The Baal Shem Tov: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 183: | Line 183: | ||
== His Portrait == | == His Portrait == | ||
A portrait has become famous throughout the world that is attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, however serious doubts have been raised regarding its authenticity. Some attribute it to a certain rabbi who was a Shabbesnik — a follower of Shabbesai Tzvi. The Rebbe stated that this portrait belongs to a different Baal Shem who lived and was active in | A portrait has become famous throughout the world that is attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, however serious doubts have been raised regarding its authenticity. Some attribute it to a certain rabbi who was a Shabbesnik — a follower of Shabbesai Tzvi. The Rebbe<ref>As related by R' Yaakov Katz, who heard the Rebbe say this on the night of the second day of Chag HaSukkos 5726, during the Yom Tov meal at the home of the Frierdiker Rebbe (HaMelech B'Mesibo, vol. 1, p. 104).</ref> stated that this portrait belongs to a different Baal Shem who lived and was active in Germany — but not to the Baal Shem Tov<ref>See overview at [https://old2.ih.chabad.info/#!g=1&url=article&id=54830 Chabad Info].</ref>. | ||
The Rebbe offered a number of reasons for this position. Beyond the professional research that casts doubt on the portrait's authenticity, the primary reason is that the Frierdiker Rebbe stated that there is a mesorah that no portrait of the Baal Shem Tov exists. An additional reason given by the Rebbe is that according to the tradition, one could discern in the Besht's beard the thirteen tikkunei dikna — thirteen physical rows — and this is not reflected in the portrait. | The Rebbe offered a number of reasons for this position. Beyond the professional research that casts doubt on the portrait's authenticity<ref>The Rebbe wrote in Igros Kodesh, vol. 7, p. 97, to the inquirer: I received your letter of the fifth of Tishrei... along with the enclosed portrait, and regarding your lengthy discussion of the portrait and the question of whether it is authentic — this portrait has already been published a number of times and there are various opinions and disputes regarding it. See the sefer Deyuyos Gedolei HaChassidus (by Rabbi Shcharansky, printed in Tel Aviv, 5705, p. 35), where this portrait also appears. And the portrait is hereby returned...</ref>, the primary reason is that the Frierdiker Rebbe stated that there is a mesorah that no portrait of the Baal Shem Tov exists<ref>Sichos Kodesh 5726, p. 621.</ref>. An additional reason given by the Rebbe is that according to the tradition, one could discern in the Besht's beard the thirteen tikkunei dikna — thirteen physical rows — and this is not reflected in the portrait<ref>Likkutei Sichos, vol. 19, p. 531.</ref>. | ||
== His Talmidim == | == His Talmidim == | ||
| Line 268: | Line 268: | ||
* Nezer HaBaal Shem Tov - Avraham Shmuel Bukiet | * Nezer HaBaal Shem Tov - Avraham Shmuel Bukiet | ||
* Kisvei Rabbi Yasha Shochet | * Kisvei Rabbi Yasha Shochet | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
[[Category:Acharonim]] | [[Category:Acharonim]] | ||
[[he:הבעל שם טוב]] | [[he:הבעל שם טוב]] | ||