The necessity to learn Chassidus

(Tzemach Tzedek, the 3rd Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch)

In Derech Mitzvosecho, the Tzemach Tzedek differentiates between the opinion of those who list mitzvas ha’amanas Elokus (commandment of faith in G-d) among the 613 mitzvos and those who do not, deeming it a general principle, but nevertheless not a commandment.

People belonging to the second group, Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek explains, argue that one cannot command to believe in G-d, since first we must believe in G-d and only after can we make a choice to fulfill His Commandments. Secondly, existence of G-d is a self-evident fact, both from observation of the world and from our tradition based on evidence of the whole Jewish nation. Furthermore, using a deeper definition of faith, one cannot command to have feelings coming from knowledge of G-d’s existence and the fact that G-d is the source of all life, since once one has such knowledge, the feelings are automatic.

The counter-argument of the opinion that faith is indeed one of the commandments is that:

a) once a person is distracted, his natural feelings of love to G-d, due to above-mentioned knowledge of His being the source of the life, can dissipate; therefore, one must work on them constantly;

b) even though it is an easy task to know that G-d exists, it is incumbent upon every person to deepen that knowledge — which would include both philosophical proofs of G-d’s existence, which a person is commanded to study in detail, as well as kabbalistic and chassidic explanations of what G-d’s existence is and multiple levels within it;

c) even after having studied the above, we are still commanded to believe — with pure faith — about those aspects of G-dliness which are not accessible to the grasp of our intellect in a form of philosophical proofs. This refers to the Unity and transcendence of G-d, relationship of His Essence with His attributes (sefiros); the concepts of lack of change in His Unity and Simplicity, the reasons for His creation of the world, etc., etc. — all the concepts elucidated in detail in Chassidus.

We are required to believe in these concepts with faith, coming from the faith in tzaddikim and specifically our Rebbeim who revealed these concepts to us through ruach ha’koidesh, and we are required to study them in detail. This is all included in the mitzva of faith in G-d and knowledge of greatness of G-d.

More about the topic:

“Are Jews required by Halacha to study Chassidus?”
“Is everyone obligated to study Chassidus?”

You can start your study of the some of the above-mentioned topics by starting to learn:

Sha’ar HaYichud v’HaEmunoh (Gate of Unity and Faith), by Alter Rebbe
Sha’ar HaYichud (Gate of Unity), by Mitteler Rebbe, starting Ch. 7 and on
Ma’amorim of Frierdiker Rebbe
Likkutei Sichos by the Rebbe
Ma’amor Bosi LeGani by Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe
Ch. 20 of Iggeres HaKoidesh by Alter Rebbe