Weekly Letter: Clarifying A Misconception
As we celebrate the auspicious birthday on Chai Elul of the two luminaries of chassidus – its founder, R’Yisroel Baal Shem Tov and the Baal Ha’Tanya, R’Schneur Zalman – we share a letter of the Rebbe, in answer to a young man who says he doesn’t have anything to take out from his periodic study of the Tanya. The Rebbe clarifies a misconception and gives some specific advice.
By the Grace of G-d
5713
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr.
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
I duly received your letter, in which you describe your studies at the Yeshivah and express your bewilderment at not having anything to take out from the shiur (periodic study) of Tanya, although you have already reached chapter 18.
I am greatly surprised that you cannot follow the shiur, although, as you state, the Rabbi explains it well. No doubt this is the result of interference by the yetzer distracting your attention.
You also write that something tells you that the Tanya is only for tzadikim. This is wrong, of course, for apart from the fact that the very name itself – Sefer Shel Benonim – clearly defines itself, it is also explained in the hakdama and in chapter 17, as well as other places, that it is intended for all. The best proof is in the fact that all those who study the Tanya (not allowing the yetzer hara to hinder them), have benefitted so much as to be completely inspired by its teachings.
As to your complaint that you have nothing to take out from the Tanya, I will point out some lines which are obviously full of meaning. For example, in chapter 6 (page 20), in the ten lines from the 7th to the 17th, you will find enough material to occupy your mind for hours and days.
Likewise, the first four lines on page 19; or on page 14, from the end of the 5th line to the 10th. In the same way, you can find some lines on each page which will inspire you to Ahavas Hashem and Yiras Hashem, and the more you will think about these meaningful teachings, the higher you will rise spiritually. In the course of a letter it is impossible to say more about it, but the teachers at the Yeshiva and senior talmidim will surely help you if you will ask them.
The important thing is not to be discouraged for to learn Tanya is like learning any other profound subject. In the same way as when you begin Gemara, or even Chumash, you cannot expect to delve very deeply in the subject matter at first as you will years later. So with the Tanya – you will gain depths as time goes on, and your mind will grasp more and more chasidus.
I am pleased to hear that you are a madrich helping younger children to understand and observe more Yiddishkeit. Helping others understand is a segula for G-d’s help to give you, too, a deeper understanding.
With the blessing of Talmud Torah b’Yirat Shamayim,