Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 10:1

You know how sometimes you try really hard to be a good person, maybe you stop doing something you know isn't great, but you still feel a little… off? Like you've cleaned up the big messes, but there are still some tiny dust bunnies lurking in the corners? Or maybe you’re doing good things, but you’re not totally sure why you’re doing them, or if you’re doing them for the right reasons? It can feel confusing, right? Like, am I doing enough? Am I good enough? This week, we’re going to peek into an ancient Jewish text that talks about exactly this feeling, and it offers a really interesting way to think about what it means to be truly good, and how we can all work towards that. It's not about perfection overnight, but about understanding the journey. This text helps us see that being good isn't just about avoiding the bad stuff, but about transforming it, and that there are different levels to this amazing process. Let's dive in and see what wisdom we can uncover together!

Context

This teaching comes from a foundational text in Chassidic Judaism called the Tanya. Think of it as a spiritual guidebook that helps us understand our inner world and how to connect with the Divine.

Who Wrote It?

• The Tanya was primarily authored by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), also known as the Alter Rebbe. He was a deeply learned rabbi and the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

When and Where?

• The Tanya was written and compiled over many years in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Eastern Europe. It's a distillation of his teachings and spiritual insights.

What’s the Big Picture?

• The Tanya aims to make complex mystical and philosophical ideas accessible. It focuses on the inner life of a person, the struggle between different parts of the soul, and how to live a meaningful Jewish life.

Key Term: "Divine Soul" and "Animal Soul"

• Divine Soul: The spiritual, good part of us that desires to do good and connect with G‑d.
• Animal Soul: The instinctual, physical part of us that desires pleasure and self-gratification.

Text Snapshot

Here’s a little taste of what the Tanya is saying about different levels of being good. It’s a bit like a spiritual report card, but with a lot more nuance!

“Behold, when a person fortifies his divine soul and wages war against his animal soul to such an extent that he expels and eradicates its evil from the left part—as is written, ‘And you shall root out the evil from within you’—yet the evil is not actually converted to goodness, he is called ‘incompletely righteous’ or ‘a righteous man who suffers.’ That is to say, there still lingers in him a fragment of wickedness in the left part, except that it is subjugated and nullified by the good, because of the former’s minuteness. Hence he imagines that he has driven it out and it has quite disappeared. In truth, however, had all the evil in him entirely departed and disappeared, it would have been converted into actual goodness. The explanation of the matter is that ‘a completely righteous man,’ in whom the evil has been converted to goodness and who is consequently called ‘a righteous man who prospers,’ has completely divested himself of the filthy garments of evil.” (Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 10:1)

Close Reading

This section is where we unpack that snapshot and find some practical takeaways. It might sound a little complex, but let's break it down into simple ideas we can actually use.

### Insight 1: The "Good Enough" Trap

The text talks about an "incompletely righteous" person. This is someone who has fought hard against their "animal soul" (those selfish, instinctual desires) and has pretty much gotten rid of the "evil" parts. They've stopped doing the bad stuff, and it feels like they've won! They might even feel like they've totally eradicated the bad. The Tanya says this person is still "incompletely righteous" because, while they've suppressed the evil, they haven't transformed it. It's like cleaning up a messy room by shoving everything into a closet. The room looks neat, but the stuff is still there, just hidden. This person might think they've completely gotten rid of the bad, but there's still a tiny bit lingering, just not strong enough to control them.

What this means for us: We can fall into this trap too! We might stop a bad habit, or avoid doing something we know is wrong, and feel like we've achieved spiritual enlightenment. But if we're just pushing the negative feelings or temptations away without understanding them or changing our relationship with them, we might be in the "incompletely righteous" zone. It’s great to stop doing bad things, but the real work is transforming that energy into something positive. This insight helps us realize that feeling "good enough" isn't the final goal; it's about continuing the journey of inner growth.

### Insight 2: The Power of Transformation, Not Just Suppression

The text contrasts the "incompletely righteous" with the "completely righteous." The "completely righteous" person, it says, has converted the evil into actual goodness. This is a much deeper level of spiritual work. It’s not just about getting rid of the "filthy garments" of evil; it's about transforming them into something holy. The text explains this by saying the completely righteous person "utterly despises the pleasures of this world" that come from physical appetites, because they understand these pleasures originate from a negative source (called the sitra achara, meaning "the other side" or the realm of negativity). Their love for G‑d is so strong that it fuels an absolute hatred for anything that pulls them away from holiness.

What this means for us: This is where the real power lies! Instead of just trying to not do bad things, we can aim to transform the energy that drives those bad things into positive actions. For example, if you have a strong desire for attention (which can sometimes lead to negative behaviors), you could try to channel that energy into doing acts of kindness that bring positive attention to a good cause, or using your skills to help others. It's about understanding the root of our impulses and redirecting them towards holiness. The text highlights that this transformation comes from a deep love of G‑d, which makes us naturally reject anything that is antithetical to that love. It’s not about self-denial for its own sake, but about aligning our desires with something higher.

### Insight 3: The Nuance of "Righteousness" and Our Journey

The Tanya acknowledges that there are "myriads of degrees" of righteousness. It’s not a simple black-and-white situation. The "incompletely righteous" person still has a "fragment of wickedness," but it’s "subjugated and nullified by the good, because of the former’s minuteness." This is a really comforting thought! It means that even if we’re not perfectly on the path, if the good parts of us are in charge and the bad parts are small and controlled, we’re still on a righteous path. The text even mentions a concept from Jewish law where a tiny amount of something non-kosher in a large mixture is considered insignificant. This is a beautiful metaphor for our spiritual lives – a tiny bit of lingering negativity doesn't negate the overall good that we’ve achieved and are striving for.

What this means for us: This is a crucial lesson in self-compassion and patience. We don't have to be perfect to be on a valid spiritual path. The journey is filled with nuances. It's okay to have struggles and imperfections. The key is that the overall direction of our lives is towards G‑d and goodness, and that the positive forces within us are dominant. This understanding can free us from the pressure of striving for an unattainable perfection and instead encourage us to focus on consistent effort and growth, recognizing that each step, even with its stumbles, is part of the process. The text reminds us that the "completely righteous" are few, suggesting that the path of constant striving and growth is the norm for most of us, and that's perfectly okay!

Apply It

This week, let’s try a super simple practice inspired by the idea of transforming our desires. It’s all about mindful moments.

Daily "Taste Swap" Practice (≤60 seconds/day)

For the next seven days, pick one moment each day when you notice a desire for something that feels a little bit… off. It doesn’t have to be a big thing – maybe it’s wanting to scroll mindlessly on your phone when you have something important to do, or a craving for unhealthy food, or a fleeting thought of gossip.

Your practice:

1. Notice the Desire: Simply acknowledge the desire without judgment. Say to yourself, "Okay, I’m noticing a desire for [X]."
2. Acknowledge the Source (Briefly): Think for a second: where does this desire really come from? Is it boredom? Stress? A need for comfort? Just a quick thought.
3. The "Taste Swap": Now, for that one moment, consciously try to shift your focus. Instead of indulging the original desire, think of one small, healthy, or positive action you could do instead. It could be taking three deep breaths, drinking a glass of water, stretching for 30 seconds, or thinking of one thing you're grateful for.
4. Do the Swap: If possible, do that small positive action.

Example: You want to doomscroll on social media.

• Notice: "I want to scroll."
• Acknowledge: "I think I'm feeling a bit bored or overwhelmed."
• Taste Swap: "Instead of scrolling, I'll take three deep breaths and then read one page of a book."

This practice isn't about willpower battles. It's about gently redirecting your energy and noticing that you have the power to choose a different "taste" or experience, even for a fleeting moment. It’s a tiny step towards transforming impulses.

Chevruta Mini

Grab a friend, family member, or even just talk to yourself out loud! Discuss these questions:

Discussion Question 1: The Closet Analogy

The text uses the idea of shoving bad things into a closet versus truly transforming them. What’s a time in your life when you felt like you just "shoved" a problem or a negative feeling away, and how did that work out long-term? What might have been a "transformation" approach in that situation?

Discussion Question 2: The "Good Enough" Feeling

We all have moments when we feel "good enough" or even proud of our efforts. When have you felt that way spiritually or ethically? How does the idea of "incompletely righteous" challenge or affirm that feeling for you? Does it make you want to dig deeper, or does it feel discouraging?

Takeaway

Remember this: True spiritual growth isn't just about stopping the bad, but about transforming the energy of what’s difficult into something holy.