The eighteenth-century Polish rabbi...
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The eighteenth-century Polish rabbi, Baal Shem Tov, began what would be called the
Hasidic movement. He was earthy and practical, yet also mystical. After the death of the
rabbi's wife, a teacher related: "The Baal Shem Tov believed that, like Elijah, he would
rise up to heaven in a storm. When his wife died, he said: 'I thought that a storm would
sweep me up to heaven like Elijah. But now that I am only half a body, this is no longer
possible.' "
The divine connection felt between spouses is like the divine connection between God's leaders and their followers. Without them, we feel less than we were. Elijah's leaving of Elisha, however, demonstrates that after, or even because, our most influential mentor has left us for heaven, we still can do God's work.
The divine connection felt between spouses is like the divine connection between God's leaders and their followers. Without them, we feel less than we were. Elijah's leaving of Elisha, however, demonstrates that after, or even because, our most influential mentor has left us for heaven, we still can do God's work.
