Description
Book SynopsisFrom its very beginnings in the eighteenth century, the Hasidic movement was suffused with a joyous enthusiasm and optimism derived from the notion of God being in all things. This led to an insistence on joy as an essential element in divine worship, and in consequence a distinctive attitude to prayer. This classic work, presented here with a new introduction, is a study of the attitudes of the hasidic rebbes to prayer. Louis Jacobs bases himself principally on the works compiled by rebbes themselves and records preserved by their disciples. Copious quotations from these writings form a sound basis for his masterly analysis—unsurpassed since it was first published in 1972 — and enable the reader to gain a familiarity with Hasidic thought on the subject of divine worship at first hand.
Trade Review'It now presents itself to a new public which will find this one of the basic books required for those who want to go directly into the nature of Hasidic prayer ... in this sound and clearly written text there is a scholarly survey of the most immediate developments of Hasidism, which enters into that world both as a scholar looking in from the outside, and as a rabbi aware of the yearnings of faith. The new introduction is valuable in pointing to the most recent scholarship which also emphasizes women in Hasidic life ... this is a valuable book which is a pleasure to read.'
European Judaism'His work is remarkably well done, with profound scholarship but presented in a readable and absorbing manner.'
Times Educational SupplementTable of ContentsIntroduction to the paperback edition Introduction to the first edition Notes on names and dates 1 Hasidism 2 The Nature of Hasidic Prayer 3 The Hasidic Prayer Book and Prayer House 4 Preparations for Prayer 5 Gestures and Melody in Prayer 6 Contemplative Prayer 7 Contemplative Prayer (continued) 8 Ecstatic Prayer 9 The Elevation of ‘Strange Thoughts’ 10 Prayer as Inspiration 11 The Prayers of the Zaddik 12 The Polemic on the Recital of Le-Shem Yihud 13 Hasidic Prayer in the Responsa Notes Bibliography Index
