Results for: Hasid

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In Judaism

What is Hasidic Judaism?

Hasidic Judaism is one major branch of Orthodox Judaism. TheChasidic (Hasidic) movement was founded some 280 years ago, byRabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760). He introduced… (MORE)

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In Judaism

What foods do hasidic jews eat?

Depending of their level of religious practice Hasidim (and evensecular Jews) may follow the teachings enumerated by Kashrut.Common prohibitions include pork and not mixing da… (MORE)

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In Judaism

What is the Hasidic view on smoking?

Smoking is a contravention of Jewish Law which requires a preservation of the body and a preservation of life. Since smoking only advances death, it is prohibited. This was re… (MORE)

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In Judaism

What does hasid mean?

"Hasid" is a noun and an adjective. As an adjective it means "pious" and\nis sometimes also used to mean "kind;" "going beyond the letter of the \nlaw." As a noun, "Hasid" and… (MORE)

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In Judaism

What is the holy place of Hasidic Jews?

The same as all other Jews. Prayers are conducted in synagogues;and the central holiest site is the Temple in Jerusalem, of whichonly the Western Wall now stands.

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In Judaism

What is a Hasidic Dynasty?

A Hasidic Dynasty is the passing-on of spiritual leadership fromone Chasidic Rebbe to the next. Usually such passing-on occursbetween a father-son relationship.

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In Judaism

Are Hasidic Jews cowards?

Many hasidic Jews, in an effort to shelter themselves fromassimilation and remain pure, do not attend secular colleges oreven speak fluent English. Yet somehow, against all od… (MORE)

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In Judaism

What do hasidic Jews believe?

The Chasidic (Hasidic) movement began long before Rabbi Israel BaalShem Tov came onto the scene in Eastern Europe during the 1740s. The roots of Chassidut stem from a Kabbalis…tic background, asadvanced into major, more revealed teaching by the Ari HaKadosh(Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534-1572) in his teachings on the Zohar andother books of kabbalistic literature. To go back even further, theZohar is accredited to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai from the times ofthe Mishna (roughly around 160 CE) although some opinions doubtthis. However, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem, the Baal Shem Tov, came along, andbegan to openly teach that which was previously kept concealed. Hetook the mystical interpretations of the Torah (the JewishScriptures) and began to form them into a teachings which wereaccessible to even an unlearned person. He quickly developed arustic following all over Eastern Europe. From Lithuania, toPoland, even as far east as Russia and as far south as the OttomanEmpire. The Baal Shem Tov organized his followers, sarcastically called'Hasidim' (meaning pious ones) by opponents to this movement, tospread his teachings everywhere they went. They focused onsupporting Jewish peasants into economic stability, stressing thecommandment to love another as oneself, and serving God with thewhole mind, and the whole heart. His teachings on the Torah weresaid to inspire anyone towards a love of God and a full devotion. The Baal Shem Tov and his followers were looked down upon by manyother Jewish Leaders at the time for their public displays ofdevotion to God. Many Hasidim would loudly sing during the publicprayers, crying with sadness and singing with joy. Some went as faras to cavort and do headstands. For some reason that was frownedon. The cold sterility of Judaism in Europe was coming to a close. After his death, his appointed successor was the Maggid Rabbi DovBer of Mezrtich. He continued in the paths of the Baal Shem Tov,further strengthening the bonds of Judaism, and teaching others theway of full devotion to God. He established centers of Chasidut allover Europe and in Israel. His inner circle of disciples, known asthe Chevraia Kadisha ("Holy Brotherhood"), included hisson Rabbi Avraham HaMalach (The Angel), Rabbi Nachum of Czernobyl,Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, Rabbi Zusha of Hanipol, Rabbi LeviYitzchok of Berditchev, Rabbi Boruch of Medzhybizh, Rabbi Aharon(HaGadol) of Karlin, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, Rabbi ShmuelShmelke of Nikolsburg and Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. When the Maggid passed on, leadership of the chassidic movement wasorganized in the regions where the Maggid had established hisdisciples. This led to an eventual dispute over the direction thatHasidism would take, and how much of it should be taught. After thedeath of the Maggid in 1772, these disciples dispersed to theirassigned territories. Under the Baal Shem Tov and then the Maggid,Hasidism had flourished in Podolia and Volynia (present dayUkraine) After 1772, under the third generation of leadership, itrapidly spread far and wide, from Galicia and Poland to WhiteRussia (Belarus) in the north. The disciples of the Maggid tookdifferent interpretations and qualities of their Master'steachings. This, combined with the new dispersal of theirlocations, meant that after the Maggid, the Hasidic movementavoided appointing one unifying leader to succeed Dovber. Eventually, the most authority was placed in the hands of two ofThe Maggids disciples. Rabbi Elimelech continued the leadership inPoland. His teaching stressed the importance and the nature of aTzaddik (righteous person) and his role as a leader andintercessor. In Hasidic history, his book Noam Elimelech became thespiritual doctrine for general Hasidism, giving birth to the manyleaders, successors and dynasties of mainstream Hasidism, andinspiring the emotional attachment and spiritual bond of the commonfolk to their Rebbe. Through attachment to the saintly individual,who knew mystical secrets, and interceded in Heaven on theirbehalf, the followers could connect to Divinity. Where themainstream role of the Tzaddik was emphasised, it often accompaniedbelief in the benefit of miracle-working, to channel spiritual andmaterial blessing, and increase fervour. The followers would makepilgrimages to their Masters, where they would gain enthusiasm,receive teachings, or could gain private audiences. Schneur Zalman of Liadi articulated a different path in Hasidismfrom the mainstream. The separate school of Habad, begun by SchneurZalman, stressed the intellectual articulation of Hasidic thought.He developes his ideas of Hasidim in the Tanya , which hesubtitled the Hasidic "book for the intermediate person". Thismystical philosophy of "Chabad" was named after the intellectualsefirot in Kabbalah: Chochma, Binah, Daas (Wisdom, Understanding,Knowledge). The aim of Schneur Zalman was to offer his followersthe ability to internalise the mystical philosophy of Hasidism The most prominent Hasidic movement today are widely considered tobe Chabad, Breslov, and Satmar. While there are many other sectsand Rebbes to be found, the three are the most well known. (MORE)

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In Religion & Spirituality

Why are Hasidic Jews stricter?

Jews who choose to be stricter, whether Hasidim or others, do so because they feel that we have been created to serve God and should make the strongest effort possible. Strict… (MORE)

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In Judaism

How does a person become a Hasidic Jew?

To be a Hasidic Jew, one must be born of a Jewish mother. Hasidic Judaism is a strict orthodox branch of Judaism, so one must be prepared to follow all Jewish law devoutly and… (MORE)