Thread: chassidic art and culture is undergoing a renaissance phase.
I have been claiming for a while that chassidic culture is in the early stages of a renaissance phase. This idea has been critiqued, recently by @Shmarya. In this thread I aim to back up my claim.
I have been claiming for a while that chassidic culture is in the early stages of a renaissance phase. This idea has been critiqued, recently by @Shmarya. In this thread I aim to back up my claim.
2/n
First a bit of history (necessarily oversimplified). Traditional Jewish communities in Europe encountered the enlightenment in the late 18th century, birthing the haskallah movement. This spread to all of Jewish Europe over the next century and a half, up to the holocaust.
First a bit of history (necessarily oversimplified). Traditional Jewish communities in Europe encountered the enlightenment in the late 18th century, birthing the haskallah movement. This spread to all of Jewish Europe over the next century and a half, up to the holocaust.
3/n
From its earliest of days chassidic culture was bitterly opposed to haskallah, responding to that threat with isolationism and rejection of modernity and secular knowledge.
In the 20th century haskallah gave way to its daughter ideologies: Zionism and socialism.
From its earliest of days chassidic culture was bitterly opposed to haskallah, responding to that threat with isolationism and rejection of modernity and secular knowledge.
In the 20th century haskallah gave way to its daughter ideologies: Zionism and socialism.
4/n
Post-holocaust it was Zionism and assimilation that posed threats to the barely-surviving chassidic culture. It's a marvel of community-building that they managed to rebuild to a point where they now overshadow pre-war chassidism in institutional complexity and organisation.
Post-holocaust it was Zionism and assimilation that posed threats to the barely-surviving chassidic culture. It's a marvel of community-building that they managed to rebuild to a point where they now overshadow pre-war chassidism in institutional complexity and organisation.
5/n
In the diaspora, chassidic culture made every attempt to resist all influence from secular society, including banning the TV, secular books, music etc. Chassidic culture evolved in near isolation with literature and music of their own.
In the diaspora, chassidic culture made every attempt to resist all influence from secular society, including banning the TV, secular books, music etc. Chassidic culture evolved in near isolation with literature and music of their own.
6/n
The medium of video was virtually untapped, and the visual arts in general were virtually absent. Cultural critique didn't exist, let alone anything questioning power and authority. Music was almost exclusively of a religious nature; literature mostly hagiographical.
The medium of video was virtually untapped, and the visual arts in general were virtually absent. Cultural critique didn't exist, let alone anything questioning power and authority. Music was almost exclusively of a religious nature; literature mostly hagiographical.
7/n
I can't put an exact date on this, but somewhere from the 2000s on you start noticing cultural and literary expansion. It is no coincidence that this happens around the time that the internet gets mainstreamed.
I can't put an exact date on this, but somewhere from the 2000s on you start noticing cultural and literary expansion. It is no coincidence that this happens around the time that the internet gets mainstreamed.
8/n
You can ban TV, but how do you ban something that you can access anywhere and is needed for business? There were massive attempts to restrict the open internet (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichud_HaK…). These certainly slowed down its spread, but haven't stopped its inevitable march inwards.
You can ban TV, but how do you ban something that you can access anywhere and is needed for business? There were massive attempts to restrict the open internet (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichud_HaK…). These certainly slowed down its spread, but haven't stopped its inevitable march inwards.
9/n
We start seeing magazines of a more secular nature - albeit cloaked in religious justifications - such as Der Shtern, Der Shpaktiv, Der Blitz etc. These are initially treated with great scepticism and ocassional bans. But they are now ubiquitous.
We start seeing magazines of a more secular nature - albeit cloaked in religious justifications - such as Der Shtern, Der Shpaktiv, Der Blitz etc. These are initially treated with great scepticism and ocassional bans. But they are now ubiquitous.
10/n
At the same time you start getting chassidic music that is pushing the boundaries. @LipaSchmeltzer composes music that grapples with everyday non-religious matters and that subtly critiques the establishment. See more here:
At the same time you start getting chassidic music that is pushing the boundaries. @LipaSchmeltzer composes music that grapples with everyday non-religious matters and that subtly critiques the establishment. See more here:
https://twitter.com/PosenIzzy/status/1464929960691441667
11/n
He too faces bans and marginalisation. But he opens up the door for others. In the last 5 or so years we see a real acceleration of this genre, such as the music of Motti Ilowitz (), @BeriWeber (youtube.com/c/BeriWeberMus…) and many others.
He too faces bans and marginalisation. But he opens up the door for others. In the last 5 or so years we see a real acceleration of this genre, such as the music of Motti Ilowitz (), @BeriWeber (youtube.com/c/BeriWeberMus…) and many others.
12/n
Yes, the music still gets cloacked in religious motifs, but these are increasingly thin veils, betraying a bursting artistic drive to grapple with everyday struggles of life. Subject matter is now about the mundane, rather than the religious, even if still in religious garb.
Yes, the music still gets cloacked in religious motifs, but these are increasingly thin veils, betraying a bursting artistic drive to grapple with everyday struggles of life. Subject matter is now about the mundane, rather than the religious, even if still in religious garb.
13/n
And then we have the birth of the chassidic music video! This is brand new stuff. Simply didn't exist a decade or so ago. Look how far we've come in so little time that now epics like these are produced! . Deserves an Emmy for how trail-blazing it is!
And then we have the birth of the chassidic music video! This is brand new stuff. Simply didn't exist a decade or so ago. Look how far we've come in so little time that now epics like these are produced! . Deserves an Emmy for how trail-blazing it is!
14/n
Chassidic visual art is largely restricted to paintings of rabbis and religious themes. This is in the very early stages of change. New artistic themes and mediums are slowly starting to take hold. It's really early days, but watch this space.
Chassidic visual art is largely restricted to paintings of rabbis and religious themes. This is in the very early stages of change. New artistic themes and mediums are slowly starting to take hold. It's really early days, but watch this space.
15/n
We have just had the first ever chassidic art gallery not dedicated to religious art. This is revolutionary! This article gives more details about how novel this is: theatlantic.com/culture/archiv…
We have just had the first ever chassidic art gallery not dedicated to religious art. This is revolutionary! This article gives more details about how novel this is: theatlantic.com/culture/archiv…
16/n
With the advent of the internet a largely male underground scene of free thought developed. Some of these writers were blogging independently and some could be found writing on kaveshtiebel.com, a relatively open place for chassidim to converse online.
With the advent of the internet a largely male underground scene of free thought developed. Some of these writers were blogging independently and some could be found writing on kaveshtiebel.com, a relatively open place for chassidim to converse online.
17/n
On these forums, protected by online pseudonymity, the chassidic maskil was born. The emerging chassidic haskallah parallels in striking ways that of the 18th and 19th centuries. Chassidic maskillim, myself included, easily find ourselves in Maimon's 18th cent. autobio.
On these forums, protected by online pseudonymity, the chassidic maskil was born. The emerging chassidic haskallah parallels in striking ways that of the 18th and 19th centuries. Chassidic maskillim, myself included, easily find ourselves in Maimon's 18th cent. autobio.
18/n
The chassidic-maskillic phenomenon is not entirely distinct from the 'Off the Derech' (or Yotzim) phenomenon. Often all that distinguishes them is the freedom to leave or lack thereof due to family commitments or impenetrability of wider society after a lifetime of isolation
The chassidic-maskillic phenomenon is not entirely distinct from the 'Off the Derech' (or Yotzim) phenomenon. Often all that distinguishes them is the freedom to leave or lack thereof due to family commitments or impenetrability of wider society after a lifetime of isolation
19/n
Others want to change their culture from the inside rather than packing their bags and leaving everything behind. They will succeed. They are succeeding. Change is happening, even if it is for now on the margins.
Others want to change their culture from the inside rather than packing their bags and leaving everything behind. They will succeed. They are succeeding. Change is happening, even if it is for now on the margins.
20/n
The crowning product of this burgeoning chassidic-maskillic is undoubtedly the first and, so far, only chassidic-maskillic journal, @DerVeker. This is a full on revolution. I wrote more about it here:
The crowning product of this burgeoning chassidic-maskillic is undoubtedly the first and, so far, only chassidic-maskillic journal, @DerVeker. This is a full on revolution. I wrote more about it here:
https://twitter.com/PosenIzzy/status/1464938139169001477?t=bHOLAivNo9Yq4mkhQJOHww&s=19
21/n
Next we have the rise of chassidic theatre. When I was growing up (and I'm not that old) there was no professional theatric productions to be found. Now there are professional actors and producing companies putting on high budget shows for a huge paying audience.
Next we have the rise of chassidic theatre. When I was growing up (and I'm not that old) there was no professional theatric productions to be found. Now there are professional actors and producing companies putting on high budget shows for a huge paying audience.
22/n
These shows are professionally filmed and can be bought and even streamed online! Wojciech Tworek gave a presentation about this for our research group @HasidicU, which you can watch here:
These shows are professionally filmed and can be bought and even streamed online! Wojciech Tworek gave a presentation about this for our research group @HasidicU, which you can watch here:
23/n
Chassidic theatre still has a long way to go. It's subject matter is exclusively hagiographic and needless to say that the performers are single-sex. It is also still largely geared towards children. And yet professional theatre is a new phenomenon on the chassidic scene.
Chassidic theatre still has a long way to go. It's subject matter is exclusively hagiographic and needless to say that the performers are single-sex. It is also still largely geared towards children. And yet professional theatre is a new phenomenon on the chassidic scene.
24/n
The chassidic movie is yet to emerge. But I expect us to be there within the next 5 years. Mark my words. I wouldn't be surprised if within the decade we have a professional cinema scene by and for chassidim.
The chassidic movie is yet to emerge. But I expect us to be there within the next 5 years. Mark my words. I wouldn't be surprised if within the decade we have a professional cinema scene by and for chassidim.
25/n
We got an early taste of what this might look like with 2017's Menashe. It wasn't written or produced by chassidim, but stars a chassidic actor, is about chassidic life and is entirely in Yiddish. It is also sensitive to chassidic sensibilities and has a 'heymish' feel:
We got an early taste of what this might look like with 2017's Menashe. It wasn't written or produced by chassidim, but stars a chassidic actor, is about chassidic life and is entirely in Yiddish. It is also sensitive to chassidic sensibilities and has a 'heymish' feel:
26/n
I don't know what impact this film made in the chassidic community and how widely it was watched. If someone has more info, please let me know.
@MenasheLustig
I don't know what impact this film made in the chassidic community and how widely it was watched. If someone has more info, please let me know.
@MenasheLustig
27/n
The Israeli TV show Shtissel, which became popular on Netflix, deserves a mention here. It is not by and for chassidim, but it treats it's subject matter with respect, nuance and sensitivity, leading many chassidim to watch it, even if they wouldn't watch anything else.
The Israeli TV show Shtissel, which became popular on Netflix, deserves a mention here. It is not by and for chassidim, but it treats it's subject matter with respect, nuance and sensitivity, leading many chassidim to watch it, even if they wouldn't watch anything else.
28/n
At the risk of feeding the paranoia of the rabbis, such shows serve as "gateway TV", leading to a gradual normalisation of movies and TV. It is impossible to know the true number of chassidim on Netflix, but I would guess that it is higher than the rabbis' worst nightmares.
At the risk of feeding the paranoia of the rabbis, such shows serve as "gateway TV", leading to a gradual normalisation of movies and TV. It is impossible to know the true number of chassidim on Netflix, but I would guess that it is higher than the rabbis' worst nightmares.
30/n
There is much more to say about this renaissance, from chassidic travel vlogs youtube.com/c/ShloimeZionce, to chassidic poetry: kaveshtiebel.com/viewforum.php?…. But it's worth putting in some qualifiers before getting carried away in excitement:
There is much more to say about this renaissance, from chassidic travel vlogs youtube.com/c/ShloimeZionce, to chassidic poetry: kaveshtiebel.com/viewforum.php?…. But it's worth putting in some qualifiers before getting carried away in excitement:
31/n
Just because chassidic culture is flourishing, does not mean that that culture is accessible to all or even most. In fact, most of the things listed here are happening on the margins. Rabbis and leaders are doing their best to shield the mainstream from these influences.
Just because chassidic culture is flourishing, does not mean that that culture is accessible to all or even most. In fact, most of the things listed here are happening on the margins. Rabbis and leaders are doing their best to shield the mainstream from these influences.
32/n
Your average chassidic boy or girl would be perfectly oblivious to most of these developments, which are considered subversive and secular. And yet things trickle in, gradually, steadily.
Your average chassidic boy or girl would be perfectly oblivious to most of these developments, which are considered subversive and secular. And yet things trickle in, gradually, steadily.
33/n
If I may be speculative for a moment, I would hedge my bets that we are heading towards a big schism in the chassidic community. On one side are the conservative rabbis and their unquestioning followers who turn ever more inwards in resistance to secular influences.
If I may be speculative for a moment, I would hedge my bets that we are heading towards a big schism in the chassidic community. On one side are the conservative rabbis and their unquestioning followers who turn ever more inwards in resistance to secular influences.
34/n
On the other side you have the reality of a large chunk of the community that is freely online and reaping the benefits of access to a world of culture and knowledge. The cat has left the bag and no amount of rabbinical threats and bans can reverse that.
On the other side you have the reality of a large chunk of the community that is freely online and reaping the benefits of access to a world of culture and knowledge. The cat has left the bag and no amount of rabbinical threats and bans can reverse that.
35/n
All that the rabbis can do is to marginalise the more worldly and progressive elements. But the latter are now so large in number that they are simply starting to form their own parallel communities and institutions.
All that the rabbis can do is to marginalise the more worldly and progressive elements. But the latter are now so large in number that they are simply starting to form their own parallel communities and institutions.
36/n
It's only a matter of time before this breakaway becomes formal. Already you can hear the term "modern-chassidish" being used as a marker of self-identity by those who cherish their chassidic lifestyle, but who live a more liberal and less insular lifestyle.
It's only a matter of time before this breakaway becomes formal. Already you can hear the term "modern-chassidish" being used as a marker of self-identity by those who cherish their chassidic lifestyle, but who live a more liberal and less insular lifestyle.
37/n
Could it be that within a decade or two there'll be two parallel chassidic communities - modern and conservative? Only time will tell.
Could it be that within a decade or two there'll be two parallel chassidic communities - modern and conservative? Only time will tell.
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