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Nefesh HaChaim with Rabbi Pinchas Winston
The work Nefesh HaChaim, by Rabbi Chaim Volozhin, one of the foremost students of the Vilna Gaon and said to be the "Father of the Yeshivah Movement", is a classic, but not in the classical sense. There are four "gates" in the entire sefer, each one dealing with a different topic, and each topic treated on a relatively deep level of understanding. The first gate of 22 chapters explains what it means to have been made "in the image of God", and the implications of being so. The Nefesh HaChaim, quoting extensively from the Zohar, reveals the level of interaction between man and God, and how every act, word, and thought of Jew affects the direction of Creation, for good or for bad. To this extent, the entire sefer is very empowering, and encourages one to live up to his potential to become that which God cherishes most: a partner in fulfilling the plan for Creation. |
Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Four - Chapter Five
The Nefesh HaChaim continues on with the theme that fear of G-d is essential for being able to learn and maintain Torah. Without it, Torah becomes despised by people. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Four - Chapter Four
The Talmud teaches that fear of G-d is crucial for being able to properly learn Torah, and to maintain it. The Nefesh HaChaim, in this chapter, expands on this very central point. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Four - Chapter Three
The Nefesh HaChaim brings proof that learning Torah "lishma", that is, for its own sake, means for the sake of increasing one's knowledge, understanding, and sharpness, regardless of how much it improves one's "dveikut" - clinging to G-d. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Four - Chapter Two
In this chapter, the Nefesh HaChaim shows the paramount importance of learning Talmud for its own sake, and how valuable it is to G_d, making the point that if one learns "Shas", not only will he have a favorable judgment, but the greatest of secrets will be revealed to him. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Four - Chapter One
The Fourth section of Nefesh HaChaim deals with the importance of Torah, and the impact of learning it, especially for its own sake; bringing sources from the Talmud, Midrashim, and especially the zohar, to make it clear that their is nothing higher for the Jew than learning G-d's holy Torah. Chapter 1 - True to the theme of the entire work, the Nefesh HaChaim points out the mistaken thinking of his time regarding the importance of Torah and learning it for its own sake, to counter the growing movement that focused on "dveikut Hashem"-clinging to G-d at the cost of other learning priorities. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Three - Chapter Fourteen
In summation, at least during prayer, if not every other chance we get, we have to be real with the fact that G-d is the Master of all Forces, and there is nothing else but Him, no matter how it appears. All other forces have to be to us as if they really don’t exist at all. Moshe Rabbeinu was the only one, since Adam HaRishon, to reach this level, and no one else will until the time of Moshiach, but it come in our time. However, we must still try to achieve this understanding as much as possible even at this time in history. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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Nefesh HaChaim: Shaar Three - Chapter Thirteen
The Forefathers were called the "Chariot" for G-d, for everywhere they went, the world became more aware of the Presence of G-d. Their entire lives were devoted to eliminating all belief in any force other than G-d. In Moshe Rabbeinu, this became a compete reality. If you have questions and comments for Rabbi Pinchas Winston, please email .
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