Lesson 2. The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah
In this lesson we will learn: - The definition of the Wisdom of Kabbalah - Misconceptions of the Wisdom of Kabbalah - What is “Creator” according to the Wisdom of Kabbalah - How does the study of the Wisdom of Kabbalah relate to us?
Lesson 2
The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah
Slide # 2
“We make nothing new, our work is only to illuminate what is hidden within a person.”
- Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
Slide # 3
Nature
- In nature there is an amazing unity - each element complements the other and is necessary for proper functioning.
- Nature is an integral system and all its parts are interconnected
- It is a system that develops us toward connection and cooperation in two directions:
- On the one hand, there is a union of all the parts
- And on the other hand - differentiation and division, which lead to the creation of a great variety of natural elements.
Slide # 4
Nature
- Humans are not above nature, but are part of a massive and complex system, and are connected to it by countless invisible connections
- An imbalance between reception and bestowal in human relations causes the imbalance with the overall nature.
- As a result, humanity is subject to suffering: depression and various crises on the one hand, and on the other hand, 'natural disasters', economic and environmental crises, epidemics and so on.
Slide # 5
Between Science and the Wisdom of Kabbalah
Science investigates physical reality, builds and organises knowledge, and tries to explain phenomena in our world through empirical methods:
- Impartiality
- Empiricism
- The principle of falsifiability
- Abstraction
- Consistency
Slide # 6
“Our essence is as the essence of all the details in reality, which is no more and no less than the will to receive.”
- Baal HaSulam. Item 20. “Introduction to The Book of Zohar”
Slide # 7
“The abundance itself is like an ocean. There is one who draws with a thimble, and there is one who draws with a bucket, and so forth.”
- RABASH, Assorted Notes. Article No. 798, "The Merit of the Little One"
Slide # 8
“The whole of the wisdom of Kabbalah is only to know the guidance of the upper desire, why He created all those creations, what He wants with them, and what will be the end of all the turnings of the world.”
- RAMCHAL, Daat Tevunot
Slide # 9
Characteristics of the will to receive
- Our desires are growing all the time
- Fillings, which are achieved by much effort, are felt for a short time and disappear.
- When the filling is gone - it leaves us with a greater emptiness
- As a pleasure increases in quality, the filling lasts longer
- Desires are not under the control of the person
- Desires are strongly influenced/controlled by the environment.
Slide # 10
Characteristics of the will to receive
- Desires cannot be cancelled - it is possible to reduce them through sufferings
- Egoism = a person’s pleasures come at the expense of others
- Desire as substance is neutral
- The ego = a natural hate (unfounded) for others, one will always prefer fulfilment for one’s own self over the fulfilment of others, and usually this will happen at the expense of others.
Slide # 11
Definition of the Wisdom of Kabbalah
“This wisdom is no more and no less than a sequence of roots that hang down by way of cause and consequence, following fixed, determined laws that interweave into a single, exalted goal described as “the revelation of His Godliness to His creatures in this world.”"
- Baal HaSulam, The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah
Slide # 12
Myths About Kabbalah
- Myth #1: Kabbalah is mysticism, amulets and superstitions.
- Myth #2: Kabbalah is based on beliefs and not on science.
- Myth #3: Not everyone can learn Kabbalah. You need a Torah background, to be at least age 40 or you'll go crazy.
- Myth #4: Kabbalah is a closed sect.
- Myth #5: Kabbalah is New Age, and is a passing trend.
Slide #13
Some of the topics we will dive into during the course
- The plan of creation and its purpose
- What is a soul, and how does it relate to me?
- The upper force: Is there any? None? How and what?
- Perception of reality
- Freedom of choice
- The history of humanity and the wisdom of Kabbalah
Slide #14
Introspection / further self-study
We will study our desire according to the following questions:
- What desires arise in me, and at what rate?
- Do my desires appear on their own?
Slide #15
Introspection / further self-study
Let's observe people around us, how do their desires operate them?
Am I able to differentiate between the point in the heart and the other desires?
Transcript:
Q: What is the benefit of learning Kabbalah together globally?
Rav Michael Laitman: When learning together, we discover the study, the language, the sources, and this way we will merit to know, to understand, to feel the depth of the wisdom.
Especially, I would say, it is important in Kabbalah, because this wisdom... you can't write it in a book in a way that would be enough to just read to understand. But here should be a special connection between the students, the teacher and the books.
Therefore, the subject, the wisdom itself requires special treatment.
Q: Why is it important to learn from the source in Hebrew?
Rav Michael Laitman: We see that until the Middle Ages, including Newton, Leibnitz who did not engage in the wisdom of Kabbalah, but anyway all these intellectuals learned Hebrew and wanted to understand the language.
It was important for them to understand the flow of the wisdom, the correct approach, so the fact that we learn from the Hebrew sources, it is very important, because in that we keep the language clean, and the authenticity of the knowledge.
Q: Who is a real teacher in Kabbalah?
Rav Michael Laitman: The real teacher in Kabbalah is he who has received this wisdom from his qualified teacher and was attached to his teacher.
This is how he also tries to pass on what he has to his students.
Q: Why is it important to study in the group?
Rav Michael Laitman: As we learn from all kinds of sources - "Either companionship or death."
That if I study alone, not in a group of students, where we aspire to reach one goal, I will not be able to achieve the goal of the study correctly.
Q: Which Kabbalah sources should we study?
Rav Michael Laitman: The authentic sources in the wisdom of Kabbalah are - The Book of Zohar, the ARI, Baal HaSulam, the Rabash. Then we can be sure that in terms of the sources we are in the right state.
Personal Invitation from Dr. Michael Laitman
Rav Michael Laitman: I am very happy that you have reached the entrance to the wisdom of Kabbalah. It will explain to you all the secrets of the world, all the laws.
And you will be able to touch the very center, in the depths of nature.
The rest depends only on the Upper Force, that altogether we will ask and pray - May He bestow upon you with His Wisdom.
Good luck to you