Home Customs The Breslov Garb

The Breslov Garb

by Yossi Katz
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I know there is no official Breslover garb, however are any of the chassidic garments (gartel, beketshe, shtreimel, etc.) mention in any of Rabbeinu or Rebbe Nosson’s writing?

Via the Breslov.org FAQ:

There is no typical Breslover dress-code, and indeed Breslover community gatherings are characterized by an enormous diversity of costume indicating the diversity of those making up the movement. Mens clothes range from traditional kaftans and shtreimels, to suits, casual shirts and slacks, blue jeans etc.

Rebbe Noson does strongly condemn against the trend which was becoming prevalent at the time to remove the “Jewish” clothing styles and begin dressing like a non-Jew. This included short jackets and shaving. However, in my opinion and according to many others with whom I have consulted, much of this was related to the growing influence of the so called Enlightenment Movement or Haskalah who were preaching for Jews to modernize and were strongly opposed to traditional Judaism. Today we find ourselves in the aftermath of this movement and most Jews simply grew up with these styles, they didn’t have to remove anything to be wearing what they are wearing. Therefore, the situation is entirely different.

It should also be noted that the clothing at the time of Rebbe Noson’s discussion was called Jewish and not necessarily “Chassidic.” If one would like to go in the ways of Jewish styles which were worn over the centuries that is certainly praiseworthy, but today one sees an entire spectrum of different styles, and in my opinion, far too much emphasis and sometimes pride is being placed on small details for those who are familiar with the Chassidic Styles of today. Breslover Chassidim certainly do not want to make fashion statements as this would be the opposite of Rebbe Nachman’s essential doctrine of simplicity.

A gartel (special belt worn for prayers)  is almost universally accepted amongst all Chassidim. But again, the emphasis on different sizes or how it is woven certainly defy what the Rebbe wanted from us. It would probably be better to go without one then to wear one with feelings of pride, this may be why you see some Breslover Chassidim are not as careful about this.  The same holds true for shtreimels, for those familiar; the color of the hairs, height of the shtreimel and other aspects have become part of the shtreimel buying process. Rebbe Noson himself writes how he gladly did not wear a shtreimel as it was only worn by Rebbes or big Rabanim in his time, he was very happy to wear a simple cap and focus his efforts on serving HaShem rather then what he was wearing. If he found it to be a distraction, certainly we must be weary of this as well.

If one has made Hisbodedus and feels that the correct way for him to follow is to go with a Chassidic garb, he should do such and certainly if appropriate this is praiseworthy. But he must be careful to do this because he feels it is the correct thing and not because he is somehow better then his fellow Jew –  God forbid.

Rebbe Noson certainly does not mention specific styles, again the focus was on Jewish dress. If you live in a certain place and they have a dress code, the simplest thing would be to do what they are doing, if you feel that is the correct thing to do. A typical Breslover Chassid from Meah Shearim would wear a Yerushalmi (Zebra)  Kaftan, have curly peyos (Gekrasled) and a shtreimel. If he were not living in Yerushalayim, he would wear a regular Beketshe unless the community was originally from Yerushalayim and transplanted somewhere else and therefore chose to keep their original custom.

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6 comments

Yisrael hannahy December 2, 2012 - 2:21 am

Shalom i want to study all aspects of rabbenu ztl im studying the internet shurim of reb maimon,i believe in all stands of rebbe nachman.who can i study with im in manhattan? Please take this seriously,so far im living my life with my family serious as possible i cant see no other glorious path but the rebbe please help me646-530-6508 thank you yisrael hannah and family

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Betty Ford September 25, 2016 - 11:40 pm

There are many sources that Rebbe Nachman wore a shtreimel. I don’t know why this author is suggesting otherwise. I understand the kiruv aspect to an article like this, but misinformation doesn’t help anyone.

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Yossi Katz September 26, 2016 - 10:58 am

Rebbe Nachman certainly wore a Shtreimel! But Reb Noson didn’t. A shtreimel was a hat worn mainly by Rebbe’s in the times of Rebbe Nachman. Today, it is worn by Chassidim in general.

The article was never about what Rebbe Nachman wore but about what he wrote about the subject. The Breslov emphasis as the article states was always about Jewish clothing which would depend on your community’s style. As I wrote a few years ago, if one feels the desire to specifically dress according a certain Chassidic style of a different community then their own, that is great as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of your thinking you are somehow greater than everyone else.

There is no codified Breslov style and the Chassidus places MUCH less emphasis on this then others such as Satmar or Chabad.

I hope this helps,
Yossi

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Aharon Yosef Bloomer September 29, 2017 - 4:53 am

A very good answer Yossi.

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Yocheved A August 6, 2019 - 4:15 am

I have a friend who wears a long cape when she leaves the house, as well as dressing from neck to toe completely covered. I’m interested in knowing the source of the cape, but I don’t want to ask her directly, as I think that might be embarrassing or rude.

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Yisrael Medvedof March 22, 2022 - 12:01 am

Wear what you like, if it helps remind you of your whole self, the responsibility or tradition of the Jewish person, this can be good. Though a uniform it is not, we must remember not to criticize the cut of someone’s coat or beard. The garb may hinder you spiritually or help, as in you are an individual soul inside of it no garb could hold you down unless it becomes the suit that makes the man. Same can become an animal bickering and contest of the most same garb. It can also be impractical or costly to clean and maintain. It can also hide the wolf or the angel. Who knows. We do it because of tradition, but spiritually you shouldn’t be lax or uncomfortable. I remember not having proper clothes for temple going in and being thrown out. I didn’t have any other clothes. Is being Jewish what you wear or what you do – don’t let what you wear be what you do.

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