The previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, once recounted the following story about his father, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Dovber Schneersohn:
In the summer of 5668 (1908), my father visited the spas of Marienbad. Holidaying there too was one of the elder respected figures of the Enlightenment movement. He visited my father and asked him a philosophical question. My father answered him, and explained the concept as it is elucidated in Chassidic thought.
When this gentleman heard this elucidation, he was extremely pleased with the explanation and replied:
“Is this Chassidus?! This is a deep thought process; what then is the difference between philosophy and Chassidic thought?”
My father, the Rebbe, answered:
“My brother, Rabbi Zalman Aharon, once answered someone about this same question. He replied, that the difference is as follows: When one studies philosophy, they eventually remove their tzitzis and their hat. However, when one studies Chassidus, eventually they begin wearing a gartel and a yarmulke.”
The Rebbe continued:
“His words are indeed correct. For everything is dependent on one’s approach to study. In general, when one studies philosophy it is because they are cynical and cold, desiring to throw off the yoke of Heaven. However, when Chassidus is studied, it is done with the warmth of faith, subservience to G-d and fear of Heaven.
(Igros Kodesh, Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Vol. 4 Pg. 166)
