On the שער בלעט of the Tanya it says that the book is based upon the verse of כי קרוב אליך מאד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו. Maybe a person can come close to Hashem in terms of בפיך ולעשותו but how can a person control their emotions to feel that closeness to Hashem and His Torah? There ware two basic approaches given in the book. The second is that naturally a Jew has an attachment and love for Hashem. One doesn't have to create these emotions, one must merely awaken that which is naturally in him/her. This is one of the major highlights of Chassidus to teach how Hashem is close to every Jew no matter what s/he does. The chiddush of the Tanya is that there shouldn't be just an awakening of one's feelings but that these feelings should be conveyed to one's brain. The feelings of a person should be so clear to him/her self that it is understood in a clear manner as well.
When Rav Levi Yitzchak came back from Mezeritch his father -in-law was quite upset as to why he was associating with the "new cult". But he gave him a chance and asked "what did you learn." Rav Levi Yitzchak responded that he learnt there is a god. His father-in-law said even the non-jewish maid knows there is a God, מאי קמ"ל? Rav Levi Yitzchak said she says there is a God, I know there is a God. Chassidis teaches there isn't just a God sitting up in the heavens laughing at us, we live with God! We are connected to God and our actions must reflect this.
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