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Harvey Belovski, rabbi at Golders Green United Synagogue:Ìý
Today is the anniversary of the death of a man who changed the face of European Jewry. Born in 1699 to a poor Ukrainian family, Yisroel – Israel, a common Jewish first name – was an orphan by five. He had little schooling, and became a teacher’s assistant, then a butcher and finally an innkeeper. Yet from his youth, he wandered the fields, communing with nature, telling stories, inspiring people to connect with God in simple, yet powerful ways. Yisroel learned the mystical secrets of the universe and exhibited a passion for spirituality, healing and prayer that touched scholars and children alike.Ìý
He became known as ‘Ba’al Shem Tov’ – the master of a good name, or person of tremendous reputation. By the time the Ba’al Shem Tov was 18, he was the leader of a new movement, breathing new life into traditional Judaism in a way that still has huge influence. The movement spread like wildfire, with hundreds of thousands signing up within a generation. Its adherents are called Chasidim – pious ones, and are today the most traditionally dressed and socially cohesive of all Jewish groups.Ìý
A story might explain what Yisroel Ba’al Shem Tov was all about. Two rabbis, one Chasidic, one non-Chasidic left the synagogue after prayers one morning. They bumped into Joseph the wagon driver, dressed for prayer. He appeared to be praying while simultaneously cleaning his wagon. The non-Chasidic rabbi sneered – ‘what a disgrace – Joseph is cleaning his wagon while he prays’. But the Chasidic rabbi smiled and said ‘how wonderful – Joseph even prays when he’s cleaning his wagon’. This difference in perspective means everything. It’s reflected in how to answer the question ‘where is God?’.Ìý
Great philosophers have debated this for centuries, but the Chasidim answered simply: ‘wherever you let Him in’. Chasidism worked because it met people where they were – bringing meaning and dignity to ordinary people living regular lives with all their hardships and joys. I think it let God into their world, where previously He had been absent. Yisroel Ba’al Shem Tov taught a universal message. Spirituality can be for everyone, but only if it can find meaning in the ordinary – the school run, a late night at the office, a moment of celebration, a family crisis. Ultimately I believe that he was right: God is, indeed, wherever we let Him in.