Likutei Moharan – Where to Begin?4 min read
Although it is known as one of the most difficult and formidable of the Chassidic works, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Likutei Moharan also contains lessons that are more easily understood which prove very useful for beginners who seek a doorway into this wondrous world of Torah thought. In this list, I have, b’siyata d’Shmaya, compiled those lessons for beginners and arranged them among three categories – Level One (simpler lessons), Level Two (lessons of medium difficulty), and Level Three (more difficult lessons).
While the beginner may find that the lessons under Level Three are indeed difficult to understand, I have chosen to include them here because they are yet conspicuously simpler than the more complex lessons, and contain ideas fundamental to the Breslover path to avodas Hashem.
*This list is in no way exhaustive.* There are many more lessons that could have been rightfully included in these categories (particularly the Level One lists). Still, I have included only those lessons I feel are most important for the beginner to this remarkable sefer.
Those lessons marked with an asterisk (*) are lessons which have been the subject of my shiurim. I hope you will find listening to them to be an illuminating and enjoyable experience! I have bolded classic lessons that are ‘essential’ to Rebbe Nachman’s thought.
Lastly, I encourage beginners to Likutei Moharan to pick up a copy of “Sunlight of Redemption: An Illuminated Path Toward Inner Freedom” on the first lesson, Torah Aleph. In addition to walking the reader through a complex Torah from the tzaddik, this special book includes a comprehensive introduction to Likutei Moharan which can make it far easier for to approach this sefer for the first time.
With great joy and excitement,
Yaakov Klein
Bon voyage!
FIRST VOLUME (KAMA) –
LEVEL ONE
72: The nature of the yetzer hara varies from Jew to Jew.
89: A lack in a Jew’s life reflects a lack in the Shechinah.
98: The tzaddik reveals the extent of the damage caused by a person’s sins.
99: When a person davens properly, this prayer elevates all improper prayers of the past which remained below.
109: There are two parallel ropes: a rope of holiness and a rope of impurity. An expression of holy desire by way of the Jewish sigh can enable one to switch from one rope to the other.
*115: Hashem can be found in every challenge and obstacle.
*129: Coming close to a tzaddik can enable one to be elevated to the level of the tzaddik himself.
133: Just as a tiny coin can block out the light of the sun, so can physical pleasures prevent one from accessing the brilliant illumination of spirituality.
144: A tzaddik who has nullified his physical desires lives on forever.
147: Holy stubbornness is required for avodas Hashem.
155: When one has faith, he is not lethargic or depressed, and is able to carry on even when faced with difficulties.
162: Wealth and Torah can go together – if a person reaches bittul.
164: The reason tzaddikim tell stories.
172: When a person lacks something, it is because his sins are preventing Hashem’s light from reaching him.
193: A person’s thought carries tremendous power.
194: A parable expressing how foolish it is to desire honor.
*206: It is simpler to return to the proper path soon after one steps off.
222: One must encourage himself with past inspiration.
233: Regarding how to deal with improper thoughts.
243: The tzaddik is not necessarily distinguishable from other, simpler, Jews.
247: The secret of “Teiku”.
267: Giving tzedakah in a proper manner is a rectification for p’gam habris.
272: It is important to take avodas Hashem one day at a time.
275: Each mitzvah is a candle which one will be able to use, after his passing, to search in the treasure houses of the King.
281: Simply looking at holy letters can bring one to great chiddushim.
*282: Rebbe Nachman’s famous lesson of “Azamra”. One must search for the point of untainted holiness within himself and others.
284: One must “steal time” for Torah study.
LEVEL TWO:
*27: Shemiras HaBris leads to the clarification of one’s intellect, which leads to a clarification of one’s spiritual voice, and universal peace.
*52: Through Hisbodedus at night and in a deserted location, it is possible to achieve nullification to Hashem – fortifying the reality of the world which exists only to accommodate this bond of soul to Source.
*70: By virtue of his utter humility, the tzaddik contains “spiritual gravity” which pulls other Jews toward him.
106: When a Jew falls into a place of “Constricted Consciousness”, he must encourage himself to come to “Expanded Consciousness”. This sweetens harsh judgements.
*156: Purity of heart, which leads to fluent speech in Hisbodedus, can be attained by the passion born of thinking of Torah concepts in a rapid manner.
LEVEL THREE
33: By way of connection to Tzaddikim and Hashem’s love contained within the Torah, it is possible to find Hashem in every circumstance and achieve true peace of mind.
101: The 70 faces of holiness in the Torah from which all positive traits derive is paralleled by 70 faces of darkness. Commensurate to the Jew’s connection to one of these sides is his disconnection from the other.
*112: A word of truth can enable one to break out of spiritual darkness. This is hinted to in a remarkable manner in verses regarding Noach’s teivah.
*250: Exile results in a lack of da’as which enables us to feel pain. When Hashem wishes to save His holy nation from their suffering, He draws His hashgacha upon them from the end of time in the form of tears.
SECOND VOLUME (TINYANA)
LEVEL ONE:
10: Taking time to settle one’s mind can bring one to joy and inner redemption.
25: A Guide to Hisbodedus.
44: The importance of expressing one’s faith in speech and of staying far away from sophistication in avodas Hashem.
46: The optical illusion of obstacles and the ability to break free of doubts and questions by crying out to Hashem.
*48: Resistance to spiritual growth is to be expected. Never give up! Every movement in holy striving is so precious to Hashem!
78-101: Guidance in Tefillah and Hisbodedus.
104: Simplicity is the key.
117: Eretz Yisrael looks the same as all other lands. The tzaddik looks the same as all other Jews.
124: When a person receives inspiration suddenly, he must perform an act of holiness right then and there.
125: The proper manner in which to say Tehillim.
LEVEL TWO
9: The tzaddik blows away the spiritual ash covering the burning embers of a Jew’s flaming soul.
17: The freedom of Shabbos.
34: Connecting to the unified Source of all joy.
*39: The ultimate purpose of all of creation is to be found in our lowly world. This awareness is granted by the tzaddik to his followers.
58: The more elevated the tzaddik, the more he is able to relate to this-worldly matters.
61: Time is an illusion.
68: The dual manner in which the tzaddik relates to advanced Jews and lowly sinners, respectively.
LEVEL THREE:
*73: Tehillim brings one to Teshuvah.
What an awesome privilege to explore the life-changing teaching of this awesome tzaddik and soul master! I hope you enjoy this list, and please remember to share it with family and friends who may appreciate it as well!
Ashreinu!
R’ Yaakov Klein is the founder of the Lost Princess Initiative, an author, musician, and lecturer devoted to sharing the inner light of Torah through his books, music, and lectures.
This is AWESOME! Thank you Reb Yaakov!
Amazing work as always!
Thank you for the direction …