בינוני

A בינוני never commits a transgression—not in thought, speech, or action. Though the בינוני still experiences internal desires that come from his animal soul, these never overpower his divine soul's control of his every thought, word, and action. This lifestyle is attainable by every Jewish person and involves constant self-awareness and regulation, because the mind naturally rules the heart. This is achievable through conscious thought, meditation, and adherence to Torah and Mitzvot. While the בינוני does not transform bad into good like the צדיק, their restraint and consistent divine service is authentic and true.

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Never Commits a Transgression

According to Chassidus, the בינוני is someone in whom the animal soul’s three "garments"—thought, speech, and action—do not materialize in actuality.

Negativity never gains enough strength to “capture the small city,” i.e., the body. Only the divine soul's garments (practice of Torah and Mitzvot) become his behavior. The בינוני has never committed, and never will commit, a transgression—not even the neglect of Torah study.

Control Over Inner Desires

While the בינוני never sins, the bad within is not eradicated.

The divine soul doesn’t control his inner dimension of feelings, but during elevated moments like Shema or Amidah it can be subdued. After prayer, the bad elements of his nature reawakens, together with unholy desires and motives. Nevertheless, the בינוני maintains control of his concrete functioning. "The mind rules the heart," is a cardinle principle in the lifestyle of the benoni.

Attainable Level

The בינוני is not a lofty or unreachable ideal: Each and every Jewish person can, and is therefore responsible, to attain this level. It is attainable at any time and hour. The work is to “turn from evil and do good”—to act contrary to impulse, in service of G‑d’s will.

Distinction from a צדיק

The בינוני differs from the צדיק in the deeper dimensions of human nature. The בינוני still has bad character traits. Only a צדיק, through an intense, ecstatic love of G‑d, transforms and nullifies his bad nature entirely. The בינוני’s love during prayer is not "true" in the absolute sense—but it is genuine relative to his own level.

Love Relative to Himself

Although the בינוני’s love lacks the permanence and depth of a צדיק’s, It is still considered truthful in relation to his own spiritual makeup. This love can be reawakened at will.

Service of the בינוני

The בינוני’s Avodah (divine service) centers around active self-regulation:

The key is to rule over the bad impulses localized in the left ventricle of his heart via the power of his mind.

This involves meditating on the greatness of the Ein Sof to inspire Yirah (fear) and Ahavah (love).

Even if love remains hidden and not emotionally felt, when it motivates Torah and Mitzvot, it gives them vitality.

מידת הבינוני vs. מדרגת הבינוני

• מידת הבינוני: The real-time, moment-to-moment lifestyle to maintain בינוני status.

• מדרגת הבינוני: The title recieved for being a בינוני.