Conversations in Chassidus by Rabbi Shmuel Wagner sat down with Rabbi Gavriel Levin, a mashpia and maggid shiur at Mesivta Beis Sholom in Postville, Iowa, for a conversation about Chassidus, Tanya, and his approach to teaching bochurim.

Known for his engaging shiurim, practical examples, and strong connection with his talmidim, Rabbi Levin discussed a project he has been working on to collect Tanya’s answers to many of life’s questions. He also shared what he believes is the central point of Tanya and how this perspective can bring greater clarity to a person’s avodas Hashem.

“We’re not looking for goals. Our goal in life is not to have a goal.  Our goal in life is to present the service of Hashem right now. This goal that I have to have a title, I have to reach a certain level, that’s something which is foreign to us. If you want to ‘become a shliach,’ it’s the same as others want to ‘become a gadol.’ Or if someone says, ‘I made it in life, I’m a shliach,’ it’s the same thing.”

Rabbi Levin brings a mashal that his students could easily relate to.

“When I teach it, I always use an example from the game of whack-a-mole, where you keep knocking down the moles as they pop out. Lichoira, you can just pull the plug, and nothing will come out. But the goal isn’t that you should walk away and they’re all down, since then the game would be over. The whole game is to knock it down, and each knock is another ticket!”

Drawing on a practical and down-to-earth perspective, Rabbi Levin shared thoughts on his favorite concept in Tanya and how it can help a person develop a clearer and more meaningful approach to serving Hashem.

Conversations in Chassidus Episode 13, with Rabbi Gavriel Levin.

Watch it on YouTube, Spotify or 24Six.

Spotify