The life of Rabbi Nachman
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810), great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov — his life, his journey, and his enduring light.
Early years
Rabbi Nachman was born in 1772 in Medzhybizh, in the home associated with his great-grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov. From an early age he sought a life of prayer, self-discipline, and closeness to Hashem.
The path of Breslov
After living in several Ukrainian towns, he settled in Breslov in 1802. There, his closest disciple, Reb Nosson of Nemirov, began recording and publishing his teachings. The movement later took its name from the town.
Teachings and stories
His central work, Likutei Moharan, joins Torah learning with practical guidance about prayer, joy, faith, simplicity, and beginning again. He also told thirteen literary tales collected as Sippurei Maasiyos.
Uman and his legacy
Rabbi Nachman moved to Uman in 1810 and died there later that year, at age thirty-eight. His grave became a place of prayer, and the Rosh Hashanah gathering he emphasized continues to draw visitors from around the world.
This is a concise orientation, not a comprehensive biography. For deeper study, consult Chayei Moharan and carefully edited historical works.