Chassid: Difference between revisions

The system of Chassidus, which comes to improve the characteristics of a person, emphasizes these matters: Ahavas Yisroel (love of every Jew), enhancement of mitzvos, simcha shel mitzvah (joy of performing mitzvos), and more. Therefore, a Yid who learns Chassidus and conducts themselves according to the ways of Chassidus is called a Chossid.

In the sichos and letters of our Rebbeim, there is much discussion about who is a Chossid and what are the ways of Chassidus. The answers are varied: a Yid who conducts themselves in all matters better than they are obligated, who fulfills mitzvos with enhancement and joy, who davens at length and delves into the meaning of tefillah, who loves every Yid more than themselves, who enhances in the mitzvah of tzedakah and doing chesed with others, and more.

This avodah of the Chossid, to correct and improve middos and actions, receives much help when connected to the tzaddik, to the Rebbe. The Rebbe gives kochos, guides, and directs. The hiskashrus to the Rebbe is accomplished through learning his Torah and dedication to fulfilling his horaos (both private instructions received in letters, yechidus, and the like, and general guidance that the Rebbe gave to all of Yisroel in farbrengens and the like). In addition to these, there are other practices that strengthen the feeling of hiskashrus of the Chossid to the Rebbe and help them know how to fulfill Hashem's will in the best way possible.

Living according to Chassidus is like a tree: the trunk is Toras HaChassidus, the roots are our Rebbeim, and the branches are the Chassidim. Through the roots and body of the tree, each branch receives water, each Chossid receives chayus, and thus produces fruits, which are the fulfillment of mitzvos with vitality and joy.