Men of Silk: The Hasidic Conquest of Polish Jewish Society

by Glenn Dynner

Hasidism, a kabbalah-inspired movement founded by Israel Ba'al Shem Tov (c1700-1760), transformed Jewish communities across Eastern and East Central Europe. In Men of Silk , Glenn Dynner draws upon newly discovered Polish archival material and neglected Hebrew testimonies to illuminate Hasidism's dramatic ascendancy in the region of Central Poland during the early nineteenth century. Dynner presents Hasidism as a socioreligious phenomenon that was shaped in crucial ways by its Polish context. His social historical analysis dispels prevailing romantic notions about Hasidism. Despite their folksy image, the movement's charismatic leaders are revealed as astute populists who proved remarkably adept at securing elite patronage, neutralizing powerful opponents, and methodically co-opting Jewish institutions. The book also reveals the full spectrum of Hasidic devotees, from humble shtetl dwellers to influential Warsaw entrepreneurs.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, History

396 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Yossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important read for anyone wishing to understand history of Hasidism as opposed to philosophy / theology of same. Good use of both internal and external sources. Differs from Rossman who is more dismissive of internal sources and from the various and sundry hagiographers out there. Somewhat narrow focus on Hasidism in Central Poland vs. Galicia or Ukraine but with implications for wider hasidic world nevertheless. This is also not a book about Hasidic origins in C18 but rather about why and how hasidism later became a mass movement. Several original and important insights (regarding, among other things, relationships with wealthy Jewish merchants, attitudes regarding yichus, written vs. oral hasidic traditions, and the place of elitism vs. populism in C19 Hasidism) make reading this book time well spent - a fair and balanced academic reading of this important chapter in Jewish history.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly non-mystical interpretation of the rise of Hasidism, which sees the movement not as a popular revolt against authority but rather as a populist effort on behalf of somewhat-opportunist individuals to create a new elite. Dynner depicts a concerted effort by the first students of the Besht to co-opt religious structures within communities and to ingratiate the new Hasidic leadership with the economic elites.
Dynner emphasizes the urban and mercantile connections that were essential to early Hasidim. He notes that Hasidim did urbanize and became important in cities like Warsaw. Few other religious groups could handle the move to the cities like the Hasidim. They managed to cultivate ties with the economic and mercantile powers with further solidified their authority.
The suggestion that Hasidism was an everyman religion misses the movement’s focus on yichus, strategic marriage and elite dynastic lines. Rebbes gained their authority by brokering careful social mobility through their matches. A Hasidic dynasty gained support and became a movement once it was allied to sources of money. Of course, Rebbes became wealthy themselves because they were supported by the gifts of their Hasidim.
Rebbes and their inner circles also worked to market Hasidism through careful press productions. They were populist in the masses they hoped to reach, although the masses had few avenues for sociopolitical mobility themselves.

[Sam Znaimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important, scholarly, and thorough history of Chassidism’s development in Poland in the 19th century. Dynner eviscerates the romantic notion, promulgated by Buber and others, that the Chassidic zaddikim were folk heroes revolting against stodgy rabbinic & communal hierarchies. He shows instead that they originated in the elites & were crafty in building political and family alliances with influential agents, and intentional in their efforts to win over converts and take over communal institutions. This is an important contribution to understanding the history of the Chassidic movement.

[Sherwood Smith]

A careful, scholarly look at the rise of Hasidism in Poland during the 1700s, a time remarkable for its changes in that country, and subsequently. As always, seeing how political necessity interacted with the Jews is painful, and anyone who has read history of that period is not going to find anything new. What they will find is the Jew's-eye view of various famous and semi-famous Hasidic figures, the charlatans as well as the truly holy leaders. Traces how wisdom from the Baal Shem Tov and Rebbe Nahman of Bretslav, among others, influenced the growing movement within Judaism. Interesting side examinations of Kabbalah and magic as practiced within the community.

[Frieda Vizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and interesting work on the history of the spread of Hasidism into Poland. The authors insights/analysis were well argued and supported. I specifically was intrigued by the many references to female followers, who flocked to Rabbis for their blessings and miracles. There's a great section on the rich and powerful woman Temerel Sonnenberg-Bergson who exerted a lot of influence and was a big supported of the Hasidic Zaddikim, so much so the Seer of Lublin bestowed her with the honorific "Reb" Temerel.

[Eli Mandel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author clearly knows his subject.