Hasidism: The Shpole Zeide - The 92nd Street Y, New York

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The Elie Wiesel Living Archive

at The 92nd Street Y, New York Supported by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

Hasidism: The Shpole Zeide

A Zeide (grandfather) for all the Jewish People: Celebrating the Significance of a Single Gesture
Oct 24, 1985

At his circumcision ceremony, Aryeh Leib was given the name “Zeide” (grandfather) by the Baal Shem Tov, who said that he would be a Zeide for all the Jewish people. Learned though he was, the Zeide was a “populist,” influencing by way of stories, miracles—and dance, which he was taught by Elijah the Prophet. (In contrast, Rabbi Nachman, his adversary, chose the way of Kabbalah.) The Zeide’s focus on joy meant he, unlike most masters, did not contend with melancholy and despair. An advocate for his people, at a time of famine he even put God on trial—and the famine ended shortly thereafter. With the Messiah, we must do as he did: live in expectation that, in the end, he surely will come.

Selected Quotations:

Waiting is not only a Jewish virtue; it is also one of the Jewish mysteries. (00:09:28)

-Elie Wiesel

We know that we Jews, we can resist terror, we can resist violence, and we can withstand persecution. But can we withstand comfort? (00:25:13)

-Elie Wiesel

His happiness was to make unhappy Jews happy. And such Ahavat Yisrael could not but impress the Hasidic communities and their leaders. (00:27:45)

-Elie Wiesel

I loved him as one loves a grandfather whose wisdom does not frighten, and whose stories make one smile and dream. (00:28:19)

-Elie Wiesel

The Shpole Zeide saw people in distress, and did what he could to alleviate their lot. Rabbi Nahman Breslover had the same intention, only he conceptualized the issue. (00:34:12)

-Elie Wiesel

I love him for his affection for human beings, which he linked to his affection for God. (01:10:50)

-Elie Wiesel

We must live in expectation--and make of our waiting a way of life, of hope, of creativity. (01:11:32)

-Elie Wiesel
Subthemes:
        1) Overlooked Hasidic Masters 
2) 18 Years at 92Y
3) Shpole Zeide: An Opponent of Rabbi Nachman of Breslav
4) A Relationship With the Besht: A Blessing from Birth
5) Forbidden to Study Under the Besht
6) Understanding the Essence of Self-Exile
7) An Understanding of Humanity
8) A Fear of the outcome of emancipation
9) The Making of Miracles
10) A Patriarch of Society
11) Why the Quarrel With Rabbi Nachman?
12) A Change of Style/Nusach, A Lack of Respect
13) A Disagreement on the Subject of Suffering
14) Context: Living on the Brink of Doom
15) A Man of Miracles and a Man of the People
16) “The Old Man” as an Evil Image, Zeide the Enemy
17) Criticizing R. Nachman
18) Summit Meeting at Berditchev
19) Escaping Cherem at Berditchev
20) The Qualities of Shpole Zeide
21) A Top-Tier Dancer
22) An Actor, Circus Performer, Theater Worker
23) A Storyteller
24) Insulting His Followers with Hidden Blessings
25) Always Joyful
26) A Story from his Beadle, Isaac Spira
27) A Case Against God
28) The Mystery of the Messiah
Tags: Elie Wiesel