Written by the great Hasidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi in the late eighteenth century, the Tanya is considered to be one of the most extraordinary books of moral teachings ever written. A seminal document in the study of Kabbalah, the Tanya explores and solves the dilemmas of the human soul by arriving at the root causes of its struggles. Though it is a classic Jewish spiritual text, the Tanya and its present commentary take a broad and comprehensive approach that is not specific to Judaism nor tied to a particular personality type or time or point of view. Opening the Tanya is a groundbreaking book that offers a definitive introduction, explanation, and commentary upon the Tanya. As relevant today as it was when it was first written more than two hundred years ago, the Tanya helps us to see the many thousands of complexities, doubts, and drives within us as expressions of a single basic problem, the struggle between our Godly Soul and our Animal Soul.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
A Torch of Wisdom:
Rabbi Steinsaltz is the author of numerous books on mysticism and Kabbalah, including the critically acclaimed Opening the Tanya, the first volume in his series of companion guides to the Tanya, and the modern classic The Thirteen Petalled Rose. Learning from the Tanya offers a key for unlocking the mysteries of one of the most extraordinary books of moral teachings ever written. A seminal document in the study of Kabbalah, the Tanya explores and solves the dilemmas of the human soul by arriving at the... more info
There is much to learn from it:
Rabbi Steinsaltz for many years gave a shiur on Thursday evenings in the 'Chovvei Tsion' shul. At one point anyway, he gave 'shiurim' on Tanya. I attended these shiurim on and off for a few years. I would always look for some insight I could take home with me , while understanding that I would not really follow the whole argument, or understand the text comprehensively.
A book like the present one provides a certain introduction and entree to a very difficult text.
There is much to learn from... more info
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The Chabad Lubavitchers would like for people to believe that the Tanya is a widely accepted book in Jewish circles. It isn't. It's only accepted by their chasidim and even the top leaders in their movement don't believe in its doctrines.
Opening of Insight:
I just received this book and have read only the introductory matierial and chapter one as yet, but this is a book I will keep in my home library. Each line(s) of the Tanya is explained by Rabbi Steinsaltz in language that even allows one not trained in Kabbalah and Hassidism to understand. As a Christian who is studying Kabbalah, this book has opened a new and deeper understanding for me of many of the teachings in Kabbalah by tying them to verses in the Torah, Talmud, and other writings which would... more info
