Women and Breslov Chasidus Part 1

Once Rebbe Nachman asked his followers: “Why don't you make your wives Chasidistehs?” (Siach Sarfei Kodesh 2, 1-14). (In Yiddish, “Chasidistehs” means “women Chasidim.”) Breslov tradition tells us that Rebbe Nachman affirmed the unique spiritual talents and sensitivities of women. He saw to it that his daughters were well educated in various areas of Torah, and he praised them highly for their spiritual qualities (his daughter Sarah in particular). Indeed, Rebbe Nachman once said of his daughters that he “took their souls from the World of Atzilus” (“Divine Emanation,” also called the “World of Oneness”) (Chayei Moharan 274).

Although it would be intellectually dishonest to depict Rebbe Nachman as a precursor of the modern feminist movement, it would be equally wrong to assume that the Rebbe viewed women as “second-class citizens,” whose religious pursuits were restricted to baking kugel and cleaning up the debris after Shabbos. Rebbe Nachman's express wish that his followers instruct their wives in the ways of Chasidus shows that it is entirely legitimate for women to follow his path of Divine service. This path may be described according to several basic points:

Prayer: Rebbe Nachman declared: “Gohr mein zach iz tefillah... The essence of my way is prayer” (Si'ach Sarfei Kodesh 1, 492; also cf. Likutei Moharan II:93). This is a universal practice that women also can relate to - especially the practice of Hisbodedus (secluded meditation and prayer), which Rebbe Nachman extolled as “higher than everything” (Likutei Moharan II:25). Ideally, Hisbodedus entails going out to the fields or forests at night, and speaking to G-d for a full hour in one's own words. Women, however, should practice Hisbodedus in a modest manner and in reasonably safe surroundings, such as in one's home or backyard. If it is difficult to find time (and energy) in the evening, one may practice Hisbodedus during the course of the day - even while performing household chores.

Rebbe Nachman praised women who attend the synagogue and take part in the public prayers (Siach Sarfei Kodesh 2, 1-663). In addition to reading the prayers in the Siddur, many Breslover women recite Reb Noson's Likutei Tefilos, as well as other collections of prayers and techinos (supplications). The Breslov Research Institute has begun to translate the complete text of Likutei Tefilos under the title, The Fiftieth Gate. Shorter excerpts from Reb Noson's prayers have been translated as The Flame of the Heart also published by Breslov Research Institute.

It is a time-honored practice for married women to pray for their families and for the entire Jewish people, especially while lighting the Shabbos or Yom Tov candles. Some Breslover Chasidistehs have the custom at that holy time to pray that Rebbe Nachman's light should fill the world.

Torah Study: Although strictly speaking, women are exempt from the obligation to study Torah, in today's Orthodox Jewish world, women are encouraged to study all parts of Torah relevant to their spiritual needs. This includes Tanach and its Commentaries, Midrash, Halacha, Mussar, and Chasidic works. Historically, Breslover women began to read the Sippurei Ma'asios, Rebbe Nachman's thirteen mystical stories, as soon as they were published. Indeed, the Rebbe encouraged women of all backgrounds to do so, also declaring his stories to be a segula (mystical remedy) for those who are unable to conceive children (Likutei Moharan I:60).

Rebbe Nachman lived before there was a modern yeshiva system or religious schools for girls and women. Moreover, with the exception of the first edition of Likutei Moharan, published in 5568 (1808), his printed works were not available until after his passing. (He didn't have a website, either.) Thus, we assume that his encouragement of his followers to teach their wives was not meant to restrict the study of his teachings to married women.

Aside from Rebbe Nachman's stories, a good place to begin studying his teachings would be the booklets “Outpouring of the Soul,” translated by Aryeh Kaplan, and “Restore My Soul” and “Azamra,” translated by Avraham Greenbaum. More advanced are Likutei Eitzos, translate as “Rabbi Nachman's Advice,” and Sichos HaRan, translated as “Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom.” These works are available through the Breslov Research Institute, 800-33-BRESLOV, or Maznaim Distributors, 4304 12th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11219. Shiurim tapes in English are available through Breslov Tapes: 877-TAPES-4-U.

Family Life: Like Chava (Eve) in the Garden of Eden, a Jewish wife is called upon to be an eizer k'negdo (Genesis 2:18), a faithful partner to her husband, who respects and supports his efforts in Avodas Hashem. This is an important part of her Divine service, for which she receives Heavenly recompense (Kesubos 62b, Nedarim 50a, Berachos 17b). No less importantly, she should instill in her children emunah (faith) in Hashem and the tzaddikim, as well as honesty, diligence, and other good character traits. More effective than a mother's words is her personal example. Thus, a woman should approach raising children as an important vehicle for her own spiritual development. Rebbe Nachman once remarked that hearing stories of tzaddikim at home as a child made an indelible impression upon him (Sichos HaRan 138). It is extremely beneficial for mothers to read such stories to their children. In addition to many popular collections of Torah tales, a number of colorfully illustrated Breslov storybooks are available, including The Lost Princess and a series of Rebbe Nachman's parables published by the Breslov Research Institute, and two Artscroll books, Tales From Reb Nachman and A Chassid's Journey.

Tzedakah and Chesed: Our sages declare the defining traits of the Jewish people to be “compassion, modesty, and kindness” (Yevamos 79a). Women of all ages should strive to perform deeds of chesed (kindness), especially by visiting the sick and by showing hospitality to guests. The latter is considered to be an even higher level of charity than giving a poor person money, because it is a more immediate and direct way of benefiting the receiver (Taanis 21a). Once the Rebbe discussed the loftiness of the mitzvah of hospitality with his daughter, Sarah. A young married woman, she became worried about her ability to fulfill this mitzvah properly. Observing her anxiety, her father added: “And what does it take to show hospitality? Another shtik'l kollitch - a slice of Challah - and a little more tablecloth” (Avanehah Barzel, Sichos V'Sippurim MiRabbenu z”l, 2; Siach Sarfei Kodesh 2, 1-97).

Rosh Hashana - Uman: Some newcomers to Breslov assume that the Rosh Hashana gathering in the city of Uman, near Rebbe Nachman's gravesite, was always a “for men only” event. However, prior to the Stalinist purges, women also attended prayer services in the Breslover Kloiz on Rosh Hashana, as well as on Shabbos and the Yomim Tovim. In fact, it was the personal custom of Rav Avraham Sternhartz, the Baal Tokei'ah and Baal Musaf, upon leaving the synagogue to offer holiday greetings to the women waiting outside for their husbands and sons. The main reason women today are discouraged from traveling to the Rosh Hashana gathering in Uman is because under present circumstances, it would be impossible to accommodate large numbers of women without serious breaches of tznius (modesty). However, groups of women travel to Uman throughout the year, where they, too, recite the Tikkun HaKlalli, the ten psalms prescribed by Rebbe Nachman to heal the soul. Travel arrangements from America for such groups can be made through Nesia Travel (the proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Shlomo Fried, are Breslover Chasidim) in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, 718-633-3800.

Torah Classes for Women: Concerning Abraham and Sarah's mission to bring the entire world to serve the One G-d, our sages explain that Abraham taught the men, while his wife Sarah taught the women (Rashi on Genesis 12:5). Without a doubt, this arrangement is best. However, it is not always possible. Thus, in today's Orthodox communities, including the Breslov community, men often teach classes for women. The late Rabbi Gedaliah Kenig of Jerusalem, the leading disciple of Rav Avraham Sternhartz, taught groups of Baalos Teshuvah (newly observant women) at his home in Me'ah She'arim prior to his passing in 1980. His sons, Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Kenig and Rabbi Ephraim Kenig of the Tzefat Breslov community, continue to do so, as does Rabbi Noach Cheifetz of the Kosov Beis Medrash in Tzefat. Also, the late Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, another disciple of Reb Avraham Sternhartz and a pioneer of Breslov outreach in America, taught women. Rabbi Rosenfeld's example has been followed by his sons-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Kramer of the Breslov Research Institute and Rabbi Noson Maimon of the Vaad Olami D'Chasidei Breslov, as well as his other students.

The Breslov Center has offered several classes exclusively for women in the past, and plans to do so in the future. Mrs. Rochel Silber of Far Rockaway has given several lectures and workshops at our annual Shabbatons in the Catskills and at Cafe 18 in Manhattan. (Tapes of Mrs. Silber's classes for women may be heard on the Resources page of this website.) Mrs. Esther Leah Marschette of Boston led the singing and storytelling for the Women's Shalosh Seudos at our first Shabbaton. And on an unforgettable rainy night in Brooklyn, just before Rosh Hashana 5761/2000, Mrs. Talya Lipshutz of Tzefat, author/editor of Tzaddik magazine, spoke at the Grenadir home. During the coming year, we hope to present guest speakers Mrs. Brocha Berger of Brooklyn and Mrs. Pearl Beinish (nee Reichman), Holocaust survivor and author of The Vanquished Dragon. Most of our classes and seminars are open to both men and women. However, in keeping with Orthodox and Chasidic tradition, we ask that the sexes sit separately.

In the merit of studying and following the teachings of the tzaddikim, may Hashem's promise speedily be fulfilled in us, “I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophecy” (Joel 3:1), amen.