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| [[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. | | [[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. |
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| === Tanya ===
| | 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 two different inclinations, the good and the bad.<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 "God desires the heart," Shneur Zalman argued that God 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 God".<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" /> |
| The [[Tanya]] (Sefer Shel Benunim) is a book by [[the Alter Rebbe]] first published in 1797. It is the first schematic treatment of [[Hasidic philosophy|Hasidic moral philosophy]] and its metaphysical foundations.<ref name="sacks" /> | |
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| In Tanya, the intellect is described as three interconnected processes: [[Chochma]] (wisdom), [[Bina]] (understanding), and [[Da'at]] (knowledge). While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that "God desires the heart," Shneur Zalman argued that God also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad philosophy, he elevated the mind above the heart, arguing that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for God".<ref>''Tanya'', Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Chapter 13.</ref>
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| The {{transliteration|he|Tanya}} has five sections. The original name of the first section is {{transliteration|he|Sefer Shel Beinonim}}, the "Book of the Intermediates". It is also known as {{transliteration|he|Likutei Amarim}} ("Collected Sayings"). {{transliteration|he|Sefer Shel Beinonim}} analyzes the inner struggle of the individual and the path to resolution. Citing the biblical verse "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do",<ref>{{bibleverse|Deuteronomy|30:14|HE}}</ref> the philosophy is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by two different inclinations, the good and the bad.<ref name="sacks tanya">''The Encyclopedia of Hasidism'', "Tanya", Jonathan Sacks, pp. 475–477 (15682–11236)</ref>
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| Chabad often contrasted itself with what is termed the {{transliteration|he|[[Chagat]]}} schools of Hasidism.{{efn|{{transliteration|he|Chagat}} is an acronym for {{transliteration|he|Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet}} (kindness, severity, beauty), the Kabbalistic terms for the three primary emotions. Schools of Hasidic thought stressing emotive patterns of worship have been termed {{transliteration|he|Chagat}} in the Chabad philosophy.}} While all schools of Hasidism put a central focus on the emotions, {{transliteration|he|Chagat}} saw emotions as a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Shneur Zalman, on the other hand, taught that the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be [[Torah]] study and prayer rather than [[Western esotericism|esotericism]] and song.<ref name="sacks" /> As a Talmudist, Shneur Zalman endeavored to place Kabbalah and Hasidism on a rational basis. In Tanya, he defines his approach as ''moach shalit al halev'' ("the brain ruling the heart").<ref>''Tanya'', ch. 12</ref>
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| == Community == | | == Community == |