The Baal Shem Tov was a famous Jewish Hassid leader of the 18th
century. One day his disciples come to him and tell him
that a famous teacher is giving a talk in the neighboring
town and they would like to go and hear him. He gladly
gives his permission and they ask him, "Master —
Can you help us? How will we know if he is really wise?"
The Baal Shem thinks for a moment and then he says to his
loyal disciples: "At some point when he is talking, ask him
how we can get rid of the Evil One of power?"
The disciples are dancing with delight at his answer to them. But then
they realize that he has given them a question with no
answer and so they ask: "Master — your question is a
very good one — but what is the answer?"
"Ah," says the Baal Shem. "If he gives you an answer he’s a
fake!"
from a retelling by Dr Hal Stone
Many wise people read this blog. What do you make of the Baal Shem Tov's question?
4 comments:
"Sinners are mirrors. When we see faults in them, we must realize that they only reflect the evil in us." -- Baal Shem Tov
What is "the Evil One of power"?
A few thoughts: He, she, or it, the "Evil One" is us, made up of all the parts we're too afraid or disgusted to acknowledge. How can we get rid of our own selves? Sure, in an absolute sense, there is no concrete, enduring self. On the other hand, someone has to get up in the morning, go to work or school, buy groceries, make friends. Someone has to make decisions about right and wrong, about who we are. In getting rid of the "Evil One", we cut off whole parts of ourselves, robbing ourselves of power and the ability to be deeply honest. If nothing else, the "Evil One" can help teach us who it is that we do want to be in the world.
I was searching for this quote from the Sutta Nipata...
"Things that are empty
make a noise,
the full is always quiet.
The fool is like
a half-filled pot,
the wise man is like
a deep still pool."
But I also like the 2nd quote from Baal Shem Tov, too.
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