The Baal Shem Tov: Difference between revisions
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== The Period of His Birth == | == The Period of His Birth == | ||
Fifty years before the birth of the Baal Shem Tov, in 5408 (1648), the Cossack rebellion against the Polish nobility broke out, during which numerous pogroms were carried out against Jews — known as the massacres of Tach v'Tat (5408–5409). As a result of these pogroms and the ensuing destruction of Jewish communities, the material and spiritual state of the Jewish people reached its lowest point. This period is referred to in Chassidus as eilafon — likened to a person who has fainted and lies in a deep stupor. | Fifty years before the birth of the Baal Shem Tov, in 5408 (1648), the Cossack rebellion against the Polish nobility broke out, during which numerous pogroms were carried out against Jews — known as the massacres of Tach v'Tat (5408–5409). As a result of these pogroms and the ensuing destruction of Jewish communities, the material and spiritual state of the Jewish people reached its lowest point. This period is referred to in Chassidus as eilafon — likened to a person who has fainted and lies in a deep stupor. | ||
[[File:ביכנ בעשט מזיבוז.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:ביכנ בעשט מזיבוז.jpg|thumb|The shul of the Baal Shem Tov in the town of Mezhibuzh.]] | ||
Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz<ref>Sefer HaMaamarim, Rebbe Rashab, 5663, p. 142.</ref> said that the neshamah of the Baal Shem Tov descended into the world specifically in order to awaken the neshamos of Yisrael from their faint. | Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz<ref>Sefer HaMaamarim, Rebbe Rashab, 5663, p. 142.</ref> said that the neshamah of the Baal Shem Tov descended into the world specifically in order to awaken the neshamos of Yisrael from their faint. | ||
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== His Histalkus == | == His Histalkus == | ||
During Pesach of 5520 (1760), the Besht fell ill and became very weak; even his speech was labored. On the night of Shavuos all his talmidim gathered around him, and he delivered Torah before them. In the morning he summoned the members of the chevra kaddisha and instructed them how to attend to his burial. Afterward he rallied somewhat and davened before the amud himself, in his home. | During Pesach of 5520 (1760), the Besht fell ill and became very weak; even his speech was labored. On the night of Shavuos all his talmidim gathered around him, and he delivered Torah before them. In the morning he summoned the members of the chevra kaddisha and instructed them how to attend to his burial. Afterward he rallied somewhat and davened before the amud himself, in his home. | ||
[[File:אוהל הבעל שם טוב.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:אוהל הבעל שם טוב.jpg|thumb|The Ohel of the Baal Shem Tov in Mezhibuzh.]] | ||
After davening, his talmid Rabbi Nachman of Horodenka went out to pour out his heart in tefillah for his Rebbe's welfare. The Besht responded: He davens in vain — if he could enter through the same opening through which I enter, he would accomplish. Those nearby then heard him whispering: I forgive you those two hours — do not torment me! When the townspeople came to wish him a Yom Tov greeting, he delivered words of Torah before them. Afterward he again spoke words of Torah to his close talmidim — concerning the pillar that ascends from the lower Gan Eden to the upper Gan Eden. Then he took leave of the townspeople, saying: Until now I have done chesed with you — now you shall do chesed with me. | After davening, his talmid Rabbi Nachman of Horodenka went out to pour out his heart in tefillah for his Rebbe's welfare. The Besht responded: He davens in vain — if he could enter through the same opening through which I enter, he would accomplish. Those nearby then heard him whispering: I forgive you those two hours — do not torment me! When the townspeople came to wish him a Yom Tov greeting, he delivered words of Torah before them. Afterward he again spoke words of Torah to his close talmidim — concerning the pillar that ascends from the lower Gan Eden to the upper Gan Eden. Then he took leave of the townspeople, saying: Until now I have done chesed with you — now you shall do chesed with me. | ||
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== His Portrait == | == His Portrait == | ||
[[File:לא הבעש''ט.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:לא הבעש''ט.jpg|thumb|The portrait that is erroneously attributed to the Baal Shem Tov.]] | ||
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>. | 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>. | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
[[he:הבעל שם טוב]] | [[he:הבעל שם טוב]] | ||