Mashpia

rdf:langString Mashpia

rdf:langString Mashpia (Hebrew: משפיע) or feminine Mashpi'oh lit. "person of influence", pl. Mashpi'im (Hebrew: משפיעים) is the title of a Hasidic rabbi who serves as a spiritual mentor, whose main influence and teachings are in matters of the worship of God, the correction of virtues and spiritual elevation. The source of the title is in the Lubavitcher Chassidus, in which the teachers of Chasidic teachings are referred to as Mashpi'im. The general Hasidic public adopted this name around the year 2000 for rabbis who do not serve as congregational rabbis, and give shiurim in Hasidut and in the service of God. Some of the influencers began to lead communities, some as an alternative to Hasidic groups and some in parallel. In addition, the title Mashpia is used for Mashgichim in Hasidic yeshivas, whose role is in the spiritual guidance of the young men, rather than supervision of their attendance during learning hours. This title is nowadays commonly used in Breslov Hasidic movements, who have no rebbe. Previously, the subjects of this position were referred to as "community rabbis".