What the difference between hasidic and orthodox Jews?

Answer 1

Hasidic Judaism, also known as Chasidism, originated in what is now Ukraine during the 18th Century when Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer sought to revive the religion, which he felt had developed in a way that placed too much emphasis on scholarship and academic study at the cost of the simple enjoyment of worship and spirituality. In doing so, he hoped to increase the sense of participation felt by uneducated and poor Jews - who in many cases were unable to devote so much time and energy to Torah (Jewish Bible) study and discussion of Jewish philosophy as those from more affluent and educated backgrounds - and as a result attract Jews who may have been feeling distant or cut off from Judaism back to the religion. Hasidism was remarkably successful in this aim, and spread throughout Europe very rapidly - by 1830, the vast majority of Jews in central Poland, Ukraine and Galicia (a region currently divided between Poland and Ukraine) were Hasidim.

One chief difference between the Hasidim and other branches of Orthodox Judaism is in the way that they view the rabbi who, in Hasidism, is usually known as the rebbe (outside of Hadsidic circles, the rebbe is sometimes known as a Grand Rabbi). While a rabbi must be an expert on many aspects of Judaism, a rebbe is seen in a far more spiritual way as a conduit to G-d. As a tzaddik (exceptionally righteous person), the rebbe has perfected his personal service to G-d to such a degree that he attains physical awareness of G-d's presence in daily life and an awareness or perception that transcends the normal boundaries of existence. This is believed to give him such a powerful insight into life that he is virtually able to see into the future, and in many cases he is believed to be able to affect divine providence allowing the working of "miracles."

Hasidism also places great emphasis on the importance of the Kabbalah and believes that it can be taught to all through prayer - in many of Judaism's other denominations, Kabbalah is commonly considered of less importance or excessively esoteric and mystical for widespread study by all.

Hasidic prayers are accompanied by nigunim (singular nigun), melodious hummed tunes, which in some cases are based on very old East European folk tunes that have been adapted to give them a spiritual aspect or on sections of Torah text. Nigunim have been adopted by other Jewish groups, but it was the Hasidim who used them first. The tune of each nigun - some of which are specific to particular Hasidic communties - reflects the emotional tone of each prayer. Mental concentration during prayer is essential within all of those Jewish denominations that pray (Humanistic Jews do not), but this is taken to an altogether higher level by Hasidim who often devote a very great deal of time to each prayer - some groups spend seven seconds contemplating each and every word of the Amidah, a long prayer consisting on 19 blessings. Hasidim also place great importance on the mikvah, a pool of water within which Jews ritually immerse themselves to achieve spiritual cleanliness. Whereas many Orthodox Jews will visit a mikvah before religious holidays, many Hasidim will do so daily.

Followers of Hasidic Judaism may join groups known as Hasidic Dynasties, a sort of study and prayer group that has a rebbe as its spiritual leader, with leadership passing on after the rebbe's death - usually to one of the rebbe's family. In most cases, the dynasty will be named after the town in Eastern Europe where the rebbe or his family originated or where the movement began, such as the well-known Chabad-Lubavitch which, for over a century, was based in the Russian town Lyubavichi. Chabad-Lubavitch, which maintains "Chabad houses" on many university campuses to offer support to both Jewish and non-Jewish students, is notably different to other forms of Judaism and Hasidism in that it conducts outreach campaigns intended to draw non-observant and non-Orthodox Jews back to the faith and encourage them to adopt Orthodox observance - a practice known as kiruv which, in the words of the last Chabad Rebbe Menachem Schneerson, will "accelerate the coming of the Messiah." Outreaching is exceedingly rare in Judaism, which often actively seeks to discourage converts, but has led to Chabad becoming one of the largest Hasidic dynasties with around 200,000 adherents worldwide.

Answer 2

Hasidic Judaism is a movement under the Orthodox denomination of Judaism. In Judaism there are three denominations, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. The difference between these denominations is how strict they are and how observant. Orthodox Jews attempt to follow all 613 laws in the Torah. Orthodox Judaism is very strict and very observant. Reform Judaism is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Reform Judaism sees the Torah more of a guide and less of a book of absolute laws. Reform Judaism is more relaxed and embraces more modern ideas.

Answer 3

Different is not the proper word. Orthodox is a general category of Judaism and Hasidism is a subcategory. It would be similar to asking, how are lions different from big cats? -- A lion is a type of big cat, but there are other big cats (tigers, jaguars, and leopards). The situation is similar here. Under the umbrella of Orthodoxy, there are Modern Orthodox, Secular Orthodox, Hasidic, Haredi, etc.

Typically, the most distinct branch of Orthodoxy from Hasidism is Modern Orthodoxy. There is no difference in religious observance (both recite the same liturgies at the same times) and the only real difference is that the Modern Orthodox are more socialized with their fellow non-Jewish or Jewish, but non-observant co-workers. As part of this socialization, they usually speak the vernacular language of the place where they live (like English, French, Spanish) as opposed to a Jewish language (like Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino) as their primary language; they dress in typical Western Business Attire as opposed to the famous Black Cloaks of the Hasidim; they typically shave their beard (except during the Omer when it is forbidden to shave); and Modern Orthodox will live in towns or city neighborhoods with significant non-Jewish or non-observant Jewish members as opposed to Hasidim who live in primarily Hasidic Communities.

Answer 4

---- Hasidic Jews are a kind of orthodox Jew and have more laws and are more restricted than reform Jews .Hasidic Orthodox ----

Answer 5

Hasidic Jews are a type of strictly Orthodox Jews.

Answer 6

Hasidic Jews are stricter than regular Orthodox Jews.

Answer 7

an orthodox Jew follows many more religious rules and practices than a reformed Jew

Answer 8

Hassidic Judaism emerged in 18th century Eastern Europe. It began as a pietist movement, emphasizing personal piety and strongly inspired by the mysticism of Kabbalah. Charismatic rabbis teaching this stream of thought attracted disciples and founded dynasties that preserve the traditions handed down by their founders. Each Hassidic group has a rebbe, a chief rabbi, who is the designated heir (not necessarily direct descendant) of the founder of that dynasty. Two Hassidic groups today have no rebbe because there was no designated heir. Hassidic Jews are Orthodox, but Orthodoxy does not require either the mystical focus of Hassidism, nor the adherence to the rule of a rebbe, nor the maintenance of traditions established in 18th century Eastern Europe. Note however, that some of the Hassidic rebbes were brilliant men, and non-Hassidic Judaism, both Orthodox and more liberal, has gained immensely from some of their teachings.