Kabbalah – A Theory of the Elements of the Human Soul
The kabbalists describe the elements of the human soul in their teachings of Kabbalah. They believe that there are three elements of the human soul namely nefesh, neshamah and ruach. The kabbalists have described the three elements of the soul by dividing the human body into three parts – the animal or the lower part- nefesh, the middle part or the spirit- ruach and the super soul - neshamah. The first element Nefesh or the ‘animal part’ or lower part of the soul refers to the instincts and the cravings of the body. The middle part ruach emphasizes on the human ability to distinguish between right and wrong actions performed by them during their lives The third part or the super soul reflects on the intellect of man where he can feel the presence of God and the influence of God in human lives
According to the theory of Kabbalah Nefesh –the first element is found to be present in the physical body of all human being since birth. It reflects on a human’s physical and psychological nature. The other two elements of human soul ruach and nefesh develop in the human body during the course of his life depending upon his beliefs and the actions he performs during his lifespan are not present in the body at the time of birth. Ruach and Neshamah develop naturally during an individual’s life when a person becomes aware spiritually.
Raaya Meheimna describes a fourth and fifth element of the human soul - chayyah and yehidah. They are mentioned in a section of teachings in the Zohar, which is the foundation work of Kabbalah. Chayyah allows an individual to be aware of the mysteries of life. Yehidah or the highest plane of the soul is a stage where one is united with his God or Creator. Besides these the kabalistic and rabbinic works explains that there are few additional and temporary states of the elements of human soul called the extra state of the souls.
Another element of the human soul is Ruach HaKodesh or ‘spirit of holiness’ which allows prophecy. A Jew can experience Neshamah Yeseira or the ‘supplemental soul’ on the eve of Shabbat, based on an individual’s observance. It increases the spiritual enjoyment of the day and can be experienced only when a person is observing Shabbat. One can lose or gain it according to one’s observance. . Neshamah Kedosha is an element of the soul, which evolves when a girl or boy follows Torah. It is provided to the Jew children when they become physically matured that is boys at the age of 13 and girls at the age of 12 based on the teachings of Torah commandments. Their observance and study of Torah determines whether they can retain the Neshamah Kedosha.
