The Baal Shem Tov (BeShT)
בעל שם טוב | 1698–1760
Students: Maggid of Mezritch
Biography
The Baal Shem Tov (“Master of the Good Name”), born Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, was the founder of Hasidic Judaism. Born in Okopy, Ukraine (then Poland), he revealed himself as a spiritual master around 1734 and established a revolutionary approach to Jewish spirituality that emphasized joy, prayer, love of God, and the spiritual potential of every Jew regardless of their level of learning.
His teachings emphasized that God’s presence fills all of creation (Ein od Milvado), that every act can be elevated to divine service, and that simple heartfelt prayer is as valuable as complex Torah study. He gathered disciples throughout Eastern Europe, transforming Jewish life.
The Baal Shem Tov did not write books himself — his teachings were transmitted orally and later recorded by disciples, primarily in Keter Shem Tov (compiled by Rabbi Aharon of Apt from the writings of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye).
He is the spiritual grandfather of all Chassidic movements, and the Chabad dynasty traces its lineage directly through his disciple, the Maggid of Mezritch.
Works in This Library
Part of the Chabad Library Wiki