Note
Proposed Hasidism Courses Outline (1975)
Jud. St. 41 should remain essentially as it is. Jud. St. 75, "Introduction to Hasidic Literature," requires prerequisites of Jud. St. 41 and a working knowledge of Hebrew. The course aims to acquaint students with primary sources of Hasidic literature, progressing from simpler to more complex passages filled with biblical and rabbinic allusions, Kabbalistic terms, Hasidic exegesis, and wordplays. Students should be able to translate and annotate texts. Selected works include: Tzava'at Ha-Rivash and Keter Shem Tov (Besht), Likkutei Moharan and Sippurei Ma'asiyot (R. Nahman of Bratslav), Degel Mahaneh Ephraim (R. Moshe Hayyim Ephraim), Noam Elimelekh (R. Elimelekh of Lizhensk), Kedushat Levi (R. Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev), Toledot Yaakov Yosef, Tzofnat Pa'aneach, and Ketonet Passim (R. Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye), Tzidkat Ha-Tzaddik (R. Zadok of Lublin), Benei Yissaschar (R. Zevi Elimelech of Dinov), Tanya, Derekh Mitzvotekha, and contemporary ma'amarim (HaBaD), Maggid Devarav le-Yaakov and Likkutim Yekarim (R. Dov Ber). Standard biblical, Talmudic, midrashic, and kabbalistic reference works are expected. A graduate-level course, "Major Ideas of Hasidism" (Jud. St. 700-level), requires Jud. St. 75 and knowledge of Hebrew. It explores core Hasidic themes through original sources and contemporary scholarship, comparing Hasidic and Mitnagdic thought, Kabbalah, and Sabbateanism. Topics include immanence and transcendence, devekut, avodah begashmiyut, gadlut and katnut, zaddikism, yeridah and aliyah, sweetening of judgments, prayer, thoughts and emotions, Torah lishmah, mystical themes, love and fear of God, evil and the yetzer, and eschatology. Primary sources: Tzava’at Ha-Rivash, Keter Shem Tov, letters of the Besht, Darkei Yesharim (R. Menahem Mendel of Peremyslyany), writings of R. Pinhas of Koretz, Toledot Yaakov Yosef, Ketonet Passim, Tzofnat Pa’aneach, Porat Yosef (R. Yaakov Yosef), Maggid Devarav le-Yaakov and Likkutim Yekarim (R. Dov Ber), Pri Ha-Aretz (R. Menahem…
