Thursday 21 January 2010

DIVINE LIGHT

Author: Aryeh | Posted at: Thursday, January 21, 2010 | Filed Under: , , , , , , , |

The Mystical Light of the Baal Shem Tov


36. "Sometimes, violation of Torah is its observance. We learn this from G-d's telling Moses after the breaking of the Tablets, 'That you broke,'1 which implies approval for his having broken them."2

The Baal Shem Tov taught the following on this teaching from the Talmud. How can violating the Torah possibly enhance its observance? When one eats, drinks, or is otherwise involved in mundane affairs, they are "violating" the Torah because of not studying it or explicitly serving G-d at that time. However, at this time, their soul has a chance to rest from its enthusiasm to serve G-d and gather new strength to return to an even higher level of closeness to G-d. This spiritual phenomenon is alluded to in the verse, "The chayos (angels) run to and fro;"3 this is why "violating" the Torah sometimes is its observance.4
Keser Shem Tov II 02

1Exodus 34:1

2Tractate Menachoth 99b

3Ezekiel 1:14

4Toldot Yaakov Yoseph, Tazria 2; Devarim 2. There are two reasons why this must be so. First, if one were not to periodically "cool down" from intense spiritual experiences, one might reach a stage where one's soul would become so united with G-d that it would completely lose its separateness. At that point it would not be able to return to the physical body. The other reason is because perpetual pleasure loses its glamour and becomes boredom. Thus, if one were constantly experiencing peak spiritual pleasures, they would no longer be considered pleasurable experiences. Regarding why one then rises to even more intense experiences, this is because the anguish of separation intensifies the pleasure of return.

Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Shore

BAAL SHEM TOV FOUNDATION


The Baal Shem Tov Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, uses emails, teleclasses and other material to spread and publicize the Torah of the Baal Shem Tov throughout the world. Please visit us at www.baalshemtov.com to learn more about the Baal Shem Tov and the work of the Foundation.

The goal of the Foundation is to hasten the imminent coming of the Moshiach (Messiah) by acting on the answer of the Moshiach to the Baal Shem Tov's question: 'When are you coming Master?' (The Moshiach answered) "When your teachings have become well-known and revealed throughout the world, and when your well springs have spread outwards, imparting to others what I have taught you, so that they too will be able to perform contemplative unifications and ascents of the soul…" [quoted from a letter from the Baal Shem Tov to his brother-in-law Rabbi Gershon Kitover.]

One of the major projects of the Baal Shem Tov Foundation is the World Wide Mezuzah Campaign whose goal is to insure that every Jewish person in the world has a kosher Mezuzah attached to the doorpost of their home.

Please visit www.mezuzah.net for more information.

Tzvi Meir is always available for questions and to support your work in this area.

Tzvi Meir Cohn (Howard M. Cohn, Patent Attorney)
21625 Chagrin Blvd. #220
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
800-613-0955
bst_times@baalshemtov.com
www.baalshemtov.com

Share this post!

Bookmark and Share

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
 

About

     Yisrael Ben Eliezer, later known as The Baal Shem Tov (The Master of the Good Name), was born on the 18th of Elul 5458 (August 27, 1698) to Rabbi Eliezer and his wife Sarah. They lived in the small village Okup on the Russian Polish border. Both Rabbi Eliezer and Sarah were already very old when their first child, little Srulik (Israel) was born.

     The days passed quickly and when Srulik was only five years old, his father Rabbi Eliezer died. The last words his father said to him were "Israel my son, you have a very holy soul, don't fear anything but G-d". Soon thereafter, his mother Sarah also died.

     Young Israel, now an orphan, was adopted by the local community and educated as was common in Jewish communities at that time. That is, he probably learned to read Hebrew by four, to translate the bible from the original at five, and began Talmud at about eight. By the time he entered his teens, he was probably fluent in both Bible and Talmud.

     The tradition is that young Israel was different from other children. He would often go into fields and woods and mountains, spending many hours alone, speaking to G-d. Not having parents, it's not surprising he would go into nature to seek out his Father in Heaven. At an early age he was aware of the presence of G-d in all aspects of life.

     Rabbi Israel first revealed himself to the world on Lag BaOmer, 5585 (May 22, 1734). Then Rabbi Israel moved to Talust and became famous as a holy man. Next he moved to Medzibusch in Western Ukraine for the remainder of his life.

     In Medzibusch, his fame spread and students attached themselves to him. Not only were ordinary people attracted to him, but some of the greatest Rabbinical luminaries also joined with him.

     Although very few documents written by Rabbi Israel still exist, many stories and teachings have been passed down to the present time.

     He became known as the Baal Shem Tov - the Master of the Good Name.

     As Rabbi Israel's fame spread, so did an opposition (Misnagdim) begin to grow.

     Being a living legend, the Baal Shem Tov spent most of his time in worship, serving G-d, teaching his disciples, and giving blessings to the thousands that came to see him.

     The Baal Shem Tov passed away on Shavuos, 5520 (May 23, 1760) having founded the Chassidic movement that lives on today.

Please share this with another so that the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov become publicized and revealed to the world.

Baal Shem Tov on the Internet

Commentary

Baal Shem Tov Foundation

Sign Up
Sign up for the Baal Shem Tov Times Newsletter

Tell A Friend

Quick Links

Baal Shem Tov Copyright © 2009 Community is Designed by Bie