What Is The Soul…(continued from the previous seven weeks) Q: Dr. Guterson, you talk alot about the soul. Maybe you can help me understand what the soul is? A: Everything in existence has a soul - humans, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects. However, the human soul is on a different level because, unlike anything else, G-d breathed His essence into us. In the words of Rabbi Yanki Tauber, “a soul is not just the engine of life; it also embodies the ‘why’ of a thing’s existence, its meaning and purpose. It is a thing’s inner identity, it’s raison d’etre.” At the same time, our human soul is located there within our body. And that’s a beautiful dichotomy. While the body is driven primarily by physical needs and desires, the soul is there to lead the body to do goodness and connect to the divine. Hopefully. It is a delicious internal battle. And this is what gives life dynamism. To channel the physical into the spiritual. In the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe: “Man can never be happy if he does not nourish his soul as he does his body.” Not a bad place to start if you’re looking for good mental and emotional health. To be continued….
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