Send us Fan Mail How Tanya teaches us to understand our inner conflict without shame and choose who gets to rule the city. Download the PDF worksheet here https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ueahmlvp3pptfisjb3a22/Lesson-12-Animal-Soul.pdf?rlkey=dmspfv7j4b4tzlfol97awgyd0&dl=0 Why can one part of us sincerely want holiness, meaning, kindness, and growth, while another part wants comfort, recognition, revenge, or simply five more minutes in bed? In this lesson, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath introduces one of Tanya’s foundational teachings: the Nefesh HaElokit, the G-dly soul, and the Nefesh HaBahamit, the animal soul. Rather than seeing our contradictions as proof that something is wrong with us, Tanya gives us a radically compassionate map of the human being: the struggle itself is part of the spiritual life. We explore the animal soul not as something evil that must be destroyed, but as a powerful, self-oriented life force filled with desire, intelligence, emotion, and enormous energy. Its “horsepower” can pull us toward ego and indulgence or be redirected toward love, generosity, ambition and community. Using Tanya’s famous metaphor of two kings fighting over a small city, we discover that spiritual success does not mean never feeling anger, jealousy, temptation, or resistance. The beinoni may still experience the battle; freedom means learning that not every feeling deserves the throne. The lesson concludes with a practical tool, The Two Kings Pause: identify what the animal soul wants, listen for what the G-dly soul wants, and choose one concrete next action. You may not control the first feeling, but you can often choose the next sentence. Key Points Not every voice inside you is your deepest identity. Tanya describes two inner orientations: the G-dly soul and the animal soul. The animal soul is not inherently evil; it experiences life primarily with the self at the center. The animal soul possesses intellect, emotion, thought, speech, and action, it can be remarkably sophisticated at justifying what it wants. Through kelipat nogah, ordinary desires and physical energies can either descend into self-indulgence or be elevated toward holiness. The goal is often not to eliminate desire but to ask: “Where does this energy belong?” Tanya compares the human being to a small city ruled by two competing kings. The beinoni teaches us that spiritual greatness is not the absence of struggle; it is choosing wisely within the struggle. Moach shalit al halev, the mind can govern the heart—does not mean suppressing emotion. It means emotion does not automatically dictate behavior. The practical process: Name the animal soul. Listen for the G-dly soul. Choose one next action. Don’t measure your day by whether you struggled. Ask: “Who ruled the city in the next moment?” When you fail, repair and choose again. The battle itself can become avodah. -- Wednesday, September 2 NO FEELING IS FINAL The Elul Art of Beginning Again What if the way you feel right now isn’t the truth about who you are? Elul reminds us: you are never stuck. You are not your worst mistake, your fear, your disappointment, or the version of yourself you’re ready to outgrow. Join me for a special Elul evening exploring teshuvah as return, the possibility of reconnecting with who you really are and beginning again. Wednesday, September 2 Live on Zoom 7:30–8:30 PM — Lecture 8:30–9:30 PM — Interactive Workshop & Guided Processing ACCESS HERE https://www.jewishndg.com/civicrm/event/register?id=110&reset=1 -- #Kabbalah #chabad #Jewish #Judaism #KabbalahForEveryone #Tanya #chassidus#JewishWisdom #AnimalSoul #TwoSouls #Beinoni #spiritualgrowth #SelfAwareness #InnerConflict #EmotionalAwareness #FreeChoice #JewishSpirituality #kabala #KabbalahForLife #jewishmysticism #mysticism Rabbi Yisroel Bernath's New Book The Forgiveness Experiment is Available now: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Experiment-What-Would-Your/dp/1069217638 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR2QNJL6 Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4tPFZhV Support the show Got your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.com Single? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone. Donate and support Rabbi Bernath’s work http://www.jewishndg.com/donate Follow Rabbi Bernath’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernath Access Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi
