Monday, November 24, 2014

The Haskamos to Likutey Moharan


Otzar Nachmani
, Vol. I, sec. 92-93
Collected Talks of Rabbi Nachman Burstein, zatzal
Translated by Dovid Sears (unedited)

[Reb Nachman Burstein writes:] I heard from Reb Elyah Chaim Rosen, zal, that prior to the first printing of Likutey Moharan, the Rebbe sent Reb Zalman “Der Kleiner” (“the small,” due to his physical stature) to the celebrated leaders of the generation to receive haskamos (approbations) for the holy book. He also had a special mission to the Chozeh of Lublin concerning the secret of the Redemption. Reb Zalman was on the road for about a year, from shortly after Pesach of 5567 (1807) until Pesach of 5568 (1808), approximately.

When he returned from his long journey, Reb Zalman confided to Reb  Noson and Reb Naftoli that he had learned many things that even they didn’t know concerning the secret of the Redemption. And he had obtained many haskamos from the great rabbis and Chassidic leaders. However, the Rebbe, for his own hidden reasons, didn’t want to print them at all. Only five were printed subsequently [i.e., by Reb Noson, following the Rebbe’s passing]: 1) from the Chozeh of Lublin; 2) from the Maggid of Koznitz (author of Avodas Yisrael); 3) from Rav Ephraim Zalman Margolios (author of Beis Ephraim, Yad Ephraim and Matteh Ephraim); 4) from Rav Meir, Av Beis Din of Brod; from Rabbi Zalman Chaim of Zlotchov (author of Orach Chaim). The rest of the haskamos were either lost in the course of time, or burned along with the other manuscripts that the Rebbe ordered to be burned immediately after his death (as mentioned by Reb Noson in Yemei Moharnat).


I heard from Reb Itche Meir Korman that Reb Zalman Der Kleiner used to describe the various facial expressions and emotional reactions of all the great rabbis and tzaddikim, which he had witnessed when they first studied the hand-written manuscript of the Rebbe and the wondrous chiddushim (novel Torah insights) contained therein, each in his own manner. One raised the manuscript toward the heavens and exclaimed, “Hott Rebbe Nachman azoy yung massig gevven azoyne hoykhe toirois vos men zeht nisht azalkhes (Rabbi Nachman grasped at such a young age such lofty teachings as these, the like of which have never been seen)!” Another begged [Reb Zalman] that as soon as the holy book was printed, he should immediately, without delay, send it to him, and he would pay twice the price. For he saw there such lofty and hidden matters, “secrets of secrets,” and wondrous mysteries.

A Few Short Teachings From Rebbe Nachman


Preserved by Rabbi Nachman Burstein, zatzal
Otzar Nachmani, Vol. I, sec. 86-90
Translated by Dovid Sears (unedited)

The Rebbe said: “One who possesses the true, proper da’as [in this sense, higher knowledge or consciousness] can accomplish in serving G-d in a quarter of an hour what another person might need to exert himself intensely to accomplish in seventy years.”

Reb Nachman Burstein adds that he heard this from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender. He also cross-references a similar teaching from Sichos ha-Ran 174. Additionally, he directs the reader to Likutey Moharan II, 61, with the Parpara’os le-Chokhmah, and Chayei Moharan 468.

*

The Rebbe said: “To accomplish, one should do so with goodness, not with anger. And if at times one accomplishes something with anger—one could have done much more with goodness!” (Heard from Reb Levi Yitzchak Bender).

*

The Rebbe said: “Every Jew must strive for the highest level—and not let himself fall, even if he [seems to be] on the lowest level.” (Heard from Reb Levi Yitzchak Bender).

Reb Nachman Burstein cross-references Likutey Moharan I, 6, which discusses being an “expert in ascent” and an “expert in descent.”

*

The Rebbe said: The first avodah of the day is that a Jew must arise for Tikkun Chatzos (the midnight lament) during the winter, and in the summer, to arise before dawn. As for sleep, he should make his calculations by day [i.e., take a nap, if need be].” (Heard from various Breslover chassidim; also see “Avaneha Barzel”).

Rabbi Nachman Burstein cross-references Sichos ha-Ran 301 and Likutey Moharan I, 54 (end); 149; and L”M II, 67.

*

The Rebbe said: As soon as a Jew awakens from sleep, he should think about the ultimate goal (takhlis)—that there is another world.”


Rabbi Nachman Burstein cross-references Likutey Moharan I, 54, which calls this “remembering the World to Come.”

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

“No One Loses With Me”


From Otzar Nachmani Vol. 1, sec. 75
Collected Talks of Rabbi Nachman Burstein, zatzal
Translated by Dovid Sears (unedited)
(Reb Nachman Burstein writes in the first person, as if he were speaking. Brackets are mine, quotation marks are his.)

In [Reb Noson’s collected letters] Alim le-Terufah (Warsaw ed. Letter 322), dated Erev Sukkos 5601 / 1841, Reb Noson writes: “With this [in mind], a Jew should travel, whether on a distant journey or a short one, and even when he goes about his home town conducting his business or pursuing his livelihood, such as going to the post office…” – this letter [Reb Nachman Burstein notes] was written to Reb Noson’s son Reb Yitzchak, who managed a post office, as is known – “…he should intend to make a profit in order to give tzedakah [charity]. Additionally, he should have in mind, ‘Who knows? Maybe I will encounter another person with whom I can speak about the purpose of life, and to whom I make communicate the truth of the chiddushim [new insights] of the Torah-revelations of the true tzaddikim of the generation.’ ”

I heard from the chassid Rabbi Hirsch Leib Lippel, zal, that he had heard from one of the Breslover Chassidim in Uman (whose name I have forgotten), that the words of this letter were vividly exemplified by Reb Noson’s grandson, Rabbi “Micheleh” of Tulchin (a son of Rabbi Yitzchak). He too conducted himself in similar fashion; when he walked through the streets to go to work at the post office, he remained bound to the One Above, in fullfillment of the verse, “I have placed G-d before me constantly” [Psalms 16:8]. His thoughts and his speech were constantly occupied with matters of Torah, prayer, faith, trust in G-d, the ultimate goal and “remembrance of the World to Come” [as in Likutey Moharan I, 54]. When he would encounter another Breslover chassid along the way, he would stop to speak words of faith, reverence and encouragement, and to strengthen his friend in avodas Hashem [divine service]. Sometimes this discussion would go on for more than an hour, which was not an uncommon occurrence with him.

(In the letters of his father Rabbi Yitzchak, zal, Letter 8, dated parshas Lekh Lekha, [Reb Yitzchak] writes in the name of his father Reb Noson, zal, that [Reb Noson] once told him, “The main thing is to raise your eyes above during all of your doings … Particularly at the time you walk to the post office, raise your eyes above, and may your entire desire and purpose be for the true good…”)

Reb Hirsch Leib also told how once he was walking down the street and saw in the distance Reb Micheleh on his way to the post office. He knew from past experience that were they to meet, he would have to stop and converse with him for who knows how long—and he would have been very glad to hear [Reb Micheleh’’s] sweet words, according to his holy way. But as it happened, right now he was in a bit of a rush and didn’t have time for this. Therefore, in order to prevent such an encounter, he turned down a back alley that lead to a different street. However, it seems that Reb Micheleh had already recognized him and noticed that he had taken that side-street. So he too changed his usually route and turned down a different alley that led to the same street, and thus they encountered each other. Reb Micheleh greeted him in his sweet way, “Tierer brieder, my dear brother!  Maybe you know how one can become an ehrlicher yid [a devout Jew]? Let’s speak together about what one needs to do to become an ehrlicher yid, the way the holy Rebbe taught us!”

Thus, Reb Micheleh continued to speak with him at length about matters of avodas Hashem, according to the Rebbe’s path. Reb Hirsch Leib remarked that although he was delayed for an hour, nevertheless, he suffered no loss or hardship because of their lengthy conversation. On the contrary, even greater good resulted from this. For Reb Micheleh shared with him wondrous words, truly like a tzaddik. He then saw how the verse was fulfilled in him, “No wrong shall be caused through the tzaddik…” [Proverbs 12:21—which in this context seems to mean “no harm came come about through the tzaddik”; translator].  

(It seems to me that I heard [from Reb Hirsch Leib] that he had an appointment that morning for an important meeting with a certain director of a great enterprise. And this director was greatly delayed that morning, so that all others who had appointments with him were forced to leave, due to other obligations—except for Reb Hirsch Leib who showed up just a little before the director’s arrival. He proved to be the only individual present. Therefore, the director received him right away and favored his request.)

In this vein, there is a saying, “Every delay is for the good.” Particularly since the Rebbe once said, “For my sake, no one ever lost!”  That is, whoever is engaged in something that has a connection to the Rebbe, whether materially or spiritually, doesn’t lose a thing.

Rabbi Nasan Maimon to Speak in Manhattan



Rabbi Nasan Maimon of Jerusalem, representative of the Vaad Olami Breslov and a son-in-law of the pioneer of Breslov outreach in America, Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, will be speaking on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. 

Location: Bnai Israel    
335 East 77th St (between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave)

Date: Monday, Nov. 24th  
Shiur at 7:30, no charge 
(men only)

Rabbi Maimon will also be available for consultation after the shiur.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Likutey Moharan Shiur in Flatbush



From Breslov of Flatbush:

Likutey Moharan Shiur

We are excited to announce a new weekly Shiur in Likutey Moharan starting tonight and continuing every Thursday night at 9:00 PM. Shiur will be given by Rabbi Ahron Berlin. Maariv to follow.

All are cordially welcomed and encouraged to attend!

Breslov of Flatbush
1909 New York Ave. 
Brooklyn, NY 11210 
(718) 851-9332 

Melaveh Malka with Rav Baruch Klein

(Click on image to enlage)