Spiritual longing and the search for meaning, dreams, sadness and joy, shatteredness and wholeness, doubt and faith, conflict and growth, complexity and simplicity. The radical writings of Nahman of Breslov (1772-1810), one of the most celebrated masters of Jewish mysticism and Hasidism, wrestle with all of these themes and more, attaining the status of spiritual classics. The ongoing fascination with Nahman stems both from his singular, questing personality and from his astonishing Tales. In this class we will explore the existentialist Nahman confronting the absence of God (his Torah of the Void); the messianic Nahman confronting depression and healing; and the mystical Nahman, finding vivid manifestations of the divine in the realm of nature (in Forest and birds, the grasses of his native Ukraine), in song and the outpouring of the heart, and in interpersonal dialogue and spiritual practices that deconstruct the ordinary self.
Students will probe Nahman’s creative rereading of the spiritual life: including his theology of music and sacred dance. As Nahman continuously integrated his life-story into his thought, we will investigate the relationship between his biography and his teachings (including his vivid dream texts).
Intended Audience:
Upper-level undergraduates and graduate students interested in Religion, Literature, Folklore, and Judaic Studies
Class Format:
One three-hour meeting weekly