Derech HaShem with Rabbi Aryeh Shulman

1.1: Book 1 Chapter 1

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:37:24 -0000

1.2: Book 1 Chapter 2 Episode 1

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:40:44 -0000

1.3: Book 1 Chapter 2 Episode 2

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:42:45 -0000

1.4: Book 1 Chapter 2 Episode 3

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:43:38 -0000

1.5: Book 1 Chapter 3 Episode 1

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 21:44:50 -0000

Episode Notes

The beginning of Chapter 3 may be back at the end of the previous episode.

1.6: Book 1 Chapter 3 Episode 2

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:35:48 -0000

1.7: Book 1 Chapter 3 Episode 3

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:37:04 -0000

1.8: Book 1 Chapter 3 Episode 4

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:40:13 -0000

1.9: Book 1 Chapter 3 Episode 5

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:41:22 -0000

1.10: Book 1 Chapter 3 Episode 6

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:42:30 -0000

1.11: Book 1 Chapter 4 Episode 1

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:43:38 -0000

Episode Notes

The beginning of this chapter is to be found at the end of Chapter 3.

1.12: Book 1 Chapter 4 Episode 2

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:45:00 -0000

1.13: Book 1 Chapter 4 Episode 3

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:46:12 -0000

1.14: Book 1 Chapter 4 Episode 4

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:47:45 -0000

1.15: Book 1 Chapter 4 Episode 5

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:48:55 -0000

1.16: Book 1 Chapter 5 Episode 1

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:50:32 -0000

1.17: Book 1 Chapter 5 Episode 2

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:51:35 -0000

1.18: Book 1 Chapter 5 Episode 3

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:53:20 -0000

1.19: Book 1 Chapter 5 Episode 4

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 20:54:49 -0000

1.20: Book 2 Chapter 1

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 21:09:28 -0000

1.21: Book 2 Chapter 2 Episode 1

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:37:28 -0000

1.22: Book 2 Chapter 2 Episode 2

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:40:39 -0000

1.23: Book 2 Chapter 2 Episode 3

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:45:24 -0000

1.24: Book 2 Chapter 3 Episode 1

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:54:12 -0000

1.25: Book 2 Chapter 3 Episode 2

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:55:06 -0000

1.27: Book 2 Chapter 3 Episode 4

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:58:21 -0000

1.26: Book 2 Chapter 3 Episode 3

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:04:30 -0000

1.28: Book 2 Chapter 3 Episode 5

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:11:55 -0000

1.29: Book 2 Chapter 4 Episode 1

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:12:43 -0000

1.30: Book 2 Chapter 4 Episode 2

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:21:07 -0000

1.31: Book 2 Chapter 4 Episode 3

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:22:16 -0000

1.32: Book 2 Chapter 5 Episode 1

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:23:39 -0000

1.33: Book 2 Chapter 5 Episode 2

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:26:14 -0000

1.34: Book 2 Chapter 6

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:29:23 -0000

1.35: Book 2 Chapter 7

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:31:55 -0000

1.36: Book 2 Chapter 8 Episode 1

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:34:03 -0000

1.37: Book 2 Chapter 8 Episode 2

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 22:35:54 -0000

1.38: Book 3 Chapter 1 Episode 1

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:32:35 -0000

1.39: Book 3 Chapter 1 Episode 2

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:33:39 -0000

1.40: Book 3 Chapter 1 Episode 3

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:34:44 -0000

1.41: Book 3 Chapter 1 Episode 4

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:35:44 -0000

1.42: Book 3 Chapter 2 Episode 1

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:39:40 -0000

1.43: Book 3 Chapter 2 Episode 2

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:41:21 -0000

1.44: Book 3 Chapter 2 Episode 3

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:42:16 -0000

1.45: Book 3 Chapter 3 Episode 1

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:43:59 -0000

1.46: Book 3 Chapter 3 Episode 2

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:44:47 -0000

1.47: Book 3 Chapter 4 Episode 1

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:46:36 -0000

1.48: Book 3 Chapter 4 Episode 2

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:47:34 -0000

1.49: Book 3 Chapter 5 Episode 1

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 21:49:02 -0000

1.50: Book 3 Chapter 5 Episode 2

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 17:30:12 -0000

1.51: Book 4 Chapter 1

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:57:27 -0000

1.52: Book 4 Chapter 2 Episode 1

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 20:36:28 -0000

1.53: Book 4 Chapter 2 Episode 2

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 21:27:16 -0000

1.54: Book 4 Chapter 2 Episode 3

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 21:38:42 -0000

1.55: Book 4 Chapter 3

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 18:38:47 -0000

1.56: Chapter 4 Book 4 Episode 1

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 23:39:48 -0000

1.57: Book 4 Chapter 4 Episode 2

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 22:19:50 -0000

1.58: Book 4 Chapter 4 Episode 3

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 22:23:30 -0000

1.59: Book 4 Chapter 4 Episode 4

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 22:24:01 -0000

1.60: Book 4 Chapter 4 Episode 5

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 14:36:04 -0000

1.61: Book 4 Chapter 4 Episode 6

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 18:25:31 -0000

1.62: Book 4 Chapter 4 Episode 7

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 18:36:10 -0000

1.63: Book 4 Chapter 5

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 18:11:03 -0000

1.64: Book 4 Chapter 6 Episode 1

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 02:52:41 -0000

1.65: Book 4 Chapter 6 Episode 2

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:01:38 -0000

1.66: Book 4 Chapter 6 Episode 3

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:22:35 -0000

1.67: Book 4 Chapter 6 Episode 4

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:42:40 -0000

1.68: Book 4 Chapter 6 Episode 5

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 18:39:52 -0000

1.69: Book 4 Chapter 7

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 18:03:50 -0000

1.70: Book 4 Chapter 8 Episode 1

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 18:20:45 -0000

1.71: Book 4 Chapter 8 Episode 2

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 18:02:10 -0000

1.72: Book 4 Chapter 8 Episode 3

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 22:46:05 -0000

1.73: Book 4 Chapter 8 Episode 4

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 22:47:28 -0000

1.74: Book 4 Chapter 9

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 17:44:53 -0000

2.1: Derech Hashem B'Iyun: Book 1 Chapter 1 Part 1a

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:57:58 -0000

2.2: Derech Hashem B'Iyun: Book 1 Chapter 1 Part 1b

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:30:17 -0000

2.3: Derech Hashem B'Iyun: Book 1 Chapter 1 Part 2a

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:25:09 -0000

2.4: Derech Hashem B'Iyun: Book 1 Chapter 1 Part 2b - 4

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:21:27 -0000

2.5: Derech Hashem B'Iyun: Book 1 Chapter 1 Part 5a

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:34:18 -0000

2.6: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 1 Part 5b - 6

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:17:45 -0000

2.7: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 1a

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:18:28 -0000

2.8: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 1b

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:42:17 -0000

2.9: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 1c

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:59:10 -0000

2.10: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 1d

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 23:29:33 -0000

2.11: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 2a

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:17:21 -0000

2.12: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 2b

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:54:16 -0000

2.13: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 3

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:32:32 -0000

2.14: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 3b

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:39:01 -0000

2.15: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 4a

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:47:45 -0000

2.16: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 2 Part 4b - 5

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:23:27 -0000

2.17: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 1

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:48:11 -0000

2.18: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 2a

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:23:53 -0000

2.19: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 2b

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:33:26 -0000

2.20: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 3

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:11:38 -0000

2.21: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 4 - 7

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 23:40:08 -0000

2.22: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 8

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:31:20 -0000

2.23: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 9

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:20:52 -0000

2.24: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 10 -11

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:46:59 -0000

2.25: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 11b

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:11:35 -0000

2.26: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 12

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:37:30 -0000

2.27: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 13a

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:14:27 -0000

2.28: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 3 Part 13b

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:16:48 -0000

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-3-13b-20260324-141501-outline-20260324-141618.pdf

2.29: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 1

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:20:07 -0000

This dvar Torah frames Perek 4 as an investigation into the human condition in this world through two lenses: the inner structure of the person and the external environment in which he lives. Using the Gemara’s language of **“שאור שבעיסה ושיעבוד מלכויות”**, it connects these two forces to Pesach: the internal “yeast” (yetzer hara) that puffs up the dough from within, and the external oppression of surrounding cultures and empires. The shiur then maps the path of inner revolution—through **חכמה, בינה, דעת** and through **חסד, גבורה, תפארת**—and ends by probing the deeper mechanism: physicality’s inherent “opacity” and “darkness,” the opposite of deveikut to Hashem.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-1-20260401-221913-outline-20260401-221946.pdf

2.30: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 2

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:16:05 -0000

This dvar Torah (learning session) develops the Ramchal’s description of the נשמה entering the גוף as an inherently asymmetrical struggle: even when the powers are “balanced,” the battlefield is the body’s “home court,” so the soul experiences exile in a foreign environment. Because the soul-body partnership is permanent (death is only temporary until תחיית המתים), the soul must invest in a lifelong process: first weakening the הגוף’s darkness and then elevating the גוף to rise together with the נשמה. The session concludes by previewing the next layer of difficulty: not only is the body physical, but the entire world is physical and “dark,” constantly arguing that physicality is all that is real.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-2-20260418-001456-outline-20260418-001544.pdf

2.31: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 3

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:27:34 -0000

This dvar Torah traces the Ramchal’s argument that a human being is immersed in physicality on three fronts: our bodies, our world, and our daily involvements. That physical immersion creates an “asymmetrical” struggle: the body is compulsory and immediate, while spirituality is not forced upon us. Yet the Ramchal’s key chiddush is that **from the depth of Hashem’s wisdom**, this very lowliness becomes the engine of human greatness—because transforming physical darkness into spiritual light is what generates the highest kavod Shamayim and the deepest dveikus.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/4-20260423-192629-outline-20260423-192707.pdf

2.32: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 4

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:40:09 -0000

This dvar Torah develops a central Ramchal idea: Hashem embedded *גבולים* (definitions) and *סדרים* (relational structures) within the physical world so that human engagement with physical objects can become a vehicle for spiritual growth rather than distraction. When a person uses the world according to the object’s spiritual “design,” within the proper frameworks (time, combinations, procedure) and with proper *כוונה*, the physical act itself becomes an act of *שלמות*. The shiur then addresses a key tension: since death was decreed after Adam’s sin, purification cannot fully actualize in this world—but every mitzvah still strengthens the soul and purifies the body “in potential,” to be revealed later. A passage from Rav Chaim Volozhiner clarifies that at the moment of a mitzvah a person becomes “encircled in holiness,” and Olam HaBa is the permanence of that revelation.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-4-20260423-193902-outline-20260423-193955.pdf

2.33: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 5-7

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:14:46 -0000

This dvar Torah learns Derech Hashem’s framework that mitzvot are not external rules imposed on man, but the very “boundaries and relationships” (גבולים וסדרים) custom-designed for human perfection and דביקות בה׳. It then defines the root of all avodah as a constant orientation toward the Creator, expressed through conquering the yetzer and guiding all actions to that goal. Finally, it introduces a second category beyond commanded mitzvot: everyday necessities (eating, sleep, livelihood) that can become mitzvot when done within halachic limits, with genuine health-need, and with the intention of enabling the soul’s service of Hashem.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-57-20260428-031328-outline-20260428-031417.pdf

2.34: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 8

Tue, 12 May 2026 04:14:33 -0000

This dvar Torah develops a “hack” for generating “limitless mitzvot”: everyday, non-mitzvah actions can become spiritually elevating when they are necessary for avodat Hashem, permissible, and done with proper kavanah. It then pivots to a core inner avodah in Derech Hashem: strengthening אהבה and יראה through contemplation of Hashem’s greatness and human lowliness. Finally, it frames אהבה and יראה as the two “wings” that elevate a person—אהבה expanding the נשמה’s drive for closeness, and יראה purifying the body’s pull toward חומריות—while noting that different generations may emphasize different sides of this balance.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-8-20260512-041330-outline-20260512-041418.pdf

2.35: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 9

Thu, 28 May 2026 19:27:29 -0000

Rabbi Shulman explains that while love and fear of Hashem are powerful internal “vehicles” for spiritual growth, Hashem gave an even higher external כלי: תלמוד תורה. He outlines two (and then a heightened third) levels within Torah study—simple reading, analytical understanding, and finally grasping hidden depths—showing how each level produces a corresponding increase in personal שלמות. Rabbi Shulman emphasizes that Torah study must be done with קדושה, טהרה, and proper כוונה, and he concludes that Torah elevates not only the individual but the entire creation.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-9-20260528-192631-outline-20260528-192714.pdf

2.36: D_H biyun 1-4-9_10

Thu, 28 May 2026 19:46:07 -0000

Rabbi Shulman explains that the Ramchal describes three distinct modes of engaging Torah—reading Written Torah, understanding the revealed Torah (Gemara and halachah), and understanding *סתרי תורה*—and that each produces spiritual growth in a different way. He highlights the Ramchal’s precise word choices—*ויתעצם*, *יקנה*, and *יקבע ויתעצם בנשמתו*—to show when Torah functions as a *סגולה* “internalized” into a person versus when it becomes a true *קניין* acquired through exertion. Rabbi Shulman then begins the next section (*אות י*), framing all human states of “darkness” and “illumination” as dependent on the degree of Hashem’s “illumination” toward the person—limited only by the recipient, not by the Divine Giver.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-910-20260528-194504-outline-20260528-194552.pdf

2.37: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 4 Part 11

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:56:54 -0000

Rabbi Shulman explains the Ramchal’s step-by-step “mechanism” of spiritual growth: a mitzvah brings a person closer to Hashem, that closeness yields greater גילוי (revelation/“הארת פנים”), and that revelation produces human perfection—because Hashem is the source of all שלמות. He contrasts this with philosophical models that locate perfection in abstract thought, drawing on the Maharal’s argument that true human connection to the Infinite comes specifically through Hashem’s revealed will in Torah and mitzvot. Rabbi Shulman then clarifies a potential misunderstanding: the goal in doing mitzvot is not self-serving spiritual gain, but sincerely fulfilling Hashem’s will—while acknowledging that using “reward” calculations can legitimately motivate action.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-4-11-20260602-155548-outline-20260602-155639.pdf