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Born in 1698, Baal Shem Tov, also known as the Besht, is considered the founder of Hasidic Judaism. He lived in present-day Ukraine and Poland and gained a reputation for his piety, wisdom, and ability to perform miracles. Baal Shem Tov emphasized the importance of joy, simplicity, and direct communion with God in Jewish religious practice, inspiring a spiritual revival that spread throughout Eastern Europe and beyond.