A penetrating inquiry into the unique character of Chasidic philosophy, freely translated from a classic discourse by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. It explores the central meaning of Chasidic teaching and practice, and is not only an introduction to the subject but an integral part of Chasidic literature.
On the Essence of Chasidus analyzes a theme in Torah in light of the four traditional levels of interpretation - basic, allegoric, homiletic, amd mystical - and explains how Chasidic teaching illuminates each of them.
Scholarly in approach and richly annotated, it includes an extensive appendix and indexes