Language:
Hebrew
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
דרך ספר; שי לזאב גריס
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2021) 389-404
Keywords:
Steinman, Eliezer, Criticism and interpretation
;
Hasidism in literature
;
Hasidism History
Abstract:
This article focuses upon the Hassidic anthologies composed by the Israeli writer, journalist, and editor, Eliezer Steinman (1892-1970). It is offered as a gesture ofrespect and appreciation for Professor Zeev Gries, the writer's teacher and mentor inthe area of academic study of Hassidism and modern reactions to it. The variousvolumes of Steinman's monumental project, entitledThe Well of Hassidism (Be'er Ha-hassidut) were first published in Israel during the 1950s, long after theappearance of similar literary projects produced by modern advocates of Hassidism ‒ as exemplified by Martin Buber, Micah Joseph Berdichevsky, Hillel Zeitlin andothers. The bulk of the article concerns identifying the novelty of Steinman'sinterests and self-understanding as against those of his predecessors both in thefield of neo-Hassidic literature and in scholarly research of the Hassidic movement,beginning with the antagonist historiography produced by representatives of theEnlightenment movement (the Maskilim), continuing with the historical works ofSimon Dubnow, and concluding with the findings of the noted scholar of Jewishmysticism, Gershom Scholem.The article ends with the contention that in Steinman's own view, the significanceof his contribution, as against the literary projects of most of his predecessors inthe modern era, lies in the fact that this literary sympathy for Hassidism on his partdoes not involve distortion of its image; it does not rely upon portraying theHassidic movement as a rebellious opposition to the Talmudic and halachicorientation of rabbinic Judaism, nor even upon viewing it as a precursor ofmodernism. The true inspiration of Hassidism in Steinman's eyes lies rather in itsspiritual religious dimension, a feature which to his mind is not sufficientlyprevalent in secular modern life
Note:
With an English summary.
URL:
אתר את הפרסום בקטלוג המאוחד של ספריות ישראל
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