HIST 219 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Baal Shem Tov, Misnagdim, Immanence
Document Summary
02/04--transforming jewish tradition in eastern europe: hasidism and their opponents. Trying to gauge whether jews are compatible w his idea of modernity. Rabbis b/come subject to authority of state. Jewish liturgy is taken under scrutiny--made to profess french patriotism. Most jews live in polish-lithuanian commonwealth, enjoy relative autonomy. Council of 4 lands-de facto jewish legislature. Mid 1700s--absolutist reforms by king stanislaw august poniatowski (1732-1798) Popularization and spread of the kabbalah (jewish mysticism) Ba"alei shem (masters of the name) rise in status, purport to make connections to divine. Ba"al shem tov--leader of movement, little is known abt him. After his death, movement continues as hasidism. Today, only group of jews that"s actually growing. Dvekut : cleaving to god--mystical state in which individuals achieve extreme closeness to god--everyone can do it, prayer over study. Creating new, more mystical style of prayer, incorporates movement, integrating popular activities into prayer.
