And according to some, this feeling has deep roots in how we relate to the most mystical parts of our tradition.

Think about it: we often focus on the halakha, the practical laws, the dos and don'ts. Important, absolutely. But what about the soul of it all? The hidden wisdom?

Baal HaSulam, a towering 20th-century Kabbalist, had some pretty strong opinions on this. Specifically, in his "Introduction to Zohar," he makes a powerful claim: the fate of the Jewish people, and indeed the world, is intertwined with how much we engage with the Zohar and the "internal aspect of Torah."

What does he mean by "internal aspect?" He’s talking about Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. The deep, often hidden, meanings within the Torah's stories and laws. The stuff that can seem a little… out there.

According to Baal HaSulam, when we neglect this inner dimension, things get… bad. Really bad.

He goes so far as to say that neglecting the study of the Zohar can lead to the "external aspect of the nations" overcoming their own internal aspect. In other words, the worst elements among the nations – those who cause damage and destroy the world – become stronger and rise above the righteous among the gentiles. This, he says, leads to "all of the destruction and corruption witnessed by our generation." Strong words, right?

It’s a stark warning. When we abandon the internal aspect of Torah, when we diminish its importance, we open the door to darkness.

But there’s hope! Baal HaSulam argues that just as neglecting the Zohar leads to decline, engaging with it leads to redemption. The redemption of Israel, he says, "depends upon the study of the Zohar and the internal aspect of Torah."

Think about that. Our actions, our choices about what to study and what to ignore, have cosmic consequences. By diving into the depths of Jewish wisdom, by wrestling with the mystical teachings, we can actually help to bring about a better world.

It's a challenging thought, isn't it? To consider that our own spiritual work is connected to the larger picture of global redemption. But maybe, just maybe, that's exactly what we need to hear. Maybe the key to turning the world right-side up again lies in rediscovering the hidden light within.