Understanding the Tanya by Adin Steinsaltz (2007, Hardcover)

Understanding the Tanya guides the reader through one of the most extraordinary books of moral teachings ever written. The Tanya is a seminal document in both the study of Chasidic thought and of Kabbalah—Jewish mysticism. With a keen understanding of the profound struggles within the human soul, the Tanya helps us understand how we can raise ourselves to higher and higher spiritual levels.

Timeless in its approach, the Tanya addresses specific moral problems and dilemmas and delves into their root causes, distilling the universal predicaments of humankind and offering solutions that can change the way we view ourselves and conduct our lives. The Tanya explores the workings of the soul and examines the complexities, doubts, and drives within all of us as expressions of a single basic problem—the struggle between our Godly and animal souls

The internationally celebrated Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who has dedicated his life to the study, teaching, and writing of books that explain Jewish scripture, religious practice, spirituality, and mysticism is the author of this explanation and commentary on the Tanya.

The first book in the series, Opening the Tanya, introduced us to the “beinoni,” that person who is neither inherently righteous nor evil, but who seeks to reach moral perfection even as he struggles with animal soul. The second volume, Learning From the Tanya, offers a deeper description of the moral tensions within each of us. This third volume, Understanding the Tanya, continues where volume two left off in its page-by-page commentary on the linear sequence of Tanya's original text.

‘‘Make His will like your will’’ means that one who would otherwise desire the wrong things and would act on those desires if he were able instead forces himself to do God’s will as though it were his own.
‘‘Nullify your will’’ means that a person completely erases his personal desire and instead aligns all desire to the divine will. If a person on this level were allowed to do as he wished, he would do exactly what God wants.
The path of transformation is usually considered the superior course. It is a level of expanded consciousness based on an inner identification with the divine.
Yet the Hasidic literature also presents the opposite view and finds that subjugation can sometimes surpass transformation. This perspective focuses not on the level a person’s consciousness and emotions reach but rather on the state of being that he draws down and manifests in his service of God.
When one transforms his desires, he achieves enlightenment, a true understanding—his inner being and outer deeds are one. But just because of that, the relationship is limited by one’s ability to comprehend. One can never understand beyond one’s capacity. But when a person subjugates desire—when his actions are not the expression of his inner understanding—it is possible for him to be influenced beyond the limits of his personality and of his understanding in general.
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