In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov (Shivhei Ha-Besht): The Earliest Collection of Legends about the Founder of Hasidism

by Jerome R. Mintz (Editor), Dan Ben-Amos (Editor)

Who was the Baal Shem Tov? Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer (1700-1760), also known as the Besht, was the legendary founder of the Hasidic movement. He taught that humans must worship and cling to God, not only during the practice of religious observances, but in all aspects of life - business, social contacts, and daily affairs. One must strive for the salvation of one's individual soul in order to bring about the redemption of the world. Little historical information is known about the Baal Shem Tov. He did not put his teachings into writing, and he opposed the attempts of others to publish his teachings. The first known document about the Baal Shem Tov, Shivhei ha-Besht, was published in Hebrew in 1814, just fifty-four years after his death. This work contained 251 tales about the Baal Shem Tov. Originally circulated orally, the stories were written down by Rabbi Dov Ber, known as the Maggid of Mezhirich, who was the son-in-law of Rabbi Alexander the Shohet, the Baal Shem Tov's scribe. It is thus probable that the oral sources of the stories were from among the Baal Shem Tov's closest circle. In fact, Rabbi Dov Ber offers the source of each story wherever possible. This authenticity has made Shivhei ha-Besht the most significant work on the Baal Shem Tov. The book has been in print in many versions - Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino - almost continuously for 180 years. It became a source for many writers, including Martin Buber, S. Y. Agnon, and Elie Wiesel. In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov: The Earliest Collection of Legends about the Founder of Hasidism is the only complete English translation of this valuable anthology. In addition to serving as a biography of the Baal Shem Tov, the tales alsoreflect the life of Jews in Eastern Europe during the eighteenth century and the emergence of the Hasidic movement. By bringing these legends of the Baal Shem Tov's life, personality, and mystical abilities to the modern English reader, Professors Dan Ben-Amos and Jerome R. Mintz have

Genres: Judaism

353 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Doria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s very difficult to review a book that has been translated in such a garbled and confusing manner as this one. Without a doubt, there are many interesting and historically and/or culturally significant narratives among the 251 that comprise this venerable collection. But the crude rendering and poor use of the English language does the stories a sad disservice. It shouldn’t have to require years of experience in reading and interpreting folklore (which I happen to have), combined with a solid background in Jewish and Hasidic religious and literary traditions (mine is scanty in this regard) to make sense of a six-sentence story.

Alas, the larger proportion of tales in this book are virtually impenetrable and have been shaved of both meaning and impact, due to sloppy translation. It doesn’t help that the collection itself is presented as a kind of mishmash of different 18th century Hasidic stories, some of which might be historical and some clearly folkloric, not all of which even clearly relate to the purported subject, the Besht himself.

For those who have the necessary background(s) and the patience to painstakingly plow through these stories, there are (well hidden) gems. But if you are looking for an enjoyable bedtime read, this ain’t it.

4 stars for (some of) the stories, 1 star for the translation.

[DW · Rating 1 out of 5]

Content: An embarrassment to Judaism. I somewhat regret reading it.

Translation: Hard to say. There were times when the stories made absolutely no sense and the footnotes should have provided more explanation/context. Of course maybe there isn't any, and nobody knows what some of these stories are supposed to mean anymore.