Chapter Eleven

One who is acquainted with the history and life of the Jews in Russia, Poland and Vohlyn in those days, knows of the pure religious sincerity that shone so brightly in the Jewish home. Everything connected with Shabbat observance and the practice of precepts-not to mention such matters as faith in G-d, and love for the Torah and its mitzvot-was practiced by them with great warmth and with an absolutely selfless devotion.

It is not surprising, therefore, that as soon as the doctrines of Chabad Chasidus were publicized, its students and exponents-those noted Chasidim-exercised a great influence even on those whose intelligence could not grasp the Chasidic philosophy, but who became attached to practical Chasidus-the domination of spirit over matter-with all their heart, soul and being, and with utter self-sacrifice.

This selfless devotion of the Chasidim to Chasidus effected-not merely among the Chasidim of heart and intellect, but even among the practical Chasidim-the emergence of new features in their character, with an inner glow and vitality, which they passed on to their children from generation to generation.

The Chasidic community grew and struck roots among a broad cross-section of our people, and forty years after the Alter Rebbe founded Chabad Chasidus (5534-5574; 1774-1814), his son, DovBer, the Mitteler Rebbe, wrote Chasidic discourses in the spoken language-Yiddish.