Tanya

The Sefer HaTanya (also known as Likkutei Amarim or Sefer Shel Beinonim) is the foundational text of Chabad Chassidus and one of the fundamental works of general Chassidus. The sefer examines the human nefesh and analyzes its processes that lead to avodas Hashem, while providing tools to overcome challenges. The sefer was first printed in 1797 in Slavita by its author - the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad Chassidus. The name Tanya ("it was taught") comes from the first word of the opening chapter.

Background

In 1772, the Alter Rebbe established the approach of Chabad Chassidus, which demands avodas Hashem with all kochos hanefesh. Chassidim who encountered many difficulties in their avodas Hashem would approach the Alter Rebbe for yechidus to resolve their problems. After yechidus, the Chassidim would write down the Alter Rebbe's horaos and guidance in avodas Hashem. These eitzos were collected as kuntreisim that were learned by Chassidim in all their communities. These kuntreisim were published in 1984 as "Tanya Mahadura Kama."

When the inquiries increased, the Alter Rebbe decided to compose the Sefer HaTanya to concentrate all the answers to questions related to avodas Hashem in an organized format.

In 1775, the Alter Rebbe began writing the Sefer HaTanya, and over twenty years he wrote it, being meticulous with every letter. The maamarim that the Alter Rebbe said from Rosh Hashana 1790 until 10 Kislev 1793 formed the foundation and basis for writing the perakim (which included collected eitzos from previous years). He completed writing in 1795 and then authorized the sefer's copying.

Initial Reception and Distribution

The sefer was received with great simcha by the Chassidim. The Misnagdim were concerned about the sefer's influence and created forged copies with inserted words of kefira, presenting these to the Vilna Gaon who ordered them burned. When the Alter Rebbe learned of these forgeries, he decided to print it officially only to prevent further forgeries. Another reason was because everyone was copying from others' copies without proper review and proofreading, which led to significant changes and variations in the Alter Rebbe's words. Therefore, a need arose for a corrected edition free of any mistakes and inaccuracies.

In 1796, the Alter Rebbe sent the Tanya to the printing house in Slavita with haskamos from the Maggid of Mezritch's talmidim: Reb Meshulam Zusil of Anipoli and Reb Yehuda Leib HaKohen. The printing was completed on 20 Kislev 1797. On 26 Kislev, the first copies of the Sefer HaTanya reached the Alter Rebbe.

Names and Titles of the Tanya

The Sefer HaTanya has several names:

1. Likkutei Amarim - The official name given by the Alter Rebbe. Behind this name stands the idea that there isn't any real chiddush in the sefer, besides collecting ideas that already existed in Jewish literature and illuminating them in a new and deeper light. Chassidim explain that this name expresses the Alter Rebbe's anivus, being only a "collector" of Kabbalah and Chassidus he heard from his Rebbeim and found in seforim.
2. Sefer Shel Beinonim - The sefer's purpose is guidance on how to reach the madreiga of beinom. This name is common in Toras Chabad, sometimes abbreviated as "ShaShB."
3. Tanya - A well-known and common name, based on the first word that opens the sefer ("Tanya at the end of perek 3 of Niddah"). Sometimes the title "Tanya Kadisha" (The Holy Tanya) is added.
4. Torah SheBichtav of Toras HaChassidus - This title was given specifically to Sefer HaTanya, as it was the only one written by the Alter Rebbe personally, unlike his other seforim and maamarim which were written by others and sometimes edited by him.

Parts of the Tanya

The Sefer HaTanya is divided into five parts. The Frierdiker Rebbe compared the four parts of Shulchan Aruch to its four sections:

1. Sefer Shel Beinonim - Contains guidance for maximizing the natural abilities and kochos of the nefesh, showing how a person can progress and elevate themselves in avodas Hashem until reaching the madreiga of beinom. Contains a hakdama and 53 perakim.
2. Shaar HaYichud V'haEmunah (or Likkutei Amarim Part Two) - A secheldik explanation of the Baal Shem Tov's chiddush regarding achdus Hashem. Contains a hakdama called "Chinuch Katan" and 12 perakim. It was printed as an appendix to the first part.
3. Igeres HaTeshuvah - Explains the essence of teshuvah according to Toras HaChassidus. Contains 12 perakim. In the first edition (Zolkva 1799) it wasn't divided into perakim, and in the second edition (Shklov 1806) the Alter Rebbe added the division into perakim.
4. Igeres HaKodesh - A collection of 32 letters written by the Alter Rebbe "to guide am Hashem in the way they should go and the deeds they should do." Was added to Sefer HaTanya only after the Alter Rebbe's histalkus by his sons, his memale makom. First printed in Shklov in 1814. In writing this section, the Alter Rebbe wasn't as meticulous as in the first three parts of the Tanya.
5. Kuntres Acharon - The Alter Rebbe's explanations on several sugyos discussed in the first part 'Likkutei Amarim', which weren't detailed there due to the focus on practical eitzos in avodas Hashem. Contains 9 simanim. First printed in Shklov 1814. Was added to Sefer HaTanya by his sons and memale makom after his histalkus. In writing this section too, the Alter Rebbe wasn't as meticulous as in the first three parts of the Tanya.

Sefer Shel Beinonim

The Chassidic approach positioned the mitzvos of ahavas Hashem and yiras Hashem as the foundation for true avodas Hashem. One of the fundamental differences between various streams of Chassidus lies in the path to achieving this ahavah and yirah. The general Chassidic movement holds that through a chassidic vort (saying) that awakens the heart, together with hiskashrus to the tzaddik, one can reach ahavas Hashem and yiras Hashem. However, according to the Chabad Chassidus approach, intellectual avoda is required - the mind must first understand the need for ahavah and yirah from Hashem and direct the heart to these feelings through deep and prolonged hisbonenus (especially during tefillah).

In Likkutei Amarim, the Alter Rebbe expounds the Chabad approach that the moach naturally controls the lev, and a person's middos appear afterward as a result of the mind's insights and understanding. Therefore, one must use their moach to contemplate at length Hashem's greatness to "give birth to" ahavas and yiras Hashem in their heart.

Shaar HaYichud V'haEmunah

In this section, the Alter Rebbe explains in secheldike terms the Baal Shem Tov's approach that emunah in Hashem's unity doesn't just mean negating other deities besides Hashem or rejecting physical and spiritual intermediaries between a person and their Creator. Rather, the emunah is that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is the only true existence and besides Him there is no existence - "Ein od milvado." Everything that appears to be outside of Him isn't true existence. This is rooted in the fact that the existence of nivra'im is through Hashem's word that gives them chayus every moment, and if Hashem weren't to create them constantly, they would return to absolute nothingness as before creation.

Igeres HaTeshuvah

This section deals with the method of avodas hateshuvah according to Chabad Chassidus. The igeres is also known as "Tanya Katan." It includes twelve perakim:

• The first three perakim explain the details of mitzvas hateshuvah according to nigleh
• Perakim 4-8 explain teshuvah according to Chassidus
• The final four perakim combine and integrate both approaches

The Rebbe said about learning this igeres that since Hashem made it that in our generation Yidden cannot fast as part of tikkunei teshuvah, "through learning Torah in these matters - in a way of 'eisek,' and even in a way of 'reading' - it's considered as if the person fasted all the numbers of fasts specified in the tikkunei teshuvah from the Arizal, and through learning Igeres HaTeshuvah, it's as if they engaged in avodas hateshuvah on all the levels explained in Igeres HaTeshuvah."

Igeres HaKodesh

The Tanya was first printed in 1797, but without the last two sections "Igeres HaKodesh" and "Kuntres Acharon" - only in the year after the Alter Rebbe's histalkus did his sons print the Tanya again and add these two final sections.

Over the following years, changes continued from one printing to another, and only in 1900 - when the Rebbe Rashab printed the Tanya for the yeshiva - was the Tanya "sealed" and sanctified in its final form familiar to us today.

One of the most significant changes in the 1900 printing was the addition of two Igros Kodesh (which weren't given their own siman but were added to existing ones): "Ha'osiyos haniglot eileinu" was added to siman 19, and "Migodel tirdosi" was added to siman 22.

Kuntres Acharon

Like Igeres HaKodesh, Kuntres Acharon was first added to the Tanya in 1814. The "Kuntres" includes nine simanim:

The first five simanim of Kuntres Acharon are "deep pilpul and iyun on maamarei Zohar and writings of the Arizal that appear to contradict each other, and with his spirit of understanding he reconciles them":

• The first three reconcile apparent contradictions between perakim 39-41 in Tanya and the words of the Zohar
• The last two are explanations of Pri Eitz Chaim

The final four simanim are regular igros kodesh. We don't have an explanation for why these four igros were separated from the other igros kodesh (particularly since over the years many corrections were made both to the igros themselves and their order).

On the Tanya - Its Impact and Reception

When the Alter Rebbe finished writing the Sefer HaTanya, he sent a copy to Slavita to Reb Zusha of Anipoli and Reb Yehuda Leib HaKohen to write a haskama for his sefer. When they received the sefer, they sat and learned it all night. Finally, they couldn't contain themselves and from such hispaalus from its content, each left his house in middle of the night to tell his friend about the holy sefer. They met in the middle of the road and broke into intense dancing.

Later, Reb Zusha of Anipoli declared: "With Sefer HaTanya they will march to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu." Reb Yehuda Leib HaKohen said the Tanya is a segula and healing for all illnesses of the generations of ikvesa d'meshicha. Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev said about the sefer: "I wonder how it's possible to contain such a great and awesome G-dliness in such a small sefer." Reb Baruch of Mezhibuzh called the Tanya the "Sefer HaSechel."

Segulos of the Tanya

Many segulos have been attributed to learning Tanya by the Chabad Rebbeim and other gedolei Yisroel:

• Emunah in Hashem and prevention of machshavos zaros and hirhurei kefira
• Ahavas Hashem and yiras Hashem
• Ketores for all spiritual mageifos
• Flow of bracha and hatzlacha
• Rescue and yeshua - even more than saying Tehillim

Even holding the sefer has many maalos. Reb Meshulam Zusya of Anipoli and Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev would carry the sefer with them at all times. The Chabad Rebbeim instructed to take it when traveling as a segula for shemira and hatzala. Great chassidim would learn on a yahrzeit the perakim of Tanya that begin with the letters of the niftar's name, just as is done with pesukim of Tehillim and perakim of Mishnayos.

The Tanya's Influence

Sefer HaTanya has had tremendous influence on Jewish emunah. Until the Baal Shem Tov, the views of gedolei Yisroel were divided regarding how Hashem's hashgacha over the world works. The Baal Shem Tov revealed that Hashem's hashgacha is hashgacha pratis over every detail in creation. The Alter Rebbe explained and spread this in Jewish communities. His influence reached even to talmidei haGra. One of them, Reb Chaim of Volozhin, was influenced by the Alter Rebbe's view and did not hold like his Rebbe regarding "hashgacha pratis."

Today the sefer is considered a foundational text in avodas Hashem and is learned worldwide without connection to Chabad Chassidus. The unique approach of the Tanya influences people's lives, strengthens their self-awareness, and awakens hischazkus in shmiras Torah and mitzvos.

Learning the Tanya

The Frierdiker Rebbe established a takana to learn a portion of Tanya each day, completing all five parts of the Tanya during one learning year (from 19 Kislev to 19 Kislev). For this purpose, the Frierdiker Rebbe divided the Tanya into two annual learning tracks: one for a regular year and one for a leap year. A 'moreh shiur' (study guide) is included at the end of the Tanya and in newer editions - in the page margins.

The Rebbe encouraged the minhag of Chassidim to learn a perek of Tanya every day before Shacharis (before saying "Hareini Mekabel").

The recommended learning order is:

1. Igeres HaTeshuvah
2. Shaar HaYichud V'haEmunah
3. Likkutei Amarim
4. Igeres HaKodesh
5. Kuntres Acharon

This order may vary depending on the person's nefesh characteristics.

The Rebbe Rashab wrote a general letter to Chassidim warning not to make personal interpretations in Tanya, except in matters of avodas Hashem where they can expand even if it's not the true kavana in the Tanya's words. He added that from each perek one should take the general content of the inyan.

Tanya by Heart

Chassidim have a minhag to memorize Sefer HaTanya by heart, with emphasis on the 'Hakdama' and first twelve perakim at minimum. They review it at every opportunity, particularly while walking in the street.

The Rebbe encouraged learning Perek 41 until the words "k'omed lifnei haMelech" and reviewing it by heart on various occasions.

The purpose of memorization is to purify the street's atmosphere, and as a segula for memory and pure thought.

Printings of the Tanya

In 1795, handwritten copies of the Tanya began to circulate. Due to intentional forgeries, the Alter Rebbe decided to have it printed officially only and prohibited its copying for five years. In 1796, the Tanya was first printed in the Slavita printing house. Since then, the sefer has been printed dozens of times, based on copies from this printing.

In 1900, the thirty-sixth edition was printed at the Widow and Brothers Rom printing house in Vilna. In this printing, all parts of the sefer were proofread against original manuscripts and corrected from mistakes that had appeared in previous editions. In 1909, the printers sold the exclusive printing rights of the corrected edition to the Rebbe Rashab, for the benefit of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. From then on, following the Frierdiker Rebbe's hora'ah, all printings of the sefer are photographic reproductions of this edition.

In 1942, the official publishing house of Chabad Chassidus named Kehos was established, and the printing rights were transferred to Kehos by its founder, the Frierdiker Rebbe.

Mivtza Printing of the Tanya

In 1978, the Rebbe instructed to print Sefer HaTanya in every place where Yidden live. This was to bring the maaynos of Chassidus themselves - Sefer HaTanya - to every location and thereby accomplish "yafutzu mayanosecha chutzah." Since then, Chabad Chassidim print the Tanya everywhere, and today (as of 5783, in the era of portable printing machines) the Tanya has been printed in over eight thousand editions, making it the sefer printed in the most editions ever.

The Tanya has been printed on all seven continents and in most countries of the world. During Communist rule in the Soviet Union, Chabad Chassidim printed the Tanya behind the Iron Curtain. It was also printed in Islamic and Arab countries and even in enemy states like Iran and Syria. During wartime, Chassidim printed the sefer with mesiras nefesh in combat zones, such as in Egypt across the Suez Canal, and in Lebanon during the First Lebanon War in cities like Beirut, Tyre, Sidon, and more.

Translations of the Tanya

Sefer HaTanya has been translated into many languages, with each translation being reviewed and edited by special teams including: rabbanim, academics, and linguistic advisors.

To date, the Tanya has been translated into eleven languages:

• English
• French
• Russian
• Yiddish
• Spanish
• Italian
• Portuguese
• German
• Arabic
• Hungarian
• Georgian

It has also appeared in Braille in both Hebrew and English.

The Complete Edition of the Tanya

In the introduction to the Tanya's indices written in 1954, the Rebbe described the preparation for printing of "The Complete Edition of the Tanya," which would include:

• The Tanya text in the middle of the page
• Surrounding it would be:
  • Marei mekomos (references)
  • Brief commentary
  • Collection from the Rebbeim's seforim and manuscripts explaining the Tanya

While this edition wasn't published then, over the years many seforim have been published focusing on one or several of these aspects. On 3 Tammuz 5783, Kehos Publishing House announced the upcoming printing of a Tanya in a similar style to the Complete Edition that the Rebbe wrote about.

Distribution by the Rebbe

The Rebbe distributed the Sefer HaTanya to the general public seven times:

1. 16 Sivan 5735
2. 25 Tishrei 5739
3. 11 Nissan 5742
4. 11 Nissan 5744
5. 10 Shevat 5750
6. 19 Kislev 5751
7. During Sefiras Ha'omer 5732

Tanya Mahadura Kama

Tanya Mahadura Kama is a sefer that collects the editions of kuntreisim that preceded the printing of Sefer HaTanya. These kuntreisim contained the horaos and eitzos that the Alter Rebbe gave in avodas Hashem to his chassidim privately. After the official printing of Sefer HaTanya by the Alter Rebbe, they stopped learning from these kuntreisim.

In Cheshvan 5738 (1978), boxes of new seforim and manuscripts arrived from Poland containing topics in Toras HaChassidus from Chabad Rebbeim that had not yet been printed. Among them were manuscripts of earlier versions of Sefer HaTanya written by the Alter Rebbe's chassidim, based on the horaos and hadrachos they received from the Alter Rebbe. The Rebbe requested that these kuntreisim be collected and compared between editions and printed as a sefer, and he encouraged its study.

A team of editors at "Vaad L'Hafatzas Sichos" worked on the sefer, led by:

• Rabbi Nachman Shapiro
• Rabbi Yaakov Leib Altein
• Rabbi Shalom DovBer Lipsker
• Rabbi Moshe Olidort

With the Rebbe's haskama, the sefer was printed in the small printing press of "Vaad L'Hafatzas Sichos" located in the office building at 770. On Friday, 16 Kislev 5742, the printing of the last sheet was completed. The Rebbe dedicated the following Shabbos farbrengen (Parshas Vayishlach) to the completion of the sefer's printing.

Biurim (Commentaries) on the Tanya

Over the years, dozens of commentaries and explanations have been written on the Tanya, some by Chabad Rebbeim and some by chassidim. The Rebbe preferred not to change the original layout of Sefer HaTanya, so most Tanya commentaries were designed based on the original layout.

Biurim by The Rebbeim

1. Kitzurim V'He'aros - Collection of the Tzemach Tzedek's writings on Tanya, and notes from the Rebbe Rashab found in the Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library. The sefer was edited by the Rebbe (including the introduction) and published in 1948.
2. Maftechos L'Sefer HaTanya - A collection edited by the Rebbe and printed in 1954. Includes:
   • Index of topics
   • Index of names of seforim and people
   • The Rebbe's introduction
3. Marei Mekomos V'He'aros Ketzaros L'Sefer Shel Beinonim - Written by the Rebbe around the time of his arrival in America. Includes:
   • References to pesukim, maamarei Chazal, Zohar, and kabbalah seforim
   • Brief and concise explanation wherever clarification is needed
   • Precise versions of text
   • References to additional sources in Torah, especially in Toras Chabad
   • Stories related to learning Tanya

Collections from the Rebbeim's Teachings

1. Likkutei Biurim B'Sefer HaTanya - First collection of our Rebbeim's teachings on Tanya
2. Tanya with References, Collection of Explanations, Text Variations
3. Biurim on Igeres HaTeshuvah - Collection of biurim from the Rebbe's sichos

Biurim by Chassidim

Likkutei Levi Yitzchak

Notes by Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson written in the margins of seforim while in exile in Kostroma.

Until the Generation of the Rebbe Rashab

1. Shaarei HaYichud V'haEmunah - Explanations on Shaar HaYichud V'haEmunah by Rabbi Aharon of Strashelye, Shklov 1820
2. Biur Tanya - By Rabbi Yaakov Kadaner (author of Sipurim Nora'im and Vikucha Rabba)
3. Biur HaRashag - Shiurim of Reb Shmuel Gronem Esterman, recorded by his talmidim

Talmidei Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch

1. HaLekach V'haLibuv - By Rabbi Alexander Sender Yudasin
2. Nitzutzei Ohr - Shiurim by Reb Shmuel Levitin at the Central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva
3. Biurim of Rabbi Alter Simchovitz - Mashpia in Toras Emes Yerushalayim
4. Biurim of Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman - Mashpia in Tomchei Tmimim Lod and Kfar Chabad
5. Biurim of Reb Chaim Shaul Brock - Mashpia in Achei Tmimim Rishon L'Tzion
6. Biurim of Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson - Mashpia Tomchei Tmimim New York
7. Biurim of Reb Nissan on Tanya - Mashpia Tomchei Tmimim Brunoy
8. Biur L'Tanya from Reb Avraham Elya Plotkin - Rav and Rosh Yeshivos Tomchei Tmimim

Sixth and Seventh Generations

1. Shiurim B'Sefer HaTanya - By Rabbi Yosef Weinberg
2. Biur HaRaNG - By Rabbi Nachum Goldschmidt
3. Likkut Peirushim - By Rabbi Aharon Chitrik
4. Pninei HaTanya - By Rabbi Chaim Levi Yitzchak Ginsburg
5. Maskil L'Eisan - By Rabbi Yekusiel Green
6. Biur Tanya - By Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz)
7. Biur HaMaor ShebaTorah - By Rabbi Moshe Link
8. Chassidus Mevueres - Collection and editing of commentaries on Tanya in accessible language