Death of the Maharal (1609)
The 18th of Elul is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yehuda Loewe, the Maharal of Prague (1525-1609), a prominent Torah scholar, philosopher, Kabbalist, and Jewish leader. He is popularly known for creating the "Golem" (clay man) to protect the Jewish community of Prague from the frequent threat of blood libels.
The Baal Shem Tov is born (1698)
The 18th of Elul is the birthday of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism.
Rabbi Israel was born in a small town in Ukraine in 1698. His father, Rabbi Eliezer, who was a member of the secret society of the "hidden tzaddikim," passed away when young Israel was only five years old; his last words to his son were, "Fear nothing but God. Love every Jew with all your heart and with all your soul.".
The young orphan spent much of his time wandering and meditating in the woods surrounding his home village; there he one day encountered one of his father's companions and eventually joined the group. For many years he lived disguised as a simple innkeeper and well digger, his greatness known only to a small circle of fellow mystics and disciples. But on his 36th birthday, he received instructions from his master to "reveal" himself and publicly disseminate his teachings.
Drawing from the mystical "soul of the Torah," the Baal Shem Tov ("Possessor of the Good Name," as he was known) taught about the spark of Divinity found in every creation and about God's great love for each and every one of His children, sages and common folk alike. He emphasized the importance of joy and simple faith in serving God, rather than asceticism. Initially, his teachings met with staunch opposition from the elite sages and established leadership of the Jewish community; but many of those same sages and community leaders eventually became his devoted disciples. When Rabbi Israel passed away at the age of 62 on Shavuot in 1760, the movement he had founded was well on its way to becoming the most vital force in Jewish life.
The Hasidic Movement is Founded (1734)
After many years as a member of the society of "hidden tzaddikim," living under the guise of an ignorant well digger, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov received instructions from his teachers to reveal himself and begin to publicly disseminate his teachings. He did this on his 36th birthday, the 18th of Elul, 5494 (1743).
The First Rebbe of Chabad is born (1745)
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of the "Chabad" branch of Hasidism, was born on the 18th of Elul in the year 5505 since creation — on the 47th birthday of his "spiritual grandfather", Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (Rabbi Shneur Zalman was a disciple of the disciple and successor of the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch).