Who Was The Ba'al Shem Tov? Founder of Hasidism Jewish History Lecture Dr. Henry Abramson 

Although I'm not jewish (i'm Greek) I find these lectures exceptionally interesting.Dr Abramson is a gifted speaker.

This is the first time ( as a non Jew) that I come across someone talking so openly ( an eloquently!) about Judaism , even about the amulets, and the origin of this movement from the 18th century. I really thank you for this direct and unhesitant talk that mesmerizes a listener

I just love how there are people who don't hesitate on sharing information with others. I am very fascinated with Jewish culture and your videos are a godsend to one like me. thanks to you dear sir!

Great series, Rabbi. I m follwing your content from Romania, and I must say, they re delightful. Even the corny jokes! Best wishes!

I am from Litvak background. Baal ShemTov made all.Yidden feel equally loved by HaShem.

I am really enjoying your lectures! With regards to the Besht's knowledge/learning, Isn't it worth taking into consideration, that since as a youngster he was taken into a circle of mystic/rabbis among them some tremendously learned ones, and that was his circle of influence (not-mentioning the legend about achiya hashiloni teaching him) the fact that we don't have evidence of his learning does not mean or imply that the Besht was unlearned. It could likely be that what made him so revolutionary and famous overshadowed his prowess in learning which was already common to the jewish people of the time. Also, consider the fact that many of his followers were tremendous talmudists, some them who had previously been his adversaries. It is unlikely that they would be swayed to him and accept him as their spiritual leader merely by his charisma/miracles/warmth without a serious foundation in talmudic knowledge.

May his memory be for a blessing.

Thanks for another enlightening talk that helps me connect to the history of my Jewish ancestors. Although genetics and genealogy have helped illuminate many connections, it is your presentations (and jokes) that I find most rewarding. I have now started to read and purchase all your published works.

Thank you for explaining a puzzling phenomenon (and the herring joke). In return, here are 3 jokes which I hope may be new to you: 1. Q. What's the difference between a poor Jewish tailor and a psychiatrist? A. One generation. 2. Q. When do different religions consider life begins? A. Catholics believe it begins at the moment of conception. Protestants think it begins at live birth. Jews don't consider the fetus viable until it graduates from medical school. 3. Q. What do you call Ultra-Orthodox farmers? A. Hayseedim.

I like listening to this lecture. Yes, Universal Truth does not vary from one faith to another.. Truth is True.

I can't wait to read your book in the Talmud! I've just started binge watching your lectures and have already blew the minds of family and friends with my knowledge of Jewish history. I should also commend you on your jokes I've borrowed (stole) that everybody enjoyed. Thanks Dr. Abramson! Your a true Mensch! :)

I'm 67 years old now and I've learned more about the Baal Shem Tov from six minutes and 30 seconds of this lecture. And I want to say, I wish the herring in that joke was real because obviously I need some.

First of all I should tell you that I am a non believer in God, still I love your videos as they teach me so much about Jewish history, theology and philosophy. I love to learn and these subjects are of incredible interest to me. Thank you for sharing such informative lectures!

The ascription of wisdom to men (only) over 40 was common in plebian culture throughout Europe and probably not anything particularly Jewish. In medieval and later agrarian societies there was always more to be organised and decided collectively than ruling elites could be bothered to dictate and supervise. It mostly concerned what they knew little about anyway. At times, of course, people organised to undermine or revolt against them, but whether revolutionary or -more usually- mundane, the formula that collective decision-making (and, by implication, wisdom) was the province of men over 40 was extremely common, almost ubiquitous. One of the most radical thinkers of the English revolution of the 1640s, Gerrard Winstanley, had the temerity to questions this in his utopian work "The Law of Freedom in a Platform" and suggest that "young wits" should have their say, too. He thought that the brightest of the young often had their spirits crushed and were liable to become negative and merely cynical under the heavy hand or excessive caution of the greybeards. In 1652, that was a way out idea! Conversely, resentment of the aristocracy was frequently heightened if circumstances -sometimes of bloody infighting- meant that the great feudal superior beneath whom people were expected to bow and scrape in obeisance was some callow youth. In the Jewish world -and you may have mentioned this in another lecture, Dr Abramson- didn't Rebbe Nachman of Breslov feel unqualified to pronounce on halakhic matters or deal with certain questions put to him due to his lack of "years", compared with others? He seemed to consider Intellect was not sufficient, without the grey hairs. I get the impression this view has somewhat ossified in contemporary Hasidism, which is a pity. Wisdom is not necessarily accumulated by the passing of years.and young fools often become simply old fools. I say that at 71.

Thank you for this lecture. I've just started reading about the Baal Shem Tov and this put a lot into perspective :) thank you

Rabbi I'm really enjoying your lectures, really learning a lot. One piece of trivia: at least one other baal shem, Ephraim Reisher was referred to as "Baal Shem Tov" (Rosman 19) and the Besht was sometimes referred to only as baal shem (Rosman 16).

Hugely informative and enjoyable! Am working my way through all the other talks.

Love hearing your lectures Rabbi!!!

Todah rabah for the lesson.

Dr. Abramson I'd like to correct you. The Besht was very educated, there is actually a story of a. Chacham who thought he paskined wrong and this was because he did not oppose the Besht. The Besht told him he paskined right and that the Totufois in Niddah that was against him actually supported him

Very interesting and insightful. Thank you kindly!

Interesting insight into cultural & religious developments within Jewish Semite communities in eastern Europe. Loving & freeing to the uneducated peasantry, then morphing into a pragmatic businesslike sect with a heap of rules & regulations. Fascinating!

Thank you. This was interesting and articulate.

I love your videos. Thank you so much!

His rabbi (as the legend goes) was אחיה השילוני

Thankyou, Dr. A, for three hours of information compressed into an hour, and an enjoyable one at that! It appears to me that Hasidism and the teaching of Jesus appear to have similarities. You suggested an interpretation of the word Hasid to be, going beyond what is required. You may recall that Jesus/Y'shua taught a very similar thing. For instance, "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Y'shua also taught the value of life and joy and defended the poor against the burdensome rituals of the religious authorities whenever he felt that they were becoming intolerable, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Regarding the character of the Besht, there are also similarities there. You stated that the common people were attracted to him because he was a charismatic individual that really cared about them and that he exuded the joy of Judaism. Y'shua was extremely charismatic and, furthermore, he was accused by the authorities of being "a wine-bibber," Perhaps significantly, his first miracle was to turn water into wine, the best wine!

Very nice lecture!! Salam/Shalom!

Hasidism was created in Ukraine. The Polish section was actually Ukrainian Lemko territory which Poland took over. There were also Ukrainian Jewish Cossacks (Juresylymsky Cossaky). If you check your history there were Ukrainian Cossacks that went to Jerusalym to protect Jews in the Holy Land.

Very interesting and educational lecture. Which books do you recommend to start studying Hasidic Judaism?

A sheynem dank Reb Abramson. Ziet gezunt.

I believe that the heavenly instructor of the Besht was Ahiah hashilonite

this is my first video that I have watched it was very interesting, informative, and enjoyable. I was wondering do you give any public lectures in NY that I can go to?

Excellent

Very recommendable

The בעש"ט teacher was הנביא אחיה השילוני that was also the teacher of אליהו הנביא בספר הזוהר כתוב שרבי שמעון בן יוחאי בחר ביום פטירתו להיות בגן עדן אצל הנביא אחיה השילוני, והאר"י הקדוש אמר שרבי שמעון ואחיה השילוני הם מאותו שורש נשמה, וכן אמר האר"י הקדוש על עצמו שהוא משורש הזה, וכן הבעש"ט היה משורש הזה, אז מובן שרבו שלמד איתו היה אחיה השילוני

Why Is a letter he wrote to the Toldis not part of history? You can choose to think the bal shem was a liar (c"v) , but his account that he learned Thora 10 years straight from age 26 till 36 with Achiyu Hashiloini (and you weren't able to pronounce that) (the same Maggid that learned with the Beis Yossef) is HIS historical account

Superb

Interesting lecture I listened from here in Melbourne Australia. I have to ask please: JUst because The Besht (Baal SHem Tov) didn't author any seforim books how can one say he wasn't fully learnt in Torah? For example how was he able to make his successor THe Maggid of Mehzrich Tzl into a Chosid, THe Maggid TZL was a real scholar a chavrussa study partner of the true Torah scholar THe Pnei Yehoshua?

Well done!

I don't believe that a man with so many known torah Giants was illiterate.

Was the divrei chaims emphasis on thora inspired by the litvaks?

Where did you find an HISTORICAL account OR ANYWHERE stated that somone should sleep rather then davening in time

He was taught by spiritual visits of Achiya haShiloni.

And you can argue that he didn't write chideeshim on shas, but you can't ignore first hand deciples writing that he was bukke and a guan in toiras HANIGLA Kiachud Mihatinuim! You can take them by thier word as they were well known holy tzadeekim, or you can choose not to believe their accounts, for whatever reason But to not mention their recollections of their rabbi as historical facts is misleading to say the least

i have a question Dr. Henry Abramson, where have the Jews come from when they enters Europe ?

Why do you fail to mention the Meir Neseevim that was a gudil betohra attest to his tzikiss and gadlis, is that a legend too? Isn't that an historical account

hello....how do u become an hasidic jew?

The Besht was born in 1698.

Is the Hakduma of the Degel not HISTORICAL?

Did the aree hakudish write books on the talmud?

Does his siddur reb Shabsa represent am uneducated man?

Why do you ignore the fact of numerous ideological ideas and insights are brought by his deciples in his name, is that what you call uneducated?

Great lecture. Thank you. just one small comment, cell phone must be on silent. even the vibaration was heard in the video, very Annoying .

What about the letters he wrote to his brother in law and his talmeedim, aren't they an HISTORICAL account? No one needs to believe him , but it's his history which you fail to mention, which brings out what kind of Human he was! If he wasn't lying in those letters (which I doubt today somone would say so) You see him as a Malich Aloikim ! And you call that uneducated?

You should of known about the arguments about the scheeta knives

I'm loving the teachings. I was wondering if there was anything about Jesus Christ.

rambam

zee abbey smede. Its the See of Dr Smith.

why is the non jew a peasant

I find it interesting that you start with the thought that you do not believe in G-d. haha

draidl

He was a Hypocrite. He made up traditions, clothing to be worn and rituals.

Narish and poor You rely on gossip sources for the hissnagdus , yet you ignore the facts of his immediate disciples, how they praise him, and describe him

It's a shame this lecture, as now I lost the trust on your research You should research and familiarise yourself on more HISTORICAL accounts and redo this lecture

Very very very poor bias stupid lecture, would pass more for a complete bal tzuvah or ger, rather than a true historian

Love hearing your lectures Rabbi!!!