Hasidic Judaism Founder’s Meditation Cave Purportedly Discovered in Ukraine

Pictured Above: A hand-dug well just outside of Medzhibozh, Ukraine, thought to have been dug by the Baal Shem Tov. (Illustrative.) Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

(JNS.org) Hasidic Jewish researchers claimed that they have discovered the meditation cave of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, who founded the broader Hasidic movement. 

The famed rabbi, known as “the Baal Shem Tov,” lived from 1698-1760 and is known to have spent much of his time meditating, praying and studying Torah in the mountains and a cave near the Ukrainian city of Kuty.

Jewish researchers from the Hasidic movement’s Vizhnitz sect began searching for the legendary cave about two years ago, using various descriptions passed down during the course of centuries.

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Gabbay, head of the “Oholei Tzadikim” organization, is credited with locating the cave near the Vizhenka River, which the Baal Shem Tov would use as a Jewish ritual bath. 

Gabbay purportedly identified the cave by utilizing various technological devices, and now plans to build a road that will allow visitors to access it.