Lighting Up the World written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019

After Rebbe Nachman’s passing, his main disciple, Reb Noson, busied himself with raising funds to publish the Rebbe’s writings and encouraging the chassidim to join the new kibutz in Uman. Though he did not think of himself as a dynamic leader like the Rebbe, he also began sharing Rebbe Nachman’s teachings with others. He wrote:

“At that time I was simply unconscious of the fact that even now it would still be possible to enlighten Jewish souls and inspire them to true service of God the way I had learned from the Rebbe. But although ‘I was asleep, my heart was awake … the voice of my beloved was knocking’ within me ( 5:2). The Rebbe’s holy words were imprinted on my heart, they were hot as burning coals, a fire blazing in my bones … I could not keep it inside me” (Yemey Moharnat I, 82).

In the first year after the Rebbe’s passing, Reb Noson took every opportunity to speak to the young men in the town of Breslov about the purpose of this world and serving God, explaining the depth and greatness of Rebbe Nachman’s teachings. For much of that year, however, he did not see any great fruits from his efforts. Some of the young men improved in their studies, but not in a way that gave him any sense of achievement. One young man in particular was regarded by the community as exceptionally diligent, but Reb Noson saw that he was hardly learning at all. Nevertheless, he spoke to that young man more than the others.

By the summer, Reb Noson’s entire year of effort began to take effect, and this young man threw himself into his studies with all his strength. He kept it up for six straight years, finishing the entire Shulchan Arukh. Other disciples also attached themselves to Reb Noson, and Reb Noson realized that with persistence and dedication, he could continue the Rebbe’s path into the future. He concluded:

“Every soul that came a little closer helped me see that my words were making an impression. Every little improvement I saw gave me added encouragement, and I remembered how the Rebbe had said that we would have the merit to light up the entire world” (ibid. I, 83).

From “Through Fire and Water: The Life of Reb Noson”

The Importance of Joy written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019 One of the reasons we find ourselves distant from God is because we fail to concentrate on our goals. With yishuv hada’at (tranquility) a person can think clearly. However, this tranquility cannot be attained without joy. Like exile, depression leads one’s mind astray, but joy is freedom. “With joy shall you go out [of the exile…]” ( 55:12). With joy we can direct our minds — exercise the freedom to choose our direction and prevent our thoughts from straying afar. But how do we find joy? We can cultivate joy and happiness by finding good qualities in ourselves. Even if we cannot find anything good in ourselves, we still have what to be happy about: “I am a Jew!” (Likutey Moharan II, 10).

But is there really something to be happy about? Aren’t our daily lives filled with sufficient cause for worry? How are we going to meet the mortgage payment? What did you say happened to the car? Who did you say you’re bringing home for dinner?! The list is endless.

Rebbe Nachman teaches: Depression is the bite of the Serpent (Likutey Moharan I, 189). Just as a serpent strikes suddenly, so does depression. Suddenly it hits, and you’re left wondering how you can ever be happy again. If only you had some room to breathe, you’d be happy. Not necessarily. My Rosh Yeshivah used to say, “People think that difficulties are unexpected in life. They’re surprised when sadness comes. But, even if a person were to live for a thousand years, he would still have a long list of problems waiting for him. When one leaves, another is sure to follow on its heels. This is an axiom of life.” Why, then, do we become shocked and upset when something “unexpected” happens to us? It is not unexpected. At least it shouldn’t be. It always is this way. There is always “something else” — something to bring us down to the depths of depression. Rebbe Nachman also taught that depression and inertia are synonymous. They lead to anger, to a lack of tolerance, and are the main reason why a person fails to succeed (Likutey Moharan I, 155). It’s a cycle. Something unexpected happens and we get annoyed. The doldrums and depression, still mild, are on the horizon. We’re already less tolerant of whatever happens next. Naturally, we anticipate everything going wrong. And it does! At the same time, we get angry, experience greater failure, become more depressed and feel more discouraged and lethargic. The serpent of sadness has struck, without our being aware of what actually happened.

But why is there depression, sadness and suffering? Our Sages teach: Whoever mourns will yet share in its rejoicing (Ta’anit 30b). Without experiencing sorrow and mourning, there is no way for us to appreciate its opposite. We have nothing with which to compare our happiness. Therefore, we must experience suffering. Only then can we know the true taste of joy. And, because some sadness and suffering are necessary, Rebbe Nachman urges us tostrive for joy. We have to use all our strength to attain happiness, since only by being happy will we have the necessary faith, courage and strength to face our sorrows and burdens and overcome them.

Reb Noson once wrote to Reb Ozer of Uman:I heard that you are very,very religious. I heard from Rebbe Nachman that the main thing is joy…and [being] religious too! (Aveneha Barzel p.63).

Chaim Kramer NY/NJ Simcha Tour written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019

Join us for one of these amazing and inspirational events and learn how to be happy! More events to be added.

Breslov Live in Manhattan written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019

Join us for this amazing series beginning Tuesday, March 5.

You will enjoy amazing Torah lectures for both men and women, as well as thoughtful discussions and delicious food. ALL FREE!

YOU NEED THE TZADDIK! Find Out Where & Why… written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019

Rebbe Nachman revealed to his Chassidim that just as one has faith in HaShem, so too must one believe in the power of the true Tzadikim. Our connection with HaShem is very much dependent on our closeness to the Tzadik.

How do I find the Tzadik?

How do I connect with the Tzadik today?

Does this mean that the Tzadik an intermediary?

Reb Chaim Kramer, founder of BRI addresses these questions and more.

Would you like to visit the Tzaddik Rebbe Nachman? The Breslov Research Institute is leading two very special missions to Uman and the graves of the other Tzadikim, departing shortly. These journeys afford you the opportunity to visit with the Tzadik, all the while learning with great teachers, staying in clean and comfortable accommodations and building friendships that will last a lifetime.

April 4-7 Travel with our men’s mission and arrive in time for Rebbe Nachman’s birthday on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, a most auspicious time for blessings and salvations. Your tour will be led by Reb Chaim Kramer and the musical guest, the sweet singer of Israel, Yosef Karduner. Click here for more info.

MAY 28-JUNE 3 Our women’s mission, The Power of Prayer, will be led by BRI Women’s director Chaya Rivka Zwolinski and include exciting workshops and lectures. Your journeywill feature a fascinating walking tour of historic Uman by Rabbi Gil Bashe, a hitbodedut workshop in Sofieka Park, where Rebbe Nachman meditated and prayed, an overnight stay near the Baal Shem Tov,and so much more. Please click here for more info.

Join the BRI Uman Experience for men or women and activate the next level of your spiritual journey. BOOK TODAY.

Bon voyage!

The Breslov Research Institute

An Otherworldly Contract written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019 Once Rabbi Yitzchak of Berdichov went traveling to collect money to marry off an orphan girl. He came to an inn where a group of sinners were playing cards. When Rabbi Levi Yitzchak asked them for charity to help the young bride, they began mocking him and asking what they would get in reward for the .

“Olam Haba – the World to Come!” he replied.

One man in particular was very derisive and said, “I have no place waiting for me there, anyway!” Then, to add insult to injury, he told Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, “But I will give you all the money you need for her dowry if you sell me yourOlam Haba!”

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak immediately jumped at the opportunity and wrote out a contract. The surprised man agreed and signed, giving the rabbi all the money needed to make the wedding.

When the man returned home, he began laughing at what he considered a silly transaction. His wife asked him what had happened, and when he told her, she became livid. “Your Olam Haba?” she screamed. “What little you may have, you sold it?” After a heated argument, she forced her husband, much against his will, to return to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and ask him to cancel the contract.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, of course, refused at first. The man pleaded, but Rabbi Levi Yitzchak kept on refusing. Finally the man begged, “You can keep all the money, but please, please, give me back my portion in the World to Come!” Rabbi Levi Yitzchak then agreed.

With the contract annulled, the man asked Rabbi Levi Yitzchak how much of a portion he, the man, had in the future world. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak replied, “When you first sold me your portion, it truly was not worth very much at all. But now that you’ve donated that sum to marry off an orphan girl, your portion is very, very great indeed!”

From “More Blessed to Give: Rebbe Nachman on Charity”

Baruch Dayan HaEmet–Rav Elazer Mordechai Keonig Za”l written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019 The Breslov Research Institute (BRI) mourns the passing of HaRav Elazar Mordechai Kenig, the spiritual leader and guide of the Breslov community in Zefat. HaRav Kenig was one of the few contemporary Breslov leaders who received and faithfully transmitted a true tradition of Breslover chassidus. He is deeply missed and mourned by all. Chaim Kramer

Overcoming Sorrow written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019

Rebbe Nachman teaches: People say that there are two worlds. This world and the World to Come. We all believe that there is a World to Come. This world may also exist somewhere. However, with all the suffering that we see in the world and what people must endure, where we are now must be Gehennom! (Likutey Moharan II, 119).

Reb Noson told one of his followers, If you were constantly happy, you wouldn’t see Gehennom (Kokhavey Or, p.78). The Gehennom that is this world, the suffering which many endure” we will be able to rise above it by forcing ourselves to be happy (see Garden of the Souls where this is more fully explained).

Once, on an Intermediate Day of Pesach, a young man came to Reb Avraham Sternhartz to speak to him about Rebbe Nachman’s teachings. Because the young man had only recently become interested in Breslover Chassidut, Reb Avraham spoke with him at length. At the end of the conversation, Reb Avraham looked at the young chassid and saw how sad and troubled he appeared. The young man sensed this and began to relate all the difficulties and opposition he was encountering since becoming a Breslover chassid. Reb Avraham said to him, Nu! Today is Pesach, the time of our redemption, and started speaking to him about the greatness of Pesach, the Exodus and the true meaning of freedom. He gave him much advice and encouragement to help him through these trying times. At the end of the conversation, Reb Avraham said to him, PeSaCH has the same numerical value as [Rebbe] NaCHMaN (148). How can we connect Rebbe Nachman and the concepts of Pesach? The Haggadah teaches us: This is what Hillel did! He took the Pesach, Matzah and Maror, and ate everything together. He advised this young man to accept Hillel’s teaching. We can partake of the Pesach “the True Tzaddik” only by experiencing bitterness and difficulty! Then we can fully appreciate these teachings. Now, Reb Avraham said, go home and have a very joyous Pesach! (The Breslov Haggadah p.54).

If only we were joyous, we would not taste the bitterness of suffering and the full measure of life’s problems could not weigh us down. This is neither fanciful nor unrealistic. It’s simply that we know that sometimes, we can do nothing about our situation except pray. Rather than wallow in sorrow, we can rise above it and make the best of it. Things will eventually work out. Thus, Rebbe Nachman teaches: Joy opens the heart (The Aleph-Bet Book, Joy A:2). R’ Chaim Kramer – Shiur on Likutey Moharan written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-WJ-sg-9OQ&feature=youtu.be

M. Shabbos In Bet Shemesh, Chaim Kramer & Yosef Karduner written by Chaim Kramer | May 16, 2019 Your invited! Don’t miss this unique inspirational, Torah & Breslov Music event.