Hasidic Jew - The History, Culture and Lifestyle of Hasidism

History of Hasidism

The Hasidic Jews beliefs and practices date back to the Eighteenth century. Hasidism - the Hasidic Judaism movement was founded by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. There are many mystical stories surrounding his great personality. Hassidic Jews tell over a very interesting story on the birth of the founder of Hasidism Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. His father Rabbi Eliezer was a very pious Orthodox Jew, who together with his wife Sara was childless till close to age 100.

R' Eliezer and his wife always did the great deed of taking in guest, as called by Orthodox Jews - Hachnasat Orchim. There was great admiration in heaven for the great deeds of R' Eliezer and his wife Sara. The court of heaven decided that they must be rewarded.

Hasidic Jews relate the story further. The Satan argued that he wants to test R' Eliezer if he will take in as a guest even poor and dirty person. The court of heaven agreed. The Satan dressed up as a poor person dressed in rags and dirty from head to toe. He had a terrible body odor and knocked on the door of R' Eliezer and asked if he can stay there. R' Eliezer and Sara agreed. He asked for food, and behaved in a very immoral fashion. He asked for more and more food and later requested to sleep in R' Eliezers bed. All his needs were fulfilled.

As soon as the Satan returned to heaven, the heavenly court decided that he must be rewarded. Hasidic legend goes that it was decided in heaven that Sara give birth to a son with a holy soul, a soul that merits to come on earth only once in a thousand years.

Little Srulik was born, and his parents died when he was at very young age. Srulik devoted his childhood years for deep learning of Torah. Hasidism history started then at his very young age. Hasidic Jews accept many stories about his holiness in his very young age. His devotion to Hashem (God), his love for every fellow Jew and his happiness to every Mitzvah (commandment) of Hashem (God), were seen at his very young age.

As Rabbi Yisroel grew older he looked around on his fellow Orthodox Jews. He looked around and saw many of them very broken hearted and upset with their Judaism. He started to go around to towns and villages where Orthodox Jews lived, and taught Hasidic Jews Beliefs. He explained the love of Hashem (God) to every single Jew, the importance of love to every fellow Jew, and the vision of doing every commandment of Hashem with great love.

R' Yisroel, or as Hasidic Jews call him the Baal Shem Tov (the man with the Great Name) starting gathering around him many followers. This is when the Hasidic Judaism movement started. It was at the beginning of the eighteenth century that he started gaining followers in the thousands.

R' Yisroel Baal Shem Tov

Many many stories are retols by Hassidic Jews on the divine power of R' Yisroel. His blessing worked wonders. Childless parents were blessed with children, the sick were healed and the lost were found through his blessings. Even gentiles came to him for his blessing. He would be able to say what's happening on the end of the world, and tell in advance on upcoming events. His followers and Hassidim today believe in him as heavenly divine sage.

Beliefs of Hasidic Jews

It is important to stop here and explain a little of the beliefs of Hasidic Judaism beliefs of Hasidic Judaism, in order to understand the later development of Orthodox Hasidic Jews and its movements. The Baal Shem Tov emphasized the importance of singing to Hashem and the value of every small deed. The following is a list Hasidism beliefs which can describe the definition of Hasidism:

1. Amunas Tzadikim
2. Hashguche Pratis
3. Ahavas Hashem
4. Ahavas Yisroel
5. Simcha

Amunas Tzadikim - belief in Great Sages. The Baal Shem Tov, emphasized the need to believe in the Rabbis and Sages. He explained that the simple Jews connection to Hashem (God) is through the Tzadik (righteous Rabbi). The simple Jew must therefore connect and observe the action of the Tzadik. The connection between the Tzadik, or The Rabbi and his student, or as called by Hassidic Jews the Chasid, is to be a very tight bond. The Tzadik will worry for the wellbeing of his student, the Chasid, while the Chasid listens and obeys to what he is taught by the tzadik.

Hasguche Pratis - Divine Guidance on every small detail.

You can't define Hasidism without elaborating on Hashguche Pratis. In fact Hasguche Pratis had a major impact on the future development of Hasidic Jews Culture. The Baal Shem Tov taught his followers that every straw that falls from a wagon has an exact address where and how to fall, all guided by Hashem (God). The strong belief and emphasis to rely on Hashem on every small detail led Hasidim to lead their own life without worrying for the future. For Hashem (God) designed everything and has his great master plan.

Ahavas Hashem - Love to Hashem (God).

The baal Shem Tov stressed the need of love to Hashem. The love would be shown by praying with devotion for many hours, getting together and singing songs in praise for Hashem, learning Torah in order to give pleasure for Hashem and more. The bond between the Jew and Hashem, according to teaching of the Baal Shem Tov is strong, that it can never fade.

Ahavas Yisroel- Love for every Jew.

Loving your fellow Jew is vital for your connection with Hashem. Achdus (living together in peace and harmony) is what makes Hashem give all goods for the Jews. Just like a father loves when his children live in harmony, Hashem loves when his children live in harmony and peace. The many Chesed organizations today, that were founded by Hasidic Jews in New York and elsewhere, is all a result of this teaching of Ahavas Yisroel.

Simcha - Hapiness.

Hashem hates when his children are upset. When a Jew cries - Hashem cries with him. It is therefore very important to always be happy, do Mitzvos with happiness and Learn Torah with happiness. There are many Hasidic Jews customs that reflect happiness. Gathering on every holiday and dancing, helping each other with a smile and much more. Hassidism developed in being a very happy culture as part of this teaching.

Hitnagdut - Opposition

At the outset of the Hassidic Jewish movement there was great opposition. Many great Jewish leaders were against the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov and his followers. They feared that it is a start to a shift away of authentic Judaism. They looked at it as a beginning of a new movement, somehow like reform or Conservative Judaism that later developed. These fears turned out later to be baseless, as the Hassidim devoted their life to even stricter Orthodox Jewish standards. You can read more on the history of the opposition to Hassidism here.

Nineteenth Century

After the passing of the Baal Shem Tov, Hasidism spread in the nineteenth century from Ukraine to Russia, Poland and Lithuania. It is in these years that the Hasidic Jews clothing style started to develop. Hasidic Jews started to grow in the numbers of hundreds of thousands under many different leaders, all of them disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. Pictures of Hasidic Jews in those days can be found in museums and old books. The Hasidic Jews photos of those days show the Hassidic Jews dressed in long black garbs, small caps on their head and big nice curls to their side.

Twentieth century

As Hasidism progressed it started becoming more organized. It developed into multiple streams and sects, all of them following the basic teaching of the Baal Shem Tov. It's hard for someone that isn't a Hassid to understand the many differences. There are a few dominant sects within Hassidic Judaism.

Chabad - Lubavitch

Satmar

Breslov

Chabad - Lubavitch, founded by great Rabbi Schneior Zalmen of Liadi, a disciple of Rabbi Ber of Mezritch, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. Their latest leader was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schnierson, who was a leader of thousands of Hassidim. Lubavitch Hassidim are especially for their outreach for every Jew to bring him to Orthodoxy. One of the great projects of the Lubavitch Rabbi was Shluchim, emissaries. Lubavitch Hassidim have thousands of Bait Chabad (centers for hospitality and Judaism) all over the world. They are also known for their great love for the land of Israel and having political right view opinions in Israeli politics.

Satmar - Lead by late Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum. Rabbi Teitelbaum was the one of the greatest Rabbis to rebuild Hassidism in New York after WW2. He revived Hasidic Jews in America. Most Brooklyn Hasidic Jews are from his followers, of influenced by them. He also known for his strong anti- Zionist views. He believed that the Jews are not to have their own State before the coming of Messiah.

Breslov. Breslov Hasidim believe in Reb Nacmen of Breslov, a grandson of the Baal Shem Tov. They don't have a leader today, only so called Mashpi'im (influencers). They practice Simcha (hapiness), love for every Jew and all other principles of Hasidism. Reb Nachmen added to Hasidism the importance of Hitbodedut - standing alone with Hashem (God). They Breslov Hassidim will lock themselves in a room or go out in the woods and communicate with Hashem.

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