Chitas: Chumash, Tehillim and Tanya: Part II

00:00 The hemsech to the earlier installment in regards to the Shiurei Chitas, which are studied every day, we now continue with installment number two, discussing more in detail the shiurim of Chitas, which are Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya. In a sicha from Breishes Tav Shin Chaf Dalet, late 1963, the Rebbe elaborated on the shiurim more in detail. Chumash means to study each day a portion of the weekly Torah parasha corresponding to that day. For example, on Sunday from the beginning of the parasha until Sheini, on Monday from Sheini to Shilshi, and so on, along with Rashi's commentary. And the Rebbe adds, anyone who wishes to add and study additional commentaries, tov v'al bracha should be blessed. Tanya, the inner dimension of the Torah, studying each day the daily portion as it is divided throughout the year. And to add as a side note that there are two calendars for the study of Ta- Tanya. There is a regular year and a leap year. And the third one is Tehillim, Psalms, according to its division for the days of the month, this being the central component of the Chitas as it serves an intermediary that connects and unites prayer and Torah, tefillah and Torah. This is because the Sefer Tehillim consists of songs and praises, which is prayer, yet at the same time it is considered equivalent to engaging in the study of the complex Torah topics as Negayim and Ohalot, sections of the Jewish law dealing with ritual impurity. As our Chazal say that David HaMelech requested

02:13 that when a person says-- recites chapters of Tehillim, it should be considered like he learned the most complex Hal- Torah topics in Torah. It has already been stated many times both in speech and writing, the Rebbe continues, about the great value and special merit of maintaining these daily study sessions. A lesson in Chitas has a special impact, especially when one learns Chumash with Rashi's commentary and Tehillim and Tanya. It has been established that the daily recitation of Tehillim is divided according to the days of the month. By learning Chitas regularly, one merits divine influence in livelihood, health, and personal affairs. One should always remember that the teachings of the Torah bring light and life. And now we move on to a letter which the Rebbe wrote to someone, an individual, the need of including also the Tanya in the Chitas, not only Chumash and Tehillim. This is a letter from volume fifteen, page three eighty-five. So the Rebbe mentions a few points here in regards to Tanya. The revealed and hidden aspects of Torah. There are two parts to the Torah, the revealed such as Chumash, and the hidden such as Tanya, which is based on Hasidic teachings. Just as a person has both a body and a soul, so too does the Torah have an external part, guf haTorah, and an inner part, neshamah de-Torah. When a person engages in matters that deeply concern him, he speaks about them with a special fiery enthusiasm, unlike things he does merely to fulfill an obligation, even

04:30 if he performs them with vitality. Similarly, learning the inner dimension of Torah ignites the depth of the soul. To receive blessings from Hashem in daily life, one must engage in Torah study. The Torah states, "If you walk in my statutes," which is im bechukosai telechu, which Rashi explains as referring to Torah study. Since we seek Hashem's blessing in all aspects of life, we must ensure our study is complete, encompassing both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah. And the Rebbe continues, a daily Ta- uh, Torah study regimen must include both the revealed and inner dimensions of the Torah. The established minimum is Chumash for the revealed part and Tanya for the inner dimension. These can be studied at different levels, from a beginner's understanding to deeper, more profound insights. The emphasis here is that studying Chumash and Tehillim alone is insufficient. It is essential to incorporate Tanya to fulfill the study of Torah on both levels. And we conclude this installment with a quote from the Rebbe during the farbrengen of Yud Beis Tammuz Taf Shin Lamed Zayin, 1977. Rebbe says it is self-understood that the lessons are in addition to the lessons that every Yid is obligated to learn, as explained in the laws of Torah study and as the Alter Rebbe expresses it in Tanya chapter thirty-four. The expression is as it is given to every individual in the laws of Torah study. And as was said previously and also printed, this is a segula for all matters, and the main point is

06:50 that this is similar to the concept explained regarding the matter of fulfilling commandments. When a person fulfills a mitzvah, there is a commandment coming from the greatest sage, and the commandment is given to the simplest person. Then when he fulfills the commandment, there is an element of connection and union, quote, unquote. This connects the simple person with the greatest sage. Likewise, by learning Chitas, one connects with the previous Rebbe. We will, im yirtze Hashem, continue in the next installment.