Learning to awaken yourself to your true inner nature is the first step toward spiritual growth. Imagine that inside each of us there is an invisible but crucial conversation happening. Like two judges in a courtroom, our inner forces—one good and one not so good—constantly debate how we should act. This inner struggle defines who we are. Let’s explore this fascinating process through the wisdom of the “Tanya.”
Who is a “Beinoni” and Why Does it Matter?
In Jewish spiritual tradition, people are often divided into three categories: the righteous (tzadikim), the wicked (reshaim), and those in between (beinonim). Though this sounds simple, it’s actually much more interesting.
A “beinoni” isn’t just someone who sometimes does good and sometimes bad. It’s someone experiencing a real spiritual duel, but who never allows evil to gain the upper hand in practical actions. To awaken yourself to this understanding is to recognize the true nature of spiritual growth.
“Even if the whole world tells you that you are righteous, see yourself as a sinner”
This quote from the Talmud accurately describes the inner state of a “beinoni”—they recognize their imperfection, though outwardly they may appear flawless.
Two Judges in a Person: How the Inner Court Works
Imagine your body as a small city, and your mind and heart as a courtroom. In this courtroom, a discussion is constantly taking place:
- The First Judge (the evil inclination) is located in the left side of the heart and suggests chasing pleasures
- The Second Judge (the Divine soul) is located in the brain and right side of the heart, calling for higher purposes
- The Supreme Judge (the Almighty) helps the second judge make the right decision
When you truly awaken yourself to this inner dynamic, you gain tremendous power over your actions and reactions.
Why is Divine Assistance So Important?
Without support from above, the “beinoni” could not resist negative impulses. This help comes like light dispersing darkness:
“If not for the help of the Almighty, one could not overcome it”
Even a small light can scatter thick darkness. Similarly, even a little spiritual support can help awaken yourself from the slumber of negative habits.
Three Groups of “Middle People”
It turns out the “beinoni” category isn’t homogeneous. Several levels can be distinguished:
- Ordinary “Beinonim” — people engaged in worldly affairs who must constantly control their impulses
- “Dwellers in Tents” — those who devote their lives to studying spiritual texts but still feel inner struggle
- “Those Who Pray All Day” — the highest degree of “beinonim,” whose love for the spiritual is so strong that they awaken yourself to divine consciousness more consistently
Love as a Tool for Inner Transformation
When a “beinoni” prays with true feeling, something amazing happens—their evil inclination temporarily “falls asleep.” Love for the spiritual becomes so strong that negative impulses retreat:
“Evil in the middle person sleeps in the left chamber of his heart during prayers, when his heart burns with love for God”
However, unlike the righteous person whose “heart is empty within me” (meaning evil is completely transformed into good), in a “beinoni” evil can “wake up” after prayer. The challenge is to awaken yourself repeatedly to that state of divine love.
Truth at Every Level
Interestingly, although the love of a “beinoni” is not constant (unlike the righteous), for their level it is still true.
Truth is like a “middle bolt” that runs through all levels of existence—from the highest to the lowest. At each level, there is its own point of truth corresponding to that level.
Therefore, even the temporary elevated state of a “beinoni” is a real achievement for their level, although compared to the level of the righteous it may seem imperfect.
Practical Conclusions for Our Lives
What can this teaching offer us today? Here are key practices to awaken yourself spiritually:
- Self-assessment: Don’t consider yourself either completely good or completely bad—acknowledge the inner struggle
- Constant effort: Even if you haven’t achieved perfection, your struggle with negative impulses is tremendously valuable
- The power of prayer: Sincere emotional appeal to the spiritual can temporarily “put to sleep” negative impulses
- Realistic expectations: Don’t expect the inner struggle to end one day—for most, it continues throughout life
This approach offers a realistic view of human nature—we are neither angels nor demons. We are “beinonim”—beings constantly in the process of choice, always balancing between different impulses.
Conclusion
The teaching about “beinoni” reminds us that inner struggle is not a sign of weakness, but a normal state of a developing personality. The key is to awaken yourself daily to the divine potential within, while acknowledging the ongoing inner battle.
In a world that often offers us “quick solutions” and promises instant transformation, this teaching reminds us of the value of constant effort and gradual growth.
This article is based on the thirteenth chapter of the book “Likutei Amarim — Tanya” by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, one of the greatest Hasidic thinkers and founder of the Chabad movement. Tanya is a fundamental work on Jewish spiritual psychology and philosophy.
Afterword: This text has not been approved by any sage, Torah scholar, or rabbi and is merely a simplified adaptation of the sacred text for general understanding. For comprehension of true wisdom and a deeper understanding of the original text, you should refer to the sources.
