BRAND NEW BOOK explaining Tanya concepts,

===========================================

CONSCIOUS JUDAISM

By Nadav Cohen of Ascent

Translated into English by Yehudit-Esther Cohen

[Hebrew title: Mudaot Yehudit]

Beginning: Chapter 1

Previous: Chapter 3 [Part 2 of 2] The Mind

Chapter 4

The Structure of the Soul: Garments

Chapter 4 [Part 1 of 5]: The Garments of the Soul

In the previous chapters we began discussing the powers of the soul, both cognitive and emotional powers. We explained how the cognitive powers beget and guide the emotional powers. In this chapter we shall proceed to the next stage - our mental garments, the tools with which the mind and the emotion find their expression.

Once we understand and know, we can also feel. What happens after we feel? The next stage after feeling is the "garments" of the soul: thought, word and deed.

A person's garments are not for himself. He wears clothes for the sake of his milieu, and therefore even adjusts them to his social settings. Clothes worn to work are not the same as those worn to a celebration. Furthermore, through his clothes, a person expresses how he would like those around him to see him. Clothes are something of a person's "status symbol": if he wishes to appear friendly, upbeat, a "regular guy", he will choose simple clothes, perhaps not carefully chosen, whereas, well-tailored clothes and a well-groomed appearance express importance, elegance, and also perhaps a cool, aloof demeanor.

A person's clothes, and what they express to the world around him, are not necessarily compatible to his true, inner character. Some simple people prefer to wear elegant, dignified clothing, and vice versa. In other words, one's clothing can also be a particular channel of communication with the world.

Our speech (word) has a similar role to that of our clothing: in order to turn to the other and express ourselves outwards, we must speak. Speech, like clothing, may not necessarily express who we are or what we really think, but rather expresses what we want to say or to "publicize" to those around us. Thus our word is also a "garment", as are thought and deed.

The garments of the soul are our way of presenting ourselves to the outside world. By the garment of our deeds we communicate with all the world; by the garment of word we communicate with all who know our language; by the garment of thought we communicate with ourselves. When I think my thoughts to myself, I am speaking with myself.

The powers of the soul - cognition and emotions -- are united with the soul. However, thought, word and deed, are like a garment to the soul; they can be removed and replaced with others, just like clothes.

In other words, our deeds are not who we really are, for one can perform deeds that are not in keeping with his personality. The same is true for words - one can speak words that do not truly represent him.

And just as with clothing, one can change the style of his words or deeds from hour to hour - one's word and deed are not the same in his home and neighborhood as they are in a strange, less friendly place.

The great surprise is that thought is also not who I truly am! One can "live in imagination" - thinking to himself - or about himself - thoughts that are not at all correct. Although thoughts are more united with the soul than word and deed (and therefore, by the way, cannot be stopped), they still are not one's true "self".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To be continued; Chapter 4 (Part 2 of 5): The Garments of the Soul

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nadav Cohen works at Ascent in Safed as the Director of Educational Programs.
Yehudit-Esther (Judy) Cohen is a poet, songwriter, and professional translator (and yes, Nadav's mother).