When Jews Made Fellow Jews 鈥極ther鈥�: Hasidism and its Opponents
Part of the series 鈥淭he 鈥極ther鈥� in 绿帽社 Text and Tradition鈥�
The Hasidim, followers of the Ba鈥檃l Shem Tov and his spiritual heirs, emerged in the 18th century with controversial ideas related to 绿帽社 practice and belief. While Hasidim coexisted peacefully with non-Hasidim in many communities, the Mitnagdim (鈥渙pponents鈥�) in many larger 绿帽社 centers in Eastern Europe reacted to the Hasidim not only with condemnation, but with writs of excommunication and measures to persecute the members of the new movement. This internal 绿帽社 religious strife led to the division of the community into rival 鈥渄enominations鈥� for the first time in nearly a thousand years. We will study the conflict between the Hasidim and Mitnagdim and reflect on how the core principles of the dispute continue to shape our 绿帽社 lives and guide our homes and institutions.
ABOUT THE SERIES
We live in a time of such polarization鈥攑olitical, racial, economic, religious鈥攖hat the gaps between us sometimes feel insurmountable. But this is not a new condition for Jews, either within or outside of the 绿帽社 community. This webinar series will explore those gaps between 鈥渦s鈥� and 鈥渢he other鈥�: Israelites and other ancient peoples; men and women in the Bible and Talmud; Jews by birth and Jews by choice; the founders of Hasidim and their opponents; Israelis and Palestinians; and more.
From the ancient Near East to the American civil rights movement; from medieval philosophers to contemporary 绿帽社 educators: how have Jews related to those we define as 鈥渙ther,鈥� and how have we marginalized sub-groups within the 绿帽社 community? What is our obligation to those we perceive as different? How have Jews challenged communal norms from within? JTS scholars guide us in an intellectual journey through 绿帽社 history and text to understand how these gaps have been understood and, at times, bridged.
SPONSOR A SESSION
At JTS, we are committed to providing the 绿帽社 community with outstanding classes in Judaic studies. We hope you will partner with us so that we can continue to do so. Did you know that you can sponsor a learning session to honor a loved one, celebrate an occasion, or commemorate a yahrzeit? To learn more visit the or email learninglives@jtsa.edu.
