Ba'al Shem Tov

Ba'al Shem Tov (Israel ben Eliezer; 1700?–60), Jewish teacher and founder of the religious movement Hasidism. Ba'al Shem Tov (Hebrew: “Master of the Good Name”) was considered by his followers a miracle healer. He advocated the joyous worship of God in all activities, opposing fasting and other forms of self-denial. Hasidism is now practiced by some Jews in Europe, Israel, and the United States.

See also: Hasidism.