Tanya

For other uses, see Tanya (disambiguation).

Tanya is the popular name for the Hasidic Jewish book Likkutei Amarim, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi in 1797 CE.

However, there is an unrelated book with a similar name, Tanya Rabbati, a 16th century Italian code of Jewish law.

Both of these books are named after their first word, Tanya, which is Hebrew for "It is stated in a baraitha."

Contents

1 Tanya: Likkutei Amarim 2 Tanya Rabbati 2.1 Shibbolei ha-Leket 3 External links

Tanya: Likkutei Amarim

Likkutei Amarim, more commonly known as the Tanya, is an early work of Hasidic Judaism, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic dynasty.

Zalman published his Likkutei Amarim anonymously in 1797. Later editions incorporated additional writings by Zalman. The latest version of this work, dating from 1814, consists of five parts.

1. Sefer shel Beinonim ("The Book of the Average Man").
2. Sha'ar ha-Yihud ve-ha-Emunah ("The Gateway of Unity and Belief")
3. Iggeret Teshuvah ("Letter of Repentance".) This section is also known as the "Tanya Katan" ("Brief Tanya".)
4. Iggeret ha-Kodesh ("Letter of Holiness".) This section was not published until 1814, after Zalman's death.
5. Kunteres Aharon ("Last Thesis".) This section was not published until 1814, after Zalman's death.

The Tanya deals mostly with Jewish spirituality and psychology, from a Kabbalistic (Jewish mystical) point of view. Its lengthy sentences and complicated syntax make the study of this work a demanding task. Unlike other early Hasidic works, this book is not a collection of sermons or stories, but rather a systematic exposition of Zalman's philosophy.

Most of the first part serves as a fundamental and basic guide to the spiritual service of God according to Chabad Lubavitch Judaism. Lubavitch Jews are enjoined to study from this work each day. They see it as a sacred duty to publish and distribute this book as widely as possible.

Tanya Rabbati

Tanya Rabbati is an anonymous work on Jewish law first published in Mantua, Italy, in 1514 CE. In was re-printed in Cremona, 1565, and later in two other editions.

Jehiel ben Jekutheil Anav (full name: Jehiel ben Jekutheil ben Benjamin Ha-Rofe Anav) was a 13th century Italian Jewish author, manuscript copyist, and liturgical poet; he is held by many to be the author of Tanya Rabbati.

Tanya Rabbati is very similar to a lengthier work, Shibbolei ha-Leket, which is known to be written by Zedekiah ben Abraham Anav, one of Jehiel’s relatives.

Most scholars thus believe that the Tanya Rabbati is an abbreviated version of Shibbolei ha-Leket by Jehiel ben Jekutheil. However, other views exist. S. H. Kook believes that Tanya Rabbati is the first edition of Shibbolei ha-Leket. In this view, Jehiel copied Shibbolei ha-Leket and added his own notes and ideas. In contrast, S. K. Mirsky believes that Jehiel is the original author of Tanya Rabbati. In Mirsky’s view, the many similarities of the Tanya Rabbati to Shibbolei ha-Leket come from the fact that both Jehiel and Zedekiah wrote their works based on the teachings of Judah ben Benjamin Anav, Jehiah’s uncle.

Shibbolei ha-Leket

Zedekiah ben Abraham Anav was a 13th century Italian Jewish Talmud scholar, author of “Shibbolei ha-Leket” (Hebrew, "The Gleaned Ears".)

Shibbolei ha-Leket is the first Italian codification of Jewish law, concerned with the liturgy, the Passover Haggadah, and laws pertaining to Shabbat and the Jewish holidays.

External links

• The Lubavitch Tanya in English translation and explanations (http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=149262)he:ספר התניא