Looking BACK at the Who Take Least Thought for the Morrow

AUTHENTIC KABBALAH FROM ISRAEL KABBALAHT DAY ISSUE #21 A PUBLICATION OF THE BNEI BARUCH ASSOCIATION FOUNDED BY RAV MICHAEL LAITMAN, PHD www.kabtoday.com

In this issue: a misdemeanour, and the love of money is detestable, that those walk most truly in the paths of virtue and sane wisdom looKinG BACK At the who take least thought for the morrow. We shall once more value ends above means and prefer the good to the use- ful.” While the most renowned econo- mist of the 20th Century was promot- p.2 SInG In harMony future ing his vision of economic and social possibilities for his grandchildren, the Economic Perspectives from most highly recognized Kabbalist of the 20th Century, Yehuda Ashlag (widely Two 20th Century Visionaries known as Baal HaSulam) was sharing his forward looking world view, which was remarkably similar to those of Keynes. Although contemporaries, Keynes (1883 – 1946) and Ashlag (1884 p.3 a bETTEr World For oUr ChIldrEn – 1954) probably never met. Ashlag’s theories were rooted in the Wisdom of Kabbalah . If Ashlag were alive today he would probably have told us that the reason for the Crisis was man’s un- willingness to recognize we operate in a global interdependent system, mankind will only renounce its economic system when the system brings more suffering for society than pleasure. His views p.4 ThE laST SUPErMan were based on one of Kabbalah’s central by Seth Bogner tenants, if humanity does not work to- JoHn Maynard keyneS Keynes envisioned a vastly different pic- gether to correct our egotistical nature ture of global economic health for our and start acting in concert with nature & yeHuda aSHlag generation. In 1930 in his rarely dis- we would bring blows upon mankind of (Baal HaSulaM) cussed article, “Economic Possibilities biblical proportions. According to him he current Global Economic Cri- for our Grandchildren” Keynes predict- we could avert the impending suffering sis has affected virtually every ed an end or evolution of capitalism. In by educating people about our inherent country. No corner of the world fact, he foresaw this as a highly desirable nature and providing society with an al- t ternative path. p.5 I ThoUGhT I WaS has been left untouched by the most se- eventuality. rETIrEd, bUT I aM vere recession in 80 years. Most nations Keynes anticipated that by now all an evolved econoMic noW UnEMPloyEd have reacted to the Crisis by following the world’s economic problems would reality the economic theories of John Maynard be solved. Goods and services would Keynes, reputably the foremost econo- be produced at a level to sustain all of The current Economic Crisis is th mist of the 20 Century. Keynes be- humanity and the means to distribute sending us a message that the capital- lieved that government intervention and them to all would end the struggle for ism, of our time, must adapt or become spending is the best way out of a finan- subsistence. He predicted that im- extinct, both Keynes and Ashlag fore- cial crisis. His theories were the basis of provements in productivity due to tech- saw this eventuality 80 years ago. They the strategies employed by both the US nological advancements would increase predicted that the hubris that has been and UK in response to the Great Depres- and together with the accumulation celebrated in our generation will give sion. Many economists, central bankers of capital, would solve the world’s eco- birth to a new economic reality where p.6 CloUdS In My CoFFEE and pundits frequently cite Keynesian nomic problems. Keynes observed, “We capitalism will evolve into a new sys- economics when discussing the various shall be able to rid ourselves of many tem. In Keynes’ words, “The critical economic stimulus programs enacted of the pseudo-moral principles which difference will be realized when this globally to attempt to combat the Crisis. have hag-ridden us for two-hundred condition [freedom from concern about viSion of gloBal years, by which we have exalted some of basic survival needs] has become so the most distasteful of human qualities general that the nature of one’s duty to econoMic HealtH into the position of the highest virtues. one’s neighbour is changed. For it will Would Keynes, if he were alive, be- … therefore, to return to some of the remain reasonable to be economically lieve that we would have found our- most sure and certain principles of re- purposive for others after it has ceased p.7 hoW Can WE SToP selves in a quandary similar to the Great to be reasonable for oneself.” MEdICInE FroM ligion and traditional virtue –that ava- Depression all over again? probably not. bEInG a bUSInESS? rice is vice, that the exaction of usury is continued on page 24 ,, When mankind reaches the degree of complete love for the fellow man, all the happiness intended for humanity will be revealed in all its glory.,, Baal HaSulam

formed by the desire to receive. How- This musical example of balance and ever, since we learned that we could harmony can help us to achieve the change our surroundings to suit our de- same qualities for humankind.. sires, we have been focusing entirely on HA Music is the N RM the desire to receive. We have become I O ignorant of the fact that we receive en- divine way to tell G ergy and life not from the desire to re- beautiful, poetic N (Bail N ceive, but from the desire to give.” things to the heart I Y Yourself Out) – Pablo Casals Humanity is discovering that our natu- S ral growing desire to receive remains Music is a universal language and this unsatisfied, unfilled, unquenched. We far reaching quality makes it well suit- are realizing that our exclusive focus on ed to be used as tool to help us emerge our ever growing desire to receive mate- from the world crisis resultant from the rial things and fulfillment from others singular focus on receiving. The desires I ’ d y leaves us feeling more starkly vacant expressed in lack can be supplanted by n and empty. As this song asks, “Will music that espouses unity and balance L o I always feel this way, so empty, so es- between giving and receiving. Musi- ik e m tranged?” (Ray LaMontagne) cians who experience unity and the in- r T a teraction and connection of these two o The answer lies in H forces can convey this balance in their Te t the desire to give compositions both through lyrics and a c c fe The answer lies in the second part of melodies. “Music can help us express a h by Beth Shillington r whole new side of reality … the impact T Pe the equation of these forces of Nature, he In the desire to give. “The interplay be- of such music on the listener will be un- W g matched, precisely because it expresses orld To Sin tween the two desires eludes us because it is the very basis of our makeup, and our life force!” (Bail Yourself Out) Music can name the culture, including social and economic therefore resides at a level deeper even than our consciousness. But once we unnamable and frameworks, climate, and availability of technology. Not surprisingly with the understand how these desires interact communicate the with each other to create life, we can widely recognized globalization of the 4continued from page 1 unknowable world, which is fraught with financial, put this information into practice and discover how to benefit from doing so.” – Leonard Bernstein economic, social, familial, psychologi- Keynes trusted in the inherent (Bail Yourself Out) cal, and ecological problems, today’s generosity and morality of mankind. usic expresses a wide range of music most often expresses disillusion- Unfortunately, mankind has not emotions, feelings and ideas Music is the mediator ment, pain, suffering, and desires for lived up to his expectations. M with varying rhythms, melo- what seems missing: love, sex, money between the Given the accuracy of their vision, dies, instruments and vocalizations. …. It isn’t just the lyrics that convey the spiritual and the perhaps it is time for us to listen to Historically, music has highlighted our unhappy and dissatisfied messages, the sensual life their views on the next stage of so- celebrations with joyful passion; has in- intense beat and discordant, cacopho- timately professed our romantic love in cioeconomic development. Their nous instrumentation share the senti- – Ludwig van Beethoven ballads or dejectedly bemoaned its lack; views are remarkably similar: both ments. Humans are literally singing and Music also provides a key to under- has stalwartly sent troops marching to agree that people must reach a state shouting their desire to receive, and to standing the interaction of these forces war and bugled them into battle; music where concern for other members receive more and more and more. It is of Nature. It can help us see our lack has added pomp to the circumstances of the society outweighs concern for only natural that music resonates these of balance with Nature and a clue as requiring such grandeur; and has la- self-promotion and they also agree sincere growing and unfilled needs and to how to attain the balance. Music’s mented the loss of loved ones in dirges. current almost exclusive expression that this transition will not be easy. Music is capable of conveying deep and desires of humanity. of wanting to receive helps us see our In fact, Keynes saw this as “the great- complex emotions that are understood We have been singular focus on one of the forces and est change which has ever occurred and felt by the listeners. focusing entirely on shows us how distant we are from the in the material environment of life for human beings in the aggregate.” True music must repeat the desire to receive other force, the desire to give. We are out of balance. We are not in harmo- For Ashlag, it represents nothing the thought and In fact, it is a law of Nature, a force that ny. “Classical music with strong inter- less than the transformation of hu- inspirations of the acts upon us. The desire to receive is nal harmony helps because it contains man nature from egoism to altru- people and the time what runs the human world. But this harmony born out of unity between ism. In “The Last Generation” is only half of the equation. The world opposites. It is precisely when these op- Ashlag observed that “our planet is George Gershwin – really runs on two desires: to receive posites unite that they create harmony rich enough to provide for all of us, Throughout the ages and across cul- and to give. “They determine not only which corrects…” (Laitman.com) Clas- so why this tragic war for life which tures, composers have created music our behavior, but the whole of reality sical music with its intricate, extensive has been clouding our lives for gen- as an expression of inner feelings and – everything we think, see, feel, taste, and multi-layered internal harmony erations? Let us divide the work and ideas. Their compositions necessarily or touch. … We receive our life ener- exhibits the fitting together and join- its produce equally among ourselves are a reflection of all aspects of their gy from the desire to give, and we are ing of contrasted elements in balance. and end all the troubles.”

2 Kabbalah Today | Issue #21 | www.kabtoday.com ,, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ,,

Nelson Mandela

A Better World for Our Children by Riggan Shilstone ing to shift. A recent series of ads bears titles such as, “In an Absolut World, Currency will be Replaced with Acts of Kindness.” CNN’s series on economic survival features stories about people who find happiness through the renew- al of family connections, sharing with others, and a simpler lifestyle. We just need to give things a push! • The Power of Society The most powerful instrument for change, however, is us. Throughout history, social change has been driven by the people. The 14th century Renais- sance is just one example of a cultural movement that led to exponential ad- With the world in more from life, and so vances in all areas. And today, the desire crisis, parents the relentless quest everywhere New Problems Call for change among the American people for new pleasures was so strong that it swept an unlikely fear for their began. By the time we reached the 20th for New Solutions candidate into the highest office. children’s future. Yet, if we century, everything had accelerated, as We can’t buy our way out of the current This is the force we can harness to rise to the challenge, we if someone pressed “fast forward.” We crisis with taxpayer dollars or consume make the changes in today’s society. can set them on the path to went from horses to trains to jets; from our way out through increased shop- But how can we transform our ap- a future far brighter than telegraphs to phones to the Internet. ping. We have to approach life from a proach to life from egoism to altruism new perspective, taking advantage of any we ever dreamed of With each generation, the luxuries of when all we know is “taking care of #1”? the parents became the necessities of three powerful tools. Actually, our children can show us the s I sit at my computer, the the children • Education way! When a child decides to become a neighborhood rings with the This continuous escalation of self- People today are lost and confused, won- doctor, he “plays” doctor, even though he has no idea what he is doing. Only laughter of children playing indulgence has finally caught up with dering: Why is this happening? What A should we do? But we are resourceful, when the child becomes a doctor will tag. It brings back memories of my us, bringing our world to the brink of and if we understand the problem, we he know what it really means, but each childhood, and I can’t help but wonder collapse. Our culture of excess reached of his imagined notions along the way its culmination with ego-maniacs like will perform miracles to solve it. This is what the future has in store for them. why a public education campaign about is a necessary preparation. Bernard Madoff, who swindled inves- Mankind has always invested super- the globalization of our economies, the So to begin with, we can “fake it tors of $50 billion. And while it’s easy human efforts to assure that the next interdependence of all people, and the until we make it.” Our first “altruistic” to put the blame on the likes of Mad- generation will have an easier, more ful- benefits of cooperation could guide us efforts will be purely egoistic: done to off, the reality is that we all bear a share filling life. For many parents today, this to the solutions. escape the crisis. Over time, however, of the guilt, even if our excesses are on an amazing transformation will occur: dream may forever remain a fantasy. Our best hope for the future lies in a much smaller scale. our simulated joy in altruism will give Economic uncertainty, environmental educating our children. NY Times col- If we are honest, we’ll see that suc- umnist Nicholas Kristof recently classi- way to the real thing, providing real re- collapse, and violence promise to be lief from the crisis. the legacy we will leave our children. A cess in our society is defined as more fied education as “our greatest national shame.” And he’s right: we are not Arne Duncan, the new Education Rasmussen Poll in January found that money, fame or power, no matter what providing our children with the knowl- Secretary, commented, “We have to only 47% of American parents believe the cost to others. So what can we ex- pect for our future if these are the val- edge they need to succeed in the new continue to think differently and do ev- their children will be better off than erything we can to put our students ... ues that we promote? global era. If we offer them an educa- they are. tion about the natural laws that govern on the path to pursuing the American If egoism is the root of our prob- This gloomy outlook should be a interconnected systems, they will be dream.” Let’s pressure our government lems, then the solution is to transform to use part of the $150 billion educa- clarion call to action for people every- prepared to easily navigate the stormy our values to altruism and sharing. But seas that are so baffling to us. tion stimulus to create a new American where. But if we are to have any hope how? After all, mankind has prospered dream, one that values activities that of finding lasting solutions, we must • Media with a “Me first!” mentality for thou- benefit all and frowns upon personal first retrace the developments that led Most of our behavioral patterns come success at the expense of others. Let’s sands of years. Yet, in today’s globalized directly from TV and the Internet. As to the problems we face today. society, where everything that happens use the power of our collective will to long as news, entertainment and sports show politicians and businesses that we on one side of the world has an almost Did Someone Press glorify the pursuit of wealth and a “win are no longer buying into a consumer immediate impact on the other side, “Fast Forward?” at any cost” mentality, we will see greed oriented society. Let’s encourage media “Me first!” no longer works. In the and exploitation dominate our society. to promote values of generosity and Mankind’s needs were simple once: If words of Britain’s PM, Gordon Brown, If, however, we insist that these venues sharing, while shunning egoistic glori- there was adequate food, shelter and se- “In this global age, we need solutions reflect the values of compassion, we will fication of individuals. In this way, we curity from predators, life was good. But that can no longer be defined in terms turn today’s destructive media force to will leave a lasting legacy to our chil- time marched on, and the necessities of us and them, but can be achieved our advantage. dren, and they will have the wisdom to were no longer enough. People wanted only together – as us with them.” And in fact, the tide is already start- know how to use it.

www.kabtoday.com | Issue #21 | Kabbalah Today 3 ,, The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule. ,, albert einstein

by Chaim Ratz and has become a dangerous enemy. And now, the big question is: who will ecently, it was rumored that save the world from itself? Barack Obama was tempted r to enter the bidding for a rare new HeroeS edition of the first-ever Superman com- for a new age ic. The rumors began to settle when it was announced that the American There is no doubt that we are in dire President would not be participating need of new heroes. To find them, we in the auction (and besides, he’s a Spi- must rearrange our entire value system derman, not a Superman, fan). And fi- and change the formula for prosperity from the one that says: “success comes nally, all the talk came to a halt when from using others,” to the opposite, the comic was sold to someone else for “success comes from mutual concern.” $325,000 (almost the yearly salary for Or, in the words of the British prime Mr. Obama). the minister Gordon Brown to labor ac- Still, the fact that the rumors started tivists in Bristol, “Our task must be is much more than a coincidence. Su- nothing less than to rebuild a financial perman is a clear symbol of the Ameri- system where it has failed and then to can Dream; he is the ultimate cowboy, lAst create an economy where banks are no the redeeming angel of a new era. De- longer serving themselves but serving spite the decades that have passed since the public.” he was last seen flying above Metropo- suPerMAn Our new, interconnected, interre- lis, and the steady stream of heroes that lated world demands new superheroes, have flooded the world ever since, there who will understand that the true ene- is no doubt that the blue knight in the my is found within. A true hero will be red cape is still number one. someone who knows how to conquer It’s no wonder that people are as- his own evil inclination, his own greed and self-centered way of thinking. The sociating Obama with Superman, as if The world is desperately looking for heroes, people leaders of tomorrow will be people or asking the two to join forces and defeat who will lead us out of the crises that are pummeling nations who know they have to encour- the escalating crisis. Obama’s sweeping us. Can President obama rise to the occasion and age mutual support and strengthen the inaugural speech before Congress was a defeat the villains of greed and egoism? connections between people, and who perfect testimony to this. It was a classic are able to see others as heroes, too. Superman speech. can SuperMan to understand that none of the old The new superheroes will commu- Superman, as we all know, always Still prevail? methods will help him solve this crisis nicate the laws of integration and uni- “emerges stronger than before” after because reality has changed. It’s not fication, necessary for our existence, to a crisis. He always comes out on top The only problem is that Obama is try- just that the rules of the game have the next generations. They will teach and gains the upper hand even when ing to be Superman in a post-Superman changed; we are playing a completely people to see themselves and others as all seems lost. He saves the world from era, an era where there is no place for new game. organs in one body, existing inside one complete catastrophe at the very last mythological superheroes, shrouded in nature, as one universal Superman. Until recently, we have lived in an moment, and gets a big round of ap- an aura of heroic loneliness. Obama, And just like in a body, mutual care for individualistic world, where the planet plause in the process. like the rest of the world leaders, has the benefit of the whole generates har- was ruled by omnipotent financial op- mony and life, whereas caring for the portunists and brilliant, cunning ego- self alone results in cancer. The new giants. Now, however, the situation Superman will help us all understand has changed completely. It’s as if an that this also applies to our single, uni- invisible giant fisherman has caught fied body of humanity, and once we un- humanity inside one global net and left derstand this, we will regain life in the it hanging, lost and perplexed. The fat systems that are now gasping for air. sharks on Wall Street have suddenly Could Obama be that Superman? found themselves tossed into the same Only time will tell. He is off to a prom- boat as the smallest of the “small fry” in ising start. He shows a great desire to Istanbul, all gasping for air in unison. change the world for the better, and has a personality that embodies a unique In this new era, the collapse of the mixture of countries and people. The financial system is clearly showing us only question is whether he will be that an attitude of using others, or even wise enough to set the right example just caring for yourself alone, is a venge- for the other world leaders to follow. ful, double-edged sword. Our ambition, Otherwise, he may find himself carved also known as the ego, has ceased being into the pages of history as the last ego- a loyal friend that helps us get ahead istic Superman.

4 Kabbalah Today | Issue #21 | www.kabtoday.com ,, He is the only one of them all who does not seem to me ridiculous. Perhaps that is because he is thinking of something else besides himself. ,, antoine de Saint-exupery

ments. I didn’t gamble on housing or a way forward any of the other get rich schemes out I am an optimistic person, but it is there. Perhaps I was too willing to ac- clear to me that all of the rules have cept the advice of financial planners changed. I have no confidence in the with all of their asset allocation mod- i thouGht economic stimulus plans, although I els and long-term investment theories. History always repeats itself, the mar- am a supporter of this President. I do i WAs ket runs in cycles, you cannot time the not see how we can buy our way out market, and so, in the end, you buy and of this mess. It is like we are trying to hold investments, trusting the theory pay off the judge in order to avoid go- retired, that what comes down will eventually ing to jail, but the judge is harsh and rise even higher. But I don’t think this does not accept bribes. Something tells will be so this time. The mess we are in me that we must accept our sentence But i AM noW right now feels very different. No one and learn from all this. I don’t claim is talking about rebounding to past to know what our lesson or lessons uneMPloyed highs. All of the talk is about whether might be, but I feel certain that our we can avoid the dire straits of a total lives have to change, as do our desires. system collapse “He who dies with the most toys wins” was a funny bumper sticker, but it is There is probably much blame to funny no more. I think it is time to end go around. For years, while I was still this era of greed, selfishness and over- a part of corporate America, I was in- consumption. It is time to focus on censed at the salaries, bonuses, perks needs and not wants, and it certainly and power being given to our CEO wouldn’t hurt to think about how our and to all CEOs. CEOs in the USA av- actions affect the other guy, and not erage 450 times the pay of the average just about “what is in it for me.” like so many people, my carefully crafted retirement worker, CEOs in the next highest rank- ing country average 22 times the aver- There are so many of us in this pre- plans are in shatters. now it is time to move past age worker’s pay. It’s not too hard to see dicament. It is as if we are stranded the “blame game” and fi nd our own solutions that something was terribly wrong, but on an island and there is no one com- times were booming, money was being to our rescue – certainly not the by Pete LaTona ing made, stock prices were climbing, government! Perhaps therein lie our opportunities. Those of us with first- retired in late 2006 with a conser- nancial markets over the past year. On so who cared? Of course now we find out that most of these profits were just hand experience on how the old rules vative financial plan in place that the one hand, events unfolded in the no longer apply can begin to create would last through the lives of my blink of an eye, and on the other, it was shell games and the people who could, i manipulated their way to huge paydays. the new rules. We can find strength wife and myself and still leave a little a death by a thousand cuts. My retire- by looking to each other. Our unique something for the kids. My financial ment plans were solid and in place, but The foxes raided the hen houses, and they have all gotten away. bond will then expand into a feeling planner and I choose an appropriate now they are gone. Disappeared. Van- of being truly connected, and this con- I need to get back to work. I need asset allocation model and we needed ished. Dead. They will not be revived nection will feel so good and right that to earn money comparable to my for- only 5% returns to be in good shape. and I am left with the shock, disbelief, we’ll begin to desire more of it. As we My wife and I planned on working or despair and anger of trying to figure mer salary, but it won’t be easy. My age and experience work against me, not nurture this connection, we’ll begin to volunteering, because we wanted to not out what to do next. realize what our world could look like because we had to. After many years in for me. The job market is terrible, and we just hit 23 straight months of net if we took care of each other instead of corporate America, this seemed like a SearcHing for taking care of only ourselves. great position to be in as we faced our anSwerS job losses. There is no end in sight, but “golden years.” still, I conduct my daily job searches, Why not put this into action? It has What I want to know is: Who is re- try to stay positive, and pray I do not been talked about often, but never im- I am still in a little bit of shock over sponsible for all this? I played by the lose everything I have worked so hard plemented. What do we have to lose? everything that has happened in the fi- rules. I put my money in secure invest- to acquire.

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www.kabtoday.com | Issue #21 | Kabbalah Today 5 ,, Give us the knowledge of laws of nature, and both future and past will reveal their secrets. ,,

Isaac Newton

Expert Opinion of “Chaos,” there’s actual communica- at the inner mechanism will reveal a tion reflected up and down the orders flaming explosion of snapping teeth of magnitude between the inner and and mainspring, leading to the grand outer patterns. But for us, the conse- finale – the freezing of gears, grind- My Co quences are a lot more serious than ing to a halt. So it is with our business n f pretty pictures. models: systematic doom seals the fate i f A most important example is our of even the most “successful” individu- e complex heartbeat and circulatory als along with the rest of the human s e flow. The complexity actually keeps us mechanism. It’s just a question of “who d alive. Because all the components work by fire and who by ice.” together in perfect harmony, communi- u cating as though in mutual love, coro- Hope for the Future nary interactions operate smoothly on Humanity’s evolution into a global o every scale. Natural fluctuations at any economy through ever-growing and level are corrected by the system as a entwining infrastructures has given it l whole. However, if this “love” breaks a worldwide heartbeat and circulation. down and a part of the system selfishly Murphy’s Law has already started to C pulls itself too far away for too long, go berserk before our very eyes, yet we something ominous begins to happen. continue to proceed mindlessly against The beat pattern grows smoother, at Nature, like lemmings treading toward first glance seemingly a sign of stability; a cliff’s edge. No force can turn the situ- that is, until it smoothes down to a sim- ation around other than every person’s ple sine wave, and finally - the straight individual, free choice to see others as line of cardiac arrest. the greater part of himself, rather than The fractal’s universality makes the isolated prey to feed upon. Do we not above a fundamental law of nature, yet realize that the pattern in each of ruling all systems: mineral, vegetable, our personal fractals is actually made of Nature is filled with examples of endlessly repeating animal, and human. But only at the all of us? patterns, where the whole is built on the balanced human level is there the freedom to The clouds in my coffee dissipate follow a dysfunctional policy of “every on a hopeful note – a song the Young interaction of the parts. For generations, man has man for himself.” Sweet as it may first bloods provided five years before Carly only looked at his “parts” – individuals. Now, maybe appear to gifted predators, beneath Simon, “Come on people now, smile on it is time to consider the whole – humanity the surface the system begins an ac- your brother. Everybody get together; celerating decay, until the nightmare try to love one another right now.” And by Elliot Pines, Ph.D finally comes out of the woodwork as when we look into the eyes of Infinity, Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go maybe we’ll be met by an infinite frac- feel another downhill day coming, its larger counterpart. Isn’t there some- wrong will go wrong.” tal smile. Wouldn’t that be something! and I dread going into work. Will I thing to be learned at this time from It’s a bit like an enormous pocket Despite the odds, my cup of java has I get a sudden escort out this morn- this property that is so pervasive in watch over wound to the point of no re- once again kept its promise to encour- ing like poor Erika? Our manager, Phil, Nature? Perhaps the world’s problems turn. Though it may still be beautiful, age. What message will your favorite wouldn’t want us to steal or damage and solutions are hidden within these gold and shiny on the surface, a look brew be giving you? anything, especially staff morale – as if unique, yet universal, patterns. And there were any left! I’ve known Phil for perhaps we could unlock this universal 30 years; what’s happened to him? To secret if only we had a master key, the the whole world?. “fractal”! At least we still have some creature comforts, most notably – a gourmet cup Patterns of Life of java to give me some courage. Watch- This term, referring to all these per- ing that drop of cream in the coffee, vasive self-similarities, was coined by the pattern of swirls within swirls, I Benoit Mandelbrot, due to the com- can’t help thinking back to that 1972 mon element in the recurring pat- Carly Simon song, “I had some dreams; terns – their fractional dimension. they were clouds in my coffee, clouds in The math behind a fractal is a simple my coffee…” repeating formula, yet it can produce Clouds in coffee… swirls within awesomely beautiful visuals. Looking swirls… patterns, unfolding within into them, one senses a deep, almost themselves, over and over, like varia- frightening, power – a two-way ebb and tions on a theme. Isn’t this the way all flow, as though looking into the eyes of of Nature is? Fern leaves, coastlines, Infinity itself. clouds – each is composed of a geomet- There really is a dynamic transcend- ric shape that’s repeated at a smaller and ing the still image. As pointed out by smaller scale, each shape nested within Robert Shaw, a pioneer in the science

6 Kabbalah Today | Issue #21 | www.kabtoday.com ,, Love consists in desiring to give what is our own to another and feeling his delight as our own. ,,

emanuel Swedenborg

lETTErS FroM ThE rEadErS procedures they perform, and whether the hospitals are filled with sick patients. The system is built so doctors profit by keeping the patients sick for as long as possible! How- ever, shouldn’t their first and foremost hoW concern be for the pa- CAn We stoP tients to be healthy? Yet, can we really go back to the MediCine “good Samaritan” system of ancient times? No, we can’t, froM BeinG A because back then, people’s egos were much smaller than today. In addition, Business? the problem is global, not local. Under these circumstances, the only way to create a healthy medical system is by a letter sent to us by physician dr. angelov of boston, Massachusetts USa: creating a global solution that will ad- dress the egos of today’s people. wHat iS wrong witH ships between doctors and patients. house, containing a coin for the healer, If society as a whole will pay for Modern medicine is run by the profit signifying that everyone in that house health, rather than illness, doctors Modern Medical principle: It’s not about how effective was healthy. If the vase was empty, this will have incentive to prevent ailments inSurance? it is at helping the sick, but about how meant that someone in the house was much profit it brings to everyone in- from occurring in the first place. Then 35% of the stimulus package intended sick. The healer would enter and treat volved. the sick person to the best of his abil- people’s health will improve and health to jumpstart the US economy is going care expenses will decrease. to the medical industry, because it is Doctors make money from their ity; and the herbs, needles and other one of the hardest-hit by the financial patients’ illnesses and medical proce- medical supplies were paid for by the Money should be removed from crisis. Insurance rates have gone up, but dures, and thus have little motivation coin that hadn’t been put inside the the doctor-patient relationship. A doc- to cure them, and patients, in turn, people’s incomes certainly haven’t, so vase. In his free time, the healer would tor should receive administrative, not look for opportunities to sue the doc- also go to people’s houses to make sure many can no longer afford doctor vis- monetary, punishment for mistakes tors for malpractice. There is no trust its or medication. It’s even worse with their diets and lifestyles were healthy. between them since the entire modern he makes, and a patient should not be the unemployed, who have lost health Back then, health insurance was able to demand monetary compensa- medical insurance revolves around completely opposite to what it is today. insurance entirely. money, rather than care for the patients tion through the courts. Instead, the People paid to help keep others healthy, The government is trying to salvage and their health. and the person who was ill did not have only kind of compensation he should the situation, but unfortunately, it’s us- receive is treatment. ing the same measures that caused the tHe Medical induStry to pay. In Latin, “doctor” means “teacher.” medical industry to go into crisis in the waS not alwayS could tHiS ever first place: allocating funds to people’s So, a doctor is someone who should egos. But our egos are what caused the tHiS way work today? teach people how to live without get- crisis! How so? In ancient China, 4000 years ago, Clearly, we have to stop medicine from ting sick! How different is this defini- People’s egos, their desire to make every morning a healer would pass being a business. Today, doctors’ sala- tion from our present, egoistic medical more and more money, have become by every house in the village. A vase ries depend on the number of sick pa- system!? more important than healthy relation- was placed by the entrance to every tients they have, the number of medical

www.kabtoday.com | Issue #21 | Kabbalah Today 7 WoMEn’S CornEr

Kirshner in Argentina, Pratibha Patil the world now needs through all these in India, Gloria Macapagal in the Phil- channels. And at the very least, every ippines, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Libe- woman can influence her boyfriend, ria, Yulia Tymoshenko in the Ukraine, husband, friends and neighbors. and many more. But this is not enough. Some of us may feel held back be- We cannot leave the work to the lead- cause we are as confused by the present WoMen, ing women, because a true change has global fiasco as the next person. But ask to begin from the bottom up (as proven yourself this: Who else can begin and by Obama’s presidential campaign). power this spiritual transformation Where if not Me, tHen wHo? if not the women of the world? The global nature of our problems demon- Are you? As 2009 takes us deeper into the global strates that we are becoming one global financial crisis, each and every one of family, and just like in a regular fam- us should ask herself: what am I doing ily, women have the greatest power to about the world’s situation? What con- change things for the better. tribution am I making to amend the financial crisis or the escalating violence? a world in HarMony Why don’t I make myself heard and It is time to bring our innate abilities help lead the world to safer ground? out into the greater world – to use your Throughout history, women have been the force So, what exactly should we do? The strength, wisdom and understanding maintaining harmony in the home and family. now way to a better world starts at the level to help the whole world be properly ar- it is time to use our wisdom to bring that same of recognition, a recognition that the ranged in the new, globalized reality. current situation requires us to adopt Think of it this way: how many men balance to our world, the global village relationships of compassion and con- are capable of maintaining a successful by Keren Applebaum sideration for all people in our small career while smoothly running a house- global village. Thus, we must first make hold, taking care of their children, and he world is be faced with many sionate, and to take necessary action the change within, in our hearts. naturally setting the tone for the proper unprecedented challenges, in- when the times call for it. Once we do this, we can begin to ed- functioning of the whole family? cluding financial instability t Women’s voices are being heard to- ucate the people around us about these The answer is clear. What our “glob- worldwide, a record food shortage, and day more than ever before, with a renew attitudes. Women today have great al home” lacks is a woman’s touch, a an escalating trend of violence in many cord number of women in office and influence over the media – we are edi- woman’s influence from within. Only countries. Under these circumstances, leadership positions. We have Hillary tors, writers, TV show hosts, teachers, then will our global family regain safe- the world’s greatest hope at this time is Clinton in the USA, Angela Merkel in its women: their inherent ability to nur- Germany, Tarja Halonen in Finland, and radio talk show hosts, and we can ty and stability. ture and heal, to be wise and compas- Vaira Vike-Freiberg in Latvia, Cristina promote the compassionate approach

About Bnei Baruch Bnei Baruch’s approach to understand- British Mandate authorities after having ing our experience of life on earth is both Bnei Baruch is a non-profit organization received malicious (and false) information Editorial Staff Help Share Kabbalah practical and reliable. By studying Ashlag’s that the journal propagated communism. committed to sharing the wisdom of Kab- Donations to help share method, based on authentic writings, we Nevertheless, the goals for which The Executive Editor: Asaf Ohayon balah in order to raise humankind’s level Kabbalah Today and other can overcome the trials of everyday life, Nation was published are even more valid Editorial Board: Chaim Ratz, of spirituality. Its founder and president, worldwide distribution projects and initiate a process by which we will today than ever. Kabbalist Rav Michael Laitman, PhD, was Tony Kosinec, Keren Applebaum, of the Bnei Baruch Association move beyond our present boundaries and Kabbalah Today continues the spirit the disciple and personal assistant to Riggan Shilstone, Michael R. are gratefully accepted and limitations. of The Nation. It is a Kabbalah paper that Rabbi Baruch Ashlag, son of Rabbi Yehuda are tax-deductible in the United In addition to Kabbalah Today, Bnei Ba- shares the ancient wisdom of Kabbalah in Kellogg, Mark Zimmerman Ashlag (author of the Sulam (Ladder) com- States and Canada. ruch offers a variety of avenues for further a contemporary style, and aims to reach Copy Editor: Claire Gerus mentary on The Book of Zohar). Through Kabbalah we can study. Among them are: people from all walks of life. Its sections Bnei Baruch provides individuals of Graphic Design & Layout: Galina reveal nature’s complete Kabbalah TV (www.kab.tv), the provide readers with a wide variety of all faiths, religions, and cultures with the picture, achieve world peace, Online Kabbalah Learning Center content, presented in different styles and Kaplunovich, Olga Ohayon, Eugene precise tools they will need to embark eternal life and unbounded (www.KabbalahLearningCenter.info), approaches, while guaranteeing that the Nemirovski, Baruch Khovov on a fascinating journey of self-discovery fulfillment, all while living and www.kabbalah.info, the largest, most material is true to authentic Kabbalah texts and spiritual ascent. Its teaching method Distribution: Ilya Ioffe comprehensive Kabbalah site on the in this world. such as The Book of Zohar, The Tree of Life, All efforts of the Bnei Baruch focuses primarily on the inner processes Internet. Printing: Eugene Levit and the writings of Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag. Association are aimed solely at that people experience, each at his or her Bnei Baruch welcomes people of No prior knowledge is required to read achieving these goals. own pace. all ages and lifestyles to engage in this Kabbalah Today. Published by In recent years, a massive worldwide rewarding process. It is our hope that you will enjoy reading Bnei Baruch Association search for the answers to life’s questions Kabbalah Today as much as we enjoy Bnei Baruch Association USA has been gaining momentum. Society About Kabbalah Today PO Box 1552 making it. 85th Street, Suite 51, has lost its ability to perceive reality as it In 1940, Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag Ramat Gan 52115, Israel Brooklyn, NY 11214 is, and in its place, superficial and often (Baal HaSulam) published the first and, E-mail: [email protected] Sincerely, misleading concepts have appeared. Bnei as it turned out, the last issue of his Web: www.kabbalah.info Kabbalah Today editorial staff Baruch reaches out to all those who are Kabbalah paper HaUma (The Nation). Its Bnei Baruch Association Canada Telephone: +972-3-9226723 3701 Chesswood Drive, Suite seeking awareness beyond the ordinary, aim was to introduce the ancient wisdom If you wish to share your comments Fax: +972-3-9226741 216, Toronto, Ontario M3J 2P6 who wish to understand their true purpose of Kabbalah in a contemporary style and and feedback with us, please write to: for being here. language. The paper was shut down by the [email protected]

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