This hasn\u2019t appeared on torah.org yet.<\/p>\n
1:3:7<\/p>\n
While we\u2019re aware of our soul only thanks to our vitality and our consciousness [1], it has another, more clandestine function. The soul purifies and uplifts our body and physicality, step by step. In fact, it even elevates it to the point where the body can bask in spiritual perfection just as the soul itself will in the World to Come [2].<\/p>\n
In any event, Adam and Eve would have achieved that instantaneously had they not sinned, and would have brought themselves and the entire universe to that point. But they didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Notes:<\/p>\n
[1]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That is, we experience our soul when we realize that our being animate and aware isn\u2019t simply a fact of life, but actually a product of a higher force beyond it. Otherwise we don\u2019t tend to experience it. It can be experienced, though, through fervent prayer and devotional music, and the like, but that\u2019s beyond the scope of this discussion.<\/p>\n
See last paragraph to note 1 of 1:3:2 above for the various parts of the soul. Also see 1:3:12 below regarding the soul\u2019s effect on the body; and Zohar 1, p.80,<\/p>\n
[2]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This purification process will take place in the course of the Resurrection of the Dead (discussed in 1:3:9, 11, 13; 1:4:2; and 2:2:4 below) and come to full fruition in the World to Come (discussed in 1:3:4, 9; 2:2:-2; 2:4:6; and 2:8:4 below).<\/p>\n
See Da\u2019at Tevunot<\/i> 88 for an analysis of the process and Klallim Rishonim<\/i> 9 for a more esoteric explanation.<\/p>\n
(c) 2014 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman<\/p>\n
Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org<\/a><\/p>\n ———————————————————-<\/p>\n AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman’s translation of Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” is available here<\/a> at a discount.<\/p>\n You can still purchase a copy of Rabbi Feldman’s translation of “The Gates of Repentance” here<\/a> at a discount as well.<\/p>\n Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).<\/p>\n Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled “Spiritual Excellence<\/a>\u201d and \u201cRamchal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This hasn\u2019t appeared on torah.org yet. 1:3:7 While we\u2019re aware of our soul only thanks to our vitality and our consciousness [1], it has another, more clandestine function. The soul purifies and uplifts our body and physicality, step by step. … Continue reading