Hasidic Judaism (also Chasidic, etc. , from the Hebrew: חסידות , Chassidus, meaning "piety", from the Hebrew root word חסד chesed meaning "loving kindness") is a Haredi Jewish religious movement. Haredi or Chareidi Judaism is the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized Some refer to Hasidic Judaism as Hasidism, and the adjective chasidic / hasidic (or in Yiddish חסידיש khsidish) applies. Yiddish (yi [[wiktייִדיש ייִדיש]] yidish or yi [[wiktאידיש אידיש]] idish, literally "Jewish" is a nonterritorial High The movement originated in Eastern Europe (what is now Belarus and Ukraine) in the 18th century. Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Belarus ( Belarusian Беларусь / Biełaruś is a Landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the north and east Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe.
Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (1698–1760), also known as the Ba'al Shem Tov [1], is seen as the founding figure of Hasidic Judaism. Rabbi (pronunciation, although in English usually) in Judaism, means a religious ‘teacher’ or more literally ‘my great one’ when addressing any master Rabbi Yisroel (Israel ben Eliezer (רבי ישראל בן אליעזר August 27, 1698 (18 Elul &ndash May 22, 1760) often called It originated in an age of persecution of the Jewish people, when European Jews had turned inward to Talmud study; many felt that most expressions of Jewish life had become too "academic" and that they no longer had any emphasis on spirituality or joy. The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality The Ba'al Shem Tov set out to improve the situation. Hasidism met with opposition from the misnagdim—literally meaning "the opponents". Misnagdim or mitnagdim is a Hebrew word ( מתנגדים) meaning "opponents" In its initial stages, the most notable opponent was the Vilna Gaon, leader of the Lithuanian Jews, who generally adopted this hostile approach. Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon or Elijah of Vilna and simply by his Hebrew Acronym Gra (" G aon Lithuanian Jews (known in Yiddish and Yeshivish as Litvish (adjective or Litvaks (noun are Ashkenazi Jews with roots in the
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History
Prelude
In Poland, where the bulk of Jewry had established itself since the 13th century, two branches of Rabbinic Judaism had emerged: those who opposed the study of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and those who supported it. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Rabbinic Judaism or Rabbinism ( Hebrew: " Yehadut Rabanit " - יהדות רבנית is the mainstream religious system of post- diaspora Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה lit "receiving" is a discipline and school of thought discussing the mystical aspect of Judaism. Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity This schism became particularly acute after the Messianic movement of Sabbatai Zevi in the 17th century. Sabbatai Zevi, ( (other spellings include Sabetay in Turkish, Shabbethai, Sabbetai, Shabbsai; Zvi; Sabbetai As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar Leanings to mystical doctrines and sectarianism showed themselves prominently among the Jews of the south-eastern provinces of Poland, while in the Lithuanian provinces, anti-kabbalist orthodox leaders held sway. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the In part, this division in modes of thought reflected social differences between the northern (Lithuanian) Jews and the southern Jews of Ukraine. Lithuanian Jews (known in Yiddish and Yeshivish as Litvish (adjective or Litvaks (noun are Ashkenazi Jews with roots in the Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. In Lithuania the Jewish masses mainly lived in densely-populated towns where anti-kabbalistic rabbinical academic culture (in the yeshivos) flourished, while in Ukraine the Jews tended to live scattered in villages far removed from intellectual centers where the influence of the kabbalists prevailed. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n
Pessimism in the south became more intense after the Cossacks' Uprising (1648–1654) under Chmielnicki and the turbulent times in Poland (1648–1660), which completely ruined the Jewry of Ukraine, but left comparatively untouched that of Lithuania. The term Khmelnytsky Uprising (also Khmel'nyts'kyi/Chmielnicki Uprising or Khmelnytsky / Chmielnicki Rebellion) refers to a Rebellion or Bohdan Zynovii Mykhailovych Khmel'nyts'kyi (Богдан Зиновій Михайлович Хмельницький commonly transliterated as Khmelnytsky; known in The Deluge ( Polish: Potop, full Polish name is Potop Szwedzki Deluge''' is the name commonly assigned in the History The general population of Ukraine itself declined and economic chaos reigned, especially due to these events and the subsequent Turkish Invasion which left this region depopulated and barren. After the Polish magnates regained control of southern Ukraine in the last decade of the 17th century, an economic renaissance ensued. The magnates began a massive rebuilding and repopulation effort while being generally welcoming and benevolent towards the Jews. A type of frontier environment pursued where new people and new ideas were encouraged. The state of the Jews of what would later become southern Russia created a favorable field for mystical movements and religious sectarianism, which spread in the area from the middle of the 18th to the middle of the 19th century.
Besides these influences, deeply-seated causes produced among many Jews a discontent with Rabbinism and a gravitation toward mysticism. Rabbinic Judaism or Rabbinism ( Hebrew: " Yehadut Rabanit " - יהדות רבנית is the mainstream religious system of post- diaspora Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity Rabbinism, which in Poland had become transformed into a system of religious formalism, no longer provided a satisfactory religious experience to many Jews. Although traditional Judaism had adopted some features of Kabbalah, it adapted them to fit its own system: it added to its own ritualism the asceticism of the "practical cabalists" just across the border in the Ottoman Empire, who saw the essence of earthly existence only in fasting, in penance, and in spiritual sadness. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish Such a combination of religious practices, suitable for individuals and hermits, did not suit the bulk of the Jews.
Hasidism gave a ready response to the burning desire of the common people in its simple, stimulating, and comforting faith. In contradistinction to other sectarian teaching, early Hasidism aimed not at dogmatic or ritual reform, but at a deeper psychological one. It aimed to change not the belief, but the believer. By means of psychological suggestion, it created a new type of religious man, a type that placed emotion above reason and rites, and religious exaltation above knowledge.
Israel ben Eliezer
The founder of Hasidism, Israel ben Eliezer, also became known under the title of the "Master of the Good Name" (the Ba'al Shem Tov, abbreviated as the Besht). Rabbi Yisroel (Israel ben Eliezer (רבי ישראל בן אליעזר August 27, 1698 (18 Elul &ndash May 22, 1760) often called Rabbi Yisroel (Israel ben Eliezer (רבי ישראל בן אליעזר August 27, 1698 (18 Elul &ndash May 22, 1760) often called His fame as a healer spread not only among the Jews, but also among the non-Jewish peasants and the Polish nobles. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal He allegedly could predict the future.
To the common people, the Besht appeared wholly admirable. Characterized by an extraordinary sincerity and simplicity, he sought to meet the spiritual needs of the masses. He taught them that true divine service consisted not only of religious scholarship, but also of a sincere love of God combined with warm faith and belief in the efficacy of prayer; that the ordinary person filled with a sincere belief in God, and whose prayers come from the heart, is more acceptable to God than someone versed in and fully observant of Jewish law who lacks inspiration in his divine service. Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a Deity or spirit This democratization of Judaism attracted to the teachings of the Besht not only the common people, but also the scholars whom the rabbinical scholasticism and ascetic Kabbalah failed to satisfy. Scholasticism was the dominant form of theology and philosophy in the Latin West in the Middle Ages, particularly in the 12th 13th and 14th centuries Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה lit "receiving" is a discipline and school of thought discussing the mystical aspect of Judaism.
About 1740 the Besht established himself in the Ukrainian town of Mezhebuzh. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Medzhybizh, population 4614 (Меджибіж Меджибож Translit Medzhibozh, Międzybórz Międzyborz or Międzybóż Medschybisch מעזשביזש He gathered about him numerous disciples and followers, whom he initiated into the secrets of his teachings not by systematic exposition, but by means of sayings and parables that contained both easily graspable insights, for the laymen, and profound Kabbalistic depth, for the great scholars. These sayings spread by oral transmission; later the founder's disciples set them in writing, developing the thoughts of their master into a system. The Besht himself wrote nothing.
The spread of Hasidism
Israel ben Eliezer's disciples attracted many followers, who themselves established numerous Hasidic courts across Europe. After the Besht's death, followers continued his cause, under the leadership of the Maggid, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch. Maggid ( מַגִּיד) sometimes spelled as magid) is traditional Eastern European Jewish religious itinerant Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch ( דוב בער ממזריטש (1704/1710(? &ndash 1772-12-04 OS) was a disciple of Rabbi Yisrael Baal From his court students went forth; they in turn attracted many Jews to Hasidism, and many of them came to study in Mezritch with Dov Ber personally. Hasidic Judaism eventually became the way of life of the majority of Jews in Ukraine, Galicia, Belarus, and central Poland; the movement also had sizable groups of followers in Hungary and Romania. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Galicia (Галичина ( Halychyna) Galicja is a historical region in East Central Europe, currently divided between Poland and Ukraine, Belarus ( Belarusian Беларусь / Biełaruś is a Landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the north and east Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Hasidic Judaism began coming to Western Europe and then to the United States during the large waves of Jewish emigration in the 1880s. Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
After the passing of Rabbi Dov Ber, his inner circle of followers, known as the "Chevraya Kadisha," the Holy Fellowship, agreed to divide up the whole of Europe into different territories, and have each one charged with disseminating hasidic teachings in his designated area. Rabbi Chaim Elazar Spira (December 17 1871 &ndash May 13 1937 was one of the Rebbes of the Hasidic movement Munkacz (or Munkatsh For other people with a similar name see Meyer Shapiro Yehuda Meir Shapiro, ( March 3, 1887 - October 27, 1933
Hasidism gradually branched out into two main divisions: (1) in Ukraine and in Galicia and (2) in Litta (Greater Lithuania). Three disciples, Dov Ber of Mezritch (Elimelech of Lizhensk, Levi Yitzchak of Berdychev, and Menachem Nahum of Chernobyl), besides the grandson of the Besht, Boruch of Tulchin, later R' Boruch of Mezhbizh, directed the first of these divisions. Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk ( Polish: Leżajsk) (1717-1786 was an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi and one of the great Hassidic Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (1740-1810 known as the Berdichever Rebbe was a Rabbi and Hasidic leader Chernobyl (as transliterated from the Чернобыль) or Chornobyl (as transliterated from Чорнобиль tʃɔrˈnɔbɪlʲ was a city in northern Mezhbizh (also spelled as Medzibuz, Mezbuz, Mez'buz, and in various other ways transcribed from various Yiddish dialects is the name of Elimelech of Lizhensk affirmed belief in Tzaddikism as a fundamental doctrine of Hasidism. In his book No'am Elimelekh he conveys the idea of the Tzadik ("righteous one") as the mediator between God and the common people, and suggests that through him God sends to the faithful three earthly blessings: life, a livelihood, and children, on the condition, however, that the Hasidim support the Tzaddik by pecuniary contributions ("pidyonos"), in order to enable the holy man to become completely absorbed in the contemplation of God. For the Hebrew letter "Tzadik" see Tsade. Tzadik ( צדיק, "righteous one" pl Lithuanian Hasidim followed Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, who founded Chabad Hasidism, and Rabbi Aharon of Karlin. Shneur Zalman of Liadi ( שניאור זלמן מליאדי) ( September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism, and is based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn
Opposition
Early on, a serious schism evolved between the hasidic and non-hasidic Jews. Misnagdim or mitnagdim is a Hebrew word ( מתנגדים) meaning "opponents" Those European Jews who rejected the Hasidic movement dubbed themselves misnagdim (literally, "opponents"). Misnagdim or mitnagdim is a Hebrew word ( מתנגדים) meaning "opponents" Critics of Hasidic Judaism:
- decried the apparently novel hasidic emphasis on different aspects of Jewish law;
- found problematic the overwhelming exuberance of hasidic worship;
- distrusted as non-traditional hasidic ascriptions of infallibility and miracle-working to their leaders;
- expressed concern that hasidism might become a deviant messianic sect (which in fact had occurred among the followers of both Shabbatai Zvi and Jacob Frank. Halakha ( הלכה; alternative transliterations include Halocho and Halacha) is the collective body of Jewish Religious law A miracle is an event believed to be caused by interposition of Divine intervention by a Supernatural being in the Universe by which the ordinary operation Sabbatai Zevi, ( (other spellings include Sabetay in Turkish, Shabbethai, Sabbetai, Shabbsai; Zvi; Sabbetai Jacob Frank (יעקב פרנק Ya'akov Frank, Jakob Frank; 1726 - 1791 was an 18th century Jewish religious leader who claimed to be the reincarnation of
Some other important differences between hasidim and misnagdim included:
- Hasidism believed in miracle workers; they believed that the Ba'al Shem Tov and some of his disciples literally performed miracles. Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon or Elijah of Vilna and simply by his Hebrew Acronym Gra (" G aon Stories of their miracles became a part of Hasidic literature. The Misnagdim held such views as heretical, based on classical rabbinic works such as Saadia Gaon's Emunoth ve-Deoth. Emunoth ve-Deoth (he אמונות ודעות Hebrew: "Beliefs and Opinions" written by Rabbi Saadia Gaon - originally Kitab al-Amanat wal-l'tikadat (Ultimately, their descendants were to regularly tell identical stories about respected Misnagdic leaders. )
- The hasidic way of dress was seen as a way to outwardly appear pious; this was opposed as improper.
- Hasidic philosophy (chasidus) holds as a core belief that God permeates all physical objects in nature, including all living beings. According to the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, Baal Shem Tov used to say, that God is all and all is God. Yosef Yitzchok (Joseph Isaac Schneersohn (יוסף יצחק שניאורסאהן 9 June, 1880 OS - 28 January 1950 NS In opposition many Jewish religious rationalists misunderstood this seemingly pantheistic doctrine as a violation against the Maimonidean principle of faith that God is not physical, and thus considered it heretical. Pantheism ( Greek: πάν ( 'pan') = all and θεός ( 'theos') = God it literally means " God is All Moses Maimonides ( March 30 1135 – December 13 1204) also known as the Rambam, was a Rabbi, Physician, and In fact, Hasidic philosophy, especially the Chabad school, views all physical and psychological phenomena as relative and illusionary; God, the absolute reality in itself, is beyond all physical or even spiritual concepts and boundaries. Contemporary Hasidic researcher rabbi Jacob Immanuel Schochet defines this quasi-pantheistic view as acosmic monism. Acosmism, in contrast to Pantheism, denies the Reality of the Universe, seeing it as ultimately illusory, (the prefix "a-" in Monism is the metaphysical and Theological view that all is one that all reality is subsumed under the most fundamental category of being or existence
- Hasidism teaches that there are sparks of goodness in all things, which can be redeemed to perfect the world. Many held such a view to be false and dangerous.
On a more prosaic level, other misnagdim regarded hasidim as pursuing a less scholarly approach to Judaism, and opposed the movement for this reason. At one point hasidic Jews were put in cherem (a Jewish form of communal excommunication); after years of bitter acrimony, a rapprochement occurred between hasidic Jews and their opponents within Orthodox Judaism. Cherem (or Herem חרם is the highest ecclesiastical censure in the Jewish community Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized The reconciliation took place in response to the perceived even greater threat of the Haskala, or Jewish Enlightenment. Haskalah ( Hebrew: השכלה "enlightenment" "education" from sekhel " Intellect " "mind") the Jewish Enlightenment Despite this, the distinctions between the various sects of Hasidim and other Orthodox Jews remain.
In the Soviet Union
The Bolshevik revolution and the rise of Communism saw the disintegration of the chasidic centers such as Chabad, Breslov, Chernobyl and Ruzhin. The Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists ( Большевик Большевист (singular, derived from bolshe, "more" were a faction Chernobyl (as transliterated from the Чернобыль) or Chornobyl (as transliterated from Чорнобиль tʃɔrˈnɔbɪlʲ was a city in northern
Many chasidim, primarily those following the Chabad school, but also the Tshernobler Rebbe and the Ribnitzer Rebbe, remained in the Soviet Union (primarily in Russia), intent on preserving Judaism as a religion in the face of increasing Soviet opposition. With yeshivos and instruction in Hebrew outlawed, synagogues seized by the government and transformed into secular community centers, and Jewish circumcision forbidden to all members of the Communist Party, most chasidim took part in the general Jewish religious underground movement. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Male circumcision is the removal of some or all of the Foreskin (prepuce from the Penis. Many became so-called "wandering clerics", traveling from village to village and functioning as chazzanim, shochtim, mohels, and rabbis wherever such services were needed. "Hazan" and "Chazan" redirect here For people named Hazan or Chazan see Hazan (disambiguation Growing importance of the office Shechita ( Hebrew:he שחיטה is the Ritual slaughter of mammals and birds according to Jewish dietary laws. A mohel ( Hebrew:מוהל plural mohelim) is a Jewish man who performs the Jewish ritual of Brit milah. Rabbi (pronunciation, although in English usually) in Judaism, means a religious ‘teacher’ or more literally ‘my great one’ when addressing any master These figures were often imprisoned and sometimes executed.
Current position
The Holocaust brought final destruction to all chasidic centers of Eastern Europe. See also Hasidic Judaism A Hasidic dynasty is a Dynasty of Hasidic spiritual leaders known as Rebbes and usually has some or all of the Most survivors moved eventually to Israel or to America, and established new centers of Hasidic Judaism modeled after their original communities. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
Some of the larger and more well-known chasidic sects that still exist include Belz, Bobov, Breslov, Ger, Lubavitch (Chabad), Munkacs, Puppa, Sanz (Klausenburg), Satmar, Skver, Spinka and Vizhnitz. Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz, a small town in Western Ukraine. Bobov, (or Bobover Hasidism) (חסידות באבוב is a Hasidic group within Haredi Judaism originating in Bobowa, Galicia in Breslov (also Bratslav) is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810 a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Ger, or Gur (or Gerrer when used as an adjective is a Hasidic dynasty originating from Ger the Yiddish name of Góra Kalwaria Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism, and is based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn Munkatch or Munkacs is a Hasidic dynasty named after the Hungarian town in which it was established Munkatsh Puppa is the name of a Hasidic dynasty within Judaism. The dynasty is named after the town of its origin (according to the Yiddish name also known in Hungarian as This article below discusses the Sanz-Klausenburger dynasty that began with Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam and presently the two Satmar (or Satmar Hasidism or Satmarer Hasidism) (חסידות סאטמאר is a Hasidic movement of mostly Hungarian Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum Skver (also Skvir or Skwere; סקווירא) is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twerski in the city of Spinka is the name of a Hasidic group within Orthodox Judaism. Vizhnitz is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Menachem Mendil Hager
The largest groups in Israel today are Ger, Chabad, Belz, Satmar, Breslov, Vizhnitz, Seret-Vizhnitz, Nadvorna, and Toldos Aharon. In the United States the largest are Lubavitch, Satmar and Bobov, all centered in Brooklyn, New York, and Skver in Rockland County, New York. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Bobov, (or Bobover Hasidism) (חסידות באבוב is a Hasidic group within Haredi Judaism originating in Bobowa, Galicia in Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Rockland County is a County located in the US state of New York, 12 miles north-northwest of New York City. Large chasidic communities also exist in the Montreal borough of Outremont; Toronto; London; Antwerp; Melbourne; the Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles; and St. Louis Park, a Minneapolis suburb. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. ||-||-||-||} Antwerp ( Dutch:, French: Anvers) is a City and Municipality in Belgium and the capital of the Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 The Fairfax District is an area of neighborhoods in the Mid-City West area of Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West St Louis Park is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and a first ring- Suburb immediately west of Minneapolis.
Religious practice and culture
Fundamental conceptions
The teachings of Hasidism are founded on two theoretical conceptions: (1) religious panentheism, or the omnipresence of God, and (2) the idea of Devekus, communion between God and man. Panentheism (from Greek (pân "all" (en "in" and (Theós "God" "all-in-God" is a belief system God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. Devekut, devekuth, dvekut, or dvekus ( Heb דבקות, Mod Heb "Man," says the Besht, "must always bear in mind that God is omnipresent and is always with him; that God is the most subtle matter everywhere diffused. . . Let man realize that when he is looking at material things he is in reality gazing at the image of the Deity which is present in all things. With this in mind man will always serve God even in small matters. "
Deveikus (communion) refers to the belief that an unbroken intercourse takes place between the world of God and the world of humanity. Borough Park (usually spelled by its residents Boro Park) is a neighborhood in the southwestern part of the borough of Brooklyn, in New It is true not only that the Deity influences the acts of man, but also that man exerts an influence on the will of the Deity. Every act and word of man produces a corresponding vibration in the upper spheres. From this conception is derived the chief practical principle of Hasidism—communion with God for the purpose of uniting with the source of life and of influencing it. This communion is achieved through the concentration of all thoughts on God, and consulting Him in all the affairs of life.
The righteous man is in constant communion with God, even in his worldly affairs, since here also he feels His presence. A special form of communion with God is prayer. In order to render this communion complete the prayer must be full of fervor, ecstatic; and the soul of him who prays must during his devotions detach itself from its material dwelling. For the attainment of ecstasy recourse may be had to mechanical means, to violent bodily motions, to shouting and singing. According to Besht, the essence of religion is in practice and not in reason. Theological learning and halakhic lore are of secondary importance, and are useful only when they serve as a means of producing an exalted religious mood. It is better to read books of moral instruction than to engage in the study of the casuistic Talmud and the rabbinical literature. The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history In the performance of rites the mood of the believer is of more importance than the externals; for this reason formalism and superfluous ceremonial details are injurious.
Hasidic philosophy
Hasidic Philosophy teaches a method of contemplating on God, as well as the inner significance of the Mitzvos (commandments and rituals of Torah law). Hasidic Philosophy or Hasidus (Hebrew חסידות alternatively transliterated as Hassidism, Chassidut etc Hasidic Philosophy has four main goals:
1. Revival: At the time when Rabbi Yisrael Ba'al Shem Tov founded Hasidism, the Jews were physically crushed by massacres (in particular, those of the Cossack leader Chmelnitzki in 1648-1649) and poverty, and spiritually crushed by the disappointment engendered by the false messiahs. Bohdan Zynovii Mykhailovych Khmel'nyts'kyi (Богдан Зиновій Михайлович Хмельницький commonly transliterated as Khmelnytsky; known in This unfortunate combination caused religious observance to seriously wane. This was especially true in Eastern Europe, where Hasidism began. Hasidism came to revive the Jews physically and spiritually. It focused on helping Jews establish themselves financially, and then lifting their moral and religious observance through its teachings.
2. Piety: A Hasid, in classic Torah literature, refers to one of piety beyond the letter of the law. Hasidism demands and aims at cultivating this extra degree of piety.
3. Refinement: Hasidism teaches that one should not merely strive to improve one's character by learning new habits and manners. Rather a person should completely change the quality, depth and maturity of one's nature. This change is accomplished by internalizing and integrating the perspective of Hasidic Philosophy.
4. Demystification: In Hasidism, it is believed that the esoteric teachings of Kabbalah can be made understandable to everyone. This understanding is meant to help refine a person, as well as adding depth and vigor to one's ritual observance.
Liturgy and prayer
Most Hasidim pray according to one of the variations of the nusach (prayer book tradition) known as Nusach Sefard, a blend of Ashkenazi and Sephardi liturgies, based on the innovations of Rabbi Isaac Luria (also known as the Arizal). Ziditshov is a Hasidic dynasty originating in town Ziditshov (as known in Yiddish; or Zhydachiv in Ukrainian in Galicia (a province of the Rebbe (רבי (pronounced in English which means master teacher or mentor is a Yiddish word derived from the identical Hebrew word Rabbi Tosh (also Tash; Hebrew / Yiddish: טאהש is a Hasidic dynasty originating in Nyirtass, Hungary. Rebbe (רבי (pronounced in English which means master teacher or mentor is a Yiddish word derived from the identical Hebrew word Rabbi Nusach Sefard is the name for various forms of the Jewish Siddur, designed to reconcile Ashkenazi customs (Hebrew מנהג "Custom" pl Ashkenazi Jews, also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim ( Hebrew: אַשְׁכֲּנָזִים, ˌaʃkəˈnazim sing Sephardi Jews ( Hebrew: ספרדי, Standard Səfardi Tiberian Səp̄arədî; plural Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534 – July 25 1572) was a Jewish mystic in Safed. However, many Hasidic dynasties have their own specific adaptation of Nusach Sefard; some, such as the versions of the Belzer, Bobover and Dushinsky Hasidim, are closer to nusach Ashkenaz, while others, such as the Munkacz version, are closer to nusach Sefarad of the Arizal. Dushinsky is one of the few Hasidic dynasties not named after the place where it originated instead it is named after the surname of the Rebbe Chabad-Lubavitch has a distinctive variant known as Nusach Ari. Nusach Ari means in a general sense any prayer rite following the usages of Rabbi Isaac Luria, the AriZal, in the 16th century, and more particularly
The Baal Shem introduced two innovations to the Friday services: the recitation of Psalm 107 before Mincha (the afternoon service), as a prelude to the Sabbath, one gives praise for the release of the soul from its weekday activities, and Psalm 23 just before the end of Maariv (evening service). Jewish services ( Hebrew: תפלה, tefillah; plural תפלות, tefillos or tefillot; Yinglish: davening Maariv (מַעֲרִיב lit Evening) is a popular Hebrew language Daily newspaper published in Israel.
In regard to dialect, in common with most Ashkenazi Haredim, Hasidim pray in Ashkenazi Hebrew, though most sects use a nusach Sefard davening order. Ashkenazi Hebrew is the pronunciation system for Biblical and Mishnaic Hebrew favored for liturgical use by Ashkenazi Jewish practice This dialect has nothing to do with Hasidism in its origins, nor was it chosen deliberately. It just happens to be the Yiddish dialect of the places from which most chasidim originally came. Thus, there are significant differences between the dialects used by chasidim originating in different places, such as Poland, Belarus, Hungary, and Ukraine.
Hasidic prayer has a distinctive accompaniment of wordless melodies called nigunim that represent the overall mood of the prayer; in recent years this innovation has become increasingly popular in non-Hasidic communities as well. This article is about a type of Jewish religious music Nigun For the main article on religious Jewish music see Religious Jewish music. Hasidic prayer also has a reputation for taking a very long time (although some groups do pray quickly). Some hasidim will spend seven seconds of concentration on every single word of the prayer of Amidah. The Amidah (Hebrew תפילת העמידה, Tefilat HaAmidah "The Standing Prayer " also called the Shmona Esre ( שמנה עשרה
Hasidim have a reputation for having a lot of kavana, mental concentration, during prayer. Overall, chasidim regard prayer as one of the most paramount activities during the day. In fact, one of the most controversial innovations of hasidic practice as practised in several courts involves the near-abolition of the traditional specified times of day by which prayers must be conducted (zemanim), particularly shacharis (the morning prayer service); the preparations for prayer take precedence and may extend into the allotted time. Jewish services ( Hebrew: תפלה, tefillah; plural תפלות, tefillos or tefillot; Yinglish: davening The Kotsker Rebbe allegedly originated this practice, which is prevalent to this day in Chabad-Lubavitch. It is controversial in many other chasidic courts, who place more emphasis on praying earlier and not eating before praying, according to the interpretation of Halacha (Jewish law) which is followed by the vast majority of other Hasidic and non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews. Halakha ( הלכה; alternative transliterations include Halocho and Halacha) is the collective body of Jewish Religious law
Daily Immersion
Many male Orthodox Jews customarily immerse in a mikvah (ritual pool of water) before major Jewish holidays (and particularly before Yom Kippur), in order to achieve spiritual cleanliness. Mikvah (or mikveh) ( plural mikva'ot or mikves) is a ritual bath designed for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism. Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Mikvah (or mikveh) ( plural mikva'ot or mikves) is a ritual bath designed for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism. For the Gregorian dates of Jewish Holidays see Jewish holidays 2000-2050. Yom Kippur (יוֹם כִּפּוּר ˈjɔm kiˈpur also known in English as the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn and important of the Jewish holidays Its Chasidim have extended this to a daily practice preceding morning prayers. Jewish services ( Hebrew: תפלה, tefillah; plural תפלות, tefillos or tefillot; Yinglish: davening Although daily immersion in a mikvah is no longer mandated by halacha, Hasidism places great emphasis on this practice, because the Arizal taught that each time one immerses in a mikvah he adds holiness to his soul. Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534 – July 25 1572) was a Jewish mystic in Safed. The Talmud records an enactment by Ezra that after a seminal emission one must immerse in a mikvah before studying Torah or praying; although this enactment was later repealed, Hasidim and some other Jews still follow it, at least for prayer. Ezra ( was a Jewish Priestly Scribe who led about 5000 Israelite exiles living in Babylon to their home city of Jerusalem
Dress
Hasidim have a reputation for their distinctive attire. bekishe is a long Coat, usually made of black Silk or Polyester worn by Hasidic Jews, and by some non-Hasidic Haredi Jews The Gartel is a belt used by married Jewish males predominantly but not exclusively Hasidim during prayer Rekel (רעקל or Lang Rekel (plural rekelech) is a type of Coat worn mainly by Hasidic Jewish men during the Jewish work-week Even within the Hasidic world, one can distinguish different groups by subtle differences in appearance. Many details of their dress are shared by other Haredim. Much of Hasidic dress was historically the clothing of all Eastern-European Jews, but Hasidim have preserved more of these styles to the present day. Furthermore, hasidim have attributed mystical intents to these clothing styles.
Chasidim button their clothes right over left. Most hasidim do not wear neck-ties (with the exception of some Russian Hasidim, such as those stemming from Ruzhin, Karlin, and Lubavitch). The Ruzhin (or Rizhin) Hasidic dynasty was founded by Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn, (1796-1850 Karlin-Stolin is the name of a Hasidic Dynasty originating with Rebbe Aaron the Great of Karlin in present-day Belarus. Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism, and is based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn
Hasidic men most commonly wear suits in dark (usually black or navy blue) colors with distinctively long jackets, called rekelekh. Rekel (רעקל or Lang Rekel (plural rekelech) is a type of Coat worn mainly by Hasidic Jewish men during the Jewish work-week On the Jewish Sabbath, they wear a long black satin (or similar of a cheaper material, such as polyester) robe called a zaydene kapote (Yiddish, lit. Satin is a Cloth that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back Polyester is a category of Polymers which contain the Ester Functional group in their main chain satin caftan) or bekishe. bekishe is a long Coat, usually made of black Silk or Polyester worn by Hasidic Jews, and by some non-Hasidic Haredi Jews On Jewish Holy Days a silk garment may be worn. For the Gregorian dates of Jewish Holidays see Jewish holidays 2000-2050. On the Sabbath the rebbes of chasidim traditionally wore a white kapote rather than a black one; this practice has fallen into disuse except for a minority of rebbes, such as Toldos Aharon and Lelov, and by Hungarian rebbes such as Tosh and Satmar. Shabbat or Shabbos ( Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, shabbāt, shabbes, "rest/inactivity" is the Weekly Sabbath Shomer Emunim (meaning "Guardian of the Faith" is a devout insular Hasidic sect Lelov is the name of a Hasidic dynasty which traces its origins to Rabbi Dovid (1746-1814 of Lelów, Poland. Tosh (also Tash; Hebrew / Yiddish: טאהש is a Hasidic dynasty originating in Nyirtass, Hungary. Satmar (or Satmar Hasidism or Satmarer Hasidism) (חסידות סאטמאר is a Hasidic movement of mostly Hungarian Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum Many rebbes wear a black silk bekishe that is trimmed with velvet (known as strokes or samet).
Some Hasidim wear a satin overcoat, known amongst Hungarian and Galitsyaner chasidim as a rezhvolke, over the regular bekishe. Some Hasidic literature refers to this garment as an Or Makif, referring to the Kabbalistic concept of "Surrounding Light". A rebbe's rezhvolke might be trimmed with velvet. Some rebbes wear a fur-lined rezhvolke known as a tilep (Yiddish: טולעפ fur coat). Yiddish (yi [[wiktייִדיש ייִדיש]] yidish or yi [[wiktאידיש אידיש]] idish, literally "Jewish" is a nonterritorial High The fur is referred to as pelts.
In many hasidic sects, the rebbe wears a white or black, and in those of Hungarian lineage a gold designed or other coloured, tish bekishe or khalat during the tish or during the prayers that come right before or after the "tish". A tish (from Yiddish: 'table' is a Hasidic gathering of Hassidim around their Rebbe.
Contrary to popular belief, Hasidic dress has little or nothing to do with the way Polish nobles once dressed. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal The Emancipation movement originated this myth in the late 19th century in an attempt to induce younger Jews to abandon the outfit. Jewish question Jewish emancipation was the abolition of discriminatory laws as applied especially to Jews in Europe in the nineteenth century the recognition of Jews Interestingly, secular Yiddish writers of old, living in Eastern Europe (Sholom Aleichem, for example) appear to have no knowledge of the "Polish origin" of the dress. Sholem Aleichem (שלום־עליכם Шолом-Алейхем &ndash May 13, 1916) was the Pen name of Sholem Naumovich Rabinovich the popular Likewise, numerous Slavic sources from the 15th century onwards refer to the "Jewish kaftan". The Tsarist edict of the mid-19th century banning Jewish outfits mentions the "Jewish kaftan" and "Jewish hat"—as a result of this edict chasidim modified their dress in the Russian Empire and generally hid their sidelocks. Payot (also peyot, payos, peyes, פאות is a Hebrew word which literally translates into English as corners, sides Modern Chabad Lubavitch dress—where the Prince Albert frock coat substitutes for the bekishe— reflects this change, as does the Gerrer substitution of the spodik for the shtreimel. Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism, and is based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn A frock coat is a man's coat characterised by knee-length skirts all around the base popular during the Victorian and Edwardian period
Generally Hasidic dress has altered over the last hundred years and become more European in response to the Emancipation Movement. Modern Hasidim tend to wear Hasidic dress as used just prior to World War II—numerous pictures of Hasidim in the mid-19th century show a far more Levantine outfit (i. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including e. a kaftan lacking lapels or buttons) that differs little from the classical oriental outfit consisting of the kaftan, white undershirt, sash, knee-breeches (halbe-hoyzn), white socks and slippers—this outfit allegedly had a Babylonian origin before its later adoption by the Israelites, Persians and lastly the Turks, who brought it to Europe where it became the basis of the modern western suit (note the 16th-century European outfit of frock coat, knee-breeches, silk stockings and slippers). Babylonia was an Amorite state in lower Mesopotamia (modern southern Iraq) with Babylon as its capital The Polish nobility adopted its 16th-century outfit from the Turks—hence (allegedly) the vague similarity between the Hasidic outfit and Polish nobles' clothing. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal (Similarly, Hasidic dress has a vague connection with Shia Muslim clerical dress—the Shia clergy adopted this dress from the Persians. ) One Hasidic belief (taught by the Klausenberger rebbe) holds that Jews originally invented this dress-code and that the Babylonians adopted it from Israelites during the Jewish exile in Babylon of the 6th century BCE. Clothing is an aspect of Human physical appearance, and like other aspects of human physical appearance it has social significance The Babylonian captivity, Babylonian exile, is the name typically given to the deportation and exile of the Jews of the ancient Kingdom of Judah to This belief is not widely held or well known among hasidim.
Some claim that the Sabbath dress of Hasidim resembles the description of the High Priest's dress in the Bible but there does not seem to be a serious similarity. Shabbat or Shabbos ( Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, shabbāt, shabbes, "rest/inactivity" is the Weekly Sabbath Many Hasidim also believe that Hasidic dress supports fundamental Judaic concepts—for instance white socks tucked in short pants so one's trouser-bottoms never touch the floor or ground (which in former times was likely to be a source of waste, which is problematic during prayer); and slippers (shtibblat) without buckles or laces so one never need touch one's shoes—which would ritually defile one's hands, requiring ritual purification through washing with a special vessel.
- Kaftans (bekishes, kapotes, chalat) serve as a sign of modesty, covering the entire body.
- A sash or gartel divides one's lower parts from one's upper parts, and are mentioned in the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch as a way to "prepare to meet your God".
- Knee-breeches mean that a man's private parts remain covered when walking up stairs (cf Exodus 28:42, 20:23). Breeches (pronounced) are an item of male Clothing covering the body from the Waist down with separate coverings for each Leg, usually stopping just below
Headgear
Hasidim customarily wear black hats during the weekdays as do nearly all Haredim today. A shtreimel ( Yiddish: שטרײַמל pl שטרײַמלעך shtreimlech) is a Fur hat worn by many married Haredi Jewish men spodik is a tall fur hat worn by some Haredi Hasidic Jews, particularly members of sects originating in Congress Poland. A kolpik is a type of traditional headgear worn in families of many Chassidic Rebbes (Hasidic rabbis by unmarried children on Shabbat, and by Rebbes A Kashket (Also known as a kashkettel is a cap usually made of felt worn mainly by Hasidic children at present A fedora is a soft Felt Hat that is creased lengthwise down the crown and Pinched in the front on both sides A variety of hats are worn depending on the sect. Hasidim wear a variety of fur headdresses on the Sabbath:
- Shtreimel is worn by most Hasidim today, including from Galicia and Hungary such as Satmar, Munkacs, Bobov, Breslov and Belz, and some non-Galician Polish Hasidim, such as Biala, as well as some non-Hasidic Haredim in Jerusalem. A shtreimel ( Yiddish: שטרײַמל pl שטרײַמלעך shtreimlech) is a Fur hat worn by many married Haredi Jewish men Satmar (or Satmar Hasidism or Satmarer Hasidism) (חסידות סאטמאר is a Hasidic movement of mostly Hungarian Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum Mukachevo or Mukacheve (Мукачево Мукачеве See name section) is a City located in the valley of the Liatorytsia river in Bobov, (or Bobover Hasidism) (חסידות באבוב is a Hasidic group within Haredi Judaism originating in Bobowa, Galicia in Breslov (also Bratslav) is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810 a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz, a small town in Western Ukraine. The Biala (or Byala, Biale) Hasidic dynasty originated from Poland.
- Spodik – name given by others to the shtraml worn by Polish Hasidim such as Ger, Amshinov, Ozharov, Aleksander. spodik is a tall fur hat worn by some Haredi Hasidic Jews, particularly members of sects originating in Congress Poland. Ger, or Gur (or Gerrer when used as an adjective is a Hasidic dynasty originating from Ger the Yiddish name of Góra Kalwaria Amshinov is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Kalish. The Ozerov Hasidic dynasty is a Hasidic group that began in 1827 when Rabbi Yehudah Leib Epstein Rabbi of Ożarów in Poland since 1811 assumed leadership Now nearly extinct the Aleksander Hasidim (also written as Alexander) were the second largest Hasidic group in pre- Holocaust Poland.
- Choibl or "Soyvl" was worn in Poland prior to the Holocaust, and has fallen into disuse. The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as
- Kolpik (Polish: calpac) is a traditional Slavic headdress, worn by unmarried sons and grandsons of many Rebbes on the Sabbath. A kolpik is a type of traditional headgear worn in families of many Chassidic Rebbes (Hasidic rabbis by unmarried children on Shabbat, and by Rebbes Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. The kolpik is worn by some Rebbes on special occasions other than the Sabbath and major Biblical Holidays, such as Hanukah, Tu B'Shvat, and Rosh Chodesh. Hanukkah (חנוכה alt Chanukah) also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Rosh Chodesh, (ראש חודש trans. Beginning of the Month; lit.
- The dashikl was a peaked cap worn during the week, prior to the Holocaust. A Kashket (Also known as a kashkettel is a cap usually made of felt worn mainly by Hasidic children at present It was worn in Poland, Belarus and Ukraine, and was worn by poorer Hasidim on Shabbat. Its use began as a result of the Tsarist decrees banning other traditional Jewish headdress. In these geographic areas, generally only rabbis wore black hats. Today, some Hasidic children, under the age of 13, wear a kashket cap on the Sabbath. In the sect of Belz, the kashket has been reintroduced for boys under the age of 15 to wear on weekdays. Belz (Белз Polish: Bełz Yiddish: בעלז a small Town in the Lviv Oblast ( province) of western Ukraine, near
- Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim wear black felt fedoras, dating back to the style of the 1940s and 50s. A fedora is a soft Felt Hat that is creased lengthwise down the crown and Pinched in the front on both sides The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive They are the same as the hats worn by many non-Hasidic Haredim, as well as by some more "modern" Hasidim who are followers of a particular Rebbe without being part of a Hasidic community. Chabad Hasidim often pinch their hats to form a triangle on the top. They wear their fedoras even on the Sabbath and Holidays. However, some Chabad Hasidim in Jerusalem wear a shtreimel on the Sabbath, if that was their family's custom for generations in Jerusalem.
- Various forms of felt open-crown (a type of hat with a rounded top, such as a bowler) hats are worn by many Hasidim. The bowler hat, also known as a derby (US or billycock, is a Hard Felt Hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for Edward Affiliation can sometimes be identified by whether there is a pinch in the middle of the top or not, as well as the type of brim. This is called a shtofener hat in Yiddish. Ger and Slonimer Hasidim wear a round topped hat, while Stolin and Emunas Yisrael wear a pinched hat. Many Satmar laymen wear a type of open crown hat that resembles a bowler hat with rounded edges on the brim. The bowler hat, also known as a derby (US or billycock, is a Hard Felt Hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for Edward
- Samet (velvet) or biber (beaver) hats are worn by Galician and Hungarian Hasidim during the week and by unmarried men on Shabbat as well. Some unmarried men only wear a samet hat on the Sabbath and a felt hat during the week. There are many types of Samet hats, most notably the "high" ("hoicher") and "flat" ("platsher") varieties. The "flat" type is worn by Satmar Hasidim, and some others as well. Some Rabbis wear a "round" samet hat in a similar style to the shtofener hats, however made from the Samet material. They are called beaver hats even though today they are made from rabbit.
- A small fur hat called a kutchma (Ukrainian: kučma or кучма) is worn by many Hasidic laymen during weekdays in the winter. Ukrainian (in Ukrainian украї́нська мо́ва ukrayins'ka mova,) is a language of the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic languages. Today this hat is sometimes made from cheaper materials, such as polyester. This hat is referred to as a shlyapka (шляпка), by Russian Jews.
Other distinct clothing
Many Hasidim wear a watch and chain ("zeigerel") and a vest (also right-over-left).
Gerrer hasidim wear "hoyznzokn" — long black socks that they tuck their pants into. Ger, or Gur (or Gerrer when used as an adjective is a Hasidic dynasty originating from Ger the Yiddish name of Góra Kalwaria
Some hasidim from Eastern Galicia wear black socks with their breeches on the Sabbath, as opposed to white ones, particularly Belzer Hasidim. Galicia (Галичина ( Halychyna) Galicja is a historical region in East Central Europe, currently divided between Poland and Ukraine, Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz, a small town in Western Ukraine.
Many Hungarian Hasidic and non-Hasidic laymen wear a suit jacket that lies somewhere between a rekel and a regular three-quarter double breasted suit called a "drei-fertl" (Yiddish for "three-quarter"). It is distinct from a regular three-quarter suit inasmuch as the right side covers the left, like a rekel.
Many Skverer hasidim wear knee-high leather boots (shtifl) with their breeches on the Sabbath. Skver (also Skvir or Skwere; סקווירא) is the name of a Hasidic dynasty founded by Rebbe Yitzchok Twerski in the city of This manner of concealing the stockings was introduced as a compromise prior to a family wedding when one side had the tradition of wearing white stockings and the other did not. The Skverer Rebbe and his family wear such boots every day, and so do some rabbinical families affiliated with other Hasidic groups.
Hair
Following a Biblical commandment not to shave the sides of one's face, male members of most Hasidic groups wear long, uncut sideburns called payoth (Ashkenazi Hebrew peyos, Yiddish peyes). Rebbe (רבי (pronounced in English which means master teacher or mentor is a Yiddish word derived from the identical Hebrew word Rabbi Shabbat or Shabbos ( Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, shabbāt, shabbes, "rest/inactivity" is the Weekly Sabbath Payot (also peyot, payos, peyes, פאות is a Hebrew word which literally translates into English as corners, sides Payot (also peyot, payos, peyes, פאות is a Hebrew word which literally translates into English as corners, sides Ashkenazi Hebrew is the pronunciation system for Biblical and Mishnaic Hebrew favored for liturgical use by Ashkenazi Jewish practice Yiddish (yi [[wiktייִדיש ייִדיש]] yidish or yi [[wiktאידיש אידיש]] idish, literally "Jewish" is a nonterritorial High Many Hasidim shave off the rest of their hair. Not every Hasidic group requires long peyos, and not all Jewish men with peyos are Hasidic, but all groups discourage the shaving of one's beard. Hasidic boys receive their first haircuts ceremonially at the age of three years (though Skverrer Hasidim do this at their second birthday). The first Haircut for a human has special significance in certain cultures and religions Until then, Hasidic boys have long hair. Many non-Hasidic (and even some non-Orthodox) Jews have adopted this custom.
Tzitzis
The white threads dangling at the waists of Hasidim and other Orthodox Jewish males are tzitzis. Tzitzit or tzitzis ( Hebrew: Biblical ציצת Modern ציצית) are "fringes" Tzitzit or tzitzis ( Hebrew: Biblical ציצת Modern ציצית) are "fringes" The requirement to wear fringes comes from the Book of Numbers: "Speak to the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations" (Numbers 15:38). The Book of Numbers, ( Bamidbar, meaning in the wilderness) is the fourth book of the Torah, the Tanakh, and the Old Testament. In order to fulfill this commandment, Orthodox males wear a tallit katan, a square white garment with the fringes at the corners. One of two articles of religious vesture called Tallit, the tallit katan ("little tallit" is a white undergarment worn primarily by Orthodox and By tradition, a Hasidic boy will receive his first fringed garment on his third birthday, the same day as his first haircut. Most Orthodox Jews wear the tallit katan under their shirts, where it is unnoticeable except for the strings that many leave hanging out; many Hasidim, as well as some other Haredim, wear the tallit katan over their shirt.
Women
Hasidic women wear clothing of less distinctive appearance than that of their male counterparts, but which answers to the principles of tzeniut (modest dress in the sense of Jewish law). Tzniut or Tznius (also Tzeniut) ( Hebrew: צניעות " Modesty " is a term used within Judaism and has its greatest influence As with all Haredi women, the standard is long, conservative skirts, and sleeves past the elbow. Otherwise, female Hasidic fashion remains on the conservative side of secular women's fashion. Most Hasidic women do not wear red clothing.
In common with all Haredim, Hasidic men will not touch or even shake hands with anyone of the opposite sex other than their wife, mother, sister, or daughter; the converse applies for women.
In keeping with Jewish law married Hasidic women cover their hair. Halakha ( הלכה; alternative transliterations include Halocho and Halacha) is the collective body of Jewish Religious law In many Hasidic groups the women wear sheitels (wigs) for this purpose. Sheitel ( שייטל, sheytl msg שייטלעך, sheytlekh mpl In some of these groups the women might also wear a tichel (scarf) or hat on top of the sheitel either on a regular basis or when attending services or other religious events. Other groups consider sheitels too natural looking, so they simply put their hair into kerchiefs (called tichels—a tichel often covers a shpitzel). The Tichel is a Headscarf worn by some married Orthodox Jewish women in compliance with the code of modesty known as Tzeniut. A Shpitzel is a headgear worn by many married Hassidic Women It consists of a web-net covering the women's head often with a "braid of hair" across the front In some groups, such as Satmar, married women shave their heads and wear head kerchiefs.
All allow uncovered hair before marriage.
Families
Hasidic men and women, as customary in Haredi Judaism, usually meet through matchmakers in a process called a shidduch, but marriages involve the mutual consent of the couple and of the parents. Betrothal ( shiddukhin) In Jewish law (halakha Betrothal (shiddukhin or Engagement is defined as the mutual promise between The Shidduch ( Hebrew: שידוך pl shidduchim שידוכים is a system of Matchmaking in which Jewish singles are introduced The Shidduch ( Hebrew: שידוך pl shidduchim שידוכים is a system of Matchmaking in which Jewish singles are introduced Expectations exist that a bride and groom should be about the same age. Marriage age ranges from 17-25, with 18-21 considered the norm. No custom encourages an older man marrying a young woman.
An old myth asserts that Hasidic couples have intercourse through a sheet with holes in it. This is not true. Many scholars have posited that this myth originated in the speculation of outsiders upon seeing the poncho-like tallit katan drying on a clothes line. The tallit (טַלִּית also called tallis ( Yiddish, plural taleysm) is a prayer Shawl worn during the morning Jewish services Since the tallit katan resembles a small square sheet with a hole in it (for the wearer's head to go through) and Hasidim were known for extreme modesty, a new myth was born. However, while this story is a myth, many pious Hasidic couples follow strict regulations regarding what types of sexual relations are allowed and how (which positions, etc). Hasidic thought stresses the holiness of sex.
Hasidic Jews typically produce large families; the average chasidic family in the United States has 7. 9 children. [1] This custom is followed out of a desire to fulfill the Biblical mandate to "be fruitful and multiply. "
Languages
Most Hasidim speak the language of their countries of residence, but use Yiddish amongst themselves as a way of remaining distinct and preserving tradition. Yiddish (yi [[wiktייִדיש ייִדיש]] yidish or yi [[wiktאידיש אידיש]] idish, literally "Jewish" is a nonterritorial High Yiddish (yi [[wiktייִדיש ייִדיש]] yidish or yi [[wiktאידיש אידיש]] idish, literally "Jewish" is a nonterritorial High Thus children are still learning Yiddish today, and the language, despite predictions to the contrary, is not dead. Yiddish newspapers are still published, and Yiddish fiction is being written, primarily aimed at women. Films in Yiddish are being produced within the Hasidic community, and released immediately as DVDs (as opposed to the Yiddish movies of the past, which were produced by non-religious Jews).
Some Hasidic groups actively oppose the everyday use of Hebrew, which is considered a holy tongue. To use it for anything other than prayer is profane. Hence Yiddish is the vernacular and common tongue for Hasidim around the world.
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Meaning "Master of the Good Name," sometimes abbreviated as Besht. Hasidic Philosophy or Hasidus (Hebrew חסידות alternatively transliterated as Hassidism, Chassidut etc See also Hasidic Judaism A Hasidic dynasty is a Dynasty of Hasidic spiritual leaders known as Rebbes and usually has some or all of the Schisms among the Jews are cultural as well as religious They have happened as a product of historical accident geography and Theology. Neo-Hasidism is a name frequently given to the significant revival of interest in Hasidic Judaism on the part of non- Orthodox Jews in different decades due to the
References
Books
- Boteach, Shmuel (April 1993). Shmuley Boteach (born November 19, 1966) Los Angeles, California, U Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge: basic concepts of hasidic thought. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson. Northvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Jason Aronson is an American Publisher of Books in the field of Psychotherapy. ISBN 0-87668-557-2 LCCN 95-6052. The Library of Congress Control Number or LCCN is a serially based system of numbering cataloging records in the Library of Congress in the United
- Buber, Martin [1947] (July 23, 1991). Martin Buber ( 8 February 1878 – 13 June 1965) was an Austrian Israeli Jewish Philosopher, translator Events 1632 - Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe France. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Tales of the Hasidim, translated by Olga Marx; forward by Chaim Potok, Paperback: 2 volumes in 1, New York, NY: Schocken Books. Chaim Potok ( February 17, 1929 - July 23, 2002) was an American Jewish Author and Rabbi. The City of New York Schocken Books ( Schocken Verlag) is a Publishing company that was established in Berlin with a publishing office in Prague in 1931 by the ISBN 0-8052-0995-6 LCCN 90-52921. The Library of Congress Control Number or LCCN is a serially based system of numbering cataloging records in the Library of Congress in the United
- Chapin, David (2000). The Road from Letichev: The history and culture of a forgotten Jewish community in Eastern Europe, Volume 1, co-author Ben Weinstock, Lincoln, NE: iUniverse. ISBN 0-595-00666-3.
- Dynner, Glenn (2006). Men of Silk: the Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. The City of New York ISBN 0-19-517522-0.
- Finkel, Avraham Yaakov (October 1994). Contemporary sages: the great Chasidic masters of the twentieth century. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson. Northvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Jason Aronson is an American Publisher of Books in the field of Psychotherapy. ISBN 1-56821-155-4 LCCN 94-3078. The Library of Congress Control Number or LCCN is a serially based system of numbering cataloging records in the Library of Congress in the United
- Nadler, Allan (June 24, 1997). Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The faith of the Mithnagdim: rabbinic responses to Hasidic rapture. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. The Johns Hopkins University Press is a Publishing house and division of Johns Hopkins University that engages in publishing journals and books ISBN 0-8018-5560-8 LCCN 96-6608. The Library of Congress Control Number or LCCN is a serially based system of numbering cataloging records in the Library of Congress in the United
- Rosman, Moshe (1996). Founder of Hasidism. Univ. of Calif. Press. ISBN 0-520-20191-4.
- Schochet, Elijah Judah (June 1994). The Hasidic Movement and the Gaon of Vilna. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson. Northvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Jason Aronson is an American Publisher of Books in the field of Psychotherapy. ISBN 1-56821-125-2 LCCN 93-38061. The Library of Congress Control Number or LCCN is a serially based system of numbering cataloging records in the Library of Congress in the United
- "Hasidic Judaism". Encyclopedia Judaica 7. (1972). Ed. Cecil Roth and Geoffrey Wigoder. Cecil Roth, ( London, 1899–1970 was a British Jewish Historian and educator New York, NY: Macmillan Company. The City of New York LCCN 84-214344. The Library of Congress Control Number or LCCN is a serially based system of numbering cataloging records in the Library of Congress in the United
Websites
- Hasidim, Hasidism, jewishencyclopedia. com
- Hasidism, jewishvirtuallibrary. org
- What is Chassidism?, scjfaq. org
- FAQ on Hasidism, hasidism. info
- Hasidic Judaism Reading List, shamash. org
- Chassidism from chabad. org
- Chassid Stories Archive
Further reading
- The Great Mission: The life and story of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov. Compiled by Rabbi Eli Friedman, translated by Rabbi Elchonon Lesches. Kehot Publication Society, 2005, ISBN 0-8266-0681-4.
- Holy Days: The World of a Hasidic Family. Lis Harris. Simon & Schuster New York, 1985, ISBN 0-684-81366-1.
- Unchosen: The Hidden Lives of Hasidic Rebels. Hella Winston. Beacon Press Boston, 2005, ISBN 0-8070-3626-9.
- Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of Hasidic Masters. Elie Wiesel. Elie Wiesel (born Eliezer Wiesel on September 30 1928 in Sighetu Marmaţiei, Romania) is a Jewish writer professor political activist Simon & Schuster New York, 1982, ISBN 0-6714-4171-X.
External links
- Huge Gerrer Hasidic wedding in Israel
- Rebbe performing a Mitzvah Tantz, a ritual dance
- Hasidim celebrating the holiday of Purim (Windows Media Audio/Video file)
- Hasidic population growth
- Online Community of Chassidic Jews "database for finding Chassidic Jews"
- Williamsburg "Photographs of Hassidim in Williamsburg, Brooklyn via Flickr"
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