Page 242 - BERESHIT

We have two souls, the nefesh and the neshamah. The nefesh is a lesser,

subjacent soul, similar to the life-force found in animals. The neshamah

is a transcendental being which originates in the Heavenly spheres. Our

job is to connect the two and spark their affiliation and subsequent

elevation. The way we can establish this connection is by fulfilling the

words of David Hamelech (Tehillim 34:15) , “Desist

from evil and do good.”

Torah exemplifies the ultimate good. When we permeate our lives with

Torah, we can see where we fall short and what we need to rectify. We

also have the ability to ward off the Yetzer Hara and connect the

animalistic nefesh to the spiritual soul. Only through the implementation

of Torah can we start our and achieve ; overcoming

the materialistic impediments which hinder our effectuation of good and

the elevation of our nefesh.

There are 248 limbs in the human body and 365 sinews, corresponding to
the positive and negative commandments. The brit milah distinguishes us
from the nations of the world, and gives the Jew a more ‘complete’
physical being. The orlah is considered an imperfection of man, a natural
impediment to spiritual refinement and elevation. This is why the
non-Jews cannot achieve levels of kedushah. The lack of milah is a defect
of one’s entire being.

We find hints to developing good character in the names of the Avot.

Avraham was at first called , signifying his great influence, which

was confined to his circle of followers. Through the intermediary of

chessed, Hashem changed his name to , denoting a paternal

guardian of all the nations, . Thus his limited greatness

reached world-wide proportions.

There are two middot associated with Yitzchak which typify his character,
the middah of gevurah and the middah of simchah. Both middot are
necessary ingredients when serving Hashem.

Yaakov incorporated the middah of self-effacement, as represented by his