Years: 1698–1760
Primary city: Mezbizh
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov or Besht, founded the Chasidic movement. He did not author works himself; his teachings were transmitted orally by his talmidim, particularly his successor, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, and later compiled in texts like Tzava'as HaRivash. His philosophy emphasized achieving devekut through joyful worship, sincere prayer, and finding divinity in everyday life. This spiritual revival offered a new path for Eastern European Jewry.