The Baal Shem Tov on “Truth”

The Baal Shem Tov's Shul (Original)

From The Path of the Baal Shem Tov

“Truth will sprout from the earth” (Tehillim 85:12), When one is like the earth, which allows everyone to walk upon it, the seed of truth can sprout.

The Baal Shem Tov also remarked on this verse, “If someone sees something valuable lying on the ground, he immediately picks it up. Why doesn’t anyone pick up [the truth]? Really, everyone wants to—but no one is willing to stoop so low” (Geulas Yisrael).

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The Baal Shem Tov once told his disciples: “My children, you only need to be very careful not to lie, and you will surely become good people” (Imrei Pinchos 878).

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Our master, the Baal Shem Tov, pointed out that the eye fools a person. [Regarding a Heavenly vision], the Gemara states, “I see an upside-down world: the above is below, and the below is above” (Pesachim 50a). The same thing may be seen in this world: the “above” is not truly superior, and the “below” is not truly inferior (Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, cited in Kesser Shem Tov, Hosafos, Masechtas Pesachim, 75).

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There is a popular saying: “With the truth, a person can go all over the world.” The Baal Shem Tov explained, “That’s because he will get thrown out of one place after another” (Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Bo, 46b, cited in Sefer Baal Shem Tov, Vayeira 10).

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During the period of opposition to the Baal Shem Tov, a woman once attempted to pick up a rock in order to throw it at him. Due to the stone’s heaviness, she was unable to lift it.

“Master of the World,” she prayed aloud, “May it be accounted before You as if I had thrown it at him.”

The Baal Shem Tov said, “In Heaven, this woman’s sincerity has caused great delight” (Siach Sarfei Kodesh III, 641).