Concepts, Names, and Terms

in the order in which they appear
(Summary of each act, giving the main action, characters, and themes evoked.)

Hasidism is a mystical movement within Judaism first formulated by Israel ben Eliezer - the Baal Shem Tov - in 18th century eastern Europe. Judaism, throughout its history, has always included both mystical as well as rationalist traditions.

ACT I

The story begins in the year 1690.

Eliezer

father of Israel ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov.

Gabriel

archangel who takes souls from the heavenly Palace of Souls for birth on earth.

Samael

known to us as Satan (Hebrew: Sah-tan). The angel chosen by G-d to be the Adversary.

Hannah

wife of Eliezer, mother of the Baal Shem Tov. (In some accounts, her name is Sarah.)

Shalom

Hebrew greeting for hello or good-bye. (Literal translation: completeness or peace)

Israel ben Eliezer

Israel, the son of Eliezer, known to us as the Baal Shem Tov. Born 1700 (some say 1698); died 1760. According to tradition, the founder of the Hasidic movement. Hasidism is a Jewish mystical sect.

Baal Shem Tov

a title applied to Israel ben Eliezer. Literal translation: "Master of the Good Name," meaning, "master of the Name of G-d." A Baal Shem is one who has healing or other mystical powers due to mastery of the secret Names of G-d.

Gan Eden

the Garden of Eden. Resting place of the souls of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

cheder

school in which children learn to read Hebrew.

behelfer

assistant to the teacher in the cheder who assists children with their morning prayers and blessings and brings them to the cheder.

The Gates of the Forest

the place where the two worlds touch, where a prayer uttered in this world enters directly into the next. First of the four great Holy Sparks gathered by the Baal Shem Tov.

Holy Sparks

in Jewish mysticism, fragments of the Holy Spirit, which remained in the world after G-d's withdrawal and then shattered shortly after Creation. The purpose of humanity is to discover and re-unite them.

Rabbi Adam

legendary mystic with no known historical existence. Bequeathed ancient mystical writings to Israel ben Eliezer. The son of Rabbi Adam delivered the writings and stayed to participate in the study of them.

Shammes

literally, one who serves. In this story, a sexton, the one who cleans the house of study.

Torah

the Jewish Bible. Strictly, the Five Books of Moses, but more broadly the entire Hebrew Bible. More broadly still, all the writings, discussions, and contents of G-d's words.

The fire as it was built in the days of the Temple

the fire that was built once a year on the Day of Atonement, and could carry up on its flame forgiveness for the sins of an entire nation. Second of the four great Holy Sparks gathered by the Baal Shem Tov.

Carpathian mountains

range in Eastern Europe, site of Israel ben Eliezer's wanderings and meditations.

The prayer of Shimon bar Yochai

ancient, legendary prayer, supposed to have been authored by Talmudic scholar, Shimon bar Yochai. Third of the four great Holy Sparks gathered by the Baal Shem Tov.

Mashiach

the Messiah.

Bais

second letter ofthe Hebrew alphabet, as pronounced in Yiddish. (Modern Hebrew, Bet). First letter of the Torah.

The most holy Name of G-d

spelled with four Hebrew letters: yud, hay, vov, and hay. The tetragrammaton. Fourth of the four great Holy Sparks gathered by the Baal Shem Tov.

Non-Jews pronounce this name as Jehovah or Yahweh, but this word has only consonants; its vowel sounds are not known. Deliberately not pronounced, as a reminder of the infinity of G-d (which is also why the middle letter of "G-d" is omitted by observant Jews writing in English).

Ha-Shem

Literally, "The Name." Circumlocution for the unpronounced four-letter Name of G-d.

Hesed

the divine attribute translated as "loving-kindness" or "mercy."

Hasid

a pious follower of Hasidism, the movement begun by the Baal Shem Tov. Taken from a Biblical word derived from Hesed.

ACT II

Dov Baer, the Maggid of Meheritch

successor to the Baal Shem Tov, teacher of many great Hasidic leaders. Maggid means "preacher," often implying an itinerant preacher.

Former believer in motification of the flesh; teaches prayer of Shimon bar Yochai to a milkman, his Hasid.

Bat kol

literally, the daughter of a voice. A universal voice that speaks in everything, everywhere at once.

Zusia

compassionate brother of Elimelekh.

Elimelekh

brother of Zusia. In this story, Elimelekh is the successor to the Maggid of Mezheritch. Envious of his brother's compassion, builds the holy fire to assuage the guilt of his Hasid, a woodchopper.

Rebbe

a holy leader and teacher in the Hasidic movement.

Israel of Rhyzhin

the successor to Elimelekh. In the heat of his jealousy, is convinced that the location of the Gates of the Forest is general knowledge.

Moishe Aaron

favorite Hasid of Israel of Rhyzhin. Unknowingly, rides a mule that is Satan.

Simcha

a celebration. When Israel of Rhyzhin is released from prison, his Hasidim held a great simcha in his honor.

Menachem Mendel of Kotsk, the Kotsker Rebbe

in this story, successor to Israel of Rhyzhin. Fails to ask for clarification of the location of the Gates of the Forest. Spends twenty years in seclusion.

Tsvi Hirsch

childhood friend of Menachem Mendel of Kotsk. Retuns after twenty years of estrangement to ask for the Kotsker Rebbe's blessing, for the wedding of Tsvi Hirsch's son.

Lines in the forehead

In Jewish mystical belief, we are born with unseen lines in our forehead that determine our fate by prescribing how others will react to us.

Passover

Jewish festival of freedom from slavery.

Seder

home meal and service for the holiday of Passover.

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Doug Lipman
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This page was last updated on October 12, 2004
Copyright©2002 Doug Lipman