According to Yitzhak Buxbaum, a maggid who teaches at synagogues, Jewish community centers, and colleges, Judaism links spirituality and storytelling together in ways that make both very special carriers of Divine wisdom. Hasidism is responsible for this connection and its founder, the Baal Shem Tov, remains the pre-eminent storyteller with his tales of the awe of heaven and the refinement of character.
The irresistible charm of these stories reach common folk, both young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate. The Baal Shem Tov taught mysticism to many people and suddenly they felt themselves being drawn to God. Although he loved pondering the source of goodness and holiness, his greatest gift was the ability to bring listeners to his stories to a point of personal transformation. Buxbaum hopes that believers may reinvigorate Judaism by sharing the profound wisdom of stories.
