Works
His major work is the Nefesh Ha-Chaim ("Spirit Life") OCLC 122976311). Contrary to popular belief, it does not deal solely with complex understandings of the nature of God, but also with secrets of prayer and the importance of Torah, the purpose being "to implant the fear of God, Torah, and pure worship into the hearts of the upright who are seeking the ways of God". It presents a clear and orderly kabbalistic Weltanschauung that addresses many of the same issues as the Chassidic texts of the day. In addition he wrote Ruach Chaim OCLC 30583186, a commentary on Pirkei Avoth. Both titles also play on his, "Chaim". Thus, for example, "The Spirit of Life" can also be translated as "Chaim's Spirit" or "Chaim's Soul".
Read more about this topic: Chaim Volozhin
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