Neshama

Neshama (Hebrew: נֶשָׁמָה) is a Hebrew word that translates to "soul" or "spirit" in English. In Jewish mysticism and philosophy, the neshama is considered the highest part of a person's soul, often associated with the divine spark within each individual. It is distinct from the nefesh (נֶפֶשׁ), which refers to the lower, animalistic aspects of the soul. The neshama is believed to be the eternal part of a person that connects to God and is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as wisdom and understanding. In Kabbalistic tradition, the neshama is one of the five parts of the soul, alongside nefesh, ruach (רוח, "spirit"), chayah (חיה, "living creature"), and yechidah (יחידה, "unique individuality"). The concept of neshama is central to Jewish spiritual thought and is often invoked in prayers and religious texts. In other languages, similar concepts include the Arabic ruh (روح), the Greek psyche (ψυχή), and the Latin anima.