Weekly Letter: Basic Principles of Chabad Philosophy

As we celebrate this week – Chof Daled Teves, yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe, first Chabad Rebbe, R’ Schneur Zalman – we share a letter of the Rebbe explaining one of the basic principles of the Chabad philosophy and way of life – that the head and the heart should govern and inspire the daily life of an individual in complete harmony. 

During these critical times, of confusion and insecurity – there is a vital need to strengthen among our Jewish youth their spiritual equilibrium through Torah and mitzvos, with unity and harmony between the intellect and emotions and the mastery of the mind over the heart. This unity is (also) the key to unity in the world at large. 

By the Grace of G-d

24 Teves, 5729

Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

(excerpt of a letter)

One of the basic principles of Chabad philosophy and way of life is that the head and the heart (the intellect and the emotions) should govern and inspire the daily life of the individual in complete mutual harmony, and in a way that the mind should rule the heart. Where the inner harmony between the intellect and the emotions prevails, then all the material and the spiritual are carried out properly, without conflict, without contradictions and without vacillations.

There can be no doubt that the fearful confusion and insecurity besetting the young generation of today, in this country and elsewhere, frequently erupting in open defiance and open revolt against the very elementary laws of human society, is the result of the inner split and disharmony between reason and emotions, often giving way to unrestrained misconduct. It is also a sad fact that these symptoms have affected some segment of our Jewish youth.

In these critical times there is especially a vital need to strengthen among our Jewish youth their spiritual equilibrium, and the only way to attain this is through Torah and mitzvos, with unity and harmony between the intellect and emotions, and the mastery of the mind over the heart.

For us Jews, the said inner unity is more than the secret and foundation of a satisfactory personal life. This subject is treated in depth and breadth in the teachings of Chabad.

The said unity is the key to unity in the world at large and is intimately correlated with the concept of G-d’s Unity (monotheism), the realization of which in actual life is the special task of every Jew and the Jewish people as a whole. This is alluded to in the words – A people one on earth – which the Alter Rebbe explains (Iggeres Hakodesh 9): the Jewish people, which is one, brings into reality the Oneness of G-d, to achieve oneness (in life) on earth.

                                                            With blessing