The 500 Year Old Frog
Before he revealed himself, Reb Yisroel Ba’al Shem Tov once took a walk, his mind deep in thoughts. He paid no attention to where he was going and didn’t even realize that he had not eaten or slept for a long time • Full Story
A story of the Ba’al Shem Tov for Motzei Shabbos:
Before he revealed himself, Reb Yisroel Ba’al Shem Tov once took a walk, his mind deep in thoughts. He paid no attention to where he was going and didn’t even realize that he had not eaten or slept for a long time. Suddenly he lifted his eyes and found himself far away from home. He was very amazed that he had wandered to such a distant forest, but he trusted that Hahsgacha Protis had brought him here for a specific purpose.
Suddenly, he saw a frog so huge that he almost could not identify the tremendous creature! The Ba’al Shem Tov understood that this is not the typical frog, and there’s more to it. He asked the frog who it was.
The frog answered that he was a Gilgul of the Neshama of a former Talmid Chacham. He had been in this forest for over five hundred years already. Even though the great luminary, the Ari Zal (Rabbeinu Yitzchak Luria) had mended and elevated all Neshamos with imperfections that were not allowed to go up to the next world, he got left behind. Since his original soul had had so very many sins he had been forced to wander in this deserted place so that he should never be saved.
The Baal Shem Tov asked him to reveal how he had sinned that he deserved such a strict punishment. The frog told how in his human form he had once washed his hands carelessly. He had not washed with the proper concentration and thoughts. His case was brought up in Heaven. The Heavenly Court reviewed his history and saw that he was blameless save for this one transgression. Alone, this sin was not blameworthy but it might lead to other sins. If he did Teshuva, all would be well and his sin would be erased.
The Satan was sent to test him, to see if he would do Teshuva, or fall to more sins. However, the Talmid Chacham did not withstand temptation. He committed another sin and then followed with many more until he had unfortunately become a great sinner. The Heavenly Court ruled not to accept any repentance altogether unless the man were to really plead long and hard. But again the Satan came and induced him to drink Mashke until he became inebriated and could not even begin to think of repenting. Furthermore he continued his evil ways, eventually committing the worst sins.
When he passed away it was decreed that his soul transmigrate to the form of a frog, since his original sin had to do with water. He was not, however, to be in the proximity of any Jews, since one might chance by his vicinity and recite a Bracha, which would elevate his status.
When Reb Yisroel heard the words of this former Talmid Chacham, he did the necessary acts to enable the soul to be saved, and the frog died.
(Stories of the Ba’al Shem Tov vol. 1)
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