B"H
This upcoming Shabbat, Parashat Ki Tavo, 18th Elul, we are celebrating the birthday of the chassidic master BAAL SHEM TOV.
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov didn't introduce anything new to the Jewish world because Chassidism had already existed for hundreds if not thousands of years. What the Baal Shem Tov (the BESHT) did was reintroducing the ideology of serving G - d with joy or reaching a special closeness to the Creator.
The BESHT was born on 18th Elul (27th August 1698 or in 1700) in Okopy / Eastern Europe. He died on Shavuot of the year 1760 in Medziborz.
Here are some of his teachings regarding the Jewish people:
- Israel (the Jews) are like the stars: both appear tiny but are actually very big.
- The world could not exist without Jews and their Torah. G - tt created our universe in a certain way and Jews have the task of causing a Tikun Olam (soul rectification of the entire world).
- Three times, the Besht left for Israel and three times, something went wrong. Just a coincidence or a spiritual sign that he wasn't supposed to get to Eretz Israel ?
Further:
The present Baal Shem Tov Exhibition at the Jewish National Library in Jerusalem
That picture is of the Baal Shem Tov of London and not the founder of Chasidism. Check it http://www.kheper.net/topics/Kabbalah/Falk.htm
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