A New Soul, A New World

The 18th of Elul is the birthday of two “great luminaries,” the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe.

From the moment of birth, a person’s mission begins. He becomes an active force in the lives of others, and day by day his ability to interact with the world increases. Those blessed with exceptional spiritual capacities immediately radiate holiness around them; they are destined to elevate the world to remarkable divine heights.

When the Alter Rebbe was born, the Baal Shem Tov exclaimed, “A new soul has descended to illuminate the world.” A “new soul”—untainted by sin—emanates pristine and brilliant divine light, not only enlightening others, but permeating them, and transforming them into powerful sources of light, as well.