Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 13:1

Here is a gentle ritual guide for remembrance and legacy, drawing inspiration from Tanya, Part I, Likkutei Amarim 13:1.

Hook

We gather today in the quiet space of remembrance, a space that opens when we hold a memory close. Perhaps it is a birthday, an anniversary, a yahrzeit, or simply a moment when a beloved face or voice surfaces unexpectedly in our thoughts. These moments, whether anticipated or surprising, invite us to pause, to feel, and to connect with the enduring threads of love and life that weave through our journeys. The passages we explore today speak of an inner landscape, a dynamic of forces within us, and how these internal currents can mirror the complexities of our relationships and the enduring impact of those we hold dear. This text offers a lens through which to understand the nuanced nature of our inner lives and, by extension, the profound influence that others have had on shaping who we are. It reminds us that even in moments of profound connection and deep love, the journey of understanding ourselves and our relationships is ongoing, rich with layers and depths waiting to be explored.

Text Snapshot

Our Sages speak of the "intermediate person," one "judged by both [the good and evil natures]." This inner dialogue is like two magistrates offering opinions, awaiting an arbitrator's final verdict. The divine soul, like a judge, contends with the evil inclination's opinion, reaching the brain for contemplation. Ultimately, the Holy One, blessed is He, aids the good nature, illuminating the divine soul. Yet, even when the evil inclination is no longer dominant, its innate strength remains, a presence within. We are encouraged to regard ourselves as if wicked, not as actually wicked, but acknowledging the full might of the innate inclination.

Kavvanah

As we hold the memory of our loved ones, our kavvanah, our intention, is to understand the intricate tapestry of their being, just as the Tanya describes the inner workings of the "intermediate person." We acknowledge that the people we have loved were not singular, static entities, but rather complex individuals, each navigating their own internal landscape of aspirations, challenges, and evolving understandings of themselves and the world. This text invites us to extend that same gentle curiosity and nuanced perception to the memories we cherish. It encourages us not to simplify or idealize, but to embrace the wholeness of those we remember, recognizing the interplay of their strengths and their struggles, their light and their shadows.

Our intention is to approach these memories with a profound sense of acceptance, understanding that the love we hold is not diminished by the recognition of complexity. Instead, it is deepened. We aim to cultivate a space where their essence, in all its multifaceted glory, can continue to resonate within us. This means acknowledging that their journey, like our own, was one of constant becoming, of internal dialogues and resolutions, of moments of clarity and moments of striving. By holding this intention, we honor the full humanity of those we remember, recognizing that their legacy is not just in their triumphs, but also in their resilience, their growth, and their enduring spirit that continues to inspire and inform our own lives. This ritual is an act of profound respect for their journey and for the ongoing impact they have on our own unfolding narratives.

Embracing Nuance

We intend to honor the full spectrum of their being. Just as the Tanya describes the "intermediate person" as being influenced by both good and evil natures, we recognize that the individuals we remember were also complex beings. They had their strengths and their struggles, their moments of profound wisdom and their moments of human frailty. Our intention is to hold these memories with grace, understanding that their legacy is not diminished by this complexity, but rather enriched by it. We seek to see them not as perfect ideals, but as whole, real people whose love and influence continue to shape us.

The Enduring Spark

We intend to recognize the enduring spark of their divine soul. The Tanya speaks of the divine soul as a constant presence, even when challenged by the animalistic inclination. Our intention is to connect with that enduring spark within the memories of our loved ones. We seek to remember the qualities that reflected their highest selves – their kindness, their courage, their wisdom, their capacity for love – and to understand how these qualities continue to illuminate our lives, even in their physical absence.

Acknowledging the Inner Dialogue

We intend to acknowledge the internal dialogues they, and we, have navigated. The text describes the internal arbitration between competing desires and impulses. Our intention is to bring this understanding to our remembrance. We can reflect on the challenges they faced, the decisions they made, and the ways they navigated their own inner landscapes. This practice allows for a deeper, more empathetic connection to their lived experience, fostering a sense of shared humanity and the ongoing work of self-understanding that life requires.

Practice

Let us engage in a practice that honors the intricate inner life described in the Tanya, and the enduring legacy of those we hold dear. This practice is an invitation to explore the concept of the "intermediate person" as a way to understand the multifaceted nature of love and memory.

The Candle of Inner Light

We will light a candle. This candle represents the enduring light of the divine soul, the spark of the sacred that resides within each of us and within the memory of our loved ones. As we light it, we can gently call to mind the person we are remembering.

### Option 1: The Name and the Echo

• Action: Take a moment to softly speak their name aloud. As you speak their name, reflect on its resonance. Does it evoke a particular feeling? A specific memory? A certain quality of their being?
• Connection to Text: The Tanya speaks of the "divine soul in the brain extending into the right part of the heart." Your name, spoken, is an echo of that divine essence. The feelings and memories it evokes are the “opinions” of the two souls within you, vying for attention.
• Reflection: Allow yourself to notice the immediate responses that arise. Are they feelings of warmth, a pang of sadness, a sense of gratitude, or perhaps a quiet peace? There is no right or wrong response; simply observe what emerges.

### Option 2: The Story of the "Small City"

• Action: Choose one specific, brief memory of the person you are remembering. It could be a small gesture, a phrase they often used, or a particular habit. Imagine their entire being, their inner world – their "small city" as described in the Tanya – contained within this single memory.
• Connection to Text: The Tanya likens the body to a "small city" governed by the divine soul. This memory is a window into how that city was inhabited and expressed.
• Reflection: Consider the context of that memory. What might have been going on within them at that moment? What was their inner experience like, even in this fleeting instance? This isn't about knowing their exact thoughts, but about offering empathy and imagining the currents of their inner life.

### Option 3: The Seed of Tzedakah

• Action: Decide on a small act of kindness or generosity – tzedakah – to perform in their honor. This could be donating a small amount to a charity they cared about, offering a word of encouragement to a stranger, or simply sharing a moment of genuine connection.
• Connection to Text: The Tanya emphasizes the interplay between the inner self and outward action. The "garments" of thought, speech, and act are how the inner disposition manifests.
• Reflection: As you perform this act, consider how it reflects a positive aspect of the person you are remembering. What quality of theirs does this act embody? This is an active way to allow their positive influence to continue to ripple outwards, a tangible expression of their enduring spirit.

Holding the Space

Whichever option you choose, hold the flame of the candle as a symbol of their enduring light. Allow the chosen practice to unfold gently, without pressure or expectation. The goal is not to arrive at a definitive understanding, but to create a moment of conscious connection, acknowledging the depth and complexity of the person you remember, and the ongoing influence they have on your own inner landscape. This practice is a testament to the enduring power of love, a love that can embrace all aspects of a person's journey, just as we are encouraged to embrace the full spectrum of our own.

Community

Our journey of remembrance is often deepened when shared. Even in moments of quiet reflection, the presence and support of others can offer solace and a different perspective. This practice invites you to consider how you might weave the threads of your remembrance into a communal fabric, offering and receiving support.

### Option 1: The Shared Name and Story

• Action: Consider sharing the name of the person you are remembering with a trusted friend, family member, or in a designated online space. You might also share the brief memory or practice you engaged with.
• Connection to Text: The Tanya speaks of the "two magistrates" and the need for arbitration. Sharing your remembrance with another can be a form of internal arbitration – your experience is brought into dialogue with theirs, offering a richer understanding.
• Ask for Support: You can simply say, "I am holding the memory of [Name] today. Would you be willing to hold them in your thoughts with me?" Or, "I engaged in a practice of remembering [Name] by [briefly describe practice]. I'd be open to hearing any reflections or memories you might have." This opens the door for connection without demanding specific responses.

### Option 2: The Collective Candle of Legacy

• Action: If you are part of a group or community observing a remembrance, consider suggesting a collective lighting of candles. If this is a personal practice, you might invite a few close individuals to light a candle in their own space at a designated time, creating a sense of shared intention.
• Connection to Text: The Tanya describes the "glow radiated by the Divine light, which illuminates the divine soul." A collective light amplifies this illumination.
• Ask for Support: You might say, "I'm thinking of [Name] today and will be lighting a candle in their memory. If you feel called to, I invite you to light a candle at [time] in your own space, and we can feel a shared sense of remembrance and connection across our distances." This allows for individual practice within a communal framework.

### Option 3: The Act of Shared Kindness

• Action: If you chose the tzedakah practice, consider inviting others to participate in a similar act of kindness in honor of the person you remember. This could be a group volunteer effort, a collective donation drive, or even a shared challenge to perform acts of kindness for a week.
• Connection to Text: The Tanya highlights how our inner disposition manifests in outer actions. Collective action amplifies the positive impact.
• Ask for Support: "I'm choosing to honor [Name]'s memory through acts of kindness. I'd love to invite you to join me in performing [specific act of kindness] in their honor. Perhaps we can share our experiences afterwards, creating a ripple of their legacy." This builds upon individual practice by fostering collective engagement.

Weaving the Tapestry

By choosing to share your remembrance, you are not diminishing the personal nature of your grief or memory, but rather weaving it into a larger tapestry of human connection. The support you offer and receive can be a testament to the enduring power of love and the ways in which those we remember continue to touch lives, both individually and collectively.

Takeaway

The wisdom found in the Tanya, even in its intricate exploration of the human psyche, offers us a profound way to approach remembrance. It teaches us that the people we love, and indeed we ourselves, are not simple beings, but complex and dynamic individuals. The "intermediate person" is not a state of being to be overcome, but a recognition of the ongoing, internal dialogue that shapes us.

When we remember those we have lost, we can embrace this complexity. Instead of seeking a singular, perfect image, we are invited to hold the whole person – their light and their shadows, their triumphs and their struggles, their innate strengths and their moments of vulnerability. This nuanced remembrance allows their legacy to live on not as an idealized portrait, but as a vibrant, multifaceted influence that continues to inform and inspire us.

The practice of acknowledging the interplay of inner forces within ourselves, mirrored in the lives of those we remember, can lead to a deeper, more compassionate understanding. This understanding can, in turn, foster a more resilient and enduring connection to their memory. By engaging in practices that honor this complexity, and by sharing our remembrance with community, we allow the light of those we hold dear to continue to illuminate our own paths, a testament to the enduring power of love and legacy.