Page 33 - BERESHIT

bereshit would not have even begun the task of forming Heaven and Earth. Our
question is if the neshamot of the proselytes were also created before the
Heavens and Earth.

2 The numerical value of the word equals that of , signifying that

Hashem created their neshamot alongside those of Am Yisrael. A

proselyte may convert at old age, but his acceptance of Judaism makes

him be ‘born anew.’ He becomes part of the Jewish people, of ,

specifically because he was created , at the very Beginning. This

is how the last two words of the Torah are connected to the first two

words.

Hashem created man from the earth and blew into his nostrils a living
soul. What is the significance of the words “a living soul”?

The neshamah is a part of G-d, and originates in the Heavenly spheres,
from underneath the Throne of Glory. Thus the innate nature of the soul
is eternal, just as its Divine source is. Although our bodies may die and
decay, our neshamot continue on. We enjoy not only a soul, but also a
direct link to the Source of Life, the Creator.

Tzaddikim are considered alive even in their death, whereas reshaim are
considered dead even when alive. When one moves away from his Source
of life by doing evil, Hashem removes His Presence and severs this
neshamah’s attachment from Him.

The word can be split into two, and . The word has the

same numerical value as the word . This is why members of the

Jewish nation, even after death ( ), are still very much alive. They have

a constant attachment to Hashem’s Name ( ). One who sins loses that

attachment and association. All that is left is the word , and he is

considered dead, even in this world.