Seder (Order)

Seder (order) is a fundamental concept in divine service, where a person needs to be organized in their daily schedule, and establish regular study sessions at fixed times, as our Sages said "Have you set fixed times for Torah study."

Study Schedules

Extended article - Keeping the Sedarim (Schedules)

In Kuntres Etz HaChaim, the study schedule for nigleh (revealed Torah) and Chassidus in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim is outlined, and it's explained that keeping to the schedule is a condition for benefiting from the physical provisions the yeshiva supplies (food and sleep). The yeshiva schedules include 12 hours of study per day (in those times; today this has changed to 9 hours due to the decline of generations), where two-thirds of one's study should be in the revealed aspects of Torah, and one-third in the study of the inner dimensions of Torah.

Regarding the third of the day dedicated to studying Chassidus, the Rebbe Rashab details two main times that are suitable for this: The first recommended time for the inner dimensions of Torah - as was indeed established in Chabad yeshivas following this kuntres - is before prayer, through personal study and not just through a class, but in a manner where the entire community engages together in studying Chassidus, and in a way that they study at least two hours before prayer (in our time, this has decreased to an hour and a half). (The reason being that in the morning there is illumination from the aspect of Lavan Ha'Arami who, in his root in holiness, is called "the Upper Whiteness," which is the Infinite Light in His glory and essence without colors, which assists in understanding the inner dimensions of Torah).

The second time for studying Chassidus should be in the evening hours, also for at least two hours (an hour and a half in our generation as mentioned above), and whoever cannot do so because they go to sleep early must increase their morning study time instead, so that in total they study Chassidus for at least 4 hours per day (this is besides the fixed daily study of Tanya). The reason for this second time is (not the special quality of the time, but) the need and necessity to study the inner dimensions of Torah during the time of darkness, and before sleep.

Statements from Our Rebbes on the Topic

"It is obvious that education for lack of order, wildness and the like - this is contrary to what I request, implore and demand" – The Rebbe's response to Rabbi Chaim Binyamini, 15 Shevat 5741 (1981)

In Chabad Chassidus it is accepted that although there are rules in divine service and an order of service founded according to levels, based on the order of the ten sefiros, nevertheless there is a Chassidic approach of "lchatchila ariber" (initially transcend) where a person can elevate themselves in divine service beyond their level.

The Rebbe Rayatz writes on this topic: My father, the Rebbe, said: In Chassidus, "their beginning is wedged in their end, and their end in their beginning," the level of "igulim" (circles) without finding head or end, but after all this, the main thing is order.

The Baal Shem Tov was orderly, the Maggid of Mezritch was meticulous about order.

Even the Alter Rebbe taught Chassidim to be orderly, this can be seen in his discourses, his letters, his melodies. The Chassidim who had a fixed time to come to Liozna - later to Liadi - were not permitted to change the time without permission from the Rebbe, and receiving permission required a good reason.

The Rebbe had a special committee to direct the order of the Chassidim headed by Maharil, the Alter Rebbe's brother, and in addition to this, he had a special committee to direct the order of the young married Chassidim headed by the Mitteler Rebbe.

Further Reading

• B'Derech Tamim, Tzivos Hashem Eretz HaKodesh 5777, Chapter 30 - Order and Cleanliness
• Maaseh Chassidim (The Way of a Chassid), Tzivos Hashem Eretz HaKodesh, Chapter 12 - Is Everything in Order?