Sources: Ba’al Shem Tov’s teachings in Shivchei HaBesht and Toldot Yaakov Yosef; Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Tanya (~1797); Nachman of Breslov, Likutey Moharan; Martin Buber’s Tales of the Hasidim.

Hasidism (~1750 AD) is a mystical renewal movement founded by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Ba’al Shem Tov (Besht, “Master of the Good Name,” ~1700–1760 AD) in Podolia (modern Ukraine). The Besht’s revolution: against the austere, learning-centered, guilt-focused piety of rabbinic Ashkenazic Judaism, he emphasized: (1) Devekut — cleaving to God in all activities, not only study; (2) Joy — sadness (atzvut) as a spiritual obstacle, joy as a mitzvah; (3) The centrality of prayer over study (a reversal of traditional Ashkenazic priorities); (4) The Tzaddik (righteous leader) as the channel between God and the common people — the charismatic teacher who elevates the prayers of ordinary Jews; (5) The value of the common Jew — even an unlearned laborer who prays with intention is precious to God. Hasidism spread rapidly through Eastern Europe, developing into distinct dynasties (Chabad-Lubavitch, Breslov, Satmar, Ger, Belz, Vizhnitz) each with distinctive emphases. The Mitnagdim (opponents) under the Vilna Gaon condemned Hasidism as a dangerous departure from Torah-centered Judaism. After the Holocaust, Hasidic communities rebuilt primarily in Israel and America, where they became major demographic and cultural forces in ultra-Orthodox Jewish life.