The difference between an Old Soul and a New Soul that comes into the world[1]
The Baal Shem Tov, knew from his teacher—Achiyah hashiloni—that the spiritual mission entrusted to him was the rectification of the attributes of NeHi and ChaGaT. This work was to be carried out partly by the Baal Shem Tov himself and partly, over a set number of years, by one of his holy disciples. The rectification of the intellectual powers—the mochin of Chochmah, Binah, and Da’at—however, was designated to be accomplished specifically through a new soul.
The Baal Shem Tov was well aware of the manner in which souls stand in the supernal realms, within the Treasury of Souls, as explained in Chassidic teachings on the Zoharic statement: “Each soul stands in its own distinct form before the Holy King.” The Holy King refers to Ze’ir Anpin of the world of Atzilut. When a soul is destined to descend from above and become enclothed in a physical body below, it must first undergo a period of preparation. An old soul requires a preparation of one year, whereas a new soul requires a preparation of three years.
The Baal Shem Tov also understood that the rectification of the Chabad configuration could only be achieved through a new soul rooted in the Chochmah of Atzilut. This is because the concealed dimension of Chochmah (Chochmah Setimah) shines openly through the revealed Chochmah in the individual who possesses such a soul. For this reason, a new soul must undergo a three‑year period of preparation before the appointed time arrives for its descent into the physical world.
When the Heavenly Court decreed that a new soul would be revealed in the lower world, and that in that particular year its preparation would begin, it was further decreed that this decision be made known to the Baal Shem Tov. Upon hearing of this heavenly ruling, the Baal Shem Tov sought to know who would merit that this new soul be vested in his son. However, this detail was concealed—even from the Baal Shem Tov—and was not revealed to him.
Differences Between an Old Soul and a New Soul (as described above)
| Old soul | New soul |
| Requires one year of preparation in the supernal realms of Z”A of Atzilus before descending into a physical body. | Requires three years of preparation in the supernal realms before descending into a physical body. |
| Associated with rectification of attributes of NeHi and ChaGaT | Designated here for rectification of the intellectual powers—the mochin of Chochmah, Binah, and Da’at (Chabad configuration). |
| Not described here as rooted specifically in Chochmah of Atzilut. | Must be rooted in the Chochmah of Atzilut in order to rectify the Chabad configuration. |
| Not described here as having the open shining of concealed Chochmah. | The concealed dimension of Chochmah (Chochmah Setimah) is described as shining openly through the revealed Chochmah in the individual who possesses such a soul. |
| Its preparation/identity is discussed generally, without mention of a specific heavenly court decree being revealed. | Its revelation is described as a decree of the Heavenly Court, and that decree was made known to the Baal Shem Tov—though the identity of who would merit it was concealed. |
[1] Sefer Hasichos Vol. 1 p. 91 [Hebrew]
