Some ideas are so profound and life-changing that you need to read them again and again. Each time, you discover another layer, another meaning, another way the idea resonates with you.

Is this one of the reasons why the sixth Chabad Rebbe initiated a daily study of the Tanya? Perhaps.

In case you are not familiar, the Tanya is the foundational book of Chabad's teaching, authored by the first Chabad Rebbe, known as the Alter Rebbe. It is much more than just a philosophy book. It is a recipe book for a better life, a life infused with purpose and G-dly service.

Here is one idea from the Tanya that has impacted my life. And it's all about assumptions we make, assumptions that, when changed, will change our attitude and mindset as well.

Everyone is familiar with this popular saying: "You are your own worst enemy." I don't know who came up with this line, but it does resonate. So many times, we assume that our inner critic and self-doubt are the biggest obstacles to our growth and success.

The Alter Rebbe speaks at length about these inner struggles, presenting them as two forces battling within us: the Yetzer Hatov (good inclination) and Yetzer Harah (evil inclination). But then he adds something profound: our evil inclination doesn't actually want us to do bad. It wants to be defeated.

In other words, when the Yetzer Harah tries to tempt us to do the wrong thing, it's really hoping we wouldn't listen to it. Its sole purpose is to raise us higher, to push us further to become better people.

So when our inner self-doubt speaks loudly inside, it's not really trying to sabotage us, but to stir a more profound sense of commitment and determination within us! So our "worst enemy" is really a friend, pretending to be an enemy to bring us to a whole new level.

That voice telling us to stay later in bed and skip prayers? A good friend wants us to pay attention to our relationship with G-d. The one wanting us to spend more time scrolling mindlessly on our phones? Yup, that's a friend, too, hoping we'd realize how precious each moment is.

This is just one idea out of many life-changing concepts presented in the Tanya. And if you want to start learning Tanya, this coming Tuesday is a great time to do it. On that day, 19th of Kislev, the "Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus", we begin the new daily cycle of Tanya study.

I highly recommend checking out the video and audio Tanya classes by Rabbi Yohoshua Binyomin Gordon, available on Chabad.org and on all podcast platforms. It's witty, funny, but life-changing.

Our local Tanya was printed, but the binding is delayed. We hoped to have them for this Tuesday, but they are not ready! Hopefully soon!

Wishing you a good Shabbos,
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Chabad.org

chabad.org

Official homepage for worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement that promotes Judaism and provides daily Torah lectures and Jewish insights. Chabad-Lubavitch is a philosophy, a movement, and an organization...