Chabad: Difference between revisions

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The Alter Rebbe was born in 1745 in the city of Liozna. He soon became a student of the Maggid of Mezritch, the successor of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement. Following the histalkus of the Maggid and the departure of Rabbi Meachme Mendel of Vitebsk and other Chassidic leaders to [[Eretz Yisroel]], the Alter Rebbe became the leader of the Chassidim in Russia, later moving to the town of Liadi. The Alter Rebbe developed the teachings of Chabad in the book of [[Tanya]] which emphasised the use of one's intellectual faculties. This distinguished the Chabad movement from other branches of the Chassidic movement (and are often referred to the Rebbes as Chagas, after the emotive faculties). Following the war between Napoleon and Russia, and the histalkus of the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe settled in Lubavitch. His son-in-law and successor, [[the Tzemach Tzedek]] led the Chabad movement for many years. His son, [[the Rebbe Maharash]], continued to lead in Lubavitch. His son, [[the Rebbe Rashab]], founded [[Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim]] and fought to strengthen Chassidus Chabad during a time of mass secularization. At that time, many Chassidim moved away from Russia, and many settled in the United States where they soon created Agudas Chasidei Chabad ("Association of Chabad Hasidim"). His son, [[the Rebbe Rayatz]], fought to preserve Judaism under the rule of the Communists. In 1927, the Rebbe Rayatz was arrested by the Russian Secret Police and was sentenced to death. The sentence was averted and the Rebbe Rayatz left Russia, visiting Latvia, America, Eretz Yisroel, before relocating to Poland, near Warsaw. With the start of the Second World War, the Rebbe Rayatz was saved from the hands of the Germans and arrived in America.<ref name=Altein>Altein, R, Zaklikofsky, E, Jacobson, I: ''Out of the Inferno: The Efforts That Led to the Rescue of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch from War Torn Europe in 1939–40''. Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, 2002.</ref> After the histalkus of the Rebbe Rayatz, the Rebbe became the seventh leader of Chabad-Lubavitch. Under the Leadership of the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe, the influence of Chabad among world Jewry became very far-reaching. New institutions were created around the world under the banner of Chabad-Lubavitch. During the period of the "counterculture", the Rebbe pioneered the effort to inspire young, unaffiliated Jewish men and women to become ''baalei teshuva'' ("returnees" to Judaism). The very first Yeshivas for such baalei teshuva was [[Hadar Hatorah]] for men and [[Machon Chana]] for women. Following the Yom Kippur War, the Rebbe initiated the use of Public Menorah lightings which attracted thousands of Jews to celebrate Judaism in public. It is reported that up to a million Jews attend Chabad services at least once a year.<ref name="winnipegfreepress.com">Chabad Lubavitch centre set for River Heights area. 5 August 2007. Sharon Chisvin. Winnipeg Free Press.</ref>

[[Chassidus|Chabad Chassidus]] focuses on religious and spiritual concepts such as the creation of the world, the soul, and the meaning of Torah and mitzvos. The [[Zohar]] and the [[Kabbalah]] of the Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, form the basis for the teachings of Chabad Chassidus. The ''[[Tanya]]'' is a work of Chassidic thought by [[the Alter Rebbe]] first published in 1797. ~~It is the first schematic treatment of Chassidic moral philosophy and its metaphysical foundations.<ref name="sacks" />~~ The book's original title was ''Likkutei Amarim'' ("Collected Teachings") as the Alter Rebbe compiled ideas from his teachers. The informal name "Tanya" ("It was taught") comes from the first word of the first chapter. The final edition of the Tanya has five sections, the first and most prominent section is ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'' ("The Book of the Intermediates") and emphasized that the goal of every Jew and every Chasid is to maintain the spiritual level of the Benuni ("Intermediate Person"). The Alter Rebbe analyzes the inner struggle of such an individual and the path to resolution. Citing the ''pasuk'' (biblical verse) "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do",<ref>Devarim 30:14.</ref> the teaching is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by a struggle between two different souls, the Nefesh HaElokis (G-dly Soul) and the Nefesh HaBehamis (Animal Soul).<ref name="sacks tanya">''The Encyclopedia of Hasidism'', "Tanya", Jonathan Sacks, pp. 475–477 (15682–11236)</ref> While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that ''Rachamana liba ba'ei'' ("the Merciful One desires the heart"), Shneur Zalman argued that the Almighty also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad Chassidus, the mind is elevated above the heart, and that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for G-d".<ref>''Tanya'', Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Chapter 13.</ref> Emotions are not merely a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Instead, the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be [[Torah]] study and prayer rather than mere cleaving to the Tzaddik.<ref name="sacks" />

[[Chassidus|Chabad Chassidus]] focuses on religious and spiritual concepts such as the creation of the world, the soul, and the meaning of Torah and mitzvos. The [[Zohar]] and the [[Kabbalah]] of the Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, form the basis for the teachings of Chabad Chassidus. The ''[[Tanya]]'' is a work of Chassidic thought by [[the Alter Rebbe]] first published in 1797. The book's original title was ''Likkutei Amarim'' ("Collected Teachings") as the Alter Rebbe compiled ideas from his teachers. The informal name "Tanya" ("It was taught") comes from the first word of the first chapter. The final edition of the Tanya has five sections, the first and most prominent section is ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'' ("The Book of the Intermediates") and emphasized that the goal of every Jew and every Chasid is to maintain the spiritual level of the Benuni ("Intermediate Person"). The Alter Rebbe analyzes the inner struggle of such an individual and the path to resolution. Citing the ''pasuk'' (biblical verse) "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do",<ref>Devarim 30:14.</ref> the teaching is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by a struggle between two different souls, the Nefesh HaElokis (G-dly Soul) and the Nefesh HaBehamis (Animal Soul).<ref name="sacks tanya">''The Encyclopedia of Hasidism'', "Tanya", Jonathan Sacks, pp. 475–477 (15682–11236)</ref> While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that ''Rachamana liba ba'ei'' ("the Merciful One desires the heart"), Shneur Zalman argued that the Almighty also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad Chassidus, the mind is elevated above the heart, and that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for G-d".<ref>''Tanya'', Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Chapter 13.</ref> Emotions are not merely a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Instead, the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be [[Torah]] study and prayer rather than mere cleaving to the Tzaddik.<ref name="sacks tanya" />

== Geography ==

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 The Alter Rebbe was born in 1745 in the city of Liozna. He soon became a student of the Maggid of Mezritch, the successor of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement. Following the histalkus of the Maggid and the departure of Rabbi Meachme Mendel of Vitebsk and other Chassidic leaders to [[Eretz Yisroel]], the Alter Rebbe became the leader of the Chassidim in Russia, later moving to the town of Liadi. The Alter Rebbe developed the teachings of Chabad in the book of [[Tanya]] which emphasised the use of one's intellectual faculties. This distinguished the Chabad movement from other branches of the Chassidic movement (and are often referred to the Rebbes as Chagas, after the emotive faculties). Following the war between Napoleon and Russia, and the histalkus of the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe settled in Lubavitch. His son-in-law and successor, [[the Tzemach Tzedek]] led the Chabad movement for many years. His son, [[the Rebbe Maharash]], continued to lead in Lubavitch. His son, [[the Rebbe Rashab]], founded [[Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim]] and fought to strengthen Chassidus Chabad during a time of mass secularization. At that time, many Chassidim moved away from Russia, and many settled in the United States where they soon created Agudas Chasidei Chabad ("Association of Chabad Hasidim"). His son, [[the Rebbe Rayatz]], fought to preserve Judaism under the rule of the Communists. In 1927, the Rebbe Rayatz was arrested by the Russian Secret Police and was sentenced to death. The sentence was averted and the Rebbe Rayatz left Russia, visiting Latvia, America, Eretz Yisroel, before relocating to Poland, near Warsaw. With the start of the Second World War, the Rebbe Rayatz was saved from the hands of the Germans and arrived in America.<ref name=Altein>Altein, R, Zaklikofsky, E, Jacobson, I: ''Out of the Inferno: The Efforts That Led to the Rescue of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch from War Torn Europe in 1939–40''. Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, 2002.</ref> After the histalkus of the Rebbe Rayatz, the Rebbe became the seventh leader of Chabad-Lubavitch. Under the Leadership of the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe, the influence of Chabad among world Jewry became very far-reaching. New institutions were created around the world under the banner of Chabad-Lubavitch. During the period of the "counterculture", the Rebbe pioneered the effort to inspire young, unaffiliated Jewish men and women to become ''baalei teshuva'' ("returnees" to Judaism). The very first Yeshivas for such baalei teshuva was [[Hadar Hatorah]] for men and [[Machon Chana]] for women. Following the Yom Kippur War, the Rebbe initiated the use of Public Menorah lightings which attracted thousands of Jews to celebrate Judaism in public. It is reported that up to a million Jews attend Chabad services at least once a year.<ref name="winnipegfreepress.com">Chabad Lubavitch centre set for River Heights area. 5 August 2007. Sharon Chisvin. Winnipeg Free Press.</ref>
-[[Chassidus|Chabad Chassidus]] focuses on religious and spiritual concepts such as the creation of the world, the soul, and the meaning of Torah and mitzvos. The [[Zohar]] and the [[Kabbalah]] of the Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, form the basis for the teachings of Chabad Chassidus. The ''[[Tanya]]'' is a work of Chassidic thought by [[the Alter Rebbe]] first published in 1797. It is the first schematic treatment of Chassidic moral philosophy and its metaphysical foundations.<ref name="sacks" /> The book's original title was ''Likkutei Amarim'' ("Collected Teachings") as the Alter Rebbe compiled ideas from his teachers. The informal name "Tanya" ("It was taught") comes from the first word of the first chapter. The final edition of the Tanya has five sections, the first and most prominent section is ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'' ("The Book of the Intermediates") and emphasized that the goal of every Jew and every Chasid is to maintain the spiritual level of the Benuni ("Intermediate Person"). The Alter Rebbe analyzes the inner struggle of such an individual and the path to resolution. Citing the ''pasuk'' (biblical verse) "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do",<ref>Devarim 30:14.</ref> the teaching is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by a struggle between two different souls, the Nefesh HaElokis (G-dly Soul) and the Nefesh HaBehamis (Animal Soul).<ref name="sacks tanya">''The Encyclopedia of Hasidism'', "Tanya", Jonathan Sacks, pp. 475–477 (15682–11236)</ref> While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that ''Rachamana liba ba'ei'' ("the Merciful One desires the heart"), Shneur Zalman argued that the Almighty also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad Chassidus, the mind is elevated above the heart, and that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for G-d".<ref>''Tanya'', Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Chapter 13.</ref> Emotions are not merely a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Instead, the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be [[Torah]] study and prayer rather than mere cleaving to the Tzaddik.<ref name="sacks" />
+[[Chassidus|Chabad Chassidus]] focuses on religious and spiritual concepts such as the creation of the world, the soul, and the meaning of Torah and mitzvos. The [[Zohar]] and the [[Kabbalah]] of the Arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, form the basis for the teachings of Chabad Chassidus. The ''[[Tanya]]'' is a work of Chassidic thought by [[the Alter Rebbe]] first published in 1797. The book's original title was ''Likkutei Amarim'' ("Collected Teachings") as the Alter Rebbe compiled ideas from his teachers. The informal name "Tanya" ("It was taught") comes from the first word of the first chapter. The final edition of the Tanya has five sections, the first and most prominent section is ''Sefer Shel Beinonim'' ("The Book of the Intermediates") and emphasized that the goal of every Jew and every Chasid is to maintain the spiritual level of the Benuni ("Intermediate Person"). The Alter Rebbe analyzes the inner struggle of such an individual and the path to resolution. Citing the ''pasuk'' (biblical verse) "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do",<ref>Devarim 30:14.</ref> the teaching is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by a struggle between two different souls, the Nefesh HaElokis (G-dly Soul) and the Nefesh HaBehamis (Animal Soul).<ref name="sacks tanya">''The Encyclopedia of Hasidism'', "Tanya", Jonathan Sacks, pp. 475–477 (15682–11236)</ref> While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that ''Rachamana liba ba'ei'' ("the Merciful One desires the heart"), Shneur Zalman argued that the Almighty also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad Chassidus, the mind is elevated above the heart, and that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for G-d".<ref>''Tanya'', Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Chapter 13.</ref> Emotions are not merely a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Instead, the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be [[Torah]] study and prayer rather than mere cleaving to the Tzaddik.<ref name="sacks tanya" />
 == Geography ==