The 4 Elements and the Ten Sefiros
Bilvavi | July 21, 2023
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The 4 Elements and the Ten Sefiros

Bilvavi | December 31, 2025

QUESTION

Does the Rav explain how we can practically use the Ten Sefiros in terms of our soul? And, why has the Rav chosen to teach about the 4 elements, as opposed to all other abilities of the soul (or at least the seven primary traits of the soul)?

ANSWER

There is a new series called ארבעת היסודות – שורשי תנועות הנפש, “Four Elements – Root Movements of the Soul” in which I explain [for example] the element of earth and how its defining characteristic is “contraction”, according the system of the Ten Sefiros. There are Ten Sefiros [Keser, Chochmah, Binah, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferes, Netzach, Yesod, and Malchus] and there are four Partzufim (Abba, Ima, Zeir Anpin, and Nukva). A “partzuf ” implies a combination of some sort. This new series (Four Elements – Root Movements of the Soul) explains the elements according to the system of the Partzufim.

Besides for the aforementioned series, the Ten Sefiros are explained on a person “soul” level in the series “Getting To Know Your Soul” and in the series “Getting To Know Your Feelings.”

QUESTION

Does the Rav explain how we can practically use the Ten Sefiros in terms of our soul? And, why has the Rav chosen to teach about the 4 elements, as opposed to all other abilities of the soul (or at least the seven primary traits of the soul)?

ANSWER

There is a new series called ארבעת היסודות – שורשי תנועות הנפש, “Four Elements – Root Movements of the Soul” in which I explain [for example] the element of earth and how its defining characteristic is “contraction”, according the system of the Ten Sefiros. There are Ten Sefiros [Keser, Chochmah, Binah, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferes, Netzach, Yesod, and Malchus] and there are four Partzufim (Abba, Ima, Zeir Anpin, and Nukva). A “partzuf ” implies a combination of some sort. This new series (Four Elements – Root Movements of the Soul) explains the elements according to the system of the Partzufim.

Besides for the aforementioned series, the Ten Sefiros are explained on a person “soul” level in the series “Getting To Know Your Soul” and in the series “Getting To Know Your Feelings.”

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