an extremely religious and observant Jew
a person whose life is totally wrapped up in God
(pl. hasidim; Hebrew for "pious one") The term may refer to Jews in various periods: (1) a group that resisted the policies of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the second century B.C.E. at the start of the Maccabean revolt; (2) pietists in the thirteenth century C.E.; (3) followers of the movement of Hasidism founded in the eighteenth century C.E. by Baal Shem Tov. See Chapter 17.
(pl., Hasidim) Member of a religious movement, known as Hasidism, founded in the eighteenth century by Israel Ben-Eliezer Baal Shem Tov in Eastern Europe. The movement, still active in the 1980s, stresses the importance of serving God in ecstasy and has strong mystical elements.
pl. Hasidim (häs'-id, has-id'-im), Hebr. A numerous sect of Jews distinguished for their enthusiasm in religious observance, a fanatical worship of their rabbis and many superstitious practices.
(pl. Hasidim) lit. "pious" or going beyond: a member of a Hasidic sect, or compliment, "he's such a hasid."