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 mem¹ 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 [?],² and a child was born to R. Eliezer. This was R. Israel Besht.

I.F.

Boyaner Rav

1. The destructive angel Samael. Satan.
2. A word or two are apparently missing (or a word is unclear). The general intent is that no one in Heaven was able to challenge R. Eliezer’s righteousness and object to the Besht’s birth.