What is Hassidism?

We’ve seen them in airports, in movies, on the street, and (at least in my case) in our living rooms. Some of them wear fancy fur-lined streimels that sit atop their heads like huge crowns. Some have long sidelocks elegantly curled at each side of their heads, short sidelocks tucked behind their ears, or no sidelocks at all. The women may wear wigs alone, with hats or no wigs but helmet-like hats which cover every strand of hair. Yes, as implied by this lengthy introduction, they are most apparent for their dress, but who are hassidic Jews and what do … Continue reading