Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on July 10, 2015

Question: I have recently been assigned to complete a project on Hasidic Judaism. I have several questions on the subject I would like to ask; the main queries being (1) what are the rules of membership, (2) what is the interaction within itself and with the general population including how membership is controlled, (3) the status (religious connection and place in the mainline religions) of the group if applicable or the reason the group was created (can be in history), (4) what is the daily life of the group and what are the gender specific roles in the family, (5) what are the special/unique practices, customs, and/or rituals, (6) how does Hasidism perpetuate?, (7) how does the future of the group look and are there any special political issues?, (8) do the Hasidic Jews differ greatly from the surrounding community?, (9) how are the leadership positions filled and how do they govern? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Answer: Thank you for writing to us. (the system you wrote to likes to match up questions to particular answerers so, you might be interested to know, that I am a Hasidic Jew).

Before I answer the question, it has to be noted that Hasidic Judaism (and Orthodox/Torah Judaism in general, which Hasidic Judaism is a subset of) is not a single organization (like, for example, the Catholic Church), but rather a category of several organizations, (comparable to Protestantism which is many different organizations, some aligned, some not, sharing some basic values, but not necessarily associated one with another, however historically based from one individual. However, you can see a great deal of difference between Lutherans and Pentecostals, yet both would be considered Protestant, because of the basic values that they share, as well as basic values that all Christians share, whether Catholic or Protestant. Similarly, you will see many different Hasidic organizations with different practices, and different values, however there are some basic values that they all share, and, that all types of Orthodox Judaism share.)

(1) what are the rules of membership,

A. First of all, to be a Hasidic Jew, one has to be Jewish. There are two ways one can become Jewish. a. being born Jewish this is by virtue of ones mother being Jewish. b. converting to Judaism this must be done according to Orthodox standards.

Next, one must believe in the basic beliefs of Torah Judaism, which were outlined by Rabbi Moses Maimonides (1135-1204), as the 13 dogmas, or principles of faith, of Judaism. These principles are shared by all Orthodox Jews. As an expression of this faith, we Orthodox Jews try our best to keep the laws of the Torah, which are written in the Hebrew Bible (which Christians call the Old Testament), explained and discussed in the Talmud, and codified in the Shulchan Aruch (the Code of Jewish Law). A Hasidic Jew is required to believe that the Torah (including the explanations) is literally the word of God, and is expected to keep the laws therein, like all Orthodox Jews. Each Hasidic organization might have their own rules or customs in addition to this, varying from sect to sect. Examples of additional rules might be mode of dress, not owning a television, stricter kosher rules, etc.

(2) what is the interaction within itself and with the general population including how membership is controlled,

They are strong, tight knit communities. Usually social pressure and the honor system is enough to keep people attached to any special regulations. The only power that leaders have to control the community is deciding that someones children cannot attend the particular groups school system. However, there are many choices of schools, and not everyone who identifies with a particular group sends their children to that groups schools. Some Hasidic Jews do not live in any Hasidic community, so are less bound by the pressure to follow the rules, and only do so by their own free will, as many choose to do.

(3) the status (religious connection and place in the mainline religions) of the group if applicable or the reason the group was created (can be in history),

Hasidic Judaism is a form of Torah Judaism, often referred to today as Orthodox Judaism. Today it is recognized as a Kosher form of Orthodox Judaism, however when it began there was some controversy.

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Ask the Rabbi, JewishAnswers.org Hasidic Life Today

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