GENTLE MIGHT

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

Tonight is the Yohrtzeit of the Alte Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Chassidus, and so I thought to summarize what we have been learning from his famous book, Tanya (also known as Sefer Ha Beinunim - Book of the Intermediates) this week, in the section Likutei Amarim Chaps 12 and 13

The Alte Rebbe has been discussing various characteristics of a person in the category of Beinuni (Intermediate person).

The Beinuni is intermediate between the Tzadik (a very high level righteous person with different levels) and a Rasha (an evil person with different levels)

The Beinuni is battling with two opposing forces within himself, each trying to gain dominion over the 'Little City' - the body, and each one trying to exert it's influence so that the body act according to it's dictates

These forces are termed the Yetzer Hara - Evil Inclination, and the Yetzer Tov - Good Inclination.

(also referred to as the Animal Soul vs the Divine Soul)

In the Beinuni the Yetzer Hara creates a desire in the left side of the heart where it resides, and demands that the Beinuni act accordingly.

The Beinuni holds back and directs this desire to the mind for contemplation.

Here it is immediately challenged by the Divine Soul residing in the brain, which extends to the right side of the heart where the Yetzer Tov reveals itself.

The battle wages back and forth, but the Beinuni keeps going beyond himself with efforts, in thought, speech and action so that his life should be dominated by his Good Inclination.

As an example, in relations between man and his fellow, the Alte Rebbe states, "As soon as there arises (in the Beinunu) from his heart to his mind, any animosity, or hatred, G-d forbid, or jealousy, anger or a grudge and their like, against his fellow, he will bar them (these feelings) from his mind, and will refuse to even think about them.

On the contrary, his mind will prevail over, and dominate the feelings of his heart, to do the exact opposite of what his heart desires, ie to conduct himself with kindness, and to display towards his fellow a disproportionate love, without being provoked into anger or revenge (even non-anger revenge) G-d forbid. But on the contrary, to repay offenders with favours (as taught in the Zohar on how Yosef conducted himself with his brothers)."

This same attitude will prevail in all the decisions in life that he faces, and because many of them will be very difficult, he also needs the " help of the 'Arbitrator' - the Holy One, Blessed be He, who judges between the 2 forces, and who comes to the aid of the Good Inclination."!!

And with this we can understand Pirkei Avot 4:1.

Who is a MIGHTY ONE? He who conquers his Yetzer (Hara). As it is written "The one who is slow to anger is better than a strong man, and he who masters his passions, is greater than one who conquers a city."

A Gut Shabbos to all with much happiness.