Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:10

This is going to be SO fun! Let's dive into the Tanya and bring some of that camp magic home!

Hook

Remember those campfire singalongs, the ones where the flames danced and the stars felt close enough to touch? We’d belt out songs, our voices rising together, each note a little spark in the vast night. There was a feeling of connection, of shared purpose, a pure joy that felt… divine. The Tanya, in its own deep, profound way, talks about that kind of connection, about the inner spark that can illuminate even the darkest corners of our lives. It’s like our favorite camp song, but for the soul!

Context

Today, we’re exploring a really special concept from the Tanya, a foundational text in Chabad Hasidism. It’s all about the journey of our inner selves. Think of it like this:

• The Inner Wilderness: Imagine our inner world as a vast forest. Sometimes, there are tangled undergrowth and thorny bushes – these are our negative inclinations. Other times, there are clearings bathed in sunlight, where the good impulses can flourish. The Tanya describes different stages of navigating this inner landscape.
• The Sun and the Shade: We all have a "divine soul" (like the bright, clear sky) and an "animal soul" (which can sometimes feel like a shadow). The Tanya is teaching us how to manage the interplay between these two, how to let the divine soul shine through.
• The Campsite as a "Small City": In the Tanya, the "small city" is our physical body and our inner world. It's the space where our thoughts, words, and actions all take place. The goal is to have the divine soul be the primary resident, to ensure that our "city" is a place of holiness.

Text Snapshot

“The benoni (intermediate) 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, 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.”

Close Reading

This passage from the Tanya is a deep dive into the concept of the benoni, often translated as the "intermediate" person. It’s not about being stuck in the middle, but rather about a masterful state of inner balance and control. Let’s unpack what this really means for us, far from the campfire and closer to our everyday lives.

Insight 1: The Art of Inner Containment - Not Sin, But Sublimation

The core idea here is that the benoni doesn't necessarily eradicate their negative inclinations, but they effectively contain them. The text says evil “never attains enough power to capture the 'small city'.” This is crucial! It’s not about pretending the "animal soul" with its desires and impulses doesn’t exist. Instead, it’s about preventing those impulses from taking over the reins of our "city" – our thoughts, speech, and actions.

Think about a time you felt a strong urge to say something hurtful or to procrastinate on something important. You felt that pull, that temptation. The benoni doesn't necessarily not feel that pull. What they do is prevent it from "clothing itself in the body" – from being acted out. The negative inclination might flicker, it might even whisper in the background, but it doesn’t get to wear the body like a costume and perform its sinful dance. The divine soul’s "garments" – thought, speech, and action – are dedicated to the fulfillment of Torah and mitzvot. This means our inner resources, our mental energy, our vocal cords, and our physical actions are all directed towards building holiness, not towards destruction or transgression.

This is incredibly empowering for us at home. We all have moments when we feel frustrated with a family member, or when the urge to complain or lash out is strong. The Tanya teaches us that the goal isn't to magically eliminate those feelings, but to prevent them from dictating our behavior. We can recognize the impulse, acknowledge it even, but then choose to redirect our energy. Instead of a sharp retort, we can pause and choose a kinder word. Instead of giving in to the urge to criticize, we can focus our thoughts on appreciation. This is the essence of inner containment: the ability to feel an impulse and consciously choose not to let it manifest in a way that harms ourselves or others. It's about mastering the "willpower in his brain" to "restrain himself and control the drive of lust that is in his heart," as the text elegantly puts it. It’s not about being emotionless; it’s about being the conscious director of our inner and outer lives, ensuring that the divine spark, the essence of our being, is the one calling the shots.

Insight 2: The "Small City" and the Power of Intentionality

The metaphor of the "small city" is particularly potent. It’s our entire internal landscape, our physical being, and the space where our consciousness operates. The Tanya highlights that the "three garments" of the animal soul (thought, speech, act) are linked to the kelipah (the husk, the negative force). When these garments are used by the animal soul, they lead to sin. Conversely, the "three garments" of the divine soul are engaged in the 613 commandments. This means our capacity for thought, speech, and action can be harnessed for either darkness or light.

The benoni is defined by the fact that the divine soul’s garments alone are implemented in the body. This isn't a passive state; it's an active, intentional choice. The text also points out that this sovereignty isn't constant – it's strongest "at appropriate times, such as during the recital of the Shema or the Amidah." This is where the connection to our families becomes profound. We can’t be in a state of perfect spiritual elevation every single moment. Life happens! Kids need attention, work calls, chores pile up. But the Tanya suggests that we can cultivate those "appropriate times" for intentional spiritual engagement.

For us at home, this means recognizing that our interactions, even the mundane ones, are opportunities to embody our divine soul. When we’re talking with our child about their day, or listening to our partner, we can choose to engage with full presence, with kindness, with the intention of building connection. This is our "garment" of speech being used for holiness. When we sit down to a family meal, we can approach it with gratitude and intention, rather than just rushing through it. This is our "garment" of action being used for holiness. The benoni understands that even after intense spiritual moments like prayer, the "evil in the left part reawakens." But crucially, it can't "carry out this desire from the potential into the actual by clothing itself in the bodily limbs" if the divine soul's influence is strong. This translates to recognizing that after a challenging moment with a family member, we can actively choose not to let resentment fester or lead to negative actions. We can consciously decide to redirect our thoughts and actions towards reconciliation and love, just as the divine soul is meant to "rule alone in the 'city'." It’s about creating intentional moments of holiness within the everyday, turning our homes into sanctuaries where our actions, words, and even our thoughts are dedicated to elevating ourselves and those around us.

Micro-Ritual

Let’s bring this idea of intentionality and inner control into our Friday nights. The Tanya talks about specific times when the divine soul’s influence is strongest, like during prayer. We can create a similar moment of heightened awareness and intention around our Shabbat or holiday table.

The "Inner Illumination" Candle Lighting

This is a simple tweak to our existing candle-lighting ritual.

1. The Setup: As you prepare to light the Shabbat candles (or any holiday candles), gather your family around the table, or have them near you if they are lighting their own.

2. The Intention: Instead of just saying the blessing, take a moment before you light them. Close your eyes for a few seconds. Imagine the light of the candles not just illuminating the room, but also illuminating your inner world – your thoughts, your feelings, your intentions for the evening.

3. The "Small City" Blessing (Spoken or Sung): As you light the candles, say this simple phrase (you can make it a little melody, like a gentle hum or a simple chant):

   • Melody Suggestion: A simple, rising melody, like the first few notes of "Shalom Aleichem," sung slowly and with feeling. Or even just a soft, humming sound that rises and falls.

   • The Words: "May this light fill our home, our hearts, and our souls with Your goodness and Your peace. May our thoughts, words, and deeds be a reflection of Your light this Shabbat."

4. The "Inner Illumination" Moment: After lighting, gently cover your eyes with your hands (as is traditional), but focus your intention on the feeling of the light permeating your inner being. Imagine the sparks of the candle flame connecting with the sparks of your divine soul, as the Tanya describes.

5. The Transition: As you uncover your eyes, take a deep breath and then proceed with the rest of your Shabbat preparations or blessings.

This micro-ritual takes our familiar candle lighting and adds a layer of intentionality, directly connecting to the Tanya's concept of harnessing our inner "garments" for holiness. It’s a beautiful way to usher in Shabbat with a conscious focus on our inner state, making our homes feel like "cities" governed by light.

Chevruta Mini

Let's chew on this a bit more, like we would around a warm campfire with some good friends.

Question 1

The Tanya describes the benoni as someone who doesn't sin. But it also mentions that the "evil in the left part reawakens" after prayer. How can someone be considered not to sin if the inclination to sin is still present? What does this tell us about the nature of "not sinning"?

Question 2

The text emphasizes that the divine soul’s garments (thought, speech, act) are used for mitzvot (commandments). How can we consciously choose to use our everyday thoughts, speech, and actions at home as “garments of the divine soul,” even when we're not doing formal mitzvot? What are some practical examples of this in family life?

Takeaway

The Tanya, through the concept of the benoni, teaches us that holiness isn't about being perfect or never having negative thoughts. It's about mastery. It's about building an inner strength, a spiritual resilience, where our divine soul is in charge of the "small city" of our being. It’s about choosing how we use our thoughts, our words, and our actions, directing them towards goodness and connection. This is the "campfire Torah" for our grown-up lives – a call to tend our inner flames, to let the light of our divine souls shine brightly, transforming our homes into havens of holiness, one intentional moment at a time.

This journey is ongoing, like a hike through beautiful, sometimes challenging, terrain. But with the wisdom of the Tanya, we have a map and a compass to navigate our inner wilderness with joy and purpose. Keep shining!