Moshe Breslover
Encyclopedia
Moshe Breslover was the nickname given to Rabbi Moshe Lubarski (d. 1890?), one of the closest disciples of Nathan of Breslov
("Reb Noson"), who in turn was the closest disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
. After Reb Noson's death in 1844, Lubarski became a leading figure in the Breslover community and taught many people, including Rabbi Shimshon Barski and Rabbi Yisroel Halpern
.
s in the town of Breslov
, Ukraine
. They often provided warm water and towels for Reb Noson to use each night when he arose for Tikkun Chatzot
(the Midnight Lament). During the 1830s, when opposition against Reb Noson flared in the town of Breslov, Reb Noson's opponents tried to stop the caretakers from assisting him. They refused, which led to a boycott
of their mikvah and resultant financial loss. Lubarski's mother appealed for relief to Reb Noson. Unable to help her with money, Reb Noson offered her a blessing instead. When he heard that she and her husband were childless, he blessed them with children. Reb Moshe and Reb Zanvil were born thereafter.
Lubarski's faith in his mentor was so strong that he followed Reb Noson's guidance and teachings in all cases. Once his house was robbed, but instead of going out to find the thief, he repaired to the study hall, opened a copy of Reb Noson's Likutey Halachot, and began to study the laws and discourses on stealing. Soon afterward, his possessions were returned to him.
Lubarski settled in Tcherin, a small town in eastern Ukraine
, after his marriage, where he conversed daily with Reb Avraham Ber, the grandson of Rebbe Nachman and a follower of Reb Noson. Once, Reb Avraham Ber's father-in-law asked to speak with Lubarski as well. Awestruck, Lubarski protested, "What can I say to you about serving God? You knew the Rebbe!" Reb Avraham Ber's father-in-law replied, "Believe me, you learned more about Rebbe Nachman through Reb Noson than I know even from Rebbe Nachman himself!"
Nathan of Breslov
Nathan of Breslov , also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe's death...
("Reb Noson"), who in turn was the closest disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov , also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover , Nachman from Uman , was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement....
. After Reb Noson's death in 1844, Lubarski became a leading figure in the Breslover community and taught many people, including Rabbi Shimshon Barski and Rabbi Yisroel Halpern
Yisroel Halpern
Rabbi Yisroel Halpern, also known as Yisroel Karduner , was a Breslover Hasid who lived in Ottoman Palestine at the turn of the century.-Biography:...
.
Biography
According to Breslover tradition, Lubarski and his brother, Reb Zanvil, were born as a result of a blessing that Reb Noson gave to their childless mother. She and her husband took care of one of the mikvahMikvah
Mikveh is a bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism...
s in the town of Breslov
Bratslav
Bratslav |Breslov]] as the name of a Hasidic group, which originated from this town) is a townlet in Ukraine, located in the Nemyriv Raion of Vinnytsia Oblast, by the Southern Bug river. It is a medieval European city having dramatically lost its importance during 19th-20th centuries...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. They often provided warm water and towels for Reb Noson to use each night when he arose for Tikkun Chatzot
Tikkun Chatzot
Tikkun Chatzot is a Jewish ritual of lamentation that is recited after midnight in memory of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a highly praiseworthy observance which is not universally observed. Over the past few years, there have been attempts to revive the custom of Tikkun...
(the Midnight Lament). During the 1830s, when opposition against Reb Noson flared in the town of Breslov, Reb Noson's opponents tried to stop the caretakers from assisting him. They refused, which led to a boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
of their mikvah and resultant financial loss. Lubarski's mother appealed for relief to Reb Noson. Unable to help her with money, Reb Noson offered her a blessing instead. When he heard that she and her husband were childless, he blessed them with children. Reb Moshe and Reb Zanvil were born thereafter.
Lubarski's faith in his mentor was so strong that he followed Reb Noson's guidance and teachings in all cases. Once his house was robbed, but instead of going out to find the thief, he repaired to the study hall, opened a copy of Reb Noson's Likutey Halachot, and began to study the laws and discourses on stealing. Soon afterward, his possessions were returned to him.
Lubarski settled in Tcherin, a small town in eastern Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, after his marriage, where he conversed daily with Reb Avraham Ber, the grandson of Rebbe Nachman and a follower of Reb Noson. Once, Reb Avraham Ber's father-in-law asked to speak with Lubarski as well. Awestruck, Lubarski protested, "What can I say to you about serving God? You knew the Rebbe!" Reb Avraham Ber's father-in-law replied, "Believe me, you learned more about Rebbe Nachman through Reb Noson than I know even from Rebbe Nachman himself!"
See also
- Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism...
- Nathan of BreslovNathan of BreslovNathan of Breslov , also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. Reb Noson is credited with preserving, promoting and expanding the Breslov movement after the Rebbe's death...