Hasidism

Ha·sid or Has·sid also Chas·sid  (äsd, ô-, hä-)

n. pl. Ha·si·dim or Has·si·dim also Chas·si·dim (ä-sdm, ô-, hä-)

A member of a Jewish mystic movement founded in the 18th century in eastern Europe by Baal Shem Tov that reacted against Talmudic learning and maintained that God's presence was in all of one's surroundings and that one should serve God in one's every deed and word.

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[From Hebrew sîd, pious, from sad, to be kind; see sd in Semitic roots.]

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Ha·sidic adj.

Ha·sidism n.

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Hasidism, Chasidism

1. the beliefs and practices of a mystical Jewish sect, founded in Poland about 1750, characterized by an emphasis on prayer, religious zeal, and joy.
2. the beliefs and practices of a pious sect founded in the 3rd century B.C. to resist Hellenizing tendencies and to promote strict observance of Jewish laws and rituals. Also Assideanism. — Hasidic, adj. — Hasidim, n. pi.

See also: Judaism

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Hasidism - a sect of Orthodox Jews that arose out of a pietistic movement originating in eastern Europe in the second half of the 18th century; a sect that follows the Mosaic law strictly Chasidim, Chassidim, Hasidim, Hassidim Jewish Orthodoxy, Orthodox Judaism - Jews who strictly observe the Mosaic law as interpreted in the Talmud Chasid, Chassid, Hasid, Hassid - a member of a Jewish sect that observes a form of strict Orthodox Judaism
	2.	Hasidism - beliefs and practices of a sect of Orthodox Jews Chasidism, Chassidism, Hassidism Orthodox Judaism - beliefs and practices of a Judaic sect that strictly observes Mosaic law Chabad Hasidism, Chabad - a form of Hasidism practiced by Lithuanian and Russian Jews under communist rule; the beliefs and practices of the Lubavitch movement