Tanya classes – Rabbi Krasnianski: The Book of the Intermediates (Likutei Amarim) ch. 0 - 10

Now, each of these three distinctions and grades — Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah — consists of ten faculties1 The post Chapter 03 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Next his contemplation will give birth to the attribute of Chesed, expressed as a love of G‑d, so that his heart will glow with an intense love of G‑d like fiery flames, with a passion, desire and longing, and a yearning soul The post Chapter 03 – Part 2 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

In addition [to its ten faculties — discussed in ch. 3], every divine soul (nefesh elokit) possesses three garments. The post Chapter 04 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Now these three “garments” deriving from the Torah and its commandments, though they are called [merely] “garments” of the Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah, The post Chapter 04 – Part 2 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

That is why this world with all it contains is called the world of kelipot and sitra achra — despite the fact that this world, too, receives its vitality from G‑d’s holiness. The post Chapter 06 – Part 3 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

[Only] concerning repentance out of such great love has it been said9 that [the penitent’s] premeditated sins become, for him, like virtues, since through them (through the sins which previously had distanced him from G‑d) he attained when he repented to this great love. The post Chapter 07 – Part 4 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

The Alter Rebbe now addresses a difficulty arising from his previous statement that every soul emanates from Divine wisdom. Since all souls emanate from one source — Supernal Wisdom — it should follow that all souls are of the same level and rank. How then do the various levels and ranks found in Jewish souls […] The post Chapter 02 – Part 3 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

כי על ידי דביקה בתלמידי חכמים, קשורות נפש רוח ונשמה של עמי הארץ ומיוחדות במהותן הראשון ושרשם שבחכמה עילאהFor, through attachment to the scholars, the Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah of the ignorant are bound up and united with their original The post Chapter 02 – Part 4 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ואף דהקדוש ברוך הוא נקרא אין סוף, ולגדולתו אין חקר, ולית מחשבה תפיסא ביה כללAlthough the Holy One, blessed be He, is called Ein Sof (“Infinite”), and 5 “His greatness The post Chapter 04 – Part 3 – vidoe podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ועוד זאת במאכלות אסורות, שלכך נקראים בשם איסורThere is an additional aspect in the matter of forbidden foods, for which reason they are called issur (“bound” and attached): The post Chapter 08 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

We shall now learn what is necessary for the rectification of permitted words not spoken for the sake of heaven.ועל דברים בטלים בהיתר, כגון עם הארץ שאינו יכול ללמודAs for innocent idle chatter, such as The post Chapter 08 – Part 2 – vidoe podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe elaborated on the composition of the Jew’s divine soul with its ten holy soul-powers and three soul-garments, and his animal soul, with its corresponding ten powers and three garments originating in kelipah. In the present The post Chapter 09 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Hence, according to the abundance of love towards G‑d, so is the extent of hatred toward the spiritual sitra achra The post Chapter 10 – Part 2 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

But concerning the rank of the “complete tzaddik,” Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s statement6 applies: “I have seen ’superior men‘ The post Chapter 10 – Part 3 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Concluding the discussion about the Tzadik (discourse only, no text used) The post Chapter 10 – Part 4 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

This transformation of the animal soul’s lust to a love of G‑d entails rising to attain to the level of ahavah rabbah (“abundant love”), a love surpassing even the level of the “powerful love, like fiery flashes” that was mentioned earlier. The post Chapter 09 – Part 3 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

After elaborating in the previous chapter on the ongoing battle between the divine and animal soul over mastery of a Jew’s body, the Alter Rebbe now proceeds to explain that one who vanquishes his animal soul and transforms its evil into good — is a tzaddik. The post Chapter 10 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

However, unlike the life-forms mentioned at the conclusion of ch. 6, which are derived from the three wholly unclean kelipot, the following The post Chapter 07 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

For instance, if one eats fat beef and drinks spiced wine not out of physical desire, but in order to broaden his mind for the service of G‑d and for His Torah, The post Chapter 07 – Part 2 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

They (the vitality of these prohibited acts) are not elevated from [the kelipot] until “their day comes” (the time when evil will totally disappear from the world), The post Chapter 07 – Part 3 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Moreover, the impurity of the science of the nations is greater than the impurity of idle speech The post Chapter 08 – Part 3 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

It is written,8 however, “One nation shall prevail over the other nation.” The post Chapter 09 – Part 2 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

A further explanation, to more fully elucidate the expression “tefissa” (“grasp”), in the words of Elijah, “No thought can grasp You”: The post Chapter 05 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

1 “The Almighty has created one thing opposite the other.” The post Chapter 06 – Part 1 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

The side of holiness is nothing but the indwelling and extension of G‑d’s holiness. The post Chapter 06 – Part 2 – video podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Concluding the discussion about the Tzadik (discourse only, no text used The post Chapter 10 – Part 4 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

אך על מעלת צדיק גמור, הוא שאמר רבי שמעון בר יוחאי: ראיתי בני עליה והם מועטים כו׳But concerning the rank of the “complete tzaddik,” Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s statement The post Chapter 10 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

וכפי ערך גודל האהבה לה׳, כך ערך גודל השנאה לסטרא אחרא והמיאוס ברע בתכליתHence, according to the abundance of love towards G‑d, so is the extent of hatred toward the spiritual sitra achra The post Chapter 10 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

After elaborating in the previous chapter on the ongoing battle between the divine and animal soul over mastery of a Jew’s body, the Alter Rebbe now proceeds to explain that one who vanquishes his animal soul and transforms its evil into good — is a tzaddik The post Chapter 10 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

The Alter Rebbe now describes the specific level of love of G‑d that accomplishes this:והיינו, שיעלה ויבא ויגיע למדרגת אהבה רבה וחיבה יתירה ממדרגת אהבה עזה כרשפי אשThis transformation of the animal The post Chapter 09 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

The Alter Rebbe has thus established 7 that each of these two souls has its own, separate abode and way of functioning. Lest we erroneously conclude that each soul goes about its own affairs, not interfering or concerning itself with those of the other, the Alter Rebbe continues: The post Chapter 09 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe elaborated on the composition of the Jew’s divine soul with its ten holy soul-powers and three soul-garments, and his animal soul, with its corresponding ten powers and three garments originating in kelipah. In the present The post Chapter 09 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ועוד זאת, יתירה טומאתה של חכמת האומות על טומאת דברים בטליםMoreover, the impurity of the science of the nations is greater than the impurity of idle speech;שאינו מלביש ומטמא רק המדות מיסוד The post Chapter 08 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

We shall now learn what is necessary for the rectification of permitted words not spoken for the sake of heaven.ועל דברים בטלים בהיתר, כגון עם הארץ שאינו יכול ללמודAs for innocent idle chatter, such as The post Chapter 08 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ועוד זאת במאכלות אסורות, שלכך נקראים בשם איסורThere is an additional aspect in the matter of forbidden foods, for which reason they are called issur (“bound” and attached): The post Chapter 08 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ועל תשובה מאהבה רבה זו אמרו שזדונות נעשו לו כזכיות, הואיל ועל ידי זה בא לאהבה רבה זו[Only] concerning repentance out of such great love has it been said 9 that [the penitent’s] premeditated sins become, for The post Chapter 07 – Part 4 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ואין עולים משם עד כי יבוא יומם ויבולע המות לנצח, כמו שכתוב: ואת רוח הטומאה אעביר מן הארץThey (the vitality of these prohibited acts) are not elevated from [the kelipot] until “their day comes” The post Chapter 07 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

The Alter Rebbe now provides an example of a “neutral” action or utterance that is derived from kelipat nogah and can thus be utilized for either good or evil, demonstrating how the action or word itself becomes holy when its motivation is for the sake of heaven, and how The post Chapter 07 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

אך נפש החיונית הבהמית שבישראל שמצד הקליפה, המלובשת בדם האדם כנזכר לעילHowever, unlike the life-forms mentioned at the conclusion of ch. 6, which are derived from the three wholly unclean kelipot, the The post Chapter 07 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ולכן נקרא עולם הזה ומלואו עולם הקליפות וסטרא אחראThat is why this world with all it contains is called the world of kelipot and sitra achra — despite the fact that this world, too, receives its vitality from G‑d’s holiness. The post Chapter 06 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

וצד הקדושה אינו אלא השראה והמשכה מקדושתו של הקדוש ברוך The side of holiness is nothing but the indwelling and extension of G‑d’s holiness.ואין הקדוש ברוך הוא שורה אלא על דבר שבטל The post Chapter 06 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

In the previous chapters the Alter Rebbe discussed the divine soul; its ten faculties — three intellectual and seven emotional — and its three garments by which it expresses itself, namely, the thought, speech and action of Torah and the mitzvot. The post Chapter 06 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

וזאת מעלה יתירה גדולה ונפלאה לאין קץ, אשר במצות ידיעת התורה והשגתהThis is the distinctive, infinitely great and wonderful superiority of the mitzvah of knowing and comprehending Torahעל כל המצות The post Chapter 05 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

At the conclusion of the previous chapter, the Alter Rebbe depicted the study of Torah as a royal embrace: When one studies Torah, his intellect “embraces” and encompasses the Divine Will and wisdom — and thus he “embraces” the King of kings Himself, since “He and His The post Chapter 05 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ואף דהקדוש ברוך הוא נקרא אין סוף, ולגדולתו אין חקר, ולית מחשבה תפיסא ביה כללAlthough the Holy One, blessed be He, is called Ein Sof (“Infinite”), and 5 “His greatness The post Chapter 04 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

Until now it has been explained that the divine soul has three garments in which it clothes itself: the thought, speech and action of Torah and the commandments. The Alter Rebbe now goes on to state that, unlike physical garments, which are less important than their wearer, the garments of the divine soul are even […] The post Chapter 04 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ועוד יש לכל נפש אלקית שלשה לבושיםIn addition [to its ten faculties — discussed in ch. 3], every divine soul (nefesh elokit) possesses three garments. The post Chapter 04 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

ושוב יתלהב לבו באהבה עזה כרשפי אש, בחשיקה וחפיצה ותשוקה ונפש שוקקהNext his contemplation will give birth to the attribute of Chesed, expressed as a love of G‑d, so that his heart will glow with an intense The post Chapter 03 – Part 2 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

והנה כל בחינה ומדריגה משלש אלו, נפש רוח ונשמה, כלולה מעשר בחינותNow, each of these three distinctions and grades — Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah — consists of The post Chapter 03 – Part 1 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

כי על ידי דביקה בתלמידי חכמים, קשורות נפש רוח ונשמה של עמי הארץ ומיוחדות במהותן הראשון ושרשם שבחכמה עילאהFor, through attachment to the scholars, the Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah of the ignorant are bound up and united with their original The post Chapter 02 – Part 4 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.

The Alter Rebbe now addresses a difficulty arising from his previous statement that every soul emanates from Divine wisdom. Since all souls emanate from one source — Supernal Wisdom — it should follow that all souls are of the same level and rank. How then do the various levels and ranks found in Jewish souls […] The post Chapter 02 – Part 3 – audio podcast appeared first on TanyaClass.com.