*BA'AL SHEM TOV, or Israel ben Eliezer. (1700-1760) Revived Hasidism in E. Europe. He worked as a teacher and a healer, travelling round the Jewish Communities of E. Europe, attracting many followers by his charm and magnetism. His teachings were derived partly from the *Kabbala, but his main emphasis was on individual salvation through which the world would be redeemed: "For before one prays for general *redemption, one must pray for the personal salvation of one's soul." He taught that faith is the adhesion (*devekut) of the soul to God, and 'in all daily affairs, human beings must cling to God'. He stressed the importance of joy in prayer and worship, and believed that many fasts 'contribute to melancholy and sadness'. The study of *Torah was also emphasized; Israel taught that it should be understood 'for its own sake', but also by contemplating the significance of each individual letter, which will 'make a man wise and radiate much light and true eternal life'. He maintained that every Jew is a limb of the *Shekhinah, but some individuals have superior spiritual qualities (* the Zaddik). Not only should the Zaddik teach his people to worship God, he should help the sinner repent and through special acts, restore the souls of sinners who died. Israel ben Eliezer left no written teachings, but his disciples preserved many of his sermons and sayings.