Machshava:

Prophecy 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Mevoh Hashe'arim

Description

The Baal Shem Tov opposed fasting as a form of avodah (spiritual work) because it drew a Jew more into the body. Everything shines with the light of Hashem. Our avodah is to peel away the crust and rust to reach the shoresh (root of) of kedusha (holiness). Name of each object is its life force. Our neshama (soul) is right here with us now. Holy places reveal the shechina (Holy Presence) since there is less of a veil there. The way of the Baal Shem Tov is different than the way of the mekubalim (masters of the Jewish esoteric tradition) Mekubalim are able to separate themselves from his world by concentrating on the Holy Names of Hashem.