Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 12:7

Ah, welcome, welcome! Gather 'round, my friends, and let us embark on a journey into the heart of our rich Sephardi and Mizrahi heritage. We will explore not just our ancient texts, but the very pulse of our communities, the melodies that echo through generations, and the unique ways we connect with the Divine. Today, we're diving into a concept that might seem familiar, yet will reveal new depths through our particular lens.

Hook

Imagine a garden, meticulously tended, where the gardener knows every plant, every bloom, and every shadow. Even when the sun sets and shadows lengthen, the gardener's knowledge and care remain, guiding the dormant life until the dawn. This is the essence of the benoni, the "intermediate" soul, a concept that resonates deeply within our tradition.

Context

Place: Tangier, Morocco

Our journey today begins in the vibrant port city of Tangier, a crossroads of cultures and ideas on the northern coast of Morocco. For centuries, Tangier was a bustling hub where Sephardi Jews, exiles from Spain, integrated and flourished, maintaining their unique traditions while engaging with the rich intellectual and spiritual currents of the wider North African Jewish world.

Era: 18th Century Enlightenment & Beyond

We are looking at a period that saw the flourishing of Jewish intellectual life across the Sephardi and Mizrahi world, including the development of profound Kabbalistic thought and its application to daily life. The ideas we will explore, though presented in a specific text, draw from a lineage that informed spiritual practice for centuries, shaping how communities understood the human soul and its journey.

Community: Sephardi & Mizrahi Scholars and Mystics

The thinkers and communities we are referencing were deeply engaged with the mystical traditions of Judaism. They sought to understand the inner workings of the human being, not as an abstract philosophical exercise, but as a practical guide to living a life connected to God. Their approach was often characterized by a deep respect for tradition coupled with a profound desire for spiritual insight.

Text Snapshot

Let us look at a passage from the Tanya, specifically Likkutei Amarim, chapter 12, verse 7. This text offers a profound insight into the concept of the benoni, the intermediate person.

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 (the external shell or husk), 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, G–d forbid. 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.

This passage paints a picture of someone whose inner life is a constant, conscious effort to align with holiness. The benoni is not someone who has never struggled, but someone who has mastered the ability to ensure that their thoughts, words, and actions are dedicated to mitzvot (commandments) and the service of God. The animal soul, with its desires, is kept in check, not by annihilation, but by the ascendant power of the divine soul.

Minhag/Melody

The concept of the benoni is not merely theoretical; it deeply informs our practices. Consider the daily recitation of the Shema. The Tanya itself references the Shema and its blessings as a time when the divine soul's faculties—wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (chabad)—are particularly engaged and can hold sway over the inclinations of the animal soul.

In many Sephardi and Mizrahi communities, the chanting of the Shema and its accompanying blessings is not just a perfunctory recitation. It is often imbued with a deep kavvanah (intention) and a melodic richness that draws the listener into a state of heightened spiritual awareness. The melodies, passed down through generations, are designed to stir the heart and elevate the mind, facilitating the very alignment the Tanya describes. Think of the soulful, often melancholic, melodies of the Piyutim (liturgical poems) that precede and follow the Shema. These are not just beautiful tunes; they are spiritual tools, crafted to help us focus our chabad and strengthen the divine soul's dominion, embodying the struggle and triumph of the benoni. The emphasis on the emotional and melodic aspect of prayer in our tradition serves as a powerful aid in achieving the state of focused intention and spiritual clarity described in the Tanya.

Contrast

While the Tanya speaks of the benoni as a state where the divine soul's garments of thought, speech, and act are exclusively dedicated to mitzvot, other traditions might emphasize different aspects of spiritual growth. For instance, in some Ashkenazi traditions, the concept of teshuvah (repentance) is central, with an emphasis on acknowledging past transgressions and seeking forgiveness.

Our Sephardi and Mizrahi approach, as reflected in the Tanya, often highlights the preventative power of the divine soul. It's less about the aftermath of sin and more about the continuous cultivation of a spiritual fortress within. The focus is on ensuring that the "small city" of the soul is governed by divine wisdom, even when the external influences of the world try to infiltrate. This doesn't diminish the importance of repentance, but rather offers a complementary perspective on maintaining spiritual integrity, always striving for a state of constant connection and dedication to God's will. The emphasis is on the ongoing, active engagement of the divine soul in shaping one's reality, rather than solely on the remediation of past errors.

Home Practice

Here is a simple yet profound practice you can incorporate:

Mindful Moments of Divine Thought: Take a few minutes each day, perhaps before or after a prayer service, or even during a quiet moment in your workday. Close your eyes and consciously direct your thoughts towards God's greatness. Reflect on a mitzvah you performed or will perform, or simply ponder the beauty and order of creation. The goal isn't to achieve a mystical trance, but to intentionally engage your chabad (intellect and understanding) in a positive, God-centered direction, even for a brief period. This practice, however small, begins to strengthen the "garments" of the divine soul in your daily life.

Takeaway

The benoni is not an unattainable ideal, but a testament to the inherent power within each of us to choose holiness. Our Sephardi and Mizrahi heritage, with its rich tapestry of liturgy, melody, and mystical thought, provides us with profound tools to cultivate this inner strength. By understanding the nuanced interplay between our divine and animal souls, and by engaging in practices that elevate our thought, speech, and action, we too can strive to live lives where the divine soul reigns supreme, illuminating our "small city" with the light of Torah and Mitzvot. May we all be blessed to walk this path with joy and dedication!