Editing Rebbe (section)

=== Relationship of Hasidim to their rebbe ===
==== Rebbe as tzadik ====
According to [[Maimonides]],<ref>Tractate Yevamot of the [[Babylonian Talmud]] 49b–50a: "One whose merit surpasses his iniquity is a ''tzadik''". [[Mishneh Torah]], ''Sefer Madda'', Laws of [[repentance in Judaism|Repentance]] 3:1</ref> a tzadik is "one whose merit surpasses [his/her] iniquity", and every person can reach the level of a Tzadik. According to the [[Tanya (Judaism)|Tanya]], a tzadik has no evil inclination, and only a select few predestined to attain this level can attain it. According to [[Kabbalah]] (and particularly the Hasidic understanding of Kabbalah), the world is sustained on the "shoulders" of [[Tzadikim Nistarim]], divinely predestined exceptionally righteous people in a generation. Nobody knows who was such a tzaddik, even one of these exceptionally righteous people would not know that they are such a tzadik. These people are understood to have perfected their service of God to such an extent that they become literally and physically aware of God. These righteous people's perception (of both spiritual and physical, not to mention temporal matters) transcends the apparent boundaries of existence.

However, a Hasidic rebbe is generally said to be a righteous person, called a "[[tzaddik]]".<ref name=" Heilman"/> Furthermore, a rebbe is said to be able to affect divine providence, and a rebbe is said to be able to "see the future", or at least have strong insight into the life and trials of another.

As a result, Hasidim in some Hasidic circles seek their rebbe's advice for a variety of concerns: spiritual, physical, and even business concerns. Furthermore, many people seek the blessing ''([[Berakhah|bracha]])'' of a rebbe (and a Hasid will specifically seek the blessing of his rebbe) for anything, from minor (and all the more so major) physical troubles, to grand spiritual concerns.

==== Tzadik HaDor ====
In some movements the Hasidim believe that their rebbe is the "''tzadik hador''" ([[Tzadik#Tzaddik of the Generation|tzaddik of the generation]]) and would regard any thought that detracts from his perfection and holiness as heresy. Other sects lessen this idealization to some degree or another. Since many rebbes are sons-in-law or students of other rebbes, it makes sense that they would view themselves as subordinate to those other rebbes. Nonetheless, their Hasidim remain loyal to them because of their special loyalty, a family connection, or a belief that a specific ''[[tzaddik]]'' or Nasi HaDor (although others might have greater spiritual stature) connects best with one's soul. For example, the [[Kosov (Hasidic dynasty)|Kosover]] Rebbe makes yearly pilgrimages to the [[Tosh (Hasidic dynasty)|Tosher]] Rebbe. Nonetheless, his followers remain very loyal to him.

==== Rebbe as conduit ====
Unlike rabbis or non-Hasidic rebbes in other Jewish movements, [[Hasidic Judaism]] considers a "Hasidic rebbe" to be a conduit between Jews and God.<ref name=" Heilman" /> based on traditional Kabbalistic concepts and terminology, [[Hasidic philosophy]] bridged [[deveikut]], a Jewish concept referring to closeness to God, to the Hasidic rebbe, embodying and channeling the [[Ayin and Yesh|Divine flow]] of blessing to the world, because Creation is dependent on the continuous flow of Divine lifeforce, without which it would revert to nothingness.<ref>"God and the Zaddik as the two focal points of Hasidic worship" Ada Rapoport-Albert, in ''Essential Papers on Hasidism'', edited by Gershon Hundert, NYU Press, 1991</ref>

==== Hasidic followers of a rebbe ====
Given a rebbe's physical awareness of God and the rebbe's transcendent perception of Godliness, many Hasidim take special care to observe their rebbe's specific and sometimes minute practices. Even things that seem mundane may nonetheless be seen by Hasidim as incredibly significant. For example, [[Chabad|Lubavitch]]er Hasidim frequently shape their [[fedora]]s to match the way that the Lubavitcher Rebbe shaped his hat, which was more flat than many others. Many [[Skver]]er Hasidim (of the Skverer Rebbe in [[New Square]]) wear their [[peyos]] identical to those of the Skverer Rebbe.

While Hasidim do not always follow the specific practices of their rebbe, the rebbe can create practices that may be specific and unique to his Hasidim. For example, Rabbi Aaron Roth (''Reb Areleh'', as he was called) the first rebbe of [[Toldos Aharon|Shomer Emunim]], told his Hasidim to pause frequently while eating their meals to keep them from overindulging. A Hasid will usually display love and admiration for their rebbe as they would a close family member, if not more so. However, the degree and nature of this belief vary depending on the movement.