The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov

Features the life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the The Setting -- Beginnings To Revelation -- A Mission As A Teacher And Baal Shem -- A Movement Forms And Opposition Grows -- A Mature Teacher Full Of Wisdom And Love -- Toward Redemption With The Sting Of Persecution And Heresy -- To Death And Beyond. Yitzhak Buxbaum. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 417-420).