Introduction to Derech Hashem and the Ramchal

This introductory shiur begins a series on the Sefer Derech Hashem (ה׳) by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (the Ramchal). Rabbi Zweig introduces the Ramchal as perhaps the most important writer of Jewish philosophy in the last thousand years since the Rambam (רמב"ם), despite living only forty years and facing opposition during his lifetime. The Ramchal was a tremendous Kabbalist who reportedly had visits from angels and Eliyahu HaNavi, though he eventually had to leave his homeland due to controversy and settled in Eretz Yisrael, where he is buried in Tiberias near Rabbi Akiva. The shiur covers three of the Ramchal's major non-Kabbalistic works. Mesilat Yesharim is the most well-known, focusing on behavior and character development with the ultimate goal of achieving divine inspiration and prophecy, as mentioned in its introduction. Derech Hashem, the focus of this series, is a philosophical work that defines man's role in God's creation, covering topics like the purpose of creation, free will, body and soul, providence, and the spiritual realm. Da'at Tevunos is the deepest philosophical work, structured as a conversation between a person's soul and intellect, serving as perhaps the best introduction to Kabbalah.