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Religious Thought of Hasidism: Text and Commentary »

Book cover image of Religious Thought of Hasidism: Text and Commentary by Norman Lamm

Authors: Norman Lamm (Editor), Norman Lamm
ISBN-13: 9780881255010, ISBN-10: 0881255017
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: KTAV Publishing House, Inc.
Date Published: June 1996
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Norman Lamm

Book Synopsis

Unrivaled in its scope The Religious Thought of Hasidism is a veritable encyclopedia of Hasidic religious thought, covering the major themes of Hasidic theological discourse asenunciated by the seminal thinkers of the first three generations, with occasional selections from the later periods. It provides a detailed sketch of the historical background of the early Hasidic movement and charts its central ideas within the wider intellectual and historical context of Jewish religious and mystical thought.. "The Religious Thought of Hasidism presents thoroughly annotated translations of selected passages, arranged according to topic. Introductory sections provide an overview and a context for the material in each chapter and a general introduction does the same for the volume as a whole.

Publishers Weekly

Lamm, who is president of Yeshiva University, offers a monumental and magisterial history of Hasidism. When it emerged in the 18th century under the leadership of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (usually referred to as the Besht), Hasidism combined the mystical elements of Kabbalah with scrupulous observance of Torah and halakah. Because Hasidism was a strongly messianic movement, many critics accused it of not taking seriously enough halakic regulations concerning prayer and worship. Lamm's invaluable collection of primary documents narrates Hasidism's theological development. Each of the book's 18 chapters focuses on intellectual topics ranging from "God and Providence" and "The Soul" to "Evil and Suffering" and "Exile and Redemption." Lamm introduces each chapter with a brief historical and theological essay, then gathers the writings of various Hasidic teachers, from the 18th to the 20th centuries, on these topics. For example, the section on the soul opens with reflections on the "ten sefirot of the Jewish soul," by Rabbi Shneur Zalman (1745-1813), and includes a meditation on the soul by Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1811), a grandson of the Besht, concluding with Rabbi Elimelekh of Lizhensk's (1717-1787) reflections on "the soul as wife." Included here are also the writings of the Besht and his successor, the Maggid of Mezeritch (1710-1772), who continued his teacher's emphases on asceticism and mysticism. Lamm's collection opens the pages on a fascinating chapter in religious history and practice. (Mar.)

Table of Contents

PREFACExxix
NOTE TO THE READERxxxv
GENERAL INTRODUCTIONxxxix
CHAPTER ONE, GOD AND PROVIDENCE1
CHAPTER TWO, THE SOUL55
CHAPTER THREE, FAITH67
CHAPTER FOUR, LOVE AND FEAR99
CHAPTER FIVE, DEVEKUT133
CHAPTER SIX, WORSHIP, SERVICE OF GOD173
CHAPTER SEVEN, TORAH STUDY219
CHAPTER EIGHT, THE ZADDIK251
CHAPTER NINE, WORSHIP THROUGH CORPOREALITY323
CHAPTER TEN, REPENTANCE337
CHAPTER ELEVEN, ELEVATION OF CHARACTER371
CHAPTER TWELVE, PART A, JOY AND DEJECTION387
CHAPTER TWELVE, PART B, SMALLNESS AND GREATNESS403
CHAPTER THIRTEEN, PEACE413
CHAPTER FOURTEEN, PRIDE AND HUMILITY441
CHAPTER FIFTEEN, EVIL ANDSUFFERING453
CHAPTER SIXTEEN, LIFE AND DEATH489
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN, EXILE AND REDEMPTION513
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN,WOMEN585
BIOGRAPHIES605
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES611
GLOSSARY625
INDICES635

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