Nefesh HaBehemit — The Animal Soul
Hebrew: נֶפֶשׁ הַבְּהֵמִית
The nefesh ha-behemit (animal soul) is one of the central concepts of Tanya. It refers to the natural, instinctual life-force that drives all human beings — not intrinsically evil, but oriented toward self-preservation, pleasure, and the material world.
Nature and Source
The Alter Rebbe teaches that the animal soul derives from the Klipat Noga (the glowing husk) — the intermediate realm between holiness and impurity. Unlike the three completely impure klipot, Noga can be elevated and transformed.
The animal soul’s “home” is in the left chamber of the heart — the seat of desire, passion, and emotion.
The Animal Soul’s “Garments”
The animal soul expresses itself through three levushim (garments):
- Thought — idle thoughts, fantasies, self-absorbed thinking
- Speech — frivolous talk, gossip, empty words
- Action — pursuit of physical pleasures, material acquisition
The Four Elements
The animal soul is composed of four elements:
- Fire → pride, anger
- Water → desire for pleasure
- Air → frivolousness, boastfulness
- Earth → sloth, depression
Not the Same as the Yetzer HaRa
The animal soul should not be simply equated with the yetzer ha-ra (evil inclination). The animal soul is a neutral life-force that can be channeled for good. When it drives a person to eat, sleep, or pursue livelihood in a measured way, it serves holiness. The yetzer ha-ra is rather the inclination to allow the animal soul to pursue its drives without Divine direction.
The Battle Within
The central metaphor of Tanya is the constant battle between the animal soul and the Divine soul for control of the body — especially the brain (seat of thought) and heart (seat of emotion). The beinoni (intermediate person) does not eradicate the animal soul but masters it.
Elevation of the Animal Soul
The goal is not suppression but transformation (birurim) — elevating the animal soul’s energies to serve the Divine. When a person eats with the intention of having strength to serve God, the animal soul’s energy becomes holy.
See Also
- Nefesh HaElokit — The divine soul in constant tension with the animal soul
- The Beinoni — The ideal of mastering the animal soul
- Klipot — The spiritual husks from which the animal soul draws
Sources
- Tanya, Chapters 1, 6-8, 9-17
- Likkutei Sichos, discussions on elevating the animal soul
- Alter Rebbe