Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 6:1

Shalom, and welcome! Ever feel like there are two sides to everything? Like one minute you're feeling super motivated, and the next, you're just… not? Or maybe you've wondered why some things feel so good and others feel so… off? Today, we're going to peek into a really old, really wise Jewish text that talks about this exact thing – this feeling of opposites, of good and… well, not-so-good. It's a peek into how we're wired, and how even in the messiest parts of life, there's a deeper story. Get ready to explore a bit of Jewish wisdom that might just make you see the world, and yourself, in a brand new light.

Context

This piece comes from a really important Jewish book called Tanya, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. Think of it as a guide to Jewish spirituality and how to live a meaningful life.

Who and When?

• Who: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, a big rabbi in the 18th century who started a branch of Jewish thought called Chabad.
• When: Written in the late 1700s, but the ideas are ancient.
• Where: While written in Eastern Europe, the ideas are meant for everyone, everywhere.
• Key Term: Sitra Achara (SEE-trah ah-HAH-rah) – This is Hebrew for "the other side," referring to the forces or aspects that are not holy or divine.

Text Snapshot

Here's a little taste of what Rabbi Shneur Zalman writes:

"G–d has made one thing opposite the other."

This means that in God's creation, there are always two sides. Just like we have a good soul, there's also a part of us that comes from "the other side." This "other side" has its own "ten crowns of impurity," which are like negative traits or desires. When we focus on these negative thoughts, words, or actions, they become like "impure garments" for that part of us. This is why the world can seem full of things that are not Godly, things that don't connect to holiness. But even in this "other side," God's light is still present, just hidden or diminished.

Close Reading

This passage dives into a really interesting idea: the concept of opposites in our spiritual lives. It's not just about good and bad choices, but about the very fabric of how things exist.

### The World of Opposites

The very first line is like a secret code: "G–d has made one thing opposite the other." This isn't just about a sunny day versus a rainy day. It’s a fundamental principle of how the universe works, according to this text. Imagine light and shadow – you can't really understand one without the other. The text suggests that in the spiritual world, holiness has an opposite, which it calls sitra achara, or "the other side." This isn't necessarily "evil" in a cartoon villain way, but rather, anything that is not G-dly, not connected to holiness. It’s like the space where divine light isn't directly shining.

### Two Kinds of Souls (and How They Dress!)

The text then uses an analogy to explain this. It says our "divine soul" (the part of us that feels connected to something bigger, that yearns for good) has "ten holy sefirot" (divine attributes or emanations) and is clothed in "three holy garments" – thought, speech, and action. This is like the best version of ourselves, our highest potential.

But then, it introduces the idea that we also have a part that's influenced by sitra achara. This part is described as being clothed in "man's blood" (meaning our physical body and its impulses) and having "ten 'crowns of impurity.'" These aren't actual crowns, of course! They represent negative character traits or desires that stem from our more base instincts. Think of anger, jealousy, excessive pride, or greed. The text says these negative traits are like "impure garments" for this "other side" of our soul. When we dwell on negative thoughts, speak unkind words, or act selfishly, we are essentially "dressing up" this less-than-holy part of ourselves.

### Why Kids (and Sometimes Adults!) Act Like They Do

This is where it gets really relatable! The text explains that the intensity of these negative traits depends on our intellect, or our understanding. A child, whose intellect is still developing, might get incredibly upset over a broken toy or a snatched cookie. Their "intellect is too immature and deficient to appreciate things that are more precious." They get angry or boastful over "trivial things." This isn't because they are inherently "bad," but because their capacity to understand and value things is still growing. This is a beautiful way of saying that our actions and reactions are often tied to our level of understanding. It also hints that as we mature, we can develop a more refined understanding that helps us navigate these impulses better.

### The World's "Other Side" and Divine Light

The passage then broadens the scope to the whole world. It states that anything that doesn't surrender itself to G-d, anything that stands "separate by itself," doesn't receive its vitality directly from the "inner essence and substance of holiness." Instead, it receives it indirectly, "from behind its back," as it were. This vitality gets diminished, passing through many levels, until it can be contained within that separate thing. This is why the world can sometimes feel "severe and evil."

However, and this is a crucial point, the text concludes by saying that even within this "other side," there are aspects that are still connected to holiness. It mentions that God's light pervades the world through various levels of divine emanation. The kelipot (literally "shells," referring to the forces of separation or impurity) are divided into grades, with the lowest being completely devoid of good. These lowest grades are connected to things like forbidden foods or actions that violate Jewish law. But even here, the underlying principle is that nothing exists outside of God's ultimate reality. It's just that God's light is more obscured or concealed in these areas.

Apply It

This week, let's try a tiny practice focused on noticing the "other side" in ourselves, not to judge, but just to observe.

### The "One Opposite" Check-In

For the next seven days, take one minute each day, perhaps when you're brushing your teeth or waiting for your coffee, to do this:

1. Think of one thing you did or felt today. It could be something small, like feeling impatient, or something positive, like feeling happy about a compliment.
2. Consider its opposite. If you felt impatient, what would the opposite feeling be? (Perhaps calm, or patient). If you felt happy, what's an opposite feeling? (Maybe neutral, or even a little sad).
3. Just notice. You don't need to change anything or analyze it deeply. Just acknowledge that these opposites exist within you, just like the text says they exist in the world. This is a simple way to connect with the idea that we have different facets to our inner experience.

Chevruta Mini

Grab a friend, family member, or even just talk to yourself out loud for a few minutes! These questions are designed to get you thinking together:

### Question 1: Everyday Opposites

Can you think of a time in your life when you experienced a really strong "opposite" feeling? For example, a moment where you felt incredibly excited, and then something happened that made you feel the complete opposite, like disappointment or fear. How did you handle that shift?

### Question 2: "The Other Side" in Action

The text talks about "the other side" being anything not directly connected to holiness. When do you think you've encountered this "other side" in your daily life? It doesn't have to be a big dramatic event; it could be something as simple as seeing a news story that feels upsetting or experiencing a frustrating situation. What does noticing this "other side" make you think or feel?

Takeaway

Remember this: The world is full of opposites, and that's a natural part of how things are divinely created, even within ourselves.