Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:1

Hook

Remember those campfires, where the flames would lick the night sky, and we’d all huddle closer, singing songs about friendship, adventure, and… well, sometimes about how we really missed our parents? There’s a feeling in that memory, isn’t there? A sense of shared warmth, of being drawn together by something bigger than ourselves. It’s that feeling I want to tap into today, because the ancient wisdom we’re about to explore uses a similar kind of imagery. It’s about the inner campfire of our souls, and how we tend to it.

Context

We’re diving into a passage from the Tanya, a foundational text of Chabad Chasidic philosophy. Think of it as a spiritual guidebook for living a meaningful Jewish life.

The "Small City" Metaphor

Imagine your inner self as a bustling city. This city has different neighborhoods, each with its own character and residents. The Tanya uses this powerful metaphor to describe the human psyche.

The Two Souls: A Tug-of-War

At the heart of this city are two distinct residents: the "divine soul" and the "animal soul." The divine soul is our spark of holiness, our connection to the infinite. The animal soul, on the other hand, is our instinctual, physical drive. They’re not necessarily enemies, but they have different desires, and their dynamic shapes our experience.

The Forest and the Trail

Just like navigating a forest, our spiritual journey has clear paths and wilder, less-traveled areas. The Tanya is giving us a map for the less-traveled paths, helping us understand how to stay on the trail of holiness even when the wildness beckons. This text specifically focuses on a particular kind of camper – not the one who’s always perfectly on the path, but the one who’s navigating the challenges with a good heart and a strong mind.

Text Snapshot

The benoni (intermediate person) 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 (spiritual impurity), do not prevail within him over the divine soul to the extent of clothing themselves in the body… 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, or even for a moment, throughout his life.

Close Reading

This is where the real magic happens, where we unpack the wisdom of the Tanya and see how it applies to our own lives, our own "small cities."

### The Power of "Not Yet" and the Strength of Restraint

The Tanya introduces us to the concept of the benoni, the "intermediate" person. Now, if you’re like me, "intermediate" can sound a little… well, not quite there yet. But in the context of the Tanya, it’s a very high bar! This person, the benoni, has never committed a transgression. Not even for a moment. This isn't about someone who messes up and then repents; this is someone whose inner machinery is so well-tuned that the "evil" – the impulses of the animal soul – never gets the upper hand to "clothe itself in the body."

Think about it like this: we all have those moments when a fleeting thought pops into our head, a desire that isn't quite aligned with our best selves. For the benoni, these thoughts might arise, but they don't take root. They don't blossom into actions, or even persistent, dwelling thoughts. The animal soul’s desires are like unruly weeds in a garden. The benoni is the master gardener who spots the weed the moment it sprouts, and with swift, decisive action, pulls it out. It’s not that the seed of the weed isn't there; it’s that the gardener’s vigilance and commitment to cultivating holiness prevent it from ever taking hold and growing.

This is incredibly empowering for us. It’s not about achieving a state of sinless perfection from birth, but about understanding the incredible power we have over our own inner landscape. The Tanya emphasizes that the divine soul’s "garments" – thought, speech, and act – are dedicated to fulfilling the commandments. This isn't just about doing good deeds; it's about the intention and the inner alignment that precede and accompany those deeds. When we engage in fulfilling a mitzvah, we are actively strengthening the divine soul's influence. We are choosing to "clothe" our bodies and minds in holiness. The benoni has mastered this, not by eradicating the animal soul, but by ensuring it never gains the power to manifest in a way that defiles the divine.

This translates directly to our home and family life. How often do we find ourselves reacting impulsively, saying something we regret, or letting a negative thought fester? The Tanya teaches us that even if these impulses arise, we have the power to stop them from taking root. It’s about developing that inner gardener’s instinct. When a thought of impatience or frustration arises towards a family member, we can choose to pause, to recognize it for what it is – a weed of the animal soul – and then, with the strength of our divine soul, redirect our energy. This might mean taking a deep breath, consciously choosing a kinder word, or simply refraining from saying something hurtful. It’s about building that muscle of restraint, that ability to prevent the "evil" from "clothing itself in the body" in our interactions.

### The Rhythm of Prayer: Tending the Inner Flame

The text then introduces a fascinating dynamic: the benoni's divine soul doesn't constantly hold undisputed sovereignty. There are specific times, like during the recital of the Shema or the Amidah prayers, when the divine soul’s influence is at its peak. During these moments, the "wisdom, understanding, and knowledge" (known as chabad) of the divine soul are fully engaged, binding us to G-d. This is when the "evil" is subjected to and nullified by the "goodness."

But here's the catch: after prayer, when this heightened state of intellectual and spiritual connection subsides, the animal soul reawakens. The desires for worldly pleasures can resurface. The Tanya explains that even then, the benoni doesn't succumb. Why? Because the "small city" isn't completely under the animal soul's dominion. The intellect, rooted in the divine soul, still has the power to restrain the heart's desires.

This speaks to the rhythm of our spiritual lives, and how we can apply it to our families. Prayer, in its deepest sense, is a way of tending to our inner spiritual flame. It’s about intentionally reconnecting with our divine source, recharging our spiritual batteries. Just as we might schedule regular check-ins or quality time with loved ones, we need to schedule intentional moments to tend to our own inner spiritual lives.

Think about the times when you feel most connected, most centered. Often, these are times when you've made space for reflection, for prayer, for quiet contemplation. The Tanya highlights that these moments are crucial. They equip us to handle the "reawakening" of our more primal desires. After a period of intense focus or connection, it's natural for other thoughts and urges to surface. The benoni doesn't see this as a failure, but as a normal part of the human experience. The key is that they have developed the inner strength to manage these resurfacing desires.

This can be a source of comfort and guidance in our families. We often expect ourselves and our family members to be perpetually on a spiritual high. But the Tanya reminds us that there are ebbs and flows. What's important is what we do in the "aftermath" of those high moments. Even when the pull of worldly distractions returns, the benoni can still exercise willpower, directing their thoughts and actions away from those desires and towards holiness. This means that even after a beautiful Shabbat meal or a meaningful family discussion, when the mundane calls, we can consciously choose to engage with kindness and intention, rather than letting our impulses take over. It’s about recognizing that the work of tending to our inner flame is an ongoing process, a dance between connection and grounding, and that we have the inherent capacity to navigate both.

Micro-Ritual

Let's craft a simple ritual, inspired by the Tanya's emphasis on intentional thought and speech, that you can weave into your week.

The "Pause and Pivot" Blessing

This is a playful tweak on a blessing, designed to be used during moments of potential reactivity or when you catch yourself heading down a less-than-ideal thought path.

When to use it:

• When you feel a wave of irritation or impatience rising towards a family member.
• When a negative thought about someone or a situation pops into your head.
• When you're about to say something you might regret.
• When you notice yourself dwelling on a petty grievance.

How to do it:

1. The Pause: The moment you feel that flicker of negativity, irritation, or unhelpful thought, simply pause. Take a conscious breath. This is your moment of inner "gardening" – spotting the weed before it grows.

2. The Pivot: Silently, or with a whisper, say this short "blessing" (it's not a formal prayer, but a mindful intention):

   • “Baruch Atah Adonai, Elokeinu Melech ha’olam, she’asah li nes achashav v’kav’la’ah.”

   (Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who performed for me a miracle just now and restrained my tongue/thought.)

   • The Melody: You can sing this line, perhaps to the familiar tune of "Hashkiveinu" or any simple, gentle niggun you know. The act of singing can itself be a calming, centering force. The key is the melody of intention.

3. The Action: After the "blessing," consciously choose a different path. This could be:

   • Taking another deep breath and offering a kind word instead.
   • Shifting your focus to something positive about the person or situation.
   • Deciding to let the thought go and not dwell on it.
   • Acknowledging the feeling internally without acting on it.

Why it works: The Tanya teaches us that the divine soul has the power to restrain the animal soul. This micro-ritual is a practical application of that principle. By pausing and mentally "blessing" the moment of restraint, you are actively acknowledging and strengthening your divine soul's ability to control your thoughts and speech. It’s a way of celebrating those small, internal victories that, over time, build the strength of the benoni. It’s like a tiny, personal camp song of self-mastery.

Chevruta Mini

Grab a partner (or just ponder these yourself!):

Question 1

The Tanya describes the benoni's struggle as the "evil" never attaining enough power to "clothe itself in the body." What does this metaphor of "clothing" suggest about how negative impulses manifest in our lives, and how can we be more mindful of when they are trying to "dress up" in our actions, words, or thoughts?

Question 2

The text mentions that the divine soul's sovereignty is strongest during prayer times like Shema and Amidah, but then the animal soul "reawakens" afterward. How can we create "prayer-like" moments of intentional connection and spiritual grounding in our daily family routines, not just during formal prayer, to help us navigate the "reawakening" of worldly desires?

Takeaway

The Tanya's picture of the benoni isn't about unattainable perfection, but about the profound strength and agency we possess. It’s about understanding that even when impulses arise, our divine soul has the inherent power to restrain them. Our journey is not about eliminating the "weeds" entirely, but about becoming masterful gardeners, vigilant and intentional, always choosing to "clothe" ourselves in holiness. May we all cultivate our inner "small cities" with wisdom, restraint, and a whole lot of heart.