Habad

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The teachings of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyady (1745-1813) have had a major impact on Jewish life throughout the world. The founder of the hasidic dynasty known today as Lubavitch, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyady's approach has come to be known as Habad, an acronym of the initials for the Hebrew words Hokhmah, Binah, and Da'at–wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. In this groundbreaking book, Roman A. Foxbrunner, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard University Center for Jewish Studies, has written the first full-length critical study in English of one of the most significant thinkers in the broad span of Jewish history. Basing his work on all of the writings of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyady, Foxbrunner systematically presents the major ideas that this hasidic master offered to his followers and provides the reader with an in-depth look at the theological, philosophical, religious, and ethical concepts underlying the particular approach that has become known as Habad Hasidism. Foxbrunner is particularly concerned in this study with the sources of Rabbi Shneur Zalman's teachings and the criteria he uses in his system of values. Since it is well known that Rabbi Shneur Zalman was a devoted student of the Maggid of Mezhirech, who in turn was the spiritual heir to the Hasidism of the Baal Shem Tov, Foxbrunner pays particular attention to Rabbi Shneur Zalman's teachings as an outgrowth of the thought of his predecessors. In addition, Foxbrunner is concerned with these three questions: What were Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lyady's criteria for religioethical perfection? What did he want his followers to believe, know, feel, and do in order to aspire to that perfection? What were the attitudes and values he sought to inculcate with this end in mind? Hasidism evokes heated controversy among scholars trying to analyze the movement and its significance.