Jewish Diaspora Research Paper

Alejandra Morales
11/16/2016
Introduction to Jewish Traditions
Analytical Essay #2
Dr. Haus

Redemption is a significant aspect of Jewish Tradition exemplifying the eternal aspect of the covenant and renders God as the only determinant of salvation for humanity. The Jewish Diaspora significantly changed the perception of the covenantal relationship between God and his people generating adaptations to the Jewish Tradition in efforts to represent Jew’s newly evolved perception of their Jewry, ultimately influencing new insights on redemption. Rabbinic Judaism, Lurianic Kabbalah, and Hasidic ideologies make evident the physical, spiritual, and mental changes of Jewish logic that manifest within the consecutive development of Judaism.
Through education and providing an established office in which people could go seek advice, it created a sense of cohesion between the people and rabbis establishing a new method in which Jewry could be sustained outside the Land of Israel. “Rabbinic domination of the synagogue was the result of a long and gradual process… Rabbinic literature is an “internal” literature, written by, about, and for the rabbis.” (Cohen, 225) Competing with other Jewish sects like the Sadducees, Essenes, and Pharisees caused Rabbinic theology to result in a gradual process which allowed for the authorship of crucial literature that would be substantial to the sustainment of Rabbinic Judaism. This establishes a leeway for individuals who decide to abandon their Jewry because Rabbinic Judaism endorsed that redemption could still be achieved due to the idea that one’s Jewry was permanent even if becoming an
The attainment of Devekut was the end goal of Hasidim in which one had to seek the guidance of a Rebbe in order to negate negative impulses and aim to understand the truth of God’s divine which would enable the individual to acquire a peaceful state of happiness. “...the vision of a spiritualized reality would allow for an inner freedom, even while the physical shackles remained unbroken… the Hasidic world view and often offered practical advice on such matters as a concentration in prayer, the uplifting of evil thoughts and the maintaining of a devotional posture even while engaged in worldly pursuits.” (Green, 364) In Hasidism, Devekut could be achieved in various forms. There was not a “one-way” method in which it could be achieved. Unlike traditional belief, attachment to God through spiritual methodology could be achieved by peoples of all status from knowledgeable leaders to the humble man as long as one sincerely practiced fervent prayer and