Case file · Apparition / miracle
The wonders of the Baal Shem Tov at Medzhybizh
Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism, lived and taught at Medzhybizh in Podolia until his death in 1760; the tales of his healings, exorcisms and ascents of the soul were printed in 'Shivhei ha-Besht' (1814/15).
1760 CE · 49.44, 27.41 · status: legend
The account
He worked as a healer with amulets and divine names before becoming a teacher. His letter describing an ascent of the soul to heaven on Rosh Hashanah 1746 survives. His grave at Medzhybizh is a major pilgrimage site for Hasidic Jews.
The sceptical view
The miracle tales were collected half a century after his death.