Chabad is a an abbreviation of the words
Chachmah (
wisdom)
Binah
(
understanding)
Da’at (
knowledge), which are both (i) the first three of the
Ten Sefiros, or divine emanations, and (ii) the corresponding stages that comprise the
intellectual process (known as
seichel or Chabad). Derogatorily, it is rumored to
be an abbreviation of
Chamor Bli Da’at, or ‘a donkey with no knowledge’, an
allusion to the popular idea that Chabadniks (followers of Chabad) often go on
blind
faith alone.
Chabad, which was founded by Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, is branch of the chassidic
movement which is rooted in an intellectual approach to the service of G-d . A synonym
for Chabad is Lubavitch, originally the name of the
township where the movement flourished from 1813-1915. The name Chabad is also the
title of this sect of Chassidism as well as a school of philosophy.
Also see:
With help from:
http://www.sichosinenglish.org/general/glossary/