Hasidim

Hasidim or Chasidim (Hebrew, “the pious ones”), in ancient Jewish history, especially pious people. In passages in the books of Maccabees and the Talmud, the term refers to those who distinguished themselves by loyalty to Jewish law and by charitable deeds. They joined the Maccabeans in opposing the Hellenizing efforts of King Antiochus IV of Syria, often going so far as to suffer death rather than transgress the Jewish law.

The name Hasidim is also applied to followers of Hasidism, a mystical sect established about the mid-18th century by the charismatic leader the Baal Shem Tov, who objected to the rigid formalism of Jewish religious practices and the rule of the Jewish community by the wealthy and the masters of rabbinic scholarship. He stressed trust in God and advocated joyous worship. He soon attracted many followers, especially among the poor, who formed the nucleus of the Hasidic movement.

The Baal Shem Tov was succeeded by Dov Baer of Mezricz, known as the Great Preacher; Levi Isaac of Berditchev; and Shneur Zalman of Ladi. The Baal Shem Tov did not write down his teachings, but writings by his successors include Kedushat Levi (The Holiness of Levi, 1798) by Levi Isaac and Tanya (1796) by Shneur Zalman.

The established rabbinical leaders and non-Hasidic Jewish communities strongly objected to the separatist Hasidim. One of the great rabbinic scholars, Elijah ben Solomon of Vilna, used a ban of excommunication against the Hasidim in 1772, but the group continued to grow rapidly.

The true centre of the Hasidic group was its leader, the zaddik (“righteous one”), who was revered as the mediator between the Hasidim and God and as a sage and counsellor. Some zaddikim were reputed to perform miracles. The groups were characterized by enthusiastic prayer services and by an emphasis on emotional piety as opposed to strictly disciplined study and ritual. They also held sacred meals, accompanied by singing and circle dancing. Occasionally women were elected to lead Hasidic communities; among them were Adel (born about 1720), the daughter of the Baal Shem Tov, and Hannah Rahel, known as the Virgin of Ludomir.

Hasidic teachings are largely based on talmudic and medieval Jewish mysticism. The primary emphasis is on a loving relationship with God. God is everywhere, even in evil, and one must strive to turn evil into goodness. Prayer, study, contemplation, and good deeds lead to an understanding of the divine. The Hasid should act out of love for God and for humanity, praying for all creation.

In the Holocaust, Hasidic Jews suffered tremendous losses. The total number of Hasidim throughout the world today is about 250,000, primarily in Israel and the United States. The men spend much time in prayer and in the study of sacred works, mainly by Hasidic authors; tell stories of Hasidic holy men; pronounce benedictions; punctiliously observe the sabbath and the dietary laws of rabbinic Judaism; and educate the young to follow their elders. The men dress in black, grow long beards and side locks, and keep their heads covered at all times with skullcaps and broad-brimmed hats. The women dress modestly (with long skirts and long sleeves); married women cover their hair with wigs or kerchiefs. Hasidic teachings have remained influential, both in Jewish life and, through the work of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, in contemporary philosophy and theology.