One cannot rely on H'shem and shrug off his own responsibility in choosing whether to do a Mitzvah, Averah or initiate an action.  Relying on H'shem for this would be "foolish" since H'shem has left it in our hands to take action in either serving Him or rebelling against Him. pg 429                                                                                                       Nefesh Hachaim We   learn in Kabbalah, the three parts of the soul correlate to the three concepts that comprise man, as well as the makeup of every word in the Torah. The formula goes like this from lowest to highest: Nefesh= Action=Letters of the Torah  Ruach= Speech= Vowel marks of the letters in the Torah Neshama= Thought= Pronunciat...

 For an action to be considered a service or transgression of GD there must be three elements.  1. Intention by one's heart and mind 2. One sets out to complete the intended act 3 One makes a conscious effort to complete the act with physical action                                                             Nefesh Hachaim We can use Chana's Tefilah as an example of "pouring out ones soul" in Tefillah.  Her intention was to connect to H'shem completely as well as pour out her soul to Him disregarding anything worldly or physical. Gate Two, Chapter 15 pg99

One should react to being attacked by someone else's scorn  by turning to H'shem to make peace and do Teshuva for something he has done wrong. "In turn his enemies will become his friends." pg427                                          Nefesh Hachaim Involving oneself in Mitzvot and Torah day and night are the prerequisite to being able to serve Hshem in Tefillah with his entire soul .  Gate Two, Chapter 16 pg98/99

If one is hurt by his enemy, in no way should he view him as having any strength.  He should know that his enemy was sent by H'shem to cleanse him of any infraction that he did in the eyes of H'shem.  pg 427                                                   Nefesh Hachaim If one finds it hard to serve H'shem with his entire soul, he should focus his Kavana when davening to love H'shem if not with his entire soul, then with as much as he can.  Gate Two, Chapter 15 pg 98  

When one continuously reminds himself that no one can help or harm him, he will even be able to do favors for those that wish him ill will, securely knowing they have no power other then what H'shem gives them. pg 427                                                   Nefesh Hachaim Serving H'shem with one's entire soul is the ability to "reach great spiritual heights of love and yearning for H'shem" Gate Two, Chapter 16 pg 26

The way one should react to those who are jealous or want to cause him harm is" not in kind, but with kindness"  Those that trust in H'shem know they have nothing to fear and that everything even other's  scorn comes from Him. pg 427                                                           Nefesh Hachaim Each person should serve H'shem to the best of his ability. To some this may be with his entire soul with others it may be with a little if that is truly all he has at the moment. Gate Two, Chapter 15 pg 98

 If GD chooses one to be his Shaliach, he should thank Him for the privilege. At no time should he assume he has any power to succeed or fail.  The outcome is never in our hands we are only entrusted to do the best job we can to fulfil His will. pg 425/427                                                      Nefesh Hachaim "To serve Him with all your soul"( Devarim) can mean "with your entire soul" or "with all that you are capable of, even if it is only a  little"(Sanhedrin) Gate Two, Chapter 15 pg 98

 If one is asked to carry out a task for another he should try to accomplish it with the best intentions and effort.  Provided he is capable of accomplishing the task, it is a worthy cause for a worthy person.  All the while trusting in H'shem to help and guide him.    425                                                           Nefesh Hachaim  The meaning of the Gemara that "Prayer is answered only if he puts his whole soul into it"  refers to one feeling as if his soul is uplifted and attaches to heaven with every word accompanied by a "burning love of GD" Gate Two, chapter 14 pg 98

H'shem is the creator, the provider and the facilitator.  The only power man has is to be His agent in whatever capacity He allows.  If we fail it is not us it is Him, if we succeed it is also not us it is only Him.  pg 425                                                                             Nefesh Hachaim If one experiences after Shemona Esrei as though he has landed from a place on high and must refocus his thoughts to the material world. He should know he had the correct Kavana Gate Two, Chapter 14 pg 98

 If the Shaliach he sent failed to carry out what he was sent to do, he should accept that this is H'shem's will and thank H'shem for choosing what was best for him.  He should also thank those whom  he sent to be the Shaliach according to the amount of effort they put into helping him accomplish the task pg 425                                                               "Words are facets of the soul -one unites with the mystery of mysteries inherent in that world, with every word uttered" Gate Two Chapter 14 pg 97

 When H'shem chooses an agent to bring good to others and to the world he picks the righteous ones. Seldom are those agents chosen to bring a loss. He leaves that job to the "unworthy" pg425                                                               To prepare for Tefilah one should view his body as getting in the way and an obstacle to connecting with his soul to H’shem Gate Two Chapter 14 pg 97

 If the shaliach, he sent to accomplish his request was successful, he should first thank H'shem for granting him his request and only then thank his agent for being a good shaliach of the Boreh Olam.                      pg 425                                                                                                                              Nefesh Hachaim    The correct kavana that one should aspire to in Shmoneh Esrei is to lift his body and mind above his worldly concerns and try to connect only with the Creator in the heavens having his Tefila "emanate from the depths of his soul" Gate Two, Chap...

It would be understandable for someone to seek out the most capable and "strong' agent to carry out a task.  Rabbenu Bachya teaches us that when choosing an agent he should see no difference in capability one from the next each one is only a messenger from H'shem pg 425                                Nefesh Hachaim The most important function of the human soul is speech. It sets us apart from all other created beings.  The breath one exhales as well as the words themselves is all a manifestation of the Nefesh Gate 2 Chapter 14 pg97

At times we can do everything right and it will fail to produce positive results.  At times we believe we have done everything wrong expecting a disaster when in fact it proves to be a masterpiece . What we must learn from this is our effort is a responsibility, the results are always in the hands above.  pg 42: Tu B'Av Sameach                                                          Nefesh Hachaim Onkelos equates speech with nefesh, as with each word one must exhales a breath of air.  Gate Two, Chapter 14 pg 97

A farmer is the ideal example on how to trust in H'shem.  The farmer readies his field and takes every measure to make sure his crop is successful all the while knowing it is only H'shem that will cause the crop to flourish or fail.  pg 423                                                                     Nefesh Hachaim Onkelos interprets Adams state after H'shem blew his spirit into him as a "speaking spirit" as speech is what sets us apart from all other forms of creation.  Gate Two, Chapter 14 pg 97

In every instance and area in our lives we must completely rely on H'shem and only Him as the single source that can provide for us.  Only after one has done this may he look to people as "task managers" working for GD taking care of his needs.  pg 423                                                                      Nefesh Hachaim The Karbanot uplifted the Nefesh of the animal atoning for our sins so too Tefilla uplifts our Nefesh and brings us closer to H'shem Gate Two, Chapter 14 pg 97