Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, known to chassidim as the Alter Rebbe, had two classes of chassidim. While both pursued intellectual understanding of G-d and service of the heart, there were nevertheless differences.[1]
Two chassidim exemplified these two strains of students—Reb Isaac, who was the rabbi of Homel and was known for his brilliance and the Chassid, Reb Zalman Zezmer.
Reb Isaac used intellect as his starting point and eventually arrived at emotional service, but Reb Zalman commenced with emotional service.
Because intellect is cold and emotions are warm, there is significant difference between these two modalities of service of G-d.
When the intellectual serves G-d, even his emotions are imbued with the coldness of his mind. On the other hand, when the emotional person contemplates about G-d, it too is saturated with the warmth of the heart.
Both the mind and the heart are important—and for a person to serve G-d, neither should be ignored. Whether we are intellectually bent, or emotionally bent, we must infuse our hearts with intellect and our intellect with feeling.
[1] Sefer HaMa-amorim, 5709, Pg. 143
