The Concept of Tens

What is a ten and why do we need it? Why can't we study the wisdom of Kabbalah on our own? These are very natural questions that everyone asks themselves. We feel we can turn to the Creator ourselves and that all this is very intimate. Today we're going to open this discussion - how the connection between us can advance us spiritually.

We're happy you're here again this Sunday to develop your point in the heart. We hope you enjoyed watching the movie last week - we want you to have a warm and special connection to our teacher Michael Laitman. We want you to understand the importance of having a teacher for this path, and how great our teacher is.

Today we're starting a new series where we'll start trying to understand together - only at the theoretical level - why we need a group to advance. What is the value of learning with a group? Is it not like university or other frameworks. We're not talking about implementation - just the reason why Kabbalists always studied in groups. The goal is to prepare you for the next convention that is taking place October 29-31, 2026.

We divided this course into three parts -

In the first part of our course we wanted you to become familiar with the wisdom of Kabbalah - a bit of history, perception of reality.

Then we taught you the language of Kabbalah and structure of the upper worlds.

And now we're getting into the practical work. We're not doing it yet but we want you to know how to build the vessel that the upper light is revealed in. The Kabbalists spoke about these small groups throughout history. Also in science - there is always a group conducting the research. With the wisdom of Kabbalah - our teacher always explained to us that the Creator is not revealed to one person. You have to be connected to others and not hidden away somewhere on your own. This is why the connection between people is the most crucial aspect. This is why we're building a vessel for revelation of the Creator. A good example is why is it dark on the moon? Because there's nothing for the light to get caught on. With us at the human level that applies - to catch the abstract light - we need a vessel.

In Baal HaSulam's The Freedom he explains how our only choice is in choosing an environment. We recommend reviewing it.

"It is indeed true that the Creator Himself puts one’s hand on the good fate by giving him a life of pleasure and contentment within the corporeal life that is filled with torment and pain, and devoid of any content. One necessarily departs and escapes them when he sees, even if it seemingly appears amidst the cracks, a tranquil place to escape there from this life, which is harder than death. Indeed, there is no greater placement of one’s hand by Him than this. And one’s choice refers only to the strengthening." Baal HaSulam Introduction to The Study of the Ten Sefirot

Even after great suffering in the world we don't see people awakened. We don't know why the Creator awakens the specific people with us here in the lesson. This is not necessarily physical suffering. It can simply be that what once fulfilled us - no longer feels fulfilling. This emptiness is one of the most effective ways for the Creator to awaken us.

No one asked me if I want my point in the hear awakened - but from the moment it happens I can actively take part on my own.

A person needs to build an environment that will strengthen him in being loyal to this particular path.

Kabbalists who have been on this path know that the only thing that really depends on us is creating an environment around me that will provide the right atmosphere to hand onto this idea.

Suddenly we start having thoughts about the meaning and purpose of life - what are we really doing here? Many people are not bothered by these questions - whether we have some role in the chain of humanity? A person who has been awakened can no longer ignore these questions because he/she starts to yearn for something beyond this world.

It's as if the Creator starts us off with a full tank. But to generate that fuel on my own I need an environment. The system is designed in such a way that I can't generate that fuel on my own. No matter how wealthy or successful I may be - to create fuel for spiritual advancement I need: A Rav, books. and this special laboratory that's called the environment.

A person can't work with 100 people. The work at the beginning needs to be done with ten people. This is why all the focus right now. Everything we do is pre-conceived except for strengthening. And this goes on right up until gmar tikun. This is also relevant for our veteran students who constantly need more fuel.

The book of Zohar was written in a tent - they built a special internal connection between them to bring the world this source.

Clip: The Purpose of the Group

Oren: I want us to talk a little about the purpose of this group as a group of learners. I remember when I was studying at university, there were projects that we did together in teams. Before big exams, we would get together and study in groups, and I saw in practice that studying together with other people opened up my ability to understand better, to really grasp the material being studied better. There were things that I didn’t understand at all, and when I studied with other people, the chip fell on me. Beyond that, are there other goals when studying Kabbalah together in a group besides grasping what you’re studying better?

Rav: Yes, studying together opens up a higher system for us that governs and sustains us. Studying together gives everyone, and all of us together, the ability to feel the higher power.

Oren: I can’t feel it alone?

Rav: No.

Oren: Why?

Rav: It’s not enough that you’re alone, you have to be connected with other people.

Oren: Why?

Rav: Because you need to develop your external sense, to feel something outside of you.

Oren: I don't understand.

Rav: We are built, born and develop as egoistic creatures.

Oren: What exactly does "egoistic" mean?

Rav: Everyone feels themselves, and through them they feel all of reality. In order to develop beyond that, we need to, so to speak, step outside of ourselves and begin to feel reality as it exists outside of our egoistic feelings, so that we can feel reality as it is and not as it passes through our private senses. Therefore, we need to prepare a vessel, a template in which we can feel reality, regardless of our qualities.

But how to do this? Therefore, I call on more people, preferably ten, but it can also be a little less, and then I try to move from my private feeling to feeling together with everyone, let's say ten, a dozen. So I am drawn to the ten, included in it, and in this way I develop a new absorption tool in me called "the ten" "group".

If I achieve this tool, I begin to feel a different reality outside of me, and then I also begin to feel in it, first of all, the higher power, the Creator, and my friends who exist together, when we are outside the privacy of each and every one. And so we can develop.