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The Baal Shem
Tov
During the time of the Baal
Shem Tov, a Jewish community was under decree of destruction. The
Baal Shem Tov summoned two colleagues, Tzadikim Nistarim (hidden
saints), Reb Mordechai and Reb Kehos, to constitute a Beth Din (court
of law) to consider how to nullify the decree.
The Baal Shem Tov frequently
made use of these two men, sending Reb Kehos on particularly onerous
missions. He once sent Reb Kehos on such a mission, while he - the
Baal Shem Tov - was away from home. The Magid wrote him that he
had received a letter from Reb Kehos, saying that he has fallen
into Mochin Ukatnus (pettiness of mind), into depression and discouragement,
and is therefore incapable of achieving anything.
The Magid concluded with a
request that the Baal Shem Tov write directly to Reb Kehos, or otherwise
to empower and authorize him - the Magid - to assist Reb Kehos.
See Hatammim IV, p.560 The Baal Shem Tov experienced Aliyat HaNeshama,
ascent of soul, and learned that the decree is final and not to
be abrogated. Returning past the chambers in Gan Eden, he passed
a chamber illuminated with unusual brilliance, the chamber [prepared]
for a villager who said all of Tehillim five times a day. The brilliance
was of the sparkling words of Tehillim.
The Shem Tov travelled to
the home of this villager and said to him: "If you knew that
by sacrificing your share in the "World to Come" you could
save a Jewish community, what would you do?" The villager promptly
replied, "if 1 have any share in the World to Come, 1 give
it up". The decree was annulled.
Someone once asked the previous
Rebbe (Baruch Hu), "How is it possible to say the entire Tehillim
five times every day ?"
The Rebbe answered, "This
villager said Tehillim always, incessantly while chopping wood,
he kept reciting Tehillim. and while doing any, work. It is quite
conceivable that since he was an uneducated man. he was not scrupulous
about his immediate environment, even saying Tehillim where one
should not. However, he did not know this din (this law) and his
intentions were pure, and so his Tehillim was effective.
The Rebbe commented parenthetically:
He did not have to answer why he did not know the din, since he
was uneducated. He did however, have to answer why he was uneducated.
I have a question, Can someone answer this ?
If the villager mentioned above said Tehillim 5 times per day for eg: 40 years, this would be equal to 73,000 times.
My theory is this, If 2 complete recitations are enough to equal 1 atonement (within reason) per year, does this mean that he could have atoned for approx 36,460 other people by giving up the Kavod he had attained ?
NOTE:
Imagine if every Jew said Tehillim while they travelled, worked
and rested during their daily lives. Everywhere they passed would
be filled with a Brilliant Light.
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