CHASIDIM, kii-sivdim Itch., saints). A name employed at different periods of history to designate a sect of Pietists among the Jews. (I) Beginning in the time of the high priest Simon the Just (n.c. 300-270), a sect of Jews arose which was distinguished by its strict observance of ceremonial regulations. They- firmly opposed all Ilellenizing tendencies, and clung closer and closer to the ceremonies of Judaism. The mem bers even suffered death in preference to trans gressing the rites of their religion. They carried out to the letter the Sabbath laws and incurred loss and personal danger than extinguish a tire on that day: but they were no less strin gent in carrying out the purely ethical features of the law, and were noted for their kindness and charity. Under Mattathias, the Hasmonean, they took part in the Jewish wars for independence, and were keen patriots, although lacking the ardor and spirit of the Ilasmoneans themselves. In the days of John Hyreanus. when .Judaea was again independent, the Pietists withdrew into a life of retirement, and became the sect of Essenes (q.•.). while those of the Chasidim who were not willing to resign participation in political affairs branched off into the sect of Pharisees (q.v.). These Chasidim are mentioned in the Apocrypha (ef. I. Mae. ii. 42), as 'Asicheans' or 'Hasidamns! Consult Hamburger. Realen eyklopodie jiir Bibel rind Talmud, Vol. II. (Leip
zig, 1896 t.
(2.) In modern times the name Chasidim is applied to a sect which originated in Poland under the leadership of Israel of Miedziboz (died 1759). and after his death of Beer of Miz riez (died 1772). Israel was called 'Baal Shem.' 'master of the name,' because he professed to perform miracles by using the name of God, and the sect that followed him was characterized by a belief in miracles. and in the approach of the coming of the Messiah. They opposed Talmudic learning, because their leader was not a Tal mudist. Their worship became characterized by its noisiness and the almost frenzied gyra tions of its devotees. Beer was dignified with the title 'Zaddik' (righteous), and claimed to represent God upon earth. The members of the sect formed a kind of fraternity, and it spread rapidly. numbering about fifty thousand in 1770. The new division provoked great oppo sition on the part of the Tahnudists, and in 1781, in Vilna, the Chasidim were declared to be here tics, but the sect continued to flourish, and to day has a large number of adherents. With their antipathy to the Talmud on the one hand. the Chasidim combine an aversion to all modern cul ture on the ithe•, their literature consisting of mystical, cabalistic works. Consult Schechter, tit udies inn Judaism I New York, 1896).