Tanya Life: Recent Episodes
Shlomie Naparstek
Chapter Thirty: Now, the sixth method in crippling the ego to un-obstruct the critical flow channel from the mind to the heart. This one, more of a perspective:
Usually, comparing yourself to others is a bad trait - especially if it's a spontaneous thought that breeds jealousy or self- misery. There is a time, though, when it could be an asset. To break your ego, you must come to a raw and honest realization that you are the worst person you know - lower than the lowest person you are familiar with!
This isn't just humility - not boasting or gloating. Because, although that is commendable, it presupposes that you do recognize your own qualities, and that they are better than those around you, but you just righteously choose to keep those facts and thoughts to yourself - or better, you don't think of it at all. This, though, will not break your spirit. You must take it to the next level and bring your mind to realize that you have nothing at all to be proud about!
The idea is to engage in a mental pursuit that is otherwise very detrimental, but healthy in this context: compare yourself to the least redeemable person you know. This, in an exercise in three steps:
- Them. Recognize that no matter how low, annoying, sinful, and distasteful that person is - you can never, ever really judge them until you have experienced their position; their history, their tendencies, their knowledge, their nature and nurture. It is impossible, so you must realize that you cannot honestly brand him with any label.
- Yourself. Yourself, on the other hand, you can and must judge. Recognize that you are far, far from perfect. On a normal day you excuse yourself ceaselessly. But, in this exercise, be brutally honest. You have a long way to go until the ideal. So, in reality, at the very least you stand on equal keel as the other in this comparison game - them: you can never judge; you: every mistake must be critically judged and owned.
- The Fallout. If all the above is true and honest, then the logical conclusion is that you - a person who is in the space of Torah knowledge, Mitzvah observance, good manners and good person - must automatically be lower because as a rule: the better you are as a person the more is expected of you. Ironically, the more you think better of yourself, the more, in this mental exercise, you must be critical of yourself. So, as a fact, you are literally the worst person you know!
If you go through this exercise in an honest way, you are certain to break your spirit, and therefore your ego. Mission accomplished!
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Source Sheet: Chapter 30
Chapter Twenty-nine: Now to the second Essential Tool of the “When” chapters: The Mind-Heart Symbiosis, i.e. the great necessity of unobstructed communication between the mind and heart.
This is important because without the ability for the mind to inspire the heart, none of the mental exercises that are meant to expose the hidden love within the soul can be effective.
So the key to breaking through an uninspired, apathetic, cold, stoned heart is to break your spirit, your own ego. That is what is causing the obstruction and no amount of mental prowess is going to help the breakthrough. You have to self-deprecate in a targeted way.
Here are four reflective - and one verbal - ways to break your own ego:
Reflect of how you struggle with such dark thoughts and tendencies
Reflect of the sinful behavior of your youth
Reflect of all the meaningless pursuits you have engaged in
Reflect of the shameful thoughts you dream at night
Say to your negative inclination: “You are evil and bad, antagonistic to the truth, etc.. and want to have nothing to do with you!”
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Source Sheet: Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Continuing on our quest for happiness, at all occasions.
In chapter 26, we discussed depression stemming from general worries of one’s personal status, material or spiritual. One must be happy and comfortable even before the struggle to be is the right disposition to win.
Then in chapter 27 we discussed depression attacking during the battle itself. When you struggle with the struggle itself.
Now, we deal with another scenario: How is it best to react when the depression get to you on the up-swing, when you are winning! An inappropriate thought comes to you when your divine service, let's say by davening, is going good and it just proves that your “good” davening is inadequate.
So, you get depressed!
Here is the thing: That all presupposes that the davening and the improper thought are from the same person. Then, sure, it proves that this person’s davening is tainted and not on par. But in reality, it's just the opposite.
See yourself with objective self-analysis. What is going on here? It's a battle of two distinct personalities, the animal soul and the G-dly soul, who are vying for your attention. You can analyze the battle from above. If the animal soul is attacking, that proves that the G-dly soul is doing well. If it wasn't, then the animal soul wouldn't bother.
The inappropriate thought at the holiest time proves that you're doing right. Don't give up, take encouragement and delve deeper. You are praying, so pray to Hashem for assistance to get rid of the thought! Realize: that it is at the moment right before winning that the opponent gains the most strength to counter the onslaught. It proves you’re winning.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-six: Continuing on in the quest for the key to happiness:
Last chapter we sought advice to counter negative feelings as a result of general worry: about both one’s material circumstance and spiritual state. Now, we tackle depression that emerges from the battle itself: “Why do I struggle with immoral and bad impulses?!”
Here is the thing: Your happiness is COMPLETELY dependent on your own expectations. A Tzadik doesn’t struggle. You are not a Tzadik. You wish you were a Beinoni for even a moment!
Don’t struggle with the struggle. You are designed to perpetually struggle for life. Except it - don’t let depression sink in - and win it! That is a key to happiness.
And the big question is now asked: perpetual battle? Never a victory? What's the point?
And the answer is, that Hashem has such tremendous pleasure in he who struggles and then wins, that the small win today (even with the re-battle tomorrow) IS the point. That is the victory itself! Every small win lessens the grip of the negative force and impulse within you (and up on high as well)!
This is true even for permitted impulses, regular day-to-day life acts: There is a lot of value in suppressing your impulses, even for a few moments, just to weaken it for the real battles that come up later.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-six: Ok, now we start a new era in this journey: the “When”.
A key challenge of mental health is that we don't approach from a “third-party” objective stance. We don't naturally analyze, negotiate and heal our own consciousness because our consciousness is us. The key idea is to start working on ourselves as “third-party”.
Happiness is fundamental for two reasons. 1. From natural law, for in the struggle of life one must be happy in order to win. Without it, no factor will help your victory. 2. From Torah law, for doing Mitzvos with simcha, happiness is fundamental to serving Hashem.
So let's talk about the threat to happiness from everyday life: the normal worries of human experience.
- Worrying about your material circumstance (largely not in your hands): We all worry about what we perceive as challenges: mentally, physically, medically and financially; relationships, family and status. We have the bad things that happen to us.
The way to put yourself in another state of mind when those thoughts drag you down, is to always reflect on the fact that even the bad things of life come from Hashem. G-d is good so G-d does good. The thing is, that certain elements are spiritually sourced so high that we cannot perceive its goodness.
- Worrying about your spiritual circumstance (largely in your hands): We are all critical of our spiritual stature. Everyone wants to be a better person, more sensitive, more receptive, more moral, more connected, more engaged in Torah and Mitzvos.
These thoughts are commendable, for sure, but they are the enemy of happiness. If those thoughts come to you when you are engaged in Judaism, then know that it is a pure distraction; a clever ploy to detract from the actual good of the moment.
But even in a regular moment of the day, remember this rule: If your thoughts of remorse are spontaneous, it is detrimental. If they are planned, by you, at designated times, they are redemptive. Make sure it's on your terms, with brains and not reactionary with instinct.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-five: Now we will wrap up what we started in Chapter 20, and more largely in Chapter 18: Tanya is giving you the “How”, not just the what. So we know the ideal and attainable status of Beinoni. But How to get there is more important than knowing the fact that you can get there. So from Chapter 18 we embarked on a journey of the first and more fundamental way to attain this status and that is by tapping into the dormant love every Jewish soul has for Hashem, naturally from birth. The way to do that is by utilizing the brain. Through a distinct mental exercise, one can uncover that love at any moment (not just when an external factor is pressuring you in the moment of truth with a major decision). This exercise assumes that the love is there, it just has something covering it that needs removal. The argument in 5 steps:
Recognize that everyone has a “red line” that they dont cross. The lowest common denominator by a Jews is overt disconnection from Hashem.
Reflect that this “red line” is inherent in the Jewish soul; it is natural. A rational moment would dictate keeping one from sinning even minorly because one wouldn't want to disconnect even for a moment. Now we need to wield it.
In the moment of sin though, foolishness takes over and one assumes at that moment that there isn't a total disconnect that is happening and so they go ahead with it.
The key is a mental exercise, for the brain has ultimate control over impulse, that will counter that foolishness.
The mental exercise in 4 steps:
Understand the significance of perceiving the world with the lens of Achdus Hashem - that there is no other existence aside from Him (like in the metaphor of the spoken word as it remains in the mind of the speaker before it is expressed).
If so, then the fact that we empirically experience other existence is a positively designed perspective that Hashem grants us with which to live by. The idea is, Hashem has (only) two modes of manifest: Revealment and Concealment. It's all the same Essence but, from our perception, these are the ways Hashem can be perceived (like in the metaphor of the turtle with a shell that is a part of the body).
If that is the framework then it translates in the application. Our actions too are measured by one metric: Either we are engaging in disconnection or connection from Hashem.
If so, there is only one outcome for even the most minor mitzvah (connection like the most major) and the most minor sin (disconnection like the most major). Reflect on this truth and that the notion otherwise, that there are differences, are but a distraction.
So, that wraps up the “How” of removal (other methods, of arousal, will be dealt with in chapters 43-50) - the method by which a person can attain and retain the Beinoni status. We leave off with an insight into why we say Shema everyday, morning and night. Shema is an affirmation of Achdus Hashem and is the willingness to sacrifice one's life for that cause. Martyrism doesn't necessarily mean to die for Hashem, it can mean to live for Hashem, even if you are cutting against the grain. It's all the same method: You can utilize the same power that would prompt self-sacrifice, the “red line” from the Dormant Love, for living by Hashem’s will every moment of a regular day. So in essence, the Shema prayer is a foundation in Judaism. It is a reminder and proper time of reflection for all the above which is the surest path to being a Beinoni. -_-_-_- Source Sheet: Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-four: And now, for the other side of the spectrum: disconnection.
Here is what we need to understand: The world was created with the necessary negativity. Meaning, there are inherent “disconnect elements embedded in creation in order to present to humanity the free choice to choose between connection and disconnection.
These elements are there existing with duty. They are not betraying Hashem, they are serving a purpose.
Human action, on the other hand, is a whole different story. When one chooses to disconnect, that is a betrayal. They reduce themselves to even lower than the lowliest of creations because you are taking potential, nd choice, for connection and you are choosing to disconnect.
Now just to get to the main idea here: There is no difference, in essence, between a major sin and minor one. There are both on the spectrum of disconnect, they are of the same substance. True on the surface level of Torah there is a hierarchy of certain sin which are worse and certain sins which are less so. But in the soul of things, there are all expressing the same sediment: Betrayal and disconnection from G-d!
That is the rational straight path. Why then would a person ever sin, even the most minute?
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Source Sheet: Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-three: Let's delve into the idea of connection a bit.
As we explained in the previous chapter, every action performed in this world can be measured by the single metric of connection or disconnection to Hashem.
Let’s talk about the connection side of things.
Everything in Torah has its body-interpretation and its soul-interpretation. But what does Torah itself say about Torah itself?
On the surface, Torah means instruction. Every piece of Torah, even the most remote concepts, are a lesson in the here and now. On a deeper level, Torah is a connection to the essence of Hashem. It’s His wisdom, which is in His experience, one and the same as His essence.
Simarlily with Mitzvos: on the surface level Mitzvos means commandments. There is a commander: Hashem, the commanded: us, and the commandment: a third entity. On a deeper level, Mitzvos mean connection. There is no commander and commandment as separate entities, it's all one and the same. Mitzvos are connection points by which we can connect to Hashem Himself.
At the soul level, both Torah and Mitzvos are connection with Hashem, just Torah is a deeper method. Mitzvos are like the “limbs of Hashem”, where the energy in them are very precise. There are distinct access points to the divine that must be performed in a very precise manner. Torah is the Wisdom and Will of Hashem, which are, in G-d world, one with His essence. Any piece of Torah, from the most sublime subject to the most crude, gives you the same exact effect of connecting with essence. In essence, there are no divides or levels.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-two: So concluding the idea developed in the last two chapters:
What comes out is that there is a very binary reality playing out in existence. In essence, Hashem is the only existence. We, in our consciousness, are endowed with a certain basic, natural perspective on that: we see Hashem in either Revealment Mode or Concealment Mode.
Meaning, from the true perspective, the Higher Perspective, there is no existence to creation whatsoever (as we infer from the metaphor of the spoken word before it leaves the person’s mind). This is a perspective we need to constantly try to attain; its a lifetime of work and mental exercise. But there is a Lower Perspective which is natural to us. This also takes Hashem’s oneness into account, that there is no existence but him, but it views Hashem in multiple modes, revealment or concealment (as inferred from the metaphor of the turtle which has body and shell which are all part of one essence just have different modes and functions).
So, seeing creation as either this or that puts all of empirical or non-empirical existence on a single barometer: More revealment or more concealment. Spiritual entities have more revealment. Physical entities have more concealment.
If that works in the framework of existence, it translates too in its application in real life: All actions done in this framework are measured by a single metric of connection vs. disconnection.
The “smallest” mitzvah and the “biggest” mitzvah are all substantively the same. They connect us to Hashem - more revealment. (More of this in Chapter 23.)
The “smallest” aveira and the “biggest” aveira are all substantively the same. They disconnect us from Hashem - more concealment. (More of this in Chapter 24.)
This explains why all positive mitzvos are considered part of the first of the Ten Commandments, because they all accomplish the same goal of connecting to Hashem or creator. And all negative commandments are derivatives of the second commandment, “ You shall not have idols before Me . .” since the soul interpretation of that verse is that you shall not engage in the energy that Hashem putts into the world that is classified as “Elokim Acheirim” - the backhanded energy of Hashem. In other words, actions that cause more concealment.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-one: Continuing the journey through the analogies.
The metaphor of human speech to portray the nonexistence of creations fall short: the spoken word is insignificant but it's not nothing, it has independence, it cannot be retrieved, it has a life of its own. Not so when talking of the creation!
So here is a better way of saying it, bringing in a different variant of the above: Imagine that one single insignificant word when it is still in the person's mind before he had a chance to express it. So, the word is a word, like creation is creation, but it's still within the human, like creation is within Hashem. There is no independent existence to it, like the imagination of a scene in someone's mind which disappears immediately as it appeared - its whole substance was the mind itself. So too creation and Hashem.
How do we understand, then, what we are experiencing on a moment-to-moment basis?
Imagine it like a snail or turtle. They have their body and their shell. The shell protects the body; it conceals it. Yet, unlike other animals or humans, the protection is not something they wear, it's part of them. It's all one organism. So too Hashem, whose concealment of Himself translates into creations with independent existence, is Himself the concealment itself, just in another form. We experience that form of Him, but it is still all Him.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty: Embarking on the basic logical build to create a mental exercise that can reveal the dormant love to Hashem, anytime, anywhere.
As a first step, we need to have an understanding (at least a basic idea) of Achdus Hashem, chassidus's take on the oneness of Hashem.
It's not simple at all, because the bar is very high. As is evident in various sources, no less than the very morning prayers that we recite everyday, true oneness of Hashem which we we are instructed (in Torah) to understand (not just believe) is where we come to the conclusion that Hashem is - not only the only G-d, obviously but - the only existence. That runs directly contrary to our empirical experience. That fact and our corporeal reality cannot be squared!
So, in order to do this we must rely on the gift of analogy.
The analogy is: the spoken word and its source, the speaker. Recognize the total, absolute insignificance one casual word is in comparison to a person's entire vocabulary utilized throughout their entire life, or even better, to the entirety of the potential of speech, when the idea is still in thought form. Similarly, Hashem created the world with "speech" (the Ten Utterances) denoting the insignificance of creation (like a singular word) to the essence of Hashem (the speaker themselves). Truly, He is the only existence.
Yet, analogies have a downside, that the comparisons are never exactly perfect. And here too: at the end of the day, the spoken word still has an existence, even if the most insignificant, while, in the analogue we are to understand creation as having no existence outside Hashem - none at all!?
Answer to come in the next chapter.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 20
Chapter Nineteen: Continuing the analysis of the inherent, dormant love for Hashem embedded in the Jewish soul. Now we discover:
- Its nature: what does it do, what does it feel like?
- Understanding how the element of Yirah, relationship of awe, is embedded in it
The best description of the nature of this love - what it feels like and how it “act” - is by way of metaphor: fire.
Fire’s unique characteristic is that it seeks to rise, to detach from its fuel, and if not tethered by the wick, it would let loose and disappear (as it does when the fuel is expended). Where does the fire go? No physical element just disappears into nothingness!?
Fire rises to its source in the firmament at the edge of the atmosphere, the highest possible space in the world. In its source, the independent flame now gets subsumed into its source and ceases to be independent, it loses its form.
The novelty here is that unlike any other physical creation, which all carry the primal instinct to exist and not lose it at any cost, fire constantly seeks to be a not, to lose its existence in exchange for rejoining its source.
The soul largely and the dormant love specifically act the same way. If not tethered by the body (as Hashem wants it to be) it would expire to its source, it rises and seeks to elevate - to lose its independent existence in exchange to be part of Hashem again. It doesn't make sense but that’s just its nature.
Also, the dormant love has within it a dormant awe as well. Having an inherent relationship with Hashem means that you love Him to the extent that you want to do what He wants from you and at the same time, you refrain from things that he you to refrain from.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 19
Chapter Eighteen: Now onto the second phase of “How”.
Beginning in chapter 16, Tanya is setting out a plan on how to attain - and retain - the status of Beinoni. The first way was deep meditation and compilation. Now onto the path of reflection - the path accessible to every average person who doesn't have the mental capacity to contemplate deeping of G-d.
We base this reflective exercise (of which we will actually unpack in chapters 20-25) on the fundamental idea that every person with a Jewish soul - the actual definition of Jew - has embedded within it a dormant, immutable love for Hashem. They cannot rid themselves of that love, but it can remain buried for a lifetime.
Historically, this inherent love answers an anomaly: the tendency, in all generations before us, of Jews who have lived their lives completely disassociated from Judaism or Hashem, up to the point of utter contempt for it and for Him, yet would sacrifice their live, time and again, when faced with the choice to convert out to another religion. It is that hidden love that dominates their thinking at the moment of truth.
The key is to wield that hidden power and find a way to access it at any moment. But beforehand, we need to analyze it a bit. So in chapter 18, we discover:
- Its inheritance. How is bequeathed; how is it inherent?
- Its spiritual biology. Where it can be found in your spiritual makeup.
Being that our forefathers reached such elevated spiritual status, devoting their lives to Hashem in the greatest fashion, they were given a gift. Genetically, their descendants (and those who convert into the Jewish faith) will be born with an inherent connection to Hashem or which they do not have to attain. It will be there no matter how disassociated they may be, laying in wait to flair up at the right moment. It resides in the highest levels of the G-dly soul, in the level of Chochmah, in the space were we are most open and receptive to our source.
In the next chapter, we will analyze this further.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 18
Chapter Seventeen: Getting relevant.
Within the "how", we need to get to a place where even the regular Jew, with mainstream struggles, can attain a status of Beinoni. Seemingly, that level of perfection is just counter-instinctive and unattainable.
So we throwback to a statement of Moshe Rabbeinu in his farewell address to the nation in the dessert at the end of 40 years. One motivational element of that speech, as recorded in Torah, is the famous statement that: "It is near to you, very much [so], in your mouth and in your heart to fulfil it". Meaning, its very accessible, very easy, to be a Jew and keep the Torah. But really, is it?!
In this chapter we delve into the soul-interpretation of this verse, which sheds some light onto this bold statement.
The key is in the last word, la'asoso, to do, which serves as a qualifier: What is the verse claiming is very accessible that ? According to the soul-interpretation, arousing a love for Hashem. Why is that so? Because the love for Hashem in this context is the minimal amount and type that simply drives action, la'asoso.
Why is this minimalist love so easily accessible? Because every person with a Jewish soul inherently has a connection to Hashem - something that they need not attain but just reveal. Revelation of that connection is so much more easily accessible than creating it from scratch.
How is that done? That is what we will unpack in to coming chapters.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 17
Chapter Sixteen: We start a new phase in our journey of Tanya.
Chapters 1-9 was about the What: What is you? What composites your spiritual make-up?
Chapters 10-15 was about the Who: Who you are not, who you are, and who you could be.
In this chapter (until Chapter 25) we begin the How: How you can attain - and retain - the Beinoni status.
Tanya presents two major rules in the "How" of the Beinoni: 1. Contemplation, 2. Reflection.
To begin, we understand the Jewish method of meditation, which we can safely be synonymized with contemplation, known in chassidus as hisbonenus. Whereas all other disciplines, ancient and contemporary, train the mind to void itself from all thoughts, the chassidus method is quite the opposite: train your mind to complete deeply, but something specific. In other disciplines meditation is an end unto itself, a method to attain inner-peace. Hisbonenus is but a means to a completely different end: to breed emotions that will drive action.
So, rule No.1: Utilize the natural say the mind holds over the heart and concentrate your mind deeply on G-dly concepts which will breed emotions of love and awe to Hashem. This will keep you on the straight path of the Beinoni, where every thought, speech, or action is on par.
But for most of us, the art of deep contemplation up until breed real emotions for Hashem, is completely lost and unattainable. So introducing the next big rule:
Rule No. 2: If contemplation doesn't work out for you, based on the fact that every one of us has an inherent connection with Hashem, a mere reflection can be enough to arouse the bare minimum emotion - or even just a mental sense - enough to motivate you to do mitzvos and refrain from aveiros. It wont transform you like contemplation does, but it will keep you motivated enough for what you need to get done.
What is this inherent connection? How does the reflection work? This we will unpack in the coming chapters!
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Source Sheet: Chapter 16
Chapter Fifteen: Now that we understand "who you could be", the soul-interpretation of the term Beinoni, we can discuss categories.
Just like the Tzadik and Rasha (discussed in chapters 10 and 11, respectively) each have two general categories within their general definitions, so does the Beinoni.
The definition of Tzadik is one who has no desire for sin. The two categories within that definition is the difference of revulsion; one category of Tzadik who is utterly repulsed from sin, and one category of Tzadik who is not utterly repulsed (with varying degrees therein).
The definition of Rasha is one who commits sins. The two categories within that definition is the difference in remorse; one category of Rasha never regrets his deeds, and one category of Rasha constantly does (with varying degrees of how often and to what degree).
The Beinoni as well has a definition and two general categories. The definition is one who desires sin yet never commits it. The two categories within that definition is the difference in effort.
The first category, known as "he who serves", is one who by nature is constantly and heavily impulsed to commit the sin. The restraint, although successful, is difficult.
The second category, known ad "he who doesn't serve", is one who either by nature or by second-nature is more tame. The restraint not to sin comes as easy as just keeping focus.
Both are fulfilling their purpose. But one is fighting his nature, and that is considered "serving Hashem" because the litmus test for serving Hashem and not just oneself is going beyond one's comfort zone.
Its the effort you put in that is key.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 15
Chapter Fourteen:The basic statement of Tanya: The state of Beinoni is the ideal of the common person.
But now, to flip it on its head.
What we emerge with is the mental framework of clear parameters: who we could be and who we cannot; the possible. That is important for expectations sake.
But doesn't Judaism believe in striving for the impossible? Aren't there numerous example of this throughout our history? Should we be focused only on the possible?
In truth, the golden path is to incorporate both. Having both ends is healthy: recognize your limits and strive for beyond. Know - and know well - that Beinoni is within possibility and is your goal. But strive for Tzadik, even though it isn't possible. Push your limits.
It won't be for naught. Firstly, Hashem wants the strive for the impossible itself, regardless of the actual accomplishment. Further, it will rub off on you and elements of Tzadik feeling will effect you know doubt. And finally, there are always expectations to the rule: maybe you can become a Tzadik, despite your predetermined state.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 14
Chapter Thirteen: The aftermath of the bombshell interpolation of Beinoni in Chapter 12.
From the Two-Metric model of Beinoni introduced by chassidus, two things emerge:
Firstly, we discover how the soul-interpretation of Beinoni is not only the deeper explanation, but illuminates many puzzling and contradictory Talmudic passages regarding the Beinoni concept. unsolvable with the body-interpretation. What we discover is that even in the simple readings of various classical sources, there is an inkling that there is more to the picture, there must be a deeper explanation. The deeper interpretation of Beinoni (and by extension Tzadik and Rasha) as preposed in Tanya get solidified by virtue of the fact that it settle all the textual issues.
But secondly, it brings us to wonder a soul-searching question: If the Beinoni is defined by a misalignment between the two metrics, a Rasha on the inside and a Tzadik on the outside, is he living a lie?
No. Although the hallmark of ultimate truth is constancy, consistency is also considered bona-fide truth. So although the Beinoni is in a constant positive state due to his perpetual struggles, his relationship with Hashem is solid and true because he will consistently follow a pattern of winning the struggle every time.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 13
Chapter Twelve: Finally, we have arrived.
Based on our exploration of what we are (chapters 1-9), we set out to explore who we are. First, we defined who we are definitely not (chapter 10). Then we defined who we are by default (chapter 11). Now, lets understand who we ought to be; our potential. The golden term is: Beinoni. What that means, is other story:
The Nigleh (body) interpretation of the term Beinoni takes into consideration only one metric, a behavioral one (associated with the body, of course); thought speech and deed. Beinoni translates as "medium", one who has done exactly half good and half bad deed. A true interpretation, but a surface-level one.
In the inner, soul (chassidus) interpretation of our spiritual biology, we've come to understand that there are two metrics by which we are defined: our inner, immutable soul personalities (two souls constantly at war within) in addition to our behavioral metric.
Both the Tzadik and the Rasha constitute alignment between the metrics. A Tzadik is impeccable in behavior and does not even desire sin, the Rasha desires sin and asks upon it (some more, some less). The Beinoni though, is misaligned: On the inner, personality metric he is exactly like a Rasha, i.e. he desires, and is inclined to, sin. On the Behavioral metric, he is impeccable like the Tzadik!
So, the Chassidus (soul) interpretation of the term Beinoni takes into consideration the inner soul of the person (of course), thus introducing two metrics into the equation. Here, Beinoni translates as "in-between", defined by both metrics simultaneously: on one he is like a Rasha and the other he is like a Tzadik.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 12
Chapter Eleven: After learning in Chapter 10 of who we are not, now we discover who we are. Naturally.
We recognize that the term Rashah has a much broader meaning than its contemporary usage. Definitionally, it describes one who lives with imperfect deed, speech, or thought.
What is healthy Jewish Guilt? That is the soul expressing its uncomfortably with that imperfection. The varying degrees of Rashah (which consists of most of the population) depend on the quality, the frequency, and the feasibility of sin and regret in their aftermath.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 11
Chapter Ten: So, we understand the What; the internal spiritual biology of humankind. Now for the Who: defining levels of different human prototypes .
Obviously, with the aim of understanding our purpose, and therefore the need to understand who we are and where we can reach, we must first get clear who we are not.
We discover the inner, soul interpretation to the term Tzadik. Crystalizing the notion of a perfect - truly perfect - individual, placed in the world to serve as an inspiration and guiding light to the regular, imperfect people of earth.
The Tzadik has a defining hallmark: Individuals who, not only find perfection in their every deed, but also have a pristine soul, devoid of even the struggle to sin. (The varying degrees within the Tzadik category hinges on the level of revulsion they may have to negativity.)
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Source Sheet: Chapter 10
Chapter Nine: The first eight chapters provided us with an important framework for the spiritual makeup of the human being. Now we delve right into the pivotal discussion of human experience.
Two key factors emerge from the first eight: 1. We are each endowed with two distinct souls, with distinct personalities and distinct ambitions. 2. Each of these two uniformly have two components to them: their immutable substance and their mutable expressions.
These two elements vastly differ from each other in the human experience. The substance, structure and personalities of each soul - set in stone as they are - co-exist in the person at every moment. The expressions of each soul, on the other hand, are in a zero-sum dead lock for only one of them can manifest in the body at any given moment.
This leaves us with two key takeaways as we journey through the next faze of Tanya: 1. The struggle is as real as having two completely distinct and independent people at odds inside of you. Its there to stay so don't struggle with the struggle. 2. Your external personality as a person is dominated by only one of them at a time. Its in your hands to control which one.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 9
Chapter Eight: Talking about unredeemable 'klipah' (in Chapter Seven) we further explore its effects on the person.
Aside from non-kosher food, which has exceptional negative effects on a Jewish soul, the single most detrimental engagement in this world is in studying, delving, and acquiring non-Torah, wordily knowledge for no productive reason other that its own sake. That is because in knowledge there is substance and so the impact on your mind is more real than any other wordily engagement.
All this talk with the engagement in 'klipah' give us insight into the Jewish understanding of The Afterlife. No, the soul is not met with judgment which will determine if it will live in Heaven or Hell for its eternity based on its actions in this life. Rather, all souls are on their journey to Heaven. Many souls, though, need to go through a cleansing prosses to rid themselves of the spiritual residue that it picks up with its engagement with 'klipah'. The more intense and often the engagement, and the more intense the 'klipah', the more rigorous and lengthy the cleansing prosses needs to be.
To wrap up: The Animal soul of a human is of the same exact substance as 'klipas nogah'. It is not 'kedusha' nor is its desires. However, it is redeemable - and that is a key point going forward.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 8
Chapter Seven: Like peering beneath the fabric, we turn from understanding the framework of the universe (in Chapter Six) to its potential.
Although in its framework the universe is built in a binary model of 'kedusha' vs. 'klipah', 'klipah' itself is further divided along lines of redeemable vs. unredeemable. Most of the material world is redeemable, deemed 'klipas nogah', illuminated shell (i.e. potential to be transformed into light - 'kedusha').
When a human soul enters the fray and engages with most elements of the universe, from the abstract to the corporeal, she has a constant choice. Paired with her power to transform is her liability to fall short: either it will be used for a mitzvah or to assist in a mitzvah, or it will be used otherwise. So, it will either be elevated to 'kedusha' or descended to the unredeemable 'klipah', waiting to be elevated at a later time through eventual utilization for a mitzvah (if it wasn't used for sin) or through Teshuvah and Moshiach's coming (if it was used for sin).
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Source Sheet: Chapter 7
Chapter Six: We begin to explore the essence, substance and makeup of the Animal Soul. To that end, we take a step back to discuss context: the overall framework of the universe at large.
Hashem's creation is initiated and sustained by a flow of G-dly energy that transvers from ultimate revealment - in its source - to near ultimate concealment - in the physical realm. Much like an apple, or any fruit, where the peal is of the same substance as the fruit itself but is the outer, lifeless layer that conceals it, so too the G-dly energy eventually assumes so much concealment it produces 'klipah' a.k.a. the shell.
So, the structure of the universe is very black and white. Definitionally, any space that is overtly Hashem conscious, where His energy is in revealment mode, is called 'kedusha' (with varying degrees of intensity). Everything else is 'klipah', from the bad and ugly to the simple mundane.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 6
Chapter Five: We delve deeper into the first and most sensitive of soul expressions: thought.
There is no other comparative unity in the universe to the unification between the mind and the idea it grasps. When engaging in Torah study, the impossible is happening: your mind of the flesh is unifying, literally, with the wisdom of the Divine - which is synonymous with Hashem Himself.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 5
Chapter Four: We explore what really matter: the behaviors of the soul. With its three general expressions of thought, speech and action, the soul seeks to manifest in the body to think, speak and do Torah and Mitzvos.
Why are the emotions of the soul so vital? Because they serve as the greatest motivators for enduring, enthusiastic G-dly behaviors. Truly loving Hashem will motivate one to do anything He asks, truly respecting Hashem will motivate one to abstain from what He despises.
But there is a caveat: The primacy of the actual deed. Even the purest recesses of the G-dly soul, let alone the emotions, do not measure up to the action and speech of Mitzvos. For they are the actual, literal Will and Wisdom of Hashem. The soul, though sourced in Hashem's essence like a child, is ultimately a distinct entity. Mitzvos are not. This is consistent with the fact that garments of the soul have a transcendent power to effect the very soul they express, much like clothing have the power to build one's personality.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 4
Chapter Three: We explore the 10 attributes of Hashem. Being that humans are made in His image, by understanding the inner workings "up on high", we gain insight into the makeup of our own souls, its mental and emotional properties.
This leads us to a fundamental concept in Tanya as a whole: that, fundamentally, emotions are a product of the mind.
Therefore, in remedy to all spiritual challenges highlighted throughout the book, thoughtful contemplation is always key - for it is that which breeds the correct emotions to make abstract truth relevant, on a personal level. This is how the dormant spark of the Neshama is ignited anew, again and again - through the vehicle of the brain and its power of contemplation.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 3
Chapter Two explores the essence of the G-dly soul. The human body is created by the union of a father and mother. This fact of life gives us tremendous insight into the creation of the G-dly soul, which shares a similar inception.
In the creation of a baby, there are three components that can be analyzed separately. 1. The seminal essence provided by the father, 2. the gestation within the mother, and 3. the born, fully independent, child.
The creation of the G-dly soul is exactly aligned:
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The essence of every soul - equally - is, quite literally, a piece of Hashem Himself, like the child who shares his father’s essence.
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Depending on which spiritual level the soul emerges from (on the descending levels of G-dly energy) when entering the body, will determine the spiritual state of a given soul. Some are more "gestated", and therefore less lofty, than others.
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Independent souls, manifested in separate bodies, all receive their spiritual nourishment from the "head" soul(s) of their generation (i.e. the Rebbe), much like a child - once born - whose every limb and gene derives nourishment from its head.
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Source Sheet: Chapter 2
Chapter One lays the ground rules for the journey ahead. A quest for a realistic expectation of the average guy in the service of Hashem. Learn of the dual interpretation of the word Beinoni, discover the two-soul dynamic with you as the arbiter, and understand what stands at the heart of the human's natural disposition.
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Source Sheet: Chapter One
This episode is a one-shot overview of all 53 chapters contained in the first section of Tanya. The student of Tanya will inevitably encounter tremendous depth; mountains of wisdom can gleaned from every idea. Whilst immersed, it may be challenging to retain the central direction - the storyline - in focus. This overview will help you frame your mind before you begin, guaranteeing an enhanced experience.
Why the constant connection between Moshiach and Shabbos?
Is purpose so important?
World peace (Sholom) is not enough. What?
Why are marriages, relationships designed to be difficult to cultivate?
Will there be scientists when Moshiach comes?
What is the difference between 'Meaning' and 'Purpose'? What was the great revolution of the Besht in under three minutes? What was the Alter Rebbe's? Why are humans unique among the rest of creation? What really happened at the Giving of the Torah and in its aftermath? What is the backstory to Tanya? What is it's purpose and what can it do for you? Find out this and much more as we embark on the journey of Tanya Life!
From understanding what is at the heart of the motion of Teshuvah, we transition to unpacking some elements of engaging in Teshuvah culled from the wisdom of Tanya.
Kabbalah sees Teshuvah for what it is: analyzing the anatomy of the very word - “return of hey” - to define its soul. In the Kabbalistic view, even the greatest amongst our people strive to be in a constant state of Teshuvah, the motion of returning; the soul’s yearning for oneness with her source.
Just letting go. That is what lies at the heart of the Jewish concept of Teshuvah. Learn how Tanya incorporates both strains of Torah, and understand what is the Halachic vs the Kabbalic definition of Teshuvah.
In a religion that places a premium on rationality, discover where Judaism embraces the supra-rational. Teshuvah makes absolutely no sense - and thats the point!