Getting Close to the Creator by Getting Close to Each Other
The Purpose of Human Life
The fundamental purpose of human life is to draw closer to the single creating and governing force of reality — the Creator. This force is entirely benevolent, shaping and sustaining all of existence. However, achieving closeness to the Creator requires us to transcend our inherently selfish and individualistic nature.
In our natural state, we are driven by self-interest, making true connection with the Creator impossible. Since the Creator embodies pure love and bestowal, we must cultivate these same qualities within ourselves. But this transformation cannot happen in isolation. We can only develop selfless and unconditional love by practicing it toward others who share the same aspiration.
The Role of Mutual Guarantee
A unique framework is necessary for this transformation: mutual guarantee. This is a committed, collective effort in which individuals devote themselves to selfless service and love toward one another. Within such an environment, people work together to rise above their egoistic tendencies, creating a foundation for true connection with the Creator.
The Creator, as the sole governing force of reality, cannot be perceived directly. Instead, we come to understand and sense the Creator by clothing ourselves in His “godly qualities.” Through this transformation, we begin to experience reality in a new way — one that aligns with the benevolent, life-sustaining force governing existence.
The Method of the Torah
Achieving this transformation requires a precise method, one that has been passed down through the generations: the method of the Torah. The Torah is not merely a set of commandments; it is a structured, practical system for acquiring the Creator’s attributes. It guides us in clothing ourselves in His qualities, despite our natural opposition to them.
As we engage in this method, we experience an internal struggle — a contrast between our innate egoism and the altruistic qualities we seek to attain. This contrast deepens our understanding of the Creator’s nature, for He concealed Himself within the Torah’s wisdom. By committing to the Torah’s most fundamental principle — “Love your neighbor as yourself” — we become capable of loving and serving the Creator Himself.
The Challenge of Transformation
This process is extraordinarily difficult because it requires us to go against our inherent nature. No one can achieve it alone. It demands a collective effort, drawing upon unique developmental forces embedded in reality. These forces enable true change, but they respond only to an absolute and sincere desire for transformation.
Even drawing these forces requires a highly structured and committed environment. Those seeking this change must form a dedicated group, akin to an elite unit, where each member fully commits to the shared goal of self-transformation. This environment acts as a crucible, allowing individuals to first recognize their destructive, egoistic nature and then develop an irrepressible longing for a new, “godly” nature.
The Iron-Clad Commitment to Mutual Responsibility
Within this group, each individual must commit to a total effort — 100% devotion to self-annulment for the sake of the collective. The model is that of a living organism, where each cell functions solely for the well-being of the whole, without concern for itself. In such a state, individuals feel their complete interdependence and develop a profound sense of responsibility.
This responsibility manifests as a unique fear — not a fear of personal loss, but a fear of failing to uphold the mutual guarantee. It is a fear akin to that of healthy cells in a body, which dread becoming cancerous and harming the entire organism. This altruistic fear is what draws the special developmental forces that prevent individuals from succumbing to their egoism and instead empower them to serve others selflessly.
As these individuals transform into healthy, giving cells within a unified body, they create the conditions for the Creator’s presence to be revealed among them. The flow of life that originates from the single source begins to manifest, making the Creator’s reality tangible within their connection.
The Ultimate Revelation
This profound state of mutual guarantee and altruistic existence is not achieved through mere intellectual effort or external rituals. It requires a total inner transformation, fueled by an overwhelming desire to resemble the Creator. The method ensures that when the participants devote themselves fully to this goal, they will reach a crucial breaking point — a moment of absolute desperation where they realize that without this transformation, life itself is unbearable.
It is at this breaking point — when their longing for unity and resemblance to the Creator becomes all-consuming — that the necessary assistance arrives. The unique developing forces, which have been awaiting their complete readiness, respond to their sincere “prayer” and bring about the true transformation.
In this way, through complete devotion to mutual guarantee, individuals become capable of revealing and justifying the Creator’s singular, benevolent force. Their connection to one another becomes the gateway to connection with the Creator Himself, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of human existence.