Hasidism

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews Maurice Friedman's discussion and analysis of Hasidism in the text, "Religion and Psychology: A Dialogical Approach".
The paper reports that the author looks into the religious beliefs and practices that characterize Hasidism as a mystical religion.

From the Paper:

"Looking into Hasidism from a psychological, specifically psychoanalytical, point of view, it provides a good example of how the individual makes sense of his/her realities as a Hasid. Unlike other religions, Hasidism and its practices and traditions does not bring forth problems of self-deprivation in order to achieve the state of otherworldliness, since it already advocates for the individual's establishment of being in sync with the material world. However, Hasidism is unique in that it tries to balance both the individual's needs and community's requirements in the practice of Hasidist religious experiences."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dein, S. (2004). "From chaos to cosmogeny." Anthropology & Medicine, Vol. 11, Issue 2.
• Flatto, S. (2003). "Hasidim and Mitnaggedim: not a world apart." Journal of Jewish Thought & Philosophy, Vol. 12, Issue 2.
• Friedman, M. (1992). Religion and Psychology: A Dialogical Approach. Paragon

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