Editing Yochanan Twersky (section)

==== The Importance of Learning Chassidus ====
When he had a yechidus (private audience) with the Rebbe on 6 Tevet 5727/1967, the Rebbe spoke with him about the obligation to study Chassidus in yeshivas before prayer ("not necessarily Tanya and Likkutei Torah but also 'Meor Einayim'"), in order to assist in fulfilling the halacha that one should not stand to pray except with a serious mindset and with contemplation of Hashem's greatness and man's lowliness. The Rebbe also cited the Vilna Gaon's commentary on Proverbs to him, stating that one who has not studied the inner dimensions of Torah cannot possibly know true judgment.

On that same occasion, the Rebbe told him: "The Chofetz Chaim was in great friendship with my father-in-law, the Rebbe. My father-in-law the Rebbe told me that he was certain that if they had asked the Chofetz Chaim, he would have said that there is an obligation to study the Torah of the Baal Shem Tov no less than Mishnah Berurah."

Following that yechidus, he began saying words of Torah and Chassidus at his Shabbos table, changing from his previous custom following his ancestors who did not have the practice of saying Torah at their Shabbos tables. His grandson Rabbi Twersky notes that this was a result of what the Rebbe discussed with him about studying Chassidic teachings.