RELIGION 1249 – Between Ecstasy and Community: Hasidism in Jewish Thoughts and History
Semester: Spring
Offered: 2023
Instructor: Yehudah Mirsky
Meeting Time: T 3:00pm-5:45pm
Since its emergence in the latter half of the 18th century, Hasidism has been one of the most riveting and consequential movements in modern Jewish history. Its effects have been felt not only within the circles of its adherents, but among the subcultures – traditionalist and anti-traditionalist alike – that organized themselves in opposition to it. To study Hasidism is to study mystical experience, theology, social and communal innovation – alongside charlatanry, dogmatism, and communal ossification, reinterpretation and renewal. By the end of the semester, you will hopefully be well acquainted with this history, be able to read and interpret Hasidic texts as well as academic scholarship on them, and better understand Hasidism past, present and future in terms of Jewish history, and to some extent the history of religion in general. You also will have gotten some exposure to Hasidic music, storytelling, and Hasidism’s remarkable place in modern Jewish thought and culture.
Course Notes: Prior course work in Jewish studies or permission of the Instructor are required.
Offered jointly with Harvard Divinity School as HDS 3097
For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.