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Keter Shem Tov: 145 Print E-mail
Written by Bentzion of Medziboz   
BeshtThe Baal Shem Tov taught(1):

Sometimes excessive humility can cause a person to fall away from serving G·d. One perceives oneself as so lowly, that one cannot believe that a human being can elicit

 

an abundance of blessing to all worlds by virtue of one's prayer and Torah study, for indeed, even the angels are sustained by human prayers and Torah study. If one would believe this, one would serve G·d fervently with joy and awe, and out of a sense of abundance. One would make sure that every word one utters and every movement one makes is done properly. One would also take to heart the words of King (Solomon) [David], who said, "If you lie down between the lips, (2)" an allusion that G·d lies in wait by man's lips to kiss them when man utters words of Torah or prayer with awe and love. If one would only take this to heart, one would be seized with trembling and awe that the great and awesome King is standing in wait by the lips of mortal man.

This teaching is implied in the sages' saying that Rabbi Zechariah's humility caused the destruction of the Temple.(3) 

Thus, a person should keep in mind and say to himself that he is a ladder whose legs are on the ground but whose head reaches the heavens, and all one's movements, dealings and speech have an impact Above. Then, one would be careful that all one's ways and dealings are done with the proper intentions. However, when one thinks, "What value do I have in the inner worlds? How can I rectify anything Above or below, that my dealings should have any effect Above," one then follows one's heart's desires, telling oneself that one can thus do as one pleases. 

But this is not so, for every person comes close to G·d literally by proper behavior, as the verse says, "Walk in His ways."(4) Thus, by one's acting compassionately in this world, one arouses the Divine measure of compassion Above, throughout all worlds. 

This is alluded to in, "Know what is Above you."(5) Know what is Above - you. That is, by being aware of whatever emotion is arising within oneself, one can know what Divine measure is being aroused at that moment.(6) This is also alluded to in the verse, "He will grant you compassion and have compassion on you."(7)


 

1.Toldoth Yaakov Yoseph, Ekev #4

2. Psalms 68:14.


3. Tractate Gittin 56a.


4. Deuteronomy 28:9. This verse is in the context of blessings to the Jewish people, and of the gentile nations acknowledging the G·d of Israel.


5. Tractate Avoth 2:1.


6. See #43.


7. Deuteronomy 13:18. Rebbe Nachman (Likutey Moharan I 119), explains this verse to mean that when a person needs G·d's compassion, G·d sends him a situation in which to show compassion for someone else, in order to thus arouse G·d's compassion for him.

Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua Starrett and reprinted with the kind permission of the Baal Shem Tov Foundation. Please visit www.baalshemtov.com

Also, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov in your email inbox

Spread the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov
Bentzion Meltzer
www.besht-yomi.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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