The Kabbalists, those Jewish mystics who plumbed the depths of existence, have a beautiful and intriguing answer.
They describe the soul as being clothed. Imagine a radiant, pure light—too intense to interact directly with the material world. So, what does it wear?
According to Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, the soul is clothed in a levush (לבוש), a “garment.” Think of it as an intermediary, a bridge between the spiritual and the physical. This levush corresponds to the tzelem (צלם), often translated as "form" or "likeness." It's the soul's way of relating to the body.
It's a fascinating concept, isn't it? When the soul is nestled within this garment, it can perform its functions according to the body's needs. But when the soul is not in the body, it operates in an entirely different way. It’s as if the levush acts as a translator, allowing the soul to speak the body's language.
The Zohar, that foundational text of Kabbalah, in Mishpatim 96b, goes even further. It explains that without this garment, the soul would have absolutely no connection to the body. That’s a pretty strong statement! : before entering this world, the soul is considered to be like an angel. Pure. Without the pull of the yetzer hara (יצר הרע), the "evil inclination," and without the burden of free will. It simply is.
But everything changes upon entering the body. The soul becomes invested with this yetzer hara and with the power of choice. Why? Because of this levush, this garment of the body.
It’s a profound idea. The very thing that allows the soul to interact with the physical world also introduces the potential for struggle, for choosing between good and evil. The garment, the levush, is not just a passive covering; it's an active participant in the soul's journey here on Earth.
So, the next time you're grappling with a difficult decision, or feeling the push and pull of your own desires, remember the Kabbalistic image of the soul and its garment. It's a reminder that we are complex beings, spiritual entities navigating a physical world, all thanks to this mysterious and vital connection.