Hasidism Incarnate

'Hasidism Incarnate' argues that much of modern Judaism in the west developed under what it calls a 'Christian gaze', that is, reacting to Christianity by defending Judaism, positing that Judaism is unlike Christianity. This is done, ironically, while modern Judaism is being constructed as quite similar to Christianity in terms of its ethos, aesthetics, and attitude toward ritual and faith. Hasidism, unlike Judaism in Western Europe, is not developing under a 'Christian gaze' and thus does not need to be apologetic of its positions.