Fundamental teachings of the Baal Shem Tov that form the foundation of Toras Chassidus
Hachnaah, Havdalah, Hamtaka: Three-Stage Process of Dealing with all Things
Yes, the Baal Shem Tov revealed the path back into the King’s palace for all to enter, but the proper entrance is not within the necessary effort. Once this world and our human experience within it is revealed to be the main place of our avodah and purpose, great care must be taken so as to ensure a spiritually healthy outlook and experience.
Because this world is not yet identifiable with Hashem’s light, but rather a container that holds and reveals Hashem’s light through the container itself, we must first move through the external concealment before partaking in the internal light. As a soul contained within a body, we cannot ignore the body and the drives that seek to connect to the external casings of this world: a spiritual danger that runs the risk of dragging the self into pits of concealment. Rather, we must acknowledge our limitations in order to process and move through and beyond them so that we may then behold the infinite light and goodness that awaits the seeking soul.
In order to carry out our spiritual mission, the Baal Shem Tov armed us with a three-stage process necessary for moving through the concealment and entering the light. When encountering anything in this world — an object, issue, or experience — we must first enter into the work of Hachnaah (Subduing), the process of turning the issue into an objective reality that is separate from us. Here we free ourselves from the overwhelming urgency of subjective obsession so that we can look at the issue from a position of cool, calm and collected distance. Next we enter into the work of Havdalah (Separating), the process of disconnecting ourselves completely from our self-interest that drives our desire. Once we have reached a point where we feel free from any ulterior motives, we then enter into the work of Hamtaka (Sweetening), where we can finally uncover the hidden spark of light that rests within this moment, revealing the endless presence of Hashem within the lower world.
Hishta’avus: Equanimity, Faith, and Deveykus
As messengers of Hashem to reveal His light down here in the lowly places of concealment, the Baal Shem Tov armed us with the mindset needed to carry out our task: a form of inner calmness that perceives the light of Hashem equally in all states, both inner and outer. Instead of getting caught up in the endless shifts and changes that this world brings, the inner light of presence enables us to see the light of Hashem no matter what the situation. Before the Baal Shem Tov, the goal was to serve Hashem in ideal situations when things move smoothly, while the difficult times seemed distant from the spiritual quest. After the Baal Shem Tov, that changed, for he revealed that Hashem is to be found in the easy as well as the difficult, when things are going the way we would like them to, as well as when they do not. By attaching our innermost self to the unchanging and ever-present light of Hashem’s presence, we uncover the ability to experience anything that comes our way with faith and confidence. Hashem is found in the light just as He is found in the darkness. By detaching ourselves from the external circumstances of the ever-changing world in front of us, our minds have the ability to move inwards, to attach ourselves to the light that is always already there. Hashem is in front of us at all times, when we are winning and when we are losing; when we feel appreciated and when we don’t. With the light of the Baal Shem Tov, the first halachah in Shulchan Aruch is read in a new way. “I always place (Shivisi) Hashem in front of me.” The word “Shivisi” can be read to mean “Hishta’avus,” a deep sense of equanimity that is unbothered by external changes. It is in this state of mind that the soul enters its most natural posture: a deep and humble faith in the light of Hashem that cannot be seen, and a silent entrance into deveykus itself.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 38.
