Jewish Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov played a vital role in the development of the Jewish faith. This Jewish Rabbi established a ministry in modern day Ukraine and it was there that Baal Shem Tov founded Hasidic Judaism.
Early Life of Baal Shem Tov
Israel Ben Eliezar lived roughly between 1694 and 1760. He was born in Podolia, a region of Poland under Turkish control. He was orphaned in childhood, and taken under the care of the Jewish community in the city.
Israel was an occasional student of the Talmud. He studied the Talmud for a few days at a time before fleeing to the forest. Eventually, in frustration, he was left to his own devices, and he took on a job as a teacher’s aide to support himself.
Training and Ministry of the Baal Shem
When Israel was fourteen, he began a relationship with a “Rabbi Adam,” a practitioner of mystical, Kabalistic rites. From Adam, he learned the formulas used by the baalei shem, the masters of the holy Name, i.e. Jewish miracle workers.
In 1730, at the age of 36 — after years in seclusion and time spent working as a school teacher — he began his public ministry, working miracles and performing healings throughout the Ukraine.
Israel was the first in a line of baalei shem or "wonder workers." They were influential among the common people because the public believed in their power and their holiness. They healed, not only for personal gain, but also to redeem the souls of those who came to them, and spread knowledge of the Torah. It was these baalei shem who established the Hasidim.
Fame of the Baal Shem
Israel Baal Shem Tov (abbreviated as "BeShT ) became famous for his magic amulets. He would write a mystical formula on parchment, which was placed in a tin and hung around the neck. This served as a defense, especially for sick people or pregnant women.
Soon, letters from all over the Ukraine were requesting his amulets.
Beliefs of the Baal Shem
The Baal Shem believed that every man could be the sanctuary for God. He believed that God was present in each moment of every day; that man was in fact a vessel for God, an organ, or extension of God. He believed that the tzaddikim, or righteous men, were so closely bonded to God that they could perform miracles. He believed that through discourse, through small talk, man could be unified with God.
Apparently the Besht’s primary means of communicating his message was not the written word, or public sermons, but through one on one discussions, and through establishing maxims by which to live. In these private interactions, he would often be inspired by the “holy spirit,” and use parables, homilies on biblical texts, and epigrams to convey his message.
Controversy and Schism
Israel Baal Shem Tov became the leader of the Hasidic sect of Judaism in Podolia, a group which would meet for prayer. This sect came up against much opposition throughout the life of the Besht, culminating in the Frankist heresy, which resulted in burning of Talmudic texts, and in hundreds of Jews converting to Christianity in 1759. According to Hasidic tradition, the Baal Shem was so worn by fighting the heresies and in prayer that his end was near.
Death of the Baal Shem Tov
Hasidic Judaism foundrIsrael Baal Shem Tov died in 1760, on the first day of Shavuot. He was lucid, and is said to have prayed throughout his brief death throes.
Sources:
- John Bowker, The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
- Abraham Heschel, A Passion for Truth (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux).
- Gershon David Hundert, Essential Papers on Hasidim: Origins to Present (New York: New York University Press).
- Ben-Amos Mintz, In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov (Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson Inc.).
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