[hah-sid; Ashk. Heb. khaw-sid; Seph. Heb. khah-seed] 
[hah-sid-im, huh-; Ashk. Heb. khaw-see-dim; Seph. Heb. khah-see-deem] . Judaism. | 1. | a member of a sect founded in Poland in the 18th century by Baal Shem-Tov and characterized by its emphasis on mysticism, prayer, ritual strictness, religious zeal, and joy. Compare Mitnagged. |
| 2. | an Assidean. |
| Ha·sid or Has·sid also Chas·sid (KHä'sĭd, KHô'-, hä'-) n. pl. Ha·si·dim or Has·si·dim also Chas·si·dim (KHä-sē'dĭm, KHô-, hä-) A member of a Jewish mystic movement founded in the 18th century in eastern Europe by Baal Shem Tov that reacted against Talmudic learning and maintained that God's presence was in all of one's surroundings and that one should serve God in one's every deed and word. [From Hebrew ḥāsîd, pious, from ḥāsad, to be kind; see ḥsd in Semitic roots.] Ha·si'dic adj., Ha·si'dism n. |
Jews who observe a form of strict Orthodox Judaism. They generally wear severely plain black and white clothes, and the men, following the requirements of Mosaic law, leave parts of their hair and whiskers untrimmed.
Hasidim
member of a pre-Christian Jewish sect of uncertain origin, noted for uncompromising observance of Judaic Law. The Hasideans joined the Maccabean revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucids (2nd century BC) to fight for religious freedom and stem the tide of paganism. They had no interest in politics as such, and they later withdrew from the Maccabean cause as soon as they had regained their religious freedom. Indeed, they fell into disfavour with the Hasmonean rulers.
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