Joy in Hasidism

Joy as a Remedy against Solitude, Sadness, and Despair.

Oct 31, 1996

Professor Wiesel asks what makes joy so special that it necessitated a commandment, “and you shall rejoice on your holidays.” Though barely mentioned in the Bible, joy characterizes the Hasidic mentality and its appeal to its followers. In Hasidism, it is the realization that one is not alone that causes joy. It is both physical and spiritual. Professor Wiesel teaches us that Hasidic joy in its purest form is the one borne from the deepest sadness.

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Subthemes:
1) Definitions of Hasid and Hasidism
2) Isaac Babel and the Rebbe of Chernobyl
3) Joy in the Bible?
4) Physical and Metaphysical Joy
5) Mysticism and Joy
6) Mysticism and Suffering
7) Joy and Melancholy in Hasidic Masters – a Paradox in their Leadership The Role of the Hasidic Rebbe at a Time of External Upheaval and Hatred of Jews
8) God and the Hasidic Rebbe
9) Pastoral Power of the Hasidic Rebbe
10) The Role of Joy in the Hasidic Movement
11) The Besht’s Encounter with Rabbi Chaim ben Attar
12) The Commandment to Rejoice
13) Anger, Melancholy, Isolation, Struggle, Silence, and Rebellion in Different Hasidic Masters
14) The Absence of Joy in the Torah
15) The Optimism of R. Zusya of Hanipol
16) The Survival of Hasidism in our Time
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