Editing The Rebbe Maharash (section)

== Lechatchila Ariber ==
The Rebbe Maharash coined the phrase and taught the approach of "Lechatchila Ariber" (Ariber meaning "above"). Because of this, the Rebbe refers to him as the Baal Lechatchila Ariber. Here are his words:<blockquote>"Di velt zogt az mi ken nit arunter darf men ariber, un ich halt az mi darf lechatchila ariber, mi darf lechatchila nemen mit shtarkait nit nispal vern far kein zach un durchfiren dos vos mi darf, un az mi nemt zich helft der Eibershter."

Translation: The world (most people) believes that when you cannot go under, you need to go over. But I believe that from the outset one should go over - from the start one should act with strength, not be impressed by anything, and carry out what needs to be done, and when one begins this way, Hashem helps.</blockquote>The meaning of this saying is that while the world claims that only when unable to take the regular path should one try to 'jump' over difficulties, the Rebbe Maharash said that in his opinion, one should initially approach everything by jumping over all difficulties and obstacles - "Lechatchila Ariber."

The Rebbe adds that the Rebbe Maharash's conduct was indeed in the manner of "Lechatchila Ariber" - even in physical matters he conducted himself with honor, wealth, and abundance. Even the special niggun attributed to the Rebbe Maharash became known as the Lechatchila Ariber niggun.

==== Application to Teshuva ====
The concept of "Lechatchila Ariber" also relates to the way of doing teshuva. Previously, teshuva was done through merirus (bitterness) and then one would reach simcha. The difference between merirus and atzvus (sadness): merirus is contemplation of Hashem's greatness and pain over distance from Elokus. Merirus is a movement of chayus that comes from bitul. In contrast, atzvus is contemplation of one's low level compared to where one wants to be. Atzvus comes from yeshus and ego. Therefore, atzvus can lead to despair. In Chassidus, atzvus is a Torah prohibition. Since it's difficult to distinguish between atzvus and merirus, and atzvus is very dangerous, the Rebbe says that in our generation every moment is precious, we need to bring the geula, and "we don't have strength for the work of merirus" - we must be only in the approach of simcha, and even if we fall spiritually, not to fall into atzvus but to continue forward with simcha over the zechus to fix and the zechus to fulfill mitzvos that connect us to Hashem.