Hassidic Jews in American Society

This research is concerned with ethnicity in America. Specifically, the values and life styles of the Hassidic Jews are examined within the context of their impact on the ability of the Hassidic Jews to assimilate into mainstream American society. An alternate anglicized spelling of Hassidic is Hasidic. Both versions are widely used. For the sake of consistency, Hassidic is used in this research, unless Hasidic is found in a direct quotation.

The "tormented relationship between . . . Jews and gentiles has endured for nearly two millennia."1 Throughout this period in most of Europe, and in Eastern Europe particularly, the Jews have been the scapegoat for society's problems. In 1348, as an example, the Jews were blamed for the plague which caused the Black Death.2 In 1500, Jews in Germany were accused of ritual murder. For this alleged action, 30 Jews were burned at the stake. After 25 years had passed, it came to light that the Jews had been innocent of ritual murder. In 1573, however, the German political leader who had proved the innocence of the Jews died. Rumors spread that he had been poisoned by the Jews, and they were expelled "for all eternity."3

During these centuries, Jews were harassed throughout Christian Europe. In Germany, Martin Luther advocated that the following actions be taken against the Jews:

. . . their assets be sequestered, their homes razed, their synagogues be levelled, . . .

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ews believe that "it is within the power of every person to modify the very laws which imprison us."21 A Hassid also "shares solidarity with other Hasidim and feels 4responsible for their fate."22 For the Hassidim, the redemption of one must mean the redemption of all.23 "Because God is everywhere, in the Hasidic kingdom men were not one another's prisoners but their companions."24 In contemporary American society, the Hassidic position which likely causes the greatest friction with other American Jews, as well as with many non Jewish Americans, is the Hassidic opposition to the political state of israel.25 The Hassidim believe that the recreation of Israel "should have waited for the Messiah, when a theocratic state would have been proclaimed."26 Other Jewish groups strongly oppose the Hassidic position on Israel.27 The Hassidim also share religious practices which tend to estrange them from other American Jews, and lifestyle preferences which tend to estrange them from both other American Jews and non Jewish Americans. An example of an Hassidim religious practice which tends to estrange them from other American Jews is the Rebbe's shirayim.28 The Rebbe is the Hassidic rabbi. The shirayim are "the food morsels lef

Category: Psychology - H