structure of the soul
The Seven Names of the Evil Inclination
The sages teach that the evil inclination has seven names. The first name was given by God: "evil," implying a force that takes you "down."
How to Write a Novel
The mind strives for certainty. The highest level of crown, above mind, is "the unknowable head." They are meant to complement one another. The knowledge
Body, Intelligence, Desires
Who am I? Not my body, not my intelligence, not my desires, they were all given me. So who am I? I'm nothing, one with
A Longing Soul
Before his passing King David said to his son Solomon, "Know the God of your father with a perfect heart and a longing soul." "A
Light and Might
Chanukah is a holiday of courage and light. Torah is light. Our courage to live by the Torah no matter what reveals new light in
Sarah and the Binding of Isaac
Sarah, although not physically present, was the catalyst in the Binding of Isaac to unite father and son. In the Binding of Isaac, "the two
Love, Care and Devotion
In this world, from creation to the coming of Mashiach, woman goes through 7 elevations until reaching her husband's crown. In the period following the
The Many Circumcisions of the Soul
God appeared to Abraham because after endless good deeds that he had done to age 99 he still felt himself uncircumcised. To circumcise oneself is
Self-Diminishment
God loves one who diminishes himself. "You are the least of all peoples" – you diminish yourselves. The Zohar says that "he who is small
Spiritual Anatomy
The two kidneys embody active and passive trust in God, taking initiative and relying solely on God. More generally, the endocrine and immune systems correspond