Machshava:

Ethics 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tanya

Description

P.74 in the commentary. The two praiseworthy characteristics of a ben aliyah (a person raising himself up spiritually). A single purpose, to dedicate onself to what Hashem wants "le'zorech gavohah" (what is needed above) - nothing is for the person himself, even spirituality. A person who is thirsting for Hashem goes to drink from the waters of Torah; that drinking, however, is for that person's sake [and is still a wonderful thing]. What is the Tanya's definition of a chassid? Completely dedicated to Hashem like a child who loves his parents more than himself and is willing to give up his life to save them. Every Jews, by nature, has a built-in, burning love for Hashem. This is deeply hidden, but expressed, for example, by all those [apparently unaffiliated] Jews, who were ready to die "al kiddush Hahsem," in order not to give up their Yiddishkeit.