Tanya, the Classic Jewish Guide Tanya
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or many years, Rav Path to the Tree of Life, Mordechai Silver, adapted from Rav shlit"a, one of Silver’s classes, reveals Fthis generation's great an eye-opening, life- masters of Chassidic changing perspective thought, has given classes on the lessons of the holy on Tanya, the classic Jewish guide Tanya. This book will enlighten to a life of purpose authored by your soul, inspire devotion, and Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi. bring you closer to your true self. TESTIMONIALS: “Rabbi Silver's words … spring from a heart that is wise and pure. His ideas are exalted and deep, and they gladden the heart of those who seek Hashem. I am certain that with Hashem’s help this book will make a positive change in the hearts of many, many Jews. Their eyes will light up with the precious treasures from the holy Tanya.” Rav Moshe Wolfson, shlit”a, Rav of Beis Medrash Emunas Yisroel, Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas “The goal of this work is to bring Jews everywhere closer to their Father in Heaven. May it succeed in bringing merit to many.” Rav Mordechai Silver, shlit”a, Rebbe of Congregation Toldos Yehuda - Stitchin Path to the Tree of Life Path to- Volume the Tree Two - of Life Lessons on Tanya by LessonsLessonsZev Reichman onon Tanya by RabbiZev Zev Reichman Reichman Adapted from the Teachings of RavAdapted Mordechai from the Silver, Teachings Shlit”a of Rav Mordechai Silver, Shlit”a IT IS A TREE OF LIFE FOR THOSE WHO HOLD ONTO IT" עץ חיים הוא למחזיקים בה ותומכיה מאושר AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT ARE ENRICHED © All Rights Reserved Please send questions and correspondence to Zev Reichman 254 Chestnut Street Englewood, NJ 07631 [email protected] Permission is granted to duplicate pages from this work for the sake of teaching and learning Torah. IT IS A TREE OF LIFE FOR THOSE WHO HOLD ONTO IT" עץ חיים הוא למחזיקים בה ותומכיה מאושר AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT ARE ENRICHED מרת רחל בת החבר ר׳ אברהם הלוי פרנקל ע״ה TABLE OF CONTENTS i Contents Lesson 21: The Nature of the Evil Urge The Animal Soul and Blood ................................................................................................ 1 The Nature of the Evil Urge ................................................................................................. 2 What to Live For ................................................................................................................... 4 Remember the Basics ........................................................................................................... 5 We Can Reach Great Heights .............................................................................................. 5 The Divine Soul is Rooted in the Mind ............................................................................. 6 Holiness Means Being All Good......................................................................................... 9 Avigayil and David ............................................................................................................. 19 Judgments and Their Sweeteners ...................................................................................... 21 Judgments of Speech .......................................................................................................... 22 Tears Sweeten Judgments .................................................................................................. 23 Rosh Hashanah is a Time for New Life ........................................................................... 25 Lesson 22: Tov and Tov Me'od: The Hidden Sparks go free on Rosh Hashanah Classes of People ................................................................................................................. 26 Accepting the Yoke of God ................................................................................................ 28 Why Our Spiritual Horizons Might be Limited ............................................................. 31 Struggle is a Sign of Great Potential ................................................................................. 31 Why Evil Can Be Transformed ......................................................................................... 35 Gadlus HaMochin and the Call of Freedom ................................................................... 37 Only Nature Can Overcome Nature! ............................................................................... 39 When Sparks Go Free ........................................................................................................ 41 Waking from the Sleep of Physical Nature ...................................................................... 43 Other Languages to the Holy Tongue are like Sleep to the Awake State ..................... 43 Shofar and Beauty ............................................................................................................... 46 Lesson 23: Tzadikim Fail! Take Risks! Rashbi Turned Darkness to Light ..................................................................................... 49 No One Is Perfect ................................................................................................................ 52 The Flood and Sinai ............................................................................................................ 57 The Windows of Wisdom .................................................................................................. 60 Lesson 24: The Wicked are Filled with Regrets Regrets of the Wicked ........................................................................................................ 66 No One Is Perfect, But Never Settle! ................................................................................ 68 Life in Two Dimensions ..................................................................................................... 71 From the Potential to the Actual ...................................................................................... 74 Birth Pangs .......................................................................................................................... 76 Lesson 25: Prayer, Inner Torah, and Chochmah The Possibilities of Prayer .................................................................................................. 84 268ii PATH TO THE TREE OF LIFE of HashemPrayer .Lifts By fulfillingUs To a Levelmitzvos Above weOur canOwn connect.................................................................... with Hashem, and we can86 graspTorah the atzmiyus Becomes the Elokis- Levelthe of the very Learner essence ......................................................................... of the Creator of the world. 87 Naturally the Mind Is Stronger Than Emotions! ............................................................ 89 TheWhy physical Some Avoid world Wisdom cannot ................................................................................................ affect the Almighty. He fills the physical just as91 He fillsDeep the Depths spiritual; ........................................................................................................................ His glory fills all. We cannot actually perceive Hashem in94 the physicalThe Deeper realm, Meaning and onlyof the haveMe'aras the Hamachpeilah ability to see...................................................... Him when we reach the94 spiritualTorah realm. Depth The ........................................................................................................................ truth is, however, that Hashem fills the physical realm as96 well,Lesson and 26: when Holiness we willLeaves arrive a Mark! at the real tikun of the times of Mashiach, we will meritThe Importance to see Hashem of Prayingin the in the physical Same Spot realm ............................................................... as well. Because of our present105 limitedDaily perspective, Holy Marks the.............................................................................................................. verse declared, "Hashamayim shamayim laHashem108", "the HeavensThe Original belong Moon to IsHashem the Source", (forTehillim Impressions115:16) of Holiness which .................................. reflects our ability111 to onlyThe see NatureHashem of Rabbiwhen Akiva we .............................................................................................. focus on spiritual matters. It is key, however,113 to Sacrifice of Self and Elevating the Physical ................................................................... 115 remember the continuation of the verse: "veha'aretz nasan livnei adam", "and The Source of Holy Impressions ..................................................................................... 124 He hasRosh given Chodesh the earth and Roshem to people". ............................................................................................ We have the responsibility to transform the126 aretz Winterinto a and place Hidden where Light man ................................................................................................ can see Godliness. We need to build holiness129 in this worldThe soThoughts that manof the will Beinoni be ........................................................................................... able to see the Godliness that is down here129 in theLesson physical 27: Da'as- realm, the and Essence so that of manMan! can see the Divine commands that give life toMan wood Is a andBeing to Who trees. Chooses ........................................................................................