When a man is visited by suffering, he should reflect on the allegory of the father of a small son who disguises himself so as to frighten his son. If the son understands and sees that it is really his father, he cries out to him, “Father!” The father, in turn, responds tenderly, removing his strange garments and revealing his true identity to his son. This is the son’s pain nullified. So it is with man. When he experiences any form of grief, heaven forbid, if he understands that nothing exists except for H'shem, and that it is He Who is causing him this pain to see if he will have the wisdom to call out to Him, then the pain will be banished. But when man is not wise enough to know that everything comes from Him, and looks to medicines and other physical methods to be saved from this path, then, heaven forbid, he will remain as he was .  Baal Shem Tov, Orah le-Hayyim chiburim.sefaria.org.il We understand from this Midrash that praising H'shem saved the Jewish nation when te...

 One who takes a pledge from his fellow will do so only if he has no outstanding debt to this fellow and the latter has no claim against him, in which case he is justified in taking it. But if he has outstanding debts to this fellow and knows that the latter has real claims against him, he should not under any circumstances ask him for a pledge. It would not be right to take it from him even if he volunteered to give it. pg 459

 When a person receives a pledge from his fellow, there is a limit to it: his demand is limited. But there is no end to what an advocate of this outlook seeks because he does not know what will suffice to support himself and his family in a basic and luxurious for the rest of their lives. Even if he has far more money than he needs, he does not feel secure because their lifespans are hidden, the measure of their days is unknown. He is ignorant of what he is asking for since his needs seem unlimited and immeasurable to him. pg 459

The Baal Shem Tov said that he learned all his remedies from the verse, "And He called to Moses…."(Heichal HaBracha, parashat Vayikra) Besides being a mystic and a communal leader, the Baal Shem Tov was also a renowned healer, who used both natural remedies and segulot - supernatural methods - to effect cures. Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac of Komarno (Heichal HaBracha) explains that the letter alef at the end of the word "Vayikra" represents the level of keter and Ayin [Nothingness; Alef is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and in this word, is written small in the Torah scroll, suggesting the idea of ego-nullification.] The Baal Shem Tov knew how to uplift the world to this supernal root and draw down healing energy. chabad.org The Noam Elimelech of Lizhensk. He was once visited by a poor farmer who had a 36-year old single daughter, but had no dowry to offer a young suitor in order to marry her off. Since it was a time of plague, Reb Elimelech decided to arrange a w...

“Because He cherishes them, He counts them at all times.” Thus, the counting of the Jews in the Era of Redemption will reflect how every Jew — even the youngest child — is treasured by G‑d. This points to the importance of Jewish education, of reaching out to every Jewish child. The Baal Shem Tov taught that even a leaf’s turning in the wind is controlled by Divine Providence. Surely, there is a special Divine Providence controlling everything that occurs to each member of the Jewish people, even a young child. We must, within the context of this unique Providence, do whatever we can to prepare each member of the Jewish people, and every aspect of the world at large, for the ultimate Redemption. chabad.org "And each man shall give an atonement of offering for his soul. " The word for "they should give 'ונתנו spells the same word backward. This teaches that through giving charity, we are actually receiving charity, and kindness is showered upon the world MiPeninei Noa...

 What a thought for a servant to serve his master on condition that he be paid for his service is considered disgraceful.  All the more so if he dared to ask for a pledge to secure his maintenance before beginning to serve him.  pg 457

 One should refute an advocate of pledge taking by saying to him   "You who doubt the Creator's power to determine and do not believe in His great might, you whose light of intellect has been dimmed, whose lamp of understanding has been put out, overcome by the darkness of your desires, it would be correct on your part to demand a pledge from your friend and equal, who has no authority over you, and whose command does not obligate you. It would not, however, be correct for a hired worker to insist on receiving from his employer a security for his salary before he has even started working for him. Certainly, a servant should not insist on receiving from his master a security for his maintenance before beginning to serve him. Still less should a creature demand a pledge from his Creator before beginning to serve Him." pg 457

 I heard from the Mochiach z"l, who said in the name of the Baal Shem Tov,z"l that Aaron and Moses each had an aspect of mesirat nefesh  at the time of the sin of the Chet Haegel corresponding to the two aspects of self-sacrifice found in the Shema and in Nefilat Apayim (the Tachanun supplication). Aaron had the aspect of the sacrifice of the body , corresponding to the Shema . Moshe  had the aspect of the sacrifice of the soul itself, corresponding to Nefilat Apayim — as in the verse: "And if not — blot me out, please, from Your book which You have written" (Shemot 32:32). (Teshu'ot Chen, Parashat Ekev; and in the Likkutim to Parashat Beshalach) sefaria.org.il That fire burns and fire warms — meaning: if one, Heaven forbid, conducts himself with his money in an improper manner, then it burns him; but if he conducts himself properly, giving charity wholeheartedly and performing acts of loving-kindness, then this mitzvah reaches all the way up to the Thr...