Philosophy and Eastern European Hasidism

This chapter focuses on four general aspects of the relationship between Hasidism and philosophy: (1) on the attitudes toward philosophy, in particular against the backdrop of the Haskalah, the modern movement of Jewish enlightenment; (2) on the ambivalent stance of Hasidic masters toward Maimonides; (3) on Hasidic references to texts of philosophy and Hasidic discussions of a philosophical nature; and (4) on modern interpretations of Hasidism as philosophy. The author begins by contextualizing Hasidic thought against the backdrop of two domains of Jewish knowledge: kabbalah and Mussar literature. The author concludes by spotlighting a particular example of a “philosophical” Hasidic group—Habad.