Core Concepts Tanya: Chapter 23

Brief Recap of Chapter 23:

1. This chapter returns to the idea of inner vs external will.
Inner will is whatever is desired, external will is a means to the inner will, the things we go after to get what we desire.
For example, a person focuses on a big business trip, a person runs every day to work…work and trips are not the ultimate desire, but a means to an end.
People work to earn money, with which they buy what they need, food and shelter, etc.
Here, food and shelter are the inner will.

2. Along this theme, why did G-d desire creation?
Because He desires that mitzvot be performed.
The entire world and all that is within, in other words ALL OF CREATION, is for Mitzvot.
The world and all within is the external will, Mitzvot are the internal will.
Ergo, everything that exists is to help us fulfill Torah and mitzvot.
When we do Mitzvot, we are revealing what was hidden, as in we reveal Hashem in the world.

3. There are two levels of unity which occur through Mitzvot.
The first level is like a chariot and driver, two distinct entities that come together for a goal.
Because a chariot can only go where the driver takes it, it's used as an example of subservience to a higher will. When any part of our body is engaged in fulfilling a mitzvah, that limb is likened to a chariot of the Divine will.
The second level of unity is like that of the body and soul, and is much higher than the chariot.
Here, even though two distinct entities are uniting to form something greater, they still maintain their identities. This level is higher because the body and soul have surrendered to each other to allow for this united being.
Conversely, a chariot can one day go in one direction then go in a totally different direction the next.

4. Torah is considered to be on a higher level than mitzvot because unity through Torah is a "perfect unity."
Think of the soul and its garments, they're inseparable and can't be identified as distinct entities but part of each other.
Additionally, the Zohar teaches that Hashem and His Torah are one, because the Torah is Hashem's wisdom and essence.
Learning Torah allows us to connect with a much deeper part of Hashem and is on a much higher level than all the other mitzvot.
Ideally, we would all sit all day and learn Torah.

5. Mitzvot are Hashem's will and desire. They are like seeing a finished house.
Torah is Hashem's wisdom and essence. The Torah is like seeing the blueprint. The Torah is Hashem's blueprint for creation, so learning Torah allows us to tap into the blueprints for creation.