The story of Israel Baal Shem Tov shows that when we are humble, we can better grasp our role in the universe.
Everyone could benefit from a hero. When we discover certain noble qualities in another human being, we become more open to the possibilities of taking on their heroic ways.
My mother told me stories about heroes—real people who did good deeds. I truly admire an author who creates an inspiring story about fictional heroism. However, these fictional stories pale in comparison to real life acts of awesome heroism.
Israel Baal Shem Tov (The Master of the Good Name) was born in 1698 to saintly parents who raised him in Okup, a small village at the ever-changing Russian/Polish border. Losing both parents and orphaned at age 5, he would always recall the last words his father said to him, "Israel my son, you have a very holy soul, have no fear of anyone or anything. Fear only God."
Fascinated by the intricate workings of nature in the magical forest where he found peace and serenity, Israel pondered the vastness of the universe. The sacred Jewish mystical teachings he received from his mother and father became alive. At a very young age, he was invited to join a secret society of pious mystics, whose mission was to discover the needs of their poverty-stricken brethren and do everything they could to assist these people both materially and spiritually.
This group of scholars, all with a profound deep knowledge of Torah and Kaballah, made a pact to conceal their greatness from the outside world. They took on common simple jobs; tailor, shoemaker, etc. making it easy for them to mingle with the simple ordinary folks and find out what their needs are and what needs to be done to help them anonymously in the best way possible.
For the first 36 years of his life, most people thought of Israel—a teacher of young children—as a kind-hearted, simpleton filled with a jolly spirit and an open heart. It was only after the urging of his teacher that he reluctantly revealed himself.
The message of true love is the foundation of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings, Love for the oneness that unites us and our Creator, Love and compassion for all of creation.
This little-known, secretive and humble man would become a household name in Jewish homes all over the world. The Baal Shem Tov became the driving force behind the joyous, vibrant, soul-filled Chabad approach to Divine service as is vividly demonstrated, in modern times by bearded rabbis dancing their heart and souls out on the annual Chabad telethon.
The Baal Shem Tov placed great emphasis on the virtue of authenticity. So many of his teachings address the problems that result from ego, or, more precisely, inflated ego, and its obstacle to overcoming the darkness of anger, resentment and other negative uniquely human traits.
In one of his teachings, and one of my personal favorites, he states, "You are where your thoughts are." The highest faculty in man is in our mind. It is our intellect that differentiates us from all other species and defines our perception of "reality."
It is therefore in the mind where the journey of our personal enlightenment begins to take hold. In his teachings, The Baal Shem Tov urges us to overcome our ego in order to strive for "higher thinking." Teaching us "How great is our Creator and how small we are." By being aware of this reality, we are better able to recognize our true place in this universe and thus discover our humility.
Put differently, when we are humble, we can better grasp our role in the universe. This requires us to recognize our true place in this universe and thus discover our humility.
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You are where your thoughts are. The Ball Shem Tov enabled the Chabad masters to coin the phrase, "Think positive and it will be positive."