There are thousands of religions, beliefs, and ethnic systems in the world. Within each religion, different worldviews, sects, and movements have formed over time. Some are familiar to large masses, while others lead a secluded lifestyle, keeping themselves as far away as possible from the rest of society. The rules, beliefs, and daily life principles of some of these movements may seem quite unusual from an outsider's perspective. Sometimes a piece of clothing, a hairstyle, a dietary rule, or the rejection of technology we consider ordinary becomes an indicator of an entire religious worldview. There are also communities within which people of the same religion hold completely different positions regarding the state, politics, and modern life.
In Modern.az's new “Colors of the World” rubric, we will discuss such movements that have formed within religions and peoples in various countries, distinguished by their lifestyle and beliefs. We will explore how they originated, what they believe in, what rules govern their daily lives, and their relationship with the rest of society.
The first protagonists of the rubric are the Hasidic Jews, who attract attention with their distinctive appearance even from a distance on the street, but behind whom lies a more complex religious and social world.
Black clothing, long beards, curly sideburns, special hats, strict religious rules, and in some cases, maintaining a certain distance from the modern world...
But what lies behind all this? Why do Hasidim live this way, what distinguishes them from other Jewish communities, and most interestingly - do all of them have the same attitude towards the State of Israel?
Black clothing, curly hair, and a different life: Who are Hasidic Jews?
When you see them on the street, the first things that catch your eye are their black clothes, long beards, and curly sideburns. The large hats on men's heads, women's modest clothing, their preference to live only within their own communities in some neighborhoods, and the regulation of daily life by numerous religious rules significantly differentiate them from other people.
We are talking about Hasidic Jews. Hasidism, which formed in Eastern Europe in the 18th century, has over time divided into various religious communities and “dynasties.” Today, their largest communities live in Israel and the USA, especially around New York. However, the term “Hasidic Jew” does not imply a single lifestyle or a single political stance. The religious rules, clothing, and even the attitude towards the State of Israel can differ among various groups.
What distinguishes them?
At the center of Hasidic life is the broadest possible application of the Torah and Jewish religious laws to daily life. These rules are not limited to worship. They cover various aspects of life, from clothing to diet, from family relations to education, from work routines to the observance of the Sabbath.
In most Hasidic communities, men wear black suits, white shirts, and traditional head coverings. Growing a beard and lengthening the sideburns, called peyot, are also among the most recognizable features of some groups.
In women's clothing, the principle of modesty is paramount. In many communities, women wear clothes that cover the p extensively. Married women covering their hair is also part of religious rules. This can be done with a headscarf, shawl, or wig.
Who is the Rebbe?
Another important feature of Hasidic communities is the institution of the Rebbe. A Rebbe is not just a rabbi who conducts religious ceremonies. In certain Hasidic communities, he is considered a spiritual leader with great authority for his followers in both religious and personal matters. In Hasidic tradition, various “dynasties” are known by the name of these religious leaders. Therefore, even between two Hasidic communities living in the same city, there can be significant differences, from clothing to forms of worship, from daily behavior to political stances.
Life stops on the Sabbath
One of the most interesting aspects of Hasidic life is Shabbat, or Saturday. In communities that strictly adhere to Jewish religious laws, a number of activities are refrained from between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday. The use of electrical devices, driving cars, and various daily activities are restricted in accordance with religious rules. In some communities, special technical solutions have even been developed to adapt to these rules. For example, during Shabbat, special elevators operating in a specific mode are used to allow passengers to move in accordance with religious rules.
Telephone, internet, and the modern world
The attitude of Hasidic communities towards modern technologies is also not uniform. Some groups impose strict restrictions on internet and smartphone use, while in some communities, only technologies that pass through certain filters and control systems are used. The main reason for this is to prevent secular culture and internet content from affecting the religious life of the community. However, it would not be correct to put all Hasidim into the same framework here. The attitude of various communities towards technology differs.
What about their attitude towards the State of Israel?
This is one of the most striking issues when talking about Hasidic Jews. Not all of them are against the State of Israel. In the Hasidic world, the attitude towards the State of Israel covers a wide spectrum. Some groups accept the State of Israel, participate in its political system, and cooperate with state institutions. Other groups distance themselves from political Zionism and take a more neutral stance. But at the opposite pole, there are also openly anti-Zionist Hasidic communities. One of the most famous of these is the Satmar community. Satmar is religiously anti-Zionist and does not accept the creation of the modern State of Israel from a Jewish religious perspective. According to their approach, the creation of Jewish political sovereignty by human will is not a religiously acceptable process, and the establishment of such a state before the coming of the messianic era is not considered correct. In Satmar's own sources, Zionism and modern state sovereignty are clearly separated. In this regard, an interesting paradox arises. There are Jewish communities that oppose the existence of the State of Israel but consider the land of Israel holy. That is, anti-Zionist Hasidim defend this position not because they are against the land of Israel and the Jews living there, but because they believe that the creation of the modern state is not religiously correct.
Why do they keep themselves separate from society?
In some Hasidic communities, a secluded lifestyle is considered one of the main means of preserving religious and cultural identity. They have their own schools, synagogues, charitable organizations, shops, and various community structures. The preservation of Jewish religious tradition and the Yiddish language is also of particular importance in some communities. For this reason, in some areas of New York and in certain cities and neighborhoods of Israel, it is possible to clearly see the unique lifestyle of Hasidic communities.
Same religion, different worlds
To recognize Hasidic Jews only by their black clothes, beards, and curly hair does not fully explain their world. There are even great differences within these communities. One may participate in the political system of the State of Israel, another may distance themselves from Zionism, and another group may not accept the state itself from a religious point of view. This is precisely why Hasidism is not a single “closed community,” but a large world with various religious traditions, rules, and political views.
