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Lessons in Tanya – Lesson 32 – Chapter 14 Part 2 – Can One Become a Tzaddik?

The Beinoni differs in his approach to his service of Hashem in that he does not want to be separated from God for even one moment. Whereas all Jews have within them the power to sanctify God’s Name through self-sacrifice, this does not deter them from committing other sins – God forbid.

Learn Talmud – Berachot – Lesson 27 – Daf 10a Part 2 / 10b Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) – The Soul

King David praised God five main times in life related to five world-time periods in his life. When he was in his mother’s womb, when he was born and saw the stars, when he suckled from his mother, when he saw his enemies fall and when he saw the day of death. King David teaches us the importance of valuing all parts of our lives and of seeing God’s endless miracles in everything in creation.

Learn Talmud – Berachot – Lesson 26 Daf 9b Part 3 / 10a Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) – Redemption

We conclude Daf 9b as we discuss the Mitzvah of joining the Geulah (Ga’al Yisrael blessing) with the Shemoneh Esrei prayer (the Amidah – standing prayer). One who does so can be assured to come to no harm that day. But what does that mean practically?!

Lessons in Tanya – Lesson 31 – Chapter 13 Part 3 Chapter 14 Part 1 – Everyone Can Become a Beinoni

Concluding chapter 13, we learn that for the Beinoni, his level is a truthful level for him. Truth exists at various levels and within each level truth is still truth. But for the Tzaddik, the service of the Beinoni is not considered a truthful service. But that is okay – this is the level of the Tzaddik – and the other is the level of the Beinoni.

Mesillat Yesharim – The Path of the Just – Introduction Part 4 – Lesson 4

The Ramchal continues to teach us that it is not just fear that is important – in other words to fear God, but rather, we must also learn what love is i.e. to love God. These are both activities that require much effort. One doesn’t come to them by simply knowing they exist. Rather, one must work on oneself, consider the importance of life and ourselves, so that we develop our character traits in a fitting manner.

Lessons in Tanya – Lesson 30 – Chapter 13 Part 1 – The Beinoni Who Studies Torah All Day

The Beinoni is someone who should see himself as a Rasha. He is not a Rasha (an evil person in the true sense of the Alter Rebbe’s description of what an evil person is). However, he is also not a Tzaddik (a righteous person). But still – he must see himself as a Rasha.

Mesillat Yesharim – The Path of the Just – Introduction Part 3 – Lesson 3

There’s a lot to learn just in the introduction of the Ramchal’s classic – Messilat Yesharim. The Ramchal adds to his emphasis on the importance of studying Mussar.

Learn Talmud – Berachot – Lesson 25 Daf 9b Part 2 (Koren Talmud Bavli) – Time of the Morning Shema

We conclude a last teaching of the first Mishnah of this tractate and immediately continue with the second Mishnah of Tractate Berachot.

Lessons in Tanya – Lesson 29 – Chapter 12 Part 3 & Chapter 13 Part 1 – The Beinoni

Our last section in Chapter 12 concludes the definition of the Beinoni. What is most important to know is that while the Beinoni functions in a general manner just like a Tzaddik, he is not. It is due to the fact that bad thoughts still enter his mind. But even so, he pushes them away immediately so as not to let them come to fruition.

Mesillat Yesharim – The Path of the Just – Introduction Part 2 – Lesson 2

The Ramchal takes his introduction further by telling us some golden nuggets about the study of Mussar.

While it seems that only those of low intelligence will end up studying it – because its not exactly the type of study that deals with intricate laws and debates etc. this will be a loss for all of us. If those who cannot learn, study this study, they will not gain what they need to. Likewise those who have the ability who don’t study it will also cause a loss to everyone, including themselves.