You vs. Yourself - The Chassidic Approach To The Human Condition Rabbi Reuven Wolf

An infinite distance exists between us and G-d. This gap can't be bridged through our efforts. Even the deepest mind or the most powerful love can't connect us truthfully to G-d. The only way to bond with G-d is through the performance of a Mitzvah in which he reaches across this infinite space to connect with us.

When we perform Mitzvos Our soul's garb themselves in the three holy garments of thought speech and action. Particularly,  when we study Torah our mind is enveloped and garbed in a holy thought and in the performance of Mitzvos our emotions are wrapped in holy words or a holy action.

The garments of each soul - thought, speech and action - are deeply integrated, but remain external components. A person's intelligence or emotions cannot be disconnected or completely stopped, and cannot express themselves on their own. However, the garments of thought, speech and action are the tools, or vessels, which can convey the inner state of a person, and can be halted on demand. Each of the two souls has its own set of garments, and are drawn to activities which actualize that soul's personality and desires.

When a person performs a proper meditation on the greatness of Hashem, he will be filled with a complete awe of G-d's glory, and it humbles the person in a powerful way. Sometimes, after a meditation, one will erupt in a fiery love of G-d, a desire to break out of the constraints of one's physical body and unite with G-d. In order for these effects to fully manifest within the person, he must fully apply his mental faculties to truly understand the greatness of G-d, and then contemplate on it, and identify with it.



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Exercising our spirituality is essential to the development of our G-dly soul. The first task is to stimulate our souls G-dly intellect, by striving to learn and understand Hashem and meditating on his relationship to the world. When done properly this will surely stimulate a powerful emotion towards G-d.



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Each of our two souls has an inner experience and an outer, expressive garment. There are ten essential powers or traits of the soul, categorized as intelligence or emotions, which define a personality. Our souls are derived from G-d, therefore these powers of the soul reflect the 'divine personality' with which G-d chooses to confine himself when relating to the creation.



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