February 8, 2023
A Hasid in Medieval Garb: Piety and Popular Religion in Ashkenaz and Beyond
Sefer Hasidim, a thirteenth-century book of exegesis, halakhah, narrative vignettes, and moral advice has fascinated and mystified generations of readers. Although the work is vivid in its depiction of medieval life, it is unclear whether it represents a pietistic society that actually existed or simply the aspirations of a small, elite group of ascetics. In this course, we will examine this classic text with particular attention to its definitions of pious behavior and devout belief, as well as its prescriptions for shaping a virtuous society.
