Story of a Guest: Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Haunting Hanukkah Tale

On the first night of Hanukkah in 1808, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov gathered together his close disciples and shared with them a short and haunting tale.

A mysterious guest arrives at the home of a simple householder, takes him flying through the air and drops him in a hidden valley with magical trees and vessels made of letters. Afterwards when he returns home, his  reality can never again be the same. Who are these figures, what is the nature of their relationship? What are the mysterious letters? What can this story teach us about spirituality, relationships and education? And lastly, what in the world does all of this have to do with Hanukkah?!

We will explore this story against the backdrop of Rebbe Nachman’s life, teachings and literary enterprise. We will also view it in the context of other Breslov teachings, and both religious and academic interpretations.

Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem, Director, the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism, the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem

Zvi Leshem holds a PhD from Bar-Ilan University in Jewish Thought and ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. After several decades of work in Jewish education and as a community rabbi, Zvi began directing the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism at the National Library of Israel in 2011. His research deals with Hasidic mystical experience, Jewish education, Gershom Scholem and the thought of Rav Shagar.

Monday, 22 November, 8 pm Israel time / 6 pm UK / 1 pm EST

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Story of a Guest: Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Haunting Hanukkah Tale

On the first night of Hanukkah in 1808, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov gathered together his close disciples and shared with them a short and haunting tale.

A mysterious guest arrives at the home of a simple householder, takes him flying through the air and drops him in a hidden valley with magical trees and vessels made of letters. Afterwards when he returns home, his  reality can never again be the same. Who are these figures, what is the nature of their relationship? What are the mysterious letters? What can this story teach us about spirituality, relationships and education? And lastly, what in the world does all of this have to do with Hanukkah?!

We will explore this story against the backdrop of Rebbe Nachman’s life, teachings and literary enterprise. We will also view it in the context of other Breslov teachings, and both religious and academic interpretations.

Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem, Director, the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism, the National Library of Israel, Jerusalem

Zvi Leshem holds a PhD from Bar-Ilan University in Jewish Thought and ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. After several decades of work in Jewish education and as a community rabbi, Zvi began directing the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism at the National Library of Israel in 2011. His research deals with Hasidic mystical experience, Jewish education, Gershom Scholem and the thought of Rav Shagar.

Monday, 22 November, 8 pm Israel time / 6 pm UK / 1 pm EST

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