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The Baal Shem Tov: Difference between revisions
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The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that just as when a person faints, his first name is called to awaken him, because a name comes from the essence of the soul, so too, when the essence is awakened, the man himself awakens. Before the Baal Shem Tov was revealed as a leader, the Jewish people were sunk into unconsciousness and the Almighty sent down the soul of the Besht (with the powerful name Israel) to awaken the essence of the soul of the people and rouse them from their sleep. | The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that just as when a person faints, his first name is called to awaken him, because a name comes from the essence of the soul, so too, when the essence is awakened, the man himself awakens. Before the Baal Shem Tov was revealed as a leader, the Jewish people were sunk into unconsciousness and the Almighty sent down the soul of the Besht (with the powerful name Israel) to awaken the essence of the soul of the people and rouse them from their sleep. | ||
=== Background === | |||
The Baal Shem Tov's parents, R' Eliezer and Sarah, were a barren couple who lived in the small town of Tloste and frequently hosted people in fulfillment of the mitzvah of ''hachnasat orchim''. | |||
A guest once arrived close to Shabbat, dirty and dressed in bedraggled clothing. R' Eliezer greeted him joyfully, paying no heed to his attire and hosting him with great care. After Shabbat, the guest revealed that he was Elijah the Prophet, coming to test him in his commitment to ''hachnasat orchim.'' | |||
The couple passed the test, and in the merit of their ''hachnasat orchim'', Sarah gave birth to their only child, a son. | |||
=== Education === | |||