Kabbalah teaching on Bread of Shame:
A deeper analysis of human nature, however, reveals that requiring work, toil and effort from man was an act of ultimate and perfect goodness by G?d. When a person invests effort, he earns his reward. Even when he has not exerted great effort, but has merely pleased another person, the other might be moved to give him a gift. But in a case when even this factor of pleasing another is absent, and he receives a totally gratuitous handout, purely as a donation — this is “bread of shame” that does not satisfy, but distresses.
Make no mistake — nothing is free in this world. Nothing. We either pay now or we pay later with some form of chaos in our life. Nothing is free. Bread of Shame is a fundamental Kabbalistic concept and it is a fact and law of this universe. Bread of Shame means we receive nothing in this physical dimensions known as planet earth without earning it. Why? Because we, the souls of humanity, told the Creator we want to earn and become the very cause and creators of the fulfillment we receive. You see, there is something far more profound and infinitely greater than having endless paradise. What is that? It’s creating and becoming the cause of the paradise that we are experiencing — instead of having it handed to us for free.
… the Light loves us and gives to us unconditionally and it does create Bread of Shame, but that will never stop. The focus of the Light is not on itself, but to share. It is our responsibility to engage in restriction, sharing, and being loving so we can earn what is given to us continuously. Therefore, part of this process is to be “a Light-like being.”
The act of loving unconditionally is more important for us than the recipient. In acting like the Light we earn the connection with it. Many times, when you give or love unconditionally, it shines so brightly that it gives the other person the inspiration to become part of that as well. Generally, with spiritual work we should always focus on our own work and less on the work of another person.
