Exhibition gives new insight into Hasidic community

We're here at the Israel museum where an exhibit on Hasidic Jews has captivated audiences. It's a rare glimpse into the culture of a closed religious community. The Hassidim are a subgroup of Orthodox Jews who put a particular emphasis on joyous worship and loyalty to a Rebbe, their on version of a Rabbi.  The movement began in the 18^th century and has created lots of subgroups – Satmar, Bratslaver, Chabbad and Ger. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the exhibit with the curator who won the confidence of so many inside the community, she walked away with magnificent photographs, videos, holy objects and even the unique clothes worn in the community.

The exhibit's curator Ester Muchawsky Shnapper says she wanted to capture the life of Hassidim - how they worship G-d, how they celebrate the holidays, how they raise their children and how they dress.

Ester, an ethnographer, spent years getting to know the various Hasidic communities before mounting this exhibit.

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper:

“They were very cooperative and very nice, and… I had the feeling that they were interested that somebody shows that culture and doesn't always show some political aspects, which are usually exceptional and which interests most of the journalists.”

Hassidim in Israel are criticized for not going to the army, for taking the state's money for religious studies instead of working and some, for being anti-Zionist…but all those hot button issues are left out of the exhibit…

Instead we see the Hassidim through the lens of how they see themselves…

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky Schnapper:

“I saw a society which is completely dedicated to something spiritual which is God, which I could only admire, you know that every gesture, everything which is done is in a way done for him, which is something very elevated kind of civilization I would say.” 

Most of the photographs on display were loaned to Ester by Hassidim – others were taken with cameras Ester handed out.

Short films of religious celebrations run on the walls of each gallery…Ester says the access she got to film this side of Hassidic life is what most impresses visitors to the exhibit…

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper:

“What strikes them all is the Simcha, is what in Hebrew means "Joy". The joy in their lives. When they have their wedding ceremonies, when they have their tisch ceremonies, that there's so much joy and happiness. And that you cannot see in the street. Because in the street they all look very serious, they all walk quickly and many people got the impression that they are sort of harsh and bitter maybe.”

Less the 300 years old, the Hassidic movement was founded by the Baal Shem Tov, a charismatic figure from the Ukraine. He preached joyous worship rather than piety based on one's mastery of Torah and Talmud.

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky Schnapper:

“He said you can reach, as they say in Hebrew, hakadosh baroh hu, the Holy One. You can reach him also with your heart. You can also pray even if you are not so, if you didn't study the texts, you don't know maybe even the prayer completely by heart but if you feel it in your heart – you can reach God. And that was quite revolutionary.”

Hassidut caught like fire across Eastern Europe. The disciples of the Baal Shem Tov established a number of Hasidic congregations or courts across Europe, in Israel and the US – as this metaphorical geneology tree illustrates...

Different styles of Clothes and hats are one way the Hassidim distinguish themselves from one another and other orthodox Jews…

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper:

“A big, big importance for me was of course their garments, you know, what they wore. And the garments are really a complicated code. People from outside always thought that they wear something like a uniform and that's also not true. Because each court because they're divided into courts, each court has its own way of dressing and everything has meaning.”

Some Hassidim kept eastern European fashions, others adopted Ottoman style coats like these brown and grey ones from the Toldot Avraham Hassidim…

And then there's all the varieties of streimels or fur hats of the hassidim…this one with up-brushed hairs is one of the most fashionable today for married men..

One of the exhibit's largest galleries is dedicated to women…

Arranged marriages are a rule – though Hassidic women can and do say "no" Ester says. 

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper:

“The women are very happy with what they see as their task, they are very proud to have many children and to take care of them, which is really very difficult and sometimes they also have to make a living, an earning aside, because especially if the men study a lot in the yeshiva also at an advanced age already. But they see it as a privilege.”

This film has stirred a lot of controversy outside the Hassidic world – its what's called a mitzvah tanze – or mitzvah dance. It may look strange that the bride is being led around with an opaque viel by her father, but Esther says there's a religious meaning to the custom…

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper:

“She has this little veil which is not transparent because in this moment its believed that the holy, the divine presence of G-d rests on her – the schena. And that she is a vessel of the schena and nothing can be more honorable than that! So to think that she is led like an animal is totally wrong…”

One part of the exhibit is dedicated exclusively to the Rebbe because of the central role he plays in Hasidic life.

He's much more than a spiritual leader, he's an absolute authority on social and economic issues. He's seen as father figure, someone to go to with all your problems and concerns. Many see him as a mediator between man and God.

The rebbe is considered to be closer to God than the other Hassidim…he is relied upon to pray for his followers…

In this room painted majestic blue, the distinctive clothing of Rebbes are on display as well as many of their holy objects…

Some Rebbe's gave their Hasidim coins as a kind of amulet which was fashioned in Kiddush cups…The famous Lubavitcher Rebbe – Menachem Mendel Schneerson - gave dollars…

The Rebbe's seemingly all embracing power in Hasidic life has been widely criticized by other Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews…

The death of Lubavitcher Rebbe Schneerson sparked a messianic belief in his followers – many believe he was the messiah and he'll come back one day…

Exhibit Curator Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper:

“There is a certain similarity – Christianity is clear, yes, because you also have this belief in Messiah who came and left and has to come back a second time so it's really a similarity but the Hassidim, the Chabad Hassidim they don't see that similarity and they don't want to see it and they negate it completely.”

The last gallery captures the very famous Hassidic tradition of a tisch – a celebration for the bridegroom…

For all the religious and cultural walls that surround the Hasidim – this exhibit manages to tear some of them down.

Jordana Miller, JN1, Jerusalem