I began this series with the prevalent idea that Tikun Olam and Gemilut Hasadim are fairly synonymous. But, in Kabbalistic circles, they are two very different concepts. In Kabbalah, the word "Olam" (world) is understood as being derived from the word "He'elem" (hiding). The world is the hiding place, or mask if you will, for G-d. In fact, G-d is the ONLY reality! As I wrote in an earlier series, when we see a movie, we are aware of the lives of the characters, to the degree that we may actually cry over their troubles, and rejoice in their happy moments! We are aware of scenery, the time frame and place of the action, and, in short, become involved in every facet of a good movie. There is one thing that we never notice; the screen. When the projector goes off, we see for the first time that that was the only thing that WAS real; everything else was an illusion. There are two approaches in Kabbalah on relating this to the world. One approach is that the world is real, but requires sanctification. How do we do this? By utilizing physical objects in the service of G-d. This would not only mean the leather of the tefillin or the wool of the tallit, but the food we eat, the clothing we wear, the language we speak, are all transformed by utilizing them in the service of G-d. This is true also of interpersonal relationships. A very bold statement in the Zohar says that the relationship between rich and poor, represents the sexual tension between male and female. It is only resolved by tzedakah (charity), and other acts of Gemilut Hasadim! There are sparks of G-d in all things. They come into our lives in order to receive their tikun (rectification). Once accomplished, they are removed from our lives, as they have been rectified. The world as we know it stays basically the same, but the reality is now different. The presence of G-d has been revealed. This is a step by step process, to be carried out by every man and woman, over the ages, culminating in the Messianic era, when, as Isaiah says "the knowledge of G-d will cover the Earth as waters cover the sea". This is happening NOW, every moment. The other approach is that everything we see is essentially an illusion, covering up a reality, which is G-d. This is based on a Talmudic story, in which the son of a great rabbi fainted (near death experience?). When he came to, his father asked him what he saw. "I saw an upside-down world; those who are great here were lowly, the lowly were great!" "My son!" said the rabbi "You saw the true world!". Truth must be searched for, masks removed. Famous world leaders are caricatures, as are most religious leaders. Men and women of true insight are always around, but they must be sought. You will not find them in the Yellow Pages. In all likelihood, you will find them despised and persecuted. But one who knows the secret is having a good laugh at the array of politicians, scholars, and even rabbis, who are wearing a costume, which in no way fits who they really are. Once we know it is a game, then we can search for the hidden reality of G-d, and those who can truly guide us to Him. Even our income is not from our jobs, but a gift from G-d. Rabbi Nachman said "the world is a free soup kitchen. The meal is for free, the work is for atonement". In this context, Tikun is not about sanctifying the world, but rather unmasking the lies, and relating to the true essence, which is G-d. Thus, Man is freed from anxiety and fear. Joy is the lot of he who believes that what we read in the news is illusion, and in fact, G-d is in charge. Our job is to have a good laugh at the world as we see it, and know that the reality is totally different. It is also to know that G-d gave the "haves" the ability to help the "have nots". It is G-d's money anyway, and has been bestowed upon us to make others happy. Paradise is here and now, if we can only grasp that fact. The latter view is a basic factor in the teachings of Rabbi Nachman. He mocked not only the Czar, but also most rabbis and rebbes. If we see the real world, this world becomes rectified. It is simply about removing our hand from before our eyes.
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