Hasidism began as a Jewish religious revival movement in what is now western Ukraine in the 18th c CE, founded by Israel Ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov. The teachings of the Hasidim emphasise God’s immanence in His creation, the spiritual dimension of ordinary acts, and the need for devotion. To those beset by suffering, the following has been told: There was a man who had a young child. At times, the father sought to frighten the boy. He would dress up in strange clothing so that his son would not know him. At first the child was frightened, but as time passed he came to know that this too was his father. Then he would call out “Father!” and the father, filled with compassion, would take off the disguise and reveal himself to his son. So it is with those who suffer. When they come to understand that it is God Himself who is the source of their pain, they can then begin to call out to Him. But those who do not see that all is from God and seek their cure elsewhere– these will never find true healing.

– Your Word is Fire tr. Arthur Green & Barry W. Holtz