30.04.2013 Views

Kabbalah World Center - "Breaking the Iron Wall"

Kabbalah World Center - "Breaking the Iron Wall"

Kabbalah World Center - "Breaking the Iron Wall"

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>Breaking</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Iron</strong> Wall<br />

An Introduction to Ten Sefirot<br />

Rabbi Y. Ashlag (1882-1955)<br />

1) I have found a great need to break down from before me <strong>the</strong> iron wall which separates us from <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>.<br />

This concealment that started from <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> destruction of <strong>the</strong> Second Temple continuing until now weighs very<br />

heavily on us ; it is <strong>the</strong> source of <strong>the</strong> pain and grief of all mankind, and has aroused within us a fear least this wisdom will<br />

be completely forgotten. For this reason <strong>the</strong> author of <strong>the</strong> "Sulam" wrote his work, "Study of <strong>the</strong> Ten Emanations", which is<br />

<strong>the</strong> primary book for a fundamental understanding in <strong>Kabbalah</strong>.<br />

Whenever I begin to speak to <strong>the</strong> heart of a person concerning this study, <strong>the</strong> first question which immediately arises is :<br />

"Why do I need to know about heavenly angels and <strong>the</strong>ir names? Can I not fulfill <strong>the</strong> entire Torah with all its laws and<br />

details without this knowledge? ". Underlying this question is <strong>the</strong> impression and premise that <strong>Kabbalah</strong> has no relevance<br />

to our daily lives, and that it is remote and an abstract form of mysticism and magic.<br />

A second basic question also arises: "Haven't our sages already established that one needs to learn <strong>the</strong> entire revealed<br />

Torah before one learns <strong>Kabbalah</strong>. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, who can deceive himself to say that he has already completed <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

revealed Torah and he is only lacking <strong>the</strong> hidden Torah?"<br />

And afterwards, <strong>the</strong> third question: "Already many people have strayed away from <strong>the</strong> path of Torah because of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

involvement in <strong>Kabbalah</strong>. Why should I bring problems upon myself? Why should I enter into such danger without any<br />

clear purpose?". (It is conventional to think that those who begin studying <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> automatically become<br />

weakened in Torah because <strong>the</strong>y become overly concerned with intention of <strong>the</strong> command and disregard <strong>the</strong> performance<br />

of <strong>the</strong> command.)<br />

Then <strong>the</strong>y ask a fourth and fundamental question: "All those who are devoted solely to Torah in our days have nothing to<br />

do with this concealed wisdom, and if one asks about <strong>Kabbalah</strong> he is always told to leave it alone and just study revealed<br />

Torah".<br />

2) All <strong>the</strong>se reasons for people not to learn <strong>Kabbalah</strong> stem from <strong>the</strong>ir lack of understanding in what was <strong>the</strong> purpose of<br />

creation. Thus <strong>the</strong>y come with such questions as: "What is <strong>the</strong> meaning of life? What is <strong>the</strong> reason for my pains and<br />

anguish? What is <strong>the</strong> purpose of my life?". Despite <strong>the</strong> fact that throughout history great philosophers have tried to answer<br />

<strong>the</strong>se question, still <strong>the</strong>se very questions bo<strong>the</strong>r our minds to this day, and yet leave us humiliated, pained, and without<br />

answers. The general solution given to such questions is that <strong>the</strong>y should be forgotten, and that one should just lose<br />

himself in <strong>the</strong> natural flow of life. However, <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> is for those who relentlessly ask and seek to find<br />

answers to such questions.<br />

3)But <strong>the</strong> solution to all <strong>the</strong>se questions is stated clearly in our Torah as it says "Come taste and see that <strong>the</strong> Creator is<br />

good". Only through an understanding of <strong>the</strong> Creator, with a closeness, a bonding, and a clinging to Him can a person<br />

come to all that is good, absolutely perfect, and eternal.<br />

Reaching a level when one has a feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator it is only possible through emulating Him, that all a person's<br />

impulses and thoughts should be like those of <strong>the</strong> Creator. This is called, "The fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvot as<br />

commanded". And only <strong>the</strong>n can a person feel that <strong>the</strong> Creator created everything for his good and for his merit, him in a<br />

life filled with happiness.<br />

4)The Creator himself brings a person to good by giving him pleasure and serenity in this life, which is normally filled with<br />

pain, and emptiness, forcing a person to constantly seek refuge from a life that is harder than death itself.<br />

Where is <strong>the</strong> freedom of choice for a person? Does it not say in our Torah: "You should choose life". The choice of a person


is exclusively in his ability to control to fix his desires and thoughts, making <strong>the</strong>m similar to <strong>the</strong> desires and thoughts of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator.<br />

This fixing of a person's thoughts and desires is called purification of <strong>the</strong> body, because <strong>the</strong> body is called "will and<br />

thought", so that a person should be entirely involved "to fulfill <strong>the</strong> Torah and its mitzvot as commanded."This excludes a<br />

devotion that is only for pleasure, it means a devotion that is in order to give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong> same way that<br />

Creator wants to give pleasure to a person. This is also what is referred to as "<strong>the</strong> fulfillment of Torah for its own sake" or<br />

"complete service".<br />

Only through this way that a person doesn't think of himself, but ra<strong>the</strong>r only of <strong>the</strong> Creator does he merit to a life of<br />

fulfillment. Before a person reaches this stage of purity he still thinks primarily of himself ; this is <strong>the</strong> time when <strong>the</strong>re is a<br />

place for freedom of choice. At this stage, a person has <strong>the</strong> option to choose from many available paths and methods to<br />

streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> purification of his "wills and thoughts" and to protect himself from falling on <strong>the</strong> way. The Creator<br />

intentionally brings distractions to a person in order that he should overcome <strong>the</strong>m, streng<strong>the</strong>n himself, and reach a feeling<br />

of completeness and calm.<br />

5)The purification of <strong>the</strong> body means "<strong>the</strong> ability (to intend) to receive in order to give", that he thinks not of himself, but<br />

of <strong>the</strong> good of his Creator, this is called "for <strong>the</strong> purpose of heaven". This alone is called "<strong>the</strong> fulfillment of Torah and<br />

mitzvot". This process of purification of <strong>the</strong> body (desires) is referred to as "we shall do" and <strong>the</strong> receiving of <strong>the</strong> perfection<br />

as "we shall understand".<br />

In all of Creation <strong>the</strong>re is only <strong>the</strong> Creator and his creature, man. "Man" means, <strong>the</strong> inner man, his "desires and thoughts",<br />

not his physical body. The spiritual world is pure will and desires without physical bodies. In <strong>the</strong> spiritual world, <strong>the</strong> will<br />

itself is called <strong>the</strong> "body" or "<strong>the</strong> vessel of <strong>the</strong> soul". The pleasure that fulfills <strong>the</strong> will is called <strong>the</strong> "Creator", or "<strong>the</strong> light"<br />

or "<strong>the</strong> soul".O<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong>se two components, <strong>the</strong>re is nothing else existant, in <strong>the</strong> entire Creation.<br />

The Creator made an egoistic will that wants only to receive pleasure and nothing else.But this egoistic will is very limited,<br />

not able to receive eternal perfection, because at <strong>the</strong> same time that <strong>the</strong> will is filled with <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> pleasure, it<br />

becomes extinguished by <strong>the</strong> pleasure, and without <strong>the</strong> desire for pleasure <strong>the</strong> pleasure is not felt. But without <strong>the</strong> feeling<br />

of pleasure it is impossible to live, and life becomes like death itself. Therefore a created being always needs to make new<br />

desires in order to fulfill <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

Thus a person is constantly running after pleasure, as it is <strong>the</strong> light of life. Yet he will never actually grasp pleasure if he<br />

cannot awaken a new desire in order to enliven himself, he will die. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> desire to receive pleasure in a direct,<br />

egocentric form, such is as known to us, will never render a person real pleasure.<br />

Because <strong>the</strong> purpose of <strong>the</strong> Creator was to give pleasure to his creatures, he created within us a will to receive. But in<br />

order to receive <strong>the</strong> infinite divine pleasure this will to receive needs to be fixed in <strong>the</strong> following way:<br />

1)That <strong>the</strong> will shouldn't diminish at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>the</strong> pleasure is received.<br />

2)The lacking of pleasure should remain also when <strong>the</strong> person is filled with pleasure, and that a person should constantly<br />

be able to increase his will and to fulfill it without losing his desire for yet more pleasure.<br />

3)The will should grow so much that a person should be able to receive <strong>the</strong> greatest pleasures in existence, in a complete<br />

and eternal form, without having to be filled with just momentary pleasures.<br />

However, in order to achieve <strong>the</strong>se levels of pleasure <strong>the</strong>re has to be in <strong>the</strong> person a lack o<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> lack of pleasure.<br />

Therefore <strong>the</strong> Creator endowed in a person a much greater capability than to just receive pleasure, ra<strong>the</strong>r we have <strong>the</strong><br />

ability to feel <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong> source of all pleasure. From this state of feeling <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong> giver of all pleasure, a<br />

person begins to feel shame for only wanting to receive pleasure, until he starts to hate his very own nature and desires a<br />

"a will to give", like that of his Creator.<br />

However since <strong>the</strong> Creator has no lack and <strong>the</strong> person has nothing to give <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong> person redirects <strong>the</strong> will for<br />

pleasure that he naturally has in a different form. He will only receive pleasure on <strong>the</strong> condition that his receiving of <strong>the</strong><br />

pleasure also gives pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator. Thereby a person is constantly receiving pleasure and also constantly giving<br />

pleasure.<br />

This form of receiving elevates a person to <strong>the</strong> level of <strong>the</strong> Creator, because he becomes a giver, like <strong>the</strong> Creator. The will


to give that <strong>the</strong> person acquires is not limited to his ability to receive, because his will to give entirely depends on how<br />

great <strong>the</strong> Creator is in his eyes. Since <strong>the</strong> greatness of <strong>the</strong> Creator has no bounds, a person is always able to increase in<br />

giving to his Creator and also <strong>the</strong> resultant receiving of pleasures increases, thus :<br />

The receiving of pleasure through his will to receive constantly grows, because without receiving pleasure he cannot give to<br />

his Creator.<br />

He receives pleasure by giving pleasure to his Creator, and this pleasure depends on <strong>the</strong> greatness of <strong>the</strong> Creator in his<br />

eyes.<br />

It follows that through fixing his desire to receive for <strong>the</strong> purpose of giving pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator, he elevates himself<br />

from <strong>the</strong> level of a person to that of <strong>the</strong> Creator, and becomes like <strong>the</strong> Creator Himself. Through this process <strong>the</strong> complete<br />

purpose of <strong>the</strong> Creator in creating <strong>the</strong> world becomes revealed for <strong>the</strong> whole purpose of <strong>the</strong> Creation is to bring man to this<br />

state.<br />

The process of transferring from wanting pleasure only for oneself to wanting only to give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator, is called'<br />

"purification of <strong>the</strong> body", because in spiritual terms <strong>the</strong> will means <strong>the</strong> body. The physical body has no relevance, because<br />

it is only animalistic material, but <strong>the</strong> will inside <strong>the</strong> body is called <strong>the</strong> actual "body". How is a person able to transform his<br />

will to receive if this is his natural state? How is it possible without any outside force o<strong>the</strong>r than his desire for pleasure, that<br />

he change his will to receive, <strong>the</strong> only will found in man?<br />

These questions require for us to understand how <strong>the</strong> entire world goes through two stages in order to reach its purpose<br />

which is "complete pleasure and eternal knowledge, similar <strong>the</strong> Creator":<br />

Stage 1-Repairing <strong>the</strong> will of man.<br />

Stage 2-receiving pleasure, which was <strong>the</strong> original intention of <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

The stage of repairing <strong>the</strong> will includes a chain of small reparations. The action of fixing is called "mitzvah". After being<br />

repaired, when <strong>the</strong> will has become conditioned to receive in order to give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> creator, a person receives<br />

pleasure called "light" or "Torah". Therefore <strong>the</strong> stage in which a person fixes his will is called "<strong>the</strong> way of Torah", and <strong>the</strong><br />

stage in which a person receives <strong>the</strong> pleasure of <strong>the</strong> purpose of creation is called "a life of pleasure and tranquility" or<br />

"Torah".<br />

On how to fix <strong>the</strong> body it is written: “Thus is <strong>the</strong> way of Torah: Bread and salt you should eat, water in measure you should<br />

drink, on <strong>the</strong> ground you should sleep., a life of affliction you shall live, and in Torah you should labor. If you do this happy<br />

are you and you shall have good. Happy are you in 'this world' and happy are you in <strong>the</strong> 'world to come' ". From here it is<br />

clear that this world is <strong>the</strong> stage of "<strong>the</strong> fixing of <strong>the</strong> will to receive" and <strong>the</strong> "world to come" is <strong>the</strong> receiving of pleasure<br />

with a complete and fixed will.<br />

But from here arise <strong>the</strong> questions: "What is <strong>the</strong> difference between Torah and all <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r wisdoms like physics,<br />

chemistry, ma<strong>the</strong>matics, and o<strong>the</strong>rs wisdoms which don't require any afflictions, just some effort, in order to understand<br />

<strong>the</strong>m? Why does Torah require both effort and also afflictions?". The next question is: "Maybe in <strong>the</strong> world to come" I'll<br />

have good but in this world that I deny myself, how could <strong>the</strong> Sages say "happy are you in this world""?<br />

6) The purpose of purifying <strong>the</strong> body is in order that a person should be conditioned not to receive for his own pleasure.<br />

Even in things permissible and necessary to maintain <strong>the</strong> body like: eating, drinking, and sleeping he should remove<br />

himself from any pleasure until he lives literally a life of pain.<br />

Then, after he has become accustomed to this, <strong>the</strong>re is no longer a desire to receive pleasure left in his body, he is able to<br />

toil in Torah and mitzvot in order to give pleasure to his Creator, and this is called "for it's own sake". And when he reaches<br />

this level he merits to taste a life filled with wealth, filled with good without any blemish of pain, a life that is embedded<br />

with <strong>the</strong> labor of Torah and mitzvot "for <strong>the</strong>ir own sake".<br />

On this it is written "Come taste and see because <strong>the</strong> Creator is good", this taste is referring to <strong>the</strong> taste of labor in Torah<br />

and mitzvot "for <strong>the</strong>ir own sake", and <strong>the</strong> seeing refers to see <strong>the</strong> purpose of creation which is only "to give good to His<br />

creatures ; it is <strong>the</strong> nature of <strong>the</strong> God to do good". Then one is happy in <strong>the</strong> life <strong>the</strong> Creator gave him, and for him <strong>the</strong>


creation is worthwhile.<br />

7)From here we see two levels of involvement in Torah and mitzvot:<br />

Level A- "Path of Torah": The period of preparation where a person needs to fix his will to receive, his labor in Torah and<br />

mitzvot is "not for its own sake", ra<strong>the</strong>r he still has a mixture of his own pleasures and motives. This stems from <strong>the</strong><br />

person still not being able to purify his will and rid himself of <strong>the</strong> vanities of this world. At this stage he has to "live a<br />

difficult life and labor in Torah".<br />

Level B-"A life of pleasure and tranquility": The stage occurs after he has finished and completed <strong>the</strong> "way of Torah" and<br />

purified his will to receive, enabling him to fulfill <strong>the</strong> Torah and mitzvot "for <strong>the</strong>ir own sake", in order to give pleasure to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator. Now he has come to <strong>the</strong>" life of pleasure and tranquility" which is <strong>the</strong> reason behind creation as His will is to<br />

"bestow good to his creatures". This life of good means <strong>the</strong> most bountiful life in "this world" and <strong>the</strong> "world to come".<br />

8) This is <strong>the</strong> difference between Torah and o<strong>the</strong>r wisdoms: In o<strong>the</strong>r wisdoms a person doesn't have to fix his will to<br />

receive, effort alone suffices to achieve mastery and success, as with everything in <strong>the</strong> physical world. The purpose of<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r wisdoms is for <strong>the</strong> knowledge and concepts of that wisdom to be known and understood, as this is <strong>the</strong> pleasure that<br />

is to be derived from <strong>the</strong> wisdom. However, to improve and bring good to <strong>the</strong> life of a person and to bring him to <strong>the</strong><br />

completion for which he was created, is to receive perfection and eternal pleasure, this is only possible through fixing his<br />

will to receive.<br />

The purpose of labor in Torah and mitzvot is to prepare a person to be ready to receive all <strong>the</strong> good which is <strong>the</strong> intended<br />

by <strong>the</strong> Creator ; He wants " to give good to His creatures". This good is reserved not only for "<strong>the</strong> world to come" but also<br />

in this world as well. Therefore a person has to purify his will in order to be able to receive from his Creator in his lifetime.<br />

As long as a person doesn't fix his will to receive in his life in this world, he needs to keep returning to this world, until in<br />

one of his incarnations he fixes his will and accomplishes <strong>the</strong> purpose of creation.<br />

9)Therefore a bountiful life in this world only comes to one who completed <strong>the</strong> "path of Torah", who has gone through all<br />

<strong>the</strong> pains, struggles, and difficulties of this world, which are specific to <strong>the</strong> "path of Torah". After he has completed this<br />

period of "not for its own sake”, a life of pain and difficulty, he merits to a life of good and bounty in "this world" and <strong>the</strong><br />

"world to come".<br />

10) Life in complete perfection was created instantly and included life in this world in it's state of complete Goodness. The<br />

Creator created man in his final eternal state filled with pleasure and perfection from <strong>the</strong> very beginning. In order however,<br />

that a person should have free will, struggling on his own to reach perfection, <strong>the</strong> Maker set aside this state of perfection to<br />

be revealed only after a person purifies his will in this world.<br />

11)However <strong>the</strong> Sages of <strong>the</strong> Talmud were lenient concerning <strong>the</strong> level of "<strong>the</strong> path of Torah" saying that <strong>the</strong> learning of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Torah even with no alterior motive alone brings a man to "for its own sake", because <strong>the</strong> light that is in <strong>the</strong> Torah fixes<br />

a person. From here we see that <strong>the</strong>y changed <strong>the</strong> means to reach <strong>the</strong> purpose of creation to a much easier method.<br />

The sages of <strong>the</strong> Talmud made it easier to reach <strong>the</strong> truth, instead of afflictions <strong>the</strong>y gave us ano<strong>the</strong>r way to purify <strong>the</strong><br />

body (will):<strong>the</strong> light within <strong>the</strong> Torah", that it has <strong>the</strong> strength to fix a person and to bring him to learn "for its own sake".<br />

This means that it's enough to study Torah "not for its own sake", and <strong>the</strong> light that's in <strong>the</strong> Torah will fix a person, until he<br />

will have a pure will with which he will be able to labor in Torah in order to give pleasure to his Master, to "learn for its own<br />

sake".<br />

12) To learn Torah with ulterior motives means that a person: 1)Believes in <strong>the</strong> Creator 2)Believes in <strong>the</strong> Torah 3)Believes<br />

in reward and punishment 4)Labors in <strong>the</strong> Torah because <strong>the</strong> Creator commanded to labor in it 5)But he wants in <strong>the</strong> same<br />

action of studying to bring pleasure to himself as well as to <strong>the</strong> Creator, that also he will have a reward. Yet if after his<br />

labor it is known to him that he won't receive his reward, he regrets all his toil.<br />

Even after this leniency this <strong>the</strong> sages permitted to labor in Torah "not for its own sake" in <strong>the</strong> place of afflictions, only<br />

because by "from learning not for its own sake one comes to learning for its own sake", and excluded any labor for any<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r purpose. Because originally before <strong>the</strong> leniency of <strong>the</strong> sages of <strong>the</strong> Talmud it was forbidden to learn "not for its own<br />

sake", ra<strong>the</strong>r it was permissible to learn only after one reached <strong>the</strong> level of "for its own sake".


The sages of <strong>the</strong> Talmud permitted to labor in <strong>the</strong> Torah "not for its own sake" only for <strong>the</strong> purpose of transforming <strong>the</strong> will<br />

as only for this purpose <strong>the</strong>y made <strong>the</strong> decree that <strong>the</strong> Torah itself should be a medium that fixes a person instead of self<br />

denial. Therefore at <strong>the</strong> time of learning a person is not obligated that his intent should be to understand what is written in<br />

<strong>the</strong> works of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, but ra<strong>the</strong>r it should be to merit transforming his will and thoughts. Only when that a person's<br />

intents and thoughts are proper will <strong>the</strong> light of Torah transform his will. The sages decreed <strong>the</strong> Torah as a medium only on<br />

<strong>the</strong> condition that a person has <strong>the</strong> intent to repair himself at <strong>the</strong> time of learning, only in this form did <strong>the</strong>y permit to<br />

learn Torah "not for its own sake"!<br />

But if a person still doesn't believe in <strong>the</strong> Creator and in <strong>the</strong> Torah and lives with doubts, he will not be able to reach "for<br />

its own sake" through "not for its own sake", because <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah is only for those who believe. The greatness of<br />

<strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah comes according to one's faith in <strong>the</strong> Torah. Therefore without faith a person will receive "darkness"<br />

instead of "light". Without faith <strong>the</strong> only purpose in <strong>the</strong> Torah is to seek understanding and wisdom. The intellectual<br />

understanding is his pleasure and he has no intention to transform himself or to reach a revelation of <strong>the</strong> Creator, his real<br />

purpose from birth. In essence he is repulsed from learning <strong>the</strong> inner Torah. This type of learning brings him only<br />

intelectualities and a desire to display his knowledge in <strong>the</strong> eyes of o<strong>the</strong>rs. All <strong>the</strong>se results are called "darkness".<br />

13) Someone who merits perfect faith, is guaranteed that even if he learns Torah "not for its own sake" he will be<br />

enlightened by <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah. Without first practicing self denial or living a life of abstention, he will merit to come<br />

to Torah "for its own sake”. This results a life of bounty in this world and <strong>the</strong> next.<br />

Therefore if a person that learns with alterior motives sees that according to <strong>the</strong> amount he already should have long since<br />

reached <strong>the</strong> level of "for its own sake", he should to know that it stems from his lack of faith. For him who learns Torah<br />

"not for his own sake", <strong>the</strong> transformation to "for its own sake" depends on <strong>the</strong> light that he takes from <strong>the</strong> Torah, which is<br />

solely dependent on <strong>the</strong> amount of his faith.<br />

14) A Person’s level of faith is recognizable from his labor in Torah. If he believes with complete faith that <strong>the</strong> Torah brings<br />

him "life", he wil dedicate all his available time for it.<br />

15) Therefore only a person, who knows that he has merited <strong>the</strong> proper measure of faith in <strong>the</strong> Creator and his Torah, can<br />

expect that his labor in Torah "not for its own sake" will become "for its own sake". Only toge<strong>the</strong>r with this faith <strong>the</strong> light of<br />

Torah tranfigure him and bring him to <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Creator which will change him toward <strong>the</strong> good.<br />

The lack of faith while one labors in Torah reverses <strong>the</strong> light to darkness ; <strong>the</strong> Torah which is <strong>the</strong> giver of life becomes <strong>the</strong><br />

giver of death. Such a scholar masters only <strong>the</strong> simple understanding of Torah lacking all desire to grasp <strong>the</strong> inner Torah,<br />

<strong>the</strong> real light of <strong>the</strong> Torah. Therefore first and foremost a person must consummate his faith.<br />

16) Therefore if a person labors in Torah because he believes in <strong>the</strong> reward, while yet combining his own interests along<br />

with his intent to give pleasure to his Maker, <strong>the</strong> light in <strong>the</strong> Torah will transfigure him and bring him "to its own sake".<br />

Even though he still isn't able to aim solely for <strong>the</strong> purpose of <strong>the</strong> Creator, it still considered that <strong>the</strong> time he spends<br />

learning fixes him. This is called "learning for <strong>the</strong> sake of fulfilling <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of learning Torah".<br />

But if a person toils in Torah "not for <strong>the</strong> sake of fulfilling <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of studying Torah", that is to say, not to fix himself,<br />

but ra<strong>the</strong>r just to give pleasure to himself so he can be called a "scholar" or a "Rabbi", in order to brag or satisfy his ego,<br />

his Torah becomes a "drug of death". The light in <strong>the</strong> Torah has been turned to darkness, which is not able to stand <strong>the</strong><br />

light of <strong>the</strong> Torah, its inwardness - <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>.<br />

17) Therefore a person needs to first acquire faith in his Creator and His supervision of reward and punishment, that is,<br />

that <strong>the</strong> Creator will pay reward, and that his reward will be that he will receive more faith in his maker This should be a<br />

person’s intent, prior to studying ; to merit <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah and to come to study for "its own sake". There is no<br />

better advice for reaching faith, than to direct his heart and mind during learning toward faith in <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

So if a person sees that he has an evil inclination, which is his desire only to receive, <strong>the</strong> only solution is learning Torah.<br />

"Learning Torah" means learning for <strong>the</strong> purpose for which <strong>the</strong> Torah was given : to make him good. If he's only acquiring<br />

intellectual concepts for his own pleasure, he's not learning Torah, only plain wisdom. The word "Torah" is refers to <strong>the</strong><br />

"<strong>the</strong> inner light in <strong>the</strong> Torah that brings him to good", which brings him to his Creator, e.g. a revealment of his Creator. It<br />

follows from this that <strong>the</strong> proper type of study brings a person two things:1) faith and 2) <strong>the</strong> level of "for its own sake".


18) Every person has <strong>the</strong> ability to repair himself because <strong>the</strong> same Creator that made <strong>the</strong> evil inclination also created <strong>the</strong><br />

Torah to fix it. Therefore <strong>the</strong> Torah has <strong>the</strong> power to fix <strong>the</strong> desire that's in a person, <strong>the</strong> evil inclination. He who labors in<br />

Torah and doesn't succeed in correcting his evil inclination, has been slack and did not put out ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> sufficient "amount<br />

of effort" or <strong>the</strong> "quality of effort".<br />

"The Amount of effort" is determined by <strong>the</strong> amount of his available time that he spends studying Torah.<br />

"The Quality of effort" is determined by how much of his mind and heart he devotes at <strong>the</strong> time of his study in order to<br />

merit <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah, that brings faith to a person ; That he not labor in Torah without any intention to fix himself,<br />

and not that he begins to learn in order to fix himself but at <strong>the</strong> time of learning removes his mind from this and wants just<br />

to understand <strong>the</strong> text. The main factor is his quality of effort, because <strong>the</strong> evil inclination is not opposed to acquiring<br />

wisdom, but when a person has <strong>the</strong> intent to kill his evil inclination, <strong>the</strong>n his entire nature rises and interferes with him to<br />

prevent him from thinking of fixing himself. Therefore a person has to streng<strong>the</strong>n mainly his quality of effort.<br />

But only according to <strong>the</strong> degree that a person feels that his inclination is evil in not allowing him to reach good and<br />

perfection to <strong>the</strong> degree that he hates his nature which doesn't allow him to reach his Creator, to this degree only will he<br />

be able to repair himself at <strong>the</strong> time of studying.<br />

19) It is written in <strong>the</strong> Talmud that he who labors in <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah five years and doesn't reach <strong>the</strong> level of "for its<br />

own sake" will never reach it. Therefore if in <strong>the</strong> beginning it is difficult for a person to labor in <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah, it is<br />

better that he involves himself in <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> while in <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah he should only learn <strong>the</strong> relevant day<br />

to day laws. This is not because its easier to learn <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> than <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah, but that<br />

through <strong>the</strong> learning of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> it's easier to bring out <strong>the</strong> light of Torah which fixes a person.<br />

20)Why is a person obligated to abandon <strong>the</strong> learning of <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah, to learn only relevant day to day laws, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> time to be involved only in <strong>Kabbalah</strong>?<br />

21)The Torah is only attained through "fear of <strong>the</strong> Creator and "fulfillment of <strong>the</strong> mitzvot".<br />

22)The purpose of life is to fight <strong>the</strong> evil inclination. The intermediary to accomplish this is <strong>the</strong> intent to repair oneself<br />

during learning Torah. <strong>Kabbalah</strong> books as well as in <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah, indeed all books of Torah, speak exclusively of <strong>the</strong><br />

revelation of <strong>the</strong> Maker to his creatures. For this reason <strong>the</strong> Torah is referred to as "<strong>the</strong> names of <strong>the</strong> Creator". According<br />

to <strong>the</strong> level that a person grasps Torah, that is, how <strong>the</strong> Creator is revealed to him, how <strong>the</strong> person feels <strong>the</strong> Creator<br />

before him, on this level he designates Him with a name.<br />

All of scripture was written down by those who understood <strong>the</strong> Creator. They conveyed <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge in different<br />

linguistic styles : <strong>the</strong> language of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, <strong>the</strong> language of <strong>the</strong> Torah and <strong>the</strong> prophets, <strong>the</strong> language of aggadah<br />

(legends), and language of halachah. But in whatever idiom, <strong>the</strong>y only wrote according to what <strong>the</strong>y grasped in <strong>the</strong> upper<br />

worlds, that is how <strong>the</strong>y felt <strong>the</strong> Creator. In this respect <strong>the</strong>re is no difference between any of <strong>the</strong> styles. This is also <strong>the</strong><br />

way that Moses received <strong>the</strong> Torah. He merited an understanding from <strong>the</strong> Creator of all <strong>the</strong> upper worlds, meaning a<br />

complete knowledge of how <strong>the</strong> Creator is revealed to man and he wrote <strong>the</strong> Torah from <strong>the</strong> Creator, and afterwards, all<br />

<strong>the</strong> different ways of understanding of <strong>the</strong> Creator put forth our holy books. They were all written by people that grasped<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator and wrote what <strong>the</strong>y felt in Torah, in Prophets, in Writings, in aggadah, in Talmud. Toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y are called<br />

Torah because <strong>the</strong>y were all written through divine revelation to man.<br />

The revealed Torah on a simple level discusses mundane things like <strong>the</strong>ft, damages, and o<strong>the</strong>r monetary laws. It is difficult<br />

to see divine revelation in <strong>the</strong>se things.<br />

Therefore it is difficult to direct one's mind to <strong>the</strong> Creator and, <strong>the</strong>refore, to <strong>the</strong> purpose of his learning, namely, to merit<br />

faith while delving into <strong>the</strong>se laws. Therefore, if after five years of learning <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah a person hasn't fixed<br />

himself, <strong>the</strong> Torah itself obligates him to abandon <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah and instead to toil in <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>. In<br />

<strong>Kabbalah</strong> it is much easier to extract <strong>the</strong> light of Torah and to direct his thoughts and heart to <strong>the</strong> Creator and to <strong>the</strong><br />

purpose of his learning. The wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> openly and clearly speaks of <strong>the</strong> actions of <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

23) It is written in <strong>the</strong> Talmud itself that if a person doesn't reach "for its own sake "within five years of learning Torah <strong>the</strong><br />

reason only stems from <strong>the</strong> lack of intention in his heart, and not from his lack of skill or ability. The Torah doesn't require<br />

skill only proper intentions of <strong>the</strong> heart. Only according to one's desire to repair himself (not according to his intellect) will


<strong>the</strong> Torah enlighten him. The sages determined that five years is sufficient time to reach <strong>the</strong> level of "for its own sake",<br />

<strong>the</strong>refore a person is obligated to move promptly to <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> in order to succeed in reaching <strong>the</strong> level of "for<br />

its own sake".<br />

24) Every person is obligated to learn <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah, in order to know practical laws. This is possible from studying<br />

<strong>the</strong> short abridged works. Rav Yosef Karo wrote halachah in a shorter fashion in <strong>the</strong> "Shulchan Aruch" because he studied<br />

<strong>Kabbalah</strong> with <strong>the</strong> Kabbalist Ari Za"l, and saw that <strong>the</strong> process of clarification of halacha doesn't allow us time for <strong>the</strong> study<br />

of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>.<br />

25)It follows that a person doesn't need to learn <strong>Kabbalah</strong> in two instances:<br />

First, if he fulfills <strong>the</strong> Torah "according to halacha" meaning "for its own sake" in order to give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator than<br />

he will automatically receive <strong>the</strong> light of Torah without any need from outside books. Second, if he still hasn't devoted five<br />

years to <strong>the</strong> study of revealed Torah he still has time to develop <strong>the</strong> level of for "its own sake".<br />

If however, he learns Torah "not for its own sake" for more than five years, <strong>the</strong> Talmud itself warns him that he will not<br />

reach <strong>the</strong> level of "for its own sake". At this point, he must learn <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, because during <strong>the</strong> time he's learning <strong>Kabbalah</strong><br />

it is easier to bring his heart to <strong>the</strong> Creator, it will help him to reach spirituality.<br />

26)Therefore <strong>the</strong> meaning of what is written in <strong>the</strong> Talmud (that a person must fill himself with revealed Torah), is that<br />

ei<strong>the</strong>r he's learning for its own sake or he has not completed five years of study. But <strong>the</strong> holy Ari Za"l writes that in our<br />

times only through <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> is it possible for a person to fix himself and to reach <strong>the</strong> purpose for which he<br />

was born, and <strong>the</strong>re is no need for studying first five years, ra<strong>the</strong>r immediately he should begin studying <strong>Kabbalah</strong>.<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator created <strong>the</strong> person with a will to receive pleasures. If he uses his will to receive for himself, for his own<br />

pleasure, <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself from <strong>the</strong> person.But if he uses his will to receive in order to give to his Creator, <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator reveals Himself to <strong>the</strong> person.<br />

The will to receive is referred to as a "black spot" because this willl isn't able to receive light or to feel <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

Therefore if a person wants only to receive pleasure in his learning he will not merit to feel <strong>the</strong> Creator, because <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator as far as he is concerned is not existent.According to his level of repairing his will to receive on <strong>the</strong> condition to<br />

give, this black spot expands and starts receiving into <strong>the</strong> light, meaning it fills up with a feeling for <strong>the</strong> Creator. The light<br />

that fills this dark spot is called <strong>the</strong> "neshama(soul) of man."<br />

The will to receive that enables him to receive <strong>the</strong> light is called "partzuf" (aspect), meaning "partzuf (aspect)" is <strong>the</strong> will to<br />

receive, when it's completed with <strong>the</strong> intention "of receiving in order to give" than it is called "for its own sake"The entire<br />

aspect includes <strong>the</strong> "head" and <strong>the</strong> "body". The "head" reveals all <strong>the</strong> light. In <strong>the</strong> "body" <strong>the</strong>ir is only <strong>the</strong> receiving of a<br />

portion of that light that <strong>the</strong> told “aspect” decides it is able to receive in order to give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

All that a person feels in this world and in <strong>the</strong> world to come is <strong>the</strong> feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator. The difference is that in <strong>the</strong><br />

"world to come" he just feels <strong>the</strong> Maker, who is revealed to man, and in "this world" a person feels <strong>the</strong> Creator in physical<br />

garments hidden from man. "This world" is called what one feels with his unfixed "will to receive". The "world to come"<br />

refers to after a person has fixed "his will to receive". The wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> teaches a person how to achieve revelation<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Creator to man, and how to pass from a feeling "of this world:" called "faith" to <strong>the</strong> “world to come" "world to come"<br />

called understanding.<br />

27) When <strong>the</strong> point of will to receive receives a fixing to receive not for itself but ra<strong>the</strong>r in order to give to <strong>the</strong> Creator, it<br />

expands, that is it attains ten different wills to give in different paths. These ten wills are called "ten sefirot (emanations)".<br />

Therefore in every spiritual partzuf( a will to receive in order to give) <strong>the</strong>re are ten sefirot (emanations): Keter, Chochmah,<br />

Binah, Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut.. The first three sefirot: Keter, chochmah, and binah<br />

are called <strong>the</strong> "head of <strong>the</strong> partzuf". The seven lower sefirot: chesed, gevurah. tiferet, netzach, hod, yesod, and malchut<br />

are called <strong>the</strong> "body of <strong>the</strong> partzuf".<br />

All <strong>the</strong> feelings that a person feels he receives with <strong>the</strong> same will to receive. But with <strong>the</strong> will to receive for its own sake, a<br />

person is able to understand only a tiny portion of <strong>the</strong> existence which he calls "my world".<br />

When a person through his study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> decides no longer to use his will to receive, ra<strong>the</strong>r to attain and to use only


<strong>the</strong> will to receive in <strong>the</strong> condition to give, similar to <strong>the</strong> Creator, in this measure of fixing his will, he begins to feel <strong>the</strong> real<br />

existence that surrounds him. This existence is called "revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator."<br />

All of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> teaches a man to reach a feeling of true existence, It discusses <strong>the</strong> revelation of <strong>the</strong> Creator to man. Both<br />

in <strong>the</strong> revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator to man, and in <strong>Kabbalah</strong> <strong>the</strong>re are two parts:<br />

"Hidden Torah"- What is revealed in <strong>the</strong> first three sefirot: Keter, chochmah, and binah, or in <strong>the</strong> head of <strong>the</strong> partzuf. This<br />

portion includes "<strong>the</strong> maaseh mercavah" (<strong>the</strong> divine chariot) and "maaseh beraishit" (act of creation) and is permitted only<br />

to be revealed through hints from <strong>the</strong> master to <strong>the</strong> student.<br />

Ta'amim of <strong>the</strong> Torah"- What is revealed in <strong>the</strong> lower seven sefirot of <strong>the</strong> face or <strong>the</strong> body of <strong>the</strong> face, this is permissible to<br />

learn and is a great mitzvah to reveal it to everyone.<br />

When a person reaches through <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, his first revelaltion of <strong>the</strong> Creator, his black spot expands and fills<br />

with an upper light. In his feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator, this widening already includes ten sections from <strong>the</strong> ten sefirot, which are<br />

called sefirot because <strong>the</strong>y give light.<br />

This partzuf that is born through a person's feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator is called "neshamah". The lights which are revealed in<br />

<strong>the</strong> body are called "Ta'amim" or "Ta'amei Torah", of which <strong>the</strong> reward for a person who receives <strong>the</strong>m has no limit.<br />

The will to receive of <strong>the</strong> "black spot", is called "<strong>the</strong> point of this world", in which it a person feels no existence of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator of <strong>the</strong> world. There are 125 levels of revelation of <strong>the</strong> Creator, in each of which <strong>the</strong> will to receive is fixed gradually<br />

until it reaches <strong>the</strong> proper will which is completely directed towards giving, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> Creator is entirely revealed. The levels<br />

of revealment are called "worlds" . There are five worlds from above to below. Adam Kadmon, Atzilut, Briah, Yetzirah,<br />

Asiyah. In each of <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>re are five partzufim (pl. of Partzuf), in each partzuf <strong>the</strong>re are five sefirot. So in total <strong>the</strong>re are<br />

125 levels of reperation on <strong>the</strong> way to receiving a complete fixed will.<br />

The higher head level at <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> "world of asiah" is already included in "hidden Torah", that is forbidden to reveal,<br />

and <strong>the</strong>" body" of <strong>the</strong> world of "atzilut" is included in "ta'amei ha Torah" that is permissible and fitting to reveal<br />

28) Kabbalists reveal only that which is permissible to reveal and hides that which is forbidden to reveal.<br />

A Kabbalist receives a reward for hiding "hidden Torah" from o<strong>the</strong>rs, and revealing "taamei ha Torah" to o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

30) Therefore in all works of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> <strong>the</strong>re is no mentioned of "hidden Torah" and all <strong>the</strong> printed books include only<br />

"taamei ha Torah" which is a great mitzvah to reveal. To <strong>the</strong> extent that upper lights are revealed to <strong>the</strong> public, revelation<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Creator increases in <strong>the</strong> world. This is called <strong>the</strong> "coming of Messiah". The "hidden torah" is given over only to<br />

individuals under very strict conditions.<br />

31) Why is <strong>the</strong> coming of <strong>the</strong> messiah dependent on <strong>the</strong> spreading of <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> to <strong>the</strong> masses?<br />

32)When a person is involved in Torah in order to receive a reward, that is, he anticipates a return for his effort, <strong>the</strong> fear<br />

and love in his labor of Torah and mitzvot becomes a medium in order to receive that reward. His fear is that he will not<br />

receive a reward ; his love depends on receiving a reward. If he does not receive <strong>the</strong> reward <strong>the</strong> love will cease.<br />

If a person conducts himself this way, he's not using <strong>the</strong> Torah for its purpose, because <strong>the</strong> Creator gave <strong>the</strong> Torah as a<br />

medium to fix <strong>the</strong> evil inclination and to achieve <strong>the</strong> ultimate purpose of creation.<br />

33)According to what is stated in point 11, it is forbidden to begin studying Torah "not for its own sake" with <strong>the</strong> intention<br />

of only to receive a reward. It is permissible only to engage in Torah when it's used as a intermediary to reach "for its own<br />

sake" <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah can fix him "and return him to good", to be similar to his Creator. Only on this condition is<br />

his activity of "not for its own sake" considered a intermediary and is called an aspect of "<strong>the</strong> world of asiah of kedushah<br />

(holiness)".<br />

However if his faith is not complete and his involvement in Torah is not for <strong>the</strong> reason that <strong>the</strong> Creator has commanded<br />

him, <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Torah is not revealed to him, and in place of "light", revelation of <strong>the</strong> Creator, he receives "darkness",


concealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator, and he enters <strong>the</strong> domain of <strong>the</strong> "klipot (evil husks)".<br />

That is, when a person wants only for his own good, <strong>the</strong> holiness of <strong>the</strong> Torah goes over to <strong>the</strong> side of evil, to <strong>the</strong> klipot.<br />

34)There are two orot(lights) in <strong>the</strong> partzuf (face)<br />

Ohr Chassadim (Light of bestowal)- <strong>the</strong> intention to give to <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

Ohr Chochmah-revelation of <strong>the</strong> Creator to man.<br />

The condition to merit to spirituality is that a person should bring upon himself <strong>the</strong> "Ohr Chassadim", which come through<br />

learning Torah “not on <strong>the</strong> condition to receive a reward”. Through <strong>the</strong> "Ohr Chassadim" a person brings upon himself <strong>the</strong><br />

"Ohr Chochmah, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> power of "moshiach" is revealed to him, that is "moshech" (brings him) from corporeality to<br />

spirituality. Therefore everything depends on his involvement in Torah "for its own sake" which can bring him to <strong>the</strong> "ohr<br />

chassadim" within which <strong>the</strong> "ohr chochmah" is enclo<strong>the</strong>d.<br />

35) At <strong>the</strong> time when one is spiritually exiled that he is still learning Torah "not for its own sake", if he learns with <strong>the</strong><br />

intent that his "not for its own sake" he will come "for its own sake", <strong>the</strong> Creator will help him. Then through <strong>the</strong> darkness<br />

he can come to a revelation of <strong>the</strong> Creator through his power of "moshiach", <strong>the</strong> ability to arouse him to <strong>the</strong> level of "for its<br />

own sake".<br />

If however <strong>the</strong> involvement in Torah is "not for its own sake", lacking faith and unable to bring to <strong>the</strong> level of "for its own<br />

sake", <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re won't awaken in a person <strong>the</strong> desire to know his Creator. Because <strong>the</strong> purpose of his Torah is only for<br />

himself, he'll be satisfied merely with physicality. Since he isn't interested in learning "for its own sake" <strong>the</strong> power of<br />

"moshiach" will not be able to effect him, and his learning will remain purely physical. Though <strong>the</strong> power of "moshiach"<br />

brings a person from corporeality to spirituality, it is only if <strong>the</strong>ir learning "not for its own sake" is with intention to reach<br />

"for its own sake".<br />

There are many who learn revealed Torah, and despite that don't succeed in reaching "for its own sake", <strong>the</strong>y still don't<br />

begin learning <strong>Kabbalah</strong> which can bring <strong>the</strong>m to "for its own sake" which has been stated. The reason <strong>the</strong>y can't come to<br />

Torah "for its own sake" is not because <strong>the</strong> Torah lacks light which can arouse <strong>the</strong>m to this level, but ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y don't<br />

have <strong>the</strong> ability to bring this light out of <strong>the</strong> Torah.<br />

36) The condition that <strong>the</strong> Ohr Chassadim (light of kindness) will come to <strong>the</strong> person is only if he studies Torah not in order<br />

to receive a reward, ra<strong>the</strong>r only to give pleasure to his Creator. All <strong>the</strong> time of exile and pain that a person suffers are only<br />

in order to awaken him that he should work to merit to Torah "for its own sake". As soon as he merits this, right away he<br />

will merit "Ohr chesed and ahavah" (light of kindness and hapiness), which will bring him to a complete individual<br />

redemption.<br />

General mankind can reach <strong>the</strong> level "of for its own sake" only through <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, because only it is sufficient<br />

to help those of smaller intellect, since all of <strong>the</strong> layers of <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, directly describe <strong>the</strong> Creator. On <strong>the</strong><br />

o<strong>the</strong>r hand it's much harder to reach this level through revealed Torah, which one can only reach "for it's own sake"<br />

through great toil.<br />

Therefore he who thinks that he's learning <strong>Kabbalah</strong> to know worlds, sefirot, angels, partzufim,like someone in Torah that<br />

is just learning in order to increase his intellect, is making a very serious mistake. Through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Kabbalah</strong> a person reaches<br />

<strong>the</strong> light that turns a person towards <strong>the</strong> good, <strong>the</strong> "Ohr mashiach (<strong>the</strong> light of messiah)" which brings a person to<br />

spirituality and an inner spiritual redemption.<br />

37)They say that from <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> a person can go crazy and abandon <strong>the</strong> fulfillment of mitzvot. These things<br />

happened in <strong>the</strong> past when people took <strong>the</strong> study of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> in a physical form, and consequently harbored all types of<br />

strange images in <strong>the</strong>ir minds.<br />

Since <strong>the</strong> works of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> are filled with spiritual concepts, <strong>the</strong> one who studies without <strong>the</strong> right intention imagines in<br />

<strong>the</strong>se spiritual ideas all types of physicality. Consequently many attempted to learn <strong>Kabbalah</strong> and afterwards abandon it<br />

without success.<br />

Therefore only <strong>the</strong> proper type of learning of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, that is from <strong>the</strong> writings of <strong>the</strong> Ari Za"l and from <strong>the</strong> writings of <strong>the</strong><br />

Ashlag, and only through <strong>the</strong> proper teacher can assure <strong>the</strong> learner that he will ga<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> spiritual concepts in <strong>the</strong> proper,


simple and clear form..<br />

38) Why is <strong>the</strong> involvement in Torah and complete and proper devotion called Torah "for its own sake" and devotion that<br />

isn't appropriate called "Torah not for its own sake"?If <strong>the</strong> reason is that a person who learns Torah is obligated to intend<br />

to give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> proper form of learning should be called "for His sake", instead of "for it's (<strong>the</strong><br />

Torah) own sake"?<br />

39) The Torah brings a person to spiritual life called "chayim" (life). If a person doesn't intend to learn Torah "for it's own<br />

sake" for life, and studies "not for it's own sake", this is called death. Therefore Torah which brings a person to spirituality<br />

is called "giver of life", but Torah which doesn't bring a person to spirituality is called <strong>the</strong> "giver of death".<br />

40) It's written " I have toiled and I have found' believe, I have not toiled and found- don't believe." At first glance it's<br />

difficult to understand this. Toiling means working in order to "acquire" something, where as "finding" implies receiving<br />

without any effort. Than how can it say "I have toiled and I have found"? Because if toil was involved it should have said "I<br />

have toiled and I've acquired" or "I have toiled and have merited" but not "I have toiled and I've found"?<br />

41) It is written that we find <strong>the</strong> Creator in <strong>the</strong> Torah ; <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah.Shouldn’t it be however that<br />

He hides himself in physical things, and reveals himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah. How is it written that Hashem hides himself<br />

specifically only in Torah? It's also written that <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself, such that one must pray for Him to reveal<br />

himself. Why does He hide himself? And why must we ask of Him to reveal himself?<br />

It's only possible to find <strong>the</strong> Creator in <strong>the</strong> places where He hides himself. If we say that <strong>the</strong> Creator only hides Himself in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Torah, than this is a sign that his place of concealment is only in <strong>the</strong> Torah.<br />

42) We don't understand <strong>the</strong> Creator's providence over us. This is <strong>the</strong> main cause of distance from Him, and causes us to<br />

transgress His Will ; and <strong>the</strong> cause of all our anguish and our stumbling into intentional or unintentional transgressions. If<br />

we were to remove this cause we would relieve ourselves of <strong>the</strong>se troubles and be able to truly cling to Him with all our<br />

hearts.<br />

43) If <strong>the</strong> Creator would reveal Himself to us in such a way that who ate something forbidden would immediately choke,<br />

and all who perform a mitzvah would have immediate pleasure, who would even consider transgressing knowing that his<br />

life is at stake? It would be like running into a blazing fire! Who would than abandon <strong>the</strong> Will of <strong>the</strong> Creator, that is mitzvot,<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r we would fulfill <strong>the</strong> Torah quickly and zealously, like a person who's unable to separate himself from a physical<br />

pleasure that has been given to him. . If it were revealed before us <strong>the</strong> way that <strong>the</strong> Creator supervises <strong>the</strong> world we<br />

would all be completely righteous people!<br />

44) It is clear if <strong>the</strong> providence were to be revealed, we would all be completely righteous people clinging to <strong>the</strong> Creator<br />

with <strong>the</strong> greatest of love.<br />

Many try to cling to God and only a few individuals actually succeed. Because <strong>the</strong> reward of a Mitzvah is not revealed, and<br />

nei<strong>the</strong>r is <strong>the</strong> punishment of one who transgresses. Ra<strong>the</strong>r things appear quite <strong>the</strong> opposite. Therefore understanding <strong>the</strong><br />

providence of God is <strong>the</strong> reason for all <strong>the</strong> good, and <strong>the</strong> lack of understanding is what causes all <strong>the</strong> bad and evil.<br />

45)The feeling of providence comes to a person in two ways:<br />

"concealment" panim (hidden faces)" which is divided into two:<br />

single concealment or<br />

double concealments - that is, concealment within concealment "gilui panim (revealed faces)" divided into two:<br />

(Revelation of) Supervision of reward and punishment<br />

(Revelation of) Eternal providence.<br />

46) When <strong>the</strong> Creator hides His face a person feels this in <strong>the</strong> form of pain and difficulty as he has ei<strong>the</strong>r a single or a<br />

double concealment.


"Panim" of <strong>the</strong> Creator: When <strong>the</strong> Creator behaves with "revealed providence". He does good for a person. This is when His<br />

Face is revealed to him. He <strong>the</strong>n knows and understands his Creator, in that He's good and giving good, and recognizes<br />

Him like one who sees a close friend and can immediately identify Him.<br />

48) "Back” of <strong>the</strong> Creator: When He behaves toward a person with "hidden providence" a person receives pain because<br />

that face of <strong>the</strong> Creator, which is trustworthy to pay, is hidden from him. This is a person who sees his friend from behind<br />

and he is in doubt if this is actually his friend. There are two types of concealments or hidings "one concealment”: When a<br />

person receives pain and suffering, this means that <strong>the</strong> Creator is hiding Himself, namely His goodness, and only his<br />

behind is revealed. Than a person has to streng<strong>the</strong>n himself in faith, to be careful from sin, because it's hard to know <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator from behind.<br />

49) "Concealment inside of concealment" or "double concealment": The abundance of pains cause that even <strong>the</strong> behind of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't become recognizable to <strong>the</strong> person, that he doesn't believe that this is <strong>the</strong> Creator that is angry at him<br />

and is punishing him, ra<strong>the</strong>r he attest it to an event or nature. This person comes towards rejection of <strong>the</strong> providence of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator as <strong>the</strong> One who rewards and punishes, and this is already called "avodah zorah" idol worship.<br />

50) In "One concealment" a person still believes in <strong>the</strong> providence over reward and punishment and that all his suffering<br />

comes from that he's not clinging to <strong>the</strong> Creator.He still sees <strong>the</strong> Creator, but only from <strong>the</strong> way of behind, that has<br />

brought him suffering. Therefore it's called "one concealment" meaning concealment of <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator but not His<br />

behind.<br />

51) From here <strong>the</strong> two aspects of understanding hidden providence are felt in a person "once concealment" or<br />

"concealment in <strong>the</strong> midst of concealment".<br />

One concealment or concealment means concealment of "panim" (faces) but revealed "achorayim" (behinds). A person<br />

believes that <strong>the</strong> Creator causes him his difficulty as a punishment for a sin, even though it's hard for him to always<br />

recognize his Creator from behind, and he comes to as a result to doubts and sins, he is still called a "rasha sheynoh<br />

gamor (not a complete wicked man)". We don't consider him completely wicked since <strong>the</strong>se sins come about as a result of<br />

great suffering, and <strong>the</strong>y are considered unintentional sins, and he still believes in reward and punishment, but since his<br />

pains are so great it causes him to have doubt. The concealment is in this that he doesn't see that <strong>the</strong> Creator is "good and<br />

gives good", but he believes that <strong>the</strong> Creator behaves with him with hidden providence.<br />

52) Double concealment: Even <strong>the</strong> behind of <strong>the</strong> Creator is hidden from <strong>the</strong> person, because he doesn't believe in reward<br />

and punishment. Then <strong>the</strong> sins are written as intentionally and he is considered a complete wicked man, because he thinks<br />

that <strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't supervise at all which constitutes idol worship. The concealment is so great that he doesn't even<br />

realize that <strong>the</strong> Creator has providence over <strong>the</strong> "concealment".<br />

53) All <strong>the</strong> service in fulfilling <strong>the</strong> Torah and mitzvot in <strong>the</strong> path of free will occurs essentially at a time of concealment. A<br />

person at this time must do everything in his power to behave as if <strong>the</strong>re is revealed supervision, to overcome, to choose<br />

to believe, and to choose that <strong>the</strong> Creator is watching him Since <strong>the</strong> providence isn't revealed and he sees his Creator as<br />

His face is hidden, like a person who sees his friend from behind that could easily have a doubt if it really is his friend, so<br />

too he may think that what has occurred in his life is from some random circumstance or event, and not from <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

Therefore <strong>the</strong> choice is always in <strong>the</strong> hand of a person: to do <strong>the</strong> will of <strong>the</strong> Creator or to transgress. Because <strong>the</strong> suffering<br />

that he receives brings him to doubt <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator on him. So a person is found in a state of great difficulty<br />

and struggle to believe in <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator. On this period of time it's written: "All that's in your power to do<br />

you should do", meaning specifically in this time when things are hidden a person must overcome his nature to streng<strong>the</strong>n<br />

his faith to accept that <strong>the</strong> Creator supervises <strong>the</strong> entire creation only in <strong>the</strong> way of "being good and giving good". Because<br />

a person merits to "Face revealment" to see completely clear how <strong>the</strong> Creator handles <strong>the</strong> world in <strong>the</strong> way "of being good<br />

and doing good", only after he has toiled and has done all that's in his power to believe from <strong>the</strong> position of free will, that<br />

that was <strong>the</strong> truth even during <strong>the</strong> period of "behinds". According to <strong>the</strong> greatness of anguish for a person that he needs to<br />

overcome in order to believe at <strong>the</strong> time of concealment, that <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator is always good. greater is his<br />

reward as <strong>the</strong> Creator reveals to him His face and all that is good.<br />

"Doubts",-that a person is in doubt if <strong>the</strong> Creator really handles <strong>the</strong> world in a good way? This who person has hardships<br />

needs to say to himself that <strong>the</strong> intention of <strong>the</strong> Creator in handling <strong>the</strong> entire world is only in <strong>the</strong> way of "being good and


giving good" and all of his hardships are only for <strong>the</strong> good..<br />

54) After <strong>the</strong> Creator has seen that a person has completed all his labor and all that was in his power to act with his<br />

freewill to streng<strong>the</strong>n himself in <strong>the</strong> belief that <strong>the</strong> Creator controls <strong>the</strong> creation constantly in a completely good way, than<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator helps him and he merits to open attention from <strong>the</strong> Creator,"Face revealment" This person sees that<br />

everything is run with absolute good, from this he's aroused to great love for <strong>the</strong> Creator, and than he merits complete<br />

repentance, that he can cling to <strong>the</strong> Creator with all his heart, and soul, all as a result from his realization of <strong>the</strong> open<br />

guidance of God.<br />

55) The revealed providence and complete repentance come to a person on two levels:<br />

56) The first level of revealed providence is <strong>the</strong> complete understanding of reward and punishment.<br />

Not only includes <strong>the</strong> understanding that all <strong>the</strong> reward for mitzvot is in <strong>the</strong> world to come, but also a realization of <strong>the</strong><br />

great pleasure one has in doing <strong>the</strong> mitzvot in this world. Not only does one realize <strong>the</strong> bitter punishment that comes from<br />

every sin after his death, but also feels <strong>the</strong> bitter taste of a sin that's done here in this world.<br />

Therefore, <strong>the</strong> one who merits to open providence certainly cannot sin anymore, similar to one who certainly wouldn't cut<br />

off his limbs and cause himself great suffering. Likewise he will take any opportunity to perform a mitzvah, as would any<br />

normal person partake in a great pleasure that is offered to him.<br />

57) Complete repentance is when <strong>the</strong> Creator Himself testifies that <strong>the</strong> person will no longer sin. Because a person cannot<br />

be certain that he won't sin until he merits to an understanding of reward and punishment, meaning <strong>the</strong> revealed hand of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator. This revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator 's ways is, "redemptions of <strong>the</strong> Creator" or "Testimonies". "Creator's<br />

redemption" refers to <strong>the</strong> revealing of <strong>the</strong> Creator to man. And when a person reaches an understanding of reward and<br />

punishment, he is guaranteed that he won't sin fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

58) This repentance is called "repentance from fear". For also <strong>the</strong> one who returns to his Creator with all his heart and<br />

soul, <strong>the</strong> guarantee that he won't sin fur<strong>the</strong>r comes from his feeling of <strong>the</strong> pain and suffering, that come from his sins.He is<br />

sure he won't sin because he doesn't want to cause to himself great hardship. Therefore his repentance comes only from<br />

fear of sin, and so it is called "repentance from fear".<br />

59) The one who does repentance from fear merits that all his intentional sins become unintentional, since <strong>the</strong> intentional<br />

sins resulted from <strong>the</strong> double concealment when <strong>the</strong> Creator had become completely hidden from <strong>the</strong> sinner.<br />

However <strong>the</strong> state of one concealment, when he believed in reward and punishment, but never<strong>the</strong>less from <strong>the</strong> great<br />

hardships he had at times sinful thoughts, can be compared to one who sees his friend from behind, and is likely to think<br />

that maybe it's not his friend. These sins are also considered unintentional since he didn't believe in reward and<br />

punishment.<br />

60) Therefore after he has merited to repentance from fear to a clear understanding of <strong>the</strong> system of reward and<br />

punishment, until he is certain that he won't sin, he becomes removed completely from <strong>the</strong> double concealment. Now he<br />

sees that <strong>the</strong>re is a system of reward and punishment, and it's clear to him that all <strong>the</strong> hardship and darkness that he<br />

experienced was a punishment for all of his sins.<br />

He sees that in <strong>the</strong> past he made a bitter mistake that he thought <strong>the</strong> Maker was not controlling <strong>the</strong> world and now he sees<br />

that <strong>the</strong> Creator was always managing <strong>the</strong> world in <strong>the</strong> way of "being good and doing good".<br />

Thusly he has uprooted his intentional sins, but not completely as <strong>the</strong>y are considered now unintentional. Similar to <strong>the</strong><br />

sins that he did at one concealment which are considered only unintentional, because he fell as a result of confusion and<br />

great hardship which remove a man from he semblance of mind.<br />

61) But from <strong>the</strong> first concealment he underwent immediately proceeding his repentance, he doesn't repair with his new<br />

repentance. Left over is all <strong>the</strong> concealment and <strong>the</strong> unintentional sins that he committed, without any change or fixing,<br />

because than he also believed that all of his suffering came from his sins. So he only merits to fix from <strong>the</strong> time of his<br />

repentance and onward but not from before.<br />

62) Therefore he's still not called a complete righteous person . Though since he has merited to <strong>the</strong> revealed face of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator and sees that He is "good and does good" from this time and on he can be referred to as a righteous person, being


he has realized <strong>the</strong> righteousness of Providence as it is in truth., that <strong>the</strong> Creator behaves with people in <strong>the</strong> epitome of<br />

good and completeness, as He is good to both good and bad people.<br />

63) Since he merited to understand revealed providence, that he realizes that <strong>the</strong> Creator overlooks and takes care of both<br />

good and bad, from this point and on he can be called tzadik. But until he reached this point he was not able to be called<br />

tzadik (Righteous) because he had thoughts against <strong>the</strong> Creator. But since he had sinned in <strong>the</strong> past he is called a "tzadik<br />

sheyno gamor" (incomplete righteous person).<br />

64) He is also referred to as a "benoni" one who's in between. Because after he has merited to repentance from fear he<br />

becomes enable through his devotion to merit to repentance from love, that he'll merit to be called "tzadik gamor (a<br />

completely righteous person).<br />

65) It's been explained that <strong>the</strong> first level of understanding revealed providence-is <strong>the</strong> realization of reward and<br />

punishment to <strong>the</strong> extent that <strong>the</strong> Creator will testify that this person will no longer sin fur<strong>the</strong>r.This is referred to as<br />

repentance from fear, when <strong>the</strong> intentional sins become unintentional, and he is <strong>the</strong>n called "tzadik sheyno gamor<br />

(incomplete righteous person)" or "benoni"(person in between).<br />

66) The second level of understanding open providence is <strong>the</strong> understanding of complete, true, and eternal nature of<br />

providence. The realization that <strong>the</strong> Creator intimately watches over all his creatures in <strong>the</strong> aspect of "good and giving<br />

good" than a person is called "tzadik gamor (complete), and this repentance is called "repentance from love", when he<br />

merits that his intentional sin become mitzvot.<br />

There are <strong>the</strong> four aspects of understanding providence, that a person must path through: The first three aspects :double<br />

concealment, one concealment, <strong>the</strong> understanding of reward and punishment <strong>the</strong>y are preparations that through <strong>the</strong>m a<br />

person merits to <strong>the</strong> fourth aspect, an eternal and true understanding.<br />

67) Why is it not enough for a person <strong>the</strong> third aspect, <strong>the</strong> knowing of reward and punishment, that a person merits that<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator testifies on him that he will no longer sin? Why is he called a "benoni" or "a tzadik sheyno gamor" that <strong>the</strong>se<br />

names indicate that his devotion is not fitting in <strong>the</strong> eyes of <strong>the</strong> Creator, and is still found to be lacking in Torah and<br />

mitzvot?<br />

68) How does <strong>the</strong> Torah command us to love, something which isn't in our control, since love is something that doesn't<br />

help force? But from <strong>the</strong> fact that a person performs <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 612 mitzvot properly he'll automatically begin to love <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator. Therefore it's considered this mitzvah as it is in <strong>the</strong> hand of man to perform it. Because if he's able to force<br />

himself to perform <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 612 mitzvot, he will than be able to also perform <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love.<br />

69) But if <strong>the</strong>re is no medium for which a person to perform <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love except through <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 612 mitzvot,<br />

than why should it be numbered as a mitzvah, and not just be considered a byproduct of <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r mitzvot?<br />

70) All <strong>the</strong> tendencies and characteristics in a person that he has to serve someone else are necessary to serve <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator. Originally <strong>the</strong>y were implanted in a person soley for <strong>the</strong> purpose of serving <strong>the</strong> Creator, which is <strong>the</strong> meaning and<br />

end of all man.. Ra<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> meantime a person has an entire world in order that all <strong>the</strong>se tendencies and natural<br />

characteristics will be opened and completed, as through a person's involvement with society <strong>the</strong>se characteristics become<br />

refined so one can serve <strong>the</strong> Creator with <strong>the</strong>m. Therefore <strong>the</strong> existence of mankind is neccesary for <strong>the</strong> individual as <strong>the</strong>y<br />

are <strong>the</strong> ones who open and prepare his tendencies and characteristics in order <strong>the</strong>y should be fitting for his spiritual<br />

devotion.<br />

71)Therefore we need to understand <strong>the</strong> essence of love of <strong>the</strong> Creator in <strong>the</strong> context of love between human beings,<br />

which necessarily also <strong>the</strong> love of <strong>the</strong> Creator is influenced by <strong>the</strong>se characteristics. There are two types of love between<br />

people which divide into four:<br />

72) Love that depends on something, love stemming from immense good, pleasure, and purpose that he receives from his<br />

friend . In this <strong>the</strong>re are two levels:<br />

Before <strong>the</strong>y knew and loved one ano<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>y had done harm to each o<strong>the</strong>r, but <strong>the</strong>y don't want to remember, "because


on all sinners love will cover". Therefore if <strong>the</strong>y want to deprive pleasure from <strong>the</strong> love each one has to be careful not to<br />

remind <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r of his wrong doings.<br />

Or <strong>the</strong>y never did harm to one ano<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong>y have nothing to remind each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

73) Love that is not dependent on anything, that <strong>the</strong>y see each o<strong>the</strong>rs good points in a way that goes beyond normal<br />

measure which from it cling <strong>the</strong>ir souls toge<strong>the</strong>r with great love that has no end.<br />

It also has two levels:<br />

a) Love that's dependent on something-before that he knew all his ways and action of his friend amongst people. For it is<br />

than tested if <strong>the</strong> love is absolute, because he sees that <strong>the</strong> actions of his friend with o<strong>the</strong>rs causes his friend damage and<br />

problems. which would blemish his entire image of his friend, and ruin <strong>the</strong>ir love. Ra<strong>the</strong>r he still has not seen his friends<br />

involvement <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong>re love is still complete.<br />

b)Love that is not dependent on anything-this love comes from knowing all <strong>the</strong> ways and actions of his friend, having<br />

checked and found that <strong>the</strong>y are good beyond measure, and far surpass beyond measure from any of his peers, thusly it's<br />

referred to as "an absolute and eternal love".<br />

74) These four characteristics of love that are found between man and his fellow man, exist also between man and his<br />

Creator. Ra<strong>the</strong>r that <strong>the</strong> love between man and his Creator works in a cause and effect manner: That a person merits first<br />

to "a love that depends on something". And after that he merits one type of love in completeness, he will automatically<br />

move to <strong>the</strong> next level, until he reaches to "eternal love".<br />

75) But how can a person reach <strong>the</strong> first level of love which comes from <strong>the</strong> great reward he has received from his<br />

beloved, at a time where <strong>the</strong>re is no reward in this world?<br />

Every person has to go through <strong>the</strong> two levels of "face concealment" that <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator, his good side, from which<br />

<strong>the</strong> "way of good is to bestow good", is hidden from him, <strong>the</strong>refore he than receives <strong>the</strong> difficulty and suffering. All his<br />

involvement in Torah and devotion is in <strong>the</strong> way of freedom of choice takes mainly during <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> concealment of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator, because <strong>the</strong>n he feels no love to his creator.<br />

If this is <strong>the</strong> case how does a person reach <strong>the</strong> second level of love that depends on something? Because in order to reach<br />

this type of love a person needs to see that <strong>the</strong> beloved does for him great and wonderful things since <strong>the</strong> past until this<br />

day, and caused him no wrong. All <strong>the</strong> more so how can he reach <strong>the</strong> third level or <strong>the</strong> fourth level?<br />

76) On this it says "your world you'll see in your life and your end in <strong>the</strong> world to come". Why doesn't it say "your world<br />

you will accept in you life" instead of "you will see"? And why is a person supposed to see his life in <strong>the</strong> world to come in<br />

this world.?<br />

77) What does this mean that a man sees <strong>the</strong> world to come in his life? For sure with <strong>the</strong> physical eyes you see nothing<br />

spiritual! Also <strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't change <strong>the</strong> laws of nature, because he already set <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>y are very successful to<br />

reach <strong>the</strong> proper end, in order that a person through <strong>the</strong>m should merit to cling to <strong>the</strong> Creator. If so how can it be for a<br />

person to see his world in his life?<br />

78) This seeing comes to a person through "you shall open your eyes to Torah". Therefore it is written: "Even if <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

world will say to you that you are a tzadik, you should be in your eyes like a wicked person.", regard yourself as wicked<br />

person and don't trick yourself by all those in <strong>the</strong> world who call you a tzadik. Because according to this a person will not<br />

merit even to <strong>the</strong> level of "Tzadik sheyno gamor (incomplete)".<br />

79) But if a person knows himself in truth that he already fulfilled <strong>the</strong> entire Torah and all <strong>the</strong> world realizes this, why is<br />

this not enough, why must he consider himself wicked? This is because he's lacking <strong>the</strong> level of "open your eyes to <strong>the</strong><br />

Torah", to see his world in this life.<br />

80) The four levels of apprehension of <strong>the</strong> Creator's providence upon man are: Two from <strong>the</strong> aspects of concealment<br />

panim. And two from <strong>the</strong> level of revealed panim. Intentionally <strong>the</strong> first levels was made in hiding that a person shouldn't


see that <strong>the</strong> Creator bestows good and pleasure, ra<strong>the</strong>r he see as if it works in s a different way. This is in order that a<br />

person should have a place for toil and freedom of choice, that from this comes to <strong>the</strong> Creator great pleasure from <strong>the</strong><br />

service of man.<br />

81) However "face concealment" is incompleteness and is only considered a passing stage that from it a person reaches to<br />

<strong>the</strong> desired completion, but all <strong>the</strong> reward that a person merits from his toil in Torah and his free will come from <strong>the</strong> time<br />

of "face concealment " as than a person has difficulty in trying to streng<strong>the</strong>n himself in faith and fulfillment of <strong>the</strong> will of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator. All <strong>the</strong> reward of a person is measured according to <strong>the</strong> hardship that he suffers from <strong>the</strong> performance of<br />

mitzvot and Torah at <strong>the</strong> time of free will.<br />

82) Therefore it is necessary for each person to pass this stage of "face concealment". When he completes it, he merits to<br />

open providence, to a revealment of <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator, that he feels Him, like He is "good and that he gives good".<br />

Before he reaches this stage of openness of His face, he sees only <strong>the</strong> behind, and he doesn't see <strong>the</strong> good that comes<br />

from <strong>the</strong> Creator. Despite that he believes that <strong>the</strong> Creator handles that worlds in <strong>the</strong> way of "good and bestowing good"<br />

it's impossible that he won't come to sin, because a person can't always be in a state of darkness and arise himself to a<br />

level of faith to declare that <strong>the</strong> Creator is always good and doing good.<br />

It's not in <strong>the</strong> hand of a person to fulfill all <strong>the</strong> 613 mitzvot, because <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love doesn't come in force or against<br />

his will. Even if a person will force himself to perform <strong>the</strong> will of <strong>the</strong> Creator in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 612 mitzvot this is not <strong>the</strong> best<br />

situation, because such fear is not lasting as one can always complain to <strong>the</strong> Creator, that perhaps <strong>the</strong> time has come to<br />

merit to pleasure kindness.<br />

83) The first level of "revealed faces" which is <strong>the</strong> understanding of fear and punishment, comes to <strong>the</strong> person through<br />

"redemption of God", that he merits "to open his eyes in Torah" with complete understanding. And all <strong>the</strong> mitzvot he<br />

performed through great labor, he now sees <strong>the</strong> reward for <strong>the</strong>m, that has been placed aside for him in <strong>the</strong> world to come,<br />

and also <strong>the</strong> great damage caused by his sins.<br />

84) Even though he still hasn't reached <strong>the</strong> reward, because in this world <strong>the</strong>re is no reward. Never<strong>the</strong>less it is enough for<br />

him <strong>the</strong> understanding that from this point on he can feel <strong>the</strong> great pleasure in performing each mitzvah, because anyone<br />

who is ready to receive a reward 'it is as if he has already received it".<br />

85)Naturally it's understood that open providence will testify from <strong>the</strong>n onwards a clinging to <strong>the</strong> Torah and mitzvot with all<br />

his heart and soul, and because he feels <strong>the</strong> pain of <strong>the</strong> sins, he will run from <strong>the</strong> sins, like from a fire. Though <strong>the</strong> fire still<br />

has not reached him, he is quick to run from it, so to does he run from hardship that is on its way.<br />

And even if he hasn't reached <strong>the</strong> level of "complete tzadik", because he hasn't reached <strong>the</strong> level of repentance from love,<br />

never<strong>the</strong>less <strong>the</strong> clinging to Torah bring him slowly to repentance from love where he can perform all <strong>the</strong> 613 mitzvot with<br />

love and be a "complete tzadik".<br />

86) And why is it written: "Even if <strong>the</strong> whole world says to you that you are a tzadik, you should be in your own eyes like a<br />

wicked man"? Behold a person know who he is! Why must he search and know "if he is a tzadik gamor (completely<br />

righteous)" Why must he at all be a tzadik gamor? And if he is obligated you be a tzadik gamor, why does it say "he must<br />

always be in his eyes like a wicked person"?<br />

87)Until a person doesn't merit to "opening his eyes to <strong>the</strong> Torah", with a complete understanding of reward and<br />

punishment, that he doesn't need to believe that he will receive a reward in <strong>the</strong> world to come, ra<strong>the</strong>r he sees and feels<br />

this with his senses, he is not able to trick himself and to consider himself as a tzadik. Because he feels that are lacking<br />

him to two of <strong>the</strong> must inclusive mitzvot of <strong>the</strong> Torah: "fear" and "love".<br />

'Fear"-that <strong>the</strong> Creator testifies that he will no longer sin because of his fear of punishment, when he will merit to a clear<br />

understanding of reward and punishment, which is <strong>the</strong> first level of gluey ponim (revealed faces) that is reached after<br />

"opening of <strong>the</strong> eyes in Torah".<br />

"Love"- it is out of <strong>the</strong> realm of man, because it's dependent on <strong>the</strong> "understanding of <strong>the</strong> heart", that is to say in<br />

understanding <strong>the</strong> Creator, that labor and force don't help in its attainment.<br />

88) Therefore it's written :"even if <strong>the</strong> whole world says to you that you are a Tzadik". Because <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of "love " and


:"fear" are given only to <strong>the</strong> person himself, and <strong>the</strong>re is no one in <strong>the</strong> world, that is able to determine <strong>the</strong>m and to know<br />

<strong>the</strong>m o<strong>the</strong>r than himself. But when o<strong>the</strong>r people see him, performing <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 611 mitzvot <strong>the</strong>y assume he has also<br />

fulfilled <strong>the</strong>se two o<strong>the</strong>r mizvot of "fear"and "love". But no person can enter into <strong>the</strong> heart of his fellow man. It's possible to<br />

see charity, kindness, study of Torah, but if <strong>the</strong> reason behind <strong>the</strong> mitzvot is love of <strong>the</strong> Creator, this no person can know.<br />

Because it's possible a man can do few mitzvot and learn little but he does it from love,and <strong>the</strong> opposite also hold true.<br />

Since <strong>the</strong> nature of man is to believe what people say of him, he is likely to be mistaken and think that he's already a<br />

tzadik, <strong>the</strong>refore a person must always consider himself wicked. However he himself is obligated to seek himself to know in<br />

himself, if he is a tzadik gamor, meaning he has already merited to love and fear, if he already feels that <strong>the</strong>re is reward<br />

and punishment for his actions in this world? Only to <strong>the</strong> extent that he feels this he's not called a wicked person!<br />

89) Now it's understood how a person can reach <strong>the</strong> first level of love, even though he will not in his life receive a reward<br />

for a mitzvah, ra<strong>the</strong>r only in <strong>the</strong> world to come.<br />

To see, to know, and to feel clearly <strong>the</strong> reward for a mitzvah, that will come in <strong>the</strong> future in <strong>the</strong> world to come, a person<br />

must realize in his lifetime through his understanding in Torah. Because than at least he has "a love that depends on<br />

something", that he loves <strong>the</strong> Creator because he feels in this world <strong>the</strong> future reward that he's going to receive in <strong>the</strong><br />

world to come. This is <strong>the</strong> first level of leaving <strong>the</strong> concealment panim to come to giluey panim when he feels <strong>the</strong> reward of<br />

<strong>the</strong> miztvot and <strong>the</strong> loss caused by sins, in a way that <strong>the</strong> Creator testifies on him that he will no longer sin. At this level<br />

He gives him to feel <strong>the</strong> great pleasure that he will have in reward for his mitzvot and <strong>the</strong> pain that will come if he sins.<br />

Though a person feeling what will be his portion in <strong>the</strong> world to come, than he is certain, that as according to how far he<br />

breaks away from this world from its pain and he chases after pleasure, so he shall run after Torah and mitzvot, and run<br />

away from sin.<br />

90) Now he labors in <strong>the</strong> keeping of Torah and mitzvot amidst a love that depends on something that come to him from<br />

knowledge of <strong>the</strong> reward to be received in <strong>the</strong> world to come, "because all those that are standing to receive it is as if <strong>the</strong>y<br />

have received". Afterwards a person moves and merits to <strong>the</strong> second level of "Face revealment" that one realizes <strong>the</strong><br />

control of <strong>the</strong> Creator over <strong>the</strong> world in an eternal and true way that He" is good and does good" to both good and bad as<br />

he merits to a "love that isn't dependent on anything", that he loves <strong>the</strong> Creator even though he receives nothing, <strong>the</strong>n his<br />

intentional sins become merits to him. From this point and onwards he is referred to a a "tzadik gamor"(a complete tzadik)<br />

because he's able to fulfill <strong>the</strong> entire Torah out of fear and love. and he is called "gamor"(complete) because he has <strong>the</strong><br />

613 mitzvot in completeness.<br />

91) Also <strong>the</strong> one who merits to <strong>the</strong> third aspect of providence, in <strong>the</strong> providence of reward and punishment, and <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator has already testified on him that he won't sin anymore, despite all this he is still called a "tzadik sheyno gamor",<br />

because he is still lacking one mitzvah, <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love, and one isn't complete until he has all <strong>the</strong> 613 mitzvot.<br />

92)From here it's understood why <strong>the</strong> Torah obligates us to <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love, despite that love is something that is felt<br />

in <strong>the</strong> heart, if a person toils he can reach <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love. That is why it says from "not for it's own sake" .lacking<br />

love, you can reach "for its own sake", meaning love.<br />

93) It's written that if a person says to you "I have toiled and I've not found"-not to believe. "I have not toiled and I've<br />

found"-not to believe. "I have toiled and I have found" -to believe. Why does it say "I have toiled and I have found"? Does<br />

not toiling imply acquiring something and finding implies receiving something without toil and understanding? It should<br />

have said, "I have toiled and I have acquired".<br />

"I have toiled and I have found", implies that a person finds <strong>the</strong> revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator only through toil in Torah. The<br />

"toiling" is in Torah, and <strong>the</strong> "finding" is in <strong>the</strong> revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator's providence, that this is something else entirely<br />

different? Therefore it's not written "'I have toiled and I have merited" or "I have toiled and I have aquired'-believe", <strong>the</strong><br />

intention is on something extra, <strong>the</strong> revealment of <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator and his providence. From <strong>the</strong> lackings of a<br />

person he thinks that <strong>the</strong> world should be managed in a different way. Therefore after he merits to <strong>the</strong> revealment of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator he sees that <strong>the</strong> Creator always managed <strong>the</strong> world in a good way, until he can't imagine how it could be any<br />

better. Than he has no doubt that <strong>the</strong> Creator is "good and gives good".<br />

94) Therefore it is written: "I have not toiled and I have found don't believe", that from this it's possible to think, that


anyone who seeks <strong>the</strong> Creator right away finds him, that in order to find <strong>the</strong> Creator one must not toil. Therefore <strong>the</strong>y<br />

warn that toil is essential, so it is written: "I have not toiled and I have not labored" -don't believe.<br />

95) The Torah is called life like that is written: "See I have placed before you today life and good-choose life", "<strong>the</strong>y are life<br />

to those who go out".Because <strong>the</strong> Creator is <strong>the</strong> source of life and good <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> life comes to those who cling to Him;<br />

those who toil and find <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator in <strong>the</strong> Torah, that <strong>the</strong>y merit to "open your eyes to Torah" to<br />

understand <strong>the</strong> true way that <strong>the</strong> Creator guides <strong>the</strong> world which is only to give good.<br />

At <strong>the</strong> time that a person realizes <strong>the</strong>re can be no better way of running <strong>the</strong> world, than it's called that he merited to <strong>the</strong><br />

"light of <strong>the</strong> living king".<br />

96) A person who has merited to this is not able to separate from <strong>the</strong> fulfillment's of mitzvot, like a person who cannot<br />

separate from a great pleasure that has come to his hands. And likewise he runes from sin, like from a fire. And upon him<br />

it says, "You are a clinging to <strong>the</strong> Creator your God while living on this very day", because <strong>the</strong> love of <strong>the</strong> Creator comes<br />

upon him like a natural love. He is like a branch connected to its root, that <strong>the</strong> life comes to him without interruption from<br />

its source, and for this <strong>the</strong> Torah is called "life".<br />

Without toil a person is not able to find <strong>the</strong> Creator, to reveal His face? Why someone who seeks <strong>the</strong> Creator finds him<br />

without toil? Someone who clings to <strong>the</strong> Creator merits to life, clinging means that man becomes similar to <strong>the</strong> Creator in<br />

<strong>the</strong> form of a bestowal, that just as <strong>the</strong> Creator gives to man, so to a man gives to <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

At <strong>the</strong> time that a person has intention for <strong>the</strong> good of <strong>the</strong> Creator, he feels <strong>the</strong> taste of Torah and mitzvot, from <strong>the</strong> power<br />

of this that he wants to do good for <strong>the</strong> Creator. Than he merits to a revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator called reward and<br />

punishment. Reward this is <strong>the</strong> pleasure that he feels at <strong>the</strong> time he intends to do <strong>the</strong> mitzvah, for <strong>the</strong> sake of heaven.<br />

This that he can give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator for him is greater than all <strong>the</strong> pleasures of this world. And he feels pain at <strong>the</strong><br />

time he cannot perform mitzvot.<br />

To reach this level is only possible through a revealment from above called <strong>the</strong> "light of <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> living king" this light<br />

that comes from above is called, "for its own sake", like that's written, "The one who comes to purify <strong>the</strong>y help him with a<br />

new soul", in a new soul called, "<strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> living king", automatically all his intention is for <strong>the</strong> sake of heaven, for<br />

<strong>the</strong> good of <strong>the</strong> Creator, that his pleasure is from this that he gives pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator, and his pains are from <strong>the</strong><br />

times that he cannot give pleasure to <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

Therefore he can no loner sin, because if he doesn't have intention for <strong>the</strong> good of his Creator, he loses his soul that he has<br />

received, and he returns to being a simple man. But when he thinks for <strong>the</strong> good of his Creator, he feels all this pleasure.<br />

It comes out from this that toiling in Torah means that through <strong>the</strong> Torah a person reaches to cling to <strong>the</strong> Creator that he<br />

directs all his action to <strong>the</strong> Creator, than he merits to "<strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> living King". And than he has a natural love, like <strong>the</strong><br />

love a person has for food and sleep. Natural love comes to a person because he is connected to <strong>the</strong> Creator and he<br />

receives from it "<strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> living King".<br />

97)Therefore <strong>the</strong> person who labors in Torah has to be "for its own sake", in order that he shall merit from it "life". For this<br />

matter <strong>the</strong> Torah was given as it says, "And you shall choose life". Therefore a person perforce at <strong>the</strong> time he is learning<br />

Torah must put his mind and heart to it and toil in it to find it <strong>the</strong> "light of <strong>the</strong> living king", meaning a clear comprehension<br />

of revealed providence, that is called "<strong>the</strong> inner light"". And every person has this ability! It is thus written "from darkness<br />

he will find me"," I have toiled and have not found"- don't believe, that <strong>the</strong>re is nothing lacking to a person except for<br />

effort. Therefore all who engage in Torah "for its own sake" it becomes for him a "giver of life"- only that he should place<br />

his heart and mind to finding life. So when one studies <strong>Kabbalah</strong> <strong>the</strong> effort that he needs to give is to reach a clinging with<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator, to merit to life<br />

98) Therefore it is in our hands to reach <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love. For it is in <strong>the</strong> hands of any person to toil in Torah, and till he<br />

reaches a revealment of providence, that he sees that <strong>the</strong> Creator only desires to help and do good for him, like that it<br />

says "I have toiled and I have found-believe". When a person reaches this realization of providence automatically he<br />

receives love for his Maker,, and he no longer needs to toil and to force himself, because this love is naturally aroused<br />

within him.<br />

99) It says, "all who study Torah not for its own sake, his Torah becomes a giver of death", that <strong>the</strong> Creator specifically


hides himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah. Generally, one thinks that <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself in <strong>the</strong> trappings of this mundane physical<br />

world, that <strong>the</strong>y are outside of Torah, and not Torah itself, and only in Torah is his place of revealment. The question is<br />

asked "Why does <strong>the</strong> Creator hide himself and want that we should seek and find him? Why doesn't <strong>the</strong> Creator reveal<br />

himself to man? Why was it necessary for him to hide in <strong>the</strong> beginning?".<br />

100) <strong>the</strong> Creator hid himself in order that a person should seek His revealment. There are two types of concealment<br />

panim, one concealment or a double concealment. <strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't want to remain in a state of concealment from a<br />

person ra<strong>the</strong>r he hid himself intentionally with <strong>the</strong> purpose that a person should try to reveal His face and find Him,<br />

because <strong>the</strong> person can only merit to <strong>the</strong> "light of <strong>the</strong> living King" from a state of darkness, <strong>the</strong> entire concealment serves<br />

as a preparation for <strong>the</strong> revealment.<br />

If a person needs something he is embarrassed by "free bread".Likewise if <strong>the</strong> Creator would give to a person only good<br />

and pleasure, a person would fell embarrassment.In order that a person should receive all <strong>the</strong> pleasure without<br />

embarrassment, <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself., that a person shouldn't see that <strong>the</strong> Creator behaves with him in a good way.<br />

This is also in order that he'll fix his ways so that he can act completely for <strong>the</strong> good of Creator and not for his own<br />

purposes. Than all <strong>the</strong> pleasures that he will receive from <strong>the</strong> Creator will be with <strong>the</strong> understanding that <strong>the</strong> Creator wants<br />

that he should receive this pleasure and that <strong>the</strong> Creator Himself take pleasure when a person receives from Him good..<br />

When a person reaches this level <strong>the</strong> good and <strong>the</strong> pleasure in this world become revealed to him.<br />

Concealment was made in order that a person should search out why he doesn't feel <strong>the</strong> good and <strong>the</strong> pleasure. After<br />

searching it will be made known to him <strong>the</strong> reason for <strong>the</strong> concealment, that his intentions were not for <strong>the</strong> Creator, than<br />

he will do good deeds, subsequently <strong>the</strong> Creator will be revealed to him.After this revealment he doesn't have to suffer any<br />

embarrassment, since he now serves <strong>the</strong> Creator without ulterior motives.<br />

101)Therefore <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah so that even someone who is involved in Torah and good deeds has a<br />

hard time judging <strong>the</strong> Creator favorably, since according to his estimation he's not fitting for <strong>the</strong> hardships that he suffers,<br />

even worse he see that those who are much less devoted than him don't suffer like to his extent.<br />

Therefore <strong>the</strong> entire time that a person is involved in Torah and good deeds and doesn't merit to revealed providence, <strong>the</strong><br />

Torah itself hides <strong>the</strong> Creator from him. Thusly it is written that <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah. It comes out from<br />

this that someone who doesn't learn doesn't suffer so much, but a person who learns a great deal does suffer. Not only<br />

does he suffer but he blames <strong>the</strong> Creator for <strong>the</strong> pain that comes on him since he is found in a greater concealment.<br />

But all <strong>the</strong> suffering that a person has from <strong>the</strong> Torah <strong>the</strong>y are all announcements that <strong>the</strong> Creator himself is calling him,<br />

through that it wakens him to get ready, to hurry, and to give <strong>the</strong> amount of effort that is asked of him, in order to merit<br />

him to a revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator, as this is what <strong>the</strong> Creator desires.<br />

From here it follows he who learns more feels more <strong>the</strong> concealment, and sees to a lesser extent that <strong>the</strong> Creator manages<br />

<strong>the</strong> world. Because if <strong>the</strong> Creator manages <strong>the</strong> world in <strong>the</strong> way of "good and giving good" why does he do good for o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

and not for him? Why doesn't he feel <strong>the</strong> revealed face of <strong>the</strong> Creator? Why does it seem to him <strong>the</strong> one who learns less<br />

has an easier situation?<br />

The one who learns properly realizes all <strong>the</strong>se pains are in order that he should learn more and to teach him that he really<br />

isn't intending to do good for <strong>the</strong> Creator. After he understands this he will be able to open his eyes to Torah and to open<br />

providence, as he will see <strong>the</strong>n that <strong>the</strong> Creator manges <strong>the</strong> world in a way that is good for everyone.<br />

102) "All who learn Torah not for its own sake <strong>the</strong> Torah becomes a giver of death". Because not only will he not go out<br />

from <strong>the</strong> concealment to revealment, since he has no intentions of reaching this level, but also <strong>the</strong> Torah he learns just<br />

adds to <strong>the</strong> concealment. This is <strong>the</strong> aspect of death since he is uprooted from his root completely, meaning that he isn't<br />

able to believe that <strong>the</strong> Creator controls <strong>the</strong> world. All this Torah that he has learned, which is <strong>the</strong> aspect of death, came as<br />

result of his not learning for <strong>the</strong> Creator, but at <strong>the</strong> time that he'll have <strong>the</strong> proper intention, he too will merit to revealed<br />

faces that will bring him true good and pleasure.<br />

103) Therefore <strong>the</strong>re is "hidden Torah" and "revealed Torah". "Hidden Torah" has its name because <strong>the</strong> Creator hides<br />

himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah. The "revealed Torah" is called that <strong>the</strong> Creator reveals himself in <strong>the</strong> Torah. The first level is hidden<br />

Torah, that in <strong>the</strong> beginning a person learns Torah while <strong>the</strong> Creator is still hidden within it. Afterwards one learns <strong>the</strong><br />

revealed Torah, meaning <strong>the</strong> Creator already becomes revealed. Therefore <strong>the</strong> kabbalists say as it is also written in <strong>the</strong><br />

prayer book of <strong>the</strong> Gaon of Vilna; "The Torah begins in secret and ends with simplicity", that a person toils in <strong>the</strong> beginning<br />

in <strong>the</strong> hidden Torah, that is secret, and he merits through it to revealed Torah, which is <strong>the</strong> simple meaning.


104) How is it possible to merit to <strong>the</strong> first level of love, love that's dependent on something, which is based upon a<br />

realization of <strong>the</strong> Creator's benevolence, if <strong>the</strong>re is no reward for mitzvot in this world. However through <strong>the</strong> opening of<br />

one's eyes to Torah a person can feel this reward immediately in this world, he can also feel <strong>the</strong> general encompassing<br />

good which was part of <strong>the</strong> first thought of Creation to "to give pleasure to his creatures". This person can grasp in <strong>the</strong><br />

present <strong>the</strong> reward that is to be received in <strong>the</strong> future, and from this great good that he now grasps, <strong>the</strong>re is revealed<br />

between him and <strong>the</strong> Creator a new wonderful love, that comes to him constantly without any physical barrier.<br />

105)All those pains that a person suffered at <strong>the</strong> time of concealment when he didn't feel <strong>the</strong> Creator properly, ra<strong>the</strong>r he<br />

just had faith in him, even though he doesn't want to remember those pains as it states on "on all sins love covers"<br />

never<strong>the</strong>less <strong>the</strong>y prevent him from reaching <strong>the</strong> level of love because as soon as he recalls <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>y ruin his love. How is<br />

it possible to reach <strong>the</strong> next level of love where he will always feel that <strong>the</strong> Creator has done for him constantly wonders<br />

and never anything bad?<br />

106) It is written, "<strong>the</strong> one who repents from love his deliberate sins become like mitzvot", that <strong>the</strong> Creator forgives him<br />

for his sins and turns <strong>the</strong>m into merit for him.<br />

107) After one has merited to such a level of divine light, that all his sins that he transgressed in <strong>the</strong> past, even deliberate,<br />

become like mitzvot, he is happy over all <strong>the</strong> pains that he has gone through at <strong>the</strong> time of concealment, because<br />

according to <strong>the</strong> difficulty and pain that he suffered at <strong>the</strong> time of concealment, to that extent he merits divine revealment.<br />

And all <strong>the</strong> suffering and confusion that brought him to go against his religion, as he had fallen into unintentional sins of<br />

<strong>the</strong> first concealment (concealment)or intentional of <strong>the</strong> second concealment- are switched and have become now <strong>the</strong><br />

cause and <strong>the</strong> preparation to <strong>the</strong> fulfillment of mitzvot, to receive from <strong>the</strong>m eternal reward, as all <strong>the</strong> pain becomes<br />

happiness, and all <strong>the</strong> evil good.<br />

108)This is similar to a trustworthy slave, that his master loved. Once his master traveled away and he left someone in his<br />

place that out of hate gave <strong>the</strong> slave five lashings.When <strong>the</strong> master returned <strong>the</strong> slave told him how he had been<br />

beaten,<strong>the</strong> master called <strong>the</strong> one who had beaten him and commanded him to give to <strong>the</strong> slave five gold coins. <strong>the</strong> slave<br />

returned to his house and cried that he received five lashings and no more.<br />

109) So to when a person reaches <strong>the</strong> stage for his sins to be forgiven and even become mitzvot, he reaches <strong>the</strong> next level<br />

of love where <strong>the</strong> beloved never caused any harm to his lover, instead he was constantly doing for him good. As now he is<br />

similar to one who had suffered no pains, since <strong>the</strong> Creator has paid him back for all his suffering in <strong>the</strong> from of mitzvot.<br />

Therefore <strong>the</strong> forgiving of sins is an integral of repentance from love.<br />

When a person wants to do an action not on <strong>the</strong> condition to receive a reward, <strong>the</strong> body, meaning <strong>the</strong> will, begins to rebel,<br />

it brings a person to think against doing such an action, as <strong>the</strong> body doesn't feel in such actions any purpose. Through<br />

<strong>the</strong>se types of bo<strong>the</strong>rsome claims of <strong>the</strong> body forms in a person a person a will to be relieved of such claims, and when<br />

<strong>the</strong>se questions join to <strong>the</strong>ir fullest form, than comes to a person light from above, that brings him to repentance. Than all<br />

those things that caused this light, namely all <strong>the</strong> questions and bo<strong>the</strong>rsome claims that were like deliberate sins become<br />

like mitzvot.Because without <strong>the</strong>se questions it wouldn't' implant in a man a need to receive <strong>the</strong> light of love, that will<br />

return him to his Creator. Therefore it is written at <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> complete reparation, when <strong>the</strong> light of repentance from<br />

love will be revealed, all <strong>the</strong> sins will become mitzvot.<br />

110)But how does a person merit to come with <strong>the</strong> Creator to <strong>the</strong>se two levels of "love that is not dependent on anything?<br />

It is written. "Always a person should see himself as if he is half guilty and half innocent. Because <strong>the</strong> world is judged after<br />

<strong>the</strong> majority and <strong>the</strong> individual is judge after <strong>the</strong> majority (of his actions), if he does one mitzvah-happy is he, that he<br />

tilted himself and <strong>the</strong> world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit. If he transgressed one sin-he tilted himself and <strong>the</strong> world to <strong>the</strong> side of<br />

guilt". How is it that one sin of <strong>the</strong> individual causes <strong>the</strong> loss of all good from him and <strong>the</strong> entire world?<br />

111) How is it <strong>the</strong> one who performs one mitzvah tilts himself to <strong>the</strong> side of merit as he's only judged after <strong>the</strong> majority of<br />

his actions ?<br />

112) How can a person only see himself as half guilty? How is it possible that he tilts himself and <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong><br />

side of guilt? Certainly this is talking about a real situation and not just an imaginary case.


113)Is it possible that <strong>the</strong>re was no one in all <strong>the</strong> generations that did one mitzvah and titled <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of<br />

merit? We see that <strong>the</strong> world acts in this from, that <strong>the</strong>re is no separation between <strong>the</strong> generations . Certainly <strong>the</strong>re is in<br />

each generation people who did at least one mitzvah <strong>the</strong>re entire life. Than how is it possible <strong>the</strong>y didn't tilt <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

generation to <strong>the</strong> side of merit? Why don't we see any difference in <strong>the</strong> world?<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r its talking about a person who imagines himself to be completely righteous and considers himself complete,<br />

because through "opening <strong>the</strong> eyes in Torah", he merits to <strong>the</strong> first level of love, that <strong>the</strong> Creator has already testified on<br />

him that he won't sin fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

And he's obligated to know that he's to consider himself a "benoni" which means half innocent and half guilty, because he's<br />

still lacking one of <strong>the</strong> 613 mitzvot, <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of love. Because <strong>the</strong> testimony of <strong>the</strong> Creator that he won't sin fur<strong>the</strong>r, is<br />

only from <strong>the</strong> standpoint from his understanding of <strong>the</strong> great loss that results from sin, that this is considered "fear of sin",<br />

and is referred to as "repentance from fear".<br />

114) The repentance from fear only fixes a person from <strong>the</strong> time of repentance and onward. All <strong>the</strong> suffering he went<br />

through before he merited to divine revealment, remains as it was, without any fixing. So to <strong>the</strong> sins that he committed<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y aren't completely fixed remain at <strong>the</strong> level of unintentional sins.<br />

Why is a person considered half guilty, and half innocent if he's lacking only one mitzvah of love? Because <strong>the</strong>re are two<br />

times: <strong>the</strong> time before his repentance and <strong>the</strong> time after his repentance. "Half guilty and half innocent" means that since<br />

he's fulfills <strong>the</strong> Torah from repentance of out of fear, he is half innocent, from <strong>the</strong> time of repentance and onwards it will be<br />

for him only merit. However <strong>the</strong> time from before <strong>the</strong> repentance he is still considered "guilty".<br />

115)Since he is lacking one mitzvah he is obligated to see himself as "half innocent and half guilty", since in repentance<br />

from fear he doesn't fix his past. But it's found from <strong>the</strong> time of repentance and onward he is completely on <strong>the</strong> side of<br />

merit as it's certain that he will no longer sin. However it's not relevant <strong>the</strong> number of years he had before his repentance,<br />

since he doesn't know how many more years he will live after his repentance, meaning how many years <strong>the</strong>re are in <strong>the</strong><br />

second half. Ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> time before <strong>the</strong> repentance is called <strong>the</strong> first half, and <strong>the</strong> time after <strong>the</strong> repentance is called <strong>the</strong><br />

second half.<br />

116) If he does this "one mitzvah" that he's lacking from <strong>the</strong> 613, "happy is he that he has tilted himself to <strong>the</strong> side of<br />

merit". Because <strong>the</strong> one who merits to love from repentance transforms his intentional transgressions to mitzvot, than all<br />

<strong>the</strong> pain he underwent before <strong>the</strong> repentance changes to complete pleasure, till <strong>the</strong> point that he regrets that he didn't<br />

suffer more. This is called "tilting to <strong>the</strong> side of merit", that all his emotions with <strong>the</strong> deliberate and unintentional, become<br />

for him merit. This transformation that <strong>the</strong> scale cup was filled with guilt and becomes transferred to be completely filled<br />

with merit is called "tilting"<br />

117) But all <strong>the</strong> while that a person is a "benoni" and hasn't merited to that one mitzvah that is lacking to him from <strong>the</strong><br />

613 mitzvot, he shouldn't believe in himself nor should he rely on <strong>the</strong> testimony of <strong>the</strong> Creator because he still can possibly<br />

come to sin. Therefore it's upon him to think that if he transgresses one time, he will tilt himself to <strong>the</strong> side of guilt, and he<br />

lose all his level of understanding in Torah and all <strong>the</strong> revealments that <strong>the</strong> Creator has given him, and he will return to <strong>the</strong><br />

aspect of hidden face.. It follows that he will bring himself to <strong>the</strong> side of guilt, and hence lose all his merit and all his good<br />

even from his positive side.<br />

But if a person is found on <strong>the</strong> level of "repentance from fear", that <strong>the</strong> Creator testified on him that he won't sin fur<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

how is it possible that he can do one transgression? Until a person reaches repentance from love he can still sin.<br />

118-119) It's possible to merit to <strong>the</strong> fourth level of repentance only when a person knows how <strong>the</strong> Creator acts and<br />

behaves with all of Creation. . Therefore this great merit that he tilts himself to <strong>the</strong> side of merit, isn't enough to merit to<br />

complete love, because he still has not grasped <strong>the</strong> greatness of <strong>the</strong> Creator as " good and bestowing good to both good<br />

and bad", ra<strong>the</strong>r he has reached an understanding of <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator towards him personally only . Until he<br />

knows all of <strong>the</strong> Beloved's involvement's with o<strong>the</strong>rs, his love is still not eternal, <strong>the</strong>refore he is obligated to bring <strong>the</strong><br />

entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of good, that constantly with everybody <strong>the</strong> Creator acts only in complete good and purity. . Only<br />

<strong>the</strong>n is <strong>the</strong> true eternal love revealed that can no longer be blemished.<br />

120) This level a man reaches when he merits to divine revealment and to repentance from fear. But how can a man say


that <strong>the</strong> Creator acts only for <strong>the</strong> good of <strong>the</strong> entire world, when <strong>the</strong>y <strong>the</strong> entire world has still not reached <strong>the</strong> level of<br />

repentance and to <strong>the</strong> feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator as "good and giving good" One would be inclined to think that only a person<br />

who has never sinned reaches <strong>the</strong> level of "tzadik gamor(complete)" someone who always never sinned or transgressed.<br />

But someone that fell to sins and deliberate transgressions, already isn't fitting to merit <strong>the</strong> title "tzadik gamor".<br />

This is not <strong>the</strong> case, because after one has repented from fear, that he merits to <strong>the</strong> 612 mitzvot and is called a "benoni",<br />

meaning he is half innocent and half guilty, that he leaves <strong>the</strong> category of "benoni", if he would only add one mitzvah, <strong>the</strong><br />

mitzvah of love, it's considered already that he by majority is on <strong>the</strong> side of merit and has tilted to <strong>the</strong> side of merit. Than<br />

even if he has many deliberate transgressions, <strong>the</strong>y all become transferred to merit, consequently he become similar to<br />

one whom has never sinned, and he can be considered a "tzadik gamor", because <strong>the</strong> sins before <strong>the</strong> repentance no longer<br />

have any significance, since <strong>the</strong>y have been switched to <strong>the</strong> side of merit.<br />

It comes out from this that <strong>the</strong> "majority" doesn't mean more than half, because if that were <strong>the</strong> case through one's<br />

transgression he would still be called "wicked", ra<strong>the</strong>r in order to tilt to "<strong>the</strong> majority" it's dependent on <strong>the</strong> mitzvah of<br />

love, than all his deeds will be good and will all be mitzvot.<br />

121)Therefore if <strong>the</strong> individual does "one mitzvah" that is lacking to him "he tilts <strong>the</strong> himself and <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong><br />

side of merit", that he merits to elevate himself in understanding and it is revealed to him, meaning he sees, feels and<br />

understands that <strong>the</strong> entire world's end will be to reach repentance from love, that also to <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> world will be<br />

revealed <strong>the</strong> same providence as <strong>the</strong>y'll also be tilted to <strong>the</strong> side of merit. That just like he himself understood <strong>the</strong><br />

wondrous providence, that <strong>the</strong> Creator manages <strong>the</strong> world in complete perfection,, so to he merits to see how in <strong>the</strong> future<br />

<strong>the</strong> entire world will come to repentance from love and to recieve pleasures from <strong>the</strong> Creator, as <strong>the</strong> Creator is good and<br />

bestows good to everyone.<br />

Despite that most people in <strong>the</strong> world have not yet reached repentance from fear, however if a person comes to<br />

understand <strong>the</strong> world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit, a level that <strong>the</strong> world will truly come to in <strong>the</strong> future, this is similar to "your<br />

world you will see in your life", like <strong>the</strong> one who repents from fear, who reacts and enjoys from it, because "<strong>the</strong> one who is<br />

standing to receive it is as if he has already received."<br />

Therefore in respect to this man he has reached <strong>the</strong> repentance of <strong>the</strong> entire world, it's considered already for him as if<br />

everyone has reached <strong>the</strong> side of merit and have repented from love, that every person has tilted <strong>the</strong> side of guilt to <strong>the</strong><br />

side of merit.It's sufficient for him to know <strong>the</strong> actions of <strong>the</strong> Creator with all <strong>the</strong> people of <strong>the</strong> world, because now he truly<br />

knows <strong>the</strong> ways of <strong>the</strong> Creator’s Providence with everyone from <strong>the</strong> aspect of revealment, that <strong>the</strong> Creator "is good and<br />

does good to those who are bad and those who are good". Since he knows this he merits to <strong>the</strong> fourth aspect of<br />

repentance from love, to eternal love.<br />

But even though that he already succeeded also to tilt <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit, he should not believe in<br />

himself, because if he stumbles and transgresses one time, he will lose all his understanding and good immediately..<br />

122) It is written : "At <strong>the</strong> time that <strong>the</strong> community suffers difficulty a person shouldn't say I'll go to my home, I'll eat and<br />

drink, because tomorrow we shall die. Until here is <strong>the</strong> level of benonim. (those in between)".<br />

But in regards to wicked it is written: "'Come let us drink wine and get drunk on wine, also tomorrow we shall do <strong>the</strong><br />

same.'Afterwards it is written, 'The tzadik is lost. And no one takes to heart why <strong>the</strong> Tzadik was taken away'. Ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong><br />

one who suffers with <strong>the</strong> public will merit to see <strong>the</strong> comforting of <strong>the</strong> public."<br />

123)Why is a person obligated to suffer along with <strong>the</strong> community?<br />

124) In <strong>the</strong> study of Torah in <strong>the</strong> way of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, in <strong>the</strong> way of truth, <strong>the</strong> entire teaching refers to one man. Hence <strong>the</strong><br />

terms "benoni", "wicked", "tzadik", are not in different people, ra<strong>the</strong>r all three are found in each person.<br />

When a person finds himself on a state of being hidden from <strong>the</strong> Creator before he repents from fear, and he doesn't see<br />

how <strong>the</strong> Creator runs <strong>the</strong> world in a good way he is also considered "wicked".<br />

When a person merits to repent from fear, he's considered a "benoni". Before his repentance he has transgressions and


<strong>the</strong>refore he is "half guilty". After his repentance he has only mitzvot <strong>the</strong>refore he is called "half innocent".<br />

If he merits to repentance from eternal love, that he sees thy <strong>the</strong> Creator runs <strong>the</strong> world as "good and doing good" with<br />

compassion on each person, than he sees <strong>the</strong> "tkidkus (righteousness)" of <strong>the</strong> Creator and he loves Him, he is than<br />

considered a "Tzadik gamor(complete).<br />

125) It is impossible to reach eternal love without first seeing <strong>the</strong> unrevealed face of <strong>the</strong> Creator that in <strong>the</strong> future all will<br />

merit to see. To realize that <strong>the</strong> entire world need to understands how <strong>the</strong> Creator treats in way of "good and bestowing<br />

good". Although in <strong>the</strong> present this is not revealed in actuality in <strong>the</strong> world, but a person must understand in <strong>the</strong> present<br />

time how this will be revealed in <strong>the</strong> future to <strong>the</strong> entire world, through this he tilts <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit,<br />

because <strong>the</strong> revealed providence switches all <strong>the</strong> anguish in <strong>the</strong> concealment to pleasure until a person regrets that he<br />

didn't suffer even more. For every bit of pain he receives great pleasure, than one understands why he had to suffer so<br />

much.<br />

But when he tilts himself to <strong>the</strong> side of merit, he remembers all <strong>the</strong> pain he had at <strong>the</strong> time of concealment and this pain<br />

becomes now for him pleasure . But when he comes to tilt <strong>the</strong> entire world to merit how is he to know of all of <strong>the</strong> suffering<br />

of <strong>the</strong> world.?<br />

Therefore when he's able to tilt <strong>the</strong>m to merit, he has to feel <strong>the</strong> suffering and guilt of <strong>the</strong> world as if it were his own pains<br />

and guilt. Than when he still manage to tilt himself to <strong>the</strong> side of merit, he brings also <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit,<br />

than he can truly be called a "tzadik gamor".<br />

126) When he merits to "your world you should see in your life" and he sees all <strong>the</strong> reward, waiting for him in <strong>the</strong> world to<br />

come, he becomes filled with happiness until he wants to claim already from <strong>the</strong> world to come that's waiting for him after<br />

he passes away.<br />

However <strong>the</strong>re still remain <strong>the</strong> unintentional sins, because <strong>the</strong> one who repents from fear, his intentional sins are turned to<br />

unintentional, since he still can't suffer with <strong>the</strong> community having not reached <strong>the</strong> level of repentance from love, which<br />

only can transfer his sins to merit. As far as his unintentional; sin, in this world <strong>the</strong>re is no atonement, so how can he still<br />

rejoice over his place in <strong>the</strong> world to come?<br />

127)The level of "benoni" is only from <strong>the</strong> time of repentance from fear and onward. But from <strong>the</strong> time of concealment,<br />

when he had complaint on <strong>the</strong> Creator, that he wasn't treated fairly, fro that period he definitely doesn't want to die,<br />

because for that period he has no portion on <strong>the</strong> world to come. Therefore <strong>the</strong> attribute of "benoni" that in it he rejoices<br />

tomorrow we shall die" and merit <strong>the</strong> world to come, but still <strong>the</strong> aspect of "wicked", within him still has no portion in <strong>the</strong><br />

world to come, as he has no fixing except through repentance from love.<br />

128) The aspect of "tzadik gamor", that in it he needs to merit, is lost from him, because <strong>the</strong> "benoni" won't suffer along<br />

with <strong>the</strong> community, and <strong>the</strong>refore he cannot merit to repentance from love, that switches <strong>the</strong> intentional sins to merits<br />

and <strong>the</strong> bad to pleasure. And all <strong>the</strong> unintentional sins and harm, that he suffered before he repented from fear, still stands<br />

from him at <strong>the</strong> aspect of "wicked", <strong>the</strong> one who feels harm from <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator. Hence because of <strong>the</strong>se<br />

negative things he cannot merit to be a "tzadik gamor" For someone who doesn't suffer with <strong>the</strong> community, doesn't merit<br />

to see in <strong>the</strong> appeasement of <strong>the</strong> community, because he didn't suffer <strong>the</strong>ir pains, he cannot tilt <strong>the</strong>m to merit and see<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir appeasement, and hence cannot be considered a "tzadik".<br />

So when one suffers with <strong>the</strong> community he merits to see <strong>the</strong> appeasement of <strong>the</strong> community, that he's able to reach<br />

repentance from love, to eternal repentance, since he can bring himself to <strong>the</strong> side of merit. And he's also able to bring <strong>the</strong><br />

entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit, in this that he sees in <strong>the</strong> present, how all <strong>the</strong> hardships, that <strong>the</strong> world suffers from <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator, before <strong>the</strong> repentance, will eventually turn into a great light after <strong>the</strong> final repentance, and this is only possible for<br />

him to understand since he knows <strong>the</strong>ir sins and realizes <strong>the</strong>ir grief and embitterment.<br />

"righteous", "benoni", and "wicked ones" <strong>the</strong>y are all in a person at one from three times: before repentance he is<br />

considered "wicked", after repentance from fear "benoni", and after repentance from love " righteous ".<br />

129)Therefore every person has to pass through <strong>the</strong>se three attributes, wicked, bennoni, and tzadik since no one is born a<br />

tzadik ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>se attributes come from <strong>the</strong> level of understanding one has of <strong>the</strong> Creator. A wicked person or a righteous


person can only be measured according to his level of understanding of <strong>the</strong> Creator's providence and control of <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

For <strong>the</strong> measure that a person want to reach that's where he'll arrive. The one who understands providence as if <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator is hidden, that he doesn't see <strong>the</strong> good in how <strong>the</strong> Creator treats him and manages <strong>the</strong> world, has complaints<br />

against Him that he doesn't relieve what he needs, and He thinks that <strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't behave with him<br />

compassionately and he cannot be happy. This person is considered wicked, since he thinks in his heart that <strong>the</strong> Creator<br />

behaves with him in a wicked fashion., he himself is considered "wicked". Where as someone who learns a little and prays<br />

a little, but is happy and in his heart he feels <strong>the</strong> way of <strong>the</strong> Creator are righteous, this person can be considered a<br />

"righteous".<br />

A person that doesn't believe in <strong>the</strong> Creator, has no complaints against him, is consider a "an incomplete wicked person"<br />

from <strong>the</strong> aspect of one Concealment or "completely wicked" from <strong>the</strong> aspect of two concealments. But a person who<br />

believes in <strong>the</strong> Creator, and has complaints that <strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't give to him what is due, he is called wicked since he<br />

doesn't think that <strong>the</strong> Creator acts fairly with him. In order for a person not to have complaints against <strong>the</strong> Creator and will<br />

be able to say that <strong>the</strong> Creator is righteous, a person needs to find advice for his soul which can bring him to be happiness.<br />

According to this person's feeling that <strong>the</strong> world is run not in a fair way, as a result of his suffering he likewise thinks that<br />

this holds true also for <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> world. Such a person who only sees <strong>the</strong> concealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator's conduct is<br />

called "wicked".<br />

The status of "wicked" of a person completely depends on <strong>the</strong> feelings of <strong>the</strong> heart and not what that's uttered by his<br />

mouth, because <strong>the</strong> limbs and feelings don't know how to lie. The feeling of happiness means that a person says "It should<br />

only be that my life should be so good as this all <strong>the</strong> time!"<br />

If a person feels pain, despite that he sees <strong>the</strong> righteousness of <strong>the</strong> providence and he says with his mouth and he thinks<br />

that <strong>the</strong> hardships are atonement for his sins or any o<strong>the</strong>r explanations, this doesn't matter, because <strong>the</strong> heart knows how<br />

to fool, he ei<strong>the</strong>r feels good or he doesn't! Though he says and thinks that he accepts <strong>the</strong> providence, he has not truly<br />

accepted it so just as bitter as he rely feels now he will feel all his life, so to he is called "wicked", as in his heart he makes<br />

wicked his Creator.<br />

Therefore, he who is found on <strong>the</strong> level of understanding of <strong>the</strong> concealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator, tilts himself and <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

world to <strong>the</strong> side of guilt, in this that he thinks all are treated like him by <strong>the</strong> Creator in a negative type of providence.<br />

130) The one who merits to understand and to feel <strong>the</strong> providence of revealment on its first level, called "repentance from<br />

fear", is considered "benoni", because his feelings are divided into two parts called "two sides of <strong>the</strong> scale":<br />

1) The one who merits to revealment of "your world you will see in your life", understands from that time and onwards <strong>the</strong><br />

goodness of <strong>the</strong> conduct of <strong>the</strong> Creator, from this he's in <strong>the</strong> side of merit. From this that a person accepts <strong>the</strong> Creator's<br />

conductance and truly says that He is righteous, he automatically can also be called "righteous".<br />

2) All <strong>the</strong> suffering implanted in his emotions from <strong>the</strong> time before his repentance, is considered <strong>the</strong> side of guilt, because<br />

he blamed <strong>the</strong> Creator and was not able to say, that <strong>the</strong> Creator is righteous, since he felt negative from <strong>the</strong> Creator<br />

through his physical hardships, like <strong>the</strong> state of lack of money or sickness, spiritual pains, <strong>the</strong>refore he has now still a side<br />

of guilt.<br />

Since he has <strong>the</strong>se two sides one opposite <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, from <strong>the</strong> time until <strong>the</strong> repentance <strong>the</strong> side of guilt, and from <strong>the</strong> time<br />

of repentance <strong>the</strong> side of merit <strong>the</strong>refore he is called a "benoni".<br />

131) The one who merits <strong>the</strong> second level of divine revealment, to repentance from love, that <strong>the</strong> unintentional sins<br />

become like merit, tilt "<strong>the</strong> side of guilt" to <strong>the</strong> "side of merit", because all <strong>the</strong> pain, that he had now becomes pleasure. So<br />

he is called "tzadik" as he realizes <strong>the</strong> righteousness of <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

132) The level of "benoni" can be revealed to a person at <strong>the</strong> time when <strong>the</strong> providence remains hidden from a person,<br />

that through working on faith in reward and punishment <strong>the</strong> light of trust in <strong>the</strong> Creator becomes revealed, that he<br />

receives many times a great awakening from above and he merits to a certain amount and to a certain time of revealment<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Creator, to <strong>the</strong> level of "benoni", that he feels from this time and onwards he will be a "tzadik" and will unify with <strong>the</strong>


Creator. But he cannot remain on this level constantly since he hasn't reached yet repentance from fear.<br />

133) Free-will is possible only in <strong>the</strong> times of concealment, that a person wants to become close to his Creator, he receives<br />

distractions, rejections and thoughts that it's not worth it to devote himself to spirituality.<br />

But also after he merits to revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator <strong>the</strong>ir still remains <strong>the</strong> matter of labor in Torah. On <strong>the</strong> contrary, <strong>the</strong><br />

main devotion that is fitting for a person in Torah and mitzvot begins after he has merited to repentance from love,<br />

because only <strong>the</strong>n is it possible to devote himself to Torah and mitzvot with love and fear like that is commanded, because<br />

than he begins to pass over many of <strong>the</strong> levels of <strong>the</strong> ladder, that stands on <strong>the</strong> ground and reaches to <strong>the</strong> heavens, <strong>the</strong>se<br />

devotions enable him to <strong>the</strong> will of <strong>the</strong> Creator, that <strong>the</strong>re should remain in him <strong>the</strong> original thought of Creation, "in order<br />

to give pleasure to his creatures", according to His good and wide arm.<br />

134) The spiritual law says that <strong>the</strong>re is no revealment, except in a place of concealment. Just like a seed doesn't appear<br />

except in <strong>the</strong> place where it was planted and grew. So to spiritual matters spring from <strong>the</strong> concealment after it has been<br />

fixed, only as a result of <strong>the</strong> same concealment can light become revealed, as <strong>the</strong> revealed light was first entrapped in this<br />

concealment.<br />

135) It's written: "The entire Torah is completely <strong>the</strong> names of <strong>the</strong> Creator." But in <strong>the</strong> Torah <strong>the</strong>re are many things harsh<br />

and unpleasant things, like names of wicked people, prohibitions, impurity, curses, and anger. How can it be that all <strong>the</strong>se<br />

thing are names of <strong>the</strong> Creator?<br />

136) Our approach is to reach from <strong>the</strong> incomplete to <strong>the</strong> complete. But <strong>the</strong> Creator brings to us all <strong>the</strong> revealments from<br />

<strong>the</strong> complete to <strong>the</strong> incomplete: First it's created <strong>the</strong>n descends <strong>the</strong> completeness, it descends through a series of<br />

constrictions through levels, until it reaches <strong>the</strong> last level, <strong>the</strong> most constricted, befitting our physical world, than it<br />

becomes revealed to us here in this world.<br />

137) When <strong>the</strong> Torah left <strong>the</strong> Creator it was in a state of complete perfection, since <strong>the</strong> Torah and <strong>the</strong> Creator are one, this<br />

is called <strong>the</strong> Torah of "atzilut"(next to <strong>the</strong> Creator proximity).<br />

But in <strong>the</strong> Torah of this world it's good features are not at all recognizable until <strong>the</strong> point that a person can learn <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

scroll of <strong>the</strong> Torah and still not feel that <strong>the</strong>re is a Creator at all, to him <strong>the</strong> Torah and <strong>the</strong> Creator are two separate<br />

entities. Even though it is written, "For <strong>the</strong>y (words of Torah) are our life and <strong>the</strong> length of our days", someone who learns<br />

"not for its own sake", although he may be a great scholar and careful in mitzvot according to all <strong>the</strong> stringency's,<br />

never<strong>the</strong>less <strong>the</strong> Torah has become for fim "a giver of death". This is because <strong>the</strong> Torah lowers itself and descends through<br />

a series of constrictions in <strong>the</strong> way of levels in many constrictions, until it was given at Sinai, than it was written like it<br />

appears to our eyes here in this world, en clo<strong>the</strong>d in rough clothing of this physical world, like:<strong>the</strong>ft, murder, however<br />

when <strong>the</strong> Torah left <strong>the</strong> Creator it went out in complete perfection.<br />

138) Although <strong>the</strong> distance between <strong>the</strong> clothing of <strong>the</strong> Torah in this world to <strong>the</strong> clothing of <strong>the</strong> Torah in <strong>the</strong> world of<br />

atzilut remains great. But <strong>the</strong> Torah itself, meaning <strong>the</strong> light that's hidden within <strong>the</strong> clothing has no change whatsoever.<br />

There are many levels without count in <strong>the</strong> worlds of atzilut, briah, Yetzirah, and asiyah and this world. In every world<br />

<strong>the</strong>re are different dressings to <strong>the</strong> Torah. For example, in this world <strong>the</strong>re are physical clo<strong>the</strong>s, like eating and drinking<br />

that in <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>re are foods which are permissible and those which are forbidden. There are clo<strong>the</strong>s like silver, that on<br />

<strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>re is a prohibition of stealing. Clo<strong>the</strong>s of of respect and power, in all clo<strong>the</strong>s <strong>the</strong> Torah is dressed, but <strong>the</strong> Torah<br />

itself is <strong>the</strong> light of <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong> Creator merely dressed Himself within <strong>the</strong> Torah in all <strong>the</strong>se clo<strong>the</strong>s.<br />

The rough clo<strong>the</strong>s of <strong>the</strong> Torah of our world of asiyah also bare no difference in respect to <strong>the</strong> light that is dressed within<br />

<strong>the</strong>m. In respect to <strong>the</strong> final reparation <strong>the</strong>y have much greater importance than <strong>the</strong> clo<strong>the</strong>s of <strong>the</strong> upper worlds, because<br />

<strong>the</strong> concealment when a person doesn't feel <strong>the</strong> Creator, is exactly <strong>the</strong> reason and purpose for <strong>the</strong> revealment of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator. So just as <strong>the</strong> concealment is greater, after <strong>the</strong> final fixing, <strong>the</strong> revealment will also be greater. Hence all <strong>the</strong><br />

rough clothings that <strong>the</strong> Torah has in this world don't take away from its light, on <strong>the</strong> contrary it leads to a greater<br />

revealment of <strong>the</strong> light.<br />

139) Because <strong>the</strong> concealment is great this allows more for our egoism to grow, but after <strong>the</strong> final fixing a greater light will<br />

be revealed.Therefore <strong>the</strong> pure dressings of <strong>the</strong> upper worlds, reveal lights smaller than <strong>the</strong> rough dressings of this world.<br />

140) There really is no difference between <strong>the</strong> Torah of atzilut than that of this world, also in <strong>the</strong> Torah of this world <strong>the</strong><br />

light of <strong>the</strong> Creator is enclosed, ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> distinguishment is only in <strong>the</strong> clothing, since <strong>the</strong> clothing of <strong>the</strong> Torah in this


world has to be physical <strong>the</strong>y hide <strong>the</strong> Creator more.<br />

But also in <strong>the</strong> time of one concealment or double concealment <strong>the</strong> Creator still remains hidden in <strong>the</strong> Torah, ra<strong>the</strong>r he's<br />

enclo<strong>the</strong>d in even more rough clothing. But when a person merits to repentance from love, <strong>the</strong>re are no clo<strong>the</strong>s that hide<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator, than <strong>the</strong> Torah and <strong>the</strong> Creator are revealed to man in <strong>the</strong>ir eternal unity.<br />

141) Says <strong>the</strong> Creator: If only you would abandon me and stop fasting, because all such labor is in vain and without<br />

purpose, because I'm not found in any place o<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> Torah. Therefore only my Torah you shall keep because "<strong>the</strong><br />

light that within it brings a person to good". Because <strong>the</strong> one who wants and is interested in finding a revealment of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator, upon him is to seek <strong>the</strong> Creator only in <strong>the</strong> Torah, because "<strong>the</strong> light that's within it returns a person to <strong>the</strong> good".<br />

142) The Torah is divided into four aspects that surround all of existence: Three aspects have relevance to this world and<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are called; "world", "year", and "soul". The fourth aspect, that it sustains <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r three including all <strong>the</strong>ir behavior<br />

and events that surround <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

143) The outer trappings of existence: The heavens, <strong>the</strong> galaxies, <strong>the</strong> earth and <strong>the</strong> days that are written in <strong>the</strong> Torah are<br />

referred to as "world".<br />

The innerness of existence: The man, <strong>the</strong> animal, <strong>the</strong> beast, <strong>the</strong> bird, that are brought in <strong>the</strong> Torah, are called "soul".<br />

The unwinding of existence throughout <strong>the</strong> generations in a cause and effect manner: Like <strong>the</strong> descent from Adam <strong>the</strong> first<br />

man until <strong>the</strong> exile from Egypt till <strong>the</strong> conquering of Israel, all occur in <strong>the</strong> form of a fa<strong>the</strong>r who represents <strong>the</strong> cause for<br />

his son, <strong>the</strong> effect, this process is referred to as "year", since time in spirituality is measured through cause and effect.<br />

All ways of <strong>the</strong> sustainment of existence whe<strong>the</strong>r from outer trapping or inner dimensions to all ways of behavior and<br />

events discussed in <strong>the</strong> Torah are referred to as "sustainment of existence"<br />

144) The worlds of Atzilut, Briah, and Asiyah descend and go out from each o<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> form of a stamp and its imprint, all<br />

that's found carved in <strong>the</strong> stamp has to come out in <strong>the</strong> imprint. Therefore "world, year. and soul" all came out from <strong>the</strong><br />

world of "atzilut", and <strong>the</strong>re forms are imprinted and revealed in <strong>the</strong> world of briah, and so on from briah to Yetzirah,and<br />

from yetirah to asiyah, until <strong>the</strong>y are revealed in this world.<br />

It comes out that all <strong>the</strong> many details which are revealed to our eyes, and all <strong>the</strong> novelties that come into are world daily<br />

had to be first revealed in <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut. And from <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong>y descend in a chain like way and be come revealed in<br />

this world. Therefore everything comes from above <strong>the</strong> only difference that exist is <strong>the</strong> physicality.<br />

145)From <strong>the</strong> enclothing of Torah in <strong>the</strong> three aspects of existence: <strong>World</strong>, year, soul and <strong>the</strong>ir material existences in this<br />

world, we find that <strong>the</strong> Creator hides in great secrecy behind <strong>the</strong> physical clothing of <strong>the</strong> Torah which describe impure,<br />

prohibited, and revolting things.<br />

The enclo<strong>the</strong>ment of <strong>the</strong> Torah in <strong>the</strong> aspect of world, year, and soul and <strong>the</strong>ir existences in <strong>the</strong> upper worlds atzilut, briah,<br />

yezirah, is called <strong>the</strong> "wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>".<br />

146) The wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> is revealed Torah! Still while a person has a understanding of providence on <strong>the</strong> level of<br />

concealment, that <strong>the</strong> aspect of <strong>the</strong> Creator's good and bestowal of good are not revealed to him, as he still feels unhappy,<br />

because <strong>the</strong> Creator hides in <strong>the</strong> Torah, this is considered that a person is involved in revealed Torah. The Torah is<br />

revealed and <strong>the</strong> Creator is hidden, and he doesn't see <strong>the</strong> Creator from <strong>the</strong> Torah since he is unable to receive <strong>the</strong> light<br />

from <strong>the</strong> Torah from <strong>the</strong> world of yetzira until it becomes revealed in this world.<br />

When a person merits to revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator's goodness, than he starts to learn <strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, because<br />

<strong>the</strong> clothing of <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah becomes more spiritual to him, and transfers his Torah, that was a Torah of asiyah,<br />

which means revealed actions and a hidden Creator, to a Torah of yetzira that is referred to as <strong>the</strong> "wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>".<br />

The Creator that was hidden becomes revealed in <strong>the</strong> Torah, as <strong>the</strong> person feels that <strong>the</strong> Torah and Creator are one.<br />

Even when one reaches <strong>the</strong> Torah of atzilut, <strong>the</strong> letters from asiyah don't become switched, ra<strong>the</strong>r those same dressings of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Torah like murder, prohibited, and permissible that are all physical enclothments, become finer in respect to <strong>the</strong> person<br />

and become finer more spiritual enclothments, as he feels <strong>the</strong> Creator through all <strong>the</strong> letters of <strong>the</strong> Torah. <strong>the</strong> Creator, who<br />

is enclo<strong>the</strong>d in <strong>the</strong> Torah of atzilut, becomes one with <strong>the</strong> cloak of <strong>the</strong> Torah So when a person merits to revealment of <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator than he becomes more enlightened by those same letters of <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah "being good and bestowing good",


that's called "divine revealment" or "holy spirit".<br />

147) The revealed Torah itself becomes hidden, that it's called "<strong>the</strong> wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>": When a person was in <strong>the</strong> stage<br />

of concealment, perforce <strong>the</strong> clothing of <strong>the</strong> Torah also hid <strong>the</strong> Creator and he didn't feel that <strong>the</strong> Creator treated him any<br />

better than <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> world. Since he would feel voids in his life he couldn't truly thank <strong>the</strong> Creator for treating him in<br />

His true way of"being good and bestowing good"., consequently he had fallen to sins both deliberate and unintentional,<br />

hence he remained entrapped by his punishment and <strong>the</strong> rough clothing of <strong>the</strong> Torah, that even though <strong>the</strong> concepts of<br />

prohibition, and impurity are holy names, but because of <strong>the</strong> concealment he couldn't feel <strong>the</strong>ir holiness.<br />

However when he merits to revealed providence and repentance from love, meaning his deliberate sins become merit for<br />

him, as he becomes stripped from <strong>the</strong> rough and bitter clothing, which are sins that he committed, as those same sins now<br />

become enclo<strong>the</strong>d, in a dressing of light, and mitzvot, and merits from <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut, or briah. These clo<strong>the</strong>s no<br />

longer cover <strong>the</strong> Creator, ra<strong>the</strong>r, on <strong>the</strong> contrary reveal him.<br />

The physical clothing, that initially represented "sins" now becomes mitzvot, as <strong>the</strong>y have been removed <strong>the</strong>ses clo<strong>the</strong>s of<br />

asiyah, and have become replaced by <strong>the</strong> clothing of atzilut or briah. This new revealment of <strong>the</strong> Creator, that has become<br />

revealed to him, is called <strong>the</strong> "wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>" so Letters of <strong>the</strong> Torah like "isur(forbidden)", "paroh", "eisav ha<br />

rasha(<strong>the</strong> wicked Eisav), all become holy names, as his sins become merits.<br />

There is no difference between <strong>the</strong> Torah of atzilut and <strong>the</strong> Torah of this world, meaning between <strong>Kabbalah</strong> and revealed<br />

Torah, ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> only difference is <strong>the</strong> one who studies it. Two people could be learning <strong>the</strong> same Torah, even <strong>the</strong> same<br />

halacha, whereas to one it represents <strong>the</strong> Torah of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> and atzilut, and to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r it simply represents revealed<br />

Torah from asiyah!<br />

Before one repents he's buried in concealment, he doesn't feel <strong>the</strong> Creator and all of his deeds cover <strong>the</strong> Creator. But after<br />

he repents, than in those same letters of Torah in <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah <strong>the</strong> Creator becomes revealed, than this Torah is<br />

called "hidden Torah" or "wisdom of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>".<br />

148)Therefore in <strong>the</strong> sidur of <strong>the</strong> Vilna Gaon, in <strong>the</strong> blessing over <strong>the</strong> Torah, it's written : "And we shall be all us knowers<br />

of your name.", that we will be from <strong>the</strong> knowers of <strong>the</strong> names of <strong>the</strong> Creator, "and learning Your Torah for its own sake".<br />

The "Siach Yitzchak" asks in his work on <strong>the</strong> sidur that first a man should learn Torah "for its own sake", and only<br />

afterwards merit to know <strong>the</strong> names of <strong>the</strong> Creator, that are called "secrets of <strong>the</strong> Torah" or "hidden Torah". However <strong>the</strong>re<br />

are four levels of Torah: pshot (simple), remez (hint, riddle) drosh (moral teachings or laws derived from verses), and sod<br />

(secrets, <strong>Kabbalah</strong>) <strong>the</strong> common acronym for <strong>the</strong> four levels is "Pardes", according to <strong>the</strong> world's understanding <strong>the</strong>re's no<br />

set order from pshot to sod, ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y start in sod, that's referred to "as knowing your name" only afterwards do <strong>the</strong>y<br />

understand <strong>the</strong> true pshot.<br />

Therefore he writes that <strong>the</strong>y start <strong>the</strong> Torah in sod, in <strong>the</strong> revealed Torah of this world of asiyah, that is <strong>the</strong> aspect of<br />

being hidden, that <strong>the</strong> Creator hides himself <strong>the</strong>re completely. The sod is that <strong>the</strong> creator is hidden, that <strong>the</strong>y don't see<br />

Him, don't hear Him, and don't feel Him, despite <strong>the</strong> fact that He fills <strong>the</strong> entire existence with His presence.<br />

Afterwards <strong>the</strong>y continue to <strong>the</strong> Torah of remez, that <strong>the</strong> Creator is reveals himself in hints to a person, as he's revealed<br />

more in <strong>the</strong> Torah of Yetzirah, than he comes to "drush", which arouses within him to seek (as drush literally means to<br />

seek) out <strong>the</strong> Creator, until he merits to "pshot" which is <strong>the</strong> Torah of atzilut, that's called "pshot", because it's stripped of<br />

all its dressings (as pshot also means strip) that hide <strong>the</strong> Creator, than <strong>the</strong> person feels <strong>the</strong> Creator and <strong>the</strong> purpose of<br />

Creation, which is to "bestow good to his creatures".<br />

149)There are four worlds of holiness: atzilut, briah, Yetzirah, and asiyah and <strong>the</strong>re are four corresponding worlds on <strong>the</strong><br />

side of <strong>the</strong> klipot (evil husks)<br />

150) The one who understands double concealment, feels that in <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator good has become mixed<br />

with bad, and is not even recognizable.<br />

The one who understands one concealment, he feels that <strong>the</strong> providence is mostly bad, mostly painful to him. Both <strong>the</strong>se<br />

levels of understanding are called <strong>the</strong> world of "asiyah". Therefore <strong>the</strong> world of asiyah is called "mostly bad", and <strong>the</strong><br />

minority of good that it does have is mixed with evil until a person can no longer differentiate.


The one who understands <strong>the</strong> first level of revealment, which corresponds to <strong>the</strong> first level of love that's dependent on<br />

something, called "repentance from fear", feels <strong>the</strong> providence as "half good and half bad", and <strong>the</strong>refore is titled<br />

"benoni".This level of providence that's half and half is referred to as "yetzira".<br />

At <strong>the</strong> time that a person merits to this revealment of <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator, than he feels <strong>the</strong> Creator gives only pleasure<br />

to everyone and he feels <strong>the</strong> bitter taste of sin and <strong>the</strong> sweet taste of mitzvah. Automatically, he fears sin, lest he feel bad<br />

and become harmed, and <strong>the</strong>refore this level is called "repentance from fear". He perforce fulfills <strong>the</strong> Torah and mitzvot,<br />

because <strong>the</strong> pleasure he derives drives him, and <strong>the</strong>refore this level is also called "love that depends on something", that<br />

he loves <strong>the</strong> Creator because of <strong>the</strong> great pleasures he receives. There are two aspect on this level:<br />

1) It can be compared to two lovers that in <strong>the</strong> past <strong>the</strong>y had claims against one ano<strong>the</strong>r, and afterwards <strong>the</strong>y started to<br />

do good one to each o<strong>the</strong>r, and from this sprouted great love. In <strong>the</strong> time that a person merits to repentance from fear, he<br />

feels only pleasure from <strong>the</strong> Torah and mitzvot. However before he merited to repentance, he still hadn't felt how <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator acted with him in a positive manner and he felt no pleasure in Torah and mitzvot, on <strong>the</strong> contrary he always had<br />

complaints against <strong>the</strong> Creator. From here <strong>the</strong> time was divided into "half good and half bad". Half bad refers to <strong>the</strong> time<br />

before <strong>the</strong> repentance that he's called "half guilty", and half good refers to <strong>the</strong> time afterwards that he takes pleasure from<br />

<strong>the</strong> Creator hence he reaches <strong>the</strong> side of merit. Since he's composed half of good and half of bad, <strong>the</strong>refore he's referred to<br />

as a "benoni".<br />

When a person merits to a soul from <strong>the</strong> world of Yetzirah, than he merits to repentance from fear. It's possible to say that<br />

when a person merits to repentance from fear, this can be called he receives a soul from <strong>the</strong> world of yetzira which <strong>the</strong>re<br />

it's "half good and half bad".<br />

2)Similar to two lovers that always loved one ano<strong>the</strong>r and never had complaints against each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

The one who reaches <strong>the</strong> second level of love that's dependent on something, that although it's dependent it doesn't<br />

engender any bad, he feels providence as "mostly good"- because <strong>the</strong> benoni merits to one mitzvah and he tilts himself to<br />

<strong>the</strong> side of merit. At <strong>the</strong> time a person merits to repentance from love, <strong>the</strong>n all his deliberate sins become merit. It's hence<br />

found, that all bad thoughts, that he had at <strong>the</strong> time of concealment, and sins that came as a result now become merit as<br />

all receives a fixing. This is similar to two friends that although never saw one ano<strong>the</strong>r, but actually always loved one<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

The one who reaches <strong>the</strong> third level of love, which is <strong>the</strong> first aspect of love that isn't dependent on anything, he feels<br />

providence on <strong>the</strong> level of "a minimum amount of bad, that's not recognizable", although he's tilted himself to <strong>the</strong> side of<br />

merit he still hasn't tilted <strong>the</strong> entire world to merit, hence he has a minimum of bad, and <strong>the</strong>refore this love isn't eternal.<br />

However this minimum isn't recognizable, because he feels no evil or harm, even in respect to o<strong>the</strong>rs. He still has not<br />

looked at <strong>the</strong> world and in <strong>the</strong> meantime he feels that <strong>the</strong> Creator behaves with him with complete perfection. However it<br />

is possible if he looks at <strong>the</strong> world, that he won't see that <strong>the</strong> Creator's acts kind with <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> world, consequently<br />

this will spoil his love and decrease <strong>the</strong> greatness of <strong>the</strong> Creator in his eyes.<br />

These two aspects of love, <strong>the</strong> second and <strong>the</strong> third, are from <strong>the</strong> world of "briah". At <strong>the</strong> time a person merits to <strong>the</strong>se<br />

two aspects of love, he receives a soul from <strong>the</strong> world of briah. Therefore <strong>the</strong> world of briah is called "mostly good, with a<br />

minimal portion that's bad which isn't really recognizable".<br />

Through repentance from love he fixes also <strong>the</strong> time from before <strong>the</strong> repentance as it becomes good, but because of <strong>the</strong><br />

small fraction of bad it still can only be called "mostly good" and not "completely good".<br />

The one who reaches <strong>the</strong> fourth level of love feels "love that's not dependent on any thing", that it's eternal. Because after<br />

a person tilts <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit his love is absolute and eternal. It's no longer possible for any covering<br />

or concealment because at this level everything becomes revealed, as he already knows all <strong>the</strong> actions of <strong>the</strong> Creator with<br />

all His creatures in <strong>the</strong> aspect of true providence, with <strong>the</strong> true revealing of "<strong>the</strong> one who is good and bestows good to both<br />

those who are good and those who are bad". And this is <strong>the</strong> aspect of <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut that <strong>the</strong>re is no evil.<br />

When a person sees that <strong>the</strong> Creator manages <strong>the</strong> world in a completely good and perfect fashion, and tilts <strong>the</strong> entire<br />

world to <strong>the</strong> side of merit this is called a revealment, that <strong>the</strong>re is no doubt to a person, that <strong>the</strong> Creator made <strong>the</strong> world in


order just to bestow good.<br />

151) The four worlds: atzilut, briah, Yetzirah, and asiyah of <strong>the</strong> klipa (evil husk) are arranged opposite <strong>the</strong>se four worlds<br />

that are found in holiness, because for every world that exists in holiness, it has a counterpart in klipa. The worlds of klipa<br />

are built from <strong>the</strong> weakness of holiness:<br />

The world of asiyah, of klipah,-<strong>the</strong> power of one concealment and <strong>the</strong> power of <strong>the</strong> double concealment, that controls a<br />

person, that's found in <strong>the</strong> world of "asiyah", in order to cause him to tilt to <strong>the</strong> side of guilt . The world of asiyah is<br />

"mostly bad and minimally good", because than <strong>the</strong> two aspects of concealment panim, that because of <strong>the</strong>m a person<br />

doesn't feel <strong>the</strong> good of <strong>the</strong> Creator, as <strong>the</strong>y are call "mostly bad", cause a person to think that <strong>the</strong> Creator needs to act<br />

with him in a different fashion, o<strong>the</strong>r than how He acts with him in <strong>the</strong> present, and he doesn't really accept <strong>the</strong> "good and<br />

doing good" that's intrinsic in <strong>the</strong> Creator's guidance, as <strong>the</strong> little bit of good that he has virtually no significance in <strong>the</strong><br />

world of asiyah.. The klipah, that's opposite <strong>the</strong> world of asiyah, always awakens a person, in <strong>the</strong> time of one concealment<br />

or two concealments, to speak against <strong>the</strong> providence. The service of <strong>the</strong> klipah is to bring man to think that <strong>the</strong> Creator<br />

doesn't act in a good and fair way with His world.<br />

The world of Yetzirah of klipa -this is <strong>the</strong> side of guilt. that's properly not fixed in <strong>the</strong> world of Yetzirah. This represents <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> power over <strong>the</strong> "benoni" who's found in <strong>the</strong> world of Yetzirah. The first aspect of revealment is called "half good and<br />

half evil", because from <strong>the</strong> time of repentance and onwards a person feels that <strong>the</strong> providence of <strong>the</strong> Creator is good.,<br />

however <strong>the</strong>re still remains <strong>the</strong> time from before he repented when he felt bad and complained against <strong>the</strong> providence. As<br />

a result of <strong>the</strong>se two feelings, from before <strong>the</strong> revealment and after he's called a "benoni".<br />

The world of Yetzirah of holiness is when a person feels <strong>the</strong> revealment, <strong>the</strong> problem is that he still hasn't fixed his past.<br />

Therefore <strong>the</strong> klipa has a grip on this weakness that's in this holiness and says to a person:"now you are a "tzadik" but<br />

what was your status in <strong>the</strong> past? Thusly <strong>the</strong> klipa mentions his past, in order to bring him down from his devotion, in this<br />

way he'll also come tell him that <strong>the</strong> Creator doesn't treat him fairly.<br />

The world of briah of klipah-represents <strong>the</strong> power to nullify <strong>the</strong> love that 's dependent on something, meaning to nullify <strong>the</strong><br />

thing on which <strong>the</strong> love is dependent. Although <strong>the</strong> briah of holiness means that a person has already tilted himself to <strong>the</strong><br />

side of merit and repented from love as all of his sins have become merits. He also already sees that <strong>the</strong> Creator treats <strong>the</strong><br />

world fairly, <strong>the</strong>refore he's happy, and found to be in a state of complete holiness, however since his love depends on<br />

something he still is not complete, because if that factor on which his love is dependent becomes nullified so to will his<br />

love.Therefore <strong>the</strong> klipah tries to nullify that factor, in order that <strong>the</strong> love won't be complete, so it says, " <strong>the</strong> Creator gave<br />

you good, <strong>the</strong>refore you are a tzadik, what would be if <strong>the</strong> Creator will do for you <strong>the</strong> oppposite?"<br />

The world of atzilut of klipah-this represents <strong>the</strong> bit of evil that exists in briah, and isn't recognizable. That even though <strong>the</strong><br />

third aspect of love is true love from <strong>the</strong> power of grasping that He " is good and bestows good to both those who are bad<br />

and good", that it's <strong>the</strong> level of atzilut of holiness, with all this, since he has not merited to tilt <strong>the</strong> entire world to <strong>the</strong> side<br />

of merit, <strong>the</strong> klipah has <strong>the</strong> power to destroy <strong>the</strong> love, from <strong>the</strong> power of <strong>the</strong> providence that's on o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

The klipah against atzilut is found in briah. The small amount of bad that's in briah comes from this that a person doesn't<br />

see that <strong>the</strong> Creator guides <strong>the</strong> world on <strong>the</strong> side of merit. However this amount of bad is not recognizable, since a person<br />

doesn't think to see how <strong>the</strong> Creator runs <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong>refore he doesn't see <strong>the</strong> bad situation that <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

found in. However, it's possible that if he did place his heart to <strong>the</strong> world, he would argue that world is treated fairly and<br />

deny <strong>the</strong>ir difficulty. The klipa that's against <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut tries to arouse that little bit of bad and to show that <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator runs <strong>the</strong> world to <strong>the</strong> side of guilt and doesn't act with o<strong>the</strong>rs as "<strong>the</strong> one who is good and bestows good."<br />

152)Therefore <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut of klipa stands against <strong>the</strong> world of briah and not against <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut. This klipa<br />

is considered of atzilut, because when it's overcome one reaches atzilut, and <strong>the</strong>re klipot have no existence whatsoever.<br />

Because in <strong>the</strong> world of atzilut of holiness, <strong>the</strong>re one finds only <strong>the</strong> fourth level of love, at that point <strong>the</strong> klipot have no<br />

control, since he has already tilted <strong>the</strong> entire world to merit, and he knows that all <strong>the</strong> actions of <strong>the</strong> Creator also in His<br />

providence on all <strong>the</strong> creatures comes from His name "The One who is good and bestows good to both those who are good<br />

and those who are bad."<br />

Ra<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> world of briah, that from <strong>the</strong>re stems <strong>the</strong> third aspect, that he still has not tilted <strong>the</strong> entire world to merit,<br />

<strong>the</strong>re is ano<strong>the</strong>r place for <strong>the</strong> klipot to take hold. Ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>se klipot are <strong>the</strong> atzilut of klipot, as <strong>the</strong>y are against <strong>the</strong> third


level of love, that is "love that's not dependent on anything", that this love represents <strong>the</strong> aspect of atzilut.<br />

153) It comes out that <strong>the</strong> four worlds atzilut, briah, Yetzirah, and asiyah of klipot correspond to <strong>the</strong> same four worlds of<br />

holiness. For each lacking that exists in each world, <strong>the</strong>re exists against it <strong>the</strong> klipa of that world. Hence when <strong>the</strong> holiness<br />

becomes complete, without lacking, <strong>the</strong> klipa become nullified.<br />

Holiness means what a person has refined all of his wills, that all his actions will be "for <strong>the</strong> sake of heaven", meaning for<br />

<strong>the</strong> purpose of <strong>the</strong> Creator Then it follows that divine influence will flow in abundance to down below and bring light to all<br />

<strong>the</strong> worlds. The lacking of holiness represents <strong>the</strong> desires that a person can't refine from within him and bring in its place<br />

holiness <strong>the</strong>se wills remain outside of holiness controlled by <strong>the</strong> klipa, or controlled by his own egoism. At <strong>the</strong> time all is<br />

refined to holiness, and he becomes complete, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> complete fixing will occur, <strong>the</strong> fixing of all <strong>the</strong> wills of a person.<br />

154)Most of those who wrote works in <strong>Kabbalah</strong> intended in <strong>the</strong>se books for those who already merited divine revealment,<br />

to repentance from love, and to all lofty understandings. But, if <strong>the</strong>y already reached such high understandings, that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

already know everything on <strong>the</strong>ir own, than why should <strong>the</strong>y learn from o<strong>the</strong>rs?<br />

However this is similar to someone who's involved in revealed Torah that he has no knowledge of activities in <strong>the</strong> aspect of<br />

world, year, and soul that's in this world, that he doesn't know in <strong>the</strong> events of people and <strong>the</strong>ir behavior to <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />

and o<strong>the</strong>rs, nor does he know about animals, beasts, or birds of this world.. Would you think such a person could be able<br />

to understand <strong>the</strong> Torah? A man needs to know that all that's found in <strong>the</strong> world: what is money, what is respect, what is<br />

an animal- it's even written that <strong>the</strong> Sanhedrin (<strong>the</strong> high court of 72 at <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> Temple) had to know even matters<br />

of black magic in order to know who is a magician.<br />

The matter is, that even though a person reaches even to understanding on <strong>the</strong> level of atzilut, he still only knows what<br />

that's relevant to his own soul. He still needs to know all <strong>the</strong> three levels: world, year, and soul with all <strong>the</strong>ir events and<br />

behavior to <strong>the</strong> minutes detail, in order that he should be able to understand <strong>the</strong> matters of Torah relevant to that world.<br />

And <strong>the</strong>se matters with all <strong>the</strong>re details are explained in <strong>the</strong> Zohar and o<strong>the</strong>r true works of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, that every true<br />

Kabbalist has to engage in <strong>the</strong>m constantly.<br />

155) If all <strong>the</strong> works of <strong>Kabbalah</strong> were written only for those people that already have a deep understanding of <strong>the</strong> Creator,<br />

why do <strong>the</strong> Kabbalists obligate every person to learn <strong>Kabbalah</strong>? Because in <strong>Kabbalah</strong> one can find a wonderful special aide,<br />

that even though he doesn't understand what he's learning, from his desire and will to understand what is being learned,<br />

he arouses upon himself <strong>the</strong> spiritual surrounding lights.<br />

Every person is guaranteed that in <strong>the</strong> end he will reach awesome levels of understanding, that <strong>the</strong> Creator thought in <strong>the</strong><br />

beginning of creation to give pleasure to his creatures. He that doesn't merit in this incarnation, he will merit in <strong>the</strong> next<br />

incarnation, in <strong>the</strong> one after that, until he manages to complete <strong>the</strong> first thought of <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

All <strong>the</strong> while that a person doesn't reach his completion, those lights, that are to be revealed in <strong>the</strong> future to him, those<br />

same lights that surround him remaining standing and waiting until he frees himself from his egoistic wills until <strong>the</strong>y will<br />

become unclo<strong>the</strong>d <strong>the</strong>se same lights in his refined wills.<br />

But when a person studies <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, he mentions names of holy lights. An since <strong>the</strong>se lights will in <strong>the</strong> future fill his soul,<br />

despite that his soul is still lacking refined wills, <strong>the</strong> lights still enlighten <strong>the</strong>m to a certain extent. Ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y enlighten<br />

without being enclo<strong>the</strong>d in <strong>the</strong> soul, since <strong>the</strong> wills are still unrefined <strong>the</strong> souls cannot receive <strong>the</strong>se lights. But <strong>the</strong><br />

enlightenment that he receives from <strong>the</strong>se lights from outside, time after time, when he studies <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, brings upon him<br />

<strong>the</strong> strength to fix <strong>the</strong>se wills.. So <strong>the</strong> light that one arouses at <strong>the</strong> time he studies <strong>Kabbalah</strong> brings him to reach<br />

completion.<br />

There are two types of light:<br />

a)ohr pinimi (inner light) that a person understands, feels, grasps, and sees <strong>the</strong> light<br />

b)ohr maki f(outer, surrounding light)- that a person doesn't receive inwardly, ra<strong>the</strong>r he feels a ray from outside, which<br />

surrounds him, that he feels <strong>the</strong> good. waiting for him in <strong>the</strong> future.<br />

156) But a strict condition in <strong>the</strong> time of studying <strong>Kabbalah</strong> is not to lower concepts to a level of mundaneness and<br />

physicality, that by doing so one transgresses "don't make for you any form or picture". This prohibition stops one from


eceiving harm instead of benefit, <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> kabbalists warned only to learn from <strong>the</strong> sources, which are:<br />

Book of <strong>the</strong> Zohar, with <strong>the</strong> commentary of <strong>the</strong> "Sulam"<br />

Books of <strong>the</strong> holy Ariz'l with commentaries of Rav Yehuda Ha Levi Ashlag<br />

Books by Rav Yehuda HaLevi Ashlag author of <strong>the</strong> ":Sulam".<br />

Books of Rav Baruch Shalom Ha Levi Ashlag, RB"S<br />

and also from <strong>the</strong> mouth of a Rav, who recieved from this chain of kabbbalah, because only in this way can <strong>the</strong> student be<br />

saved from phsyicality.<br />

The matter is, that only by watching <strong>the</strong> strict conditions, a person can reach his purpose, to connect with <strong>the</strong> Creator.<br />

That outside of a person exists only an upper strength and it's forbidden that <strong>the</strong>re's anything else outside of man. Also <strong>the</strong><br />

upper strength and also all <strong>the</strong> worlds, with all that's found within <strong>the</strong>m exists only within <strong>the</strong> person. And all what a<br />

person feels is no more than <strong>the</strong> feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator. The feeling of <strong>the</strong> Creator in <strong>the</strong> present is called "this world". To<br />

change this feeling a person can only do through learning <strong>the</strong> books, that speak about inner ideas, and describe only what<br />

happens in his midst. Therefore <strong>the</strong>re are only three sources reliable to <strong>the</strong> reaching of <strong>the</strong> proper spiritual experience.<br />

But when a person reads <strong>the</strong>se books, he needs to think that its talking about him and what happens within him. And <strong>the</strong>se<br />

things that he still doesn't feel never<strong>the</strong>less exist within him now, because everything until <strong>the</strong> final state of <strong>the</strong> "complete<br />

reparation", is known already in man, only it's upon him to reveal <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

Therefore a person must not imagine to himself any picture or strange body, that exists outside of him, ra<strong>the</strong>r his entire<br />

effort of thought must be to be centered in man, to find <strong>the</strong> point of meeting between him and <strong>the</strong> Creator. The meeting<br />

with <strong>the</strong> Creator happens only in <strong>the</strong> midst of a person, between <strong>the</strong> point of his "I", malchut, to between his "Creator",<br />

Keter. In every level <strong>the</strong> malchut rises its light of return until Keter, in this same measure he feels <strong>the</strong> Creator. Every time<br />

he goes up a level;, meaning he fixes a little bit more of his traits in respect to <strong>the</strong> Creator, and according to <strong>the</strong> similarity<br />

of <strong>the</strong> traits, and <strong>the</strong> wills to <strong>the</strong> Creator, <strong>the</strong> person feels <strong>the</strong> Creator in greater measure and more closely.<br />

Therefore in <strong>the</strong> time of reading <strong>the</strong> works of <strong>Kabbalah</strong>, a person is obligated to concentrate all his thoughts and to look<br />

within himself, to search what occurs within him, in <strong>the</strong> midst of knowledge that all is sustained within him, from <strong>the</strong><br />

Creator until him creature. in order that he can merit that his learning, becomes a medium for spiritual growth.<br />

Therefore, we, <strong>the</strong> group of "Bnei (sons of) Baruch", feel that's our obligation to organize essays and teachings for<br />

beginners, in order to convey <strong>the</strong> ideas precisely. Since in <strong>Kabbalah</strong> <strong>the</strong>re have been an abundance of new works without<br />

any guidelines or validity of merit, <strong>the</strong>re today is a great need to distinguish for a person, that he will not stumble from<br />

t<br />

hese works, in order he will merit in his life to "I have labored and I have found" <strong>the</strong> face of <strong>the</strong> Creator.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!