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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 20:35:51 -0500
Subject: A Response on My Views Of Chasidus

In response to my recent posting on Chasidus vs Mitnagduth, Rabbi
Menachem Schmidt, one of the Shlichim in Philadelphia wrote the
following.  I remarked to him that other people might be interested in
this clarification and he gave me his blessing to have it posted:

>>

You have expressed the classic misconception about chassidus. the Baal
Shem Tov did not intend chassidus for only those not versed in torah,
but for everyone. the gemorah states (the Rebbe N"A frequently qutoes
this) "that the temple was (also) destroyed because they didn't say a
blessing before learning torah" . the idea of being steeped in torah
knowledge also brings with it the perils of the ego and the thrill of
the intellectual gain, not necesarilly at the expense of one's
relationship with G-d, but , these features of learning don't always
enhance one's relationship with G-d. the Baal Shem Tov stressed the
importance of learning (and certainly the Alter Rebbe did also), but
with care that it should create a greater tie with G-d. an idea which
scholars did find offensive, and people mistakenly consider
anti-intellectual is: tzidkus is not guaranteed by being a scholar,and
that simple people can be very great spiritually.

Regards
Russell Jay Hendel; PH.d;ASA; rhendel @ mcs drexel edu