Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive

I N T RO D U C T I O N T O T H E B O O K O F Z O H A R
does not remain in the souls in the same form, for if it remained in
them permanently (in a form which is antithetical to the Creator) the
souls would be forever separated from the Creator. This difference of
properties would forever cut them off from the Creator.
To correct this initial remoteness from the Creator, He has created
the worlds and has divided them into two systems: the four pure
worlds of ABYA and the four impure worlds of ABYA.
Moreover, He has positioned the soul between them.
In our ascent, we constantly choose the middle line - the overlapping
of pure and impure forces.
The soul ascends to the Creator
precisely on this middle line.
Having created the system
of impure and pure forces, this
initial huge, impure egoism opposite
to Himself, He also creates
a system with which we can
transform this egoism - having
retained all the same desires
and only having corrected their
intention. Therefore, it turns
out that, while ascending the
middle ladder from one level to
another between the two systems
of pure and impure forces (egoistical
and altruistic), we choose
how to act.
We take from the egoistical system, from our essence, whatever we
can, to adapt all our desires to the Creator and to ascend.
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