The article examines the Finnish branch of Chabad Lubavitch as a fundamentalist and charismatic movement that differs from other branches of ultra-Orthodox Judaism in its approaches to outreach to non-observant Jews. Whilst introducing the history of Chabad Lubavitch in Finland and drawing on historical and archival sources, the authors locate the movement in a contemporary context and draw on 101 semi-structured qualitative interviews of members of the Finnish Jewish communities, who either directly or indirectly have been in contact (...) with representatives of Chabad Finland. The material is examined through the theoretical concept of ‘vicarious religion’. As the results of the article show, whilst Chabad very much adheres to certain fundamentalist approaches in Jewish religious practice, in Finland they follow a somewhat different approach. They strongly rely on people’s sense of Jewish identification and Jewish identity. Individuals in the community ‘consume’ Chabad’s activities vicariously, ‘belong without believing’ or ‘believe in belonging’ but do not feel the need to apply stricter religious observance. Whilst many of them are critical of Chabad and their activities, they do acknowledge that Chabad fills the ‘gaps’ in and outside the Jewish Community of Helsinki, predominantly by creating new activities for some of its members. (shrink)

This book is an introduction to Rabbi Schneur Zalman's Chasidic philosophy, which is a synthesis of the mystical, rational and ethical currents of Jewish thought. In Chabad chasidism the esoteric teachings of kabbalah are explained and harmonized with the practical guidance of Jewish law. This authoritative study traces Chabad philosophy to its origins in Jewish sacred literature, including the Talmud and Midrash, and explores its relationship to other trends in Jewish philosophy. A supplement of selected readings from the (...) Tanya allows the reader to become acquainted with the style and method of Rabbi Schneur Zalman's own writing. (shrink)

1. Likkutei Amarim -- 2. Shaar hayichud vehaemunah : iggeret hateshuvah --.

Way am I here? Do my actions make a differene? Can I change my future? These age old questions receive fresh answers in The divine commandments, a philosophical analysis of the concept ot a mitzvah. The study of the mystical dimension of G-d's commands and the potential in human action to influence the world gives new purpose to life and new joy to living.

Name der Zeitschrift: Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft Jahrgang: 23 Heft: 1 Seiten: 116-132.

Wolfson, using literary analysis, produced an excellent study of the mystical views of Rabbi Menahem Mendel Schneerson, the last Lubavich Rebbe. This work should serve as paradigmatic for the study of Jewish mystical thought.

In Ukraine, historically, there have been various religions, both national religions of peoples and world. In the Ukrainian territory, such a striking phenomenon of the Jewish religious tradition as Hasidism is emerging. This stage of Hasidism is conventionally called the second to separate it from German Hasidism of the Middle Ages. Ukrainian-Polish Hasidism gave birth to its numerous directions. Among them there is good Hasidism, as well as Uman, Chernobyl, Karlin-Stolin directions. Chabad, in its modern form with the adoration (...) of the lover's rebbe, originated in the teachings of Schneur Zalman, who brought Hasidism as close as possible to the traditional tenets of Judaism and insisted on an intellectual service to God, restraining excessive religious emotionality. The Ukrainian roots of Hasidism in general and Chabad in particular, as well as the Ukrainian origin of the Seventh Lubavitch Rebbe, contribute to the return of this movement to the territory of Ukraine after the atheistic period of the Soviet Union. (shrink)