Hasidus

And the Spirit of God

"And the Spirit of God" (Breshit 1:2) —this refers to the Light of the Messiah (see Zohar I, 193a). It "hovers"—this is the aspect of Mati v'lo Mati (Zohar II, 16a), "reaching and not reaching." It also protects, as it is written, "As an eagle awakens its nest, hovers over its fledglings" (Deuteronomy 32:11). This refers to the righteous in every generation, who serve as protectors for the people of their time.

(She'erit Yisrael, Viladnik, Gate of Shovavim, Discourse 7)

The path of the holy Baal Shem Tov, of blessed memory, is famously referred to as "The Light of the Messiah." But what exactly is that path? Many sayings describe the profound renewal that the Baal Shem Tov brought into the world, for example:

1. The Baal Shem Tov paved a path accessible to the common people, enabling even simple Jews to connect to the service of God (see Degel Machaneh Ephraim, Parashat Lech Lecha).
2. He brought Kabbalah into practical application, allowing each individual to experience mystical concepts in their daily lives (see Toldot Yaakov Yosef, Parashat Bereishit).
3. He taught serving God with passion and joy, as an alternative to fasting and bitterness, emphasizing kindness in one's Divine service (see Ketzot HaShulchan, Siman 29).
4. He stressed absolute faith in God's unity, as highlighted in the verses "His kingdom rules over all" (Psalms 103:19) and "There is none else besides Him" (Deuteronomy 4:35), viewing these as fundamental principles of life (see Me'or Einayim, Parashat Va'etchanan).
5. Revealing Divine Providence, teaching that every detail in the world is meticulously guided by God, leading to faith and love of God (see K'tavim of the Baal Shem Tov, Essay on Divine Providence).
6. Unconditional love for every Jew, stemming from the understanding that every soul is unique and connected to the collective unity (see Tanya, Epistle 32).
7. Serving God with inner joy, emphasizing that joy brings a person closer to holiness (see Likutei Amarim, Chapter 26).
8. Transforming the mundane into holiness, by uncovering the sparks of holiness inherent in everything (see Likutei Moharan, Torah 4).

9. "The whole earth is filled with His glory", believing in God's presence everywhere and the potential to elevate all things to holiness (see Zohar, Part III, 268b).

10. Prayer as the work of the heart, emphasizing a deep, personal connection with God (see Avodat Yisrael, Gate of Prayer).
11. The sanctity of simple deeds, stressing the spiritual value of everyday actions when done for the sake of Heaven (see Ruach Chaim on Avot, Chapter 2).

Many see these sayings as the foundation of Chassidut. But the question remains: What unites these teachings into a cohesive structure? Why did the Baal Shem Tov choose to emphasize these verses, themes, and practices over others?

We copied above a passage from the writings of the holy rabbi of Viladnik, who was undoubtedly well-versed in the will and ways of the Baal Shem Tov. Yet his words are puzzling: It is understandable that "the Spirit of God" is interpreted as the Light of the Messiah, but what is the unique significance of the aspect of "reaching and not reaching"? And particularly, what is the meaning of the protection he describes? Is this merely a beautiful story, or perhaps there is a deeper, hidden narrative here?

Food for thought...