In a simple yet profound analogy, imagine setting an Oreo cookie and $1000 on a table in front of a child. When asked to choose, the child, with eyes shining with delight, would likely reach for the Oreo cookie. To them, the immediate joy and taste of the cookie far outweigh the abstract value of $1000, a concept too complex and intangible for their innocent minds to fully appreciate.

Now, consider placing the same choice before an adult. They would, without hesitation, choose the $1000, understanding its value and the myriad possibilities it represents. Their decision is driven by a mature recognition of worth, far beyond the fleeting pleasure of a cookie.

But let's elevate the stakes. If you were to place a $150,000 diamond next to the stack of money, many adults might still hesitate, uncertain of its worth. Yet, the one who recognizes the diamond's true value would choose it over the money, understanding its worth surpasses even the considerable sum of cash.

This scenario mirrors our journey with spirituality. As we transition from childhood to adulthood, our perception of value evolves, moving from immediate, tangible pleasures to appreciating more profound, albeit less tangible, rewards.

Spirituality, in this context, is likened to the diamond. Initially, its value might not be apparent or might be underestimated, much like how a child views $1000. However, as one's understanding and appreciation deepen, spirituality becomes a source of immense joy and fulfillment, akin to recognizing and cherishing the diamond's worth.

Holding this 'diamond' of spirituality in our lives is akin to possessing a secret treasure. To the onlooker, its value might not be evident. Yet, for the one who carries it, it fills every moment with a sense of warmth, purpose, and delight. This 'diamond' enriches one's life in subtle yet profound ways, influencing perspectives, decisions, and interactions. It's a treasure that, while invisible to others, colors the entirety of one's experience, offering a deeper, richer backdrop to life's tapestry.

Thus, this analogy not only underscores the evolving nature of what we value but also highlights the transformative impact of spirituality on our lives. It teaches us that what's truly valuable might not always be what's immediately appealing or obvious. As we grow in our spiritual journey, we begin to recognize and cherish the deeper, more enduring joys, much like the adult who chooses the diamond over the cookie or cash, carrying it with them as an unseen yet profoundly impactful presence in every aspect of their life.

Imagine pondering the question: "How much work can I do for God that will make Him happy?" This is akin to considering our relationship with our earthly fathers. If a child brings home a report card filled with C's, does this limit their capacity to make their parent proud? And if they were to improve and bring home A's, does this suddenly qualify them to earn more of their parent's love and pride? Similarly, one might wonder about the span of one's life. Is 80 years sufficient to fulfill the expectations of the Creator? Or does one start believing that perhaps with 100 years, their contributions and work for the Creator would finally be enough?

Yet, this line of thinking misses the core essence of the relationship between the Creator and the creation, much like misunderstanding a parent's love. A good parent’s love for their child is not contingent on the child's achievements, be they academic or in other endeavors. Whether the child gets C's or A's, the parent's love remains steadfast. The love a parent has for their child does not waver based on the child's performance. While the parent's guidance, advice, and perhaps expectations might shift to encourage the child towards their potential, the underlying love remains unchanged.

Likewise, our relationship with the Creator is not transactional, where the amount of 'work' we do or the years we live determine His love for us. The Creator's love is unconditional, not bounded by our successes, failures, or the length of our lives. It's a comforting reminder that, just like a parent does not measure their child's worth by their grades or lifespan, the Creator does not measure our worth by our achievements or the time we have. Our efforts, big and small, are valued, but they do not dictate the love and grace extended to us.

This analogy underscores that the Creator's love is constant, not something we earn through our deeds or the time we're given on this earth. It invites us to reassess our understanding of divine love and acceptance, encouraging us to embrace a relationship with the Creator that is rooted in love, grace, and mercy, rather than in a ledger of deeds or the span of our years.

In a profound lesson, we explore the notion that "the Creator dresses Himself in clothing of flesh" to make Himself known to us. This vivid image invites us to envision the Creator donning attire made not of fabric, but of creation itself—spanning the stillness of mountains, the growth of forests, the vitality of animals, and the complexity of human interaction. It's an evocative way to describe how every level of reality, from the inanimate to the speaking, serves as a medium through which the Creator reveals Himself.

This concept urges us to see beyond the surface of our everyday encounters. It suggests that every interaction with the world around us—be it with nature, animals, or people—is, at its core, an interaction with the Creator. However, this doesn't mean we should conflate the creation with the Creator Himself. Rather, it's an acknowledgment that the Creator engages with us indirectly, weaving His presence into the fabric of creation.

Each encounter, no matter how mundane or profound, is imbued with purpose. These moments are the Creator's way of communicating, guiding, and teaching us. The essence of this teaching is not to deify the creation but to attune our attitudes and behaviors to the subtle messages embedded in our interactions. 

When we adjust our attitude—whether by showing more kindness, patience, or understanding— we start accustoming ourselves to be concerned with someone outside of ourself. This process of "turning the knobs" of our reactions fosters personal growth and shifts our focus outward, cultivating a concern for the well-being of others. This outward orientation is challenging; it demands we extend beyond our inherent nature. Yet, it's within this very challenge that we find our most crucial work.

By recalibrating our attitude in alignment with the Creator's messages, we engage in the essential work of self-transformation. This work not only enriches our own lives but contributes to the elevation of the entire tapestry of creation, weaving us more intimately into the purpose of creation that the Creator has set forth.

Sage Speaks

Shamanti 73. After the Tzimtzum

I heard in 1943

After the Tzimtzum (restriction), the Upper Nine became the place of Kedusha, and Malchut, over which there was the Tzimtzum, became the place of the worlds. And there are two discernments to be made: 1) a vacant place, which is a place for the Klipot, whose essence is the desire to receive only for themselves; and 2) a free place, meaning a place that became free for inserting what one chooses—Kedusha or the opposite.

Had it not been for the Tzimtzum, the whole of reality would have been in the form of Simple Light. Only after the Tzimtzum occurred was there room for choosing to do bad or good.

The bounty extends into that place through choosing the good. And this is the meaning of what is written in the writings of the Ari, that the Light of Ein Sof shines to the lower ones.

Ein Sof is called “the desire to do good to His creations.” And although we discern many worlds, ten Sefirot, and other names, it all extends from the Ein Sof, called “the Thought of Creation.”

The names, Sefira and “world,” are because the abundance that pours off the Ein Sof descends through that Sefira and world. This means that since the lower ones cannot receive His bounty without preparation and correction, in order for the lower ones to be able to receive, corrections were made, by which there was ability to receive. This is called Sefirot.

In other words, each Sefira has its unique correction. Because of that there are many discernments. But they are only with respect to the receivers, since when the lower one receives the abundance from Ein Sof, it receives through a special correction, which adapts it to receive the bounty. This is the meaning of receiving through a special Sefira; although there are no changes whatsoever in the bounty itself.

Now you will understand the matter of the prayer that we pray to the Creator, which is the Light of Ein Sof, being the connection that the Creator has with the creatures, called “His desire to do good to His creations.” And even though there are many names with the aim of the prayer, the interpretation is that the bounty will pour forth through the corrections in the souls. This is because precisely through the corrections in the souls will the abundance be in the hands of the receivers.

Notes

1. Machsom becomes Masach

2. This is a sign that a person is in bestowal, because I am always in Joy, that I want to continue to go towards spirituality.

   • You will love food more than you could ever have loved food

3. Once the Creator gives me a 10, this is the stand in for The Creator

Notes

1. Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Creation) is attributed to having been written by Abraham and Kabbalists consider it one of the key books in the long chain of Kabbalists from the first known Kabbalist, Adam HaRishon, through to our era. 

Notes

1. In “Lurianic Kabbalah - Why Everything Changed After the ARI’s Appearance” with Lio Spiegler, we will explore one of history’s most impactful Kabbalists and the major transformation that he brought to the method of Kabbalah.

Notes

1. When was the Zohar written? Who wrote the Zohar? What happened to the Zohar throughout history? What is the key significance of our times to the Zohar, and why are we revealing and studying the Zohar today?

Notes

1. Kabbalah's Revelation in Modern Times: Kabbalah was revealed to the modern era because contemporary life is filled with distractions. This era is unique because individuals seeking spirituality, described as having a "point in the heart," are genuinely searching amidst a sea of options, unlike in the past where options for spiritual pursuit were limited. This distinction ensures that those drawn to spirituality today are sincerely seeking it, as opposed to the past where it might have been one of the few pursuits available, potentially attracting those without a genuine interest and thereby "muddying the waters."

2. Transition from Nodes to Hubs: In a network, nodes represent points of reception or connection, while hubs denote central points that facilitate communication and connection among multiple nodes. This metaphor suggests moving from being individuals focused solely on receiving (nodes) to becoming centers of distribution and connection (hubs). It highlights a shift towards generosity and facilitating spiritual connection among others, in an age where greed and individualism are rampant. This transformation supports the spread of spirituality by becoming a proactive, connecting force in the spiritual network, as opposed to passive receivers.

3. Continuous Divine Dialogue: The Creator is always talking to us. He’s chatty, and he wants to talk to us. and he wants to speak to me when I’m found inside the 10. This concept emphasizes the belief that the Creator is constantly communicating with us, desiring to engage especially when one is part of a spiritual collective or assembly, such as "the 10." 

4. True Value in The Friend: The one thing that should inspire us and that we should raise the friend above ourselves is when we see in them the desire for the creator. That is the unique thing about this KabU group of people is that it’s full of people with the very strong desire to know and feel the creator. This point advises against being overly impressed by material or corporeal success in others. Instead, it emphasizes valuing and elevating individuals who exhibit a strong desire for spiritual connection with the Creator. 

Notes

1. The light, any spiritual light, gives us the fuel we need to act in order to be in bestowal.  Without this fuel, we could not engage in Bestowal. This light is the essential fuel for the spiritual journey.

2.