One of the signs that this year is going to be a very special year, is, as I’ve said, the writings we have just received that were written by Rav Ashlag. Many of us know that over the past few years we have been finding and purchasing the writings of Rav Ashlag. For me, one of the ways I can tell if we are on the path that leads toward transformation is our connection to these writings. It’s important for all of us to have a true consciousness of the soul of this person, Rav Ashlag, who came to this world, and the importance of his teaching.

Every few hundred years this kind of soul comes to this world–Moses, Rabbi Shimon, Rav Ashlag. Each took one step to reveal the truth. It wasn’t until Rav Ashlag came to this world that the true essence of Kabbalah became available to all of us. Prior to Rav Ashlag, if you studied Kabbalah, it was probably on an intellectual level.

The amazing opportunity Rav Ashlag gave us is he revealed Kabbalah as a practical wisdom to transform us. He made it clear there was no other purpose: it is to be used as a tool for transformation.

It is only when we understand the history of the souls that came to this world that we appreciate the work Rav Ashlag did. In the ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, until he passed away, he was surrounded by a relatively small group of students. He was writing and teaching. His teachings were for the world, but those with access were a very small group. It teaches us appreciation. Often we think about quantity, but don’t think about the quality in reaching the quantity.

During the Six Day War, the Rav went to northern Galilee with his teacher Rav Brandwein. Because of the war, no lights were allowed to be on in the car or in the streets. Rav Brandwein said it was important to visit these sites, and so they went. And as they finished their tour and their prayers, Rav Brandwein said we have just finished the war. It will end with a smaller amount of casualties and pain.

We talk about certainty, about consciousness. To have that type of consciousness is something that can only occur when one truly has a connection to this wisdom of truth. Truth meaning being truthful to ourselves. Too often spirituality becomes another aspect of our lives. What Rav Ashlag makes clear, it is not another aspect, but how we need to transform completely.

The beginning of this year, when we received his writings, I believed it to be a sign that this year will be unique in the understanding of this wisdom in the world as at no other time before.