10 Tevet · Yahrzeit

Rabbi Nathan of Breslov

Rabbi Natan bar Naftali-Hirsh Sternhartz - Rabbi Noson of Breslov — organizer and leader of the Breslov Hasidic movement (1780-1844). Yahrzeit - 10 Tevet Resting place - Breslov, Ukraine Rabbi Nathan of Breslov, also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, was the chief disciple and scribe of Rabbi 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 passing. Rabbi Nachman himself said: "Were it not for Rabbi Noson, not a single page of my writings would have survived." Reb Noson was born in the town of Nemirov, Ukraine. His father, Rabbi Naftali Hertz Sternhartz, was an outstanding Talmudic scholar and a wealthy businessman. His mother's name was Chaya Lane. Reb Noson was the firstborn in his family; he had three brothers — Reb Yudel, Reb Yosef, and Reb Leibush — and one sister, whose name is unknown. Reb Noson received a traditional Torah education and learned his father's business. At the age of 13 (as was customary), he married Esther Sheindel, daughter of Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Orbach, a leading rabbinic authority in Mogilev, Sharogrod, and Kremenetz. Both his father and his father-in-law were strong opponents of Hasidism. Although Reb Noson was a scholar, he felt that something was missing in his spiritual service. He began visiting various Hasidic rebbes, including Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, and was impressed by the sincerity of their followers. However, he could not summon the same intensity in his own religious devotion. In 1802, Rebbe Nachman moved to Breslov, Ukraine, located nine miles south of Nemirov (a three-hour journey by horse in those days). Reb Noson went to hear the Rebbe, who was only 8 years older than him, and found the spiritual mentor he had been seeking. Reb Noson became a lifelong disciple of Rebbe Nachman. Although Reb Noson's family initially opposed his connection to Hasidism, they eventually softened when they saw that his Torah knowledge and personal piety only improved under Rebbe Nachman's guidance. Reb Noson and Esther Sheindel had three sons — Shachne, Yitzchok, and Dovid Tzvi — and one daughter, Chana Tzirel. Esther Sheindel passed away in September 1826, and in October 1826 Reb Noson married Dishel, a widow with her own son and daughter. From his second wife he had two more sons, Nachman and Yosef Yona. Reb Noson bore personal responsibility for preserving the teachings, stories, and everyday conversations of his mentor, as well as for spreading the Breslov movement after Nachman's passing in 1810. While the Rebbe was alive, Reb Noson served as his official scribe, carefully recording his teacher's words. Since many of the Rebbe's lessons were given on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, when writing is forbidden (according to Halacha, "Jewish law"), the material had to be written down afterward. However, Reb Noson possessed a phenomenal memory and could recall many lessons almost word for word. He would then show the manuscript to the Rebbe, who would make final corrections. Some lessons were dictated line by line by Rebbe Nachman to Reb Noson after Shabbat or a Jewish holiday in Yiddish, and Reb Noson would translate the lessons into Hebrew. In his later publications, Reb Noson carefully notes whether a lesson was edited and approved by Nachman himself, or whether it was less formal and not specifically approved by him. He also draws a clear distinction between the Rebbe's actual words and any commentary he himself added. After Rebbe Nachman's passing on October 16, 1810, Reb Noson moved to Breslov and became known as Nathan of Breslov. He became the leader of the Breslov Hasidim, but not the Rebbe, since Rebbe Nachman had not appointed a successor or established a dynasty. Instead, Reb Noson devoted all his energy to strengthening the Breslov movement while maintaining his own rigorous schedule of Torah study. He purchased a printing press and published all of Rebbe Nachman's writings, as well as all the conversations with Nachman that he and others remembered. Reb Noson also wrote many original discourses and teachings, some of which were published during his lifetime. He corresponded with Breslov Hasidim throughout Ukraine and visited them several times a year. Reb Noson was also responsible for turning Uman (Ukraine), the town where Rebbe Nachman is buried, into a Hasidic center. In 1811, he organized the first annual Rosh Hashanah kibbutz (prayer gathering) at the gravesite and continued to lead this pilgrimage until his death in 1844. Around 1830, he raised funds to build a synagogue in Uman to accommodate the ever-growing Rosh Hashanah gathering. He made the pilgrimage and composed a number of prayers that his followers would recite at Nachman's grave. Reb Noson passed away shortly before the onset of Shabbat on Friday, December 20, 1844. His childhood friend, Reb Naftali, was living in Uman at the time. On Shabbat morning, Reb Naftali told his companions that he was certain Reb Noson had died the previous evening. When asked how he could be so certain, he explained: "I had a dream in which I saw Reb Noson running quickly. I said, 'Reb Noson! Where are you running to?' 'Straight to the Rebbe!'" (oral tradition). Reb Noson is buried in Breslov in the old Jewish cemetery overlooking the Bug River. May the merit of this tzadik protect Am Yisrael! (https://www.geni.com/people/R-Nathan-Sternharz-of-Bratslav/6000000033261856319)

Pilgrimage site: Grave: Nathan of Breslov