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BAAL SHEM TOV STORY
Following the Weekly Torah Reading
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THE TWO TREASURE
CHESTS
And then there was the time that a very poor family
that lived in a small town near Mezibush, the home of
the Baal Shem Tov.
Every year, the husband Moshe, went to visit his
Rebbe, the Baal Shem Tov. Before each visit, his wife
Malka would ask her husband to speak with the Baal
Shem Tov about their poverty.
Things had gotten progressively worse. Finally, Malka
said, "Moshe, next week, when you go to the Baal
Shem Tov, ask him for a blessing."
Moshe answered, "Malka, I've told you before, when I
have Yichidus (private audience) with the Rebbe, I only
ask about our spiritual growth."
That answer didn't satisfy Malka. For the next week,
Malka kept reminding Moshe, "Don't leave Medzibush
until you tell him about our living situation. I'm sure
he'll give us his blessing."
The next week, when Moshe was in Yichidus with the
Holy Baal Shem Tov, he finally told of his family's
poverty. "Please give us your blessing, Rebbe," he
asked.
The Baal Shem Tov looked directly into Moshe's eyes
and said, "Go to the bridge on the road over the Bog
river. Underneath the bridge, by the riverbank, there is
a buried treasure.
"Oh thank you Rebbe," Reb Moshe said as he rushed
to the bridge. As soon as he arrived, he started to dig.
He was already sweating when he heard a voice, "Hey
Moshe, what are you doing down here?"
He looked up on the bridge and saw an old
acquaintance, Reb Yankel the butcher. After they
spoke awhile, Moshe finally told him, "Reb Yankel, I
just left Yichidus with the Baal Shem Tov. After I
explained how difficult it was to make a living these
days, the Rebbe told me that if I dug here, under the
bridge, I would find a treasure."
Now Reb Yankel, who was not a great believer in the
spiritual powers of the Baal Shem Tov replied, "Now
that's interesting because just last week I had a
dream where a man who looked quite a bit like the
Baal Shem Tov came to me and told me there is a
treasure buried under a stove in the house of a Reb
Moshe ----- that's funny, I just remembered the house
was in your town. But you really don't think I'm going to
find this Reb Moshe's house and start digging under
his oven? So Reb Moshe, I really think you should go
home."
Moshe feigned a laugh and said, "You're right Reb
Yankel, I think I'll go on home." As soon as he was out
of sight, Reb Moshe started running towards his
house. When he finally arrived, he rushed over to the
oven and started digging underneath.
Malka looked at him, out of breath and digging like a
crazy man. "Moshe, what are you doing? What
happened when you were with the Baal Shem Tov?
"Just a minute Malka and I'll tell you everything."
Just then, Reb Moshe struck an object with his
shovel. After a few more shovelfuls, he unearthed a
chest filled with gold and silver coins.
Moshe and Malka didn't tell anyone of their treasure.
No one knew of their changed circumstances.
As the months passed, Moshe's started to feel more
and more guilty and couldn't stop thinking, "I'm living a
comfortable life because of what Reb Yankel told me.
At least some of my treasure belongs to him." So
Moshe put a tenth of his fortune into a money sack
and went to give the money to Yankel. After a day of
travel, who should he see but Reb Yankel.
They rushed to each other and said at the same
time, "What a coincidence seeing you here."
Then Reb Yankel blurted out, "I want to tell you what
happened after we last met. Do you remember that
you told me that the Baal Shem Tov told you to dig
under the bridge for your treasure? So I decided to
look myself. I dug for a few minutes and suddenly I hit
something. It turned out to be a chest full of gold and
silver coins. I took the treasure home and hid it. Ever
since, we've been living modestly. However, I've felt
guilty that I found the money because of you and yet I
haven't shared anything with you. So I've put a tenth
into a sack and brought it to give to you. I really can't
believe what a coincidence that I just met you. So
here it is," Reb Yankel said as he gave the money
sack to Moshe, "and thank you very much."
When Reb Yankel was finished speaking, Moshe was
speechless. Then he said, "My dear friend, I can't take
this money."
"Why Moshe, are you angry with me? Do you think I
should give you more?" said Yankel.
"Oh no," answered Reb Moshe, "It's not that at all. I
am just in shock because of the Divine Providence
that happened." Then he went on to tell Reb Yankel
everything that had transpired and showed him the
money sack with one tenth of his fortune that he
intended for him. Moshe continued, "It just became
clear to me that every person has their own lot in life
and they can't take something that belongs to
another. The Baal Shem Tov sent me to find a
treasure under the bridge. I found my fortune when
you told me to look under my oven. At the same time,
you found your fortune under the bridge where I was
told to look. The biggest miracle is that we both
decided to share our fortune with each other and we
met here at the crossroad with our money sacks."
They both started hugging and laughing. "So what
should we do with this money?" they asked each other.
"Well Reb Yankel, since you have a son of who is at
the age to be married and my daughter is also ready
to be married, why don't we marry them to each other
and give them this money to start off their life," said
Reb Moshe.
"I agree!" answered Reb Yankel. Let's go and tell the
Baal
Shem Tov what happened to both of us."
Within the day, they went to meet with the Baal Shem
Tov in Medzibuz. As soon as the Rebbe saw Moshe
and Yankel he exclaimed, "Mazel tov! Mazel tov! The
match between your children was made in Heaven.
Hashem (G·d) opened His treasure house
and blessed you both. You can keep your wealth by
using it only for good deeds such as helping the poor
and needy and by supporting Torah scholars and
worthy institutions."
The two men were speechless. The Baal Shem Tov
knew everything before they had even spoken a word.
The Rebbe asked each of them to tell their story.
When they finished, the Baal Shem Tov continued, "I
suggest that you both celebrate your good fortune by
paying for the wedding of a poor couple who are
getting married before your children. I happen to know
two orphans that are planning a wedding exactly one
week before your childrens. I advise that you, Reb
Moshe, provide money for the orphan boy, while you
Reb Yankel, will provide for the orphan girl. Having
this wedding take place one week before the wedding
of your own children will assure that good fortune will
remain with you."
Both men gladly agreed and returned home to make
the necessary preparations for both weddings. The
wedding for the orphan couple was just as lavish as
that of their own children.
And so it was.
Adapted by Tzvi Meir HaCohane from a story found in
Ohr Yesharim and Otzar Hasipurim and translated in
Stories of the BAAL SHEM TOV by Y. Y. Klapholtz.
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Sefer Baal Shem Tov
The Baal Shem Tov's Teachings on the Torah
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"And with this, the maiden came before the king. . . ."
(Esther 2:13)
This refers to the pillar [that ascends] from the lower
Garden of Eden to the Higher Garden of Eden, which
is created by the mitzvos, which are 620 pillars of
light.1
Tzror HaChayim p. 38b
. . . . and these days of Purim should not pass away
from
among the Jews, nor the memory of them perish from
their seed. (ibid. 9:28)
They will never pass away, for in each and every
generation, they are recalled and re-experienced, as
my grandfather (the Baal Shem Tov) said.
Degel Machane Ephraim, derash l'Purim
One who reads the Megilah backward, has not fulfilled
his obligation. (Mishnayos Megilah 2:1)
That is, one who thinks that the miracles happened
then (i.e. back in time), and not now, has not fulfilled
his obligation.
Divrei
Shalom, p. 33c
1Rabbinic tradition counts 613
mitzvos in the Torah. There are an additional seven
mitzvos of Rabbinic origin that make the number 620.
Translation
and Commentary by Rabbi Dr.
Eliezer Shore
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THE PILLAR OF PRAYER
The Baal Shem Tov's Teachings on Prayer
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Section 111.
Our oxen are bearing (alupheinu mesubalim), with no
breach, and no bad tidings, and no outcry in our
streets. (Psalms 144:14)
When a person knows that the Master of the World
(Alupho shel Olam) is in every action in the world,
there is nothing he cannot bear. Then there is "no
breach and no bad tidings." The Baal Shem Tov also
taught that when you know that G·d's glory fills
the whole world, and that every action and thought
comes from Him (despite the fact that the language of
certain prayers seems to contradict this), then, "all the
workers of iniquity will be disbanded" (Psalms 92:10).
I also heard from the Baal Shem
HaKodesh that a person needs to do subjugation,
division, and amelioration,2 due to the
Breakage of the Vessels that cast the holy sparks into
the "shells." That is, one must separate adverse and
foreign thoughts from the Shechinah.3
And this can be done in two ways, in general and in
particular, as I heard from him on the Gemara: "How
does one dance before the Bride?4
Beis Shammai said: 'The bride, as she is.' Beis Hillel
said, 'A pleasant and gracious bride!'" Beis Shammai
felt that in the period of exile, the general way is
enough, as she is. Beis Hillel, however, said that we
must adorn the bride in a specific way, so that she
becomes pleasant and gracious.
So too, if you are able to purify your thoughts, how
good is it to do this specifically, through subjugation,
division, and amelioration, for this is very deep.
However, if you cannot, you should at least know in a
general way that everything is from G·d. Then
you can stand firm and not be pushed from your level
by the "shells." You will remain attached to
G·d, which is His promise: "And I will give you
a path between these standers" (Zechariah 3:7). This
refers to the angels, for the external forces and impure
shells will not push you out of your
place.5
Ketones Passim, p. 27a
1I.e. all the forces of evil will
dissipate.
2Hachna'ah, Havdalah, and Hamtaka;
the last literally meaning "Sweetening.."
3This is the second stage. The first
stage is "subjugation," in which the foreign thoughts
are brought under control. The second
stage, "separation," entails distinguishing between
the false, exterior element of the thought, and its inner
point of truth (the fallen spark of holiness). The third
stage, "amelioration," entails uplifting that truth and
incorporating it in the service of G·d.
4I.e. how does one praise a bride at a
wedding?
5I.e. a person's place will be among the
angels, who stand before G·d, above the
forces of evil.
Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Dr.
Eliezer Shore
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THE LIGHT OF THE EYES
On the Greatness of the Baal Shem Tov
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Section 48.
The holy rabbi Reb Yaakov
Yisroel of Charkes told of a trip taken by his
grandfather, Reb Nochum of Chernobel, and his
disciples to his rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch.
When they arrived, they saw the Maggid sitting with his
son, Avraham the Angel. They expressed their
greetings to the Maggid and Reb Nochum went on to
his inn. Two of the disciples having stayed longer with
the Maggid returned greatly awed and impressed.
They swore that the Maggid and his son were so great
that none would resemble them until Moshiach came.
Reb Nochum told them, "It is written, 'And the
sun rose, and the sun set.' One generation goes,
another comes, but one such as the Baal Shem Tov
will not come again until Moshiach arrives. When
Moshiach does come, though, there will be a Baal
Shem Tov!"
He repeated these words three times to
convey the message that the Baal Shem Tov will be
Moshiach.
Maasiyos Vemaamorim Kedoshim
Translation and Commentary by
Rabbi
Dr. Eliezer Shore
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KESER SHEM TOV
Anthology of the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov
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Section 144
The Baal Shem Tov told the following
parable1:
There was once a king who sent his only son away to
distant places,2 so that the son would
derive even greater pleasure when he would
return.3 However, over time, the prince
forgot about the pleasures of the palace and did not
want to return. The king then sent messenger after
messenger, each one a nobler officer than the
previous one, but none of them succeeded in
convincing the prince to return.4
Finally, a wise noble offered to disguise himself and
speak in the vulgar language of the masses, in order
to befriend the prince and speak to him at his level
and win his trust. Ultimately, this noble succeeded in
bringing the prince back to the king.
And this is why the essence of the Torah is enclothed
within mundane stories.
1Toldoth Yaakov Yoseph, VaEtchanan
#7. See also the note at the end of #136.
2Since the story is a metaphor for man's
estrangement from G·d, implied is that
G·d intentionally sent man away - exiled him
from Eden, as indeed the Midrash says was
G·d's original intention.
3That is, since the prince had been
brought up with these pleasures, he had lost not only
his sensitivity to and appreciation of them, but also his
very pleasure from them, as the rule is, a consistent
pleasure is no pleasure at all.
4The messengers are the tzaddikim of
all generations, one greater than the other, who have
not yet succeeded in bringing man back to
G·d.
Translation and Commentary by Rabbi
Yehoshua
Starrett
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