8626 —סיום חלק ראשון של תניא והתחלת שער היחוד והאמונה

B"H, Lag BaOmer, 5723, Brooklyn, NY — the one hundred and fiftieth year since the passing (yahrzeit) of our master, the Alter Rebbe, author of the Tanya.

Honored participants of the Tanya study group at Shaarei Tefillah synagogue in Toronto — may Hashem be upon you and grant you life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It was with pleasure that I received the news that in the coming days you will complete the first part of Tanya Kadisha. Certainly, following the well-known custom of "immediately beginning after completing," you will promptly start Part Two, which is Shaar HaYichud VeHaEmunah (and its introduction).

The content at the end of Part One: "For Hashem your G‑d is a consuming fire," as explained elsewhere — and perhaps it refers to the discourse beginning Ki BaYom HaZeh Yechaper (Likkutei Torah at the start of Acharei) — that just as fire cannot be called light or fire at all unless it is grasped by something physical and also 'consumes' and destroys it, so too regarding Hashem (Who becomes) Elokecha (your strength and vitality), Who shines and is revealed below specifically through fulfilling all 613 mitzvos. This is also briefly explained at the end of chapter fifty-three, which concludes Part One.

This is also connected to Sefiras HaOmer: an omer of barley — animal food — representing the animal soul discussed at the end of Part One. Through counting (whose purpose is "to purify the souls of Your people Israel," meaning transforming the animal soul until it reaches human level), you are called Adam because you resemble Above — this refers to the divine soul, a literal portion from Above. Just as in that first counting when Bnei Yisrael left Egypt: He took our souls out from kelipah and brought us close and attached us to His very Name; He and His Name are one (see beginning of Part Two in Tanya). Thus, when we finish working with barley (animal food) during Sefiras HaOmer, we bring a new offering from wheat specifically — human food (as explained elsewhere).

May it be G‑d's will that this learning also leads to action: that we walk on a straight path as our teachers have shown us and follow in their ways. This is serving Hashem in spiritual matters; in worldly matters may there be even more blessing from Hashem — each one according to how close they are comes first for blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages immediate progression in Torah study after completing a section and highlights how learning Tanya refines both one's animal soul and actions. The connection between Sefiras HaOmer and personal transformation is emphasized as a model for spiritual growth.