Rabash. What Is the Blessing, “Who Made a Miracle for Me in This Place,” in the Work?. 15 (1991) [2026-05-03] #lesson

This Kabbalah lesson, based on Rabash's 1991 article 'What Is the Blessing? Who Made a Miracle for Me in This Place in the Work?', explores the spiritual significance of gratitude and the necessity of remembering past suffering to fully appreciate spiritual ascent. The core teaching is that true progress in spiritual work requires not just experiencing moments of closeness to the Creator (ascent), but actively recalling the depths of spiritual exile and struggle (descent). The lesson draws a powerful analogy from the Exodus from Egypt: redemption is only meaningful when one remembers the pain of slavery, as suffering creates the 'vessels' (kelim) needed to receive joy and light. Without this contrast, spiritual states become hollow and unproductive. The speaker emphasizes that suffering is not a path to growth—rather, it indicates a failure to use the tools of study, group support, and intellectual clarity correctly. True advancement comes from 'surfing the wave' of spiritual states, rising above discomfort through connection to the group and the Creator, not enduring pain. The lesson concludes with practical advice: to maintain spiritual momentum, one must constantly compare past suffering to present joy, cultivate gratitude, and avoid getting stuck in negative states by seeking help from others and engaging in uplifting, non-distracting activities. Key takeaways include: 1) Gratitude for spiritual 'miracles' is only meaningful when one remembers the descent; 2) Suffering does not advance the soul—misunderstanding it as such is a spiritual trap; 3) The group and study are essential tools to avoid unnecessary suffering; 4) Spiritual growth is a process of building new vessels through contrast, not endurance; 5) One must actively 'remember Egypt' during ascent to maintain spiritual depth; 6) The path is not one of pain but of joy, guided by the Creator’s help; 7) Practical tools like jokes, sports, or group work can cleanse the mind and prevent stagnation; 8) The ultimate goal is to live in a state of constant ascent, supported by the collective and the Creator.