Tanya? In 2008?

The Alter Rebbe wrote a bestseller. He wrote it because too many people were flocking to his door for advice. They were asking about the most important aspect of their lives: the quest to serve Hashem.

They flocked to him, poured out their deepest frustration: the inner battle the good and the evil. Frustrated by their inability to attain self mastery. Unable to stop the flow of negative thoughts and desires threatening to destroy the pure and holy life they were working so hard to create.

So the Alter Rebbe wrote the Tanya to empower, inspire and comfort.

It would empower the individual to understand the nature of his soul(s). The Tanya would inspire the individual to become the best he can become (for most people that’s a Bey’nu’ney). It comforts the frustration of the continues battle, by finding meaning and significance in the struggle.

So, the Tanya became a bestseller, changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

In the year 2008 people are looking for meaning. We don’t have the same struggles as the students of the Alter Rebbe. We aren’t looking to master every selfish impulse, in fact we very much enjoy the pleasures of this very physical world.

So, can the Tanya do anything for us? Does it speak our language?

I sit down with the Tanya. Thank G-d life is good. Once in a while I struggle with negativity that I wish I can rid myself of, but the struggle doesn’t threaten to throw me of balance. It certainly does not bother me enough to take off two months and travel in the freezing Russian winter to seek advice from the Alter Rebbe. I’m content.

I open the Tanya. I discover that at least fifty percent of my personality is suppressed. I have an unbelievable amount of energy that’s just sitting there. If I can express it I would be a transformed person. Smarter, more thoughtful, more caring, more sensitive and bursting energy and drive to do what I believe is good and just.

One minute, I say to myself. If all of this is true then why cant I feel it? Why do I need a book to tell me what’s going on inside of me? Something is wrong.

Yes, says the Tanya, something is wrong.

The G-dly soul – the other fifty percent of your personality – needs garments to express itself to others and even to yourself. The human being only has one brain and it’s been taken over by the bully – the animal soul. Loosen his grip on the mind and you will feel the G-dly soul in all it’s glory, with all its intensity, with its desire, it’s will, it’s intelligence, and it’s emotions. You will be shocked to discover all of this within yourself.

Oh, but you must be careful, the bully wants complete control. He will never concede the use of the garments to the G-dly soul. You are in for a long, intense and perhaps an un-winnable battle.

Frustrated? Good. Now you are on the same page as the Alter Rebbe’s Chasidim. Pick up the Tanya and get some advice.