What happened when two of the greatest lights of Chassidus—Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and the Alter Rebbe of Chabad—met face to face?

Jon Rav Shlomo in this thrilling shiur as he takes us inside the documented meetings between Rebbe Nachman and Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, revealing a world of hidden respect, deep spiritual exchange, and historical tensions between Breslov and Chabad.

We explore how a 27-year-old Rebbe Nachman, fresh from Eretz Yisrael, journeyed straight to the Alter Rebbe without even stopping at home. What was said? What wasn’t? How did this meeting impact both movements and hint at a shared future?

Featuring rare sources from both Chabad and Breslov traditions—including Masa Berditshev, Chayei Moharan, and firsthand letters—this shiur invites us to be “flies on the wall” at one of the most awe-inspiring encounters in Jewish history.

Topics covered:

The meeting in Liozna in 1799 and again in 1810

The spiritual tension between different Hasidic dynasties

Rebbe Nachman’s cryptic title for the Alter Rebbe: “Sar HaElef”

The mystical bond between their descendants

What was Rebbe Nachman really doing in Eretz Yisrael?

In this final shiur on Rebbe Nachman’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Rav Shlomo Katz walks us through the most mysterious and spiritually charged moments of the journey: from Haifa to Tiberias to Meron, to the very edge of revelation.

Why was Rebbe Nachman downcast on Simchat Torah while others danced? Why did he refuse to share Torah, only to later radiate with fiery passion when pressed by a great Rav? And what does it mean when blood begins to flow from his mouth as he attempts to reveal a secret from Heaven?

We visit ancient caves, confront the illusion of fear, and uncover Rebbe Nachman’s teaching on what it means to serve Hashem during katnut, a state of spiritual smallness.

This is not just a travelogue. It’s a journey into the depths of soul, the mystery of tzaddikim, and the light of Eretz Yisrael.

We continue the journey of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov as he finally arrives in Eretz Yisrael after an unimaginable odyssey in 1798. From near-death storms to the chilling encounter with a mysterious Ishmaelite, every moment is charged with mystery, purpose, and divine orchestration.

But the most startling moment? The moment Rebbe Nachman steps foot on the holy soil and says he immediately accomplished what he came for. What did he mean by that? Can four amot in Eretz Yisrael truly change your soul forever?

Rav Shlomo unpacks the esoteric teachings behind this statement, weaving in the tension between descent and ascent, the soul’s yearning for its source, and the eternal tzaddik’s mission to open spiritual pipelines for generations to come.

This shiur brings to life Rebbe Nachman’s words with urgency and depth,especially for those on the path toward their own “arrival.”

📖 Source texts include Shivchei HaRan and Likutei Moharan.

Rav Shlomo Katz helps us understand and connect to the depth of Rebbe Nachman's journey to Eretz Yisrael with this series of short, relevant insights. Appreciate the essence of these precious teachings and their impact on our own spiritual aliyah.

Why did Rebbe Nachman act like a barefoot child skipping through the streets of Istanbul?

This shiur dives deep into one of the most mysterious chapters of Rebbe Nachman’s life — his legendary journey to Eretz Yisrael. Disguises, self-imposed humiliation, childish games, and life-threatening danger made every step of his journey its own form of spiritual combat.

Drawing from the writings of Rav Nosson and the teachings in Likkutei Moharan, we explore why Rebbe Nachman insisted on entering the Holy Land through קטנות (smallness), ביזיונות (disgrace), and complete self-nullification. What did he know that we don’t?

Rebbe Nachman's story is a roadmap for anyone trying to grow in their Yiddishkeit, to strip away ego, to embrace the fall before the ascent, and to walk the strange, beautiful path toward real spiritual transformation.