Editing The Baal Shem Tov (section)

=== Ascent to the chamber of Moshiach ===

On ''Rosh Hashanah'' 1746 (5507), the Baal Shem Tov experienced an ascent of the soul to the higher realms, which he related at length in the manuscript known as ''Igeret HaGeulah''. During the ascent, the King Moshiach told him that his arrival depended on the spreading of wellsprings of ''Chassidut''. The Besht himself wrote a description of the ascent and the words of the King Moshiach in a letter he sent to his brother-in-law R' Gershon Kitover, and it said the following:

As you know, on Rosh Hashanah 1746 (5507), I experienced an ascent of the soul through an oath, and I saw wonderful things in a vision, things I had not seen before, since the day I gained awareness... and I ascended step after step until I entered the hall of Moshiach where Moshiach was studying Torah with all the ''Tannaim''<ref>''Tannaim'' (Amoraic Hebrew: "repeaters") sages who lived before and after the Second Temple period.</ref> and ''tzaddikim'' as well as the ''7 shepherds'', and there I witnessed a great joy... and I asked Moshiach: "Eimatai ati mar (when will the Master come)?" And he replied: "You will know when your teachings will be publicized and revealed through the world, and your wellsprings will burst forth, all that I have taught you and you have understood,    
and they should also be able to perform unifications and elevations like you, and then all ''kelipot''<ref>''Kelipot' (Hebrew: "shells") the outer covering that conceals G-d's light.</ref> will stop existing and there will be an ''et ratzon''<ref>''Et ratzon'' (Hebrew: a time of favor") a time of Heavenly mercy.</ref> and salvation." I wondered about this and experienced great sorrow over the length of time it would take for this to take place.

— From the epilogue of the book ''Ben Porat Yosef'', also printed in the prologue to the book ''Keter Shem Tov''.

During his time of sorrow, the Besht shed tears from his eyes.