183- Work Is the Most Important

Man’s work should be primarily in order to “raise the Shechina [Divinity] from the dust.”

This means the matter of the kingdom of heaven, meaning to accept the burden of Malchut, which is faith in the Creator, is for the sake of the Creator and not for one’s own sake. Since man was created with a will to receive for himself, he is inherently incapable of serving the Creator.

Hence, man’s work is to do good deeds, meaning Torah and prayer to the Creator that the Creator will help us raise the Shechina from the dust, which is called an “awakening from below,” meaning that the lower ones evoke a lack, which is what we say, “May it please You,” meaning that there will be a desire above to satisfy our lacks.

This is the meaning of “Let them take Me a donation,” which The Zohar interprets, to exalt the Creator, which is Tarum-Hey [“raise the Creator” or Trumah (donation)], meaning Malchut that is lowered to the dust, to raise her from her lowliness. However, this requires that the Creator will raise her, as it is written, “The Merciful one will raise for us the fallen hut of David.”