Jewish mysticism teaches us that this struggle is real, and it's all about intention.
The great Kabbalist, Baal HaSulam, in his introduction to the Zohar, that foundational text of Kabbalah, gives us a glimpse into this inner battle. He highlights the crucial importance of striving for “lishmah,” or "for its own sake." What does that mean? It means acting with pure intention, motivated by a desire to connect with the Divine, not for personal gain or ego gratification.
But what happens if we don't strive for this pure intention? That's where things get interesting, and maybe a little unsettling. Baal HaSulam warns that if we don't actively work towards lishmah, we risk falling prey to the “impure maidservant.”
Who is this "impure maidservant," you ask? She's a metaphor, of course, for the forces that pull us away from holiness, that muddy our intentions and keep us stuck in a cycle of self-interest. Her whole job, it seems, is to confuse us, to make sure that our actions done “Lo Lishmah,” or "not for its own sake" never transform into actions done lishmah. She's the embodiment of all the distractions, the ego-driven desires, and the selfish motivations that prevent us from truly connecting with something bigger than ourselves.
Think of it like this: you want to volunteer at a homeless shelter (a potentially good deed). But are you doing it to genuinely help people, or to impress your friends, or to feel good about yourself? The "impure maidservant" whispers in your ear, subtly shifting your focus away from true compassion and towards self-serving motives.
As Proverbs 30:23 puts it, “The maidservant who displaces her mistress.” The mistress here, according to Kabbalistic teachings, is the Shekhina, the Divine Presence. The impure maidservant won't allow us to get close to the Shekhina, to that feeling of connection and oneness with the Divine. She stands as a barrier, a constant source of static, preventing us from reaching our full spiritual potential.
So, what's the takeaway? It's not enough to simply want to do good. We have to actively fight against the distractions, the ego, and the impure intentions that hold us back. We have to constantly examine our motivations and strive for that pure, selfless intention – that lishmah – that allows us to truly connect with the Divine.
It's a lifelong journey, a constant process of self-reflection and refinement. But the rewards – a deeper connection to ourselves, to others, and to the Divine – are immeasurable. So, let's be mindful of the "impure maidservant" and dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of actions done "for their own sake."