Description: Chapter 4 - 04
Derech Hashem
Chapter 4 – 04
The Ramchal has explained to us the role mitzvos play in our lives, and the role the other parts of living play. Together, they can both bring us to shelaimus, bring us closer to Hashem, and elevate our physical self, making it a part of the neshamah – provided we have the right intent when involved in the things we do to live, eating, drinking, sleeping, and so on. These efforts have a powerful effect on our neshamos and our guf. They elevate the neshamah and allow it to shine, and they are inherent in the guf as potential energy, to eventually be released upon Techiyas Hameisim, to change the guf into something spiritual and powerful, pure and holy, and united with the neshamah.
Of the mitzvos we are commanded to do, is to love Hashem and fear Hashem. To do this we have to think about Hashem’s greatness, and our limited abilities and strengths. This way we can humble ourselves in front of Hashem. It’s not possible to truly love Hashem or fear Hashem, without achieving some measure of humility first. If a person is full of themselves, there isn’t room for Hashem in their hearts. More than that, the nature of loving Hashem and fearing Hashem is to realize and accept our vulnerability, how dependent we are on Hashem, and how much control He has over our lives. Through that recognition, we bring Hashem into our lives, and see how much He gives us, and how much we need Him. This is how love of Hashem and fear of Hashem begin to grow and flourish. Without humility, a person will refuse to think that they lack any kind of control over their lives. They won’t want to accept that they must be subservient to Hashem for all that they receive. Even if logically we might ‘know’ this, and even perhaps ‘say’ this, but in our hearts we might still resist this, thinking deep down, we are ourselves, we are free, and we don’t need Hashem.
Once we achieve any level of humility by internalizing our true position in this world, and what role Hashem plays, we can begin to strengthen our love and fear of Hashem. With that, we will desire to be a servant of Hashem, to be counted among those who praise Hashem regularly, those who live lives of bringing honor to Hashem’s name. That desire, that cheshek, to become close to Hashem, to be able to express our love and appreciation of Hashem through praising Him and doing His will, is a powerful force. The love we have for Hashem brings us very close to Hashem, and it purifies the darkness of our physical self, our ‘chomer’. Every time we so to speak ‘touch’ Hashem through strengthening ourselves to get closer, our neshamos shine brighter, and little by little, these efforts bring us very close to Hashem.
Derech Hashem
Chapter 4 – 04
The Ramchal has explained to us the role mitzvos play in our lives, and the role the other parts of living play. Together, they can both bring us to shelaimus, bring us closer to Hashem, and elevate our physical self, making it a part of the neshamah – provided we have the right intent when involved in the things we do to live, eating, drinking, sleeping, and so on. These efforts have a powerful effect on our neshamos and our guf. They elevate the neshamah and allow it to shine, and they are inherent in the guf as potential energy, to eventually be released upon Techiyas Hameisim, to change the guf into something spiritual and powerful, pure and holy, and united with the neshamah.
Of the mitzvos we are commanded to do, is to love Hashem and fear Hashem. To do this we have to think about Hashem’s greatness, and our limited abilities and strengths. This way we can humble ourselves in front of Hashem. It’s not possible to truly love Hashem or fear Hashem, without achieving some measure of humility first. If a person is full of themselves, there isn’t room for Hashem in their hearts. More than that, the nature of loving Hashem and fearing Hashem is to realize and accept our vulnerability, how dependent we are on Hashem, and how much control He has over our lives. Through that recognition, we bring Hashem into our lives, and see how much He gives us, and how much we need Him. This is how love of Hashem and fear of Hashem begin to grow and flourish. Without humility, a person will refuse to think that they lack any kind of control over their lives. They won’t want to accept that they must be subservient to Hashem for all that they receive. Even if logically we might ‘know’ this, and even perhaps ‘say’ this, but in our hearts we might still resist this, thinking deep down, we are ourselves, we are free, and we don’t need Hashem.
Once we achieve any level of humility by internalizing our true position in this world, and what role Hashem plays, we can begin to strengthen our love and fear of Hashem. With that, we will desire to be a servant of Hashem, to be counted among those who praise Hashem regularly, those who live lives of bringing honor to Hashem’s name. That desire, that cheshek, to become close to Hashem, to be able to express our love and appreciation of Hashem through praising Him and doing His will, is a powerful force. The love we have for Hashem brings us very close to Hashem, and it purifies the darkness of our physical self, our ‘chomer’. Every time we so to speak ‘touch’ Hashem through strengthening ourselves to get closer, our neshamos shine brighter, and little by little, these efforts bring us very close to Hashem.