InPersonalities: The Baal Shem Tov
The Tisch: The Sin of Pride
When Ahiya asked the Besht whether he was greater than Abraham, he was querying whether the Besht deserved honor befitting our forefather. Shivhei Habesht (In…
The Baal Shem Tov
InPersonalities: The Baal Shem Tov
The Tisch: Seeking Penance With a Broken Heart
Zev knew precious little of the holy books, but his fidelity to Jewish tradition could never be questioned, as he fastidiously kept the commandments. It…
InPersonalities: The Baal Shem Tov
The Tisch: The End of Hassidism?
A cursory glance reveals that the fascination with hassidic lore continues to animate many of our contemporary communities. While the legacy of the Ba’al Shem…
InPersonalities: The Baal Shem Tov
The Tisch: Repairing the Foundations
According to hassidic lore, the Besht arrived with the goal of revamping Jewish leadership. Hassidic lore has preserved the image of the Ba’al Shem Tov,…
InPersonalities: The Baal Shem Tov
The Tisch: Eat, Drink, be Merry – and Serve the Almighty
Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem Tov – or as he is more commonly known by the acronym Besht – is undoubtedly the central character in hassidic…