Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:10

Hook

Ever feel like you're wrestling with yourself? Like there's a voice inside telling you to do one thing, and another voice (maybe a bit louder, maybe a bit sneakier) nudging you toward something else? You're not alone! It's a common human experience, and in Judaism, we have some really ancient and wise texts that talk about this inner tug-of-war. We often hear about people being "good" or "bad," but what if it's not so black and white? What if there's a whole spectrum of spiritual living? Today, we're going to peek into a very special Jewish text called the Tanya, which offers a fascinating perspective on this internal struggle. It’s not about being perfect all the time, but about understanding the different parts of ourselves and how to navigate them. If you've ever wondered about how to live a more intentional Jewish life, even when you're not feeling like a saint, this lesson is for you. We’re going to explore a concept that might just change how you think about your own inner world and your connection to the Divine.

Context in 4 Bullets

• Who: This text comes from the Tanya, a foundational work of Chabad philosophy, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi in the late 18th century. It's meant to be a guide for everyday people, not just scholars.
• When & Where: Written in Eastern Europe during a time of significant Jewish intellectual and spiritual development. The Tanya is a deeply influential text in Chabad Hasidism.
• What: This specific passage discusses the concept of the benoni, an intermediate spiritual state for a Jew. It explores the ongoing inner battle between our good and challenging inclinations.
• Key Term: Benoni: This is a Hebrew word meaning "intermediate" or "in-between." It describes someone who is neither a complete saint (tzaddik) nor fully wicked, but somewhere in the middle, actively working on their spiritual journey.

Text Snapshot

The benoni is someone whose "evil inclination" never fully takes over their "small city" (their body). This means the negative impulses, which try to express themselves through thought, speech, and action, don't completely win. Instead, the "divine soul" leads, focusing thoughts, speech, and actions on the 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah. Such a person has never truly sinned, and the label "wicked" doesn't apply, not even for a moment. However, the divine soul doesn't always have total control. During times of intense spiritual focus, like prayer, the good inclination is strong, and the evil inclination is suppressed. But afterward, desires for worldly things can resurface. Yet, because the evil inclination doesn't have ultimate authority, it can't fully act on these desires. The person can use their willpower to push away sinful thoughts and redirect their attention towards holiness, just like light banishes darkness. This inner strength allows the benoni to overcome urges and even negative emotions towards others, choosing kindness instead.

Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:10 https://www.sefaria.org/Tanya%2C_Part_I%3B_Likkutei_Amarim%2C%20Likkutei%20Amarim%2012.10

Close Reading

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

The Tanya uses a powerful metaphor: the human body is a "small city." This is such a helpful way to understand our inner world! Think about a city. It has different districts, different buildings, and different people with different roles and intentions. Some parts are like the town hall, where important decisions are made (our brain, our intellect). Others are like the marketplace, where desires and impulses might be traded (our heart, our emotions). Then there are the streets and public spaces where things happen (our actions).

The text says that for a benoni, the "evil inclination" never fully conquers this "small city." This means that even when we have a negative urge or a "bad" thought, it doesn't get to take over the whole city and dictate everything. It's like a troublemaker trying to cause a riot, but the city guards (our inner strength and good inclinations) are strong enough to keep them from completely taking over. The key here is that the evil inclination doesn't prevail. It might show up, it might make noise, but it can't become the mayor and run the whole show. This is a really comforting idea because it suggests that even if we experience negative impulses, it doesn't mean we're "bad" people. It means we're in a constant, dynamic process of managing our inner city.

The text also mentions the "three garments" of the soul: thought, speech, and act. These are the ways our inner world expresses itself outwardly. For the benoni, these garments are primarily used to serve the "divine soul" and to fulfill the mitzvot. This is fantastic! It means that our everyday actions, our conversations, and even our thinking can be channeled towards positive, meaningful spiritual engagement. It's not about eradicating all negative impulses, but about directing our outward expressions towards holiness. It’s like deciding what kind of businesses will thrive in our city – do we want shops that sell constructive things, or ones that spread chaos? The benoni is actively choosing to build the constructive ones.

### Insight 2: The Power of Willpower and Intellect

This passage highlights something incredibly empowering: the power of our willpower and intellect. The Tanya explains that even when a negative desire arises in our heart, our brain (our intellect) has the ability to control it. It's like having a wise mayor who can listen to the citizens' requests (our desires) but ultimately make the best decision for the whole city, even if it means saying "no" to some immediate gratification.

The text states, "man is created from birth, that each person may, with the willpower in his brain, restrain himself and control the drive of lust that is in his heart, preventing his heart’s desires from expressing themselves in action, word, or thought." This is a profound statement. It means we are not simply passive victims of our emotions or desires. We have an innate capacity to choose how we respond. We can choose to let a negative thought fester and grow, or we can actively push it away. The Tanya uses the analogy of light and darkness: "wisdom surpasses folly as light surpasses darkness." A little bit of light (our intellect and good intentions) can banish a lot of darkness (negative impulses).

This doesn't mean it's always easy. The text acknowledges that "foolishness of the kelipah" (negative inclination) can be strong. But the crucial point is that the benoni doesn't willingly accept these negative thoughts. As soon as they recognize a thought as evil, they "thrust it out with both hands." This is active spiritual work. It's not about never having a negative thought, but about not dwelling on it, not accepting it, and not letting it dictate our actions. This is where the concept of "willpower" becomes so important. It's the muscle we can train to make these choices, to redirect our attention, and to strengthen our connection to holiness.

### Insight 3: The Dynamic Nature of Spiritual Life

What's really liberating about this passage is its portrayal of spiritual life as dynamic, not static. We often think of spirituality as reaching a perfect, unchanging state. But the Tanya presents the benoni as someone who is constantly navigating. There are times of spiritual uplift, like during prayer, when the connection to the Divine is very strong. During these moments, the "goodness that is diffused in the right part" of our heart is in control.

However, the text also candidly admits that "after prayer, when the state of sublimity... departs, the evil in the left part reawakens." This is so relatable! Have you ever felt incredibly inspired after a meaningful experience, only to find your old habits creeping back in later? That's what the Tanya is describing. The benoni experiences this ebb and flow. The key is that even when the "evil in the left part reawakens," it doesn't have the sole authority. It's not a complete relapse. The benoni still has the tools and the inner strength to manage it.

This dynamic nature means that being a benoni is not about achieving a permanent state of perfection, but about the ongoing process of engagement. It's about recognizing the moments of spiritual clarity and using them to fortify ourselves, and then having the resilience to manage the inevitable resurfacing of challenges. The text emphasizes that the "essence and being of the animal soul from the kelipah... remains entirely undislodged." This might sound discouraging, but it's actually realistic. Our challenging inclinations don't just disappear. Instead, the benoni learns to live with them, to manage them, and to ensure they don't dominate. It's about cultivating a kind of spiritual resilience, a persistent commitment to choosing the good, even when it's not easy. This understanding can free us from the pressure of needing to be perfect all the time and instead encourage us to focus on consistent effort and mindful choices.

Apply It

This week, let's practice a tiny, but mighty, exercise in inner management. When you notice a thought or an impulse that feels negative, challenging, or just unhelpful (it could be a fleeting moment of annoyance, a desire you know isn't good for you, or even just a distracting daydream), try this:

The "Push and Redirect" Minute:

1. Pause (5 seconds): As soon as you recognize the thought or impulse.
2. Acknowledge (10 seconds): Silently say to yourself, "Okay, that's a thought/feeling." You don't need to judge it, just notice it.
3. Push Away (15 seconds): Imagine gently but firmly pushing that thought or feeling away. The text uses "thrusts it out with both hands." You can visualize this! Or simply think, "Not for me right now."
4. Redirect (30 seconds): Immediately, bring your mind to something positive or purposeful. This could be:
   • A simple appreciation for something in your life.
   • A quick thought about a mitzvah you want to do today.
   • A silent, one-word connection to G-d (like "Shalom" or "Presence").
   • Just focusing on your breath for a few moments.

Your Practice: Do this for just one minute each day this week. You don't need to find the "perfect" moment. Just when you catch yourself, do the "Push and Redirect." The goal isn't to eliminate all negative thoughts forever, but to practice the skill of not letting them linger and to actively choose where your mental energy goes, even for a short time. This is how we train our inner "city guards"!

Chevruta Mini

Let's imagine you're discussing this passage with a friend. Here are two questions to get your conversation going:

1. The Tanya calls the body a "small city." What's one part of your "city" (your body, mind, or emotions) that you feel is particularly well-managed, and what's one part that sometimes feels a bit chaotic? How does the idea of the benoni make you feel about the chaotic parts?
2. The text talks about the benoni pushing away negative thoughts. Can you think of a time when you successfully redirected a negative thought or impulse? What helped you do that? If it feels challenging, what do you think makes it hard to "thrust out" those thoughts?

Takeaway

Remember this: being a benoni is about the ongoing, mindful effort to choose good, even when challenging impulses arise.