Ascetic Hasidism in Jerusalem: The Guardian-of-the-Faithful Community of Mea Shearim

Although much has been written about the philosophy of Hasidism, the same cannot be said of the daily practice of Hasidic life. In this respect the present study forms an exception as it is an ethnographic account of a Hasidic group in Mea Shearim, Jerusalem. Many topics are dealt with, such as religious and political attitudes, family life, community organisations, social stratification, view of the world, relations with the outside world and religious leadership. A central theme is the ascetic lifestyle of the Hasidim. A short introductory chapter is devoted to the anthropology of religion in which the meaning of the Hasidic concept of religion is explained.