Chassidic story & lesson

The Baal Shem Tov and the Cry of the Simple Jew^[1]

In the days of our holy master, the Baal Shem Tov, of blessed memory, it was well known that he drew close the simplest of Jews — men of pure faith and fear of Heaven — and cherished them greatly. This approach was no secret; it was one of the reasons his circle of followers spread so quickly among the common people.

Yet among his greatest disciples — righteous and scholarly giants — there were those who could not fully accept this conduct. Many times, the Baal Shem Tov sent them to learn from such simple folk the qualities of sincerity, trust, simple faith, faith in the sages, love of Israel, and the like. Still, they could not bring themselves to adopt this way, either in general or in particular.

As was his custom, guests who came to Mezhibuzh would join the Baal Shem Tov for only two of the three Shabbos meals, for one meal was reserved exclusively for the chevraya kaddisha, the holy fellowship of disciples. At that time, no guests were permitted to enter, nor even to stand nearby.

An Unforgettable Shabbos

One summer Shabbos, an event occurred that would shake the chevraya kaddisha to their core. Many guests arrived that week — among them innkeepers, farmers, craftsmen, cobblers, tailors, vineyard planters, livestock and poultry raisers, market traders, and others.

At the Friday night meal, the Baal Shem Tov showed extraordinary closeness to these simple guests. To one, he gave the remaining wine from his own kiddush cup; to another, he handed his special cup from which he had made kiddush; to some, he gave slices of bread from the loaves over which he had recited hamotzi; to others, fish and meat from his own plate. These gestures of affection astonished the disciples.

The guests knew they would not be permitted to attend the second meal, reserved for the inner circle. After their own meal, they gathered in the Baal Shem Tov’s synagogue. Being simple people, knowing little beyond reciting verses from the Chumash and Psalms, they began to say Tehillim together.

This took place in the years 5513–5515 (1753–1755), when among the disciples were already the great lights of Torah — the Maggid of Mezritch, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, and others.

The Teaching

When the Baal Shem Tov sat for the second meal, he arranged his disciples in their usual places. He then began to speak about the service of simple Jews, explaining that it is on the level of ba’alei teshuvah — those who return to God with humility and self‑effacement, as if in remorse for the past and with a firm resolve for the future.

When he finished his Torah teaching, the disciples sang melodies. Those who had earlier wondered about his great closeness to the simple guests now understood: the Baal Shem Tov had sensed their thoughts. That was why he had spoken about the lofty value of the service of simple people — that it can surpass even the service of the perfectly righteous.

The Vision

The Baal Shem Tov, in deep devekut, opened his eyes and looked intently at each disciple. He instructed them to place their right hands on the shoulders of the ones beside them, so that all around the table were linked together. He told them to sing certain melodies in this way.

When they finished, he told them to close their eyes and not open them until he said so. Placing his right hand on the shoulder of the disciple to his right and his left hand on the shoulder of the disciple to his left, he drew them into a shared vision.

Suddenly, they all heard a song — unlike anything they had ever experienced. The sound pierced their hearts; their belts were damp with sweat and tears of inner repentance, from the depths of the soul.

When the singing ceased, the Baal Shem Tov remained in devekut for some time. Then he opened his eyes and said:

“The song and melody you heard is that of simple Jews reciting Tehillim with innocence, from the depths of the heart, with simple faith. And you, my exalted disciples — see and understand: what are we? We are but a ‘language of truth,’ for the body is not truth; only the soul is truth, and even it is but a part of the Essence. Yet even we recognize the truth, feel the truth, and are moved by it with great inspiration. How much more so does the Holy One, blessed be He — who is Truth in its truest sense — recognize the truth of the Tehillim of simple Jews.”

The Afterword

The Alter Rebbe later told his grandson, the Tzemach Tzedek, that his own master, the Maggid of Mezritch, had once been deeply troubled for a long time over the fact that he had harbored a fleeting thought questioning his Rebbe. He undertook many spiritual rectifications, but could not find peace.

One night, he beheld a lofty and exalted vision. What that vision was, the Alter Rebbe did not reveal to the Tzemach Tzedek until the week before his passing.

Takeaway:

The Baal Shem Tov’s disciples learned that day that the truest measure of a Jew is not the brilliance of the mind, but the purity of the heart. The whispered Tehillim of a simple soul, spoken with sincerity and faith, can rise higher than the most polished words of the righteous — and in Heaven, such prayers are treasured beyond measure.

[1] From Koveitz Michtavim Tehillim of Rebbe Rayatz p. 194; Sippurei Chassidim Zevin Vol. 2 p. 315 Story #531