18
votes
Did the Ba'al Shem Tov actually exist?
I think the Ba'al Shem Tov had to have existed in some way (even if it's not the way we've been taught), as I doubt an entire branch of Orthodox Judaism would base itself off the teachings of a ...
- 18.5k
12
votes
Accepted
Who is Rebbe Nachman referring to when he mentions "Sheid Yehudi" (Likutei Moharan 12)
The source is the Zohar Pinchas 253b.
There the Zohar says
ואוף הכי דפרשין דמלכא הוו מארי משנה דאינון כמלאכים משמשין לון שדים יהודאי דאינון רשימין באות שדי (ס"א באת י') ואית שדין ומזיקין מסטרא ...
- 40.3k
12
votes
Accepted
Bish'vili nivra ha'olam/Anochi afar Papers
This practice was advocated (possibly first suggested) by R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, as brought in his name in the collection of Hassidic Torah and lore entitled 'Siach Sarfe Kodesh' (n. 233):
...
- 11.9k
11
votes
Accepted
Source for a story: Rambam paskening people out of heaven
This is quoted in the Afrakasta D'anya (4: 370) of R. David ben R. Baruch Kalonymus Sperber (leader of pre-war Romania) in the name of R. Moshe Stern in the name of the author of Imrei Yosef in turn ...
- 35.4k
11
votes
Did the Ba'al Shem Tov actually exist?
Aside from the fact there are countless prominent Rabbis from his time who state clearly that they met and learned with him face to face, such a the Maggid of Mezerich, any student of history is aware ...
- 14.2k
10
votes
The Yiddish Language and its Sanctity
In a letter to the Tog–Morgn Zhurnal, February 24, 1961 (also printed in דרשות און כּתובֿים), Rav Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik wrote that Yiddish can be considered as a tashmish kedusha. He says that ...
- 9,777
10
votes
Accepted
From where does Rabbi Nachman know that King David's Lyre possessed 5 strings?
This comes from Tikunei Zohar Tikuna Asira'ah (here page 25b), in discussing numerical connections between the 5 knots on tzitzis and the 5 first words of Shema and the 5 strings on King David's lyre:
...
- 20.9k
9
votes
Hassidim and their socks
You cannot determine sect solely by the socks, but often you can tell something based on the socks. Combining sock style with hat/jacket/girdle/shoe/glasses/shirt style will narrow things down even ...
- 6,666
8
votes
Accepted
Chassidish pronunciation: הוא and היא
Most American and European Chassidim use what is often (wrongly) called Chassidish pronunciation. However, Hungarian is probably a more precise term, as even non-Chassidim that stem from parts of ...
- 6,666
8
votes
Accepted
How did the Lubavitcher Rebbe react to the Crown Heights riot?
Chaim Miller, in his biography Turning Judaism Outward (p. 396-397), discussed the Lubavicher Rebbe's response to the riot when Mayor David Dinkins publicly met with the Rebbe, surrounded by members ...
- 11.3k
7
votes
Gerer Chassidishe Minhagim
Gur Tefillin:
Square knot (edit: some wear single dalet) , Shel Yad Ashkenaz, Wrapping also Ashkenaz way, Brachos on both must be said standing.
Ksav: Ari Zal with Shin of Beys Yosef which is called ...
- 169
7
votes
Accepted
Is there definitive breakdown/explanation of the various philosophical differences of Hasidic dynasties?
For a historical work that also dives deep into the divergent philosophies of different Hasidic sages, it is hard to beat Hasidism: A New History by David Biale, David Assaf, Benjamin Brown, Uriel ...
- 5,263
7
votes
Looking for an easy to read chassidic commentary on the Torah
As @sam said his comment, the Nesivos Shalom is a classic. It's been translated to English as well.
- 1,761
6
votes
What is the origin of Hasidic pronunciation?
This was not in opposition to Maskilim, and is not specific to Hasidim. In fact, dialectic variation in Yiddish (whence the Hebrew pronunciation) predates the Haskalah. Max Weinreich, on page 16 of ...
- 9,777
6
votes
What the Bal Shem Tov Said
Source in Jewish Literature
The Talmud (kiddushin 70b) states that one who stigmatizes another is guilty of the same:
ותני: כל הפוסל - פסול, ואינו מדבר בשבחא לעולם, ואמר שמואל: במומו פוסל
He who ...
- 35.4k
6
votes
Halachic Justifications for the Amshinover Rebbe
Regarding Havdalah during the week, I believe the reason why you find the Rebbe doing is so is because he actually keeps Shabbas until Tuesday. I heard this from a well-known story that the Gedolim ...
- 254
6
votes
A rabbi asked me to light candles before weekday Mincha/Ma'ariv. Is this customary? Is there a bracha?
I agree with DanF's answer above. This has nothing to do with yahrzeit candles. If someone has a yahrzeit they should light a 24 hour candle to help remind him to think about the special qualities of ...
6
votes
Arguments FOR Radzyner Techeiles
The Radzyner Rebbe wrote three books about it, so that would be a good place to check.
Dr. Mendel Singer wrote an article about techelet, and in the course of the article, he mentions how the ...
- 20.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Was the Hasidic gartel influenced by Zoroastrianism?
No, the Chassidic practice of wearing the gartel, which is properly called Avnet (אבנט) in Hebrew, was not influenced by the Zoroastrian practice.
It is worth pointing out that after listening to the ...
- 14.2k
6
votes
Rabbi Nachman on connecting to Tzaddikim and Tefillah
Yes, one attaches oneself to G-d, but that is not in conflict with the comment of Rabbi Nachman.
A better translation would be: Everyone needs to intend during their prayer, that he will bind himself ...
- 14.2k
6
votes
Accepted
Why do some people split the third and fourth wrap on their arm when wrapping tefillin?
I didn't mean to post a question and then answer it myself, but in my searches on Chabad.org I found this question and answer page which discusses why there is a custom to leave space between the ...
- 18.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Who wrote Piskei Hasiddur?
The Sefer Piskei Hasiddur was written by Rav Chaim Naeh, and it's based on the writings of the Alter Rebbe. So both statements are true.
As you can see in the picture below, under where it says פסקי ...
- 3,849
5
votes
Accepted
Gerer Chassidishe Minhagim
I have been trying to reconnect to my Gerrer roots. This is what I've discovered.
Tefillin:
They are standard size, not oversize like Chabad. The parchments are k'sav Beis Yosef (source: a Gerrer ...
- 126
5
votes
Accepted
What are some fundamental chasidic works of philosophy / theology?
In a comment OP notes interest in "anything really" but also what "chassidim themselves use to inform their philosophy as chassidim"; I'll attempt to list some of both types.
Of the same genre as ...
- 11.9k
5
votes
Tefillin - Are there any others who wear 4 x 4 battim besides Chabad?
There is a large type of tefillin called shimusha rabba which sefardi kabbalists wear at mincha. You can read a good deal about them at http://www.torahmusings.com/2011/08/tefillin-shimusha-rabba-and-...
5
votes
Accepted
"The Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Prizite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite,"- What is the Noam Elimelech's source?
Here is a page from a fairly recently published translation of the Tzetel Katan that has accompanying elucidations as well as prayers and exercises. While this doesn't point to a source per se for the ...
- 1,348
5
votes
Is there an authoritative source on the similarities and differences of the denominations?
The Economist had a good report on Judaism and the Jews - alive and well. They used the following illustration to describe some key denominations of Judaism.
- 47.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Difference Between Imrei Emes and Toras Emes
Finally got my hands on a cop of each. Toras Emes was penned by R' Leibele Eiger himself, while Imrei Emes are teachings recorded by his talmidim.
- 4,647
5
votes
Accepted
Is being on welfare if you can work against the will of Hashem?
Your question cited Christian Scripture in support of your point -- that's not going to support it from this audience, and we'd ask you not to bring that here. (This site has accepted questions asking ...
- 131k
4
votes
Source for the Baal Shem Tov's idea of seeing one's own flaw in others?
Source in Jewish Literature
The Talmud (kiddushin 70b) states that one who stigmatizes another is guilty of the same:
ותני: כל הפוסל - פסול, ואינו מדבר בשבחא לעולם, ואמר שמואל: במומו פוסל
He ...
- 35.4k
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