The prophet Achiah of Shilo used to visit young
Israel ben Eliezer -- later known as the Baal Shem Tov, "Master of the Good
Name" -- to teach him the secrets of Torah. And one time Israel used the
kabbalistic knowledge he had learned to cross the river Dniester: he threw his
gartel (belt) on the water, uttered a secret Name, and crossed dry and
safe. But all his life he repented for having used the holy Name of G-d for his
own convenience.
After years, the Master of the Name stood in front of a river
again. But this time Jew-haters were at his heels, ready to maim and kill him.
Again he threw his belt on the water and he crossed safe and dry. But he didn't
use a Name, just his absolute trust in G-d. And that was enough.
