KESER SHEM TOV - Bashalach

Friday 29 January 2010

KESER SHEM TOV - Bashalach

Author: Aryeh | Posted at: Friday, January 29, 2010 | Filed Under: Baal Shem Tov, BeShT, Founder of the Chassidic movement, Judaism, KESER SHEM TOV, Rabbi Dr. Yisrael Ben Eliezer, Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, The Master of the Good Name, Torah, Yisrael Ben Eliezer |

Anthology of the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

Kst - 71

The Baal Shem Tov taught:¹

When one feels that one's service of G-d is not going well, one should acknowledge that the appropriate verse at this time is, "I [G-d] have sworn in My wrath/Aph [that they will not enter My peaceful Sanctuary]."²

For even during a period of Divine wrath - Aph - one must realize that this is only a manifestation of the eight lower Sephirot ¹ below Binah, ⁴ and that even in the Aph - the Phe - is hidden the letter Aleph, representing the Aluph/Leader of the World. In this way, one sweetens ⁵ the Aph, the Divine wrath.

¹ Ben Porat Yoseph 126c.

²Psalms 95:11.

³The letters aph inverted are the Hebrew letter Phe, which is numerically equivalent to 80, a integer of 8, representing the eight lower Sephirot, each of which is a complete holographic system of the ten Sephirot, as is known.

⁴Binah is the lower of the two upper Sephirot connected with knowledge and understanding, while in comparison, the eight lower Sephiroth as a whole are connected with a lack of understanding and with constrictions, which give rise to such periods of Divine wrath. The implication here is that one must bring this higher understanding -this experiential reality - into one's period of constricted consciousness.

⁵The use of the metaphor, "sweetening" the judgments, used so extensively in Chassidic texts, alludes that what is "done" does not change the essence of the Aph, but only makes it palatable to us, just as sweetener makes food palatable. This fits in with the idea of the previous two teachings (#69 and #70), that all evil is only from our perspective, and we transform evil by transforming our awareness, and recognizing it as concealed Divine love.

Translation and commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua Starrett.

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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.

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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

Dr. Gerhard Falk - The Baal Shem Tov's relevance today.
Jewish Kabbala and Kabala commentary on the Torah.
Archives of Chassidic Stories Includes a wide range of Chassidic Stories from different Rebbes including the Baal Shem Tov.
Reb Shlomo Shlomo Carlebach's unofficial site has modern Chassidic stories.
Sichos in English Introduction to Baal Shem Tov.
Hasidic Stories Home Page Great collection of Hasidic stories including Baal Shem Tov Stories.
The Breslov Center Their aim is to bring Rebbe Nachman's wisdom and advice to Jewish men and women from all walks of life and levels of religious observance.

Baal Shem Tov

Friday 29 January 2010