The opening section of Tanya perek Mem Alef was always seen as fundamental. But the Rebbe brought it to the forefront of avodas Hashem, applying it broadly, including for yiras Shomayim, bitachon and simcha.
The opening section of Tanya perek Mem Alef was always seen as fundamental. But the Rebbe brought it to the forefront of avodas Hashem, applying it broadly, including for yiras Shomayim, bitachon and simcha.
Reb Yosef Reices once heard in a yechidus, 16 Sivan 5725, how this perek can be applied to control anger. “Learn by heart the beginning of perek Mem Alef,” the Rebbe told him. “When a midda of anger, or the like, arouses within you, say the words, or at least think them over in your mind.”
A few years later, at a yechidus on Isru Chag Shavuos 5727, Reb Yosef asked the Rebbe for direction on how to become an active person (baal meretz).
Again, the Rebbe referred him to perek Mem Alef:
“The key is to remember what the Alter Rebbe says in Tanya perek Mem Alef, that Hashem is standing over you. This will help you remember to value and hold dear every moment. Which is what an active person truly is, someone who cherishes every moment.”
(Ovinu Roeinu p. 90)
From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash
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