BS’D
The Nefesh Elokit is literally a ‘piece of G-d’ and cannot be blemished. The soul’s ‘ailments’ are caused due to her endless yearning to fulfill her task and stay connected to Hashem. The nefesh is perfect; she is entirely G-dly and needs only to work through the medium of the body to use it to spread G-dliness in the world. Through refining the selfish and animalistic nature of the material world she accomplishes her unique task.
Before the nefesh descends she is shown her entire life; complete with the distractions and false enticements. She takes an oath to be righteous; she will always remain loyal to her desire to improve and refine this corporal world. She is allotted all of the necessary tools she needs to survive spiritually. She is given these tools in installments throughout her life as she needs them and earns them (by means of tefillah, Torah study and good deeds). The soul is equipped with emotions and intellect all focused on doing Hashem’s will. However as the soul merges with the physical body, who also comes with her dose of intellect and feelings, she finds herself fighting with another force.
The Zohar brings down the 613 mitzvot are essentially 613 channels through which the soul attains eternal elevation. If the soul does not completely finish its mission it must return once again. Gilgul (reincarnation) in gematria (numerology) = 72 = chesed (compassion, kindness); the soul gains eternal elevation through reincarnation since it places her in a higher place to bask in the Divine radiance.
The Jewish people have the merit to carry this G-dly spark, the nefesh. Our inner core is perfect and unique to us. B’H may we value and apply it to make this world a better place.
