On Rabbi Nachman of Horodenka’s yahrzeit, a Hasidic teaching on overcoming fear

Marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Nachman of Horodenka on 2 Tammuz, the article says crowds are visiting his grave to seek blessings, and uses his teachings to argue that the real remedy for fear and anxiety is simple faith. It quotes his repeated belief that “everything is good, and for the good,” and describes him as a devoted disciple and servant of the Baal Shem Tov, credited with many miracles, including saving the Jews of Tiberias.

The piece contrasts two approaches to spiritual self-discipline. Rabbi Nachman’s early practice of asceticism and fasting is called a “bitter medicine,” while his later attachment to Hasidic teaching is presented as a “sweet medicine,” comparing it to a doctor who heals with a sweet drink. The central lesson comes from a story about the Baal Shem Tov traveling with Rabbi Nachman, Rabbi David of Mikeliov, Rabbi Zvi Sofer, and his young son, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch.

During that journey, the Baal Shem Tov reassured his frightened son in a forest, telling him not to fear because God was with him, and that a righteous person rules over fear of God. The article then recounts an episode at the home of a wealthy man, where the Baal Shem Tov identified a visiting rabbi’s inner distress, saying that in prayer he was haunted by Christian symbols and had been secretly tormenting himself with severe fasts. He told the man that his cure was to stop speaking against righteous people and to picture the Baal Shem Tov’s face when intrusive thoughts came.

After the man broke down in tears, accepted the advice, and joined the meal, the Baal Shem Tov later told his son that remembering the image of a righteous person can protect a person from fear and spiritual harm. The article closes by saying that the power of the tzaddik can annul decrees, that the righteous help all of Israel, and that Rabbi Nachman was buried in the old cemetery in Tiberias among the תלמידי הבעש”ט, including Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, Rabbi Avraham Kalisker, Rabbi Yaakov Shimson of Shepetivka, and Rabbi Chaim Abulafia.