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It was promoted as the "Fight of the Century."  As millions watched, Joe Frazier faced Muhammad Ali, on March 8, 1971 at Madison Square Garden.

"Ali had been stripped of his world Heavyweight title by boxing's governing bodies after expressing his views on the Vietnam war in 1967. Joe Frazier now had the title, and was then thought to be, in Ali's absence, the best Heavyweight of the day. When Ali was allowed to come back, the first fight between these two boxers was agreed upon almost immediately.  The fight took on a circus-like atmosphere: Many boxing fans around the world argued that Ali's speed and ability would blind Frazier, while others supported the idea of Frazier beating Ali based on the fact Frazier was known for his power punching and that Ali had been away from competition for so long. On the days leading to the fight, Ali would sneak out to Frazier's training camp and call him the White man's champion.  Reporters from all over the world were working that night, and many famous people were at ringside. Woody Allen was seen sitting very close to the ring, and Frank Sinatra was working as a photographer for Life magazine.   Frazier and Ali boxed evenly for the first ten rounds, but in round eleven, Frazier came on and hit Ali hard. Ali tried to come back in the next three rounds, but at the end of round 14, Frazier held a lead on the scorecards. With about a minute to go in round 15, Frazier landed a right cross to Ali's chin and Ali went down, cementing Frazier's lead on the scorecards. While Ali got up and finished the bout on his feet, a little later, he had been declared the loser for the first time in his professional boxing career, as Frazier had kept the world Heavyweight title by a 15 round unanimous decision," wikipedia.com.

In a similar fashion, there is a fierce battle raging inside each person.  Two inclications are fighting to determine who will be the champion of man.  Will the material or the spirtiual rule the heart?  Will the divine soul or the animal soul conquer?  "What is the difference between the righteous and the wicked?  The wicked are under control of their heart while the righteous have their heart under their control," says the Talmud.

What is the difference between the righteous and the wicked?  The wicked are under control of their heart while the righteous have their heart under their control," says the Talmud.

Messiah said, "that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man," Mark 7:20-23.  Mankind has the free will to choose YHWH's* ways or selfish desires.  Who will win the battle over the soul?  Only our life will tell.  However, while the battle continues there are many things that we can learn about the soul to help insure victory. *(YHWH is the ancient Hebrew Name of the Creator, revealed to Moses at the burning bush, and translated with all capitalized letters in English Bibles.)

Let's review the creation account in Beresheet (Genesis).  As we do, may our minds be renewed to the truth of the Scriptures.  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Elohim's* mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Elohim -- this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what Elohim's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will," Romans 12:1-2.  *(Elohim is an the Hebrew term for "mighty one," translated "g/d.)

Our minds have been filled with many Greek/worldly concepts that affect our thinking.  Unfortunately, believers have been mislead to accept many Greek ideas as Biblical.  One such dangerous Hellenistic thought is that man is spirit, has a soul, and lives in a body.  This permeates the suggestion that the body is evil and has been cursed by Elohim.  The Greek view of separate body and soul creates more questions than it answers.  What happens when a believer dies?  Do animals have souls?  What about the sinful desires inside of man?  Is it wrong to enjoy physical pleasures?  The Hebraic view of this subject answers these and other questions with Biblical authority.

Hebraically, we are told that man was actually created with at least three levels of his soul, which form one unity.  Like a candle, whose flame has many colors, man too has many levels of the soul.  During the creation account in Beresheet, we are introduced to three Hebrew terms regarding the soul.  Though they are often translated the same in English, these Hebrew words are quite different; they are not interchangeable.  They were each used differently to teach us about the three parts of the soul and how they work.  Understanding the soul is like ascending Ya'acov's ladder; climbing higher up the intelligent design of man. 

The Animal Soul

In the beginning YHWH created the world and then populated it with various types of animals.  Beautiful birds, magnificent fish, crawling insects, and huge land animals where all made by the spoken word of Elohim.  Every living being was endowed with a soul.  This is called "nefesh" in Hebrew.  "And Elohim created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and Elohim saw that it was good," Beresheet 1:21.  The word translated for "creature" here and throughout the Bible is "nefesh."  Animals have a nefesh and so does mankind.  "YHWH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living nefesh," Beresheet 2:7.  The nefesh is found within man, animals, and throughout all of creation.  It is associated with the body and concealed in the blood.  "The nefesh of the flesh is in the blood," Vayikra 17:11.

Animals have a nefesh and so does mankind.

It is associated with the body and concealed in the blood.

Ancient Jewish writings describe the nefesh as the "animal soul."  Nefesh is the animalistic desires inside man.  These desires are influenced by the five senses.  In the Bible, "nefesh" is most often translated "soul, life, creature, appetite, will, desire."  Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and Dictionary defines the nefesh as "that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man, the seat of the appetites."  The nefesh is also the ego.  In the Newer Testament it is called "the flesh."  Rabbinic sages have labeled it the "yetzer hara."  Left uncontrolled, the nefesh/yetzer hara will lead man to break YHWH's commands and abandon His instructions.  As an entity, the nefesh is not evil, but inclined to evil.

Most people mistakenly think the nefesh is their true identity, so they live their lives constantly searching for satisfaction in the material.  Such actions only led to false fulfillment and sin.  "Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire (or nefesh), he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death," Ya'akov 1:14-16.

When the yetzer hara/nefesh controls a person, the end result is pride, glorification of self, nervousness, and habitual sinning.  What begins as a thought produces a spoken word, which leads to an action, which creates a habit, which generates a lifestyle, which determines a person's character and reputation.  "An evil inclination of the nefesh is at the beginning like a fine hair-string, but at the finishing like a thick rope," says Rabbi Kimchi.   

The animal soul, the "nefesh habahamit" in Hebrew, is the essence of physical life.  The nefesh can be compared to a wild land animal that roams the land for food.  Its desires always seek to be fulfilled; yet the nefesh is never satisfied.  "The animal soul of man is the land animal in man - a wholly material being, individualistic and self engrossed as the soil from which it is fashioned,"

wrote one Rabbi. 

The nefesh can be compared to a wild land animal that roams the land for food.

Its desires always seek to be fulfilled; yet the nefesh is never satisfied.

Another soul

In Genesis/Beresheet we also find the word "Ruach," often translated "spirit, breath, or wind."  Ruach is the power of man, revealed through the senses and emotions.  The Ruach of Elohim, or the Spirit of Elohim, is the power of YHWH manifest.  "And the Ruach of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters," Beresheet 1:2.  In the Scriptures, "Ruach" is used mostly in reference to the Ruach HaKodesh, or the Holy Set Apart Spirit.  However, it is very clear that man too has a Ruach.  "There is a Ruach in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding," Iyov 32:8.

The Ruach is found in the heart space of man and is associated with speech and emotional awareness.  Man's Ruach is revealed through one's emotions.  This is where our 'spirituality' can be found.  Our Ruach is moved to tears, shouts for joy, thinks things through, and is touched by besoret (good news) of Messiah.  While the animal soul is like a land creature, the Ruach is symbolic of a dove that can fly into the greatest of heights.  If not properly used, our Ruach can also become our downfall.  "He that hath no rule over his own Ruach is like a city that is broken down, and without walls," Mishlei/Proverbs 28:8.  A person's Ruach must become transformed by the renewing of the mind to the Torah. 

Our emotions and thoughts should not be allowed to run rampant.  One must bring the Ruach under the control of the Ruach HaKodesh.  Tehillim 51:17, "The sacrifice Elohim desires is a broken Ruach: a broken and a contrite lev (heart), O Elohim, thou wilt not despise."  Through submitting the Ruach to YHWH, one may attain the highest levels of spiritual rectification.  Bringing the mind under submission to the Torah through obeying the mitzvot, prayer, meditation, focused study, and constantly being watchful of one's actions does this.  The Ruach is the part of man that makes each person unique, giving character and personality.  For the Ruach is like a bridge within each person, linking together the animal soul and the divine soul of YHWH.

The Divine Soul

A divine soul, or divine spark, of YHWH is hidden inside each person.  The "neshama" is the third level or dimension of the soul.  "The nefesh and the Ruach intertwine together, while the neshama resides in a person's character.  This is an abode, which cannot be discovered or located.  Should a person strive towards purity in life, he or she is aided by a holy neshama.  But should a person not strive for righteousness and purity in life, this person is animated only by two grades: nefesh and Ruach," says the Zohar in Genesis 206a.

The neshama is often translated "breath, spirit, and inspiration."  It is the supernal soul of man.  When YHWH created mankind, he implanted part of Himself within each person.  "YHWH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the neshama of life," Beresheet 2:7.  The neshama is also the yetzer tov, the good inclination, which pulls man towards Elohim.  The yetzer tov is the part of Himself that Yahweh breathed into man, "there is one Elohim and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all," says sefer Ephesians 4:5.  Imagine a pure light inside of every person in the world.  This is the neshama; it is totally good and unblemished. Mishlei (Proverbs) 20:27 says, "The neshama of man is the candle of the YHWH, searching all the inward parts of the belly."

When YHWH created mankind, he implanted part of Himself within each person.  "YHWH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the neshama of life," Beresheet 2:7. 

Through the neshama, one may connect to the will, wisdom, and understanding of YHWH.  If the nefesh is the land animal, and the Ruach is the bird, then the neshama is symbolic of the fish.  Fish are totally surrounded and supported by water; our neshama is totally dependent upon the presence of YHWH.  The Zohar says, "at first a person has a nefesh.  Then she or he is crowned by the grade that rests upon the nefesh, which is the Ruach.  After this, a superior grade that dominates the others, the neshama, takes up its abode, and the person becomes worthy of the world to come.  Nefesh cannot exist without the help of the Ruach, and the Ruach in turn is sustained by the neshama.  The three form a unity."  Picture a triangle, with the nefesh and Ruach at the bottom corners, supporting the neshama at the pinnacle.  The three are also connected like the colorful flame of a candle.  "Nefesh is the lowest stirring to which the body cleaves, like the dark light at the bottom of the candle-flame which clings to the wick (body) and exists only through it.  When the candle is fully kindled, this dark light becomes a throne for the white light above it.  When both are fully kindled, the white light becomes a throne for a light, which cannot be fully discerned.  So there is formed a complete light," reads one ancient Jewish writing.

The Adams family

Now that we see the three dimensions of the human soul, let's turn to Beresheet Chapters 1-6, parasha Beresheet, to midrash the battle over mankind.

Adam was created from the dirt of the ground with a nefesh found in his blood and a Ruach of emotions and mind.  YHWH breathed a divine spark, the neshama, into him.  Then, Adam was placed in the Gan Eden and told to guard and keep the garden.  Adam failed at his mission by allowing the serpent to enter paradise.  The adversary tempted Chava/Eve into eating the forbidden fruit,   "so when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate," Beresheet 3:6.  It was the outward appeal of desire that led Chava to sin.  Her nefesh was tempted to satisfy the senses of touch, taste, and sight.

When Adam and Chava first allowed sin to enter the world, their actions empowered the animal soul.  Because of disobedience to YHWH, the nefesh ascended the throne of man's ego.  The nefesh placed a type of 'veil' over the other levels of the soul, hiding their light and preventing the divine spark of YHWH from reigning in humanity.  Notice that it was animal soul, and most directly, the five senses that lead man to sin - the woman saw that tree was pleasant and desirable.  Her senses misled her to sin against Elohim.  It drove a wedge between a holy Creator and creation.  This is what sin does. 

Sin separates the nefesh from the neshama; it divides the fleshly nature from the spirit.  "But your iniquities have separated between you and your Elohim, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear," Yesha'yahu 59:2.  Each time a person refuses to submit to the Torah, that person is stepping out of the Spirit (neshama) and into the flesh (nefesh.)   Continued sin pushes the nefesh farther and farther apart from the neshama.  The neshama is never truly separate, it is just forgotten.  The neshama is often left in the dust of the sinful pleasures of the yetzer hara/nefesh.  However, the Psalmist says in 131: 9, "You shall have no strange gods within thee," many people host the strange god called self by allowing the nefesh to control their lives. 

After the fall, it is now the goal of creation to right the wrongs of Adam and Chava.  We are to help redeem the fallen sparks through pointing people to Yahshua, the Light of the World.

Notice that it was animal soul, and most directly, the five senses that lead man to sin - the woman saw that tree was pleasant and desirable.  Her senses misled her to sin against Elohim.  It drove a wedge between a holy Creator and creation.

Because of the first Adam, the nefesh was empowered, but through the second Adam, the power of sin is made null and void.  "For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive," 1 Corinthians 15:22.  Through Y'shua HaMoshiach one can overcome the nefesh!  Psalm 119:91 says, "all things are your servants" so the animal soul can certainly be controlled.  "Who is a mighty man?  He that subdues his evil impulse, as it is said: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit is better than him that taketh a city," teaches the Talmud. 

The animal soul is the evil inclination or impulse that drives man from the holiness of Yahweh.  The yetzer tov, or neshama, is the good impulse inside each man that calls humankind towards the holiness of YHWH.  Like the struggle between Dr. Jekly and Mr. Hide we can become two different people, dependent upon which nature we allow to flourish in our lives.  The largest spiritual battle for a Bible believer is not against the world nor is it against a fallen adversary.  The biggest fight is in the soul of man.  This struggle is similar to the comic angel and devil characters on the opposite shoulders of a person.  The greatest conflict is found inside of each person and in the view of each of our mirrors.

The Battle has Been Won

The Sages of Judaism have taught that repentance and learning the Torah were the only present cures for the yetzer hara until the time of the Messiah.  The Talmud says that in the age to come Yahweh will bring out the yetzer hara and slaughter it before the just and before the wicked.  Well, the age has come and Y'shua HaMoshiach has done just as the Talmud declared!  "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the execution stake," Colossians 2:15.  At this time "to the one he would appear like a great mountain, to the other like a small thread.  Both would weep-the righteous for joy, that they had been able to subdue such a great mountain; the wicked for sorrow, they had not been able to even break so small a thread," said the ancient texts.  With Y'shua's help one can bring the nefesh under subjection and one can rule the Ruach. 

Y'shua, our example, was tempted in all ways by the nefesh, yet he never fell.  "Let us fix our eyes on Yahshua, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart," Ivrim 12:2,3.  Y'shua overcame the temptations of every man by never allowing his senses to fool him.  Repeat, Y'shua overcame the temptations of every man by never allowing his senses to fool him.  He never sinned.  Y'shua also had his Ruach under control.  His emotions never led him to be disobedient.  Because his nefesh and Ruach were under His control, the neshama of YHWH was able to shine forth in Moshiach's life.  This is how Y'shua could know people's thoughts, raise the dead, heal the sick, and foresee the future.  Yahshua shed His own blood; He gave up his heavenly nefesh on earth so that we could overcome the flesh.  "And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living neshama; the last Adam was made a quickening nefesh.   Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Master from heaven," 1 Corinthians 15:45,46.

Yahshua's nefesh had the same desires and temptations of every man.  But he never allowed his senses to fool him.  He never sinned.  

To overcome the flesh takes a choice by the believer to follow the Messiah in a lifestyle of Torah observance and total dependence upon YHWH the Father.  "My children I have created the evil impulse, and I have created the Torah as an antidote to it.  If you occupy yourselves with the Torah you will not be delivered to the power of the yetzer hara," says the Talmud. 

"If anyone wants to come after me let him say 'no' to himself (nefesh/flesh) and take up his execution stake and keep following Me," Sefer Mark 8:34.  By living the Torah through the Spirit's empowerment one can defeat the temptations of the world and exercise divine victory and dominion over the defeated adversary of the animal soul.  The battle has been won - we must now enforce the power or Y'shua in our lives.  Let us pray like King Dawid, "Create in me a pure heart, O Elohim, and renew a steadfast nefesh within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Ruach HaKodesh Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing nefesh, to sustain me.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you."