Lessons in Tanya

by Shneur Zalman

Tanya, the magnum opus of the founder of Chabad-Lubavitch Chasidism, is indispensable to understanding the philosophy of the Chasidic movement and the essence of the Jewish soul. It unifies Kabbalah and Talmud to explain the "mechanics" of Creation, the infinitude of G-d, and the structure of the human personality. For a period of more than twenty years, the author, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), refined its style and form so punctiliously that meaning can be found in every word and letter. This appealing bi-lingual edition also features an in-depth line by line commentary, serving as an indispensable tool for the average reader.

450 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Shneur Zalman of Liady (שניאור זלמן מליאדי‎) (September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O.S.), was an Orthodox Rabbi, and the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad, a branch of Hasidic Judaism, then based in Liadi, Imperial Russia. He was the author of many works, and is best known for Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Tanya and his Siddur Torah Or compiled according to the Nusach Ari.
He is also known as the Baal HaTanya, "Master of the Tanya", and by a variety of other names including Shneur Zalman Baruchovitch, Baruchovitch being the Russian patronymic from his father Baruch, by the acronym RaZaSh, "Rabbi Za- Sh-", by the title Baal HaTanya ve-haShulchan Aruch, "Master of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch, as the Alter Rebbe ("Old Rebbe" in Yiddish), Admor HaZaken ("Old Rebbe" in Hebrew), Rabbeinu HaZokein, Rabbeinu HaGodol, "our great rabbi", the GRaZ, and Rav.

Reviews

[Sara G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cover to cover baby

[Dpearl2121 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is bible of Chassidic Philosophy. This book is an integral part of my every day life. It is perhaps the most important book I have read. It is not meant to be read cover to cover and is often read and read.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be easy to digest as a relative newcomer to the more esoteric parts of Judaism.