Tormented master: A life of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav (Judaic studies series)

by Arthur Green

Book Overview

Explores the inner torments and religious quest of one of Hasidism's major figures, providing an important key to making his teachings accessible. Unlocks the great themes of spiritual searching that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0817369074
• ISBN13: 9780817369071
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: University of Alabama Press, 1979
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Tormented or just human?

I quite enjoyed the book. When I started, it felt a little dry and textbookish, but I soon found myself STILL READING IT, so it definitely gets past that. The author does an excellent job, especially considering how little objective information there is to draw upon. I came away from the book feeling that Nahman was a very normal person who pursues a closer relationship to God. I think most people have doubts about their own worthiness; we all have the ebb and flow of our emotions that make us what we are: Human. However, the rabbi and his contemporary leaders come off as very territorial and consumed in their own egos; very, "Follow me, I'm the only one who's right! Don't follow him, he's wrong!" This is a very good book and I'm very glad it's available.

scholarly & enlightening

"Tormented Master" is a very insightful biography of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, an important Hasidic master from the late 18th century, whose stories and teachings are still popular today. The author, Arthur Green, has written a psychological profile of Nachman without which it would be impossible to fully understand Nachman's teachings. I had read some of Nachman's work prior to picking up "Tormented Master," and had noted that many of his teachings address depressed states of mind and offer spiritual advice on how to overcome despair. It was not surprising, then, to read in Arthur Green's biography that Nachman suffered from protracted periods of serious depression that alternated with states of euphoria. On the one hand he was tortured by self doubt, while on the other hand he believed himself to be the Messiah. His behaviour was often inexplicably erratic, reflecting a personality that was haunted by chronic indecision; yet his conflicted choices (and alternating moods) were based on his interpretation of sacred and mystical texts. One day might find him ecstatic based on a verse from a particular psalm, only to be launched into despair a few days later after reading a commentary with negative implications. While one may interpret these reactions as that of a highly sensitive soul, the evidence Arthur Green has compiled seems to indicate that Nachman may have been manic depressive (even though the author never says this in so many words). At issue is whether Nachman was a victim of psychological processes that may have been largely out of his control and if so, whether his spiritual drive was largely fueled by a search for relief from the torments that he felt. (Separately, one may ask whether he was a tzaddik because of or in spite of the crippling states of mind that he experienced.) Ultimately, it is impossible to know whether he was responsible for creating his own unsettled states of mind or if his agitation resulted from biological tendencies that were aggravated by his environment and ideas. After reading "Tormented Master," some may be tempted to dismiss Nachman's teachings as merely his process of working out a way of coping with and comprehending the alternating periods of despair and elation that he experienced. In my view, however, there is fundamental spiritual truth in much of his writings, and how he arrived at it is instructive. A good deal of his insights undoubtedly resulted from his psychic suffering and thus he tried (and recorded) every possible spiritual method to rouse himself from his depressive states. His prayers, sayings and tales were preserved because they contain important spiritual insights, and are inspiring and valuable tools for spiritual seekers. Be prepared to spend some time reading "Tormented Master." It is very well written and exceptionally insightful, however, the subject matter is so complex that I found myself re-reading many sections and marking numerous passages for further review. There are als

An excellent intellectual biography

This work reveals a deep knowledge and understanding of the work of Rebbe Nahman. It should be of great value to all those who would have an intellectual understanding of the Rebbe. But it does not have the kind of ' inside feeling and devotion' that the Rebbe's close followers write of him with. And it does not r. In other words this work should lead you to the writings of Rabbi Nahman himself where you will enter a new world of feeling in connection with G-d.

A sensitively-written academic biography

This study of the life of the Breslover (Bratzlaver) Rebbe by Rabbi Arthur Green (Reconstructionist) is well-researched and very readable. Although some Breslover Chassidim did not like this academic approach to the life of their master, I found it to be quite good. Sometimes an "outsider" can see perspectives that the disciples have missed, and this is the case with "Tormented Master." It has interesting insights into the life and struggles of Rebbe Nachman, which, in turn, had a big influence on my own decision to become a Breslover. This book is also more accessible to the average non-Hasidic reader than some of the "official" Breslov materials, and can serve as an introduction to Hasidism in general. Rabbi Green (whom I have met in person), has a deep love of the Rebbe's teachings, which shines through in the pages of this book.