Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam takes us on a deep journey into the physical makeup of the world below the sky, showing us how Hashem created everything from four basic elements: fire, wind, water, and earth. We will learn how these elements combine to form every single physical thing in our world, from simple stones to the complex body of a human being, each with its own unique nature and balance of warmth, cold, dryness, and moisture.
We will also see how these elements are in a constant state of movement and change, always returning to their roots and shifting from one to another. Through understanding this beautiful, orderly cycle of creation, a Yid can come to a profound appreciation of Hashem's wisdom and the wondrous way He sustains the universe every single moment.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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אַרְבַּעַת הַיְסוֹדוֹת שֶׁל כָּל הַנִּבְרָאִים תַּחַת הָרָקִיעַHalacha 1 · The Four Elements Composing All Creations Below the Sky
אַרְבָּעָהFourגּוּפִיםbodiesהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁהֵםwhich areאֵשׁfireוְרוּחַand windוּמַיִםand waterוְאֶרֶץand earthהֵםtheyיְסוֹדוֹתare the foundations ofכָּלallהַנִּבְרָאִיםthe creationsלְמַטָּהbelowמִןfromהָרָקִיעַ.the skyוְכָלAnd everythingשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat existsמֵאָדָםfrom manוּמִבְּהֵמָהand from beastוְעוֹףand fowlוְרֶמֶשׂand crawling creatureוְדָגand fishוְצֶמַחand plantוּמַתֶּכֶתand metalוַאֲבָנִיםand stonesטוֹבוֹתpreciousוּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹתand pearlsוּשְׁאָרand otherאַבְנֵיstones ofבִּנְיָןbuildingוְהָרִיםand mountainsוְגוּשֵׁיand lumps ofעָפָרearthהַכּלeverythingגָּלְמָןtheir matter isמְחֻבָּרcomposedמֵאַרְבָּעָהfrom the fourיְסוֹדוֹתfoundationsהַלָּלוּ.theseנִמְצְאוּIt turns outכָּלallהַגּוּפִיםthe bodiesשֶׁלְּמַטָּהthat are belowמִןfromהָרָקִיעַthe skyחוּץexceptמֵאַרְבָּעָהfrom the fourיְסוֹדוֹתfoundationsהָאֵלּוּtheseמְחֻבָּרִיםare composedמִגֹּלֶםfrom matterוְצוּרָה.and formוְגֹלֶםand the matterשֶׁלָּהֶםof theirsמְחֻבָּרis composedמֵאַרְבָּעָהfrom the fourיְסוֹדוֹתfoundationsהָאֵלּוּ.theseאֲבָלButכָּלeachאֶחָדoneמֵאַרְבָּעָהof the fourהַיְסוֹדוֹתfoundationsאֵינוֹis notמְחֻבָּרcomposedאֶלָּאexceptמִגֹּלֶםfrom matterוְצוּרָהand formבִּלְבַד:alone
This halacha explains that all physical creations below the sky are composed of the four basic elements: fire, wind, water, and earth.
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אַרְבַּעַת הַיְסוֹדוֹת וְהַרְכָּבַת הַגּוּפִיםHalacha 2 · The Four Elements and the Composition of All Physical Bodies
דֶּרֶךְThe way ofהָאֵשׁthe fireוְהָרוּחַand the windלִהְיוֹתis to beמַהֲלָכָםtheir movementמִמַּטָּהfrom belowמִטַּבּוּרfrom the center ofהָאָרֶץthe earthלְמַעְלָהupwardכְּלַפֵּיtowardהָרָקִיעַ.the skyוְדֶרֶךְand the way ofהַמַּיִםthe waterוְהָאָרֶץand the earthלִהְיוֹתis to beמַהֲלָכָםtheir movementמִתַּחַתfrom underהָרָקִיעַthe skyלְמַטָּהdownwardעַדuntilלָאֶמְצַע.the middleשֶׁאֶמְצַעfor the middle ofהָרָקִיעַthe skyהוּאitהַמַּטָּהis the bottomשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noלְמַטָּהlowerמִמֶּנּוּ.than itוְאֵיןand there is noהִלּוּכָםtheir movementלֹאnotבְּדַעְתָּםby their knowledgeוְלֹאand notבְּחֶפְצָםby their willאֶלָּאbutמִנְהָגa patternשֶׁנִּקְבַּעthat was establishedבָּהֶןin themוְטֶבַעand a natureשֶׁנִּטְבַּעthat was imprintedבָּהֶן.in themטֶבַעThe nature ofהָאֵשׁthe fireחַםis hotוְיָבֵשׁand dryוְהוּאand itקַלis lightמִכֻּלָּם.of all of themוְהָרוּחַand the windחַםis hotוְלַח.and moistוְהַמַּיִםand the waterקָרִיםis coldוְלַחִים.and moistוְהָאָרֶץand the earthיְבֵשָׁהis dryוְקָרָה.and coldוְהִיאand itכְּבֵדָהis heavyמִכֻּלָּםof all of themוְהַמַּיִםand the waterקַלִּיםis lighterמִמֶּנָּהthan itלְפִיכָךְthereforeנִמְצָאִיםthey are foundלְמַעְלָהaboveעַלonהָאָרֶץ.the earthוְהָרוּחַand the windקַלis lighterמִןthanהַמַּיִםthe waterלְפִיכָךְthereforeהוּאitמְרַחֵףhoversעַלoverפְּנֵיthe surface ofהַמַּיִם.the waterוְהָאֵשׁand the fireקַלis lighterמִןthanהָרוּחַ.the windוּמִפְּנֵיand becauseשֶׁהֵםthat theyיְסוֹדוֹתare foundationsלְכָלfor allגּוּפִיםbodiesשֶׁתַּחַתthat are underהָרָקִיעַthe skyיִמָּצֵאwill be foundכָּלeveryגּוּףbodyוְגוּףand bodyמֵאָדָםfrom manוּבְהֵמָהand animalוְחַיָּהand beastוְעוֹףand birdוְדַגand fishוְצֶמַחand plantוּמַתֶּכֶתand metalוְאֶבֶןand stoneגָּלְמוֹits physical matterמְחֻבָּרcombinedמֵאֵשׁfrom fireוְרוּחַand windוּמַיִםand waterוְעָפָר.and dustוְאַרְבַּעְתָּןand the four of themיִתְעָרְבוּmixבְּיַחַדtogetherוְיִשְׁתַּנּוּand changeכָּלeachאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themבְּעֵתat the time ofהָעֵרוּבthe mixingעַדuntilשֶׁיִּמָּצֵאthat is foundהַמְחֻבָּרthe combinedמֵאַרְבַּעְתָּןfrom the four of themאֵינוֹis notדּוֹמֶהsimilarלְאֶחָדto oneמֵהֶןof themכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen it isלְבַדּוֹ.aloneוְאֵיןand there is notבַּמְעֹרָבin the mixtureמֵהֶןof themאֲפִלּוּevenחֵלֶקpartאֶחָדoneשֶׁהוּאthat isאֵשׁfireבִּפְנֵיbyעַצְמוֹitselfאוֹorמַיִםwaterבִּפְנֵיbyעַצְמָןthemselvesאוֹorאֶרֶץearthבִּפְנֵיbyעַצְמָהּitselfאוֹorרוּחַwindבִּפְנֵיbyעַצְמָהּitselfאֶלָּאbutהַכּלthe wholeנִשְׁתַּנּוּchangedוְנַעֲשׂוּand becameגּוּףbodyאֶחָד.oneוְכָלand everyגּוּףbodyוְגוּףand bodyהַמְחֻבָּרthe combinedמֵאַרְבַּעְתָּןfrom the four of themיִמָּצֵאwill be foundבּוֹin itקֹרcoldוְחֹםand heatלַחmoistureוְיָבֵשׁand drynessכְּאֶחָד.as oneאֲבָלbutיֵשׁthere areמֵהֶםof themגּוּפִיםbodiesשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there will beבָּהֶםin themחָזְקָהstrengthמִיסוֹדfrom the element ofהָאֵשׁthe fireכְּמוֹlikeבַּעֲלֵיpossessors ofנֶפֶשׁsoulחַיָּה.livingלְפִיכָךְthereforeיֵרָאֶהwill appearבָּהֶםin themהַחֹםthe heatיָתֵר.moreוְיֵשׁand there areמֵהֶןof themגּוּפִיןbodiesשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there will beבָּהֶןin themחָזְקָהstrengthמִיסוֹדfrom the element ofהָאָרֶץthe earthכְּמוֹlikeהָאֲבָנִים.the stonesלְפִיכָךְthereforeיֵרָאֶהwill appearבָּהֶםin themהַיֹּבֶשׁthe drynessהַרְבֵּה.muchוְיֵשׁand there areמֵהֶןof themגּוּפִיןbodiesשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat there will beבָּהֶןin themחָזְקָהstrengthמִיסוֹדfrom the element ofהַמַּיִם.the waterלְפִיכָךְthereforeיֵרָאֶהwill appearבָּהֶםin themהַלַּחthe moistureיָתֵר.moreוְעַלand onהַדֶּרֶךְthe wayהַזֶּהthisיִמָּצֵאwill be foundגּוּףa bodyחַםhotיֶתֶרmoreמִגּוּףthan a bodyאַחֵרanotherחַם.hotוְגוּףand a bodyיָבֵשׁdryיֶתֶרmoreמִגּוּףthan a bodyאַחֵרanotherיָבֵשׁ.dryוְכֵןand soיִמָּצְאוּwill be foundגּוּפִיםbodiesשֶׁיֵּרָאֶהthat will appearבָּהֶןin themהַקֹּרthe coldבִּלְבַד.aloneוְגוּפִיםand bodiesיֵרָאֶהwill appearבָּהֶןin themהַלַּחthe moistureבִּלְבַד.aloneוְגוּפִיםand bodiesיֵרָאֶהwill appearבָּהֶןin themהַקֹּרthe coldוְהַיֹּבֶשׁand the drynessכְּאֶחָדas oneבְּשָׁוֶה.equallyאוֹorהַקֹּרthe coldוְהַלַּחand the moistureכְּאֶחָדas oneבְּשָׁוֶה.equallyאוֹorהַחֹםthe heatוְהַיֹּבֶשׁand the drynessכְּאֶחָדas oneבְּשָׁוֶה.equallyאוֹorהַחֹםthe heatוְהַלַּחand the moistureכְּאֶחָדas oneבְּשָׁוֶה.equallyלְפִיaccording toרֹבthe majority ofהַיְסוֹדthe elementשֶׁהָיָהthat wasבְּעִקַּרin the essence ofהַתַּעֲרֹבֶתthe mixtureיֵרָאֶהwill appearמַעֲשֵׂהthe action ofאוֹתוֹthatהַיְסוֹדelementוְטִבְעוֹand its natureבַּגּוּףin the bodyהַמְעֹרָב:the mixed
This halacha explains the natural tendencies of the four fundamental elements—fire, wind, water, and earth—and how they combine to form all physical matter.
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הִתְפָּרְקוּת הַגּוּפִים הַמֻּרְכָּבִים לְאַרְבַּעַת הַיְּסוֹדוֹתHalacha 3 · The Ultimate Decomposition of All Combined Entities into the Four Elements
וְכָלAnd everyהַמְחֻבָּרentity combinedמֵאַרְבָּעָהfrom fourיְסוֹדוֹתelementsאֵלּוּtheseהוּאitנִפְרָדseparatesבַּסּוֹף.in the endיֵשׁthere isשֶׁהוּאthat itנִפְרָדseparatesלְאַחַרafterיָמִיםdaysאֲחָדִים.fewוְיֵשׁand there isשֶׁהוּאthat itנִפְרָדseparatesלְאַחַרafterשָׁנִיםyearsרַבּוֹת.manyוְכָלand everythingשֶׁנִּתְחַבֵּרthat was combinedמֵהֶםfrom themאִיimpossibleאֶפְשָׁרisשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִפָּרֵדit will separateלָהֶן.into themאֲפִלּוּevenהַזָּהָבthe goldוְהָאֹדֶםand the rubyאִיimpossibleאֶפְשָׁרisשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִפָּסֵדit will decomposeוְיַחֲזֹרand returnלִיסוֹדוֹתָיו.to its elementsוְיָשׁוּבand returnמִקְצָתוֹa portion of itלָאֵשׁ.to the fireוּמִקְצָתוֹand a portion of itלַמַּיִם.to the waterוּמִקְצָתוֹand a portion of itלָרוּחַ.to the windוּמִקְצָתוֹand a portion of itלָאָרֶץ:to the earth
The Rambam explains that every physical compound, even the most durable like gold, must eventually decompose back into its four constituent elements.
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חֲזָרַת כָּל הַנִּפְסָדִים אֶל אַרְבַּעַת הַיְסוֹדוֹתHalacha 4 · The Return of All Decomposing Entities to the Four Elements
הוֹאִילSinceוְכָלand everyהַנִּפְסָדdecomposing entityיִפָּרֵדwill separateלִיסוֹדוֹתto elementsאֵלּוּtheseלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַרwas it saidלָאָדָםto AdamבראשיתGenesisג3יט19"וְאֶל"and toעָפָרdustתָּשׁוּב".you shall return"לְפִיbecauseשֶׁרֹבthat most ofבִּנְיָנוֹhis structureמִןis fromהֶעָפָר.the dustוְלֹאand notכָּלeveryהַנִּפְסָדdecomposing entityכְּשֶׁיִּפָּסֵדwhen it decomposesמִיָּדimmediatelyיַחֲזֹרwill returnלְאַרְבָּעָהto fourהַיְסוֹדוֹת.the elementsאֶלָּאratherיִפָּסֵדit decomposesוְיַחֲזֹרand returnsלְדָבָרto a thingאַחֵרotherוְדָבָרand a thingאַחֵרotherלְדָבָרto a thingאַחֵרotherוְסוֹףand the end ofהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsיַחֲזֹרit will returnלַיְסוֹדוֹתto the elementsוְנִמְצְאוּand they are foundכָּלallהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsחוֹזְרִיןreturningחֲלִילָה:in a cycle
The Rambam explains why man is said to return to dust specifically, and how the cycle of decomposition eventually leads back to the four elements.
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הִשְׁתַּנּוּת אַרְבַּעַת הַיְסוֹדוֹת זֶה לָזֶהHalacha 5 · The Constant Transformation of the Four Elements into One Another
אַרְבָּעָהFourיְסוֹדוֹתelementsהָאֵלּוּtheseמִשְׁתַּנִּיםchangeזֶהthisלָזֶהinto thisתָּמִידconstantlyבְּכָלin everyיוֹםdayוּבְכָלand in everyשָׁעָהhourמִקְצָתָןa portion of themלֹאnotכָּלall ofגּוּפָן.their bodyכֵּיצַד.How soמִקְצָתA portion ofהָאָרֶץthe earthהַקְּרוֹבָהwhich is closeמִןtoהַמַּיִםthe waterמִשְׁתַּנֵּיתchangesוּמִתְפּוֹרֶרֶתand crumblesוְנַעֲשֵׂיתand becomesמַיִם.waterוְכֵןAnd soמִקְצָתa portion ofהַמַּיִםthe waterהַסְּמוּכִיםwhich is closeלָרוּחַto the windמִשְׁתַּנִּיןchangesוּמִתְמַסְמְסִיןand dissolvesוְהֹוִיןand becomesרוּחַ.windוְכֵןAnd soהָרוּחַthe windמִקְצָתוֹa portion of itהַסָּמוּךְwhich is closeלָאֵשׁto the fireמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangesוּמִתְחוֹלֵלand transformsוְנַעֲשֶׂהand becomesאֵשׁ.fireוְכֵןAnd soהָאֵשׁthe fireמִקְצָתָהּa portion of itהַסָּמוּךְwhich is closeלָרוּחַto the windמִתְחוֹלֵלtransformsמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangesוּמִתְכַּנֵּסand condensesוְנַעֲשֶׂהand becomesרוּחַ.windוְכֵןAnd soהָרוּחַthe windמִקְצָתוֹa portion of itהַסָּמוּךְwhich is closeלַמַּיִםto the waterמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangesוּמִתְכַּנֵּסand condensesוְנַעֲשֶׂהand becomesמַיִם.waterוְכֵןAnd soהַמַּיִםthe waterמִקְצָתוֹa portion of itהַסָּמוּךְwhich is closeלָאָרֶץto the earthמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangesוּמִתְכַּנֵּסand condensesוְנַעֲשֶׂהand becomesאֶרֶץ.earthוְשִׁנּוּיAnd changeזֶהthisמְעַטis littleמְעַטby littleוּלְפִיand according toאֹרֶךְthe length ofהַיָּמִים.the daysוְאֵיןAnd notכָּלall ofהַיְסוֹדthe elementמִשְׁתַּנֶּהchangesעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂהthere will be madeכָּלall ofהַמַּיִםthe waterרוּחַwindאוֹorכָּלall ofהָרוּחַthe windאֵשׁ.fireשֶׁאִיfor it isאֶפְשָׁרimpossibleשֶׁיִּבָּטֵלthat there be nullifiedאֶחָדoneמִןofהַיְסוֹדוֹתthe elementsהָאַרְבָּעָה.the fourאֶלָּאratherמִקְצָתa portionיִשְׁתַּנֶּהwill changeמֵאֵשׁfrom fireלְרוּחַto windוּמִקְצָתand a portionיִשְׁתַּנֶּהwill changeמֵרוּחַfrom windלְאֵשׁ.to fireוְכֵןAnd soבֵּיןbetweenכָּלeachאֶחָדoneוַחֲבֵרוֹand its fellowיִמָּצֵאwill be foundהַשִּׁנּוּיthe changeבֵּיןbetweenאַרְבַּעְתָּןthe four of themוְחוֹזְרוֹתand they returnחֲלִילָהin a cycleלְעוֹלָם:forever
This halacha describes the physical process of the four elements changing into one another in a continuous cycle without any element ever being completely destroyed.
הל׳ ו
הִתְחַבְּרוּת הַיְסוֹדוֹת וּנְתִינַת הַצּוּרָה עַל יְדֵי הַמַּלְאָךְHalacha 6 · The Combination of the Elements and the Bestowal of Form by the Tenth Angel
וְשִׁנּוּיAnd changeזֶהthisיִהְיֶהwill beבִּסְבִיבַתby the revolution ofהַגַּלְגַּלthe sphereוּמִסְּבִיבָתוֹand from its revolutionיִתְחַבְּרוּwill combineאַרְבַּעְתָּןthe four of themוְיִהְיֶהand will beמֵהֶןfrom themשְׁאָרthe rest ofגָּלְמֵיthe physical matter ofבְּנֵיsons ofאָדָםmanוְנֶפֶשׁand the soul ofחַיָּהbeastצֶמַחplantוְאֶבֶןand stoneוּמַתֶּכֶת.and metalוְהָאֵלand Godנוֹתֵןgivesלְכָלto everyגֹּלֶםmatterוְגֹלֶםand matterצוּרָהa formרְאוּיָהappropriateלוֹto itעַלbyיְדֵיthe hands ofמַלְאָךְthe angelהָעֲשִׂירִיthe tenthשֶׁהִיאwhich isהַצּוּרָהthe formהַנִּקְרֵאתthat is calledאִישִׁים:ishim
This halacha explains how the movement of the celestial sphere causes the four elements to combine into physical creations, which then receive their specific forms from the tenth level of angels.
הל׳ ז
הַחִבּוּר בֵּין הַגֹּלֶם וְהַצּוּרָה וְהַשָּׂגַת הַצּוּרוֹת הַנִּבְדָּלוֹתHalacha 7 · The Connection Between Matter and Form and the Perception of Formless Beings
לְעוֹלָםForeverאֵיןnotאַתָּהyouרוֹאֶהseeגֹּלֶםmatterבְּלֹאwithoutצוּרָהformאוֹorצוּרָהformבְּלֹאwithoutגֹּלֶם.matterאֶלָּאbutלֵבthe heart ofהָאָדָםmanהוּאitשֶׁמְּחַלֵּקthat dividesגּוּףthe bodyהַנִּמְצָאthat is foundבְּדַעְתּוֹin his mindוְיוֹדֵעַand knowsשֶׁהוּאthat itמְחֻבָּרis composedמִגֹּלֶםof matterוְצוּרָה.and formוְיוֹדֵעַand knowsשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there areשָׁםthereגּוּפִיםbodiesשֶׁגָּלְמָםwhose matterמְחֻבָּרis composedמֵאַרְבַּעַתof the fourהַיְסוֹדוֹת.elementsוְגוּפִיםand bodiesשֶׁגָּלְמָםwhose matterפָּשׁוּטis simpleוְאֵינוֹand is notמְחֻבָּרcomposedמִגֹּלֶםof matterאַחֵר.anotherוְהַצּוּרוֹתand the formsשֶׁאֵיןthat do notלָהֶםhaveגֹּלֶםmatterאֵינָןare notנִרְאִיןseenלָעַיִןby the eyeאֶלָּאbutבְּעֵיןwith the eye ofהַלֵּבthe heartהֵןtheyיְדוּעִין.are knownכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁיָּדַעְנוּwe knowאֲדוֹןthe Master ofהַכּלeverythingבְּלֹאwithoutרְאִיַּתseeing ofעַיִן:the eye
This halacha explains that physical matter and form are inseparable in reality, and that formless spiritual entities can only be perceived through the intellect.
הל׳ ח
צוּרַת הָאָדָם וְהַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין הַנֶּפֶשׁ לַתֹּאַרHalacha 8 · The Form of Man and the Distinction Between Soul and Physical Appearance
נֶפֶשׁThe soul ofכָּלallבָּשָׂרfleshהִיאisצוּרָתוֹits formשֶׁנָּתַןwhich gaveלוֹto itהָאֵלGodוְהַדַּעַתand the intellectהַיְתֵרָהthe extraהַמְּצוּיָהthat is foundבְּנַפְשׁוֹin the soul ofשֶׁל·אָדָםmanהִיאisצוּרַתthe form ofהָאָדָםthe manהַשָּׁלֵםwho is perfectבְּדַעְתּוֹ.in his knowledgeוְעַלand concerningצוּרָהformזוֹthisנֶאֱמַרit is saidבַּתּוֹרָהin the TorahנַעֲשֶׂהLet us makeאָדָםmanבְּצַלְמֵנוּin our imageכִּדְמוּתֵנוּin our likenessכְּלוֹמַרmeaningשֶׁתִּהְיֶהthat there will beלוֹto himצוּרָהa formהַיּוֹדַעַתthat knowsוּמַשֶּׂגֶתand comprehendsהַדֵּעוֹתthe ideasשֶׁאֵיןthat do notלָהֶםhaveגֹּלֶםa physical bodyכְּמוֹlikeהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsשֶׁהֵםwho areצוּרָהformבְּלֹאwithoutגֹּלֶםa physical bodyעַדuntilשֶׁיִּדְמֶהhe resemblesלָהֶן.themוְאֵינוֹand it does notאוֹמֵרspeakעַלconcerningצוּרָהformזוֹthisהַנִּכֶּרֶתwhich is recognizedלָעֵינַיִםby the eyesשֶׁהִיאwhich isהַפֶּהthe mouthוְהַחֹטֶםand the noseוְהַלְּסָתוֹתand the cheeksוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofרשֶׁםthe outline ofהַגּוּףthe bodyשֶׁזּוֹfor thisתֹּאַרappearanceשְׁמָהּ.is its nameוְאֵינָהּand it is notהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulהַמְּצוּיָהthat is foundלְכָלin everyנֶפֶשׁlivingחַיָּהsoulשֶׁבָּהּwith which itאוֹכֵלeatsוְשׁוֹתֶהand drinksוּמוֹלִידand reproducesוּמַרְגִּישׁand feelsוּמְהַרְהֵר.and thinksאֶלָּאratherהַדֵּעָהthe intellectשֶׁהִיאwhich isצוּרַתthe form ofהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulוּבְצוּרַתand concerning the form ofהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּרspeaksבְּצַלְמֵנוּin our imageכִּדְמוּתֵנוּ.in our likenessוּפְעָמִיםand timesרַבּוֹתmanyתִּקָּרֵאis calledזֹאתthisהַצּוּרָהthe formנֶפֶשׁnefeshוְרוּחַ.and ruachוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeצָרִיךְone mustלְהִזָּהֵרbe carefulבִּשְׁמוֹתָןwith their namesשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִטְעֶהwill errאָדָםa personבָּהֶן.with themוְכָלand eachשֵׁםnameוְשֵׁםand nameיִלָּמֵדis learnedמֵעִנְיָנוֹ:from its context
This halacha defines the true form of man as his intellectual soul, which is created in the image of God, distinguishing it from physical appearance and basic biological functions.
הל׳ ט
נִצְחִיּוּת צוּרַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ וַהֲבָנָתָהּ אֶת הַבּוֹרֵאHalacha 9 · The Eternity of the Form of the Soul and Its Separation from the Body
אֵיןIs notצוּרַתthe form ofהַנֶּפֶשׁthe soulהַזֹּאתthisמְחֻבֶּרֶתcomposedמִןfromהַיְסוֹדוֹתthe elementsכְּדֵיso thatשֶׁתִּפָּרֵדit will separateלָהֶם,into themוְאֵינָהּand it is notמִכֹּחַfrom the power ofהַנְּשָׁמָהthe neshamahעַדsoשֶׁתְּהֵאthat it would beצְרִיכָהneedingלַנְּשָׁמָהthe neshamahכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁהַנְּשָׁמָהthe neshamahצְרִיכָהneedsלַגּוּף.the bodyאֶלָּאratherמֵאֵתfromה'Hashemמִןfromהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenהִיא.it isלְפִיכָךְthereforeכְּשֶׁיִּפָּרֵדwhen separatesהַגֹּלֶםthe physical matterשֶׁהוּאwhich isמְחֻבָּרcomposedמִןfromהַיְסוֹדוֹתthe elementsוְתֹאבַדand perishesהַנְּשָׁמָהthe neshamahמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵינָהּit is notמְצוּיָהfoundאֶלָּאexceptעִםwithהַגּוּףthe bodyוּצְרִיכָהand it needsלַגּוּףthe bodyבְּכָלfor allמַעֲשֶׂיהָits deedsלֹאnotתִּכָּרֵתwill be cut offהַצּוּרָהthe formהַזֹּאת.thisלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵינָהּit is notצְרִיכָהneedingלַנְּשָׁמָהthe neshamahבְּמַעֲשֶׂיהָ.for its deedsאֶלָּאratherיוֹדַעַתit knowsוּמַשֶּׂגֶתand comprehendsהַדֵּעוֹתthe intellectsהַפְּרוּדוֹתseparatedמִןfromהַגְּלָמִיםphysical mattersוְיוֹדַעַתand knowsבּוֹרֵאthe Creator ofהַכּלeverythingוְעוֹמֶדֶתand enduresלְעוֹלָםforeverוּלְעוֹלְמֵיand for eternity ofעוֹלָמִים.eternitiesהוּאit isשֶׁאָמַרthat saidשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoבְּחָכְמָתוֹin his wisdomקהלתKohelesיבtwelveזseven"וְיָשֹׁבand shall returnהֶעָפָרthe dustעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthכְּשֶׁהָיָהas it wasוְהָרוּחַand the spiritתָּשׁוּבshall returnאֶלtoהָאֱלֹהִיםGodאֲשֶׁרWhoנְתָנָהּ":gave it
This halacha explains that the higher form of the soul is divine and eternal, surviving the decomposition of the physical body and the cessation of the lower life force.
הל׳ י
הַגְדָּרַת מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית וְהָאִסּוּר לְדָרְשׁוֹ בָּרַבִּיםHalacha 10 · The Definition of Ma'aseh Bereshit and the Prohibition of Expounding It in Public
כָּלAllהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersהָאֵלּוּtheseשֶׁדִּבַּרְנוּthat we spokeבְּעִנְיָןconcerning the subjectזֶהthisכְּמַרare like a dropמִדְּלִיfrom a bucketהֵםtheyוּדְבָרִיםand mattersעֲמֻקִּיםdeepהֵם.they areאֲבָלbutאֵינָםthey are notכְּעִנְיַןlike the matter ofעֹמֶקthe depth ofפֶּרֶקchapterרִאשׁוֹןfirstוְשֵׁנִי.and secondוּבֵאוּרand the explanation ofכָּלallאֵלּוּtheseהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersשֶׁבְּפֶרֶקthat are in chapterשְׁלִישִׁיthirdוּרְבִיעִיand fourthהוּאitהַנִּקְרָאis that which is calledמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofבְּרֵאשִׁית.Creationוְכָךְand thusצִוּוּcommandedהַחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe early onesשֶׁאֵיןthat we do notדּוֹרְשִׁיןexpoundבַּדְּבָרִיםon mattersהָאֵלּוּtheseבָּרַבִּיםin publicאֶלָּאratherלְאָדָםto a personאֶחָדsingleמוֹדִיעִיןthey make knownדְּבָרִיםmattersאֵלּוּtheseוּמְלַמְּדִיןand they teachאוֹתָן:them
The Rambam defines the topics of the third and fourth chapters as Ma'aseh Bereshit and explains that these deep matters may only be taught to individuals privately.
הל׳ יא
הַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין מַעֲשֵׂה מֶרְכָּבָה לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁיתHalacha 11 · The Difference Between Ma'aseh Merkavah and Ma'aseh Bereshit
וּמָהAnd whatבֵּיןbetweenעִנְיַןthe subject ofמַעֲשֵׂהMa'asehמֶרְכָּבָהMerkavahלְעִנְיַןto the subject ofמַעֲשֵׂהMa'asehבְּרֵאשִׁית.Bereshitשֶׁעִנְיַןthat the subject ofמַעֲשֵׂהMa'asehמֶרְכָּבָהMerkavahאֲפִלּוּevenלְאֶחָדto oneאֵיןwe do notדּוֹרְשִׁיםexpoundבּוֹon itאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיָהhe wasחָכָםwiseוּמֵבִיןand understandingמִדַּעְתּוֹfrom his own mindמוֹסְרִיןwe transmitלוֹto himרָאשֵׁיthe outlines ofהַפְּרָקִים.the chaptersוְעִנְיַןand the subject ofמַעֲשֵׂהMa'asehבְּרֵאשִׁיתBereshitמְלַמְּדִיןwe teachאוֹתוֹitלְיָחִידto an individualאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notמֵבִיןunderstandאוֹתוֹitמִדַּעְתּוֹfrom his own mindוּמוֹדִיעִיםand we informאוֹתוֹhimכָּלallמַהthatשֶּׁיָּכוֹלhe is ableלֵידַעto knowמִדְּבָרִיםof theseאֵלּוּ.mattersוְלָמָּהand whyאֵיןdo we notמְלַמְּדִיןteachאוֹתוֹitלָרַבִּים.to the publicלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןnotכָּלeveryאָדָםmanיֵשׁhasלוֹ·דַּעַתbroadרְחָבָהunderstandingלְהַשִּׂיגto graspפֵּרוּשׁthe interpretationוּבֵאוּרand explanation ofכָּלallהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersעַלtoבֻּרְיָן:their depth
This halacha contrasts the strict transmission rules of Ma'aseh Merkavah with the more accessible study of Ma'aseh Bereshit.
הל׳ יב
הִתְבּוֹנְנוּת בִּבְרִיאַת הָעוֹלָם לְהַגִּיעַ לְאַהֲבַת הַשֵּׁם וְיִרְאָתוֹHalacha 12 · Contemplating the Creations to Achieve Love and Fear of Hashem
בִּזְמַןAt the timeשֶׁאָדָםthat a personמִתְבּוֹנֵןmeditatesבַּדְּבָרִיםon the mattersהָאֵלּוּtheseוּמַכִּירand recognizesכָּלallהַבְּרוּאִיםthe creationsמִמַּלְאָךְfrom angelוְגַלְגַּלand sphereוְאָדָםand manכַּיּוֹצֵאand the likeבּוֹto itוְיִרְאֶהand will seeחָכְמָתוֹHis wisdomשֶׁלofהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heבְּכָלin allהַיְצוּרִיםthe creaturesוְכָלand allהַבְּרוּאִים.the creationsמוֹסִיףhe increasesאַהֲבָהloveלַמָּקוֹםfor the Omnipresentוְתִצְמָאand will thirstנַפְשׁוֹhis soulוְיִכְמַהּand will yearnבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshלֶאֱהֹבto loveהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentבָּרוּךְblessedהוּא.is Heוְיִירָאand he will fearוְיִפְחַדand he will dreadמִשִּׁפְלוּתוֹfrom his lowlinessוְדַלּוּתוֹand his povertyוְקַלּוּתוֹand his insignificanceכְּשֶׁיַּעֲרִיךְwhen he comparesעַצְמוֹhimselfלְאֶחָדto oneמֵהַגּוּפוֹתof the bodiesהַקְּדוֹשִׁיםthe holyהַגְּדוֹלִים.the greatוְכָלand allשֶׁכֵּןthe more soלְאַחַתto oneמֵהַצּוּרוֹתof the formsהַטְּהוֹרוֹתthe pureהַנִּפְרָדוֹתthe separateמִןfromהַגְּלָמִיםthe physical matterשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִתְחַבְּרוּwere joinedבַּגֹּלֶםwith physical matterכְּלָל.at allוְיִמְצָאand he will findעַצְמוֹhimselfשֶׁהוּאthat he isכִּכְלִיlike a vesselמָלֵאfull ofבּוּשָׁהshameוּכְלִמָּהand disgraceרֵיקemptyוְחָסֵר:and lacking
This halacha describes how meditating on the vastness of the physical and spiritual creations leads a person to love Hashem and feel humble before Him.
הל׳ יג
הַקְדָּמַת לִמּוּד הַהֲלָכָה לְעִנְיְנֵי הַפַּרְדֵּסHalacha 13 · Precedence of Halachic Study to the Esoteric Pardes
וְעִנְיְנֵיAnd the matters ofאַרְבָּעָהfourפְּרָקִיםchaptersאֵלּוּtheseשֶׁבְּחָמֵשׁwhich are in the fiveמִצְוֹתmitzvotהָאֵלּוּtheseהֵםthey areשֶׁחֲכָמִיםwhat the Sagesהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe early onesקוֹרְאִיןcallאוֹתוֹitפַּרְדֵּסPardesכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאָמְרוּthey saidאַרְבָּעָהfourנִכְנְסוּenteredלַפַּרְדֵּס.the PardesוְאַףAnd evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁגְּדוֹלֵיthat the great men ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelהָיוּthey wereוַחֲכָמִיםand Sagesגְּדוֹלִיםgreatהָיוּthey wereלֹאnotכֻּלָּםall of themהָיָהwasבָּהֶןin themכֹּחַthe strengthלֵידַעto knowוּלְהַשִּׂיגand to comprehendכָּלallהַדְּבָרִיםthe mattersעַלuponבֻּרְיָן.their clarityוַאֲנִיAnd Iאוֹמֵרsayשֶׁאֵיןthat it is notרָאוּיproperלְטַיֵּלto strollבַּפַּרְדֵּסin the Pardesאֶלָּאunlessמִיoneשֶׁנִּתְמַלֵּאwho has filledכְּרֵסוֹhis belly withלֶחֶםbreadוּבָשָׂר.and meatוְלֶחֶםAnd breadוּבָשָׂרand meatהוּאitלֵידַעis to knowהָאָסוּרthe forbiddenוְהַמֻּתָּרand the permittedוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶםof themמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofהַמִּצְוֹת.the mitzvotוְאַףAnd evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁדְּבָרִיםthat mattersאֵלּוּtheseדָּבָרa matterקָטָןsmallקָרְאוּcalledאוֹתָןthemחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesדָּבָרa matterגָּדוֹלgreatמַעֲשֵׂהthe workings ofמֶרְכָּבָהthe Chariotוְדָבָרand a matterקָטָןsmallהֲוָיוֹתthe debatesדְּאַבַּיֵּיof Abbayeוְרָבָא.and Ravaאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughכֵןsoרְאוּיִיןfittingהֵןthey areלְהַקְדִּימָן.to give them precedenceשֶׁהֵןbecause theyמְיַשְּׁבִיןsettleדַּעְתּוֹthe mindשֶׁלofאָדָםa personתְּחִלָּה.firstוְעוֹדAnd furthermoreשֶׁהֵםthat they areהַטּוֹבָהthe goodהַגְּדוֹלָהthe greatשֶׁהִשְׁפִּיעַthat bestowedהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heלְיִשּׁוּבfor the settling ofהָעוֹלָםworldהַזֶּהthisכְּדֵיin orderלִנְחלto inheritחַיֵּיthe life ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldהַבָּא.the comingוְאֶפְשָׁרAnd it is possibleשֶׁיְּדָעֵםthat may know themהַכּלeveryoneקָטָןsmallוְגָדוֹלand greatאִישׁmanוְאִשָּׁהand womanבַּעַלone ofלֵבmindרָחָבbroadוּבַעַלand one ofלֵבmindקָצָר:limited
The Rambam explains that one must first master the practical laws of the Torah before delving into the deep secrets of the Pardes.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The Rambam explains that all physical creations below the sky are made of a combination of fire, wind, water, and earth, which are themselves combinations of matter and form. Each element has its own natural weight and characteristics—fire being warm and dry, wind warm and moist, water cold and moist, and earth cold and dry—which determine how they combine and how the resulting bodies behave. Ultimately, every combined entity must decompose back into these four elements, though this often happens through a gradual cycle of changing into other entities first. Furthermore, these four elements themselves are in a constant state of flux, with portions of them continually transforming into one another in an unceasing cycle driven by the revolution of the sphere.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Rambam teaches us a profound truth about our physical existence: everything in this world below the heavens, including our very bodies, is a mixture of the four basic elements of fire, wind, water, and earth. These elements are in a constant state of flux, shifting and changing from one to another, and ultimately, every physical structure is destined to decompose and return to its source. Even the most precious physical things, like gold and rubies, cannot escape this reality.
When you realize that your physical body is made of these shifting, temporary elements, it changes how you look at yourself. The Rambam explains that what truly makes you a human being, the "tzellem Elokim", is not your physical form, but your neshama, the spiritual form given to you by Hashem that is capable of knowing Him. Your body is just a temporary vessel, a combination of dust and wind that will eventually return to the earth, but your spiritual essence is eternal.
This understanding is a powerful tool for your daily avodah. It helps you put your physical desires and worries into perspective. When the yetzer hara tries to make you overly anxious about material comforts, physical beauty, or worldly possessions, remind yourself of this sugya. These things are just temporary combinations of the four elements, constantly changing and destined to dissolve. Your real focus must be on nurturing your neshama, which connects you directly to the Creator.
Today, when you find yourself getting upset or overly invested in a physical frustration or material desire, pause for a moment. Remind yourself: "This is just temporary matter, but my neshama is eternal." Redirect that energy into a spiritual act, like learning a line of Torah or saying a brachah with deep kavana.