Chassidismus

The Hasidism that has its historical roots in 18th century Eastern Europe is one of today's most influential Jewish communities. The diversity, adaptability and simultaneous inertia that characterises this orthodox branch of Judaism astounds some observers. Susanne Talabardon traces the emergence, development and effect of the currently most important Jewish strand, which, particularly in the USA and Israel, shapes the profile of (very) traditional Judaism. She presents the current state of research on the genesis of the Kabbalah inspired movement, which is so multifarious that it is sometimes difficult to recognise unifying elements in the complex diversity.