Hasidism Beyond Modernity

The Habad school of hasidism is distinguished todayfrom other hasidic groups by its famous emphasis on outreach, on messianism, andon empowering women. Hasidism Beyond Modernity provides a critical,thematic study of the movement from its beginnings, showing how its unusual qualitiesevolved. Topics investigated include the theoretical underpinning of theoutreach ethos; the turn towards women in the twentieth century; new attitudesto non-Jews; the role of the individual in the hasidic collective; spiritualcontemplation in the context of modernity; the quest for inclusivism in theface of prevailing  schismatic processes;messianism in both spiritual and political forms; and the direction of themovement after the passing of its seventh rebbe,Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in 1994. Attention is given to many contrasts:pre-modern, modern, and postmodern conceptions of Judaism; the clash between maintainingan enclave and outreach models of Jewish society; particularist anduniversalist trends; and the subtle interplay of mystical faith and rationality.Some of the chapters are new; others, published in an earlier form, have beenupdated to take account of recent scholarship. This book presents an in-depthstudy of an intriguing movement which takes traditional hasidism beyondmodernity.