What is Punishment?

Q: What is the system of reward and punishment in Kabbalah?

A: There is no punishment in spirituality, only correction, which brings us to the attainment of perfection. In our present level of development, we normally picture the reward as receiving what we want. Therefore, the reward depends on the degree of each person’s soul.

One must reach a state where the reward will be in doing something for the Creator. Then the effort to add to the intent “for the Creator” is considered work that merits a reward. However, the work itself is actually the reward. Its cause – the will to receive – and the effect – the reward – become one. Time and pain vanish, to be replaced with a sensation of total completeness.