The terms nefesh, ruah, and neshama represent different levels of man’s soul.
Like in man (who is a veritable microcosm), these levels constitute the different degrees of the divine life force that continuously vivifies and animates all respective elements within existence.
The various levels of life all derive solely from God.
He animates them and pumps them with life force by connecting the body and soul – the very definition of life.
The verse “The spirit of all in whose nostrils there is the breath of life” speaks of the life resulting from the body-soul
blend, a combination inherent in all elements of creation.
The verse “God animates them all” refers to His maintaining this body-soul bond.
All beings require God’s constant influence, an unceasing flow of divine energy, constantly animating them and preserving the life force contained within.
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz