Book Description

The Testament of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem TovTzava`at Harivash is an anthology of teachings and instructions attributed to the Baal Shem Tov and his successor, R. Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezhirech. Segments of Tzavaat Harivash have been translated before. This however, is its first complete English rendition. The translation, by a foremost authority on Chassidism and Jewish Mysticism, is enhanced by source-references, brief commentaries, notes on the passages that were perceived to be controversial, and a comprehensive introduction. ReviewsTzava`at Harivash: The Testament of Rabbi Israel Baal Shaem Tov is expertly translated and informatively annotated by Jacob Immanuel Schochet, an acknolwledged authority on Jewish philosophy and mysticism. One of the earliest Chassidic texts, Tzava`at Harivash is the first complete English rendition of a classic work that has formerly had only individual pieces and excerpts translated. Emphasizing the path to achieving joy and equanimity while keeping oneself free from the deadly barbs of pride, vanity, and other facets of evil that impede one`s service to G-d, Tzava`at Harivash explores means to acheive transformation of the Jewish soul, thought, and experience through a spiritual search for the meaning of existence. As profound and inspirational today as it was three hundred years ago.-Midwest Book Review