Keter Shem Tov

Keter Shem Tov

Title page of Zalkevo edition
Author	Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov
Language	Hebrew
Subject	Jewish mysticism, Hasidic philosophy
Genre	Religion
Published	First edition, Zalkevo, 1794 Complete edition, Kehot Publication Society, Brooklyn, 2004
Media type	Print
Pages	4336
ISBN	978-0826654557

Keter Shem Tov (Hebrew: כתר שם טוב, "The Crown of the Good Name"[1]) was the first published work of the teachings of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. The book was published in Zalkevo, 1794, more than thirty years after Rabbi Israel's passing. The book contains numerous, but brief, Hasidic interpretations of the Torah (Hebrew Bible).[2]

The Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement has republished the work in a number of new editions.

Teachings

In Keter Shem Tov, the Baal Shem Tov stresses the importance and esteem placed on the recital of Psalms.[3]

Quotes

• "A mashal (parable) is a vessel for the pure enlightenment of the mind" [4]

Publishing

A complete edition of Keter Shem Tov (titled Keter Shem Tov Hasholeim) was published by the Chabad publishing house, Kehot Publication Society, in 2004.[5] The new edition was edited and annotated by Rabbi Jacob Immanuel Schochet who recompiled the collection and added annotations, footnotes, cross references and textual corrections.[6] A Paraphrased Translation of Keter Shem Tov including the Additions Added (collected from the writing of the Chabad Rebbes) by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet was released by Rabbi Zevi Wineberg. in July. 2020.[7]

References

1. The name derives from Avot.4:13 "There are three crowns: the crown of torah, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of royalty, but the crown of a good name supersedes them all."
2. Golding, Peretz. "The Baal Shem Tov: A Brief Biography." Chabad.org. Accessed June 29, 2014.
3. Sears, Dovid. The Path of the Baal Shem Tov: Early Chasidic Teachings and Customs. Rowman and Littlefield. 1997.
4. Wallach, Shalom Meir. The Palace Gates: Parables for the High Holy Days. Feldheim Publishers. 1994.
5. Keter Shem Tov. HebrewBooks.org. Accessed June 29, 2014.
6. Kehot book page Accessed June 29, 2014.
7. "Sayings of the Baal Shem Tov – Kesser Shem Tov". 26 September 2016.

External links

• Keter Shem Tov, 2004 edition, on HebrewBooks.org