Ein Yaakov – Lesson 166b – Shemona Perakim – The Eight Chapters of the Rambam 1b – Five Functions of the Soul – HaMisorer – HaSikhli – Moderation Heals the Nefesh

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Ein Yaakov – Shemona Perakim – Eight Chapters of the Rambam – 5 Functions of the Soul – HaMisorer – HaSikhli – Moderation Heals the Nefesh – Speaker: Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld zal. (Recorded 1977-11-16.)
The Shemona Perakim – Eight Chapters – of the Rambam is his introduction to Pirkei Avos.
00:00 – Review. Kabbalistic structure of the soul is (going upward): Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Chaya, Yechida.
01:00 – The Rambam is not addressing the structure of the soul, he’s presenting 5 functions of the soul. The first 3 functions: 1) HaMazon – the power of the body to be nourished, grow, and reproduce; 2) HaMargish – the spiritual aspects of the 5 senses; 3) HaMedameh – the power of imagination.
02:44 – End of review. 4th function of the soul: HaMisorer – the power of the soul to awaken the body to a state of desire or to dislike. This power is the source of human emotions, such as anger, fear, courage, love, or hatred.
04:10 – The 5th function of the soul is called HaSikhli – the power to reason – intelligence.
06:12 – PEREK 2. Mitzvos and aveyros are done only through 2 of these 5 functions: HaMisorer and HaMargish.
07:56 – HaSikhli does not take part in sin.
*12:16 – “Just as a body become sick, so, too, can a neshama become sick.”
15:28 – PEREK 4.
20:16 – הסתפקות – Histapkus – being happy with one’s lot.
21:56 – Arrogance.
23:26 – Too much shyness prevents a person from spiritual advancement.
25:45 – Treating a spiritual illness is done by leaning toward the opposite extreme of any given negative character trait, but only temporarily.
28:27 – An example of how a person can be cured of being a miser.
35:15 – Analogy of a healthy person taking medicine because he sees it cures a person who is ill.
***37:06 – “Do not go to any extremes. It’s enough if you will obey the mitzvos of the Torah.” Moderation heals the nefesh.
38:53 – Why certain teachings of the Rambam are not accepted in chassidus.
42:36 – Emunas Tzaddikim is above all.
43:17 – Closing blessings.