Baal Shem Tov, R. Israel

We recite Hodu A chapter compounding verses of praise to God from I Chronicles 16 and various Psalms. In the Sefardic rite (adopted by R. Isaac Luria, and followed by the Baal Shem Tov and the Chassidic movement), this chapter is recited before the Pesuke...

“Know what is above you (lit.: from you).” (Avot 2:1) This may be interpreted as follows: “Know that everything Above is all from you.”This is the principle of there being a reciprocal relationship between man’s conduct (in thought, speech or deed) below ...

This is an important rule: Everything in the universe contains holy sparks. Nothing is devoid of these sparks, even wood and stones. R. Chaim Vital, Eitz Chayim 39:3; idem, Sha’ar Hamitzvot, Eikev. Keter Shem Tov, sect. 53 and 194. See above, sect. 90. Th...

“God, teach me Your derech (way), [and lead me on the orach (path) of uprightness . . .].” (Psalms 27:11) It is known that derech refers to a trodden road and orach refers to an untrodden road. See Zohar II:215a and III:88a. On the latter one may sometime...

It is written: “The mountains will melt like wax before God.” (Psalms 97:5) A verse thereafter states: “Mountains will sing together.” (Psalms 98:8) How can both verses be affirmed? This may be explained as follows: It is well-known that our sages, of ble...

“God is great and much praised, in the City of our God, His holy mountain.” (Psalms 48:2) This may be interpreted in context of the verse, “Israel, in whom I shall be glorified” (Isaiah 49:3): God derives much glory, delight and pleasure from the tzadik’s...

Bear in mind about the Creator that “the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3) and His Shechinah is constantly at your side. See above, sect. 84. He is “ultimate fineness.” He is the Master of all actions in the world, and He can effect whatever ...

Some times you are able to attach yourself to Above even when you are not praying. [You can do so] by thinking that you are beyond the dome of the firmament, and then strengthen yourself to ascend even higher. For man is where his thought is; see above, s...

At first attach yourself properly unto the Creator, blessed be He, below, and then you will be able to ascend to Above. Cf. above, sect. 32 and 69; below, sect. 136 and 143; and Keter Shem Tov, sect. 281. You will have to descend several times during the ...

[The ability] to always see the Creator, blessed be He, with the mental eye, even as one looks upon another person, is a high level [of attainment]. Bear in mind that when you are continuously with pure and clear thought, then the Creator, blessed be He, ...