How the Besht was born
R. Eliezer the father of the Besht was famous for his hospitality.
When R. Eliezer’s wife became pregnant, there was a great commotion in Heaven [about the fact] that a lofty soul was going to be born. The samach mem had a personal agenda to prevent it. At first, he wanted to know why R. Eliezer deserved such an honor. The Tzadikim in Heaven told him: because he is such a hospitable person. The samach mem argued that this is not true – he must be tested.
So Elijah the Prophet disguised himself as a pauper and came in the middle of Shabbos to R. Eliezer’s house with a knapsack.
R. Eliezer received him with great honor – he gave him a bed and Shabbos meals.
On Motzei Shabbos, when Elijah the Prophet took leave of his host, R. Eliezer whispered in his ear – that no one should hear – “Dear Jew you should not do this again – do not travel on Shabbos with a knapsack.”
When they saw how highly R. Eliezer regarded the Mitzva of hosting guests, that he even hosted a violator of the Shabbos, no one in Heaven was able to become [?], and a child was born to R. Eliezer. This was R. Israel Besht.
I.F.
Boyaner Rav