The Life of Our Leader Rabbi Nachman - 491-492

HH

The Virtue of Saying Na Nach Nachma Nachman MayUman

The Life of Our Leader Rabbi Nachman

Articles 491-2 (Gematria- numerical value of Na Nach Nachma Nachman MayUman & the inclusive)

In the year 5566 (1805) between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: Rabbainu o.b.m. exited from the mikva and said that it was revealed to him at this time from the Heavens how ‘anshay shloamainoo’ (-the fellows of our persuasion, i.e. the followers of Rabbi Nachman) should conduct themselves all the days of their life with regard to fasting, how many fasts each and every single one of anshay shloamainoo needs to fast every single year, and how and when they should fast. And after the holidays we went in to him, each and every one privately, and he gave over to each and every one a note [‘petek’] when he should fast….

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492

Once, he gave one person the note, and this person who received the note said to Rabbainu o.b.m., “What we conceived was not like this, because we thought that you would instruct us to fast many days of the year, but now we see that they are just a very few days of the year.”

He replied, “Behold Elisha said to Naaman (Kings 2:5:9, 13), ‘Bathe and be purified,’ and he didn’t want to believe that with this easy matter he would be cured, and he (Naaman) said (Kings 2:5:12 not an exact quote), ‘Behold Amunuh and Parpar and the rivers of Damascus are better (than all the waters of Israel), behold I bathed in them and I was purified?’ Until his servants told him (Kings 2:5:13), ‘Master, a tall order had the prophet told you, behold you would do it, all the more so when/since he told you, bath and be purified.’ And then he listened to his servants, and he bathed in the Jordan seven time, and his skin returned (to be healthy) and he was purified (Kings 2:5:14). Similarly, you conceive that it is necessary to specifically dictate for your healing heavy undertakings, and you don’t believe that with an easy matter which I instruct you to do, you will have a complete healing, a true healing of the soul.[2]”

And this matter is extremely necessary (to know as it is applicable) many times, because sometimes a person holds himself back from doing some matter of holiness because of heaviness, because of the many impediments that obstruct him from doing it, and he doesn’t strengthen (himself) to break them. And sometimes it is the opposite, that he refrains from (doing) a matter of holiness because of it’s utter easiness, that in his eyes this matter is very easy to do, and because of this he doesn’t believe that the life of his soul is contingent on such an easy thing. And in reality it is necessary to be careful with a light mitzva the same as with a weighty/serious one (Ethics of Our Fathers 2:1), “and the ways of life (i.e. the importance of things are hidden) lest one chart his path (accordingly – choosing only the most rewarding issues) (Proverbs 5:6 explained according to the Medrash by Rashi), “and whatever is in your power to do, do with (all) your strength (Ecclesiastes 9:10).” Because the main sedition and hinderance of the bal duvu (-litigator-Satan-evil inclination) are just mental blocks, that he sometimes inoculates in the person’s mind that it is very hard for him to do the matter, and because of the he wants to prevent him (from doing it). And sometimes it is the opposite, that he makes it light for him, and extremely belittles the matter in his eyes, to the extent that it doesn’t occur to the person that the life of his soul is contingent on this, and all of this (the bal duvur does) in order to prevent him (from doing it) Heaven forbid. And sometimes this hinderance is overly greater than an actual obstruction.

However, “He who goes wholesomely (wholeheartedly/sincerely/honestly…) will go securely (/confidently/safely) (Proverbs 10:9),” and doesn’t pay attention to any impediment or confusion in the world whatsoever. “And all that is in your power to do, do with (all) your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).”

Na Nach Nachma Nachman MayUman!

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[1] This is really the letter Hay, but it is forbidden to enunciate the Name of G-d even by naming the letters, so the custom is to say “kay” instead of Hay.

[2] See Likutay Moharan 2:86 that the stronger one’s faith is, the lighter and easier are his tasks and requirements in the devotion of HY. When you have the right key it opens the door easily!