A Teaching of the Kotzker Rebbe

B"H

The Kotzker Rebbe Menachem Mendel Morgenstern (original name: Halprin) was an important chassidic Rabbi in Polish Chassidut. He lived from 1787 - 1859 and was a step towards the foundation of Chassidut Gur.

An important teaching of the Kotzker Rebbe was that none of his Chassidim was allowed searching for the truth outside the approved ways (Torah, Talmud, Midrash, Mussar, Maharal of Prag, etc.).

"Only G - d is truth in Himself; human beings can only be searchers for truth. And as they seek the nearness of G - d, they must be forever on guard, lest pride or egocentricity pervert the purity of their quest".

The Kotzker Chassidim were encouraged to examine their own conscience and the firmness of their faith by constant self - questioning. Those Chassidim who had doubts about the existence of G - d were told that they needed not to fear as long as they believed that without G - d, life was not worth living, they still were on - the - derech (orthodox).

The main goal of this concept was that someone searching seriously and enthusiastically for G - d would discover such deep religious aspects bringing him automatically closer to G - d. On the way of his search, he would find G - d and strengthen his faith even more than ever before.