The Breslover
sect of
Hasidism was founded by Rabbi
Nachman (1772-1810), of
Breslov,
Ukraine. Rabbi Nachman was the grandson of the
Baal Shem Tov, the original founder of Hasidism. His followers often refer to him as "The Rebbe", but then again
all Hasidim refer to the Rabbi that they follow as The Rebbe. Large numbers of Breslover Hasidim travel to Rabbi Nachman's grave in
Uman, Ukraine, every year for the holiday of
Rosh Hashanah. One account of this pilgramage is at http://www.pinenet.com/~rooster/uman.html.
The Breslov religious philosophy stresses
happiness and intense
emotion. Breslovers also practice
hisboddidus ("making oneself alone") an hour spent every day in addition to the three formal
prayers, during which a Hasid talks to
God in any language or formulation that he should chose. Breslov Hasidism also places a huge emphasis on song, and there have been a number of albums released by
Yosef Karduner,
Rabbi David Raphael ben Ami,
Avraham Leib Bornstein, and others.
While Breslov Hassidus definitely still exists as a sect, it has no formal
centralized leadership. That is, instead of following a living Rabbi, Breslover Hasidim follow a dead one, Rabbi Nachman. There is, however, a chain of Breslover Rabbinic transmision, whose current leaders lead communities in
Jerusalem,
Bnei Barak,
Modiin,
Betar and
Safed, Israel, as well as smaller groups of adherents in America.
Breslover Hasidism does not proscibe a specific uniform like most other sects do, though many members still wear
bekeshes (black coats) and
streimels (round fur hats).
...Back to Hasidic sects