Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)

The Breslov movement of Hasidic Judaism was founded by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810), who was the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism. Breslover Hasidim usually refer to him as "Rebbe Nachman" or "Rabbenu" (rah-BAY-noo, meaning "our teacher") or simply "the Rebbe".

Related Topics:
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov - Baal Shem Tov

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The name Breslov itself comes from the town of Bratslav (which was known among the Jews as "Breslov"), where Rebbe Nachman spent most of the last eight years of his life. Bratslav is a small town in the Ukrainian Republic, located on the Bug River, latitude 48.50 N longitude 28.55 E. It is situated midway between Tulchin to the south and Nemirov to the north; 9 miles (15 kilometers) from each.

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Prior to his arrival in Breslov in 1802, Rebbe Nachman had lived and taught in other towns in Ukraine such as Ossatin, Moheilov and Zlatipolia. But upon his arrival in Breslov he declared, "Today we have planted the name of the Breslover Hasidim. This name will never disappear, because my followers will always be called after the town of Breslov" (Tzaddik #115).

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Later his followers would note that the name of the town dovetailed with the rebbe's teachings encouraging his followers to remove the barriers that stood between themselves and a closer relationship with God. They noted that the Hebrew letters of the word Breslov can be rearranged to spell lev basar, "a heart of flesh"—echoing the prophecy of Ezekiel (36:26): "I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Rabbi Shmuel Moshe Kramer also noted that the gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew letters of Breslov is 294, equivalent to the Hebrew spelling of Nachman ben Faiga, Rebbe Nachman's name and mother's name.

Related Topics:
Ezekiel - Shmuel Moshe Kramer - Gematria

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