2.41: Derech Hashem B'Iyun Book 1 Chapter 5 Part 4

Rabbi Shulman explains the Ramchal’s model that most events originate “above” in the higher, spiritual powers and descend into the physical world as cause-and-effect. The major exception is human free will: through bechirah a person can initiate change from below to above, impacting the higher realms by acting in the physical world. Rabbi Shulman concludes that this framework is crucial for avodat Hashem because it turns mitzvot and tefillah from generic “good deeds” into targeted spiritual actions that actively reshape reality, not merely trigger reward like a vending machine.

Outline: https://danielggordon.github.io/ateresami/dh-biyun-1-5-4-20260630-140629-outline-20260630-140716.pdf