The Encyclopedia of Hasidism is the first and only comprehensive English-language reference work of its kind to cover all aspects of Hasidism. Included are biographical entries on the great hasidic leaders of past and present generations and a wealth of information on hasidic principles, customs, and lore. This encyclopedia includes biographies of hasidic leaders of the past two hundred years - from the founder of the movement, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, to the leaders of the different dynasties of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. Cross-referencing refers the reader to other entries containing essential supplementary material, and many entries have a select bibliography that refers the reader to other related works in both English and foreign languages.