Neil Young and the Baal Shem Tov on self-love

Do not negate yourself

Neil Young is Neil Young. The eighteenth century Polish rabbi the Baal Shem Tov was the founder of Hassidic movement within Judaism. He taught that “the simple blessing of the unlettered Jew was as holy as advanced Torah study, purity of intent was valued over dry achievement, joy and humility were to be admired, and even the simplest peasant could serve G‑d through passionate prayer,” according to an Chabad description. The lyrics are taken from Young’s song “Natural Beauty” on the “Harvest Moon” album. I don’t remember where I got the quote from the Baal Shem Tov.

A natural beauty should be preserved like a monument to nature.
Don't judge yourself too harsh, my love,
Or someday you might find your soul endangered.
A natural beauty should be preserved like a monument to nature.

— Neil Young

To realize himself . . . man must first of all remain faithful to his most intimate, truest self; he cannot help others if he negates himself. Any man who loves God while despising His creation, will in the end hate God.

— The Baal Shem Tov

Previous: Gary Morson on radical certainty.

Next: Kurt Vonnegut on a bad man who wrote great books.