The Baal Shem Tov: Difference between revisions

The Baal Shem Tov moved to Brody, near Podolia, where he worked as a teacher in a ''cheder''. There, he met Rabbi Ephraim of Brody, a city dignitary and father of the well-known Rabbi Gershon of Kitov. Rabbi Ephraim was so impressed by the young man that he offered his daughter Chana as a bride. At their wedding, after the death of Rabbi Ephraim, the Besht showed up dressed as a peasant, wishing to appear as a simple man. After the wedding, R' Israel spent time partaking in ''hitbodedut''<ref>''hitbodedut'' (Hebrew: "spiritual seclusion")</ref> in fields and forests while the couple moved from village to village. Eventually, the Besht became a ''melamed'' in a town in Poland, and the couple lived in dire financial straits.

== Activities and leadership ==

On his 26th birthday, ''Achiya Hashiloni''<ref>''Achiya Hashiloni'', an ancient prophet. </ref> revealed himself to him and taught him Torah for 10 years. During this time, he disclosed the enlightenment found in ''nigleh''<ref>''nigleh'' (Hebrew: revealed), the revealed aspects of the Torah. </ref> and Kabbalah as he was taught in ''Gan Eden''<ref>''Gan Eden'' Garden of Eden.</ref>. On the Besht's 36th birthday, his teacher urged him to reveal himself.