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In the language of Kabbalah, the Land of Israel refers to a desire to aim oneself straight to the upper force of love, bestowal, and connection (“Israel” from “Yashar-El” [“straight to God”]). Therefore, to inhabit the Land of Israel, we need to transform our desires from a mode of wishing to receive for ourselves to a mode of bestowing upon others. Only then can we enjoy the fruits of the land.
Before the land was called “Israel,” it was called “Canaan” from the Hebrew word “Hachna’ah” (submission, surrender). Before we can operate in an outward-directed mode of love and bestowal upon others, we need to surrender our ego. In other words, a person entering the Land of Israel must first pass through Canaan, i.e., to initially accept that the path begins with annulling one’s self-centeredness.
The events described in the Torah—Babylon, Egypt, the desert, the conquest of the land—are not historical depictions but stages in the evolution of desire. This map exists inside every person. First chaos, then exile, then awakening, then struggle, then redemption. These are not stories but spiritual states. Moreover, they repeat again and again until we reach total similarity with the upper force of love, bestowal, and connection, which Kabbalah also calls “the Creator” and “Nature,” among several other names.
The spiritual meaning of the twelve tribes is the complete structure of the soul, i.e., of the desire that enters into similarity with the upper force. In general, we learn about that structure in the wisdom of Kabbalah as the spiritual structures of the four phases of desire multiplied by the three lines, which equals twelve. This pattern is embedded in both the soul and the land. Each tribe corresponds to a specific spiritual quality and a specific portion of the land. When those qualities are corrected to align with the Creator’s intention, i.e., with the intention of love and bestowal, the land responds in harmony.
In the end, everything exists within us. The external world is a reflection of our inner state. When we see war in the Land of Israel, it is a sign that we need to correct something inside us. Moreover, other than our inner correction, i.e., the attitude shift from prioritizing self-benefit to the benefit of others and nature, there is no other way to influence reality. The correction must begin at the level of desire and intention.
If each of us directs our desire toward love, bestowal, and positive connection, starting even with the still level, what we call ecology, and extending to other people and ultimately to the Creator, then we impact positive change throughout the entire system of nature. Nature then responds positively to the way in which we aim our desires at love and bestowal. We begin to feel the Creator within it, and begin to truly live in the spiritual Land of Israel.
Kabbalist Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam) wrote that if we do not correct ourselves, even after returning to the land, then we will lose it again. This is not a threat but a spiritual law. The land responds not to declarations or flags, but to our intentions. If we become a people that unites above its differences and divisive drives, and develops the quality of love, bestowal, and positive connection, then we will remain here and thrive. If not, the land will once again reject us.
Based on the video “The Land of Israel – Spiritual States” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.
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