Rise and Opposition to Hasidism

• The religious message of Hasidism is devotion, stating that God is an integral part of the world, not separate from it. Hasidism introduces a new worldview where God is everywhere, and therefore serving Him is possible through all actions, not just prayer and Torah study. The core of service is conscious awareness of God, even working through the evil inclination by overcoming it and remembering its divine source.
• Hasidism is aimed at those who feel disconnected from God, encouraging them to recognize God's presence everywhere and to always be devoted to Him. Hasidism develops the concept of devotion to Tzadikim, righteous individuals believed capable of miracles and healing.

Reasons for Excommunication of Hasidim

• Opposition arose as Hasidism spread across Europe after the Baal Shem Tov's death, reaching as far as Vilnius. The Gaon of Vilna led the opposition, known for his devotion to Torah study.
• The excommunication was due to Hasidim introducing new practices, praying loudly and in separate groups using the Sephardic tradition, believing in Tzadikim performing miracles, suggesting everyone can be devoted to God (not just a select few), and expressing themselves loudly in Yiddish during prayer. They were accused of swaying people, causing neglect of Torah study, not regretting sins, and practicing handstands during prayer.
• Historical explanations for the excommunication vary: Emanuel Etkes cites the fear from the Sabbateanism attempt, Mendel Piekarz points to a social struggle, Yaakov Katz suggests a leadership conflict, Shimon Dubnow and Mordechai Wilensky highlight a shift in values, and Shmuel Ettinger sees it as a struggle between the scholarly leadership of the Gaon of Vilna and the charismatic leadership of the Ba'al Shem Tov.
• The excommunication sought to ostracize Hasidim from the Jewish community and even report them to the authorities. The initial opposition, led by the Gaon of Vilna, lasted 30 years until his death. After his death, a phase of reconciliation began
• Rabbi Haim of Volozhin, a student of the Gaon of Vilna, acknowledged the errors of the Hasidim but didn't consider them dangerous, advocating for a different approach than that during the Gaon's life. He founded the Volozhin Yeshiva, "the mother of Yeshivas," to address concerns within the framework of Hasidic discourse.
• This led to a proposal for peaceful coexistence between different Jewish lifestyles, with the division aiding both sides in their Jewish growth. Despite opposition, Hasidism persisted due to the lack of clear grounds for excommunication, with only the Gaon of Vilna capable of enforcing it.
• The "Yud Tes Kislev" celebrates the release of a Hasidic leader from prison, who was falsely accused of transferring funds to an enemy land (Israel). Eventually, Hasidim and their opponents united against secularism.

Shift and Collapse of Jewish Life

• After centuries of discrimination, European Christians offered Jews equal rights, leading to a transformation of Jewish life. This change rested on the pillars of religious status, economic relations, religious loyalty, and Jewish autonomy, all of which were destabilized in modern times.
• Secularization, diminishing church power, separation of religion and state, the rise of Jewish status, and exposure to general knowledge contributed to this upheaval.
• Political developments in the 16th century, the Protestant crisis, and the rise of absolute monarchies altered Jewish life. Absolute rule, advocating one king, one law, one religion, and one language, centralized power unlike the medieval system.
• Thomas Hobbes's "Leviathan" justified absolute rule. This meant the king could abolish intermediary authorities and that people should be loyal because the state is the king.
• The state cares what language people speak and should offer state education. If there was no strong ruler, people would be killing each other- the natural state is "man is wolf to man" so a strong leader maintains order
• Mercantilism emerged, equating a strong state with a wealthy state achieved through taxes and colonialism. It led to increased production, import control, and the development of leisure culture.
• The Enlightenment emphasized reason, humanity, religious tolerance, and secularism. Enlightenment thinkers said put the past behind you, think ahead and use your brain.
• The Enlightenment proposed a concept known as Deism, where there's no need for the church to instill religious principles because a person that uses their mind will understand God exists, and therefore there is need fro morality in the world
• Enlightenment principles included rationalism (using reason), humanism (emphasizing human similarity), religious tolerance, and secularism (separating religion and state). The Enlightenment sought a neutral society with diverse philosophies. Salons hosted intellectual discussions. Enlightened absolutism emerged with rulers like Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II.

Tolerance and Integration

• Joseph II, influenced by Christian Wilhelm Dohm, granted rights to Jews in 1782 through the Edict of Tolerance, encouraging integration but requiring them to assimilate, abandoning Yiddish and closed communities.
• Following the Edict of Tolerance, Jews had to adapt their lifestyle to integrate or leave the country. Absolute rule impacted Jewish community autonomy, requiring compliance with state laws, language, and vocational training
• The French Revolution of 1789 championed liberty, equality, and fraternity, posing questions about Jewish citizenship.
• In 1791, the principle "To the Jews as a nation, nothing; to the Jews as individuals, everything" emerged, requiring Jews to relinquish national characteristics for rights. From 1789 to 1912, the Jewish world experienced changes, with rights granted and revoked.
• Kings needed loyal individuals to centralize authorities, leading to the invitation of Jews known for literacy, financial capabilities, and international connections. Protected Jews received royal protection, expanding Jewish communities.
• Court Jews gained proximity to the king. According to historian Selma Stern they weren't modern Jews that fully assimilated. Joseph Süss Oppenheimer, was perceived as Jewish first and foremost, and met an untimely demise.
• Jud Süss became an important topic in German history because it was a way for people to become more hateful of Jews and a reasoning for the killing of them.

Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah)

• In 1782, a Jew responded by writing the first Haskalah, Words of Peace and Truth, which showed wanting outside equality but wanting to internally fix the Jewish community in their education system
• Words of Peace and Truth responded to the Edict of Tolerance, reflecting a dual perspective: advocating for Jewish citizenship and reforming Jewish life, especially education. Enlightenment intellectuals wanted to fix the education system to be given equal right in the country.
• Naftali Herz Wessely distinguished between Torah of God (religious laws) and Torah of Man (sciences, languages, culture), prioritizing secular knowledge.
• Wessely added to this by stating that Torah of Man is the basic level, whilst Torah of God is the layer ontop. Wessely thought it was more important for a Jewish person to know Torah of Man before studying Torah as God/Religion.
• Moses Mendelssohn, a philosopher, symbolized the integration of secular learning and religious observance but faced persistent discrimination. Mendelssohn went to study in Berling because of his rabbi, and even upon becoming more knowledgeable, was still segregated. This contributed to his feelings as an outcast. Known as the Socrates of Judaism, he wasn't the first of his kind but rather a symbol of how the jewish people are able to combine and lead secular and religious lives.

Changes in language

• Jewish people stopped writing in Yiddish and started to write in Hebrew instead.
• Hebrew language and literature became more prevalent. The intellectuals wanted all Jewish scholars to be able to understand both Christian and ancient world philosophies
• The Biur was a German translated version of Tanach written in the Hebrew alphabet. The intro of The Biur had a reasoning to why Mendelssohn did it: so that kids can read a Jewish translated tanach instead of Luther's version (being that he was a Christian). He said that he din't plan to start a movement, but in actuality did open a door for people to enter jewish scholarship

The End for Mendelssohn:

• When a priest asked Mendelssohn to convert to Christianity, Mendelssohn went into a deep depression because he believed that he was able to be known without his religion interfering.
• Eastern Europe experienced the opposite of Western Europe in the 18th century.
• In Western Europe, monarchies took charge whilst in poland, powers were given to the nobles
• The nobles in Poland had armies, external relations, and used vetoes in polish parliament.
• Due to the Polish parliament system being obsolete for advancement, neighboring countries, such as Prossia (Modern day Germany), Austria-Hungary,, and Russia had all split up Poland. This ended in 1772, eventually destroying its independence

Jewish People and This Split

• How does this effect the Jewish community? Most of the Jewish population lived in Poland and Easter Europe where, in Western Jewry, they were known as uncultured and primitive people
• Some people lived in Prussia, with the most living in Galicia, Austria-Hungary which consisted of 1000s of Jewish people. These people were still conservative but were more aligned with Western ways than the "Yekkes" (another name).
• Majority of the Polish Jewish population lived in Russia. Russia didn't allow Jewish people to live in their land due to Chrisitan beliefs, and there had to be policy changes. Katherine the Great ruled Russia with enlightenment policies that stated the only effective citizens are happy citizens.
• In order to protect those, she restricted Jewish living areas into 1 million kilometers squared, known as "The Pale of Settlement". She didn't allow jewish settlement near the border because they needed to prevent betrayal from enemies. Instead, she allowed the settlement near Southern Russia because it wasn't as developed.
• With the "The Pale of Settlement" in play, jewish citizens could change settlement rules, such as being allowed in certain cities and villages,. They also didn't allow Jewish people to partake in some Jewish jobs, such as selling alcohol. Because there was high birth rates, the Jewish population turned poor.
• At the end of the 19th century, the Pale of Settlement had 5 Million Jewish citizens, which was 75% of the worlds Jewish population numbers
• 93% of Jewish people lived under Russian rule.
• After defeating Napoleon, Czar Alexander the first closed off Russia due to religious beliefs and he also wanted the Jewish population to become Russian.
• In 1827, Czar Nicholas the first created a law demanding the need for jewish children to join the Russian army at age 12 and a 25 year commitment from age 18. This meant the child had to be taken from their home and sometimes had to change their religion. The only exemptions were privileged families/merchants. During the reign of this law, 40,000 children were taken and were lost from Judaism. The Jewish community had to provide these children which meant they had to give away from large and or poor families. They had to risk hiring kidnappers known as "Hafers" that kidnapped and instilled fear in the Jewish communities.
• One of the only people that ensured these "cantonists" were cared for was an Admor, The Third Chabad Leader, Tzemach Tzedek, who tried to keep in touch with the kids. The effect of Alexander the first was to take all these Jewish kids under a fake security agenda
• Nicolas the first, Alexander the first's successer tried in continue national and religious nationalism.
• Nicholas cancelled Jewish communal power, which was also occuring in Western Europe. How western Europe was different was that Jewish people were given basic human rights, which didn't happen in under the Russian leadership.
• The Czar worked with Jewish citizens to create a Cultural Revolution. A german intellectual, Jewish-Prussian lawyer known as Dr. Max Lilienthal went to Eastern Europe to open Russian schools for the local Jews. He was met with fierce pushback and his work was called "Gezeirat Ha'Skales" - the School Decree. Historians call the matter "Enlightenment of the Authorities". Meaning the community wasn't pushing enlightenment but rather there was a push from Russian leadership. They established Russian schools however they didn't have much success and Max Lilienthal had to quit before the change. Nevertheless there were people that became Russian students and eventually became Zionist leaders from it.
• It was Jewish intellectuals that caused Czar Nicholas to demand their wear/dress to change, making a decree. What was supposed to be a plan to join Western styles became a way for the Russian government to inflict control of the culture. They closed down almost all publishing companies in the pale of settlement which was for Jewish literature.
• There were people of that day that claimed Yiddish was their everyday language.
• Alexander the Second said that people that were granted diplomas from Russian schools were allowed to leave Pale territories. Although he did this to fix things, there was an issue with universities and limitations. Eventually Alexander the Second had been killed by some revolutionaries, which was an alibi to the pogroms of Storms in the Negev.

Jewish Enlightenment

• German enlightenment spawned out from German culture, however in Russia there was entirely different conditions. There was originally a belief that it spawned out from the West but researchers were showing how they both happened at the same time. Unlike Western Europeans who wanted for emancipation, Eastern Europeans were politically neutral and focused on bettering Jewish society and there was solely an internal community goal.

Ribal

• Rabbi Yisrael Bar Levison, otherwise known as Mendelsohn of Eastern Europe was an economist who sought to show the Jewish community that they should be open to external ideas and cultures. His book bears similarity to Wazzel's Words of Peace and Truth however he wrote books that were more traditionally aligned and integrated Russian and German. He emphasized being productive and increasing self employment to overcome the Eastern European distress.

3 ideology groups

• The 3 major ideological groups of Jewish people: Hassids, Opposers, and The Knowledgeable had a complicated and interesting relationship. Even though the knowledgeable barely made up the populus, they were still very effective to their close relationships with the government. There was a clear similarities between the knowledgeable and the opposers because they were more rational and seeking for an individual change. There was specifically the rise of the Musar belief in the improvement of all men created important jewish seats around the world
• Hassidism and the Knowledgeable were both repulsed by each other, the Hassidim saw the Knowlegeable as heretics, and vice versa that Hassidim were too reliant on tradition. This contributed to the Knowledgable collating with Russian leaders to publish political and social commentary . It was very very effective, making fun of the religious traditions and stories. The Discovery of Secrets by Joseph Pearl, was one of the primary publications that made fun of the Hassidic community. Ironically it pushed Jewish scholars away from the faith and it was a marker for what was to come in jewish history, such as the Shoah.

Would Enlightenment work in Eastern Europe?

• Jewish people are effected by the culture, In Western Europle the enlightened jews worked well because of the culture of enlightenment. In The Pale there were almost no philosophers to collate too which makes enlightenment non existent in easter Europe.
• Even though enlightenment was universal in both Jewish communities, it was much less apparent in Eastern Cultures, mostly because of the cultural barrier that the Pale Of Settlement Created.
• Mendelssohn's teacher was from Poland for example!
• Jewish leaders were inspired by the Western ways and sought to enforce them on the Russian leaders to enforce. Howevver, they were shut down Brutally.
• Nonethless, Jewish citizens from the The Knowledgeable communities were important characters of historic change, such as the Bolshevik and Zionist Revolutions.

Jewish Adaption and the Modern World

• Should Jewish ideology adapt to the Modern day?
• 18th/19th centuries had big themes

18th century

- Logical
- Strict on the law
- Neutral Social
- Emancipation

19th century

- Emotional
- More of an experience
- Nationalist
- Reaction / Liberalism fight

Points of the centuries

• In the 18th century, the logical and universal nature of those times helped them, but the opposite in the 19th century which brought more challenges to their social views
• The french revolution caused a desire to make a "delete" from the current reality and bring back all the old order.
• The big question with the Jewish community after the french revolution was "can we be equal?"
• Towards the end of the 18th century: Was it possible to be with the traditional community?

Traditional community

• Loyalty to the torah and its laws. If you weren;t loyal then you weren't apart of us.
• Jewish community could no longer administer punishments due to laws within the country/state system. Therefore the community shrunk and jews were able too intermingle in the secular community. Secularism was just given at that point.

Religion branches

• For the first time, the Jewish people had options.
• After Mendelssohn, scholars tried to keep up his idea of how to bring together secular and religious life. You had to change parts of judaism to the modern times

Reform movement

• Therefore there rose the "Torah Change" Movement- and a primary goal was to match up modern society with old society first changes

Synagogue changes

- Needed a proper Hazzan ( Cantor)
- Instruments (like organs)
- Rabbis preached and wrote books in German so anyone could read
- Remove mentionings of past slavery/war, like "israel", because they live in Germany and are happy

• The reforemers only fixed aesthetic things. Over time they learned how it helps save Judaism, like showing the Torah knowledge and how the diaspora is good

Chatam Sofer

• A orthodox follower who claimed that all "foxes" are just ripping apart Judaism

Rabbai Dr. Avraham Geiger

• A reform Rabbi, stated that Judausm is stuck and needs to keep moving foreward, certain tenants in Torah has to die. (like Phylacteries)
• Did not have certain tenants, and didn't end up getting rid of it at the end of it all.

New Halachas

• Cancel Yom Kippurs (Jews don't believe their own word)
• Mixed Marriages: That if you are gonna live like everyone else in society you must marry like them.
• Should get rid of Yom Tisha Baav because diapsora is a good thing
• Language of Prayer: Should do language so people can actually enjoy prayer
• Torah Reading: to Shorten Torah reading because people don't understand it
• Zachariah Frankel Said the Torah is important and all of our freedom of religion is for nothing if we gave that up- who are we trying to be so German for?!

The Canes

• Like a pile of canes stacked together, when you tear everything part, you tear what makes judaism special- unique and language goes
• In the reforms, Zachariah Frankel saw that everyone was ripping Judaism apart so he left the reform to make the middle ground:

Conservative

• What can we change in Judaism but what must we remain? Acknowledges reformation with the idea of still maintaining identity of Jewish people

Orthodoxy

• The truth - no no new things are needed EVER we will keep things as they are

Neo-Orthodox

• Torah of man - like mendelson, he states you CAN be jewish and scholar

Samson Raphael Hirsch

• Torah followed is a Jewish scholar

Explore the core tenets of Hasidism and the reasons for the opposition it faced. Examine the role of the Tzaddik and accusations against the Hasidim. Understand the perspectives of key figures and the impact on prayer traditions.