Men of Silk: The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society by Glenn Dynner

Description: 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.

Dynner locates the Hasidic concept of "worship through corporeality" (avodah be-gashmiyut) as the nexus between the movement's theology and social realization. This notion that holiness may be derived from even mundane endeavors enabled Hasidic leaders to immerse themselves in politics, business,
and popular culture, and yet effectively remain mystics. Dynner also mines the Hasidic texts for valuable historical and biographical data. Men of Silk integrates a rich variety of external and internal perspectives on Hasidism's transformation into a mass movement and exhibits its revolutionary
impact on Polish Jewish culture during the transition to modernity.

Price: 98.9 AUD

Location: Hillsdale, NSW

End Time: 2025-01-12T14:04:24.000Z

Shipping Cost: 24.99 AUD