Sefer Hamidot
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| Hebrew: | |
|---|---|
| ספר המידות | |
| Spelling: | |
| Sefer Hamidot, Sefer Hamidos | |
| Other Names: | |
| The Book of Traits, Sefer Ha-Alef Bet, The Aleph-Bet Book, Sefer Hanhagos Yesharos | |
| Description: | |
| A book written by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov on the properties, associations and manifestations of different traits. |
The Book of Traits (Sefer Hamidos) was written by the Holy and Righteous Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. It is an alphabetical listing of character traits, good and bad, with advice for their rectification and how they relate to one another. Sefer Hamidos is composed of two parts, the first who's compilation began when Rabbi Nachman was just six years old. This Holy book was written to assist individuals seeking to honestly rectify and purify all of their character traits. Rabbi Nachman of Cherin and later Rabbi Tzaddok of Lublin created footnotes for Sefer Hamidot, sourcing the teachings to their origins in different Biblical verses and Rabbinical writings. Rabbi Nachman himself greatly praised his book saying it is what made him into a Kosher Jew.
Contents |
History
The Book of Traits (Sefer Hamidos), originally called "The Aleph-Bet Book" was written by Rabbainu Nachman of Breslov. He gathered statements of different traits and related advice that applies to our daily lives. Originally the book was written in the Holy handwriting of Rebbe Nachman, who began to write the first part in 1773 at the age of six. It was left unpublicized until 1803 when Rabbi Nachman called his student Rabbi Natan Stranhertz, and verbally read to him the passages of the book as Rabbi Natan transcribed them, then edited them and prepared them for publication.
Transcription
In 1803, Rabbainu Nachman asked Rabbi Nasson to start transcribing Sefer Hamidos as he read it to him word for word. This arrangement continued for a short time; then three or four months passed until this project was continued for another short run. Approximately two years passed until Chanukah of 1806 when they sat together for three weeks and finished the writing. This work was very difficult for Rebbe Nachman, but he went ahead with it out of his love of the Jewish People and completed the writing.
Chronology
- 1773 - Rebbe Nachman started writing Part I of "Sefer Hamidot". He completed Part II over the years.
- 1803 - Rebbe Natan is asked by Rabbainu Nachman to transcribe the book from his personal handwriting.
- 1811 Rebbe Natan sends the "The Book of Traits" for it's first printing. This was the year that Rabbainu Nachman passed away. The printing was done in Mahlov, Ukraine.
- 1821 - A Second printing of "The Book of Traits" was completed with additional footnotes from Rebbe Natan.
- 1876 - A new printing of Sefer Hamidos with footnotes from Rebbe Nachman of Cherin citing Biblical and Rabbinical sources. This was printed in Cherin, Ukraine.
- 1907-1908 - A new printing with further footnotes from Rebbe Tzaddok of Lublin, Poland.
- 1984-1985 - An expanded version of "The Book of Traits" including footnotes by Rabbi Kalman of Rozin explaining the original sources.
- 2007 - Tiferet HaMiddot printed in two very thick volumes filled sources and explanations of Sefer Hamidot.
In Recent Times
In recent years there have been massive printings of Sefer Hamidot and big efforts of spreading it to the public especially in Israel. In 2012 for example a publication of 15,000 softcover pocket size Sefer Hamidot was printed and they were selling for Less than 2 shekels each. Many expanded versions including source footnotes and appendixes have been published including numerous additions by Keren Rabbi Yisroel Odesser and other Na Nach publications.
Content and Structure
Rabbainu Nachman gathered and extracted information from every Torah source that provided advice how a person can rectify his character traits. He initially started creating the list at age six as a reminder to help him not to forget. Rabbi Nachman compiled sayings that promote good traits and discrediting bad traits. Aside from obvious sources, Rabbi Nachman was able to use his immense wisdom to extract valuable insights into the rectification and properties of character traits from Biblical verses and Ancient Rabbinical sources. These are not explained thoroughly in their original sources and are mentioned only subtly, making them only noticeable only to those who are very wise in Torah knowledge.
Sefer Hamidot is categorized according to different subject headings, arranged in order of the Hebrew alphebet, this being the source of its name the 'Aleph-Bet' book.
Parts I and II
Sefer Hamidot is divided into two parts. Part I is called "The Old Aleph- Bet", who's writing began when Rabbi Nachman was six years old. Part II which was written a while later, is much smaller and is called "The New Aleph-Bet". Its exact creation date is unknown. Rebbe Natan combined both parts into one volume, in its first printing that took place in 1810 in the city of Mahlov, Ukraine. In the first edition each part was created as a separate section.
A second printing of Sefer Hamidos, which also included Rebbe Natan's footnotes, was printed in 1821. Unlike the first printing, this time both parts of the book were printed under the same subject headings together with a caption of First part and Second part, to differentiate from one another. This is the format that was retained in all subsequent editions.
Missing Sections
According to Rebbe Natan, Rabbi Nachman omitted many parts of the original text when he read it over to him for transcription. Under the subject heading of 'healing' alone, Rebbe Natan writes that he saw more than 200 handwritten pages.
Sources and Footnotes
While some passages in Sefer Hamidot are direct quotes from the Talmud or can easily be sourced to Biblical verse, many have very elusive sources. Although Rabbi Natan did provide some notes and sources, they were very few. Over the year various Rabbis created source footnotes, although they are not included in most published editions.
Breslov Chasidim consider the source footnotes as an explanation and commentary to Sefer Hamidot, because without them it is often difficult to interpret the meaning of different passages, which can have multiple meanings. Only when they are looked up in their original source can they be properly understood.
Rabbi Nachman of Cherin
From 1873 to 1874, Rebbe Nachman of Cherin worked on finding sources for some of these elusive passages. In 1876 Rebbe Nachman of Cherin printed an edition of Sefer Hamidos with his footnotes also including the original ones from Rebbe Natan.
Rabbi Tzaddok of Lublin
Thirty two years later, in 1908, Rebbe Tzaddok of Lublin, added more footnotes listing sources not found in the original footnotes created by Rabbi Nachman of Cherin.
Rabbi Kalman of Rozin
In 1984, Rabbi Kalman of Rozin added an expansion of the abbreviations im the footnotes with an explanation to understand Rabbainu Nachman's statement from the Rabbinical sources.
Tiferet HaMiddot
In 2007, Rabbi Nachman Yosef Vitrial from Brooklyn, NY, printed a version of "The Book of Traits" with a rearranged order of the subject headings. This new rearranged Sefer Hamidos includes more than twenty new subject headings, a very insightful index, and explanations of the Talmudic and Rabbinical sources. This addition resulted in two very thick volumes and almost 1000 pages.
Hashlamos
Many passages included in Sefer Hamidot can be included under multiple category headings but are only general only included under one or in rare cases repeated in two - three categories. Some recent published editions of Sefer Hamidos include an appendix of 'HaShlamos' - literally 'completions' after each chapter. These category appendixes list all other passages related to that topic from throughout the entire text of Sefer Hamidos, giving a person the ability to get complete coverage of any topic without having to scan through the entier book. Most editions of Sefer Hamidos published by Keren Rabbi Yisorel Ber Odesser, include these appendixes. Tiferet HaMiddot a rearranged Sefer Hamidos by Rabbi Nachman Yosef Vitrial does the same, also creating over 20 new topic categories.
Approbations
Rabbi Nachman writes regarding Sefer Hamidos "that a person will find very advantageous advice how to watch out for bad traits, and how to follow the good traits that parallel them.
Rabbi Nachman said of his Sefer Hamidos, "This book made me a Kosher Jew". He also called his book "My best beloved friend".
Rebbe Natan writes, "It is already publicized and known that whoever is sincerely looking to achieve an honest and straight path, he will find it in this book."
Ongoing Translation
An on going translation of Sefer Hamidos into English is being worked on by the American Nanachs.