This Sicha discusses what is Chassidus. We will use this as a forum to address many ideas related to this question.
Class 1. In Kedusha novelty must be deeply connected to the old. The Baal Shem Tov is no exception to this rule.
Class 2. The Baal Shem Tov came to wake people up from a condition of faint. SOME HISTORY. The events after Chmelminici. How the Nistarim attempted to fix them and how the Baal Shem Tov succeeded.
Class 3. The Baal Shem Tov’s plan (continued). Help Yidden materially and only afterwords spiritually.
Class 4. Calling a person to wake them from a faint. Life according to Torah is a combination of the physical (biological material) and the spiritual (soul).
Class 5. The hebrew name has a connection to the inner soul. Calling one’s name accesses the inner life of the soul.
Class 6. Human Souls vs. Angels why Angels don’t really have names. Calling Yisroel wakes the whole generation. General Soul.
Class 7. The spiritual (Soul) connection that exists between all Jews. It explains Ahavas Yisroel and Ulidavka Bo (connection to Tzaddikim).
Class 8. Chassidus- Yechida (Essence). It is for all Jews. The importance of spreading Chassidus.
Class 9. Two stories. 1) The Baal Shem Tov relates of his prior incarnation. 2) The stone at the base of the King’s crown.
Class 10. The Stone is the Essence. For it to be useful it needs form (a Body). This was the Baal Shem Tov’s creation.
Class 11. Bringing G-Dliness down in a lasting way.
Class 12. Two (basic) garments for Chassidus’ (form). 1. Torah (teaching) 2. Customs.
Class 13. First aspect of Chassidic custom. Emunas (faith in) Tzadikim. Introduction: understanding prophecy correctly.
Class 14. Emunas Tzadikim- Best way to bring the light of Chassidus to Chassidim is by a direct contact with the holy master.
Class 15. Cont. “Shirayim” and miracles are means by which tzadikkim made Hashem more real to ordinary people.
Class 16. Cont. Miracles. Chinuch of Chassidim emphasizes Hashem exclusively.
Class 17. Cont. Chassidic customs Chitzoniyus matters! The outer details of a Chassidic life has an incredible effect on “what really matters”.
Class 18. Teaching our children good character. It is difficult and has a real price. It’s the right thing to do!
Class 19. Truth. In Chassidic culture we never lie (and play with the minds of) to our children. This affects their faith.
Class 20. The philosophy of Chassidus- Achdus! Point one- The constancy of creation. Yesh Meayin (ex nihilo) must be constant. This means that G-d is (and must be) involved in the world. On another level this means that He cares!
Class 21. Point two- Hashgacha Pratis (Divine providence) according to the Baal Shem Tov is on all things and universal. The earlier opinions aren’t necessarily disagreeing with the Baal Shem Tov they’re discussing a different idea of Hashgacha.
Class 22. Point three- Tzimtzum Shelo Kipshuto. Achdus on the higher level the creation IS Hashem (the Creator).
Class 23. Point four- HaMaor Hu BiHisgalus. (A great chidush of the Alter Rebbe). Hashem Himself is not subject to the question of Tzimtzum at all. He’s revealed; known even to small children.
Class 24. Point five- Ladaas Ze haTinok, the advantage of being simple with Hashem, rather than (or in addition to) being mystical.
Class 25. The Yid. Part one. The Zohar vs. the Midrash, Who needs who? The religion needs the Yid (the practitioner) or yid needs Yiddishkeit?
Class 26. The Yid. Part two. After the Yid uses the Torah to attach him to his Creator, his higher source emerges. The Yid then attaches the Torah to Hashem. This is the third knot!
Class 27. Chassidus’ various components: 1) The teaching, 2) The customs, 3) Their application.
Class 28. From the top down or from the bottom up? Part One.
Class 29. From the top down or from the bottom up? Part Two.
Class 30. Chassidus is for everyone, as everyone has and needs access to his essence.
Class 31. Yafutzu Maayanosecha Chutza. Spreading Chassidus (its Fountain) to the outside hastens moshiach.
Class 32. The darker the Golus the deeper the faint, thus as we get closer to Moshiach chassidus is revealed more.
Class 33. Chassidus vs. Mussar. One fights the evil, then illuminates the darkness. There’s a strength in each.
Class 34. Chassidus vs. Mussar cont. It’s not so simple.
Class 35. Mussar is Torah and is divinely inspired; [Chassidus is another divinely inspired approach to Yiddishkeit].
Class 36. Which approach is more practical?
Class 37. Mussar focuses on individual midos (traits) and identifies what is good and what isn’t good. Chassidus involves a balance as demonstrated by Reb Hilel Paritcher’s story. Though there can’t be Chassidus without the struggle with evil, it is not allowed to define the person however.
Class 38. Chabad Chassidus’ (the Tanya’s) dealing with the Yetzer Hara and man’s limitations.
Class 39. Chabad Chassidus’ practicality.
Class 40. The Tanya.
Class 41. Conclusion of discussion Chassidus vs. Mussar.
Class 42. CHABAD Chassidus vs. CHAGAS Chassidus. Inside.
Class 43. CHABAD Chassidus divergence from the mainstream (CHAGAS) Chassidus by the Alter Rebbe. Some stories of how (and what) this occurred. What is different about CHABAD.
Class 44. Chabad Chassidus continued. The Alter Rebbe’s journey to his Rebbe and learning all about himself.
Class 45. The Alter Rebbe’s inner struggles. The creation of CHABAD. The sapling must be perfect for the mature tree to be viable and healthy.
Class 46. The Alter Rebbe’s defense of his position. The controversy with intellect (philosophy) being the key to the soul!!!
Class 47. Knowing Hashem: Rambam and the Alter Rebbe. Helps 1) to do the mitzva of knowing Hashem, 2) inspires the Mitzvos of Ahava (love) and Yira (fear), 3) The highest connection to Him is the mind!
Class 48. The mind is not only the key to the heart but the key to the Soul. Introduction to hisbonenus.
Class 49. The hardships of Chabad Chassidus 1) Knowledge isn’t easy, 2) Da’as (the knowledge must be real) is very difficult to attain.
Class 50. Daas, pnimiyus. What does depth really mean.
Class 51. Hisbonenus (1). Contemplation not meditation.
Class 52. Hisbonenus (2). The intellectual journey to the soul, dealing with spiritual barriers.
Class 53. Hisbonenus (3). Why it’s so difficult. The struggle (iskafia) must come before the peace and enlightenment (ishapecha).
