The unique makeup of the G-dly soul of each person[1]
The four elements: Every physical item in the world is made up of the four elements of fire, water, earth, air. Furthermore, even spiritual items such as the animal soul of a Jew is made up of the four spiritual elements of fire, water, earth, and air. This is likewise the case with the G-dly soul of a Jew, as although it is G-dliness in nature, nonetheless it is composed of the four holy spiritual elements. For example, the element of water is found in the mind and corresponds to the intellectual capability of the soul to contemplate and comprehend G-dliness, while the element of fire is found in the heart and corresponds to one’s ability to experience love for G-d.
The different measurements of the elements: Every single G-dly soul contains a different measurement of each of the four elements hence making each G-dly soul unique and different than another. For example, some have more of an abundance of the element of water while others have more of an abundance of the element of fire.
The fiery versus dim coal: The different levels of abundance of the element of fire can be explained with the example of a lit coal. There are two types of hot coal. One is a coal that is engulfed with flames which is readily visible to all. This corresponds to the G-dly soul which contains a large amount of the element of fire. A second type of coal is one that is hot but dim, and its flame is not recognizable inside of it. This corresponds to the G-dly soul which contains a lesser amount of the element of fire. Nonetheless, even this type of soul with this type of dimmed coal is able to experience love for G-d and make his coal engulfed with flames of love. This is accomplished through blowing on the coal, as even a dim coal contains a spark of fire in it, and when it is blown properly, it re-ignites. The same applies with the G-dly soul of the Jew, as every Jewish soul no matter the level contains at least a hidden spark of fire of love within it. Furthermore, as a result of the spark even he can experience conscious revealed love, as when it is properly blown through contemplation of G-d’s greatness then it can become engulfed with a flame of love similar to the soul which contains a large amount from the element of fire. This is the divine service of prayer which is the time designated to blow on the G-dly souls element of fire, until it becomes engulfed in a passionate flame of desire to attach to G-d. The G-dly soul which contains a large amount of the element of fire however will not require heavy blowing and mental contemplation to ignite his heart to love G-d. Furthermore, when he does so he will experience a highly passionate level of love.
If the blowing doesn’t work: Some may claim that while they have tried profusely to blow at the coal of the G-dly soul to ignite a fiery passion for G-d, they have yet to be successful. So, in truth, a prerequisite for accessing the spark of one’s G-dly soul is abstaining from evil to the utmost. Transgression and sin create a divide between man and G-d in heaven and puts a brick wall around his spark that prevents the wind from accessing and expanding it. Accordingly, if one sees that the act of blowing with his intellectual contemplation of G-dliness does not work to ignite the spark, he must go ahead and break down the wall that surrounds his spark through repentance and remorse for his past deeds.
- The divine lesson: The above teaching is loaded with many lessons that we can learn. First and foremost, it negates the erroneous belief that in today’s generation our souls are so low that we no longer contain a love of G-d within them and that is not possible to experience a consciously felt love for G-d in prayer. They claim that the entire message of the book of Tanya, and the myriads of Hasidic discourses which discuss arousing love for G-d is obsolete in today’s generation. This is untrue, as in truth every soul even the lowest of the low contains a spark of fire. The only difference is the amount of blowing necessary. If you blow hard enough you will see the flame, and all those who claim that it is not possible most likely have never tried to blow, or blow hard enough, to ignite the flame of love that is in their heart.
- The second lesson that we can learn is in regards to the unique makeup of every G-dly soul. Although we all contain the G-dly soul, it is not the same within each and every one of us. Some have a greater aptitude in the realm of Torah study due to the high amount of element of water found in their soul. Others have a greater aptitude towards prayer due to the high amount of element of fire found in their soul. Seemingly, this difference in quality of G-dly souls is also what is responsible for the various tribes that exist within the Jewish people, which corresponds today to all of the different sects of Orthodox Jewry, such as Hasidic Jewry, including the dozens of different types of groups of Hasidim, Sephardic Jewry with all of its factions, Ashkenazic and Lithuanian Jewry with all of its factions. Perhaps Hashem sets up every Jew to be born within the sector that their G-dly soul relates to. Accordingly, we should all look at all sects of Orthodox Jewry as part of a complementing puzzle of the Jewish people, and never feel hierarchy over them as if they are part of some secondary or irrelevant sect. Likewise, we can all learn from each other and respect each other, and indeed anyone who discerns will find aspects of righteousness and divine service that are stronger in other groups versus his own, and he should try to emulate and learn from them rather than putting them down.
[1] Likkutei Torah Emor
