Human beings must unwillingly carry out all actions that are necessary to sustain physical life in the body. For example, even when we are ill and lack the desire to eat, we still force ourselves to take food, knowing that we will not become healthy otherwise. This is because, in our world, reward and punishment is clearly discernable for everyone; thus, all must obey the laws of nature.
But regardless of the fact that our souls are ill and can be cured only by performing altruistic efforts, when we are unable to see apparent rewards and punishments, we cannot force ourselves to undertake the process of healing.
Therefore, the healing of the soul is completely dependent on our faith.
The lower half of the higher spiritual object is found within the upper half of the lower spiritual object. In the lower object, the screen (masach) is found in the eye area. This is known as "spiritual blindness," because in such a state only the lower half of the higher object is visible to us, since the screen of the lower spiritual object conceals part of the higher spiritual object.
The higher spiritual object drops its screen to the lower one, then it reveals itself to the lower object, which in turn begins to view the higher object as the higher one views itself. As a result, the lower object receives the state of fullness (gadlut). The lower object, then, sees that the higher one is in a "great" state, and realizes that the higher object’s prior concealment and apparent manifestation as the "small" state (katnut), was done exclusively for the benefit of the lower one. In this way, the lower object could become aware of the importance of the higher one.
All consecutive states that we experience on our paths can be compared to being inflicted by the Creator with an illness, which the Creator Himself eventually cures. When we perceive this illness (for example, as hopelessness, weakness, and despair) as the will of the Creator, this transforms these states into the stages of correction and we can progress toward unity with the Creator.
As soon as the Light of the Creator enters an egoistical desire, that desire immediately submits to the Light and is ready to be transformed into altruism. (It has been said many times that Light cannot enter an egoistical desire, but there are two kinds of Light: the Light that comes to correct a desire, and the Light that brings pleasure; in this case we mean the Light that brings correction.)
Thus, when the Light enters these desires, they are changed into their opposites. In this manner, even our biggest sins are transformed into merits. But this occurs only if we return because of our love for the Creator, when we are able to receive the entire Light of the Creator not for our own sake. Only then do our former actions (desires) become transformed into vessels that can receive Light.
Such a state cannot come about, however, prior to the final correction. Until then, we may receive only a part of the Creator’s Light, not for our own sakes, but according to the principle of the middle line.
There are several ways of receiving: by charity, by a gift, or by forcefully taking it (demanding because one is entitled). When one receives charity, one may be ashamed of it, but one still asks from necessity. On the other hand, one does not ask for a gift. Rather, a gift is given to one who is loved. One who demands does not consider having received either as charity or as a gift, but by right.
This latter feeling is characteristic of the righteous who demand of the Creator, thinking that they are entitled to something intended for them in the very design of creation. Thus, it is said: "The righteous take by force."
Abraham (the right line: faith above reason) was ready to sacrifice Yitzhak (the left line: reason and control of one’s spiritual condition) in order to constantly progress only along the right line. Consequently, he advanced to the middle line, which combines the two.
Simple faith is an uncontrolled faith and is usually known as “faith below reason.” Faith that is checked by reason is known as “faith within reason.” But faith above reason is possible only after one has analyzed one’s state.
Thus, if we, seeing that we accomplished nothing, still chose faith as if everything had been accomplished, and continued to uphold this belief up to the critical point, then this is considered to be “faith above reason,” because we had ignored reason. Only then do we become worthy of the middle line.
There are three lines of spiritual behavior: the right line, the left line, and the combination of the two – the middle line. If the individual possesses only one line, it can neither be considered the right nor the left, since only the possession of two opposite lines can determine which is which.
There is also the straight line, known as the state of perfection, along which travels every believer, this is the one path according to the laws of which we are brought up and along which we travel through our entire lives.
Every person traveling this path knows exactly how much effort must be exerted, according to their own calculations, in order to feel that they fulfilled all obligations. Thus, they feel satisfaction from the work. Moreover, they feel that every passing day adds further merits and benefits, since several additional commandments have been observed.
This line of action is called “the straight line.” Those who were guided along this path while young cannot wander from it because they were taught to behave in this manner from childhood, without having to exert self-control or engage in self-criticism. Therefore, they travel straight for their entire lives, and every day increases their own merits.
Those who travel along the right line must act as those who travel along the straight line. The only difference is that those traveling the straight line lack self-criticism of their spiritual state. Those who travel the right line take every step with difficulty, as the left line neutralizes the right, awakening spiritual thirst, and hence bringing no satisfaction from the attained spiritual state.
When we travel the straight line, we do not critically scrutinize our own state, but constantly add new merits to the past ones, since we have a sound base to rely on. Meanwhile, the left line erases all former efforts.