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Historical & Religious Figures

Baal Shem Tov

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Who

Baal Shem Tov · Historical & Religious Figures

What

Founder of Hasidic Judaism, emphasizing joy, devotion and the divine in daily life

When

c. 1698, Okopy, Poland (now Ukraine) — 1760, Medzhybizh (now Ukraine)

Where

Podolia (Poland, now Ukraine)

Biography

Baal Shem Tov is recognized among Jewish contributors to Historical & Religious Figures — Founder of Hasidic Judaism, emphasizing joy, devotion and the divine in daily life

How & why

Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov, founded Hasidic Judaism in early 18th-century Podolia, teaching that sincere joy, prayer and devotion could bring every Jew close to God regardless of scholarly learning. His teachings sparked a spiritual movement that reshaped Eastern European Jewry and endures worldwide.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Jewish tradition

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Contributions & Sources

Founder of Hasidic Judaism, emphasizing joy, devotion and the divine in daily life

1698

Source: Jewish tradition