The Rebbe once related a story which brings out the great importance of learning Tanya in general and the power of learning Tanya by heart. It should be noted that the Rebbe seldom spoke about what goes on in the upper worlds.
Translators note: the following story describes events that took place in spiritual realms, belonging to a dimension beyond human conception or description. Not having the words to describe such sublimity we must resort to a description, which does not do justice and is to a great extent incongruent, with the true nature of the spiritual realms described.
Due to a certain matter which the Rebbe Rashab* achieved, his father, the Rebbe Maharash*, took him into the supernal realms, till a particular place to which the Rebbe Rashab was able to accompany the rebbe Maharash. From there the Rebbe Maharash continued on by himself. In the meantime, the Rebbe Rashab noticed a chamber where a particularly brilliant Divine revelation was manifest. There sat a Jew who relative to his level of Divine service, apparently did not belong in such a lofty realm.
When the Rebbe Maharash returned, the Rebbe Rashab asked him, “How did come about that this Jew reached such an exalted realm?” The Rebbe Maharash answered, “Though he is, indeed, a simple Jew, he was nevertheless fluent in Tanya* and was accustomed to repeating Tanya by-heart.”
The lesson from this story [explained the Rebbe] is that even an individual who is lacking in understanding and intellectual assimilation, nevertheless merits a great revelation. However, in order not to sit in that lofty realm with “closed eyes” seeing without comprehending, hearing and not understanding that which one hears – one must study and understand with comprehension and intellectual assimilation. Then one will be in a situation of open eyes and ears [having a proper appreciation for the exalted and wondrous revelation].
The way to understanding and comprehension is first and foremost through effort, simply to toil in one’s study of Chassidus* for “one who claims that he did not toil, but nevertheless succeeded, is not to be believed.” (see Megilah 6b)
Added to this is the recommendation that one give charity, physical charity and how much more so spiritual charity, through which “ones heart and mind become purified a thousand fold.” (see Torah Ohr, 1a)
(Shabbos Parshas Mishpotim 5714)
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