The Tremble of Love: A Novel of the Baal Shem Tov

By: Ani Tuzman

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 19 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

A story inspired by the legendary spiritual master, Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezar, known as the Baal Shem Tov, the Good Master of the Name, who beckoned forth love from the hearts of rag pickers, ruby merchants, midwives, and murderers.

Poor orphan. Simpleton. Harder to tame than the wind.

He hears what they call him.

But he listens to the presence his father promised would never leave him.

Yisroel finds his way to those who nurture his healing gifts and rare compassion - until he embraces a destiny he cannot yet fathom nor deny any longer.

Honoring women, children, and the poor as his teachers. Celebrating life's simplest deeds as worship. Praying with joyous abandon. Loving without condition. Yisroel's "irreverent" practices threaten the established authorities, among them an embittered rabbinic leader with a mission of his own: to destroy the irrepressible master known as the Baal Shem Tov and his growing community of followers.

Set in the richly textured Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the 1700s, this exquisite reimagining of one of history's most revered and revolutionary mystics transports listeners back in time to experience the true meaning of power and the timeless grace of love.

Character List and Glossary are available at anituzman.com.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Ani Tuzman (P)2017 Ani Tuzman

Awe

I am in awe at the absolute beauty of the story… Wondering how much is fact and how much is fiction. I am truly blessed for having had the experience of this book

A blessing

I was deeply moved by this book. It has been my companion over the last few weeks. It is a space where I’ve gone for peace and comfort and steadiness.
It is warm, and human, and a blessing.
This book has shared a great deal of wisdom and light, compassion, and patience with me. I am grateful.

The Baal Shem Tov…a light to our soul

while it is long, it is poignant. At times you can feel as if you are in the presence of the Baal Shem Tov. He speaks to the deepest of our longing’s and experiences. He also gives great hope for our journey to Hashem. The narration is very rich, as if you were listening to Tevye from fiddler on the roof.

I loved seeing this story in my head!!

Stefan Rudnicki has the most wonderful, sonorous voice to listen to as he brings this story to life. I listened to it half of it on a drive to and from Phoenix, Arizona, and the rest while working on an art project. Listening to him tell this story allowed my mind to imagine the characters and settings in great detail, while my body and hands were freed to accomplish other things I needed to do! I love Audible Books for this reason!!

Ani Tuzman has taken the messages of the Baal Shem Tov (and for that matter, the overall message that Source of Love and Life has been sending through many emissaries throughout the ages) and woven them through an engaging story of life in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the 1700s.

Historical fiction is a wonderful way to remind ourselves of how the relationships between individuals, families, teachers, social communities, larger governing bodies, organized religions, opposing forces, are the opportunity to discover our relationship with Ourselves and the Source of Love.

Thank you, Ani, for writing this beautiful book. Thank you, Stefan for reading it with such intention.

Oh, just a By-the-Way....towards the end of the book, there is a little snippet of Stefan in the actual recording session working with getting the right tone in his voice. Although surprising, I felt as if I had found a hidden present!! Don’t edit this out!! It’s charming!

Enlightening

Beautiful story about the Baal Shem Tov. The author has filled me with light and love of her words.

Beautiful story, wonderfully read

This is a wonderful story about an intriguing person. It is inspiring whether or not you are interested in reading about a famous rabbi. Well-researched and absorbing.

Beautiful, amazing, inspiring

Ani Tuzman has poured love as well as careful historical research into this historical novel. She has woven an enchanting tapestry of what can be known of the life of Israel ben Eliezer and what can only be conjectured from the ripples of love and spiritual wisdom that he left in the world. B"H

Not worth the time ...I tried, but cant do it...

The author seems horribly misinformed in what Monotheism is, ergo what that meant to the Baal Shem Tov. So, IMO there is no point in listening when she outright declares certain people in history (2k yrs ago or less...) to BE G-d Himself. That is Utter blasphemy. G-d has no image. Don't waste your time here. As my Rabbi told me few books are written on the Baal Shem Tov that express his views as they were hidden among our Chassids... See Breslov if you want something close to the authentic teachings and customs here. Rebbe Nachman was related to the Baal Shem Tov, carries much of his holiness and teachings...His scribe Rabbi Natan wrote "Through fire and water" on his own life and that of Rabbi Nachman, its an excellent book..As are the "Garden of the souls"...and Tikkun Olam... Happy book hunting !!