Bilvavi Part 4 - 001 Editor's Intro

Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh, “Building A Sanctuary In The Heart” (Parts One and Two), was a sefer which touched the lives of thousands of Jews. It was a sefer that spoke to our hearts, laying out the general outline of how a Jew is supposed to live his life, keeping Hashem in front of him as a very real, existing reality. The first two volumes were adapted into English in 2007 and 2008, and the now Volumes Three and Four have been adapted into English.

Volume Three, Sulam shel Aliyah, offers more detailed guidance in certain areas in our Avodas Hashem. Volume Four – the volume in your hands, which is actually the first series of classes that the author gave to the public – focuses on two central points in our Avodas Hashem: hisbodedus\meditation (which includes the avodah of “cheshbon hanefesh”, making a self-accounting) and ratzon\willpower. The chapters are meant to be read in order, as each chapter is built upon the concepts of the one before it. 

In Section One, the author brings our life to a halt and reminds us that we have a Father in heaven, Whom we need to initiate a relationship with, just as a father longs for his son to come close to him. Then, we are told that we need to plan out and structure our service to Him, as opposed to just getting inspiration here and there. The author believes that the way to do this is by setting aside time for hisbodedus\meditation – and this merits a few chapters of its own, as it is a subject in dire need of guidance. The chapters then continue on to discuss other central aspects in our Avodas Hashem, such as gaining temimus\simplicity, acting lishmah\for the sake of Heaven, and once again to clarify the purpose of why we are living.

Section Two is built upon its predecessor, devoting an entire eight chapters solely to developing our power of ratzon\willpower. It is a path toward honest change. 

If anyone is for a program of growth and self-improvement, Bilvavi Volume IV should be seriously read and studied. Anyone who contemplates these instructions given here will discover that this is not only a self-help book in the practical sense, but a sefer that will give your whole life new meaning. Even more so, it can finally be that sefer that truly brings us closer to our Creator – furthering our journey towards G-d that we began in the previous volumes.                                          

May this sefer be of true help to those who are searching to deepen their relationship with Hashem and are prepared to commit themselves to the truths contained in these pages.