Parashat Vayechi, Seeing Soul’s Sides, Part 2
The following essay is a revised version of the d’var Torah I posted here in 2024. This year I have re-edited it into two parts.
Part 2
Contrary to what scientists once believed, there really isn’t such a thing as a “left-brained person” or a “right-brained person.” This is because both sides are deeply interconnected through billions of neurons. What other aspects of ourselves are highly connected that we have yet to recognize?
As previously mentioned, all ten of the sefirot are found within each individual sefirah (recursively), demonstrating total interconnectedness. But in terms of our conscious mind, we can focus either on analyzing and appreciating (the left side of the brain, M’nasheh) or on creativity and persistence (the right side, Ephraim).
In Genesis 48:17-20, when Jacob (who kabbalistically represents the divine attribute of creative balance) blesses his grandsons, Ephraim and M’nasheh, he crosses his arms so that the right-hand (the blessing for the firstborn) ends up on the “wrong” grandson. This poetically seems like the human brain, where the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice-versa. The peshat (literal/simple understanding) of this action is that he gives the firstborn’s blessing to the younger one. This is a recurring theme in the book of Bereshit, perhaps reminding us that the circumstances of our birth should not define us. The grandfather’s crossing of his arms may also symbolize the left and right sides of the brain are equally necessary.
It is well known that Ephraim and M’nasheh are the first brothers in the Torah who truly get along. Perhaps this idea of interdependency is part of the secret of how these brothers maintained harmony: they both felt equally needed. The tribe of Ephraim frequently supplied national leaders and functions, prophets and judges. M’nasheh’s tribe provided manpower and resources, producing a functional partnership between influence and capacity. They set an example for the future tribes, and so their names are the ones we use to bless everyone, regardless of tribe.
Returning to my writing, it was important to me that if I wanted to write something spiritual, I needed to be spiritual, and I could not force something out of myself that didn’t come naturally. This was my own imposed rule, but one I believed helped me write at my best. When I was creatively blocked, within minutes of accepting how I felt and what was happening, I came across a particular comment on the parasha that I was trying to write about. Quicker than I could imagine, it became the last puzzle piece I needed for my heart to feel fully inspired to write. I have had countless similar experiences with my creativity.
As we previously explored, there are multiple Hebrew words we use for “soul.” Beyond the nefesh and the ruach, we have the neshamah, associated with the sefirah of Binah – understanding. Neshamah represents the intellectual and spiritual aspects of the soul – our ability to understand and contemplate divine truths.
There is also the chayah. Some interpret it as our animal soul, but I think that conditions us to focus on the idea that we are like animals. I find it more helpful to see how chayah represents the soul’s connection to the divine life-force and the essence of being. It is our souls that transcend individual consciousness and connect to the collective divine energy that is present in everything. This reminds us of how all things are connected.
Sometimes we experience the pleasure of the whole, such as when looking at a beautiful evening sky. The wind keeps changing patterns and colors, shifting from hues of white to purple and then pink, all caused by the elements influencing the sky’s chemistry. To us, this sky signals that the weather will be pleasant tomorrow.
I have found that sometimes, my own heart’s desire to share an experience with another person syncs exactly that person in such a way that he or she suggests the very thing before I do. Analyzing experiences like this brings me to reflect on the divine interconnectedness of souls. We are always listening to our essence, both inside and outside our bodies. There is always more to explore within our different souls.
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For poetic meditations with science and mysticism:
