On November 12, we will kick off our new year of the Deep Dives Into Essential Jewish Texts learning series, which aims to develop deep reading skills through the study of classic Jewish texts. This year, we will be reading the stories of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. In his introduction to this work, Rabbi Adin Steinzaltz wrote that Rebbe Nachman’s stories are “...a medium for conveying the hidden aspects of Torah in all its multifaceted dress, albeit in such a veiled way that the content is not outwardly apparent…” As such, the greatness of this work is due to the fact that “...anyone can accept and achieve some kind of enrichment and enlightenment from it.” Rebbe Nachman’s stories are one of the great literary treasures of the Jewish people, and this class will utilize both classic commentaries as well as modern scholarship in our attempt to understand this essential work.

We will be reading the translated and annotated version of Rebbe Nachman’s Stories available for purchase from the Breslov Research Institute.

Rabbi Skydell will lead and facilitate each of the 4 90-minute long sessions. Our first session will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 8 p.m. at Rabbi Skydell’s home. Rabbi Skydell will provide an introductory framework to Rebbe Nachman’s life and legacy in preparation for beginning his stories in subsequent sessions. There is no reading to prepare for this first session. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Participants will be expected to purchase the book and prepare readings in advance of each meeting. For those interested in participating, please register below.