Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural Ha·sid·im [hah-sid-im, huh-; Ashkenazic Hebrew khaw-see-dim; Sephardic Hebrew khah-see-deem] /hɑˈsɪd ɪm, hə-; Ashkenazic Hebrew xɔˈsi dɪm; Sephardic Hebrew xɑ siˈdim/. Judaism.
- a member of a sect founded in Poland in the 18th century by Baal Shem-Tov and characterized by its emphasis on mysticism, prayer, ritual strictness, religious zeal, and joy.Compare Mitnagged.
- an Assidean.
also Chasidim, 1812, adherents of a conservative Jewish religious movement founded 1750 by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer Baal Shem Tobh, from Hebrew hasidhim, literally “pious ones,” plural of hasidh “kind, pious.” Earlier used in Hebrew of adherents of an anti-Hellenistic faction during the time of the Maccabean Wars.
Jews (see also Jews) who observe a form of strict Orthodox Judaism. They generally wear severely plain black and white clothes, and the men, following the requirements of Mosaic law, leave parts of their hair and whiskers untrimmed.