Editing Misnagdim (section)

==Hasidism's changes and challenges==
{{More sources|date=March 2025}}
Most of the changes made by the Hasidim were the product of the Hasidic approach to [[Kabbalah]], mainly as expressed by [[Isaac Luria]] (1534 – 1572) and his disciples—particularly [[Hayyim ben Joseph Vital]] (1543–1620). Luria greatly influenced both misnagdim and Hasidim, but the former feared what they perceived as disturbing parallels in Hasidism to the [[heresy in Judaism|heretical]] [[Sabbateans]]. An example of such an idea was that God entirely nullifies the universe. Depending on how this idea was preached and interpreted, it could give rise to [[pantheism]], universally acknowledged as heresy, or lead to immoral behavior since elements of Kabbalah can be misconstrued to de-emphasize ritual and glorify sexual metaphors as a more profound means of grasping some inner hidden notions in the Torah based on the Jews' intimate relationship with God. If God is present in everything, and if divinity is to be grasped in erotic terms, then—Misnagdim feared—Hasidim might feel justified in neglecting legal distinctions between the holy and the profane, and in engaging in inappropriate sexual activities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

The Misnagdim were seen as using [[yeshiva]]s and scholarship as the learning center. At the same time, Hasidic learning centered around the rebbe, which was tied in with what they considered emotional displays of piety.<ref name=":0" />

The stress of [[Jewish prayer]] over Torah study and the Hasidic reinterpretation of ''Torah l'shma'' (Torah study for its own sake) was seen as a rejection of traditional Judaism.

Hasidim did not follow the traditional [[Nusach Ashkenaz|Ashkenazi prayer rite]] and instead used a combination of Ashkenazi and [[Sephardic law and customs|Sephardi rite]]s and Lurianic Kabbalistic concepts known as ''[[Nusach Sefard]]''. This was seen as a rejection of the traditional liturgy and, due to the resulting need for separate [[synagogue]]s, a breach of communal unity. In addition, they faced criticism for neglecting the ''[[Zmanim|halakhic times]]'' for prayer.<ref name=":1" />

Hasidic Jews also added some [[chumra|''halakhic'' stringencies]] to ''[[kashrut]]'', the laws of keeping kosher.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} They made specific changes in how livestock was slaughtered and in who was considered a reliable ''[[mashgiach]]'' (a legal supervisor of ''kashrut''). The result was that they essentially did not accept as kosher certain foods that were accepted as kosher by Misnagdim. This was seen as a change of traditional Judaism, an over-stringency of ''Halakha'', and, again, a breach of communal unity.