Cursed and Blessed - Daily Dose of Wisdom

There is a place—the “fiftieth gate,” they call it—so high that all things are equally nothing from there. There is no good, no evil, nothing can be added or taken away, the righteous are dust, the wicked are dust, nothing is of consequence, all is but dust.

Drunk with the joy of Purim, a Jew travels higher and higher until he reaches that place. And there he proclaims that the oppressed have been saved; the wicked overthrown; and light, joy, happiness and peace rule throughout the universe.

“As for this high place,” he declares, “I am not impressed. It too was created for the purpose of our joy below!”

Its secret exposed, the fiftieth gate itself is redeemed.

Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

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March 6, 2012

Re: 50th Gate

The Sefer HaBahir (Book of Luminance) describes fifty portals of understanding. The 50th is unobtainable to a living being, because it stands beyond the creation. We say it is "makif"—meaning all-encompassing.

Since it transcends and encompasses all equally, there is no higher or lower, closer or further in the 50th portal.

Nevertheless, our souls contain something yet beyond even that state, and we must reveal that within the 50th portal.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
Thornhill, On

March 6, 2012

To Anonymous

I presume the most important in this teaching is the exposition of the secret, than the secret itself. It´s not the fiftieth gate that is the ultimate goal, but it´s understanding. To wonder about it, and to realize how amazing, or infinite this gate is, it´s meditation on G-d´s Creation (in all worlds).
But the "jewish step" comes further, bringing those insights into the world of now.
Living those dimensions maybe is even higher.

B. Mialich
Brazil

March 6, 2012

Always reminded that the joy must be rooted here, proclaimed here, generated here. The lower the existence of something, the higher its source. Contradiction, paradox. Glory.

HappyMinyan
Cologne, Germany

March 6, 2012

50th Gate?

This sounds suspiciously like Buddhism's Nirvana, where all desires and all individuality cease. Is this Judaism or Buddhism - or are they finally the same? Tanach's description of the state of the righteous in the resurrection doesn't sound like becoming eternal anonymous dust. More explanation, please

Anonymous
Birch Run, MI USA

November 28, 2010

Why does it say "Cursed" and Blessed?

What does that mean?

Anonymous
charlotte, nc

March 5, 2007

Hashem runs the world appropriately.

That's the point I got to on Purim. Purim night the thought entered and by the end of Purim it solidified. So, I wouldn't change a thing. Nations will make peace at the appropriate time, people will turn to G-d at the appropriate time, people will get married, people will have children, dreams and goals will be forfilled...all at the appropriate time.

Linda Haniford
New York, NY