Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:1

Hook

Ever feel like you're wrestling with yourself? Like there's a good you and a not-so-good you, and they're constantly duking it out inside your head? You're not alone! Many of us experience this inner tug-of-war, where our best intentions sometimes get sidelined by urges or thoughts we'd rather not have. It can be confusing, even frustrating, to navigate these internal battles. What if I told you there's a way to understand this struggle, a way to see it not as a sign of failure, but as a normal part of being human? Today, we're going to explore a fascinating idea from Jewish tradition that offers a unique perspective on this inner life. We'll look at a concept that helps us understand how to manage these inner conflicts and even how to see them as a sign of our inner strength. Get ready to explore the idea of the "intermediate" person, and what that can teach us about our own journey.

Context

This text comes from a foundational work in Jewish philosophy called Tanya. Think of it as a guide to understanding ourselves and our connection to the Divine.

• Who: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, wrote the Tanya. It's a deeply spiritual and philosophical work.
• When: It was first published in 1797, but its ideas have been studied and cherished for centuries.
• Where: The ideas in the Tanya have resonated with Jewish communities worldwide, offering timeless wisdom.
• Key Term: The text introduces the concept of the Benoni (pronounced beh-non-ee). This is a person who isn't perfectly good or perfectly bad, but somewhere in between. They are the everyday person, managing their inner life.

Text Snapshot

Here's a glimpse into what the Tanya says about this "intermediate" person, the Benoni:

"The Benoni is he in whom evil never attains enough power to capture the 'small city,' so as to clothe itself in the body and make it sin. That is to say, the three 'garments' of the animal soul, namely, thought, speech, and act, originating in the kelipah (negative side), do not prevail within him over the divine soul to the extent of clothing themselves in the body—in the brain, in the mouth, and in the other 248 parts—thereby causing them to sin and defiling them... Only the three garments of the divine soul, they alone are implemented in the body, being the thought, speech, and act engaged in the 613 commandments of the Torah. He has never committed, nor ever will commit, any transgression; neither can the name 'wicked' be applied to him even temporarily... However, the essence and being of the divine soul... do not constantly hold undisputed sovereignty and sway over the 'small city,' except at appropriate times, such as during the recital of the Shema or the Amidah... after prayer, when the state of sublimity... departs, the evil in the left part reawakens, and he begins to feel a desire for the lusts of the world and its delights. Yet, because the evil has not the sole authority and dominion over the 'city,' it is unable to carry out this desire from the potential into the actual by clothing itself in the bodily limbs, in deed, speech, and persistent thought..."

(Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:1 - https://www.sefaria.org/Tanya%2C_Part_I%3B_Likkutei_Amarim_12%3A1)

Close Reading

This passage is packed with wisdom about our inner lives. Let's break down a few key takeaways that are super practical for us today.

### Insight 1: You're Not Alone in the Struggle

The Tanya describes a person called the Benoni. This isn't some perfect saint, but rather someone who is actively navigating their inner world. The text explains that for the Benoni, the "evil" impulses (think of them as our less-than-ideal desires or temptations) never fully take over. They might show up, but they can't "clothe themselves in the body and make it sin." This is HUGE! It means that experiencing temptations or less-than-perfect thoughts doesn't make you a bad person. It's a normal part of life. The Benoni's internal struggle doesn't lead to actions that defile them. This is a message of hope and validation. You don't have to be perfect to be on the right track. The very act of noticing these impulses and not acting on them is a sign of inner strength. It's like having a mischievous little gremlin that whispers in your ear, but you've got a strong inner voice that says, "Nope, not today, gremlin!"

### Insight 2: Your "Divine Soul" Has Powerful Tools

The Tanya talks about a "divine soul" and its "three garments": thought, speech, and act. These are the ways our inner selves express themselves in the world. For the Benoni, these "garments" are used for good – specifically, for fulfilling the 613 commandments of the Torah. This is a beautiful metaphor for how our inner spiritual selves can manifest in our actions. Even when temptations arise, the Benoni's "divine soul" can still influence their thoughts, words, and deeds towards positive actions. It's like having a compass that, even in a storm, points you towards north. The text emphasizes that even after moments of spiritual connection (like prayer), when the "evil" might reawaken, the Benoni still has the power to control their actions. They might feel a desire, but they don't act on it because their intellect and their innate good inclinations are stronger. This highlights the power of our intentionality. Even if a thought pops into your head, you have the agency to decide what to do with it. It's about recognizing that your "divine soul" – your core goodness and spiritual potential – has tools to manage these impulses.

### Insight 3: The Power of Conscious Choice

The text explains that even when "evil" reawakens after prayer, the Benoni doesn't let it take over. The evil might tempt, but it can't compel the person to act. The Benoni actively pushes away negative thoughts and desires. The key phrase here is "thrusts it out with both hands." This is an active, conscious effort. It’s not about never having bad thoughts, but about how you respond to them. You have the ability to recognize an unhelpful thought or impulse and choose not to dwell on it. The Tanya suggests that this is how we prevent our desires from becoming actions that go against our values. This is empowering! It means that you are not simply a passenger in your own life, at the mercy of your impulses. You have the steering wheel. You can choose to direct your thoughts and actions towards what you believe is right, even when it's challenging. This is the essence of free will and spiritual growth.

Apply It

This week, let's practice a tiny act of inner strength. For 60 seconds each day, take a moment to notice a fleeting thought or feeling that isn't serving you. It could be a moment of impatience, a flicker of jealousy, or a critical thought about yourself or someone else.

Your practice:

1. Set a timer for 60 seconds.
2. When the timer starts, just observe your inner landscape. Don't judge anything, just notice.
3. If a less-than-helpful thought or feeling pops up, gently acknowledge it. You can even mentally say, "Ah, there's that thought."
4. Then, consciously redirect your attention. You can focus on your breath for a few seconds, think of something you're grateful for, or even just look around you and notice something pleasant.
5. The goal isn't to eliminate the thought, but to practice not dwelling on it and gently shifting your focus. You're not trying to be perfect, just practicing your ability to choose where your attention goes.

This simple practice helps you build the muscle of mindful awareness and conscious redirection, just like the Benoni in the Tanya.

Chevruta Mini

Let's imagine you're discussing this with a friend. Here are a couple of questions to get you talking:

### Question 1: The "Small City" Metaphor

The Tanya uses the metaphor of a "small city" to represent a person's inner world. What does this metaphor make you think of? What parts of your "city" feel like they are in charge, and which ones feel like they need a bit more attention or guidance?

### Question 2: "Thrusts it out with both hands"

The text describes the Benoni actively pushing away unwanted thoughts. Have there been times in your life when you've successfully managed to do this? What strategies or inner resources helped you in those moments?

Takeaway

Remember this: The journey of navigating your inner world is about active engagement and conscious choice, not about achieving immediate perfection.