The Social and Cultural History of Hasidism

Submitted by Jan Darsa

We were fortunate to have with us Professor Marcin Wodzinski, Professor of History and Literature and the Director of Jewish Studies at the University of Wroclaw. He is one of the foremost world experts in Hasidism and over two sessions he spoke to us about the social and cultural history of Hasidism. Prof. Wodyinski spoke to us about two contradictory images of Hasidism.

1. Hasidic Jews portrayed as an icon of traditional Jewish life
2. Hasidic Jewery as the most successful attempt to combat modernity

Hasedism is an example of the most popular mystical movement of the Jewish people, started by the Ba'al Shem Tov in the mid-18th century.  It quickly spread over Eastern Europe of Galicia , Lithuania, Bylorus and other areas.

It was a movement made up of many communities, which were each unique and specific to a particular Rabbinic leader, but they all followed the traditions of Orthodox Judiasm which added some of the mystical traditions of the Kabbalah and used Sephardic (Spanish Jewish) prayer book because it was considered more pious.  To be Hassidic, however, was more like being a member of a fraternity.  It was not a sect, requiring segregated living and unwavering adherance.   Hassids were part of their orthodox community, but added Hassidic customs and traditions to that practice.

We were given a rich demographic and statistical picture of the growth and spread of the Hasidic movement.  Many of us were surprised that woman were not considered members of the Hasidic sect (Hassida -- the female hebrew word for Hassid -- actually means "stork.").