Oct 11: Hasidism and its opponents

1)   What is the Musar Movement?

The Hebrew term Musar is defined in the book of Proverbs 1:2 as moral conduct, discipline, or instruction. This is reflected in the movement’s goals to connect with strict ethical behavior. The Musar Movement refers to the Jewish cultural undertaking that took place in Eastern Europe, specifically originating in Lithuania. Traditional Jewish law and custom was losing its grip on the community as anti-Semitism spread ramped through out the Continent. Many consider Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salanter the leader of the Musar Movement. The main emphasis was put on the idea of strict prayer. This makes sense because the strictest contemporary groups of Jewish people are known for being very diligent and strict about their religious studies and prayers.

2) What kind of education did boys and men receive in the Yeshiva?

Founded by Rabbi Nosson Zvi Finkel in 1882, the men fortunate enough to be scholars within the Slobodka Yeshiva underwent a rigorous religious study. The studies include scripture from the Torah and the Talmud. Yeshiva was innovative in the sense that it did not push its pupils to study for a rabbinical profession. The main goal was to simply develop a well-rounded human being who had a comprehensive understanding of the Torah. Parts of the study drew on the Musar movement and others drew on gemara. Still to this day Yeshiva University is a prominent institution of higher education in the United States and across the world.