The Breslov Movement

Aryeh Leib, Rabbi, the Shpola Zeida (1725-1812). A follower of Rabbi Pinchus of Koretz (q.v.), the Zeida was the oldest surviving master of the first generation of the chassidic movement. The Zeida was well-known for his charitable work. He served as shamas in Zlatipolia, where he became known as a tzaddik and healer. A close friend of Rebbe Nachman in the Rebbe's earlier days, he turned against him after the Rebbe's move to Zlatipolia in 1800. Ironically, it was the Zeida's relentless opposition, which caused Rebbe Nachman to seek refuge far to the west, in Breslov, that enabled Reb Noson to draw close to the Rebbe, thereby perpetuating the Breslover movement.

Avraham Ber b'Reb Yoske, Reb (d.1860s). Rebbe Nachman's grandson through his daughter, Adil, Reb Avraham Ber married Miriam Raitze, Moshe Chenkes' daughter, but divorced her at the onset of the Years of Oppression. He later married the daughter of Reb Ber, one of Rebbe Nachman's earlier followers from Tcherin. Reb Ber was very wealthy and Reb Avraham Ber entered the family business and prospered even more. (The Breslover community in the Tcherin-Kremenchug-Medvedevka triangle was quite wealthy and well-established and was very supportive of the projects initiated by Reb Noson.) Reb Avraham Ber was noted for his great piety and acts of charity.

Avraham Chazan, Reb (1849-1917). The son of Reb Nachman of Tulchin, even in his youth Reb Avraham displayed incredible tenaciousness in his devotions. He would often leave home right after Shabbos with only a bag of bread and a pack of books, to disappear into the forest for an entire week. There he would meditate and study undisturbed. His profundity can be seen from his commentary, Biur HaLikutim, which dissects Rebbe Nachman's lessons point by point by delving into their depths. Even so, Reb Avraham himself said about the Rebbe's simple conversations: "I hope that ten thousand years after the Resurrection, I will be worthy of understanding even one of Rebbe Nachman's statements the way the Rebbe himself understood it in this world.

The year after his father, Reb Nachman of Tulchin, passed away (1884), Reb Avraham began recording many of the stories and Breslov traditions that he had received from him. This formed the basis for his Kokhavey Or (five sections), Sichos v'Sipurim and other works. Around 1894 Reb Avraham moved to Jerusalem, though he used to travel back to Russia each year in order to spend Rosh HaShanah in Uman. He continued this until the outbreak of World War I left him trapped in Russia, where he remained until his passing on Chanukah, 1917. Among his students were Reb Eliyahu Chaim Rosen and Reb Levi Yitzchok Bender, some of the key individuals responsible for the development of Breslover Chassidus in Jerusalem today. Aveneha Barzel by Reb Shmuel Horowiz is largely due to his collaboration with Reb Eliyahu Chaim and Reb Levi Yitzchok, while Reb Levi Yitzchok is the source for Siach Sarfei Kodesh.

Avraham Dov (Ber) Auerbach of Chmelnik, Rabbi (d.1811). He was Rebbe Nachman's mechutan and one of the leading chassidic masters that Reb Noson visited prior to becoming a Breslover Chassid. His son, Reb Yoske (q.v.), married Adil, Rebbe Nachman's daughter.

Avraham Katz of Kalisk, Rabbi (d.1810). Originally a disciple of the Vilna Gaon (q.v.) he was advised to visit the Magid of Mezritch whose follower he subsequently became. His prayers were noted for their fervor. In 1787 he joined his close friend, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, in the chassidic aliyah ("ascent") to the Holy Land. On the death of Rabbi Menachem Mendel, Rabbi Avraham became the leader of the chassidic community in Israel. Rebbe Nachman said that in Rabbi Avraham he saw perfection.

Avraham Pais, Chaim Pais. Avraham Pais was among Rebbe Nachman's welcoming committee when he first came to Breslov. A partner of Moshe Chenkes, he died in 1834 without a will, leaving his property intestate. The ensuing problems were a major factor behind Reb Noson's advice to Moshe Chenkes to write a will, which resulted in the violence of the Years of Oppression. Avraham Pais' son, Chaim, became a major opponent of Reb Noson and made many attempts to harm him.

Avraham Sternhartz, Reb (1862-1955), was the son of Reb Naftali Hertz, grandson of Reb Shachneh and great-grandson of Reb Noson. His mother was Devorah, the daughter of Reb Nachman, the Tcheriner Rav. He married Yuta Basya, daughter of Reb Yosef Yonah and Esther Shaindel, granddaughter of Chanah Tsirel. Thus, Reb Avraham Sternhartz was Reb Noson's great-grandson; he was married to Reb Noson's granddaughter, and his father-in-law was Reb Noson's son. As a product of several branches of Reb Noson's family, and at the same time the grandson of the Tcheriner Rav, Reb Avraham had access to all the family traditions and stories about Reb Noson, which formed the basis for his Tovos Zikhronos, one of our main sources for this biography.

Orphaned at a young age, Reb Avraham was raised by his illustrious grandfather, whose influence upon him was unmistakable. Even as a child, Reb Avraham showed great diligence in Torah study, a trait for which his grandfather was known. After the morning prayers he would seclude himself in an attic, where he would study Rebbe Nachman's Likutey Moharan, without a break until he knew the lesson of the day by heart. After completing the entire Talmud at the age of sixteen, he married and served as a scribe in Tcherin. At the age of nineteen he was accepted as Rav in Kremenchug. When he was twenty-two his grandfather, the Tcheriner Rav, and Reb Avraham Ber (q.v.) appointed him prayer leader at the Rosh HaShanah kibutz, in Uman.

Reb Avraham came to the Holy Land in 1936, and settled in Jerusalem's Old City, where he was recognized as the outstanding Breslover elder of his generation. He continued leading the Rosh HaShanah prayers in Israel, and in 1940 established the kibutz in Meron for Rosh HaShanah. Exiled from the Old City during the War of Independence in 1948, he was resettled in the Katamon district of Jerusalem together with many other Breslover Chassidim. Among his disciples were many of the major Breslover leaders of the past decades - Reb Shmuel Horowitz (1905-1973), Reb Gedaliah Aharon Koenig (1921-1980), Reb Zvi Aryeh Lippel (1903-1979), Reb Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld (1922-1978) and Reb Shmuel Shapiro (1913-1989) - as well as those of the present generation: Reb Moshe Burstyn (b.1913) and his son Reb Nachman Burstyn (b.1934), Reb Michel Dorfman (b.1913), and Reb Yaakov Meir Schechter (b.1932).

It was said of Reb Avraham that he was a "living" Likutey Moharan. Just by looking at him one could see that his every action was based on some statement in Rebbe Nachman's teachings. When giving a lesson in Likutey Moharan, he would begin by reciting the text, digress to related material for an hour, two, and even longer, and then pick up again from the exact word where he had left off. What was amazing about this was that it was all done entirely by memory, without Reb Avraham's ever having to look into the written text! And what's more, he did this up until he passed away at the age of ninety-three and a half.

Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, Rabbi (1755-1825). A follower of Rabbi Elimelekh of Lizhensk, he became known as the Apta Rav. After 1815, he was universally recognized as the leading chassidic master in the Ukraine. Rebbe Nachman praised him greatly.

Borukh Dayan (d.1838). One of Reb Noson's major opponents and slanderers during the Years of Oppression.

Borukh of Medzeboz, Rabbi (1757-1810). One of three children of Adil, the Baal Shem Tov's daughter. His brother was Rabbi Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sudylkov, author of the Degel Machaneh Efraim, a noted chassidic work. Their sister was Feiga, Rebbe Nachman's mother. As Rebbe Nachman's uncle, Rabbi Borukh was the major influence behind the Rebbe's decision to move to Breslov in 1802, which enabled Reb Noson to become his follower (see Chapter 4). Shortly afterwards, in 1803, Rabbi Borukh began opposing the Rebbe. Rabbi Borukh lived mostly in Medzeboz, but also held court in Tulchin, near Breslov. He is buried at the side of the Baal Shem Tov in Medzeboz.

Borukh b'Reb Shlomo of Brahilov, Reb. Reb Noson's son-in-law (Chanah Tsirel's husband) was known as a brilliant scholar.

Chanah Tsirel (b.1817?; see Chapter 25) was Reb Noson's only daughter. She was married around 1831 to Reb Nachman, the son of Reb Zvi Aryeh of Breslov, but divorced shortly afterwards. Her second marriage was to Reb Borukh of Brahilov. Her daughter was Esther Shaindel. She had other children but their names are not known.

Chayah Laneh, Reb Noson's mother, daughter of Reb Yitzchok Danzig (d.1803).

Dishel (or Dishle), Reb Noson's second wife, whom he married in November, 1826. She was the mother of Reb Nachman and Reb Yosef Yonah. She also had two children from her first marriage: a daughter, Chanah, who married Reb Noson's son, Reb Dovid Zvi, and a younger son, Reb Shmuel Shmelke.

Dov Ber, the Magid of Mezritch, Rabbi (1704-1772). He was the main leader of the chassidic movement after the passing of the Baal Shem Tov. Virtually all the chassidic masters of Rebbe Nachman's generation were his disciples. He was already an accomplished Talmudic and Kabbalistic scholar when he came to the Baal Shem Tov. He was lame, and the Baal Shem Tov said about him that if he had been able to go to the mikvah he would have been able to bring Mashiach. When told that a certain tzaddik said about the Magid that with every glance he would see the "Seven Shepherds" (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David), Rebbe Nachman remarked, "One can believe anything said about the Magid."

Dovid Zvi Orbach, Rabbi (d.1808), Reb Noson's father-in-law. Known as Rabbi Dovid Zvi HaGadol, the "great", Rabbi Dovid Zvi was recognized as an outstanding halakhic authority throughout Podolia. He was born as a result of a blessing of the Baal Shem Tov and his holiness was attested to by the leading chassidic masters of the generation. However, he despised the strife found between the different chassidic groups, and as a result, he become a leading opponent of chassidus. Reb Noson was in awe of his greatness, though this did not deter him from becoming a chassid! Rebbe Nachman said of Rabbi Dovid Zvi, "He is a tzaddik."

Dovid Zvi, Reb (b.1819?). Reb Dovid Zvi, who was a hunchback, suffered immensely during his life. He married his step-sister, Chanah (Dishel's daughter) in the summer of 1835, just prior to Reb Noson's imprisonment during the Years of Oppression. Having the impoverished Reb Noson as both father and father-in-law, Reb Dovid Zvi lived a life of poverty. His only son died as a young child and his wife died a few months later in 1843 (see Chapter 46). Reb Dovid Zvi himself passed away about ten years later in around 1854-55.

Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi (1720-1797). He was the recognized leader of the Jewish community in all Lithuania and was a universally recognized gaon (outstanding sage and genius). His opposition to chassidus led to its containment in Lithuania. The Vilna Gaon authored numerous works on halakhah and kabbalah.

Efraim b'Reb Naftali Weinberg, Reb (1800?-1883). Son of Reb Naftali (q.v.). Although Reb Naftali was himself one of Rebbe Nachman's closest followers and had a following in his own right, he nevertheless sent Reb Efraim to study Breslover Chassidus from Reb Noson, whose close follower he became. He spent much time with him, and later wrote two books patterned after his mentor's works. The first is Likutey Even, following the style of Likutey Halakhos in explaining the Codes in the light of Rebbe Nachman's teachings. The second is Tefilos HaBoker, a volume of prayers based upon Reb Noson's teachings. Reb Efraim was very modest and published both volumes anonymously. Reb Efraim moved to Kremenchug, where he was a successful jewelry merchant, and an even greater devotee of God. He was often found engaged in hisbodedus and crying in his booths at jewelry fairs held in various cities. He was wealthy, and supported Reb Noson's projects and assisted him whenever he came to the Kremenchug area. Reb Efraim was a very close friend of Reb Noson's son, Reb Yitzchok (q.v.) and both were held in high esteem by Reb Noson.

Esther Shaindel, daughter of Rabbi Dovid Zvi Orbach and Reb Noson's first wife. She was born around 1781, and married Reb Noson in the summer of 1793. Mother of Reb Shachneh, Reb Yitzchok, Chanah Tsirel and Reb Dovid Zvi, she died in September 1826.

Gedaliah of Linitz, Rabbi (d.1804). Rabbi Gedaliah was the principal disciple of Rabbi Yehudah Leib, the Magid of Polonnoye. It was his prediction that the era of miracles performed by the chassidic masters would cease that led to their being recorded in the Shivchey Baal Shem Tov. He was very supportive of Rebbe Nachman in face of the opposition of the Shpola Zeida.

Henia (Katz) Orbach, Reb Noson's mother-in-law.

Levi Yitzchok of Berdichov, Rabbi (1740-1809). He was known as the "defender of the Jews" and many stories are told about the warmth and affection he showed to even the worst sinners. Reb Noson became especially beloved by the Berdichover because of his deep sincerity. The Berdichover used to refer to Reb Noson as "my Nosele."

Lipa, Reb, was Reb Noson's friend and study partner when he came back to Nemirov after his marriage. Reb Lipa came from a chassidic family, and it was he who convinced Reb Noson that chassidus was the best path to follow. It was due to Reb Lipa that Reb Noson travelled to the chassidic masters of his time and eventually became a Breslover Chassid.

Meir (1805-1808). Son of Reb Noson.

Menachem Mendel Morgenstern of Kotzk, Rabbi (1787-1859). A brilliant Talmudist, Rabbi Menachem Mendel was a leading chassidic master in Poland. He is famed for his uncompromising insistence on the highest standards and for his pithy aphorisms. Reb Noson visited him when they were both in Lemberg.

Meshulam Zusia of Anipoli, Rabbi (d.1800). He and his brother, Reb Elimelekh of Lizhensk, were close followers of the Magid of Mezritch. The two brothers were legendary for their extensive travels while in self-imposed exile prior to their becoming famous. Rebbe Nachman said that with the burning desire implanted in Reb Zusia during his very first visit to the Magid, he served God for a period of twenty-two years without respite!

Mordekhai of Kremenetz, Rabbi (1744-1820). Son of Reb Michel of Zlotchov. He was one of the leading chassidic masters whom Reb Noson visited prior to his becoming a Breslover Chassid.

Mordekhai Twerski of Chernobyl, Rabbi (1770-1837). His father, Rabbi Nochum of Chernobyl, met Rebbe Nachman when the Rebbe was young and praised him immensely. Rabbi Mordekhai was the Magid of Breslov during the years that Rebbe Nachman and Reb Noson lived there. He was very close to Reb Noson and supported the Breslover Chassidim.

Moshe (Breslover) Lubarski, Reb. Reb Noson was once confronted by a distraught woman who pleaded with him to bless her with children. Her two sons, Reb Moshe and Reb Zev (Zanvil) Lubarski, were the fruits of Reb Noson's blessing. Reb Moshe was one of Reb Noson's closest followers and a leading Breslover figure after Reb Noson. Reb Moshe's faith in Reb Noson was beyond description. Once he was robbed. Instead of looking for the thief, Reb Moshe entered the bais midrash, took out Reb Noson's Likutey Halakhos and studied the discourses on stealing. Shortly afterwards, his possessions were returned to him. After his marriage, Reb Moshe moved to Tcherin where he would converse daily about the Rebbe's teachings with Reb Avraham Ber (q.v.), who was Rebbe Nachman's grandson and also a follower of Reb Noson. Reb Avraham Ber's father-in-law, Reb Ber, who had been a follower of Rebbe Nachman, once asked Reb Moshe to speak to him. Reb Moshe stood in awe and said, "What can I tell you about serving God? You knew the Rebbe!" Reb Ber answered, "Believe me! You learned more about Rebbe Nachman through Reb Noson than I know even from seeing Rebbe Nachman himself."

Moshe Chenkes (d.1838). Moshe Chenkes lived in Sherevitz, a small village adjacent to Breslov. He was one of the trio of community leaders who welcomed Rebbe Nachman into Breslov in 1802. Rebbe Nachman blessed him and his business ventures, and he became extremely wealthy and influential, and a close follower of the Rebbe. He had no children from his first wife, and after the Rebbe's passing, Reb Noson told him that the Rebbe had said, "If Moshe divorces, he will have children." Moshe finally agreed. His second wife, Elki, was sister of the rav of Tomoshpiel. They had two children. Later, the rav of Tomoshpiel incited Elki against Reb Noson and eventually drew Moshe Chenkes into the fracas. Moshe thus turned from being a strong supporter of Reb Noson into a most formidable enemy.

Moshe Zvi of Savran, Rabbi (1779?-1838). A disciple of both Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berdichov and Rabbi Borukh of Medzeboz, he served for a while as rav in Berdichov before assuming a position in Savran. As one of the few leading chassidic masters in the Ukraine in the early 19th century, his following numbered in the thousands. His opposition to the Breslover Chassidim is chronicled in our text. His wife passed away when he was forty-four years old and he never remarried. Reb Noson said that his remaining a widower was a major contributing factor to his opposition to Rebbe Nachman's teachings and the Breslover Chassidim. Interestingly, his son, Rabbi Shimon Shlomo (d.1848), befriended the Breslover Chassidim.

Nachman Horodenker, Rabbi (1680-1766), Rebbe Nachman's grandfather. His son, Rabbi Simchah, married Feiga, the Baal Shem Tov's granddaughter, and named the Rebbe after him. In his youth, Rabbi Nachman Horodenker undertook very difficult devotions and rose to great spritual heights. One of the closest followers of the Baal Shem Tov, he moved to Tiberias in the Holy Land in 1764, where he is buried. Rabbi Pinchus of Koretz said about him that as long as he would remain in (what was then) Poland, the Cossacks would be unable to enter the country. The massacre in Uman of 1768, took place not long after he moved and passed away.

Nachman, Reb, Reb Noson's fifth child, was born in the late summer of 1827. He was married in the summer of 1844 in Lipovec. He had two children, a son, Reb Noson of Dimitrivka, who moved to Eretz Yisroel and is buried on the Mount of Olives, and a daughter, who married Reb Mordekhai Shochet of Breslov. (Reb Mordekhai's daughter, Rivkah, married Reb Noson, the son of Reb Avraham Sternhartz. Their daughter, Mariasah, is married to Reb Michel Dorfman, a leader of the Breslov community in Jerusalem today).

Nachman Chazan of Tulchin, Reb (1814-1884). Reb Nachman's grandfather was a follower of Rebbe Nachman. Born shortly after the Rebbe passed away, Reb Nachman was named after the Rebbe. Orphaned as a very young child, he grew up in his uncle's house, where he met Reb Noson on the latter's pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1822 (see Chapter 27). Reb Noson made such a deep impression upon him that the young Nachman decided to attach himself to Reb Noson. He indeed became Reb Noson's most intimate follower, and eventually the leader of the Breslov movement. Reb Nachman was the chazan (prayer leader) for mussaf at the Breslover kibutz in Uman on Rosh HaShanah, and hence the family name Chazan. His prayed with such intensity that those assembled felt he was "standing on air" during the service. His great fervor was matched by his modesty. Despite the fact that he was leader of the Breslover Chassidim at that time, Reb Nachman did not consider it beneath his dignity to serve others. Immediately after praying the daily prayers with great devotion, he would take the water buckets to draw water for the synagogue.

Reb Nachman published the first volume of his mentor's Likutey Halakhos while Reb Noson was still alive. Later, he edited and published the remaining seven volumes. For eighteen years Reb Nachman lived in Tulchin. After Reb Noson passed away, he moved to Breslov in order to continue his work. After eighteen years in Breslov, Reb Nachman moved to Uman, where he lived for another eighteen years, serving as shamas of the Breslover shul there. This last move caused the focus of Breslover Chassidus as a whole to shift to Uman. Reb Nachman's son was Reb Avraham Chazan (q.v.).