Vayakhel: Iyov’s Penny
A line of people wound its way from the door of the holy Baal Shem Tov’s office. Many stood in line to seek advice and blessings from the holy tzaddik...
Stories from the Baal Shem Tov
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Pekudei: A Heavenly Teacher
I was born in the village of Okup in the year 5458. When I was five years old I was orphaned from my father and mother, of blessed memory. The community...
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Tetzaveh: The Man Who Thought He Was God
Later, when Lord Elokim, the master of the castle, returned, his servants ran to him and said, "Lord Elokim, a Rabbi has come to visit. He is waiting for you in the library."
Tetzaveh: Eating for Atonement
The women rushed to prepare the meat broth while the men stood around the sick man’s bed saying Tehillim (Psalms). Almost everyone, except for the doctor, felt relieved because...
Terumah: A Pinch of Snuff
Once, a poor man came with a group of beggars to collect charity at the shul of the Baal Shem Tov. The shammos (caretaker) of the shul gave each beggar a few coins...
Mishpatim: Reincarnation
Suddenly, in a dream-like vision, Rabbi Dov Ber saw a handsome prince and a female friend come to a river for a picnic and a swim. The only other person there was a border guard...
Yitro: The Stocking Maker
The host looked out the window at the man as he continued walking down the road. "Oh, that's just Reb Dovid, the stocking maker...
Beshalach: 100 Questions
I asked myself; perhaps this man is not human? How could a person achieve such holy power? Had he perhaps fallen from Heaven?
Bo: The First Revelation
The Rabbi took the Baal Shem Tov aside and asked him, “Who are you? Please tell me the truth.” The Baal Shem Tov disclosed to the Rav that in fact he was a holy man...
Pekudei: The Redemption of Sparks
In any case, the Baal Shem Tov arrived a few days before Shabbat. He immediately met with Rabbi Yaakov Yosef (whom he affectionately called Yossele) and they...
Vayera: The Inhospitable Rabbi
The rabbi prided himself on his meticulous attention to religious law and painstaking efforts to avoid mistakes. Yet, he was a fierce opponent of the Baal Shem Tov…
Tazria-Metzora: Naming at the Circumcision
"Please do not ask me these questions,” responded the Baal Shem Tov, “for the time for me to be known in this world has not yet come...
Ki Tavo: The Birth of Schneur Zalman
The Baal Shem Tov warned Reb Boruch not to talk to others about their son, particularly regarding his apparent intelligence - as is the nature of parents...
Vayakhel: The Holiness of a Shabbat Gathering
After completing Havdalah (a brief service at the conclusion of Shabbat that separates Shabbat from the weekdays), two of the leading rabbis of the Brody community...
Nasso: The Light
The Almighty first created light. Light illuminates — if one can use it correctly, one can see from one end of the world to the other — and even use it to find a lost child...
Vayeshev: The Dream Interpreter
Just then, Reb Yankel had an intense dream. In the dream, the King came to visit him. He treated the King with his usual generosity. While they...
Acharei Mot: A New Way of Serving
At this time before the coming of the Moshiach," the Baal Shem Tov continued, "there is usually no need for self torment...
Bereishit: The Power of Repentance
If someone regrets his transgression with such remorse, then two candles are more than sufficient to atone for his wrongdoings.”