Nachman of Breslov

Nachman of Breslov also known as Reb Nachman of Breslav or simply as Rebbe Nachman (1772-1810) was a rabbi and the founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. His full name was Nachman ben Simchah (Nachman son of Simchah), but he also sometimes used his mother's name, calling himself Nachman ben Feiga (Nachman son of Feiga). He is a seminal figure in the history of Hasidism.

Biography

Nachman was born in the town of Mezhibuzh on the first day of the Hebrew month of Nissan, 1772. On the side of his mother, Feiga, he was a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism. On the side of his father, Simchah, he was the grandson of Nachman of Horodenka (Gorodenka), one of the Baal Shem Tov's disciples.

Related Topics:
Hebrew month - Baal Shem Tov - Hasidic Judaism

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Nachman told his disciples that as a small child, he eschewed the pleasures of this world and set his sights on spirituality. From the age of six he would go out at night to pray at the grave of the Baal Shem Tov. He led an ascetic life. He received his early education in Talmud, Kabbalah, and philosophy from his father. He acquired his first disciple on his wedding day, when he was 13 years old, and continued to attract new followers with his teachings. In 1798 he traveled to the Land of Israel, where he was received with honor by the Hasidim, and where his influence brought about a reconciliation between the Lithuanian and the Volhynian Hasidim. Returning to Poland, he settled in Bratzlav (Breslov). From there, he disseminated his teachings.

Related Topics:
Talmud - Kabbalah - 1798 - Land of Israel - Poland - Breslov

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For most of the last 8 years of his life, he lived in Breslov, Ukraine, continuing his work as a rabbi and Kabbalist and teaching his growing number of followers. After a fire in Breslav destroyed his house in the beginning of May 1810, he moved to Uman, Ukraine, and told his followers he wished to be buried in that city's ancient cemetery, where tens of thousands of Jewish martyrs from a 1768 massacre were interred. He died of tuberculosis on October 19, 1810. After his death, his followers chose not to select a new leader, but rather to follow Nachman's teachings. (They began calling him "the Rebbe"). His teachings, which were mostly given orally on Sabbaths and Jewish holidays, were transcribed by his disciple Nathan of Nemirov, also known as Nathan of Breslov or simply "Reb Noson." In many cases, Nachman himself had corrected and approved the manuscripts, ensuring their accuracy. Reb Noson later published these works, thus keeping the movement alive.

Related Topics:
Breslov - Ukraine - Kabbalist - 1810 - Uman - Massacre - October 19 - Sabbaths - Jewish holiday - Nathan of Nemirov

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