Sunday 7 February 2010

The Baal Shem Tov's Pipe

Author: Aryeh | Posted at: Sunday, February 07, 2010 | Filed Under: , , , , , , |

During the time of the Baal Shem Tov, a tobacco pipe was one of man's most important possessions. In those days, the Jewish people were so poor, they barely had enough food to feed their families. So when a man would come to visit a friend, the host could at least afford to offer his guest a pinch of pipe tobacco and a cup of tea.

The Baal Shem Tov had a very special tobacco pipe. It was said that his pipe was so long that he could rest the pipe stem on the back end of the wagon while sitting on the seat and smoking.

And then there was the time that the Baal Shem Tov was traveling in his wagon with several of his followers and his wagon driver, Alexei, at the reins. They were smoking their pipes and discussing a concept of Torah. Suddenly, three soldiers of a local of governor approached them on horseback. When the soldiers got close to the wagon, they pulled out their swords and planned to steal some money from the Jews in the wagon.

"Listen up, we are the soldiers for the Governor and we demand twenty ruples for the right to travel on the Governor's road," the commander of the soldiers said with a snarl.

"We're sorry," answered Alexei, "but the Rabbi and his students don't have any money."
Just then, the soldiers noticed the Baal Shem Tov's pipe. "In that case we'll take this," said the commander, as he leaned down from his horse and snatched the pipe out of the Baal Shem Tov's hand. With that, they galloped off, holding the pipe in the air as if it were a sword.
No one in the wagon spoke. The students just sat, still feeling the fear from the encounter with the soldiers. The Baal Shem Tov seemed to be far off in a deep meditative state. As for Alexei, he reached under his seat and took a little nip from a bottle of whiskey he always kept there.

About an hour passed. The Baal Shem Tov looked around and said to Alexei, "Unhitch the horse from the wagon so that you can ride it. Then go (Bo) down the road in the direction that the soldiers went. When you finally catch up with them, take back the pipe and bring it back to me."

"But Rabbi, they aren't going to give me that pipe and they are armed!" said Alexei with a lot of concern in his voice.

"Don't worry," said the Baal Shem, "you'll be able to take it."

As Alexei rode of in the direction that the soldiers went, he wondered, "I sure hope the Master is right."

After riding for about an hour, Alexei saw the three soldiers sitting on their horses. He slowly approached them wondering how he was going to retrieve the pipe. But as he got closer, he saw that the three men were all sound asleep on their horses. Then he saw the Baal Shem Tov's pipe secured to the saddle of the commander of the soldiers.

Alexei rode up as quietly as he could and snatched the pipe from the saddle. Then, he rode away as fast as he could. When he returned to the Baal Shem Tov he was nearly out of breath.

"Well Alexei, what happened? Did you get the pipe?" asked the Baal Shem Tov.

Alexei handed him the pipe and said, "Rabbi, you won't believe what happened. They were all sound asleep on their horses."

"Oh Alexei, you know I'm a man of faith, I do believe that happened!" the Baal Shem Tov said with a warm smile and little chuckle in his voice. Now harness the horse to the wagon, take a L'chaim and we'll be off."

And so it was.

Freely adapted by Tzvi Meir HaCohane (Howard M. Cohn, Patent Attorney) from a story in Shivchei HaBesht as translated in In Praise OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV by Ben Amos and Mintz.

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.

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