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Tzava'at Harivash

By Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov; translated and annotated by J. Immanuel Schochet
Published and copyrighted by Kehot Publication Society

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Something may come your way and you do not know whether to pursue it or not. If you studied Torah that day, however, you will be able to determine your course of action from the subject-matter that you learned. 1 Just assure that you are continuously attached to God; He will then always provide you with the opportunity to know [how to act] from the Torah [studied]. 2

If, however, one relates to God haphazardly, then God, too, will deal with you in a random way. 3 Moreover, He will not provide you with the garments and food which contain the sparks related to the source of your soul that are meant for you to correct. 4

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FOOTNOTES
1.	It is related of the Baal Shem Tov that he would look into sacred texts and then answer those who sought his counsel. In this context note his interpretation of the Midrash that states that God concealed the original light of the first day of creation: the light was hidden in the Torah (see Zohar Chadash, Ruth, 85a-b; Sefer Habahir, par. 147-9), and by means of it one is able to see things that are not normally perceived. (Degel Machaneh Ephrayim, on Genesis 1:4)
2.	The version of this section in Likkutim Yekarim (sect. 11-12) is preceded by the following words: “As you subdue all your thoughts to the Creator, blessed be He, He will inspire your thoughts with [the idea] of what you need to do, as it is said, ‘Cast your burden upon God [and He will sustain you.]’ (Psalms 55:23). R. Israel Baal Shem Tov said that when you are attached [in a state of deveikut] to the Creator, blessed be He, and a thought comes to you about whatever it may be, then things are most likely as it occurred in your thought. This is a bit of ru’ach hakodesh (holy spirit; a prophetic spirit).”
3.	God relates to man “measure for measure” (cf. below, sect. 112. 116 and 142). Thus “if you behave haphazardly with Me, I, too, will deal with you haphazardly” (Leviticus 26:22-24, and see there also verses 21, 27-28, and 40-41).
4.	All things in this world contain “holy sparks” that must be elevated to their Divine source. This is achieved by using all things for their intended purpose in context of man’s service of God. When permissible foods, garments or objects come your way, it is an indication that they contain “holy sparks” related to your soul, i.e., that it is meant for you to elevate them. (See below, sect. 109.) The punishment for relating to God haphazardly is that you will be deprived of this opportunity.

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	Tzava'at Harivash is an anthology of teachings and instructions attributed to the Baal Shem Tov and his successor, R. Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezhrich. The translation, by a foremost authority on Chassidism and Jewish Mysticism, is enhanced by source-references, brief commentaries, notes on the passages that were perceived to be controversial, and a comprehensive introduction.


	Kehot Publication Society and Merkos Publications, the publishing divisions of the Lubavitch movement have brought Torah education to nearly every Jewish community in the world. More than 100,000,000 volumes have been disseminated to date in over 12 languages, both for newcomer as well as for those well versed in Torah knowledge. Visit Kehot.com »

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