Nefesh Helokis

The Nefesh Helokis or the Divine Soul is a general concept in Chassidus and is a term for the spiritual and divine part within a Jew, including soul, spirit, and higher soul. A Jew's soul is called "Adam" and was created similar to the "Supreme Adam," containing ten powers and three garments.

Source

The divine soul is "literally a part of God above." This source comes directly from God Himself, explained in three ways:

1. Created through God's "breath" rather than speech
2. Jews "arose in thought" rather than speech
3. Jews are "children of God," receiving a part of His essence

In the Tanya

[edit] In the Tanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi stated that the nefesh ha'elokit is "literally a part of God above." This is supported by quoting the morning prayer "Elokai neshamah", which says "the soul You gave me is pure. ...You blew it into me," then quoting a phrase of the Zohar that "one who blows, blows from within him." This is taken to mean, "from His innermost."

Unique to Jews

The Tanya also notes that this soul is unique to Jews alone. He cites various verses (Exodus 4:22: "My firstborn son, Israel", Deuteronomy 14:1: "You are children to the LORD your God") showing that Jews are considered God's children, and then links it to a mystical statement that "a child is derived from the brain of his father." It then cites Maimonides (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 2:10) who says, "He is the Knowledge, and He is the Knower," thus proving that the Jewish Divine soul is derived from the Divine Thought, which is the same as God Himself.

Relation to human anatomy

[edit] The Tanya states that the nefesh ha'elokit resides primarily in the brain, from which it spreads throughout the body. It is also manifest, albeit to a lesser extent, in the right ventricle of the heart, from which it may take control of the left ventricle of the heart where the nefesh habehamit is primarily manifest.

Internal Powers

Intellect

• Wisdom (Chochma): Initial flash of insight
• Understanding (Binah): Development of the concept
• Knowledge (Daat): Connection and application

Emotions

Seven emotional attributes:

• Kindness (Chesed)
• Severity (Gevurah)
• Beauty/Mercy (Tiferet)
• Victory (Netzach)
• Splendor (Hod)
• Foundation (Yesod)
• Kingship (Malchut)

Encompassing Powers

• Will (Ratzon)
• Pleasure (Taanug)

Garments

• Thought
• Speech
• Action

Soul Parts

Five levels:

1. Nefesh: Basic divine soul level
2. Ruach: Emotional level
3. Neshamah: Intellectual level
4. Chayah: Encompassing life force
5. Yechidah: Highest unity with God

Location and Entry

The divine soul primarily resides in the brain and right chamber of the heart. It begins entering at circumcision and fully enters at Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Internal

The inner soul parts enter gradually:

• Nefesh (basic soul): Enters at birth
• Ruach (emotional): Enters when Nefesh is perfected
• Neshamah (intellectual): Enters with higher spiritual awakening

Encompassing

• Chayah: Closer encompassing force, called "mazal"
• Yechidah: Highest soul level, connected to God's oneness

The Essence

The soul's essence (etzem haneshamah) is:

• One with Yechidah generally
• The core connection between a Jew and God
• Causes pain over lack of divine revelation in exile

Purpose

The soul descends to:

• Refine and elevate the body and animal soul
• Transform physical desires to holiness
• Achieve higher elevation through this work

Mode of Operation

The divine soul works by:

1. Filling intellect with Torah learning
2. Filling heart with love and fear of God
3. Transforming animal soul through divine love
4. Directing thought, speech and action toward holy purposes

This can happen through:

• Deep contemplation of lofty concepts
• Simple meditation on God's constant creation and sustenance