In our second lesson of the Ramchal’s classic work – Derech Hashem, we explore another part of the soul – the Godly soul. While an animal has only one soul. A person is granted two. An animal soul and a Godly soul. The purpose of this additional soul is to elevate a man to a higher level so that he will be able to get to know his Creator and to live life in the capacity of an angelic spiritual being, even though he lives his life in a material world.
Welcome to a new series of Shiurim! We’ll be learning Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto’s famous Derech Hashem – Way of G-d. We’re going to take a leap into the third section – because it’s simply so exciting!
In our first Shiur, we’ll be learning about the basics of souls. The Ramchal had an amazing way of organising things. As anyone can see, he takes us from the most basic levels to the most advanced.
When it comes to souls, the most basic is the animal soul. Our first Shiur shares with us the lesson about a soul that is common to both animals and humans. Thereafter, the Ramchal will open our eyes further in future Shiurim as he will share with us the secrets behind the G-dly soul and just what it is capable of!
In our third lesson, we continue to discuss the categories of souls of the Tzaddik, the Rasha and the Beinoni. We discuss more outside the text on the theme of the nature of souls. What does it take to be a Tzaddik? What do we mean when we say someone is a Rasha (and evil person)? And what do we make of the Beinoni – the middle average man?
In our second lesson, we get involved in understanding more about the nature of souls. What does it take to be a Tzaddik? What do we mean when we say someone is a Rasha (and evil person)? And what do we make of the Beinoni – the middle average man?
Are we Tzaddikim just because we do good? And if not, does that make us Reshaim (evil)? What is the discussion about the Beinoni being someone who studies Torah all day long? This doesn’t seem to be most of us – and if so, does that make us all Reshaim? Is that a bad thing? Are we stuck with this status for life? Can we do anything to get us out of the rut?
After our introduction to the Shaarei Kedushah in the first lesson, we jumped to Chapter 3 in Rabbi Chaim Vital’s masterful work on the path to Ruach HaKodesh – Divine Inspiration.
The Torah teaches us to look after our brother. We find out the importance behind this commandment and how fast we must react to help another! Our initial teaching comes from a verse in Parshat Behar.
We continue on with a powerful teaching from the Midrash that this world is like a water-wheel with buckets on either side. As the one bucket fills with water, the other is being emptied and when the empty bucket is again lowered and fills up with water from the well underneath, it is the other bucket that then becomes empty.
Weath and poverty are in the hands of G-d. We would do well to internalise this message and assist others in need when we can help, because the world is a wheel that goes around. Sometimes those on top can be on the bottom, and sometimes – then – those on the bottom end up on the top.
We must help each other whenever we can. That is our obligation and our duty. This fascinating lesson and textual teaching from the original sources shows us just how serious the Torah takes the commandment of charity – Tzedakah.
(Apologies for the strange black flash at the beginning of the video.)
In Lesson 3 of this remarkable work of Rabbi Chaim Vital – the Shaarei Kedushah – we take a leap (perhaps a hint to the process of moving from the physical world to the spiritual – that sometimes we need to make a quantum jump!) and branch off from Chapter 1 to Chapter 3. We’ll be returning shortly to Chapter 1 – but the purpose of this jump is to show the viewer (the reader) what lies in store for those who wish to pursue the roads to holiness.
Rabbi Chaim Vital teaches us that the body is simply a garment for the soul. The soul is essential. The body is secondary. It is there to allow the soul to express itself. The Torah is composed of 613 Mitzvot – 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments. The soul’s spiritual makeup is made in this way, and the body is made as a perfect fit for the purpose of the soul.
Divine Providence – Hashgachah Pratis – is defined as the concept that God is active in all of creation all the time. He monitors every single thing at every single moment. He is aware of every single thing at every single moment. He knows what everything is doing at every single moment and sustains that thing (or person etc.) at every single moment. Nothing happens by chance. Everything is orchestrated from Above – save for man’s free choice which he is given as a gift by the Creator to use however he wishes to use it.
The story about the leaf that so wished it could be like a bird, flying freely in the sky. Now, this was real freedom! It didn’t take long for the leaf to realise that true freedom was not in being able to fly about wherever one wants to. True freedom is being connected to the Source which grants nourishment and everything one needs to live…
