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The Baal Shem Tov: Difference between revisions
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The Baal Shem Tov's approach to Divine Providence can be summarized in the well-known saying, "The Master of the world is found in every single movement." The Baal Shem Tov explains that even in a place where the ''concealment'' is great, the Master of the World is present. | The Baal Shem Tov's approach to Divine Providence can be summarized in the well-known saying, "The Master of the world is found in every single movement." The Baal Shem Tov explains that even in a place where the ''concealment'' is great, the Master of the World is present. | ||
A well-known parable related by the Baal Shem Tov is found in his grandson's book, HaDegel Machane Efraim. It concerns a king who surrounded himself with seven fearsome walls, each one more fortified than the previous. Many attempted to scale or destroy the walls but none succeeded. Only the king's son, who knew his father had not abandoned him, dedicated his life to getting past all the walls. Once he had gotten past them, he realized it was all an illusion; there were no walls and nothing preventing anyone from approaching the king. The lesson is that when a Jew truly believes that G-d is close to him, all that is concealed will be revealed. | A well-known parable related by the Baal Shem Tov is found in his grandson's book, ''HaDegel Machane Efraim''. It concerns a king who surrounded himself with seven fearsome walls, each one more fortified than the previous. Many attempted to scale or destroy the walls but none succeeded. Only the king's son, who knew his father had not abandoned him, dedicated his life to getting past all the walls. Once he had gotten past them, he realized it was all an illusion; there were no walls and nothing preventing anyone from approaching the king. The lesson is that when a Jew truly believes that G-d is close to him, all that is concealed will be revealed. | ||
The Baal Shem Tov has a well-known saying that the concealment itself comes from the Almighty, as it says "Yet I will keep My countenance hidden." In any case, the punishment is that this very reality is hidden: the fact that the concealment is a concealment. | The Baal Shem Tov has a well-known saying that the concealment itself comes from the Almighty, as it says "Yet I will keep My countenance hidden." In any case, the punishment is that this very reality is hidden: the fact that the concealment is a concealment. | ||