Chapter 12. Reflections and Thoughts

Before one begins to study Kabbalah, one must answer the question, “Does the Creator exist?” Otherwise, how is it possible to search for contact and unification with something that does not exist?..

Prophets who can contact the Creator say that He doesn’t have a body, or size or image. Thus, they shatter all the common concepts about the Creator. Yet, idioms such as “the hand of the Creator,” “under the foot of the Creator” are abundant. How do you explain it?..

Who is the Creator really, if Pharaoh had priests capable of doing what Moses did and even more? If I possess the same powers and I have everything – then how can I know that your God is better?..

What is the most important thing that a person should keep in mind throughout one’s life?..

Researchers found that genes determine character. Therefore, how can a person be blamed for one’s sins; after all, they are committed without any freedom of choice?..

What’s greater than I?..

Is there a correction for a person who has been a sinner all one’s life?..

You once mentioned a war or a battle in the spiritual world, but never explained what you meant. Can you explain it now?..

When a whole people degrade, sinking deeper into egoism, the first ones to fall are the best. Why is that so?..

What do I do when everyone around me pushes me into the corner… What do they all want from me?..

Why is suicide considered so terrible in Judaism? If one sees no point in living, why cannot that person choose death? After all, it is known that man cannot tolerate pain, so how does suicide sit with the purpose of creation?..

If we feel bad about ourselves and want to be rid of our troubles, can we begin to study Kabbalah?..

What do you mean when you say, “control nature?” Has man ever done that consciously?..

Why doesn’t man receive this knowledge naturally, like animals?..

What is the connection between ordinary science and Kabbalah? Is the objective of that science to help man better utilize the corporeal laws of nature, as with physics and chemistry, or perhaps even discover new laws?..

I am a scientist. You say that Kabbalah is a science. Is it possible to come to the spiritual world using scientific tools?..

At what stage in creation did the ape evolve to become a man?..

Why is a Kabbalist who rises in the spiritual world not immune to the torments of this world? When a Kabbalist dies, who takes his place?..

I was always amazed by the versatility of the types of birds, plants, fish, etc. Finally, in one of your lectures, I received understanding. It is all a result of the reciprocal penetration between the Sefirot and the cooperation between them in the spiritual world. My question is: Does man include everything within him, and how is it reflected in me? Is it in the versatility of my emotions?..

If science can clone people, where then is the Creator, and where is the soul?..

How do you relate to computerized robots and their reactions to humans?..

How can you compare a living human with a mechanism, programmed by nature? In this science of yours, everything boils down to a predetermined behavior. But then, even you speak about feelings, so where is the logic?..

I have recently stopped eating meat and fish because I think that living creatures (those with a nervous system and a sensation of pain) shouldn’t have to suffer just to serve as my food. But Judaism permits eating fish and animals, and does not see anything negative in it (at least it does not forbid it). Is there a profound meaning to eating meat that is hidden from me?..

If someone does things to strengthen to become more fit for the spiritual work, do these acts become spiritual acts, if that is the purpose of keeping fit?..

Does one’s physical activity reduce the quality of the spiritual Light?..

What is the root of fashion, jewelry and cosmetics?..

How do you relate to art?..

A Kabbalist is a person, who, in all his senses, openly and vividly, lives in the palace of the Creator, just as we live in our world. He can study the acts of the Creator and move and thrive in spiritual worlds...

What is fantasy in Kabbalah?..

What do you think of literature in general, and books in particular?..

How can people who did not receive such an outlook from childhood be taught to think the way that Kabbalah teaches?..

The songs of Rabbi Baruch Ashlag have really inspired me. Can you explain the place of this music in the study of Kabbalah?..

Is it good to share what I feel with others?..

I read the Torah, the Zohar and your books. I feel that I’m beginning to understand that these books plant seeds in me. I want to extend that Light to others. But these days, people do not relate to Torah and Kabbalah. How can I persuade them that this is the only real Torah?..

Is Kabbalah a way to look on life that does not require studying in school or in university?..

Is it good to give a child a second name? Can this be done when a child is not a baby anymore?..

What will the future connection between men and women be like, and what is the future of the family? Can Kabbalah and spiritual evolution improve it?..

If the meaning of life lies in spiritual elevation, what is the meaning of the lives of billions of people who do not have even one of the 600,000 souls?..

Who are the mentally ill, and what is their part in the world? What makes people who believe in the existence of the Creator relate to mentally ill people or autistics as “men of God,” as if these are people through whom the Creator speaks? Is there any truth to that?..

If you believe that everything will happen as you pictured, then you are right. But suffering pushes us to understand, grow wiser, achieve, wish, love, aspire. The suffering we get is not for the pleasures, but is rather strictly selective, in order for us to sense the Creator and become like Him. The purpose is not to be beaten and then be given pleasure for relaxation...

There are many questions about the connection between the spiritual world and our own. You say different things in different places. If there is no connection between the two worlds, then how is spirituality connected with externally observed Mitzvot?..

Which school of Judaism do you belong to?..

The things you say are so right. But I cannot understand this nationalistic differentiation. Why are most of your disciples Jewish and why aren’t there women among them (in the photo), if this science really brings truth?..

Can one say that the Jewish people are the Keter of the nations of the world?..

Why do you believe you have the right to blame Israel for its misfortunes?..

...You have just described how I look in the eyes of society; there is nothing I can do about it. It will only get worse, I know. Everyone will be against Kabbalah, curse it as they now curse the Jews. Then this circle will get smaller. So much the worse for the world, since it will receive even less Light...

More and more people discover Kabbalah, including those who join in through your disciples. Nonetheless, Jewish affairs are only getting worse. I wonder what critical mass of people studying Kabbalah is needed to stabilize the world?..

In biblical times we had many prophets. Then at some point they disappeared. Why?..

Can one consider liberalism among Jews and non-Jews as a subconscious, and hence distorted, attempt to fulfill the principal commandment of the Torah – "Love thy neighbour…"?

What is love?..

Does the ability to lead the world necessarily demand purification?..

Can I help others by the study of Kabbalah?..

Which is more important, to study the wisdom of Kabbalah, or to be nice to others?..

Is it not enough to not steal and curse and be kind to one another?..

The question,” How can I help the world?” bothers me all the time. Should I use Kabbalah for that?..

To what extent can the study of Kabbalah change the world around us?..