It is a fundamental principle of Kabbalistic thought that the root of all troubles is a lack of unifying balance between values. This is the distinction between תהו (Tohu - confusion) and תיקון (Tikkun - rectification). In Tohu each light (value) is separate from the others. Consequently, there are impurities and blemishes that result from the tendency of each value to go to the extreme as long as it is not connected to the others. By contrast, the world of Tikkun is one of balance between all values. The values are connected in such a manner that they all complement each other. The world is properly built on the complementary balance of disparate values. It does not exist on extremist values, or by lacking any of life's values, but by a unity replete with holiness and blessing.
The same is true within the Jewish camp. The souls of all Jews form one spiritual corpus. The mere fact that we are in disunity creates a state of deficiency in each group. Clearly, it is impossible for there to be perfection in one group alone. Perfection is present only when the entire nation is united. Were it possible for one group to have perfection alone, then it would possess all the values and that's simply not possible. Each Jew is a light that does not shine elsewhere, and surely the same is true for each group.
A paradigm of isolation, born of a fear of being affected by the deficiencies of ones neighbors, when taken to an extreme causes more harm than good. There can be no greater damage than division within the Jewish Nation. The internal harm that will result to any group because of its isolationist principles is more dangerous than any damaging and corrupting influence that can come from a neighboring group.
Furthermore, if one has a healthy approach, firmly based on positive ideas, and wants to share it with other groups then the focus of the relationship will not be on the weaknesses of each group and will not lead to negative influences. Rather there will be a positive exchange, a mutual sharing of the strong points of each. As long as the focus of the interest is on inner growth, light will shine out into the world.
The same is true within the Jewish camp. The souls of all Jews form one spiritual corpus. The mere fact that we are in disunity creates a state of deficiency in each group. Clearly, it is impossible for there to be perfection in one group alone. Perfection is present only when the entire nation is united. Were it possible for one group to have perfection alone, then it would possess all the values and that's simply not possible. Each Jew is a light that does not shine elsewhere, and surely the same is true for each group.
A paradigm of isolation, born of a fear of being affected by the deficiencies of ones neighbors, when taken to an extreme causes more harm than good. There can be no greater damage than division within the Jewish Nation. The internal harm that will result to any group because of its isolationist principles is more dangerous than any damaging and corrupting influence that can come from a neighboring group.
Furthermore, if one has a healthy approach, firmly based on positive ideas, and wants to share it with other groups then the focus of the relationship will not be on the weaknesses of each group and will not lead to negative influences. Rather there will be a positive exchange, a mutual sharing of the strong points of each. As long as the focus of the interest is on inner growth, light will shine out into the world.
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