[Avodah] proofs of G-d

[Marty Bluke]

R' Zev Sero writes:
<As for the question of rishonim and acharonim and yeridas hadoros,
that model doesn't fit the Baal Shem Tov, whose rebbe was <Achiyah
Hashiloni.

To state that the Baal Shem Tov's Rebbe was Achiyah Hashiloni as an
undisputed fact is a bit much. The Gra certainly didn't believe that
the Baal Shem Tov's Rebbe was Achiyah Hashiloni. I don't think that
any of the Litvishe Gedolim (certainly not the Briskers) throughout
the generations ever believed this story. As RYBS would say it is a
chassidishe maase. To state that because of this maase the Baal Shem
Tov is not governed by the general klallim of yeridas hadoros and
rishonim is very dangerous.