Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:1

Judaism 101: The Foundations on-ramp, 5 minutes

The Big Question

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you know what the right thing to do is, but a strong urge, a deep-seated desire, or even a fleeting thought pulls you in the opposite direction? It’s a universal human experience, this internal tug-of-war between our aspirations for good and our more immediate, perhaps less noble, inclinations. In Judaism, this internal struggle is understood not as a sign of failure, but as a fundamental aspect of the human condition. Today, we're going to explore a foundational concept from the mystical teachings of Chassidism, specifically from the Tanya, that offers a profound framework for understanding this inner life. We'll be looking at the idea of the benoni, the intermediate person. This isn't about being halfway to somewhere, but rather about a sophisticated understanding of spiritual equilibrium. The central question we'll grapple with is: How can we navigate the complexities of our inner world, where conflicting desires and impulses constantly vie for our attention, in a way that aligns with our deepest values and our connection to the Divine? This exploration will shed light on the sophisticated Jewish understanding of human nature and the path towards spiritual growth.

One Core Concept

The core concept we'll explore today is the benoni, the "intermediate" person, as described in the Tanya. This is not someone who is simply average or mediocre, but rather a spiritual archetype defined by their ability to prevent their negative impulses from manifesting in action, speech, or persistent thought, even when those impulses are felt. The benoni maintains a constant, albeit sometimes hidden, connection to their divine soul, effectively keeping the "evil" inclination at bay.

Breaking It Down

The Inner Landscape: The "Small City"

The Tanya, a foundational text of Chabad Chassidism, uses a powerful metaphor to describe the human being: a "small city." This city represents our inner world, our consciousness, and our physical being. Within this city, there are two primary inhabitants, or forces: the divine soul and the animal soul. The divine soul is our spiritual essence, our connection to the Divine, and it is associated with positive traits like love, kindness, and intellectual pursuit of holiness. The animal soul, on the other hand, is driven by our physical needs, desires, and instincts. It originates from what the Tanya calls kelipah, a Hebrew term often translated as "husks" or "shells," representing the forces that obscure or separate us from the Divine.

The "Garments" of the Soul

The Tanya explains that both the divine and animal souls have "garments" through which they express themselves in the world. These garments are our:

• Thought: Our inner musings, ideas, and intentions.
• Speech: The words we utter.
• Act: Our physical actions in the world.

The animal soul, stemming from the kelipah, seeks to "clothe itself" in these garments to manifest its desires. This means that if the animal soul gains dominance, our thoughts, speech, and actions will be driven by its impulses, potentially leading us to sin and defile our "small city."

The Benoni: A State of Spiritual Equilibrium

Now, let's introduce the benoni. The text defines the benoni as someone in whom the evil inclination never attains enough power to "capture the small city." This is a crucial distinction. It doesn't mean the evil inclination doesn't exist or isn't felt. It means that the animal soul's impulses, originating from kelipah, do not succeed in taking over the "garments" of thought, speech, and act to the point of causing sin.

The benoni's divine soul, however, does successfully "clothe itself" in these garments. Their thought, speech, and action are engaged in fulfilling the 613 commandments of the Torah. The text emphasizes that a benoni has never committed, nor will commit, a transgression. They cannot even be temporarily labeled "wicked."

The Dynamic Nature of the Benoni's Inner Life

However, the text also reveals a nuanced truth about the benoni. While they never sin in their actions, speech, or even in fully consenting to wicked thoughts, their divine soul's faculties don't constantly hold undisputed sovereignty. This sovereignty is particularly evident during specific times of spiritual focus, like reciting the Shema or the Amidah (daily prayers). During these times, the benoni can achieve a profound connection to G-d, binding their intellectual faculties (chabad) to the Divine and experiencing a burning love for G-d. At these moments, the "evil" in the left part of the heart (representing the animal soul) is subdued and nullified by the "goodness" in the right part (representing the divine soul).

But what happens after prayer? The text explains that when the "state of sublimity" departs, the evil inclination reawakens. The benoni might begin to feel desires for worldly pleasures. Yet, the defining characteristic of the benoni is that the evil inclination, though present, cannot translate these desires into actual sin. The brain, representing intellect and willpower, rules over the heart, where these desires arise. The benoni uses their willpower to restrain these impulses, diverting their attention away from them and towards holiness. This is likened to light banishing darkness – a little bit of spiritual light (wisdom) can drive away a great deal of darkness (folly and kelipah).

Why Not a Tzaddik?

The text then addresses why such a person, who never sins, is still not called a tzaddik (righteous person) in the highest sense. The distinction lies in the essence of the souls. While the benoni's actions are always righteous, the essence of the animal soul from the kelipah remains "entirely undislodged" within them, especially after moments of intense spiritual focus have passed. The burning love of G-d might be hidden, not always in a revealed state. This means that the "folly of the wicked fool" can still arise in their heart, creating lusts for material things.

However, even when these sinful thoughts arise, the benoni does not willingly entertain them. They are able to "thrust them out with both hands," refusing to let their mind dwell on them. This active rejection is key. The text distinguishes between a thought that arises and is immediately rejected, and a thought that is willingly entertained. The benoni never willingly entertains sinful thoughts. Even in matters concerning interpersonal relationships, if animosity or jealousy arises, the benoni's mind exercises authority to act with kindness and love, even to the point of suffering or repaying offenders with favors.

How We Live This

The Constant Inner Dialogue

Understanding the benoni is not about achieving a perfect, static state, but about recognizing the dynamic nature of our inner lives. We all experience the "small city" within us, with its competing impulses. The teachings of the benoni empower us by showing that it is possible to navigate these internal conflicts.

The Power of "No" to Sinful Thoughts

One of the most practical takeaways is the emphasis on how we handle intrusive or negative thoughts. The benoni actively rejects them, refusing to allow them to take root or be willingly entertained. This teaches us the importance of mindfulness and conscious choice. When a thought arises that is contrary to our values or our connection to G-d, we have the capacity to recognize it as such and consciously redirect our attention. This doesn't mean we'll never have such thoughts, but it means we don't have to be controlled by them.

Action as the Ultimate Expression

The Tanya places a strong emphasis on actions, speech, and thought as the "garments" of the soul. For the benoni, these garments are consistently aligned with holiness. This highlights the Jewish emphasis on mitzvot (commandments) and ethical behavior. Our actions in the world are the ultimate manifestation of our inner state. Even if we struggle with inner desires, our commitment to acting with kindness, honesty, and adherence to Torah principles demonstrates our spiritual strength.

The Role of Prayer and Intention

The text points to prayer and moments of spiritual focus as times when the divine soul can assert greater influence. This encourages us to engage in practices that elevate our consciousness, whether through prayer, meditation, Torah study, or acts of kindness. These practices can help strengthen our connection to our divine soul and equip us to better manage our animal soul's impulses throughout the day. It's about cultivating moments of clarity and using them to fortify our resolve for the rest of our lives.

Embracing the Journey

The concept of the benoni is deeply encouraging. It acknowledges the reality of our internal struggles without condemning us. Instead, it offers a model of spiritual maturity where the ability to prevent sin in action, speech, and even in the willing consent to thought, is the hallmark of a person who is deeply connected to their divine essence. It's a continuous journey of self-awareness, intentionality, and reliance on the inner strength that G-d has bestowed upon us.

One Thing to Remember

The benoni is defined not by the absence of negative impulses, but by the unwavering ability to prevent those impulses from leading to sin in thought, speech, or action, thereby ensuring the "small city" of the self remains under the dominion of the divine soul.