Tsava’at ha-Rivash (Testament of Rabbi Israel Ba‘al Shem Tov)

Ba‘al Shem Tov

1793

Defining Katnut and Gadlut

In order to understand what is katnut (“smallness”) and what is gadlut (“greatness”), consider this example: If one studies Torah without understanding, he is in a state of smallness, for his intellect is not whole. If, however, he studies with understanding and enthusiasm, then he is in a state of greatness, for he is…

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Creator Bio

Ba‘al Shem Tov

ca. 1700–1760

Regarded as the founder of Hasidism, Israel ben Eliezer (Yisra’el ben Eli’ezer) (known as the Ba‘al Shem Tov or Besht, “master of the good name”) was likely born in Okopy, Ukraine. Of humble background, he mastered Kabbalah and meditation, and as a healer was skilled at communicating with people from many walks of life, applying kabbalistic principles to everyday affairs. He settled in Mezhbizh (now Medzhybizh, Ukraine), where he led a circle that promoted dedication to God characterized by joy, ecstatic prayer, and levels of emotional communion. Although he did not establish a dynasty, he is considered the role model for later Hasidic teachers. Records of his life and deeds were compiled by Dov Ber of Linits and printed as Shivhei ha-Besht by the Lubavitch Hasid Israel Yoffe.

Related Guide

Rabbinic Scholarship, 1750–1880

Despite the challenges of the early modern period, rabbinic scholarship flourished in Central and Eastern Europe in the latter half of the eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century. 

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