The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Hasidism

a mystical religious tendency in Judaism that arose in the first half of the 18th century among the Jewish population of Volyn’, Podolia, and Galicia in opposition to official Judaism, and to the rabbinate in particular. The founder of Hasidism was Israel Bal Shem Tob (1700–60), known as the Besht.

Hasidism is characterized by religious fanaticism, belief in miracles, and adherence to the teachings of the zaddiks (holy seers), who are allegedly in communication with god as well as being gifted with supernatural powers and having all creation in their control. The zaddiks, like the rabbis, were fanatically opposed to any education of the popular masses; they also had a fanatic hatred of the revolutionary movement. Based on this similarity of views, the Hasidic movement gradually found a way to compromise with the rabbinate and was recognized by the synagogue.

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References in periodicals archive

Over the last quarter century, tensions in Quebec have run high between Hasids and their francophone Quebecois neighbors over the question of "reasonable accommodation" of the nonmainstream ethnic group.

Kol Isha: Malka Zipora's Lekhaim as the voice of the Hasidic woman in Quebec

In another context, the Talmud suggests, "The person who wants to become a hasid should abide by the laws concerning torts and damages, so said Rav Judah.

Hasidei umot ha-olam: a remarkable concept

(25) He was particularly upset in the way the Maggid separated himself from the ordinary hasid. Pinhas exclaimed, "Of what benefit to them is the Maggid of Mezeritch since he has excluded himself for so many years." (26)

The Hasidic revolution: foundation of American popular culture

As he flees the chaos in Amersterdam, Sam meets another Hasid on the street.

Holy Rollers

Its hero, Reb Yudel Hasid, is the embodiment of every wandering, drifting Jew in the ghettos of the tsarist and Austro-Hungarian empires.

Agnon, S.Y

Elie begins with the story of a young Hasid in great distress and confusion over life.

Waves of understanding

Pictured above l-r: Eran Polack, Sariel Engel, Hans Wagner, Monzer Khafagy, Amir Hasid, Nir Amsel, Samuel Wagner.

HAP Investments broke ground for its new East Harlem rental project on the corner of 3rd Avenue and E. 121st Street

She said she plans to identify herself as Abbas Hasid Rumi Al Naely, a 44-year-old Shiite Iraqi turned over to American authorities by the Pakistani government in 2002.

Worcester peace activist set for trial

Jason Biggs ("The Graduate") is to die for as a brash young Hasid named Hershel Klein, a New York diamond merchant who is fully observant of orthodox religious tradition but doesn't let it cramp his style, which runs to high-top sneakers and a Yankees yarmulke.

Modern Orthodox