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#176 (s5761-23/5 Adar 5761) NOT EVEN THE BAAL SHEM TOV The Baal Shem Tov realized that if he was drawn to this particular passage, it was no coincidence. NOT EVEN THE BAAL SHEM TOV
Was it a matter of health? Offspring? Money? We don't know. What everyone does know is the extraordinary love and dedication the Baal Shem Tov maintained for every single Jew. He felt so bad for this suffering individual and was ready to do everything in his power to relieve his plight, but with his spiritual vision he could already see that there was nothing he personally could do to help him. The Baal Shem Tov went over to his book shelf and pulled out a volume of Talmud. It was the tractate called Babba Basra. He leafed through it and his eye caught a passage at the bottom of page 15b, " 'Everyone who received a coin from Iyov (Job), became blessed'-because Iyov was successful in tz'dakah, in his charity-giving." He realized that if he was drawn to this particular passage, it was no coincidence. Rather, it was divine intervention. Somehow this was the key by which this Jew in dire need could be saved. He pondered deeply. What was the message here? Finally, he thought he truly realized Heaven's intention. He recalled: In the town of Brody lived a Jew named Shabsai Meir, a man who knew how to study Torah and donated generously to worthy causes. In the merit of his always giving altruistically and with a good heart, G-d had blessed him with great wealth. He, in turn, prayed to The Holy One for "success in tz'dakah." This too was granted him. None of the tz'dakah he distributed went to undeserving hands [the first interpretation in that same tractate, folio 9b], and anyone who received any sort of contribution from him had good things happen to them. Indeed, his requests of G-d were always fulfilled. Not that he ever asked for anything for himself. He didn't alter his personal lifestyle at all, and his house was still the same as it was. Really, the only recognizable change was the increasingly large sums he utilized for tz'dakah. Even here, significant amounts were given anonymously, with neither the recipients nor anyone else knowing the source of the gifts. On occasion, this wealthy man would give away more than even he could afford. At such times he would pray that he merit increased success and increased tz'dakah. To these prayers G-d would always respond, and so Shabsai Meir became even richer. Also, the Heavenly Court ruled that he was worthy for G-d to fulfill his request to always be successful in tz'dakah. When the Baal Shem Tov thought upon this special individual, he immediately understood why Heaven had put it into his mind to take out a volume of Talmud, and why he had been guided to that particular tractate and passage. It was all so he would recall to mind Shabsai Meir of Brody! The Baal Shem Tov was well-aware of the Heavenly Court's decree concerning R. Shabsai Meir and his 'success in tz'dakah.' Perhaps he could be an instrument of salvation for the unfortunate Jew who was so desperately seeking help. The Baal Shem Tov turned back to the man in front of him, who by now was becoming somewhat uncomfortable at the Baal Shem Tov's prolonged silence. The Baal Shem Tov told him to travel to Brody, and there to look up a man called Shabsai Meir. "This Shabsai Meir," the Baal Shem Tov explained, "has a great reputation for hospitality, and surely will invite you for Shabbos. You should accept, and after Shabbos, when the time comes for you to depart from Brody, thank him appropriately for his hospitality and then ask him to give you a blessing for Heavenly salvation in the merit of his great accomplishments in tz'dakah." The Jew went to Brody, of
course, and spent Shabbos as one of the many guests of Shabsai Meir. He was deeply
impressed by his host, who served each of his guests generously from the best
that he had. On Sunday, when he went to take leave of his host, he requested his
blessing in the way the Baal Shem Tov had instructed. It worked. Even though the Baal Shem Tov himself with all his powers couldn't help this Jew directly, R. Shabsai Meir was able to save him through the merit of his many deeds of kindness. [Translated-adapted
by Yrachmiel Tilles from Ahavat Yisrael #10 (based on a letter from the sixth
Lubavitcher Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn)- first published in Kfar Chabad
Magazine - English).]
Yrachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and editor of Ascent Quarterly and the AscentOfSafed.com and KabbalaOnline.org websites. He has hundreds of published stories to his credit. A 48 page soft-covered booklet containing eleven of his most popular stories may be ordered on our store site.
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