By the Grace of G‑d
7th of Adar, 5731 [March 4, 1971]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I am in receipt of your letter of Rosh Chodesh Adar, containing the good news that things are progressing satisfactorily. I trust you received my acknowledgment of your previous correspondence.

May G‑d grant the fulfillment of your heart's desires for good, especially that you should go from strength to strength, as you write.

In reply to the two points which you raise in your letter:

Regarding Chasidus [chassidism], it is not correct to say that it is a "supplementary aid" to the proper fulfillment of the Mitzvoth, for it is that element which permeates the fulfillment of all the Mitzvoth. For example, it is possible to fulfill a Mitzvo without any Kavono [intention] whatever; it is possible to fulfill a Mitzvo with the general Kavono of fulfilling G‑d's command; and it is possible to fulfill a Mitzvo with inspiration, enthusiasm and joy, as a deepfelt experience pervading one's entire being, although the Mitzvo is a part of one's being. By way of illustration: When taking chalo [the piece of every dough that is separated and consecrated, click here for more], one can be permeated with a great joyous feeling of dedicating the first part of the dough, even before partaking from it, to Kedusho [holiness], although in our time it cannot be given to a Kohen [priest], and must therefore be burned. At the same time, as explained in Chasidus (in Shaar Hayichud v'Haemunah), on the subject of the continuous renewal of Creation, one can realize that G‑dliness is the actual reality of all things, except that it was G‑d's Will that the spiritual should be hidden in a material frame. But the Jew, by the capacity of his intellect, Kavono and knowledge, can reveal the spiritual through the predominance of form over matter, the spiritual over the material, the soul over the body, until he can see with the eyes of his intellect how the material is being constantly brought into existence as in the Six Days of Creation. Permeated with this knowledge, he realizes that the first of everything should be dedicated to G‑d, and only then he can partake of all the things which G‑d has given him.

In the light of the above, one can appreciate that Chasidus is not something supplementary, but the very soul of the Mitzvo, or, as you also mention it, it creates a new dimension in the fulfillment of every Mitzvo.

In the above there is also a reply to those who claim that Chasidus looks askance on, or rejects, other Jews ח"ו [G‑d forbid]. This is not so, for basically the Jew who fulfills a Mitzvo even without any Kavono, and even without knowing the original source of the commandment in the Torah, is nevertheless fulfilling the Mitzvo, and has to make a Brocho [blessing] and so forth. Similarly, the woman who does not know the Posuk [verse] in the Torah which speaks of Chalo, and knows nothing of the deeper significance of the Mitzvo, etc., is also fulfilling the Mitzvo. On the other hand, it is indeed a very great pity if one does not try to learn and understand the deeper aspects of the Mitzvoth. For very often even a minor detail in a Mitzvo has profound significance and implication, and even in a small piece of dough taken as Chalo, there can be hidden a profound world outlook.

With regard to your other question, whether when talking to a person who knows nothing about Torah and Mitzvoth, one should bring in Chasidus too, or only discuss the immediate matters – it is self understood that if the person is capable of grasping the matter in the Chasidic way, there is the Mitzvo of V'Ohavto L'Reacho Komocho [love your fellow as yourself], to share a good thing with another person to the fullest extent. On the other hand, if that person is not yet capable of grasping the inner aspects of the Mitzvoth as explained in Chasidus, one can only talk to that person in basic terms and according to that person's level of understanding. This is what is meant by the verse, "Instruct the lad according to his way," as explained at length by the Moreh Nevuchim [the "Guide for the Perplexed, i.e., Maimonides], the true "guide" of all generations, namely the Rambam [Maimonides], in his Introduction to his Commentary on Mishnayos [the Mishnah]. For, just as it is necessary to teach a child gradually, in accordance with his grasp and capacity, so it is necessary to teach adults who are "children" insofar as knowledge and understanding is concerned.

Wishing you a happy and inspiring Purim,

With blessing,

M. Schneerson

P.S. I trust that you have seen my talk to Jewish women on the subject of Chalo. No doubt it is available in the library of the Seminary.