Glenn Dynner

Men of Silk

The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Hasidism, a kabbalah-inspired movement founded by Israel Ba'al Shem Tov (c1700-1760), transformed Jewish communities across Eastern and East Central Europe. In Men of Silk, Glenn Dynner draws upon newly discovered Polish archival material and neglected Hebrew testimonies to illuminate Hasidism's dramatic ascendancy in the region of Central Poland during the early nineteenth century. Dynner presents Hasidism as a socioreligious phenomenon that was shaped in crucial ways by its Polish context. His social historical analysis dispels prevailing romantic notions about Hasidism. Despite their folksy image, the movement's charismatic leaders are revealed as astute populists who proved remarkably adept at securing elite patronage, neutralizing powerful opponents, and methodically co-opting Jewish institutions. The book also reveals the full spectrum of Hasidic devotees, from humble shtetl dwellers to influential Warsaw entrepreneurs.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Oxford University Press, USA
• Seitenzahl: 400
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. Dezember 2008
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 234mm x 156mm x 21mm
• Gewicht: 558g
• ISBN-13: 9780195382655
• ISBN-10: 019538265X
• Artikelnr.: 25684096

Autorenporträt

Glenn Dynner is a Professor of Religion at Sarah Lawrence College

Inhaltsangabe

* Introduction
* Chapter 1: - Hasidism in Central Poland, 1754-1830
* Chapter 2: - Anatomy of a Hasidic Conquest
* Chapter 3: - Warsaw and the Patrons of Polish Hasidism
* Chapter 4: - Yihus: The Social Composition of Early Hasidic
Leadership
* Chapter 5: - Charlatans or "Lovers of Israel"? Evaluating Hasidic
Populism
* Chapter 6: - Sermons, Stories and Songs: Marketing Hasidism
* Conclusion
* Appendix A - Yihus and Marriage Strategies of early Zaddikim Outside
Central Poland: Examples through 1815
* Appendix B - An Exorcism in Warsaw, 1818
* Appendix C - Works by Hasidic Authors, through 1815
* Bibliography
* Notes
* Index

Rezensionen

Dynner's book represents an important contribution to the previously understudied historiography of nineteenth-century Hasidism. His thorough and careful archival research, combined with his nuanced analysis of important zadikim, their ideology, and their social power, sets a new standard for the study of Hasidism. This is an indispensable volume for scholars and enthusiastic students of nineteenth-century East European Jewish culture and society. American Historical Review