Derech Hashem

Derech HaShem (The "Way of the Name") is a philosophical text written around 1736 by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto.

Principles

One of its core assertions is that man was created for the purpose of earning closeness to the creator by struggling against evil inclinations.

Contents<2>

Introduction

Part One

1. On the Creator
2. On the Purpose of Creation
3. On Mankind
4. On Human Responsibility
5. On the Spiritual Realm

Part Two

1. On Divine Providence in General
2. On Mankind in This World
3. On Personal Providence
4. On Israel and the Nations
5. On How Providence Works
6. On the System of Providence
7. On the Influence of the Stars
8. On Specific Modes of Providence

Part Three

1. On the Soul and Its Activities
2. On Divine Names and Witchcraft
3. On Divine Inspiration and Prophecy
4. On the Prophetic Experience
5. On Moshe's Unique Status

Part Four

1. On Divine Service
2. On Torah Study
3. On Love and Fear of God
4. On the Sh'ma and Its Blessings
5. On Prayer
6. On the Daily Order of Prayer
7. On Divine Service and the Calendar
8. On Seasonal Commandments
9. On Blessings

References

2. The Way of God, trans. Aryeh Kaplan, Feldheim 1997. ISBN 0-87306-769-X

External links

• Hebrew Fulltext, daat.ac.il
• Lecture series (in English) elucidating the whole of Derech Hashem & Ma'amer HaIkkarim
• Online classes, Rabbi Yaakov Feldman, torah.org
• The Way of God, trans. Aryeh Kaplan, Feldheim 1997. ISBN 0-87306-769-X
• First step on the ladder of ascent, Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum