1995
DOI: 10.1007/bf01381917
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The effectiveness of words: Religion and healing among the Lubavitch of Stamford Hill

Abstract: Testimonials of miraculous healing offered by Lubavitch Hasidim evoke images of exile and restitution which derive from Kabbalistic texts. Mediated practically through the person of the Rebbe, these testimonials articulate both immediate affliction and ultimate meaning, physical embodiment as well as symbolic representation, each constituting the other. Both Kabbalah and medical anthropology attempt to transcend not dissimilar epistemological dualisms: those characteristic of monotheism and contemporary scienc… Show more

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Cited by 42 publications
(26 citation statements)
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“…The orthodox Jewish notion of luck and a belief in miracles may also contribute to adopting an external locus of control over recovery. 23 A belief that God has absolute control over our lives, including over recovery from injury or illness, may play a role in the greater degree of resignation to one's illness that has been demonstrated in Eastern cultures. 24 Trill and Holland have compared the different responses of Western and Eastern cultures towards illness and recovery.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…The orthodox Jewish notion of luck and a belief in miracles may also contribute to adopting an external locus of control over recovery. 23 A belief that God has absolute control over our lives, including over recovery from injury or illness, may play a role in the greater degree of resignation to one's illness that has been demonstrated in Eastern cultures. 24 Trill and Holland have compared the different responses of Western and Eastern cultures towards illness and recovery.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…When devotees believe that the healing power comes from the god rather than the human dang-ki, they may consider the healing complete and effective without questioning (Kirmayer 2004: Littlewood andDein 1995).…”
Section: Healing Symbols Of Dang-kimentioning
confidence: 99%
“…They may be more concerned about the outcome-a pragmatic attitude (Finkler 2004;Lin 1981;Quah 1989). Second, since it is the omnipotent god who provides the consultation, the mere performance of the healing may have already implied its completeness and success (Kirmayer 2004;Littlewood and Dein 1995). Since god and dang-ki are cultural objects conceptualized as powerful and efficient, the healing encounter may lie in the "icon of power and desire" involving surrender of the self to the Other (the god/dang-ki) and the acceptance of the Other as a figure of desire (e.g., compassion) (Lindquist 2007).…”
Section: Groupmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Jewish culture's long tradition of healing includes obtaining blessings and amulets from rabbis and other holy men (see Lesses 1998;Sered 1992), and pilgrimages to holy places and people (see Bilu 2000). Thus, for example, in their study of Lubavitch Hasidism Dein (2002) and Littlewood and Dein (1995) describe how faith healing occurs when medical advice is deemed 'simplistic' or in instances of more serious illnesses. In these cases Lubavitchers contact their Rebbe for a cure and a religious explanation for their illness.…”
Section: Ritual Healing: Performance and Societymentioning
confidence: 96%