The Elephant in Me - Part 3 - The Washdown

As the supervisor has done in the story, the Yetzer Hara is out to prove that the outer layer of nature - our Kabolas Ol - is not our true color.

Pressures in life, doubts about our Tafkid, or a in cooling our Bitachon, are all experiences that can potentially weaken our commitment to our Tafkid.

Sadly, there are times when our resolve is weakened, and the layer of Kabolas Ol starts to peel. The Yetzer Hara exploits and exaggerates the impact of these cracks, with the intention of washing away more and more of our layer of Kabolas Ol, R"L.

"Kabolas Ol is just a layer!" The Yetzer Hara argues. "It is not the real you. Wouldn't it be better if it was completely washed away so the true you can shine?"

Yes and no.

The Elephant in Me - Part 2 - The Layers

והנפש השנית בישראל היא חלק אלו-ה ממעל ממש

(Tanya Ch. 2)

The essence of every Yid is the beautifully pure Neshama, which is literally a part of Hashem.

The Neshama's only desire is to serve Hashem.

While enclothed in the human body, it disregards hardships from within and without, and restlessly yearns to reconnect itself with its source - Hashem - The Source of all Life.  

When a person is born, a layer of desires and passions is painted on top of this pure soul. This layer is called: The animal soul.

The animal soul keeps us alive, and its desires and passions form our nature, personality and drive. This soul cares only about its self-promotion, gratification and survival. Having been put in charge of us at birth, the animal soul directs our every action, from the very first moment we enter into this world.