Chassidism—What? When? Why?

There are many explanations given to define the contribution of Chassidism:

1) In the wake of the horrific demoralization of the Chmielnicki massacres of 1648–1649, the Baal Shem Tov uplifted the Jewish people, illuminating a path whereby every Jew could climb the ladder of prayer and “reach the heavens”—even while “rooted in the ground” of mundane life. In this way, he breathed a renewed spirit of life into their bruised and broken hearts. And within just a short time, they again produced Torah scholars of great renown.

2) “Chassidism changes the nature of one’s character traits.”

3) “A chassid is one who goes beyond the letter of the law.”

4) All four levels of Torah—the literal, allegorical, homiletic and esoteric—are rendered in a way that is deeper and relates more directly to man’s soul, and hence more directly to man’s service of G-d.