Hasidism and Politics

Analysing the political relations between the Kingdom of Poland and the hasidic movement, this book examines plans formulated by the government and by groups close to government circles regarding hasidim, and describes how a hasidic body politic developed in response. Marcin Wodziński demonstrates that the rise of hasidism was an important factor in shaping the Jewish policy of both central and provincial authorities in Congress Poland, and shows how the creation of socio-political conditions that were advantageous to the hasidic movement actually accelerated its growth. The discussion concentrates on the years 1815 to 1864—the period of Congress Poland—but does not ignore the history of political interactions between hasidism and the state from the inception of the hasidic movement during the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The novelty of Professor Wodziński’s study lies in the fact that, whereas most analyses of political culture focus on states and societies with well-established electoral systems of representation, he focuses on the under-researched area of political relations between a non-democratic state and a low-status community lacking authorized representation. Applying concepts more often associated with cultural history, his analysis draws a distinction between the terms of reference of high-level political debate and the actual implementation of policy as mediated through administrative practices informed by the political culture of middle- and low-level officials. Similarly, in analysing hasidic responses he differentiates between high-level hasidic representations in the state, and the grassroots politics of the community. This combination permits broad contextualization of the whole subject, integrating the social and cultural history of Polish Jewry with that of Polish society in general.

List of illustrations
Note on Transliteration, Place Names, and Sources
List of Abbreviations

Introduction

1  What Does It Mean to Civilize? Polish Debates on the Reform of the Jewish People 1789–1830
Diagnosis • The Goal • Measures: What Are ‘Civil Christians’? • What Does It Mean to Civilize? • Conclusions
2  Origins: Controversies over Hasidic Shtiblekh
Before the Congress Kingdoms • Nameless: The First Ruling on Hasidic Shtiblekh • Investigating the Kitajowcy in Płock • Michels: Shtiblekh, Mikveh, and Burial Societies • Conclusions
3 The Investigation of 1823–1824
Hussites: Beginnings of the Investigation • Hasidism Is Banned • Counteroffensive   • Stanisław Staszic Against the Tsadikim • Hasidism Delivered: Conclusions
4  Between Words and Actions
State Politics and Local Politicians • Silent Turning Point: Hasidism in the Politics of the Kingdom after 1831 • The Last Investigation • Ignorance, Inertia, Frustration • Who Profited? On the Ostensible Equality of Hasidism • Epilogue: In the 1860s • Conclusions
5   The Hasidim Strike Back: Development of Hasidic Political Involvements
Beginnings: Berek Sonnenberg and his Circle • Offensive: Meir Rotenberg of Opatów • Triumph: Isaac Kalisz of Warka • The Third Phase • Digression: Corruption • The Local Context: Conclusions
6  Communal Dimensions of Hasidic Politics
Who? Agents of Hasidic Communal Politics • Whom? Protagonists • Why? Goals • How? Means • Local or Universal? • Conclusions
7  Haskalah and Government Policy towards Hasidism
The Role of Hasidism in the Political Activity of the Polish Maskilim • Myth and Reality in the Role of the Maskilim • How Did a Maskilic Shtadlan Differ from a Hasidic One? • Conclusions

Conclusions
Bibliography
Index