Frequently Asked Na Nach Questions
As I go through life wearing a Na Nach Kipa I am frequently asked these questions. This is a list of how I like to generally answer these questions. Because the topics are "deep deep who can fathom?" each question can be a discussion on it's own. The answers listed here are brief and very general and of course only my non rabbinical, non official, non authoritative personal opinion.
1. What is the difference between Na Nach and Breslov?
2. Who is the leader of Na Nach?
3. What do I need to do to be Na Nach?
4. Do Na Nach's beleive that Rebbe Nachman is G-d?
5. Do Na Nach's pray to Rebbe Nachman?
6. Is Rebbe Nachman higher then Moshe Rebainu?
7. Are you guys associated with regular Breslov?
8. Isn't Na Nach a cult?
9. Do Na Nach's learn Gemorah?
10. Do Na Nach's keep Halacha?
11. Do Na Nach's take drugs?
12. Do Na Nach's just dance all day?
13. Is Saba Rebbe Nachman?
14. Do Na Nach's go to Uman or Jerusalem on Rosh Hashana?
15. Is Rebbe Nachman for NON Jews?
16. Just saying "Na Nach" fixes everything?
17. What about Rabbi "such and such"?
18. What are the most important texts in nanach?
19. Can the True Tzaddik really fix EVERYTHING?
20. Hafatza for/to Jews only? Or can I share Na Nach with everyone?
21. What do Na Nachs believe?
22. Is the petek for everyone?
23. What is a Kamea? What is it for?
24. Are we currently in the final redemption?
1. What is the difference between Na Nach and "mainstream" Breslov?
The three main differences between 1.Na Nach's believe in the miracle of the Petek and that this is central to the final redemption. 2. Na Nach's believe that Rabbi Israel Odesser is the final word of Breslov today. 3. Na Nach's do not consider any tradition in Judaism besides the teachings of Rebbe Nachman as true Judaism today. In other words they believe in the supremacy of Rebbe Nachman and that there is no other Rebbe.
2. Who is the leader of Na Nach?
That would be Rebbe Nachman alone.
3. What do I need to do to be Na Nach?
Do not oppose it in anyway or belittle it in anyway. This is the easiest and simplest way. Try to embrace all the words of Rebbe Nachman and Saba as absolutely true, spread the light of Na Nach through your creativity and talents, try to be happy all the time and sing, chant and dance the holy name "Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman".
4. Do Na Nach's beleive that Rebbe Nachman is G-d?
The name of the Tzadik is in partnership and enclothes the name of G-d. It can be compared to a marriage. Sometimes referring to one is referring to the other and the two are inseparable. Rebbe Nachman is the creation of G-d.
5. Do Na Nachs pray to Rebbe Nachman?
No. It is a good thing to talk to the Tzadik though this is not exactly the same thing as praying to the Tzadik.
6. Is Rebbe Nachman higher then Moshe Rebainu?
Yes, we in this generation are on a much lower spiritual level then previous generations so we need a much higher redeemer then Moshe Rebainu. Hashem in his infinite mercy prepared the cure before the sickness and sent us the Tzadik for our generation.
7. Are you guys associated with regular Breslov?
No. Not the "Breslov" of today. No association with them or those with them.
8. Isn't Na Nach a cult?
No, since there is no leader of Na Nach except Saba (who has been released from the world). And since Na Nach is very decentralized there is no grounds for calling it a cult since a cult absolutely needs these two elements to be a cult. No living leader, no center, no cult.
9. Do Na Nachs learn Gemorah?
Some do some don't. It depends on the individual. Na Nach has about the same amount of scholars as any group.
10. Do Na Nach's keep Halacha?
Everyone keeps halacha according to the level that they are on at that time. Saba held that the "Kitzor Shulchan Auruch" is a very holy book. Rebbe Nachman held the "Shulchan Auruch" as a very holy book that should be learned.
11. Do Na Nachs take drugs?
Saba said that "Drugs are worse then adultery", thus it is not a condoned Na Nach activity to partake in recreational drugs or any other type of drugs even for medical reasons. A Na Nach who seems "high" is really just high on Torah and Prayer, believe it or not!
12. Do Na Nachs just dance all day?
Some do for some days. I wish I was. It is certainly a very great thing to do a lot of holy dancing. It is a very Na Nach thing to do. Saba danced for 5 days straight after receiving the Petek! But many Na Nachs spread the light of Na Nach with creative writing, music, art, etc.
13. Is Saba Rebbe Nachman?
Some say yes and some say no. both sides have a good way of looking at things. There is no logical way to explain that he is. But logic is very limited when it comes to issues of faith. I believe one could say yes or no to this and still be a true Na Nach.
14. Do Na Nach's go to Uman or Jerusalem on Rosh Hashana?
I would say it is split about 50/50. It is an ongoing debate, Saba definitely said both. The arguments are strong on either side. It is up to every individual to pray about this if it is a question. If this or any other "argument" in Na Nach pushes you away from getting closer it is best just to ignore it or ask yourself "what does this debate have to do with me?"
15. Is Rebbe Nachman for NON Jews?
Yes, Saba said that Rebbe Nachman is Universal and that Na Nach is for everyone, Jews and non Jews. Just not for Arabs. LOL
16. Just saying "Na Nach" fixes everything?
Yes, it can. Just saying the words "Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman" with happiness and faith one can rectify their whole life.
17. What about Rabbi "such and such"?
This is a frequently asked question. Even after it is explained that there are no Rabbi's in Na Nach and that we hold that every "Rabbi" (these days) is not a "Rabbi" except for Rabbi Nachman and that almost anyone that goes around calling himself Rabbi or is called a Rabbi by others or is known to be a Rabbi by people is suspected as false.In general Rabbis are considered dust on the scales compared to Rebbe Nachman and completely unable to help and very frequently cause a lot of damage even if you would find one that is actually sincere. (this does not necessarily include a "Posek" though often these too are false. Be very careful)
18. What are the most important texts in Na Nach?
Besides the Petek itself, by far the most important texts in Na Nach (and all of Breslov) are the two books "Saba Yisroel" and "Ebay HaNachal". The first is a collection of recordings of Saba talking that have been transcribed other such texts of Saba's talking are equally important. The second book is a collection of letters that Saba wrote to the president of Israel at that time, Zalman Shazar, these letters were written by Saba with all the souls of Israel in mind. The book that Saba himself started with was "Outpouring of the Soul" (Hishtachput HaNephesh) a guide on how to talk to G-d which is central to Na Nach. The Stories of Rebbe Nachman is for everyone and considered to be the highest torah of Rebbe Nachman. The entire redemption depends on every and any word of Rebbe Nachman so besides these it really is hard to say which are the most important.
19. Can the True Tzaddik really fix EVERYTHING?
Yes, physically and spiritually everything will ultimately be fixed by the Tzadik. This is the promise that the Tzadik made to Hashem before Hashem created the world and based on this promise Hashem made the world. There is much that needs to be written about this.
20. Hafatza for/to Jews only? Or can I share Na Nach with everyone?
Everyone except Arabs according to my understanding of Saba.
21. What do Na Nachs believe?
There are four basic beliefs that make Na Nach unique.
1. The Supremacy of Rebbe Nachman as the greatest saint that ever was or ever will be, with the exception of the Messiah.
2. The belief in the miracle of the Petek, that it was written by Rebbe Nachman and sent to Saba from heaven and that the entire redemption depends on this.
3. Saba is the last and final word on everything in Breslov and Judaism.
4. Na Nach rejects anyone being as a spiritual leader except Rebbe Nachman.
22. Is the Petek for everyone?
Yes, Jews and non jews. (except for Arabs)
23. What is a Kamea? What is it for?
Kamea (Amulet or Talisman) is usually a small pouch worn around the neck. It contains the name "Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman" written in Hebrew letters
on kosher Parchment, it contains a photocopy of the Petek. If someone wears it on their person it is known to give this person protection spiritually and physically. It is also good for all types of healings and salvations. How this works is beyond our mortal understanding. It works on faith.
24. Are we currently in the final redemption?
Yes, though it is not always apparent. Also there are many stages of the redemption. Yet, massive positive universal changes can occur instantaneously.