Editing Chabad (section)

== Philosophy ==
{{Main|Chabad philosophy}}
Chabad Hasidic philosophy focuses on religious and spiritual concepts such as God, the soul, and the meaning of the Jewish commandments. Classical Judaic writings and Jewish mysticism, especially the [[Zohar]] and the [[Kabbalah]] of Rabbi [[Isaac Luria]], are frequently cited in Chabad works. These texts are used both as sources of Chabad teachings and as material requiring interpretation by Chabad authors. Many of these teachings discuss what is commonly referred to as bringing "heaven down to earth", i.e. making the Earth a dwelling place for God. Chabad philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Rabbis [[Yisroel ben Eliezer]], (the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism) and [[Magid of Mezritch|Dovber ben Avraham]], the "Maggid of Mezritch" (Rabbi Yisroel's successor).{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

[[Shneur Zalman of Liadi|Rabbi Shneur Zalman]]'s teachings, particularly in the {{transliteration|he|[[Tanya (Judaism)|Tanya]]}}, formed the basis of Chabad philosophy, as expanded by succeeding generations. Many Chabad activities today are understood as applications of Shneur Zalman's teachings.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

=== {{transliteration|he|Tanya}} ===
{{Main|Tanya (Judaism)}}
The {{transliteration|he|Tanya}} ({{Lang|he|תניא}}) is a book by Rabbi Shneur Zalman first published in 1797. It is the first schematic treatment of [[Hasidic philosophy|Hasidic moral philosophy]] and its metaphysical foundations.<ref name="sacks" />

According to the {{transliteration|he|Tanya}}, the intellect consists of three interconnected processes: {{transliteration|he|Chochma}} (wisdom), {{transliteration|he|Bina}} (understanding), and {{transliteration|he|Da'at}} (knowledge). While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that "God desires the heart," Shneur Zalman argued that God also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad philosophy, he elevated the mind above the heart, arguing that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for God".<ref>''Tanya'', Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Chapter 13.</ref>

The {{transliteration|he|Tanya}} has five sections. The original name of the first section is {{transliteration|he|Sefer Shel Beinonim}}, the "Book of the Intermediates". It is also known as {{transliteration|he|Likutei Amarim}} ("Collected Sayings"). {{transliteration|he|Sefer Shel Beinonim}} analyzes the inner struggle of the individual and the path to resolution. Citing the biblical verse "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do",<ref>{{bibleverse|Deuteronomy|30:14|HE}}</ref> the philosophy is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by two different inclinations, the good and the bad.<ref name="sacks tanya">''The Encyclopedia of Hasidism'', "Tanya", Jonathan Sacks, pp. 475–477 (15682–11236)</ref>

Chabad often contrasted itself with what is termed the {{transliteration|he|[[Chagat]]}} schools of Hasidism.{{efn|{{transliteration|he|Chagat}} is an acronym for {{transliteration|he|Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet}} (kindness, severity, beauty), the Kabbalistic terms for the three primary emotions. Schools of Hasidic thought stressing emotive patterns of worship have been termed {{transliteration|he|Chagat}} in the Chabad philosophy.}} While all schools of Hasidism put a central focus on the emotions, {{transliteration|he|Chagat}} saw emotions as a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Shneur Zalman, on the other hand, taught that the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be [[Torah]] study and prayer rather than [[Western esotericism|esotericism]] and song.<ref name="sacks" /> As a Talmudist, Shneur Zalman endeavored to place Kabbalah and Hasidism on a rational basis. In {{transliteration|he|Tanya}}, he defines his approach as {{transliteration|he|moach shalit al halev}} ([[Hebrew]]: {{Lang|he|מוח שליט על הלב}}, "the brain ruling the heart").<ref>''Tanya'', ch. 12</ref>