Maaser (tithing) [2026-04-19] #lesson

This Kabbalah Media lesson explores the spiritual significance of Maaser (tithing) as a foundational practice for spiritual advancement. The session begins with a reflection on the collective gathering in Istanbul and transitions into a deep discussion on tithing as a mechanism for correcting the will to receive. Rav explains that tithing is not merely a financial act but a spiritual discipline—returning a tenth of one's income or desires to the Creator, symbolizing the recognition that all we receive is from the higher system of nature, including still, vegetative, and animate levels. The lesson emphasizes that tithing enables spiritual elevation by creating a vessel for bestowal, allowing individuals to transcend egoistic desires and align with the Creator’s intention. The discussion expands to include the interplay between faith in the sages, practical commandments like love of others and Maaser, and the necessity of external actions to build internal spiritual qualities. Participants are encouraged to scrutinize their own resistance to tithing, recognizing it as a key test of spiritual growth. The session concludes with a workshop where attendees reflect on their emotional responses to the lesson, reinforcing the idea that tithing is a personal, intimate act between the individual and the Creator, not subject to external judgment or comparison.