The Halakhah: Hasidism And The Reform Movement

1014 Words3 Pages

Within any society, there are particular individuals who are responsible for maintaining, teaching, amending, and enforcing all laws. In Jewish societies, the rabbis who once served as the judges and interpreters of the Halakhah, fulfilled this role. In an age in which few individuals obtained a formal education, this choice of well-educated rabbis to be these powerful and influential leaders within the Jewish society was logical. Thus, the rabbis used their authoritative power to freely interpret the Halakhah (Jewish Law) for the common Jews. However, this rabbinic role did not last throughout Jewish history. Instead, the 17th century Hasidism and 19th century Reform Movement changed the rabbis’ duties. Both Hasidism and the Reform Movement emphasized the importance of an individual Jew’s observance of Jewish laws as prescribed by previous rabbis and other prominent Jewish figures, such as Moses. Therefore, a rabbi’s interpretation of the Halakhah was no longer necessary. Instead, both Hasidism and the Reform Movement altered the role of Jewish leaders to be a spiritual guide and teacher for common Jews. While the emergence of Hasidism and the Reform Movement agreed upon the new roles for the Jewish leaders, their …show more content…

This event could only be accomplished if all Jews, including commoners and seculars, observed Jewish law. In contrast, the Reform Movement’s agenda was to prevent the persecution and conversion of Jews and to gain acceptance within their respective European nations. This could only be accomplished through modernization or abandonment of problematic Jewish laws that common Jews were required to follow. Thus, both Hasidism and the Reform Movement required a focus on the common Jew’s observation or lack thereof of the Jewish laws, and a new rabbinic role as a spiritual guide in order to successfully achieve their respective

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