Description: Chapter 4 - 02
Derech Hashem
Section II – Chapter 4 – 02
After the fact being established, that Klal Yisrael was chosen, and the nations of the world chose not to be a part of Klal Yisrael, their remaining existence is on a very low level. They do have a part in the perfection that a person can attain, and for that purpose Hashem gave them the seven mitzvos of Bnei Noach. They have a neshamah just as Klal Yisrael have neshamos, although on a much lower level. Through doing mitzvos they can attain a level of greatness.
In the world to come, which will be after this world has reached its perfection and purpose, which we have discussed at length in previous chapters, there won’t be any place for the nations of the world. Those individuals who are righteous, the tzaddikim among the nations, known as the ‘chasidei umos ha’olam,’ will have a place in the world-to-come, as assistants and supporters of Klal Yisrael, and through this position they will merit the goodness of that time. The Ramchal compares their existence at that point to clothing, meaning to say they will be connected with us and support us, as close as clothing we wear to protect us and give us dignity. In a spiritual sense I don’t know what this means, but it intends to give an idea of the nature of the relationship we will have with the nations at that point.
When Hashem divided the world into the 70 nations, Hashem appointed a ‘malach’ or a lord over each nation. Each angel is assigned one nation and they see to their nations need’s, they guide their nation so that they can accomplish their mission in the world. Hashem isn’t ‘mashgiach’ them, in an individual fashion, rather it is what is referred to as ‘hashgachah klalis.’ Their own malach is mashgiach bi’pratis, while Hashem is mashgiach klalis. This doesn’t mean that Hashem lacks any knowledge chas vi’shalom, rather it refers to the way Hashem decides their fate. This has been touched on by the Ramchal earlier and iy”H will be discussed in the coming chapter. 
Klal Yisrael however, is guided solely by Hashem, as the pasuk says, ‘Rak eschem ya’daa’ti mikol mishpechos ha’adamah.’ Hashem bound the whole world and its perfection, and tied His presence so to speak, to the acts of Klal Yisrael, if they perform mitzvos, Hashem reveals Himself, there is giluy ohr and Aliyah, and if they sin then Hashem hides Himself and there is hester, and darkness that comes with. The nations of the world can’t change anything about the world with their actions and deeds, however they determine their own fate based on their actions, and they can determine the path their nation will take, because their actions grant their angel more power or diminish it. 

These concepts aren’t easy to understand, and will be developed more iy”H in the coming perakim, when we come back to Derech Hashem. Next week we will begin learning the Ramchal’s approach to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur davening, iy”H, known as ‘Maamar Hachochmah.’