Weekly Letter: The Need For Chassidus
On the bright day of CHAI ELUL – birthday of the two great luminaries, R’ Yisroel Baal Shem Tov and R’Schneur Zalman, the Alter Rebbe – we share a letter of the Rebbe in which he explains the NEED for Chasidus. Is it correct to say that chasidus is a “supplementary aid” to the proper fulfillment of all mitzvos? or much more than that, the very soul of the mitzvah. Should it be taught to one with no knowledge of Torah and mitzvos?
By the Grace of G-d
7th of Adar, 5731
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Blessing and Greeting:
I am in receipt of your letter containing the good news that things are progressing satisfactorily. I trust you received my acknowledgement of your previous correspondence.
May G-d grant the fulfillment of your heart’s desires for good, especially that you should go form strength to strength, as you write.
In reply to the two points which you raise in your letter:
Regarding chassidus, it is not correct to say that it is a “supplementary aid” to the proper fulfillment of the mitzvos, for it is that element which permeates the fulfillment of all the mitzvos. For example, it is possible to fulfill a mitzvah without any kavono whatever; it is possible to fulfill a mitzvah with the general kavono of fulfilling G-d’s command; and it is possible to fulfill a mitzvah with inspiration, enthusiasm and joy, as a deep felt experience pervading one’s entire being, although the mitzvah is part of one’s being. By way of illustration: when taking challa, one can be permeated with a great joyous feeling of dedicating the first part of the dough, even before partaking form it, to kedusha , although in our time it cannot be given to a Kohen and must be burned. At the same time, as explained in chassidus, (in Shaar Hayichud v’Ha’emunah), on the subject of the continuous renewal of Creation, one can realize that G-dliness is the actual reality of all things, except that it was G-d’s Will that the spiritual should be hidden in a material frame. But the Jew, by the capacity of his intellect, kavono and knowledge, can reveal the apiritual through the predominance of the form over matter, the spiritual over the material, the soul over the body, until he can see with the eyes of his intellect how the material is being constantly into existence as in the Six Days of Creation. Permeated with this knowledge, he realizes that the first of everything should be dedicated to G-d and only then he can partake of all the things which G-d has given him.
In the light of the above, one can appreciate that chasidus is not something supplementary but the very soul of the mitzvah or, as you also mention it, it creates a new dimension in the fulfillment of every mitzvah.
In the above there is also a reply to those who claim that chasidus looks askance on or rejects other Jews, ch’v. This is not so, for basically the Jew who fulfills a mitzvah even without any kavono and even without knowing the original source of the commandment in the Torah, is nevertheless fulfilling the mitzvah and has to make a borcho and so forth. Similarly, the woman who does not know the posuk in the Torah which speaks of challa and knows nothing of the deeper significance of the mitzvah, etc., is also fulfilling the mitzvah. On the other hand, it is indeed a very great pity if one does not try to learn and understand the deeper aspects of the mitzvos. For very often even a minor detail in a mitzvah has profound significance and implication and even in a small piece of dough taken as challa, there can be hidden a profound world outlook.
With regard to other question, whether when talking to a person who knows nothing about Torah and mitzvos, one should bring in chasidus too, or only discuss the immediate matters – it is self-understood that if the person is capable of grasping the matter in a Chasidic way, there is the mitzvah of V’Ohavto L’Reacho Komocho, to share a good thing with another person to the fullest extent. On the other hand, if that person is not yet capable of grasping the inner aspects of the mitzvos as explained in chasidus, one can only talk to that person in basic terms and according to that person’s level of understanding. This is what is meant by the verse, “Instruct the lad according to his way,” as explained at length in the Moreh Nevuchim, the true “guide” of all generations, namely the Rambam, in his introduction to his Commentary on MIshnayos. For just as it is necessary to teach a child gradually, in accordance with his grasp and capacity, so it is necessary to teach adults who are “children” insofar as knowledge and understanding is concerned.
Wishing you a happy and inspiring Purim,
With blessing,
P.S. I trust that you have seen my talk to Jewish women on the subject of challa. No doubt it is available in the library of the Seminary.
