Baal Shem Tov

better known as the Baal Shem Tov, and Reb Eliyahu ben Shlome Zalman, who is commonly referred to as the holy Vilna Goan or simply as the Goan. These two highly esteemed Jewish leaders are the primary voices on these topics of opposition, and as much as their approaches were radically different from each other, they were both brilliant…

There is much fascination surrounding Hasidism. Hasidism which means God is all around us has become the dominant practice in Judaism. The Chosen by author Chaim Potok highlights the conflict between Jews and the Hasidic. But before understanding this novel, readers should have an idea behind the religion,its rich history, and practices. By examining the historical past of Hasidism will enlighten readers of the culture. Hasidism history is forever entangled is the in society's life. Hasidism…

questioned by the Israelites, despite the fact that he was saving them from King Pharaoh and his Egyptians. The parting of the Red Sea was a very powerful event that took place in the book of Exodus. The Children of Israel initially thought Moses was leading them out of bondage just to let them die in the wilderness. This was not the case. Despite the negative statements made by the Israelites, Moses continued to follow the Lord and let him lead them through the great walls of the Red Sea. After…

Melchizedek There is much mystery surrounding the famous figure of Melchizedek. Who was he? Was he known by any other names? Could he be Jesus, or was he just a picture, and a foreshadowing of someone yet to come? These questions have been pondered throughout the ages, and his person has been thrown into many writings, such as Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, as a symbol of divine intervention, and mystery. Melchizedek, whose name means “King of Righteousness,” is a figure of much…

hands before eating the bread. These seemingly small tasks, might not seem like much and be easily overlooked, but together they show to others how seriously one takes his/her faith. A concept in the Jewish faith is an idea many people would refer to as a soul mate or fate. The boys returned, once again, to their instructor, Baal Shem Tov, to question his match between Shmerel and their sister. People of similar social class often matched, but in this unique situation Baal Shem Tov…

Founded in the 1700s by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. Form of Orthodox Judaism. The word Hasidism means “pious one” in Hebrew. Worldwide, over 1 million people identify as Hasidic Jews. Mainly found in the northeast United States and Israel. They live with other Hasidic Jews in a community called a “court.” Each court has a leader called a Rebbe, who is the final authority. Men wear beards, sidelocks, black hats and long coats. Speak Yiddish; Hebrew is too holy to be spoken. Women dress modestly…

Baal Shem Tov knew what he was talking about since he lived at the time when the mass pogroms against the defenseless Jewish population of Eastern Europe was a norm. It was an adherence to their traditions and their God that allowed the Jews to survive against all odds. It has been only 71 years since the end of the World War II but the Jew haters around the world are already tripping over each other in their fervor to deny the Holocaust despite irrefutable mountains of evidence. When it comes…