This is a life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the piety of the common folk against the rabbinic establishment. He has been recognized as one of the greatest teachers in Jewish history, and much of what is alive and vibrant in Judaism today, in all denominations, derives from his inspiration. Abraham Joshua Heschel, who was descended from several illustrious Hasidic dynasties, wrote: "The Baal Shem Tov brought heaven to earth. He and his disciples, the Hasidim, banished melancholy from the soul and uncovered the ineffable delight of being a Jew.">

This book contains the holy words of the holy and awesome Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov of blessed memory for everlasting life in the world to come. These words are from the books of Rav Yaakov Yoseph of Polonoye of blessed memory, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.

The Testament of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem TovTzava`at Harivash is an anthology of teachings and instructions attributed to the Baal Shem Tov and his successor, R. Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezhirech. Segments of Tzavaat Harivash have been translated before. This however, is its first complete English rendition. The translation, by a foremost authority on Chassidism and Jewish Mysticism, is enhanced by source-references, brief commentaries, notes on the passages that were perceived to be controversial, and a comprehensive introduction. ReviewsTzava`at Harivash: The Testament of Rabbi Israel Baal Shaem Tov is expertly translated and informatively annotated by Jacob Immanuel Schochet, an acknolwledged authority on Jewish philosophy and mysticism. One of the earliest Chassidic texts, Tzava`at Harivash is the first complete English rendition of a classic work that has formerly had only individual pieces and excerpts translated. Emphasizing the path to achieving joy and equanimity while keeping oneself free from the deadly barbs of pride, vanity, and other facets of evil that impede one`s service to G-d, Tzava`at Harivash explores means to acheive transformation of the Jewish soul, thought, and experience through a spiritual search for the meaning of existence. As profound and inspirational today as it was three hundred years ago.-Midwest Book Review

The secrets from the inner meaning of Torah form the soul of the Chasidic movement's thought. They inspire, revive, and inflame Jewish souls with a passion to constantly increase observance and devotion. For more than two centuries it has inoculated millions against the ravages of secularism and preserved the spiritual life of the Jewish nation. Chasidus emerged as a protection from the storm winds of modernity. Today's Jewish community might benefit from a new look at the Chasidic movement's beginnings and reflections. Even those Jews who fulfill their religious obligations frequently perform rituals in a lifeless and superficial way. Were we to discover the depth and soulful vitality that fill Chasidic literature, a renewed passion might flame our faltering Jewish experience with the warmth of Torah. Unfortunately, for many of my contemporary American Jews, access to the gem-stones of the Chasidim has been denied. Chasidic works are overwhelmingly in Hebrew, and few good translations exist. This book provides an introduction to the basic terms and ideas of Chasidic texts. It is written for the interested lay reader who may be new to Torah study, as well as the yeshiva student who is knowledgeable about Biblical narratives and Talmudic law but may be new to the world of Chasidus.

Originally published in 1951, this book explores the development in England of the Sephardi branch of the Jewish community, the co-heirs, with their kinsmen in Holland, in Italy, in North America and in the Middle East, of the Golden Age of Jewish history in Spain. Based on archival history from within the community, it was the first full-length history of the Sephardi community in England and describes how this little Jewish community, the first in England since the Middle Ages, grew, prospered and contributed the wealth and influence of London, and eventually producing in Disraeli one of England’s greatest Prime Ministers.

A biography of the 5th Rebbe of the Lubavitch movement, Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneersohn. Notwithstanding the tremendous upheavals of the beginning of the 20th century in Czarist Russia, coupled with his frail health, that caused him to be in health resorts, a few months a year, he spearheaded the fight against Czarist Russia's intention of secularising the Jewish community and educational system. He established Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, the flagship education system of Lubavitch, and began clarifying the deepest concepts of Chassidus.His communal work included working with the secular Jews to provide the Jewish soldiers with Matza for Pesach during the Russo-Japanese war, as well as saving the Jewish printing press, Rom. As well as protecting the rights of Jews to live where they desire and enter into occupations that could supply them with a livelihood. He established a weaving factory that provided two thousand families with a livelihood. But at the same time, fought with them and upended their efforts to destroy the educational system and replace it with their new, but spiritually dangerous system.His focus was one thing, how to uphold and support Jews and their right to live as Jews, no matter the situation.It is a pleasure to present the 5th volume of The Rebbeim Biography Series.