The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov

To fully enjoy this book, begin by reading aloud. The "story-teller" sets the mood so that the soul may enter into another realm -- the realm of the mystical within the most simple aspects of life. Gradually the reader steps into the rhythm of the anthology of tales of the Baal Shem Tov, who is widely held to be the progenitor of the Chassidic movement.If the reader resists total immersion into this vision, perhaps a review of the crises of the era from which the Baal Shem Tov arises would help. Pograms have physically devastated the Jews. The false messiahs Shabtai ben Zvi and Jacob Frank have dashed the hopes and damaged the faith of the people. Jewish leaders attempt to protect the flock from further ravages by focusing upon the intellectual pursuit of Torah, which tends to leave the poor and under-educated masses in the dark and cold.Onto the stage steps a charismatic figure. Like fire, charisma can be a danger or it can be a blessing. In the Baal Shem Tov, this charismatic energy is the light and fire of Torah, which both illuminates and warms all Jewish souls.As I read this book, I found myself slowly warming up, then enjoying the light and fire found within the tales of the Baal Shem Tov. Toward the end, the fire cools as the story follows through to the death of the Besht. It behooves the reader to review the middle parts to regain the light and warmth.

This book is a must have if you like good stories, particularly Hasidic tales. Some I’ve heard in lectures and have not been able to find are in this book along with so many more.

I have bought and read several books on the Baal Shem Tov previously, but none came close to the scope of this one.I have just read about 40 pages so far, and am already deeply touched by the stories.A book to savor, grow from, and cherish.I find myself sharing these stories with my friends, and they really enjoy them.I love this book

This is a wonderful book about stories about the Baal Shem Tov. I am a poet and writer and a critical reader and I really appreciate how wonderful Yitzchak Buxbaum gathered, arranged and retold the stories in this print form. Each story is a gem: each story is a tiny piece of Yiddishkeit that makes me feel, I think, closer to a God who/that I question the existence of. It is very hard to read more than a few stories at a time because each one is so deep. I so appreciate Buxbaum's approach to the stories and his writing-editing style. "The Light and Fire" is one of the favorite books of my lifetime - and I'm a septegenarian. Highly, highly recommended.

I had extensively read & studied Martin Buber's book on the same subject so i was hesitant to purchase this one. Now i wish i had bought it sooner. This is more a life-in-stories (tales & teachings) than a biography. You can read this book on more than one level. The first would be for entertainment. The second would be for the moral and spiritual teachings. The third would be to draw closer to your god. If you are a prayer warrior this book can be very edifying. Be sure not to miss the appendix and notes which are rich with applicable information.

Years ago I read the book in a library for 2 weeks. I had to pause a lot because the stories really touch the heart and the intellect. On the day I finished it a desperately needed small miracle happened to me. Back to the present, I just purchased it again because I gave away a previous one.

Although I grew up with Martin Buber's tales of the Baal Shem Tov, this volume has a richness and depth which makes it invaluable. My only fault--and it's strictly a personal one--is that there are too many "God, blessed be He"'s and other religious phrases I could personally do without. But it all fits with the Baal Shem Tov's personality, if not Yirzhak Buxbaum's. If you have any interest in the father of Hasidism, you will find this volume a delight from beginning to end (and it should be read chronologically, even though you could pick a story from anywhere to read).

This is one of my favorite books on my bookshelf. When this book came to me, it was much thicker than I thought. For some reason I thought it was going to be a small book. My fiance and I are only a quarter way through this book. We usually read the stories to each other when we're driving. Every story has such a good moral and makes you think about your own life and those around you. There's a few stories in there I could read over and over again. Great book.

Ok I have to start of saying I am not Jewish... but a Christian who enjoyes all things Jewish.The Baal Shem Tov has been for many years a hero of mine.The stories of his life can show us so much of the nature of God.This book is packed with them.It is a long book, and has taken the best part of two weeks to read.If you do read it - look at the words with an open mind.I cannot rate this book too highly.Very impressed.

Good product

This is an amazing book which I will read many many many times!