Baal Shem Tov, R. Israel

“Whoever engages in excessive talk brings on cheit (sin).” (Avot 1:17) [The term cheit] denotes deficiency. This meaning for cheit appears in Genesis 31:39; Judges 20:16; and I Kings 1:21. See Rashi on Genesis 31:39. Even when speaking with others words o...

An interpretation of the verse in Psalms [which reads]: “I will thank God with all my heart, I will relate all Your wondrous works.” (Psalms 9:2) The plain sense of this verse requires careful consideration. Granted that the phrase “I will thank God with ...

“All the days of the poor are bad.” (Proverbs 15:15) Our sages said, “No one is poor except for him who lacks knowledge.” (Nedarim 41a) In this context, [our text] means the following: “All the days of the poor”-in knowledge-”are bad,” because his prayer ...

One might wonder: In context of the creation, the Torah states several times [“it was good;” and at the conclusion thereof (Genesis 1:31)] “and behold it was very good.” In the Book of Deuteronomy, however, it is written, “See, I have placed before you li...

To understand what is katnut (“smallness;” constricted consciousness) and what is gadlut (“greatness;” expanded consciousness): When a person sits and studies Torah, for example, and does so without discernment, he is in a state of katnut; his mind is not...

The reason why [both] love and fear [are necessary]: If man had only love of God, he would be accustomed to being continuously with God. I.e., he would lose the sense of reverence, for familiarity breeds contempt. “He who acts with love [only] . . . will ...

This, too, is an important principle: When you think of performing a mitzvah, do not refrain from doing it for [fear of a sense of] pride or whatever ulterior motive related to it. For, as known, “Out of [acting] shelo lishmah (not for its own sake) [one ...

“A righteous person will flourish like a date-palm, grow tall like a cedar in Lebanon.” (Psalms 92:13) There are two types of tzadikim (righteous people), and both are perfectly righteous. The difference between them is as follows: One is in a continuous ...

“These are the shemot (names) of the children of Israel [coming to Mitzrayim (Egypt) . . . Reuben, Shimon, Levi . . .].” (Exodus 1:1-2) R. Israel Baal Shem, his memory is for a blessing, for the life of the world to come, [interpreted] the verses “They tu...

“Three books are opened on Rosh Hashanah: [one for the thoroughly wicked, one for the tzadikim gemurim (perfectly righteous), and one for the beinunim (intermediate)…].” (Rosh Hashanah 16b) Tzadikim gemurim are those whose speech is altogether in matters ...