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hasidim

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Ha⋅sid

[hah-sid; Ashk. Heb. khaw-sid; Seph. Heb. khah-seed]
–noun, plural Ha⋅sid⋅im [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.


Origin:
< Heb ḥāsīd pious (person)


Ha⋅sid⋅ic [hah-sid-ik, huh-] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To hasidim
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

Hasidim [(khah-see-dim, hah-see-dim)]

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.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

Hasidim 
1812, adherents of a conservative Jewish religious movement founded 1750 by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer Baal Shem Tobh, from Heb. hasidhim, lit. "pious ones," pl. of hasidh "kind, pious." Earlier used in Heb. of adherents of an anti-Hellenistic faction during the time of the Maccabean Wars.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

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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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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