Excerpts From
Chasidism: Its Development, Theology, and Practice
"The distinctive quality of Chasidism is that one's natural
faculties are transformed into Godly faculties. Rabbi
Shneur Zalman of Liadi, author of the Tanya, expressed it
in the following way: The entire idea of Chasidism is to
transform the nature of one's character traits. This means
to change not only one's natural characteristics them-
selves, but also the very nature of one's character...."
"Above all, the Ba'al Shem Tov endeavored to instill the
quality of joy in Divine Service. Awareness of the proxim-
ity of God at all times and in every place, knowing that
God is the essence of goodness Whose benevolent provi-
dence extends to every individual and every detail of cre-
ation, and having the opportunity to serve the Creator in
so many ways in daily life must give rise to a feeling of
great joy in being alive and being a Jew."