How Brooklyn's Hasidim celebrate Sukkos ↗
A warm, detailed look at how a large Hasidic family in Brooklyn prepares for Sukkos weeks ahead and celebrates at home, in the community and at the rebbe's court.
Yiddish press
Finds from the Yiddish press
Interesting Yiddish articles from newspapers, archives and libraries. A short summary in our words; read the full piece at the source.
When Hasidim sit down to the Shabbos meal ↗
A step-by-step account of the Friday-night meal in Brooklyn Hasidic homes — besamim, kiddush and the fixed traditional dishes — and why the customs stay the same.
How an old Yiddish tale may have influenced Rebbe Nachman ↗
A Yiddish scholar suggests (as his own hypothesis) that the Old Yiddish tale 'Brie ve-Zimre' may be one source behind Rebbe Nachman of Breslov's Sippurei Maasiyos, first printed in 1816.
"Here I'm the boss" — a Chabad story about obsessive thoughts ↗
A Hasidic tale: the founder of Chabad sends a Hasid troubled by obsessive thoughts to an old woodcutter, and the lesson is about mastering one's own mind.
The 'living dead Hasidim' — on Breslov ↗
Explains why Breslov Hasidim were nicknamed 'dead Hasidim' — after Rebbe Nachman's passing the movement never appointed another rebbe — and reflects on Hasidism as a living force.
Belz (Yiddish Wikipedia) ↗
Yiddish Wikipedia's entry on the Belz dynasty, from its founder Rabbi Shalom Rokeach, a disciple of the Seer of Lublin, through his successors.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Yiddish Wikipedia) ↗
Yiddish Wikipedia's long article on Williamsburg, from its Dutch colonial beginnings in the 1600s to today's large Hasidic community.
Satu Mare (Satmar), Romania (Yiddish Wikipedia) ↗
Yiddish Wikipedia on the Transylvanian city of Satmar and its rabbis, from Rabbi Yehuda Grunwald up to Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, its last rabbi before the war.