Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Hasidism
Hassidism is a Jewish mystical movement which began in Poland in th 18th century. The movement spread throughout Eastern Europe and later Western Europe and the Americas. The founder was Israel ben Eliezer (1700-1760).
At the time, Hassidism represented a rebellion against religious authority. Hassidism emphasizes genuine religious feeling, prayer and observance of the commandments in daily life over more traditional Jewish practice. The movement is in part characterized by forms of ecstatic worship.
Hassidism takes an interest in Kabbalah and gematria, q.q.v.