יחידה

יחידה the highest and innermost of the five levels of the soul, the level at which the soul is in absolute unity with G-d.

Etymology

TThe name יחידה is so called because it is united with הקדוש ברוך הוא (the Holy One, Blessed be He), Who is called 'יחיד' (Unique).

Definition

The soul is described as having five "names" or levels: נפש (Nefesh), רוח (Ruach), נשמה (Neshamah), חיה (Chayah), and יחידה.

Relationship with the Soul's Essence

In many places in the teachings of תורת החסידות (Chassidic thought), יחידה is identified with the עצם הנשמה (the essence of the soul). However, other sources explain that even יחידה is just a "name" for the soul's essence, which is an even deeper, more abstract level. This is derived from the statement of the Sages, "Five names were called to it," implying that these levels are all names for an essence that transcends them.

The true reality of the soul is its essence as it is united with הקדוש ברוך הוא, as stated in the Zohar, "Israel and the Holy One, Blessed be He, are all one."

Expression in Avodah

In a person's service of G-d (avodah), the עצם הנשמה is expressed through מסירות נפש (self-sacrifice), which demonstrates that the connection to G-d is ingrained in one's very being. A deeper expression is when a Jew, even in a state of physical and spiritual abundance, feels broken and shaken by the fact that they are still in גלות (exile) and demands the True and Complete Redemption.

Teachings of the Rebbeim

The Alter Rebbe explains in לקוטי תורה that the ten soul powers, including even the highest faculty of חכמה (the sefirah of Wisdom), are merely vessels for the עצם הנפש (essence of the soul). The essence itself is a "simple light" that is not confined to these ten defined categories.

The revelation of יחידה in the Messianic era will be incomparably greater than its revelation through the service of G-d in the present time.

It is explained in the talks of the Rebbe that the ניצוץ משיח (spark of Moshiach) within every Jew is the level of the עצם הנשמה, which is even beyond the level of יחידה. Therefore, a Jew's connection to משיח is constant and part of their very existence ("the life of him... is to bring the days of Moshiach").