Hasidic Commentary on the Torah

The homiletical literature of hasidism is an innovative contribution to the Jewish hermeneutical tradition and an important element of the intellectual and social history of Judaism. In their sermons (derashot), the hasidic masters contemplate the nature and meaning of existence and provide guidance to disciples in their quest for self-transformation.

Ora Wiskind-Elper’s original study explores 200 years of hasidic commentary, from the Ba’al Shem Tov to Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, placing a hitherto neglected subject on the map of scholarly enquiry. Drawing creatively on contemporary philosophy and literary theory, she paints a portrait of hasidism by reflecting on the purpose and methods of its biblical exegesis. Among her central themes is the role of external historical forces in shaping the hasidic world-view as it is manifested in original interpretations of Torah. Her close readings of the commentaries invite the reader to explore their textual layers, exegetical questions, and shifting meanings. This book will be a welcome addition to academic courses on hasidism and religious studies, and an accessible introduction to this vast literature.