Meditations and Advice of The Baal Shem Tov, Installment 6
By zevi770 · August 8, 2017
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Our lives are absolutely predetermined – we traverse through experiences (though it is up to us to realize the message and not get bogged down in the mundane or morass.)
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The Baal Shem Tov, said when you touch part of God (a part which is revealed, say in the Torah or though the Tzaddik) you touch all! (for something which is intrinsic unity, even as it manifests is still itself (for example light, heat etc.)
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Wealth is to one heaven; another hell.
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There is a saying from the Baal Shem Tov, “when you meet once, you’ll once again.”
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Those who study Torah and most specifically those who teach (even more specifically those who Pasken – giving Halachic ruling) must pray with great beseeching that God should grant that they discern (for unless one is humble, the conclusions they arrive at are false.)
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The Archangel Michoel would forgo his awesome comprehension and love of God for doing even one of the Mitzvos, of having a single one of the four corners of Tzitzis (whereby we see that a physical Mitzvah far surpasses any other comprehension or meditative emotion.)
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The soul in heaven loves the Divine light, however coming to the Divine intent – that it is in this world – it goes.
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The Rambam was a very great Kabbalist.
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The main purpose of Chassidus is self-refinement and an unconditional-love – but in order to do so, one needs the advice of someone who has already.
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The true way of self-refinement and refining one’s mind to the hallowed wisdom, is through transforming one’s negative into positives.
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The letters (in Hebrew of Teshuvah spell Shabbos vov hei – The Divine name, the yud refers to wisdom, the hei binah, the vov emotions, and the final hei malchus; Yud and hei are the hidden realm, and vov hei the revealed, on Shabbos the service to God is with intellect, hence the Vov Hei.
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The Baal Shem Tov’s love for his fellow Jews was literally indescribable.
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The Baal Shem Tov’s love was seen in how much he would implore beseech and do all he could (from God ) to help any Jew – which with his prophetic vision this was every.
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The Baal Shem Tov loved light – he said, light has the same equivalence (numerical value) as secret; whoever can see the secret behind something can illuminate.
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The Baal Shem Tov after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur would say Gut Yom Tov (Gut has the numerical value of life) in other words, these festivals will give energy (to all other days.)
However after other festivals, he would say, Git Yom Tov, which mean to give – in other words to share (the festival joy.)
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The Baal Shem Tov had specific customs for the weekdays, Shabbos and festivals (relative to the spiritual dynamic.)
From Elul till after Yom Kippur he was in the dynamic of “fear of God.
Then he went into the dynamic of joy.
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The Alter Rebbe told the Tzemach Tzeddek, I heard from my master who heard from his, who heard from his famous master (Achiyah Hashiloini) that from the second day of Elul one should recite 3 Chapters of Tehhilim daily and then on Yom Kippur the final 36.
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The Baal Shem Tov had a prebul warm Sullah. ?
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On Simchas Torah and Shemini Atzeres by Hakofos the Baal Shem Tov would say the majority of the verses, explaining some, and some he would have the Chevriah Kadishah (holy disciples) say.
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The Baal Shem Tov called the Festive meal on the last day of Pesach, Moshiach’s meal – the door was open and all came.
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The Baal Shem Tov had a great love for the second day Shavous, his custom was, they would wake up early and pray and then have a small kiddush for 10 close disciples, then at the meal everyone was invited.
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The Baal Shem Tov said, when you encounter a body of water you should say that the Baal Shem Tov says, that water is a blessing.
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The Baal Shem Tov had an extraordinary talented voice (that could change tenors) he would often sing and singing to him was a way in Divine Service as it opens the soul.
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The custom of the Baal Shem Tov actually are traditions from Moses – when Moses was in heaven to receive the Torah, all the angels and the holy sefiros gave him gifts, customs, both general and specific – these general customs pertaining to the body of the Jewish people the Baal Shem Tov had mesirus nefesh that they should become part of the Chassidic tradition and with these we will greet Moshiach.
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From the Baal Shem Tov: we should go to the Mikvah every Erev Shabbos and Erev Yom Tov as well as on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
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The Baal Shem Tov’s mission was to reveal God, for this reason he took many journeys often to distant towns where he would encounter even extraordinarily simple people, and with great love they were inspired – his love was so great, it was for all people (as is known with the story of his kindness to a group of thieves) he loved all animals, and plants.
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In the early years of the Baal Shem Tov’s revelation, he would make frequent visits to towns and cities which had three purposes: 1. to redeem captives, for in those days it was a feudal system whereby Baron’s owned vast tracts and leased inns, mills etc. and if someone couldn’t pay (their rent) they would imprison them. 2. Inspire Jews to study Torah and love; and 3. Reveal the secrets of the Torah to scholars.
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The Previous Rebbe said, what was innovative by the Baal Shem (versus previous greats)? It was, he did not wait for people to come to him rather, he and his disciples made the effort.
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Both the Baal Shem Tov and Maggid while they were Rebbes would recite the blessing for Sefiras Haomer, as Chazan.
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The Baal Shem Tov gave extraordinary love to the simple pious unlearned Jews, and his holy successor the Maagid said, “If he could see while he was alive the tremendous joy this love gave God, he would have done it in an entirely more loving manner.”
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The Baal Shem Tov often favored the simple unlearned Jews even more than the great Torah scholars, as he said, within us all is an innate goodness (a desire for truth and compassion) however when the mind is full, it often covers this innate side.
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One should say the Portion of Tehhilim corresponding to his age (+ 1) every morning.
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Elijah the prophet tested the father of the Baal Shem Tov (as he and his wife were naturally barren) and having passed the test (of kindness) he told him, “I am Elijah the prophet and you will have a child soon and when he is two and a half you should tell him:” – “Only have fear from God but never any person or any creation.”
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The Baal Shem Tov discovered that it brings God immense satisfaction when simple people (such as ourselves, as opposed to the knowledgeable Kabbalists) utter praise/gratitude, for in this way we connect – this is easily when this is done frequently.
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When the Baal Sem Tov was but three, he already attained extraordinary spiritual heights – for the next 33 years he remained a hidden Tzaddik – when he was 26, the great prophet Achiya Hashiloini revealed himself and they studied for another ten years until he was compelled to make himself known.
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The Baal Shem Tov was born on Monday in the Hebrew year of 5458.
His birthday is Chay (18 the Life) of Elul signifying that he breathed a new life connecting Jews to the source.
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The Baal Shem Tov was born and revealed in a land which was soaked with Jewish mesirus nefesh.
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The energy and effect of the Baal Shem Tov… eternal; though one must “stand” under his fire.
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When The Baal Shem Tov Was Five His Father Who Was A Hundred And Five Said To Him, “Yisrolik fear no-one or anything But G-d, and love every Jew with all the fire of your heart and soul, no matter who he is or what he has done.”
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The Baal Shem Tov’s soul taught him, and told him that the reason he merited this, was not due to his Torah study nor prayer, rather because he connected to the Godliness within the very letters.
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When the Baal Shem Tov was 11 he was accepted in the society of Hidden Tzaddikim and he founded his worldview by age fourteen, which he taught to the holy society – to encourage with love.
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When the Baal Shem Tov entered the Hidden Tzaddikim society, it was headed by Reb Adam Baal Shem, who inherited the mantle from Reb Yoel, who inherited the mantel from Reb Eliyahu.
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When the Baal Shem Tov was a hidden Tzaddik, he dressed like the Jewish peasantry and mingled with them exhorting them to have refined character traits – to not learn from the gentile peasants – to speak only kindly – he would distribute apples and nuts to the children, and would answer with incredible devotion to their blessings, Amen.
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In his travels as a Hidden Tzaddik, the Baal Shem Tov often would put his holy hand on the heart of children and say, may you grow up to be a warm (good passionate) Jew.
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In the year 5,476 the Baal Shem bought a new Divine path to the secret Tzaddikim society.
They began to concern themselves that every Jewish town and townlet should have Melamdim, (teachers of Torah for the children.)
If they couldn’t hire a teacher, they themselves taught.
The Baal Shem, in fulfillment of the adage “he who suggests should do” became an assistant teacher – he would bring the children to Cheder (the little school) say with them the morning prayers, have them say the blessing on Tzitzis, say together Shemah Yisroel and Torah Tzivah, played together, told them about Mosheh Rabbeinu and the giving of the Torah, bring them home and said with them the bed time Shemah and Biyodcha.
The Baal Shem Tov (later when he was a great and famous Rabbi, with many holy disciples said) that this period was the most joyous period in his life – for he felt the tremendous pleasure God gets as the pure lips (“lips of innocent children”) would say a prayer or Torah.
The Baal Shem Tov built the Jewish people, as one builds a building, from its foundation.
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The Baal Shem Tov established hundreds of Chedarim – schools.
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When the Baal Shem Tov was a teacher’s assistant he would love the children very much and give them a heartfelt kiss – It is my prayer said the maagid, that I can kiss a Torah with the same love the Baal Shem Tov would kiss the children.
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In the years the Baal Shem Tov was a hidden Tzaddik, he and his holy society would often go around to the towns/lets and speak to the simple unlearned Jews, and encourage their faith in the Almighty.
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It is known, in the Baal Shem Tov’s journeys, he would always uplift his fellow Jews and wherever he saw a problem, beseech God.
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It is known that the Baal Shem Tov first set out to heal the body of the Jewish people, hence all the years of being a secret Tzaddik he would deal with the body of the Jews, the simple unlearned masses in strengthening and encouraging and helping, assisting in every way; and then when he was revealed, he dealt with the soul, the great teachers and Torah scholars.
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One of the ways to encourage someone spiritually is to help them physically – one shouldn’t make spiritually a precondition – apart from the simple Ahavas Yisroel (commandment to unconditionally love that this fulfills) it will also make a person far more receptive – this was the path the Baal Shem Tov forged.
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All know the tremendousness argument that the Baal Shem Tov had when they wished him from on high to reveal himself, similar to what we see Moses had.
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The Baal Shem Tov didn’t want to reveal himself, for he was in the sublime reality of Hisbodus meditativeness – this is a supreme reality in which there is light; on the other hand, to teach, is what is most necessary – we find his master Reb Adam Baal Shem worked very hard to get him to reveal himself, yet it was the teaching of his master Achiyah Hashiloini who told him that his revelation would actually accentuate Hisbodedus; in other words, the revelation of Chassidus is able to integrate two opposing realities: for the benefit of meditativeness is that the mind is able to think, whereas when one focuses on implementation, though one does great things, the mind is preoccupied; whereas in the Torah of Chassidus both occur.
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For six years the Baal Shem Tov refused to reveal himself and for this he lost six years – he passed away at the age of 61, 8 months and 18 days.
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The Baal Shem Tov said, “I had to reveal myself and fulfill the tremendous mission God desired from me – otherwise I would have been a highway robber”.
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In truth there were always Chassidim and always Rebbes (meaning the spiritual qualities,) Adam Harishoin was called a great Chossid, certainly many of the Tzaddikim were Rebbes, but generally this was all personalized – from the time of the great revelation of the Baal Shem Tov it became a time of revealed Chassidim and revealed Rebbes; and all of this is in order to manifest the Divine (causing the merger of God and man.)
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The Baal Shem Tov wished to journey to Israel (it is said, he knew that if he would meet the holy Ohr Hachayim, Moshiach would come) he managed to reach Istanbul (and was prevented – there are many stories about this.)
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The Baal Shem Tov said, he had the ability to go into heaven as Elijah did, but he wished to fulfill the verse, “you are dust and to dust shall you return.”
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The Baal Shem Tov’s soul was from the inner dimension of Ava’h and on earth he received spirituality from his holy body.
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The Baal Shem Tov passed away on Shavous and his son Reb Tzvi took over the leadership, and the entire holy society was in agreement – the next Shavous Reb Tzvi said, that today my father with the Shechinah and the entire hosts of heaven came to inform me to transfer the leadership to Rabbi Dovber – upon saying this, he took off the holy Rebbe attire – dressed Rabbi Dovber, who sat in his place.
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The Maagid said, the Baal Shem Tov’s leadership was 26 years, corresponding to the Divine name Havayeh, and twice one.
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Reb Menachem Mendel Horodok said, that with the Torah of the Baal Shem , we will greet the coming Moshiach.
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The Baal Shem Tov and the Maagid (and if I understand also the Alter Rebbe) were similar to Avrahom and Yitzchok (the Baal Shem Tov with his love like Avrohom, the Maagid with his sacredness like Yitzchok, and the Alter Rebbe with his Torah, like Yaakov.)
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It is well known the connection between the Baal Shem Tov and the holy Ohr Hachayim.
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(If I understand) The Baal Shem Tov, The Maagid, And The Alter Rebbe (and the Rebbe’s following) contained the primordial infinite light (of creation.)
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The Tzemach Tzeddek writes – The Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid to whom God revealed.
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The Baal Shem Tov was the “reincarnation” (as the Zohar says) of Moses (As the Zohar says, there is the reincarnation – revelation of Moses in every generation.)
The holy Rebbes following him also contain this power.
The Chassidim who follow the Rebbes, though they may not have their knowledge, but they are given from this power the ability through effort to transform the world.
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There are two kinds of power – the first is one who is all powerful and so doesn’t care (he forgoes) the second is true power, that he cares – the Baal Shem Tov was the latter.
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One should never mistake that the Baal Shem Tov was a miracle worker – there were others who were called Baal Shem – the reason is they used Sheimois (names of God) which anyone with a cursory knowledge of the writings of the Holy Ari and Shaar Hayichudim could do – the Baal Shem Tov is called Baal Shem Tov, in other words, his abilities were like the Torah – the Torah contains within it God.
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The Torah exists in what is called male and female dimensions: the male dimension is the higher dimension, the female, the lower, and it wishes to receive what it lacks – in other words, there are many different worlds, and in each there is the Torah; however the Torah as it comes lower becomes more obscured, hence more questions; which is why the Torah of the world lower desires the Torah of the Torah in the higher -however the Tzaddik whose soul is the foundation of the world (one with God)) therefore he can perceive every answer.
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Tzaddikim can perceive – for example the Baal Shem Tov said about a cup that it was crafted by someone blind in one eye – for there is part of the maker in their creation.
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The Baal Shem Tov, when his soul would ascend wouldn’t feel his body – it was literally as if in a coma.
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The Baal Shem Tov achieved, that he could simultaneously (toward the end of his life, which is a major achievement) be both in heaven and on earth.
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The Baal Shem Tov made intense prayers and fasts so that he could reply to someone as Shabbos enters – for at that time the universe elevates, hence if one is aligned… as their soul elevates, they cannot deal with the lower – but rising to a supernatural level it can handle all levels simultaneously.