Mirach

- the home of the practical kabbalist

The Ten Steps

Step 05 - Separation

Separation does NOT mean one has to cut oneself off from the rest of humanity. This step relates to separating oneself from those situations which may lead one to stray from the path. An obvious example would be avoiding alcohol. Drinking lowers inhibitions and may lead to a person doing or saying something that is not in accordance with their moral code. Many Jewish writers consider idle gossip to be a negative act as it often leads to slander, which is regarded as theft (i.e. theft of a person's reputation). To avoid this it is recommended by these writers that one separates oneself from those situations likely to lead to idle gossip.

Separation also leads to a person taking just what they need from this world. It is a balanced state between overindulgence and excessive abstinence.