RELG 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Tzadik, Devekut, Humanistic Judaism
Document Summary
Relg 101 - introduction to world religions: western traditions - lecture 8: hasidism and the branches of judaism. Judaism from very early on emphasized studies of texts. Kabbalah focuses on alternative interpretation of the torah. Hasidism finally find their own expression in a very distinct way in jewish form of life. Baal shem tov = besht, meaning master of the good name (name of god) Doesn"t put emphasis on the study of torah. Focus on zaddik feature of the righteous person. Hinduism and buddhism have strong emphasis on studying the devout guru. Emotional response is much powerful than ethical response. Emphasis on developing emotions, having loving response to the perceived realities of. God - to live such life in community. Hasidic teaching called devekut - cleaving to god. Basing itself in the belief that god has created the world and established particular covenant with his chosen people. History of judaism tended to be dispersed and tragic in exile.
