716. Concerning Pride

“Anyone who is proud, says the Creator, ‘He and I cannot dwell in the same abode.’”

A place of lack is specifically if there are walls to the place of lack, and then that lack is regarded as a Kli [vessel]. A lack that has no walls is not regarded as a Kli, as the space of the world is not going to be filled. Rather, according to the size of the walls, the part of the lack of the world enters there.

Through the walls in which there is the lack, it will be filled. Thus, although a person does not taste a flavor in Torah and Mitzvot [commandments], it is drawn through his engagement in Torah and Mitzvot. Thus, to the extent of the lack that is there, it is going to be filled.

But when a person engages in Torah and Mitzvot, and the Torah and Mitzvot bring him to wholeness, he covers the lack that the Torah and Mitzvot should bring him. Moreover, he regards himself as a complete person. It follows that he has no place that can be filled. It was said about this, “Anyone who is proud, says the Creator, ‘He and I cannot dwell in the same abode,’” since he is not making a place.

This is the meaning of “From Lo Lishma [not for Her sake] we come to Lishma [for Her sake].” But while one is in Lo Lishma and regards himself as a whole person, there is no place where Lishma can help him because he has no lack.