TANYA TASTER
From GPS for the Soul:A clear, easy to understand exploration of the Tanya’s essential concepts.
Author: Rabbi Nadav Cohen. Translator: Zalman Nelson. www.chish.co.il
One of my favorite parts of GPS for the Soul
What is Kavanah?
Every mitzvah [commandment] should be accompanied by a feeling of love or awe for G-d. These feelings are the kavanah – the intention.
When we do a mitzvah motivated by love for G-d, we feel a strong desire to give G-d pleasure and happiness. We want to rise above the material world and joyously devote ourselves to G-d.
When we do a mitzvah motivated by awe of G-d, we fear being separated from the Creator, disappointing Him or causing Him “distress”.
The Body and Soul of a Mitzvah
Every mitzvah has two components: the action and the kavanah, the intention. Although both of them draw G-d’s light down into the world, having kavanah draws down a loftier light than the physical deed. However, intention can’t exist alone. It has to be clothed in a mitzvah.
A mitzvah done with kavanah is like a body with a soul. The act of doing a mitzvah influences and refines the world – even if it is done without kavanah. What kavanah contributes is the ability to draw down a far more brilliant light.
When we do a mitzvah without any intention, it’s like a body without a soul. It’s a lifeless body, but there is a body – i.e., a deed was done that affected the world and moved it closer toward realizing its purpose.
On the other hand, having kavanah without performing an action id like a soul without a body – lofty and spiritual, with zero impact on the world. The kavanah needs a mitzvah in which to dwell.
Therefore, tons of intention and no mitzvah = nothing accomplished.
Even the smallest mitzvah and no intention = impact on the world.
And a mitzvah done with intention = the highest impact on the world with a far greater Divine light revealed.
[Pages 302-303]
A Synagogue Full of Prayer
The Baal Shem Tov once entered a synagogue and asked to speak with the Rabbi.
“I see that this synagogue is full of Torah and prayer”, he said.
The rabbi beamed at the compliment.
But then the Baal Shem Tov added, “The synagogue is full because all the Torah and prayer is lacking kavanah, unconnected to the purpose for which we learn Torah and do mitzvot. So it’s all stuck down here and it’s filling up the synagogue!”
[Page 310]