Will the Real Breslov
Please Stand Up?

 People keep asking us "who's who" in the Breslov community. What's the difference between the Breslov Center for Spirituality and Inner Growth and organizations such as the Breslov Research Institute, etc.? How many Breslov communities are there, and what are the differences between them? Rebbe Nachman lived two hundred years ago -- who is in charge of Breslov today?

 The various Breslov organizations are separate entities in every way -- except that they are staffed by members of one broad and multi-faceted Chassidic sect. Some of these people are quite close to one another, often working together on each other's projects; others are relatively distant. Financially, they all have to fend for themselves.

 The Breslov Center is primarily an educational organization that sponsors classes and events in the greater New York region. We are associated with Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma, the umbrella organization for the Breslov community in Tzefat, Israel, whose leader, HaRav Elazar Mordechai Kenig, shlita, overseas our activities. We also work closely with the Breslov Research Institute, a publication society directed by Rabbi Chaim Kramer of Jerusalem.

 There are numerous organizations that represent communities elsewhere, as well as synagogues, publishing societies, outreach groups, etc. This is as it should be, since Breslov is no longer a small group of Ukrainian Chassidim but a rapidly growing international movement.

 Just as the Jewish people has become culturally diverse, so has Breslov. Thus, when Breslover Chassidim gather together near Rebbe Nachman's burial place in Uman, Ukraine, on Rosh Hashanah, you will find Yerushalmi Chassidim sitting beside Modern Orthodox professionals, black-hatted Litvishe yeshiva students beside "Shlomo People" from the Upper West Side, austere Sephardic Kabbalists beside new Baalei Teshuvah. Inevitably, the people who make up contemporary Breslov have different ways of relating to Rebbe Nachman's teachings.

 Whether by intention or default, Breslov is more individualistic than other Chassidic groups. It has no "dress code," nor does it emphasize special customs (although a few have been preserved). An Ashkenazic Jew is encouraged to follow an Ashkenazic Rav, a Sephardic Jew is encouraged to follow a Sephardic Rav, etc. You can be a sincere Breslover Chassid without adopting the outer trappings of another culture, but simply by devotedly studying and following Rebbe Nachman's teachings and adhering to the dictates of halacha (normative religious law).

 However, like everything else in Judaism, this requires submission to a qualified living teacher and establishing a connection to the mesorah -- the chain of transmission from master to disciple throughout the ages. Otherwise, you will constantly make mistakes until you acquire broad knowledge of the texts; a process that may take many years, and you will probably fool yourself when confronted by concepts that challenge your previous assumptions. Only a living teacher can show you your own foibles, making it possible to get beyond the ego and grasp a bit of truth.

 Who are the qualified Breslover teachers today? Obviously, there cannot be a simple answer to this question. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 97a) states that before the coming of Moshiach, "the truth will be divided into many groups (adarim, adarim)." Perhaps alluding to this tradition, Rebbe Nachman predicted that his followers will separate into many groups (Chayei Moharan 319). If this was true in the past, it is certainly true today, when the Breslov community has become so large and diverse. However, this does not mean that the newcomer is at a total loss.

 Ideally, a Breslover teacher should be a talmid chacharn, for one who is not solidly grounded in Torah cannot be more than a sporadically inspired explorer of Rebbe Nachman's works. He must be fluent in the Breslov literature in particular. He must have the moral integrity and refined character traits that we all strive for, particularly the traits of humility and compassion. Like the biblical Joshua, he must know how to guide people from different cultural backgrounds and on different spiritual levels, with different abilities, needs, etc. Sometimes what's "right" for one person is "wrong" for another. Also, it is not enough to be a "self-made man"; with all his creativity and accomplishments, the teacher must be rooted in the Breslov mesorah.

 Some contemporary teachers lack these qualifications (you don't need a diploma to call yourself a Breslover teacher). Others may possess them, yet their understandings occasionally differ. At times, their approaches even appear to be mutually exclusive. No doubt, this confused state of affairs is due to our own unworthiness and lack of knowledge. This is unfortunate.

 On the other hand, such diversity may have a positive side. During his lifetime, the Rebbe led even his closest disciples in different ways, each one according to what the Kabbalists call his shoresh nesharnah.* Perhaps through the diversity that characterizes Breslov today, Rebbe Nachman is continuing to lead us, providing each person with the instruction he or she requires, according to his or her own shoresh neshamah.

 The bottom line is: everyone must search to find his or her own niche -- the right teacher, rav, community -- even after coming to the conclusion that "Breslov is the path for me." This takes time and effort and heartfelt prayer. But until you achieve clarity, make the best of the resources at hand; live with the "good points" in your present teachers and friends; and be exceedingly patient, as Rebbe Nachman recommends, "especially with yourself."