The Kosher Bookworm: A Tribute to the Baal Shem Tov

The Kosher Bookworm

by Alan Jay Gerber

Issue of May 28, 2010/ 15 Sivan 5770

Dr. Michael Wyschograd, one of America’s premier Jewish theologians, once described the tsadik as “the person who is the pivot of Judaism." The person, he explained, that was chosen by the community to lead the community. “To enter into the presence of the tsadik was the closest approximation available to entering into the presence of God,” Wyschograd wrote.

Such was the legacy of the Besht, the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov, whose 250th yahrtzeit was commemorated this past Shavuout, founded Chassidus, a movement that Wyschograd calls “a striking example of Jewish renewal at its authentic best.”

Works that we will discuss in this essay touch upon the life of the Besht.

“The Besht” by Professor Immanuel Etkes of Hebrew University, [ Brandeis University Press, 2005] is perhaps the most extensive and objective biography of the tsadik. The author does not shy away from the numerous controversies that surrounded the life of the Besht, as well as the authenticity or lack thereof of the mystical tales about him. Itkes does both the Jewish people and world history a favor with his scholarship and evaluation of the impact the Besht had on our faith.

The best anthology of the tales and legends of the Besht are to be found within the covers of a very engaging book edited by the storyteller, Yitzhak Buxbaum. Titled, “The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov” [Continuum, 2005], Buxbaum gathers together the famous stories of the Besht. Buxbaum’s deep devotion to the Besht legacy is etched in every page of this 400-page sefer. Each story has the power to inspire any Jew, regardless of age or ideology.

Unlike other cognate works, this is no “shlock job,” but a serious work that easily deserves a place on your library shelf together with Dr. Etke’s work.

Another high quality book is “The Mystical Origins of Hasidism” [Littman Library of Jewish Civilization] by Rachel Elior of Hebrew University. Elior’s work focuses upon the historical panorama of the Jewish mystical movement and details the philosophical and theological teachings of the Besht as the forerunner of Chassidus for the centuries to come.

One  fascinating  yet very disturbing part deals with the passing of the Besht:

“Several Hasidic legends reflect the complex relationship between Shabateanism and Hasidism," writes Elior. "One tells how the Baal Shem Tov died in 1760 of a broken heart because the circumstances that led to the Frankist apostasy of 1759...  Reb Nachman of Bratslav, the Baal Shem Tov’s great grandson, wrote: ’They say in the name of the Baal Shem Tov that he suffered two perforations in his heart because of the Shabetai Tsevi affair and that is why he passed away.’”

This is a very sad and difficult page in Jewish history.

Today, Friday, the 15th day of Sivan commemorates the 49th yahrtzeit of one of Israel’s most beloved Chassidic political leaders, Binyamin Mintz, the founder of the Po’alei Agudat Yisrael movement and a devote Gerrer Chassid.

Mintz was the first and only chassid and follower of the Baal Shem Tov to occupy a seat in the cabinet of the Israeli government.

Mintz was a proud  supporter of the medina [land]. In that regard he was quoted as having said the following in reply to his political activities:

“With respect to the critics and detractors – what do they  oppose?Surely it would be better if they would come and help build the State of Israel in the spirit of our religion and tradition. Criticism alone neither helps nor builds.”

These words from so wise a person there is much for us to learn. Hopefully, we will.