Hasidim

Hasidim are adherents of Hasidism, a Jewish spiritual revival movement that emerged in the 18th century in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, in areas that are now parts of Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus. It is traditionally attributed to the Baal Shem Tov (Israel ben Eliezer), who taught that piety, joy, and direct personal experience of God could be cultivated in daily life. Hasidism emphasizes serving God with the heart, sanctifying ordinary acts, and pursuing deveikut, or cleaving to God, through heartfelt prayer, study, and acts of charity. The movement also stresses the immanence of divine presence in the world and the accessibility of holiness to ordinary Jews, not only scholars.

Hasidic life centers on the role of a Rebbe, a Tzaddik who provides spiritual leadership and guidance for the community. Adherents gather for prayer and festive singing (niggunim), study Torah and mystical texts, and observe a set of minhagim or customs that can differ between communities. Hasidism comprises multiple dynasties or courts, such as Chabad-Lubavitch, Ger, Satmar, Belz, and Vizhnitz, each with its own traditions, dress codes, and leadership.

Historically, Hasidism spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe and faced opposition from early opponents known as Mitnagdim. The movement survived the Holocaust and subsequently rebuilt in Israel, the United States, and other countries, where it remains a prominent form of Orthodox Judaism for many communities.