Chapter II

To understand the matter of "garden springs; a well of living waters and streams flowing from Levanon ," in the context of man's spiritual service:1 "Garden springs [in Hebrew ganim, the singular of which is gan]" alludes to Gan Eden [The Garden of Eden], where one is rewarded for the performance of mitzvos and demonstration of good character traits while in this world. Though there are a multitude of levels in Gan Eden, all are included within the two general categories, Lower and Higher Gan Eden. The word ganim thus alludes to the Higher and Lower levels of Gan Eden.

"Spring" refers to the soul, for it is the wellspring of life for the body. "Garden springs" thus refers to the wellspring of the soul in the heavenly gardens of Higher and Lower Gan Eden. A great emanation of light descends from the soul's wellspring in Gan Eden and illuminates the nefesh the level of the soul that vests itself in the body.

Each soul is comprised of five levels, each of which has a distinct content and specific effect. The five levels are: nefesh, ruach, neshamah, chayah and yechidah.2 The first four affect the person physically and spiritually. Nefesh, the lowest of the five levels, was endowed by G-d with the ability to animate the physical body. Ruach is the G-dly spiritual power that vivifies a person's emotional faculties. Neshamah3 is the G-dly power which gives life to a person's intellectual faculties, as the verse says:4 "The divine neshamah makes them understand." Chayah is that part of the soul which gives life to the soul powers of delight and will.

Yechidah, the highest part of the soul, is bound up with the blessed Creator. Yechidah is the part of the soul that provides spiritual sustenance and thereby strengthens the four lower levels, enabling each to fulfill its spiritual purpose with exactitude and vigor. An individual may thereby reach the loftiest heights of spiritual achievement in the areas of good conduct and proper character traits as desired by the Torah; performance of mitzvos with an inner vitality,5 and lofty spiritual achievement in Torah study.

All this can be achieved only through extreme effort and diligence. The spiritual emanations which flow from the wellsprings of the soul enable a person to achieve a spiritual "well of living waters" through his spiritual efforts and fear of heaven.

In summary: The phrase "Garden springs; a well of Divine waters," is explained in terms of man's spiritual service. "Gardens" refers to Higher and Lower Gan Eden. Within the soul are found five levels. Of the lower four, nefesh enlivens the body, while ruach, neshamah and chayah animate the emotional and intellectual faculties, as well as the powers of will and delight. Yechidah is the level that binds the soul to G-d and sustains [and strengthens] the lower four levels. Through the spiritual service of making a "well [of living waters]," man attains spiritual perfection.