The Baal Shem Tov taught¹: If a situation arises on any day about which one is doubtful as to the proper course of action, one may know how to act from the Torah one studied on that day. However, for this to happen, one must always be in dveikut with G·d, for only then will G·d open one's mind to know how to act from one's Torah study.<sup>2

1</sup>Tzavaath Ha'Rivash #31.
²This is a form of ruach ha'kodesh, but rather than random thoughts arising in the mind, here the thoughts are insights into the Torah one studied on that day that provide guidance for one's present situation. Indeed, G·d is always speaking to us via the Torah, and when we are in dveikut with Him, we will hear His message.

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

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Compilers note:

This teaching takes as a starting point the understanding that everything comes from Hashem, that everything is specifically designed for us by the virtue of His Wisdom: His Chochmah.

The Baal Shem Tov taught in an earlier Perek that all that we see, all that we experience is a mirror of our p’nemius and sent to us to show us ourselves through the medium of external experience. It is a given here that this is both understood and accepted by the student.

The truly incredible thing is that, for example, when several Jews are together, say walking down the avenue, and they come across a sight that draws their attention… this event that they are observing has been set in motion from the beginning of Creation to appear just at that time to those Yidden. And more incredible, each person will pull a different interpretation from what they saw depending on what Hashem has structured this event to teach and show them. All by Hashem’s Chochmah.

It goes to follow that when a person studies Torah, Hashem is showing him guidance by having the Pusek of the Torah and the life situation at that time coincide. No coincidence. It is by design, forethought and wisdom.

The problem is that we rarely look at our daily lives with that kind of magnified attention. We are mostly blissfully unaware of the golden teaching and direction that Hashem is sending directly to us via His Torah.

The Baal Shem Tov teaches us in this Perek that IF we can achieve dveikut (intimacy) with Hashem, we will begin to see that Hashem is guiding us step by step in our lives with the greatest of Care and Love. Awe will begin to SEE Hashem’s Hand in all that we do, much like the Baal Shem Tov was able to see Hashem’s Hand guiding a leaf blowing in the wind.

I believe that if we can achieve this state, we will be in a state of Unification with Hashem. And Jews being in this state of Unification will complete the 4^th of the Signs of Moshiach. May He come immediately.

bzm, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5770