Chapter 5: The First Step in the Elucidation of a Subject

In explicating any subject, the interpretation must bear close relationship with the subject. Regardless of the effort expended in clarifying the subject with intelligible examples and parallels drawn from daily living, and presenting them lucidly, one cannot, and must not, create a barrier between the subject matter and its elucidation. Relevance of subject and illustration is indispensable, and only then is the explanation valid.

For example, the terms used by a carpenter or tailor in describing the qualities of their products must differ from those employed by a musician in interpreting his art; interpretations concerning astronomy will differ from those concerning medicine. Likewise, psychological explanations must differ in approach from those employed in theology. Each field has its individual style and fundamental premise.

Though Chabad Chasidus is intrinsically a profound and penetrating theology, the techniques involved in its study are the same as those employed in other profound studies.

The basic premise of Chasidus is that man's mission and the purpose of the soul's descent into the body, is the attainment of perfection in Divine service, in love and awe of G-d, and through proper conduct in social intercourse. These goals are to be achieved through meditation on and understanding of How abundant are Your works 1 and How great are Your works. 2 All this is well within the capabilities of every Jew, but only through the study of Torah and the observance of its commandments.

Every concept or idea, be it ever so profound and abstract, must arouse an emotion consonant with that concept, 3 and find some practical expression in daily life.

The practical effect resulting from the emotion, which itself was generated by the idea, validates the veracity of the concept. Since human comprehension proceeds from the later state to the earlier one (from comprehension to concept, 4development to nucleus, existence to character), 5 interpretation must therefore start with the effect. Then one may reasonably hope to comprehend the cause.