Editing Tanya (section)

== 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.