Are You Only Human

Are You Only Human

The Ramak's Tenfold Path to Becoming Who Hashem Created You to Be

We say it after the anger, the cutting word, the silence, or the same failure once again: “I’m only human.” It sounds honest. But what if those words have become an excuse that keeps us from changing?

More than four centuries ago in Tzefas, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero—the Ramak—wrote Tomer Devorah, his classic guide to becoming more like the One in Whose image we were created. The Ramak challenges one of our most comfortable assumptions: we are not “only human.” A Divine form lies within us, and our task is to reveal it.

Are You “Only Human”? is a practical, contemporary guide to the Ramak’s teachings. It leads the reader on a ten-stage journey through the sefiros, beginning with Malchus and ascending through Yesod, Hod, Netzach, Tiferes, Gevurah, Chesed, Binah, Chochmah, and Keser. Each stage reveals another dimension of genuine spiritual growth: accepting Hashem’s sovereignty, directing our powers, admitting the truth, continuing after failure, restraining anger, repairing through chesed, uncovering the roots beneath our patterns, and learning to act in a Divine fashion.

Each chapter combines careful explanation, classical Torah sources, guided reflection, practical avodah, tefillah, and concrete application. Recurring scenes from the lives of Avi and Libby allow readers to watch these teachings being applied to recognizable struggles in marriage, family life, relationships, and everyday decision-making.

Although structured as a journey through the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, this is a sefer for the entire year—for anyone who has ever struggled with repeated failures and wondered whether meaningful change is truly possible.

This is not a sefer about escaping our humanity. It is about discovering how much more than “only human” we were created to become.