Breslev in Safed
 | |
| Hebrew: | |
|---|---|
| ברסלב בצפת | |
| Pronunciation: | |
| Bres-lev | |
| Other Names: | |
| Bratslav, Breslov, Nanachs, Nachmans | |
| Description: | |
| The Breslev Hassidic community is one of Tzfat’s fastest-growing communities. |
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov visited Tzfat as part of his trip to Eretz Yisroel. Due to the strong focus of Eretz Yisroel in his teachings, Breslev Hassidim have been immigrating to Israel since the movement’s early days in the 18th and 19th centuries but until the 1960's few Breslev Hassidim settled in Tzfat. Since the 1960's the community has grown and flourished in Tzfat, attracting old-community Breslev families as well as newcomers to the Breslev way of life. Currently the bulk of Breslovers in Tzfat affiliate with either the Nanach movement or are followers of Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Kenig.
Contents |
Overview of the Breslev Sect
The Breslev Hassidic sect follow the teachings of their “Rebbe” -- leader -- Rabbi Nachman from the Ukranian town of Breslev. Rabbi Nachman taught that G-d is best served through sincerity of the heart, worshiping G-d with simplicity and living life with joy. Breslovers practice hisbodedut meditation and seclusion as a means to “teshuvah” -- repentance -- and strengthening ones faith in G-d.
Leadership in most Hassidic dynasties passes along the male line but Rebbe Nachman’s followers did not select a new leader when Rebbe Nachman died and Rebbe Nachman is still viewed as the Rebbe of the Breslov Hassidim by his followers. Some Breslovers such as the Nanach's completely eliminate the need for rabbis in Breslov, aside from what is necessary for Halachic questions.
Breslev Hassidim Historically in Safed
Hassidic immigration to the Land of Israel increased during the 18th and 19th centuries and many Hassidim settled in Tzfat but Breslev Hassidim were not among the various communities which established institutions in Tzfat. Rebbe Nachman spent some time in Israel at the close of the 18th century and visited Tzfat during his trip. His daughter Miriam moved to Tzfat with her husband and is buried in the old cemetery of Tzfat. Rabbi Yitzchok, the son of Rabbi Nason also moved to Tzfat towards the end of his life and buried in the cemetery as well. A number of other individual Breslov Hasidim lived in Tzfat through out the years including Rabbi Yisroel Karduner, who for a short while ran a Kollel Chatzot in the city. Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, a well known Breslover was born and raised in Tzfas, although to a Chabad family.
Modern Tzfat Breslev Community
The Tzfat Breslev community was established by Rabbi Gedalia Kenig, scion of a distinguished Breslev family and disciple of the Breslev leader Rabbi Avraham Sternhartz. In the 1960s Rabbi Sternhartz urged Rabbi Kenig to move to Tzfat and establish a Breslev community in the city. Rabbi Kenig moved to Tzfat and began planning for Breslev families’ housing, education and other institutional needs. He established the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma Institutions of Tzfat.
Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma
Breslev in Tzfat is unified under the umbrella of “Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma” --The River is a Source of Wisdom. The Nachal Novea institutions in Tzfat include religious, educational and community establishments.
Great Breslev Synagogue
The Great Breslev Synagogue is located next to the Ari Sephardi Synagogue near the base of the Old Jewish Quarter on HaAri Street, just above the cemetery. The synagogue offers daily “minyans” -- prayer quorums -- for the three daily prayers as well as Sabbath and holiday services. The synagogue follows traditional Breslev prayer styles and incorporates singing, dancing and spirited meditations into their prayers.
Kollel Ohr Tzaddikim
Kollel Ohr Tzaddikim is a full-time Torah study program for married men. The students study according to their level with options for beginning, intermediate and advanced studies. Alumni hold rabbinical, teaching, religious and other leadership positions throughout the world. There is also a yeshivah high school for Breslev boys on the premises.
Talmud Torah Magen Avot
The Magen Avot Talmud Torah is an elementary school for young boys who can study religious subjects at the yeshivah until eighth grade. The “cheder” -- school -- serves boys from age three through thirteen and includes studies in Torah and character development.
Trisk Synagogue
Breslev maintains the historical Trisk synagogue in the Old Jewish Quarter for study and prayers.
Other Educational Institutions
Other educational institutions run by the Breslev community include a girls’ kindergarten and a day care center. These institutions are open to all Tzfat families, regardless of their affiliation with Breslev..
Breslev Mikve
The Breslev “mikve” -- ritual bath -- is located near the Central Breslev synagogue. It is open to all and was built to provide a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for women who, as per Jewish law, immerse monthly. The mikve also has an educational component which includes tours and classes to explain the Jewish traditions and laws concerning mikve use.
Na Nachs
A growing sub-group within the Breslev community is the “s,” a splinter Breslev group which follows the teachings of Rabbi Yisrael Odesser. Rabbi Odesser taught that repeating a mantra, “na, nach, nachman, nachman m’uman” can bring the Final Redemption closer. There are many Na Nach Breslev families in Tzfat. They integrate into existing Breslev institutions and follow the leadership of Rabbi Gedalia Kenig’s son, Rabbi Elazar Kenig, today the leader of Breslev in Tzfat.
| |||||||||||