The Divine Plan
Understanding the unique greatness of our generation and the call to remain hopeful, optimistic, and resilient.
The Divine Plan (B’Derech Hashem) describes the way in which Hashem manifests in our universe. The Torah and our Kabbalistic tradition teach that creation unfolds across three dimensions: Olam (Space), Shana (Time), and Nefesh (Soul). These three realms are the map of existence, the sacred structure through which Hashem expresses purpose in our world.
Understanding how Hashem and Torah are expressed in these dimensions helps us to understand the purpose of the world and of humanity. Moreover, it helps us to find our own place in it. By studying our social and historical context, we can locate ourselves on Hashem’s map of existence.
“When you know there’s a map, and you understand how it works—you’re never lost.”
Olam - Space
What is Olam?
Olam refers to the physical environment—the material world that surrounds us. From the cellular to the celestial, the world is composed of structured resistance: molecules, matter, and space itself. This structure is not random; it’s intentional, providing the container for our human experience. We live in a universe shaped by the boundaries of the earth, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the environments we inhabit.
What does Olam teach us about our lives?
Olam teaches us to recognize the Divine in the physical. The beauty, order, and complexity of the natural world are not merely aesthetic—they are spiritual signposts. By observing creation closely, we become stewards of Hashem’s world and refine our awareness of His presence. Our surroundings call us to live responsibly, to bring holiness into our homes, our communities, and the physical spaces we occupy. The world is not a distraction from spiritual growth—it is its field of engagement.
Shana - Time
What is Shana?
Shana is the dimension of time. On one level, time appears linear: birth, growth, aging. On another, it is cyclical: the days of the week, the cycle of holidays, the turning of the year. But the deeper Torah perspective reveals time as a spiral—repeating rhythms that also ascend. Each Shabbat, each Yom Tov, each year is not just a repeat—it is a return, elevated to a new height.
Time unfolds across eras. Kabbalah maps human history in 7,000-year cycles, each aligned with a different sefirah (Divine trait). We are now in the sixth millennium—the era of Yesod—preparing for the final millennium of Malchut, the Messianic age. Time is not accidental; it is Hashem’s choreography for our collective redemption.
What does Shana teach us about our lives?
Shana teaches us that every moment has meaning. When we understand where we are in the great unfolding of history, we can align our efforts with the work of our generation. Each phase of life—youth, adulthood, old age—has distinct opportunities. So too, each generation has its mission. By tuning in to the spiritual themes of our time, we receive a roadmap for avodah. The rhythms of the calendar aren’t just for ritual—they are prompts for transformation.
Nefesh - Soul
What is Nefesh?
Nefesh represents the human being—the inner dimension of life. Within us are layers of soul (nefesh, ruach, neshama), and each has its own spiritual function. Just as our bodies follow biological rules, our souls have architecture. We are not random accumulations of traits; we are designed instruments for divine purpose.
The Jewish soul in particular carries a mission: to live Torah, to elevate the world, and to reveal Hashem’s Oneness through thought, word, and deed. We are here not just to be good—but to be luminous.
What does Nefesh teach us about our lives?
Nefesh teaches us that to serve Hashem, we must know ourselves. Awareness of our inner world—our patterns, strengths, fears, desires—grants us the ability to choose wisely. The more we understand our soul, the greater our autonomy in navigating life. Torah isn’t meant to be practiced robotically—it is meant to be lived consciously, with the full engagement of heart, mind, and spirit.
By deepening our self-knowledge, we become partners in our collective transformation as a species—and ambassadors of the Divine to the world.