Mitzvot, lumi, comunitate í®n gândirea hasidicã modernã (Mitzvot, Worlds, and Community in Modern Hasidic Thinking)

Author(s): Petru Moldovan
Keywords: Kabbalah, Hasidism, mystics, magic
Journal: Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies
Year: 2003
Full text: http://www.jsri.ro/old/html%20version/index/no_5/petrumoldovan-articol.htm
Publisher: Seminar for the Interdisciplinary Research of Reli
Abstract: Moshe Idel considers that the emergence of Hasidism is not the effect of the confrontation between the ancient and the modern orientations. In M. Idel’s interpretation of the Hasidic phenomenon, a central point is ascribed to the inevitable encounter of the Hasidim masters with a variety of mystic literature. I have chosen to analyze three extremely complex and of a great important concepts regarding the jewish mystic phenomenon: mitzvot, worlds, and community. By discussing these concepts I have tried to emphasize their practical and very important nature. I have also described the relations that bring them together, in order to identify the special role of the Hasidic mystic in the process of influencing the superior and inferior worlds. This depends on the manner in which he respects and carries out the commandments. I would like to emphasize the blurred line between mystics and magic in the South-Eastern European Hasidism.