Q&A: What Is the Doctrine of Hasidism?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
What Is the Doctrine of Hasidism?
Question
I wanted to ask what the Rabbi thinks about Hasidism.
I heard on a podcast that the Rabbi said Hasidism is modern Christianity.
And another time I heard the Rabbi speak about the greatness of the author of the Tanya.
I’d be glad to know what the Rabbi’s view is on Hasidism, and on Chabad Hasidism in particular.
Answer
Most Hasidic books seem to me like utter nonsense. The conception of tzimtzum as not being literal is certainly meaningless nonsense. You didn’t hear me speak about the greatness of the author of the Tanya, because I have no idea about that. But in the Tanya I definitely found some useful ideas. As for the practical conduct of the various Hasidic groups, there is also a great deal to comment on, but this is not the place.