In honor of the 265th yahrtzeit of the Baal Shem Tov.
Rebbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov came into our world at a traumatic time for Am Yisrael. It was right after the collapse of the false messiah Shabtai Tzvi. European Jewry was very wary of any new movements of spirituality and Kabbalah, out of a fear of sparking another false messianic episode.
At that time, a growing divide emerged between the working Jews—many of whom were illiterate or lacked strong Torah study skills—and the talmidei chachamim, who were seen as being on a higher level. The nation found itself in a spiritual coma, with many feeling unimportant and disconnected.
The Baal Shem Tov was born to his parents when they were at the very old age of 100 years old. His father, Reb Eliezer, passed away when he was very young. On his deathbed, he taught his son two things: not to fear anything but Hashem, and to mamash love every Yid like he loves himself. Young Yisrael spent much of his childhood in tefillah and Torah study, deep in the woods of the Carpathian Mountains. There he became a part of the “lamed vav” Tzadikim, and became their leader at age 18. They quietly went around to towns, encouraging and strengthening simple Jews throughout Eastern Europe. He lived as a hidden Tzadik until he started teaching more publicly at age 36.
The Baal Shem Tov was on a mission to wake up each and every dormant soul from its despair and galus, and to realize that every single Yid is unique, relevant and necessary, no matter what level they’re on. He taught that serving Hashem comes in innumerable shapes and forms, and that the Creator receives nachas from all of the avodah of Am Yisrael. Whether they’re learning Torah, praying, doing mitzvos, singing, meditating or even just saying “Baruch Hashem,” as long as their eyes are upward toward Hashem, and their heart and intentions are to their Father in Heaven, Hashem receives tremendous joy.
The revelation of the Baal Shem Tov marked a new era in the service of Hashem. Before the time of the Baal Shem Tov, the practices of “breaking the animal soul” included fasting and rolling in the snow. The Baal Shem Tov changed this, telling his talmidim not to fast, and that the way for a person to elevate his animal soul is three-fold: through deepening his love of Hashem, love of Torah, and love of Am Yisrael.
The renaissance ushered in by the Baal Shem Tov led to today’s conventional practices. He emphasized mikvah, purity, simcha shel mitzvah and joy in all our avodah. He stressed establishing a relationship with a Tzadik, forming the Rebbe and Chassid bond, learning Torah leshmah, and that the purpose of everything is deveykus, connection. He taught the concept of serving Hashem in any condition: that every moment is a new and unique opportunity to connect to Hashem.
In his relentless efforts to bring geulah, he started the custom of Yidden gathering together in friendship, eating and drinking, uniting hearts, nurturing love, and bonding. He used affectionate words to his students, warmly calling them friends, beloved ones, “chevrei.”
The Kamarna Rebbe interestingly points out the flow between the Arizal and the Baal Shem Tov. He writes that the Arizal’s teachings explain how Hashem interacts with the Heavens, whereas the Baal Shem Tov focused his work on explaining how Hashem is revealed on the Earth. The Arizal began the mission of unfolding the light of the Zohar, bringing clarity and understanding to the spiritual dimensions. The Baal Shem Tov advanced his work and revealed that G-dliness is not just a distant concept but that all the deepest Kabbalistic teachings about the higher worlds also exist within the microcosm of every Jew.
When the Baal Shem Tov asked Moshiach, “When are you coming?” he answered: “When your wellsprings spread throughout the world.” And so it is that the wellsprings of the Baal Shem Tov spread out from Medzhybizh to many different streams. From the deep waters of Chabad and Kamarna, the music of Modzits, the truth of Kotzk, the hisbodedus of Breslov, the fiery davening of Karlin, the chessed of Satmar, the nourishing kitchen of Rav Shayala of Kerestir, and much more.
This Shavous, may we all hear the Baal Shem Tov calling our names and waking us up!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 37 Shavuos 2025.