Kabbalah part 13

When Rabbi Nachman passed away in 1810, Rabbi Natan was only thirty years old. Many of the other followers were much older. Some had even been Hasdic leaders in their own right  before coming to Rabbi Nachman. No one knew quite what to do. Dynasties had not yet become a feature of Hasidism. In most groups, when a Rebbe died, his followers would become scattered, and each would seek a new Rebbe.  A few followers of Rabbi Nachman did just that. But most realized that Rabbi Nachman's teachings were so unique, anyone else would be disappointing at best. The consensus was that they had enough recorded teachings of Rabbi Nachman to live out their lives in a satisfactory way. But Rabbi Natan remembered that Rabbi Nachman had said "my fire will glow until the Mashiach!" He set out not only to preserve Rabbi Nachman's legacy, but to spread it. He published another volume of the Rebbe's teachings that had been revealed after the first volume of Likkutei Moharan had been printed several years earlier. He printed original prayers based on the Rebbe's teachings. He traveled around the countryside, urging the Rebbe's followers to meet in Uman at regular intervals. They would visit Rabbi Nachman's resting place, study and pray together, and give and receive encouragement. Lo and behold, the movement began to grow! Young people were moved and inspired by the teachings. But opposition wasn't far off. Rabbi Nachman had been hounded by the Shpoler Zeida; but it was personal, non violent opposition to his unusual ways. Rabbi Nachman's followers had been derisively dubbed "Viddduiniks" (confessors) because they would tell him their secret thoughts and deeds. Now, a new pejorative name was born. "Toiter Hasidim" (Dead Hasidim), as they followed the teachings of a person no longer physically alive. Rabbi Natan was urged by many Ukrainian Hasidic leaders to accept the title of Rebbe, and all would be well. Rabbi Natan steadfastly refused."I KNOW I'm not the Rebbe!" Although the conventional wisdom is that he was faulted for not becoming a Rebbe, recent research has shown that the opposite was the case. Breslov was, in fact, the first Hasidic group to remain intact after the Rebbe's demise. This scared many. (Within a decade, this became the norm in most groups). Terrible rumors began to circulate. Rabbi Natan was often red-faced with excitement and enthusiasm.  People began to say that he was a drunkard. A story circulated that he often addressed his followers with a female on his lap. It was actually his infant granddaughter. In 1834, he opened a synagogue for his group, now known as Breslover Hasidim. For some, this was too much. Rabbi Nachman had taught that Truth will always be persecuted. This was fulfilled in Rabbi Natan. A prominent Hasidic rabbi, Moshe of Savran, declared Breslov to be a heresy, and that Rabbi Natan should be killed! Attempts were made on his life. His "cause" was supported by many other Ukrainian Hasidic rabbis and rebbes. Rabbi Natan's  opponents appealed to the authorities that he was planning to destroy society and rebel against the Czar! He was tried for treason. His opponents hoped that he would be sent to Siberia. The heretics Rabbi Nachman had befriended years earlier had government connections. They intervened on Rav Natan's behalf. His sentence was commuted to exile to his boyhood town of Nemirov. But all who came were in danger. Stones were thrown at them, threats were made against their families. Some were actually killed. All but five had to break their connection with Rabbi Natan, at least temporarily. This continued for some five years, until the rabbi of Savran had himself died. Rabbi Natan continued his prayers, his printing and his teaching. One of his students remarked "when disaster was looming, we saw no difference in Rabbi Natan's face between the time it started until it ended. We only saw a difference from the time it started, until he had prayed about it. Once he prayed, he felt that all had been taken care of". Rabbi Natan wrote extensively, not about his trials and tribulations, but about joy in serving G-d. He wrote how to find G-d in all things at all times. One of the heretics asked him if he would like to arrange for his opponents to be arrested and punished (they had sufficient political clout for that). Rabbi Natan refused, quoting the Talmud "it is better to be among the persecuted than among the persecutors". The persecution eased greatly in 1838, but Ukrainian Hasidim remained suspicious of the new movement until fairly recently. Between 1838 and his own death in 1844, Rabbi Natan resumed his travels and encouragement. He visited other lands, where he was warmly welcomed, especially in Poland. There remained opposition beneath the surface in Ukraine, albeit at a lower level. His neighbor across the street, who was a follower of Rabbi Natan's opponent, was asked why he didn't join in the persecution. He said "I wanted to. But every night I hear him arise at midnight, and recite prayers bemoaning the destruction of the Temple, and praying for its restoration. I'm pulled from my bed by his voice, and I also begin to pray. How can I then throw rocks at him in the morning?" He died late Friday afternoon on December 20th, 1844. His final address to his students in Breslov urged them to stay together, and print and reprint the books of Rabbi Nachman's teachings as "even one page can be a life raft for future generations". He was buried Saturday night. His erstwhile enemies came to the funeral, not quite sure why they had ever opposed him. Word of his passing reached Uman on Sunday. The messengers were told that they already knew. How? Rabbi Natan had a long time friend in Uman named Rabbi Naftali. He had a dream Friday night, in which he saw Rabbi Natan running. "Natan, where are you running?" asked Rabbi Naftali. "I? Straight to the Rebbe!". For the next sixty years, Breslov remained an obscure local sect. But that was about to change, because a young man found a book That is the next part of the story.
When we are faced with problems, when we are attacked and persecuted for no reason, should we break? Should we give up? Rabbi Natan said to hold on tight to one's faith in G-d, and maintain a forgiving tolerance. Joy will overcome sadness, Truth will overcome falsehood. Just pray, and see your problems as having been solved!