Nephesh

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Tanakh version used for this Study:

Please Note; throughout this study I shall be using the “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917 - version of the Tanakh).

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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Eloleichem) which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15.

“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8.

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“Looking at the Word Nephesh”

There seems to be confusion regarding this word

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Just before the actual study, I would like to commence with one more important quote from; Yahushua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8.

“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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Introduction:

This study wily cover the Ivrit word נַפְשְׁךָ - “Nephesh”, for even within our own community it is amazingly believed that it means our ‘soul; just if it was something that is somehow separate from us. This is the theory which we will look into.

Nephesh is a Hebrew word, and it is better translated as “your life” or “yourself”.

Therefore a “living being” or that matter, “life itself”, refers to the entire physical, breathing, living person, rather than just an immaterial essence within us. Of course in our own Torah, as well as English Bibles it is usually translated as “Soul”, this often carries the Greek philosophical meaning of a non-physical part of a person that survives death And of course that is completely different from the actual meaning of the word נַפְשְׁךָ - Nephesh.

This term is used for us humans and animals in our Tanakh, encompassing aspects of sentience and a person’s entire being!

However, before I commence, I would like to lay the basis in order that you will have a better idea of where this study is coming from. And I am aware that some actually believe that you do have a soul! Of course you really should believe there is a soul, and I am saying as rabbi, and it has been my task to convince us Jews around the world that we do have a soul. However, let me now shock you a little for the wording I just gave is not really quite correct, for it is not that “we HAVE it”.

Actually, the very opposite is true. Let me tell you that you do not HAVE a soul. And guess what, I am not joking, for I am completely serious. The truth is that you do not have a soul, but the fact is ‘you are a soul’, and you have a body. This is not mere semantics. It is this subtle confusion which is at the root of many individuals who have misunderstandings with relationships, as individuals, and as a society. And when I say confusion, I mean confusion. My asking you if you have a soul is very much like me asking you “Do you have a person”. Well, I can just imagine you thinking, “What is that madman talking about?”

Thus you and I are both ‘a person’ and our essence is a ‘soul’. We were soul before we are born; we are soul after we pass away. And for the time we are on this planet, we are a soul that is wholly fused to our bodies. Once we get this distinction clear, all the pieces of or blessed faith and of our life will rapidly fall into place.

The existence of the נַפְשְׁךָ - Nephesh (soul) is one of the fundamental underpinnings of being a Hebrew. The Torah teaches that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), blessed be He, creates each person with a physical body and a divine soul, and it is the soul that is our essence. Just as we need to attend to our body’s physical needs, we need to nourish the Hebrew soul with spiritual fulfilment uphold our Torah mitzvoth, etc.

Every human being is constantly subjected to conflicting impulses. The body tries to pull the person toward physical gratification, while the soul struggles to attain spirituality. The question of how to deal with these impulses and whether to gratify the body’s desires or deny them and to learn how to accommodate the soul’s yearning is also one of the most fundamental issues in understanding the Hebrew concepts of spirituality, as we grow in our faith it will then help us in our personal growth.

The goal of this study is to provide an insight into the existence and nature of the נַפְשְׁךָ – Nephesh (soul) and how this reality affects your life.

Our Nephesh is an embodied presence in this world. The “Shema”, it makes a powerful statement; since this assertion of our love for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim comes right after we affirm that “יְהוָה אֶחָד” - the LORD is ONE! I believe that the Torah is telling us that in order to connect with אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, we must be present, with our heart, our being, present with all our ‘soul’ - Nephesh, and our Creator-given abilities!

We must live our lives on the principle that we have been placed on earth to do His will and this should be our true guide in life. In fact, at no time are we really free of it, for obviously, we are to be engaged in studying His Torah, and the Haftarah’s, doing our time of faith, praying, and fasting, functioning as His messengers on earth. We Should also realise that even mundane affairs like eating or doing and going to work can all count as divine missions, but at all times our daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

In addition, we must behave in a manner, befitting a faithful Hebrew, one is is able to follow whatever is right in all circumstances!

“And now, Israel, what doth יְהוָה thy Elohim require of thee, but to fear יְהוָה thy Elohim, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve יְהוָה thy Elohim with all thy heart and with all thy soul; to keep for thy good the Commandments of יְהוָה, and His Statutes, which I command thee this day” Davarim – Deuteronomy 10: 12-13.

To sustain the soul one must sustain the body first. The Word of Elohim warns us.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently” Davarim - Deuteronomy 4: 9.

In this verse the word used for “selves” is “Nefesh,” which actually translates as “soul.” It is quite common for people to corrupt their souls while sustaining their bodies. This verse very clearly shows us that we must be exceedingly careful to guard against this problem for it is so easy for us to do the wrong thing.

The verse above continues as follows;

“ … lest thou forget the things which thine eyes saw, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life” Davarim - Deuteronomy 4: 9.

Before we engage in certain activities it is wise to say a prayer first to see if it does not oppose the will of אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He. It is rather sad, but all too often we tend to place less effort in serving our Heavenly Father, than some of the smallest of shopkeepers spend time running their businesses.

Shlomo stated in Mishle Shlomo;

“If thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of אֱלֹהִים and find the knowledge of אֱלֹהִים”, Mashley Shlomo - Proverbs of Solomon 2: 4-5.

On close reflection, we must realise sometimes we fail to seek the treasures of Ha Davar - the Word of Elohim, somehow we tend to forget what we do, and often we place less effort in our walk as faithful Jews, than an owner of a small business does striving to reach his goals. He does his utmost to increase his inventory and make items attractive for sale. Should several days pass without a profit or worse still, should his shop be damaged, he will feel upset and insecure. But as Jews, we always stand before our Creator and there are some who will think nothing of letting several days pass without prayer or saying any berakah’s, even reading and studying the weekly parashat, despite the enormous loss involved. During this interval, we may speak hundreds of words of idle chatter and sometimes even use some forbidden speech. During that time many will remain quite calm just as if they have done nothing wrong.

It is amazing, but it is so fulfilling when I have seen those who have been so far removed from their Hebraic life and they have come back. Little by little and it seems that their lives just seem to explode with a whole new enthusiasm and they end up not just enjoying being Hebrew, both ladies, as well as single men living alone, lighting the Sabbath candles and being blessed saying and sharing the Kiddush, etc!

It is so fulfilling to be so meticulous about attending to our daily prayers, laying Tefillin, etc, saying the Kiddush before the Shabbat meal, and we do the Benching, or say “Birkat Hamazon” - “Grace after Meals”, and spending some time reading the Torah, rather than go about attending to worldly affairs.

The latter affects in the present whilst the former affects our future lives and it always will make us stronger. Likewise, our prayers to אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, should be concerned with spiritual matters. But sadly, humans often tend to spend more time asking for things from Him, rather than giving יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים honour and praise. I am sure that you will well know that mankind tends to feel happier over material success, and feel terribly distraught when there has been a failure. By contrast, understanding a verse or a chapter you may have discovered in the Torah which suddenly has come to light and really meant something wonderful to you, or performing a Mitzvah or saying the Be’ra’chah before and after meals should cause a great deal of happiness and pleasure, because we are doing His will and upholding His Torah.

“If thou shalt hearken to the voice of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Elo’hei’cha, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the Law; if thou turn unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha with all thy heart, and with all thy soul” Davarim - Deuteronomy 30:10.

However, we must admit that at times sincerity compels that some us may rejoice more over personal pleasure than being involved with getting more involved in our Hebraic spiritual life and in any greater involvement in our Synagogues. I sincerely pray that your Spiritual life will become more and more important to you than those far too many enticing earthly ones, you will be surprised how it will reflect on your life and being a good Hebrew will improve your life so much that you will know that He is with you, and that He loves you, believe me, it will enhance your life greatly!

“… and (have) understanding with their heart, return and be healed” Yeshayahu - Isaiah 6:10.

In other words, who or what is really in control of you, does your soul control your body or does your body rule your soul?

“to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful seasons; therefore love ye truth and peace.

Thus saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying: Let us go speedily to entreat the favour of יְהוָהand to seek צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Zecharyah – Zechariah 8: 19-22.

“And thou shalt love thy אֱלֹהִים with ALL thy HEART, and with ALL THY SOUL, and with ALL THY MIGHT”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 6:5.

We all need to take a little more delight in our lives, and spend more time in our wonderful Hebraic communities, and find the peace that allows us to enjoy our faith and keep up our prayers, uphold the lighting of the Shabbas Candles and enjoy the Kiddush with our Mishpacha (family) present.

In conclusion, by now we all know what it all really means, however there is what we may call a ‘Smooth translation’ for in a way Nephesh could also mean; “guard your life”, “keep yourself diligently”, or “watch over your inner life”. There is at least a great deal of truth in what has been stated, especially if it makes us better ‘Hebrews’ or ‘Israelites’, for that is who we really are! I know many should get rid of the overload, as it impedes how you live, and ask yourself, am I really a good and faithful Hebrew, part of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s chosen?

Your future is all in your hands, thus is this not the time to wake up and do as we have been asked!

לְמִימֵי אֲבֹתֵיכֶם סַרְתֶּם מֵחֻקַּי, וְלֹא שְׁמַרְתֶּם-שׁוּבוּ אֵלַי וְאָשׁוּבָה אֲלֵיכֶם, אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת

“From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7.

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PLEASE NOTE: If you need assistance in some way, just ask, I can email you special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email me (using the link further below) and I will send it to your email, without any follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me! My email is just down this page.

This site was originally set up for those who needed to return to our blessed and wonderful faith, thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or of possible three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Elo’hei’chem); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Elo’hei’chem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20.

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”.

For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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