Chaim of Volozhin’s major work is the Nefesh HaChayim ("Living Soul"). Contrary to popular belief, ‎it does not deal solely with complex understandings of the nature of God, but also with secrets of ‎prayer and the importance of Torah, the purpose being "to implant the fear of God, Torah, and ‎pure worship into the hearts of the upright who are seeking the ways of God". It presents a clear ‎and orderly kabbalistic Weltanschauung that addresses many of the same issues as ‎the Hasidic texts of the day.‎

Chaim of Volozhin’s major work is the Nefesh HaChayim ("Living Soul"). Contrary to popular belief, ‎it does not deal solely with complex understandings of the nature of God, but also with secrets of ‎prayer and the importance of Torah, the purpose being "to implant the fear of God, Torah, and ‎pure worship into the hearts of the upright who are seeking the ways of God". It presents a clear ‎and orderly kabbalistic Weltanschauung that addresses many of the same issues as ‎the Hasidic texts of the day.‎