Connected Levels of Soul
Gate of Reincarnations: Chapter Five, Section 5
Translation by Yitzchok bar Chaim;
explanation by Shabtai Teicher
A fascinating concept is explained in Sabba of Mishpatim
regarding the body of someone who has reincarnated many times. In what body
does the soul arise in the time of the Resurrection?
To link to a related article from our writings drawn from the Zohar, The Secret of Servitude,
click here
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Previously, we learned there that in the time of the
Resurrection the body will arise with those parts of the soul that were
rectified in the lifetime of each particular body. Is the Rav just repeating
himself here, or is he trying to teach something new?
Furthermore, it seems at first glance that the end
of this chapter consists of four disparate points without any connection to
each other or to what came beforehand. However, an attempt will be made to try
to present them as a unified idea (or at least the first three of them) and
also tie them to the preceding subjects of this chapter.  | | " The souls on this chain are connected to each other... " | | |
Previously where multiple gilgulim and
multiple iburim were discussed, we learned that there is a chain of souls, from higher to
lower. The higher levels of soul descend as iburim to assist the lower
levels to accomplish tikun. As we will see, all the various levels are
also interconnected.
We have already explained earlier what the Introduction
to Tikunim (pg.1b) says regarding the verse, "...like a bird that
wanders from her nest" (Proverbs 27:8).
The Divine Presence goes down among the kelipot
into exile. She is joined there by the souls of the tzadikim.
And we have discussed what the Zohar says in parashat
Pekudei (258a) with respect to the Shechina. She is exiled among the
kelipot until her legs are immersed in impurity.
The lowest sefirot of the Shechina are
called her legs. They descend to the deepest place of impurity and exile among
the kelipot, as the verse (Proverbs 5:5) says, "Her feet go down to
Death...."
We also spoke about how the souls of righteous people are
exiled with the Shechina in the kelipot as well.
The souls of the tzadikim, descended from the
soul body of Adam, are also exiled into the realm of the kelipot.
Each one of them covers a different part of the body of the Shechina,
according to the part of the soul body of Adam from which they came.
In earlier times the souls that are exiled with her are
the sparks and sections from the levels on which the Shechina stood at
that time. It is the same in every generation. | | " The souls of these generations are from the level of the legs..." | | |
In each generation the Shechina descends
lower and stands on a less elevated level. The souls of each succeeding
generation are the souls associated with her on each subsequent level. As she
goes down to the lower levels, it is said that she descends to the feet or
legs. Correspondingly, the souls of the later generations are those associated
with her feet and legs.
Thus, at this time in history the Shechina has
already descended until the legs, and the souls of these generations are from
the level of the legs. | | " Every soul has many parts and sparks..." | | |
Since all the souls were exiled among the kelipot
together with the Shechina, those earlier souls that were already
rectified and elevated, now they descend to direct and correct the lower souls
in order to rectify them.
Thus, we find that every soul has many parts and sparks,
and they are all called a single soul, and this is true for all the souls.
The main point here seems to be the stress that "they
are all called a single soul." Indeed, this terminology was also used in
Section 1 in reference to multiple gilgulim. The Rav wrote there, "They
are called one Nefesh." The intention there, it seems, was also to
stress the unity and interconnectedness of the souls, which enables them to
join together in one gilgul and to assist each other to achieve tikun.
Since all the souls were exiled among the kelipot,
and since they are all interconnected and intermixed (as will be explained in
another place) they are able to join together in gilgulim and iburim
to assist and help each other.
When the time for resurrection arrives, each body will
take its portion of soul according to the level (that was rectified) in its
time. | | " Because of their interconnectedness they are like one soul" | | |
Previously (Chapter Four, Section 3) we learned that
parts of one soul that are rectified in different lifetimes will resurrect with
the body in whose lifetime that part of the soul was rectified. Here, however,
we are learning that many souls can come together into a single body to assist
the main soul of that gilgul. Because of their interconnectedness they
are like one soul. Nevertheless, in the time of Resurrection each soul will
arise with the body in whose lifetime it was rectified.
For example, a soul that originated from a level in
close proximity to that of the soul body of Adam, which was rectified and
elevated in an earlier generation, can come down into a body together with a
soul from the "legs" in order to assist the latter to achieve tikun.
In the time of Resurrection, that earlier soul will not be cast down to the
level of Legs. It will resurrect together with the body in whose lifetime it
was rectified.
[Note: The following is a more specific example: The souls that derive from the Head of
the soul body of Adam can be seen as one single partzuf. In other words,
if we would look at the Head under a "Lurianic microscope" we would
see a partzuf with 248 limbs and 365 sinews. The origin of some of the
souls in that partzuf would be designated as the Head of the Head;
others would be the Torso of the Head; others would be the Legs of the Head.
The souls that come from the Torso of the Head are really connected to all the
Torsos throughout the soul body of Adam. Thus, a soul from the Torso of the
Head might come to assist a soul from the Torso of the Legs. In the same way,
all the Legs are connected, etc. and etc., in such a way that all their details
and particulars are interconnected and interchangeable. Nevertheless, in the
time of the Resurrection they will all go back to their proper places.] To link to the previous article in this reincarnation series,
2 Sets of Three, Plus 1, click here
To continue on to the next article of this reincarnation series,
Switched Souls, click here
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