accept that, but how can a person bring the contradictions of terrible pain and goodness together? Thank you.
I’ve been studying now for about 8 months trying to read and watch kabbalah lessons everyday. My question is that you say that corporeality does not need to be changed but concerning the commandments are there certain ones which pertain to corporeality that I should be following in order to not cause the sorrow of Divinity? Particular ones that have caused me some grief are the commandments of not working on Shabbat and the eating of pork. While I tell myself that I shouldn’t focus on these things I still have to wonder that by doing them am I displeasing the Creator?
Dear Rav,
I was reading Shamati Article #40 the other night. Today I read some of your posts concerning the middle line. In the Shamati article, it seems to talk about the middle line as being under multiple authorities. And you say that we’re supposed to aim for the middle line, which is perfect balance. So are you saying that we’re supposed to be under multiple authorities? According to Shamati, we can only distinguish our true state when under a single authority. If Shamati was not referring to the same middle line, could you please explain what it means?
Dear Sir,
Why would the creator want to create a creature and fill it with pleasure?
Thank you,
Paul
Dear Rav,
So despite the fact that I feel like my problems are my own doing, they are not, because I must say that He controls me and predetermined my situation for me. So no longer can I blame myself for mistakes I made, but I must say it is the Good that does Good that arranged all of it. But, what I do I do if He puts me in a situation in corporeality that I cannot overcome?
For example I have an injury or illness that cannot be helped and makes my life unbearable. In such a situation I want only to get out of pain, yet He is giving me this and preventing me from having a solution. How do I not curse Him and what do I do both internally and externally to a situation regarding physical health that yields no answers or solutions?
Thank u.
Dear Rav,
In the article About the Spiritual Advancement of Women, Talk 2 from December 19, 2007, Tel Aviv, Israel there is mention of two sources for women to read for Spiritual development they are Shamati and Shlavei ha Sulam( The Steps of Ascension). Is Shlavei ha Sulam(The Steps of Ascension) translated for English readers?
Should I engage in studying Kabbalah, even with my mental illness? It seems as if I do not possess the capacity to support this process.
Dear RAV LAITMAN:
Column One: Our irredeemable international system – Sep. 18, 2009 – Caroline Glick , THE JERUSALEM POST:
“Our international institutions are irredeemably corrupted. From the United Nations to the International Criminal Court and their affiliate and subordinate bodies, these institutions are rotten at their core.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
“Until Obama came along, Israel could afford not to make too much of the fact that its enemies control the UN-led system of international institutions, because it could trust that the US would use its Security Council veto to prevent these forces from causing it any real harm. This is no longer the case. With the Obama administration fully on board the UN agenda, Israel and other threatened democracies like Honduras, Poland, the Czech Republic, South Korea and Japan will have to loudly proclaim the UN-based international system’s inherent moral, political and legal corruption and seek ways to undermine and weaken its power. ”
Q) WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?
Dear Mr. Laitman,
I have been working on my correction for about 2 years and found Kabbalah about four month ago. I feel a very strong conection to this studies. My desire to get closer to the creator is very strong. I gaint trust and understanding to life and to future. But I am probably sill somewhere at the beginning, becauce there are still so many questions.
I am in a relationship with a girl know for one year. Everything happend very quick and I think I just wanted to fill the gap, which my last gilfriend left when we broke up. I am not in love with this woman. I realized it last weekend very clear and finerly got the strenght to going to end this relationship, but just before I could do it she told me that she is pregnant.
I am very confused. I don’t want to be an egoist, but everything inside me say no to this situation. We have know spiritual connection. I am thinking about abortion, but I am very concerned that this will bring me away from my spirituell path. I do see that I am totally egoistic, but to bring up a child I just don’t want.
I know you can not live my life for me and I have to make a decision on my own and live with it. But maybe you can give me anykind of statement to this situation.
I would be very greatfull.
Bodo Surholt
Rav, could you please share your thoughts with us regarding the significance of the Fast of Gedaliah?
Thank you
Why are we not having a daily Zohar lesson? The book Lirot-Tov is telling us to read it every day. Please advise.
Hello Michael.
Is Zohar studying necessary or is it possible to earn eternal life without studying it by being complete wicked type and striving to be 100% righteous and loving type. Is studying necessary? It brings only more suffering.
Hey Rav,
I recently started to study with everyone during the morning lessons, or at least 24 hours within the time of it. Since about that time i’ve been having this great sense of fear of somehow being stopped from attending the congress. Like something will pop up or i will be stopped at the entrance to my flight. Is this fear a reflection of the incorrect aspiration in attending the congress? Should I be more patient and faithful in the fact that everything depends on the creator, and it is his will for me to unite with all of the pieces of my soul?
Thanks plenty
Rav, would you have any comments regarding the following, which is from NASA’s official website?
Solar Storm Warning — Researchers say a storm is coming–the most intense solar maximum in fifty years.
It’s official: Solar minimum has arrived. Sunspots have all but vanished. Solar flares are nonexistent. The sun is utterly quiet.
Like the quiet before a storm.
Recently researchers announced that a storm is coming–the most intense solar maximum in fifty years. The prediction comes from a team led by Mausumi Dikpati of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). “The next sunspot cycle will be 30% to 50% stronger than the previous one,” she says. If correct, the years ahead could produce a burst of solar activity second only to the historic Solar Max of 1958.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/10mar_stormwarning.html
If you say that people are not bad, but its the way we perceive them. My parents are holocaust survivors, were my parents perceptions wrong? I personally believe in pure evil. What is your view? All human creatures are not all good, or is that my bad perception?
Dear Rav,
From different sources comes information that the vaccine against the “swine-flu” might be more dangerous and harmful than the flu itself. Information that I have received says that the vaccine might contain toxins harmful to man. Also that resistance to this flu might make it develop to something even worse.
Would it be a good to inform people about this possibility, so that people perhaps don´t bring more suffering to themselves?
What is the concept of Kabbalah about the life after the death?
My mom was very religious, very good person, aiding people.
She died three weeks ago, and I want to know where she is?
Is there a level for us to stay during a time to be better, or we come back in this earth in another body, as a person or animal, etc…? When does this occur?
Hello rav,
I’ve been wondering what really means to be under the Lord omnipotence. If the Lord is responsible for all our thoughts and actions, where are we? We can not decide anything by our own this way, neither to pray by ourselves to Him, or choose between the path of Light and the path of pain. If my correction begins it is Him that wishes that way so I do not even exist!
Rav, I had the distinct pleasure to stand about 5 feet from you and you nodded hello. I was awestruck. (at age 62?) Since then I have been very involved in studying Kabbalah and still cannot put away my life to do what Ii would like. Is this normal? My life, health, the health of my wife, and the current crises: and its effects on my children have placed great demands on me. Is this part of a “normal struggle?”
I want to answer the questions I have and the point in my heart is yelling as loud as it can but I keep being pulled away. Could you place this in proper perspective?
Dear Rebbe,
I have lately been obsessed by the question of “Where am I?” (on the ladder) I have recently discovered by this and other questions put to myself that I have a bigger ego than I had known. It is good that i know this.
So, my question is wouldn’t it be better to know the answer to this question than not? My reasoning is that if you could tell me ‘You are here’ …and your answer deflated my ego, it would be good because all actions to the ego produce change. And by the same token, if your answer inflated my ego…all the better still. It seems to me that it would do no harm, but I would like very much to have some insight.
My husband and I have been connected to the World Group through the internet since 2006 and we want to take a moment to say:
THANK YOU (and THE GROUP) for awakening every morning and consciously deciding to re-dedicate your self to this GREAT TASK! And to THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE. We hope someday to have the honor of meeting you.
Hello Rav Laitman,
I’ve heard that the congress is a very special event in which we have a great opportunity to put ourselves under the influence of the surrounding lights. Once I am influenced and leave the congress, does this light continue to influence me? Will this event make my studying more effective? And does the perception gained during the congress gradually start to disappear as I slowly adapt to being influenced by the negative corrective force after the congress?
Thank you and I am very excited to meet you in Buffalo.
Hello Rav Laitman,
On the path of exiting one’s ego, I heard you say that man will come to a despair, as he sees that in order to achieve spirituality, it cannot be done with his nature. Is this something one can prepare for? And is the fact that I am happy studying the wisdom within my will to recieve a sign that I am far from the path and/or not attracting the surrounding lights?
Thank you.
Dear Rav,
In spite of our intentions the point of hatred which wants everything for itself remains, seemingly intact, inside everything we do. Where is the correction if not inside this point of hatred?
Yours,
C. Medansky
I have been studying Kabbalah for 1 year. I am at a point where I hardly read the news (I used to check it 10 times a day!) and I hardly watch TV. I read the books and watch your lessons. Right now I feel down and I have a lack of interest, is this my ego trying to drag me down?. At the same time I’m hooked on reading/learning all I can about Kabbalah. I feel myself changing and I’m not sure if I like this feeling. Is this a temporary state that we go through while learning?
How does one overcome the fear that they may commit themselves to a cause or organization that might then be discredited by some scandal or controversy uncovered by the media? This has happened many times to many different teachers.
What is the purpose of the desire for pleasure from sex found only in humans , dolphins, and only a couple of other species and the rest of the animal kingdom finds no pleasure in sex. It seems to be instinctual or ??? Is it that humans would not have a desire for sex if there wasn’t an instinct or pleasure derived from it? In the future world what will be the purpose of sex? Or will we just create ourselves in a petrie dish?
Does a person who read the books you wrote and watch your videos also be able to evoke and draw down the Surrounding Light?
Rav, once you mentioned the “illumination of Malchut” in a lesson. You linked it to the crisis. It came across my mind recently and I researched on it. I came up with this definition -
Dadei Behema-
“An illumination of Malchut without Mituk of Rachamim, the lower thirds of Netzach and Hod of Atik which are found in the world of Briah.”
Is there a link between what we study in TES and the currant crisis. I don’t mean to corporalize this, but it seems important.
Geoffrey
Hello Rav, I’m in the italian group and soon we will have a physical centre in Rome.
I planned to move to Rome to be closer to my friends. My whole life will change. Do I have to expect bigger blows? Will the whole group, event the friends who will not live in Rome, feel blows and difficulties?
I deeply want to move to Rome and I’m deeply scared of what could happen…
How should I relate to a situation where my job is extremely stressful and exhausting? How do I relate to the Creator?
I have been studying Kabbalah for nearly a year and at first i learned very well and managed to raise but at a point in my correction I stopped being interested in Kabbalah and I now do almost nothing for correction. I think I need a group but I don’t know how to find it because I am a 17-year-old student and live in Bulgaria. I am very confused and I hope that you can help me.
How can I free myself from the guilt and shame of previous actions that I did in the past?
Does the soul have a gender? Can a man re-incarnate in a woman’s body or a woman in a man’s body?
How should parents interact with a fetus , a newborn, as well as with a teenager and adolescent, to maintain a good system according to Kabbalah?
I am looking forward to this question as I am a new student and first time mother.
Thank you all!
Nancy
Could the fact that I can only “act” and not study explain why I feel like I’ve experienced the Upper World without studying Kabbalah?
Dear Rav, I would like to thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. Discovering the wisdom of Kabbalah the way you and your Team are revealing It to the world, has been one more Gift from the Creator in my path of development. I find that you are providing the proper guidance, and I know this because when I have a question, and I have many, I’m directed to find the answer in the material that you have made available. It is wonderful to have found you. I live in Guatemala and from here I feel the connection! I’m enrolled in the Course and don’t want to stop!
Que nuestra transformación sea una realidad para el regocijo del Creador.
Sinceramente,
Patricia
I have been reading an number of your writings about women. From these I have come to feel that the path of woman is to contribute to the spiritual development of all mankind through her participation in her community, family and own spiritual work. In doing so, she may become a ‘light’, so to speak, which ‘illuminates’ the eyes of the men who are close to her — brothers, sons, spouse. In this way, without ever necessarily placing a direct burden upon them (by direct speech, or manipulative behaviour or censure), she builds an environment in which the desire to focus upon their own spiritual development is nurtured. This may or may not lead to a direct study of Kabbalah by these men, but it is likely to open an insight which will, in its own way, lead to their elevation as spiritual beings. In a sense, the woman becomes the environment of nurture in which the seeds of their development are planted, and this is a way in which the woman can attain the level of bestowal. Thus, it is not the role of the woman to directly correct or censure the man, rather her role is to stimulate his desire to see beyond his current condition. Could you please illuminate me further? Am I on a ‘correct’ path?
How can I restrict my negative thoughts and judgments about people to prevent causing them any harm ?
My dear Rav,
I have a question from Lesson 61, Introduction to TES , 24 August.
You said ” From above comes only a spark to light the wick….The Creator gives only one spark to ignite it”.
What is that spark ?
My love and gratitude.
Aloha from Hawaii,
Wela
Play Audio Comment
I have asked this question, because I feel that I would be happy having possibility to spend all my day working on dissemination of kabbalah.
Thank you for your answer.
Dear Rav Laitman,
Another question I have:
If the original soul separated (only) into 600,000 souls, but since we are now over 4 billion human beings and this figure is rising, it means that each one of us must belong to a large soul group, which is one of the 600,000 separated parts of the original soul. How can we know who and what we are in one soul group with and do all the beings in one soul group have similar destinies, traits and life paths? Moreover, is it at all important to connect to one’s soul group or not?
The discrepancy between 600,000 and 4 billion + just seems very big. How would you explain this, please?
Thank you very much!
What is the spiritual root of anxiety and how can we correct it?
My daughter Lynnette (she is 12 ) has a question for you.
I want to cross to the superior worlds, which one is the fastest way to do it?
Thank you !!!
Does external dissemination produce any benefit since you teach that the true dissemination is internal?
Dear Rav
I live in London, I’m 22 and have been studying for almost 2 years. I find it off putting that in London there are only around 10, older people in the group, a few of them come and go, like me, because the group is so small that it seems futile. How can the only truth be so unpopular?
Speaking you to as a younger individual, I am entirely impressed with your fortitude. Why do I crumble so quickly under even the slightest pressure? I ponder whether it is Him holding me where I am, for some distant reason. I am at all correct in thinking so?
One of these days I was talking to my girlfriend about going to a Kabbalah congress when she told me:
“You’re really enjoying this Kabbalah thing, aren’t you? This is kind of a disappointment to me. I liked you better when you were more skeptical and rebellious. Since you started with this Kabbalah stuff, you’ve become less interesting for me.”
I feel I’ve changed for the better since I started studying Kabbalah, so my question is: how should a Kabbalah student respond or deal with this kind of statement?
Hello,
In a conflicted world, we are bombarded with dilemmas every day of our life with regards everything we do. What is Kabbalah’s position on wearing fur which has in recent times became a huge talking point? Is it prohibited, accepted or merely justified depending on the individual – i.e. a primitive culture which only has fur to wear?
Thank you.
There are many texts that link the Archangel Metatron/Enoch to the Kabbalah.
I am wondering what your perspective of such links is and if there is a relationship, what that is. Thankyou Elizabeth
Hi Rav
How do I prepare for the lesson?
What should I be thinking or wishing or desiring in order to get the best preparation before the lesson?
Thanks
Awareness of one’s egoistic desires and the sufferings caused by the ego; Is this the Creator revealing Himself? In what ways could one realize when and/if the Creator is being revealed to them?
Hi Rav
What’s the difference between say, desire for work and desire for spirituality?
Warm regards
j
On Kabbalah vs Ancient Eastern Wisdom:
Dear Dr Laitman,
I have the following question:
You say that the difference between Kabbalah and Eastern wisdom (India) is that they teach the Ego must be destroyed versus Kabbalah’s statement that a person must become aware of it and correct/redirect it, thus keep and work with it. However, in the Torah it says “… a gentile (ego) should be deceived and destroyed…”.
My question is, are both wisdoms not just implying the same thing but using different words?
Also, how can you be so sure that Kabbalah is the only method of salvation for humanity? Have you tried any of the other wisdoms (and I am not talking about religions, but the ancient wisdom of the Vedanta or the Chinese wisdom of the Tao, for instance)?
Thank you,
Bettina
Dear Rav,
How can we get men to realize they won’t get any inspiration from the group unless they invest in the group? It’s not that they don’t invest into the group, they do, but for more, they need inspiration from their local friends, and that inspiration they do not have…for example….watching the lessons live with their friends. (Unfortunately, there are more examples, simple things…)
Beyond the obvious need to guard our speech so as not to cause harm to our fellow man, what is the significance of our speech in the corporeal world with respect to the spiritual? For example, why do you always say, “Heaven Forbid” after a seemingly negative statement?
Dear Mr. Laitman,
I have been studying Kabbalah less then a year. As a woman, I think that my role is just to support the group and not be a part of it. To push my boyfriend, and other men to the group, because that is the only environment where he/they can grow. Not to force them with words or to pursue them on anything, but just to work on dissemination, learning according to my needs and making a home (relating on my boyfriend) where he can come to. I think that I can make suggestions about the dissemination but relating the work in the group, or their teachings. But I feel that I have to make more suggestions and demands in our corporeal life (relating home, family, responsibilities). Could you tell me if I am doing right?
What is the meaning of Sephiroth?
It really does seem that even as the computer/technological age affords us the ability to be with each other from across many miles, to connect with all our friends no matter where we are in the world, there is a huge lack of soul connection between each other! Why is that? Why are we feeling so much fear, needing to grab whatever power or space or whatever it is that we need at such an alarming pace? Why is there so much anger, and mistrust in the world? Why are there so many despotic leaders with power gone awry? I’m sure that influence has always existed, for there has always existed those who “have”, and those who “have not”.
What is the basis upon which the knowledge of Kabbalah is based?
If meditation is not involved – surely there must be an alteration of consciousness that is involved. This can’t just be an intellectual process of intellectual knowledge.
The 6th sense that is mentioned to be cultivated – doesn’t this involve an alteration of consciousness
Other Systems of spirituality – frequently use the visions gained from deep meditative states – What about Kabbalah??
How can I make myself happy?
Hello Rav;
I consider myself student at Bnei Baruch online classes. I am Muslim from Sudan. Right now I live in USA. I have 2 questions :
1/ About maaser; my people in Sudan are in bad need of the 10% of my income and sometimes more. Can this money I used to send to Sudan considered maaser?
2/ I disseminate Kabbalah in Arabic forum visited by thousands every day. Most of the members and visitors are Arabic Muslims and I feel I need to write about the method and after they grasp it then to mention the Jewish origin of the Kabbalah. Now I mention only Abraham as the origin of Kabbalah. Is that OK?
Thanks
Please Rav, How do we ask the Creator to rise above the hatred and repulsion of our personal life towards others??
Dear Rav,
should we feel pleasure from disseminating?
Thank you!
Dear Rav,
Two questions, please…and thank you!
1. Does the concept “Mitzvot” engender the entire process of assimilating the concept of “Torah?” Is it that simple(…..and that complicated)?
2. What is the hallmark of the quality of bestowal?
Hello sir,
what if a man does not know if he want to stay married?
And lot of issues from past time comes up.
And the woman does not want to divorce and none of them are in a religion?
What is self discipline according to Kabbalah?
As I have mentioned before, I am giving from internet classes of kabbalah to a group of now 8 people who don’t have computers to study by their own, but there is a couple that has studied on there own other kabbalah books. They talk about the sefirot as lights in our parts of the body that need to be awaken and they are confusing me, because as I have studied with you I see the sefirots as LEVELS OF ATTAINMENT. Can you explain what really the sefirots are so that I can clarify in the group. I want to tell them that they can’t come and confuse the students with other kabbalistic views that are not from Bnei Baruch. They also mentioned a book named Bahir that they say is very important in kabbalah. I haven’t heard of it here in Bnei Baruch. I need to establish with them that we study only authentic kabbalistic writings and not every kabbalistic book you find out there. Please answer soon. I study every sunday with the group. Thanks.
I am very confused about the “oral Torah” – or the Talmud. I understand that the Torah is a gift from Hashem guiding us towards the right path in life and we are to sometimes understand the stories from the Torah on a metaphorical level – not a literal one. How do you explain the literal aspect of the Talmud and that it seems to have been written by Rabbis that lived during a time that? as I understand, the priests and sanhedrin were corrupt – which is what caused the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash.
What can we learn from the fact that President Obama awards Mary Robinson, formerly President of Ireland and an anti-Israel activist, with the Medal of Freedom, the highest and most prestigious civilian award in the U.S?
Robinson presided over the 2001 United Nations’ “World Conference against Racism” meeting in Durban, South Africa. The Israel delegation walked out after it degenerated into a racist attack on Jews and Israel, and the United States boycotted the meeting.
Hi! I would like to know if I started to study Kabbalah in this life and don’t achieve correction before I die, will I come to Kabbalah again in a next life? Will I remember something about this wisdom in my next incarnation?
Dear Sir ,
I have been reading your posts , finding them rather interesting , now as I can see from the pictures that you are a Jew my question is this: What does the Kabbalah have to do with the religion of Moses? Is it like a manual for humans to read the Torah?
And I have been getting all sorts of thoughts from documentaries regarding the Kabbalah saying that it is some sort of Magical book with spells and stuff that goes back to the Era of the Babylon .
I know I may be a little bit late regarding this knowledge but it would be kind of you to answer me. I am still searching and connecting with what I know.
Regards
You were recently asked by someone ” Is it ok for a Kabbalist to use hypnosis? Is it a tool the Creator allows us to use?”
Your answer was ” No, and it is not permitted”
I would like some further elaboration on this.
I can see that hypnosis can be a very manipulative tool in the wrong hands. I can also see that it would be a useful form of therapy. For example, if I had a family member with extreme anxieties, hypnosis might be an excellent tool for getting to the root of the issue and releasing it. As opposed to simply administering anxiety drugs.
Why is it not permitted? After all, you say we must deal with our corporeal issues while we ‘live in both worlds simultaneously.
greetings Rav,
I grew up as a Christian, and from three years ago, to now, I have been studying Kabbalah, but a couple of days ago, a friend of mine, who is Jewish, told me that Kabbalah was only meant to be studied by Jews, and that indeed it was a sinful thing for us non Jews, or gentiles, to study Kabbalah, that it opened very dark portals…but I feel so comfortable studying Kabbalah, it really helps me find a connection with the Creator, and I don’t want to stop practicing the religion of my parents, Christianity, my question is: Is it possible to still believe in my parents religion, or at least keep a certain respect for it, and be able to continue on the path of Kabbalah? Or it’s just something I should definitely do?
i am in a strange state where i just become disconnected from every thing the lessons the group the books for a period of a week and then i come back to them with a great appetite for more learning and connecting then i am disconnected again. can you advice me on what to do pleas, and could this have any thing to do with my corporal ambitions and dreams ?
What is the symbolic meaning or significance of the number 30 in Kabbalah?
Thanks in advance,
Shana
I read it is 3 types of fear, but only one is real, the fear of the Creator.
So if I come in a situation that gives me fear, like when I fly and the plane is shaking, this is a wrong type of fear cause I am afraid to die (egoistic).
Then I try to make this great but wrong fear into a fear for the Creator, that this is the fear I should feel to loose my contact with Him.
It is almost impossible but I try as hard as I can. Am I wasting my time?
You Mentioned doubt follows a person around (temptation) because of unfulfilled desire. What if one is constantly haunted by a partner’s romantic past, and their own lack of one, chronically? What does this mean and is it possible to resolve?
I have always wondered what a band of Kabbalist might sound like, seeing that a Kabbalistic song includes the Artists feelings, how can four ‘band members’ or artist mesh each of their own feelings together into one song without one of them playing against his feeling?
Can a Kabbalist tell who’s going to pass Machsom or not? I always wondered if it were a matter of body language or a matter of actually Seeing a student’s desire.
If someone has a life threatening illness should they tell the group or use it as an impetus to unite and correct themselves and try to inspire the group in this way?
How will Kabbalah combat the swine flu?
Dear Laitman,
How does Kabbalah view marriage between elder women and younger men?
Thank you for your answer.
Kindest regards,
Torill
How do we nullify ourselves without being abused by the external world? Do we have to behave as actors that appreciate egoism in our daily lives? But this can be very dangerous for our inner work.
Hi Rav Laitman! I began studying Kabbalah with Bnei Baruch about 6 months ago. I started with the online lesson and I have also read some of your books. I wanted to ask you about something that is happening to me since I started studying. I feel that my sexual urges are getting stronger and stronger, especially with people from the same sex . I also find it very difficult not to go on some websites… I want to know how I can restrict those desires to concentrate more on my study of Kabbalah ? I also wanted to know if this might have a spiritual root like wanting to get back together as one soul or am I just addicted?
Dear Rav
If the 2 million subscribers to Kabbalah were to have the intention (pure intention) to ask for spiritual ascent towards unity at a point in time in the future and commit for at least a week would this not bring us closer to revealing more light or breaking the illusion we live in? And if it was possible could we not try by preparing a quality advertising campaign,,, facebook, tv, internet radio, twitter etc to take action?
Shalom
Gail
Student BB Association UK
Good day,
I am new in Kabbalist reading and I am planning to do a Ph.D. in Kabbalist Research. The topic I was thinking about was “The Kabbalah as a way of attaining enlightenment for the ordinary human being.” Please advice me if this topic will make good research. If not please Advice on a possible topic and books that I can read for my research.
I will be happy to hear from you.
I have a group of 5 to six people who do not have internet, and so I am giving them kabbalah lessons in spanish with recorded lessons in my computer. I am giving them the first 15 lessons. Is this ok and if I can give them the virtual lesssons I took or the new one starting in september? Thanks
What are Hitlabshut and Aviut with respect to the inner work of man?
How can someone dedicate appropriate time to studies if he/she discovers Kabbalah in his/her 40′s and dedicates most of the day to work to maintain a family, and the little spare time to wife/husband and children? It’s very hard these days to even stop and find a few minutes to study or reflect and the 40 hrs a week work routine seems something so difficult to remove/change.
Dear Beloved Rav
I live in Israel but do not speak and read Hebrew yet. My friend who study in a Yeshivat told me that if I learn Hebrew I will have so much moore books to read about kabbala like Rav Kook Rav Nachman etc.. He sais after a conversation that I sound like I have a good grip and is in a good position?, but since I only read the books that is translated to English by BB I stand before many options but is limited cause I only read Rabahs, Baal HaSulam etc..
I truly feel like those books and you and the group is enough for me, but what do I know.
So my question is, can I get as far as I am supposed to go, only by the books translated to english, or will my progress be better/faster if I can read books from Rav Kook and Rav Nachman too?
What about “fearing G-d?” I’m accomplishing objectives and am beginning to have some confidence that it won’t be necessary for me to backslide to continue moving forward. Thank you so much for making this process clear to me. With tears in my eyes I thank you.
I’d like to move forward as quickly as I’m able and am drawing blanks on both the concept and feeling of “fearing the Creator.” My state includes having to pull myself out of depression from recognition of the persistence of my ego and being happy I’m aware of same and that it makes G-d happy I’m aware. So I get happy! Pls help.
When people ask you about Mitzvah observance you often quote the Essence of Religion article by the Baal Sulam, presumably in justification for your claim that “Kabbalah” doesn’t require Torah (mitzvah) observance.
When I read that article I saw the following:
“Yet, by observing Torah and Mitzvot in order to please his Maker, without any reward, he climbs the rungs of ethics, precisely to the extent that he pursues it…”
This seems to imply to me that if a person doesn’t pursue observing Torah and Mitzvot, he will not climb the ladder of ethics at all…
This makes me feel very confused. Is this really the source for proposing that Kabbalah isn’t connected to mitzvah observance?
Also, what’s the source for understanding mitzvot as desires, rather than straightforward behavioral acts of devotion including mind (kavana) and usually also physical movement—the traditional way of understanding them?
Thank you for your time.
What does the Kabbala say about our individuality? What is it? According the the Eastern tradition, the individual does not really exist only the whole [ consciousness ] which perceives through the many [ Yet it is all one ] However it feels as if one is an individual as ones perception is totally and utterly unique. So this “I” can and does only perceive itself yet simulatenously differently. What does the Kabbala say about the individuals perception of awareness?
What do we do with the shame and guilt that is produced when we believe we’ve done an action for self-alone, yet we long to walk in lishma?
The shame and guilt seem to be more of an obstacle than the egoistic action we initially performed. Is this true?
Please help. Thank you.
Sincerely,
dehvon
Hi Rav,
I was reading in the Introduction to the Book of Zohar on p. 221 that “The smallest soul and the sum of all the souls are equal. There is nothing in the spiritual that would be bigger or smaller than something else woud. Moreover, if one is against all the rest of the 599,999 souls, this one is equal to all the others. This is a marvelous property of the spiritual world.”
Does this mean that one soul with the aim of being corrected, influences all of the other souls that are not aimed at correction, and thus helps to correct them?
Thank you
Why do innocent children have cancer, aids or other incurable diseases? Is this not injustice from the Creator?
I have been studying Kabbalah for several years and doing dissemination. I have lupus, an illness that affects the connective tissues of the body. The illness is controlled but lately I have suffered falls or accidents and this the fourth time I have the luxation of a shoulder, two of them in the past three months. Doctor says I need an operation to stop these luxations. Is this only the result of my physical condition or do you think the Creator is trying to tell me something?
Dear Rav Laitman,
I have a question which has bothered me for a long time, and thus hindered me in my acceptance of the Kabbalah.
“why did God Want to pleasure himself (by pleasuring His creation – since we are one), why not just maintaining His perfection? That must have mean that He also had an egoistic desire to bring pleasure to Himself”
Find it really hard to accept the “pleasuring”-part
Thank you for taking the time.
Warmest wishes.
//andrej
Can you explain why more and more people are engaging in so called divination techniques (eg. tarot, yi ching, astrology)?
What stage does a person not feel or fear evil in there heart? Is it possible for a person to feel that way or say that there is no more evil in his or her heart?
It seems like some situations and states keeps on coming back. And even if I in some way can understand what I have to do to get out off these states, it´s like it gets harder to do so. Is there some way to use this blockage in a good way? Because I feel like I´m coming to the same situations again and again and that they are growing in strength.
What should one do if he has no desire to function in his day to day life?
Such as at work?
Our Kabbalah study group in Seattle was asked to give a presentation on Kabbalah to club that meets to learn about different spiritual traditions. The talk went very well and after it was over one of the participants asked, “What do Kabbalists say we should do with desires when they rise within us?” How would you have answered such a question?
Thanks.
Hello.
How should I attitude to self help, self education, various learning programs when I study kabbalah? I feel I still did not covered my basic needs, so I am listening tapes of self education about money, sales, men and women and study kabbalah as well.
One reoccurring question many people new to Kabbalah, myself included, have is this: Do we have any free will other than the choice between Kabbalah and the path of suffering? After learning about the four factors, the root of all our actions becomes apparent. However, doesn’t the choice between the two paths fall into one of these factors? Or is it the spark of bestowal within us all where our only sense of free will lies?
Dear Rav Laitman
Today I saw an old interview with you by a Russian journalist.
There you said that you don´t have female students.
My question is, if you don´t have female students
what are you for the women who engage in Bnei Baruch
and who follows the lectures?
Best wishes and gratefully
Rachel
Hi,
With all I have read from you about Kabbalah I have never heard a discussion of forgiveness of another human being. I run a Jewish support group and we have been focusing on forgiveness. I feel this is very important for spiritual health. Would like to know what you believe.
Thanks
Zalia
Dear Laitman
You sad Kabbalah have not meditation. but I read one of the most important Kabbalists, Rav Abraham Abulafia (sec XIII), brings to us a meditation method that had been used for generations. What your opinion about this?
Sorry my English and thank you!
Dear Rav, if you ever come to read this email I would like to congratulate you on the wonderful idea to answer questions in this way. I remember to visit one of your conferences in Sitrin, Israel and feel completly frustrated because the level of translation from Hebrew/Russian to English was not at the right level.
My question:
INNOVATION IN THE FUTURE SOCIETY- What will be the place of innovation in the future society? Will all acts of creativity and inspiration be dismissed as excessive/surplus because they are innovations and as such frown upon. Or is there a place for innovation, entrepeneur spirit and even creativity in the future society? I give you the example of the mobile phone, an innovation of no more than 25 years. Would the attempts to create a similar product such as the mobile phone in the future society be seen as excessive or a good thing? The reason for my thinking is that my grandfather believes that the mobile phone is not necessary, while I could not live without one. The elders of a future society could based on their views of what is excessive forbid the development of wonderful products and innovations and that could result in s ate of oppression.
Hugo
What are your views on Marijuana? In my opinion, it is an herb, not a drug. Is it wrong as a student of Kabbalah to smoke and relax? I see at congresses that people smoke cigarettes and drink quite a lot…
Hello Rav,
I’m a student from the learning center and would like to ask how is the quality of bestowal revealed in a person? If the Creator – the quality of bestowal – is not perceived through our reason, or understanding, is it through our sensations or through our feelings, or is it a consequence of our inner actions, meaning to yearn to have the desire, the Ratzon?
Have a great week
Le Chayim!
Since Kabbalah states that all is programmed or predetermined, is our time of “death” of the bodies we now use also predetermined?
Dear Rav Laitman:
I only want to ask that, in my search for meaning, it seems as though everything leads to the Kabbalah wisdom. I know there is something I must do, and I do not know what it is. How can the wisdom of Kabbalah help me to discover what my importance is?
Superstition aside, why are so many people interested in the July 22 Solar Eclipse; what does this phenomenon reveal (if anything) about our perception of reality…does it have any significance in Kabbalah?
Dear Rav,
I have been studying Kabbalah for a few months, since Winter 2009, first with the Learning Center via the internet. and now going to your morning lesson, reading the texts and being part of the Kabbalah group. My question is about your blog, “We are brought to Perfection through the Cure of Absolute Kindness”.
I was a ballet dancer in a company, and a childhood competitive gymnast. I have many physical injuries, including foot, knee, achilles tendon injury and a serious back injury that finally necessitated three surgeries and finally a spinal fusion.
For the last three years I was on opiod pain medication. In the last six months I have been able to stop using the very strong medication and only use over-the counter medication. However, I do use the medication every day as I still am in pain all the time without it.
So tell me if I am right or wrong. It seems as if I have had to suffer these incessant blows to come to the eventual realization that everything has been done in absolute kindness in order to bring me to my destiny, and by studying Kabbalah, this will calm me down., and this will be my painkiller and I will no longer have pain of any kind. Meaning I will not need to take any more pain medication.
Should I be trying to stop even the over-the -counter medication? Does this mean I may expect eventual, hopefully soon, release from this pain?
Greetings, Reb Laitman!
i’m from Brazil. a Country where the other countries(and even people from inside it) like to disseminate psychological terror.
The trend now, is that swine flu. people fear it so much, but there’s something strange in some aspects of this epidemic:
H1N1 is the ‘name’ of the virus. (well…it has the number 11 in the middle of the name)
the popular name is swine flu(which caused some havoc in Israel, too)
I had contact with infected people and I haven’t developed any symptoms.
What do you have to say about this swine flu?
thanks.
Vivian
xoxoxo
Is there a reason in the spiritual world for why species of animals become extinct?
Have you studied Tanya by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi? And if you have, how come you never mention it? And what is our purpose in this physical world, in this World of illusions? And do you talk about the importance of keeping Mitzvot?
Thank you for your time,
Menachem
Why does the Creator give people physical illnesses, in other words pain at the most animal basic level, with which they cannot heal or solve? Why does he force people into martyrdom? Why does he make people live lives of true horror when they have not and cannot even learn about Kabbalah?
Lets please forget the path for a moment. What is a regular person in this world supposed to tell oneself during the most horrific , unimaginably worst of times?
Can Kabbalah prevent suicide? And how can suicide cause a person to have a more difficult incarnation next time around if this too is not a free choice?
How in the world am I supposed to believe even for a moment that He does only good when I see only bad, just like any other person in this world with eyes sees?
It seems like you tell somebody, “hey u can come closer to the guy who runs this show,” and the person should say ,”keep me as far away from this lunatic as possible. I’m better off in the dark.”
Im sorry for the negativity, but i just don’t feel like these discernments about daily human suffering have been adequately addressed. If the Kabbalists do and have always known all, in my opinion, they are responsible for explaining to all of humanity and even individuals, why the Creator seemingly treats them so poorly. Thank you Rav. I apologize once again if my tone brings anybody down.
how do the six hundred thirteen desires become revealed to us after the crossing of the machsom? Is there a list of these desires? How are these desires differentiated?
Shalom Rav Laitman
You often mention the Upper Light or the Light of the Creator, but what exactly is this Light? What does it feel like and what will it do? How will a person sense this Light?
I am certain that this Light is not the same as the light we define in our world although I relate the two often.
Thanks
In terms of quantum physics, the universe consists of energy.
Therefore everything, including thoughts, are also energy.
Where do thoughts come from, and why/how does each individual think (attract ?) his own particular thoughts ?
Maybe embroider on this topic. I would have more questions if I met you in person!
We are located at the center of the Philippine archipelago, there is no official kabbalist here, therefore, can we subscribe from you the codex of kabbalah? is there a need of a real person to activate the 10 sephirots of our bodies? who is our initiator then, if there is no representative here from the kabbalah center? is the 72 names of God necessary to activate the 10 centers? If then, can you give us an example?
Is hypnosis okay for a kabbalist and is it a tool the creator allows us to use?
Please if you will, explain to me the way in which I can ask quetions or know if a Kabbalah Center is teaching the Torah and Zohar and the true teaching of the Baal HaSulam. I have been studing with a rather large world wide Kabbalah Center and it seems that what is more important is giving %10 of your income and charging for classes and instruction.
I can say when I read your books and listen to your talks I get a fire burning in my heart.
Thank you for your gifts,
Toni
Mr. Laitman,
Good afternoon, how are you?
I had been searching “the meaning of my life” but to be honest I could not find a great teaching to fill the gap and complete the missing bricks of the construction until I have met you and your lovely teaching. So, I like to express my admiration to the Creator first and then you for bringing the light to the earth and share it with blind like me.
Mr. Laitman,
I’m a hard study kind of person and I like to receive and share the light in the sake of God, the creator, not me. So, I have been reading your essays, clues, teachings so happily and thanking you all the time.
Mr. Laitman,
If you don’t mind, I like to get advices from on the must-do and must not do or the key works to receive the light and be servant of the creator. I don’t know how many of my 613 (+ 7) egoistic desires have been corrected by now. However, will it be a selfish request if I ask you to help me correct my self and receive the light and reach the thought of the creation?
Best regards,
Nejdet Alsancak,
Adana, Turkiye
Dear Rav,
What are you supposed to say to friends who are gathering when one asks “How do you feel?” or “How are you?” while you are feeling half dead with the flu (or any illness)? I think I am expected to lie for the sake of the group’s positive attitude, but it feels wrong to do so.
Is it better to avoid the group when I am feeling weak so as not to bring them down?
On the other hand, it feels so uncaring when someone says nothing more than – “There is none else Besides Him” when I have no idea why I am so frequently of poor health. I guess I also really want to know what I am doing wrong to deserve this or whether I have somehow volunteered for this suffering. This issue has plagued me for my entire adult life but I guess it has made me appreciate the man called Job (from the Bible). But I still feel like I am dealing with this alone.
There are others like me who really, really need to understand health issues in a little more depth than being told it is a problem caused by “ego” because most of us have probably been given all sorts of more specific yet conflicting advice spiritually, psychologically and medically. I have been with BB for a couple of years now and my health has not changed, but my attitude toward it is more often in acceptance of the fact that this suffering is for my own good or the good of someone else.
I also think that BB can be marketed to the chronically ill as a target group if we have more articles etc discussing “remedies” or reasons. I know you prefer to discuss health in a pro-active way but you will discuss “remedies” for the ego. How about linking the roots and branches so that the connection will be more obvious to those in physical and mental pain?
You tell us to experiment on ourselves internally and I think the chronically ill have more opportunity to do that than just about anyone else while they are denied participation in other parts of life. They have time to contemplate while in their beds assuming their faculties are not too affected. There are oodles of forums for people in pain which provides an opportunity for BB to provide them with the answers or advice that doctors are not equipped to provide. But we are lacking articles directed at this group of people who are open to “trying anything”.
Please forgive me for my lack of understanding, but you are my teacher.
Looking forward to the day,
Judy
Hello,
Each of our material life events follow emotions and feelings. Sometimes the same feelings can follow rather different events. Does it matter what the event is like with which we get feelings regarding to root and branch connection? Does each material life event have only one root or one root can come into action as branch through different events depending on person?
Roland’as
What should I do if I feel that I am a kabbalah prodigy at 20 years old, should I just keep learning or am I allowed to teach from my own analogies of what I know so far?
If the world does not unite and nature will destroy large populations of us until we go down to a small population, what will force us to unite? Wouldn’t this be the same as ancient babylon(small population and a large empty planet) and everyone will have more space to move around without having to interconnect?
Honorable Rav. Laitman,
In his book The Kabbalah Revealed is written that were created only 600 thousand souls, and they subdivide because the issue of selfishness.
My questions are:
1st – the result of the subdivision is also regarded as a soul, ie, a single spiritual entity?
2 – what happens to these souls that is resolved then the issue of selfishness. They are extinct, ie, ceased to exist entirely?
3 – Can a soul be extinguished?
Thanks so much,
Anselmo – elmanlux,
São Paulo City, Br
How does one forget about kabbalah? They say you are the worst when it comes to cursing the creator; how is that?! On one hand you are the world’s greatest optimist, on the other hand you are the world’s most pessimistic. I do not understand.
I will make this short as possible. I am a returnee i was not raised in a religious Jewish home (secular Jewish home) I recently started to go to Yeshiva (Lubavitch) at the old age of 48. I do not understand how a non Jew can practice your Kabbalah if you also talk about doing Mitzvah’s and studying Torah. Non Jews do not have to do all the mitzvahs that Jews do, and studying Torah (Talmud, Mishnah etc.) is also something non Jews do not have to do. So how do non Jews study your type of kabbalah? They will not want to try and do all of the Mitzvahs and in any case it is forbidden for a non Jew to do mitzvahs or study Gomorrah or Talmud. Also I would like to know (If) you don’t have to practice Judaism to learn your type of kabbalah than I was wondering if any of your students or yourself practice and follow all the traditions of orthodox Judaism, wearing a kepa or wearing tzitzis? and if you do (why) if non Jews can practice your type of kabbalah and still gain from it without observing Jewish traditions. Please understand that I am not writing in a negative way I simply don’t understand how non Jews can study Torah (Gemara or Mishnah or Talmud) and do all the mitzvahs? Thank you for your time, Michael
If a couple watches the morning lessons online together, could this be harmful? I mean, will it distract a man from connecting to his friends? If yes, concerning the same question, is there a difference between watching the lessons together live and downloaded? Thank you.
Dear Rav Laitman
On your profile you write some about yourself. Having children and grandchildren and also about your career. You don’t write anything about being married.
As I am still a bit concerned about the women’s role in Bnei Baruch although I really try to understand it I was a bit hurt by this.
So my question is why you don’t mention that you are married on your profile?
Greetings
Barakha
Dear Rav: On your message of the day dated July 09, 2009, you say: “Right now, all our work consists in feeling that through the study, I attract the light of correction, there is nothing else. When this light will shine, I will know what to do with my desires, will be able to work on my discernments and my correction”…
How exactly does a woman draw this light of correction???
Your answer will be deeply appreciated, as this is a main building block in our work.
Hello Mr. Laitman,
I’ve learned that death only pertains to the will to recieve. Is this to say that a kabbalist physically reincarnates with that same desire? Or that the new physical reincarnation is conscious of its birth? Or is it maybe set up to study and attain spirituality at a younger age? Because a kabbalist lives in both worlds simultaneously, so physically is his memory erased of the previous incarnation? Thank you for your intentions.
Hello Mr. Laitman,
I understand that there is really one reality of bestowal in which we all live. My question is: When I experience this world subjectively, am I experiencing only a portion of the true reality, or is my reality completely separate from it?
Shalom Rav Laitman
Will you ever write a commentary on the Psalms? it would be nice to know for once their true meaning.
Thank you
Since women aren’t obliged to study Talmud Eser Sefirot, can she study all other lessons in media archive or what? Thank you.
We are trying to disseminate the message of the integral system to as many people as possible . Are there any methods of marketing that are considered more appropriate for use in this dissemination than others? If our intentions are correct do, they correct which ever method we choose to disseminate with?
During the lesson, I heard you say that it is forbidden to educate children in unconditional love. That the right way is through reward and punishment. I was thinking about it and feel that you are right, but as far as our relationships with our grown children and other relatives or friends are concerned in our world at this moment, I sensed that I have to show when I dislike or like something. Sort of a reward and punishment system. All my life I have felt that I have to tolerate for the sake of peace. What can you tell me about this?
Rav,
I was reading about the Native Indian ritual of the rain dance. It is said to induce precipitation as well as to cleanse evil spirits from the earth.
If one were to apply, kabbalistic definitions to rain and earth evil spirits =egoism, it sounds a lot like raising MAN. Did Rabash ever mention any correlation or is this just my imagination gone wild?
Marc
Dear Rav Laitman,
In January of this year I started studying Kabbalah with Bnei Baruch.
I have tried to read everything that you have written about the new way to educate our children.
Specifically, I am a private college counselor in the US and have written a college planning book and program which has been quite successful. I am currently writing and preparing the second edition and I am unsure of how exactly to incorporate the new ideas of education you speak of into my book.
The entire book/program is based on how best to get into a good university through good grades, different subjects etc. and stressing exactly what you say, “…He is quickly crammed full of various knowledge to pass his tests, get good grades and to continue his higher education” , and thus destroying the child’s creativity!
I have been approached by a large non-profit organization that focuses on the 30% of students that drop-out of high school every year in the US. I feel a big responsibility towards all these students and want to give them the best information possible.
So, I would like to know if there are other articles, books etc. by you, Baal HaSulam or the Rabash that may be helpful in guiding me how best to combine the new way to educate a child with what I do to help students and their parents.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
There is a question that has yet to have been asked.
I accept that kabbalah and religion are two seperate things dealing with two issues but they interrelate just like you cannot have a body without a soul or the opposite the same is within Judaism. Kabbalah is the soul while Judaism is the external method that G-D gave the Jews in order to live.
My question to you is how do you view such things as Halacha and its abiding by it? and when you talk about prayer as being an inside feeling does that mean that you disassociate yourself from the way of our daily prayers from the siddur? also what about the Gemara that talks about G-D’s wisdom, how do you view this?
Kind regards and thank you in advance for your response,
Elliot
Rav,
What is the difference between Kabbalah and Yoga? Both seem to have the same goals, union with Divinity.
I am in an international altrusian group. They dedicate time to help the community in many ways. They want me to be the treasurer. I want to dedicate my time to kabbalah and feel divided in what I should do, please help. Is helping the community bestowal or if disseminating and kabbalah more important? Thank you.
Hello Michael . I was so delighted to be familiar with Kabbalah. This philosophy reflects my personal aspirations. Do you have any locations in Russia? I would like to visit them while I am there. Thank you in advance. Linda
shalom,
I am writing to your blog now because the things that happen to me,are occurring now even during
the lessons i follow on Kabbalah, and as realistic I`m trying to remain, and as much as I want to love my neighbour, I keep being caught at almost any level (physical, emotional, energetic) under the influence and control of external and very negative intentions. They ultimately announced my close death, while doing all to weaken me and scare me.
I am a 54 years old woman, single, immigrated from Romania, and have few illnesses but none terminal.
It`s just that this situation is intolerable and I’ve never heard of anywhere. They are real persons with surreal capacities. It`s like I`m being connected through thoughts, to very mean persons, continuously. Is this kind of thing known in Kabbalah?
Hi Rav Laitman,
How does Kabbalah explain mental illness and how can it be solved if not through conventional methods (which as we know do not seem to work).
Thank you for answering my question.
Dear Rav,
I thought you might like to see this. The bottom line… according to the UN, 2.8 billion people won’t have enough water to meet their basic needs by 2025.
Here is a link to the story: http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1000102
What is beyond the goal, and if there is a beyond is the goal really THE goal?
(Since I was a child there has always been one question that has brought fear to me in a way no other matter have. This is the question that has come to me when I have been thinking about the universe and it’s the question of what all this is. I have had nothing to put it in perspective to and maybe therefore it has troubled me and brought me fear. However, since I started studying Kabbalah this question does not bring so much fear to me anymore. Instead another question, that I feel is similar, has arised in me and that is the question of what will happen after I/the world has rose to attainment of the upper world? What is beyond this goal, and if there is a beyond is this goal really THE goal? This question is perhaps impatient and silly, but it makes me uneasy and I feel I have to ask it.)
Dear Rav,
I would like to ask you specific question about mans destiny.
Do you think that, it is possible from a boarder perspective that, it is the same if you choose this or other way in life? I mean that just man’s perception of one or the other way (decision) and its consequences may be different, but there still something like destiny lightening the life path?
thank you
I was looking and was unable to identify a children lesson about this so I ask… What is the best and easiest way to explain death and incarnation to children according to kabbalah?.
Thank you everyone!
Nancy
Hi Michael Laitman!!!
I use to ask you questions on twitter.. Now I will here.
My question is… how will the whole world unite and learn kabbalah if no one will tell them?
I asked my teachers this but… they said to tell no one because they will understand it the wrong way. But still… if we don’t tell them… then how will they learn that kabbalah is the answer?
A question about Maaser. For decades I have given away at least 10% of my income. It goes to charitable organizations that provide people with ways to improve their lives as well as to the spiritual communities I belonged to prior to Kabbalah. Does this giving fit the definition of Maaser? Thank you.
Dear Rav;
If we were to observe without judgment and live each moment with love and compassion, would suffering in the world cease to exist?
We learn that it is not allowed for a person to ‘look back’ to his prior states of spiritual development.
Having this in mind, I cannot understand how then Kabbalists were able to describe all those states to us?
Moreover, we know that some of them prayed that Creator that He would lower them to those lower (past) states, so that they could convey them to the lower ones (us).
If, lets say, I want to write a real-event-based book. To be able to do that, theres no other way, only as to go back to those states/events and feel them throughout once again as much as possible. Isn’t the same in describing the spiritual?
Thank You for explaining.
DEAR RAV
5 Questions
1.) What is the distinguishing difference between a.) “repentance out of fear” and b.) “sitting there eating oneself up”?
2.) How does one “perceive” the process that the mistakes of the past are becoming purified?
3.) If one would know the internality of all the “actions”, would this serve like a “bank” of trust amongst the people?
4.) Would the feelings of shame and repentance cause one would to not want to look into the mirror for 1 year?
5.) Is everything that is missing, what we search and yearn for: The Light of Chassadim, and the confidence that it will come with it?
After few months of studying kabbalah, i find hard to find pleasure in ordinary things that i did before. Whatever i try to do, i hit the barrier of my ego. Either i decide not to do anything, or i break it but afterwards i feel shame.
Therefore i am loosing interest in everything beside study and my job, which i have to do. But how can i justify Creator if there is nothing to look forward to or nothing to take pleasure in?
Dear Rav,
At the post Posted on August 19th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Don’t Look for Love In This World. .
I understand that always the problem are not founded only for woman, but also for man. Because it’s difficult to find “good women”
Your advice given in the letter mentioned above, I understand this applies also for a man. So my question is:
If you advise ” not to look for….”
”So my advice to you is: Don’t look for truth, justice, loyalty, and love in marital relationships.” (from the post)
So, what we have to look for in marital relationships?
And how to be a partner without expecting to receive loyalty, truth …..??
Thanks in advance,
Leon
Rav,
In the Torah, who (or what force) was Melchizedek? And why did Abram pay tithes to him? The Torah says Melchizedek was a priest of God, but I thought Abraham was the first to discover, let alone attain, the Creator.
The Jewish nation(Israel) is supposed to unite and be a light unto the nations, but in Israel you have so many divisions between people that the only time we have truly united is The war of inderpendence(after immense suffering from the Shoah), and the Six day war(out of great fear of being destroyed). Will we not have to go through more immense suffering to realise we must unite as 1 people?
Hello Rav Laitman, I feel very close to you and everyone every time I visit your blog, specially that we can access it from a mobil. My question is: if Eve’s condemnation following the sin is that man will rule over her, what can we do from this world to adjust to this condemnation without conflict/or suffering? Thanks everyone… nancy
Rav mentioned several times that as we progress towards the study of Kabbalah our need for addictions, i.e. illegal drugs, and the need to abuse prescription drugs just falls away. I personally have experienced this. My question is: Is it the Orh Makif that is doing the job or is it our friends helping us? thank you.
Your goals are beautiful. Happiness, freedom and consciousness of the people and harmony in the world: Am I right?
To come to your goals, your methods are effective: You use people’s ego, and illusions to make them free from ego and illusions.
Am I right?
The consequences are exactly what you want them to be: People are attracted, the circle of your followers grows, and your power and influence grow too.
Am I right?
Don’t you think that for the sake of creating more power sooner you might have slightly distracted from the true goal? Don’t you think that your followers are somewhat distracted too?
Rav, There is supposed to be a big Mitzva according to the commentaries, if somebody takes the baby birds from the nest when the mother bird is not there.
I researched the subject a little bit more and the commentaries say that it is because when mother bird comes back to the nest, and doesn’t find her babies, she screams to Kadosh Barukh Hu and this draws the attribute of pity (Rahamim) on the whole world.
What does this mean in Kabbalah?
There is a nest on the wall of my house with babies and we see the mother and father running in and out to feed the children. I don’t dare touch them.
Dear Rav,
I was thinking and researching a lot before I finally decided to write to You.
All my life I was a rebel against the social system. After somehow finishing high school, I went off for a spontaneous and irrational traveling, to find myself. I needed that, to find out what >I< want to do in life, not what others want me to do, and what to be. It’s not a miracle that I discovered Kabbalah in my way.
From that time (it was in a year of 2005) I eagerly study with you and in my corporeal life I am trying to schedule my doings by the model of Bnei Baruch as much as possible.
From being spontaneous and constantly risk taking wildcatter, through those years of studying Kabbalah I already turned to (at least in comparison) a decent person, and now I’m trying to build up a needed healthy frame of social status and behaviour.
I found my profession, through which I earn money like a normal citizen. I have a woman that’s likely to be my wife too (our relationship is totally based on Kabbalah).
My question is about the university studies – and specifically at our time of global instability and multi-crises. After denying the system all my life, now I want to be just normal, and I see university studies as a means to help attain this “normality”. I have a huge dilemma about this, because it’s impossible for me just to see my little life with my little surroundings without looking at it from the global point of view. And watching from there I get very, very unsure…
If I have a profession (photographer), do I need to study at the university (international business and communication or advertising management)? Because you said that a person must go to the army, university, have a job and make a family.
Rav,
How can the wisdom of Kabbalah explain ghostly phenomena? For fear of misinterpretation, I mean haunting, possessions, etc.
Thank you.
Why don’t you post about the situation in Iran ????
There are many Iranian people in Facebook
that need support.
Why don’t you do that ??????????????
Rav, I know you say we must leave a descent as soon as possible. It is true and I agree. When You are in a descent and people around notice something such as lack of energy, etc. Such as at work where one is to be alert and taking calls and you are under the landlord. Do you have any tricks to conceal your emotional inner state from people (exterior), to avoid them getting any grip into your internal state?
Dear Rav,
I am a student of Kabbalah and am ever in awe at the inter-twining of the wisdom revealed through the teachers and what has already been revealed to me personally. This is the only hallmark I can trust to indicate the “correctness” of this system and I do.
My question is: what’s the deal with Israel? I mean, I’m your usual American wastrel and I can not imagine uprooting myself to live in a foreign land, let alone one which is constantly at war. (and while we’re at it, what’s with all the war over there in Zion, you’d think they get the Kabbalah newsletter wouldn’t you?)
I’m not trying to be sarcastic here, in truth, I’m heartily confused. I want to contribute in this altruistic communism you speak of, but I wonder where I can find a home for such a place in this current day. Hah! That’s not to say I don’t find myself feeling quite alone and outcast where I sit, here in NY, mind you.
So, yeah, some clarification on geographical circumstances and the personal role each can fill to bring about the glorious uprising of the “true?” nation of Israel would be appreciated. I hope, one day, to reach a place of altruism and when I do, I want to know where I should be standing.
Thank you ever so much.
I am upset Sir… and I will tell you why…
I can only find information about this incredible experience I had in the Indian culture…they speak of it clearly and precisely. The consciousness language feels universal.
I am Jewish, Israeli… and I am confused.
I had an experience that changed my view in a shattering undeniable truth.
only it was short lived (5 months) and seemed to advance my understanding from complexity to simplicity, from separation to Oneness, known attainment of the ego, information that felt as gentle Wisdom, High Awareness to the meaning of creativeness, potential, manifestation, thought, information, creation etc.
there was a change in my vocabulary…incredible intuition, the burning need to speak of truth as I felt it, writing what flowed through my mind etc.
gradually, it left me.
My Question’s Sir:
1. In the Wisdom of the Kabbalah, what happened to me? And
what am i to do with this difficult duality of how i live and what i feel?
2. Why does this higher consciousness subside, leaving me empty?
3. How does one live normally after this experience, when the world he must
survive in is so contradicting to what he feels or what he “now” knows as false?
I deeply thank you for your time.
I will wait for your reply
Gal Shalev
4.7.1980
Do you take guests for Shabbat?
Do you teach Kabbalah en USA, and where do you teach in the USA?
Rav,
The current assorted available glossaries are not very helpful for a new person. They have circular definitions and inconsistent organization. As a result, I seldom find what I am looking for. The glossaries in “Idiot’s Guide to Kabbalah” and “A Guide to the Hidden Wisdom of Kabbalah” are much better. Unfortunately, these glossaries are not online and they are not complete, but they are written in the correct style for new people. Moreover, I don’t think having yet another document to consult is a good solution. An definitive, on-line glossary/dictionary is what we really need for new students.
You can’t understand a sentence properly if you have misunderstandings about the words in that sentence. Why isn’t there a definitive glossary of Kabbalah terms available online – or in text? I really think a glossary project would be a great benefit to new people.
Would such a project be possible and how would we get started?
Everywhere I go, I’m filled with fear. I’m worried what people may think about me, why?
Why do I care and how can I get over it?
I’m yet to understand, how is man to blame for anything if there is None Else Besides Him? He pre-determines everything, so how do you criticize issues of this world at all? In addition, on the path of trying to beleive there is only Him, isnt it harmful for a person to criticize all that is around him being that this is said to only be a reflection of himself? Thank u.
Dear Rav. I would like to thank you very very much for everything you are doing to help us reaching our correction!
There are two things that seems to become more and more clear to me;
1 – when we are experiencing a sensation of inner connectedness to a “system” that sustains us and which we must sustain ourselves as well, it´s like being connected to everyone to some degree. If we, through our physical senses, get impressions that we are alone, separated etc, we have to let our inner experience of belonging to this loving caring common soul, have the upper hand. So that we realize that we are never alone what ever might occur to us physically.
2 – It´s also like the whole world, the whole of humanity are parts of this living “system”. Affecting it and being affected by it. It´s like we have to work with the whole of humanity, affecting it the best way possible with good and loving forces. Even like to some degree correcting not only for ourselves but also on behalf of others. Like what we are doing within with our intentions etc have real effects on others as well.
3 – This feeling and this experiance is what we have to disseminate to the whole world – right now.
Like every time, writing you a question, things becomes clearer and I get the feeling to not send the question. But this time I send it to you anyway and would like very much to have your opinion.
Q; Are my observations above correct?
If so, can you give me advice on how to proceed?
If not correct – please tell me.
How do we prepare every occasion of dissemination the best way possible?
Sincerely yours
Lots of love
Tomas Agren/Sweden
Maaser=?
To give a tithe or Masser, one needs to be employed or have an income.
This is where the problems arise, I observe many working 10 hour days, sleep 7 or 8, and the rest of the time 6 hours or so, eating, do home chores, and family time.
It does not seem to leave much time for any spiritual pursuits. In a way society has us trapped. Big homes, fancy cars all this plays a role with time we have.
Also, some do tithing to religious organizations so they can build bigger edifices
than the church down the street, and pay big salaries, and perks to the leaders.
So how does one trust or know in his heart that this Masser is indeed a Law of Nature or just and not contrived?
Hello Rav. What exactly is the male impure force,and how can it be determined that one is in its grip?
Unity,
Montie
In the preparation to Monday’s(6-15-2009) lesson, you mentioned a difference between rapid spiritual advancement and actual inversion of the desires. My question is: how is there advancement without inversion?
Unity !
Montie
Dear Prof. Laitman, I am a 58-years-old woman who lives in Italy. I do not have Jewish origins, my family was Catholic. I am a physicist. A few years ago I started feeling the need for an answer to the most fundamental questions about life and the meaning of pain. At last I found the kabbalah.info website and felt I had found the right place (thank you!). I have started studying “Kabbalah for the student” and several other text you made available for download. This is great for me but I am concerned about 1) the fact that I am a woman and I have read that the role of women in Kabbalah is complementary to the role of men – and I do not have a man; 2) I understand that when studying, women should follow a different path, but I don’t know what it means; I just bought the book and started studying; 3) you underline in your writings that studying in a group is essential, but I am alone.
Could you please give me your opinion and your advice?
Thank you very much, I will deeply appreciate your help. Best regards, Silvia
We say in Judaism God forbid something bad should happen, but i dont understand. God does not forbid (make impossible) such things from happening. Anything and everything horrible could happen at any given moment in this world. Can u please explain? thank u
What does “Your friends corporeality is your spirituality” mean?
Dear Rav,
I asked a similar question at your lecture yesterday, but I think i figured out a better way to phrase it. Where is the guidance in the path of pain? Even on the grounds of this world, how is a person expected to be able to handle life? What i mean is, Why did the creator leave the option that without the wisdom of Kabbalah, the mass of humanity would be left to develop through seemingly meaningless, chaotic suffering? Thank u.
Can you comment on the recent shooting at the Holocaust Museum?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jz74U5-M7d052GqcbS8hyfPF7GQgD98OFO180
Dear Rav,
This was recently published in the BB English Department News – newsletter (subtitle: News from the BB English Department Director)
Please explain how this paragraph honors and exemplifies our unity, and attempts to implement the circular organism model:
“Exciting Changes at the Bnei Baruch Learning Center
Enrollments at the Learning Center have continued to climb higher and higher. In order to accommodate these new friends, the entire Learning Center facility is undergoing a complete reorganization. When completed, our flagship education facility will include 6 major divisions that contain 21 separate departments – all dedicated to providing our students with a wonderful learning experience. Initial divisional and departmental meetings will begin next week and the entire reorganization project should be completed by the first of July.”
It is good that there is growth, and with that comes change. But is the Learning Center a “facility”? With “divisions” and “separate” departments? Is it all about quantity instead of quality? I don’t see anything with regard to unity, love, care for new students, as what one finds in the circular organism model. Were these words of separateness and division and institutional structure.. just a poor choice on the part of the writer? Or is there an organizational problem here? It looks to me like there is an organizational problem here, and this idea of quantity over quality needs to be looked at again. Earlier today, I was informed that the reorganization is going to “corporatize” the Learning Center. Corporatize? I thought the circular organism model was about turning all of our organizational structures into family… not corporations. There is a HUGE difference between those terms. One is a circle (warm loving family), the other is a hierarchical/dictatorial line (cold robotic corporation).
What are your thoughts on this?
Ahava,
Debra
What is Moshe in our spiritual development?
Dear Rav,
My question comes from personal experience. If the goal is loving, supporting and giving to people, treating them like you would love them to treat you. But in reality, we see even our closest friends feel its too hard to give and support you when you need them. And it feels like you are giving them all your heart and when you need them you feel indifference towards you. How can we expect this from strangers if we cannot make it work with friends?? Of course, I mean a Real Warmth coming your way and not polite phrases with smile that means nothing. And giving should be mutual otherwise it feels very sad…Please tell us your thoughts on this subject. Thank you. Your student.
Once during a congress lesson you said that free will only exists within the group, when men choose to “love their neighbor as themselves”. But a woman doesn’t have a group. Where does her free choice lie?
Thank you!
Hello,
In your article about the 613 desires you mention that they are revealed in a person after he crosses the Machsom. My question is this:
When do i know when 1 of those desires is reveled?
Thanks,
Carlos Saldaña.
What is the spiritual meaning and role of the throat? I once read that you said that it’s where body and soul energies meet. Could you please explain further? Thanks.
Are you saying the ice age 12000 years ago was the Creators punishment for what?
Earthquakes, floods and all other natural disasters are also a result of the loving Creators dissatisfaction with our behavior? Please answer.
In his recent speech in Cairo, U.S. President Obama spoke of the need to meet each other halfway, to join with each other in peace, to care about each other. He seems genuinely to be of this mindset. What is your opinion about the emergence of this kind of thinking in a world leader at this time in our history? Thank you. Mary
Why do Kabbalists wear a kippah and traditional Jewish clothing?
Do you practice Judaism or the traditional Jewish religion?
What is the purpose of the other Kabbalah learning center in the world?
If Bnei Baruch is the only learning center which provides authentic Kabbalah,
Are this people misleading??How can we explain this to them to be able to help them??
Dear Rav,
Why do you think that more and more people are drawing to the study of Kabbalah ?
If religion designed for human being, how come it does not caters for people who prefer same sex?
If a woman does not go through recognition of evil, then what does she feel before she crosses the machsom? What is her state just before the machsom?
If a woman does not go through recognition of evil, then what does she correct?
If both a man and woman are in Kabbalah, do they pass the machsom together or can each of them pass it separately?
What is the difference between the unity achieved between men in the group and the unity attained between a man and a woman?
Dear Rav,
Will the curriculum for the School of Wisdom be available for download??
Dear Rav,
On numerious occasions you have posted remarks on “OBAMA” My question to you, in your opinion how to you see the “CHANGE” in America, & President Obama’s message or new approach to the Muslim world & the Correction of “ISRAEL” Is this a WAKEUP CALL TO US? You spoke about it during the election.
Thank you!!
You mentioned the following:
However, if you want to bestow to them, you must first acquire all of their desires. You must make everyone’s desires become your desires. You will then transmit Upper Light to these desires, connecting them to the Creator. By doing so, you will be unique, like the Creator.
How does one accomplish this? How does one acquire all of the desires of others. Above all, how does one transmit Upper Light to these desires?
Thanks
Can a Kabbalist die if he wanted to?
In this world of crisis and suffering, should one want to have children?
(I am 32 years old woman, childless, and wondering if this egoistic desire to have kids should be fullfiled or not, as we know it is so hard to live in the world we know)
Please Rav, give us an advice: how can we find the strenght to do the efforts toward connection when our ego is so strong that we feel like we can only surrender to him and don’t do those effort that we MUST do?
Sometimes is like “I know I must do this, but I dont’ want at all and I have no strenght to do it”.. these are frustrating moments, our ego seems like the strongest power existing!!!
Dear Rav,
I’ve been studying Kabbalah for almost two years now, and there is something bothering me. – It seems that the more I learn about my own nature, the more I’m disguisted by it. I feel as if I’m getting even more bittered than I already was.
I simply can’t focus on the goal, the beauty of it, while I’m feeling so disguisted by my own nature, and that of everyone around me. What should I do?
Thank you!
I was wondering myself…if Nature is intelligent and we should resemble it by stop being competitive but collaborative, why is that animals compete for food and survival, or plants compete for sun or other natural resources? Does Kabbalah share some point with the Evolution Theory?
I partially understand that marriage is part of a man’s correction. However, i have very few corporeal merits that would make me remotely appealing to the opposite gender. I am poor, bad with managing money, own no house, have no car, and am only concerned with one thing…Kabbalah. Should I divert time from my studies and other work in the group to make myself more corporeally fit for marriage? Do I really even need to be married?
Thank you
Do we need to have the point in the heart before we can begin to correct ourselves and our relationships with others?
Dear Rav,
You claim Kabbalah is a science. Personally, I love science and it’s one of my favorite subjects. I am also fascinated with Kabbalah’s wisdom. I know that there are requirements for a study to pass in order for it to be considered a science and not a pseudoscience. One such requirement is that the study can be falsified (proven false). So, for honesty’s sake, is there any way for Kabbalah to be falsified?
Dear Rav,
I completed the ARI Online beginner and advanced classes, and , for the past two years have been attending your online classes daily.
I’ve studied Pticha, Shamati, and The Zohar.
Your wisdom is profound.
But, lately, the only portion of the lesson that that I feel I can relate to is TES.
The abstract seems more real to me than the discussions concerning present world conditions.
Is this normal, or am I loosing my way?
Thank you !
Rav
Knowing what we know from the study and the lessons, why is it still so hard to let go and not be absorbed into this material dream world we live in?
It sometimes scares me that I must change my life direction to an unknown path.
I do trust in what you say, and see the power of the group, only I do not feel worthy of such responsibility. How can I overcome this feeling of complete worthlessness in myself and step up and join my friends in the great work?
Your humble student
Fabian
In a recent answer you gave you said that the Capitalist System of America was evil because it focused on the Self rather than on the whole of Society as so many other countries do. However, how do you account for the fact that the People’s of the U.S. give more to Global Charity than any other nation and exceed all of Europe in their charitable giving? It seems to me that the New World that will emerge out of the current Global Crisis will come from the ingenuity and ambition of the American People which comes from a Pioneering spirit that is fueled by an Independant and Capitalist System. All people’s of sound mind, no matter how wealthy come to th the point of giving. If one looks at the life of many wealthy Capitalists, including, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, George Soros, and many many others…they have given a great deal to Society. Don’t you agree?
Rav,
You said during TES 5-25 15:00 that love evokes hate and hate evokes love. How does this effect our relationship toward the group, toward people outside the group, and between men and women. We learn that love in Kabbalah is unconditional mutual giving. How do we ever achieve mutual love if our love evokes hate?
Must a descent be delved into for discernments? Must one let a descent touch his sensation to a certain depth in order to raise MAN? Going above reason feels like a numbing the sensation to a degree.
My dearest Rav,
My son graduated from college 2 years ago and just returned from Cambodia from his work as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Like the rest of new graduates, there are not enough jobs out there and now he has decided to take a teaching certification so he can go into teaching which I think an excellent idea. Still as a mother, I am worried for him and for the rest of our young people. It seems like they have no jobs to look forward to.
What advice can you give to parents like me so we can properly guide them ?
What would you advice to all those who just graduated with college degrees in these difficult times ?
Thank you for everything that you do for all of us.
I send you my love.
Aloha,
Wela
Hello Michael Laitman,
My boyfriend and I have been actively watching the lessons and partaking in dissemination for over a year. However, lately, if I understand the term properly, he has been in “low” state. He has not had the urge to study and disseminate as he once did. I understand he needs the group to “come out” of this state, but is there anything I can do personally to help him?
Hello Dear Rav Laitman,
For quite some time now, I have been very interested in hearing your ideas and philosophies on education, and I am wondering what you think of the idea of implementing your models of education into the Ari Online Learning Center. I see that some of your ideas already exist there, but it would be good to have that entire program infused with your models of education, instead of only portions of it. What do you think?
It worries me a lot that education is becoming more and more pressurized and intense at younger and younger ages. And I know parents think they are acting in their child’s best interests to cooperate in this, but they are not acting in their child’s best interests. What does kids want? More relationship and security with parents? Is supporting them in this redundant education system helpful? Thanks
Hello,
I would like to know how would you explain Alzheimer disease in terms of the soul. Another question that is nurturing me is why our body dies at a particular point and not the other? For example how could the deaths of small babies be explained?
thank you very much,
Love always
Marta
Dear Rav,
I am connected to the NY Congress through the broadcast…and it is awesome.
It would be interesting to conduct a silent congress one of these times.
Do you think it would be welcomed enough to do it?
Or…is that too impractical?
IMHO…it could prove to be a very productive experiment!
Dear Rav,
Why is the Shamati article # 65, “First Will Be the Correction of the World”, never discussed in the lessons?
If we don’t have a soul, what do we reincarnate? If a person is studying Kabbalah but doesn’t succeed in crossing the Machsom in this life, how can the fruit of his efforts be passed on to the future generations?
I’ve been watching KabTV and it appears to be providing a great service. But, I have seen no women in the adult classes. I see boys and girls in the children’s sessions.
The Constitution of the United States is a great document full of great ideas. But, at the time it was written, it excluded everyone except white men. Its intent was not what it appeared to be. In this light, what is the intent of Kabbalah TV? Thank you.
Over the past 15 years the amount of children with autism has increased significantly. Some blame genetics, some blame the increasing amount of vaccinations and the amount of toxic pollution now in the world. What is the reason for having such an increase in children who are limited in their expression and communication?
Dearest Rav Michael Laitman,
I am so thankful that you created this such awesome site that offers a lot of infos about Kabbalah. toda raba.
where can i locate your office here intel aviv? i want to take Kabbalah seriously that i wanted to enroll my self. i offer to volunter also in your center if there is anything i can do. because i plan to bring and share this knowledge to the Philippines.
toda raba v kol tov!
kris
I would like to ask Rav. about the necessities of life. Rav speaks often of (BARE NECESSITIES). My question is: What constitutes “bare necessities” does it mean just food and a roof? no car? would this include vacations or designer accessories? New clothes? I am asking this question because of my increasing wants and egoism.
What should a person do if he has a strong desire to come and unite at the congress, but he is also extremely affraid of flying? How can he overcome this paralyzing fear?
There is so much information out there…what are the websites, books that should be avoided?
I would like to know if the physical action of Maaser is considered a spiritual action that has an eternal spiritual reward?
Dear Mr. Laitman:
The Creator is Omnipotent. The Creator is pure Bestowal.
So, why then the Creator did not directly create His creatures similar to His own nature: He is Omnipotent (he could have done it) and He is pure Bestowal (He wants the best for His creatures)?
On the contrary, He “figures out” a very convoluted way (world, galaxies, evolution, etc.), lengthy process (millions of years). He conceals from us the way to reach the final goal for thousands of years (what is the point? why is He playing with us while we suffer for millions of years if He is pure Love?) and leaves us in the dark. He gives us the wrong tool (our egoism) to find the exit way in the dark(provoking us to go astray for millions of years with a lot of suffering for billions of persons). And He let us to find the way out through trial an error (we do not know His rules and He does not give us the right tool to find out the way) and He indicates we are in error using the method of suffering (if He is pure Love why did He not figure out a process of teaching us in a different way, not through suffering?).
Respectfully,
Dario Polo
Rav,
In Attaining the Worlds Beyond I read –
“Everything that surrounds human beings deliberately dulls the need for Divine Awareness, and sensing pleasure from anything external instantly reduces the pain of spiritual emptiness. Therefore, while enjoying the pleasures of this world, it is vital that we keep them from obliterating our need to perceive the Creator, as these pleasures rob us of spiritual sensations.”
This Ego thing is really tricky business….
On the one hand, ego is necessary to create the desire to seek adhesion with the creator. On the other hand, seeking adhesion with the Creator on Ego’s own terms causes Exile…
Can you or anyone share with me their secrets in tasting adhesion without causing their own Exile?
Dear Mr. Laitman,
How does one know when one understands the lessons from the on-line study correctly?
Thank you,
Stefan
How are thoughts created ?
Is there a constriction ( restriction ) which creates a void and therefore an opening for a thought that manifests as a desire which can then , with the proper intention, be filled with the light ?
Or is the desire created first which then manifests as a thought ?
Thank you !
Dear Rav,
I was reading the Secret meaning of the Bible article and I came across this parragraph:
Everything around us is impregnated with somebody else’s desires. Only one thing can save one’s soul: an even deeper connection with the purpose of creation. We have to build a surrounding layer, a screen, around ourselves. This screen will protect us from outside obstacles that attempt to distract, seduce or frighten a person. If we cannot construct the protective shield that will shelter us from all the useless folly of this world, we will not able to progress spiritually.
My question is: How can a women build this screen? Could you please elaborate a bit more on this paragraph concerning women’s inner work?
You say that in a corrected state we should consume no more than we need and the planet could feed 100billion people. But if the Creator is omnipotent, why keep us in a state of rationing? Why not have the land overflow with food, water, and other resources, so that EVERYONE could have not only what they need, but enough to truly please their appetites? Wouldn’t it be better if we could have a feast everyday? Why does the Creator want to keep us in a state of rationing?
Dear One
Why do the priests not yet understand how it works – isn’t it what a priest is assigned to? There is only One Holity – and that is Unity – how can we get independently in faith above reason united? How can we find without blows the way to faith above reason? Love is eternal independency in unity?
We’ve heard many times that every corporeal occurrence has it’s spiritual precedent. Since that is the case, what is the spiritual root of a kabbalah congress?
What ,in the upper worlds, leads to us gathering in corporeality?
Arvut!
Hello,
I have difficulty understanding the notions of Adam HaRishon and Adam Kadmon. How do these ‘Adams’ differ? How should these two terms be understood from one another? At what point in the creation process does each ‘Adam’ represent?
Many thanks
Dear Rav,
It is said that human cloning can be advantageous in a situation such as a parent with leukemia cloning a child to have the same dna so that the child can provide bone marrow to the parent. I found this in