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Health Care Behaviours and Beliefs in Hasidic Jewish Populations: A Systematic Review of the Literature

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Abstract

Cultural issues impact on health care, including individuals’ health care behaviours and beliefs. Hasidic Jews, with their strict religious observance, emphasis on kabbalah, cultural insularity and spiritual leader, their Rebbe, comprise a distinct cultural group. The reviewed studies reveal that Hasidic Jews may seek spiritual healing and incorporate religion in their explanatory models of illness; illness attracts stigma; psychiatric patients’ symptomatology may have religious content; social and cultural factors may challenge health care delivery. The extant research has implications for clinical practice. However, many studies exhibited methodological shortcomings with authors providing incomplete analyses of the extent to which findings are authentically Hasidic. High-quality research is required to better inform the provision of culturally competent care to Hasidic patients.

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Notes

  1. The Lubavitch movement was founded in the late eighteenth century by Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812) in Imperial Russia. In 1940, the headquarters moved to Brooklyn, New York.

  2. Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994), the last Lubavitcher Rebbe.

  3. Bratslav Hasidism was founded by Rebbe Nahman of Bratstlav (1772–1810) in 1802 in the Ukrainian town after which the group is named. No successor was designated and the group has been without a Rebbe since his death.

  4. Introductions for the purpose of marriage take place within a formal system of matchmaking.

  5. Toldos Aharon (lit. Generations of Aharon) was founded in the mid-twentieth century by Avrohom Yitzchok Kahn (d. 1996) and has its headquarter in Mea Shearim in Jerusalem. Toldos Aharon is characterized by fervent and emotional prayer and an exceptionally strict lifestyle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Behavioural and Social Sciences in Medicine, University College London, 95 Abbots Gardens, East Finchley, London, N2 0JJ, UK

    Kate Coleman-Brueckheimer

  2. Department of Anthropology and Medicine, University College London, London, UK

    Simon Dein

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  1. Kate Coleman-Brueckheimer
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  2. Simon Dein
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Correspondence to Kate Coleman-Brueckheimer.

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Coleman-Brueckheimer, K., Dein, S. Health Care Behaviours and Beliefs in Hasidic Jewish Populations: A Systematic Review of the Literature. J Relig Health 50, 422–436 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9448-2

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