1.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 By then engaging in the secrets of the Torah and in the reasons behind the mitzvot… <\/strong><\/p>\n Which is to say, by then delving into the heart and soul of the Torah and its mitzvah-system by reflecting upon Kabbalistic texts that reveal such things,…<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 … you purify the animate part of your ratzon l\u2019kabel <\/em>accordingly.<\/strong><\/p>\n For the deeper you delve into the secrets of the Torah and in the reasons behind the mitzvot, the surer will be your realization of the fact that we\u2019re all driven by a lethal and all-consuming willingness to take-in rather than to bestow, and the deeper will be your commitment to undo it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 You (then) build-up the point of your Neshama<\/em> that is engarbed in its 248 organs and 365 tendons. When its structure is completed and it becomes a (full) partzuf<\/em>, it ascends upwards and engarbs the sephirah<\/em> of Binah<\/em> in the world of Assiyah<\/em>, whose vessel is incomparably finer than the preceding ones, Tipheret<\/em> and Malchut<\/em>. And you then spread a great light from the Infinite into it which is termed \u201cNeshama<\/em>-Light\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n Refer to 44:2 which speaks of the stages you reach \u201cwhen you fulfill all 613 mitzvot on a tangible level\u201d; and to 44:3 which addresses the idea of your spiritual accomplishments corresponding to the \u201cextent that (your) soul has (been) trained\u201d in and granted insights.<\/p>\n 2.<\/p>\n The Kabbalistic terminology is beginning to get rather turgid at this point, so let\u2019s review the basic concepts behind what\u2019s being said.<\/p>\n As Ashlag said, \u201creality is comprised of five (supernal) worlds\u201d: Adam Kadmon<\/em>, Atzilut<\/em>, Briah<\/em>, Yetzirah<\/em>, and Assiyah<\/em> (Ch. 41). The five of them in turn correspond to the five cluster sephirot<\/em>, so that Adam Kadmon<\/em> corresponds to Keter<\/em>, Atzilut<\/em> corresponds to Chochma<\/em>, Briah<\/em> corresponds to Binah<\/em>, Yetzirah<\/em> corresponds to Tipheret<\/em>, and Assiyah<\/em> corresponds to Malchut<\/em>. Those five pairs further correspond to the five levels of the soul — Yechidah<\/em>, Chaya<\/em>, Neshama<\/em>, Ruach<\/em>, and Nephesh<\/em> — all which in turn correspond to the 4 letters of God\u2019s name along with the tip of the first letter, yud<\/em>.<\/p>\n Recall that we\u2019ve been discussing ascending upward in our beings from the bottom up, i.e., from mineral-ness, vegetable-ness, animal-ness, to verbal- or human-ess (Ch. 34).<\/p>\n To now we\u2019ve addressed ascending up from the Nephesh<\/em>–Assiyah<\/em>-mineralness level to the Ruach<\/em>–Yetzirah<\/em>-vegetableness one. We\u2019re now touching upon the next higher level.<\/p>\n Ashlag\u2019s point here once again is that once we engage \u201cin the secrets of the Torah and in the reasons behind the mitzvot\u201d (see above) we begin to \u201cpurify the animate part of (our) ratzon l\u2019kabel<\/em>\u201d and we go on from there to \u201cbuild-up the point of (our) Neshama<\/em>\u201d which then \u201cascends upwards and engarbs the sephirah<\/em> of Binah<\/em> in the spiritual world of Asiyah<\/em>\u201d and to acquire \u201cNeshama<\/em>-Light\u201d. That brings us up to date.<\/p>\n At that point…<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 All the details of mineral-ness, vegetable-ness, and animal-ness in the world of Assiyah<\/em> associated with the Binah<\/em>-complex then come to help our human-ness Neshama<\/em> partzuf<\/em> fully take in light from the sephirah<\/em> of Binah<\/em>, which is (then) also termed \u201choly<\/em> animal-ness\u201d because it corresponds to the purest aspect of the animal part of the human body. In fact, that is that\u2019s light\u2019s nature, as we explained in connection with corporeal animal-ness. <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>See 37:2.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (For,) it\u2019s what grants the characteristic sensation that makes up each of the 613 organs of the partzuf<\/em>, and (enables) each one to sense its own aliveness as well as its freedom and independence from the partzuf<\/em> as a whole.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 (That process of ascent continues to the point where each of) the 613 organs are deemed 613 (full) partzufim<\/em>, each with its own cast of light. In fact, the status of this light in comparison to Ruach<\/em>-light is nearly equal to the difference between animal-ness and that of mineral and vegetable-ness in the physical world. <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 A point from the light of holy<\/em>–Chayah<\/em>, which is the light of the sephirah<\/em> of Chochma<\/em>, extends outwards when the partzuf<\/em> of Nesham<\/em>, which is engarbed in it appears.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n (c) 2012 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman<\/p>\n Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org<\/a><\/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":" 1. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 By then engaging in the secrets of the Torah and in the reasons behind the mitzvot… Which is to say, by then delving into the heart and soul of the Torah and its mitzvah-system by reflecting upon … Continue reading