Baal Shem Tov
![Variations of this portrait are popularly used to represent Israel Baal Shem Tov. Actually, it depicts Rabbi Falk, the Baal Shem of London.[11]](/uploads/202501/21/Besht5534.jpg)


Rabbi Yisroel (Israel) ben Eliezer (born circa 1700, died: 6 Sivan 5520, 22 May 1760), (Hebrew:רבי ישראל בן אליעזר) often called Baal Shem Tov (/ˌbɑːl ˈʃɛm ˌtʊv/ or /ˌtʊf/) or Besht, was a Jewish mystical rabbi. He is considered to be the founder of Hasidic Judaism (see also Mezhbizh Hasidic dynasty).