REBBE NACHMAN
OF BRESLOV

I am a most beautiful and amazing tree with the most amazing branches and down below,
I am literally beneath the ground.
(Chayey Moharan 245)

Rebbe Nachman has been many things to many different people. This was as true 200 years ago in his lifetime as it is today, when the variations in Jewish culture and background are astoundingly broad. While he lived, he spoke about the generations that were to follow and gave an abundance of seemingly simple advice. Although his teachings and stories were opposed by many of the greatest Jewish leaders of his day because they were considered too lofty for the common Jew, Rebbe Nachman himself stressed complete and utter simplicity in one's approach to God. He taught about the power of hitbodedut ( speaking to God in one's own language. He also emphasized the importance of doing ( translating knowledge into holy deeds and action. His fundamental approach to life can transform anyone who follows it.

Born in the Ukrainian village of Medzhibozh in 1772, Rebbe Nachman lived only 38 years before passing away in 1810, in the town of Uman. As the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, he was raised among some of the greatest Chassidic leaders of the time, during a turbulent era for the Jewish people and the world at large. Philosophical systems were sweeping through the Western world and carrying away Jews with them.

In Rebbe Nachman's eyes, to bring people closer to their Creator was the greatest of all attainments. He personally worked with the living, as well as departed souls, to bring them closer to God. In fact, this is one reason he chose to be buried in the old cemetery of Uman, the site where thousands upon thousands of massacred Jews also were buried.

Neither he nor his followers had the desire to speak about miracles. When he did perform one, he considered it almost an embarrassment, being thankful and relieved if the whole incident was quickly forgotten. To him, the real miracle was helping someone to become a simple God-fearing Jew and a true "servant of God." He considered this a rare and precious accomplishment, entrusting this mission to his followers.

All of his attainments were acquired through immense effort. He scoffed at those who chalked up his spiritual level to his ancestry. He believed in the ability of any Jew, no matter what he or she may have done, to rise to the level of Tzaddik. All that was needed was patience and the willingness to do the work. In spite of his vision and depth of understanding of those who came to him, he never pushed his opinions on them.

Rebbe Nachman's main lessons and discourses were collected and published as Likutey Moharan, by his foremost disciple, Reb Noson. Rebbe Nachman himself authored Sefer HaMiddot, a collection of aphorisms on positive and negative personality traits, including spiritual guidance on how to be a good Jew. Sippurey Maasiot is the collection of his thirteen mystical stories. His lessons are universal and can be understood on the most basic as well as the highest mystical level. Reb Noson also compiled the primary biographical work on Rebbe Nachman, Chayey Moharan, as well as Sichot HaRan, a book of Rebbe Nachman's short teachings and sayings.

"Tzaddikim are greater after their passing than when they were alive" (Chullin 7b). The power and ability that the Tzaddikim possess to rectify souls is even greater after they leave this world. Shortly before his passing, Rebbe Nachman expressed his desire that people travel to his gravesite for Rosh HaShanah, about which he said, "There is nothing greater." Rosh HaShanah is considered to be the "head" of the year. Since decrees pertaining to the entire year are issued on Rosh HaShanah, it is the best time to mitigate or "sweeten" any harsh decree.

During Rosh HaShanah, it is possible to spiritually ascend into the very "head" of Creation, to a level that encompasses the source of all individual judgments. Since every individual decree ultimately emanates from this all-inclusive place, a Tzaddik who is able to rise up and enter into this level has the power to "sweeten" all decrees without having to work through each one individually. There are people who, because of the depths to which they have fallen, are unable to be helped during the rest of the year. However, Rebbe Nachman stated that on Rosh HaShanah he could help even them. During this time he was able to achieve and rectify certain things that he was not able to do the rest of the year.

He said to his followers, "My Rosh HaShanah is a great innovation, and God knows that I did not inherit it from my fathers. God Himself gave me the gift of knowing what is Rosh HaShanah. Not only do all of you depend upon my Rosh HaShanah ( the entire world depends upon my Rosh HaShanah" (Chayey Moharan 405).

As the Soviet system began to crumble over a decade ago, the difficulties of gaining entry into the Ukraine dramatically decreased, and a gathering of 200 Jews spent Rosh HaShanah in Uman in 1989. Since then, every year the number has exponentially grown, until today, more than 10,000 Jews from all backgrounds travel to Uman to attend prayer services for Rosh HaShanah. Blue jeans and sneakers can be found alongside silk caftans and fur shtreimels. Each person has their own story to tell, but most share the simple hope for personal improvement and spiritual goodness.

From Tapestry of Wisdom: Jewish Engagement Calendar
© 2001 Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma
Tzefat, Israel