Rebbe Nachman & Works

Bouncing Back—and Forward

Dvar Torah for Parshat Netzavim-VaYelekh Bouncing Back—and Forward “You are standing here today… (Deuteronomy 29:9). Rashi comments: “Like ‘today’ which is, which gets dark and which shines, [God] has shone on you in the past and will shine on you in the future. The curses and the suffering [of Deuteronomy 28] maintain and sustain you.* … Continue Reading

September 23rd, 2011, In Articles, Devarim, Parsha, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Ozer Bergman

Stories of Tzaddikim

Rebbe Nachman once remarked: “What most inspired me to devote myself to serving God in truth was hearing stories of tzaddikim.”[1] He explained that many great tzaddikim used to visit his parents’ house, which had once been the home of the Baal Shem Tov (Rebbe Nachman’s maternal great-grandfather). These illustrious Chassidim would frequently visit Medzeboz … Continue Reading

June 29th, 2011, In Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Yossi Katz

Pirkey Avot Perek 2

Here is just one selection from the BRI publication: Breslov Pirkey Avot available at www.breslov.org/bookstore Chapter II Mishnah 1 Rebbi[1] said: Which is the right path that a person should choose for himself? That which brings honor to the one who adopts it,[2] and brings him honor from humankind. Be as careful with [i.e., in … Continue Reading

May 6th, 2011, In Rebbe Nachman & Works, Rebbe Noson & Works, by Yossi Katz

In Memory of My Brother

In honor of my late brother, Yehoshua Moshe ben Akiva (18 Adar-2 5746), I would like to a share a piece of Midrash (Tanchuma, Shemini #2). We all know that Rebbe Nachman zal taught that it is a great-mitzvah to constantly be b’simcha, in a positive frame of mind. Many are unaware of its corollary, … Continue Reading

March 24th, 2011, In Articles, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Ozer Bergman

Praying with Devotion – Rebbe Nachman’s Wisdom

February 22nd, 2011, In Articles, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Yossi Katz

66. The Rebbe constantly spoke to us about praying with devotion, telling us to put all our energy into the words of our prayers.[1] Many times he told us to force ourselves to pray. There are some who say that prayer must come of itself, without being strained. The Rebbe said that they are wrong, … Continue Reading

THE SOPHISTICATE AND THE SIMPLETON

February 14th, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Chaim Kramer

One of Rebbe Nachman’s most memorable stories, from his classic work “Rabbi Nachman’s Stories”, is “The Sophisticate and the Simpleton” (pp. 160-196). In the story, the Simpleton has very little formal education and is very limited in his abilities. He sews triangular shoes for a living, has nothing but bread and water for sustenance and … Continue Reading

Dvar Torah for Parshat Tetzaveh

February 10th, 2011, In Articles, Parsha, Rebbe Nachman & Works, Shemot, by Ozer Bergman

Dvar Torah for Parshat Tetzaveh Based on Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom #23 “Make sacred clothing for Aharon your brother, for honor and eminence” (Exodus 28:2). The Rebbe then said, “Happy is the one worthy of eating many chapters of Mishnah and afterward drinking a number of psalms, and clothing himself with some mitzvot” (emphasis added). Allow … Continue Reading

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother

January 20th, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, Parsha, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Ozer Bergman

“in order that thy days should be long” (Exodus 20:12). Besides Mom and Dad, the “father” and “mother” being referred to here are chokhmah/wisdom and binah/understanding. Chokhmah and binah parent all that we do. They beget our actions, our words and even our thoughts. (If you think what you think about, you might think differently!) Who … Continue Reading

Tu b’Shevat (15th Shevat)

January 19th, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, Prayer / Hitbodedut, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Ozer Bergman

The teaching of the Bnei Yissaskhar to pray for a beautiful etrog (citron) on Tu b’Shevat is fairly well-known (Bnei Yissaskhar, Shevat 2:2). I’m fairly confident that the link to the prayer the Ben Ish Chai composed for having a beautiful etrog is making the rounds of the ‘Net, even as we speak. I would like … Continue Reading

In Honor of Tu b’Shevat

January 18th, 2011, In Articles, Rebbe Nachman & Works, by Ozer Bergman

The following is from the forthcoming volume of Breslov Research’s translation of Likutey Moharan. which, with God’s help, will see the light of day before Pesach 5771. Translated by Moshe Mykoff, annotated by Chaim Kramer and edited by yours truly. Those big numbers that show up here and there are footnote markers. I apologize for … Continue Reading