One of the fundamental ideas of the Baal Shem Tov he taught all Jews is Hashgachah Pratis, everything is Divinely ordained

 

 

What was novel in this approach?

 

Apart from the fact that there are some philosophical debates from previous scholars but assuming that this is the basic tenet of Judaism that everything is ordained by God – is not our very first commandment to believe in God’s omnipotence – “I am the God who took you out of Egypt,” in other words “I run everything?”

 

The difference between the Baal Shem Tov’s Hashgachah Pratis and previous Hashgacha Pratis is so slight that it is almost funny – yet so vast that it is life changing.

 

Sure everything can be Hashgachah Pratis – but whose Hashgachah Pratis? – in other words, am I here for God, or is God here for me?

 

Prior to the Baal Shem Tov the idea was “I am here for God,” “I am but a servant whether I like it or not.”

 

Of course the Baal Shem Tov, as the Rebbe always stressed, believes, that we are here to serve God, BUT THIS TOO IS FOR MY SAKE.

 

In other words, the Hashgachah Pratis of the Baal Shem Tov was, God’s love for us, not our need to serve him.

 

So the bottom line is this, each and everything that ever has, is, and will occur to the entire world was created for your spiritual growth – your ultimate union with God Himself (and can there be a better space to be in?) by God.