The Degel: Degel Machaneh Ephraim on Bereishith

One of the earliest Hasidic works to be printed, ‘The Degel,’ by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov (1748-1800), is the youngest voice of Hasidic Torah. Again and again in his writing, he quotes and explains things he heard as a child from his holy grandfather, the Ba’al Shem Tov. The translator provides references and background information in the form of a preface to each Torah discourse, without which it would be almost impossible to access the Degel’s world of sublime thought. **** "In this long overdue work, Reb Hershy delves into the weekly discourses, reading at times against the grain, but always with an eye on the hidden radical message of this outstanding Hasidic master." ... Julian Ungar-Sargon MD PhD **** "Any student wishing to understand the real Ba’al Shem Tov is thoroughly recommended to spend some serious time with this remarkable work." ... Reb Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin