(Israel Ba’al Shem Tov). Shivchei HaBeSH”T [collected tales of the founder of the Chassidic Movement]

(CHASSIDISM)

(Syria?)

Late 19th century

Hebrew manuscript on paper, written in a cursive Sephardic hand. A faithful copy of the traditional text, up to the final section, concerning the death of the Ba’al Shem Tov. With eight blank leaves at end.

First published in 1815, the Shivchei HaBeSH”T is the earliest and the most popular Chassidic work to appear concerning the life and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic Movement. This remarkable manuscript sheds light upon the spread of Chassidic literature to geographical regions far from its source in the Ukraine, even to the far-flung Sephardic communities in the Near East. - Hence, representing the fascinating interconnectivity between distant communities of the Jewish world.