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<font size=3>At 02:20 PM 6/16/2015, R. Ben Waxman wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> From Rav Yehoshua Shapira
(my quick translation)<br><br>
The idea that Chassidut?s positive atmosphere isn?t obligatory is a <br>
serious mistake. Not only is it obligatory, but it brings with it more
<br>
obligations. Without emphasis on the Mitzvot of ahava and yirah, simcha
<br>
and deveikut (which are the soul of the 613 mitzvot) the mitzvot remain
<br>
external actions, technical, something which doesn?t affect or uplift
<br>
the heart and soul.<br><br>
Those doreitta mitzvot, which are the pinimiot of all mitzvoth, demand
<br>
from a person and from us to give their entire being when doing a <br>
mitzvah. . . .. In the performance of mitzvoth, God wants our hearts.
<br>
Therefore, Chassidut definitely demands deep dedication.<br><br>
</blockquote><br>
The following is from Rav Dr. Y. Breuer's Essay "Our Way"
that appears in the collection of Rav Breuer's essays titled A Unique
Perspective.<br><br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>One should not confuse
Chassidus with the so-called Chassidic<br>
movement that began in Poland in the 18th century. The latter met<br>
the needs of the Jewish masses who lived in terrible misery, and<br>
thus spread rapidly. Tefillah was projected into the foreground,<br>
from which flowed strength and faith in God; dances and songs<br>
induced enthusiasm and joyfulness; the stress on human and hu-<br>
mane qualities increased the self-respect of the impoverished.<br>
Thus, without a doubt, Chassidism saved these Jewish masses.<br>
However, the resulting frequent neglect of Torah study led to<br>
justified protest by Torah giants and caused a regrettable inner
rift,<br>
which was subsequently healed when a great Chassidic leader<br>
returned the study of Torah to its rightful central position.<br><br>
Genuine Chassidic Jewishness strives for Chassidus, which in<br>
itself is a lofty achievement on the ethical ladder which the Yehudi<br>
must attempt to climb. This is demonstrated for us by R. Pinchas<br>
ben Yair (Avodah Zarah 20b): Our highest duty is Torah and its<br>
study; this leads to carefulness which in turn leads to active
striving;<br>
to guiltlessness; to purity; to holiness; to modesty; to the fear of<br>
sin; and, finally, to Chassidus. Accordingly, a Chassid is a Jew who<br>
gives himself in limitless love to the Divine Will and its
realization,<br>
and to whom the welfare of his fellowmen constitutes the highest<br>
source of satisfaction (see Chorev, Ch. 14). Thus, in the Talmudic
era,<br>
the title “Chassid” was a mark of highest distinction — and this is<br>
what it should be today.<br><br>
The so-called Chassid who confines his Avodah to prayer does<br>
not deserve this title, as this “Avodah of the heart” does not call<br>
him to the Avodah of life where he must practice and apply the<br>
precepts of Chassidus.<br><br>
He does not deserve this title if he is particular regarding the<br>
kashrus of his food but fails to apply the precepts of
conscientiousness<br>
and honesty to his business dealings.<br>
He does not deserve this title if his social life is not permeated<br>
by love and deep interest in the welfare of his fellowmen; if he
does<br>
not shun quarreling, envy or even abominable
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3><i>lashon
harah</i></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>; if he does<br>
not earnestly strive to acquire those
<i>midos</i></font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=3>for which Rav Hirsch (in<br>
his Chorev) calls so eloquently.<br><br>
Certainly the mere exhibition of a certain type of clothing or the<br>
type of beard worn or even the adornment of long sideburns does<br>
not entitle the bearer to the title of honor—Chassid. These may be<br>
marks of distinction — but they must be earned to be deserved.<br>
Even study of the Zohar does not necessarily signify the attainment <br>
of Chassidus. If this were so, only a few chosen ones would<br>
be eligible.<br><br>
YL<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
llevine@stevens.edu</font></body>
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