Perek 125
Bentzion Meltzer
The Baal Shem Tov taught:
Just as each and every person is an entire microcosm, so is the entire
Jewish people one single spiritual organism. Thus, some are considered
the "head" of the people, and some are considered the "legs," which is
why the leaders of a generation are referred to as, the "eyes of the
congregation." 2
However, when these leaders become a fitting vehicle upon which the
Divine presence can rest, they then become the "heads" of the
generation, through whom the Divine presence can spread throughout the
entire people.
This, then, is the meaning of the Mishnah, "Anyone from whom people
have satisfaction." The root of the word satisfaction means to rest.
Hence, if the Divine presence rests on a generation, it is through
him. However, when the Divine presence does not rest on the leader, he
should not blame it on the people, but on himself. Thus, the Mishnah
concludes, "Anyone from whom G•d does not have satisfaction" - that
is, the Divine presence does not rest upon him - should realize that
he himself, and not the generation, is to blame. 3
1Tractate Avoth 3:10.
2Numbers 15:24.
3Toldoth Yaakov Yoseph, Achrai #6. The second half of the Mishnah is
thus not just repeating over the first half in the negative, but
adding a complementary idea. In a larger context, this teaching
conveys the importance of knowing one's place within the "body" of the
Jewish people, and submitting oneself to the guidance of its leaders
(Degel Machaneh Ephraim, Matos).
This teaching, though, is not only relevant for the great leaders of
the generation, but to each and every person. For every person lives
within a group, even if only one's own family, and every person wields
some authority over others. Within this context, we are all "leaders,"
and are responsible when the spiritual level of our particular group
is not what it could be
(Likutei Moharan I 34:4; 56:1) 1
Translation and Commentary by Rabbi Yehoshua and reprinted with the
kind permission of the Baal Shem Tov Foundation. Please visit
www.baalshemtov.com
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Publicize the Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov To Help Bring
Moshiach Right NOW!
Joseph A. Cleary
I would agree it would indeed be a great day, to not only to see
the Moshiach but to watch as the other folks are left with and empty sack;
both the christians and the muslims as well.
I've read the words of the Tanakh they say that the j-man wasn't
the Moshiach, I believe what I read especially this.
Please that this finds you and all of yours well that you and
they should all have a good week and a good Shabbis and that you and they
should have a Purim Sameach.
Shalom, Shalom, Yosef
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bentzion Meltzer" <bzme...@gmail.com>
To: "Teachings_of_the_Besht" <teachings_o...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 9:05 PM
Subject: Perek 125
"Anyone from whom people have satisfaction, G�d has satisfaction." 1
The Baal Shem Tov taught:
Just as each and every person is an entire microcosm, so is the entire
Jewish people one single spiritual organism. Thus, some are considered
the "head" of the people, and some are considered the "legs," which is
why the leaders of a generation are referred to as, the "eyes of the
congregation." 2
However, when these leaders become a fitting vehicle upon which the
Divine presence can rest, they then become the "heads" of the
generation, through whom the Divine presence can spread throughout the
entire people.
This, then, is the meaning of the Mishnah, "Anyone from whom people
have satisfaction." The root of the word satisfaction means to rest.
Hence, if the Divine presence rests on a generation, it is through
him. However, when the Divine presence does not rest on the leader, he
should not blame it on the people, but on himself. Thus, the Mishnah
concludes, "Anyone from whom G�d does not have satisfaction" - that
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