Everyone else has had what to say about “the picture,” the reputed portrait of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov z”l, so allow me.
L’my nafka minah? So what if it is? Do you need to know that Rebbe Nachman had this color eyes or how far apart they were set in his face? The size of his nose? If his lips were thick or thin? Will it add to your awe of Heaven or faith in God? Will it increase your knowledge and/or appreciation of the Rebbe’s works? Unlikely. But if it will help, maybe you ought to ask yourself why you need a Golden Calf.
I certainly would like to see the Rebbe, but know I’ll have to wait for the resurrection (aka techiyat hameitim) and then wait till I’m allowed to look.
In the meantime, I’ll try to learn Likutey Moharan better. It’s there, in the Rebbe’s writings that one can see his face. That’s what the Rebbe’s himself said: For in the book of the sage is impressed and drawn his form. For the words and letters that are inscribed and formed in the book, are the sage’s mind and neshamah (soul), aspects of his face. Thus we find that his mind, neshamah and face…are in these letters and words (Likutey Moharan I, #192).
Ozer Bergman
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There is a statement concerning one of the students of Reb Nasan who complained that he didn’t know the Rebbe so Reb Nasan said who knew the Rebbe the one who took him across the river.