The Religious Thought of Hasidism: Text and Commentary

An anthology of translated and extensively annotated passages illuminating the thought of the revivalist sect among 18th-century eastern European Jews that grew into a sophisticated, mystically-based theology. Lamm (Jewish philosophy, Yeshiva U.) provides introductions to each topical chapter and to the volume as a whole, biographical sketches of major figures, and a glossary without pronunciation guides. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Lamm, who is president of Yeshiva University, offers a monumental and magisterial history of Hasidism. When it emerged in the 18th century under the leadership of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (usually referred to as the Besht), Hasidism combined the mystical elements of Kabbalah with scrupulous observance of Torah and halakah. Because Hasidism was a strongly messianic movement, many critics accused it of not taking seriously enough halakic regulations concerning prayer and worship. Lamm's invaluable collection of primary documents narrates Hasidism's theological development. Each of the book's 18 chapters focuses on intellectual topics ranging from "God and Providence" and "The Soul" to "Evil and Suffering" and "Exile and Redemption." Lamm introduces each chapter with a brief historical and theological essay, then gathers the writings of various Hasidic teachers, from the 18th to the 20th centuries, on these topics. For example, the section on the soul opens with reflections on the "ten sefirot of the Jewish soul," by Rabbi Shneur Zalman (1745-1813), and includes a meditation on the soul by Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1811), a grandson of the Besht, concluding with Rabbi Elimelekh of Lizhensk's (1717-1787) reflections on "the soul as wife." Included here are also the writings of the Besht and his successor, the Maggid of Mezeritch (1710-1772), who continued his teacher's emphases on asceticism and mysticism. Lamm's collection opens the pages on a fascinating chapter in religious history and practice.

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

This immense anthology of the wisdom of the Hasidic teachers and sages, with extended commentary and relevant scholarly material, is almost unprecedented as a resource in English, with the possible exception of Louis Newman's Hasidic Anthology (1934). Readers not already familiar with these teachings in Hebrew should benefit tremendously from this carefully annotated collection of advice on every subject, from the nature of the godhead to the body. Recommended for most collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.