Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 13:11

Hook

The struggle for wholeness, the internal wrestling match between our highest aspirations and our basest impulses, is a universal human experience. We often feel caught in a tug-of-war, pulled by forces that seem to exceed our control. This internal conflict, while deeply personal, has profound implications for how we engage with the world and with each other. The injustice at play here is the subtle but pervasive tendency to either over-identify with our flaws, believing ourselves irredeemably "wicked," or to embrace a false sense of righteousness, masking the ongoing work required. The text we explore today speaks to this nuanced reality, offering a vision of the "intermediate person" – the benoni – not as a failure, but as a battlefield where a crucial spiritual war is waged, a war that demands ongoing awareness and strategic engagement. The danger lies in mistaking a temporary truce for lasting victory, or in succumbing to despair when the battle feels overwhelming. This teaching calls us to a more honest and active engagement with our own inner lives, recognizing that true progress is not about eliminating struggle, but about mastering its dynamics with wisdom and compassion.

Text Snapshot

"intermediate people are judged by both [the good and evil natures], for it is written, ‘When He stands at the right of the destitute to deliver him from the judges of his soul.’ ... the evil nature [in the benoni], however, is no more than, for example, a magistrate or judge who gives his opinion on a point of law, yet it is not necessarily a final decision to be implemented in deed, for there is another magistrate or judge who is contesting this opinion. ... the final verdict comes from the arbitrator—the Holy One, blessed is He, who comes to the aid of the good nature... Yet, inasmuch as the evil in the [heart’s] left part of the benoni is in its innate strength, craving after all the pleasures of this world, not having been nullified in its minuteness in relation to the good, nor having been relegated from its position to any degree—except insofar as it has no authority and power to diffuse itself throughout the limbs of the body, because the Holy One, blessed is He, “stands at the right hand of the poor man,” helping him and irradiating his divine soul—such a person is likened to a “wicked man.” In the words of our Sages, “Even if the whole world tells you that you are righteous, in your own eyes regard yourself as if you were wicked”—not as actually wicked. But one should consider himself to be a benoni and not accept the world’s opinion which would have him believe that the evil in him has been dissolved by the good, which is the category of a tzaddik. Rather should he consider himself in his own estimation as if the very essence of the evil is in its full strength and might, in the left part, as from birth, and that nothing of it has ceased or departed; on the contrary, with the passing of time it has gained strength..."

Halakhic Counterweight

The concept of the benoni resonates with the Jewish legal principle of teshuvah (repentance). While the Tanya describes an ongoing internal struggle, Jewish law provides a framework for addressing transgressions and their consequences. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (4:1) states: "Ben Hei Hei says: 'According to the difficulty is the reward.'" This principle underscores that the effort involved in overcoming challenges, including moral and ethical ones, directly correlates to the value of the achievement. In the context of the benoni, this means that the very act of grappling with one's inclinations, of striving to align one's actions with one's divine soul even when the animal soul is strong, is itself a form of service and earns a commensurate reward. Furthermore, the legal system's emphasis on teshuvah acknowledges that humans are fallible and capable of both sin and profound change. The laws surrounding atonement and reconciliation, even for significant transgressions, demonstrate a belief in the possibility of return and renewal, mirroring the Tanya's assertion that the evil inclination, though potent, is not absolute. The legal system, in its structured approach to sin and repentance, provides an external validation for the internal work of the benoni, recognizing that consistent effort, even in the face of difficulty, is the path towards spiritual growth. This legal framework does not offer a quick fix, but rather a sustained process of accountability and transformation, much like the internal battle described in the Tanya.

Strategy

The Tanya's depiction of the benoni as a dynamic battlefield, where the divine and animal souls are in constant negotiation, calls for a strategy that is both grounded in self-awareness and actively engaged with the world. The temptation is to either surrender to the perceived dominance of the animal soul or to falsely believe we have transcended it. The path of the benoni is one of continuous, humble effort.

Local Move: Cultivating "Magistrate Awareness"

The text describes the evil inclination as a "magistrate or judge who gives his opinion on a point of law, yet it is not necessarily a final decision to be implemented in deed." This is a crucial insight for our local action. Our internal struggles often manifest as fleeting thoughts, desires, or judgments. The benoni is not defined by the presence of these thoughts, but by how we respond to them.

Action: Practice "Thought Interruption" During Moments of Urge or Judgment.

When you notice a strong urge, a fleeting judgment, or a recurring negative thought, pause for a moment. This is not about suppressing the thought, but about recognizing it as an opinion from one of your "internal judges." Ask yourself:

• "Is this thought serving my highest values, or is it driven by immediate gratification, fear, or ego?"
• "What is the 'other judge' – my divine soul – whispering in response?"

Tradeoff: This practice requires consistent effort and can feel challenging initially. It might feel like you're dwelling on the negative, but the goal is to create a space between impulse and action, not to eliminate the impulse. The tradeoff is the immediate comfort of acting on impulse versus the longer-term gain of conscious choice.

How to Implement:

• Identify Triggers: Keep a mental note (or even a discreet journal entry) of recurring urges or negative thought patterns. Common triggers might be social media, stressful interactions, or moments of boredom.
• Develop a Mental "Pause Button": This could be a simple breath, a silent phrase like "Hold on," or visualizing a brief pause.
• Practice in Low-Stakes Situations First: Before trying this with a major temptation, practice with smaller, everyday urges. For instance, the urge to check your phone compulsively, or a fleeting critical thought about someone.

This practice cultivates a micro-level awareness, recognizing that each thought is an opinion, not a mandate. It builds the muscle of discernment, allowing us to choose our response rather than being dictated by our internal impulses.

Sustainable Move: Building "Arbiter Infrastructure"

The Tanya emphasizes that the "final verdict comes from the arbitrator—the Holy One, blessed is He, who comes to the aid of the good nature." While we cannot directly control divine intervention, we can create internal and external "infrastructure" that makes us more receptive to this help and strengthens our good inclination. This is about building sustainable habits and communities that support our ethical growth.

Action: Engage in Regular "Reflection and Connection" Practices.

This involves two interconnected elements:

1. Structured Reflection: Dedicate specific time for introspection. This isn't about guilt or self-recrimination, but about honestly assessing your actions in light of your values and the insights from the Tanya.
2. Meaningful Connection: Seek out relationships and communities that actively foster ethical development and provide support.

Tradeoff: This requires an ongoing commitment of time and energy. It may mean sacrificing immediate pleasures or social engagements that don't align with your growth. The tradeoff is between the ease of passive consumption and the effort of active cultivation.

How to Implement:

• Weekly "Inner Audit": Set aside 15-30 minutes each week (perhaps on Shabbat or another quiet day) for reflection. Review your "thought interruptions." What did you notice? Where did you succeed? Where did you falter? What can you learn for the week ahead? This is not about judgment, but about learning.
• Find Your "Haburah" (Study/Support Group): Connect with individuals or groups who are also committed to spiritual and ethical growth. This could be a study group focused on Jewish texts, an interfaith dialogue circle, or a group dedicated to social justice work. The key is mutual accountability and encouragement. Share your struggles and successes, and listen to theirs. The Tanya speaks of the "glow radiated by the Divine light, which illuminates the divine soul." This illumination can be amplified through the shared light of community.

This sustainable move builds resilience. By regularly reflecting and connecting, we reinforce the "divine soul" within us, making it stronger and more capable of overcoming the "evil nature." It is about creating an environment where our better angels are consistently supported and nurtured, making us more responsive to the "arbitrator" who ultimately guides us.

Measure

The Tanya teaches that the benoni must see themselves "as if you were wicked" in their own eyes, not to fall into despair, but to remain vigilant and avoid complacency. This means our measure of success is not the absence of struggle, but the quality of our engagement with it.

Metric: Documented instances of "conscious choice" versus "impulsive action" in challenging situations.

What "Done" Looks Like: Over a defined period (e.g., one month), you will have a record that demonstrates a growing capacity to:

• Identify and interrupt at least 5-7 instances per week where an urge or negative thought arises. This is evidenced by a brief note or entry in your reflection journal (e.g., "Felt strong urge to lash out at colleague – paused, took a breath, responded calmly instead").
• Articulate (even briefly) the reasoning behind the chosen response in at least 50% of these identified instances. This could be a sentence or two in your journal explaining why you chose one path over another (e.g., "Chose to respond calmly because I recalled the value of 'loving your neighbor as yourself'").
• Share one significant learning or challenge related to this internal battle in your chosen Haburah or reflection session at least once a month. This demonstrates active engagement with the community and accountability.

Tradeoff: This metric requires consistent self-observation and documentation, which can feel like extra work. It also demands honesty, as you're measuring your own internal processes. The tradeoff is between the perceived effort of tracking and the profound clarity gained about your progress and areas needing further attention. This metric moves beyond feeling "good" or "bad" and focuses on the tangible skills of self-mastery and conscious ethical decision-making.

Takeaway

The benoni is not a static category of being, but a dynamic state of constant striving. The wisdom of the Tanya is not to promise an easy victory, but to equip us with the understanding that our internal battles are where true spiritual growth occurs. By cultivating "magistrate awareness" in our daily lives and building "arbiter infrastructure" through reflection and community, we strengthen our divine soul. Our measure of progress lies not in the absence of the struggle, but in the increasing clarity and conscious choice we bring to it. This is the humble, compassionate, and profoundly actionable path of the intermediate person.