hasidic jews?

Question

do they really try to avoid stepping on your shadow? thats what it said in the paper yesterday...

Oh i forgot to add, what are their other beliefs??

Answer 1

Hi there,

yes I beleive they do, because they connect the shadow to the soul!

Lozza

Answer 2

Never heard that one! They are Orthodox Jews (follow the Torah as it has always been followed), often have a "Rebbe" who leads the entire community, and stay seperate from the outside world, since it has many bad things.

Answer 3

Hasidic Judaism (also Chassidic, etc., from the Hebrew: Chasidut חסידות, meaning "piety", from the Hebrew root word chesed חסד meaning "loving kindness") is a Haredi Jewish religious movement. Some refer to Hasidic Judaism as Hasidism, and the adjective Chasidic/Hasidic (or in Yiddish Chasidish חסידיש) applies. The movement originated in Eastern Europe (Belarus and Ukraine) in the 18th century.

Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (1698–1760), also known as the Ba'al Shem Tov [1], founded Hasidic Judaism. It originated in a time of persecution of the Jewish people, when European Jews had turned inward to Talmud study; many felt that most expressions of Jewish life had become too "academic", and that they no longer had any emphasis on spirituality or joy. The Ba'al Shem Tov set out to improve the situation. In its initial stages, Hasidism met with opposition from several contemporary leaders, most notably the Vilna Gaon, leader of the Lithuanian Jews, united as the misnagdim—literally meaning "those who stand opposite".

Beliefs of the Group

The uniqueness of Hasidism is that it not only stresses teachings, but a way of life that focuses on the importance of community 33 . The personal attitude of faith works to form community. The teachings are carried on by their life. Each leads an individual life that forms community.


"I have come into the world," maintained the Besht, "to show man how to live by three precepts: love of God, love of Israel, and love of the Torah" 35 . According to the Besht, there are no divisions between the sacred and the secular, and there are no veils between Man and his Creator. "A man's every act must reflect the worship of the Creator" 36 . Ba'al Shem Tov has three important principles that pertained to his teachings. His theory of emotion over intellect held the importance of God's emmanence, joy, and prayer. The highest Hasidic importance was of devekut, which means a communion or attachment to God. To Ba'al Shem Tov, it should not be seen only as a means to magic or the mystic, but for religious observance.

Ba'al Shem Tov taught through his parables and put an emphasis on the idea of having a pure heart and worshipping God. Joy was also very important in having a good relationship with God. Ba'al Shem Tov also said that depression was something that was negative and only altered the communication that is needed between Jews and the Creator 37 .

Realizing that there is an ever loving Creator should lead to feelings of joy. Ba'al Shem Tov wanted to prove an alternative way or worship that was different from the negative antics beset by Polish and Russian Jewry. Ba'al Shem Tov's theory was that feeling good about yourself meant that you felt good about God and your relationship with Him. He encouraged joy through activities of singing, dancing, story-telling, drinking, etc.

Another important doctrine was worshipping through prayer. The two main ideas surrounding this phenomenon are:


1. Devekus ("Clinging," constant devotion): The unceasing consciousness of God's presence.
2. Hislahavus ("Bursting into flame," ecstatic enthusiasm): The experience of spiritual exultation as the soul is elevated towards God.
Here is a list of other important teachings Ba'al Shem Tov taught through his parables and he put an emphasis on the idea of having a pure heart and worshipping God. Joy was also very important in having a good relationship with God. Ba'al Shem Tov also said that depression was something that was negative and only altered the communication that is needed between Jews and the Creator.

Answer 4

I never heared about this fact (that they try to avoid this).

Answer 5

He encouraged joy through activities of singing, dancing, story-telling, drinking, etc....



That sounds a good idea !

Answer 6

never heard that and am doubtful. (for one, it would be rather impossible to avoid.)