Yesterday we learned that every created being has a spark of G-d hidden within.

We are totally unaware of 😕 the G-dliness present within each of them.

Of course, there are differences in the kind of life force found in the various levels of creation.

Each level receives a different amount 🤏of light and energy

In *inanimate objects*, just a minute amount of divine energy trickles down. Its energy source is thoroughly and completely concealed.

In *plants*, the divine spark is not as hidden. Plants receive slightly more light and energy, which enables them to grow and reproduce

In *Animals*, the soul and life force is already discernible. Animals move from place to place, communicate, maintain family ties, and even display emotions.

*Humans* possess the power of speech, an intellectual soul 🤔 with the ability to think and analyze 🗣️, and an expansive array of emotions.

The quality of the divine spark is *equal* in all the levels because it is shrunk and concealed within each of them…

But the *quantity* of the spark in each level is different.

We can compare this to the difference in the amount of light that creeps in through the keyhole of the door versus the amount of light that shines in through the small window in the door. The light source is the same and both allow only small rays of light to seep through, but the window obviously allows more of it in.

~~~•~~~

As mentioned above, the world is divided into four categories:

But 🙋‍♀️why *four*🤷🏻‍♀️❔

The Alter Rebbe explains that this isn't random. These 4 levels correspond to the *4 letters in G-d's name*

*Yud, Hei, Vov, & Hei*

These 4 letters are the original spiritual source for all of creation. All life force for this world is channeled through them.

What differentiates the categories?

_The amount of G-dly energy they contain._

In animals and humans, you can _see_ that there is something, some energy - *a soul* or *a spirit* - which keeps them alive.

With plants, it is much harder to perceive 🔍 that they are alive and have an energizing force that sustains them, and this applies even more so to lifeless objects.

Regardless, the divine light reaches _all levels_ only after passing through the level of Kelipat Nogah, the intermediate level which mixes holiness with impurity. Therefore, none are receiving direct and clear G-dly sustenance.

~~~▪️~~~

Now, let us apply all this to the idea we were discussing earlier - mitzvot and the intentions we have while performing them 😊:

Each mitzvah has a "body" - the technical action. Looking at just the action itself 🧐, it is difficult to discern the love and energy driving it, and the connection to G-d that this action creates.

Then there is the "soul" ✨ of the mitzvah. It is the emotion ❤️ and love 🔥 we put into the performance of the mitzvah, and the connection to G-d we aim to create through it.

Lifeless objects and plants are like the body, or the action, of the mitzvah.

Animals and humans are compared to the soul, or intention, of the mitzvah.

Just as you cannot compare the quantity of light and energy in plants compared to human beings, _you cannot compare the 🔅light and energy 🔆 that is present in mitzvah done with intent_ vs one done without.

However, our comparison isn't exact. In fact, the two are opposites. 👍

1️⃣Both body and soul, in all the levels of creation, have a G-dly spirit in them *hidden* within 🤦‍♀️. In both, the origin - G-d - is concealed.

When it comes to mitzvot, it’s the opposite:

The deed 👐 of the mitzvah

And the intentions ❤️ we have while performing the mitzvah

Both *reveal* the inner will of G-d☀️

Meaning 🤔:

Looking around 👀, everything you see exists for a purpose, *to fulfill a need*

But a mitzvah has only 1 purpose ☝️ -

*To fulfill the will of G-d*

They have *no meaning ✖️✖️✖️ or purpose*

Other than

*This is what G-d desires!*