Q&A: Divine and Animal Soul
Divine and Animal Soul
Question
Hello Rabbi, in the series on ethics and Jewish law, the Rabbi taught chapter 9 of the Tanya.
The Rabbi basically described it this way: all our instinctive desires, both the good and the bad, are basically called the "animal soul." Only when we act מתוך "judgment"—that is, out of considered judgment—is this the divine soul, which can decide for good or for evil.
A. Seemingly, the divine soul is portrayed here as a kind of empty thing—it can choose good and evil equally. Is that emptiness?! Seemingly, the idea is that a person's "I" is the good, and the choice is to act in accordance with that consideration and not be dragged after evil, or after instinctive good, without thought.
B. If the animal soul is "kelipat nogah," which also contains instinctive good, how does that fit with what the Tanya says about the soul of a non-Jew?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
A. It isn't empty. That is the meaning of free choice. It really can choose good or evil, and the question of whether the soul is good or bad is a result of the choice, not its cause.
B. I don't know.
Discussion on Answer
Mah, if my essential character is to steal and murder, then when I choose to restrain myself that would be bad / incorrect? With all due respect, that's nonsense.
Rabbi, this still isn't so clear. Seemingly, shouldn't there be some kind of character to the self, in accordance with which the choice is made? A choice would be considered correct or good depending on whether it matches the essential character.