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.

Did he believe he was the Messiah?

View within Breslov

The is a difficult question to answer. He definitely believed in the concept of the Tzaddik Ha-Dor ("Tzaddik of the Generation"), which, in Hasidic thought, is the idea that in every generation, there is a special Tzaddik born who could potentially become the Jewish Messiah, if conditions were right in the world. Otherwise, the Zaddik Ha-Dor lives and dies the same as any other holy man. There are many indications that Rebbe Nachman thought he was the Zaddik Ha-Dor, or "True Tzaddik", but it is not known if he ever actually claimed to be the Messiah. Some have speculated that this claim was made in the manuscript that he wrote and later ordered his disciples to burn. It is known that this Burned Book existed, but not what was in it. (Through Fire and Water, Chapter 16, "The Burned Book." )

Related Topics:
Hasidic thought - Tzaddik - Jewish Messiah

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If Rebbe Nachman did claim to be the Messiah in the Burned Book, then the act of burning the manuscript would appear to have been a retraction. Toward the end of his life he said, "My light will burn until the coming of the Messiah" -- indicating that the Messiah was not here yet. Breslovers today do not believe he was the Messiah, but they do believe his light continues to shine through his teachings.

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Academic secular view

The Encyclopedia Judaica quote below claims that Nachman did see himself as the Messiah. However, many modern-day Breslovers would disagree with this academic view of their Rebbe. They might also disagree that all references to "the zaddik" were meant as references to himself only. The quote is included here to show a different scholarly opinion, not as Breslov doctrine:

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:His extremely radical doctrine on the zaddik (which always refers to himself) encompassed his role as the Messiah. Both the image of the suffering Messiah and the image of the Messiah who aids needy sinful souls through paradoxical tikkunim determine the structure of the messianic personality. Faith occupies a central position in the structure of values of the Bratslav hasidic system. The Bratslav concept of faith is paradoxical. The obligation of faith is part of the traditional Jewish religion, but first and foremost it is essential to believe in the paradoxical zaddik, i.e., Nahman himself. Although questions might arise about him, his Hasid must believe in him wholly. (Nahman of Bratslav, Encyclopedia Judaica)

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Views of Chaim Kramer

Rabbi Chaim Kramer, in Through Fire and Water: The Life of Reb Noson of Breslov, writes that Rebbe Nachman had told Reb Noson that the Messiah was coming soon, and that he knew the exact day and hour. But after the Rebbe's son died, he said that the Messiah would not come for at least a hundred years. Reb Yudel (a disciple) then asked, "But you told me that I'll receive Maschiach with this coat?!" The Rebbe answered, "That was what I said then. Now I say differently." (page 113, based on Siach Sarfei Kodesh 1-132)

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