Tzavaat HaRivash: the ethical will of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid
Tzavaat HaRivash (צוואת הריב“ש), “The Testament of the Rivash,” is a collection of teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and of his successor, the Maggid of Mezritch, presented as an ethical will.
Quick facts
| Title | Tzavaat HaRivash |
| Attribution | Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch |
| Compiler | Rabbi Yeshaya of Yanov (according to Sefaria) |
| Composition | Between 1730 and 1770 (according to Sefaria) |
| First printing | 1793 (according to Sefaria) |
Form
Sefaria describes it as a collection of teachings “presented as an ethical will.” We have not verified its internal structure or how many points it gathers, so we do not detail them.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote it?
It is a compilation of teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid; Sefaria names Rabbi Yeshaya of Yanov as author/compiler.
Sources
- Tzava’at HaRivash, entry on Sefaria