Rybak O. Hassidism as a representation of the reformational processes in Judaism in Russian empire in the middle of XVIII – early XX century.

Dissertation throws light upon the reformational processes in Judaism, which took place on the territory of Russian Empire in the middle of XVIII – early XX century. Complicated political-economical situation and spiritual declaim in Judaism, which were provoked by external reasons, caused extended messianic movements and later - the appearance of a new religious course - Hasidism. Hasidism had reformed the external side of religion and had made it more democratic. It spread to the settled territory and diffused over it borders. However, gradually on the most of territory it transformed into tsadikism – the adoration of tsadik and regressive power in Judaism. The hasid’s struggle with adversaries misnagids for domination in Jewish society ended with the victory of the Hasidim and destroying of traditional Jewish community. This process was absorbed with assimilation policy of tsarist government to Jews, which was supported by members of Jewish educational move of Gaskala. So Hasidism, whichwas the religious reformational movement in the very beginning, caused the destroying of traditional Jewish community.