Opening the Tanya: Discovering the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah [Hardcover]

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 2003

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rabbi Steinsaltz has written an inspiring and illuminating introduction to the Tanya, a fundamental work of Hasidism and one of the greatest books of moral teaching (mussar) of all time. He presents overviews of its broad philosophical and spiritual messages as well as a point-by-point commentary on the text, originally written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). Steinsaltz's commentary. which covers only the introduction and the first 12 basic Hasidic concepts, theoretical background, metaphors and parables from daily life, and stories from the past and present lives of the Hasidim. A glossary defines and expounds on various terms and concepts. Best known for his monumental commentary on the Babylonian Talmud, Steinsaltz is a recipient of the Israel Prize and a resident scholar at academic institutions, including Yale. No library should be without the complete Kehot Publications Society bilingual edition of the Tanya, and Steinsaltz's commentary willl help to make a significant part of the original text better understood. Also helpful is Nissan Miindel's Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: A Bography of the First Lubavitcher Rebbe. Recommended for large public, Jewish, and religion libraries and university libraries hosting Jewish studies departments. —David B. Levy, Beth Abraham Synagogue Lib. Baltimore (Library Journal, September 1, 2003)

From the Inside Flap

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 commentary take a broad and comprehensive approach that is neither specific to Judaism nor tied to a particular personality type or time or point of view.

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. Opening the Tanya is a groundbreaking book that offers a definitive introduction, explanation, and commentary upon the Tanya.

The internationally celebrated Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who has dedicated his life to the study, teaching, and writing of books that explain Jewish scripture, religious practice, spirituality, and mysticism to Jews and non-Jews throughout the world, is the author of this explanation and line-by-line commentary on the Tanya.

Opening the Tanya guides us to achieve harmony of body and soul, of earthliness and transcendence. This remarkable book helps us to learn how we can each elevate our soul to a higher level of awareness and understanding, until our objectives and aspirations are synonymous with our Godly potential.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (August 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078796798X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787967987
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Jewish Texts > Kabbalah

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opening of Insight, February 8, 2004

By 

cookie lover "into_light" (No. Grafton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opening the Tanya: Discovering the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah (Hardcover)

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 otherwise be inaccessible to me. Rabbi Steinsaltz has helped me wade into the waters of Rabbi Ashlag's writings as well. A book for seekers after Wisdom.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Torch of Wisdom, June 20, 2008

By 

Paul Rosenberg, Ph.D. "Paul Rosenberg, Ph.D." (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opening the Tanya: Discovering the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah (Hardcover)

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 root causes of its struggles.
Though it is a classic Jewish spiritual text, the Tanya and its commentary take a broad and comprehensive approach that is neither specific to Judaism nor tied to a particular personality type or time or point of view.

In LEARNING FROM THE TANYA, Steinsaltz speaks to readers on all levels of familiarity with Kabbalah and provides an eye-opening and easily comprehensible line-by-line commentary on chapters 13-26 of the Tanya, a seminal work of Hasidic thought.
Throughout his commentary, Steinsaltz offers many insights into basic concepts in Jewish mysticism through the use of metaphors, parables, and real-life stories of the Hasidic masters, helping him to transform an often cryptic source text into applicable life lessons and a formula for spiritual growth. In line with the goal of the Tanya itself, Rabbi Steinsaltz aims to reveal the root causes of human failings and to devise comprehensive solutions," thus directing readers in their quest for self-improvement and achieving closeness to God.

LEARNING FROM THE TANYA seeks to explain the role of humanity in the world and their place vis-à-vis God. To that end, Steinsaltz boldly addresses fundamental questions of spiritual existence, such as:
* What is the meaning of truth?
* How can one understand the nature of human experience?
* How does one grow closer to God when He feels so far away?
* What does it mean to serve God?
* Can one approach God without love in his/her heart?
* How does God sustain the existence of the physical world?
This book is a torch of wisdom and enlightenment. It will lead you toward the light and knowledge. - By Tamara. L.R and Paul Rosenberg

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is much to learn from it, October 6, 2006

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Opening the Tanya: Discovering the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah (Hardcover)

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 it.