y were suffering "intoler able political and economic privation."6 Hassidism "blossomed forth," as "a new approach to religion," at a time when "rab binical Judaism tightened the 'fence' around the Law in an effort to retain control over its shattered domain."7 Hassid ism's "doctrine of joy, optimism, and enthusiastic worship resonated deeply in hearts that had been brought low by the fearful events of the recent past."8
The Hassidic movement had its beginnings "as a revolt of the 'unlearned' against the strict rule of the rabbis."9 It was reported that people "came in the thousands" to hear Shem Tov speak, "to receive his blessing, and to join him in fren zied prayer."10 Shem Tov regarded "the essence of religion as lying apart from ritual and law; . . ., he declared that ritual alone did not constitute true faith."11
Communion with God could best be achieved through prayer, but, for the Hassid, prayer should occur "whenever one desired to pray, . . . with whatsoever words, or melodies, came to one at the moment of prayer."12 Hassidism emphasized emotion over intellect, and, thus, placed the poor and uneducated on an equal level with the wealthy and learned.13
For the Hassid, the Zaddik, who replaced the traditional rabbi, "was beyond question or criticism."14 The Hassid were convinced t
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