How does Tanya help?

[elie088]

Hello all,

How does Tanya help a person on a practical level in terms of day to day conduct and help in becoming more motivated in daily life to carry out mitzvot and Torah. What is the aim of this book?

Thank you all,

elie088

[MahTovChelkeinu]

In a nutshell... part 1 of the Tanya is a book about how to succeed at doing mitzvos. A person faces many challenges in being a good Jew (depression, frustration, boredom, temptation, etc.) The Alter Rebbe addresses all of these obstacles and perscribes a method for success - and gives a clear definition of success.

Part 2 is a book about who Hashem is. With this understanding in mind, a person can have a much greater faith and also a much richer davening.

Part 3 is a book about Teshuvah. With this part the Alter Rebbe explains the nuts and bolts of doing Teshuvah, which is obviously helpful.

The rest of Tanya was added to enhance the other sections, often on a more advanced level of detail.

The first 15 chapters or so are either people's favorite or off-putting depending on your taste for kabbalah. If you are in the second group, I might suggest skipping to Chapter 18 or so, where the discussion turns to more practical issues in avodas hashem.

[chossidnistar]

Originally Posted by elie088

Hello all,

How does Tanya help a person on a practical level in terms of day to day conduct and help in becoming more motivated in daily life to carry out mitzvot and Torah. What is the aim of this book?

Thank you all,

elie088

Tanya can help if you do your job : despise tanugim olam hazeh

[noahidelaws]

It can help you in terms of ahavas Yisrael--e.g., see here.

[Shmully]

Tanya teaches you how you can resolve any challenge, through adopting the appropriate attitude, and how to cultivate that attitude, through the method of Hisbonenus (Moach Shalit al haLev). Hisbonenus means not just a general awareness of something, but to contemplate, think through, until the idea becomes part of you.
Tanya teaches one how to recognize all aspects of your inner life, to be aware of various forces, and how to resolve the tensions, and become stronger through this.
Tanya teaches how to maintain a positive outlook on life (aka Simcha) despite your outer circumstances, and your inner tensions.

Tanya Section 3 (Iggeres Hateshuvah) teaches you how to serve Hashem in the most meaningful way, through becoming aware of (and contemplating on) your own infinite inner self (your Neshama being a Part of Hashem, k'vayochol)