חסידים, אוצרות וגשרים: תמטולוגיה פנים־חסידית: תמטולוגיה פנים-חסידית

One of the best known Hasidic stories is the one about the treasure that is not under the bridge in Prague but in Karkov, in the seeker’s home. Four different versions of this story appear in Hasidic sources, and these have only been partially researched until now. This article proposes an internal Hasidic reading of the story of the treasure, which, rather than emphasizing the general values of the movement, seeks to highlight dramatic differences among sub-groups of the Hasidic movement. A synchronic and diachronic reading of the versions of the tale reveals fundamental differences, present throughout the years, and various traditions formulated separately from each other within the larger movement. Asa result, the critical role of each transmitter in the culture of Hasidic hagiography is revaluated in a new light that not only reflects his world view but demonstrates the presence of sub-groups, internal tensions, and manifold internal facets of this spiritual-narrative tradition.