Hasidism

Catalog description

Taught by GTU. AN INTRODUCTION This course provides an introduction to Hasidism: the rise, impact, and legacy of the Hasidic movement. Termed by some the most important religious movement of the modern era, Hasidism brought fundamental changes and had lasting impacts on Jewish life, beginning in the eighteenth century. What is Hasidism? What were some of its revolutionary ideas? In what ways did it shape the way people are Jewish today? These are issues which we will explore throughout this course. We will learn about the historical setting of the rise of Hasidism, study some of its primary texts, and discuss the ways Hasidism is still lived in contemporary Judaism. We will also focus on thinking critically about the subjects we are studying. No linguistic or other prerequisites, just curiosity and an interest to explore.