Opening the Tanya by Adin Steinsaltz (2003, Hardcover)

Since Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Habad movement, began circulating his writings among the Hasidim in 1792, the Tanya has been studied by those who know of its insight and wisdom with the devotion and intensity usually associated with the Bible, the Talmud, the Koran, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

Rabbi Steinsaltz’s Opening the Tanya is an inspiring introduction to the Tanya, providing an overview of its broad philosophical and spiritual messages. It also provides an illuminating point-by-point commentary on the first twelve chapters of the text itself. Opening the Tanya helps readers to achieve harmony of body and soul, of earthliness and transcendence. This remarkable book is a guide to learning how to elevate the soul to a higher level of awareness and understanding, until one’s objectives and aspirations are synonymous with his/her Godly potential.

Click here to read Rabbi Steinsaltz's preface to his English commentary on Tanya. Highlights from Opening the Tanya can be read here.

The second installment of Rabbi Steinsaltz's English-language commentary, covering chapters 13-26 of the Tanya, was released in August 2005 under the title Learning From the Tanya.