Baal Shem

Baal Shem in Hebrew translates as "Master of the Name", meaning someone who due to his ability to perform super- and supra-good deeds that benefit others, is "given" the title by those who recognize or have benefited from his powers. A Baal Shem is technically and essentially a Jewish shaman.

It's a name that was given in the Middle Ages to a Jewish rabbi miracle worker who could bring about cures and healing, as well having mystical powers to foresee or interpret events and personalities. They were considered to have a "direct line" to Heaven evoking God's mercies and compassion on suffering human beings.

Not many people with this title have been recorded, and none have it today. It mainly survives in Jewish surnames of people descending from Ba'ale Shem such as Balshem, Balshemnik and Bolshemennikov.

The most famous Baal Shem was the founder of Hasidism, Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, who is known as "THE" Baal Shem Tov. Few people are aware that there were some other rabbis who bore this appellation. Another example, although much less well known, is the Baal Shem of Michelstadt.