In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov
Today (Elul 18) is the Baal Shem Tov’s birthday. Having born in 1698, he would be 310 years old today. For this occasion I recommend the “earliest collection of legends about the founder of Hasidism.” The Hebrew title of the book is “Shivhei ha-Besht” that the translators and editors (Dan Ben Amos and Jerome R. Mintz) translated as “In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov.” It is a rather throughout book with a translator’s note, an introduction, a preface by both the writer and the printer, a glossary, a bibliography, a list of sources, notes and index. But most importantly it has 251 legends. Here is a short one (#217) to give you a taste.
A Brand Plucked Out of the Fire
Once the Besht went to the bathhouse with Rabbi David Forkes. As they were on their way a very handsome man come toward them. His curly locks were combed and his clothes were well groomed. When the man came close to them the Besht jumped aside as far as he could. When he went by the Besht returned to the path, passed his hands over his eyes, and said: “Look who has passed us.” He saw that it was a brand plucked out of the fire(1) The fire glowed in his hair.
(1) Zech. 3:2. This designation refers to Joshua, the high priest. For Talmudic Midrashic legends concerning Joshua, see Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews, IV, 336-67; VI, 426-27, note 108.
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