6526 —התגברות על היסוס בלימוד חסידות וקבלת הנהגות חב"ד

B"H, 25 Tishrei, 5719. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the first day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos. You write that you are hesitant to accept upon yourself to be a Chabad chassid because it seems like a burdensome obligation—especially the study of Chassidus and so on. There are several answers to this, with the main ones being: (a) This is not a new obligation. Every day, each person accepts upon himself twice the yoke of Heaven and the yoke of mitzvos when reciting Krias Shema, as stated in the Mishnah (Berachos chapter 2, mishnah 2). The study of Chassidus is part of this yoke of mitzvos; once one accepts the general yoke, it naturally includes its details. (b) This yoke is not heavy because learning Chassidus—like all areas of Torah—is approached gradually from easy to more advanced levels. (c) As one continues in this learning and becomes more familiar with its depth and clarity, the desire to learn increases and there is pleasure in grasping these concepts; both factors transform what felt like an obligation into something one wants and enjoys.

It is well known that when our master the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya, first publicized his teachings—the teachings of Chabad—in the regions of Reisin and Lithuania, he passed through Shklov, then a stronghold of opposition to these teachings. He ascended the bimah in the great synagogue there and in his customary melodious voice recited the verse: Ta'amu u'Re'u ki tov Hashem ("Taste and see that Hashem is good"), then repeated in Yiddish: "Farzucht un zeht vi Hashem (may He be blessed) iz gut." Because his words came from the heart with fiery passion, they entered the hearts of listeners. As has been told from chassid to chassid through generations until our own time: "Tens of young men ran after him," who subsequently engaged in studying Chassidus and over time became pillars among chassidim.

Your additional concern—that by studying Chassidus you will not be able to concentrate as much on your philosophical inquiries—can be addressed by dedicating at least your free time (and at first this will suffice) for this study.

The reason I repeat several times about this study and its necessity is because each one of us is obligated in this conduct; as our Sages say regarding such matters: even up to one hundred times.

May it be G‑d's will that, as I wrote in my general letter for Rosh Hashanah this year, you will see any obstacles to what was discussed here for what they truly are—very minor—and that a firm decision along these lines has the power to nullify them completely.

With honor and blessing for good news in all mentioned above.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that accepting Chabad practices and learning Chassidus should not be seen as an extra burden but as part of one's daily commitment to Torah life. With gradual effort and growing understanding, initial hesitation transforms into genuine desire and joy.