1. MYSTICISM IN YIDDISH CULTURE Hasidim, Kabbalists, and The Dybbuk

2. HASIDIC BELIEFS AND WAY OF LIVING  Study of the “inner,” mystic aspects of the Torah rather than scholarly interpretation.  Follow a dynastic rabbi who holds a “court.”  Intense interest for the supernatural (spirits, dybbuks*, demons).  Fervent worship. Religious ecstasy as the highest form of prayer.  Music and dancing as a form of expressing devotion.

3. *Dybbuk  Restless soul;  Often, the soul of a sinner;  Wanders among people;  Can enter and possess any living thing, from a human being to a plant;  Should be exorcised.

4. Misnagdim  Literally, “the opponents” (named so by the hasidim).  An intellectual branch of Judaism concentrating on scholarly interpretation of the holy writ and logical reasoning.  Led by the Vilna Gaon (Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna) in the 18 th cent. Authority in both religious and secular knowledge; wrote corrective notes on innumerable Judaic ancient texts, as well as books on mathematics and grammar.the Vilna Gaon  Promoted formalization of Jewish education (later called “Yeshiva movement”).

5. I.L.Perets (1852-1915)  Transcended differences between Misnagdim and Hasidim.  Had respect for both.  Integrated folklore in his writings.  Wrote rationally about spirituality and romantically about reality.

6. MYSTICISM IN PERETS’S “HASIDIC” STORIES  What do we learn about Hassidic spirituality and mysticism from “The Kabbalists”?  How are differences between the two branches of Judaism presented in “Teachings of the Hasidim”?  What aspects of Hasidic culture are evoked in “The Rebbe’s Pipe” and in “Teachings of the Hasidim”?

7. MYSTICISM IN PERETS’S “HASIDIC” STORIES  How do rationalism and mysticism interplay in “If Not Higher”?  What differences are discussed in “Between Two Mountains,” and to what effect?

8. DerDibuk (1937)  Directed by MichałWaszyński.  Starring: LiliLiliana and Leon Liebgold.  Based on a 1914 play by Solomon An-sky.  Relies on Hasidic folklore and mysticism.  Filmed on location in Poland.  Authentic choreography.  Influenced by Expressionism.

9. THE COURT OF RABBI OF MIROPOLE IN DERDIBUK

10. Der Dibuk  Misusing the Kabbalah Misusing the Kabbalah  Mysticism: the Messenger Mysticism: the Messenger  Grotesque stressing non-realism Grotesque stressing non-realism  Symbolism  Music as the means of spiritual communication  Cinematic techniques: montage and chiaroscuro (play on contrasts between light and dark for dramatic effects).