As man acts, God reacts.
“As man acts, God reacts.” Baal Shem Tov
If a man has beheld evil, he may know that it was shown to him in order that he learn his own guilt and repent; for what is shown to him is also within him.
“If a man has beheld evil, he may know that it was shown to him in order that he learn his own guilt and repent; … Read More
Everybody is unique. Compare not yourself with anybody else lest you spoil God’s curriculum.
“Everybody is unique. Compare not yourself with anybody else lest you spoil God’s curriculum.” Baal Shem Tov
I am going out one door, and shall go through another.
“I am going out one door, and shall go through another.” Baal Shem Tov
Before you can find God, you must lose yourself.
“Before you can find God, you must lose yourself.” Baal Shem Tov
Everything above and below is one unity.
“Everything above and below is one unity.” Baal Shem Tov
Whenever feeling downcast, each person should vitally remember, “For my sake, the entire world was created.”
“Whenever feeling downcast, each person should vitally remember, “For my sake, the entire world was created.”” Baal Shem Tov
There is no room for God in the man who is filled with himself.
“There is no room for God in the man who is filled with himself.” Baal Shem Tov
Fear builds walls to bar the light.
“Fear builds walls to bar the light.” Baal Shem Tov
He who is full of joy is full of love.
“He who is full of joy is full of love.” Baal Shem Tov
When a father complains that his son has taken to evil ways, what should he do? Love him more than ever.
“When a father complains that his son has taken to evil ways, what should he do? Love him more than ever.” Baal Shem Tov
We should not laugh at the person who becoming caught up in his prayer bends his body or moves about in strange ways. Perhaps he moves in this manner to wave off unwelcome thoughts that would interrupt the prayer. Would we find it funny if we saw a person drowning going through strange motions doing whatever was necessary to save his life?
“We should not laugh at the person who becoming caught up in his prayer bends his body or moves about in strange ways. Perhaps he … Read More
The ideal of man is to be a revelation himself, clearly to recognize himself as a manifestation of God.
“The ideal of man is to be a revelation himself, clearly to recognize himself as a manifestation of God.” Baal Shem Tov
Forgetfulness leads to exile while remembrance is the secret of redemption.
“Forgetfulness leads to exile while remembrance is the secret of redemption.” Baal Shem Tov
To pull a friend out of the mire, don’t hesitate to get dirty.
“To pull a friend out of the mire, don’t hesitate to get dirty.” Baal Shem Tov
If the Bible didn’t show us the weaknesses, the vulnerabilities, the sins of our heroes, we might have deep questions about their true virtue.
“If the Bible didn’t show us the weaknesses, the vulnerabilities, the sins of our heroes, we might have deep questions about their true virtue.” … Read More
We should learn and reflect to the best of our capacity, but when we reach a point where we are unable to makesense of life, we should supplant faith for understanding, and reflect again on what we do know.
“We should learn and reflect to the best of our capacity, but when we reach a point where we are unable to makesense of life, … Read More
The central aspect of worship is the feeling of being at one with God.
“The central aspect of worship is the feeling of being at one with God.” Baal Shem Tov
The world is new to us every morning – and every man should believe he is reborn each day
“The world is new to us every morning – and every man should believe he is reborn each day” Baal Shem Tov
Unless we believe that God renews creation every day, our prayers grow habitual and tedious.
“Unless we believe that God renews creation every day, our prayers grow habitual and tedious.” Baal Shem Tov