Heilige Ba’al Shem Tov

BS’D

I wish to share with you a taste of the world to come and tantalize you to learn more about the holy Baal Shem Tov (finishing the first ever book B’H on the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov in English with stories and meditations… email me to find out how you can be part of it!). I just returned from Mezibuz, Ukraine the place of his burial. 

You visit the Kever of the Besh’t and you feel the warmth and love of a Saba (a Grandfather), the Father of Chassidut. His message to the world was love; love of Torah, love of Hashem and love of Yisrael are one.

One of his famous teachings was: ‘Your fellow is your mirror. If your own face is clean, so will be the image you perceive. But should you look upon your fellow and see a blemish, it is your own imperfection that you are encountering – you are being shown what it is that you must correct within yourself.’  What pearls of emuna wisdom!
It is told that the Baal Shem Tov during his lifetime asked the Mashiach, “When will you come?” and he said to him: “When your wellsprings will spread to all four corners of the world.”

The Ba’al Shem Tov taught that for those who are unable to become Torah scholars, for whatever reason there is another way to connect to Hashem at the highest level: prayer.  In the days when learning Torah and strict adherence to the halachot were considered the main way to achieve d’veikut to Hashem, the Ba’al Shem Tov revealed the amazing powers of intense and sincere prayer.  He suddenly made Hashem “accessible” to every person.  This caused many “simple people” to be attracted to Hashem and thus strengthened the Jewish identity.

The Ba’al Shem Tov stressed the importance of maintaining a close relationship with a Rabbi, of connecting oneself to the world of Torah, even if one personally cannot involve himself in it.  He taught that one should look at his Rabbi as his leader and to follow him accordingly.

The Ba’al Shem Tov believed that Hashem could be found, so to speak, in every nook and cranny that He was present in all aspects of life.  This outlook on life has important ramifications:  If Hashem is in every aspect of life then He must be present within every human being.  From this, we learn that every person must be treated as an image of G-d.  There can be no disrespect, no deceit, and no degradation.  Every person must be approached with the respect that is only befitting to a Creation of Hashem. 

The Ba’al Shem Tov preached, almost above all others, the importance of brotherly love and kindness and this is what radiates to me when hugging his kever.  What a privilege to be at his kever with the many other Tzaddikim in Mezibuz! 

I danced and sang, cried and prayed and held on tight to his kever feeling as though Hashem was hugging me through the tzaddik.  This moment repeats itself each time I lead a group to the Ukraine. These are moments we never forget! Join me next time.. let me know you want to join. Already planning the next time 🙂