CHASSIDUS

TEACHINGS OF JUDAISM FROM THE CHASSIDIC REBBES



The purpose of CHASSIDUS is to disseminate teachings concerning the Derech HaBaal Shem Tov (the way of the Baal Shem Tov or Chassidus). This is called the 'Way' of the Baal Shem Tov and not the 'Teachings' of the Baal Shem Tov because the emphasis is on what the Avodah [service of HaShem] of Chassidus is about, and not just esoteric teachings. This approach comes from a teaching from the Baal Shem Tov that appears in 'Betzunah DeNehora' the work of his grandson Rabbi Baruch of Mezbuz.

The Baal Shem Tov was asked "'Please tell us what is the main focus of Avodah (service of G-d)?' The Baal Shem Tov answered them, 'I have come to this world to show another way [other then self mortification]. A person should take upon himself these three things: Love of G-d, Love of his fellow Jew, and Love of the Torah, and he will have no need for self mortification.'"

All of the teachings of Chassidus, and the Chassidic way of life are based on these three things.

Each week we will explore four or five short teachings from the works of the Baal Shem Tov and/or some of the other Chassidic Rebbes, covering the period from the founder of Chassidus (the Baal Shem Tov) until the present day. Each teaching will be one that emphasizes an aspect of the Avodah of Chassidus. These teachings will be ones that are of use to every Jew no matter what his level of knowledge of Judaism is. On occasion a Chassidic story will be included, since one of the main methods of teaching practiced by the Baal Shem Tov and later rebbes was through stories that taught the Chassidic way of life.

Comments will be made in order to clarify these teachings when needed and to make them more accessible to those who have little or no background. (The translators personal comments or commentary will always appear between "[" and "]") Sources will be provided for those who wish to look them up in the original. It is hoped that everyone will find inspiration from at least one of the teachings each week.



All Material Copyright (c) by Moshe Shulman
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Issur Hasugas Givil



Those readers with questions should submit them to the moderator, and if they are of general interest they will be posted for all to see. Readers are STRONGLY encouraged to send their questions in to the moderator even if they will only receive a private response. Likewise those readers who have information from other Chassidic sources that might be of interest to the members of this group are encouraged to forward them to the moderator, and they will be posted to this list when applicable.



Any communication with regards to these teachings should be sent to the following: shiur@chassidus.net


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