Baal Shem Tov – 1st Shvat, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

When one studies Torah, he must bear in mind before Whom he studies. Sometimes on can actually distance himself from the Creator through [improper] Torah study. Therefore, one must be aware of this at all times.

(Tzava’as HaRivash 54).

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 29th Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

For oneself, one must always maintain a critical eye; for others, never.

(Sippurei Tzaddikim 24, 1).

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 28th Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

Rabbi Rephael of Bershad taught: A man whose son had gone astray once came to the Baal Shem Tov. “Love him even more,” the Baal Shem Tov advised, “and this will help him to return to G-d.”

(Midrash Pinchas 38b).

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 27th Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

“’Can a man hide in secret places and I not see him?’ declares G-d” (Yirmiyahu 23:24). The Baal Shem Tov rendered this interpretively: A person can hide in secret places–but as long as he is an “I” in his own perception, G-d will not look at him [so to speak].

(Likkutei Sichos IV, p. 1033).

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 26th Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

He and his followers did not wear tefillin during the intermediate days of Pesach [Chol HaMoed] , in conformity with the view of the Zohar and many Rishonim.

(Imrei Pinchas 751; Shiv’chei Baal Shem Tov 6; Shulchan HaTahor, Hilchas Tefillin 31:1, Ze’er Zahav 1).

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 24th Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

I heard from my master (the Baal Shell Tov) a simple adage that encompasses everything: If you wish to belittle any creature, belittle yourself. And if you wish to praise anyone, praise G-d all the more.

(Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Vayeishev)

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 23rd Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

In the winter, at times he would even break the ice in order to immerse in a nearby stream.

(Sippurei Baal Shem Tov)

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 22nd Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

The Baal Shem Tov once remarked: Dancing brings joy to the Supernal Family [the Creator and the Ministering Angels] and blessings to the Jewish people, together with happiness, mercy, and great kindness.

(Zera Baruch, Hosafos)

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 21st Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

“Righteous (Tzaddik) is G-d in all His ways. ..” (Tehillim 145:17). If one is a Tzaddik and binds himself to the Creator, then G-d will be with him in all his ways.

(Ohr HaEmes 37b; attributed in a manuscript version to the Baal Shem Tov)

 

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Baal Shem Tov – 20th Tevet, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

 

 

Rabbi Nosson of Nemirov once told his disciple, Rabbi Nachman of Tulchin, “The Baal Shem Tov said that he came to the world just to do away with the ill-tempered Torah scholar.”

(Avanehah Barzel 41)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 30th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

Rabbi Noach of Lechovitch once said, “The Baal Shem Tov came to the world in order to implant true humility and true joy into the hearts of the Jewish people. And the opposite of these qualities are sadness, despair and levity.”
(Toras Avos, Simchah V’Hischazkus)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 29th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

The Baal Shem Tov taught: When the body is sick, the soul is sick and cannot pray properly, even if it is pure and without sin. Therefore, one must be very careful to safeguard his health.
(Tzava’as HaRivash 106)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 28th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

He said that every day a person should tell one of his friends a story about the deeds of a Tzaddik.
(Divrei Shalom)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 27th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

Each word [of prayer] is a complete structure. It must contain all of one’s strength; for if not, it is [like a body] lacking a limb.
(Tzava’as HaRivash 34)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 26th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

The Baal Shem Tov said that one should not give a knife as a present.
(Sichos HaRan 9)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 25th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

Sometimes, when one cleaves to G-d, he is able to meditate even in a house full of people.
(Tzava’as HaRivash 63)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 22nd Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

“This is the Gate to the Lord; Tzaddikim . . .” (Tehillim 118:20). That is the Tzaddikim are the gate to the Lord.
(Butzina D’Nehora)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 21st Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

The Baal Shem Tov taught: It is not necessary to “place” oneself in G-dliness, but only to realize that everything is subsumed in the Divine light.
(Ohr HaGanuz L’Tzaddikim, Vayeira)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 20th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

“Turn from evil and do good” (Tehillim 34:15). That is, transform evil into goodness.
(Kesser Shem Tov 69)

 

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Baal Shem Tov, 19th Tishrei, 5771

Daily Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov

He was accustomed to begin the prayers of Kabbalas Shabbos in the early afternoon.
(Mishmeres Shalom 26; Shiv’chei Baal Shem Tov 212; Adas Tzaddikim)

 

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