Rebbe, Role of; Rebbe-Chassid Relationship

There is fierce love in it, and unquestioning loyalty. There is passion, devotion, admiration, appreciation, awe, mentorship, care, concern, sacrifice...

The Rebbe describes the role of a Chabad leader in his own words.

A teaching about the dream of Joseph, invoking the Kabbalistic narrative of the shattered vessels, and using gender to recast the tzaddik's role in the universal hierarchy of the cosmos—with which R. Schneur Zalman’s chassidic path began.

The suicidal boy informed the Rebbe of his plans. The Rebbe listened, and tears began to course down his cheeks...

A fundamental principle of the Jewish faith is that there are no “intermediaries” between G‑d and His world; our relationship with Him is not facilitated by any third party. So what is the role of a rabbi, a rebbe—indeed, a Moses—in Judaism?

The unique relationship between a Rebbe and his followers stems from the unique soul-nature of the Jewish spiritual leader. Exploring this idea, we find clarity in the role of a Rebbe and insight into his life-changing influence. The chassid’s contributio...

On whose initiative were the spies sent? The way the story is told in Numbers 13, it was by divine command. But when Moses recounts these events 40 years later, he tells the people of Israel that it was their idea. The contradiction describes a watershed ...

After Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak's passing, it soon became clear that the great majority of chassidim were looking to Rabbi Menachem Mendel for leadership.