Jewish conversationsWhat does it mean to make the world a heavenly place?
Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk - the Kotzker Rebbe - was a #Hasidic #Jewish leader.
What book would you recommend as an accessible history of Hasidic Judaism that's 300 pages or less? I was thinking of picking up Contemporary Uses and Forms of Hasidut, ed. Shlomo Zuckier (Urim) for a look at newer, Modern Orthodox, and non-Orthodox ways of incorporating Hasidic Jewish ideas (#neoHasidic) but this is a massive book, 516 pages
Studying this week's parashah - Vayechi - with the Sefat Emet, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger. From "The language of truth" by Rabbi Arthur Green. I love this book! Some think of Hasidic thought as Orthodox, yet this book is used by Reform Jews, Jewish Renewal, Conservative Jews, Havurah movement, Trad-Egal, etc.
https://www.bjpa.org/content/upload/bjpa/zimm/Zimmern29f.pdf
#Chassidus #Torah #Parashah #Vayechi #Mazeldon #Bible #Genesis
#Chanukah is #spiritually drawing from above downward to illuminate the darkness; this is higher than the idea of haalaah, drawing from below to upward.
This is why Chanukah candles are lit after the sun sets, while the candles of the Beis Hamikdash were lit while it was still day.
While dealing with darkness is lower than dealing with light,
in terms of the service itself, hamshachah, illuminating the darkness, is higher.
Torah Or, Chanukah Maamarim
#Chassidus
When Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi came to Mezeritch, the Maggid told him in the name of the Baal Shem Tov that melody is one of the paths of Divine service according to the teachings of Chasidism.
- Sefer HaSichos 5702
The Baal Shem Tov taught
The entire Jewish people are one. This has a physical aspect (chomer) and spiritual aspect (tzurah). And just as the body needs the soul, so the soul needs the body. Therefore, [one in the category of tzurah] should not separate himself from [one in the category of chomer]; rather, one should bind himself to them and watch over them with a compassionate eye in order to return them to the ways of virtue.
- Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Kedoshim
A Jewish teaching on Ahavat Yisrael from the Baal Shem Tov
The Baal Shem Tov once said: "When a Jew sighs in compassion for the grief of another Jew, this breaks through even the most impenetrable barriers of those who denounce us Above. And when a Jew enthusiastically shares in another Jew's rejoicing and blesses him, then God receives it like the prayer of Rabbi Yishmael Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies"
- Sefer HaSichos 5703
A #Chassidic teaching of the Baal Shem Tov
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself," (Vayikra 19:18), is a reflection of the mitzvah, "You shall love the Lord, your God." For when one loves another Jew, one loves the Holy One. For [the soul of] a Jew is a "portion of God Above," and when one loves a fellow Jew, one loves his innermost essence. Thus, one loves the Holy One as well - HaYom Yom 78
Pesach Sommer offers thoughts on balancing an appreciation for academic knowledge with the importance of experiencing faith:
Experiencing #chassidus through #seforim and the academy
https://pesachsheini.blogspot.com/2018/04/mati-vlo-mati-experiencing-chassidus.html
I'm reading more chassidus these days. Why? I appreciate academic studies of Judaism. But when I read non-Orthodox #Torah commentary I usually only learn facts. In most cases, the authors do little to encourage one's Avodat Hashem or Yirat Shamayim, spiritual values which are the essence of a living faith. (There are exceptions, obviously, A. J. #Heschel, #ShaiHeld, etc.)
This quote explains the idea further
