My Rebbe, My Doctor

In terms of modern Jewish history, the finding was significant. While chassidim are raised on the teachings and miracle stories of Rav Yisrael, the Baal Shem Tov, researchers of Eastern European history had long been puzzled by the lack of official records of this famed wonder-worker. The fact that the Baal Shem Tov was supported by the community means that he was a person of standing and not, as some narratives would suggest, a controversial upstart.

What also emerged from the documents is evidence that the Baal Shem Tov was known in his environs as a doctor or healer.

Chassidic tradition had long suggested that fact. Although we have no doubt that the Baal Shem Tov had holy and supernatural abilities, from the stories in Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov it seems that he used natural methods, too, including grinding medicaments and creating healing potions.

So, too, the Baal Shem Tov’s use of medicine as a metaphor for the spiritual. Rav Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov — the Baal Shem’s grandson — writes in his Degel Machaneh Ephraim: “I heard from my master, my grandfather, a parable of a master doctor and a wondrously wise man….”