Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baal Shem of London |
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Portrait of Falk by John Singleton Copley
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| Religion | Judaism |
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| Born | Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk 1708 Fürth or Pidhaytsi |
| Died | 17 April 1782 (aged 73–74) London, Great Britain |
| Buried | Alderney Road Jewish Cemetery, London |
Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk (Hebrew: חיים שמואל יעקב דפאלק מרדיולה לנידו; 1708 – 17 April 1782) was a very interesting person from history. He was also known as the Baal Shem of London or Doctor Falckon. He was a rabbi, a Baal Shem (which means "Master of the Name," someone believed to have special powers), a kabbalist (someone who studies Jewish mysticism), and even an alchemist (someone who tried to turn metals into gold).
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About Hayyim Samuel Jacob Falk
Falk was born in 1708. He might have been born in Fürth in Bavaria or Pidhaytsi in Podolia. He was known for his unusual abilities and mysterious studies.
Early Life and Escapes
Once, Falk faced accusations of using unusual powers. He had to flee from authorities in a place called Westphalia. A German Count, Alexander Leopold Anton von Rantzau, secretly helped him hide. This happened in 1736 in Holzminden.
While staying with the Count, Falk showed off some amazing mystical demonstrations. Noblemen and the Count's son, Georg Ludwig Albrecht, saw these events. Georg later wrote about these special shows in his own memoirs.
Life in London
Sometime after 1736, Falk moved to London. He lived at 35 Prescott Street and later at Wellclose Square. He stayed there until he passed away. Interestingly, his neighbor was Emanuel Swedenborg, another famous mystic. Some people believe Falk had a big influence on Swedenborg.
Falk died on April 17, 1782. He was buried in Alderney Road Cemetery in Mile End, London. In his will, Falk left money and some special Torah scrolls to the Great Synagogue of London.
Amazing Stories About Falk
Many exciting stories are told about Falk's extraordinary powers. People believed he could do incredible things.
Mysterious Journeys and Powers
One story says that Falk often visited Epping Forest in his carriage. People thought he buried some treasure there. On one trip, a wheel came off his carriage on the Whitechapel Road. But the wheel supposedly followed the carriage all the way to the forest!
Another tale tells of a time when Falk ran out of coal. He was said to have performed a magical trick using three shirts and a ram's horn to solve the problem. People also claimed that Falk could keep candles burning without wax. He was even said to be able to move objects from one place to another just by thinking about it.
Saving the Synagogue
There's a famous story about Falk saving the Great Synagogue of London from a fire. People claimed he did this by writing something in Hebrew on the pillars of the synagogue's door. This act supposedly stopped the fire from spreading.
Falk's Secret Diary
Falk kept a special diary. In it, he wrote down his dreams and the secret Kabbalistic names of angels. This diary is now kept in the library of the United Synagogue in London.
In 2002, a book was published about Falk. It included his diary and a biography of his life. The diary is written in Hebrew and is quite mysterious. It was published along with the diary of Falk's helper, Tsvee Hirsch of Kalish.
