RABBI AVROHOM CHAIM FEUER
SHAAREI CHESED, YERUSHALAYIM

בס”ד

24 Tamuz 5774

While he was a young American bachur learning in Lithuania, the Telshe Rosh Hayeshiva, Rav Mordechai Gifter, developed a very close relationship with the “illui of Lita,” Rav Mordechai Pogromanski, who literally knew “kol haTorah kulla” both the nigleh and the nistar. Rav Gifter, who was my Rebbe and my father-in-law, enjoyed relating the following story to me:

“Once, I visited Rav Mordechai in his private apartment and he was studying nistar. He asked me to take a seat while he spent the next four hours explaining the complex opinions of the Vilna Gaon, the Baal HaTanya and the Baal HaLeshem on the subjects of Tzimtzum and Les assar ponui minei. At first, I protested that I was merely a young bachur who knew absolutely nothing about Kabbala so it was a waste of time to speak to me of such secrets and mysteries. But ‘Reb Muttel,’ as he was fondly called, would not relent. For four hours he kept me spellbound, and his power of explanation was so crystal clear that I understood every word he said, despite my total ignorance of these esoteric matters. The minute this impromptu shiur came to an end I promptly forgot every word he said. I could never repeat his discourse. But it didn’t matter, because my mind had been stretched forever. During this one dramatic encounter, my mind had expanded to catch a glimpse of infinity and eternity. I would never be the same person I was before.” With this personal recollection Rav Gifter taught me that it is worthwhile dabbling in things that are presently beyond our comprehension, because these cosmic concepts open our minds to the vast, unlimited expanses of Torah wisdom which we will pursue in the future.

Almost a half-century ago, as a young bachur in Telshe Yeshiva, I myself was introduced to the wonders of this deep masterpiece, Nefesh Hachaim, by Rabbeinu Chaim of Volozhin. Since then I have studied and taught this amazing sefer numerous times, yet I have never lost my youthful fascination for each and every word of this classic. Every line and every thought in this timeless work fill me with fresh excitement and awe because I feel as if Rav Chaim himself is taking me by the hand and standing me at the foot of Har Sinai where I am receiving the fundamentals of Torah and Emunah from the source, “Me’pi Hagevura.” The concepts of Tzimtzum and Les assar ponui minei are major themes of this work, Nefesh Hachaim.

Therefore, when Rav Avinoam Fraenkel requested that I review this monumental work on the Nefesh Hachaim containing both his lucid translation and thorough analysis of this classic, I was happy to do so. I was not able to make an exhaustive investigation but I did carefully study many sections and was delighted with what I saw. I must admit that I do not understand all of the deep Kabbalistic concepts included in this work but I rely on R’ Avinoam’s painstaking research, sharp intellect and uncompromising integrity to rest assured that all ideas expressed herein are al pi Daas Torah.

I wish R’ Avinoam great Siyata D’shmaya in publishing this magnum opus, Nefesh HaTzimtzum, so that the sacred teachings of the Nefesh Hachaim will be accessible to a wider audience. The holy Zohar teaches that the widespread study of Toras Hanistar will hasten the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. May this sefer be among those which will help us realize the fulfillment of this dream, kein yehi ratzon!!