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BAAL SHEM TOV STORY
Following the Weekly Torah Reading
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THE TRIALS OF RABBI
ELIEZER
"Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since G d has informed you
about all this, there can be no one with as much
insight and wisdom as you. You shall be in charge of
my government." (Bereishis 41:39-40)
About 350 years ago, in the small village of
Okup by the Carpathian Mountains, there lived Rabbi
Eliezer and his wife Rebbetzyn Sarah. The Rabbi and
his wife
were very old and childless and they devoted their
lives to helping poor people.
In those days, life was very hard for Jewish people.
There were many government decrees that
prevented them from owning land, entering into
certain professions, and even living in many places.
After an uprising of the Cossacks, when hundreds of
thousands of Jews were massacred, the Jewish
people were left in a desperate state, never knowing
when they would be attacked and even
killed.
Rabbi Eliezer frequently said, "Do not despair because
G d is everywhere." Rabbi Eliezer prayed over and
over to the Holy One Blessed Be He, "L rd of the
Universe, please send someone that can uplift the
Jewish people."
Rabbi Eliezer's prayers finally pierced though the
heavens and reached G d. He ordered a very, very
special soul from among the chamber of souls to be
sent into the world to guide the Jewish People. This
soul was so special that its light shone across the
heavens. The parents were to be Rabbi Eliezer and
Rebbetzyn Sarah, even though they were old and
long past their
childbearing ages.
The prayers and preparation of this special soul did
not go unnoticed by the angel named the Satan.
The Satan is the angel appointed by G d to erect
obstacles before
people so that they have an opportunity to
overcome
their challenges and build their character.
The Satan came running before G d and
complained. "Yes, it is true that Rebbetzyn Sarah,
Rabbi
Eliezer's wife is a Saint and worthy of a child with
such a soul. But Rabbi Eliezer has never been
properly tested, such as with the test of a life of
poverty." G d agreed.
The very next day, Rabbi Eliezer was accosted by
robbers. They tied him up, covered his eyes and
threw him into the back of a wagon. For days they
traveled. Finally, they arrived at a seaport where he
was sold to slave traders. They took Rabbi Israel by
sailing ship to a faraway land where no Jews lived.
There he was sold as a slave.
Rabbi Eliezer thought "My G d, I could be a slave for
the rest of my life." But soon after he started to feel
bad, he began thinking, "Just as I've taught others,
I'm not going to despair. G d is everywhere." And
so
he served his master faithfully and soon was
appointed as overseer over the master's
house.
It was clear in Heaven that Rabbi Eliezer had passed
the test. Preparation of the special soul for birth
into
the world continued.
The Satan appeared again before the throne of
G d. "Holy One, it is true that Rabbi Eliezer passed
the test of being poor, but the test of great wealth
is
much harder. He must also pass this test to warrant
such a soul." G d again agreed.
The very next day Rabbi Eliezer was given as a
slave to the Viceroy of the King. The Viceroy
immediately took a liking to Rabbi Eliezer and gave
him a private room to live. His only duty was to
welcome the Viceroy when he returned home and to
wash his feet as was the custom for great people in
that country. Soon, the Viceroy realized that not
only was Rabbi Eliezer a faithful servant but also an
attentive listener. Everyday the Viceroy would come
home from serving the King and unburden himself to
Rabbi Eliezer.
Up until now, our story has described how
Rabbi Eliezer passed the test of poverty, and the
Satan convinced G d to have Rabbi Eliezer subjected
to the test of great wealth. So Rabbi Eliezer became
a slave to the Viceroy of the King. The Viceroy,
realizing that Rabbi Eliezer was a faithful servant and
a wonderful listener, would return home everyday
and
tell Rabbi Eliezer all that went on in the King's
court.
Shortly thereafter, the King became involved in a
great war and his army was being defeated. The
King blamed the Viceroy because the army was
following the plans the Viceroy had supported.
Finally, in a fit of rage, the King told the
Viceroy, "You had better come up with a new battle
plan by tomorrow or else. Now get out of
here."
When the Viceroy returned home, he was afraid for
his life. Rabbi Eliezer saw that he was deeply
troubled. "My master, why are you so troubled?"
But the Viceroy was speechless because of his fear.
Finally, after constant coaxing, he told Rabbi Eliezer
what just happened with the King. "Don't worry,"
said Rabbi Eliezer in a reassuring way, "I'll fast for the
rest of the day and then pray to G d for help." But
the Viceroy remained deeply worried and couldn't
stop wringing his hands.
That night Rabbi Eliezer asked a dream question (a
written question placed next to the questioner's head
where they sleep). "Dear G d, what should the
King's
army do to defeat the enemy army." While he slept,
an elaborate battle plan of how to defeat the
enemy's army was revealed to him.
The next morning, as soon as the Viceroy was
awake, Rabbi Eliezer went to him. "Master, master,
last night I had a dream of how the King's army can
defeat the enemies." Then he described the whole
battle plan to his master. All the Viceroy could say
was, "That's brilliant, just brilliant."
Immediately, the Viceroy rushed to the King. "Your
Majesty, I have a plan for defeating our enemies."
As soon as he told the King the whole battle plan,
the King was extremely impressed, "My dear Viceroy,
I commend you. It's a stroke of genius." So the
King
ordered his generals to immediately proceed with the
battle plan and the enemy army was quickly
defeated.
The King was thrilled but he couldn't believe that his
Viceroy could come up with such a plan. "My dear
Viceroy, I honestly can't believe that you could
devise such an intricate, brilliant battle plan." After
some prodding, the Viceroy told the King that the
battle plan came from his slave Rabbi
Eliezer.
The King immediately called for Rabbi Eliezer and
elevated him to the position of his closest advisor.
As time passed, the King offered Rabbi Eliezer
whatever was in his kingdom. But Rabbi Eliezer did
not indulge himself in any of the wonderful
opportunities and pleasures that were presented to
him because of his new status. Throughout the time
he served as the King's close advisor, he never
strayed from his thought, "I'm not going to despair,
G d is everywhere."
Soon Rabbi Eliezer was even offered married to the
daughter of the Viceroy. Although he protested the
marriage, he was forced to marry her. Rabbi Eliezer
refused to live with her as a wife because he was
still
married to Sarah and planned to return to her.
When his new wife repeatedly asked him what was
wrong, he finally told her that he was already married
and she agreed to help him return to his home.
Now that Rabbi Eliezer passed the test of great
wealth, the final preparation for the birth of the soul
began. For one last time, the Satan rushed to the
throne of the Holy One Blessed Be He. "Holy One, it
is true that Rabbi Eliezer passed the test of riches
and power but the greatest test of loving a fellow
Jew that openly rebels against the ways of the Torah
has yet to be passed. Again, G d consented and the
Satan arranged the greatest test of all. This time,
Elijah the Prophet who was also present, begged G d
to allow him to administer the test. To this, G d also
agreed.
Soon, the King summoned Rabbi Eliezer. "My dearest
counselor, I owe my kingdom to you and I would give
you anything in my power. Yet I see you are
unhappy because you want to return to your home.
Your new wife also agrees to this. So please take
this great treasure and return to your home as you
desire."
Rabbi Eliezer immediately returned to his home and
wife Sarah. When Sarah saw him, she could hardly
believe her eyes. "My G d what happened. Where
have you been?"
"It's a long story!" answered Rabbi Eliezer.
In another story, Rabbi Eliezer and Rebbetzyn Sarah
pass an even greater test and are blessed with a
cherished son named Yisrael. Later, Yisrael attained
renown as Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (Master of the
Good Name).
And so it was.
Freely adapted by Howard M. Cohn
(cohn@baalshemtov.com) from SHIVCHEI HA-BESHT
as translated in IN PRAISE OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV
by Ben Amos and Mintz.
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TORAH BAAL SHEM TOV
Selection from Sefer Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
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"Happy is the man who makes G d his trust, and
does
not turn to the arrogant." (Psalms 40:5)
This is Joseph. However, by saying to the wine
steward, "remember me," and "mention me to
Pharaoh" two years were added [to his
sentence].1
The verse says: "Blessed is the man who trusts in
G d, and G d will be his trust" (Jeremiah 17:7).
You should not trust in G d to provide you with a
lot of
food and material goods, for perhaps He will not.
Rather, when you serve Him, you can trust that He
will send you a mitzvah, and surely give you the
strength to fulfill it. Don't rely on food for this
strength; just trust simply that G d will give it to
you. For G d is not limited to food to deliver a
person. This is the meaning of "G d will be his trust" —
and not by eating.
Kisvei Kodesh, p. 18b
Your thoughts should be above in the Supernal World
when you serve G d. Cling to Him and trust in Him
that you will achieve your goal.
Tzava'as HaRivash, p. 4a
The great principle in life is: "Commit you actions to
G d, and your thoughts will be established."
(Proverbs 16:3) Whatever comes to you,
imagine
that it is from G d. Ask G d to always give you what
He knows is best for you, and not what seems
[good]
to human intellect. Because what might seem good in
your eyes may be bad in His. Rather, throw
everything — all your concerns and needs — upon
G d.
Tzava'as HaRivash, p. 2a
Keep in mind always that the entire world is filled
with
the Creator, may He be blessed, as it is written: "Do
I not fill heaven and earth?" (Jeremiah 23:24)
Realize
that even what happens as a result of human
thought and planning is from G d. Even the most
insignificant event in the world is under His
guidance.
When a person realizes this, it makes no difference
to
him if his actions come out as he desires or not,
since
everything is from G d, who knows that it is better
for a person's will not be done. In light of this, a
person should never despair when something he
wants to do does not succeed, for he believes that
G d desires the opposite. [He should think:] "If it
were good in G d's eyes, He certainly would help me
achieve it. But since I am can't, it certainly is not
according to G d's will. In fact, G d was much kinder
to me than had He fulfilled my will."
Hanhagos Yesharos, p. 10a
1Midrash Rabbah, Bereishis
89:3
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 46
A wise man knows when it is right to pray with the
inner mystical intentions and to delight [in mystical
rapture]. But if he finds that he is in the mystery of
Smallness,1 unable to concentrate and
overwhelmed
by extraneous thoughts, he should pray like a small
child, reading from the printed text. My Master (the
Baal Shem Tov) said that once he was in a foreign
land for a period of time in this state of
mind,2 for his
[expanded consciousness] had left him, he attached
himself to the letters. One who prays with the
written words and cleaves to the letters uplifts the
aspect of Asiyah,3 for the
word "Writing" — ketav, is
an acronym for Keter of Malchus),4
which is [the
letter] Tav,5 by means of Binah. He
once ordered
someone to do this until the latter regained his high
spiritual level.
Katones Passim, Balak
1Katnus. A state of constricted
consciousness in
which the mind can not concentrate or attach itself
to G d.
2This happened in Istanbul, during the
Baal Shem Tov's attempted to journey to the Land of
Israel.
3The lowest of the spiritual worlds,
corresponding to the Sefirah of Malchus.
4Meaning, when Keter, the highest
Sefirah unites with Malchus, the lowest Sefirah.
5Tav is the last letter of the Hebrew
alphabet and corresponds to Malchus, the lowest
Sefirah.
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 37
When a person carries with him pearls and gems, he
may be attacked by robbers. Not so, however, when
he carries straw. Likewise, in every generation,
wicked people and a "mixed multitude" rise up against
Israel. This is because the Nation of Israel has
whatever exists in the realm of holiness. The Baal
Shem Tov saw this trouble in the last generation and
cried out over it. For because of these "thorns," and
their strange and distorted ways, he was unable to
fix the souls of Israel by means of Torah study and
Divine service. Indeed, every Tzaddik and Chasid
has
an opposing force, which draws to itself all the
rejected souls. At times, the wicked are able to
overcome the Tzaddik.
Notzer Chesed, chap. 2:4F
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 64
The Baal Shem Tov said in the name of Rav Saadiah
Gaon:
A person should learn a lesson from his desires for
physical pleasures how he should desire to serve G d
and love Him.1
1This teaching is mentioned in Ben
Porath Yoseph
88b in connection with the teaching of the
previous
section (#63). In this context, the prince in that
parable sublimated and transformed his desire for the
young lady into a desire for wisdom, and ultimately
for G d. Doing this, though, requires getting in touch
with and experiencing that baser desire, for only then
can one experience it as concealing a desire for G d,
and only then can one learn any lessons from
it.
Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua
Starrett
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