The Founder of Hasidism: Wisdom and Tales of the Baal Shem Tov

Simcha Raz has the unique ability to gather profound Jewish teachings from many places and deposit the sweetness and beauty of this Jewish wisdom into outstanding collections.

Now in their seventh book together, Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins presents the English edition of Simcha Raz’s collection of wisdom and tales from the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism.

Yisrael son of Eliezer was born in 1698 in the village of Okopy, Ukraine, in the Carpathian Mountains. In 1735, he revealed himself as a “Baal Shem” – a master of special qualities appropriate for performing miracles. Soon he became known as the Baal Shem Tov (the Besht).

By Heavenly decree, the Besht had a group of followers who accompanied him everywhere, soaking up his every word. They gathered his teachings and transmitted them in such a way that students later to follow would feel as if they had been among the original companions of the Besht. Thus, the wisdom and tales found in the stories in this volume continue to ignite Jewish souls.