At the project of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, “Beit Yoel” – a Dnipro Beit Chabad for Israelis living and studying in the city – another men’s lesson by the emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Yosef Nachshon, took place within the cycle of classes on the book of “Tanya.” This time, the participants continued their study of the fourth perek of the foundational work of Chabad Chassidus, focusing on the role of the emotions in a Jew’s spiritual life and their significance for the fulfillment of mitzvos.
The main theme of the gathering was the difference between understanding how one ought to act and the inner readiness to truly act that way. Rabbi Yosef Nachshon explained that intellectual awareness of the correctness of a particular action alone is not enough. A person may understand perfectly well what is required of them, but this knowledge does not yet mean that they will put it into practice. In order for understanding to become action, the emotions are necessary – those that impel a person to act in accordance with what they have grasped with their mind.
Special attention was given by the participants to the two principal emotions spoken of in the “Tanya” – love and fear of the Almighty. Love impels a Jew to strive for closeness with the Creator and to fulfill His will, while fear – which in Chassidic teaching is also understood as awe and reverence before the Almighty – helps a person become aware of responsibility for their deeds and refrain from transgressing His mitzvos. These two emotions do not contradict one another but complement one another, becoming the inner foundation of service to the Almighty.
Thus, the discussion about love and fear was devoted not to abstract feelings but to their practical embodiment in everyday life. The participants discussed why the study of Torah and the understanding of its requirements must be accompanied by inner work on oneself, and how the emotions help a person move from knowledge of the mitzvos to their actual fulfillment.
“One of the most important tasks of our lessons is to help young people understand that Jewish life is not limited to knowledge of the laws and traditions, for the Torah addresses not only the mind but also the heart of a person,” noted Rabbi Yaakov Dorfman, director of the “Beit Yoel” project. “When understanding is combined with sincere emotions, the fulfillment of mitzvos becomes a conscious inner need. We strive to ensure that the participants of our classes find in the teaching of Chassidus the strength for spiritual growth and feel the support of the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
