The most obvious expression of an essence is in its lowest manifestations. Indeed, the Torah which is beyond even the highest of worlds is described as being the remedy for the lowest problems of the lowest world. (Chs. 18-19)

The Four Levels Come Together (Essence of Chassidus #10)

Nov 10th, 2020 24m 21s

The conclusion reached by each of the four levels of Torah interpretation is compatible with that of all the others. Furthermore, within each level we repeatedly see the theme of how the particulars are not in contradiction with the whole. (Chs

Uniting Two Aspects of G-dliness (Essence of Chassidus #9)

Nov 9th, 2020 23m 20s

We revisit the sod interpretation of Modeh Ani that souls are restored when Malchus unites with Yesod. How does chasidus explain this in a way that we can understand? (Ch. 15.)

Modeh Ani on Four Levels (Essence of Chassidus #6)

Nov 8th, 2020 26m 45s

The number of subjects dealt with in Torah is infinite. We will focus on the Modeh Ani prayer because of its foundational nature and use it as our example of how the four levels of Torah interpretation differ from one another as well as how cha

Resurrection and the Real Reason for Mitzvos (Essence of Chassidus #8)

Nov 8th, 2020 37m 1s

The remez interpretation of Modeh Ani is that it alludes to the Resurrection of the Dead that will occur in the times of Moshiach. How can we compare something as mundane as waking up each morning to something as monumental as the resurrection?

The Only True Life (Essence of Chassidus #7)

Nov 7th, 2020 30m 34s

The explanation of Modeh Ani according to chasidus is that nothing can defile the purity of a Jew's simple gratitude expressed in this prayer. The pshat explanation as illuminated by chasidus is that the only true life is a connection with Hash

Chasidus and the "PaRDeS"(Essence of Chassidus #5)

Nov 5th, 2020 25m 42s

Chasidus not only helps to explain ideas on the levels of pshat, remez, drush, and sod; it brings out a completely new vitality in all of these levels. (Ch. 8)

The Metaphor of Oil (Essence of Chassidus #4)

Nov 4th, 2020 26m 40s

The various innovations brought about by chasidus are but outer manifestations of its true essence, the concept of yechida. We use oil as a metaphor to describe the paradoxical nature of yechida and every essence—while it remains distinct from

Chasidus and Moshiach (Essence of Chassidus #3)

Nov 3rd, 2020 32m 28s

To better understand the essence of Chasidus, we need to first understand the essence of Moshiach. The end of exile, the proliferation of G-dly knowledge, the change in the natural order, and even the revelation of eternality within time are al

Torah and Infinity (Essence of Chassidus #2)

Nov 2nd, 2020 34m 45s

The four proposed definitions of chasidus (ch. 1) are all just particular manifestations of the essence of chasidus, but they do not capture the essence of chasidus which is infinite. Similarly, all good and truth that may be found in any manma

Four Definitions (Essence of Chassidus #1)

Nov 1st, 2020 31m 56s

What is chasidus and what was its chief innovation? We look at four possible answers: 1) Chasidus saved the world from spiritual crisis; 2) Chasidus is an ethical system for going beyond the letter of the law; 3) Chasidus is a system for transf

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