On Hasidism
By Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
The following is an extract from a letter written by the Rav to Rabbi
Moshe Dov Baer Rivkin (1895-1976), a rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva Torah
Vodaath in New York City for many decades and a prominent Lubavitcher
hasid. It was translated from the Hebrew by Rabbi Yair Kahn.
Erev Rosh ha-Shana, 5715
[Sunday, September 28, 1955]
. . . I possess a special fondness for the Lubavitch movement. As I speak, I recall the visions of my youth, paved with the pure impressions of childhood, enveloped by romantic splendor. Patriarchal images still hover before me, crowned with ancient glory. Behold, the likeness of my mentor, R. Barukh Ya'akov Reisberg, z"l, appear to me. I can still picture his facial expression, which radiated both solemnity and intelligence, as well as sweep and imagination. To this day, I hear his voice in the silence of the twilight, sad, saturated with sorrow and longing, his words emerging from the distance – words full of passion and fascination regarding his stay in Lubavitch during his youth. I still carry in the recesses of my soul, the image of the Alter Rebbe which gazed upon us, (tinokot shel beit rabban) from the whitewashed walls of the heder, a broad forehead, commanding intelligence, deep eyes gazing at Divine infinite distances, fastened upon wondrous visions. The beard which flowed upon his garments enchanted us with its majesty and mystery. My eyes still perceive the portrait of the Tzemah Tzedek, robed in white, who in our childhood fantasy appeared to us as the high priest exiting the Holy of Holies. My ears still detect strange sounds, both pleasant and appealing, detached phrases and scattered words uttered by the "hozrim" by dim candlelight during the long winter nights, referring to "all-encompassing lights" and "returning lights," concealment and revelation, internal love and the soul of Israel hewn from the celestial throne. As I continue to dream, I see the image of elderly Hasidim on the night of Shemini Atzeret, dancing around my father and teacher of blessed memory in a quick rhythmic beat. Images such as these will not be erased from my heart; they are deeply rooted in the mystery of my being. Therefore, all that is written regarding this great movement is of enormous interest to me…
("Community, Covenant and Commitment: Selected Letters and Communications- Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik", edited by Nathaniel Helfgot, Ktav Publishing House , NY 2005. Pp 289-90)
(Hat Tip to Rabbi Aryeh Solomon for sending this to me)
(See the website here for articles and videos of the time when these two giants met at the Rebbe's farbrengen)