In addition to the Ahavat Yisrael, love of one’s fellow Jew, that Chassidut instilled, Chassidut gave birth to a new concept — Ahavat Chassidim, love among Chassidim. Chassidim were distinguished by the deep love that existed between them. Love among Chassidim was like the love of brothers.
It is told of one of the early Chassidim, who wanted to describe the great love between two brothers in his city. He expressed that their love was like the love Chassidim have for one another.
In fact, the Baal Shem Tov instilled this love among his disciples. Each disciple was expected to acquire a good friend. Even among the simplest Jews, the Baal Shem Tov planted the trait of Ahavat Yisrael — to only look upon others with a favorable eye.
The Baal Shem Tov said: “We cannot imagine the greatness of the act of loving one’s fellow. Friends who arouse great compassion for their companion or peer in times of distress tear up a decree of seventy years. They transform a curse into a blessing, and death into long life.”
“My Bread — Is Yours”
In the text HaYom Yom, it is stated: “The ways of Chassidut are that all Chassidim should be as one family, according to Torah, in love.”
The Alter Rebbe writes in one of his letters: “Therefore, my beloved friends, please exert all your heart and soul to instill love of one’s fellow in one’s heart.”
The Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek said regarding this: “Whoever instills love of his fellow in his heart becomes the beloved friend of the Alter Rebbe.”
The Alter Rebbe dedicated himself to ensuring that Chassidim would be truly like one family: “Each person should seek the welfare of his friend in livelihood, and every assistance extended to others should be with great love and affection.” He educated the Chassidim to always act with love and brotherhood, like a single body in which each part differs from the others in essence and function, yet all are connected and help one another. Only then is the body healthy and capable of functioning as a complete person.
A Natural Love
Among the elder Chassidim, there was a common saying: “Your love for yourself should be as your love for your fellow.”
The Chassidim of the Alter Rebbe would say: “The bread I have — it is yours just as it is mine.” They would even put “yours” before “mine.” The Rebbe Rashab said: “Love of one’s fellow among Chassidim is natural — not an acquired nature but an innate nature. A Chassid who lacks this is flawed, like someone born missing a hand or a leg.”
It is also told about the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek that when he traveled to the famous Rabbinical assembly in Petersburg, the gaon Rabbi Yitzchak of Volozhin asked him: “How did you put yourself in danger? What would have happened to the community?” (The Rebbe was then in great danger due to his sharp and forceful statements before government ministers on matters of religion.) The Rebbe answered: “First, I have sons. Second, the unity of the Chassidim will lead them until the coming of our righteous Moshiach.”
Adapted from Rabbi Menachem Brod, Sichat HaShevua
