Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 1
JS 467.001/Near East 476.001/Religion 47.001
Hasidism as Mysticism: The Radical Teachings of Nahman of Breslov Fall Term, 4-7 p.m., 2112 MLB
Professor Elliot Ginsburg ([email protected] and [email protected]) Office: 3016 Thayer Bldg., 734.763-4670 Office hours: Thursday 12-1:30 p.m. and special Judaic Studies Office hours, t.b.a.
The focus of this course is on Nahman of Breslov (1772-1810), one of the most celebrated masters of Jewish mysticism and Hasidism, whose radical writings —poised on the precipice of modernity— have attained the status of spiritual classics. (The roster of writers, theologians, and creative artists influenced by Nahman is legion.) The ongoing fascination with Nahman stems both from his singular (mercurial, multi-tiered, questing) personality and from the profound and uncompromising nature of his theological vision. In this class we will explore the existentialist Nahman confronting the absence of God (his Torah of the Void); the Messianic Nahman wrestling with depression and utopian grandeur; and the mystical Nahman, finding vivid manifestations of the divine in the realm of nature (in Forest and birds, the grasses of the field), in song and the outpouring of the heart, and in interpersonal dialogue and spiritual practices that deconstruct the ordinary self. Key themes will include: spiritual longing and the perpetual search for meaning; conflict and growth; exile and redemption; as well as the dialectic between sadness and joy; shatteredness and wholeness; madness and health; doubt and faith; complexity and simplicity. Students will probe Nahman’s creative rereading of the devotional life: including his theology of niggun (wordless song) and sacred dance. As Nahman continuously integrated his life-story into his thought, we will investigate the relationship between his agon-filled biography and his teachings. And finally we will consider his hermeneutical (interpretive) theory: a theory that celebrates continuous creativity — as Nahman’s quicksilver improvisations on sacred text bring to mind John Coltrane’s deep improvisations on a melody.
Our raw materials are “simple”: selections from Nahman’s mystically inflected discourses; his accessible yet enigmatic Tales; as well as his haunting dream-texts. Together we will learn how to decode his work. As a kind of cultural detail, we will also explore the Breslov musical tradition. These texts and songs will be supplemented by secondary literature: drawn from the fields of historical, literary, and religious studies. While students may rely solely on English translations in this course, I will make available materials for those equipped to work in the Hebrew and Yiddish originals. Pre-requisites: It is strongly recommended that students have prior background/ coursework in Jewish Mysticism or other Jewish textual traditions, or have undertaken significant (university) study in other religious, contemplative or philosophical traditions.
Requirements* include: 1. Regular attendance at, and participation in, seminar sessions. (Unexcused absences will result in the deduction of points from your grade. It is expected that students will make up work Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 2 missed due to absence.) The aim of a seminar is to “think things through” out loud, to share thoughts, quandaries and insights; in our seminar an additional goal is to learn how to skillfully read Bratslaver/Breslover texts. The passive observer will not contribute very much to the total group experience. (Class participation will count for one-third of one’s grade.) Also be sure to keep up with the instructor’s postings on Canvas. 2. A short meditation/reflection on the weekly reading + posing one or two questions on the reading/ sources. Due each week by Monday at 10 p.m. (To be placed in a weekly forum.) 3. Two 3-5 page essays, to be submitted at roughly monthly intervals in the first 10 weeks of class (due Friday 4 p.m. October 14, and Friday November 11). These essays should be analytic in nature, and should reflect on some aspect of the 5 or so previous sessions. These essays will also be exchanged with one’s “study partners.” (Guidelines will be further explicated before the first assignment). 4. One oral presentation in class, to be chosen in conjunction with the instructor. Presenters will be invited to post materials in advance on the Canvas Website. Note: The two essays, along with the oral presentation, will collectively count for one- third of one’s grade.) 5. Havruta Study: Each student is expected to find one or two study partners. (This process will be explained.) The goal is to create relational models of learning and active, probing dialogue between students. 6. A research paper/project or critical essay, about 10-12 pages in length, for undergrads; 12-15 pages for graduate students. (For those working in the Hebrew/Yiddish original, this could involve a translation project.) This should be chosen in consultation with the instructor. Students are advised to begin work early in the semester; a research proposal (including topic, preliminary thesis, and working bibliography) is to be submitted to the Canvas dropbox by 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 23. A good draft of the final project is to be electronically submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 9. Copies of the “completed” paper should be made available to your havruta at this time, so that we (the study-buddies and I) can read and critique each other’s work in the days preceding our final session. A revised version of the paper is due in your dropbox by Monday evening, December 19 at 10 p.m.. The final version will count for one-third of one’s grade. Be sure to bring current readings to class whenever possible.
Required texts for purchase: (1) Nahman of Bratslav, The Tales (Band ed.) (2) Arthur Green, Tormented Master (3) Ora Wiskind-Elper, Tradition and Fantasy in the Tales of R. Nahman of Bratslav (4) Zvi Mark, Mysticism and Madness: The Religious Thought of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav
Recommended/Optional (5) David Sears, The Tree that Stands Beyond Space. (6) Nahman of Breslov, The Empty Chair: Finding Hope and Joy (Jewish Lights) (7) Aryeh Wineman, The Hasidic Parable (JPS). (8-9) Alternate translation of the Tales, in 2 vols. with commentary by Aryeh Kaplan.Vol. 1: The Lost Princess & Other Kabbalistic Tales Of Rebbe Nachman Of Breslov (Jewish Lights) Volume 2: The Seven Beggars & Other Kabbalistic Tales Of Rebbe Nachman Of Breslov (Jewish Lights). Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 3
Also a digitized Hebrew edition of Liqqutei Moharan is available here; and a bilingual Hebrew- Yiddish version of Sippurei Ma’asiyot is available here. If you prefer Wikisources, try here!
In addition there will be a weekly offering of selected texts of Breslov writings on our Canvas site. These will be drawn from translations of Liqqutei MoHoRaN, Sefer ha-Middot, Liqqutei Tefillot, Liqqutei Halakhot as well as some later Breslov works. (The translations will run from Breslov insiders to Aharon Appelfeld’s edition Leket (Anthology) to Martin Buber to the work of contemporary scholars.) Be sure to check Canvas for textual postings.
Further study aids: In interpreting Nahman’s Tales it may also prove useful to consult different translations and commentaries. First, consider the assigned readings for this course; as well as Adin Steinsaltz’s Beggars and Prayers; and Buber’s Tales of Rabbi Nachman. Hebrew readers might be interested in the Bar-Ilan Responsa collection (via Mirlyn), in the Spertus Institute online E-library of Jewish sources, here, which contains the online Encyclopedia Judaica; the 62,434 volume (!) Otzar ha-Hokhmah; the DBS collection of classical Hebrew works, with a terrific selection of mystical sources; the Soncino Classics Collection which contains Hebrew and English versions of the Soncino Talmud, Soncino Midrash Rabbah, Soncino Zohar, and the Hebrew Bible. Some of these sources can be freely accessed online also: see sefaria and www.hebrewbooks.org for useful examples. The fullest list of Breslov related writings (from Nahman’s own works to scholarship to works inspired by Nahman) is David Assaf’s Bratslav: An Annotated Bibliography, which contains works in multiple languages including English.
Key background texts (for those without significant background or in need of review) On Judaism: Michael Fishbane, Judaism: Revelation and Tradition; Michael Seltzer’s Jewish People, Jewish Thought; and David Biale, ed. Cultures of the Jews: A New History On History and Symbolism of Jewish Mysticism: E. Ginsburg, The Sabbath in the Classical Kabbalah (Introduction). A scanned copy will be placed on our Canvas site. Also consider A. Green, A Guide to the Zohar; or more popularly, his Ehyeh, Part One. On the History of Hasidism, see e.g., Gershon Hundert, Jews in Poland-Lithuania in the Eighteenth Century; Rachel Elior, The Mystical Origins of Hasidism; and on the spread of Hasidism, see Glenn Dynner, Men of Silk.
All students should have a Hebrew Bible at hand (e.g., JPS bi-lingual or the The Jewish Study Bible, ed. by A. Berlin and M. Brettler), or that failing, access to online versions of the Hebrew Bible. A good bilingual version is Mechon Mamre, which although it uses the 1917 JPS translation, is still serviceable. *********************************************************
Weekly Structure: The weekly assignments come in three parts: Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 4
(1) A Tale or similar narrative text. Prepare the Tale both on one’s own and in havruta. Some weeks, a particular havruta will be responsible for retelling/recasting a Tale. (You will occupy the “Storytelling Chair”) (2) Selected scholarly writings on a specific theme. (3) Another Breslov text, often a “greatest hit” usually taken from Nahman’s homiletical writings, such as Liqqutei Moharan. Some of the key work for these texts will be done right in class, helping the student to learn how to read these works.
In class, we will also: (4) Devote at least a little time to some (non-textual) cultural element: usually a song/niggun, occasionally film, YouTube, etc. We may learn a new niggun each week. We will also experiment with other techniques of learning: such as “cultivating a randomly chosen text” and on one occasion, keeping a dream journal. These experiments will be explained in class.
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS (NOTE: All readings, except for those found in books required for purchase, are filed in the weekly folder on Canvas)
Week 01, September 6: Introductions • Overview of course: goals, expectations, invitations • In class text study: Nahman’s short tale (Harvest of Madness, The Man Who Thought He was a Turkey; possibly, The Boulder) • On translation
Week 02. September 13: Texts, Textures, and Contexts (A) Situating Nahman (1) Gershon Hundert, “The Contexts of Hasidism” and “Hasidism: A New Path” from Jews in Poland-Lithuania in the 18th Century (California, 2004) on Canvas (2 Introduction to A. Band, ed. Nahman of Bratslav: The Tales, pages 9-25 (B): Nahman and the Midrashic Imagination—the Tales:“The Lost Princess” and “The Portrait.” (Of the latter, we will compare several versions: Green, Band, Ginsburg, Wiesel) (C) Articles on Translation (across linguistic, literary-oral, and cultural boundaries): Cynthia Ozick, “The Prayer Leader” A. Green, “On Translating Hasidic Homilies” Recommended: George Steiner, “Understanding as Translation” in After Babel והרסחתו :In class: How to read Liqqutei MoHaRaN (excerpt from Liqqutei MoHaRaN [LM]1:89 and time permitting, LM 1:65:1-2, Master of the Field and Bouquet of Prayer); and ; טעמ הלאמ י םיהא Kugel, The 4 Assumptions about Torah
Week 03. September 20. Life and Teaching of Nahman (A): Early days Tales: King and Emperor; The Cripple; some ancillary/fragmentary tales Articles: Arthur Green, Tormented Master (TM): introduction, chaps. 1-2: “Childhood and Early Years” and “R. Nahman’s Journey to the Land of Israel” Recommended: M. Idel on “On Land of Israel in Medieval Jewish Mysticism” Texts might include: LM 1:115 ( The Thick Cloud in Which God is Found); Niggun: Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 5
“Narrow Bridge”
Week 04. September 27. Life and Teachings (B) Tales: The King who decreed Conversion; The King without Children Articles: Melila Hellner-Eshed, “Teachers in Judaism” (read this piece first); TM, chapters 3-4: “Conflict and Growth” and “Disciples and Masters”; Recommended: Arthur Green, “Typologies of Hasidic Leadership” in Jewish Spirituality, vol. 2 A. Green, “Zaddiq as Axis Mundi; Ora Wiskind-Elper on ”The King Who Decreed Conversion” In class-texts, LM on: leadership, spiritual growth, masters and disciples (face-to-face). Also The Boulder and Yetzer ha-Ra from A. Wineman, Hasidic Parable: 10-14 and 33-34. Niggun: Moshe emet
Week 05. October 4, Rosh ha-Shanah: No class Reading assignment only: Background, The Hasidic Context A. Fragment of a Tale: “The Heart and the Spring” (Y. Dan translation) We will discuss this when we read the complete Seven Beggars! B. Mysticism (1) Arthur Green, “Mysticism and Religion: The Case of Judaism” (C-Tools) (2) A. Green, excerpt from A Guide to Zohar (3) EG, definitions of Mysticism (two-pager) C. Articles on Midrash James Kugel, Two Introductions to Midrash (more sophisticated) or Barry Holtz, “Midrash” in Back to the Sources (for newbies/neophytes) Gershom Scholem, “On the Meaning of Torah in Jewish Mysticism” (excerpt) Recommended: Shai Cherry, Torah Through Time: chap. 1 Recommended Article, for students wanting to dig deeper into Hasidic mystical practice: M. Krassen, “Sources of Devequt in early Hasidism”
Week 06: Special Meeting Time (due to Yom Kippur on Tuesday Oct. 11): Thursday October, 13, 4-7 p.m. (tentative) Life and Teaching (C) Tales: The King who fought many wars; The Rabbi’s Son; Reread “Harvest of Madness” and “The Man Who Thought He Was a Turkey” Articles: TM, Read chapter 5 “Messianic Yearnings, and chapter 6, “Nahman’s Final Years” Survey Appendix: “The Death of Rabbi Nahman” Texts: Nahman as Shaman from Sihot ha-Ran, §77 and Prayer in the Field/Prayer for Peace. : יש ח דשה ה ;(Possibly: LM 1:8.1 (The Sigh
חתה ז ק ו ת /Niggun: of Joy, and Resolve In class, possibly: Texts on the mystical side of Nahman, David Sears, ed. The Tree that Stands Beyond Space (selections on Canvas)
First Essay due Friday October 14, by 4 p.m. in dropbox
October 18: Fall Break, no class Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 6
Week 07: October 25. The Ups and Downs of Devotional Life: Joy, Sadness, Meditative Practices Tales: Sage and Simple Man (required); the Burgher and the Pauper (recommended) Required Articles: (1) Michael Fishbane, “The Mystery of Dance According to Nahman of Bratslav”; and (2) Chani Haran Smith, “New Time, New Song” Passages on Hitbodedut and Nahman’s Meditative Path from (3) Mark Verman’s book, History & Variety of Jewish Meditational Practices
In class, new texts: LM 1:179, 2;23, 2:24; and cf. 1:141 1:169 (Sacred Dance) and LM 1:282 Nequddah Tovah, “The Good Point”. Niggunim: (Yosef Karduner) Music: Nahman’s devequt niggun (Breslov and Andy Statman versions)
In class film clip: from Ushpizin
Recommended articles: M. Fishbane, “Joy and Jewish Spirituality”; Arthur Green, “Hasidism: Discovery and Retreat” in P. Berger, The Other Side of God, pp. 104-130 Optional Enrichment: Explore Music (on Canvas): (1) Niggunei simchah and riqqud (songs of joy, dance melodies): including Mitzvah gedollah, and Shabbat medley from Breslov Azamer Bishvochin/ Simply Tsfat; (2) Nahman’s contemplative niggun devequt (compare Breslov in B’nei Heicholo; David Zeller, in Let Go; Alon Michael
Week 08: November 1. Theory of the Tale and Nature Mysticism Tale: “The King’s Son and the Maidservant’s Son Who were Switched” (also: textual sources for this Tale, in Canvas) Reversal and Nature Mysticism. Articles: A. Green, TM: Excursus 2 “The Tales” Ora Wiskind-Elper, Tradition and Fantasy in the Tales of Nahman of Bratslav: chaps. 1-2 (“The Poet’s Self and the Poem”; “Telling Tales: The Physics and Metaphysics of Fiction”) Recommended: Aryeh Wineman, Introduction to The Hasidic Parable חק ו תרמזמ ץראה In class, Nature Mysticism: more on hitbodedut; and Sacred Food/Terroir Niggun: Shir ha-Ro’eh (Song of the Shepherd_Nahman and N. Shemer)
Week 09: November 8. The Tale, cont. Tale: Master of Prayer
Articles: Wiskind-Elper, Tradition and Fantasy, chap. 3-4:1 (“The Romantic Drama”; and part 1 of “Dimensions of the Fantastic”) David Roskies, “The Master of Prayer: Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav” (in S. Magid, Void) Texts: Master of the Field, Ba’al ha-Sadeh LM 1:65.1-2. Niggun: Shabbat I
Second essay due Friday November 11, by 4 p.m. (in your dropbox)
Week 10: November 15. The Seven Beggars Tale: The Seven Beggars Articles: Wiskind-Elper, Tradition and Fantasy, chaps. 4:2-5 Rodger Kamenetz, Stalking Elijah, pp. 130-148 (esp. 146-148) Review previous articles that relate to the Seven Beggars.
Cultural detail: in class dramatization/interpretations; the recent novel of Pearl Abraham, The Seventh Beggar. Audio-versions: including Miles Krassen-Richard Kaplan; Zalman Schachter- Shalomi, etc. (See Canvas) Recommended: Aryeh Wineman, The Hasidic Parable: 109-117 (the wedding feast as motif); S. Magid, “Nature, Exile and Disability in R. Nahman” (esp. good for JCLP students?!) Niggun: Shabbat II (3rd Meal and melaveh malka) For the weekly reflection, a special option is to craft your own version of the Story of Seventh Beggar!
Week 11: November 22, Torah of the Void (Two Readings) Read A. Green, TM: Excursus I: Faith, Doubt, and Reason; Zvi Mark, Mysticism and Madness:Survey chap 3: closely reading 95-109,1 19-122; chapter 4; complete. H. Pedaya, “Crisis and Repair, Trauma and Recovery” Text: Bilingual version, LM 1:64 Research proposal (including topic, preliminary thesis, and working bibliography) is to be submitted to the Canvas dropbox Wednesday, November 23 by 5 p.m
Week 12: November 29, The Dream-fragments of Nahman; Nahman and the Play of Creativity Dream-Tales, Text: From A. Green, “The Dreams of R. Nahman” Reread TM: 198-204 (where Green brings together both a dream and a dreamlike teaching of Nahman that seems to be a commentary on his dream. Analyze the interplay between Nahman’s Torah/teaching and the dream-text. Does one influence the other, or is the influence all one way?) Reviewing the Tales: Re/read Articles: David Roskies, “The Master of Prayer” Zvi Mark, Mysticism and Madness:, chap. 8: “The Humble King” (aka The Portrait) Optional: some recent theoretical writing on Dreams/Dreamwork; motifs of Sleep and Awakening in Nahman and Kafka (R. Kamenetz), etc. T.B.A. In class: on Nahman and modes of Creativity; Music of Basya Schechter and Eden Perlstein Nahman of Breslov, seminar F16, page 8
Week 13. December 6. Popularization and Influences. (A Wiki-Class) This week will be conducted as a learning swap, in which each student (or group) will focus on a small cluster of the readings, and present their findings (briefly) to the class. All read: Tales and Texts: (1) The Treasure (from The Hasidic Parable, Wineman, 172-178); “The Lamp of Imperfections” (2) The Empty Chair The rest is the “menu” of possibilities, from which you will choose: Articles: H. Weiner, 9 1/2 Mystics, chap. 7 (“Bratslav”) David Stern, “Introduction” and “Afterword” to The Jewish Anthological Imagination”
A good draft of your research paper/final project is to be electronically submitted by 4 p.m. December 9, both to the instructor and to your classmates. (You may post this on the Discussion Tool on Canvas.) I will give you some guidelines for providing feedback/critique/ editorial encouragement to your classmates!
Week 14. December 13. Wrap-Up/Siyyum. Sharing each other’s work; Nahmanian feast? Cameo appearance of the Seventh Beggar? A revised version of the paper is due in your dropbox by Monday evening, December 19 at 10 p.m.