חק ברסלב Day by A Daily Dose Day of Rebbe Nachman תשרי TISHREY Breslov Research Institute Jerusalem / New York Day by Day Tzaddik Rebbe Nachman’s Wisdom The Aleph-Bet Book Kitzur Likutey Moharan Rebbe Nachman’s Stories Restore My Soul Outpouring of the Soul Reb Noson’s Letters Shemot HaTzaddikim Reb Noson’s Prayers These books are dedicated to Rabbi Yehuda Greenberg who first introduced us to Rebbe Nachman’s words in Restore My Soul the memory of Jocelyne Cohen who gave us a Garden of Emunah May her Neshama receive an Aliya Copyright © 2017 BRESLOV RESEARCH INSTITUTE Rabbi Shalom Arush ISBN 978-1-944731-04-5 who takes Rebbe Nachman’s words and concepts to bring Emunah to all aspects of our lives No part of this book may be translated, reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. and absolute gratitude to Our Grandparents For further information: whose love and chicken soup Breslov Research Institute put us on the path to HaShem POB 5370, Jerusalem, Israel 91053 or: Breslov Research Institute POB 11, Lakewood, NJ 08701 Daniel and Lauren Zahavi www.breslov.org e-mail: [email protected] Printed in Israel Cover design: Ben Gasner PUBLISHER’S PREFACE he idea for this book, Day By Day: A Daily Dose of Rebbe Nachman, Tis based on the well-known work Chok L’Yisrael, which has been accepted throughout the Jewish world. Chok L’Yisrael is a collection of Torah teachings for daily study. Each day starts with a portion of the weekly Torah reading with Targum and Rashi. Added to this are passages from the Books of the Prophets, the Books of Writings, the Mishnah, Talmud, Zohar, halakhah and mussar. The Kitzur Shulchan Arukh (27:3) states, “Fortunate is he who has a set study regimen in the Chok L’Yisrael every single day.” Based on this, we conceived the idea of creating a similar publication wherein a person could study Rebbe Nachman and Breslov teachings on a daily basis, completing entire books in the course of a year. Rebbe Nachman spoke highly of the greatness of maintaining a regular Torah study schedule. He taught, “Maintaining a Torah study regimen is greater even than fulfilling all the mitzvot” (The Aleph-Bet Book, Torah Study A:33). The fact that a person establishes a routine to study book after book enables him to amass a wonderful spiritual treasure that purifies him and gives him hope and salvation. This is as the Rebbe also taught, “Every bit of Torah knowledge a person gains … is already considered success for the soul!” (ibid. A:10). But the goal of studying from many books each day is accomplished by very few. Hence, the idea for “the one that contains the many”: a volume that divides the material so that all the books can be studied and completed in a yearly cycle. After careful thought, we have chosen ten key Breslov books (described below). Our Sages taught, “If you take too much, you will not attain; take a little and you’ll gain” (Yoma 80a). We selected works that are not overwhelming for a daily dose, but are interesting and engaging so that the reader will gain something every day. viii PUBLISHER'S PREFACE PUBLISHER'S PREFACE ix Obviously, it’s not possible to apportion an equal amount of space for in 1798-99. “His Conversations” presents Rebbe Nachman’s everyday each day’s teachings—no one wants to be left in the middle of a sentence! conversations and fundamental teachings on everything from faith, We did our best to keep things moving, ending at the point where the next joy and meditation to Kabbalistic insights. These conversations were day’s teaching will flow with the previous day’s lesson. But even then it recorded verbatim by his leading disciple, Reb Noson, producing a vivid wasn’t always possible, so we broke where we thought fit and continued picture of the atmosphere surrounding the Rebbe, his wit, directness on to the next day. The two shortest books, Restore My Soul and Outpouring and wisdom. of the Soul, alternate in the same slot during the year. Reb Noson’s Letters, the longest work in this collection, can be completed in a two-year cycle. The Aleph - Bet Book Our Sages taught, “After a person passes away, the Heavenly tribunal Translated by Moshe Mykoff will ask him six questions, the second of which is ‘Kavata itim laTorah? Did Throughout his life, Rebbe Nachman penned succinct, powerful and you set time every day to study Torah?’” The word kavata means “set,” but challenging epigrams distilling the wisdom of the Torah for every area it can also mean “steal.” Rebbe Nachman explains that just as you have of life, spiritual and physical. In his Sefer HaMidot, he organized these to set a time to study, you should also try every day to “steal” some time epigrams by subject following the order of the Hebrew alphabet. Calling from your busy schedule in order to study Torah. This volume enables you his collection “my dearly beloved friend,” the Rebbe used these epigrams to both “set time” and “steal time” to maintain a daily learning schedule. to inspire himself along the path that led him to greatness. Here are the books featured in Day By Day and some information about them. Kitzur Likutey Moharan Tzaddik (Abridged Likutey Moharan) Translated by Avraham Greenbaum Translated by Yaakov Gabel Edited by Moshe Mykoff Edited by Moshe Schorr and Y. Hall Translated from Chayey Moharan, this is an intimate biographical por- In all of his teachings, Rebbe Nachman’s singular purpose was to offer trait of Rebbe Nachman by the one who knew him best: Reb Noson, practical advice for coming close to God. Toward that end, the Rebbe his closest disciple. Containing numerous conversations and a variety instructed his main disciple, Reb Noson, to extract the practical advice of the Rebbe’s sayings, stories, dreams and visions, this work gives contained in each of his lessons and present it in an abridged format. readers a clearer picture of who Rebbe Nachman was and the import of his teachings. Rebbe Nachman’s Stories Translated and annotated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan Rebbe Nachman’s Wisdom Our Sages told stories to convey the deepest secrets about God and His Translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan relationship to the world. Rebbe Nachman expertly plied this ancient Edited by Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld art to create some of the most intriguing stories and parables ever told. This translation of Shevachey HaRan and Sichot HaRan is divided into Translated from Sipurey Maasiyot, these tales are more elaborate than three parts. “His Praises” shares stories of Rebbe Nachman’s struggles any previous teachings. Rebbe Nachman’s allegorical stories are fast- to attain greatness. “His Pilgrimage” recounts the Rebbe’s adventure- moving, richly-structured and deeply insightful, while containing all filled journey to the Holy Land at the height of the Napoleonic Wars the ingredients of a marvelously entertaining read. x PUBLISHER'S PREFACE PUBLISHER'S PREFACE xi Restore My Soul The Fiftieth Gate: Reb Noson’s Prayers Translated by Avraham Greenbaum Translated by Avraham Greenbaum and “No situation is so desperate that it cannot be turned to good.” This is Yaacov Dovid Shulman a book for people in all walks of life. Translated from Meshivat Nefesh There are times when we yearn to communicate with God but don’t by Reb Alter Tepliker, it contains extracts from the entire corpus of know what to say. We can find ourselves in the expressive and eloquent Breslov writings, demonstrating how one can combat hopelessness and prayers of Reb Noson, which are based on the enduring lessons in depression, and draw from the wellsprings of joy and spiritual strength. Rebbe Nachman’s Likutey Moharan. Translated from Likutey Tefilot, this collection includes prayers and supplications on every topic, suiting all Outpouring of the Soul moods and needs. Translated and annotated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan “When the summer begins to approach, go out to meditate in the We hope that this volume will become your daily companion, and meadows. When every bush of the field begins to return to life and grow, that you will reap great benefits from its pages. they all yearn to be included in your prayer.” With these words, Rebbe Nachman gave pride of place to the spontaneous, improvised prayer Chaim Kramer uttered in one’s own language and words: hitbodedut. This handbook Elul 5777 / September 2017 of the Rebbe’s teachings on prayer is translated from Hishtapkhut HaNefesh by Reb Alter Tepliker. The Collected Letters of Reb Noson Translated by Yaakov Gabel Edited by Moshe Schorr Reb Noson wrote hundreds of letters to his friends and family, filled with inspiration for putting Rebbe Nachman’s teachings of joy and fortitude into daily practice. Translated from Alim LiTerufah (literally, “Healing Leaves”), these letters pulsate with the mind and energy of Rebbe Nachman and his advice for all situations. Shemot HaTzaddikim (Names of the Tzaddikim) Reb Noson compiled the names of the righteous found in the Bible, Talmud, Midrash and Zohar, as well as the names of many later tzaddikim. Rebbe Nachman and Reb Noson describe how the recital of these names arouses powerful spiritual forces. Reb Noson stated that he merited visiting the Holy Land because of these names. 3 ירשת א ירשת א • TISHREY 1 Tzaddik His Life • 1 (104). Rebbe Nachman was born in the town of Medzeboz on Shabbat, the first day of Nisan 5532 (April 4, 1772) and entered the covenant on Shabbat HaGadol (April 11).