Nefesh Helokis

From Chabadpedia
Revision as of 10:11, 23 January 2025 by Raphaelwilmowsky (talk | contribs) (Created page with "The divine soul is a general 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: # Created through God's "breath" rather than speech # Jews "arose in thought" rather than speech #...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The divine soul is a general 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

Components

The soul has internal powers, encompassing powers, and garments. It's generally divided into five parts.

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.

Purpose

The soul descends to purify the body and animal soul, elevating them to holiness. This process also elevates the divine soul itself.

The divine soul operates by filling the intellect with Torah and the heart with love and fear of God, which then transforms the animal soul to also love God.

Parts of the Soul

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

Location and Entry

  • Main location: Brain and right heart chamber without blood
  • Process: Hovers at birth, begins entering at circumcision, fully enters at Bar/Bat Mitzvah

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
Retrieved from "https://chabadpedia.com/index.php?title=Nefesh_Helokis&oldid=711"