Chassidus Chabad: Difference between revisions

===Torah Study===

In Chassidic philosophy in general, and in Chabad Chassidus in particular, special emphasis is placed on the study of the revealed dimension of Torah — the wisdom of the Holy One, blessed be He. Studying the reasoning behind the laws as they appear in the revealed Torah is a form of unique closeness to G-d, achieved by the fact that the person's thoughts are united with G-d's wisdom, which is — together with G-d Himself — one. At the same time, the writings of Chassidic teachers stress the obligation to study "for its own sake" — for the sake of the Creator, to cleave to G-d, in holiness and with proper reverence, and out of [[humility]] and [[self-nullification]].

==Chabad Literature==

To explain the Chabad approach, the founder of Chabad — the [[Alter Rebbe]] — composed the [[Tanya]],<ref>Igros Kodesh, Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 4, p. 261.</ref> which is considered the Written Torah of [[Chassidic philosophy]]. On this basis, the [[Chabad Rebbes]] have delivered and written [[maamar|maamarim]] (Chassidic discourses) — known by the acronym ''Da"Ch'' (''Divrei Elokim Chayyim'', "Words of the Living G-d") — exploring and expanding the system, discussing such themes as: the nature of G-d and the meaning of His being "infinite"; the purpose of creation; the relationship between G-d and man; why G-d concerns Himself with human deeds; the nature of Torah; the nature of the commandments; what a soul is and why it descended into the world; the essence of Jewish identity; and more. Chabad literature comprises hundreds of volumes engaging these themes at great depth.

==The Chabad Rebbes==

===The Alter Rebbe===

{{main|The Alter Rebbe}}

Over the years, the Tzemach Tzedek worked to rescue children from the [[cantonist decrees]], [[Rabbinical Conference of 1843|fought for the pure Jewish education of Jewish children]],<ref>See at length in [[Kuntres: The Tzemach Tzedek and the Haskalah Movement]].</ref> founded the town of [[Shchedrin]] and settled some three hundred Chassidim there, and was known for his rulings freeing [[agunos]] (women chained to a missing or refusing husband) who were brought to him in Lubavitch.<ref>See stories on this in the journal "[[HaAch]]," issue 31 and following; "[[Reshimos]]," [http://www.lahak.org/templates/lahak/article_cdo/aid/2967322 booklet 187].</ref> One of his well-known teachings is the maxim [[Think good and it will be good]], which expresses the profound influence of thought even on actual events.<ref>[[Sefer HaMaamarim (Rebbe Rayatz)|Sefer HaMaamarim 5687]], p. 236, and elsewhere.</ref>

Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn — the [[Maharash]] — is the fourth Rebbe in the [[Chabad]] dynasty. He was born on the 2nd of Iyar 1834 in the town of [[Lubavitch]], to [[Rabbi Menachem Mendel]] (the Tzemach Tzedek) and [[Chaya Mushka Schneersohn (wife of the Tzemach Tzedek)|Chaya Mushka Schneersohn]]. He passed from this world on the 13th of Tishrei 1882, after enduring a serious illness; his resting place is in Lubavitch, beside his father the Tzemach Tzedek, in the [[ohel of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Maharash]].

===The Rebbe===

[[File:הרבי מליובאוויטש.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[The Rebbe]] receiving supporters of the [[shlichus|Shluchim mission]] and the [[institutions affiliated with Chabad Chassidus]] worldwide, in the framework of the [[Keren L'Mifal Machne Yisroel]]]]

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn — known as "the Rebbe of Lubavitch" or simply "the Rebbe" — is the seventh [[Nasi]] (leader) of the [[Chabad]] movement and a central spiritual leader for the world at large and for the Jewish people in particular. He was born in [[Nikolaev]] on the 11th of Nissan 1902 (April 18, 1902) to his father, the [[Kabbalist]] Rabbi [[Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn]], and his mother, [[Rebbetzin Chana|Rebbetzin Chana]].

On the 3rd of Tammuz 1994, he became concealed from our eyes. Among Chabad Chassidim there is a range of views on how to understand this day; most Chabad Chassidim believe that the situation that arose represents a further stage in the process of the complete revelation of [[Moshiach]] (the Messiah). This view is also based on the words of [[Rashi]] at the end of the Book of Daniel, on the verse concerning Moshiach<ref>Chapter 12, verse 12.</ref> — "Fortunate is he who waits and reaches" — where Rashi writes: "…our Moshiach is destined to be concealed after he is revealed, and will then be revealed again" — that is, Moshiach [[is concealed and revealed again]].

==Characteristics of Chabad Chassidus==

===The Shluchim and Chabad Houses===

===Chabad Personalities===

In every generation of Chabad Chassidus, great Chassidim distinguished in Torah and divine service have occupied a place of honor — their names on the lips of Chassidim in subsequent generations, with stories circulating about them from generation to generation. Teachings spoken with Chassidic insight, and even niggunim composed by gifted [[baal menagen|baalei menagen]] (Chassidic composers), are sung at Chassidic farbrengens and inspire divine service.