Lessons

Art: Raphael Nouril

Rebbe Nachman said "When I tell you something, the words may not take effect until much later. It is like taking a medicine. Some remedies work immediately, while others must remain in the body for some time before they have any effect."

Rebbe Nachman's words sometimes took very long before they inspired a person but in the end they always were effective and benefitted him greatly.

He said: "I can tell you something, and sometimes it will not affect you at all. But the words are passed from person to person, from one friend to another.... These words finally reach a particular individual and penetrate deeply into his heart. It is here that they fulfill their mission. And they inspire him...

"....my lessons are not only for you, but for "those who are here... and for those who are not here". (Rashi explains that "those who are not here" speaks of future generations)

Rebbe Nachman spoke of this many times, saying that we should teach future generations "all of G-d's great deeds toward us".

Another time he said "You must also teach your children all the lessons, discussions and tales that I revealed to you."

He said: "If it is possible to drag a person out of a bog, then if you grasp hold of him, you will be pulled out with him. Know this and believe."

Source: Rabbi Nachman's Wisdom translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan zt"l