Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)

Breslov is the name commonly given to the Hasidic movement which originated in the town of Bratslav in what is now Ukraine. Breslovers are Orthodox Jews who follow the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism. His followers usually refer to him as "Rebbe Nachman."

The spelling "Breslov" is preferred over "Bratzlav" by the Breslover Hasidim because the name Breslov is a play on a phrase in Askenazic Hebrew, bris lev, which means "covenant (or circumcision) of the heart." The Breslov approach places greater stress on serving God through the sincerity of the heart, with much joy and living life as intensely as possible.

Breslover Hasidism is most unusual in that it has no living rebbe, and has not had one for almost two hundred years. Rabbi Nachman was adamant that he did not want to found a dynasty, and appointed no successor. In 1810, upon Rabbi Nachman's death, it was decided not to select a new leader for the movement, but rather, to study the teachings left behind by Rebbe Nachman. It is for this reason that Breslovers are sometimes derided by other Hasidic groups as the Toite Chassidim (the "Dead Chassidim") in Yiddish. Breslovers, on the other hand, will sometimes reply that "it is better to have a dead Rebbe who is alive (in his teachings) than a live Rebbe who is dead (in his practice)." Today, there is no single council of elders in Breslov, and no official membership list, although some groups do maintain mailing lists. Breslover Hasidim are free to seek advice from any Orthodox rabbi whom they may choose.

Breslovers describe themselves as dedicated to fulfilling the spirit of the Torah's laws, as well as the letter of them. They see Torah life as the means to a joyful existence, and their approach to worship is very personalized and emotional, with much clapping, singing, and dancing. Rebbe Nachman said, "It's a great mitzvah (commandment) always to be happy." Even in the Nazi concentration camps, the Breslovers strove to find joy in life. The well-known tune to Ani Maamin (I believe) is attributed to the Breslover Hasidim.

They do not restrict themselves to Nachman's commentaries on the Torah, but also study many of the classic texts, including the Tanakh, the Talmud, the Midrash, and many others. They may also study the writings of Rebbes from other dynasties. Breslov communities exist in several locations in Israel, as well as in major cities around the world that have large Jewish populations, including Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and London.

One distinctively Breslov practice is called hisboddidus (hiss-BO-de-duss), also called hitbadedut (heet-bah-day-DOOT) in Israeli Hebrew. This literally means "to make oneself be in solitude." The Breslov form of hisboddidus is a personalized form of free-flowing verbal prayer which is practiced by the individual Hasid, in addition to the regular daily services in the synagogue. Breslover Hasidim try to spend an hour alone with God each day, pouring out their thoughts and concerns in whatever language they speak, as if talking to a close personal friend. Rebbe Nachman said that the best place to do this is alone in a field or a forest, but if this is not possible, one can do it in a private room.

Another specifically Breslov practice is the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to the grave of Rebbe Nachman in Uman, Ukraine. Rebbe Nachman himself said: "Whoever comes to my gravesite and recites the Ten Psalms of the Tikkun K'lali(Rebbe Nachman's General Remedy for sins), and gives even as little as a penny to charity for my sake, then, no matter how serious his sins may be, I will do everything in my power—spanning the length and breadth of Creation—to cleanse and protect him. By his very payos (sidecurls) I will pull him out of Gehenna (purgatory)! (Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom, lesson #141). The first Breslov pilgrimage was led by Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov ("Reb Nosson") in 1811. During the years when Ukraine was part of the USSR, public pilgrimages were not possible, but individuals still found ways to go. The pilgrimage was officially reinstituted after the fall of Communism in 1989, and continues to this day.

Rebbe Nachman always maintained that his high spiritual level was due to his own efforts, and not to his famous lineage or any other circumstances of his birth. He repeatedly insisted that all Jews could reach the same level as he, and spoke out very strongly against those who thought that the main reason for a Rebbe's greatness was the superior level of his soul. (see Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom, Kaplan English edition, page 29.)

Major Hasidic groups

Dominant Hasidic groups (arranged by size) include:

• Satmar
• Chabad Lubavitch
• Ger
• Vizhnitz
• Belz
• Bobov
• Skver
• Spinka
• Puppa
• Breslov
• Rachmastrivka
• Toldos Aharon

See Also

• Nathan of Nemirov
• Nachman of Breslav

External links

• Breslov on the Internet (http://www.breslov.com)—a link launcher to resources from many Breslov groups.
• Breslov—Judaism with Heart (http://www.breslov.org)—the Breslov Research Institute, publisher of many Breslov works in English.
• virtual library of the core Breslov literature (http://www.breslov.com/library/)—Hebrew and English
• Hasidim.info (http://www.pinenet.com/~rooster/index.html)—user-friendly FAQ maintained by Rabbi Yonassan Gershom, a Breslover Hasid.
• Journey to Uman (http://www.pinenet.com/~rooster/uman.html)—a modern Breslover's story of his Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine in 1997.he:חסידות ברסלב