Likutei Amarim Tanya in Hebrew and English by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (Kehot Publication Society) Because the Tanya is considered a 'written Torah'  by Chabad Hassidim it requires, in every generation, an 'oral Torah' to accompany it and to serve as an usher and guide. Written by the great Hasidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi in the late eighteenth century, the Tanya is considered to be one of the most extraordinary books of moral teachings ever written. A seminal document in the study of Kabbalah, the Tanya explores and solves the dilemmas of the human soul by arriving at the root causes of its struggles. Though it is a classic Jewish spiritual text, the Tanya and its commentary take a broad and comprehensive approach that is neither specific to Judaism nor tied to a particular personality type or time or point of view. As relevant today as it was when it was first written more than two hundred years ago, the Tanya helps us to see the many thousands of complexities, doubts, and drives within us as expressions of a single basic problem, the struggle between our Godly soul and our animal soul. The volume is competently translated but should be read within a commentarial tradition because some elements read like Gentile bashing and special pleading for an oppressed people. Adin Steinsaltz’s commentaries tend to lean toward more generous interpretations and are well grounded in Talmudic norms of the community. 

Opening the Tanya: Discovering the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah by Adin Steinsaltz (Jossey-Bass) is a groundbreaking book that offers a definitive introduction, explanation, and commentary upon the Tanya. For more than two hundred years, the Tanya has been studied by those who know of its insight and wisdom with the devotion and the intensity usually associated with the Bible, the Talmud, the Koran, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. Now internationally acclaimed author, scholar, and teacher Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz has written an illuminating and inspiring introduction to the Tanya. Opening the Tanya offers an overview of the Tanya’s broad philosophical and spiritual messages as well as point-by-point commentary on the text itself.

The internationally celebrated Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who has dedicated his life to the study, teaching, and writing of books that explain Jewish scripture, religious practice, spirituality, and mysticism to Jews and non-Jews throughout the world, is the author of this explanation and line-by-line commentary on the Tanya.

Opening the Tanya guides us to achieve harmony of body and soul, of earthliness and transcendence. This remarkable book helps us to learn how we can each elevate our soul to a higher level of awareness and understanding, until our objectives and aspirations are synonymous with our Godly potential.

Rabbi Steinsaltz has written an inspiring and illuminating introduction to the Tanya, a fundamental work of Hasidism and one of the greatest books of moral teaching (mussar) of all time. He presents overviews of its broad philosophical and spiritual messages as well as a point-by-point commentary on the text, originally written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). Steinsaltz's commentary. which covers only the introduction and the first 12 basic Hasidic concepts, theoretical background, metaphors and parables from daily life, and stories from the past and present lives of the Hasidim. A glossary defines and expounds on various terms and concepts. Best known for his monumental commentary on the Babylonian Talmud, Steinsaltz is a recipient of the Israel Prize and a resident scholar at academic institutions, including Yale. No library should be without the complete Kehot Publications Society bilingual edition of the Tanya, and Steinsaltz's commentary willl help to make a significant part of the original text better understood. Also helpful is Nissan Miindel's Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: A Bography of the First Lubavitcher Rebbe. Recommended for large public, Jewish, and religion libraries and university libraries hosting Jewish studies departments. 

The first book in the series, Opening the Tanya, explored the first section of original text of the Tanya. This second volume, Learning from the Tanya, goes on to the next major portion and offers the definitive explanation and commentary that guides the reader toward harmony of body and soul, of earthliness and transcendence. Learning from the Tanya is an extraordinary book This is especially true in our generation, in which so many people grew up without any contact with the Hasidic world and are unable to access this book. It is for this generation, and for these people, that this commentary to the Tanya is written. The book contains the precise text of the Tanya as it was written by the Alter Rebbe, along with its authorized translation, and a full commentary that provides source references. I have added extensive explanations of basic Hasidic concepts, theoretical background, metaphors and parables from daily life, and stories from the past and present lives of the Hasidim. The book also contains an expanded Glossary defining and expounding on various important terms and concepts. This book is intended for all of those who have the mind and the will for it, who desire to access this world and grow through it.

Learning From the Tanya : Volume Two in the Definitive Commentary on the Moral and Mystical Teachings of a Classic Work of Kabbalah by Adin Steinsaltz (Jossey-Bass) offers a key for unlocking the mysteries of one of the most extraordinary books of moral teachings ever written. A seminal document in the study of Kabbalah, the Tanya explores and solves the dilemmas of the human soul by arriving at the root causes of its struggles. Though it is a classic Jewish spiritual text, the Tanya and its commentary take a broad and comprehensive approach that is neither specific to Judaism nor tied to a particular personality type or time or point of view. The internationally celebrated Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who has dedicated his life to the study, teaching, and writing of books that explain Jewish scripture, religious practice, spirituality, and mysticism to Jews and non-Jews throughout the world, is the author of this explanation and line-by-line commentary on the Tanya. As relevant today as it was two hundred years ago, the Tanya helps us to understand the many thousands of complexities, doubts, and drives within us as a single basic problem—the struggle between our Godly soul and our animal soul.

Praise for Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's The Miracle of the Seventh Day and Opening the Tanya "In this modest but powerful book the great teacher and scholar Adin Steinsaltz brings the gift of Shabbat's rest and joy to all readers, whether or not they are Jewish or, for that matter, whether or not they call themselves religious at all." Robert Pollack, professor of biological sciences and director of the Center for the Study of Science and Religion, Columbia University "Rabbi Steinsaltz has written an inspiring and illuminating introduction to the Tanya." Library Journal "Adin Steinsaltz's insights into the Sabbath could not be more timely. The light he casts on Judaism's reflective, receptive surrender to the holy day of rest will open both Jewish and Christian readers' eyes to long-lost dimensions of their own spiritual traditions." Stephen J. Dubner, author, Turbulent Souls and Confessions of a Hero Worshiper "For decades, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz has come to be relied upon by countless Jews throughout the world as our teacher and spiritual guide. With The Miracle of the Seventh Day, Rabbi Steinsaltz once again reveals both the basic information we need to know as well as a doorway to the beauty, inner depths, and profound nature of his subject. This is an essential book for every Jewish home where the Sabbath is remembered and observed." Arthur Kurzweil, author and teacher

Understanding the Tanya: Volume Three in the Definitive Commentary on a Classic Work of Kabbalah by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (Jossey-Bass)

Understanding the Tanya guides the reader through one of the most extraordinary books of moral teachings ever written. The Tanya is a seminal document in both the study of Hasidic thought and of Kabbalah—Jewish mysticism. With a keen understanding of the profound struggles within the human soul, the Tanya helps us understand how we can raise ourselves to higher and higher spiritual levels.

Timeless in its approach, the Tanya addresses specific moral problems and dilemmas and delves into their root causes, distilling the universal predicaments of humankind and offering solutions that can change the way we view ourselves and conduct our lives. The Tanya explores the workings of the soul and examines the complexities, doubts, and drives within all of us as expressions of a single basic problem—the struggle between our Godly and animal souls.

The internationally celebrated Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who has dedicated his life to the study, teaching, and writing of books that explain Jewish scripture, religious practice, spirituality, and mysticism is the author of this explanation and commentary on the Tanya.

The first book in the series, Opening the Tanya, introduced us to the "beinoni," that person who is neither inherently righteous nor evil, but who seeks to reach moral perfection even as he struggles with animal soul. The second volume, Learning from the Tanya, offers a deeper description of the moral tensions within each of us. This third volume, Understanding the Tanya, continues where volume two left off in its page-by-page commentary on the linear sequence of the Tanya's original text. There does not appear plans to complete the commentary so many of the puzzling texts toward the end of the Tanya remain un remarked.

We Jews: Who Are We and What Should We Do by Adin Steinsaltz (Jossey-Bass) Thirteen million Jews throughout the United States and the world are famously divided and contentious about their identity, political position, social role, and spiritual goals. However, if there is one authentic voice of leadership in the Jewish community, it is scholar, teacher, mystic, scientist, and social critic Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. He is internationally regarded as one of the greatest rabbis of this century and of the last.

In We Jews, Rabbi Steinsaltz explores the most important issues that concern Jews today as Jews. He provides wise and uplifting answers to Jews everywhere, whether they are secular and assimilated or orthodox—Are we a nation or a religion? Are the stereotypes of Jews really true? Why are Jews so controversial? How can we navigate the opposing forces of diversity, culture, and politics? Can we survive intermarriage and the loss of tradition? Do we still worship the Golden Calf?

In this book, Rabbi Steinsaltz sees causes and consequences, achievements and failures, looks at the contemporary world, and observes the dreams and longings of modern Jewish people. Written as an intimate and inspiring internal memo to the whole Jewish family, We Jews answers these questions and many more in a way that is at once insightful and inspiring.

Based in Jerusalem, Steinsaltz is an internationally influential rabbi who is best known for his prodigious project of translating and reinterpreting the Talmud. This book is a series of 12 essays, each attempting to answer a perplexing and formidable question: What are the implications of the Jewish capacity to identify with the surrounding culture? Why do Jews have no united leadership? Are Jews a nation, a religion, an ethnic group or a race? Do Jews have unique character traits? Why do Jews want to save the world? Are Jews too emotional or too intellectual? What does it mean to be the "chosen" people? How is it that Jews have made such impressive contributions to artistic and intellectual achievement? What is the basis for anti-Semitism? What will become of the Jewish people? Most of these questions will apply more to Diaspora Jews than to those living in Israel. The issues Steinsaltz identifies are tough conundrums that do not lend themselves to easy answers; he struggles valiantly but often vainly to come up with satisfactory solutions, suggesting that the value is in raising the questions, not necessarily in answering them. His elucidation of each subject demonstrates his profound erudition, not only enabling readers to see a great mind at work but also challenging them to seek their own resolution of the hard dilemmas that have been so clearly posed. 

On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz: 25 Years of Pre-Dawn Car Trips, Mind-Blowing Encounters, and Inspiring Conversations with a Man of Wisdom by Adin Steinsaltz, Arthur Kurzweil (Jossey-Bass)  Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is internationally regarded as one of the most brilliant and influential rabbis of our time. He has been lauded by Time magazine as a “once-in-a-millennium scholar” and by Ted Koppel of Night Line as “one of the very few wise men that I’ve ever met.”  

Arthur Kurzweil—himself a Jewish scholar, author, teacher, and publisher—has been a disciple of Rabbi Steinsaltz’s for over 25 years, as well as the Rabbi’s designated chauffer in the United States. While stuck in countless traffic jams and attending the Rabbi’s lectures at universities, government agencies, synagogues and seminars, Arthur Kurzweil has had the rare opportunity of personally learning from his inspired teacher and has become intimately familiar with the Rabbi’s wisdom and teachings.  

On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz presents an intimate portrait of this wise and holy man as he has never been seen before as Kurzweil shares the Rabbi’s most personal, humorous and inspiring tales.  

You will feel like a backseat passenger in Arthur’s car as he and Rabbi Steinsaltz discuss provocative issues such as:

•  How can we develop a personal relationship with God?

•  What are some of the sublime ideas contained in Kabbalah?

•  Why has God created a world with so much suffering in it?

•  Can we be religious and live fully in the world?

•  How can we tell what is important and what is unimportant in this life?

•  Can we be religious and keep our sense of humor?

Throughout the book Arthur Kurzweil also shares Rabbi Steinsaltz’s views and teachings on Jewish identity and the role of Jews in modern society. So grab your overcoat and come along for a ride with Rabbi Steinsaltz and Arthur Kurzweil—a ride that could very well change your life.

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is internationally regarded as one of the most brilliant and influential rabbis of our time. He has been lauded by Time magazine as a “once-in-a-millennium scholar” and by Ted Koppel of Night Line as “one of the very few wise men that I’ve ever met.” 

Arthur Kurzweil—himself a Jewish scholar, author, teacher, and publisher—has been a disciple of Rabbi Steinsaltz’s for over 25 years, as well as the Rabbi’s designated chauffer in the United States. While stuck in countless traffic jams and attending the Rabbi’s lectures at universities, government agencies, synagogues and seminars, Arthur Kurzweil has had the rare opportunity of personally learning from his inspired teacher and has become intimately familiar with the Rabbi’s wisdom and teachings.