Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 13:6

Judaism 101: The Foundations

The Big Question

Welcome, everyone! It's wonderful to have you here as we begin this journey into the heart of Jewish thought. Today, we're diving into a foundational text that, at first glance, might seem a bit complex, but I promise we'll unpack it together. We're going to explore a concept that gets to the very core of what it means to be human, and specifically, what it means to navigate our inner lives as Jews.

Have you ever felt pulled in two different directions? Like there’s a part of you that wants to do good, to be kind, to be dedicated, and another part that’s drawn to… well, let’s just say less noble pursuits? Maybe it's a fleeting desire for instant gratification, a moment of irritation, or a nagging doubt. This internal tug-of-war is a universal human experience, but in Jewish tradition, it's understood and explored with profound depth.

Our focus today is on understanding a key idea that helps us grapple with this internal conflict. It’s about how we, as individuals, are seen and how we should see ourselves in relation to our own inner struggles. Are we defined by our aspirations, our actions, or the very nature of our desires? This text from the Tanya, a seminal work of Chassidic philosophy, offers us a framework for understanding this delicate balance. It asks us to consider not just if we struggle, but how we struggle, and what that means for our spiritual journey. So, let's open our minds and hearts to explore this intricate, yet deeply relevant, aspect of Jewish life.

One Core Concept

The central concept we'll be exploring today is the idea of the benoni, or the "intermediate person." This isn't about being mediocre; rather, it's a sophisticated understanding of the human condition where both our good and evil inclinations are constantly present and vying for influence. The benoni is someone who actively manages this internal struggle, ensuring that their divine soul, guided by intellect, ultimately directs their actions, even though the evil inclination remains a potent force.

Breaking It Down

This passage from the Tanya, specifically Likkutei Amarim chapter 13, verse 6, delves into a profound concept: the spiritual state of the benoni, the "intermediate person." To truly grasp this, we need to understand the framework the Tanya is presenting.

The Inner Landscape: Two Souls, Two Inclinations

At the heart of this teaching is the idea that each of us possesses two primary "souls" or, more accurately, two fundamental impulses that drive us.

• The Divine Soul (The Good Inclination): This is the part of us that is inherently connected to the Divine. It's the source of our higher aspirations, our desire for goodness, truth, and holiness. The Tanya associates this soul with the "right part of the heart" and the "brain," where intellect resides. It's the part that contemplates G-d's greatness and yearns for spiritual connection.

• The Animal Soul (The Evil Inclination): This is the more primal, instinctual part of us, driven by self-preservation, physical desires, and worldly pleasures. The Tanya refers to this as residing in the "left part of the heart," the "seat of the passions." It craves immediate gratification and can lead us astray.

The "Small City" Metaphor

The Tanya uses a powerful metaphor of a "small city" to describe the human being. The various limbs and faculties of our body are like the citizens and infrastructure of this city. The battle for control happens within this city, with the divine soul and the animal soul vying for dominion over its inhabitants (our thoughts, speech, and actions).

The Benoni: The Arbiter of the Inner City

The benoni is neither a complete saint (tzaddik) nor a fully wicked person (rasha). Instead, they are in a constant state of managing the tension between these two impulses. The text explains that the benoni is not "ruled" by both, but rather, these two forces are like two judges offering opinions.

• The Judges' Opinions: The evil inclination, from the left side of the heart, expresses its opinion, often a desire for worldly pleasure or a negative impulse. This opinion ascends to the brain for contemplation.
• The Challenge: Immediately, the divine soul, residing in the brain and extending to the right side of the heart, challenges this opinion. It presents the counter-argument, the pull towards good and spiritual fulfillment.
• The Arbitrator: The ultimate verdict rests with the "arbitrator," who is G-d Himself. The text states, "If the Holy One, blessed is He, did not help him, he could not overcome his evil inclination." This divine assistance comes in the form of an inner illumination, a spiritual "glow" that strengthens the divine soul.

The Paradoxical Nature of the Benoni

This is where the teaching becomes particularly nuanced and, frankly, quite challenging. The text states that the benoni is likened to a "wicked man" in their own eyes. This is not a literal judgment, but a crucial self-awareness.

• Why the Likening to Wickedness? Even though the divine soul, with G-d's help, ultimately gains mastery and prevents the evil inclination from dictating actions, the essence of the evil inclination remains potent in the benoni. It hasn't been eradicated; it's simply been prevented from being expressed through the body's actions. It's like a magistrate who offers an opinion, but that opinion isn't implemented because another judge contests it. The evil inclination is still "in its innate strength, craving after all the pleasures of this world."

• The Importance of Humility: The Sages advise, "Even if the whole world tells you that you are righteous, in your own eyes regard yourself as if you were wicked." This is not about self-deprecation, but about maintaining a healthy spiritual humility. It prevents spiritual complacency. If we believe we've conquered our evil inclination entirely, we might let our guard down. The benoni understands that the battle is ongoing.

• The "Garments" of the Soul: The Tanya explains that the divine soul can rule over the "small city" by controlling the "garments" of the animal soul – thought, speech, and action. So, even if the evil inclination has powerful desires, the benoni directs their thoughts, speech, and actions towards mitzvot (commandments) and Torah study. The divine soul is "clothed" in these good actions.

• Love of G-d: A Momentary Ascendancy: The text clarifies that the benoni's love for G-d, which manifests during prayer and contemplation, is a sign of the divine soul's ascendancy. However, this ascendancy is often temporary. It's like "one nation shall prevail over the other" – a dynamic rather than a permanent state. When the divine soul is strong, the animal soul is subdued; when the divine soul weakens, the animal soul can reawaken.

• The Tzaddik vs. the Benoni: This is contrasted with the tzaddik, who has achieved a state where the evil inclination is truly "void within me," or at least profoundly diminished and despised. The benoni's evil inclination is more like a sleeping person who can awaken.

• Truth and Endurance: The passage concludes by emphasizing the concept of "truth." The love for G-d experienced by the benoni during prayer, while potent, is fleeting compared to the "lip of truth" that is established "forever" by the tzaddik. However, for the benoni, this recurrent love, reawakened through diligent preparation, is considered their own form of "true service." Truth, in Kabbalistic thought, is like a unifying force, securing all levels of existence. The benoni's truth lies in their consistent effort to reawaken that love and direct their actions towards G-d, even when the underlying inclination remains.

How We Live This

Understanding the benoni isn't just an intellectual exercise; it offers practical guidance for navigating our daily lives.

• Embrace the Struggle, Don't Despair: The first and perhaps most crucial takeaway is that feeling internal conflict is normal and, in fact, a sign of spiritual engagement. You are not alone in this. The Tanya validates this experience and provides a framework for understanding it. Instead of despairing over your "flaws," recognize them as part of the human condition.

• Cultivate Self-Awareness: The instruction to regard oneself "as if" wicked is a powerful tool for self-awareness. It means consistently checking in with your motivations. Are you acting out of genuine love for G-d and Mitzvot, or are there underlying selfish desires? This doesn't mean dwelling on negativity, but rather maintaining a vigilant awareness of your inner landscape.

• Focus on Action and Intention: The Tanya highlights that the divine soul rules through its "garments" – thought, speech, and action. This means that even if you experience strong, negative desires, you have the power to choose how you act upon them. Direct your thoughts towards Torah study, speak words of kindness, and perform acts of Mitzvah. Your actions become the vehicle for your divine soul.

• The Power of Prayer and Preparation: The text points to prayer as a time when the divine soul can gain ascendancy. This underscores the importance of prayer not just as a ritual, but as a powerful opportunity for spiritual connection and inner recalibration. Preparing for prayer – through study, reflection, or mindfulness – can help strengthen this connection and allow your divine soul to shine through.

• Strive for Consistent Effort, Not Perfection: The benoni's truth lies in their consistent effort. It's about the daily, even moment-to-moment, decision to align oneself with G-d. It's about the ability to reawaken love for G-d, even when it feels distant. This focus on consistent, conscious effort shifts the goal from unattainable perfection to achievable, persistent growth.

• Humility as a Spiritual Asset: The call to view oneself as potentially flawed, even when others perceive us as righteous, is a profound lesson in humility. This humility prevents arrogance and keeps us open to continuous learning and improvement. It reminds us that the spiritual journey is a lifelong process.

One Thing to Remember

The benoni is the person who, with G-d's help, actively manages the ongoing tension between their good and evil inclinations, ensuring their actions are guided by their divine soul, even while acknowledging the persistent presence of their animal soul. This internal management is the essence of a living, striving spiritual life.