The Holy Baal Shem Tov

He was one and only, and since the time of the ancient sages, there has been no one like him, and there shall be no one like him on the face of earth.

(Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk)

Once in every seventy years, a soul comes down to the world whose task is to aid the nation of Israel both in spiritual and in worldly matters.

(Reshimot Devarim)

 

A great light came into the world

Our holy mentor, Rabbi Israel the son of Eliezer, called the Baal Shem Tov, was born on the 18th of Elul in the year of 1698 (approx.) in the village of Akop in the western Ukraine. It was a difficult historic era for the Jewish nation, which was beaten and trampled by the Kozaks, during the Decrees of 1646-47 and days of the destruction of the Jewish community in Eastern Europe.

The days of the Baal Shem Tov's childhood and youth are a mystery. What is known is that he was born to his parents when they were quite elderly and was orphaned as a child. For many years he served as a guard in the town synagogue, and was an assistant to a teacher of young children. He Studied Torah secretly, and learned the teachings of Kabbalah.

 

Days of seclusion and sanctification

When he was about 18, he left his native village and became a teacher in a village next to the large city of Brodi. Here he met one of the Rabbis of the city who was impressed by his abilities and his good traits, and married him off to his daughter named Chana. But the father passed away, and Chana's brother, Rabbi Gershon Avraham was not pleased by this marriage, as he did not yet recognize the greatness of his brother-in-law.

Rabbi Israel left the city and wandered southwards to the Carpathians. Here he continued to isolate himself and learn Torah in secret, and he acquired great knowledge of Torah while trying to cover up his activities.

He made his living through clay mining in the mountains which his wife would then sell. After financial difficulties he served as a Shochet in a few villages, and finally his brother-in-law helped him hire an inn next to the city of Kitov, from which he got his income.

 

Aid for the Jewish Nation

He moved to the city of Tlust and continued teaching children, still living in great poverty. When he was 36 he was revealed, and started acting as a healer and a "Baal Shem", a term used for a person who heals by means of the holy hidden Names.

He wandered between cities, worked wonders, healed the sick and helped the common folk by means of his prayers and talismans, in which he used to write his name, and with which he worked wonders.

Aside of healing the bodies he also healed the souls: he used to instruct his followers in the way of life and faith. In the merit of this act, he received an addition to his name, and from that time on he was called the Baal Shem Tov (Baal Shem the good).

 

Spreading the teachings of Hassidut

In the year of 1740 he fixed his abode in the Town of Mezibuz, in which there was an ancient Jewish community famous for its Rabbis who were great in Torah. His many disciples flowed to this town, where he taught and spread the teachings of Hassidut, which created a revolution and a spiritual renaissance of the Jewish nation.

The Baal Shem Tov attracted Rabbis and followers, who would listen to his teachings and wisdom. It was in this way that a group of scholars formed around him, but not only scholars - simple folk as well, who needed his instructions for life - came to him, and the Baal Shem Tov drew them close and respected them greatly. According to his teachings, the value of every Jew, both great and small, is infinite, and one has to love everyone to the limit.

Once, when he saw one of his disciples kissing his son, he told him, "Know, that I love the simplest Jew more than you love your own son".

The Hassidut is based on the Kabbalah, and teaches that every single Jew is a part of G-d, and only when each one gives his share, can we reach the destiny and redemption.
He also taught of the great value of using one's heart in the service of G-d, and that one has to serve G-d with joy and contentment.

The Chassidic thought stresses the importance of cleaving to G-d, and the idea that a person should instill the Divine presence in every aspect of his deeds. The special light of G-d can be felt from the letters of the Torah, and clinging to the letters of the Torah is actually cleaving to the upper and infinite light hidden in them.

 

His decease

The Baal Shem Tov passed away in Mezibuz on the holiday of Shavuot in 1760, and left behind him a son - Rabbi Zvi, and a daughter - Adel.

This year (2010) will be the 250th anniversary of his decease - 1760-2010.

 

His disciples continued in his way and widespread his Torah throughout the world. The best known among them is Rabbi Dov Ber - the Magid of Mezeritch, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Cohen from Polnea, the "Toldot Yaakov Yosef", Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotachov, and Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz. Their disciples continued their way and spread the teachings of Hassidut until it quickly became widespread and thousands joined its forces.

Different Hassidic groups were formed over the years, each having its own emphasis, but all drawing their power and ways from the light of the Baal Shem Tov, which continues to shine until our days.