To even consider commenting on the Mesilas Yesharim is quite daunting since this work is so complex and profound.
Clarity. That is the definitive approach to life that the Ramchal emplores each of us. If we are to take Torah and life seriously then we must, we are obligated, to know what it is that we are living for. The very first line of the first chapter lays out this mandate.
After reading the remarks that the Vilna Gaon is supposed to have said regarding the non-superfluous nature of the Ramchal's writing, this opening line seems quite redundant.
"The foundation of piety and the root of perfection is to clarify and make true to a person what his obligation in the world is and to what he needs to place all of his goals and aspirations towards in all that he toils with all the days of his life."
One could easily equate foundation with roots, clarify with making true, and goals with aspirations. Simply stated; the foundation for perfection is to know clearly what you are living for.
However in this one actually concise (albeit run-on) sentence the Ramchal encapsulates the level of clarity regarding our life's purpose that he is directing us towards.
A foundation is that which one builds upon whereas a root is something which provides nourishment for growth. The foundation is strong and firm yet stagnant. The root is something which while not strong enough to stand upon is vibrant enough to break through cement.
These two elements are combined with the sequence of doubles; a foundation comes from clarity of goals, roots are the result of making this real within us and turning it into a passion. The Ramchal is instructing us to first and foremost have a clear understanding of what our life's purpose is; not simply a cliche or a nice sounding lofty ideal but rather a thought out unshakable conviction combined with real "concrete" goals. However that is not sufficient. If we truly wish to live then we must take this deep intellectual understanding to a whole new level. We must make it true, make it real. It must be something which is alive. We must translate our outlooks into passions, something we are driven by.
Thank you Rabbi Denbo for this fascinating contrast between "foundations" and "roots" in the Ramchal's "run-on" opening line. You wrote:
ReplyDelete"...a foundation comes from clarity of goals, roots are the result of making this real within us and turning it into a passion."
I would add that the entire book can be viewed as a commentary on that very sentence. The entire Mesilas Yesharim is practical how-to guide to turning a foundation of values and goals into a living passion.
Rabbi Denbo, being a talmid as well of Rav Noach, I was wondering if you could address a question I have while revisiting Mesilos Yesharim. R. Chaim Luzatto seems to apply oach Torah as just a means to an end, that being of greater closeness to God. To my mind that fitsin very well with how I was taught about the purpose of Torah, but from my understanding, fits in better with a Chassidic approach to the purpose of Torah learning, not one espoused by the Nefesh HaChaim and the world of the Yeshivos, of Torah leShema. Secondly, why does R Luzaato not focus on how to acquire Torah itself and those matters which impede it's acquisition, like he does by all the later steps of his ladder?
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