Rebbe Natan's Wisdom

The Tenth of Teveth is a very special date on the Hebrew calendar. Not only is it a public fast day, but it also marks the anniversary of Rebbe Natan's departure from the physical world. Thanks to Rebbe Natan, we have the rich legacy of Rebbe Nachman's teachings. In fact, Rebbe Nachman himself once said, "Were it not for Natan, there wouldn't be a single sheet of my teachings!"

Rebbe Natan personifies the lofty element of bitul larabo, one's total self-nullification to one's rabbi, teacher and spiritual guide. Even though Rebbe Natan had a prodigious IQ and a magnificent talent for learning Torah, as proven by his total mastery of Talmud and religious law by age 22, he cast aside his own logic and intellect in favor Rebbe Nachman's way of thinking. Rebbe Natan's total internalization of Rebbe Nachman's teachings enabled him not only to think like his beloved and exalted teacher, but to author an entire compendium of nuances, elaborations, and esoteric commentary on The Shulchan Aruch Code of Jewish Law, known as Likutei Halachot.

Each minute of Rebbe Natan's life was a priceless pearl that he guarded carefully. No wonder he accomplished so much in his lifetime of 65 years.

Alim LeTrufa (Healing Leaves, abridged English edition) is a collection of Rebbe Natan's letters, most of which he wrote to his son, Reb Yitzchak. These letters are a source of inspiration and encouragement that defies any price tag. No matter where you open the book, you can find practical advice to help you get through the day a little bit easier. Rebbe Natan, the understudy and prime disciple of one of Judaism's great doctors of the soul, always seems to have the right words to encourage us. He is the master of hitchazkut, the art of  spiritually and emotionally strengthening oneself against all odds.

As a loving memorial to Rebbe Natan, of saintly and blessed memory, here are a few morsels of his advice, ever so relevant to the challenges of contemporary times:

Continue reading Rebbe Natan's Wisdom on this week's online edition of Breslev Israel magazine.

Also featured this week:

Rabbi Shalom Arush: The Daily Reminder

Rabbi Pinchas Winston: Moshiach Ben Yosef

Zev Ballen: The Therapeutic Wasteland

Howard Morton: A Hollywood Refugee

Rivka Levy: Back to Basics

Dovber HaLevi: A Conversation with Hashem

Racheli Reckles: The Good Fight

Chaya Ovadia: The Chameleon

Gila David: Returning Citizen

Emuna Outreach and Lazer Beams want to reemphasize our vehement opposition to religious fanaticism and violation of human rights, be it sexual, racial, or any other discrimination. But, we also condemn the media's incitement against the religious population, and its vulgar attempts to dehumanize and deligitimize observant Jews. We'll have a lot more to say on this matter, either here on the Beams or on our weekly show at Israel National Radio. Have a good week!