Notes for Religious Studies 369:

Introduction to Judaism

Modern Judaism

Hassidism

Rabbi Israel Ba'al Shem Tov (c. 1700-1760)

Background: Demoralization of Russian Jewry

The conventional account in standard histories explains the rise of Hasidism as a response to the difficult plight of Eastern European Jews in his time:

• Terrible massacres decimated the community:
  1648--Cossack massacres led by Bogdan Chmielnicki murdered about half the Jewish population of Ukraine and Poland.
  • 1654--Polish massacres.
  • 1768--Russian peasant revolts
• Widespread poverty, excessive taxation
• Class divisions: Jewish communal leadership unresponsive to needs of poor.
• Traditional Talmudic religion provided insufficient consolation or inspiration for masses in times of crisis.
• Fierce resistance to Hasidism by advocates of traditional Talmudic learning.
  Ban of excommunication by Rabbi Elijah the Ga'on of Vilna.
  Opponents of Hasidism known as Misnagdim.

Note: Recent studies demonstrate that the grim situation described above did not apply to the region of Podolia, where the Ba'al Shem Tov lived.
Podolia was enjoying an economic recovery, under relatively stable political regimes. The Jews were not subject to notable persecution of hardships.
Therefore, the conventional portrayal of the Ba'al Shem Tov's movement as a response to suffering is very questionable.

Life

• Note: Much of the biographical information about him must be extrapolated from the immense quantities of legendary traditions that were woven around him.
• Legend describes him as a "hidden" mystic unappreciated by his neighbours. Recent evidence indidates he was a respected figure in his community.
• His expertise in medicinal herbs earned him a reputation as a "ba'al shem"--healer, magician.
  As he practiced his healing craft he also began to preach his religious teachings.
• c. 1736--Hasidic legend speaks of the Besht publicly revealing his mission at the age of 36.
• He did not originate Hasidism. Pietistic individuals and circles were common in the region at the time. These figures were known for their high level of personal spirituality, usually based on Kabbalistic teachings.
• The main difference between the previous Hasidism and the Ba'al Shem Tov's approach lay in the latter's rejection of asceticism and self-denial.
• He spread his teachings effectively by means of simple stories and parables that appealed to the uneducated Jewish masses.

Principal Teachings

• Priority of emotion over intellect: simple piety over Talmudic erudition
• Overwhelming consciousness of God's Immanence, even in outwardly simple objects and actions. Appreciation of God in nature.
  The experience of the Divine is thus accessible to all.
• Joy at consciousness of a loving, ever-present Creator.
  Appropriate mood for worship is happiness; suffering impedes a proper relationship with God.
  Effective antidote to the demoralization of Polish and Russian Jewry.
  Encouraged singing, dancing, story-telling, drinking, etc.
  "Restoration" of songs and stories as mystical and spiritual acts.

---

Click here to listen to a Chabad Hasidic dance tune: <a href="Sounds/simcha-ab.mp3">[Play Sound]</a>

Click here to listen to a Modzitz Hasidic waltz tune: <a href="Sounds/modzitz.wav">[Play Sound]</a>

Click here to listen to a Modzitz Hasidic march tune: <a href="Sounds/EinKitzva.mp3">[Play Sound]</a>

---

• Emphasis on the importance of sincere prayer
  Two important mystical ideals of prayer:
  1. Devekus ("clinging"; constant devotion): The unceasing consciousness of God's presence.
     Related to pantheistic approach: Nothing in the world is empty of the Divine.
  2. Hislahavus ("bursting into flame"; ecstatic enthusiasm): The experience of spiritual exultation as the soul is elevated towards God.
  Celebrated sincere devotion over mechanical recitation of the liturgy.
  Participation of all limbs and forms of expression in worship: through gesticulation, dance, song, etc.
• Messianism and Eschatology: Scholarly disagreement about the importance of Messianic aspirations in the doctrines of the Ba'al Shem Tov.
  G. Scholem: He intentionally tried to neutralize the eschatological themes, reinterpreting them as processes that take place internally spiritual processes.
• Ideal of indiscriminate solidarity and love for all fellow Jews.

Development of Movement

• Following the Besht's death, Hasidism developed a model of local charismatic leadership.
  Allowed common folks to achieve vicarious fulfilment through devotion to a righteous saint: Tzaddik (or: Rebbe)
• Different Hasidic movements evolved distinctive models of spirituality based on the personalities of their leaders.