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Why does the soul need to separate from the body at death if they're meant to be reunited at resurrection? The Ramchal explains that Adam's sin corrupted both body and soul together, making perfection impossible in their current integrated state. Death allows a fresh start, enabling the soul to later re-enter a purified body and begin infinite elevation from whatever level was achieved in this lifetime.
This shiur continues the discussion of man's original state and the consequences of the first sin, focusing on the Ramchal's teaching in Derech Hashem (ה׳) about the soul's dual functions and the necessity of death and resurrection. Originally, when Adam was created, there existed a perfect balance between good and evil, making the choice to do good relatively achievable. Had Adam chosen correctly and refrained from eating from the Tree of Knowledge, he would have immediately attained infinite perfection that would have remained with him forever. However, after Adam sinned, this balance was destroyed, creating the imbalanced struggle we experience today where evil often seems more tempting. The Ramchal explains that the soul has two primary functions: providing life and awareness, and purifying the physical body to prepare it for infinite existence. The body's purpose is not merely temporary - to provide free choice between good and evil - but also permanent, as it gives us a separate identity distinct from God. This separation is crucial because it allows for the ongoing relationship of giving between God and creation. The concept that body and soul will be permanently reunited after resurrection is explicitly stated in the text.
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Derech Hashem - Chapter on Creation and Purpose
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