Chapter 5.3 – Uprooting Prejudice
Nothing is created in vain in this world. Everything is created in order to attain the purpose of Creation. The true picture of the world is one of completeness and fullness, with nothing that is redundant, not even a single thought or operation.
Everyone is doing precisely what he or she is meant to be doing, and at the same time people are realizing the purpose of Creation. The vast majority does it unconsciously, but a few do it consciously, after making a free choice between their egoistic and altruistic activities, having decided in favor of the latter. The task at hand is to reach an agreement with the design of Creation and carry it out consciously and willingly. We shall all come to that over the course of our reincarnations.
If we could be aware of our previous lives and the possible combinations of the souls and their divisions, we could calculate for ourselves the right combination of the parts of the collective soul—what the ratio should be and which parts they should be combined with in order to correct them. We would see and understand the reason for everything that happens.
Kabbalists see the collective picture either fully or partially. For example, the Ari explains about reincarnation in his book Shaar Hagilgulim (The Gate of Reincarnations). He not only saw the entire picture of the cycle of correction of the souls, but also was given permission to describe it. The only sign by which it is possible to determine if one is permitted to study Kabbalah is the genuine desire for spirituality.
Studying the Kabbalah is not meant to be used for any magic or witchcraft; it is also not intended to turn one into a great rabbi or sage. Its purpose is to promote one’s spiritual development and attain the Upper Worlds through hard labor. The consequences of one’s efforts will be measured by his ability to dedicate his every ambition to bestowal upon the Creator.
When speaking of physical performance of Mitzvot, it is important to mention that it can only be performed in this world, because that is where we perform physical acts without a spiritual intent, without any intent. Mitzvot with a spiritual aim mean Zivug with the Upper Light–spiritual reception of Lights into one’s altruistic vessels. These operate in that, and hence the name Kabbalist–one who can receive (in Hebrew, Kabbalah means "reception") the Upper Light.
Therefore, it is the duty of every individual to realize that the true performance of Mitzvot is the spiritual performance. That is our real objective. Those who settle for a mechanical observation of Mitzvot corrects themselves only on the level at which they exist, meaning the level of our world. For that reason such a person is called “holy still” – “still” because this person has no desire for spiritual development, and “holy” because he or she still performs the Mitzvot, even if with egoistic intentions, under the limitations of this world.
Because such people still follow the Creator's Will, Kabbalists never object to the keeping of corporeal Mitzvot, but only emphasize that mere physical performance is not enough to attain the purpose of Creation.
Furthermore, certain spiritual acts should be performed in order to assist our ability to receive the Upper Light. These are called "the commandments of the Creator." But here arises a problem: one is capable of performing only those operations that may yield personal gain. If the reward for efforts made is uncertain, the ego will not allow even the slightest effort to be made.
The widespread objection to the wisdom of Kabbalah is because it argues that people may perform the Mitzvot in an incomplete manner. Therefore, dissenters claim that Kabbalists object to keeping the Mitzvot, when in fact Kabbalists claim that they should indeed be kept, but not merely on the physical level, but with proper intent.
Kabbalists say just one thing: “Start learning of the wisdom of Kabbalah!” Through the study of the soul of the Torah you will begin to understand which is essential for us, and why we were created.