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| The
Biographical Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (The Besht) 18 Elul 5458 - 6 Sivan 5520
(1698-1760) |
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| Yisrael Ben Eliezer, later known as
The Baal Shem Tov (The Master of the Good Name), was born on the 18th of Elul
5458 (August 27, 1698) to Rabbi Eliezer and his wife Sarah. They lived in the
small village Okup on the Russian Polish border. Both Rabbi Eliezer and Sarah
were already very old when their first child, little Srulik (Israel) was born.
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| The days passed quickly and when
Srulik was only five years old, his father Rabbi Eliezer died. The last words
his father said to him were "Israel my son, you have a very holy soul, don't
fear anything but G-d". Soon thereafter, his mother Sarah also died. |
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| Young Israel, now an orphan, was
adopted by the local community and educated as was common in Jewish communities
at that time. That is, he probably learned to read Hebrew by four, to translate
the bible from the original at five, and began Talmud at about eight. By the
time he entered his teens, he was probably fluent in both Bible and Talmud.
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| The tradition is that young Israel
was different from other children. He would often go into fields and woods and
mountains, spending many hours alone, speaking to G-d. Not having parents, it's
not surprising he would go into nature to seek out his Father in Heaven. At an
early age he was aware of the presence of G-d in all aspects of life. |
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| When Israel entered his teens, the
communities responsibility for him ended and he had to begin supporting
himself. First, he was hired as a school assistant because of his way with
children. He was known to sing psalms and other songs with the children as they
walked to school. He would also tell the children stories and teach them how to
daven (pray). |
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| Israel's next position was that of a
caretaker at the local synagogue. His main duties were to clean the synagogue
and arrange the books. This gave him the time to study and develop. Late at
night, when everyone was gone from the study hall of the synagogue, he would
study the large tomes of the Talmud, Midrash and Jewish Law. Probably, he also
studied Kabala, as was common in those days. He developed a great expertise in
these areas. This expertise was later spoken about by his students and appeared
in his teachings. Young Israel was said to sleep during the day when he had
nothing to do. The local people thought he was not very smart. |
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| Then the son of Rabbi Adam, the Baal
Shem brought him the sacred tome of the Jewish spiritual teachings. After
studying for a time with the Rabbi's son, the latter died and Israel moved to a
little town near Brody. |
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| There he was employed as a teacher of
young children. He became acquainted with Rabbi Ephriam of Brody who became
aware of YIsrael's spiritual greatness. Right before Rabbi Ephriam's death, the
Rabbi arranged for the engagement of Israel to his daughter Chana. |
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| When Israel came to Rabbi Gershon of
Kitov, Rabbi Epriam's son, requesting the hand of his fiancée, Rabbi
Gershon thinking that Israel was a peasant, tried to throw him out. But, when
Israel produced a letter of engagement signed by Rabbi Ephriam, he called Chana
and asked her opinion. After Israel spoke with Chana, no doubt telling her who
he really was, she agreed to the match. Even though Rabbi Gershon disapproved
of the match, he allowed them to marry and sent them away with a horse and
wagon. |
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| The bride and groom moved to a
mountain village called Kutty between Kitov and Kasov in the Carpathian
Mountains. This little village was also not far from Brody. Israel spent the
next ten years praying and studying with an angelic mentor, Achiyah HaShaloni.
Achiyah HaShaloni was among those that left Egypt with Moses and was a prophet
during the reign of King Dovid. Achiyah HaShaloni initiated YIsrael into the
mysteries of the Torah. |
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| For a time, Israel was a shochet
(ritual slaughterer) and teacher in Koslovitz. |
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| Israel and Chana had two children,
Edel and Tzvi Hirsch. |
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| Rabbi Israel first revealed himself
to the world on Lag BaOmer, 5585 (May 22, 1734). Then Rabbi Israel moved to
Talust and became famous as a holy man. Next he moved to Medzibusch in Western
Ukraine for the remainder of his life. |
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| In Medzibusch, his fame spread and
students attached themselves to him. Not only were ordinary people attracted to
him, but some of the greatest Rabbinical luminaries also joined with him. |
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| Although very few documents written
by Rabbi Israel still exist, many stories and teachings have been passed down
to the present time. |
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| He became known as the Baal Shem Tov
- the Master of the Good Name. |
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| As Rabbi Israel's fame spread, so did
an opposition (Misnagdim) begin to grow. |
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| Being a living legend, the Baal Shem
Tov spent most of his time in worship, serving G-d, teaching his disciples, and
giving blessings to the thousands that came to see him. |
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| The Baal Shem Tov passed away on
Shavuos, 5520 (May 23, 1760) having founded the Chassidic movement that lives
on today. |
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Please share this with
another so that the teachings of the
Baal Shem Tov become publicized and
revealed to the world. |
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A project of The Baal Shem Tov
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
"Dedicated to spreading
the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov"
Please visit us at www.baalshemtov.com
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