Historic ‘Tanya Hashaleim’ Set for Release After 17 Years of Work

A project the Rebbe started in Berlin and announced publicly in 5714, has now been completed after 17 years of intensive work. The ‘Tanya Hashaleim’ includes a concise, authoritative commentary and an exhaustive collection of explanations from across the Rebbeim’s Chassidus.

By Anash.org reporter

A long-awaited project is finally coming to light: Sefer HaTanya Hashaleim, a full and enriched edition of the Alter Rebbe’s Tanya, is now going to print after seventeen years of meticulous effort.

This monumental endeavor is rooted in the Rebbe’s own vision. Already as a young married man living in Berlin in 5690 (1930), the Rebbe began writing notes and insights on Tanya. Over the years, he strongly encouraged Chassidim—both in writing and in sichos—to gather the explanations of all the Rebbeim on Tanya. He gave personal support to similar initiatives, such as those of Rabbi Aharon Chitrik and Rabbi Yosef Weinberg, and he personally invested much time in creating tools such as correction charts, indexes, and detailed glosses.

In 5714 (1954), the Rebbe announced his plan to publish Tanya Hashaleim—a comprehensive edition where the Tanya text would appear in the center of the page, surrounded by commentary, much like a Gemara with Rashi and Tosafos. The “Rashi” would be a running commentary clarifying each word of Tanya, and the “Tosafos” would be deeper explanations from the Rebbeim, akin to the Rishonim.

For reasons unknown, the project was not pursued seriously at Kehos at the time, and it was eventually shelved.

Seventeen years ago, a group of Chassidim founded Machon Tanya Hashaleim to finally realize the Rebbe’s request. The first major donation came from philanthropist Mr. George Rohr, in memory of his father Mr. Sammy Rohr a”h.

A dedicated kollel of twenty yungeleit was established, and for two full years they were paid a full wage to study and compile everything said by the Rebbeim on Tanya—every maamar, sicha, letter, and note from the Alter Rebbe, Mitteler Rebbe, Tzemach Tzedek, Rebbe Maharash, Rebbe Rashab, the Frierdiker Rebbe, and the Rebbe. The teachings of the Rebbe’s father, Harav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, were also thoroughly incorporated.

After the material was gathered, a team of distinguished talmidei chachomim and mashpi’im—well-versed in both nigleh and Chassidus—undertook the editorial process, under the leadership of the Rebbe’s chozer, Reb Yoel Kahn a”h. A special vaad of mashpi’im guided the team to ensure the structure and presentation were accurate, with each segment cited with clear sources. Rather than copying full texts, each commentary was rewritten in concise and precise form.

A newly written “pirush katzar” offers a clear, flowing explanation of every word in Tanya, based on the classic Shiurim B’Sefer HaTanya by Rabbi Yosef Weinberg. These radio broadcasts were thoroughly reviewed—and at times edited—by the Rebbe himself, including many handwritten additions that had never been published until now.

The chief editor is Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kaplan, a great talmid chochom and expert in organizing complex Torah texts. Before his passing, Reb Yoel personally appointed him to lead the project.

Now, after years of quiet but intensive work, two large volumes—comparable in size and scope to Likkutei Torah—are being printed, covering all 53 perakim of Likkutei Amarim. The sefer includes rare facsimiles of handwritten notes from all the Rebbeim, many being published for the first time.

The Tanya Hashaleim is expected to arrive in Crown Heights between 20 Menachem Av and 18 Elul. It is available now for pre-order at the nominal price of $18 (or $28 with shipping).

This is not merely a new edition—it is the fulfillment of the Rebbe’s longstanding vision, bringing together generations of Chassidus into one landmark sefer.

You can pre-order your copy today at www.hatanya.com