Questions tagged [nefesh-hachaim]
Questions about the book Nefesh HaChaim, written by R' Chaim of Volozhin.
10
questions
5
votes
1answer
181 views
Which Seforim is Rav Chaim of Volozhin speaking of?
In the beginning of Sha'ar Daled of Nefesh HaChaim, Rav Chaim of Volozhin criticises those people who do not engage in classical learning, but instead spend time studying "Sifrei Yirah U'Mussar." ...
1
vote
0answers
83 views
Nefesh HaChaim building and destroying worlds
the Nefesh HaChaim part 1 states that acts of mitzva build mystical worlds whereas acts of sin destroy mystical worlds. (Shaar 1 chapter 31). What sources go into more details as to these worlds and ...
1
vote
0answers
72 views
The Chofetz Chayim's system of the olamos
In the sefer Toras Habayis (written by the Chofetz Chayim) in chapter 4 the paragraph that starts with ha'nimshal muvan me'elav, he writes the hierarchy of the olamos (worlds) like this: Briyah, ...
3
votes
0answers
453 views
Comparative analysis of Tanya vs. Nefesh HaChaim
Has anyone done a comparative analysis of the Tanya vs. the Nefesh HaChaim in terms of what they agree about and what they disagree about?
3
votes
1answer
309 views
Where does the Zohar hold the nefesh resides?
According to the Tanya, the part of the soul called "nefesh" resides in the heart (specifically in the left side of the heart):
והנה מקום משכן נפש הבהמית שמקליפת נוגה בכל איש ישראל הוא בלב בחלל ...
6
votes
1answer
299 views
Is the Nefesh HaChaim truly representitive of the Gra's position?
There's a popular understanding that the Gra asked R Chaim of Volozhin to write a sefer based on his teachings that would deal with many points that the sefer Tanya dealt with and this is the Nefesh ...
1
vote
0answers
167 views
The 1080 amalgamations of the tetragrammaton
In the sefer Nefesh HaChaim Gate 1 Chapter 2 in the first gloss (hagah) the author explains that what is meant by God continually renewing the world is the constant reconstruction (amalgamation) of ...
2
votes
1answer
291 views
Chassidic equivalent to Nefesh HaChaim
Rav Chaim of Volozhin in his famous work Nefesh HaChaim explains things according to the Litvish philosophy, views etc. Is there a Chassidic work which deals with the same topics as Nefesh HaChaim?
...
2
votes
2answers
153 views
Who wrote the glosses that are found in the text of the Nefesh HaChaim?
In the common printed editions of the book Nefesh HaChaim by Chaim of Volozhin there are glosses ("hagahhot") included in the text at several points in smaller letters. Could you tell me who wrote ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
English Translation of Rabbi Chaim Volozhin's Nefesh ha-Chaim?
I need to find an English translation of Nefesh Hachaim. Preferably one that is gratis on the World Wide Web. Thanks!
