Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 6:1

Here is your lesson on Tanya, Part I, Likkutei Amarim 6:1!

Hook

Ever feel like you're in a constant tug-of-war with yourself? One minute you're feeling inspired and ready to tackle the world, and the next you're tempted by that extra cookie or find yourself scrolling mindlessly instead of doing something meaningful. It’s like there are two distinct parts of you, one that wants to do good and one that… well, let’s just say it has other ideas. You might even wonder if this inner battle is just a normal part of being human, or if there’s something more going on. Perhaps you’ve heard that Judaism has some pretty profound insights into the human condition, and you’re curious about what it has to say about these internal struggles. Maybe you’ve encountered concepts like "good vs. evil" or "soul" and wondered how they fit into your everyday life. If you've ever felt pulled in different directions, or if you've simply been curious about the deeper workings of your own inner world and how tradition might shed light on it, then you've landed in the perfect spot. Today, we’re going to dive into a foundational text that offers a fascinating perspective on this very idea – the idea that there’s a built-in duality in the world and within ourselves, and how understanding this can actually be a pathway to growth and connection. We're going to explore how this ancient wisdom, presented in a way that's accessible to everyone, can help make sense of those competing desires and impulses that we all experience. Get ready to explore a little bit of Jewish thought that might just give you a new lens through which to view your own life and the world around you.

Context

This fascinating piece comes from a really important Jewish text called Tanya. Let’s break down the who, what, when, and where to get a better handle on it.

Who and When?

• Author: The Tanya was written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, also known as the Alter Rebbe. He was a prominent rabbi and philosopher who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Eastern Europe. He's considered the founder of the Chabad Hasidic movement, a branch of Jewish mysticism that emphasizes intellectual understanding of divine concepts.
• Time Period: The late 1700s and early 1800s. This was a time of great intellectual and spiritual ferment in Jewish life, with the rise of Hasidism seeking to bring deeper spiritual meaning and joy into everyday Jewish practice.
• Audience: The Tanya was written for anyone interested in understanding the deeper aspects of Jewish belief and practice, particularly those who wanted to connect with God on a more profound level. The Alter Rebbe aimed to make complex mystical ideas accessible to the average person, hence its title, Likkutei Amarim, which means "Collected Teachings."

Where?

• Geographical Location: Rabbi Schneur Zalman lived and wrote primarily in what is now Belarus and Ukraine. His teachings spread throughout Eastern Europe and eventually around the globe.
• Spiritual Landscape: The Tanya emerged from the rich tradition of Jewish mysticism, particularly Kabbalah. However, it was revolutionary in its approach, aiming to explain these often esoteric concepts in a more systematic and philosophical way, making them practical for daily life.

Key Term Defined: Sitra Achra

• Sitra Achra: This is an Aramaic phrase that literally means "the other side." In this context, it refers to the realm or forces that are not holy or divine, often seen as the opposite of holiness. Think of it as the "not-God" side of things, the forces that pull us away from spiritual connection. It’s not necessarily "evil" in a simple sense, but rather the realm that is separate from divine flow and can lead to negative outcomes if we engage with it too much.

Text Snapshot

Here's a peek at what the Tanya is saying, in plain English:

"G–d made one thing opposite the other." This means that in the spiritual world, for every holy thing, there’s a counterpart that's not holy. Our own divine soul has good qualities, like a beautiful garden. But there's also another "soul" within us, one that comes from this "other side," and it has negative qualities, like weeds. These negative qualities, like anger or jealousy, can take over our actions, words, and even our thoughts, like "impure clothes" that hide the good. When we focus on these negative things, or anything that isn't focused on G–d, we’re connecting to "the other side." This "other side" doesn't get its life directly from G–d's goodness but from a sort of indirect, diminished source. This is why the world can feel challenging, with lots of tough stuff happening. But even within this, there's a spark of holiness that can be found.

(Based on Tanya, Part I; Likkutei Amarim 6:1 – https://www.sefaria.org/Tanya%2C_Part_I%3B_Likkutei_Amarim_6%3A1)

Close Reading

Let's unpack this a bit more, focusing on what we can actually take away from these deep ideas. The Tanya is giving us a map for understanding ourselves and our world, and it’s not as complicated as it might sound at first.

### Insight 1: The "Two Souls" Within You

One of the most powerful ideas here is that we, as human beings, have a kind of dual nature. The Tanya describes this as having two "souls" or two distinct internal forces at play.

• The Divine Soul: This is the part of you that connects to something higher, that yearns for goodness, truth, and meaning. It's the spark of the divine within you. The text mentions this is made up of "ten holy sefirot" (divine attributes or emanations, a Kabbalistic concept) and "three holy garments" (thought, speech, and action when they are aligned with holiness). This soul wants to do the right thing, to learn, to grow, to be kind. It’s your inner compass pointing towards G–d.

• The "Other Side" Soul (Animal Soul): This is the part that is more instinctual, more focused on the physical world and its immediate desires. The Tanya links this to the concept of sitra achra, "the other side." This soul has "ten 'crowns of impurity'" and is influenced by seven "evil middot" (character traits or emotional qualities). These are the traits that can lead us astray: anger, jealousy, greed, laziness, pride, and so on. These are not necessarily "evil" in a cartoonish villain sense, but rather aspects that pull us away from our higher purpose and connection to holiness. Think of it as the part of you that might crave immediate gratification, get easily annoyed, or fall prey to negative self-talk. The text explains that this soul is "clothed in man's blood," suggesting it's deeply connected to our physical, biological existence.

• Why This Matters: Recognizing this duality isn't about labeling yourself as "good" or "bad." It's about acknowledging that both impulses exist within you, and that's perfectly normal. The Tanya isn't saying one soul is inherently evil and the other inherently good, but rather that they represent different orientations. One is aligned with the divine flow, and the other is separate. The key is to understand that these two forces are in constant interaction. Your actions, your words, and your thoughts are the battleground where these two forces play out. When you choose to act on an impulse of kindness, you are strengthening your divine soul. When you give in to anger, you are, in a sense, empowering the "other side" soul. This understanding gives you agency – you have the power to choose which impulse to follow. It helps explain why sometimes you feel so motivated to do something good, and other times it feels like an uphill battle to even get out of bed. It’s the interplay of these two internal forces.

### Insight 2: The "Garments" of Our Actions

The Tanya uses a powerful metaphor of "garments" to describe how our physical actions, words, and even thoughts manifest these inner forces.

• Holy Garments: When your thoughts, speech, and actions are aligned with your divine soul – when you are acting with integrity, kindness, and a sense of purpose – these are considered "holy garments." They are expressions of your connection to holiness. For example, when you study Torah with genuine interest, or when you perform a mitzvah (a Jewish commandment or good deed) out of a desire to do good, you are clothing your divine soul in holy garments. The text states, "Even when a single individual sits and engages in the Torah the Shechinah rests on him," meaning the divine presence is felt when we engage in holy activities. This indicates that our actions have a direct impact on our spiritual state.

• Impure Garments: Conversely, when your thoughts, speech, and actions are driven by the "other side" soul – by negative impulses like anger, jealousy, or vanity – these become "impure garments." The Tanya explains that when we "meditate in them [negative thoughts], or speak them, or act by them," our physical faculties (brain, mouth, hands, limbs) become the "impure garments" for these negative qualities. These are the actions that lead us away from our spiritual potential. For instance, gossiping about someone, acting out of spite, or indulging in excessive materialism can be seen as clothing the "other side" soul. The text describes these actions as "vanity and striving after the wind," implying they are ultimately empty and without lasting spiritual value.

• Why This Matters: This metaphor helps us see that our outer behavior is a direct reflection of our inner state, and vice versa. It’s not just about having these inner forces; it's about how they are expressed in the world. This insight offers a practical way to monitor ourselves. If you find yourself acting in ways that feel unfulfilling or negative, you can recognize that you might be "clothing" the "other side" soul. This understanding isn't meant to induce guilt, but rather to bring awareness. Awareness is the first step to making a different choice. By consciously choosing to direct our thoughts, speech, and actions towards positive, ethical, and G–d-oriented goals, we are actively choosing to "clothe" our divine soul and strengthen our connection to holiness. It’s a reminder that even seemingly small actions have spiritual weight.

### Insight 3: The "Diminished Vitality" of the "Other Side"

The Tanya offers a profound explanation for why the "other side" exists and how it draws its energy. This isn't about a creation of pure evil from nothing, but rather a concept of "diminished vitality."

• Direct vs. Indirect Connection: The "holy side" receives its vitality directly from the essence of G–d. It's a pure, unadulterated flow of divine energy. This is why holiness is life-giving and sustaining. The text says the holy side is "nothing but the indwelling and extension of the holiness of the Holy One."

• "Behind its Back": In contrast, the "other side" doesn't receive its life force directly. Instead, it gets it "from behind its back," as the text puts it. This is a metaphor for an indirect, secondary, and much weaker source of energy. Imagine a light bulb plugged directly into the power grid versus a battery that has been charged from that grid – the battery has power, but it's a derived and limited amount. The Tanya explains that this energy descends "degree by degree, through myriads of degrees," becoming progressively weaker and more diluted. This process of "contraction" and "diminution" is how even the forces that oppose holiness receive enough vitality to exist.

• Existence Without Purpose: The text clarifies that even this "other side" existence is ultimately a creation of G–d. Evil is not an independent force but rather a consequence of G–d's creation, allowed to exist in a diminished state. It's like a shadow cast by the light; the shadow exists because of the light, but it is not the light itself. The text notes that this "evil is thus conceived as a creation ex nihilo [from nothing], like everything else, except that it was not created for its own sake; hence it is merely tolerated." This means that the "other side" has no inherent purpose or ultimate existence; it's tolerated within the grand scheme of creation to allow for free choice and spiritual growth.

• Why This Matters: This is a really important theological concept. It means that there isn't an equal and opposite force of evil battling G–d. Ultimately, everything derives its existence from G–d. The "other side" is a manifestation of separation from G–d, a falling away from the direct flow of divine life. Understanding this can be empowering because it means the forces that pull us away from holiness are not as fundamentally powerful or real as the force of holiness itself. They are like illusions or distractions that draw their limited power from a source that is ultimately divine. This perspective can help us approach challenges and temptations with less fear and more confidence, knowing that our connection to the divine source is the true wellspring of strength and life. It also helps explain why, even in the darkest of times, there’s a possibility for good to emerge and for individuals to find meaning and purpose.

Apply It

This week, let’s try a simple practice to bring these ideas into your daily life. It’s all about noticing the "garments" you're wearing.

Your "Garment Check" Practice

Goal: To build awareness of how your thoughts, speech, and actions align with your inner intentions.

How to do it (less than 60 seconds a day):

1. Find a Quiet Moment: Choose a time each day when you can have just a minute to yourself. This could be when you first wake up, before you go to sleep, or during a quiet moment in your day.
2. Ask Yourself: In that quiet moment, gently ask yourself:
   • "What was a thought I had today that felt good and aligned with something positive or meaningful?" (This is like noticing a holy garment.)
   • "What was a thought, word, or action today that felt a bit 'off,' or pulled me away from what I wanted to be doing?" (This is like noticing an impure garment.)
3. Just Notice: The key is to just notice, without judgment. You're not trying to fix it or change it right away. You’re simply observing. If you had a thought that felt negative, acknowledge it, and then gently redirect your attention to something else, perhaps thinking about a positive interaction you had. If you had a good thought or action, simply acknowledge it with a quiet sense of appreciation.
4. Repeat Daily: Try to do this for at least five to seven days. It’s a small, consistent practice that builds awareness over time.

Why this works: This practice directly engages with the Tanya's idea of "garments." By consciously reflecting on your thoughts, words, and actions, you start to see how they are expressions of your inner state. This isn't about dwelling on mistakes, but about building the muscle of self-awareness. The more you notice these "garments," the more you can consciously choose to put on the ones that align with your higher self and your connection to holiness. It’s a gentle way to become more attuned to the interplay of your "two souls" and to cultivate a more intentional life. It’s like tuning into a radio station – you’re trying to find the frequency of holiness within yourself.

Chevruta Mini

Imagine you're discussing these ideas with a friend. Here are two friendly questions to get your conversation going:

Question 1: The Everyday Tug-of-War

The Tanya talks about a "tug-of-war" between our divine soul and the "other side" soul. Can you think of a recent situation in your life where you felt this internal conflict? What was the situation, and which "side" do you think was pulling you more strongly at that moment? How does understanding this idea of "two souls" make you feel about that experience now?

Question 2: Choosing Your "Garments"

The idea of "garments" for our inner qualities is pretty interesting. When you think about the "holy garments" (positive thoughts, speech, actions) and "impure garments" (negative ones), which type of garment do you find yourself "wearing" most often in your daily life? What's one small, practical step you could take this week to consciously choose to "wear" a more positive or holy garment, even for a short time?

Takeaway

Remember this: Recognizing the dual nature within you is not a sign of weakness, but a profound insight into the human experience that empowers you to choose holiness.