Questions and Answers
What are the three translations of the word Tanya?
Who makes a swear and what is the swear?
Our neshamos promise to be a צדיק and not a רשע.
Explain the word משביעים.
It can mean to swear/promise, to satisfy, and relates to refining the seven מידות.
Why do we make this promise?
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What is the problem with ואפילו כל העולם כולו...הי' בעניך כרשע?
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What are the five levels of a Jew according to פשט?
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What are the five levels of a Jew according to חסידות?
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How does the גמרה explain the two types of צדיק?
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How does the זוהר explain the essence of the צדיק ורע לו?
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What is the real name of the צדיק, רשע, and בינוני?
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What did רבה say about being a בינוני?
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What was אביי's complaint to ה'?
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What does the גמרה say about free choice?
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How does כגון אנא בינוני show that a בינוני is not 1/2 and 1/2?
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Why can't we say that a בינוני does not do any bad?
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What is שם המושאל and שם התואר?
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What is a צדיק's real name?
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Study Notes
Tanya: Chapter One Study Notes
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Tanya Translations
- Translates to "to learn."
- Strengthens the neshama (soul) through proper study.
- Refers to a type of קליפה (clipa or shell).
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Soul's Promise
- Neshamos promise to be a צדיק (righteous person) to overcome life's challenges.
- Commitment empowers the soul in its earthly journey.
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Meaning of משביעים
- Implies "to swear" or "to promise."
- Suggests satisfaction associated with fulfilling obligations.
- Relates to the seven מידות (character traits) that require refinement.
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Purpose of the Promise
- It's an inherent directive that remains unclear to us.
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Potential Misinterpretation
- Viewing oneself as a רשע (wicked person) can lead to despair or actual wickedness.
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Five Levels of a Jew (Simple Understanding)
- צדיק וטוב לו: Consistently observant and rewarded in both worlds.
- צדיק ורע לו: Observant but faces misfortunes.
- רשע וטוב לו: Engages in wrongdoing yet experiences a good life.
- רשע ורע לו: Primarily engages in wrongdoing and experiences hardship.
- בינוני: Balances between good and bad actions.
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Five Levels of a Jew (Chassidic Understanding)
- צדיק וטוב לו: Transformed evil inclinations into good.
- צדיק ורע לו: Struggles but preserves a faint good inclination.
- רשע וטוב לו: Exhibits a combination of good and bad behaviors.
- רשע ורע לו: Engages predominantly in bad actions.
- בינוני: Engages only in mitzvos (commandments).
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Gemara's Explanation on צדיק Types
- צדיק וטוב לו: A complete tzadik enjoying rewards in both earthly and heavenly realms.
- צדיק ורע לו: Incomplete tzadik experiencing worldly suffering for future reward.
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Zohar's View on the Essence of צדיק ורע לו
- The inner negative tendencies are managed by the goodness within.
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Real Names of Character Types
- צדיק is governed by the נ"א (good inclination).
- רשע is governed by the נ"ב (evil inclination).
- בינוני is influenced by both inclinations.
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Rabba's Example as a בינוני
- Claims to embody a בינוני, raising concerns about the validity of such a self-assessment if no room for true צדיקים exists.
- Suggests that a true בינוני cannot be equally split between good and evil.
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Abaye's Complaint to God
- Questions the purpose of creating both righteous and wicked individuals if punishment is incurred.
- Acknowledges that free choice exists, yet some souls may be predetermined for righteousness.
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Contradictions in Free Choice
- A מלאך (angel) determines one's destiny before birth, raising questions about the nature of free will.
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Rabba's Continuous Learning
- Illustrates that a true בינוני cannot partake in wrongdoing if he is perpetually engaged in Torah study.
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Definition of Righteousness
- Any single transgression can label a person a רשע, including negligence in learning Torah or performing commandments.
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Concept of שם המושאל and שם התואר
- שם התואר: Actual name based on virtue.
- שם המושאל: Nickname/borrowed term reflecting behavior.
- Indicates that distinctions between צדיק and בינוני are internal, despite external similarities.
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Real Name of a צדיק
- Defined as a person under the influence of their good inclination.
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Test your knowledge of key concepts from Chapter 1 of Tanya. This quiz covers important definitions and translations related to the teachings of Tanya, focusing on the neshama and its commitments. Perfect for those studying Jewish philosophy and spirituality.