Chassidus Explained

Continuing in the מאמר, we take this conversation to the next level: Why does Hashem care about our מצות? The רבי's חידוש in the answer gives us an appreciation for the value in our עבודה. With this new perspective, we uncover not only how the other תנאים could connect to רשב"י, but why רשב"י would want to connect to them as well!

What made רשב"י incomparably greater than all the other תנאים? Through delving into the difference within תורה between נגלה - the revealed sections - and נסתר - the hidden sections - we appreciate the unique quality of רשב"י.

As we begin this מאמר to understand the greatness of רשב"י, we delve into a thorough discussion of the topic of praising Hashem in Davening: Why do we need to praise Hashem? Is it for us, or for Hashem?

As we conclude the מאמר, the רבי uncovers a fundamental חידוש in the way we view the צמצום: Not only is it for the eventual purpose of a גילוי, our עבודה is to uncover how the entire צמצום itself is for the exact purpose of being uncovered and for us humans to experience Hashem within it! By living this two-tiered עבודה of staunch commitment (נצח) to serving Hashem notwithstanding the צמצום, as we...

Continuing with our explanation of נצח, we understand how it endures the darkest concealments of גלות, as well as why it is the necessary preparation for the experiences of משיח being a מלך. We then begin a thorough treatment of the צמצום, understanding the effect of the צמצום on the אור הבלי גבול, as well as on the אור הגבול.

As we begin this מאמר for אחרון של פסח, we delve into משיח's positions as a teacher and as a king, and how it pertains to our preparatory עבודה now in גלות by expressing our מדה of נצחון; steadfast commitment to תורה and מצות in a logic-defying manner.

In honor of the סיום ספר תורה taking place in Congregation Ohel Nosson in Crown Heights, we learn the historical מאמר that the רבי said on ט שבט in the year 5730 (1970) in honor of the סיום of the special ספר תורה began by the פריערדיקער רבי in 5702 (1942) with which to greet משיח. After a brief overview of the history of the ספר תורה and the מאמר, we begin the מאמר inside, but discuss most of the...

Finishing the מאמר, the רבי connects our discussion with a פסוק in פרשת כי תשא, where משה asks Hashem for "חן". We end up with a deep appreciation for the value of our עבודה, and how it accomplishes more than what was originally set up within the process of the world.

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי shows us how this power of כתית למאור and consistently fulfilling Hashem's Will is rooted in our connection to the משה רבינו within every generation and within ourselves. It is this staunch commitment to תורה and מצות with מסירות נפש that enables us to bring out a deeper connection to the תורה than by מתן תורה itself!

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי explains the necessity, and the benefits, of living a life of מסירות נפש. That is correct, living. Because, as we explain in the שיעור, the רבי is speaking to a generation that is not necessarily required to die with מסירות נפש, but is absolutely required to live with it. What dies it mean to live with מסירות נפש? What is the litmus test that you are serving Hashem...

The רבי explains the historic מאמר of the פריערדיקער רבי from 51 years prior, in the year 5687 (1927). In this שיעור, we explore the history of the מאמר, and begin the explanation of how the מסירות נפש of the אידן in the times of מרדכי effected what even מתן תורה could not! As the רבי explains, the "כתית" that leads to the "מאור" - the oppression that leads one to uncover their essence - does not...

Finishing פרק י"ד, the פריערדיקער רבי explains this phenomenon of the אור extending itself into even the lowest of levels and yet retaining its essence of being אין סוף. We explore this identity of "אור אין סוף", as well as the contrast of אור and כח, and the example of the light shining through the colored glass, as illuminated by the רבי in תשכ"ד. The punchline of this פרק is - being that this א...

In this שיעור, we begin פרק י"ד of the פריערדיקער רבי's המשך, with the explanations of the רבי from באתי לגני תשכ"ד.The theme of this פרק is how Hashem gives life to everything in this world, from the highest of creations to the lowest. As the רבי further explains, this includes even the deepest forms of קליפות, and even man-made situations of negativity. Hashem is everywhere, giving energy to eve...

As we finish the מאמר, the רבי explains the difference between the closeness of "אור" and the distance of "שם". However, it is specifically in the concealment of שם where the Essence of Hashem is available, and our עבודה of revealing it is accomplished. That is the עבודה of באתי לגני - creating the connection from within the separation!

Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי merges the discussion of פרק יג - last year's פרק - with פרק יד - this year's פרק: After showing how lowly and dark this world is, we appreciate the power of אור אין סוף in that Hashem's Infinite Light is (not only here but) relatable even within this physical world! How? The רבי delves into the fundamental סוגיא in חסידות, exploring the various descriptions used fo...

We begin באתי לגני of the year 5744 (1984), in which the רבי is learning and explaining פרק י"ד of the פריערדיקער רבי's המשך. The theme of this פרק is how Hashem's Light is recognizable even within the lowest level of concealment, due to its Infinite Nature. The רבי begins by taking us through the process of Hashem removing His Light in the beginning of creation, especially through our sins, speci...

Wrapping up the מאמר, we now have the two perspectives of learning תורה - serving Hashem with intellect and delight, and doing מצות - serving Hashem with submission and selflessness. The רבי ties it in with the well-known מחלוקת in the גמרא about which is greater: תלמוד or מעשה? Although the גמרא answers that תלמוד is greater, when משיח comes, מעשה will be greater. As the רבי explains, this expres...

As we begin this מאמר, the רבי delves into the עבודות represented by יהודה and יוסף, respectively: Learning תורה - represented by יוסף - is an experience of logic, and of delight. Contrarily, doing מצות - represented by יהודה - is an experience of submissive, 'dry', and rigid קבלת עול. These are the two polar perspectives we have within our connection to Hashem.

Wrapping up this מאמר, the רבי explains the holistic יחידה approach to peace: When we an uncover the core energy within everything in this world - its constant connection to Hashem and its willingness to be refined and used for Hashem - then we can have the advantages of מלמעלה למטה and מלמטה למעלה together! This happens when we awaken our יחידה, which happens when we express ביטול to Hashem, seei...

The רבי continues to explain the two levels of peace within "פדה ב שלום" and "ושבתי ב שלום": There is one level of peace focusing on getting rid of the enemy, and another level of peace focusing on transforming the enemy. We go into examples of this, both interpersonal and intrapersonal. Heading into the main חידוש of the מאמר, the רבי says that the ultimate completion of the peace is where the tw...

So what is יחידה, and how does it work? Continuing in the מאמר, the רבי offers us a glimpse into a life-changing core energy and how to trigger it. We then segue into an explanation of the two-tiered peace alluded to in the פסוק of "ושבתי בשלום".

As we begin this מאמר, the רבי quotes the paradox of the words "פדה בשלום" - to peace, or not to peace? The explanation of the earlier מאמרים is, although usually Davening is an עבודה of war; of investing oneself into an intimate conversation with the נפש הבהמית, if it is done with the power of יחידה, there is but one guaranteed outcome - victory!

What is the importance of the "higher" כתר coming and infusing the "lower" מוחין and מדות? Is it only that the "higher" receives from giving to the "lower"? Or is it, as the רבי makes us aware, because in the perspective of Hashem's Essence there is no "higher" and "lower"? This is the newfound appreciation of עצם: An עבודה of ביטול, of rejecting all perspectives - even spiritual ones - of self an...

Continuing in the מאמר, the Rebbe explains the power of כתר, as the זהר says, "כללא דכולא", "encompassing everything". כתר is not an abstract energy, it is rather the energy within every tangible and concrete experience of intellect and emotion ("20" and "7"). As the זהר continues, this is the idea of making 100 daily ברכות. A ברכה is the formula of our entire עבודה in this world, which the רבי ex...

Why do we need to know about שרה's life span? How is this opening פסוק - like every פסוק in תורה - a lesson and an empowerment for every Yid? The רבי quotes the זהר, as explained by the generations of רביים before him, which guides us through סדר השתלשלות, and seeing it reflected in the פסוק's description of שרה's life. As we tour our inner psyche, we see how שרה's life is a guide for us to live a...