Rabbi Louis Jacobs

Though Hasidism is not a homogenous philosophy, there are certain ideas common to its many subgroups.

Is it enough to live up the requirements of Jewish law for one to be holy? Is sanctity in this life possible for all of us—or only for a few saintly people?

Few post-talmudic works have been as revered as the Zohar, the mystical commentary on the Torah.

The Hasidim wrote and told stories about their leaders.

The Bible would have us offer reproof to others when we ourselves have been wronged; the ancient rabbis encouraged wider use of this sort of speech.

Jewish law's response to slander over the ages moved from strong disapproval to imposing real communal consequences.

Jewish moralist literature sets a high standard of truthtelling, but one not without exceptions.

A brief summary of traditional Jewish views of death--including its tragedy and its inevitability.

Jewish thinking tries to strike a balance between responsibility and forgiveness.

The rabbinic sages and later philosophers and mystics offered many ways to categorize the mitzvot and explain their significance.