Chitzon (External/Superficial Person)

A person has three garments through which they serve their divine service. This service (in this manner) is only in the externality of the person.

The Chitzon (externally-focused person) is one whose entire service is done in an external and superficial way, but does not serve in their innermost being and fundamentally, meaning, without changing their inner powers and refining their character traits. Therefore, they are also called "light-minded."

Therefore, the Chitzon can do things that are above their spiritual level, even though these things require internality which they lack.

This mode of service is "lip-service," since it does not come from the point of their heart. Therefore, a person can quickly reach excitement in their prayer, even without proper contemplation. They are also not disturbed by the "left side" since it comes from within them.

This mode of service is "encompassing," and therefore stronger than internal service in its excitement etc. However, it is only aroused for peripheral matters and does not work in an orderly fashion (for example: becoming inspired to repentance during Elul etc., but afterwards it passes and disappears, unlike the internal person for whom Elul is year-round etc.).

Their actions are for others to see that they are "spiritually accomplished" and a "server of Hashem."

"Fulfilling mitzvot for the sake of spiritual remedies and receiving reward is - in truth - the order of a 'Chitzon.' A 'Chitzon' is not devoted to the matter itself. While doing one thing - they think during the act about something else".

In The sichos it is brought that the Chitzon is not a liar, but mistaken, since they don't know they have a problem.

The Rebbe Rashab says: The way to fall into this is when one does not pay attention to details, for example: when learning without depth, but getting used to passing over the learning superficially, similarly in divine service it causes the person to relate to it superficially. Therefore, to escape this one needs to get accustomed specifically to learning with depth.

Although generally Chassidim were averse to externality, the Rebbe noted that in our generation there are things where specifically investing in their external beauty and the like influences the overall attitude toward them and even to the most essential and internal matters.

Sources

• The Previous Rebbe's sicha's
• Likkutei Dibburim

See also

• Klipah