Ukraine

Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov

Bio

Birth date: c. 1690-1700

Birth location: Okopy, Ukraine

Passing date: May 22, 1760

Passing location: Medzhybizh, Ukraine

Religious lineage: Davidic

Commemorative festival: May 22

Memorable facts:

Mystic and healer from Poland

Taught about “dvekut,” the direct connection to the divine

Regarded as the founder of Hasidic Judaism

Venerated here

The saint

saint

Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov

Israel ben Eliezer (1698 to 1760), known as the Baal Shem Tov, a Jewish mystic and healer regarded as the founder of Hasidic Judaism.[1] A baal shem tov is a master of the good name, a term also used of one able to work miracles using a secret name of God.[1]