Copyright 2003 – Rabbi Michael Ozair

There is continuous creation, out of new ideas discovered in Torah. Zohar, Genesis, Introduction, 52

OUR PURPOSE FOR THE STUDY

Students of Kabbalah understand Torah (Hebrew Bible) as a mystical book wherein Kabbalistic system is embodied in allegories and symbols. Thus, Torah and Kabbalah are dependent on and complete each other. . The illumination emanating from study ignites soul, setting it on fire with awareness of a deeper and Higher Reality. Its study and insights are themselves mystical experiences.

Why Study Them in “Blocks”?

The need for exploring these archetypal accounts in weekly blocks can be understood in idea that what Spirit has to teach us, must be taught in segments. Spirit does not confront us with its totality, for it would be far too vast, too immense on our psyche to integrate all lessons of spiritual growth at once, therefore it is broken down into parts, or what we call weekly parsha or Torah portions.

Creating a Collective Portal of Light

For thousands of years now, we have studied these sacred texts. It is taught by Kabbalists that when we collectively learn parsha of that specific week with its spiritual teachings, we tap into a portal of Heavenly Light. The more people engaged in this study, stronger portal becomes. The portal creates an opening for Earth and her inhabitants to be flooded with Shefa, Divine Light, which is very much needed today to penetrate veil of mass consciousness on our planet.

Those who have done their spiritual work will be more able to quickly assimilate Light into their beings and use it to propel themselves forward in their earthly endeavors.

INTRODUCTION - BIBLICAL TEXT:

"Come to Pharoah, for I have hardened his heart" (Exodus 10:1)

In this week's Torah portion, we read that G-d hardens Pharoah's heart. In Hebrew thought, heart is core of a person, seat of emotions, intellect and will. Regarding above Biblical verse several questions must be raised: If G-d was controlling Pharoah's heart, then Pharoah had no choice to do what he did and was therefore not really making his own decisions. Why then blame Pharoah for anything? Additionally, where is Free Will in all this?

The following commentaries based on Judaism's Hasidic tradition shed some very interesting insight into entire Biblical account, and of course, into ourselves.

It will comprise of three sections, with each section introducing a Spiritual Law:

• First Law - Light is Impartial • Second Law - Law of Accountability • Third Law - Law of Correction

FIRST LAW: LIGHT IS IMPARTIAL

The following is a beginning point, taught as a fundamental principle by Reb Nachman of Breslov:

"From mouth of Most High comes neither good nor bad. What emanates is a simple Light. However, according to level of vessel that receives Light, so is Light inside formed and perceived."

In other words, Reb Nachman is saying following:

Light, as revealed in our world, is not selective, nor does it discriminate. It is present in It's entirety at all times and in all places. This Light follows direction we put our attention and energy. Since this Light is all-inclusive and all-pervading, we have a responsibility with where we focus our attention.

Since Light does not discriminate as to where It is led, then why could It not be very energy behind hardening of Pharoah's heart? It is Pharoah who is choosing to harden his heart, Light is just energy he is using towards his own decisions. As it says in Talmud, "The door shall be opened for one who comes knocking to defile himself" (Masechet Yoma: 38b)

This is where free choice comes in. According to Torah, we are even given "assistance" even to make wrong choices. Again, this is because Light does not discriminate. It gives of Itself to all.

With this in mind, following Hasidic commentary comes as a very interesting point to WHY Pharoah needed G-d's Light to harden his own heart:

"Pharoah needed to be strengthened by G-d in order to keep his composure and make his own choices. Moses and Aaron, were after all, great tzaddikim (holy sages), full of signs and wonders. It would have been impossible not to surrender to them had not Pharoah's heart been made stronger by G-d." (Source: Rabbi Eliezer Ish Horowitz in Noam Megadim).

This idea of G-d being fuel behind even one's misdirected, foolish and evil intentions may be shocking, but it is not something new. Our tradition recognizes that conscious thought is starting point of every new creation, and since our world is a Free Will Zone, we have a responsibility of where we direct and focus our thoughts/energy.

The recent incidents in Meerwala and Mianwali have brought to light fact that state has failed to ensure rule of law and prevent brutal custom from superseding it.

It was in a strife torn tribal society that Holy Prophet (PBUH) first preached message of justice and equity, and elevated women to a respectable status.