Chapter 33 - This chapter discusses how we can find a sense of joy in reflecting on Gd's unity.  This is a difficult concept to see as it presumes a sense of self-nullification that most of us haven't reached in life.  We reflect on what it means that Gd is the only "real" existence, being both within and around existence.  The goal of the intellectual contemplation is a deepen our faith in finding the light in the midst of darkness, find joy in the midst of sadness.  

End of Chapter 32.  We discuss how to be both loving of our fellow while also potentially feeling hatred.  We focus on the need to be close and caring of most to potentially bring them back to the path of spiritual growth and Torah observance.  I reflect on how this latter complexity of love and hate living together in a person is about hating the action but finding the "good heart" that exists in most, while also acknowledging that there are situations when this would be almost impossible to do.  

First part of chapter 52.  This episode discusses the Alter Rebbe's understanding of V'Ahavta Reiacha Kamocha, You should Love your Fellow as Yourself.  We explore how this verse is a message of connecting to each other on a soul level, as if all of us are "soulmates."  I point out how this line is a fundamental element of bringing a prayer quorum "together" and the implications of this verse for our spiritual growth.

Part two of Chapter 31 - We continue to explore how to raise up the soul when the heart is feeling numb.  We explore the metaphor of exile and redemption, using the Exodus story as the paradigm for rising above our physical desires.  This part also speaks to the need to not just raise the divine soul but also the animal soul to newer heights through Torah and Mitzvot, through the work of spiritual growth.

Part on of Chapter 31.  In this chapter, we continue to discuss strategies for rising above the dullness of the heart.  This chapter continues along the lines of chapter 30 in describing using the Sitra Achra's approach against it.  We reflect on the difference between depression and bitterness and the transition between one and the other.  Depression is the gateway to the bitterness and anger we need to wake up our hearts in prayer and study when we are just "going through the motions."  

Chapter 30.  This chapter continues to discuss how we can overcome the dullness of the heart.  The methodology of this chapter is to see ourselves as so low that we must fight to survive.  I offer a read of this chapter as using the evil impulses own tool to fight the battle against it.  I found this chapter a bit challenging both as presented as well as from a psychological point of view, in that unless it is contrived, it can be dangerous to see ourselves as so lowly.  I contend that his goal is to create the scenario but not to truly see ourselves in this manner of lowliness.

Part two of Chapter 29 - We discuss two methods of overcoming the sitra achara, the "dark" side of our soul.  We learn about spiritual accounting and how to rage against this dark side.  This chapter also works through being a vessel for the divine, leading to a quick thought on this week's Torah portion, Terumah.

Part one of Chapter 29.  We discuss the challenge when our heart becomes like stone, when our heart becomes unfeeling.  How do we overcome this?  I offer a brief foray into the distinction between knowing something and feeling/experiencing it.  We discuss the struggle of the beinoni as a source of growth, working through various levels of returning to Gd.

Part one of Chapter 28.  We continue to discuss the topic of extraneous thoughts that come into our minds in the midst of our actions.  This time the focus is on how to handle these thoughts in the midst of prayer and Torah study.  We get into a discussion of how a tzaddik will deal with this versus how we, the beinoni, needs to work on not allowing the thought to bring us down.  I offer a short parashat Mishpatim thought based on the past couple of days of Tanya as well.