Expanding Your Inner Vision
By reading in this book, one develops internal observations and approaches that did not previously exist within.
This book is intended for contemplation of spiritual terms. To the extent that we are integrated with these terms, we begin to unveil the spiritual structure that surrounds us, almost as if a mist had been lifted.
Author's Note
Even though this book may seem very basic, it is not intended to be a book that conveys basic knowledge of Kabbalah. Rather, it is a book to help readers cultivate an approachto the concepts of Kabbalah, to spiritual objects, and to spiritual terms. By reading and re-reading in this book, one …
Introduction
Open slightly your heart to me, and I will reveal the world to you. The Book of Zohar Who am I? Why do I exist? Where did we come from? Where are we going? And what is our purpose here? Have we been in this world before? Why is there …
Chapter 1: The Method of Perception in Kabbalah
Kabbalah teaches about the cause-and-effect connection between spiritual sources that unite according to absolute laws into one exalted goal: the attainment of the Creator by the created beings existing in this world. According to Kabbalah, all of humanity and every individual must reach this ultimate point to fully attain the …
Chapter 2: The Purpose of Kabbalah
Kabbalists assert that the purpose of Creation is to bring joy and pleasure to the created beings. The will to enjoy (the vessel or the soul) receives pleasure according to the intensity of its desire. This is why all that was created in all the worlds is merely a changing …
Chapter 3: The Giving of Kabbalah
The great sage, Rabbi Akiva, (1st century CE) said: “Love thy neighbor as thyself is the comprehensive rule of all the spiritual laws.” As we know, the term “comprehensive” points to the sum of its constituents. Therefore, when Rabbi Akiva speaks about love for our neighbor (one of many spiritual …
Chapter 4: Perfection and the World
As we already know, the essence of the Creator’s law lies in love, in maximum attention and compassion for all members of society, as for oneself. Let us see if we accept the Creator’s law on faith alone or if some practical experimentation is needed here as well. It is …
Chapter 5: Freedom of Will
The concept of freedom determines our whole life. Animals in captivity usually develop ill health and may even die – a sure sign that nature disagrees with any kind of subjugation. It is not by chance that for centuries humanity engaged in bloodshed and battles to obtain a certain measure …
Chapter 6: The Essence and the Purpose of Kabbalah
What is the essence of Kabbalah? Is the purpose of Kabbalah aimed at life in this world or in the future one? Who benefits from Kabbalah, the Creator or His creatures? Kabbalists who attain the Creator feel that He is absolutely kind. They explain that He cannot cause even the …
Chapter 7: From the Afterword to the Zohar
Kabbalah explains that the correct, consistent observance of spiritual laws leads to adhesion with the Creator. Yet, what does the word “adhesion” mean? Indeed, because of the limits of time, a three-dimensional space, and bodily desires, our thoughts cannot grasp the Creator. Therefore, as long our thoughts are bound by …
Chapter 8: The Language of Kabbalah
Because our vocabulary is limited by our perception of the world, which is connected to the concepts of time, space, and motion, we have no words to express or convey spiritual concepts. We have developed our whole vocabulary from being in this world, and thus, if we want to use …
Chapter 9: From the Preface to the Zohar
The Book of Zohar was concealed from the uninitiated from the day of its creation. Now, the conditions have ripened for its disclosure to the public. To make The Zohar accessible to every reader, we must precede it with some explanations. First, it should be noted that everything described in The Zohar is an order …
Chapter 10: From the Introduction to the Zohar
To understand at least something about the surrounding nature and ourselves, we need to have a clear idea of the purpose of Creation and its final state, as the intermediate states are rather deceptive. Kabbalists assert that the purpose of Creation is to bring the created beings to the ultimate …
Chapter 11: From the Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot
In the Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot, Baal HaSulam (Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag) explains that his principal desire is to break the iron wall that has been separating us from Kabbalah and prevent the disappearance of this science from our world once and for all. However, many objections have been …
Chapter 12: Conditions for Disclosing the Secrets of the Wisdom of Kabbalah
There are three reasons for the concealment of Kabbalah: There is no necessity, It is impossible, and It is the Creator’s personal secret. In every single detail in Kabbalah, these three prohibitions are simultaneously imposed. The ban, no necessity to disclose, means that the disclosure of the wisdom brings no benefit. The …
Chapter 13: A Few Basic Concepts
Kabbalah is a method for revealing the Creator to the created beings existing in this world. Kabbalah derives from the word Lekabel (to receive). The goal of those who live in this world is to receive all the infinite pleasure for which the entire Creation was formed. The sensation of another person is developed …
Chapter 14: Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the subject of Kabbalah? From the beginning of time, humankind has been searching for answers to the principal questions of existence: Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? Why does the world exist, and do we continue to exist after death? Every person tries …