Rabbi Yisroel (Israel) ben Eliezer is considered to be the founder of Hasidic Judaism (see also Mezhbizh Hasidic dynasty). He was born in Okopy, to Eliezer and Sara in a small village that over the centuries has been part of Poland, Russia, Galicia and is now part of Ukraine. He died in Medzhybizh, which had once been part of Lithuania, then Turkey, Poland and Russia, and is now in Ukraine. Wikipedia
One of the earliest Chassidic texts, <i>Tzava'at Harivash</i>, is actually a manual of Chassidic directives, insights and guidance for <i>deveikut</i>, communion with G-d, culled from the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and his succ www.chabad.org/article.asp?AID=145202
Everything is by Divine Providence. If a leaf is turned over by a breeze, it is only because this has been specifically ordained by G-d to serve a particular function within the purpose of creation. www.chabad.org/article.asp?AID=3073
The definitive Wikipedia entry for Yisroel ben Eliezer. Wikipedia is the biggest multilingual free-content encyclopedia on the Internet. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yisroel_ben_Eliezer_(The_Baal_Shem_...
The definitive Wikipedia entry for Yisroel ben Eliezer. Wikipedia is the biggest multilingual free-content encyclopedia on the Internet. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yisroel_ben_Eliezer_%28The_Baal_She...
Storytelling and supportive coaching. Articles, bibliographies, events, publications, and the experiences of others. www.hasidicstories.com/stories1.html#besht