“Happy is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked…But his delight is in the Torah of God. He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaves do not wither…For God knows the way of the righteous…” (Psalms 1).
Rebbe Acha says, ”From where do we know that even a simple conversation of a tzaddik needs to be studied? Because it is written: ‘His leaves shall not wither’” (Sukah 21b). The Gaon, Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, explained: Man is compared to a tree. His words are his fruits. According to the man so are the fruits. Thus the fruits of the Torah scholar, the talmid chakham, are thenselves Torah. The leaves of a tree are formed to provide for its fruits and to protect them. So too, the leaves of the tzaddik—his simple, everyday conversations—are themselves spoken for the sake of Torah. (See Anaf Yosef ad. loc.)
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov founded what has been described as the most original of all schools of Chassidic. As a result he has become the most extensively discussed and quoted of the chassidic masters. The bulk of Rebbe Nachman's writings—the “fruits”—is made up of his mystical stories and parables on the one hand, and his formal Torah lessons on the other. These lessons are intense and complex interpretations of the most difficult concepts of the Talmud and the Kabbalah. Rebbe Nachman's writings added new dimensions and brilliance to the rich heritage of Torah literature and they form a perfect composite of all the traditional streams of Jewish intellectual expression.
Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom shows a different aspect of the Rebbe. It is a translation of Shevachey and Sichos HaRan, the life and conversations of Rebbe Nachman. We are given a view of Rebbe Nachman at his most simple and direct—talking informally with those who were closest to him, giving practical spiritual advice to those who came to him for guidance, and so on. These very conversations—the “leaves” of the tzaddik—show how Rebbe Nachman's entire life and being were totally made up of Torah and the service of God. Indeed it often happened that as his apparently mundane conversations unfolded, he was led to some of his greatest revelations and teachings. “His leaves shall not wither”—such conversations need truly to be studied. Leading teachers in the Breslov movement have seen Shevachey and Sichos HaRan as a fundamental text. It contains a basic introduction to Rebbe Nachman's life, as well as all his main teachings in a simple, straightforward form and is therefore an ideal introduction to his works.
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's translation was first published in 1973 on the initiative of Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, who was the leading English-speaking Breslover teacher in the United States. It was a pioneering work, being the first reliable translation into English of any of Rebbe Nachman's writings. It required not only a profound understanding of the subject matter itself, but also a unique approach in giving expression to such lofty ideals in a manner which would be both accurate and at the same time accessible to the general reader.
The publication of Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom opened the way for the translation of other Breslover works. Subsdequently the Breslov Research Institute was founded to undertake the translation and publication of all of Rebbe Nachman's writings. The appearance of Rebbe Nachman's Stories and Advice have evoked widespread interest in Rebbe Nachman's Wisdom with a new, comprehensive index.
May the Almighty grant that we see the fulfillment of the words of the first Psalm: "For God will make known the way of the righteous" (Yalkut Psalms #620) with the coming of Mashiach and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, Amen.
Chaim Kramer
Sivan, 5743
Translator’s Preface
It seems that it is more than coincidence that I am writing this introduction on the 200th anniversary of Rebbe Nachman's birth. The more one studies his life, the more one realizes that everything he touched was filled with significance.
Rebbe Nachman is one of the best known and most often quoted of the chassidic masters. A great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, he added an entirely new dimension to chassidic teachings. Even after two centuries, his teachings have a meaningful message. Now, as before, he speaks to seeking generations.
To some, Rebbe Nachman is best known by his stories. These may be counted among the great classics of world literature, possessing profound depth that speaks to the very soul. To others, Rebbe Nachman is the great kabbalist. His teachings shed light on some of the deepest mysteries, while at the same time enhancing them with meaning for the most average individual. Still others know Rebbe Nachman through his main teachings. He stresses hitbodedut, secluded prayer, before God. He taught that one should never lose hope, and that good points are to be found in even the most debased individuals. His doctrine was one of joy, stressing that a man must find cause for happiness in everything that befalls him.
To his followers, however, Rebbe Nachman is more than all this. He is “the Rebbe”—the teacher, the guide, the master. His teachings are not the abstract thoughts of a past generation, but living words of inspiration and wisdom for life today.
This work is a translation of Shevachey HaRan and Sichot HaRan, a combined work that was first published several years after his passing. It contains his most often quoted teachings, its subjects ranging from simple everyday advice to the most esoteric kabbalistic mysteries. It is where the Rebbe presents a way of life that has both depth and meaning.
Translating such a work into a modern idiom represented a major challenge, especially in view of its wide range of subject matter. One moves from the simple narratives of the mundane world to sublime poetry of the kabbalistic mysteries, often within a single page. Of course this was Rebbe Nachman's strength. He could bring the man to the mystery and the mystery to the man.
This edition is the first one ever to be annotated. The original Hebrew editions offered absolutely no clue as to the origin of the many Biblical, Talmudic, and kabbalistic quotations found in the work. To trace all these has been one of the major tasks of the translator. {This Internet edition includes many, but not all of the sources that Rabbi Kaplan cited.}
Our notes are intended to serve a dual purpose. First of all, they are to make this book intelligible to those with a limited background. All unfamiliar terms, personalities and events, are explained in detail. We also strove to provide additional insight for the serious student of Breslov. Since many of the Rebbe's teachings can best be understood in context with his related lessons, parallel sources are cited. The circumstances under which a particular lesson was revealed is also provided where the information is available. In a number of instances, we have been able to logically arrive at conclusions not recorded elsewhere.
We hope to be able to translate these notes into Hebrew and include them in a future edition of the original. {This has since been done. Those interested may contact Torat HaNetzach Publishers, POB 50022, Jerusalem, Israel.}
I would like to express my particular appreciation to Rabbi Zvi Aryeh (Leo) Rosenfeld for inspiring this project, meticulously editing the manuscript and comparing it with the original and helpng track down some of the more elusive sources.
I would also like to thank my good friends, Leibel Berger and Gedaliah Fleer for their suggestions and help.
Above all, my thanks go to my wife Tobie, for being a continuous source of inspiration and strength during the entire course of this project.
Spending these months immersed in Rebbe Nachman's works has been a source of inspiration that was, as Reb Noson would say, “beyond the power of words to describe.” It is my hope that they serve as a similar source of inspiration to those who read this book.
Aryeh Kaplan
Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5732
Herein is told
an infintesimal portion
of the awesome holiness of our Rebbe
may a Tzadik's memory be a blessing
his goodness, his piety,
and his holy ways in serving God.
Also recounted is his pilgrimage
to the Holy Land.
He is the Rebbe, the sainted gaon,
the holy tzaddik, foundation of the world
his eminence, our lord and master
the precious exalted lamp
the treasured concealed light
his glorious holy name is
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
may the memory of the holy Tzadik be a blessing
his praise is hushed
author of the Likutey Moharan
and other sacred works.
(From the Frontispiece)
Author’s Introduction
I, Reb Noson, son of Rabbi Naftali Hertz of Nemerov, fully realize that an account of our awesome, holy Rebbe's life should be written. I have therefore recorded a small portion of his saintly ways, from his earliest perception until his departure from this world in peace. I myself heard some of these accounts from the Rebbe's holy lips. Others were gleaned from those who knew him during his lifetime. Much of what is written here was seen with my own eyes.
The Rebbe had much opposition and I know fully well that many will not believe these accounts. I will not let this deter me. Many people yearn for these words and have urged me to publish this volume. Deep inside, my heart tells me that these words should be published for the sake of those who would follow them. It does not matter who initiated them—they are obviously pure and holy ways. How can I withhold this volume from those who sincerely thirst for it?
The truth is its own witness. Look at the Rebbe's writings with an unprejudiced eye and you yourself will see that he revealed concepts that cannot be perceived with the unaided human intellect. These teachings could only be attained from the highest source through holiness and purity. It is impossible to go into further detail. Anything more would be superfluous. As people say, “It is either unnecessary, or else it is futile.”
At first my heart beat with uncertainty and I did not know which path to follow. Then I resolved that I would write freely, no matter what the consequences, “that future generations might know…and arise and tell it to their children.” They will see this book and walk in the footsteps marked along these paths.
It is self evident that these ways are precious and holy. Every person can follow them and bring himself close to God, for they apply to everyone, great and small alike. No matter how low you are, you can follow the paths charted here. Have pity on your soul and consider your true purpose and you will be worthy of eternal life, soaring like the Children of the Highest Abode. Just be firm in your conviction, like a firmly driven stake that cannot be moved, never straying from the path mapped out in this book.
What we have recorded here is less than a drop in the ocean of the Rebbe's great holiness and outstanding quality. They tower high above, in a place where human intellect cannot penetrate. We have no desire to retell any of the Rebbe's miracles and wonders. Our only concern is to present ideas that can bring others closer to God. Let people read this and learn a path.
Every one who saw our manuscripts praised them very highly. Their hearts were touched with a closeness to God and they urged me to publish them. They prevailed upon me with words until I was bound to complete this task.
May God have mercy on us, and may we be worthy to walk in the ways of our fathers who served their Master with awe, until Tzion and Jerusalem are rebuilt and all Israel shall fly like doves to their cotes. May this be in our days, Amen.
