It is impossible to adequately thank all those who helped me in the development of this work. However, I must attempt to at least partially recognize those who helped turn the dream of an English introduction to Chasidus into a reality.
No words can express my feelings of gratitude to Rav Moshe Wolfson, shlit”a. Rav Wolfson’s Torah ideas have shaped my perspective on life, and despite a busy schedule the Mashgiach made time to review this book and encourage its publication. Rav Wolfson made many important corrections to the manuscript. I am deeply humbled that the Mashgiach invested so many hours in this project. All I can say is a prayer, “May Hashem bless him to see much nachas, Jewish joy, from his children and students for many years to come.”
Through Rav Wolfson’s synagogue, I met Rav Aharon Kovitz, Rav Leibish Lish, and Rav Efrayim Glassman, each of whom helped me with the content in this book.
I am most indebted to Yeshiva University and its leadership for all they have provided to me. Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm and Rabbi Zevulun Charlop deserve special praise for their efforts on behalf of Yeshiva and its students. They, together with Ms. Susan Wexner and Mrs. Bella Wexner, created the Harry and Bella Wexner Kollel Elyon. The Wexner Kollel was an intellectual home for me where I learned Torah from sages such as Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, and my father, Rabbi H. Reichman. In addition to Torah learning, the Wexner program provided classes in practical rabbinic skills, such as psychology, business practices, public speaking, and writing. Of all the instructors in the program, I owe a special debt to Professor Leslie Newman, the English writing coach. Professor Newman donated many hours of her time to refining this work.
When the Wexners were honored for their generosity in creating the Kollel, Mrs. Bella Wexner, of blessed memory, charged the students to provide her with some nachas. Mrs. Wexner is no longer alive, but I pray that the inspiration Jewish hearts will garner from this work will provide much nachas and merit to her everlasting soul.
In addition to training, Yeshiva provided me with the opportunity to teach the ideas that are in this book. I am most grateful to Rabbi M. Schmidman and Rabbi D. Rapp who first hired me to teach in the James Striar School of General Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. The students in my classes helped refine the concepts in these lessons and have served as a source of inspiration and intellectual challenge. I am also thankful to the other leaders of Yeshiva, especially our President, Richard Joel, and Rabbi Dr. Hillel Davis.
When I consider the great efforts the administrators of Yeshiva expend in developing this singular institution I am reminded of the traditional prayer for oskim be-tzarchei ha-tzibbur be-emunah, those who are faithfully involved in communal need, “May the Holy One provide them with their reward, and remove from them any illness, and heal their bodies, and forgive all their sins, and may He send blessing and success to all that they do.”
Traditionally, a matchmaker was paid when a match he proposed was settled. If the matchmaker proposed a bride to a young man but the couple did not end up marrying each other he would not receive a fee. Chasidim relate that the Divrei Chaim, Rabbi Chaim of Tzanz, would pay every matchmaker, even those who suggested matches for his children that did not work out. The Rebbe explained that in Heaven, before a child’s birth, God declares the identity of the individual the child will eventually marry as well as all the proposed mates for the child. To arrive at the correct spouse one must first pass through all the suggested partners. A matchmaker who suggests a coupling helps to bring the real match closer and therefore deserves remuneration.
In keeping with the tradition of the Divrei Chaim I thank the many individuals who helped develop this book at its various stages. I am most thankful to Rabbi Daniel Green, Rabbi Lavi Greenspan, Rabbi Rob Shur, Rabbi Feivel Smiles, Gavriel Bellino, David Sacks, Josh Marter, Yaakov Kaszemacher, Ezra Altman, and Emily Steinberg for their help.
I have the privilege to serve as the Rabbi of the East Hill Synagogue of Englewood, New Jersey. The people I have met at East Hill have changed my life and the life of my family for the better. I am especially thankful to all of the members of the shul for their encouragement, probing questions, and friendship. Many members of the shul helped with various aspects of producing this book. Specifically I must thank Mr. Daniel Straus, Dr. Ron Strobel, Mr. Brian Haim, Mr. Elliot Maza, Dr. Ron Krinik, Dr. Harvey Rice, Mr. Mordy Dicker, Dr. Henry Anhalt, Dr. Larry Shemen, Moshe Greif, Mrs. Jodi Scherl, Mrs. Carol Levy, Mrs. Pam Machefsky, and Mrs. Rochelle Weisberger. Finally, special thanks to Mrs. Ruth Frommer, East Hill’s capable administrator who helped type drafts of this book.
I am most grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Nader Bolour, Mr. and Mrs. Josef Bolour, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Weingarten, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Gontownik, and Mr. and Mrs. Drew Parker for their financial help during this book’s initial phases. Last, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Korman provided the bulk of the funding for this book and as such are equal partners in the Torah that will be learned from it. May your acts of chesed and Torah support serve as a merit to your family and an example for all to emulate.
This book was first published in 5764/2004. Ten years later, Rabbi Alec Goldstein, Kodesh Press, and Rabbi Chaim Laufer carefully reviewed and improved the text. I am most grateful to them for their efforts.
This year our community lost our dear friend Mr. Mendel Balk, ע״ה. Mr. Balk was an exceptional leader, a passionate builder of Yidishket, deeply devoted to his precious family, and a soulful friend to me. He was a prime supporter of many Torah initiatives. I hope and pray that the Torah studied from this new edition will be a merit נשמתו לעילוי.
No words of mine could ever begin to thank the Almighty for blessing me with a family and teachers who guide me to the path of Torah and Mitzvos. May it be His will that this book help us and the entire family of Israel reach higher levels of Torah learning, devotional prayer, acts of kindness, and love for fellow Jews.
Zev Reichman
Englewood, NJ
August, 2016