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.

Was Nachman actually a Sabbatean?

Some academic scholars of Hasidic Judaism hold that some of the charges made against Nachman were true. He is considered to have been influenced by some of the teachings of Sabbatai Zevi and of Jacob Frank, but he was not actually a Sabbatian or Frankist.

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Nachman's thinking on tikkun olam, the Kabbalistic healing of the universe, especially is said to be influenced by the Sabbatians. However, it should be kept in mind that the Sabbatians based their teachings on the Zohar and Lurianic kabbalah, both of which are considered part of classical Judaism by Hasidism. Where the Shabbatians diverged from accepted teaching was in believing that Sabbatai Zevi was "the messiah" and that the Halakha ("Jewish religious law") was no longer binding. Rebbe Nachman did not do the same. When asked, "What do we do as Breslover Hasidim?" he replied, "Whatever is in the Shulkhan Arukh ("Code of Jewish Law"). To this day, Breslovers remain and are considered to be Orthodox Jews, and they are considered part of Haredi Judaism.

Related Topics:
Tikkun olam - Zohar - Lurianic kabbalah - Halakha - Shulkhan Arukh - Orthodox Jews - Haredi Judaism

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