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TALES OF THE BAAL SHEM TOV
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And then there was the time, in a line of people
winding its way from the door of the
Holy Baal Shem Tov, there waited Reb Zissel to seek
advice and blessing from the holy tzaddik.
Reb Zissel was a simple man with very little in this
world.
He humbly asked the
Baal Shem Tov for a blessing so that he wouldn't have
to live in poverty and depend on the charity of
others.
The Baal Shem Tov listened intently to Reb Zissel's
pleading. After a long silence, the Baal Shem
said: "I wish to help you, but it is not within my power
to do so. Heaven prevents me from granting such a
blessing".
But Reb Zissel was not so easily dissuaded. "Please
Rebbe," cried Reb Zissel, "I have traveled so far and
waited so long - isn't there even the smallest
blessing you could grant me?"
The Baal Shem Tov sat quietly for a moment, but
could only respond that there was nothing he could do.
Then suddenly, the Baal Shem Tov stood and walked
over to his bookshelf and removed a sefer (holy
book). It was the Talmud Baba Basra. He opened it
at random, looked closely at the open page, and read
the following words: "He who takes a pruta (penny)
from Job will be blessed."
The Baal Shem Tov turned to Reb Zissel, who stood
in respectful silence by the tzaddik's desk. "Reb
Zissel, these words have deep meaning: Each Yid
(Jew) has an instinctive desire to help his fellow Yid.
That
desire is borne from the source of his soul, which is
an absolute part of G-d. Just as G-d
created this
physical world out of His selfless kindness, so to
each Jewish soul desires to bestow that kindness on
others. This statement in the Talmud teaches us that
a worthy man, who dispenses charity and kindness to
others, has the power to bestow his blessing of
success upon the tzedaka (charity) that he gives, as
well as to the recipient who will benefit from the gift.
Now, let me think, if I know of such a man?"
At that moment the Baal Shem Tov thought of Reb
Shabsai Meir, a well known Baal Tzedaka
(philanthropist), who lived in the city of Brod. Not only
did Reb Shabsai give generous amounts of charity to
the needy, but he did so with the sincerest feelings
of "ahavas yisrael" - of true love for his fellow Jew.
And even more so, Reb Shabsai prayed fervently that
The Almighty continue to bless him with wealth only
so that he could continue to give generously, and that
the
recipients of his giving would themselves be blessed
with wealth and success. The heavenly court saw
Reb Shabsai's kindness and heard his sincere
prayers, and indeed granted all his wishes. As time
passed, Reb Shabsai was blessed with increasing
wealth, and those who benefited from his kindness
also became successful.
The Baal Shem Tov then said to Reb Zissel, "There is
one person who can help you. Travel to the city of
Brod, and seek out Reb Shabsai Meir. He has the
power to help you. Ask him for a donation. The
money that leaves his hand is blessed, and it
bestows blessing upon all who receive
it."
Reb Zissel thanked the Baal Shem Tov and journeyed
to Brod. He spent Shabbos with Reb Shabsai and
when Shabbos was over, Reb Zissel begged Reb
Shabsai for a donation, which Reb Shabsai gave
willingly and with a broad smile. Soon after, Reb
Zissel departed Brod carrying Reb Shabsai's
donation.
In no time, Reb Zissel circumstances began to
improve,
and he never again had to depend on the charity of
others again.
And so it was.
Freely adapted by Tzvi Meir HaCohane (Howard M.
Cohn, Patent Attorney) from a story in SEFER
HASICHOS as 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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The messengers returned to Jacob with the
report: "We came to your brother Esau, and he is also
heading toward you. He has 400 men with him." And
Jacob was very frightened and distressed. . . (Genesis
32:7-8)
It is written: "And like the fear of You, so is Your wrath"
(Psalms 90:11). Meaning, a person should fear
G-d at all times, just as when he is in
distress,1 for then he fears G-d
greatly.
The verse can also be interpreted in
reverse. In a time of distress, do not merely be afraid
[due to the situation], for it is proper to feel the fear of
G-d always.2
1I.e. in a time of G-d's wrath.
2Even when a person is afraid of a
mortal danger, he should realize that the situation is
being orchestrated by G-d; thus, it is
G-d whom he should fear, not the situation
itself.
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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2.3 Every word contains the entire world.
I heard [from the Baal Shem Tov] that every word
contains the entire world.
Ben Poras Yosef, p. 55a
Translation
and
Commentary by Rabbi Dr.
Eliezer Shore
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Section 35.
Our master the Baal Shem Tov
said to his disciple, the Rabbi of Kalamaya, "I love the
Yid [Jew] who is least significant in your eyes, more
than you love your only son."
Leket Imrei Peninim, p. 208b
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 198: PRAYER
The Baal Shem Tov taught:
As soon as one says, "O
G-d, open my lips,"1 the
Shechinah manifests in him/her and is speaking
through them. And if
one would have the faith that the Shechinah is
speaking through him/her, one would become filled
with
awe. And G-d Himself, so to speak, constricts
Himself and dwells within this person.
1These words are said right
before praying the silent Shemoneh Esreh. The Divine
Name used here
for G-d-Ad-nai is always used in
connection
with the Shechinah. The request is thus exactly what
this teaching says, that the Shechinah speak through
one's lips.
Translation and Commentary by Rabbi
Yehoshua
Starrett
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