Daily Tanya Sunday 16th Adar Chapter 35 Part 1: The life purpose of the Beinoni-Drawing the Shechina onto himself

Chapter 35: The life purpose of the Beinoni-Drawing the Shechina onto himself

16^th Adar/(LY) 4^th Adar 2

1.      The theme and questions of this chapter:

• Meaning of Lasoso: What does the word “Lasoso” in the verse [“and it is very close onto you… To do”] mean? This will be further elucidated in this chapter.
• The purpose of the Beinoni: What is the purpose of the creation of the Beinoni, and what is the purpose of the descent of their soul below into the animal soul and side of evil?

2.      A Beinoni will have a lifetime struggle with evil:

• Will always have forbidden thoughts enter the head: The main difficulty expressed in the question above regarding the life purpose of the Beinoni is that they will never be successful in completely banishing the evil that is within their left side of the heart, and will forever be troubled by [forbidden] thoughts that enter their mind.
• The essence of evil doesn’t change: The reason for this is because the essence of the animal soul which comes from the side of evil retains its full strength in the Beinoni just like it was when it was first born.
• Control of the garments: It is only the garments of the animal soul that the Beinoni is able to control, and limit the expression of the evil that is contained within him.
• The question: Accordingly, the above question is rightfully raised, as to what is the purpose of the descent of their soul below to battle their entire lives with the evil inclination if they will never be successful in their battle to conquer and destroy the evil. It is as if they were sent into battle for nothing G-d forbid, without any possibility of gaining any ground in overcoming their inclination, as they will be in battle with their inclination for their entire lives. [Why would G-d do this?]

3.      Comfort for the Beinoni:

• The following message can comfort the Beinoni in a double measure and can help rejoice their hearts in their recognition that G-d dwells within them, during their times of Torah learning and service of G-d.

(LY) 5th Adar 2

4.      The words of the Yanuka in the Zohar-Fueling the Shechina on one’s head:

• The Yanuka expounds on the verse “and the wise man contains eyes in his head” the following teaching, as at first glance, the message of this verse does not make any sense, as where else would a person’s eyes be other than his head. Rather, the intent of the verse is certainly as follows:
• Focusing on the Divine presence that rests on one’s head: We have been taught that a person should not walk four cubits without a head covering, being that the Divine presence rests upon his head. Hence, the above verse comes to tell us that a wise man should always focus on that which resides on his head. This should lead to him being concerned over how he can fuel the continuity of the Divine presence upon him.
• Fueling the Divine presence so it continues to rest on one’s head: You see, a flame requires oil, and so too the flame of the Divine presence needs oil to remain on the head. The body of man is the wick onto which the flame of G-d is lit. Now, King Solomon shouted in the verse “do not allow the oil on your head to go lacking,” as the flame that is on top of one’s head requires oil.
• The oil is one’s good deeds: Now, what is the oil that fuels the flame of G-d on one’s head? These are good deeds. [On this it says that the wise man focuses his eyes on his head, as he is always conscious to provide oil of good deeds to fuel the flame of G-d that rests on him.]
• This ends the teaching from the Yanuka, as brought in the Zohar.