Rebbe
Nachman of Breslov promised us:
" My fire will burn until the
Coming of the Messiah."
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1888
: Tiberias THE
MAN : THE
TSADIK : |
THE TSADDIK FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD To
Reveal the Light of Rebbe Nachman Producing
Souls Vérification
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A Breslover Chassid is born : Story of the hiskarvus .
The Letter from heaven: Miracle of the Petek.
The virtual pilgrimage to The grave of Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser
to listen Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser
RABBI YISROEL BER ODESSER
HIS LIFE
1888 : Tiberias - Ottoman Empire
Yisroel Ber was born in 1888 in Tiberias, a small village (at that time) bordering on the Sea of Galilee, when Eretz Yisroel was under the control of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire.
His family were Karliner Chassidim, a large and famous Chassidic sect at that time. His father was blind, and his mother ran a bakery to support the family. They lived in a tiny domicile and in great poverty.
At night before going to sleep, the large family would spread out straw mattresses on the floor. They would eat bread with a bit of onion and tea.
The young Yisroel Ber studied at the Yeshiva of Rebbe Meir Ba'al HaNess on the outskirts of Tiberias, nestled at the foot of the mountains next to the Sea. Even as a young child, Yisroel Ber would give his lunch (a piece of bread with a few drops of oil) to the poor in the town in order to merit to give Tzedakah (charity). He was left without strength, ravenous, and suffered from terrible headaches. His teacher noticed Yisroel Ber's lack of participation in the class and, thinking he was a lazy student, would punish him cruelly. Despite this Yisroel Ber continued to perform his charitable acts, even with these punishments.
At home his father would give each child a bit of oil for his bedside lamp. Yisroel Ber would use this each night to recite the Midnight Lament. When his oil ran out he would take more from the family's supply in order to continue his Divine Service throughout the night, and by the end of the week no oil remained for Shabbat. His Parents understood that young Yisroel Ber had finished the oil for his nighttime diligence.
As Yisroel Ber grew up he would pray to God with great fervor. He also would fast on the eve of every Rosh Chodesh (new Jewish month). He fought great battles against the evil inclination; yet even so he felt lacking in his Divine service. He sought out and consulted with Elder Chassidim who were renowned for their piety and fear of God concerning his doubts and temptations. But he received only partial answers that did not quench his thirst for purification. His soul burned to serve God. He wanted to draw near to God as much as humanly possible. This was his purpose. He wanted to study the Torah and to grow in spirituality. His family, who suffered from dire poverty, wanted him to work and to help support the family, but he refused categorically to reduce his Divine service. Eventually they accepted this and allowed him to continue on his spiritual path.
Time passed and, as an adolescent yearning greatly for holiness, his service of God continued. However he lacked practical techniques and weapons with which to battle his evil inclination, his passions, his small mindedness, and his physical needs. He hoped and yearned, and even dreamed, about spiritual perfection and purification. He wanted to serve God in perfect simplicity. From where would come the help that he so awaited?
One day in the Yeshiva Yisroel Ber found a book without a cover in the garbage. He removed it in order to dispose of it in a fitting way for holy objects. But before he did this he read some of the book and he was shocked to see that this book, Outpouring of the Soul, explained how to draw near to God in truth and how to become purified and reach the highest good, and how to achieve his spiritual aspirations. Simply put, a gift from Heaven for a soul searching for the ultimate purpose of life. The book affirmed that by speaking to God in a private and personal way, called Hitbodedut, he could reach the highest levels of holiness. This was the secret method of the Holy Shepherds of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, who became completely righteous only through this method of private and personal conversation with God.
Immediately Yisroel Ber began to implement this technique. He fled to the mountains that surrounded the Yeshiva and would speak and pray with all of his soul, pouring out his heart to God. This technique was so effective that he soon saw results. His heart felt relief, his sense of deficiency diminished, and gradually he felt spiritual fulfillment. But everyone in the Yeshiva, both Rabbis and students, discouraged him from this path and forbade him from learning this book. They eventually took the book from him by force. However he already knew the book by heart, and he was able to continue with its teachings.
His teachers and friends said: "Get away from this book and all Breslov books!" "Breslov," they had said. Yisroel Ber wanted to know more about this forbidden group! But how? The book had said that everything can be attained through prayer and hitbodedut. So Yisroel Ber began to pray earnestly to God to send him someone to teach him in the ways of Breslov.
MERON : THE HOLY GRAVE OF RABBI SHIMON BAR YOCHAI
About a one day's journey by donkey from Tiberias is Meron, a tiny village with the Holy Tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the great Talmudic Sage and Teacher of the Zohar, the book of Jewish mystical tradition. Someone there never leaves the gravesite the entire week.. He prays and learns there and returns home to his family in Tzefat only for Shabbat. He is a Hidden Tzaddik. Day and night he pours out his heart at this holy place, from where prayers rise up with great power. The Tzaddik is named Rabbi Yisroel Karduner, may his merit protect us.
He had grown up in a wealthy family in Eastern Europe, and had a secure future in the family business. But after he found out about Breslov Chassidus, he fled to Uman, the burial place of Rebbe Nachman, where he spent much time praying at his gravesite. Eventually he moved to Eretz Yisroel with great self-sacrifice and found a place for his intense devotions in Meron. Nothing could induce him to leave the lofty spiritual serenity of Meron, which was uninhabited at that time and rarely visited by anyone. But suddenly he began to suffer from terrible pains of rheumatism. He struggled for some time to nullify these pains through his fervent devotions, but eventually the pains grew so severe that he was forced against his will to journey to Tiberias with the intention of soaking in the famous hotsprings as a cure for his afflictions. And there occurred the crucial meeting between teacher and student (see the complete story as told by Rabbi Yisroel Ber).
HIS TEST : COMING NEAR TO THE TRUE TZADDIK
From the moment that he found the Breslov book in the Yeshiva, Yisroel Ber began to experience fierce opposition from his fellow students, his neighbors, and even his family. They harrassed him whenever he would meet with Rabbi Yisroel Karduner. All of Tiberias was against him. However, arguments, insults, threats, blows, and all types of pressures failed to unnerve him. Even his blind father, whom he loved deeply, rebuked him. Also the leading Rabbis of Tiberias condemned his involvement with Breslov. But an even crueler test still awaited him.
When his mother saw that her son, Yisroel Ber, was "lost" and utterly committed to Breslov teachings, she lost consciousness and died. She was brought to the Burial Society to be prepared for burial. It would seem as if the entire world revolved around Yisroel Ber. His mother was about to be buried after dying in grief over him. Thoughts of guilt and doubt came over him. People said that he had "killed" his mother. All this bitterness, for what? For a few new Jewish concepts? For a few new books? For a new Rabbi? Was this not too high a price to pay? So much suffering and sacrifice and so much hard work, all in order to cause his mother's death? The dilemma, the secret and painful insinuations of his wounded conscience, the questions, the regrets, "If only I had done differently." All these thoughts spun around in the mind and heart of Yisroel Ber. And above all the public desecration of the good name of Breslov.
On the verge of succumbing to these tormenting doubts, Yisroel Ber strengthened his resolve to believe fully in God and in Rebbe Nachman. His teacher, Rabbi Yisroel Karduner, felt and understood his student's decision. Then he began to pray like one of the Thirty-Six Hidden Tzaddikim who support the World, which he could do, with tears from the depths of his heart and soul. Not far away was the Burial Society, with a different type of weeping, and other forms of pain, and the remorse of the relatives.
And then the miracle occurred. Yisroel Ber's "dead" mother began to move! People were amazed. They checked her, and there was no doubt that she was coming back to life, thanks to the prayers of Rabbi Yisroel Karduner. Yisroel Ber breathed a deep sigh of relief. He thought that he would fall completely, but God had mercy on him. His convictions did not change, but he had undergone a terrible test. Coming near to Rebbe Nachman in truth was a test greater than the Binding of Isaac (when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his only son). In attaching himself to Rebbe Nachman, source of all the souls in the world, Yisroel Ber did not yet realize that he was bringing the entire world to its Final Redemption (the Messianic Era).
HIS SUFFERING: TO BECOME THE TZADDIK
Despite all of his suffering and obstacles, Yisroel Ber was fully commited to the path of Breslov. On the mountains around Tiberias he continued his method of hitbodedut. He arose every night at Chatzot (midnight). Neither the darkness, nor the cold of winter, prevented him from immersing in the waters of the Sea of Galilee. A free mikveh (immersion pool) for the impoverished Yeshiva student! He prayed, he danced, he studied, he conversed with his Creator in hitbodedut, he climbed from level to level. He constantly progressed in his Divine service. His serenity and joy, even despite his suffering, amazed everyone around him. But soon there would be a new downfall. The mistake on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, in the early morning, when Yisroel Ber forgot that it was a Fast Day and ate. He blamed himself for his weakness in coming to eat on the Fast Day, and he fell into despair. After all his triumphs in serving G*d, he stumbled in something so simple and basic. He cried in his corner. He desisted from eating for an entire week: a voluntary fast that he undertook to rectify his mistake. In the Yeshiva everyone thought that he had lost his mind. And then the miracle. From the utter essence of downfall and despair, to the utter essence of joy.
1922 : THE HOLY LETTER FROM HEAVEN
9 July 1922-23 Tammuz 5682-Yisroel Ber is 34 years old.
In a supernatural, miraculous manner, Rebbe Nachman, who left this world 112 years earlier (1810), writes and sends a letter to Yisroel Ber. The letter is one of encouragement, in which is written all the secrets of the Redemption, and also an amazing spiritual remedy: the signature of Rebbe Nachman, whose name appears in a completely new form, that is the New Song. The ten types of song of the Redemption that are alluded to in the Tikkuney Zohar. This is the absolute remedy for all the suffering and illnesses, both physical and spiritual, of our generation. It is the perfect concentrated spiritual message for our weak generation. The little vessel that contains much: Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman.
NA NA'H NA'HMA NA'HMAN MEOUMAN
(See the story of the Letter.)
After he received the Letter, Yisroel Ber returned to his Divine Service with even more motivation and even more concealment. No one recognized his greatness. No one could imagine the extraordinary spiritual level that he had reached.
HIS SECRET SERVICE OF GOD
Tiberias-Jerusalem-Tel Aviv-Jerusalem again. Yisroel Ber continues his spiritual ascent. Much effort, many tests, much study, and much prayer. Much help and kindness to others. Little sleep. His eldest daughter, Tzippora, testifies that every time she would rise at night she found her father awake in his Divine service. Yisroel Ber seeks out the friendship of the spiritual giants of his day. He looks, studies, and seeks the truth.
At an advanced age, already a widower, he lives in the Givat Sha'ul neighborhood of Jerusalem. The neighbors hear through their windows the melody of his beautify nighttime prayers. Close to 95 years old, he now was living in the Old Age Home in Ra'anana, near Tel Aviv, but he did not feel at home there. The staff prevented him from leaving at night to do hitbodedut. He is guarding a very heavy secret. But he waits longer and longer for the fulfillment of the promise in the Letter.
1983-84 : HIS SERVICE OF GOD IS REVEALED
Once an employee of the Israeli Income Tax Service entered the Old Age Home and got to know this elderly Jew with paiyot (side curls) and a white beard. Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser sharply asks him: "Do you want a part to play in the Redemption? Then bring me to the mikveh." The flash of understanding of this employee was to believe in the simple truth of Rabbi Yisroel Ber's statement and to bring him to the mikveh. Rabbi Yisroel Ber immersed 310 times, as he was accustomed to doing. Afterwards he spoke at length about the Letter. At the age of 95 he was embarking on a new beginning in his life.
Around him gather a small group of people who believ in the Letter and in Rabbi Yisroel Ber. Rabbi Yisroel Ber disdains to serve as a "Rabbi" to this group, and demands that all be connected as equals, in simple friendship, based on the dedication above all to the Truth. Each one can serve as the "Rabbi" of the other, for each one has a unique point of spiritual perspective that no one else has.
Rabbi Yisroel Ber travels a number of times to the United States and France. As a result of his visits a huge interest in Breslov was generated in these places, even amongst the most alienated Jews. The Letter entered the hearts of whoever heard about it. Books were published and distributed at no profit. Many new families made Aliyah and came to live in Eretz Yisroel. Many people return to G*d. Also many articles appear in the newspapers and broadcast interviews on television.
Rabbi Yisroel Ber begins to move around constantly, from house to house, from new friends to old friends. Based on the invitations of others to him, and based on his own implied suggestions. He travels to destinations in every direction in Eretz Yisroel, from east to west, from north to south. In all these places he scatters seeds of Faith and Truth. He refused to remain in any one location for much time for reasons that only he understood.
1994
: HIS LAST ROSH HASHANAH IN UMAN (TISHREY 5755, SEPTEMBER 1994)
Rabbi Yisroel Ber is 106. Even though he is elderly, and very fatigued and weakened with many ailments, and suffering from great pain, he boards the airplane and flies to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. His face radiate light that all can sense, despite his efforts to conceal his countenance with his hands. He says to one person in Uman: "Will you have a place for me in Jerusalem?" Few understand. Rabbi Yisroel Ber is very happy and requests that he be brought to the main Breslov shul in Uman during the prayers on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. He enters the large shul and starts to sing Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman, and immediately hundreds join in singing with him. Rabbi Yisroel Ber smiles, laughs, and leads the chanting repeating it over and over.
On the return to Jerusalem he makes a will concerning the money that he has collected for the purpose of printing and distributing the books of Rebbe Nachman. Many said that Rabbi Yisroel Ber helped them organize their private affairs, such as weddings, important decisions, advice concerning children's education, and other personal matters. And he, who was so hidden and modest, now makes a powerful declaration.
HIS LAST PRONOUNCEMENT
The tape recorder was moving, and Rabbi Yisroel Ber declared: "The whole world does not know who I am! I shall inform all of you! I am Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman!"
This awesome declaration no one understood at the time. It was stated, over and over again, with mirth and laughter from Rabbi Yisroel Ber. "All the world, and the whole Government, do not know who I am! Behold, I inform them who I am! I am Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman!" "Who is the Rebbe of the whole world? Rebbe Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman!" And he repeated these statements, without cease, dozens of times. He stated these things only a few days before his passing, and when we hear these words today they bring tears to our eyes. Rabbi Yisroel became the spiritual emanation of Rebbe Nachman, but we did not understood this. He was the emmisary of Rebbe Nachman in this world, as the Petek attests.
Rabbi Yisroel Ber Odesser, due to his hard work and his self-purification, became "the precious student" of Rebbe Nachman, his emmisary to complete all of his program for the rectification and perfection of this world. His vessel that merited to receive the awesome light and fire, meaning the wisdom and faith, of Rebbe Nachman. "And upon you I said / 'My fire will burn / Until the coming of the Messiah!' be strong and courageous" That means that Rebbe Nachman strengthened Rabbi Yisroel Ber by descending into him. "Be strong and courageous / in your service / Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman"
In Likutay Moharan it is written: "the True Leader is one who knows how to be merciful. And there is no merciful Leader apart from Moses. For he was the Leader of Israel, and he will lead them in the future. For what was, is what will be….The perfection of the soul is not just to be in the Upper World, but to reside in the Upper and Lower Worlds together….Meaning that one must leave after him in this world a son or a student…in order that one's wisdom continue to illuminate those who reside in this world. For when one's wisdom remains below through a son or a student, then it is as though the person himself truly continues to exist in the lower world."
It is possible to conclude that the Tzaddik wishes to remain both Above in Heaven and below in this world, and to establish a residence after his passing in this world through a living student, literally in his body, who merits to serve as the Tzaddik's abode in this lower world. And even more, it appears that here Rebbe Nachman hints that he will continue his work in this world, even after his passing, through his student who merits to the above. This Lesson was the first thing that Rabbi Yisroel Karduner taught Rabbi Yisroel Ber when they first met in Tiberias so many years before.
And even more, it is written in Chayay Moharan 229 what Rabbi Nathan asked of Rebbe Nachman: "I asked him once about what we had heard from his holy mouth, that he thought he would live a long time and finish everything he desired to accomplish to rectify this world. Rebbe Nachman answered: 'Did you hear what he has asked? This question also is difficult for me.' Even so he said: 'I did not finish? I ALREADY HAVE FINISHED, AND I SHALL FINISH!' … And also when he [Rebbe Nachman] travelled to Uman [six months before his passing] he spoke with me [Rabbi Nathan] concerning the idea that God always finishes. And to explain this would take a long time and much paper to elaborate. And the point is that when he [Rebbe Nachman] started to attract a following, he thought that he would complete the rectification of the world immediately. And he spoke much about this. But afterwards, due to our great sins, and the sins of the generation, and due to the great opposition of the Satan, who incited great controversy against him [Rebbe Nachman], through all this the world became confused, and Rebbe Nachman was not able to complete in his lifetime what he had wanted to finish. And even so he said that he had already finished and would finish. For after he returned from Lemberg he merited to find a new path and said new teachings through which his flame would never be exstinguished, as I heard that he said: 'MY FIRE WILL BURN UNTIL THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH' May it be speedily in our days, Amen!"
18 CHESHVAN 5755 (23 October 1994)
Rabbi Yisroel Ber leaves us, as he had hinted to us. He left this world. Until the last moment he suffered greatly as an atonement for the whole generation. On the 30th day after his passing, when his family and followers gathered to say Kaddish (the mourner's prayer) at his grave, ashes fell from the sky onto those who were there. It was a rainy day. On top of the mountain, a hundred meters away from where Rabbi Yisroel rested, a huge Cypress tree went up in flames, for no apparent reason. The pillar of fire went up to Heaven, while the ashes were carried by the wind and fell on all those who were standing at Rabbi Yisroel Ber's grave. (There is a photograph in our possesion that bears witness to this.)
In Likutay Moharan II:67 is written: "When the holy luminaries (the True Tzaddikim) pass from the world…then fires break out in the world, God spare us."
RABBI YISROEL BER
THE MAN
The Paragon of Divine Service
Rabbi Yisroel Ber with his sincere service of God made himself a living example of a true servant of God. One who has Faith always gains advantage over one who relies on his cleverness. The strength of his prayer, the constancy of his learning, his Fear of God, his simplicity and sincerity, and especially his humility. His distance from falsehood, from controversy, and from the charm of falsehood. His love for others. A person who feels the pain of another. Always prepared to help, to listen, to give of his precious time, to pray for those who ask. He was very sensitive and tactful, since he was able to place himself in the other's position. His face radiated the Divine Presence.
Against Fame and Publicity
Whereas many other teachers would assemble a prestigious audience in order to gain fame and influence and would do anything in order to draw attention and honor to themselves, Rabbi Yisroel Ber made himself small and acted as though he did not know anything. Once on Passover, at a Seder with others, Rabbi Yisroel asked simple questions that even a child would know in order to conceal himself from the others. Once, invited to say a blessing under the wedding canapy, Rabbi Yisroel pretended to forget the blessing and requested that the officiating Rabbi help him recite the blessing word for word. Many people did not come to him to request his blessing for they did not understand who he really was: a unique Tzaddik without peer. He always fled from honor and from places of prestige. He always sought out anonymity. Even more, he would intentionally act in a manner to confuse those around him so they would not be able to perceive who he really was.
Against Falsehood
When he lived in Tiberias, in the main synagogue people would nod politely as they listened to the Rabbi's sermon in order to gain favor in the Rabbi's eyes. Rabbi Yisroel lacked even the barest minimum that he required to support his family. Surely if he flattered the Rabbi like the others, he could gain some sort of advantage or support for himself and his family. But he remained unmoved and uncompromising. His face did not register any false flattery to the Rabbi. People asked him why he did not act with cunning in order to help his starving family. He answered that he was not prepared to eat bread of falsehood for any price. He always endeavored to distance himself from relatives and students whom he felt had unlterior motives and did not want to seek Truth above all. Rabbi Yisroel Ber was the embodiment of Truth.
Distant from the World
He was distant from all normal worldly obligations. He had no material desires. He was very distant from the evil of money. Once a contributor, who saw Rabbi Yisroel wandering (as a guest) from house to house, gave him a sum of money on condition that he would use it in order to procure for himself an abode. It really is difficult for an elderly man to have to wander constantly from one place to another. Sometimes he would be missing his possessions, that would be scattered amongst different locations. Rabbi Yisroel took the money and said: "This money you have given to me, correct? It is mine. So it will be for printing the books of Rabbi Nachman." And he continued to wander in his voluntary exile. He fled from power and control over others. He was distant from all the pleasures of this world. He always dressed simply and ate the smallest amount.
The Chariot
Like a chariot that has no desire of its own, but only does the will of its driver, so did Rabbi Yisroel completely nullify his ego. He would give himself over completely to the Will of God. He relied totally on prayer, and never sought to impose his own will on the situation. Never commanding or manipulating. His commitment to this path was such that he never requested anything explicitly from anyone. He spoke only to God through prayer and then waited to see how events would evolve. Even if he was in great need of something, he waited until someone else would offer him. He relied only on God. He did not want to alter the path that God decreed. He did not want to question the ways of God. He always had complete trust in God, in both the greatest and smallest issues. At the end of his life he did not tell anyone where he wanted to be buried, and not how, and not with whom. He threw himself until the last moment onto the Master of the World. He was a treasurehouse of trust in God and true Faith.
The Example of Joy
No one ever heard Rabbi Yisroel complain. He could be suffering physically or mentally, exhausted; yet he remained all the time in joy and a positive emotional state, whatever the situation. He would accept his portion and rejoice in it. He fulfilled with perfection Rebbe Nachman's statement: "It is a great obligation always to be joyous."
THE TZADDIK
His Link to Rebbe Nachman
Rebbe Nachman had Rabbi Nathan as his main disciple and scribe. His student was Rabbi Moshe Breslover. And his main student was Rabbi Yisroel Karduner, who made Rabbi Yisroel Ber as his main student. But above all Rabbi Yisroel Ber became "the precious student" of Rebbe Nachman himself directly, as the Letter from Heaven testifies.
A Giant in Kabbalah (esoteric wisdom of the Torah)
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, renowned as the supreme halachic authority of our generation, met with Rabbi Yisroel Ber in New York in 1984. They learned together from Likutay Moharan, Rebbe Nachman's masterwork, concerning the "attractive" power of the Tzaddik, who nullifies himself like the dust of the earth in order to draw the whole world back to God via his teachings. At the end of the meeting Rabbi Feinstein requested that Rabbi Yisroel bless him. Rabbi Feinstein bowed his head and asked Rabbi Yisroel to bless him. Rabbi Feinstein, who at that time was very ill, lived for another two years and merited to have the greatest funeral procession in the history of the State of Israel, when he was escorted to his burial on Shushan Purim by some 300,000 people. Rabbi Feinstein wrote about Rabbi Yisroel Ber that "he is a Genius in Kabalah" and that he had "seen a secret letter in Rabbi Yisroel Ber's possession, a very wondrous thing." At the end of his life Rabbi Yisroel Ber said to a number of his relatives and followers that no one in the generation knows as much about the Redemption as he himself knows.
His Power
Rabbi Yisroel Ber never wanted people to think that he was a famous Rabbinic leader or a Tzaddik. He would say that he was a simple person. He would do all sorts of things in order to conceal the fact that he was helping others.
All
of his blessings
would be fulfilled, but he attributed this to the power of Rebbe Nachman.
Once when he was staying with a young couple without children in Jerusalem,
he did what he had to do to help them. But he left in the midst of an argument
with them, and when he departed he told them unpleasant things. The couple
were angry with him and separated from him. Afterwards they were blessed with
a daughter, but it took them a long time to understand that Rabbi Yisroel's
apparent anger towards them was only a pretext in order to conceal the power
of his blessing. Another time Rabbi Yisroel Ber went to stay with a childless
couple in Tzefat. He stayed with them a number of times. Once when he wanted
to leave them, the wife told him with holy determination that she would not
let him leave them. She would agree to let him leave only on condition that
Rabbi Yisroel Ber decreed that Heaven grant them a son within a year. Rabbi
Yisroel demurred and said that he was not a Tzaddik and that he does not have
the power to decree such a thing, that he is only a simple person. But the
wife stubbornly insisted for a long time. In the end Rabbi Yisroel Ber said:
"If what you say is really true, that I am a Tzaddik, then I decree that
you will have a son this year!" The same year she gave birth to a son….
His
prophetic power is revealed in the following statement from Rabbi Yisroel
Ber :
"Before someone knocks on my door, Heaven reveals to me what they will
ask of me and what they will say to me." There are many examples of this.
His interaction with people would change dramatically depending on the situation
of the person visiting him. If the subject of discussion concerned sacrifice
for Israel or for some act of kindness, Rabbi Yisroel would show a warm and
friendly countenance to the person. If the question was unclear, or the person
speaking with him was even slightly arrogant, Rabbi Yisroel would withdraw
and refuse to speak with him.
His help in giving birth is seen in many examples. Some people would come
to tell Rabbi Yisroel that their wives had begun their labor, and they would
give birth as soon as Rabbi Yisroel was informed of this. Many difficult and
painful births ended happily in the merit of Rabbi Yisroel Ber's blessing.
In Likutay Etzot is written: "One who has real trust in God, holds the
key to giving birth."
Healing the sick was demonstrated in his ability to intervene and nullify grave and terrible illnesses and to bring about complete recoveries.
His Accessibility
Even when he was deep in holy thoughts, or studying, or reciting Psaslms, if someone would come to speak with him he would close his book and devote his full attention to the one who had come to speak with him. One who spilled out to Rabbi Yisroel Ber his pain, his questions, his problems, his worries and his fears, he would leave Rabbi Yisroel feeling that his problems had been alleviated. Rabbi Yisroel Ber felt the pains of another person as though they were his own. The would leave him feeling completely recharged. Rabbi Yisroel Ber for his part would require some time to overcome the pain that he would feel from the other person. He would personally experience all the emotional and physical pain that the person felt. Many times people would come to awaken him in the middle of the night. He never criticized those who did this and he never showed any anger. His door was open to everyone 24 hours a day. People who saw him even for the first time felt such love and closeness to him that they would relate to him like one of their closest family members. They called him "Saba," meaning Grandfather. Even when he was tired and suffering from terrible pains, he would give of himself completely to whoever needed his help.
THE TZADDIK : FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
Rabbi Yisroel Ber became "the precious student" of Rebbe Nachman. He merited to receive the reinforcing power of Rebbe Nachman. He merited to receive within himself the soul of Rebbe Nachman, until he himself became the Tzaddik Foundation of the World, the Tzaddik upon whom all the world rests and in whose merit it can exist.
HIS PROJECT
To distribute the books and the light of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, an indispensible condition for bringing the Messianic Redemption.
To reveal, to divulge, to publicize the New Song, made of the Ten Types of Song, that can heal the entire world from all its pains. To inform people about the Petek.
To bring the Messiah and to unify the collective soul of the Tzaddik (the soul of the Tzaddik is the source of all the souls, the aspect of Moses, meaning Rebbe Nachman and the People of Israel).
HIS ACHIEVEMENT
In two words: to make souls and to make books.
Despite the fact that most of his actions were completely hidden from us, we could see a little bit of how he repaired souls, mitigated harsh judgements, nullified harsh spiritual decrees, reparation of the souls of the dead, drawing near the souls, and the mystery of Rosh Hashanah. Here are a few examples of what he did.
Making souls:
The Light of the Tzaddik
To encourage studying the teachings of Rebbe Nachman and to fulfill his teachings.
To give to each person the yearning to come near to the True Tzaddik. His words are a soothing balm that heal the tired and wounded souls of our generation. His advice and his instructions are the main source of help for each and every one of us. They bring a person to joy and serenity and help each person to fulfill his life potential. Drawing near to the Tzaddik guarantees that each and every person will be directed towards the specific and precise purpose for which he came into the world. Rabbi Yisroel Ber wanted to bring to each person the possibility to love Rebbe Nachman.
Quality Repentance
Rabbi Yisroel Ber prefered deep and sincere repentance more than dramatic but superficial actions. He would say: "There is repentance, and there is repentance." He also endeavored to draw near famous people who themselves had potential to bring many new souls to the Tzaddik. However he also would apply the same devotion and effort to drawing near simple people as well. He brought into Breslov the President of Israel, Zalman Shazar, who published the letters that he had received from Rabbi Yisroel Ber over a 17 year period. This book is very well-known and is called "Ibay HaNachal." It became a best-seller in Israel and has reached tens of thousands of homes. Also Martin Buber, a famous writer and intellectual throughout the world. Also Shai Agnon, award winning Israeli author. Many of the current leaders of the Breslov movement today came into Breslov because of their contact with Rabbi Yisroel, who would encourage them in countless ways. And hundreds of other people are today what they are in Rabbi Yisroel's merit. Intellectual or commoner, religious or secular, Chassidim or Lita'im, all merited Rabbi Yisroel's attention. If only they would listen to the true words of the Tzaddik and take them to heart.
Encouraging Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael
Who more than Rebbe Nachman wrote, spoke, praised, and publicized the greatness of living in Eretz Yisroel (the Land of Israel)? Also Rabbi Yisroel encouraged people greatly to move to Eretz Yisroel. He would praise greatly the earth, the sky, and the special fruits of the Land. Many many people came to live here in his merit. ("Eretz Yisroel is the perfection of all forms of holiness." From Likutay Etzot)
Making Books
This is crucial support for achieving the goal of disseminating the message of Rebbe Nachman. The books are an inseparable part of Rebbe Nachman's message to the world.
"When a new book is published the tears that are expended to accomplish this nullify all the harsh decrees of the nations of the world against us."
"When a book is published people who are childless can give birth."
Shortly before his death, Rabbi Nathan perceived that, in the future, many books of heresy would come into the world that would be full of words distant from God and from the True Faith. But he said: "one page of Rebbe Nachman's books would rectify everything."
"In every teaching that I impart one can find there all of the Torah and all the Prophets and Holy Writings and all of the Oral Tradition." (Sichot HaRan 201)
Rabbi Yisroel, despite being poor, published a collection of prayers from Likutay Tefillot (the book of prayers authored by Rabbi Nathan), and at the end his life he published in one volume the abridged teachings of Rebbe Nachman (Likutay Moharan) with their accompanying prayers from Likutay Tefillot. This book is called "Kitvay Rebbe Nachman". He instigated many groups that publish and publicize the teachings of Rebbe Nachman. They travel over every square centimeter of Eretz Yisroel selling Rebbe Nachman's books at cost, without any profit, and distribute stickers with the New Song Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman. They dance in town squares throughout the Land and convey the message of Rebbe Nachman with joy and exuberance.
THE HOLY LETTER FROM HEAVEN
The Letter that Rebbe Nachman sent to Rabbi Yisroel Ber on 23 Tammuz 5682 (9 July 1922), in a miraculous manner, 112 years after his passing, contains many secrets that have not yet been revealed. It speaks about the Redemption, and it brings the remedy for what each and every person needs: the famous and well-down spiritual remedy, that is tested and proven. It is good to say and to sing all the time, and especially when one needs salvation: Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman. This is the name of the Tzaddik, Rebbe Nachman, written in a sublime Kabbalistic format that parallels God's ineffable Holy Name.
VERIFICATION
OF THE PETEK'S AUTHENTICITY
The Circumstances :
· No one knew that Yisroel Ber ate early in the morning of the Fast Day, the Seventeenth of Tammuz. And in the Petek is written: "And the sign is / On 17 Tammuz they will say that you will not fast."
· Yisroel Ber found the Petek in his private bookcase that was locked at all times. He was the only one with a key.
The Investigation :
· Rabbi Motty of Slonim, head of the Slonimer Chassidic Movement, was known as a serious and non-frivolous person. Everyone in Tiberias feared him, and he was known for never laughing. He began to shake with great and long laughter when Yisroel Ber explained to him that he had received a Petek from Rebbe Nachman. Rabbi Motty loved Yisroel Ber deeply and would learn with him. He summoned all of his Chassidim and examined them, until no one was left in all of Tiberias who would admit to having written the Petek. His Chassidim depended upon him for many things, and no one would have dared to conceal the truth from him. Yet he found no one who admitted responsibility. For this reason he summoned the entire Slonim community of Tiberias and said that, because of the miracle of the Petek, he was dropping his opposition to Breslov Chassidus.
· Closer to our own time, in the early 1980s, Chana Koren, a famous Israel graphologist at the University of Haifa, examined the Petek for one month. She concluded that at least one of the words was in the original handwriting of Rebbe Nachman himself. There are samples of Rebbe Nachman's handwriting that correspond to the style of writing in that word of the Petek. (The other words of the Petek are written in a script that is not normally used in handwriting, and she had no examples of similar script in the original handwriting of Rebbe Nachman with which to compare.) She also confirmed that the writing of the Petek suggested that the author suffered from tuberculosis, and it is known that Rebbe Nachman suffered from this illness.
· The paper of the Petek was examined in a Police laboratory. It was determined to be 60 years old, dating back to the year in which Rabbi Yisroel Ber received the Petek.
Recommendations :
· Rabbi Yitzchak Breiter, one of the leaders of Breslov in Poland before World War Two, received the Petek from Rabbi Yisroel for examination. He said that the Petek was a great miracle in the darkness of the generation.
· Rabbi Shlomo Wechsler, leader of Breslov in Jerusalem, was known as a Scholar and Tzaddik, an expert in the secrets of the Torah. He was friends with Rabbi Yisroel Ber, and said about the Petek: "This is a very wondrous thing…And just on the first Nun of the line with Na Nach it is possible to write pages of Kabbalistic interpretation.
· Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the greatest halachic authority of our generation: "I saw a secret document in his possession, something very wondrous."
· Rabbi Levi Nachmani, a noted Kabbalist, visited Rabbi Yisroel Ber a number of times, examined the Petek, and said to him that he would live until 106 years.
Precedents :
Other examples of Letters from Heaven that are recorded in the Holy Books:
· Gemara Yoma 69: "A Letter fell to them from Heaven, and it was written in it: Truth."
· Gemara Baba Metzia 86: At the death of Rabba bar Nachmani a Petek fell from Heaven to explain to them how to bury him and how to mourn for him. Two more Letters fell from Heaven for the same reason.
· Mishna Berura 51:1: The prayer "Baruch She'amar" in the morning prayers was established because of a Petek that fell from Heaven, upon which were written the words of the prayer.
Richness of Its Contents :
Many explanations, books, and gematriot (numerology) have been written about the Petek, and even more about the signature (Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman) which is the main thing. As an example:
· Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman = 354 in gematria (the Ten types of Song)
· SIMCHA (Joy) + 1(the number of inclusion) = 354
·
354 + 4 (the number of words in the signature) = 358 = Moshiach (Messiah)
Rabbi Nathan explains that the Ten types of Song are synonomous with joy,
as suggested above by the gematriot.
The Proven Remedy :
Even without delving too deeply into the Petek, the test that many have done is to say the signature Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman and to wait to see the results. Many amazing stories have been publicized about the effects of this remedy. The only condition is to say it with faith (and not mockery).
The Ten Songs:
The Ten Songs are the secret the guarantees the Final Redemption of all humanity. The Ten Songs are as significant as the Ten Utterances with which God created the world (Genesis). They have the power to transform everything. And just as the Ten Utterances transformed the pre-Creation void into the entire Universe, so too do the Ten Songs transform evil to good, blemishes to virtues, illness to health, this world to the Next. The Ten Songs clarify the true faith in God from the many false faiths. They extract the lies and heresy from a person's heart. All humanity has fallen into the bottomless pit of defilement, especially because of sexual immorality. And because of this there is depression, sadness, despair, and all sorts of illnesses. The cure depends on one thing: joy. And the Ten Songs are synonomous with joy. Only one Tzaddik has the strength to cure the ten types of poisons that the Jewish People suffer from. (See the Tale of the Seven Beggars, Day Six). The ten Hebrew letters in Rebbe Nachman's name as it appears in the Petek: Na Nach Nachma Nachman corespond to the ten types of Song that have the power to cure all of Israel. Thousands of years had to pass from the Creation of the world to reveal this remedy to our generation, close to the Coming of the Messiah.
QUOTES FROM RABBI YISROEL BER
· The Faith is the foundation of everything.
· Just to say simply the name "Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'Uman" mitigates all the pains, all the harsh judgements, all the sins, all the heresy ….everything.
· This Song transforms everything. Happy is one who believes.
· How was the Petek written? How did it reach Tiberias? How did it enter the Yeshiva and the locked bookcase? It is obvious that everything about it is miraculous.
· Rebbe Nachman is the Song. But here in the Petek he reveals it to the entire world.
· Na Nach …is the New Song through which all Israel will be redeemed.
· Na Nach…is the root of the Creation, of the Torah, and of all the Tzaddikim.
· In the merit of the Song Na Nach…all the harsh judgements are mitigated and everything is transformed for the good.
· One who merits to say and to sing with complete Faith the Song Na Nach will see wonders and great salvations.
· This Song pertains to the Messianic Redemption.
ANECDOTES
· Once Rabbi Yisroel was injured on his leg and the wound became infected. His life was in danger from the gravity of the injury. He was ordered not to immerse in a mikveh. At that time the water of the mikveh was not chlorinated, nor was it changed frequently, meaning that this water was not particularly clean. The infection in Rabbi Yisroel's leg got worse and even exuded a bad smell. But Rabbi Yisroel refused to listen to the doctors orders, and he ocntinued to immerse in the mikveh and to spend a long time immersing and praying beneath the water…until his leg was completely cured.
· Rabbi Yisroel was a close friend with the President of Israel, Zalman Shazar. Even when he had nothing and was in dire straits, he never asked the President for anything for himself. The only things that he asked of him were:
(1)
His help in procuring building materials to construct the new Breslov Shul
in Jerusalem (Me'a She'arim neighborhood). These materials were, at that time,
difficult to obtain since they were prioritized for the Israeli army.
(2) His intervention on behalf of a number of Breslov Chassidim who had been
caught trying to travel to Rebbe Nachman's grave in Uman (at that time in
the Soviet Union) on false passports. This was at a time when the Soviet Union
refused to grant diplomatic relations to Israel, and it otherwise was impossible
for an Israeli citizen to travel there and to reach Rebbe Nachman's grave.
·
Rabbi Yisroel Ber, as a young man, always sought to become close to the greatest
Sages and Tzaddikim of his time, until he merited to become the personal attendant
of Rabbi Alfandri, who had been the leading Sefardic Sage of the Jewish community
in Constantinople (Istanbul) in Turkey during the previous generation and
who now was residing in Tiberias. Rabbi Alfandri was a giant in every sphere
of the Torah. He also was an extraordinary Elder, at that time already over
100 years. Rabbi Yisroel would bring him food and drink, help him with his
clothing and other personal details, and would attend to his every need. Once
Rabbi Alfandri heard Rabbi Yisroel Ber reciting the Midnight Lament (without
Rabbi Yisroel Ber's awareness). Rabbi Alfandri was shocked and awestruck to
hear the prayers of Rabbi Yisroel Ber. The next day he called Rabbi Yisroel
and said to him: "You cannot be my attendant any more. I ought to be
your attendant!" And from that time on they were like friends and colleagues,
Rabbi Alfandri over 100 years old and the leading Sage of Sefardic world Jewry
and Rabbi Yisroel, who at that time was barely 30 years old.
· In the Old Age Home in Ra'anana once a young man came to visit Rabbi
Yisroel. He had serious psychological problems. Rabbi Yisroel welcomed him
into his room. At night the young man would sleep on a matress in the room.
Slowly and gradually all of his problems began to disappear until he became
completley cured. Someone asked Rabbi Yisroel how he was able to cure this
young man from his terrible condition. Rabbi Yisroel answered that he had
prayed with interruption until the spirit of defilement departed from the
young man.
·
Once when he was in America, Rabbi Yisroel was visited by a person who was
blind and extremely homely. His face was covered with a large wine stained
mark. His lips protruded monstrously. It was very difficult to look at this
poor soul. He was so ugly that people said that he was fortunate to be blind
so that he would not have to look at himself. Otherwise he would not have
been able to bear his own appearance. He heard about Rabbi Yisroel and the
Petek. He came to request a blessing …. to get married! Rabbi Yisroel
said that if he would bring him a generous sum of money for Tzedakah (called
a "Pidyon") he would then be able to find someone to marry. This
money would be used to print Breslov books, and in its merit Rabbi Yisroel
promised him a wedding! The younger man had come to Rabbi Yisroel accompanied
by a Rabbi. The Rabbi was so incredulous to hear this promise from Rabbi Yisroel,
that he promised to give Rabbi Yisroel double the Pidyon if the young man
really managed to get married. The young man gave over the Pidyon to Rabbi
Yisroel, but after a few days he said that he regretted his decision and asked
Rabbi Yisroel to return the money to him. Rabbi Yisroel refused to do this,
as this would endanger the life of the young man. The situation remained like
this. Rabbi Yisroel returned to Eretz Yisroel, and a number of months passed.
One night someone knocked on the door of Rabbi Yisroel, who at that time was
living in Benei Berak, a religious city near Tel Aviv. He carried an urgent
message for Rabbi Yisroel and wanted to see him immediately. This was the
Rabbi who had accompanied the homely young man to see Rabbi Yisroel many months
previously. He had arrived specially from America in order to fulfill his
promise and to pay the double-Pidyon to Rabbi Yisroel. The young man in truth
had met a beautiful young woman who had fallen in love with him and they had
married, just as Rabbi Yisroel had promised!
· Once on Purim Rabbi Yisroel was at home, seated across from a man
who was supported on each side by another person. Years before this man had
pursued and harrassed Rabbi Yisroel and caused him much anguish. The man stood
there and repeatedly sighed and moaned in front of Rabbi Yisroel. Rabbi Yisroel
asked him: "What are you doing here?" Rabbi Yisroel knew that this
man already had been dead for some time. Rabbi Yisroel said that he pardoned
the man, and the three "men" left the room. Rabbi Yisroel explained
afterwards that the man had in fact been escorted from the Next World by two
avenging angels, and had returned to seek rectification and pardon for all
his evil deeds against Rabbi Yisroel. Rabbi Yisroel later said that he felt
sorrow that the man had to "return" and that he had to see all this
on Purim (the Jewish Holiday of feasting and rejoicing).
· Once Rabbi Yisroel was confined to a wheelchair and very elderly. He was in Meron for some time in the home of one of his followers. He took him aside and said to him: "You should lock me in the room. No one needs toknow where I am. Whatever you will see, don't worry and don't be afraid. Don't call any doctor. Don't tell anyone, no matter what will happen." Rabbi Yisroel entered a long period of fasting. He was very weak, and began to vomit up blood. This was horrible, worrying, and terrifying. Although the situation was bad and the follower was very worried that Rabbi Yisroel might die, still he fulfilled his promise and did not tell anyone or summon any doctor. He kept his worry to himself. After some time, Rabbi Yisroel asked for something to drink and to eat. Who knows what Rabbi Yisroel had wanted to rectify through this mortification! Who knows what disaster he had saved the Jewish People from through his terrible suffering! This story became known only after Rabbi Yiroel's passing….
CONCLUSION
Rabbi Yisroel Ber merited that the Final Redemption will be through him. It depends on spreading the New Song, the Petek, and the books of Rebbe Nachman throughout the world. In the merit of the secret of the Ten Songs, the Messiah will come speedily in our days, Amen!