TALES OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV

Friday 29 January 2010

TALES OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV - Bashalach

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

BAAL SHEM TOV STORY Following the Weekly Torah Reading.

BAAL SHEM TOV STORY Following the Weekly Torah Reading PERFECT FAITH In this week's Torah reading (Exodus 13:17 to17:16), Pharaoh sent the B'nei Israel (Children of Israel) from Egypt. After the B'nei Israel left, the Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them to the Reed Sea. Moses split the Sea and the B'nei crossed. Then the Pharaoh and his army followed them into the split Sea. Once all of the B'nei Israel had crossed the Sea, Moses put out his hand toward the Sea and the water returned killing the Egyptians. When the B'nei Israel saw the dead Egyptians on the sea shore..... "The people. . . . . . . believed in G-d and Moses His servant." Exodus 14:31

PERFECT FAITH

And then there was the time that Rabbi Dovid Leikes, one of the Chevrayah Kadisha, was speaking with several followers of his son-in-law, Reb Mottel of Chernobyl (also known as the Chernobyler Rebbe). Reb Dovid asked the followers of Reb Mottel, "Tell me. Do you have perfect faith in your Rebbe, Reb Mottel?"

None of the men responded.

After a pause Reb Dovid persisted, "So nu?"

Finally, one of Reb Mottel's adherents came back with, "Who can say he has perfect faith?"

Reb Dovid nodded and continued. "My friends, let me tell you a story about faith. Once, several of us in the Chevrayah Kadisha spent a Shabbos at an inn with the Rebbe. As usual, Seudah Shlishit went late into the night."

"The Baal Shem Tov told us of the mystical insights he had received while meditating, praying, and studying Torah during that Shabbos. When he finished speaking, we Benched, said Maariv and then Havdalah."

"Immediately afterwards," Reb Dovid continued, "we sat down together with the Baal Shem Tov for Melava Malkah."

"After a few minutes, the Baal Shem Tov turned to me and said, 'Reb Dovid, reach into your pocket and take out a gulden, please, and buy us some mead (honey wine) from the inn keeper.'"

"I was still wearing my Shabbos clothes and of course I never carry money on Shabbos. Yet, without thought or hesitation, I reached into my pocket to take out the gulden, as my Rebbe had requested. And - the most amazing thing! I found a gulden in my pocket."

The disciples of Reb Mottel, after hearing this story, commented to Reb Dovid, "You know, that is really not that amazing. It's just another miracle story about the Baal Shem Tov."

"Yes. That is so," said Reb Dovid. "But the point of my telling you the story is not to show that the Baal Shem Tov does miracles. My point is that my faith in my Rebbe, the Baal Shem Tov, is so great that I didn't even think to question his request. I just reached into my pocket for the money. That it was there is secondary."

And so it was.

From a story in FAITH LOVE JOY by Tzvi Meir HaCohane (Howard M. Cohn. Patent Attorney)

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

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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