1. Hasidism

2.  To understand Hasidism you must understand their stories and sayings for they are like meditations which deepen and grow over time.

3. Israel Baal Shem Tov  Israel was born in 1700 and died in 1760. He lived a “hidden” life until he was 36 when he emerged as the leader of Hasidism.

4. Israel Baal Shem Tov: The Master of the Good Name  The world can be redeemed through joy. The Master of the Universe delights in the happiness of his people. Dance-God watches; sing-God hears; be joyous-for God loves his people to be happy.

5. The Sayings  “You want to know if a particular Rebbe is genuine? Go and ask his advice. Ask him if he knows a way to chase impure thoughts from your mind; if he says yes, you’ll know he is a fake.”

6. The Sayings  “We must not worry. Only one worry is permissible: a man should worry because he is worrying.”

7. The Sayings  “To love God truly, one must first love man. And if anyone tells you that he loves God and does not love his fellow-man, you will know that he is lying.”

8. The Sayings  How would national debates change if only those who had experienced the decisions surrounding issues like euthanasia took part in them?

9. Summary  And this is the call of Hasidism-to listen, to receive, all the joy and wisdom God is pouring out upon humanity.