Lubavitch

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect. Founded in the 18th century in Lubavich, Russia, as an offshoot of Hasidism by Shne'ur Zalman, it is now predominantly active in the USA and Israel; its rabbi is based in New York City, USA. Under the guidance of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson from 1950, the movement expanded worldwide, and its publishing division became the largest distributor of Jewish texts. It runs an active education and conversion programme to call Jews back to Orthodox Judaism, and thus speed the coming of the Messiah.

Lubavitch Jews believe in strict adherence to Orthodox practices, following the 613 commandments of the Torah and the laws of the Talmud. Like Hasidic Jews, they are influenced by the Kabbalah, a mystical Jewish tradition, but they adopt a more intellectual approach to the Talmud than the Hasidic sect.