Neshama
Notable Sources
All Sources
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The Additional Soul of ShabbatTALMUD
The Additional Soul of Shabbat
TALMUD
The concept of receiving an additional soul on Shabbat highlights the unique spiritual experience and the sense of loss when it departs. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish teaches that God grants an additional soul to a person on Shabbat eve, which is then removed at Shabbat's conclusion.
The Spiritual Significance of SleepCHASIDUT
The Spiritual Significance of Sleep
CHASIDUT
Sleep is not just a physical necessity but a spiritual opportunity for renewal and deeper religious awareness. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a prominent Hasidic master, teaches that sleep can lead to receiving a new soul from divine light, enhancing one's perception of God.
Divine Soul DepartureCOMMENTARY
Divine Soul Departure
COMMENTARY
The soul's departure from the body at death mirrors its divine origin, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and the profound connection between the human soul and God. Rabbeinu Bahya, a medieval Jewish commentator, offers a mystical interpretation of the soul's journey, drawing from the creation narrative in Genesis.
Elevating the SoulCHASIDUT
Elevating the Soul
CHASIDUT
Some sources describe spiritual experiences as movements of the soul. The Ba'al Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism, teaches about the potential for sudden elevation and illumination of the soul.
When Does the Soul Enter the Body?TALMUD
When Does the Soul Enter the Body?
TALMUD
In the Talmudic tractate Sanhedrin, Antoninos and Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi discuss the timing of when the soul enters the body during the process of conception and gestation.
The Divine Nature of the SoulMIDRASH
The Divine Nature of the Soul
MIDRASH
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an early medieval midrashic work, draws parallels between the soul and God, emphasizing their shared qualities.
The Forty-Day ParallelTALMUD
The Forty-Day Parallel
TALMUD
The Talmud in tractate Menachot draws a connection between the Torah and the individual soul, based on parallels in narratives about how they are received.
The Immortality of the SoulJEWISH THOUGHT
The Immortality of the Soul
JEWISH THOUGHT
Menasseh ben Israel provides a philosophical and rational proof of the immortality of the soul, arguing that the faculty distinguishing humans from animals is incorporeal and indestructible. In his 17th-century work, Menasseh ben Israel defends traditional rabbinic views on the immortality of the soul, reincarnation, and resurrection against skeptical challenges.
Seeking the Divine PresenceCHASIDUT
Seeking the Divine Presence
CHASIDUT
The personal, mystical experience of seeking God can be transformative and intense. In his early 20th-century work, Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, the Piaseczner Rebbe, delves into the soul's longing to enter the innermost chamber of divine presence.
Gratitude for the SoulLITURGY
Gratitude for the Soul
LITURGY
The soul is a divine gift, pure and preserved by God, with a promise of restoration in the future, according to the prayer 'Elokai Neshama.' This prayer is recited during the daily morning service.
Journey of the SoulMUSAR
Journey of the Soul
MUSAR
Mystical sources describe the soul as a direct emanation from God. The medieval ethical text, Sefer HaYashar, explores the dual nature of human creation, emphasizing the heavenly nature of the soul in contrast to the earthly origin of the body.
The Dual Nature of ManCOMMENTARY
The Dual Nature of Man
COMMENTARY
Human beings are unique in that they are both physical and spiritual, formed from the earth and given a spirit by G-d. Ramban, a 13th-century Spanish scholar, offers a profound commentary on Genesis 1:26, exploring the dual nature of humanity.
Guarding the SoulJEWISH THOUGHT
Guarding the Soul
JEWISH THOUGHT
Some sources understand the soul as requiring care and protection. In his 15th-century work, Akeidat Yitzchak, Rabbi Isaac Arama delves into the themes of repentance and the soul's purity, often referencing Yom Kippur.
Soul's Divine EssenceSECOND TEMPLE
Soul's Divine Essence
SECOND TEMPLE
The soul is described as a divine effulgence, directly breathed into man by God, highlighting its ethereal and divine nature. Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, merges Jewish theology with Greek philosophy to explore the divine origin of the human soul.