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Rabbi Nachman of Breslev (1772-1810), though he passed away more than two centuries ago, remains one of the most "alive" figures in the annals of Judaism, and, for that matter, in the annals of world religions. The Rebbe, or Rabbenu as he is lovingly known, speaks to the full spectrum of the human experience. He teaches that those who feel that they are very great must know that they are in fact very far from God. At the same time, he tells us that no matter how low we think we are, we are in fact very close to G-d[1]. Further, he says that both these aspects can apply to the same person on the same day! Whereas most great teachers speak of rising from level to level throughout our lives, Rabbenu relates to the fact that we may rise for a long time, and then suddenly find ourselves lying on the ground. The main thing at that point is not how did we get there and why did it happen, but rather what do we do next. Do we give up, or rise where we have fallen? Whereas most speak of a linear progression in our spiritual lives, Rabbenu deals with the reality that we must start anew every day; in fact, many times in a day.

Most speak of Sin as coming either from within us or from a destructive spiritual force. While Rabbenu grants these possibilities, he asserts that the ultimate cause of Sin is sadness and depression! In fact, the demonic power Lillith, is explained as meaning "yelalah," wailing in despair. When we are sad, we feel that what we do no longer matters, least of all to God. When we are happy, we are close to God. "Strength and Joy are in His place" (Chron. I 16:27). When happy, we are in God's presence. Rabbenu says, "It is a great Mitzvah to be always happy!"

Although formal prayer has its place, Rabbenu tells us to speak to God in our own words, in our own language, just as we speak to a good friend. This is the way our forefathers and the great tzadikim reached their levels and accomplished what they accomplished.

This website is a tool for study, for benefiting the public, and for community. It is our fervent prayer that you too, will find joy and fulfillment through these teachings, as we and many many others have found and refound.

Most of Rabbi Nachman's books were recorded by his chief disciple Rabbi Nathan.

  1. ↑ [Likutei Moharan] #4 et al.
A photo at the entrance to the grave of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in Uman
Gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in Uman

People

  • Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810)
  • Nathan of Breslov (1780-1844) aka Rebbe Nathan. Rebbe Nachman's chief disciple.
  • Nachman Chazan of Tulchyn (1813–1884) aka "The Tulchyner Rav." Chief disciple of Rebbe Nathan. The Tulchyner published the first volume of Rebbe Nathan's magnum opus, Likutei Halakhot, while the latter was still alive. After Rebbe Nathan's death, Nachman Chazan edited and published the remaining seven volumes of this work.
  • Avraham Chazan ben Nachman of Tulchyn (1849–1917), son of the Tulchyner Rav. Few of his scholarly works survive; the most well-known is Biyur HaLikutim, an incisive and profound commentary on Likutei Moharan.
  • Shmuel Horowitz (1905–1972) An outstanding Breslover chassid of the 20th century; collected the writings of Rav Avraham Chazan.
  • Nachman Goldstein (1825 – 1894), also known as the Tcheriner Rav (rabbi of Tcherin, a town in eastern Ukraine), was a leading disciple of Rebbe Nathan.
  • Yitzchok Breiter (1886–1943) A Breslover Hasidic rabbi who spread the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov beyond their origins in Ukraine to the country of Poland during the 1920s to 1930s. Breiter wrote several scholarly works, including Seder HaYom ("Order of the Day"), which explains how to apply Rebbe Nachman’s teachings to one's daily life, and Sheva Amudei Emunah (Seven Pillars of Faith), a primer for developing one's faith. He was one of the Breslov leaders to whom Rabbi Author: Yisroel Ber Odesser sent his Petek for verification; the petek was returned without comment[1] to Odesser on the last ship out of Poland before the German w:invasion of Poland.[2]
  • Yisroel Ber Odesser (c. 1888 – 1994) aka Yisroel Dov Ber Odesser or "Sabba." The Breslover Hasid who publicized The Letter from Heaven (HaPetek HaKadosh) containing the line "Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman" and which he attributed to having received by miracle from Rebbe Nachman in 1922 while he was a student at Yeshivat Ohr Torah at the gravesite of Rebbi Meir Baal haNess in Tiberia.

Works

Works by Rabbi Nachman

This list includes works edited by Rebbe Nathan and later students. For original works by Author:Nathan of Breslov see below.

  • Likutei Moharan (1808) -- Rebbe Nachman's magnum opus.
  • Likutei Etzot -- "Collected Advices," the practical advices from Likutei Moharan.
  • Kitzur Likutey Moharan -- "Abridged Likutei Moharan," shorter points and advices from Likutei Moharan.
  • Sefer Hamidot -- "The Book of Traits," everything in the holy books regarding character traits, morals, conduct, and upright behavior, and which the Rebbe first collected in his childhood.
  • Tales of Rabbi Nachman (1815) -- Sipurei Ma`asiyot or "Rebbe Nachman's Stories": thirteen magnificent stories that the Rebbe composed toward the end of his life, and an additional ten parables.
  • Shivchei Haran -- "Praises of Rav Nachman," biographical notes about the Rebbe that were first published with the Stories.
  • Sichot Haran -- "Conversations of Rav Nachman," sayings and anecdotes surrounding the Rebbe that were also first published with the Stories.
  • Pidyon -- a special "redemption" prayer performed with the giving of a sum of charity, and which was discovered after the Rebbe's passing and has printed at the end of Likutei Tefilot Part 1 in later editions.
  • The Letter from Heaven (HaPetek HaKadosh) -- Eleven short lines of encouragement on a little slip of paper, and on its seventh line the words, "Na Nach Nachma Nachman meUman."


Works by Rabbi Nathan


Works by other or later disciples

  • Kokhavei Ohr, by Abraham Chazan ben Nachman of Tulchyn. After his father died in 1884, Chazan began to write down all the stories and Breslover traditions that he had heard from him. These historical anecdotes, along with stories about many of Rebbe Nachman's followers, formed the basis for his books: Kokhavei Ohr (Stars of Light, 5 sections) and Sichot V'Sippurim (Lessons and Stories). Yemey HaTla'os (Days of Affliction) was originally published as the fifth section of Kochavei Or in 1933. It was subsequently distributed as a separate pamphlet, and detailed the persecution of Reb Noson and Breslover Hasidim by followers of other Rebbes from 1835 to 1839. Chazan also wrote a number of prayers in the manner of Reb Noson's Likutey Tefilot. These were published as Sason V’Simchah.
  • Kuntres haHosafoth, additions to Chayei Moharan, by R' Abraham Chazan{verify} compiled by R' Shmuel Horowitz (1903-1973)
  • Rimzei haMaasiyot by the Nachman Goldstein, the Tcheriner Rav z"l (d. 1894)
  • Rimzei haMaasiyot - Hashmatot by R' Avraham ben R' Nachman Goldstein
  • Seven Pillars of Faith by Yitzchok Breiter
  • Mikhtevei Shmuel, the writings Shmuel Horowitz (1903-1972)

See also

  1. ↑ "The Petek - Letter from Heaven". zissil.com. 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2010. 
  2. ↑ "Highlights in the Life of Rabbi Yisroel DovBer Odesser". nanach.org. Retrieved 28 December 2010. 
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