Igrot Kodesh · Letter 519 — Foundations of Chassidic Faith

By the grace of Hashem,

6 Elul* 5709,

Dear Dr. Yosef Grutshendler,

I greet you and bless you,

The dear Rav Moshe Hecht showed me your letter in which you pose questions about Chassidus* and faith.

A) You ask how Chassidus* explains man's free will if Hashem knows everything in advance.

Here is the basic explanation of Chassidus*: Divine knowledge does not constrain man, for it exists outside of time. For Hashem, the past, present, and future are all identical. His knowledge of your future actions does not determine them any more than your past knowledge of a fact that has already occurred could alter it.

In other words: You know what you did yesterday. That knowledge did not force you to act that way. The same applies to Hashem and the future.

B) You ask whether one can find Hashem through reason alone.

Chassidus* answers that reason can lead up to a certain point, but it cannot reach the Essence of Hashem. This is the role of faith and the Mitzvos*, which enable man to establish a direct connection with Hashem, beyond reason.

C) You ask whether the fulfillment of Mitzvos* is sufficient without deep faith.

According to Chassidus*, both are necessary. Mitzvos* without faith are like a body without a soul. Likewise, faith without Mitzvos* lacks the practical dimension necessary to elevate it.

Wishing you to be inscribed and sealed for a good year, and with my blessings,

Rav Menachem Schneerson,