Knowledge is Power -- G-dly Knowledge is Super Power.
The Torah compares the wholeness of a human being, to the
tree of the field.
There are four general categories to all of creation. The
inanimate, vegetation, animals, human beings.
Within the world and universe of a person, there is also
these four categories. Says the Talmud, a person’s greatest
nourishment and being comes from those things that grow in the field, vegetation
and trees. The person is identified most by the category of “the tree.” One
of the characteristics of a tree, is that as tall and as big as it grows, it is
always deeply rooted and connected to the ground.
Within a person, his emotions play the role of vegetation.
Emotions grow as a person matures, and are more deeply rooted in the ground of
a person’s soul than even his intellect (the role of animal). That is why it is
very difficult to change the underlying nature of ones emotions and much easier
to change the way one thinks.
A person’s intellect is the animal category within himself
and like an animal who has mobility and freedom to travel, a person through his
thinking is able to put himself even in places that are against his very own
nature.
Although the edge of a human being over all creations is
his/her intellect it is only when it has successfully expressed itself by
making a mark on the emotions and through the emotions that the person has
reached self-actualization.
According to the Torah, a person is defined by the
way they act – emotions/behavior, (compared to the tree) and not just by, how
smart they are.
Vegetation comes, from a higher source in the spiritual
worlds, than the human being, and “fell” here in this world on a lower level
than the person. This is the reason and explanation why & how it is able to
nourish and sustain the person who is on a higher level here in this
world.
The emotions as they express themselves within a person are
on a lower level than intellect. It is however up to the intellect to influence
and transform the emotions so the person connects and experiences the greater
force and life energy within the emotions, and once the emotions and character
are changed this will feed and define the person.
Within intellect itself there is also the four
above-mentioned categories. It is only the purest and most sublime of thoughts
that are not affected at all by emotions that can accomplish 100 % the
above-mentioned goal of totally influencing the character of a person for the
good.
“All of these ordinances are to subjugate one's evil
inclination and improve one's character. Similarly, most of the Torah's laws
are nothing other than "counsels given from distance" from "He
Who is of great counsel" to improve one's character and make one's
conduct upright. And so it is written Proverbs 22:20-21: "Behold,
I have written for you in the Torah prominent matters, to inform you of the
veracity of the words of truth, so that you will respond truthfully to those
who send to you." Maimonides Temurah Chap 4 Halacha 8.
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