One can't truly comprehend the deeper portions of the Torah through intellectual study alone. A person needs to raise up the level of his life, by working on his inner will, so that all that he studies doesn't fly away from him, but should integrate within his heart to expand his mind and his worldview on the basis of what he has learned.
Otherwise, he can be an expert in all the intricate discussions of Kabbalistic thought without truly comprehending the depth if its meaning, to what it is referring, and its intent. He is like a child who can repeat conversations about politics without any understanding of what it entails. The result is that he can entirely misconstrue matters.
Imagine a child who doesn't yet understand the intricacies of relationships, the vicissitudes of life and the concerns of his parents regarding his education and personal growth. This is not because these are such complex issues, but because of the gulf between the mind of a child and the content of these concepts. Without any life's experiences in these areas any discussion about them is lacking in understanding.
The revealed portions of the Torah (nigleh) discuss matters of this world - oxen, donkeys, clothing. It focuses on experiences of the physical world which are experienced by the senses. Matters of Kabbalah are the concepts of the Neshama and the Ruach which may be obvious to our souls but not to our minds that are accustomed to a stunted view of a life that is far from these concepts. Only by bringing oneself closer to these concepts until he can understand them as naturally as he understands matters of the physical world. Without this a person is apt to fill himself with concepts that he doesn't understand, and to discuss them without comprehension. He is so distant from these concepts that any discussion of them is severely lacking.
ה"ו קע"ט
Otherwise, he can be an expert in all the intricate discussions of Kabbalistic thought without truly comprehending the depth if its meaning, to what it is referring, and its intent. He is like a child who can repeat conversations about politics without any understanding of what it entails. The result is that he can entirely misconstrue matters.
Imagine a child who doesn't yet understand the intricacies of relationships, the vicissitudes of life and the concerns of his parents regarding his education and personal growth. This is not because these are such complex issues, but because of the gulf between the mind of a child and the content of these concepts. Without any life's experiences in these areas any discussion about them is lacking in understanding.
The revealed portions of the Torah (nigleh) discuss matters of this world - oxen, donkeys, clothing. It focuses on experiences of the physical world which are experienced by the senses. Matters of Kabbalah are the concepts of the Neshama and the Ruach which may be obvious to our souls but not to our minds that are accustomed to a stunted view of a life that is far from these concepts. Only by bringing oneself closer to these concepts until he can understand them as naturally as he understands matters of the physical world. Without this a person is apt to fill himself with concepts that he doesn't understand, and to discuss them without comprehension. He is so distant from these concepts that any discussion of them is severely lacking.
ה"ו קע"ט
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