Daily Tanya

Each level of the soul consists of the 10 supernal spheres, which can further be subdivided into 3 intellectual and 7 emotive capacities. The G-dly soul is expressed in these attributes when they are used to contemplate and express G-d and His will.

All souls are derived from the same source and root, from chochmah ilaah . But the soul must descend therefrom through a multitude of Worlds and levels before clothing itself in a physical body. It is this descent that creates changes in the soul’s level and differences between one soul and another, for one soul is affected by this descent to a greater degree than another.

It is only in this legal sense that the term tzaddik is applied to one who performs more good deeds than evil. A true Tzaddik is one who has completely eradicated the evil from within. Every Jew has two souls, one stemming in G-dliness, and the other in impurities. Every animal soul also has its unique nature, based on its unique source element in creation.

The soul of a Jew descends into a body for a purpose—in order to fulfill a specific spiritual mission in this world. To enable him to fulfill it, a heavenly oath is administered to him that he “be righteous and not wicked” and concurrently that he regard himself as wicked and not righteous. A discussion, based on Talmudic sitings aims to clarify what the definition of righteous is, and how can one...

Akin to a Halachic Copyright declaration, the Alter Rebbe forbids anyone aside from the original printing house to publish a copy of this manuscript, thus, invoking a strict prohibition on all publishers against printing the Tanya without permission from the publisher.

The Alter Rebbe states that the Tanya is addressed to his Chasidim, with whom he has a long-standing relationship and whose specific needs for guidance are known to him from their personal audiences with him. They will therefore find the advice provided in the Tanya relevant to their individual needs.

As we have seen from the title page, the Alter Rebbe perceives himself as a mere compiler rather than as an author.

Approbation of the Rabbis for the Tanya

The title page written by the Alter Rebbe for the Tanya

The Alter Rebbe further emphasizes the importance of prayer with intent, and in the proper speed, especially for the one standing as Chazzan.

Word had evidently reached the Alter Rebbe that the Chasidim of a certain synagogue did not permit a worshipper who would pray at length to lead the services because some individual there was pressed for time. In this letter of admonition, the Alter Rebbe writes that it is better for this person to even forgo participation in the congregational responses of Barchu and Kedushah (if it is absolutely...

This sublime and innermost level of the Torah descends to nurture Jewish souls, inasmuch as they transcend the world. The world, however, is vitalized not by this level of the Torah but by its externality. It is the external aspect of the Torah that brings delight to the world and to man. The purpose of carrying the Ark on the shoulders was thus to connect the external aspect of man with the inwar...

Tzedakah , as we shall presently appreciate, sensitizes the Jew who practices it so that the superrational degree of chochmah in his neshamah is able to light up the innermost recesses of his heart.

In the case of a detailed requirement of a prohibitory commandment, transgression brings about (G-d forbid) a descent in all the worlds.

Although it would seem that purifications ( beirurim ) cannot be brought about when studying hypothetical laws, yet in point of fact, purifications do come about through this Torah study.

Angels are messengers of divinity. However, the study of G-dly laws draws down the infinite light itself. This is why the Tanaim spent their life deciphering the G-dly intent of the law. EWven when done without intent this can impact the world, how much more so when Halacha is studied with proper kavana.

The source of the laws of Mitzvos emanates from the level of Chachma of Atzilut. This lofty emanation of G-dly power is unmatched by the angels and souls.

The power of Halacha, is that it reveals esoteric dimensions of G-dliness loftier than the angels.

Using a metaphor of a seed, planted in the ground, which in turn arouses the supernal light of creation that energizes its growth, we can then understand how a physical Mitzvah can arouse the lofty levels of G-dly energy and transpose them within this world.

The Mitzvah is a vessel, the content is love and fear of G-d. The Mitzvah filled with emotion is energetically charged, bringing the Jew and his actions closer to G-d.

4 reasons why practical commandments have an integral spiritual advantage

Studying the laws of the practical commandments are another way to grasp the essence of G-dliness

Continuation of 4th essay, discussing how the practical commandments avail the essence of G-dliness to the human existence

Continuing the essay on how prayer and commandments help us elevate fallen sparks

The commandments, and their role in refining the sparks of the world of chaos