Hiskashrus

In the personal life of a chassid, being connected to the Rebbe is more than affiliation or alliance. Hiskashrus, as this connection is called, is an encompassing ideal which influences the full scope of one’s psyche and deeds.129 The chassid sees hiskashrus as essential to maintaining one’s footing in avodas Hashem.130

The chassid aspires to the revelation of their neshamah, and the ability to live in a true consciousness of Achdus Hashem.131 The chassid wishes to live as a Jew through and through, with Yiddishkeit being the sole determining factor in every element of life. The chassid wishes to feel connected to G‑d, and to be able to apply this connection in wholesome ahavas Yisrael.

The chassid knows that the most effective way to accomplish this is to connect to their Rebbe. The chassid seeks to make themselves a “vessel” to their Rebbe’s influence and become a conduit to their Rebbe’s ideals. The more the chassid dedicates themselves to their Rebbe, the more attuned they will become to G‑dliness and their G‑dly mission.132 The greater the hiskashrus, the more meaningful and G‑dly the chassid’s life will be.133 The chassid is certain that living a life of hiskashrus is to their personal benefit, both physically and spiritually.134

Cultivating Hiskashrus

At this point in our discussion the question becomes: So, how is hiskashrus accomplished?

Establishing an encompassing and close relationship can be hard with someone on your own level. How does one bond with a Rebbe who is a G‑dly tzaddik well beyond your league?

It is said: “You can meet a Rebbe, but you can’t know a Rebbe.”135 A Rebbe’s inner world is pure G‑dliness with no inkling of yeshus, something completely beyond the average person’s frame of reference. Despite a chassid’s best efforts, they will never be able to truly understand their Rebbe or his inner world.

How does this Rebbe-chassid connection take form?

This is where it is important to reiterate that the bond between the Rebbe and any Jew is actually intrinsic. A chassid doesn’t become connected to the Rebbe; the chassid’s hiskashrus simply reveals their natural bond. When one considers the Rebbe’s role as the neshamah klalis, the encompassing soul, who dedicatedly tends to cultivating the neshamah within every Jew, one realizes that hiskashrus is just about revealing and solidifying what is already there.

On a general level, chassidim build their hiskashrus by the two following means:

1) Learning the Rebbe’s Teachings: A primary role of a Rebbe is being a teacher of Torah. A Rebbe invests his entire being in the teachings which he conveys to his students, giving the students a means to access the Rebbe’s core.136 When the students learn and understand these teachings, they not only internalize the messages conveyed; they also fuse with the Rebbe who revealed these teachings.137

On a more basic level, by learning the teachings of a Rebbe, one gains deep insight into the Rebbe’s ideals and perspective. ­Ultimately, the teachings of a successful teacher “rub off” on the students, and they gradually begin to think like their teacher thinks. Similarly, though studying their Rebbe’s teachings, the chassid begins to view life with their Rebbe’s perspective and adopt their Rebbe’s ideals as their own.

2) Following the Rebbe’s Instructions: Each Rebbe issues directives to his chassidim reflecting the mission of the time. In consideration of the ever-advancing process to prepare for Mashiach, every time has its primary field of focus. The Rebbe’s guidance can be directed to the general generation and chassidim as a whole, or it can be directed towards individual chassidim, privileged to receive instructions relating to their particular circumstances.138 Characteristically, the chassid makes every effort to fulfill the Rebbe’s instructions to the utmost extent possible.

Acting upon the Rebbe’s instruction causes a twofold reinforcement to hiskashrus:

1) The Rebbe-chassid relationship becomes experienced in day-to-day life and in tangible deed.

2) Unlike learning which is intellectually appreciated, practical directives may not always be understood. Rather than questioning: “Why? How much?” and so on, the chassid fulfills the Rebbe’s instructions with dedication and self-transcendence, affecting a powerful bittul.139

To explain: The empowerment a Rebbe bestows can be placed into two categories. First, the Rebbe uncovers the potential that each person is capable of. Second, the Rebbe empowers the person to transcend their limitations, enabling them to achieve what would otherwise be impossible.140

Therefore, a chassid is not deterred when the Rebbe’s instructions seem insurmountable. The chassid realizes that along with the directive comes the empowerment to fulfill it. One need only be battel and not challenge this influence, and what would seem in our eyes to be impossible can be attained in stride.141

The combination of studying the Rebbe’s teachings and fulfilling the Rebbe’s directives creates a wholesome sense of connection, where the person and their avodah are filled with the awareness that “I am not alone – my Rebbe is with me, assisting me in my efforts.”142

Additional Elements of Hiskashrus

Beyond these primary expressions of hiskashrus, there are a number of other means to further solidify the connection between chassid and Rebbe.

They include:

Visualizing the Rebbe: Chassidim typically have a picture of the Rebbe in their home and on their person. From time to time they will contemplate the face of the Rebbe, imagining themselves in his presence.143

Reciting the Rebbe’s Chapter of Tehillim: A tradition from the Alter Rebbe, received from the Baal Shem Tov, is that every person should recite the chapter of Tehillim corresponding to one’s age on a daily basis.144 In addition to reciting their ­personal ­chapter, chassidim have the practice of reciting the Rebbe’s chapter as well. This serves as a spiritual aid to boost personal internalization of the Rebbe’s ideals.145

Writing to the Rebbe: Throughout the Rebbe’s written correspondence, a recurring theme is the Rebbe’s request for people to stay in touch with him.146 The Rebbe continuously reminds people to keep him informed of their personal goings-on. Writing to the Rebbe should not be reserved for times of crisis. Instead, by keeping the Rebbe informed, one channels the Rebbe’s blessings in an increased manner, at times causing the crisis to be entirely avoided.147

Associating with Other Chassidim: Avodas Hashem is not a lone effort. When we connect with others around us and engage in strengthening ourselves in the ideals of Torah and Chassidus, we all become stronger. This is the central purpose of chassidic farbrengens.148 In terms of hiskashrus, by coming together with other chassidim, our personal bond to the Rebbe is strengthened as well.149

Seeking Advice According to the Rebbe’s Instructions: Chassidim were always known to consult with their Rebbe on all matters of importance. Which home to buy, which treatment to pursue, or how to handle any life situation were all forwarded to the Rebbeim throughout the ages.150

In the first several decades of the Rebbe’s leadership, the Rebbe gave a staggering amount of personal guidance to countless individuals. In the 1980s, the Rebbe somewhat scaled back this practice, saying that enough teachings are available, rendering such individual guidance no longer necessary.151 The Rebbe stated that the time had come that his intent could be clarified by utilizing several general guidelines:

In matters pertaining to health, one should consult an expert doctor.152 Ideally, this doctor should be a friend for whom the patient’s welfare is of personal concern.153 When possible, a second opinion should also be sought. If they disagree, a third opinion should be consulted, and the majority opinion followed.154

In financial matters, such as income and work, one should consult friends who have an understanding of the situation.155

In spiritual matters, one should seek the advice and direction of a Rav or mashpia.156

Shlichus

An advanced level of hiskashrus became accessible in our generation by the expansion of the Shlichus movement. The Rebbe appointed thousands of his chassidim as his personal emissaries to strengthen Yiddishkeit and care for every Jew around the globe. Furthermore, on a more general level, the Rebbe requested that every Jew see themselves as a Shliach.157

This phenomenon gives a tremendous boost to the Rebbe-­chassid connection. In addition to the chassid seeing hiskashrus as a personal avenue of spiritual advancement, hiskashrus becomes what the person is all about.

In halachah, there is discussion in regard to the principle of Shlichus, where an agent of the person acts on their behalf. The discussion revolves around the extent to which the agent becomes the representative of the sender. Does the sender merely gain the fruits of the agent’s labor, or do we view the relationship as implied by the Talmudic language of “shlucho shel adam - kemoso,”158 “the messenger of a person is equivalent to oneself.” Namely, that the Shliach’s ability to act, or even their very existence, becomes an extension of the sender?159

While on a halachic level this question is not completely resolved, nevertheless, when it comes to the thousands of men, women, and children which the Rebbe appointed as his Shluchim, he made it clear that they are empowered with the highest levels of fusion possible between the sender and messenger.160 Being a Shliach means that one’s day-to-day life is permeated by the ideals of the sender, the Rebbe, because in a sense that is the Shliach’s assumed identity.161

Hiskashrus between Rebbe and chassid is taken to the highest levels because the Rebbe’s presence becomes integrated ­within the Shliach’s identity.162 The Rebbe’s influence on the Shliach is encompassing and the Shliach acts with the unique abilities of the Rebbe, their sender.163 The power of the Rebbe to awaken souls is now entrusted into the hands of the Shliach, who extends the Rebbe’s presence to the furthest corners of the globe.164

The Rebbe and chassid are fused to the greatest degree possible.165