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Baal Shem Tov Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.
Baal Shem Tov facts for kids
| Baal Shem Tov | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Yisroel ben Eliezer |
| Signature |  |
| Main work | Keter Shem Tov Tzavaat HaRivash |
| Born | circa 1698 Okopy Świętej Trójcy, Kingdom of Poland |
| Died | 22 May 1760 (6 Sivan 5520) Międzybóż, Podolian Voivodeship, Kingdom of Poland |
| Buried | Międzybóż, Kingdom of Poland |
| Successor | Dov Ber of Mezeritch (1704–1772) |
| Father | Eliezer |
| Mother | Sara |
| Wife | Chana |
| Children | Tsvi of Pinsk (1729–1779) Udel (1720–1787) |
Israel ben Eliezer (born circa 1698, died 22 May 1760), known as the Baal Shem Tov (Hebrew: בעל שם טוב, /ˌbɑːl ˈʃɛm ˌtʊv, ˌtʊf/) or as the Besht, was a Jewish mystical rabbi from Poland, who is regarded as the founder of Hasidic Judaism. "Besht" is the acronym for Baal Shem Tov, which means "Master of the Good Name" or "one with a good reputation".
The little biographical information about the Besht comes from oral traditions handed down by his students (Jacob Joseph of Polonne and others) and from the legendary tales about his life and behavior collected in Shivḥei ha-Besht (In Praise of the Ba'al Shem Tov; Kapust and Berdychiv, 1814–15). Hasidim approach these legends with a blend of suspicion and belief. Rebbe Shlomo Rabinowicz of Rodomsk declared, "Whoever believes all the miracle stories about the Baal Shem Tov in Shivhei HaBaal Shem Tov is a fool, but whoever denies that he could have done them is an apikoros [a heretic]". Similarly, the Rebbe Mordechai of Neshkiz explains, "Even if a story about him never actually occurred, and there was no such miracle, it was in the power of the Baal Shem Tov, may his memory be a blessing for the life of the World-to-Come, to perform everything".
A central tenet in the Baal Shem Tov's teaching is the direct connection with the divine, "dvekut", which is infused in every human activity and every waking hour. Prayer is of supreme importance, along with the mystical significance of Hebrew letters and words. His innovation lies in "encouraging worshipers to follow their distracting thoughts to their roots in the divine". Those who follow his teachings regard him as descended from the Davidic line that traces its lineage to the royal house of David.
Images for kids
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The Baal Shem Tov's personal Siddur (now in Chabad library archive #1994)
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Exterior of the Baal Shem Tov's synagogue in Medzhybizh, circa 1915. This shul no longer exists, having been destroyed by the Nazis. However, an exact replica was erected on its original site as a museum.
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A well outside Medzhybizh thought to be hand-dug by the Baal Shem Tov that still contains fresh water.
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Gravestone of the Baal Shem Tov in Medzhybizh (before restoration in 2006–2008) bearing the inscription רבי ישראל בעל שם טוב
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1758 Polish tax census of Medzhybizh showing "Baal Shem" as occupying house #95
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A portrait of Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk (the Baal Shem of London), and not Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (the Baal Shem Tov)
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Baal Shem Tov’s shul reconstructed (as a museum); August 4, 2008
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Ohel of Baal Shem Tov; August 4, 2008
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New guesthouse and synagogue next to Ohel of Baal Shem Tov (work in progress); August 4, 2008