This is a life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the piety of the common folk against the rabbinic establishment. He has been recognized as one of the greatest teachers in Jewish history, and much of what is alive and vibrant in Judaism today, in all denominations, derives from his inspiration. Abraham Joshua Heschel, who was descended from several illustrious Hasidic dynasties, wrote: "The Baal Shem Tov brought heaven to earth. He and his disciples, the Hasidim, banished melancholy from the soul and uncovered the ineffable delight of being a Jew."

This is a life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism

About the Author
Yitzhak Buxbaum is a maggid, a traditional Jewish Storyteller. He is the author of nine books, including Jewish Spiritual Practice, Jewish Tales of Mystic Joy, Jewish Tales of Holy Women and Storytelling and Spirituality in Judaism.

Reviews
"'Yitzhak Buxbaum's book is the scripture that should have been written about the Baal Shem Tov two-hundred-and-fifty years ago, but wasn't....No one who wants to draw from the wellsprings of Hasidism should be without this book. If you don't have enough money to buy it, pawn your shoes and run to the bookstore barefoot.' Zalman Schachter-Saloml 'Buxbaum has put his finger on the pulse of the values that lie at the heart of the Baal Shem Tov's message and conveys them in words that speak to the heart of our generation.' Arthur Green 'Wow! What a feast for those who love stories of the Baal Shem Tov! Yitzhak is a master storyteller, who has devoted a life time to the discovery of stories that quicken the heart and inspire us to live with ever more joy, amazement, and holy integrity.' Marcia Prager 'The finest collection of Baal Shem Tov stories ever amassed in any language.' Miles Krassen 'Reading this book is sure to uplift, inspire, and shift one's modern-day perspective in a most radical way.' Tirzah Firestone 'A wonderfully, enchanting compilation of stories from the Baal Shem Tov that captures the essence and Yiddishkeit of chassidut. A fabulous tome for the old and young, for those who are liberal or those who are traditional. Buxbaum's compilation is enjoyable for bedtime reading for adults and children, as well as an outstanding source for scholars and rabbis.' Shamash, February 22, 2006"



Book Information
ISBN 9780826418883
Author Yitzhak Buxbaum
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 836g