SOR1 – Depth Study On Judaism

Resource Description

Judaism – Depth Study

Significant People and Ideas

The Hassidim 

Context

• Jewish adherents settled in Eastern Europe during the 17th century, during this time they were persecuted and many-faced poverty.
• Leading into the 18th century, the faith of Judaism transformed into an elitist and intellectualised religion. The notion was that to be a practicing Jew, one must vigorously study scriptures of the Torah and of Jewish law. 
• This left the majority of Jews in Eastern Europe who did not have such education, who were facing poverty and juggling long-hour jobs to be alienated by Judaism elitist leaders. 
• In result, the movement of Hasidism was born by teacher Israel Ben Eliezar. The new branch of Orthodox Judaism focused on personal piety, rather than emphasis on scholarship.