Emotional Vocabularies in Hasidic Sermons Divine Emotions and Human Moral Emotions in Hayim va-Hesed by Hayim of Amdur

This paper examines the role of emotional vocabularies and the transformative significance of fear in Hasidic sermons. It offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between divine emotions and human emotions within the context of the Hasidic devotional message as conveyed in homiletical writings. The writings of Hayim of Amdur (c. 1730–87), a prominent figure in early Hasidism, provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of fear and its connection to religious worship. By challenging conventional notions of fear, the paper highlights its positive aspects as experienced by the circle of students of Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezhrich (d. 1772). Drawing on biblical sources and the teachings of the Maggid, Hayim ve-Hesed portrays a profound interdependence between humans and the divine, where human emotions serve as a catalyst for theurgic effects. In this perspective, fear is not viewed as a negative or limiting emotion, but rather as a transformative force that guides individuals toward a deeper connection with the divine. When fear is balanced with belief and confidence, it functions as a moral emotion that motivates individuals to adhere to an ethical code.