The Wonders of Harav Yitzchack Kadouri

22 Some of Rav Chaim Vital’s works address this issue at length, of how one can DFKLHYH VXFK µVXSHUQDWXUDO¶ SRZHUV 7KH ¿UVW ZRUN LV HQWLWOHG 6KDDUHL .HGXVKDK DQG KDV EHHQ UHSULQWHG QXPHURXV WLPHV 7KH ¿QDO FKDSWHU WKRXJK ZKLFK ZDV omitted in all of these printed editions, can now be found in the Kisvei Maharchu Hachadashim. Another work which details the nature of these powers is entitled 6KDDU 5XDFK +DNRGHVK $GGLWLRQDOO\ RQH FDQ ¿QG PRUH PDWHULDO RQ WKLV VXEMHFW in Shaar Hagilgulim, which, besides discussing the subject of reincarnation, contains extensive pieces on the essence of the human soul and its innate powers. Scattered here and there in the rest of Rav ChaimVital’s works are various actions and character attributes which can help develop one’s latent spiritual powers. However, most of this subject is touched upon in the abovementioned works. Harav Yitzchak Kadouri zt”l was tremendously knowledgeable in all areas of 7RUDK :LWKRXW D GRXEW KH EHJDQ KLV DVFHQW LQWR WKH UHDOP RI WKH HVRWHULF E\ ¿UVW VWXG\LQJ WKH UHYHDOHG SRUWLRQV RI 7RUDK WKH 7DOPXG DQG LWV KDODFKLF FRGL¿HUV including the Code of Jewish Law. He was well versed in these subjects. Only later did he spend a great portion of his time focusing on the works of Kabbalah and the teachings of the Ari, their commentaries, as well as the prayer book of the Rashash (a seventeenth century Kabbalist) and its commentaries. One of the latter works was the Shemen Sasson of Harav Sasson Presiado zt”l. Harav Kadouri saw in the detailed instructions of the Ari, as recorded by Rav Chaim Vital (in the abovementioned works) a guide on how to live life. He devotedly DSSOLHG KLPVHOI LQ IXO¿OOLQJ WKRVH LQVWUXFWLRQV WR WKH OHWWHU LQ DOO VLWXDWLRQV DQG under all circumstances. His purpose in doing so wasn’t to publicly display his spiritual achievements or to pride himself on his supernatural powers. He wanted to grow in wisdom in order to serve G-d better. He wanted to bring satisfaction WR * G E\ GRLQJ +LV ZLOO DQG KHOS -HZV HYHU\ZKHUH WKURXJK WKH LQÀXHQFH RI his learning and the power of his prayers. The supernatural powers he had were merely offshoots of his spiritual lifestyle and exalted behavior. Obviously, it is impossible within the scope of this introduction to mention all of the detailed instructions from the works listed above. We can only point to some of their major principles, adding from other works as well, and point out their central importance in acquiring these powers. Lesson Two The human soul is a spiritual entity, described as a supernal light deriving its source of origin from the Creator, despite its being encased in the human body. Its latent powers are extremely strong, but are held back by the corporeal constraints of the human body and its physicality. In order to merit supernatural powers, the approach is twofold: To strengthen the soul and further its innate powers beyond WKHLU UDZ VWDWH DQG WR UH¿QH WKH FRUSRUHDO TXDOLWLHV RI WKH ERG\ %\ GRLQJ VR RQH can overcome the constraints made by the body and weaken its grip over the soul. Observing the laws of the Torah and learning its wisdom are the means by