Stories of Tzadikim and Ma'aseh Merkavah
Once, the chief rabbinical judge of the holy community of Grodno—
Rabbi Yechiel Michel Margaliot—was at a brit milah, and there quoted the
Besht—the Baal Shem Tov (zechuto yagen aleinu) as saying:
“One who recounts the glorious deeds of tzadikim is as though he were engaged in Ma'aseh Merkavah (the workings of the Divine Chariot).”
Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk (zechuto yagen aleinu) writes in
“Noam Elimelech”:
“The souls of Israel are higher than the angels and the holy chayot, while the lower world is a pedestal for the higher World... The Children of Israel knew that their souls were the Chariot and throne for the higher worlds.”
Thus, the Baal Shem Tov equates recounting the stories of tzadikim with one of the highest forms of service of G-d: studying the mystical secrets of Creation.
Stories of the righteous are considered an important spiritual practice that purifies the soul and contributes to the tikkun of the universe.”
(From the book “Shivchei HaBesht”)
P.S. On the connection between the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk
The Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite and Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk
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