The Rebirth of Hasidism 1945 to the Present Day

by Gutwirth, Jacques; Leighton, Sophie

• ISBN13: 9781853437748
• ISBN10: 1853437743
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-01
• Publisher: Free Association Books

Summary

In 1945, there were 20,000 Hasidim in the world. Today there are between 350,000 and 400,000, about half of whom are living in Israel. This represents a population explosion that cannot be explained in ordinary demographic terms. Jacques Gutwirth gives a vivid portrait of the major Hasidic centers-from Antwerp to New York and from Jerusalem and Bene Brraq to Paris. He describes the main characteristics of Hasidism today, as well as its contributions to spiritual and intellectual life, and recent developments in its history and its influence worldwide. Hasidism is a phenomenon that goes beyond any particular religious conception or lifestyle. Its rapid development is linked with contemporary politics and global economics, to which it contributes in turn. In this rigorous and balanced analysis of one of the most dynamic communities in Judaism, the author brings his knowledge to bear on a wealth of previously unpublished information that will inspire further discussion concerning the return of the religious life in relation to its social and political context.

Author Biography

Jacques Gutwirth is an honorary research fellow at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(3)
1. From the Birth to the Rebirth	4	(11)
The environment	4	(1)
Baal Shem Toy; main characteristics of Hasidism	5	(3)
Expansion and decline	8	(4)
Five stages in two and a half centuries	12	(1)
1945: a new departure	12	(3)
2. A European Staging-post: Antwerp	15	(12)
Staging-post and place of settlement	15	(1)
The role of the diamond industry	16	(1)
Diverse communities	17	(2)
A new dynasty	19	(3)
Complex interactions	22	(5)
3. Williamsburg, a Satmar Bastion	27	(22)
The United States, a 'non-kasher' destination	27	(1)
The district	28	(1)
Professions	29	(2)
Poverty, state assistance, solidarity	31	(1)
A meticulous kashrut	32	(2)
Satmar, principal community of the district	34	(3)
Satmar: Zionism and American politics	37	(2)
The Satmar economy	39	(2)
Satmar beyond the walls: Kiryas Joel	41	(2)
Political, juridical and legislative wrangles	43	(1)
A dynasty in transition	44	(3)
Williamsburg: an ultra-orthodox assembly	47	(2)
4. Borough Park: a 'Bourgeois District	49	(11)
The district	49	(3)
Composite regrouping	52	(2)
Bobov: the principal community	54	(5)
Bobov: a model	59	(1)
5. Crown Heights, Seat of the Lubavitch Movement	60	(21)
A highly turbulent district	60	(3)
Lubavitch, a specific form of Hasidism	63	(1)
An original rebbe	64	(2)
The Lubavitch zeal	66	(3)
A specific social structure	69	(2)
Kashrut: observance and inculcation	71	(1)
Local – and Israeli – politics	72	(3)
Personality cult	75	(1)
Is the rebbe the Messiah?	76	(3)
The movement without the rebbe	79	(2)
6. Jerusalem	81	(21)
Hasidism in the Holy Land	81	(1)
Mea Shearim and its ultra-orthodox	82	(2)
Bratzlav: the 'dead Hasidim'	84	(1)
Toldot Ahronot, a dynasty of the district	85	(4)
Many communities: Betz, one of the largest	89	(2)
Belzer rebbe at the age of seventeen	91	(1)
Community expansion and mutual assistance	92	(1)
Betz and politics	93	(1)
Betz, a successful movement	94	(1)
Ger, a major Hasidic movement	95	(1)
A resolute dynasty	96	(2)
Traditionalism without confinement	98	(1)
Missionary work	99	(1)
Ger and politics	100	(2)
7. Bene Beraq and Other Locations	102	(18)
Bene Beraq, ultra-orthodox citadel	102	(3)
Expansion and poverty, but also solidarity	105	(2)
Principal religious constituents	107	(1)
Numerous rebbes	108	(1)
Vishnitz, a major dynasty	109	(2)
The Vishnitz way of life	111	(1)
The Vishnitzer rebbe today	112	(1)
Conflicts and rivalries	113	(1)
Various Hasidic centres: Tel-Aviv, a special case	114	(1)
Lubavitch settlements	115	(1)
Natanya: a community and a hospital	116	(1)
Occupied territories	117	(3)
8. Lubavitch in France	120	(14)
A highly distinct form of Hasidism	120	(1)
Historical outline	120	(3)
A specific form of expansion	123	(2)
Lubavitch in France and Sephardic culture	125	(1)
Lubavitch institutions: the educational system	126	(3)
Financial difficulties: professions	129	(1)
National and 'community' politics	130	(2)
Conclusion	132	(2)
9. Overview	134	(19)
An unexpected rebirth	134	(1)
Origin of the survivors: identifications past and present	135	(2)
The community cocoon: a source of psychological support	137	(1)
Marriage and demography	138	(3)
Traditionalism and modernity	141	(1)
The position of women: some minor advances	142	(3)
A spiritual or intellectual revival?	145	(2)
A favourable context	147	(3)
A genetic nucleus?	150	(3)
Appendix	153	(2)
Notes	155	(23)
Bibliography	178	(9)
Glossary	187	(5)
Index	192