Who was Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav?

Rabbi Nachman (1772-1810) was a righteous man, the spiritual leader of hundreds of Hasidim. In addition, he was a philosopher who developed a practical method for a happy life, full of inner awareness and personal development, long before the advent of the New Age movement, positive psychology and various modern psychological theories.

What are the principles of his method?

Strengthening – the world is like a narrow bridge on which there are many difficulties and trials for a person. The most important thing on this path is to maintain inner strength, not to be afraid, always believe in a good future and see the hidden goodness in everyday things and in the people around us.

Connection with G-d – each of us can establish personal contact with G-d by simply and directly speaking to him in our own language in a quiet and secluded place. Conversation with G-d brings inner harmony, a sense of spiritual revival and firm faith in our hearts.

Joy – “to be in joy is a great commandment”, to look at yourself with kindness, not condemnation. Looking from a good side at everyone around: spouse, children, friends and everyone in our surrounding; focusing on the positive aspects of their personality – all these are parts of the path to prosperity and personal happiness.

Peace – a person needs to know himself, strive for peace between different parts of his personality. Let your soul lead your life with the help of your mind, unique intuition and emotions in order to fulfill your mission in this world. Strive to live in peace with your couple and your children, pray together with all the people of the world for “redemption” that will allow each person and nation to fulfill their destiny on earth by achieving world peace. This will happen when the Creator’s immeasurable love for each of His creatures becomes apparent.

What is special about this place?

Although Rabbi Nachman died in 1810, he was a very spiritual person and therefore prepared his followers in advance that this particular place could help a person find the missing part of his life, his mission, and even his couple. Rabbi Nachman used the phrase that his passing away is like “one who moves to another room,” and his soul still hears what is being told through the door, that is, through the stone of blessed memory (this place).

What should we do here?

This is a holy place, a place of love and connection with your soul. You must take advantage of your staying here properly, as Rabbi Nachman ordered before his death:

1. Donate a certain amount (as much as you want) to charity. There are many places for donations in this holy place.
2. Read the ten chapters of the psalms, which, according to Rabbi Nachman, are a kind of special medicine for the “general correction” of the soul, which allows us to reveal the good within us (chapters 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150).
3. Talk to G-d in your own language. Tell Him about your life, thank him for all the good things, apologize for all the bad things that you have done throughout our life. Set the good wishes free, as well as the desires of a happy and meaningful life for you and everyone around you.

Of course, you need to respect this place and the other people who pray in it. Modest clothing should be worn in this place and you should keep quiet.

Pay attention: sometimes the heart opens and tears flow on their own, uncontrollably. Don’t worry about it, it’s a familiar and well-known phenomenon in this place. Another well-known phenomenon is the immense joy that fills the heart after you leave this place. It will accompany you on your way out of here.

The seven Laws of the descendants of Noah include six prohibitions and one obligation. They were defined by Rambam (a famous Jewish philosopher and theologian):

1. Prohibition of worshipping idols – belief in one G-d; the prohibition of belief in another god and any other creature.
2. Prohibition of blasphemy – respect towards G-d; the prohibition to curse the Creator or speak disrespectfully about him.
3. Prohibition of murder – respect for human life. The killer is considered to have lost his soul in this world and thereby harms the Creator, who created man in His own image and likeness.
4. Prohibition of adultery – respect for the family; the prohibition of the connection of a married woman with another man, communication between blood relatives, homosexuality and bestiality.
5. Prohibition of theft – respect for the property of your neighbor; prohibition to take possession of someone else’s property, be it by deception, or by force, or in any other illegal way.
6. The prohibition of eating flesh off a living animal – respect for living beings.
7. The duty to create a fair judicial system (in the opinion of Rambam: for the possibility of implementing all previous Laws in society).