The 19th of Kislev and the Spread of Hasidism

Benjamin Teller's "The 19th of Kislev and the Spread of Hasidism" explores the historical and cultural significance of the Chabad commemoration of Yud-Tes Kislev. This study examines both the historical context of Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s 1798 release from imprisonment and the subsequent dissemination of Hasidic teachings. The book reconstructs the period of imprisonment within the framework of Russian imperial politics and analyzes the movement's narratives of spiritual vindication. It traces the expansion of this anniversary through various mediums, including gatherings, print, fundraising, educational institutions, migration, recordings, and digital media.

This work clarifies that the phrase “Rosh Hashanah of Hasidism” is specific to Chabad and not a universally recognized Jewish new year. It draws comparisons with other Hasidic dynasties, highlighting their distinct calendars and approaches to public instruction. Chabad discourses and Kabbalistic concepts are categorized as mystical tradition, while legal custom (Halakha) is treated as a separate domain. The book incorporates archival research, analyzing letters, editions, photographs, and institutional records alongside devotional accounts. It also offers a concise comparison with Hanukkah, respecting the festivals' distinct origins, and illustrates how a movement-specific anniversary became a significant force in identity formation and publication, providing readers with the historical tools to differentiate between expansion, memory, and theological interpretation.