Editing Tanya (section)

== Sefer Shel Beinonim ==
The Chassidic approach positioned the mitzvos of ahavas Hashem and yiras Hashem as the foundation for true avodas Hashem. One of the fundamental differences between various streams of Chassidus lies in the path to achieving this ahavah and yirah. The general Chassidic movement holds that through a chassidic vort (saying) that awakens the heart, together with hiskashrus to the tzaddik, one can reach ahavas Hashem and yiras Hashem. However, according to the Chabad Chassidus approach, intellectual avoda is required - the mind must first understand the need for ahavah and yirah from Hashem and direct the heart to these feelings through deep and prolonged hisbonenus (especially during tefillah).

In Likkutei Amarim, the Alter Rebbe expounds the Chabad approach that the moach naturally controls the lev, and a person's middos appear afterward as a result of the mind's insights and understanding. Therefore, one must use their moach to contemplate at length Hashem's greatness to "give birth to" ahavas and yiras Hashem in their heart.