Q&A: Nefesh HaChayim
Nefesh HaChayim
Question
Hello Rabbi,
A question that has intrigued me for ages:
The book Nefesh HaChayim frequently quotes the Zohar and Kabbalah and so on,
but in Gate 4, when it speaks about Torah study, it specifically says that the main thing is the study of Gemara, Rashi, Tosafot, and commentaries.
(And as is well known, in Rabbi Chaim Vital’s introduction, the main thing is the study of Kabbalah.)
What do you think about this?
Thank you.
Answer
What is the question? The fact that he suggests focusing on the revealed parts of Torah does not mean he does not know the hidden parts. Besides, in Gate 4 he is not dealing with Kabbalah but with aggadic literature versus Jewish law. The book is probably not intended for those for whom the study of Kabbalah is relevant.
Discussion on Answer
I wrote: not necessarily.
What difference does it make what he says?
Kabbalah is heresy against a fundamental principle.
I’ll explain more.
As I understood it, he is talking about the greatness of Torah, which is the greatest value of all.
In his view, is that specifically Gemara, Rashi, Tosafot, and commentaries, and not Kabbalah?