The two groups to be examined are the Chasidim and the Old Order Amish. We will begin with a brief look at the history of each group.

The Chasidim, or Hasidim, as more commonly known, are a cult within the tradition of Judaism. The word "Hasid" derives from the Hebrew word for "pious". Hasidism dates back to the early eighteenth century and originated in central and Eastern Europe. Its founder was a man named Israel ben Eliezer (c.1700-1760). He is otherwise known as the Baal Shem Tov. In Hebrew "Baal Shem" means, "master of the [good] name". It is a title given to men who are endowed with mystical powers. According to Hasidic belief, Adonai (God) chooses these men.

The Baal Shem Tov taught a new way of practicing Judaism that was strikingly different than what was considered acceptable at that time. It was his contention that God was everywhere and in all things-including man. There was no need for rigorous study of Torah (the Pentateuch, or Five Books of Moses). A man's education-or lack thereof, is unimportant. Accordingly, an honest prayer from an unlearned Jew is just as powerful than a prayer made by a talmid chachem (an exper

William M. Kephart and William W. Zellner. Extraordinary Groups: An Examination of Unconventional Lifestyles. "The Hasidim". (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998), p. 196.

The rise of popularity of Hasidism was also aided by its timing. As Leo Rosten writes about the Baal Shem Tov in his book The Joys of Yiddish, "He brought the excitement of hope into the lives of Polish Jewry, who had been decimated during a decade of savage Cossack progroms." Despite the renewed enthusiasm it engendered, it also found strong opposition, namely from the misnagdim. For the misnagdim, study figures as the supreme religious act. This is not so for the Hasidim. The teachings of the Besht place an emphasis on the doing of mitzvahs. The literal translation of this Hebrew word is "commandment" but when used commonly "mitzvah" refers to any virtuous deed. The Talmud-studying community considered the Baal Shem Tov outrageous and heretical. However, this did not appear to bother the Besht over-much as he "...derided the learned Talmudists, branding them sterile pedants who "through sheer study of the Law have no time to think about God."" Despite the opposition the Hasidim grew to include approximately 10,000 Jews.

Leo Rosten. The Joys of Yiddish. (New York: Pocket Books, 1970). p. 24.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)