Last part of Chapter 7.  We discuss two situations, one in which regular penance, teshuva, will uplift the negative to positive and one in which the effects of teshuva will only bring about change in the spiritual realm post-death.  I also briefly discuss how our mission is to plant the seeds and see what will grow and change from the seeds planted.

Part 2 of chapter 7.  We discuss what happens when we do the right action for the wrong reasons and how to overcome the taint to our soul as a result.  This section deals with repentance out of love being the higher level that can remove the taints on our soul from doing forbidden actions and how we can relate to this concept through understanding different ways we ask for forgiveness.  

Part one of chapter 7.  We discuss the intermediary animal soul, the kelipat nogah (shell that contains light) and how we can elevate this soul through our actions.  The actions that elevate the soul are those things we do for the sake of having the vitality and strength to grow ourselves spirituality and connect to Gd.  We explore a couple of examples of actions that can seem purely physical that can really be spiritual enhancers.

This episode explores chapter 6 of Tanya.  We discuss the animal soul vs. the divine soul that we have previously discussed.  We look at the Alter Rebbe's views of the animal soul as it relates to his views about universalism and particularism as well as how he is setting up this dichotomy to better define his primary target, the Beinoni (intermediary person).  I express how some of these views can be a challenge in our modern world and how I find a way to reconcile it for myself. 

Exploration of chapter 5.  In chapter 5, we discuss a couple of different ideas as it relates to the uniqueness of Torah study.  1.Studying Torah has a reciprocal effect in our relationship with Gd.  2. Torah study is the "greatest" of the commandments.  3. A brief piece on studying Torah "for its own sake." I then offer a short excursus on the distinctions between in depth study and cursory study as it relates to spiritual growth, repeating a few key concepts from one of last week's recordings.

Continuing with chapter 4, we delve a bit deeper into the importance of searching and struggling in study as a means of connecting to Gd from our limited human capacity.  I also share a short Hanukkah message about lighting one candle at a time as we add up from 1 the first night until 8 candles the last night of Hanukkah as a message about taking our spiritual work one step at a time.

Today's episode looks at the first parts of chapter 4, describing how our thoughts, speech and action all play a role in raising up our soul.  This occurs through fulfilling the positive commandments and avoiding the transgression of the negative commandments.  We also look at how speech and thought are two sides of the same coin, the immersion in learning Torah.

Chapter three is a discourse on the sefirot, specifically Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (intellect) and Daat (understanding) and the beginnings of how contemplation can lead to awe and love of Gd.

Thoughts on part 2 of chapter 1.  This continues to discuss the different types of person.  I describe the sense of nefesh and two sides of the force.  Finally, I attempt to grapple with a challenging passage describing the difference of soul between Jew and non-Jew.