Life
- L Law of Attraction
We exist wherever our thoughts are, as such continually having faith in G-d evokes the realm of G-d’s protection.
However, if a person is constantly worried about G-d’s wrath or retribution this likewise (evokes G-d’s judgment.)
{In other words, work on constant faith and it will manifest blessings.
Always believe and realize G-d just seeks to bless you!}
230 Kesser Shem Tov
- Avodah – Be Careful
A person is always fluctuating – it is impossible to remain in one spot.
Some descend into this world with her challenges and elevate it; others descend and fall.
10 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- (R) Baal Shem Tov – About
The Baal Shem Tov wasn’t beyond our reality, rather He was in our world and understood our world. He saw G-dliness in our world.
There are two types of Divine names: those that are merely a reflection of the Divine light, and those that contain within them the Divine (similar to the letters of Torah).
The “Baal Shem Tov” is so called, for He was “a Master of the Divine name” – in other words, could channel G-d.
318 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- L Balance – Tifferes
There is no such thing as kindness without strength, for it quickly dissolves.
Nor is there such thing as strength without kindness, for that is simply evil.
{We must be kind & strong. Kindness without discernment, as we see in permissive cultures, leads to anarchy and then destruction. While strictness without kindness is cruel, hence the balance – which is using both qualities when appropriate.}
161 Kesser Shem Tov
- Balancing
A great principle is our desire should be to connect to the essence of G-d, not to the emotions. For example, one who wishes to connect to the emotion of Chessed / love, may lack restraint, for in essence all emotions are one.
In their expression however, they are separated. Goodness and kindness may require sometimes giving, and other times withholding.
Generally, the emotion of love causes an expansion of self and the desire to give to everyone.
The problem with this is that if one is connected to the expression of love, they may fail to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate giving and give to everyone whether they are good or evil.
The idea of Chessed and kindness is giving, and if a person without restraint gives to everyone, whether monetarily or intimately, they can be debased even if they also do good.
The main thing is to be attached to the essence of Chessed namely goodness. This minimizes giving to the wrong people / places.
This can also be in the case of Gevurah – harsh discipline. For example, if the Beis Din (Jewish court) would execute a killer for a capital crime, this would eliminate the evil this person gave to the dark-side and allow him to enter Heaven.
In every circumstance, one must push away the dark side of the emotion and use it only for good.
Note 1 Pinchus– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Basis of life
The verse says, “Behold darkness covers earth,” and, “All sins are concealed through love.”
The main part of a building is the foundation.
If the foundation is off, so will the building.
The same is true regarding a person: if a person’s foundation is off, such as a person who is narcissistic, believing “they are the best and all must follow them,” then everything they do gets tainted.
However, if a person’s foundation is good, such as love, then even the negative can be positive.
6 Metzoirah– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Bathroom
There is a law that one may not hesitate or “hold it in” when one needs to go to the bathroom, as this causes big spiritual problems.
28 Kedoishim– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Blessings
The Baal Shem Tov says that saying Tehillim fervently, going out of your way to help another whether for their physical or spiritual needs, and love of one’s fellow, are the master-keys to unlocking the Heavenly storehouses of health, salvation, and wealth.
223 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Challenges
Sometimes G-d will make life challenging (or to do good challenging) for He seeks to reward us.
{Don’t let challenges seem difficult – push forward and they will disappear.}
34 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Charity – Mikvah
It is known from the Baal Shem Tov that there are certain Mitzvos in which the intent doesn’t really matter. One of these is the Mikvah – for if a person has the right amount of water covering them, even though they were not intending it, they become purified. The other is charity, for the purpose is not so much the reason you are giving, but the actual giving.
As we know, even if you lose money and a poor person finds it (in a permissible way, say a dollar bill on the street, which has no rightful claimant and therefore can be taken) it is considered that you have done the Mitzvah.
214 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Charity (Bad to Good)
Just as in the supernal Sefiros, there are expansive and diminished states, similarly regarding our possessions.
If we find (say an asset) diminishing, we should give money to charity (particularly if we can give the value of the asset to charity.)
123 Kesser Shem Tov
- Chassidim – Change
The Chassidim who follow the Rebbes transform the world!
They may not have the same knowledge as the Rebbes, but they have the power and ability to transform the world.
316 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Consciousness – Expansive (Contracted)
68. We are in a small-minded state when our service to G-d is not from joy but “kabalois oil” / obligation.
69. Let’s understand what is small versus expanded consciousness.
When a person sits to study Torah but his mind is not with him… this is small.
But when one studies, understands, and enjoys… this is called expanded (Gadlus). The same applies to prayer and every Mitzvah.
70. One can be in either a “small” or “expanded” mindset; when a person realizes they are in a “small” mindset, this itself leads them to expand.
Unfortunately, there are people who don’t know they are in a small-mindset.
Sometimes G-d will take a person and cause him to fall from his high level via other people or situations as this is in their interest. (Presumably, so they can later ascend higher.)
68-71 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Consciousness (small to expansive)
“Take pleasure from the impure to the pure.”
Sometimes a person serves G-d with a contracted-mindset. And later he serves in expanded consciousness.
As such the pain of the contracted-mindset becomes the pleasure of expansion.
73 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Consciousness (small to expansive)
After we go from constricted-mindset to expanded consciousness – we elevate all the deeds, prayer, and Torah that we did in the constricted-mindset.
74 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Desires – Overcoming
We should place our pleasure in Torah and Mitzvos.
This is like someone who made an unexcepted windfall (say “won the lotto”) the pleasure from this would cause that he would cease feeling pleasure from food etc. (as this new pleasure would be overarching.) Similarly, our great pleasure in G-d should cause that we don’t feel pleasure in physical matters (and the bit that we do – as this is how the body functions, is o.k.)
We should despise the pleasures of this world and reserve our desire for G-d.
Furthermore, we must place in our hearts the true fear of G-d.
For example, if you traveled to a palace, you would feel a fear, awe, and reverence as you enter; as such how much more – infinitely more so! – should you feel when speaking about the King of Kings!
Anyone connecting to G-d should also feel a palpable reverence – and this holy fear eliminates all physical fears.
239 Kesser Shem Tov
- Desires = You
A fundamental principle that the Baal Shem Tov taught is that wherever your desires are is who you become.
He showed a vision to His disciples of a Rabbi who was eating on Shabbos meat (and enjoying it) and they saw an ox eating (for where our desires are, is who we are.)
375 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Diveikus – Ascent
Sometimes a person falls from their level of Divine attachment. This is because G-d sees that this is necessary for the person. Other times the world causes this fall, however, the fall is always to have a greater subsequent ascent.
{We are always going up!}
64 Tzavaas Harivash
- Divine Voice / Thought
You should see in yourself that the Heavenly speech speaks through you. And without it, it would be impossible to speak.
Similarly, your thoughts are coming from “the world of thoughts” (Divine thoughts.)
You are like a Shofar. That which comes out of you is the voice that was put in, and if the blower stops… no voice will come out.
It is only through the Divine realm of speech and thought that your speech and thoughts emanate.
89 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Drives – Transforming
There are times when one of the primary emotions will be in the world (so when the emotion of love is being drawn down, the Kelipah uses it for lust – this is a time to see the holiness of this emotion, such as love for G-d or fellow man.)
When the attribute of Tifferes / “beauty” is expressed in the world, foolish people will begin boasting.
But a wise person will see the foolishness in that, and use it for spiritual goals.
{When we see lust based “ideologies” we should think how the source of everything is the Love for G-d.}
153 Kesser Shem Tov
- Emotions / Choosing
The main thing is to connect to the essence of the emotions so Chessed (kindness / love) is a self-expression, as such a philanthropist who may have a big heart could likewise allow great sins (such as infidelity etc. – this is because the expression of love is unmitigated.)
As such a person must go the essence of the emotions namely Divine (the source of all emotions.)
As we mix in the Divine will, this mitigates self-expression and circumvents evil.
Conversely, even a person who is judging should not be doing so to G-d-forbid harm, but to help. (In other words, not expressing anger, but encouraging improvement.)
1 Pinchus– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- (MM) Exile – The Secret
The reason Jews were spread to the four corners of the earth, or occasionally a Jew travels to far-flung nature, is that the deep Divinity within them purifies that location although the Jew themself may not be consciously aware.
{Wherever you go, it’s not that you went there, but were sent! for a positive reason. In fact The Rebbe teaches that as primarily after the holocaust Jews settled everywhere, and used the language and customs of that locale to create Shuls etc. as such we have concluded Avodas Habirurim and are expecting Moshiach NOW!}
164 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Free Choice
How can there be free choice if G-d knows what will be?
The answer is that a person has the free choice to either follow what G-d knows he will do, or follow the wish of G-d, such as keeping Torah and Mitzvos (this then will create that the person switches from “G-d’s knowledge” to “G-d’s desire.”)
{Just as a parent may be aware of the choice of the child but hopes the child will choose wisely.}
2 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov On The Torah
- G-d – About
In G-d’s name “E-l,” the Alef (the first letter which numerically is 1) represents the Creator, and Lamed (the final letter which numerically is 30) represents the three dispositions He uses:
- Kindness (love)
- Strength (discipline)
- Compassion (discernment).
1-2 Va-aira– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Growth
The Baal Shem Tov gives an awesome example from a winding stairwell for the mechanism of life, which is continued growth.
When you are at the bottom of the stairwell, you can see the next level. But as you start ascending, because the stairwell is circular, therefore you are simultaneously closer to the next level, though you cannot see it.
The concept this teaches is that in life we are in an ascending “stairwell.”
Whenever we are on the “bottom step,” G-d has a vision for a better future (see Sefer Hasichos 5752 Ki Sisa). And then in order to fulfill this vision a necessary “darkness / concealment” of the plan in order to implement it occurs (for example, you may go to a country where “serendipitously” you meet your spouse or learn a lesson or help someone, etc.) And as this mission is accomplished, the next ascending step of our life will unfold.
53 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Growth
A man once asked the Baal Shem Tov, “Why is it that when I am meditating and feel connected to G-d, I suddenly feel distant?”
The Baal Shem Tov explained that this is like a father getting his little boy to walk.
First, he stretches his hands under the little boy to give him the confidence, and as the boy approaches his father the father backs away (all the while the hands are under the little boy…) for eventually this teaches the child to walk.
Similarly, when we get close to G-d, G-d will create times of distance – as the yearning for more, keeps us growing.
9. Just like a father getting their son to walk first holds his hands, and then when he learns to walk on his own let’s go, first G-d helps inspire us, but then let’s go (which can be painful…) but of-course the purpose is so we can now serve through our own initiative.
Note 6
The Baal Shem Tov explains that just like a father getting his little boy to walk will slowly but surely draw backwards, so His child can learn how to walk even better, oftentimes G-d feels removed, so we continually increase our bond.
7-9 + Note 6 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Growth
“I asked the Baal Shem Tov who I saw in a dream – why is it when I first began the Chassidic path, learning from Tzaddikim (Rabbis / masters) I had great growth in my Torah and service of G-d, yet these days I feel my service of G-d is ‘every day the same?’”
He replied “This is like a child who goes to school and begins to study the Alef-Beis or Siddur (basic prayers) Chumash…
Now when one begins, every day seems like an entirely new story!
However when one masters the language and learns more, it would seem that one’s progress is limited, while in actual fact while the child is dealing with basic beginner stuff the progress is little, but eventually dealing with complex stuff, every addition is very great.”
{You may not always feel like you are growing, but you are!}
55 Eikev – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Hearing G-d
The Baal Shem Tov said that everything that a person sees and hears is a specific lesson from G-d in Avodas Hashem (bettering oneself).
However, one must actually comprehend what the lesson is.
This comes about through “our soul teaching us.”
“Our soul teaching us” refers to how one’s mind becomes illuminated, and we become aware of the lessons that can be derived.
The Baal Shem Tov says that the most direct path to having “our soul teach us” is a. to recite Tehillim with passion. b. To help a fellow Jew not only monetarily, but physically. And c. to have sacrifice for Ahavas Yisroel – love of one’s fellow.
223 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Heaven
“Through this the maiden would come to the King.” The Baal Shem Tov teaches that “this” represents the pillar (elevator) that takes one from the lower to the higher Gan-Eden.
This is achieved through fulfilling the Mitzvos, which are the 620 Pillars of Light.
{In other words, by doing the Mitzvos we merit to elevate in Heaven.}
6 Megilas Esther – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Jew – Definition
“You are G-d’s children.”
“These are the children of Abraham; Abraham gave birth to Isaac.”
But Abraham had also Yishmoel? The true meaning of being a Jew is that one receives a Divine soul.
40 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Jewish Activism
Any single word uttered from any Jew’s mouth, from the greatest Tzaddik to the simplest whether man, woman, or child, if it is uttered for the sake of strengthening Judaism – it is like a precious diamond!
173 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Jews
Every single Jew is as worthy as the greatest scholar.
It states, “You are children to G-d;” Just as it states that “Yitzchok was Abraham’s child” for his face was similar to his father’s, similarly Jewish people mirror G-d’s qualities, namely compassion and loving-kindness.
{We are intrinsic diamonds!}
393 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Jews – Proper Analyzation
There are two types of rebuke – one focuses on the evil others do.
The Baal Shem Tov gives an example of a king whose son left the palace and became involved in lowly behaviors, such as theft.
Two people then came to the king to report this.
The first came to tell Him how low the prince became. This roused the king’s anger and He banished him. The other came with tremendous sadness for the king as His son had fallen so low.
This caused the king to do all in his power to restore His son.
{Our goal is never to criticize but to uplift, help, assist, and improve.}
131 Kesser Shem Tov
- Kabbalah
The Baal Shem Tov, referring to a cult that unfortunately left Judaism said that this happened because they studied Kabbalah without wisdom and fear of G-d – hence they took the spiritual concepts and saw them as physical.
Note 56 Veschanan– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Karma
Once there was a King who would go to paupers and distribute money and see how they were doing.
And one of them would always say, “Whatever someone does, he does for himself.” This angered the King very much, as he felt the pauper to be ungrateful. So the King gave him a chicken with poison inside. And once again the man said, “Whatever someone does he does for himself.”
While this was occurring the King’s son was on a hunting trip and got lost. He was tired, and he made his way to this poor man’s home, who offered to give him some of the chicken.
But the people with the prince said, “Let us first have it tasted,” and they found that it was poisoned.
They took the pauper to the King – and he told the King, “You were the one who gave me this chicken!”
The King said, “It is true! Whatever one does, one does to themselves.”
{This is a very very profound teaching.}
2 Haazinu– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Know G-d
The Verse teaches us to “Know G-d,” but how can anyone know anything of G-d?
The Baal Shem Tov teaches that this means to know that each and everything that occurs to you and to the world in general comes from G-d.
3 Va-aira– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Life’s Journey
When the Jews left Egypt, they traveled through forty-two journeys / stops along the way to Israel. Some were positive, others negative… This is the secret of the soul.
Birth is the exodus – and until the soul returns back to Heaven, we traverse through some positive (expansive) and difficult (constricted) phases.
In truth, each journey is positive. For example, the stop of Kivoirs Hataveh, on a deeper plane means that a person who achieves true connection to G-d buries his Taveh (all other desires) as his focus is exclusively G-d.
Each stop can be good if we focus on the good and holy.
{Life will give you ups and downs but the downs can be up if you can learn life-lessons along the way.}
1 Maseh– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- L Life’s Purpose
Every soul has a specific mission – a purpose!
We must fulfill this purpose before the time allotted (namely life) ends.
{Get to work Now!}
71 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Life’s Purpose
The Baal Shem Tov revealed that the specific purpose of our soul’s descent is a Torah mission to keep Torah and Mitzvos.
And wherever the soul may find herself… whether in their community or in their travels… she should do Torah and Mitzvos, and help Torah institutions flourish.
211 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Life’s Purpose
“And you shall make beams / Keresh” (to hold up the Mishkan – this refers to the walls of the traveling Mishkan).
Keresh refers to man – our job is to (Likasher) connect Heaven and earth. As the grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, the Degel Machanei Efraim explains, that in every movement we do, we connect G-d and the Shechinah (and the flipside is if we engage in Sheker – falsehood (also the same letters of Keresh) then instead of fulfilling our purpose of elevating everything to G-d, we give energy to the dark-side.)
{As the Rebbe teaches in Basi Ligani, our job is to transform the Sheker / falsehood (shtus) of this world into a Kesher / strong attachment – rock solid beam – to G-d.}
6 Terumah– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Loneliness – Not
A Jew is never lonely – wherever he goes, G-d is with him.
{You are never alone as G-d is always with you!}
171 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Man
The greatness of man, the foremost creation, is that he contains within him the entire cosmos!
221 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Manifesting – Divinity
The Ari-Zal taught us that all the great secrets of Heaven and levels / “emotions” that exist Above are so that when we study Torah or do a Mitzvah or pray, we should become a Merkava, G-d’s vehicle / expression.
For example, “The eye of G-d” refers to G-d supervising the whole world. So, when we peer into the Holy Letters of Torah and Prayer, we manifest “the eye of G-d” (causing G-d’s supervision.)
Likewise, when we speak about the “ear of G-d” this refers to G-d listening to all our prayers and hence when we listen to words of Torah, this manifests G-d’s “ear” / listening…
When we speak about “The hand of G-d,” this refers to G-d giving, which we manifest when we give.
The Mishkan below was constructed in imitation of the worlds and the Mishkan Above and this took tremendous knowledge. Yet the main lesson of this is that if G-d can be manifested in a physical building, how much more so in you – a spiritual being!
{G-d dwells in you – and everything you do evokes G-d to likewise do.}
Note 3 Pikuidei– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Mazal – “Luck”
When Abraham said that He couldn’t have a son based on astrology / “the stars,” G-d told him that he should “abandon stargazing,” “because Jews don’t have a Mazal / luck.”
The question arises, why does it say that the three main blessings of life, children, and sustenance do not depend on your good deeds, but on your Mazal (if we don’t have a Mazal?)
The explanation is that when we say “Ein Mazal Liyisroel / Jews don’t have a Mazal” it means “Ayin is the Jewish Mazal!”
Ayin refers to G-d’s desire.
In other words, if you’re getting something because you earned it, it’s not pure kindness as you somewhat deserve it, but the source of all our blessings is the pure unconditional DESIRE of G-d to give.
26 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Mission
The Baal Shem Tov clarified that wherever a Jew goes, it’s not circumstantial, rather she or he is on a Divine purposeful mission.
{Do not think that your life and where you are is random – it has a profound purpose.}
390 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Mitzvah / Sin
Even a sin as bad as the daughters of Loit… if the person’s motivation is for G-d, then it is a Mitzvah. However, the question is, how does one know?! as the discernment into such a question is exceptionally advanced.
If one sincerely studies Torah G-d will help the person discern.
{In other words doing right / good is the most important thing and the mechanism to discern what is, is through sincere altruistic Torah study.}
1 Bo– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Mitzvos -Life’s Purpose
The Baal Shem Tov revealed that the purpose of the descent of every soul is to fulfill the Torah and Mitzvos, whether it is keeping Shabbos or the Festivals, lighting Shabbos candles, or putting on Tefillin – and although the soul comes from the highest of heights (in Heaven) it becomes infinitely greater through performing these Mitzvos!
{The Soul’s goal is to do physical Mitzvos!}
212 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Name – Soul
131. Just as a physical object is grasped by grasping and holding it – similarly the soul is grasped by calling the person’s name.
This is why when you call someone’s name, even when they are asleep, they wake up.
Note 110
The name of a person is their soul.
136. It is known that the name of a person is their essential life-force. All animals, birds, and creations live based on the source of the Holy Letters of their Hebrew name mentioned in the Torah, which is sourced in their Supernal Ministering Angel.
131-136 Brieshis- Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Nitzoitzois
Often we travel somewhere thinking that we simply have a desire to go to that destination, but really there were some Holy-Sparks we needed to elevate.
Sometimes a person takes a business trip, and on the trip, they elevate the Sparks of Divinity that are within a loaf of bread or some water that they eat or drink – and this completes their soul.
20-21 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Overcome Your Dark Side
The Baal Shem Tov comments on the Divine command to Avrohom, “Lech-Licha,” in which G-d says (to Abraham) “I will reveal your soul…” the main purpose of man’s existence is to get rid of their negative tendencies.
{In other words the essence of the first command to a Jew is to reveal their essence by stepping out of false identities and desires.}
3 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Passion
Once the Baal Shem Tov was asked “why is that we learn Torah and do Mitzvos but G-d doesn’t answer our prayers, yet your prayers are immediately answered?”
He explained with a parable that once a prince got lost in the fields and was starving and thirsty. A shepherd boy took him to his little hut.
He hardly had anything but he took out of his knapsack the cleanest cloth he could find, and put it on the table.
He then spread out a flax sheet on the floor (for the prince to sleep on) for it was the best he had.
After the prince returned home he elevated this shepherd above all the other ministers.
Said they to the prince, “But we serve you continually?!”
Said the prince, “All the honor given to him is for the loving paltry gifts bestowed with true dedication to me.”
{In other words, Mitzvahs done with love and reverence for G-d is most dear to G-d.}
51 – Baal Shem Tov On The Torah (Intro.)
- Perversion – Truth
In every generation there are evil people who claim that the truth is a lie and that the lie is the truth, that darkness is light and the light is the darkness, that the Jews are evil and the evil (who wish to murder Jews) are good!
34 Lech Licha – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Positivity
When we are in a positive state we are connected to the Oneness of G-d, but if we are in a negative, we are separating ourselves.
{If we believe in G-d, life must be fundamentally good.}
54 Kesser Shem Tov
- Pure
What makes a person a person is the Divine within.
If a person sins this Divinity departs.
The Gematria (numerical equivalent) of Adam (man) is Ma”h (the Divine part of one’s soul).
As the Kabbalah says, if an animal eats a person, certainly it is because they saw another animal and not the Divine image.
Never foolishly lose your Divinity through sin.
{Your soul, hence you, are literally G-d – don’t lose the best greatest part in you!}
57 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Purpose of Life
The Baal Shem Tov quotes Rabbi Sadiah Goan who teaches that the main purpose in our life is to rout out negative innate tendencies (such as laziness, frivolousness, anger, lust, etc.)
{This is an exceptionally important teaching for we have been incorrectly educated / brainwashed in the west (through media etc.) to in fact embrace the bad within. We are, in actuality, here to eliminate it.}
24 Kesser Shem Tov
- Ratzu Vshuv – Yearning and Returning
By nature, as the soul comes from G-d, it seeks to return to G-d (merge within G-d – Clois-Hanefesh).
The benefit of the needs of the body such as food and business is that it causes groundedness in our realm.
11 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Reality
When a person moves even their pinky, all of Heaven moves!
Reb Mottele Tchernobler explains that this is because all universes are within the person.
Note 131 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Reality
Know that just as dreams follow their interpretation, for the belief in what will occur causes it… similarly with thoughts.
When the prophet Yirmiyahu heard negative thoughts / prophecies about the Jewish people he should have prayed for them.
{The lesson is to pray and use your thoughts for the positive, as reality is not set but affected by your thoughts, emotions and words.}
161 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Reality – Purpose
The paradigm of the Baal Shem Tov is one idea that is expressed in two idioms: 1. Everything is G-d and 2. G-d is everything.
{The Previous Rebbe teaches that this concept encompasses all of Torah and Mitzvos, all of reality, and our purpose on earth!
As I understand it, it means that first of all there is no fabric of reality besides G-d Himself (as explained in “The Gateway To Unity and Faith” – “Shaar Hayichud” of Tanya) but more importantly, everything is G-d’s will, namely everything serves a unique purpose and function within the cosmic whole. So everything is inherently Divine both in its body and soul / purpose. Understanding these two principles encompasses all of reality, life, Torah, Mitzvos, purpose, hence inner and general peace.}
395 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- (MM) Reality = G-d
“I, I, shall console you.”
Explains the Baal Shem Tov, “When you realize that the only existence is G-d, and there is nothing but (for everything is merely like a data point – graphic – on a screen that He makes all the time) He will surely comfort you.”
Another version: “When you realize that every step, every movement of everyone and everything comes from G-d, this will bring G-d’s salvation.”
16 + Note 14 Breishis – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- (MM) Reward
The Baal Shem Tov gives an example – in the olden days there were foot soldiers who would face the enemy soldiers and horse riders.
They would chain the legs of the foot soldiers together.
When the battle was difficult, the foot soldiers would happily give their life for the king, while the riders would run away.
Now if the battle was won, the riders ran to take the booty; whereas the foot soldiers were content with but a bit of bread and water…
In any event they can’t carry much, and they rely on the king saying, “The king who owns it all, will certainly care for his people – after all, it is we who won the war.”
The analogy is that in this world, there are those who serve G-d and draw down G-d’s blessings, then there are those who are materialistic.
Those who serve G-d figure that as they are drawing in the blessings, the materialistic people (who receive from their blessings) certainly will share; But the materialistic people say, “All belongs to me.”
Hence they appeal to the King, who knowing that all benefit came because of the Holy-Ones, bestows directly to them.
5 Vayishlach– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Ruach Hakodesh
Once The Baal Shem Tov commented on the verse, “Seek G-d when He is close, call to Him when He is near.”
The explanation is, today in exile it is easier to be answered in prayers and achieve the Divine Spirit / Ruach Hakodesh even more so than in the times of the Beis-Hamikdash!
An example of this is of the King whom it is very difficult to approach while he is on his throne.
In contrast, when he is traveling, anybody can approach him – even a commoner who normally is not able to come and speak to him.
Currently during Golus / exile when a person thinks about their nearness to G-d, then G-d is near to them.
Therefore, it is appropriate for a person to distance themselves from desires, Machashavous Zarois / bad thoughts, so G-d should not be separate from them.
You should do all things for the sake of G-d – this is the saying of the Sages, “Stay away from a bad neighbor.”
In other words, stay away from the bad thoughts that dwell in you.
47 Rosh Hashanah– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Shechinah
It states, “Your G-d is a Cohen;” that He serves Himself.
How so?
Because it is He, who empowers the thoughts and speech of man (whom serve Him).
59 Veschanan– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Shidduch
The Baal Shem Tov said that when forty days before conception the Heavenly announcement is made, “The daughter of so and so will be betrothed to so and so…” then many false matches try to take its place.
As it’s not so easy to rid oneself of these false matches; sometimes they are just spoken about, while other times even engagements occur, which need to be broken off…
20 Ki Teitzei– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Shidduch
The Baal Shem Tov explains that the reason why it’s permitted to exaggerate when it comes to Shidduchim is as we know it states, “To make a Shidduch is as difficult as splitting the sea” – so one must give the Samech-Mem (satan) something…
21 Ki Teitzei– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Sin
The reason there is a silent Alef in the word Chet (sin) – is because the wicked person who is sinning forgets about Alef / G-d.
9 Ki Teitzei– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Sin – Not
The only reason Kelipah / sin has any Divine life-force (for nothing can exist without G-d continually making it) is in order that we should not do it!
{So look not at the fact that evil may temporarily exist and even look good for it but a temporary challenge (mirage.)}
12 Kedoishim– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Sin / Punishment
Sin and punishment occur simultaneously.
1 Haazinu – Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Sincerity
Once the Baal Shem Tov was in Synagogue and all the people were praying dearly for rain as the season had been dry.
One man who was very simple, prayed without knowing the meaning of the words but his heartfelt pleas were heard in Heaven – and rain came.
{You need not be a great Tzaddik to evoke G-d’s miracles just be sincere.}
61 Eikev – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Sincerity = G-d
The Alter Rebbe said in the name of the Holy Baal Shem Tov that the sincere simple Jew’s keeping of Torah and Mitzvos due to his or her belief in G-d is the vehicle that manifests G-d and gives G-d great joy.
The simple essence of G-d comes into such people.
157 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Spiritual Sensitivity
We know that G-d makes daily pronouncements (such as “Return wayward children.”) People may have a difficult time believing this, as they cannot hear them.
The reason for this is because they are so materialistic, and this blocks their spiritual awareness.
(This is seen in the story of Rabbi Elazar Ben Arach who went to a city that had fine wine and water, and because he indulged in it, it caused him to lose some of his spiritual awareness.)
However, if you can remove your lust for the physical, and in fact become spiritual, then with the power of the Moshe (of the generation, who connects souls to G-d) you will be able to hear it.
3 Devarim– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Teshuva
The Baal Shem Tov taught that just as when one brings a candle to a dark room the darkness completely dissipates, similarly a person who does Teshuva (repents) though previously he was in a place of darkness, the light of Torah obliterates the darkness.
4 Nitzavim– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Thinking – Positive
Whatever we think or speak, whether positive or negative, manifests.
This is a great wisdom!
As such we should train ourselves to only think positively and speak positively!
96 Breishis- Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- Thoughts
When we are thinking positive, and connecting to G-d, we are connecting this universe to G-d.
But G-d-forbid if we are not, it is as if we are worshiping idols.
Note 5. Terumah– Baal Shem Tov on The Torah
- Wealth
Wealth is Heaven to one, to another hell.
{The Alter Rebbe explained that the person who uses their wealth for helping others, doing good etc. it becomes Heaven; but the person who uses it just for themselves or guards it, it becomes hell.}
228 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)
- Who You Are…
In Ksoines Pasim the author writes, “I received from my Master (The Baal Shem Tov) that the way to know if one’s soul is connected to life or death… one needs to ask themselves what they want – whether it is Lashoin Hara, jokes, etc. or if it is Torah and good deeds?!”
{Ask yourself “what do I enjoy?” – based on your reply (depending if it is holy or mundane…) you can tell who you currently are.}
Note 31 Noach – Baal Shem Tov on the Torah
- You – Matter
The Baal Shem Tov explains that the idea of Divine supervision extends to every single detail in every single creation within the four kingdoms of non-living, vegetation, animal, and particularly human.
G-d will create various causes to have a desired effect for each and every creation. This can be empirically seen.
In middle of a hot summer day as the sun is shining brightly suddenly a wind will blow, shaking a tree, and some of the leaves will fall off… Some of the straw from a roof will blow off, straw on the ground will be blown to a different location and then in a few moments the day is crystal clear as if there were no wind.
This wind served a purpose of G-d, to tear a few leaves from the tree, blow off some straw from the roof and move some straw on the ground in order to bring them to the location that He desires for a Divine purpose.
In other words, even the movement of the leaves and the straw rolling around in the street or in a field is all supervised by G-d so how much more so the life of humans and the Jewish people, G-d’s chosen people! His supervision is in every single micro-detail regarding each and every one of their circumstances!
{Each and every event, from a leaf blowing in the wind, to an insect’s life cycle, is by Divine Guidance, so how much infinitely more so is each of our lives!}
180 Kesser Shem Tov (The Rebbes)