Daily Tanya Chapter 31 Part 4: The message to tell oneself to arouse an even deeper and stronger level of repentance and joy (Wednesday, 8th Adar)

8^th Adar

1. The message to tell oneself to arouse an even deeper and stronger level of repentance and joy:

• In order to reach a deeper level of repentance from the depths of the heart, and increase the light of one’s joy, one should tell himself the following message which will comfort his heart from its distress and sorrow over the state of his body and animal soul:
  • Why did G-d exile the soul? It may be true that I am distant from G-d, however I did not make myself, and it is G-d who made me, and He did so for a purpose. Now, for what purpose did G-d do this, to descend a portion of His Divine light which fills and encompasses all the worlds and to which everything is considered like naught, and invest it in a serpent’s skin and putrid drop?
  • The purpose is to elevate the animal soul to G-d: The purpose of this was for it to be a descent for the sake of an ascent. The ascent is accomplished when I elevate to G-d the entire animal soul which comes from Kelipas Noga, and all of its garments of thought, speech and action. This is accomplished through investing the animal soul and its garments within the action, speech, and thought of Torah. This elevation is in fact the entire purpose of creation, as will be explained later on in length.
  • I will focus throughout my life on elevating the animal soul through Torah and Mitzvos: Accordingly, throughout my entire life I will focus all of my energy on doing the above mission to elevate my animal soul to G-d, as the verse states “to you oh G-d I elevate my soul.” In order to accomplish this I will immerse all of the aspects of my soul in the study of Torah and fulfillment of Mitzvahs. I will attach my thought and speech with the thought and speech of G-d, which are the actual laws of the Torah that are in front of us, [and hence through immersing oneself in the study of the laws of the Torah one elevates his thought and speech to G-d]. I will also immerse my power of action into G-dliness through the fulfillment of Mitzvahs.
• Meshivas Nefesh: It is due to this reason that the Torah is called “Meshivas Nefesh,” as it has ability to return one’s soul to its root and source.
• Pekudei Hashem Yesharim Misamchei Leiv: On this the verse states that the commands of G-d are straight and bring joy to the heart.