Baal Shem Tov
Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov or the Besht, was a Jewish mystical rabbi considered the founder of Hasidic Judaism. Born around 1698 in Okopy, a small village in the region of Podolia of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (present-day Ukraine), he became known for his teachings that emphasized direct communion with the divine through prayer and personal piety, eschewing the rigorous intellectualism that characterized other forms of Jewish learning at the time.
The Baal Shem Tov's teachings focused on the presence of God in all aspects of life, and he encouraged his followers to seek God through joy and humility. This approach brought him many followers and also led to the establishment of numerous Hasidic dynasties. His teachings were passed down orally and only written down by his disciples after his death. The Baal Shem Tov's legacy is a major influence on Jewish thought and spirituality, resonating within the Hasidic movement and beyond.
Despite his significant impact on Jewish mysticism and the Hasidic movement, little is known about the Baal Shem Tov's life. Most of what is known comes from hagiographic accounts written by later followers. His teachings, however, have been preserved and are studied in various forms, including in works like 'Tzava'at Harivash', which is a compilation of his sayings and teachings. This text remains a fundamental work in understanding the spiritual basis of Hasidic thought and the emphasis on the joyous worship of God.