Studying Hasidism: Sources, Methods, Perspectives

Hasidism, a Jewish religious movement that originated in Poland in the eighteenth century, has over 700,000 adherents, primarily in the U.S., Israel, and the UK. This textbook, edited by Marcin Wodziński, an internationally recognized historian of Hasidism, aims to provide research methods that can decentralize the role of community leaders and reclaim the everyday lives of Hasidic Jews. The thirteen chapters draw upon a diverse range of sources, including folklore, music, big data, and material culture, to demonstrate the potential for new insights into Hasidism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2019
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Hasidism, a Jewish religious movement that emerged in Poland during the eighteenth century, has garnered significant attention and devotion from over 700,000 followers, primarily residing in the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom. While there has been a growing interest in both Hasidic Judaism and Hasidic Jews among popular audiences and scholars alike, there is a notable lack of dedicated research methodologies and comprehensive sources for studying the history of Hasidism. To address this gap, Studying Hasidism, a groundbreaking textbook edited by Marcin Wodziński, an esteemed historian of Hasidism, has been published. Comprising thirteen meticulously researched chapters, each chapter employs a diverse range of sources, many of which have been previously unexplored, including folklore, music, big data, and material culture. These diverse sources are employed to showcase the vast untapped potential in the study of Hasidism. Ultimately, this textbook offers valuable research methods that aim to decentralize the influential role of community leaders in the current literature and restore the authentic experiences of Hasidic Jews to the forefront. By delving into these previously underutilized sources, Studying Hasidism provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of this fascinating religious movement, offering valuable insights for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978804210