Rabbi Nathan Sternhartz • Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov • Moharnat
Rabbi Nathan of Breslov
Era of the AcharonimRabbi Nathan Sternhartz, known as Rabbi Nathan of Breslov and by the acronym Moharnat, was the foremost disciple of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and the central disseminator of his teachings. After his master's passing in 1810, Rabbi Nathan took upon himself the practical leadership …
Biography
Rabbi Nathan Sternhartz, known as Rabbi Nathan of Breslov and by the acronym Moharnat, was the foremost disciple of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and the central disseminator of his teachings. After his master's passing in 1810, Rabbi Nathan took upon himself the practical leadership of Breslov Hasidism, and for more than thirty years devoted his life to recording, editing, and spreading his master's words in writing and in speech. Without him, most of Rabbi Nachman's teachings would have been lost. He was born in Nemirov to a wealthy merchant family, was known in his childhood as "the iluy of Nemirov," and in his youth moved from opposition to Hasidism to a deep attachment to it, until he found his way to Rabbi Nachman and became his closest disciple.
Life Story
Childhood
Born on the 15th of Shevat 5540 (1780) in the town of Nemirov, Ukraine, to his father Naphtali Hertz, a wealthy and respected merchant, and his mother Chaya Lane, daughter of R. Yitzchak Danzig. Already in childhood his special talent for study was evident, and the townspeople called him "the iluy of Nemirov." He grew up in a home that was not close to Hasidism, and his future father-in-law, R. David Tzvi Auerbach, even warned his family members against the Hasidim.
Teachers
He began to approach Hasidism in 1796, traveling to receive Torah from several great Hasidic leaders from the school of the Maggid of Mezritch. Among his teachers were Rabbi Mordechai of Kremenitz, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev who loved him dearly and called him "my Nathan," Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Anipoli, Rabbi Baruch of Medzhibozh, Rabbi Gedaliah of Linitz, and Rabbi Shalom Shachna of Prybhitsh. But the decisive turning point in his life was his meeting with Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, whom he immediately recognized as his true master, and from then on never left his side, becoming his foremost and closest disciple.
Students
His foremost disciple was Rabbi Nachman Chazan of Tulchin, who continued after him the work of spreading and leading Breslov Hasidism. Rabbi Nachman Chazan was the one who published some of Rabbi Nathan's writings after his passing, and continued to preserve the legacy that Rabbi Nathan had begun.
Family
He married Esther Shaindel, daughter of R. David Tzvi Auerbach, rabbi of Sharhorod and grandson of R. Aryeh Leib of Stinslav, who was a relative of R. Nachman of Horodenka, the grandfather of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. The couple had five sons and one daughter. One of his sons was R. Yitzchok Sternhartz.
Key Events
After Rabbi Nachman's passing in 1810, Rabbi Nathan took upon himself the leadership of Breslov Hasidism in practice. He had to contend with fierce opposition from various circles, and was even persecuted and imprisoned by zealous opponents who sought to prevent the spread of Rabbi Nachman's teachings. Despite this, he persisted in writing, printing, and disseminating his master's words, and also undertook many journeys to various towns to bring Jews closer to Rabbi Nachman's teachings. During these years he published most of Rabbi Nachman's books as well as his own.
Influence
Rabbi Nathan's influence on Breslov Hasidism is fundamental and decisive. Without him, Breslov Hasidism as we know it would not exist — for he was the one who recorded and preserved almost everything known to us from Rabbi Nachman's teachings. He created the literary, spiritual, and organizational infrastructure of the Hasidism, and set its path for generations. Even today, almost everything studied and read in Breslov Hasidism passes through Rabbi Nathan's pen.
Death
He passed away on the 10th of Tevet 5605 (December 20, 1844) in Breslov, at the age of 64. He was buried in the cemetery in Breslov, where his grave remains to this day and serves as a place of prayer and pilgrimage for Breslov Hasidim and many others. The day of his passing, the 10th of Tevet, was established as a day of hilula commemorated in Breslov Hasidism.
Writings
Likutei Halachot
Halacha and Hasidism
A comprehensive work explaining the laws of the Shulchan Aruch according to the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, constituting one of the central books of Breslov Hasidism.
Chayei Moharan
Biography
A detailed account of the life of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, his customs and ways, as written by his foremost disciple.
Yimei Moharnat
Biography
An account of Rabbi Nathan's own life, as written by his disciple Rabbi Nachman Chazan.
Sichot HaRan
Hasidism
A collection of talks and sayings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, written and edited by Rabbi Nathan.
Likutei Etzot
Mussar and Guidance
A collection of advice and guidance based on the teachings of Rabbi Nachman, arranged by topic.
Likutei Tefilot
Prayer
A collection of original prayers composed by Rabbi Nathan based on Rabbi Nachman's teachings, widely used among Breslov Hasidim.
Shemot HaTzadikim
Tzadikim
A work dealing with the names of tzadikim throughout the generations and their spiritual significance.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
Rabbi Nathan saw the study of his master's teachings, those of Rabbi Nachman, as the foundation of divine service. He emphasized the importance of connection to the tzadik and the study of Hasidic books as a means of drawing close to God.
Faith
The core of his teaching is simple faith and trust in God. He elaborated on the importance of personal prayer in one's mother tongue (hitbodedut) and the recitation of Psalms as means of drawing close to God.
Ethics
Rabbi Nathan emphasized the value of humility, joy, and inner reflection. He taught that one must see the good in everything and not fall into despair, even in times of spiritual decline.
Character
He was characterized by absolute self-sacrifice for his master and his teachings. Despite persecution and hardship, he never deviated from his path and continued to write and disseminate. He was known for his humility and his fierce love for every Jew.
Public Role
He saw the spreading of his master's teachings as his life's mission. He traveled from city to city, brought Jews closer to Rabbi Nachman's teachings, and ensured the printing and distribution of the books even at great personal cost.
Famous Quotes
"There is no despair in the world at all."
"The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to fear at all."
"The merit of the many depends on the merit of the individual."
Students
Teachers
Grave Site
Grave Details
- Grave Name
- Grave of Rabbi Nathan of Breslov
- City
- Breslov
- Country
- Ukraine
Grave location unavailable
Legacy
Rabbi Nathan's legacy is the very existence of Breslov Hasidism as a whole. Without him, the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov would not have reached us. He laid the literary, spiritual, and organizational foundations of the Hasidism, and set its path for generations. His books and editions are still studied and printed today in thousands of editions, and form the backbone of the Breslov library. The day of his passing, the 10th of Tevet, is commemorated as a day of hilula, and his grave in Breslov is a pilgrimage site.