Baal HaSulam, a towering figure in Kabbalah, suggests this very feeling is a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem. In his introduction to the Zohar, that foundational text of Jewish mysticism, he points a finger at even the most dedicated among us. He says that even those who immerse themselves in Torah, in study and observance, often do it "only for their own betterment."

Ouch.

What does that even mean?

He's not saying studying Torah is bad, of course. It’s about intention. It’s about why we do what we do. Are we seeking personal gain, a pat on the back, a feeling of superiority? Or are we genuinely trying to bring joy to the Creator? Are we trying to connect with something larger than ourselves?

When that pure intention is absent, Baal HaSulam suggests, something vital vanishes from the world.

And here’s where it gets really interesting. He connects this lack of pure intention to the absence of the spirit of MESSIAH. He references the verse "a passing spirit that never returns" (Psalm 78:39). This, he says, refers to the very spirit that is meant to redeem Israel from all its troubles, ushering in an era where, as Isaiah (11:9) beautifully puts it, "Knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth."

Think about that for a moment.

The Zohar is not just some dusty old book, it’s a roadmap for how we can bring more light into the world. And Baal HaSulam is arguing that our actions – specifically, the intentions behind our actions – directly impact the presence of that light. When we act selfishly, even when cloaked in religious garb, we dim the messianic spark. We push away the redemption we so desperately crave.

It’s a sobering thought, isn't it?

This spirit, this messianic potential, "has left and abandoned the world," he writes. "It does not provide light." It's a stark image, a world shrouded in darkness because we've lost sight of the true purpose of our actions.

So, what do we do? How do we rekindle that light? How do we make sure our efforts, our study, our good deeds, are truly directed toward bringing joy to the Creator and hastening the coming of MESSIAH?

Perhaps the answer lies in constantly checking our intentions, in asking ourselves, "Why am I doing this?" in stripping away the ego and focusing on genuine connection.

Maybe, just maybe, that's how we bring the light back.