Baal Shem Tov, R. Israel

“Rabbi said: Which is the right way that a man yavor (should choose) for himself? [Whatever is glorifying to the doer himself and brings him glorification from man. And be as careful with a ‘minor’ mitzvah as with a ‘major’ one, for you do not know the re...

“There are four principal categories of damage: the shor (ox); the bor (pit); the mav’eh (consumption); and the fire.” (Baba Kama 2a) These legal categories of damage relate to torts on the physical level. Here we are taught how they relate no less to the...

I heard from R. Israel Baal Shem, peace be upon him: Why is it called “World of Freedom”? Because even a slave entering there becomes a free man. “You shall sanctify the fiftieth year and proclaim freedom throughout the land for all its inhabitants; it sh...

When studying Torah have in mind the saying in the Gemara (Berachot 8a) Cf. above, sect. 54. that “The Holy One, blessed is He, has nothing in the world but the four cubits of Halachah.” Say to yourself that He, blessed be He, constricted Himself and dwel...

When meditating in prayer on all the kavanot (mystical devotions) known to you, you are but meditating on those you know. On the other hand, when you say the word with great hitkashrut (bonding), all kavanot are included in the whole word of themselves an...

“The words of his mouth are evil and deceit; he has ceased to be wise, to do good.” (Psalms 36:4) That is, because of “The words of his mouth,” i.e., of the yetzer hara, “he has ceased to be wise, to do good.” This section is a variation (with different w...

“Righteousness will go before him and will set his footsteps on the path.” (Psalms 85:14) In terms of ethical admonition, this means the following: Some people set out to perform a mitzvah, like praying and so forth, but stop midway to speak to others. Th...

A parable from ice: If there is thick ice which later becomes thin, the rivers may overcome the ice and flow over it, but [the ice] remains firm. If, however, we see that the ice is thin, and not firm, I.e., after the waters of the river passed over it. i...

“Better is he who is lightly esteemed and a servant [to himself] than one who is honored but lacks bread.” (Proverbs 12:9) The sole sign for the [true] service of the Creator is when you know of yourself that you are lightly esteemed in your own eyes. Cf....

Torah-study must be forceful and with great joy. This will diminish alien thought[s]. This is a duplication of sect. 51