Likutei Amarim — The Written Torah of Chabad Chassidut
The Tanya, whose full title is Likutei Amarim ("Collection of Sayings"), is the foundational sacred text of Chabad Chassidut. It was written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), the founder of the Chabad movement, known affectionately as the Alter Rebbe (the "Old Rebbe").
First published in 1797 in Slavuta, Ukraine, the Tanya represents twenty years of the Alter Rebbe's teachings, refined and compiled in response to thousands of personal questions from his disciples. It is often called "the written Torah of Chassidut" — the definitive, authoritative exposition of Chabad philosophy.
The Tanya provides a systematic, profound map of the human soul, its relationship with G-d, and how a Jew can serve the Divine in daily life. It addresses the innermost struggles of every person with remarkable psychological depth.
The Tanya is composed of five distinct sections, each addressing a different dimension of Jewish spiritual life:
Central to the Tanya is the concept of the Beinoni (בֵּינוֹנִי), often translated as "the Intermediate Person." This is one of the Alter Rebbe's most revolutionary and psychologically astute contributions to Jewish thought.
Traditional Jewish ethics described three types of people: the Tzaddik (righteous), the Beinoni (average), and the Rasha (wicked). In earlier thought, the Beinoni was simply someone whose merits and sins were equal. The Alter Rebbe redefined this entirely.
According to the Tanya, the true Beinoni is not someone of equal good and bad deeds — rather, the Beinoni is someone who never commits a sin in thought, speech, or action, yet still struggles internally with the Evil Inclination (Yetzer HaRa). The Beinoni does not suppress evil desires by eliminating them, but by simply not acting upon them.
This concept is deeply liberating: the Tanya's goal is not to make everyone a perfect Tzaddik, but to show every person how to be a Beinoni — which is achievable by all. The Alter Rebbe teaches that every person has the capacity to master their actions, even if inner feelings remain turbulent.
The Alter Rebbe himself prescribed a structured approach to studying the Tanya. Today, thousands of Jews around the world study it daily according to a set calendar that divides the text into portions for each day of the year.
The Rebbe encouraged studying Tanya as a direct path to knowing G-d and transforming one's character. He said: "Open the Tanya — the answers to your questions are inside."
Tanya is an Aramaic word meaning "it was taught," taken from the opening word of the book's first chapter, which begins with a Talmudic quote. The book's full formal title is Likutei Amarim, meaning "Collection of Sayings."
The Tanya was written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), the founder of the Chabad movement. It was first published in 1797, representing about twenty years of his oral teachings distilled into written form.
The first and longest section of the Tanya (Sefer shel Beinonim) contains 53 chapters. The entire Tanya, including all five parts, is considerably longer. Daily study calendars divide it across the 365 days of the year.
Not at all. While the Tanya is the foundational text of Chabad Chassidut, its teachings on the soul, divine service, and human psychology speak to all Jews and spiritual seekers. It has been studied by Jews across all backgrounds and denominations.
A Tzaddik (righteous person) has fully transformed the Evil Inclination — his desires and feelings are purely good. The Beinoni (intermediate) still has inner struggles but never allows them to affect his actions, speech, or thoughts. The Tanya teaches that the Beinoni — not the Tzaddik — is the realistic goal for most people.
Chabad.org offers extensive free resources including daily Tanya lessons, full translations, video classes, and the complete text online. Chabad Park Hadera also offers Tanya study sessions — contact us for the current schedule.
The Rebbe taught: "When you help another Jew study Torah, it is as if you studied it yourself."
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