Jewish Spiritual Growth: A Step-by-Step Guide by a Hasidic Master

We can in some way compare the manifestation of the parts of the spirit in their interactions with the things of this world to a mirror. When we look in a mirror, we do not see the mirror itself but the reflection of something that is not in the mirror or a part of it. Similarly, all that we see in the parts of our spirit as it acts are images of t

The same holds true whether the soul is influencing the world or it is being influenced by the world: when we move something or learn something, the power of our might or the wisdom of our soul is revealed.

if the body and physical strength in which our soul is clothed do not join our soul in its work, then how can the heart of our soul be revealed through sustained hitlahavut?

Then we will unveil our soul as we serve God.

having established that we gain access to our soul through our emotions, is it possible to imagine the greatness that we can achieve when we sanctify our emotions and when all of our worship of God is accompanied by emotions?

we can force ourselves to serve God with our physical vigor. Even if we do not want to do it, we can make ourselves do it.

Serving God with hitlahavut is the beginning of Hasidism. Hasidism without hitlahavut is impossible, because Hasidism proceeds in the path of the prophets, and to receive such an influence from above, our soul must be revealed.

When we serve God with energy and effort, our animal spirit itself is transformed into holiness (as we learn from the holy texts). So our service, a holy service of God, depends upon our animal spirit and human nature.

emotions are different. When we feel desire, love or fear, that emotion is not a means to attain an end or to act upon the world outside ourselves.