Thursday, July 11, 2013
Introduction to Derech Hashem
10:58 AM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
One of the great rabbis more than 300 years ago, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (better known as the Ramchal) wrote an epic work called Derech Hashem (The Way of G-d). The book discusses many topics including the purpose of the creation of man, his responsibility in this world, mitzvah observance, the fight between the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) and the Yetzer Ha'Tov (good inclination), our relationship to non-Jews, the spiritual worlds and how they influence us as well as a discussion about Shabbos and the holidays.
Even though this work is steeped in Kabbalah, nonetheless, it can be understood at a basic level and have a tremendous influence on us. It is not an easy book to go through but there are fundamental principles about Judaism that every Jew needs to know.
First of all, shouldn't I try and understand the purpose of my creation and how I interact with the world? If G-d set me up here with my specific strengths and weaknesses to reach my potential, does that mean that my free will is limited? If the soul is so powerful that G-d Himself puts it into the body that best fits it, how does the soul (the most spiritual thing ever created) have the ability to stay in the body and not transform it into a spiritual reality?
If we know G-d to be just and good, how do we explain evil? What is evil's purpose in this world? Is suffering considered bad for me or is it a way to reach perfection in the next world? What role do angels or other spiritual forces play in the world?
These are some of the ideas that the Ramchal brings out in this book and we will try and bring them down to earth to understand at our own level. We will highlight the chapter, adding insights and anecdotes to make it more understandable and user friendly.
Anyone is free to comment or give suggestions and we hope to begin next week with Chapter 1 which discusses G-d.
Even though this work is steeped in Kabbalah, nonetheless, it can be understood at a basic level and have a tremendous influence on us. It is not an easy book to go through but there are fundamental principles about Judaism that every Jew needs to know.
First of all, shouldn't I try and understand the purpose of my creation and how I interact with the world? If G-d set me up here with my specific strengths and weaknesses to reach my potential, does that mean that my free will is limited? If the soul is so powerful that G-d Himself puts it into the body that best fits it, how does the soul (the most spiritual thing ever created) have the ability to stay in the body and not transform it into a spiritual reality?
If we know G-d to be just and good, how do we explain evil? What is evil's purpose in this world? Is suffering considered bad for me or is it a way to reach perfection in the next world? What role do angels or other spiritual forces play in the world?
These are some of the ideas that the Ramchal brings out in this book and we will try and bring them down to earth to understand at our own level. We will highlight the chapter, adding insights and anecdotes to make it more understandable and user friendly.
Anyone is free to comment or give suggestions and we hope to begin next week with Chapter 1 which discusses G-d.
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