Hasidism brought spiritual news to all sections of the people: it uplifted the spirits of ordinary Jews and at the same time caused a revolution among the educated class.
The revival that the Baal Shem Tov brought about in the foundation of Hasidism is currently reaching its peak. Hasidic books are being snatched from the shelves. Hasidic ideas are spreading to all parts of the nation. The essence of Hasidism – sayings, melodies, and the like – is becoming the property of the many.
But here and there, there is still a perception that Hasidism is an 'emotional' matter, and that it is necessary for those who are not satisfied with intellectualism but also need 'emotion.' In a certain sense, this is a reincarnation of another misconception, which was established in the past, partly due to scholars who did not know how to get to the bottom of things. They believed that Hasidism was intended for ordinary Jews, who did not have the opportunity to learn, to give them the feeling that they too can be part of Jewish life.
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The genius who was drawn to Hasidism
These two concepts represent a superficial reference to the revolution wrought by Hasidism. There is no doubt that Hasidism saved the masses of the people, who were pushed to the margins. Among them were many Jews from the Land who did not find their place in the synagogues, and whom the scholars made no effort to bring closer to them. A process began to develop in which these Jews were pushed into the bosom of the Gentiles, with whom they found a common language.
The Baal Shem Tov worked to bring these simple Jews back into the fold of Judaism. He, his friends, and his disciples taught them that even the prayer of a simple Jew, said with a warm heart, was precious in the eyes of God. Chassidism gave meaning not only to the study of Torah, but also to the observance of the commandments of a simple person, to acts of charity and kindness, and to love for Israel.
All of this is true, but at that time, Hasidism was also causing a revolution among the learned class. It is enough to see who the Baal Shem Tov's students were to understand that not only ordinary Jews gathered around him. The Baal Shem Tov's students were all worldly geniuses, righteous men, who stood at the highest spiritual level. If they adhered to him, it was a sign that the Baal Shem Tov had given them something beyond lifting the spirits of ordinary Jews.
Rabbi Shneur-Zalman of Ladi, the author of the Tanya, founder of Chabad Hasidism, was not a simple, popular Jew. Even as a boy, he was known for his great genius, and as a young man, a group of highly qualified students gathered around him. What attracted him to Hasidism? It is clear, then, that Hasidism brought with it great spiritual news, both to scholars and to people of high rank.
Emotion alongside depth
By the same token, it is not correct to put Hasidism in the category of 'emotion.' Indeed, there is a lot of emotion, joy, enthusiasm, devotion, love, etc. in it, but no less than that, there is intelligence and conceptual depth in it. The teachings of Hasidism provide a more in-depth and in-depth look at all of Judaism. Its profound and wonderful explanations shed new light on every issue in the Torah, and give a different meaning to the life of the Torah and the mitzvot.
Hasidism is for every Jew. It illuminates his life and enables him to serve his Creator with a deeper understanding and with joy and enthusiasm. Let us therefore rejoice on the 19th of Kislev and wish one another the customary Hasidic blessing:
