This is an excerpt from the introduction to Rabbi Eliahu Klein's book Meetings with Remarkable Souls. In Rabbi Klein's view, Baal Shem Tov is "…the most influential spiritual master of the Jewish people for the past 300 years." His style of ministry is also considered in some ways similar to that of the shaman, who "…intuitively understands the psyche of the individual he or she is working with…" In the legends of Baal Shem Tov it is understood that the latter conveyed a direct experience of God, as well as the possibility of faith without doubt.

A short biography.

Baal Shem Tov's interpretation of God's immanence is said to have been an "…entirely new revelation" and represents "…the supreme insight to be attained prior to the Messianic age."

A brief biography of the founder of the Hassidic movement.

Some Kabbalistic writings by the founder of Hassidism, some of which are accompanied by commentaries from Yakov Leib HaKohain.

Biography. At the age of fourteen, we are told, Baal Shem Tov (or BeShT) joined a group of rabbi's who followed Rabbi Adam Baal Shem. Following the latter's death BeShT succeeded as leader of the group. From 1724-1734 he lived in seclusion, dedicated to the study of the Torah, but then moved to Mezibush. Here he began to teach Hassidic doctrine publicly, at the heart of which was the goal of Oneness with God. Fifty years later half of the Jewish population of Eastern Europe had become followers of Hassidism.