Chasidut
Early Works
18th-century works containing teachings of the founder of Chasidut, the Baal Shem Tov (Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer), and his students.
Ben Porat Yosef
Insights on the Book of Bereshit by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye, one of the foremost disciples of the Baal Shem Tov.
Kedushat Levi
Seminal work of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev arranged according to the weekly Torah portion.
Ketonet Pasim
Insights on the Book of Vayikra by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye, one of the foremost disciples of the Baal Shem Tov.
Maggid Devarav leYaakov
Collection of teachings from Rabbi Dov Ber (the “Maggid”) of Mezeritch, compiled by his student Rabbi Shlomo of Lutzk.
Me'or Einayim
18th-century Torah commentary of the founder of the Chernobyl dynasty, including teachings that he heard from the Baal Shem Tov.
Noam Elimelech
Collection of sermons of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk published by his students, emphasizing the role of the tzadik.
Pri HaAretz
Torah commentary by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, a principle disciple of the Maggid of Mezeritch.
Toldot Yaakov Yosef
First published chasidic work, printed in 1780, with teachings of the Baal Shem Tov recorded by his student, Yaakov Yosef of Polonne.
Tzavaat HaRivash
Collection of teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and his successor, the Maggid of Mezeritch, presented as an ethical will.
Tzofnat Paneach
Insights on the Book of Shemot by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye, one of the foremost disciples of the Baal Shem Tov.
Breslov
19th-century works of the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov and founder of the Breslov movement, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and of his foremost student, Rebbe Natan Sternhartz.
Chayei Moharan
Biography of Rebbe Nachman by his student Rebbe Natan.
Likutei Etzot
Collection of Rebbe Nachman's ethical teachings on virtues and vices, arranged alphabetically.
Likutei Halakhot
Voluminous work of Rebbe Natan explaining the laws of the Shulchan Arukh in light of Breslov teachings.
Likutei Moharan
Rebbe Nachman’s magnum opus, containing interpretations of talmudic stories and of parts of the Zohar, among other sermons.
Likutei Tefilot
Collection of 210 personal prayers composed by Rebbe Natan, arranged according to the sections of Likutei Moharan.
Sefer HaMiddot
Collection of Rebbe Nachman's ethical teachings on virtues and vices, arranged alphabetically and consisting of two parts.
Shivchei HaRan
Biography of Rebbe Nachman focusing on his journey to Israel, authored by his student Rebbe Natan.
Sichot HaRan
Compilation of anecdotal conversations and insights of Rebbe Nachman originally published as an addendum to Sippurei Maasiyot.
Sippurei Maasiyot
Collection of tales recounted by Rebbe Nachman, originally published as a bilingual Yiddish-Hebrew work.
Chabad
Derekh Mitzvotekha
Interpretation of the 613 commandments and daily prayers by the Tzemach Tzedek, the third rebbe of the Chabad movement.
Likkutei Torah
19th-century compilation of sermons on Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy by the first rebbe of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi.
Izhbitz
Works from the Izhbitz-Radzin school of chasidut, formed in early 19th-century Poland by Rabbi Mordechai Leiner (known as “the Izhbitzer” or “the Mei HaShiloach”).
Beit Yaakov on Torah
Sermons of Rabbi Yaakov Leiner, based on the teachings of his father, the Izhbitzer, and published by his son, Rabbi Gershon Leiner.
Mei HaShiloach
Popular collection of teachings of the Izhbitzer on the weekly Torah portion and holidays, published by his grandson, Rabbi Gershon Leiner.
Sha'ar HaEmunah VeYesod HaChasidut
Guide to the theology of kabbalah and chasidut authored by Rabbi Gershon Leiner as an introduction to his father’s Beit Yaakov.
Sod Yesharim
Sermons of Rabbi Gershon Leiner on Jewish holidays, published by his son, Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Elazar, and nephew, Rabbi Simcha Chaim.
Tiferet Yosef
20th-century sermons of the fourth Izhbitzer rebbe on the weekly Torah portion, holidays, and selected talmudic passages.
R' Tzadok HaKohen
Works of the 19th-century Reb Tzadok HaKohen Rabinowitz, who came from an anti-chasidic background but became a disciple of the Izhbitzer and ultimately a leader of a group of chasidim in Lublin, Poland.
Divrei Chalomot
Torah insights that were revealed to Reb Tzadok in his dreams.
Divrei Soferim
Collection of ideas and life advice based on talmudic teachings.
Dover Tzedek
Insights on various topics in the Torah and Talmud.
Et HaOchel
Short work on the holiness of eating and tempering the appetite.
Kometz HaMincha
Collection of insights on biblical verses.
Likutei Maamarim
Insights on the Book of Joshua, the biblical character Samson, holidays, and on completion of a cycle of Talmud study.
Machshavot Charutz
Essays on the nature of thought and the spiritual significance of the holidays.
Meshiv HaTa'anah
19th-century legal work about calculating the Jewish calendar.
Meshiv Tzedek
19th-century legal analysis of whether one should dwell in a sukkah on Shemini Atzeret, a holiday at the end of Sukkot.
Ohr Zarua LaTzadik
Essays on the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt, Hebrew letters and language, and commentary on early legal works.
Poked Akarim
Treatise on God’s miraculous intervention in the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs, especially in the area of fertility.
Pri Tzadik
Sermons on the weekly Torah portion and holidays.
Resisei Layla
Insights on the holidays, especially Purim and Chanukah, and on the development of Oral Law.
Sichat Malakhei HaSharet
Discussions on the nature of angels based on talmudic and midrashic descriptions.
Sichat Shedim
Discussions on the nature of demons based on talmudic and midrashic descriptions, printed as an appendix to Sichat Malakhei HaSharet.
Takanat HaShavin
Organized work on repentance and the spiritual effects of sexual misconduct.
Tzidkat HaTzadik
Concentrated work of Reb Tzadok’s thoughts on human nature, spiritual pursuits, and God’s interaction with the world.
Yisrael Kedoshim
Work listing 10 levels of holiness, emphasizing the unique status of the Jewish people.
Piaseczno Rebbe
Bnei Machshava Tova
Essay by Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira in which the author promotes the establishment of a “conscious community” aimed at attaining spiritual growth.
Chovat HaTalmidim
20th-century ethical work and self-development guide addressed toward young students, by the Rebbe of Piaseczna.
Hakhsharat HaAvrekhim
Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira’s sequel to his Chovat HaTalmidim
Mevo HaShearim
Sequel to Chovat HaTalmidim and Hakhsharat HaAvrekhim, with discourses on the nature of prophecy and practical instructions for the chasid.
Tzav VeZeruz
Collection of Rabbi Shapira’s short personal thoughts, including chasidic insights and practical instructions for improvement.
Other Chasidut Works
Agra DeKala
19th-century commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Dinov.
Arvei Nachal
19th-century commentary on the Torah by Rabbi David Shlomo Eibeschutz.
Avodat Yisrael
19th-century commentary on the Torah and Pirkei Avot by the Maggid of Kozhnitz, Rabbi Yisrael Hopstein.
Baal Shem Tov
Anthology of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings on the weekly Torah portion, compiled from over 200 texts by his disciples.
Bat Ayin
18th-century Torah commentary by Rabbi Avraham Dov Auerbach of Avritch.
Be'er Mayim Chaim
Classic 19th-century Torah commentary by Rabbi Chaim Tyrer of Tchernovitz, in clear and accessible language.
BePardes HaChasidut VeHakabbalah
20th-century introductory work on chasidut and kabbalah by Hillel Zeitlin, an early neo-chasidic thinker.
Beit Aharon
Foundational 19th-century work of the Karliner chasidic sect consisting of Torah insights of its leaders, compiled by the fourth Karliner rebbe.
Bnei Yissaschar
Seminal 19th-century compilation of sermons, with an emphasis on the holidays, by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Dinov.
Chayim VaChesed
Torah insights of the 18th-century Rabbi Chaim Chaykl Levin of Amdur, among the earliest founders of Lithuanian chasidism.
Chiddushei HaRim on Torah
19th-century commentary on the Torah and holidays by the first rebbe of the Ger sect, Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter.
Darkhei Yesharim
19th-century short manual on living a righteous life and attaining devekut, or attachment to God.
Degel Machaneh Ephraim
18th-century work by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov, containing sermons on the Torah and teachings of his grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov.
Divrei Emet
18th-century commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz, known as the Seer of Lublin.
Flames of Faith
21st-century motivational introduction to chasidic thought by Rabbi Zev Reichman, directed at an American audience.
Keter Shem Tov
One of the first works of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings, published in the late 18th century.
Maor VaShemesh
19th-century Torah commentary of Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Epstein, often printed alongside traditional biblical commentaries.
Mareh Yechezkel on Torah
19th-century collection of Torah commentary, sermons, and haggadah commentary of Rabbi Yechezkel Panet, a leading rabbi in 19th-century Romania and founder of the Dayzh chasidic dynasty.
Mekor Mayim Chayim on Baal Shem Tov
Sources and notes on the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings on the weekly Torah portion.
Midrash Pinchas
18th-century collection of teachings published by students of Rabbi Pinchas Shapiro, the Koretzer Rebbe.
Ohev Yisrael
19th-century Torah commentary of the Apter rebbe, founder of the Mezhbizh/Zinkover rabbinic dynasty.
Ohr LaShamayim
19th-century Torah commentary of Rabbi Meir HaLevi Rotenberg of Apt.
Sefat Emet
Monumental 19th-century Torah commentary by Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger.
Shem MiShmuel
Popular 20th-century, nine-volume collection of sermons delivered by Rabbi Shmuel Bornsztain.
Shivchei HaBesht
19th-century anthology of stories about the Baal Shem Tov, considered an important source of information about him.
Sidduro Shel Shabbat
Exhaustive 19th-century study on the holiness of Shabbat by Rabbi Chaim Tyrer of Chernovitz
Tiferet Shlomo
19th-century Torah commentary by the first rebbe of the Radomsk dynasty.
Yakar MiPaz
Additional material that was omitted from the Maggid of Kozhnitz’s “Avodat Yisrael.”
Yismach Moshe
19th-century Torah commentary by Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum of Ujhely.
Zera Kodesh
19th-century work on the weekly Torah portions and holidays by the first rebbe of Ropshitz, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Horowitz.
About Chasidut
Chasidut is a spiritual and mystical revival movement founded in mid-18th century Ukraine by Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, known as the Ba’al Shem Tov. With teachings drawing on Kabbalah and focusing on ideas like joy in religious practice, intention during prayer, attachment to God (“devekut”), and God’s omnipresence in the material world, Chasidut emphasizes that all can access divinity.
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