Legendary Tanya Radio Show Returns – in English

By COLlive reporter

In these confusing and uncertain times, one classic work that has always stood out and served as a beacon of light and clarity has been the Sefer HaTanya, the book of Tanya, authored by the Alter Rebbe in 1796.

This extraordinary and brilliant book, which was specifically composed to offer moral advice and spiritual guidance to all, has been studied, pored over and analyzed for the last two centuries. However, for many, the Tanya still remains quite esoteric and inaccessible.

In 1960, a radio show titled “Lessons in Tanya” was presented by the iconic chossid Rabbi Yosef Wineberg OBM who taught Tanya to the masses in Yiddish.

With the Rebbe’s blessing and encouragement, this landmark program – the first to usher in the use of technology to disseminate Torah – continued weekly for over 40 years. The Rebbe would edit and listen to every one of these classes.

Now, 61 years later, this program is being revived in English and being taught by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, best-selling author of “Toward a Meaningful Life,” and host of the acclaimed and popular “MyLife: Chassidus Applied” series on COLlive.com, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.

Renowned for his ability to present and apply the deepest and most profound Torah concepts in practical terms, Rabbi Jacobson will decipher and open up these powerful and transformative teachings of Tanya to scholar and laypeople alike in a new weekly radio show “MyLife: Tanya Applied.”

The inspiration behind this initiative is Rabbi Shmuel Plotkin, a known chassid and askan.

The program is being dedicated in blessed memory of Rabbi Wineberg and to Rabbi Moshe Pinchas HaKohen Katz OBM, whose 35th yahrzeit is this Shabbos. It was his son, Rabbi Zev Katz, who filled Rabbi Wineberg’s shoes in presenting Lessons in Tanya on the radio. Rabbi Jacobson wished him blessings for many healthy years.

“One of our great challenges today is to present Judaism to ourselves, our children and Jews everywhere in personally relatable terms,” he said. “For many, the Torah remains either mechanical and cultural or even irrelevant. The Tanya expressly came to address this concern.”

Rabbi Jacobson added: “On the cover page of Tanya, the Alter Rebbe states that its purpose is to clearly explain the verse Ki korov eilecha… (Deuteronomy 30:14) – which affirms that the Torah is exceedingly relevant and accessible to every person.”

He said this will be the guiding principle of the new weekly class, Tanya Applied. In his inimitable way, he will explain how Torah concepts and mitzvos are personally relevant to every aspect of our lives and how to integrate Judaism into our daily experiences.

“Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here.”

In this 30-minute program, airing every Motzoei Shabbos from 10:00–10:30 PM EST starting which premieres this week (February 13), you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.

This program can also be heard at:

WSNR 620 AM – Metro NY area

WJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJ

By phone: 641-741-0389

Online: www.talklinenetwork.com

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For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanya