Mashpia

Mashpia (משפיע, "influencer" or "mentor") is a Hasid – usually from an older age group – who serves as a spiritual figure for other Hasidim, to whom he serves as a model of inspiration through his ways and Hasidic spirit. The Hasidic Mashpia preserves in his personality and conduct the authentic Hasidic ethos from previous generations. At the same time, during Hasidic farbrengens (gatherings), the Mashpia "influences" his protégés with words of Hasidut. The Mashpia typically also delivers classes in Hasidic thought.

The title "Mashpia" usually refers to a rabbi in Tomchei Tmimim yeshiva who is responsible for teaching philosophy and faith in Chabad Hasidism, though this is not always the case. The Rebbe instructed followers to appoint a personal Mashpia – based on the dictum of our sages "Make for yourself a Rav" – who can guide and lead them in their daily life and also help them at crucial decision-making junctures. The Mashpia serves as a resource for Hasidim to turn to for guidance and answers on various topics – both in matters of "service of the heart," — prayer, and in practical questions where the Hasid struggles to decide alone and therefore turns to the Mashpia for assistance. By virtue of the Mashpia's deep familiarity with the mentee and by virtue of being objective and free from personal biases and interests, the Mashpia succeeds in seeing the complete picture, with all its aspects, and is therefore in a position that enables him to offer good counsel appropriate for the inquirer.

The Mashpia is the dominant figure in almost every Hasidic farbrengen, and typically serves as the main speaker – if not the only one. However, his talk is not a frontal lecture where the audience remains passive; rather, there is mutual enrichment through group dynamics, in an informal and friendly atmosphere, involving both solemn Chabad niggunim (melodies) alongside joyful tunes. The Mashpia guides the participants of the farbrengen, encourages and urges them to internalize and adopt the Hasidic message and the lesson contained within it regarding their inner divine service, as well as strengthening their connection to our Rebbes and especially to the leader of the generation.

Words of the Rebbe

In 1977 (5737), the Rebbe began a significant campaign regarding Mashpias and their role. The Rebbe spoke about the obligation for every community to have Mashpias.

In Parshat Shemot 5737, the Rebbe said: "There is a special matter that began with Hasidim and efforts should be made to implement it in all Hasidic settlements, which is – the regulation that existed from time immemorial, and especially in recent generations until the Rebbe Rashab, that in every place where there are Anash (Chabad Hasidim), Hasidim, or Jews who might hopefully soon study Hasidic philosophy and the teachings of Chabad and its interpretations – there should be one Jew who takes upon himself the role of Mashpia." The Rebbe elaborated on all matters related to the concept of Mashpia, including the procedures for appointing a Mashpia, his duties, and rights.

In 1985 (5745), the Rebbe expressed exactly what his intention had been when he gave the instruction to appoint Mashpias: "This was, in fact, the intention in what was discussed several years ago about the matter of 'Mashpias' whose role was supposed to be – to inspire all those in their surroundings to increase in all matters of goodness and holiness, to set times for Torah study, to engage in spreading Judaism and disseminating the wellsprings outward, the Mivtzoim (outreach campaigns) matters, etc., including – that when someone has a question on these matters, there would be someone to turn to for consultation." In that same talk, the Rebbe expressed pain about the fact that Mashpias were not utilizing their power in what they needed to accomplish.

In later years, the Rebbe spoke about the tremendous damage caused by the indifference and dormancy of Mashpias and the obligation to fulfill their role actively. In 1987 (5747), the Rebbe even spoke about the Mashpia's role in ensuring that Chabad customs are implemented in practice.

Mashpias of the Past

Among the famous Mashpias in Chabad Hasidism from previous generations:

• Rabbi Chanoch Hendel Kugel – the first Mashpia at Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Lubavitch.
• Rabbi Shmuel Gronem Esterman – the first Mashpia to whom students of Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva were sent when it opened.
• Rabbi Meshulam Yedidya Kuratin, known as "R' Shilem" – studied at Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Lubavitch, later became a Mashpia at the yeshiva, became famous as the greatest of the "chozrim" (those who would memorize and repeat Hasidic discourses) in his generation. He died young in Kremenchug in 1919. The Rebbe Rashab expressed that in this student he had earned the principal of his yeshiva, and all the rest were pure profit.
• Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel Sheptil (called RaShBaTz) – was one of the Hasidim of the Tzemach Tzedek and the teacher of the Rebbe Rayatz. He guided the yeshiva students until his passing in 1904.
• Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin – from the first students of Tomchei Tmimim, in 1912 the Rebbe Rashab sent a minyan (quorum) of students to open Toras Emes Hebron, and appointed him as Mashpia. After some time, the yeshiva moved to Jerusalem, and with his warm character, he attracted many young Jerusalemites to Chabad Hasidism.
• Rabbi Alter Simchovitch – son-in-law and successor of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin at the yeshiva in Toras Emes.
• Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook – Mashpia at "Achei Tmimim" Yeshiva in Rishon LeZion.
• Rabbi Avraham Drizin, known as "R' Avraham Mayorer" – Mashpia in Kfar Chabad and Crown Heights.
• Rabbi Zalman Moshe HaYitzchaki, served as a Mashpia in the Hasidic town of Nevel and later in Tel Aviv.
• Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman – was a Mashpia in yeshivas in Russia, after the Communist revolution went underground, left Russia in 1946, and after some time immigrated to Eretz Yisrael, where he served as a Mashpia at the yeshiva opened in Lod in 1947. In 1963, the yeshiva moved to Kfar Chabad. He passed away in 1971, after serving as a Mashpia for over fifty years. His influence on his students was immense, and he is considered the last of the Mashpias in the old style.
• Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas, known as "R' Mendel" – was appointed by the Rebbe as Mashpia at Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad after the passing of Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman.
• Rabbi Nissan Nemenov – was a Mashpia under the terror regime in Communist Russia, and after the departure of the Rebbe Rayatz, was considered the highest authority among the Hasidim, despite his youth, because of his exemplary asceticism and divine service. He left Russia in 1946 and opened the Tomchei Tmimim Brunoy yeshiva in France. He passed away in 1983. He was an exemplary figure and a symbol of an unconditionally devoted Hasid who did not compromise on the smallest detail.
• Rabbi Moshe Vishedsky, called "R' Moshe Vitebsker" – born on 27 Tishrei 1913, died on 13 Tevet 1986, was a Mashpia in Kfar Chabad.
• Rabbi Dovid Goldberg – Mashpia at Toras Emes Yeshiva and student of the renowned Mashpia R' Alter Simchovitch.

External Links

• Rules for a Mashpia by the Tzemach Tzedek, Kovetz Yagdil Torah collection, Nissan 1983, page 216
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Ofen clarifies the Rebbe's innovation in the instruction "Make for yourself a Rav", Beis Moshiach issue 420, pp. 24-30