| Stories of The Baal Shem Tov: Shemot: The Burning Tree |
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| Written by Bentzion of Medziboz |
 "As he looked, [Moses] realized that the bush was on fire, but was not being consumed.” (Shemot 3:2) And then there was the time, on a freezing winter day, that the Baal Shem Tov
was traveling in his carriage with Reb Boruch of Kaminka, Reb Tzvi the Sofer and his driver Alexei. They planned to reach an inn before night fall in time to daven Mincha (the afternoon prayer) and spend the night. While the cold weather did not bother the Baal Shem Tov, the others were freezing. Reb Boruch asked Alexei in a whisper, "How much longer until we get there?" "It's still many miles and it'll take a few more hours," answered Alexei. "I don't know if I can make it," said Reb Boruch. "My hands and feet are already almost frost bitten." "I'm also freezing," answered Alexei. "But," he continued, "We surely cannot stop until the Rabbi tells us to." The Baal Shem Tov overheard the conversation and ordered Alexei, "Stop the carriage right over there by that large oak tree." As soon as the carriage stopped, the Baal Shem Tov jumped off, walked over to the oak tree and touched it with his finger. Suddenly the tree burst into flames. The cold travelers quickly warmed themselves around the burning tree. When they were sufficiently revived, they continued their journey. As they left, Reb Boruch looked back to see what would happen to the tree that saved them from the bitter cold. The Baal Shem Tov spoke to him sharply, "Reb Boruch, don't look back." Immediately, Reb Boruch stopped looking. But he never forgot the image of the burning tree. And so it was. Freely adapted by Tzvi Meir HaCohane (Howard M. Cohn, Patent Attorney) from a story in Shivchei HaBesht and translated in Stories of the BAAL SHEM TOV by Y. Y. Klapholtz and reprinted with the kind permission of the Baal Shem Tov Foundation. Please visit www.baalshemtov.com Join a class on the Perekim from the Kesser Shem Tov: Shabbos morning 9am in the Shteibel Minyan Beis Medresh and around 2pm after Shabbos lunch at 7495 Malibu Crescent, Montoya Estates East. Also, write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to receive the Stories of the Baal Shem Tov in your email inbox, visit and join a discussion group on the stories of the Baal Shem Tov at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stories_of_the_Baal_Shem_Tov/ Publicize The Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov to Help Bring Moshiach Right NOW! Publicize the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov to Bring Moshiach NOW! Bentzion Meltzer 954.242.9208 www.besht-yomi.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it http://groups.google.com/group/teachings_of_the_besht?hl=en http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stories_of_the_Baal_Shem_Tov/ 
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