Breslov Research Institute

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Breslov Research Institute is a publisher of classic and contemporary Breslov texts in English. Established in 1979, BRI has produced the first English translation of all the works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) and selected works of Reb Noson (1780–1844), the Rebbe's closest disciple; studies of the Rebbe's teachings on individual subjects; contemporary Breslov biographies; and self-help books which apply Rebbe Nachman's teachings to daily life. [1] BRI currently has over 100 titles in print, [1] many of which it has also translated into Hebrew, Spanish, Russian and French. BRI maintains offices in Jerusalem and New York City.

Contents

History

The founding of Breslov Research Institute was an outgrowth of the outreach work of Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, who is credited with bringing the teachings of Rebbe Nachman to American shores beginning in the late 1940s. [2] [3] [4] While Rabbi Rosenfeld primarily taught students in the New York area and recorded his lectures on tape, he encouraged one of his students, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, to produce an English translation of a key Breslov text, Shivchei V'Sichot HaRan (Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom), in 1973, which Rabbi Rosenfeld edited. [5] [2] In 1979, one year after Rabbi Rosenfeld's death, his son-in-law, Chaim Kramer, established the Breslov Research Institute to continue the effort to publish Breslov teachings in English. [6]

1980s

In the 1980s, BRI produced the first English translations of important Breslov texts, including:

BRI also published Until the Mashiach, an annotated chronology of the life of Rebbe Nachman, and Crossing the Narrow Bridge, an original work which spelled out the main concepts of Breslov Hasidut in a down-to-earth manner.

Beginning in 1984, BRI undertook the translation, annotation and commentary of Rebbe Nachman's magnum opus, Likutey Moharan. In 2012, the 15th and final volume of the set was published. [7]

1990s

During the 1990s, BRI produced a definitive biography of Reb Noson, the Rebbe's closest disciple (Through Fire and Water), and translated and compiled Reb Noson's prolific letters in a 4-volume set (Eternally Yours).

2000s

In the 2000s, BRI produced the first English translation of the Kitzur Likutey Moharan (Abridged Likutey Moharan) and compilations of Breslov teachings on Pirkei Avot and the Chumash. A collection of the Rebbe's teachings on tzedakah (charity) was published as More Blessed To Give, and a collection of personal histories of men who traveled to Uman for the annual Rosh Hashana pilgrimage to Rebbe Nachman's grave was published as Rebbe Nachman and the Knights of the Rosh HaShanah Table. In 2014 the Breslov Siddur (weekday edition) was published, followed by the Shabbos/Yom Tov edition in 2018. The first volume of an elucidated English translation of Likutey Halakhot was printed in 2019.

To date, BRI has published all the writings of Rebbe Nachman and selected writings of Reb Noson. A multi-volume translation of Reb Noson's Likutey Tefilot (Collected Prayers) has been published under the title The Fiftieth Gate. [8] BRI has also published original works by contemporary Breslov authors presenting Rebbe Nachman's teachings on prayer, hitbodedut, tefillin, Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Mashiach, the Land of Israel, the Sefirot, and Uman (burial place of Rebbe Nachman). It has produced a series of illustrated children's books based on Rebbe Nachman's parables.

BRI has produced a number of audio recordings of traditional Breslov songs and melodies, plus two books of Breslov sheet music.

Related Research Articles

Aryeh Moshe Eliyahu Kaplan was an American Orthodox rabbi, author, and translator known for his knowledge of physics and Kabbalah. He was lauded as an original thinker and prolific writer and is most well known for his translations of the Torah, writings on Kabbalah, and introductory pamphlets on Jewish beliefs and philosophy. His works are often regarded as a significant factor in the growth of the baal teshuva movement.

Breslov (Hasidic group) Hasidic dynasty

Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810), a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism. Its adherents strive to develop an intense, joyous relationship with God, and receive guidance toward this goal from the teachings of Rebbe Nachman.

Nachman of Breslov Hasidic Rabbi

Nachman of Breslov, also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover, Nachman from Uman, was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement.

Nathan of Breslov

Nathan of Breslov, also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe's death. Rebbe Nachman himself said, "Were it not for Reb Noson, not a page of my writings would have remained."

Na Nach Nachma Nachman Meuman

Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'uman is a Hebrew language name and song used by a subgroup of Breslover Hasidim colloquially known as the Na Nachs. It is a kabbalistic formula based on the four Hebrew letters of the name Nachman, referring to the founder of the Breslov movement, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, along with a reference to his burial place in Uman, Ukraine.

Nachman Goldstein of Tcherin, also known as the Tcheriner Rav, was a leading disciple of Nathan of Breslov, who in turn was the chief disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty.

Abraham Sternhartz (1862–1955), also known as Avraham Shternhartz, was an Orthodox rabbi in Ukraine and a unique and unsurpassed figure in the chain of transmission of Breslover teachings from the early generations of the movement to the latter ones.

Nachman Chazan (1813–1884) was a seminal figure in the continuation and growth of Breslov Hasidism in the mid-nineteenth century. The Breslov movement was founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, who died in 1810. Rebbe Nachman's closest disciple, Nathan of Breslov, shaped and shepherded the movement until his own death in 1844. Reb Nachman Chazan, Reb Noson's closest disciple, then assumed leadership of the movement, guaranteeing the existence and growth of the Hasidut for another 40 years.

Yitzchok Sternhartz (1808–1871) was the second eldest son of Rabbi Nathan of Breslov. He was born in the town of Nemyriv, Ukraine, where his father had become a close disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Sternhartz remained close to his father all his life, and was the inspiration for his father's substantial written correspondence during the last 15 years of Reb Noson's life.

Yitzchok Breiter (1886-1943?) was a Breslover Hasidic rabbi who spread the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov beyond their origins in Ukraine to the country of Poland during the 1920s to 1930s.

Alter Tepliker was the sobriquet of Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Bezhilianski, a learned scholar and leading Breslover Hasid in Uman, Ukraine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Levi Yitzchok Bender

Levi Yitzchok Bender (1897–1989) was a rabbi and leader of the Breslov community in both Uman, Ukraine and Jerusalem. Many Breslover Hasidim regarded him as their spiritual mentor, especially baalei teshuva who joined the Breslov movement in the 1970s and 1980s.

Abraham Chazan was a rabbi and key figure in the transmission of Breslover Hasidut at the turn of the 20th century.

Rosh Hashana kibbutz Large prayer assemblage of Breslover Hasidim held on the Jewish New Year

The Rosh Hashana Kibbutz is a large prayer assemblage of Breslover Hasidim held on the Jewish New Year. It specifically refers to the pilgrimage of tens of thousands of Hasidim to the city of Uman, Ukraine, but also refers to sizable Rosh Hashana gatherings of Breslover Hasidim in other locales around the world. In recent years the pilgrimage to Uman has attracted Jewish seekers from all levels of religious observance and affiliation, including introducing Sephardic Jews to Hasidic spirituality. This has added to Breslov's position in the Baal teshuva movement of Jewish outreach.

Moshe Breslover was the nickname given to Rabbi Moshe Lubarski, one of the closest disciples of Nathan of Breslov, who in turn was the closest disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. After Reb Noson's death in 1844, Lubarski became a leading figure in the Breslover community and taught many people, including Rabbi Shimshon Barski and Rabbi Yisroel Halpern.

Eliyahu Chaim Rosen (1899–1984) was a respected rabbi and leader of the Breslov Hasidim in Uman, Ukraine before World War II. After immigrating to Israel in 1936, he founded the Breslover Yeshiva in Jerusalem and served as its rosh yeshiva for decades.

Hitbodedut or hisbodedus refers to practices of self-secluded Jewish meditation. The term was popularized by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) to refer to an unstructured, spontaneous and individualized form of prayer and meditation through which one would establish a close, personal relationship with God and ultimately see the Divinity inherent in all being.

Gedaliah Aharon Koenig

Gedaliah Aharon Koenig, a respected Breslover Hasid in Jerusalem, Israel, was the driving force behind the establishment of the Breslov community in Safed, which was led by his son, Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Koenig, and now by another son, Rabbi Ephraim Koenig.

Tikkun HaKlali, also known as The General Remedy, is a set of ten Psalms whose recital serves as teshuvah (repentance) for all sins — in particular the sin of wasted seed through involuntary nocturnal emission or masturbation. The Tikkun HaKlali is a unique innovation of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and its recital is a regular practice of Breslover Hasidim to this day.

Zvi Aryeh Benzion Rosenfeld was an American rabbi and educator credited with introducing Breslov Hasidism to the United States. Teaching children, teens, and adults in New York City for nearly three decades, he inspired a large percentage of his students from non-religious and Modern Orthodox homes to become religious, and also acquainted them with the teachings of the 19th-century Hasidic master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. He led the first official group of American Breslovers to Rebbe Nachman's grave in Uman, Ukraine, in 1963, and arranged for the first English translation of two key Breslov texts, Shivchei HaRan and Sichot HaRan. He was also an active supporter of the Breslov community in Israel, raising charity funds on behalf of needy families and the majority of funds for the construction of the Breslov Yeshiva in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem.

References

  1. 1 2 "What is the Breslov Research Institute?". breslov.org. 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-04-29. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  2. 1 2 Gelbach, Sharon (November 14, 2018). "Like His Own Children". Mishpacha . Retrieved December 19, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ Katz, Rabbi Shlomo, ed. (2017). Rebbe Nachman's Soul: A commentary on Sichos HaRan from the classes of Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld, z"l. 1. Breslov Research Institute. ISBN   978-1-944-731-00-7.
  4. ↑ Bresky, Ben (October 25, 2016). "When a Rabbi's Grave Became the Site of an International Incident". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  5. ↑ Kramer, Chaim (1989). Crossing the Narrow Bridge: A practical guide to Rebbe Nachman's teachings. Breslov Research Institute. p. 448. ISBN   0-930213-40-8.
  6. ↑ Besser, Yisroel (12 May 2010). "Breslov Revisited". Mishpacha Magazine (308): 30–40.
  7. ↑ Zwolinski, Chaya Rivka (25 May 2012). "Book Reviews: Reb Nachman Explains It All". Tablet . Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  8. ↑ "The Fiftieth Gate is Complete!". 12 March 2016.
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