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5 unusual facts about Chassidei Ashkenaz


Chassidei Ashkenaz

The theology of the Chassidei Ashkenaz is certainly independent and unique; however, it does contain meaningful similarities to the theologies of both the early kabbalists and of Saadia Gaon.

His book Sefer Hasidim (Book of the Pious) is the most significant relic of this movement.

This description of God and His divine realm directly parallels the kabbalistic ten-headed sefirotic system, with Ein Sof (Hebrew אין סוף) beyond knowledge on the top, and the ten sefirot emanating downward; the lower the sefira, the more relatable it becomes.

Hasidim

Chassidei Ashkenaz, ascetic German mystical-ethical pietists of the 12th and 13th centuries

Practical Kabbalah

In the 13th century, one problem which intrigued the Chassidei Ashkenaz (literally "the Pious of Germany") was the possibility of the creation of life through magical means.



see also