Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive
Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive
Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive
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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<br />
means that nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> egoistic desires from my left nor <strong>the</strong> Light that<br />
comes from <strong>the</strong> right are mine. So what is mine? Mine is <strong>the</strong> action!<br />
What does it mean, “my action?” If <strong>the</strong> Light affects <strong>the</strong> desire and<br />
consequently corrects it, <strong>the</strong>n it is <strong>the</strong> action <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Light and not my<br />
own. I am only <strong>the</strong> character that performs it. It is more accurate <strong>to</strong> say<br />
that what depends on me is <strong>to</strong> wish that my egoistical desires collide with<br />
<strong>the</strong> Upper Light from <strong>the</strong> right, and be corrected with its help.<br />
It can also be expressed in ano<strong>the</strong>r manner (as we read in § 155<br />
<strong>of</strong> “The <strong>Introduction</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ten Sefirot”). While studying,<br />
we have <strong>the</strong> only opportunity actually <strong>to</strong> perform a correction in its pure<br />
form, in action. During our studies, we concentrate on our desire <strong>to</strong> be<br />
exposed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Surrounding Light that would correct<br />
and elevate us <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> level we read about. At that particular moment, we<br />
expose our egoistic desires <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Upper Correcting Light.<br />
Souls may be in two states. The first one relates <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> world <strong>of</strong> Infinity,<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Thought <strong>of</strong> creation. The second one relates <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> relative<br />
period <strong>of</strong> 6,000 years (though it can take less time). During that time, we<br />
correct ourselves. This means that under <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Light we<br />
gradually correct all <strong>of</strong> our 620 egoistical desires.<br />
“Gradually” means a consecutive ascent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 6,000 levels. The<br />
entire way can also be divided in<strong>to</strong> 125 levels. It does not really matter<br />
how we divide it. What is important is that we must go through all <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m. The order in which we progress is as preordained as our actions.<br />
The only thing that is not preordained is our desire for it <strong>to</strong> happen.<br />
Without our desire <strong>the</strong>re will be no correction; <strong>the</strong> right and <strong>the</strong><br />
left lines will nei<strong>the</strong>r come in<strong>to</strong> contact nor interact. That can happen<br />
only if we want it <strong>to</strong>. This desire is called “Aliyat MAN” (raising <strong>of</strong> MAN),<br />
i.e., raising our desire. It appears <strong>the</strong> moment we want it.<br />
This desire is exactly what we should reach during our studies. As<br />
we study, we should only think that this correction will come <strong>to</strong> each and<br />
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