Weekly Chasidic Story #615 (s5769-50 / 18 Elul 5769)

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He said to the Baal Shem Tov, "Rebbe! I used to be invigorated with spiritual life. Now, I lost it all. My prayers are dry. My deeds have become mechanical. What happened?"

(Connection: Sun. night-Mon., "Chai Elul" is the 275th anniversary of the Baal Shem Tov revealing the Chasidic movement.)

 

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A man once came to the Baal Shem Tov and poured out his heart: "Rebbe!" he cried. "I don't understand what is happening to me. A while ago, I decided to dedicate myself to the service of the Almighty, and I immediately found myself invigorated with spiritual life. When I prayed, my soul soared in ecstasy; when I studied Torah, the gates of wisdom opened before me; when I did a mitzvah, I was suffused with a wonderful joy. But soon after, I lost it all. My prayers are dry. When I try to study, I stare for hours at the page without comprehending a word. My deeds have become mechanical and devoid of meaning. Rebbe, what happened?"

"Let me tell you a story," said the Baal Shem Tov. "A man once entered a shop in which all types of delicacies were displayed. He noticed that people were partaking of the food free of charge, with the consent and encouragement of the shopkeeper. So, he decided that he, too, should take advantage of the shopkeeper's generosity. After sampling each dish on the counter, he served himself a generous helping of a particularly appealing food.

"'Wait a minute, my friend,' objected the shopkeeper, 'That'll be 50 kopecks.'

"'But I don't understand,' said the surprised customer. 'Why are you suddenly demanding payment? Up until now, you allowed me to eat for free!'

"'Only because it is in my interest that people sample my wares," replied the shopkeeper, 'so that they may learn how desirable they are. But after you have already tasted them and have appreciated their worth, it's time to start paying for your pleasure.'

"Nothing worthwhile in life is free of charge," concluded the Baal Shem Tov, "particularly in matters of the spirit. The sublime pleasures of divine service can be acquired only with the currency of perseverance and toil. Nevertheless, the Almighty offers a free 'taste' of His intimacy to all who seek Him with a true heart. But once one has sampled these heavenly delicacies, it's time to get to work."

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Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from "Living Jewish" - Chabad of the Cardo

Connection:
Biographic note: This Sunday night-Monday is the 311th anniversary of the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, and 275th anniversary of his revealing the Chassidic movement.

Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer (18 Elul 1698-6 Sivan 1760), the Baal Shem Tov ["master of the good Name"], a unique and seminal figure in Jewish history, revealed the Chassidic movement and his own identity as an exceptionally holy person, on his 36th birthday, 18 Elul 1734. He wrote no books, although many claim to contain his teachings. One available in English is the excellent annotated translation of Tzava'at Harivash, published by Kehos.


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Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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