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Session Eight
Hasidism

Introduction	During roughly the same time that Yiddish secular radicalism was coming into being, the Hasidic movement inspired by the Baal Shem Tov was growing and continuing from generation to generation. Both secularism and Hasidism were ways in which Eastern European Jews, coming from a heritage of intense Torah study and Jewish observance, came to grips with the modern world. Jewish responsibilities are traditionally classified as "beyn adam l'chavero" -- between one person and another -- and "beyn adam laMakom" -- between people and the Divine. Secular radicalism emphasized the former and Hasidism emphasized the latter. We can be nourished by both.		The Tsupenester Rebbe said to his disciples when he caught them playing checkers instead of studying: "What holy Torah you are learning! You can only make one move at a time. Always go forward. And when you get to the goal, you can go anywhere you want."
	Early Hasidism, in the generation or two after the Baal Shem Tov, was a revolutionary force in Jewish life. "Deveykus", attachment to God, became more important than Torah study or other traditional values. Often it was reached through wild, holy-roller-style prayer. Some unlearned men and some women attained great importance as holy people and spiritual leaders because of their closeness to the Divine. There was an outpouring of spiritual power, creativity, individualism and building of new, intense communities. The leading rabbis of the time excommunicated the Hasidim for their strange behaviour, their neglect of Torah study, their disrepect for the established order. Hasidism never actually rejected halakhah, however, and remained a movement within traditional Judaism. The position of Hasidism today as the core of super-traditional Orthodox Judaism has its roots in the early days of the movement. This position pits today's Hasidic leadership against those of us who believe in intellectual openness, feminism, friendship with non-Jews, etc. Today's Hasidic leaders may even say now and then, and certainly think now and then, that the rest of us aren't really Jews, or at least aren't really practicing Judaism. However, while their Judaism may not include us, our Judaism can include them. An open-minded, open-hearted Jewish life can be deeply enriched by Hasidic teachings and stories and encounters with Hasidic people.
	About a Rebbe of our own times, the late Klausenberger Rov: Someone brought to the Rebbe, for his approbation, a commentary on the Siddur (the traditional prayerbook with the standard prayers which are repeated day after day). The Rebbe said: "A commentary on the Siddur! Interesting. But how is it possible? It's different every moment..."