For young readers (and older ones too!)
The Baal Shem Tov was the founder of Chassidus. He taught people to serve HaShem with a sincere heart like the shepherd boy did. His students spread Chassidus to many Jews, teaching them that a Jew should serve HaShem with his heart.
The Baal Shem Tov’s leading student was the Maggid of Mezeritch. One of the many people who came to study with him was the Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe spread Chassidus throughout Russia. When the Russian government saw that many people were following his teachings, they arrested him. On Yud-Tes Kislev he was released, and this date became the Rosh HaShanah of Chassidus. From this day onward, the Alter Rebbe began spreading Chassidus even more than before.
The Alter Rebbe called himself the grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. “I am his student’s student,” the Alter Rebbe said, “so I am like his spiritual grandchild. I am continuing his teachings.”
But wait a minute, this seems to be a contradiction. The Baal Shem Tov taught that a Jew must serve HaShem with his heart. But we know that the Alter Rebbe called his own teachings, Chabad which stands for Chochmah, Binah and Daas wisdom, understanding and knowledge. These are all things we do with our mind, not our heart. So how could the Alter Rebbe say that he is continuing the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings? The Baal Shem Tov stressed the heart, and the Alter Rebbe stressed the mind.
Actually, there is no contradiction. The Baal Shem Tov was talking about a Jew’s love for HaShem that comes from deep inside. This is what the connection between a Jew and HaShem is all about.
But in the hustle bustle of our everyday lives, we don’t always feel this love. The Alter Rebbe teaches us that we shouldn’t only wait for special times to make us feel this love for HaShem. We can bring out this out every day.
How? By studying the Chabad Chassidus the Alter Rebbe taught. These teachings allow us to understand many deep things about HaShem and about our neshamos. When we study this, our minds will understand and this will make our hearts feel.
(Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. IV, Chai Elul)
