Mashpia


Mashpia lit. "person of influence", pl. Mashpi'im is the title of a Hasidic rabbi who serves as a spiritual mentor, whose main influence and teachings are in matters of the worship of God, the correction of virtues and spiritual elevation.
The source of the title is in the Lubavitcher Chassidus, in which the teachers of Chasidic teachings are referred to as Mashpia.
The general Hasidic public adopted this name around the year 2000 for rabbis who do not serve as congregational rabbis, and give shiurim in Hasidut and in the service of God. Some of the influencers began to lead communities, some as an alternative to Hasidic groups and some in parallel.
In addition, the title Mashpia is used for Mashgichim in Hasidic yeshivas, whose role is in the spiritual guidance of the young men, rather than supervision of their attendance during learning hours.
This title is nowadays commonly used in Breslov hasidic movements, who have no rebbe. Previously, the subjects of this position were referred to as "community rabbis".

Mashpia in Chabad

The mashpia in Chabad-Lubavitch refers specifically to one whose communal service as a spiritual mentor includes providing:
The nature of the mashpia's role is alluded to in the preface to the Tanya, the classic text of Hasidic philosophy written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. It is discussed in numerous public talks delivered by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. In particular, he instructed that one should approach one's mashpia regularly to be examined and evaluated.
There is a distinction to be drawn between a rav and a mashpia. Although the two terms are similar and often used interchangeably, the former term usually refers to someone knowledgeable and scholarly, who holds some official communal position. The latter term, however, refers to an individual who is chosen simply as an objective outsider to offer advice and guidance, and is chosen based on his personal exemplary conduct. This person need not be otherwise qualified.

Mashpi'ois

The seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, also encouraged women and girls to assume a similar role of providing guidance, referring to such a woman as a mashpi'oh, pl. mashpi'ois.

Notable Chabad mashpi'im

;Past
;Present