Spreading the Wellsprings (Hafatzat HaMayanot)

Spreading the Wellsprings is a fundamental concept in Chabad Chassidism, teaching that the coming of Redemption depends on spreading and studying Chassidic teachings, according to the moshiach's promise to the Baal Shem Tov.

The Source

During Rosh Hashanah of 1746, the Baal Shem Tov experienced a spiritual ascent where he reached the chamber of the moshiach. He described this in his letter to his brother-in-law, Rabbi Gershon of Kitov, known as the Letter of Redemption. In this encounter, he asked the moshiach "When will you come?" The moshiach replied that it would be when the Baal Shem Tov's teachings become widely known and spread outward, enabling others to perform spiritual unifications and ascents as he did.

Since then, throughout all generations, Chabad Chassidic leaders have passionately worked to spread Chassidic teachings to everyone, even those of simple understanding. Before the Baal Shem Tov's revelation, this knowledge was reserved only for the greatest hidden righteous ones who studied the Torah's mystical aspects.

The Importance of Spreading Chassidic Teachings

Although Chassidic teachings are very lofty, there is no concern about spreading them even to simple people. The Alter Rebbe explained this through a parable about a prince who was gravely ill. The only cure required crushing the king's precious crown jewel to create medicine, where even one drop could save the prince's life. Similarly, G-d is willing to have these precious teachings spread widely to heal the spiritual darkness of recent generations.

The Uniqueness of Chassidism

One might ask why Chassidic teachings weren't necessary in previous generations. The Rebbe explains this through an analogy to physical illness and healing. Just as new illnesses emerge requiring new medicines, the spiritual challenges of recent generations required the new "medicine" of Chassidic teachings to combat them.

The Opposition

In 1798, the Alter Rebbe was imprisoned due to opposition to his spreading of Chassidic teachings. This represented a spiritual prosecution, but he received clear approval from his teachers to continue and increase these efforts after his release.

The Seventh Generation

In the seventh generation, the Rebbe made spreading Chassidic teachings the primary focus, establishing the Chabad Houses worldwide and instituting the Ten Campaigns to bring these teachings everywhere. He stated that this mission takes precedence over general Jewish outreach since it uniquely leads to overall spiritual improvement.

The Push for Spreading the Teachings of Chabad

The Rebbe explained that while the Maggid of Mezritch had many students who received his teachings in different ways, the Alter Rebbe took them in a way that enabled broad dissemination. This established Chabad's unique approach to spreading these teachings widely.

The Rebbe indicated that this work of spreading the wellsprings has been completed, and we now need only prepare the world to welcome the moshiach.