Translator's Foreword

Some Aspects of Chabad Chasidism is published here for the first time in English. It has been previously published in Hebrew, Yiddish and German It is a translation of a letter written some time ago1 by the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn [of sainted memory], to one of his noted correspondents, in reply to a query: Would the study of Chabad Chasidus bring practical results to that type of intellectual Jew who, though previously estranged from Judaism, has become conscious of a desire to return to his people and to learn something of his spiritual heritage.

In view of the fact that Chabad, meaning wisdom, understanding and knowledge, claims to be an intellectual study of Judaism, the correspondent in question asked how the study of Chabad could best serve this type of intellectual Jew.

For the sake of the layman, the translation of the letter above referred to, has in many instances been simplified, with the author's permission, so as to make it not too difficult for the novice to understand.

Nissan Mindel