1. There Is None Else Besides Him I heard on Parashat Yitro, 12 Shevat, February 6, 1944 It is written, “There is none else besides Him.” This means that there is no other force in the world that has the ability to do anything against Him. And what one sees, …
Shechina [Divinity] in Exile
2. Shechina [Divinity] in Exile I heard in 1942 The Zohar says, “He is the Shochen [Dweller], and She is the Shechina [Divinity].” We should interpret its words: It is known that regarding the upper light, it is said that there is no change, as it is written, “I the Lord …
The Matter of Spiritual Attainment
3. The Matter of Spiritual Attainment I heard We discern many degrees and discernments in the worlds. We must know that everything that relates to discernments and degrees speaks of the attainment of the souls with regard to what they receive from the worlds. This follows the rule, “What we …
What Is the Reason for the Heaviness One Feels when Annulling before the Creator in the Work?
4. What Is the Reason for the Heaviness One Feels when Annulling before the Creator in the Work? I heard on Shevat 12, February 6, 1944 We must know the reason for the heaviness one feels when he wants to work in annulling his self before the Creator and not …
Lishma Is an Awakening from Above, and Why Do We Need an Awakening from Below?
5. Lishma Is an Awakening from Above, and Why Do We Need an Awakening from Below? I heard in 1945 In order to attain Lishma [for Her sake], it is not within one’s hands to understand, as it is not for the human mind to grasp how such a thing …
What Is Support in the Torah, in the Work?
6. What Is Support in the Torah, in the Work? I heard in 1944 When one learns Torah and wants all his actions to be in order to bestow, one must try to always have support in the Torah. Support is considered nourishment, which is love, fear, elation, and freshness …
What Is, “A Habit Becomes a Second Nature,” in the Work?
7. What Is, “A Habit Becomes a Second Nature,” in the Work? I heard in 1943 By accustoming oneself to something, that thing becomes a second nature for that person. Hence, there is nothing that one cannot feel its reality. This means that although one has no sensation of the …
What Is the Difference between a Shade of Kedusha and a Shade of Sitra Achra?
8. What Is the Difference between a Shade of Kedusha and a Shade of Sitra Achra? I heard on July 1944 It is written (Song of Songs, 2), “Until the day breathes, and the shadows flee away.” We must understand what are shadows in the work and what are two …
What Are Three Things that Broaden One’s Mind in the Work?
9. What Are Three Things that Broaden One’s Mind in the Work? I heard on Elul, August 1942 The Zohar interprets what our sages wrote: “Three things broaden one’s mind. These are a handsome woman, a handsome abode, and handsome Kelim [vessels].” It says, “A sightly woman is the Shechina …
What Is “Hurry, My Beloved,” in the Work?
10. What Is “Hurry, My Beloved,” in the Work? I heard on Tammuz, July 1944 We should know that when one begins to walk on a path of wanting to come to do everything for the sake of the Creator, he comes to states of ascents and descents. Sometimes he …
Joy with Trembling
11. Joy with Trembling I heard in 1948 Joy is considered love, which is existence. This is similar to one who builds for himself a house without making any holes in the walls. You find that he cannot enter the house, as there is no hollow place in the walls …
The Essence of Man’s Work
12. The Essence of Man’s Work I heard during a meal on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, October 5, 1948 The essence of man’s work should be how to come to feel taste in bestowing contentment to one’s Maker, since all that one does for oneself removes him from …
A Pomegranate
13. A Pomegranate I heard during a meal on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah, October 5, 1948 A pomegranate, he said, implies to what our sages said, “Even the vain ones among you are filled with Mitzvot like a pomegranate” (Iruvin 19). He said, Rimon [pomegranate] comes from the …
What Is the Exaltedness of the Creator?
14. What Is the Exaltedness of the Creator? I heard in 1948 The Romemut [exaltedness/sublimity] of the Creator means that one should ask the Creator for the strength to go above reason. This means that there are two interpretations to the Romemut of the Creator: To not be filled with …
What Is Other Gods in the Work?
15. What Is Other Gods in the Work? I heard on Av 24, August 3, 1945 It is written, “You shall make no other gods over Me.” The Zohar interprets that there should be stones to weigh with. It asks about it, How is the work weighed with stones, by …
What Is the Day of the Lord and the Night of the Lord, in the Work?
16. What Is the Day of the Lord and the Night of the Lord, in the Work? I heard in 1941, Jerusalem Our sages said about the verse, “Woe unto you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you need the day of the Lord? It is darkness, …
What Does It Mean that the Sitra Achra Is Called “Malchut without a Crown”?
17. What Does It Mean that the Sitra Achra Is Called “Malchut without a Crown”? I heard in 1941, Jerusalem Crown means Keter, and Keter is the Emanator and the Root. Kedusha [holiness] is connected to the root, meaning that Kedusha is considered being in equivalence of form with its …
My Soul Shall Weep in Secret – 1
18. My Soul Shall Weep in Secret – 1 I heard in 1940, Jerusalem When concealment overpowers a person and he comes to a state where the work becomes tasteless, and he cannot picture or feel any love and fear, and he cannot do anything in Kedusha [holiness], his only …
What Is “The Creator Hates the Bodies,” in the Work?
19. What Is “The Creator Hates the Bodies,” in the Work? I heard in 1943, Jerusalem The Zohar says that the Creator hates the bodies. He said that we should interpret it as referring to the will to receive, called Guf [body]. The Creator created His world for His glory, …
Lishma [for Her sake]
20. Lishma [for Her sake] I heard in 1945 Concerning Lishma [for Her sake]. In order for a person to obtain Lishma, one needs an awakening from above, as it is an illumination from above and it is not for the human mind to understand. Rather, he who tastes, knows. …
When One Feels Oneself in a State of Ascent
21. When One Feels Oneself in a State of Ascent I heard on Heshvan 23, November 9, 1944 When one feels oneself in a state of ascent, that he is high-spirited, when he feels that he has no desire but only for spirituality, it is then good to delve in …
Torah Lishma
22. Torah Lishma I heard on Shevat 9, February 6, 1941 Torah is called Lishma [for Her sake] primarily when one learns in order to know with utter certainty, within reason, without any doubts of the clarity of the truth, that there is a judge and there is judgment. There …
You Who Love the Lord, Hate Evil
23. You Who Love the Lord, Hate Evil I heard on Sivan 17, June 2, 1931 In the verse, “You who love the Lord, hate evil; He preserves the souls of His followers; He will save them from the hand of the wicked,” he interprets that it is not enough …
He Will Save Them from the Hand of the Wicked
24. He Will Save Them from the Hand of the Wicked I heard on Av 5, July 25, 1944, at the completion of The Zohar It is written, “You who love the Lord, hate evil … He will save them from the hand of the wicked.” He asks, “What is …
Things that Come from the Heart
25. Things that Come from the Heart I heard on July 25, 1944, during a festive meal for the completion of part of The Zohar Regarding things that come from the heart, enter the heart. Hence, why do we see that even if things have already entered the heart, one …
One’s Future Depends and Is Tied to Gratitude for the Past
26. One’s Future Depends and Is Tied to Gratitude for the Past I heard in 1943 It is written, “The Lord is high and the low will see,” that only the low can see the exaltedness. The letters Yakar [precious] are the letters of Yakir [will know]. This means that …
What Is “The Lord Is High and the Low Will See”? - 1
27. What Is “The Lord Is High and the Low Will See”? - 1 I heard on Shabbat Terumah, March 5, 1949, Tel-Aviv “The Lord is high and the low will see.” How can there be equivalence with the Creator when man is the receiver and the Creator is the …
I Shall Not Die but Live
28. I Shall Not Die but Live I heard in 1943 In the verse, “I shall not die but live,” in order for one to achieve the truth, there must be a sensation that if one does not obtain the truth, he feels himself as dead, since he wants to …
When Thoughts Come to a Person
29. When Thoughts Come to a Person I heard in 1943 “The Lord is your shade.” If one thinks, the Creator also thinks of him. And when the Creator thinks, it is called “the mountain of the Lord.” This is the meaning of “Who shall ascend on the mountain of …
The Most Important Is to Want Only to Bestow
30. The Most Important Is to Want Only to Bestow I heard after Shabbat Vayikra, March 20, 1943 The most important is not to want anything except to bestow because of His greatness, since any reception is flawed. It is impossible to exit reception, but only to take the other …
Anyone Who Pleases the Spirit of the People
31. Anyone Who Pleases the Spirit of the People I heard Anyone who pleases the spirit of the people. He asked, “But we have found that the greatest and most renowned were in disagreement. Thus, the spirit of the people is not pleased with him.” He answered that they did …
A Lot Is an Awakening from Above
32. A Lot Is an Awakening from Above I heard on Terumah 4, February 10, 1943 A lot is an awakening from above, when the lower one does not assist in anything. This is the meaning of “cast a pur,” “the lot.” Haman was complaining and said, “neither do they …
The Lots on Yom Kippur and with Haman
33. The Lots on Yom Kippur and with Haman I heard on Terumah 6, February 12, 1943 It is written (Leviticus 16:8), “And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats: one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for Azazel.” Concerning Haman, it is written (Esther 3:7), “they …
The Advantage of a Land
34. The Advantage of a Land I heard on Tevet, 1942 It is known that nothing appears in its true form, only through its opposite, “As the advantage of the light from within the darkness.” This means that everything points to another, and by the opposite of something, the existence …
Concerning the Vitality of Kedusha
35. Concerning the Vitality of Kedusha I heard in 1945, Jerusalem The verse says (Psalms 104): “There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, small animals with big ones.” We should interpret: “There is the sea” means the sea of the Sitra Achra [other side]. …
What Are the Three Bodies in Man?
36. What Are the Three Bodies in Man? I heard on Adar 24, March 19, 1944, Jerusalem Man is made of three bodies: the inner body, which is a clothing for the soul of Kedusha [holiness]; the Klipa [shell] of Noga; the serpent’s skin. In order to save one from …
An Article for Purim
37. An Article for Purim I heard in 1948 We must understand several precisions in the Megilla1: It is written, “After these things, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman.” We must understand what is “After these things,” meaning after Mordecai had saved the king. It seems reasonable that the king should have …
The Fear of God Is His Treasure
38. The Fear of God Is His Treasure I heard on March 31, 1947 A treasure is a Kli [vessel] in which the possession is placed. Grain, for example, is placed in the barn, and precious things are placed in a more guarded place. Thus, everything that is received is …
And They Sewed Fig Leaves
39. And They Sewed Fig Leaves I heard on Shavat, 26, February 16, 1947 The leaf refers to the shade that it puts on the light, meaning on the sun. There are two shades: One comes from the side of Kedusha [holiness], and the other comes due to a sin. …
What Is the Measure of Faith in the Rav?
40. What Is the Measure of Faith in the Rav? I heard in 1943 It is known that there is a right path and a left path. Right comes from the words “to the right,” referring to the verse, “And he believed in the Lord.” The Targum says, “To the …
What Is Greatness and Smallness in Faith?
41. What Is Greatness and Smallness in Faith? I heard on the evening following Passover night, March 29, 1945 It is written, “And they believed in the Lord, and in His servant Moses.” We must know that the lights of Pesach [Passover] have the power to impart the light of …
What Is the Acronym Elul in the Work?
42. What Is the Acronym Elul1 in the Work? I heard on August 28, 1942 In order to understand this, we must understand several other things. The matter of the Malchuiot [pl. of Malchut], memories, and Shofarot [pl. of Shofar, a ram’s horn], and what is the meaning of what …
Concerning Truth and Faith
43. Concerning Truth and Faith I heard Truth is what one feels and sees in his eyes. This discernment is called “reward and punishment,” meaning that nothing can be gained without labor. It is like a person who sits in his home and does not want to do anything to …
Mind and Heart
44. Mind and Heart I heard on Tevet 10, February 1, 1928, Givat Shaul, Jerusalem One must examine if the faith is in order, meaning if he has fear and love, as it is written, “If I am a father, where is my honor, and if I am a lord, …
Two Discernments in the Torah and in the Work
45. Two Discernments in the Torah and in the Work I heard on Elul 1, September 5, 1948 There are two discernments in the Torah, and there are two discernments in the work. The first is the discernment of fear, and the second is the discernment of love. Torah is …
The Domination of Israel over the Klipot
46. The Domination of Israel over the Klipot I heard Concerning the domination of Israel over the Klipot [shells], and vice-versa, the domination of the Klipot over Israel. First we must understand what is “Israel” and what is “the nations of the world.” It is explained in several places that …
In the Place Where You Find His Greatness
47. In the Place Where You Find His Greatness I heard “In the place where you find His greatness, there you find His humbleness.” It means that one who is always in true Dvekut [adhesion] sees that the Creator lowers Himself, meaning the Creator is present in the low places. …
The Primary Basis
48. The Primary Basis I heard on the evening after Shabbat, Vayera, November 8, 1952 The primary basis is a path that is known to all. The care and the guard regarding the mind is because it is built on the basis of a question. If one encounters the known …
The Most Important Are the Mind and the Heart
49. The Most Important Are the Mind and the Heart I heard on Thursday, Vayera, November 6, 1952 There should be a preparation on the discernment of “mind,” in that same work which refers to the quality of faith. This means that if one is negligent in the work of …
Two States
50. Two States I heard on Sivan 20 There are two states to the world: 1) In the first state the world is called “pain.” 2) In the second state, it is called “Shechina [Divinity].” It is so because before one is endowed with correcting his deeds to be in …
If You Encounter This Villain
51. If You Encounter This Villain I heard after the holiday of Passover, April 27, 1943 “If you encounter this villain, draw him to the seminary, etc., and if not, remind him of the day of death.” This means that he will remind him that the work should be in …
A Transgression Does Not Extinguish a Mitzva
52. A Transgression Does Not Extinguish a Mitzva I heard on the eve of Shabbat, May 14, 1943 “A transgression does not extinguish a Mitzva [commandment], and a Mitzva does not extinguish a transgression.” It is the conduct of the work that one must take the good path. But the …
The Matter of Limitation
53. The Matter of Limitation I heard on the eve of Shabbat, Sivan 1, June 4, 1943 The matter of limitation is to limit the state one is in and not want Gadlut [greatness/adulthood]. Instead, one wants to remain in one’s present state forever, and this is called eternal Dvekut …
The Purpose of the Work – 1
54. The Purpose of the Work – 1 What I heard on Shevat 16, February 13, 1941 It is known that the servitude is mainly to bestow contentment upon his Maker. Yet, one must know the meaning of bestowing, as this is used by everyone, and it is known that …
Haman from the Torah, from Where?
55. Haman from the Torah, from Where? I heard on Shevat 16, February 13, 1941 Haman from the Torah, from where? “Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:11). We must understand the connection between Haman and Etz ha Daat [tree of …
Torah Is Called Indication
56. Torah Is Called Indication I heard on BeShalach 1, February 2, 1941 Torah is called “indication,” from the words “shot through.”* It means that when one engages in the Torah, he feels his remoteness to the extent of his exertion. In other words, he is shown the truth, meaning …
Will Bring Him Closer to His Will
57. Will Bring Him Closer to His Will I heard on Yitro 1, February 5, 1944 About the verse, “will bring him closer to His will,” our sages said, “How so? He is coerced until he says, ‘I want.’” We must also understand what we pray, “Let there be a …
Joy Is a “Reflection” of Good Deeds
58. Joy Is a “Reflection” of Good Deeds I heard on Sukkot, Inter 4 Joy is a “reflection” of good deeds. If the deeds are of Kedusha [holiness], hence joy appears. However, we must know that there is also a discernment of a Klipa [shell]. In order to know if …
Concerning the Rod and the Serpent
59. Concerning the Staff and the Serpent I heard on Adar 13, February 23, 1948 “And Moses answered and said: ‘But, they will not believe me,’” etc. “And the Lord said to him, ‘What is it in your hand?’ And he said, ‘A staff.’ And He said, ‘Cast it on …
A Mitzva that Comes through Transgression
60. A Mitzva that Comes through Transgression I heard on Tetzve 1, February 14, 1943 A Mitzva [commandment] that comes through transgression means that if one takes upon himself the work in order to receive a reward, it is divided into two things: The reception of the work, which is …
Round About Him It Storms Mightily
61. Round About Him It Storms Mightily I heard on Nisan 9, April 18, 1948 Our sages say about the verse, “And round about Him it storms mightily,” that the Creator is meticulous with the righteous as a hairsbreadth. He asked: If they are generally righteous, why do they deserve …
Descends and Incites, Ascends and Complains
62. Descends and Incites, Ascends and Complains I heard on Adar Aleph 19, February 29, 1948 “Descends and incites, ascends and complains.” One must always examine oneself, if one’s Torah and work do not descend to the abyss. This is because one’s greatness is measured by one’s measure of Dvekut …
I Was Borrowed on, and I Repay
63. I Was Borrowed on, and I Repay I heard on the eve after Shabbat, 1938 Understand what our sages said, “I was borrowed on, and I repay.” It means that the purpose of making the heaven and the earth is the light of Shabbat [Sabbath]. This light should be …
From Lo Lishma, We Come to Lishma
64. From Lo Lishma, We Come to Lishma I heard on VaYechi, Tevet 14, December 27, 1947 “From Lo Lishma [not for Her sake] we come to Lishma [for Her sake].” If we pay close attention, we can say that the period of Lo Lishma is the more important time, …
Concerning the Revealed and the Concealed
65. Concerning the Revealed and the Concealed I heard on Tevet 29, 18, 1942, Jerusalem It is written, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, and the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, to do all the words of this law.” We …
Concerning the Giving of the Torah – 1
66. Concerning the Giving of the Torah – 1 I heard during a meal on the eve of Shavuot [Feast of Weeks], 1948 The matter of the giving of the Torah that occurred on Mount Sinai does not mean that the Torah was given once and then the giving stopped. …
Depart from Evil
67. Depart from Evil I heard after the holiday of Sukkot [the Tabernacles Feast], October 5, 1942, Jerusalem We must take caution with “depart from evil” to keep the four covenants. The covenant of the eyes, which is caution from looking at women. And the prohibition on looking is not …
Man's Connection to the Sefirot
68. Man's Connection to the Sefirot I heard on Adar 12, February 17, 1943 Prior to the sin of Adam HaRishon: His Guf [body] was from Bina de Malchut de Malchut de Assiya, And he had NRN from Beria and NRN from Atzilut. After he sinned, his Guf fell into …
First Will Be the Correction of the World
69. First Will Be the Correction of the World I heard on Sivan, June 1943 He said that first will be the correction of the world, then there will be the complete redemption, the coming of the Messiah. This is the meaning of “And your eyes shall see your Teacher,” …
With a Mighty Hand and with Fury Poured Out
70. With a Mighty Hand and with Fury Poured Out I heard on Sivan 25, June 28, 1943 To understand what is written, “with a mighty hand …and with fury poured out, will I be king over you,” we should understand that there is a rule that there is no …
My Soul Shall Weep in Secret – 2
71. My Soul Shall Weep in Secret – 2 I heard on June 28, 1943 “My soul shall weep in secret because of pride,” for the pride of Israel. He asks, “Is there crying before the Creator? After all, ‘strength and gladness are in His place!’” We must understand the …
Confidence Is the Clothing for the Light
72. Confidence Is the Clothing for the Light I heard on Nisan 10, March 31, 1947 Confidence is the clothing for the light, called “life.” There is a rule that there is no light without a Kli [vessel]. It follows that the light, called “light of life,” cannot clothe but …
After the Tzimtzum
73. After the Tzimtzum I heard in 1943 After the Tzimtzum [restriction], the first nine became the place of Kedusha [holiness]. And Malchut, over which there was the Tzimtzum, became the place of the worlds. There are two discernments to be made: 1) a hollow place, which is a place …
World, Year, Soul
74. World, Year, Soul I heard in 1943 It is known that there is no reality without someone who senses the reality. Hence, when we say Nefesh de Atzilut, it means that we are sensing a certain measure of attainment in the upper abundance, and we call this measure Nefesh. …
There Is a Discernment of the Next World, and There Is a Discernment of This World
75. There Is a Discernment of the Next World, and There Is a Discernment of This World I heard during a meal celebrating a Brit [circumcision], Jerusalem There is a discernment of “the next world,” and there is a discernment of “this world.” The next world is called “faith,” and …
On All Your Offerings You Shall Offer Salt
76. On All Your Offerings You Shall Offer Salt I heard on Shevat 30, January-February, celebrating the completion of Part Six, Tiberias “On all your offerings you shall offer salt,” meaning the covenant of the salt. The covenant corresponds to the mind. Normally, when two people do good to one …
One's Soul Shall Teach Him
77. One's Soul Shall Teach Him I heard on Elul 8, August 24, 1947 “One’s soul shall teach him.” It is known that the whole Torah is learned primarily for the needs of the soul, for those who have already been rewarded with a discernment of a soul. Nevertheless, they …
The Torah, the Creator, and Israel Are One
78. The Torah, the Creator, and Israel Are One I heard on Sivan, June 1943 “The Torah, the Creator, and Israel are one.” Hence, when one learns Torah, he should learn Lishma [for Her sake]. This means that he is learning with the intention that the Torah will teach him, …
Atzilut and BYA
79. Atzilut and BYA I heard on Tammuz 15, Pinhas 1, July 18, 1943 Atzilut is considered from the Chazeh and above, which is only vessels of bestowal. BYA means reception in order to bestow, the ascent of the lower Hey to the place of Bina. Because man is immersed …
Concerning Achor be Achor
80. Concerning Achor be Achor I heard Panim and Achor [face and back]. Panim [face/anterior] means reception of abundance or bestowal of abundance. Negation is called Achoraim [back/posterior], meaning neither receiving nor giving. Hence, in the beginning of the work, one is in a state of Achor be Achor [back …
Concerning Raising MAN
81. Concerning Raising MAN I heard It is known that because of the breaking, sparks of Kedusha [holiness] fell into BYA. But there, in BYA, they cannot be corrected. Therefore, they must be raised to Atzilut. By doing Mitzvot [commandments] and good deeds with the aim to bring contentment to …
The Prayer that One Should Always Pray
82. The Prayer that One Should Always Pray What I heard in private on VaYera, November 1952 Faith is discerned as Malchut, interpreted in the mind and in the heart, that is, bestowal and faith. Opposite faith there is the discernment of the “foreskin,” which is knowing, whose way is …
Concerning the Right Vav and the Left Vav
83. Concerning the Right Vav and the Left Vav I heard on Adar 19, February 24, 1943 There is the discernment of Ze [“this” in male form], and there is the discernment of Zot [“this” in female form]. Moses is regarded as Ze, which is the King’s best man. The …
What Is “He Drove the Man Out of the Garden of Eden so He Would Not Take from the Tree of Life”?
84. What Is “He Drove the Man Out of the Garden of Eden so He Would Not Take from the Tree of Life”? I heard on Adar 24, March 19, 1944 It is written, “And He said to him, ‘Where are you?’ And he said, ‘I heard Your voice,’” etc., …
What Is the Fruit of a Citrus Tree, in the Work?
85. What Is the Fruit of a Citrus Tree, in the Work? I heard on Sukkot Inter 1, September 27, 1942 It is written, “And you shall take you on the first day the fruit of a citrus tree, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of …
And They Built Arei Miskenot
86. And They Built Arei Miskenot I heard from my father, January 31, 1941 The writing says (Exodus 1): “And they built for Pharaoh Arei Miskenot,1 Pithom and Raamses.” We should ask, “Pithom and Raamses means that they are beautiful cities, while the words Arei Miskenot imply poverty and meagerness …
Shabbat Shekalim
87. Shabbat Shekalim I heard on Adar 26, March 7, 1948 On Shabbat Shekalim [name of a weekly portion], when he came in for the Kiddush1 … he said, “There was a custom among the Admorim [rabbis, heads of congregations] in Poland, that all the rich men would come to …
All the Work Is Only Where There Are Two Ways – 1
88. All the Work Is Only Where There Are Two Ways – 1 I heard after Shabbat BeShalach, January 24, 1948 All the work is only where there are two ways, as it is written, “And he shall live by them, and he shall not die by them. And the …
To Understand the Words of The Zohar
89. To Understand the Words of The Zohar I heard on Adar 5, February 15, 1948 To understand the words of The Zohar, we should first understand what The Zohar wants to say. Understanding what The Zohar wants to say depends on one’s dedication to Torah and Mitzvot [commandments], so …
In The Zohar, Beresheet
90. In The Zohar, Beresheet I heard on Adar Bet 17, March 28, 1948 In The Zohar, Beresheet, p 165, “In the secrets of the Torah, the ministers’ defenders are erected from above. And the blaze of the flaming sword is appointed over all the armies and the camps. And …
Concerning the Replaceable
91. Concerning the Replaceable I heard on Nisan 9, April 18, 1948 In The Zohar he explains the reason why Reuben was born to Leah while he was thinking of Rachel during the act. The law is that if he thinks of another, the child is called “replaceable.” The Zohar …
Explaining the Discernment of Luck
92. Explaining the Discernment of Luck I heard on Sivan 7, June 14, 1948 “Luck” is something that is above reason. That is, even though it was reasonable that it would be so and so, luck caused his actions to succeed. Reason refers to cause and consequence, meaning that a …
Concerning Fins and Scales
93. Concerning Fins and Scales I heard in 1945 To understand what our sages said, “whatsoever has scales is known to have fins. And whatsoever has fins, it is not known if it has scales.” In the work, we should interpret the matter of Kaskeset [scales] as Kushiot [questions] that …
And You Shall Keep Your Souls
94. And You Shall Keep Your Souls I heard in 1945 In the verse, “And you shall keep your souls,” the keeping refers mainly to the spiritual soul. However, one keeps the corporeal soul even without commandments from the Torah. This is because the rule is that a Mitzva [commandment] …
Concerning Removing the Foreskin
95. Concerning Removing the Foreskin I heard during a meal celebrating a circumcision, 1943, Jerusalem Malchut in itself is called “lower Hochma,” and with respect to its connection to Yesod, it is called “faith.” There is a foreskin over the Yesod, whose role is to separate Malchut from Yesod, and …
What Is Waste of Barn and Winery, in the Work?
96. What Is Waste of Barn and Winery, in the Work? I heard on the eve of Sukkot, inside the Sukkah, 1942 A barn is male Dinim [judgments], as in “hidden and not defiled,” when he feels that he is in a state of Goren [barn], meaning Ger [stranger/not converted] …
Waste of Barn and Winery
97. Waste of Barn and Winery I heard Goren [barn] means diminution of good deeds, when a person feels Gronot [throats] (Ger’onot [deficiencies]) with the Creator. Hence, he lessens the good deeds. Afterward, he comes to a state of Yekev [winery], which is “And he that blasphemes the name of …
Spirituality Is Called That Which Will Never Be Lost
98. Spirituality Is Called That Which Will Never Be Lost I heard in 1948 Spirituality is called that which will never be lost. Hence, the will to receive, in the form it is in, meaning in order to receive, is called “corporeality,” since it will be canceled from this form …
He Did Not Say Wicked or Righteous
99. He Did Not Say Wicked or Righteous I heard on Iyar 21, Jerusalem “Rabbi Hanina Bar Papa said, ‘That angel, appointed on conception, its name is Laila [night]. It takes a drop and places it before the Creator and says to Him: ‘Master of the world, this drop, what …
The Written Torah and the Oral Torah – 1
100. The Written Torah and the Oral Torah – 1 I heard on Mishpatim, 1943 The written Torah is considered “awakening from above,” and the oral Torah is an awakening from below. Together, they are called “Six years he shall serve, and in the seventh he shall go out free.” …
A Commentary on the Psalm, “For the Winner over Roses”
101. A Commentary on the Psalm, “For the Winner over Roses” I heard on Adar Aleph 23, February 28, 1943 “For the winner,” one who has already won. Over Shoshanim [roses], meaning the Shechina [Divinity], which concerns the inversion from mourning to a good day and Sasson [joy]. Since there …
And You Shall Take You the Fruit of a Citrus Tree
102. And You Shall Take You the Fruit of a Citrus Tree I heard on Ushpizin de Yosef [Sukkot] In the verse, “And you shall take you… the fruit of a citrus tree,” meaning a righteous, called a “fruit bearing tree,” this is the whole difference between Kedusha [holiness] and …
Whose Heart Makes Him Willing
103. Whose Heart Makes Him Willing I heard on the eve of Shabbat, Beresheet, October 1942 In the verse, “from every man whose heart makes him willing, you shall take My donation.” This is the meaning of “the substance of a donation from sanctity.” In other words, how does one …
And the Saboteur Was Sitting
104. And the Saboteur Was Sitting I heard on the eve of Shabbat, Beresheet, October 1942 In The Zohar, Noah, “There was a flood, and the saboteur was sitting in the midst of it.” He asked, “A flood means a flood of water. This, in itself, is deadly and a …
A Bastard Wise Disciple Precedes a Commoner High Priest
105. A Bastard Wise Disciple Precedes a Commoner High Priest I heard on Heshvan 15, November 1, 1944, Tel-Aviv “A bastard wise disciple precedes a commoner high priest.” A bastard means a foreign god, cruel. This refers to bastardy. When one breaches the prohibition of turning to other gods, they …
What the Twelve Challahs on Shabbat Imply
106. What the Twelve Challahs on Shabbat Imply I heard on Elul, August 1942 In the songs of Shabbat [Sabbath] it is written, “will reveal to us the flavor of twelve challahs [Sabbath bread], which are a letter in His name, multiplied and faint.” We should interpret the words of …
Concerning the Two Angels
107. Concerning the Two Angels I heard on Tetzave, February, 1943, Jerusalem Concerning the two angels that accompany one on the eve of Shabbat [Sabbath], a good angel and a bad angel, a good angel is called “right,” by which one comes closer to serving the Creator. This is called …
If You Leave Me One Day, I Will Leave You Two
108. If You Leave Me One Day, I Will Leave You Two I heard in 1943, Jerusalem Every person is remote from the Creator with the quality of reception in him. But he is remote simply because of the will to receive in him. However, since that person does not …
Two Kinds of Meat
109. Two Kinds of Meat I heard on Heshvan 20 We usually distinguish between two kinds of meat: beast meat and fish meat, and in both there are signs of Tuma’a [impurity]. The Torah gave us signs by which to know how to avoid them so as to not fall …
A Field that the Lord Has Blessed
110. A Field that the Lord Has Blessed I heard, 1943 “A field that the Lord has blessed.” The Shechina [Divinity] is called “a field.” Sometimes, a Sadeh [field] becomes a Sheker [lie]. The Vav within the Hey is the soul, and the Dalet is the Shechina [Divinity]. When the …
Breath, Sound, and Speech
111. Breath, Sound, and Speech I heard on Sivan 29, July 2, 1943, Jerusalem There is a discernment of “breath,” “sound,” and “speech,” there is a discernment of “ice,” and there is the discernment of “terrible.” Breath means Ohr Hozer [reflected light], which comes out of the Masach [screen]. This …
The Three Angels
112. The Three Angels I heard on VaYera, October 1942 Understand: The matter of the three angels that came to visit Abraham during the circumcision. The matter of the Creator coming to visit him and what He told him during the visit. That our sages said that the visitor takes …
The Eighteen Prayer
113. The Eighteen Prayer I heard on Kislev 15, Shabbat In the Shmone Esrei [eighteen] Prayer, “for You hear the prayer of every mouth in Your people, Israel, with mercy,” it seems perplexing since first we say, “for You hear the prayer of every mouth,” meaning even an unworthy mouth—the …
Prayer
114. Prayer I heard in 1942 We must understand why a prayer is considered “mercy.” After all, there is a rule: “I found and did not labor, do not believe.” The advice is that one should promise the Creator that he will give Him the labor afterwards.
Still, Vegetative, Animate, and Speaking
115. Still, Vegetative, Animate, and Speaking I heard in 1940, Jerusalem Still is something that does not have an authority of its own. Rather, it is under the authority of its landlord and must satisfy every wish and desire of its landlord. Hence, since the Creator created creation for His …
He Who Said, “Mitzvot Do Not Require Intention”
116. He Who Said, “Mitzvot Do Not Require Intention” I heard “Mitzvot [commandments] do not require intention,” and “The reward for a Mitzva [sing. of Mitzvot] is not in this world.” This means that one who says that Mitzvot do not require intention believes that the reward for a Mitzva …
You Labored and Did Not Find, Do Not Believe
117. Labored and Did Not Find? Do Not Believe I heard Necessity of the labor is a requirement. Since the Creator gives man a present, He wants man to feel the benefit in the present. Otherwise, that person would be like a fool, as our sages said, “Who is a …
To Understand the Matter of the Knees Which Have Bowed to Baal
118. To Understand the Matter of the Knees that Have Bowed to Baal I heard There is the discernment of a wife, and there is the discernment of a husband. A wife is considered that “she has nothing but what her husband gives her,” and a husband is considered extending …
That Disciple Who Learned in Secret
119. That Disciple Who Learned in Secret I heard on Tishrei 5, September 16, 1942 That disciple who learned in secret, Bruria struck him and said, “ordered in all things,” if ordered in the 248, exists. Secret means Katnut [smallness/infancy], from the word Chash-Mal. Chash means Kelim de Panim [anterior …
The Reason for Not Eating Nuts on Rosh Hashanah
120. The Reason for Not Eating Nuts on Rosh Hashanah I heard at the end of Rosh Hashanah, 1942, Jerusalem The reason for not eating nuts on Rosh Hashanah [Jewish New Year] is that Egoz [nut], in Gematria, is Het [sin]. And he asked, “But Egoz, in Gematria, is Tov …
She Is Like Merchant-Ships
121. She Is Like Merchant-Ships I heard In the verse, “She is like the merchant-ships; she brings her bread from afar,” when one demands and insists, “she is all mine,” that all the desires will be dedicated to the Creator, the Sitra Achra [other side] awakens against him and claims, …
Understanding What Is Written in Shulchan Aruch
122. Understanding What Is Written in Shulchan Aruch I heard on the eve of Shabbat, Nitzavim, Elul 22, September 4, 1942 Understand what is explained in Shulchan Aruch [Set Table—the Jewish code of Law]: The rule is that one should repeatedly reflect upon the prayers of the Terrible Days so …
His Divorce and His Hand Come as One
123. His Divorce and His Hand Come as One I heard; memories of Baal HaSulam In the matter of the lower Hey in the Eynaim [eyes], it means that a Masach [screen] and a cover was placed over the eyes. Eyes mean seeing and Providence, when one sees hidden Providence. …
A Shabbat of Beresheet and of the Six Thousand Years
124. A Shabbat of Beresheet and of the Six Thousand Years I heard There are two discernments of Shabbat [Sabbath]: 1) of Beresheet [Genesis/beginning], 2) of the six thousand years. The difference between them is this: It is known that there is a stop, and there is rest. A stop …
He Who Delights the Shabbat
125. He Who Delights the Shabbat I heard on Sivan 8, June 15, 1949, Tel-Aviv “Anyone who delights the Shabbat [Sabbath] is given an unbounded domain, as it is said, ‘Then shall you delight yourself in the Lord, and I will make you to ride upon the high places of …
A Sage Comes to Town
126. A Sage Comes to Town I heard during the Shavuot meal, May 1947, Tel-Aviv “A sage comes to town.” The Creator is called “Sage” [or “wise”]. He comes to town, since on Shavuot [Feast of Weeks] He shows Himself to the world. “The sluggard says: ‘There is a lion …
The Difference between Core, Self, and Added Abundance
127. The Difference between Core, Self, and Added Abundance Sukkot Inter 4, September 30, 1942, Jerusalem It is known that the departure of the Mochin and the cessation of the Zivug occur only to the additions of the Mochin, and the core of the degree in ZON is Vav and …
Dew Drips from that Galgalta to Zeir Anpin
128. Dew Drips from that Galgalta to Zeir Anpin I heard on Mishpatim 3, February 27, 1943 Dew drips from that Galgalta to Zeir Anpin. And concerning the pale hair, there is a dent under each hair, and this is the meaning of “He that would break me with a …
The Shechina in the Dust
129. The Shechina in the Dust I heard “You are fond of suffering. Then he said, ‘neither they nor their reward,’ about this beauty, which wears off in the dust.” Suffering is primarily in a place that is above reason. And the measure of the suffering depends on the extent …
Tiberias of Our Sages, Good Is Your Sight
130. Tiberias of Our Sages, Good Is Your Sight I heard on Adar 1, February 21, 1947, on a trip to Tiberias “Tiberias of our sages, good is your sight.” Seeing means wisdom. Good means that he can be awarded wisdom there. And Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai was purifying the markets …
Who Comes to Purify
131. Who Comes to Purify I heard in 1947 “He who comes to purify is aided.” This means that one should always be in a state of “coming.” And then, in any case, if he feels that he has purified, he no longer needs to aid him, since He purified …
In the Sweat of Your Face Shall You Eat Bread – 1
132. In the Sweat of Your Face Shall You Eat Bread – 1 I heard on Adar 14, March 6, 1947, Tel-Aviv “In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread.” Bread means Torah, which is “Go, fight with My bread.” The study of Torah should be with fear, …
The Lights of Shabbat
133. The Lights of Shabbat I heard in 1947 The lights of Shabbat [Sabbath] come to the discernment of the Guf [body]. Hence, on Shabbat we say, “To David. Bless [the Lord] my soul, and all that is within me,” meaning the Guf. A new head, however, is considered a …
Wine that Causes Drunkenness
134. Wine that Causes Drunkenness I heard in 1947 It is impossible to be awarded the Torah in its entirety. Through intoxication in the wine of Torah, when one feels that the whole world is his, even though he still does not have the whole of the wisdom, he will …
Clean and Righteous Do Not Kill
135. Clean and Righteous Do Not Kill I heard on Nisan 2, March 23, 1947, Tel Aviv “The clean and righteous do not kill.” A righteous is one who justifies the Creator: Whatever he feels, whether good or bad, he takes above reason. This is considered “right.” Clean refers to …
The Difference between the First Letters and the Last Letters
136. The Difference between the First Letters and the Last Letters I heard on Purim, 1947 The difference between the first letters and the last letters is only in the written synopsis, meaning the content of the writing that was given by the King’s house. And the King’s authors elaborate …
Zelophehad Was Gathering Wood
137. Zelophehad Was Gathering Wood I heard in 1947 Zelophehad was gathering wood. The Zohar interprets that he was measuring which tree was bigger: the tree of life or the tree of knowledge. A righteous is called “the tree of life,” who is entirely to bestow. And in that, there …
Concerning Fear that Sometimes Comes Upon a Person
138. Concerning Fear that Sometimes Comes Upon a Person I heard in 1942 When fear comes upon a person, he should know that there is none else but Him. And even witchcraft. And if he sees that fear overcomes him, he should say that there is no such thing as …
The Difference between the Six Workdays and Shabbat
139. The Difference between the Six Workdays and Shabbat I heard The six workdays are considered ZA, and Shabbat [Sabbath] is considered Malchut. And he asked, “But ZA is a higher degree than Malchut, so why is Shabbat more important than the weekdays? And also, why are they called Yemey …
How I Love Your Torah
140. How I Love Your Torah I heard at the conclusion of Passover 7, 1943 “O how I love Your Torah! I speak of it throughout the day.” He said that even though King David had already been awarded perfection, he still craved the Torah, because the Torah is greater …
The Holiday of Passover
141. The Holiday of Passover I heard The holiday of Passover concerns Mochin de Haya, and the count concerns Mochin de Haya. Hence, during the count there is departure of the Mochin, since the count is considered raising MAN. It is known that when raising MAN there is departure of …
The Essence of the War
142. The Essence of the War I heard The essence of the war should be in a place of permission. However, with Mitzva [commandment] and transgression, the loss is near and the reward is far. Hence, there he should observe without any considerations. However, waging war and keeping the Mitzva …
Only Good to Israel
143. Only Good to Israel I heard from Baal HaSulam “Only good to Israel, God is to the pure in heart.” It is known that “only” and “just” are diminutives. This means that in every place the Torah writes “only” and “just,” it comes to diminish. Therefore, in work matters …
There Is a Certain People
144. There Is a Certain People I heard on the night of Purim, after reading the Megillah, 1950 “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples.” Haman said that in his view, we will succeed in destroying the Jews because they are separated from one another; …
What Is He Will Give Wisdom Specifically to the Wise
145. What Is He Will Give Wisdom Specifically to the Wise I heard on Truma 5, February 11, 1943 “He will give wisdom to the wise.” He asked, “It should have said, ‘He will give wisdom to the fools.’” And he said, “It is known that there is no coercion …
A Commentary on The Zohar
146. A Commentary on The Zohar I heard in the year 1938 In The Zohar: “When one is born, he is given a soul from the side of the pure beast.” And he interprets that his animate soul, too, agrees to be a servant of the Creator. “If he is …
The Work of Reception and Bestowal
147. The Work of Reception and Bestowal I heard on Adar 21, March 8, 1953 The matter of work in reception and bestowal depends on the heart. This is considered VAK. However, work in faith and knowledge is considered GAR. Although they are one discernment, meaning that faith is accepted …
The Scrutiny of Bitter and Sweet, True and False
148. The Scrutiny of Bitter and Sweet, True and False I heard There is a scrutiny of “bitter and sweet,” and there is a scrutiny of “true and false.” The scrutiny of “true and false” is in the mind, and the scrutiny of “bitter and sweet” is in the heart. …
Why We Need to Extend Hochma
149. Why We Need to Extend Hochma I heard on Adar 22, March 9, 1953, Tel-Aviv He asked, “Why do we need to extend the discernment of Hochma [wisdom], which is knowing, if all our work is by way of faith above reason?” He answered that “If the righteous of …
Sing unto the Lord, for He Has Done Pride
150. Sing unto the Lord, for He Has Done Pride I heard on Shevat 14 In the verse, “Sing1 unto the Lord; for He has done pride,” it seems that “prune” is like “[The Lord is] my strength and song.” This means that we should always prune and cut the …
And Israel Saw the Egyptians
151. And Israel Saw the Egyptians I heard on BeShalach In the verse, “and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore,” “…and the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses,” we must understand how “they believed” is relevant here. Clearly, the …
For Bribe Blinds the Eyes of the Wise
152. For Bribe Blinds the Eyes of the Wise I heard on Tevet 24, January 6, 1948 “For bribe blinds the eyes of the wise.” When one begins to criticize the work and its conditions, he is faced with the possibility that it will be impossible to receive the work, …
A Thought Is a Result of the Desire
153. A Thought Is a Result of the Desire I heard on Shevat 7, January 18, 1948, Tel-Aviv A thought is a result of the desire. A person thinks of what he wants. He will not think of what he does not want. For example, a person never thinks of …
There Cannot Be an Empty Space in the World
154. There Cannot Be an Empty Space in the World I heard on Shevat 7, January 18, 1948, Tel Aviv There cannot be an empty space in the world. Because man’s essence is the desire, as this is the essence of creation, this is where one’s greatness and smallness are …
The Cleanness of the Body
155. The Cleanness of the Body I heard during a Shabbat meal, Shevat 13 The cleanness of the body points to the cleanness of the mind. The cleanness of the mind is called “truth,” where no falsehood is involved. And not everyone is equal in that, as some are partially …
Lest He Took from the Tree of Life
156. Lest He Took from the Tree of Life I heard on Shevat 15 “Lest he took from the tree of life, and ate, and lived forever.” Baal HaSulam interpreted that perhaps he would take from the covered Hassadim [mercy], considered from the Chazeh [chest] and above. This is because …
I Am Asleep but My Heart Is Awake
157. I Am Asleep but My Heart Is Awake I heard on Nisan 9, April 18, 1948 It is written in The Zohar, (Portion Emor 95a): “The assembly of Israel said, ‘I sleep in exile in Egypt, where my children were in harsh enslavement.’” The Mochin were in the state …
The Reason for Not Eating at Each Other's Home on Passover
158. The Reason for Not Eating at Each Other's Home on Passover I heard during a Shacharit [morning] meal on Passover, 1948 He explains why it is a custom not to eat at each other’s home for reasons of Kashrut [Jewish dietary laws], and why it is not so all …
And It Came to Pass in the Course of Those Many Days
159. And It Came to Pass in the Course of Those Many Days I heard “And it came to pass in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died; and the children of Israel sighed from the work, and they cried, and their cry came up …
The Reason for Concealing the Matzot
160. The Reason for Concealing the Matzot I heard He explains why it is customary that the Matzot [unleavened bread] are always placed in concealment, on a matzo-plate or on some other covered thing. It is written, “And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being …
Concerning the Giving of the Torah – 2
161. Concerning the Giving of the Torah – 2 I heard during a Shavuot meal The matter of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai does not mean that the Torah was given then, and that now it is not. Rather, the giving of the Torah is an eternal …
Concerning the Hazak We Say After Completing the Series
162. Concerning the Hazak We Say After Completing the Series I heard during a Shacharit [morning] meal on Shabbat, Av 2, Tel-Aviv The Hazak1 we say after completing the series means that the completion should give us strength to complete all the degrees. As the body has 248 organs and …
What the Authors of The Zohar Said
163. What the Authors of The Zohar Said I heard after Shabbat, portion Masa’ei, August 7, 1948, Tel Aviv About the authors of The Zohar saying their words as morals, it was not necessary. They could have revealed their secrets by other means, too. However, they wanted to clothe their …
There Is a Difference between Corporeality and Spirituality
164. There Is a Difference between Corporeality and Spirituality I heard on Av 3, August 8, 1948 There is a difference between corporeality and spirituality: In corporeality, the strength precedes the act, as it is written, “Before they call, I will answer.” There, the order is according to the end …
An Explanation to Elisha's Request of Elijah
165. An Explanation to Elisha's Request of Elijah I heard Elijah asked him: “What I shall do for you?” And he replied, “a double portion of your spirit.” And he replied, “You asked a hard thing.” The thing is that there is the sorting of the 288, and there is …
Two Discernments in Attainment
166. Two Discernments in Attainment I heard There are two discernments: 1) the cascading of the worlds from above downward, 2) from below upward. The first discernment: “which God has created to do.” This means that the Creator has prepared for us a place for work. The second discernment: when …
The Reason Why It Is Called Shabbat Teshuva
167. The Reason Why It Is Called Shabbat Teshuva I heard on Shabbat Teshuva, October 9, 1948, Tel-Aviv The reason why it is called “Shabbat Teshuva” [Sabbath of repentance] is that (at the end of the ten penitential days, on the Day of Atonement) we say “for a sin.” And …
The Customs of Israel
168. The Customs of Israel I heard The customs of Israel are so important that it is safe to say that they give more spirituality to a person than the Mitzvot [commandments] themselves. This is so although breaking a custom does not yield punishment, and breaking a judgment does yield …
Concerning a Complete Righteous
169. Concerning a Complete Righteous I heard In the matter of “complete righteous” who did not sin. It is written, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does good and will not sin.” He replied that in each degree there is a discernment of “complete righteous,” where there …
You Shall Not Have in Your Pocket a Big Stone
170. You Shall Not Have in Your Pocket a Big Stone I heard “You shall not have in your pocket a big stone and a small stone.” Even [stone] is called “faith” (stones to weigh with). This is considered small, which is above reason. But at the same time, you …
In The Zohar, Emor – 1
171. In The Zohar, Emor – 1 I heard on Passover Inter 4, April 18, 1949 It is written in The Zohar, portion Emor: “The assembly of Israel said, ‘I sleep in the exile in Egypt’” (Zohar, Emor, p 43). The departure of the Mochin is called “sleep.” “And my …
The Matter of Preventions and Delays
172. The Matter of Preventions and Delays I heard on Passover 7, April 20, 1949, Tel Aviv All the preventions and delays that appear before our eyes are but a form of nearing—the Creator wants to bring us closer, and all these preventions bring us only nearing, since without them …
Why We Say LeChaim
173. Why We Say LeChaim I heard during a Shabbat meal, portion Acharei-Kedoshim, Omer Count 23, May 7, 1949 He said about saying L’Chaim [to life—cheers (when toasting a drink)] when drinking wine, that it is as our sages said, “Wine and life according to the sages and their disciples.” …
Concealment
174. Concealment I heard Concerning the concealment, which is a correction, had it not been for that, man would have been unable to attain any completeness, since he would not be worthy of attaining the importance of the matter. However, when there is concealment, the thing becomes important to him. …
And If the Way Be Too Far for You
175. And If the Way Be Too Far for You I heard during a Shevat meal, portion Behar-BeHukotai, Iyar 22, May 21, 1949 “And if the way be too far for you, so that you are not able to carry it.” He interpreted, Why is the way so far? Because …
When Drinking Brandy after the Havdala
176. When Drinking Brandy after the Havdala1 I heard after Yom Kippur, September 21, 1950 “And he would make a good day when he came out of the holiness.” Holiness is considered wisdom, and left line, where there is fear of the Dinim [judgments]. Hence, there is no place for …
Atonements
177. Atonements I heard “Atonement of sins” is done through manifestation of the light of Hochma [wisdom]. The confession is the drawing of Hochma. The more one confesses, the more the Hochma appears on him. It is said about that: “In that day, … the iniquity of Jacob shall be …
Three Partners in Man
178. Three Partners in Man I heard during a meal celebrating the completion of Part Nine of The Zohar, Iyar 3, May 9, 1951 Concerning the three partners in man: the Creator, the father, and the mother. And he said that there is a fourth partner: the earth. If one …
Three Lines
179. Three Lines I heard on Passover Inter 2, Omer Count 2, April 23, 1951 There is the matter of the three lines, and the matter of Israel holding to the body of the King. There is the matter of the exile in Egypt, when the people of Israel had …
In The Zohar, Emor – 2
180. In The Zohar, Emor – 2 I heard on Passover Inter 2, April 23, 1951, Tel-Aviv In The Zohar (Emor 43): “Rabbi Hiyah opened, ‘I am asleep, but my heart is awake,’ etc. The assembly of Israel said, ‘I am asleep in the exile in Egypt, where my children …
Honor
181. Honor I heard on Nisan 25, May 1, 1951 Honor is something that stops the body, and to that extent it harms the soul. Hence, all the righteous who became famous and respected, it was a punishment. But the great righteous, when the Creator does not want them to …
Moses and Solomon
182. Moses and Solomon I heard on Iyar 3, May 10, 1951 Moses and Solomon are considered Panim [anterior/face] and Achoraim [posterior/back]. It is written about Moses: “and you will see My back.” Solomon, however, is considered Panim. And only Solomon used the Achoraim of Moses, which is why the …
The Discernment of Messiah
183. The Discernment of Messiah I heard There is a discernment of Messiah Son of Joseph, and Messiah Son of David. Both must unite, and then there will be true wholeness in them.
The Difference between Faith and Intellect
184. The Difference between Faith and Intellect I heard on Shevat 15, February 14, 1949, Tiberias The difference between faith and intellect. There is an advantage to faith because it affects the body more than the intellect because it is closer to the body. Faith is considered Malchut, and the …
The Uneducated, the Fear of Shabbat Is on Him
185. The Uneducated, the Fear of Shabbat Is on Him I heard Our sages said, “An uneducated man, the fear of Shabbat is on him.” A wise disciple is considered Shabbat [Sabbath], and Shabbat is considered Gmar Tikkun [the end of correction]. Thus, as in Gmar Tikkun, the Kelim [vessels] …
Make Your Shabbat a Weekday, and Do Not Need People
186. Make Your Shabbat a Weekday, and Do Not Need People I heard On Shabbat [Sabbath], it is forbidden to do work, meaning an awakening from below. And a wise disciple, one who has been rewarded with being the disciple of the Creator, who is called “Wise,” is also considered …
Choosing Labor
187. Choosing Labor I heard The matter of the lower Hey in the Eynaim [eyes] means that there was a Masach [screen] and a cover over the eyes. The eyes mean Providence, when one sees hidden Providence. A trial means that a person cannot decide either way, when one cannot …
All the Work Is Only Where There Are Two Ways – 2
188. All the Work Is Only Where There Are Two Ways – 2 I heard after Shabbat Beshalach, Shevat 14, January 25, 1948 All the work is only where there are two ways, as we have found, “And he shall live in them, and he shall not die in them.” …
The Action Affects the Thought
189. The Action Affects the Thought I heard on Tishrei 27 Understand the reason for the sharpness, excitement, and shrewdness when all the organs work in coordination at full speed, when one thinks of corporeal possessions. But with matters concerning the soul, the person, the body, and all the senses …
Every Act Leaves an Imprint
190. Every Act Leaves an Imprint I heard during a meal, Passover 1, April 15, 1949 He asked if the redemption of our land from the oppressors is affecting us. We have been rewarded with liberation from the burden of the nations, and have become like all the nations, where …
The Time of Descent
191. The Time of Descent I heard on Sivan 14, June 1938 It is hard to depict the time of descent, when all the works and the efforts made from the beginning of the work until the time of descent are lost. To one who has never tasted the taste …
The Lots
192. The Lots I heard in the year 1949, Tel-Aviv The lots mean that they are both equal, and that it is impossible to examine with the intellect which is more important. This is why a lot is required. In The Zohar, Emor, it asks, “How can a goat for …
One Wall Serves Both
193. One Wall Serves Both The matter of the Achoraim [posterior] concerns primarily the absence of light of wisdom, which is the essence of the vitality, called “direct light.” And this light was restricted so as not to come to disparity of form. This is why ZON have no GAR …
The Complete Seven
194. The Complete Seven Copied from a manuscript of Baal HaSulam In the matter of the seven full ones of the Sanctification of the New Moon, it is customary to wait for seven full ones, and the end of Shabbat [Sabbath], too. It is not like the custom that if …
Rewarded - I Will Hasten It
195. Rewarded—I Will Hasten It I heard in the year 1938 “Rewarded—I will hasten it,” meaning the path of Torah; “not rewarded—through suffering,” an evolutionary path that will finally lead everything to utter perfection. The path of Torah means that an ordinary person is given virtues by which he can …
A Grip for the External Ones
196. A Grip for the External Ones I heard in the year 1938 We should know that the Klipot can only get hold in a place of lack. In a place where there is wholeness, they flee and cannot touch. Now we can understand the matter of the breaking: It …
Book, Author, Story
197. Book, Author, Story I heard in the year 1938 Book, author, story. A book is considered prior to creation. An author is the owner of the book. An author is the unification of the author and the book, which should assume the form of a story, that is, the …
Freedom
198. Freedom I heard in the year 1938 Harut [engraved], do not pronounce it Harut but Herut [freedom]. This means that it is written, “Write them upon the tablet of your heart.” Writing is with ink, which is considered blackness. Each time a person writes, meaning makes decisions about how …
To Every Man of Israel
199. To Every Man of Israel I heard Inter 3 Every man of Israel has an internal point in the heart, which is considered simple faith. This is an inheritance from our fathers, who stood on Mount Sinai. However, it is covered by many Klipot [shells], which are all kinds …
The Hizdakchut of the Masach
200. The Hizdakchut of the Masach I heard in Tiberias, Kislev 1, Shabbat The Hizdakchut [thinning/purification] of the Masach [screen], which occurs in the Partzuf, causes the departure of the light, too. And the reason is that after the Tzimtzum [restriction], the light is captured only in the Kli [vessel] …
Spirituality and Corporeality
201. Spirituality and Corporeality I heard on Hanukkah 1, December 18, 1938 Why do we see that there are many people who work so diligently for corporeality, even in life-threatening places, but in spirituality, each and every one examines one’s soul very carefully? Moreover, one can exert in corporeality even …
In the Sweat of Your Face Shall You Eat Bread – 2
202. In the Sweat of Your Face Shall You Eat Bread – 2 I heard Diminishing the light is its correction. That is, nothing is achieved without an effort. Because it is impossible to obtain the complete light in utter clarity, the advice is to diminish the light. In this …
Man's Pride Shall Bring Him Low
203. Man's Pride Shall Bring Him Low I heard on Sukkot Inter 2, October 12, 1938 “Man’s pride shall bring him low.” It is known that a man is born in utter lowliness. However, if the lowly one knows his place then he does not suffer for being low, as …
The Purpose of the Work - 2
204. The Purpose of the Work – 2 I heard in the year 1938 During the preparation period, all the work is in the no’s, that is, in the “no,” as it is written, “and they shall be afflicted in a land that is not.” However, with matters of the …
Wisdom Cries Out in the Streets
205. Wisdom Cries Out in the Streets I heard in the year 1938 “Wisdom cries out in the streets, she utters her voice in the broad places. He who is a fool, let him come here; ‘Heartless!’ she said to him.” This means that when one is awarded Dvekut [adhesion] …
Faith and Pleasure
206. Faith and Pleasure I heard in the year 1938 One will never ask about pleasure, “What is the purpose of this pleasure?” If even the smallest thought about its purpose appears in one’s mind, it is a sign that this is not true pleasure, since pleasure fills all the …
Receiving in order to Bestow
207. Receiving in order to Bestow I heard on Shabbat, Tevet 13 People in the world walk on two legs, called “pleasure” and “pain.” They always chase after the place of pleasure, and always flee from the place of suffering. Hence, when one is rewarded with tasting the flavor of …
Labor
208. Labor I heard The efforts that one makes are but preparations for achieving devotion. Hence, one should grow accustomed to devotion, since no degree can be achieved without devotion, as this is the only tool that qualifies one to be rewarded with all the degrees.
Three Conditions in Prayer
209. Three Conditions in Prayer I heard There are three conditions in prayer: Believing that He can save him. Although he has the worst conditions of all his contemporaries, still, “Will the Lord’s hand be too short to save him?” If it is not so, then “the Landlord cannot save …
A Sightly Flaw in You
210. A Sightly Flaw in You I heard It is written in the Talmud: “He who said to her, to his wife, ‘Until you see a sightly flaw in you.’ Rabbi Ishmael, son of Rabbi Yosi, said that the Creator says that she cannot adhere to him until you see …
As Though Standing before a King
211. As Though Standing before a King I heard on Elul 1, August 28, 1938 One who is sitting at one’s home is not as one who is standing before a King. This means that faith should be that he will feel all day as though he is standing before …
Embrace of the Right, Embrace of the Left
212. Embrace of the Right, Embrace of the Left I heard on Kislev 8, November 28, 1941 There is the embrace of the right and there is the embrace of the left, and both must be eternal. This means that when one is in the state of “right,” he should …
Acknowledging the Desire
213. Acknowledging the Desire I heard The basic, primary principle is to increase the need, for this is the basis upon which the whole structure is built. And the strength of the building is measured by the strength of its foundation. Many things compel one to labor, but they do …
Known in the Gates
214. Known in the Gates I Heard on Shavuot [Feast of Weeks], 1939, Jerusalem “I am the Lord your God.” Also, in The Zohar, “known in the gates.” Question: Why did our sages change from the written word of calling the festival of the assembly by the name “the giving …
Concerning Faith
215. Concerning Faith I heard Faith, specifically, is pure work since the will to receive does not participate in this work. Moreover, the will to receive resists it. The nature of that desire is only to work in a place that it sees and knows. But above reason is not …
Right and Left
216. Right and Left I heard on Tevet 6 There is the discernment of “right” and there is “left.” On the “right” there are Hochma, Hesed, Netzah, and on the “left” there are Bina, Gevura, and Hod. Right is considered “private Providence,” and “left” is considered “reward and punishment.” When …
If I Am Not for Me, Who Is for Me?
217. If I Am Not for Me, Who Is for Me? I heard on Adar Aleph 27 “If I am not for me who is for me, and when I am for myself, what am I?” This is an inherent contradiction. The thing is that one should do all of …
The Torah and the Creator Are One
218. The Torah and the Creator Are One I heard “The Torah and the Creator are one.” Certainly, during the work they are two things. However, they contradict one another. The discernment of the Creator is Dvekut [adhesion], and Dvekut means equivalence, being canceled from reality. (And one should always …
Devotion
219. Devotion I heard The work should be with love and fear. With love, it is irrelevant to say that we must be devoted to it, since it is natural, as love is as fierce as death, as it is written, “for love is as strong as death.” Rather, devotion …
Suffering
220. Suffering I heard The harsh suffering that one feels is only because of the absence of vitality. However, what can one do? It is not within one’s power to take vitality. At such a time, one comes to a state of boredom. And it is specifically at such a …
Multiple Authorities
221. Multiple Authorities I heard A Kli [vessel] does not leave its own authority unless it is filled with something else. But it cannot remain empty. Hence, because it is in the authority of the Sitra Achra [other side], of course it must be taken out. Therefore, we must try …
The Part Given to the Sitra Achra to Separate It from the Kedusha
222. The Part Given to the Sitra Achra to Separate It from the Kedusha I heard “In the beginning, He created the world with the quality of Din [judgment]. He saw that the world did not exist.” Interpretation: The quality of Din is Malchut, the place of the Tzimtzum [restriction]. …
Clothing, Sack, Lie, Almond
223. Clothing, Sack, Lie, Almond I heard “None might come to the king’s gate wearing sackcloth.” This means that when one awakens oneself to how remote he is from the Creator, that he is filled with transgressions, sins, and crimes, he cannot be adhered, and he cannot receive any salvation …
Yesod de Nukva and Yesod de Dechura
224. Yesod de Nukva and Yesod de Dechura I heard The matter of the ascent of Malchut to the place of the Eynaim [eyes] is called Yesod de Nukva. This is because Nukva means deficiency, where diminution is considered a lack. Because it is in the Eynaim, which is Hochma, …
Raising Oneself
225. Raising Oneself I heard One cannot raise oneself above one’s circle. Hence, one must nurse from one’s environment, and he has no other way except through Torah and much work. Therefore, if one chooses for oneself a good environment, he saves time and efforts since he is drawn according …
The Written Torah and the Oral Torah – 2
226. The Written Torah and the Oral Torah – 2 I heard on Mishpatim 3, February 2, 1943, Tel-Aviv The written Torah is considered an awakening from above, and the oral Torah is considered an awakening from below. Together, they are considered, “Six years he shall work, and in the …
The Reward for a Mitzva–a Mitzva
227. The Reward for a Mitzva–a Mitzva I heard One should crave being awarded the reward of a Mitzva [commandment]. This means that through keeping the Mitzvot [pl. of Mitzva] he will be rewarded with adhering to the Metzaveh [Commander].
Fish before Meat
228. Fish before Meat I heard on Adar 1, February 21, 1947, Tiberias The reason that in a meal we eat fish first is that fish are given free, without preparation. This is why they are eaten first, as they do not require preparation, as it is written, “We remember …
Haman Pockets
229. Haman Pockets I heard on Purim Night, after reading the Megillah, March 3, 1950 Concerning the eating of the Haman Tashim, meaning Haman’s Pockets,1 he said that since “man must be intoxicated on Purim until he cannot tell between the evil Haman and the blessed Mordecai,” we eat Haman …
The Lord Is High and the Low Will See - 2
230. The Lord Is High and the Low Will See - 2 I heard on Shabbat Teruma, March 5, 1949, Tel-Aviv “The Lord is high and the low will see.” How can there be equivalence with the Creator when man is the receiver and the Creator is the Giver? The …
The Purity of the Vessels of Reception
231. The Purity of the Vessels of Reception I heard on Tevet, January 1928, Givat Shaul (Jerusalem) We should be cautious with anything that the body enjoys. One should regret this, since through reception, he becomes removed from the Creator since the Creator is the Giver, and if he will …
Completing the Labor
232. Completing the Labor I heard “I labored and did not find, do not believe.” We must understand the meaning “I found.” What is there to find? Finding concerns the Creator finding us agreeable. “I did not labor and found, do not believe.” We must ask, after all, he is …
Pardon, Forgiveness, and Atonement
233. Pardon, Forgiveness, and Atonement I heard Mechila [pardon], as in from ruin to praise. This means that sins have become to him as merits specifically through repentance from love. Thus, he turns the sins into a praise, to merits. Slicha [forgiveness] comes from VeShalach Et Be’iro [“and shall let …
He Who Ceases Words of Torah and Engages in Conversation
234. He Who Ceases Words of Torah and Engages in Conversation Adar Aleph, 1940, on the way to Gaza “He who ceases words of Torah and engages in conversation is fed coals of broom.” This means that when one engages in Torah and does not stop, the Torah is considered …
Looking in the Book Again
235. Looking in the Book Again After one sees some words of Torah in a book and memorizes them, since what enters the mind is already blemished, hence, when looking in the book again, he can elicit the light so as to receive illumination from what he is seeing now. …
My Adversaries Curse Me All the Day
236. My Adversaries Curse Me All the Day Tishrei 6, September 17, 1942 “Because zeal for Your house has eaten me; my adversaries curse me… all the day” (Psalms 69). The form of cursing and swearing appears in several manners: During the work, when he performs an act of Mitzva …
For Man Shall Not See Me and Live
237. For Man Shall Not See Me and Live “For man shall not see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20). This means that if one sees the revelation of Godliness to a greater extent than he is ready to see, he may come into reception, regarded as oppositeness from the Life …
Happy Is the Man Who Does Not Forget You and the Son of Man Who Exerts in You
238. Happy Is the Man Who Does Not Forget You and the Son of Man Who Exerts in You Elul 10 “Happy is the man who does not forget You, and the son of man who exerts in You” (a supplement for the Rosh Hashanah prayer). When one advances by …
The Difference between Mochin of Shavuot and that of Shabbat at Minchah
239. The Difference between Mochin of Shavuot and that of Shabbat at Minchah There is a difference between Shavuot [Feast of Weeks]—considered the ascent of ZA to Arich Anpin, to Behinat Dikna—and Shabbat [Sabbath], during Mincha [midday prayer]—which is an ascent to Arich Anpin, too. Shavuot is considered Mochin de …
Seek Your Seekers when They Seek Your Face
240. Seek Your Seekers when They Seek Your Face Slichot 1, from Baal HaSulam “Seek your seekers when they seek Your face, answer them from the heavens of Your abode, and do not shut Your ear to their pleading cries” (Slichot for the first day). It is… that the purpose …
Call Upon Him When He Is Near
241. Call Upon Him When He Is Near “Call you upon Him when He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). We must understand what “when He is near” means since “The whole earth is full of His glory”! Thus, He is always near, so what does “when He is near” mean? It …
What Is the Matter of Delighting the Poor on a Good Day, in the Work?
242. What Is the Matter of Delighting the Poor on a Good Day, in the Work? Sukkot Inter 3 In The Zohar: “The Creator’s share is to delight the poor,” etc. In the Sulam [Ladder commentary on The Zohar], he interprets that since the Creator saw that the Lo Lishma …
Examining the Shade on the Night of Hosha’ana Rabbah
243. Examining the Shade on the Night of Hosha’ana Rabbah Adar Aleph, 24, March 1, 1943, Tel-Aviv Concerning the shade. On the night of Hosha’ana Rabbah [the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles], it is a custom that each one examines himself to see if he has a shadow, …
All the Worlds
244. All the Worlds I heard on the 12th of Adar, February 17, 1943, Tel-Aviv All the worlds in which we discern many degrees and covers are all from the perspective of the souls, who are the receivers from the worlds. According to this, we will understand the rule, “Everything …
Prior to the Creation of the Newborn
245. Prior to the Creation of the Newborn I heard in Jerusalem, Iyar 21, April-May “Prior to the creation of the newborn, it is declared whether the drop will be a fool or a wise, etc., but righteous or wicked, he did not say.” Accordingly, we should ask: After all, …
An Explanation about Luck
246. An Explanation about Luck I heard on Sivan 7 The word “Luck” means something that is above the intellect. That is, even though it is reasonable that it would be so and so, his luck caused it. By this we will understand what is written, “Sons, life, and nourishment …
A Thought Is Regarded as Nourishment
247. A Thought Is Regarded as Nourishment I heard on Adar 24, March 19, 1944, Jerusalem Man is discerned as having three bodies: The inner body, which is a clothing for the soul of Kedusha [holiness]. Klipat [shell of] Noga. The serpent’s skin. In order to save one from the …
Let His Friend Begin
248. Let His Friend Begin Love of friends is a nature; it is “As in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.” However, each one wants his friend to begin. It was said about this, “He who rushes—gains.”