עריכת הדף "משתמש:י נעוולער/The Baal Shem Tov" (פסקה)

===Childhood===
The Baal Shem Tov was orphaned from both his parents at age five. When his father passed away, his last words to his only son were: "My son, do not fear anyone besides Hashem. Love every Jew from the depths of your heart, regardless of who he is and what he does". The Baal Shem Tov took that as his father's last will and lived by it.i

After he was orphaned, the residents of his village took care of him for a while; but that arrangement didn't last very long.i

As a child, the Baal Shem Tov would wander off into the forest where, in the pristine nature, he felt at peace. There he would review what he learned, and at times even fall asleep.i

Once, as he was walking around the forest, he found a Hidden Tzaddik deep in prayer near a tree. The Baal Shem Tov asked the man to teach him Torah.i

After learning with the Baal Shem Tov for a while, the Tzaddik gave him over to Rabbi Meir, one of the leaders of the Hidden Tzaddikim. There the Baal Shem Tov lived for four years, and it was there that he amassed his extensive knowledge in Kabbalah and the secrets of the Torah.i

The Baal Shem Tov would later say that during his stay with Rabbi Meir he met Eliyahu Hanavi.i