Approbations Concerning the approbations of the tzaddikim, Rabbi Yehudah Leib HaKohen1 and Rabbi Zusya,2 the previous Rebbe3 cites a tradition originating with the Mitteler Rebbe, the son of the author of the Tanya, as follows. For twenty years the Alter Rebbe wrote the Tanya, revising, adding and deleting,4 critically examining every word and even (literally) […]
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002 Intermediate: Compilers Foreword p1
Compiler’s Foreword As we have seen from the title page, the Alter Rebbe perceives himself as a mere compiler rather than as an author. והיא אגרת השלוחה לכללות אנשי שלומינו יצ״ו יברכם צורנו וישמרם Being a letter sent to all Anash — members of our fellowship, i.e., the chassidim), may [G‑d] our Stronghold bless and […]
003 Intermediate: Compilers Foreword p2
אך ביודעיי ומכיריי קאמינא, הם כל אחד ואחד מאנשי שלומנו שבמדינתינו וסמוכות שלה I speak, however, of those who know me well, each and every one of Anash of our country and those countries nearby, אשר היה הדיבור של חיבה מצוי בינינו with whom affectionate words were often exchanged in private audience, וגילו לפני כל […]
004 Intermediate: Title Page
Title Page The title page written by the Alter Rebbe reads as follows: ספר לקוטי אמרים חלק ראשון הנקרא בשם ספר של בינונים מלוקט מפי ספרים ומפי סופרים קדושי עליון נ״ע מיוסד על פסוק כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו לבאר היטב איך הוא קרוב מאד בדרך ארוכה וקצרה בעזה״י SEFER LIKUTEI AMARIM […]
005 Intermediate: ch. 01 p. 1
תניא בסוף פרק ג׳ דנדה: משביעים אותו We have learned (Niddah, end of ch. 3):1 “An oath is administered to him: Before a Jew is born an oath is administered to him in heaven, charging him: תהי צדיק ואל תהי רשע, ואפילו כל העולם כולו אומרים לך צדיק אתה היה בעיניך כרשע ‘Be righteous and […]
006 Intermediate: ch. 01 p. 2
הגהה ומה שכתוב בזהר חלק ג׳ דף רל״א: כל שממועטין עונותיו וכו׳ — NOTE As for what is written in the Zohar III, p. 231: “He whose sins are few [is classed as a ‘righteous man who suffers’],” implying that even according to the Zohar the meaning of a “righteous man who suffers” is one […]
007 Intermediate: ch. 01 p. 3
אך ביאור הענין However, the explanation of the matter, so that we better understand the levels of tzaddik and Beinoni, as well as the various gradations within their ranks, על פי מה שכתב הרב חיים ויטאל ז״ל בשער הקדושה ובעץ חיים שער נ׳ פרק ב׳ [is to be found] in light of what Rabbi Chayim […]
008 Intermediate: ch. 02 p. 1
ונפש השנית בישראל היא חלק אלו-ה ממעל ממש The second, uniquely Jewish, soul is truly “a part of G‑d above,” “A part of G‑d above” is a quotation from Scripture (Iyov 31:2). The Alter Rebbe adds the word “truly” to stress the literal meaning of these words. For, as is known,1 some verses employ hyperbolic […]
009 Intermediate: ch. 02 p. 2
ודבר זה אין ביכולת האדם להבינו על בוריו כו׳ Maimonides continues: “And this is not within the power of any man to comprehend clearly”; כדכתיב: החקר אלו-ה תמצא, וכתיב: כי לא מחשבותי מחשבותיכם וגו׳ as it is written,11 “Can you find and understand G‑d by searching?” And it is also written,12 “For My thoughts are […]
010 Intermediate: ch. 02 p. 3
The Alter Rebbe now addresses a difficulty arising from his previous statement that every soul emanates from Divine wisdom. Since all souls emanate from one source — Supernal Wisdom — it should follow that all souls are of the same level and rank. How then do the various levels and ranks found in Jewish souls […]
