Hasidism: The Chosen By Chaim Potok

Improved Essays
There is much fascination surrounding Hasidism. Hasidism which means God is all around us has become the dominant practice in Judaism. The Chosen by author Chaim Potok highlights the conflict between Jews and the Hasidic. But before understanding this novel, readers should have an idea behind the religion,its rich history, and practices. By examining the historical past of Hasidism will enlighten readers of the culture.
Hasidism history is forever entangled is the in society's life. Hasidism was found in the was found in the eighteenth century by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov beginning as a spiritual revival as Rabbi Louis Jacobs asserted in his article Hasidic Movement: A History . The Besht was a popular practicer of white magic in his time.
…show more content…
This documentary followed Hasidic families in New York, and highlighted the lifestyles that many Hasidics were beginning to become accosted due to the change in cultures after millions moved from Europe due to Hitler's awful regaim. The culture's rules were/ still are being upheld here in the states. Though its becoming more common for the Hasadic men to talk to women who aren't Hasidic and speak english. The documentary explained that the older Hasidic elders, especially the Holocaust survivors, have a deep appreciation for …show more content…
Hasidism has always been controversial, it was considered hersey by top Jewish officials. But followers who heard the preaching of BESHT and others wanted to glorify God in all things.The Jewish people believe that they must be a light for all the nations. The website My Jewish Learning had an article on this topic saying,
One of Judaism beliefs, is that if a Jew behaves immoral, he than desecrates the name of Hashem (God). This is considered a great sin, because Hashem expects the Jewish people to glorify and bring respect to his great name. But the problem lies with not recognizing Jesus being the Messiah. The major non admirable truths about Hasidism is their belief that Jesus wasn't the Messiah. God wants us to glory his name in every aspect which is says in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." The said truth is the Jewish people have been waiting centeries for their Messiah to save them from a fallen world, even though sent his son to pay the price. Without God's mercy and love we would all be puppets to

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Judaism is one of the oldest religions that stemmed from the small nation of Hebrews and continued to be an influential religion in the world. There are approximately 14 million Jewish people (2) in the world and they comprise of people of all skin colors and racial types. Judaism is one of the first cultures that follow monotheism (1) It compares God to be the one and only, invincible and a being that is the ultimate beginning of all life on earth. In addition, the Jewish people are split into three categories: reform, conservative and orthodox. Reform and Orthodoxy are differentiated by several factors, but both views follow Jewish teachings.…

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    When defining what an ideal Jew is, many factors can be considered, such as religious observance, relationship to Jewish culture, relationship to Israel and the Hebrew language, and connection to God. My ideal Jew is someone who really supports the community aspect of Judaism, and encouraging others within the community to participate in Jewish culture. An ideal Jew also incorporates certain Jewish values into their lives and allows them to govern their behavior and uses them to improve their relationships with fellow people. Altogether, the ideal Jew is someone who portrays Judaism to non-Jews and Jews alike as something special and unique, something to be admired and that they themselves want to be a part of. Jews should not in any way make…

    • 1472 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Judaism vs. Islam In this essay I will review my understanding of the major beliefs and practices of two of the great Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Islam. I will attempt to take the position of proponents of each religion, and delineate areas of agreement and disagreement. What makes this comparison so compelling, and relevant, is the great human suffering that has resulted, and continues to result, from those who cloak their aggression and hatred under the veil of each religion. Judaism is quite liberal on the issue of the exact nature of God.…

    • 1068 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hasidism is a religion in which religion is embraced in their everyday lifestyle. Hasids generally sanctified everything, even ordinary thing. (“A Life Apart: Hasidism in America -- A Brief Introduction to Hasidism”) The people of the Hasidism religion encompass themselves into a group, which is their religious community. They follow their leader known as the rabbi.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Most of people in this community are all faith Judaism, Hasidim prefer to join the Judaism although they have their original belief. The city in Hasidim it’s full of Hebrew, whether it’s in restaurants, newspapers or roadside signs. However, during this experience detective Emily Eden has learn lots of knowledge in Hasidim culture. For example, that was the first time she know women’s legs and arms must be covered all the time, because when she sat down in her skirt, she took off her coat and put it on her leg. But someone covered her bare arm with a blanket.…

    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Rosenzweig is described as finding Judaism through christianity when he was considering converting. While trying to convert he learned more about the religion he was leaving and decided against conversion. He formed the belief that there is a kind of religions sibling relationship between Christianity and Judaism. He also believed the real problem was that humanity was Jewishly ignorant. On the other hand Buber had a very traditional Jewish upbringing and education, so as he grew older Buber believed Hasidism captured true meaning of Judaism, the fact that it has to do with the experience and not only religion was the main idea for his…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Over the years, Jewish faith has started to be lost because of the hardships faced in the holocaust. The thought of there being a god that protects them slowly diminished due to the fact they had to face all of these tortures. Many still believe in the “almighty god” that is supposed to protect you while others gave up in the “supposed god” that protects you from all of the evils of the world and give good things to those that have done nothing wrong and followed him wholeheartedly. Also, the generations to come after the holocaust would have their ideology influenced by the previous generations because of their loss in faith. Faith is what someone believes in, regardless in actually knowing in what people are putting faith into.…

    • 1207 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the handout on Anti-Semitism and the excerpt titled, How Jews Became White Folks by Karen Brodkin, it is clear that the structure of injustice presented in both of these pieces was that of institutional anti-Semitism. According to Michael Lerner, the definition of anti-Semitism is “the systematic discrimination against Jews and against Jewish cultural, intellectual, and religious heritage” (Adams pp. 135). Prior to the readings, I had the misconception that anti-Semitism strictly occurred in Nazi Germany. However, now it is evident to me that Jews experienced discrimination beyond what happened during the Holocaust. In fact, Nazi Germany actually had parallel practices that took place in early Christian Europe (Adams pp.136).…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    One of Us is a documentary directed and produced by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. This documentary focuses on the lives of three Hasidic Jews, Etty, Luzer, and Ari, who chose to break away and leave their community. This documentary reaches out to a moderately young generation of educated Americans. The filmmakers of One of Us effectively aimed to instill the audience with sympathy and compassion for those struggling with the traumatic experiences and limited freedom that come along with the life of a Hasidic Jew through the use of rhetorical devices.…

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the 1920’s five out of six of the Jewish people in the United States were Eastern European (“Historical racial and ethnic demographics of the United States”). From the 1880’s to the 1920’s 3,750,000 Jewish Eastern Europeans immigrated to the United States. The Jewish people added to the culture and politics in the United States of America. Before the Jewish people got to the United States they had to face many obstacles. Most of the Jewish people lived in places taken by Russia at the time.…

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There is a line in the musical Spamalot where Sir Robin sings to King Arthur; “In any great adventure, if you don 't want to lose ... you won 't succeed on Broadway if you don 't have any Jews!" (PBS, Broadway Musicals). If you can look past the sweeping generalization, Sir Robin’s surprising lyric turns out to be very true about musicals. Historians have recognized that Jewish immigrant culture heavily influenced the content of musical theatre when it was popularized in America during the early twentieth century. But in turn, it was the sociopolitical and racial climate of the 20th century that inspired the creative and thematic content of Jewish productions as well.…

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Christianity and Judaism while they are two different religions also have some very similar concepts. They both believe in the same God, they believe that there is only one God, they both believe in and study the Old Testament, as well as other common themes in both religions. Some of these similarities are due to the fact that “Christianity began as a sect of Judaism in the first century C.E.”(Hopfe, pg. 203). But Christianity and Judaism have some vast differences as well. Throughout this paper I will be discussing the differences between Christianity and Judaism, as well as some of the similarities that they share.…

    • 753 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Political Impact - Judaism’s history of political impact is extensive and goes far back into ancient times. The religion is famously known for all the persecution it faces and their nationalistic movement called Zionism. The first case of persecution occurred during ancient times after the Assyrians invaded Israel. It came in 597 B.C. as an order from Emperor Nebuchadnezzar exiling all…

    • 1437 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Being a ‘good Jew’ is vitally important to those who follow the Jewish faith; yet, the definition of such a view is very personal. Even still, there is a general sharing of beliefs that focus on the simple platitude of doing the right thing and giving of yourself by caring for the well-being of those in your local and global community (Semans & Fish, 2000). Time Historical evolution of the Jewish faith is grounded in their ancestors; an obligation to the promotion of their legacy in future generations is integral to the continuity of the faith. Despite adversity, Jews have thrived while facing oppression.…

    • 1383 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Both these students grew up practicing Jewish traditions, and continue to practice their religion as college students. In studying their practice of Judaism, I primarily examined the historical aspects of the religion, the types of Judaism that are practiced today, the traditions and rituals…

    • 1815 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays