“More than 'Self-Improvement'” p: 71

Picture: Joel Andersson

AyinBase with R' Paltiel Thursday 27 Nissan 5772 

Page 71 – about a third from the top of the page (line starts, 'kulhi....') For text, see link top right of the blog. Or for text right click here.

This is the principle of the choice that He made and bound Himself with them and made Himself present in the world. Only through them is the essence present in the lower world, and is a dwelling place created.

The distinction between inner and outer aspects is very fine and really only apparent to the essence. Like at a wedding feast only the host knows who is part of the 'inner circle'. Torah and Israel become instrumental in making this distinction here below.

Torah and Israel are so representative of the essence that they cannot stand chitzoni/externality and they transform it.

This is the birur/purification of the 'tree of knowledge of good and evil'.

We're in the world and the goal is not 'self improvement', it is serving Him. We do things because, 'this is what He wants' and this is the motivation we keep in mind to guide our service. 'Self improvement' and 'making the world a better place' is the external level.

In our metaphor of being a guest at a host's meal – the food you can take anywhere, but the host is the reality itself. The external level is open to being taken and independent benefit. The inner level is always connected. You have Him, with His consent.