Obtaining the Greatness of the Creator through the Environment
The friends should primarily speak together about the greatness of the Creator.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“What to Look For in the Assembly of Friends”
There is one point we should work on— appreciation of spirituality.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“The Agenda of the Assembly”
Our sages said, “Make for yourself a rav and buy for yourself a friend.” This means that one can make a new environment for oneself. This environment will help him obtain the greatness of his rav through love of friends who appreciate the rav. Through the friends’ discussing the greatness of the rav, each of them receives the sensation of his greatness. Thus, bestowal upon one’s rav will become reception and sufficient motivation to an extent that will bring one to engage in Torah and Mitzvot Lishma.
They said about that, “The Torah is acquired by forty-eight virtues, by serving sages and by meticulousness of friends.” This is so because besides serving the rav, one needs the meticulousness of friends, as well, the friends’ influence, so they will affect him the obtainment of his rav’s greatness. This is so because obtaining the greatness depends entirely on the environment, and an individual cannot do a thing about it whatsoever.
Baal HaSulam, “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar”
The whole basis upon which we can receive delight and pleasure, and which is permitted for us to enjoy—and is even mandatory—is to enjoy an act of bestowal. Thus, there is one point we should work on— appreciation of spirituality. This is expressed in paying attention to whom I turn, with whom I speak, whose commandments I am keeping, and whose laws I am learning, meaning in seeking advice concerning how to appreciate the Giver of the Torah.
And before one obtains some illumination from above by himself, he should seek out like-minded people, who are also seeking to enhance the importance of any contact with the Creator, in whatever way. And when many people support it, everyone can receive assistance from his friend.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“The Agenda of the Assembly”
To the extent that the society regards the greatness of the Creator with their thoughts during the assembly, each according to his degree originates the importance of the Creator in him. At that time, each person’s body feels that he regards anything that he wishes to do for holiness—meaning to bestow upon the Creator—as a great fortune, that he has been privileged with being among people who have been rewarded with serving the king. Thus, he can walk all day in the world of gladness and joy.
The Rabash, Rabash—the Social Writings,
“The Agenda of the Assembly”
And while one sees how one’s environment slights His work and does not properly appreciate His greatness, one cannot overcome the environment. Thus, one cannot obtain His greatness, and slights during one’s work, as do they.
And since one does not have the basis for obtaining His greatness, he will obviously not be able to work to bestow contentment upon his Maker and not for himself. This is so because one would have no motivation to exert, and "if you did not labor and found, do not believe." And one’s only choice is to either work for oneself or to not work at all, since for him, bestowing contentment upon one’s Maker will not be tantamount to reception.
Now you can understand the verse, "In the multitude of people is the king’s glory," since the measure of the greatness comes from the environment under two conditions:
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The extent of the appreciation of the environment.
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The size of the environment. Thus, "In the multitude of people is the king’s glory."
Baal HaSulam, “A Speech for the Completion of The Zohar”