Tales About Rabbi Nachman from Braslav

with commentary by Rabbi Adin Schteinsaltz (Even Israel) 

second edition 

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz begins this book by describing Rabbi Nachman of Braslav as an "original and outstanding thinker," a phrase that surely describes the reputation of Rabbi Steinsaltz himself. It is therefore no surprise that the Russian edition of The Tales of Rabbi Nachman of Braslav retold with commentary by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, is a remarkable achievement.

Rabbi Nachman of Braslav (1772-1810) emerged from the hasidic world as a great leader with devoted followers both in his lifetime and to this very day. He produced several masterpieces of religious writing, but of all his works, his tales are considered to be the peak of his creative life. Rabbi Nachman's stories are a medium for conveying hidden aspects of Torah, yet in such a veiled way that the content is not outwardly apparent. These complex allegories, intended by their author to have several dimensions, are presented here by Rabbi Steinsaltz with his own commentary, pointing the way for the modern reader to begin to grasp Rabbi Nachman's profound tales.

Contents:

•   Introduction 7
•  The Losing of the King's Daughter 32
•  The Clever Man and the Simple Man 48
•  The Merchant and the Pauper 102
•  The King's Son and the Son of the Maid 139
•  The Master of Prayer 177
•  Supplementary Article:
"Hasidism and Psychoanalysis" by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz  . 307