The Baal Shem Tov: Difference between revisions
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[[File:ביכנ בעשט מזיבוז.jpg|thumb|The Synagogue of the Baal Shem Tov in the Town of Mezhibuzh]] | [[File:ביכנ בעשט מזיבוז.jpg|thumb|The Synagogue of the Baal Shem Tov in the Town of Mezhibuzh]] | ||
==== His Ascent to the Chamber of Moshiach ==== | ==== His Ascent to the Chamber of Moshiach ==== | ||
In Rosh Hashanah of 5507, the Baal Shem Tov performed a soul ascension to the upper worlds, which he described at length in a letter known as the Igeret HaGeulah. During this ascension, Melech HaMoshiach told him that his coming depends on spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus. The Baal Shem Tov himself wrote the description of the ascension and the words of Melech HaMoshiach in a letter he sent to his brother-in-law R' Gershon of Kitov, saying:<blockquote>"On Rosh Hashanah 5507, I performed the soul ascension as you know, and I saw wonderful things in a vision that I had not seen since I gained understanding... I ascended level after level until I entered the chamber of Moshiach, where Moshiach learns Torah with all the Tanaim and tzaddikim, and also with the seven shepherds. There I saw tremendous joy... I asked Moshiach: When will the master come? And he answered me: By this you shall know - when your teachings become famous and are revealed to the world, and your wellsprings spread outward, what I have taught you and what you have achieved, and they too will be able to perform unifications and ascensions like you, then all the kelipos will be eliminated and it will be a time of favor and salvation. I was amazed at this and had great anguish about the length of time, when this would be possible." | In Rosh Hashanah of 5507, the Baal Shem Tov performed a soul ascension to the upper worlds, which he described at length in a letter known as the Igeret HaGeulah. During this ascension, [[Melech HaMashiach|Melech HaMoshiach]] told him that his coming depends on spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus. The Baal Shem Tov himself wrote the description of the ascension and the words of Melech HaMoshiach in a letter he sent to his brother-in-law R' Gershon of Kitov, saying:<blockquote>"On Rosh Hashanah 5507, I performed the soul ascension as you know, and I saw wonderful things in a vision that I had not seen since I gained understanding... I ascended level after level until I entered the chamber of Moshiach, where Moshiach learns Torah with all the Tanaim and tzaddikim, and also with the seven shepherds. There I saw tremendous joy... I asked Moshiach: When will the master come? And he answered me: By this you shall know - when your teachings become famous and are revealed to the world, and your wellsprings spread outward, what I have taught you and what you have achieved, and they too will be able to perform unifications and ascensions like you, then all the kelipos will be eliminated and it will be a time of favor and salvation. I was amazed at this and had great anguish about the length of time, when this would be possible." | ||
— From the book 'Ben Porat Yosef' at its end, also printed at the beginning of 'Kesser Shem Tov'.</blockquote>During the Baal Shem Tov's anguish, his eyes shed tears. | — From the book 'Ben Porat Yosef' at its end, also printed at the beginning of 'Kesser Shem Tov'.</blockquote>During the Baal Shem Tov's anguish, his eyes shed tears. | ||
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There are many points that the Baal Shem Tov innovated and emphasized in his approach. The core of all innovations is to take everything and reveal its source, its essence. Meaning: what is its purpose, its goal, its source, and where does it lead. Thus he reveals what is the essence of the world's existence - continuous creation by Hashem. He also reveals exactly what a Jew is - an essence completely united with Atzmus Ein Sof (and since this aspect is more revealed in simple Jews specifically, he brought them closer) and he especially encouraged simple love for every Jew based on the essence of the neshamah. He also reveals the nature of kelipat nogah (see Tanya - Chapter 6), and more. | There are many points that the Baal Shem Tov innovated and emphasized in his approach. The core of all innovations is to take everything and reveal its source, its essence. Meaning: what is its purpose, its goal, its source, and where does it lead. Thus he reveals what is the essence of the world's existence - continuous creation by Hashem. He also reveals exactly what a Jew is - an essence completely united with Atzmus Ein Sof (and since this aspect is more revealed in simple Jews specifically, he brought them closer) and he especially encouraged simple love for every Jew based on the essence of the neshamah. He also reveals the nature of kelipat nogah (see Tanya - Chapter 6), and more. | ||
==== Hashgacha Pratis ==== | ==== [[Hashgacha Pratis - Divine Providence|Hashgacha Pratis]] ==== | ||
The Baal Shem Tov's approach to Hashgacha Pratis is summarized in the famous statement "in every movement, there is the Alufo Shel Olam." The Baal Shem Tov explains that even in what appears to be the greatest concealment - the five alefs in Pharaoh's boastful words "The enemy said: I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil" - even there are five alefs to show that behind these words of kelipah stands the One and Only - Alufo Shel Olam. | The Baal Shem Tov's approach to Hashgacha Pratis is summarized in the famous statement "in every movement, there is the Alufo Shel Olam." The Baal Shem Tov explains that even in what appears to be the greatest concealment - the five alefs in Pharaoh's boastful words "The enemy said: I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil" - even there are five alefs to show that behind these words of kelipah stands the One and Only - Alufo Shel Olam. | ||
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==== Stories of the Baal Shem Tov ==== | ==== Stories of the Baal Shem Tov ==== | ||
Stories of the Baal Shem Tov were partially printed in Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov and dozens of other seforim, and many more are accepted from authoritative sources among the students of the Baal Shem Tov and their students. The mofsim that are accepted from the Baal Shem Tov, for which there exist precise testimonies, are beyond imagination, to the point where Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk writes in a letter "The Baal Shem Tov was unique - before him there was none like him and after him who will rise from the dust?" | Stories of the Baal Shem Tov were partially printed in Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov and dozens of other seforim, and many more are accepted from authoritative sources among the students of the Baal Shem Tov and their students. The mofsim that are accepted from the Baal Shem Tov, for which there exist precise testimonies, are beyond imagination, to the point where [[Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk|Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk]] writes in a letter "The Baal Shem Tov was unique - before him there was none like him and after him who will rise from the dust?" | ||
The Baal Shem Tov testified about himself that the tremendous mofsim he performed were not through the use of holy names, but through simple emunah in the unity of the Creator and the nothingness of creation without the Creator's power. For example, the Baal Shem Tov crossed a river near the city of Mezhibuzh by spreading his handkerchief on the river and crossing, testifying that he crossed only with simple emunah. | The Baal Shem Tov testified about himself that the tremendous mofsim he performed were not through the use of holy names, but through simple [[emunah]] in the unity of the Creator and the nothingness of creation without the Creator's power. For example, the Baal Shem Tov crossed a river near the city of Mezhibuzh by spreading his handkerchief on the river and crossing, testifying that he crossed only with simple emunah. | ||
==== Kefitzat Haderech (Miraculous Journey) ==== | ==== Kefitzat Haderech (Miraculous Journey) ==== | ||
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==== Maps and Images ==== | ==== Maps and Images ==== | ||
* The gravesite of the Baal Shem Tov on Google Maps: images, location. | * The gravesite of the Baal Shem Tov on Google Maps: images, [https://www.google.com/maps/place/%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%A8+%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%99+%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C+%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%9C+%D7%A9%D7%9D+%D7%98%D7%95%D7%91+%D7%96%D7%99%22%D7%A2%E2%80%AD/@49.4407415,27.40411,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0xf2db829af6c232c1?hl=iw location]. | ||
* The ancient synagogue of the Besht on Google Maps: images, location | * The ancient synagogue of the Besht on Google Maps: images, [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Synahoha+Baal-Shem-Tova/@49.4371304,27.4093209,19z/data=!4m12!1m5!3m4!2zNDnCsDI2JzEzLjUiTiAyN8KwMjQnMzMuNyJF!8m2!3d49.4370833!4d27.4093611!3m5!1s0x472d8b6cf488a0e1:0x69054122cdeca1c7!8m2!3d49.4372442!4d27.4095261!16s%2Fg%2F11by_qk0jf?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D location] | ||
* The spring of the Baal Shem Tov on Google Maps: images, location | * The spring of the Baal Shem Tov on Google Maps: images, [https://www.google.com/maps/place/%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9F+%D7%94%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%9C+%D7%A9%D7%9D+%D7%98%D7%95%D7%91%E2%80%AD/@49.4265398,27.4358936,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x472d8ba25dc58a4b:0xa89aac6e353732f4!8m2!3d49.4265398!4d27.4358936!16s%2Fg%2F11bc96y1qc?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D location] | ||
* '''The Baal Shem Tov's approach to Ahavas Yisrael''', on the Torah Chabad for Yeshiva Students website | * '''The Baal Shem Tov's approach to Ahavas Yisrael''', on the Torah Chabad for Yeshiva Students website | ||
* The gravesite of the Baal Shem Tov Elul 5747 • Those Were the Days | * The gravesite of the Baal Shem Tov Elul 5747 • Those Were the Days | ||
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* This is what we grew up with: Come tour the Beis Midrash of the Besht | * This is what we grew up with: Come tour the Beis Midrash of the Besht | ||
== References == | |||
[[Category:Acharonim]] | [[Category:Acharonim]] | ||
[[he:הבעל שם טוב]] | [[he:הבעל שם טוב]] | ||