Traces of Luzzatto’s Influence in Hasidic Doctrine

This chapter reviews the studies of the origins of hasidism that have assigned a peripheral position to Rabbi Moses Hayim Luzzatto. It mentions Eliezer Tsevi Zweifel, who drew attention to a few parallels between the words of the teachers of hasidism and the words of Luzzatto that were absorbed into hasidic doctrine. It also refers to Gershom Scholem, who completely rejected any suggestion that Luzzatto's influence had helped in shaping the features of hasidism. The chapter looks at the arguments for and against Luzzatto's Mesilat yesharim, particularly the merit of the 'holy man' that was introduced at the end of the book. It talks about H. N. Bialik's his essay 'Habahur mipadova', which asserts that hasidism is rooted to a large extent in Luzzatto's philosophy.