Monday, May 21, 2012

The Chambers of the Palace




In The Chambers of the Palace, Y. David Shulman has done a difficult thing: collected the sayings of Rebbe Nachman from various sources, divided them into different topics, and then presented them to us.

Like most early Hasidic masters, Rebbe  Nachman did not write his teachings.  His students took notes; there were no definitive collections.  So the sources often vary in authenticity and quality.  But Shulman has picked the best, and arranged them for us.

He also provides an interesting commentary, trying to explain some of Rebbe Nachman’s  statements that are difficult for many to digest, like his attitude toward science and sex.  Shulman makes an excellent effort to explain some of these difficult and at often times embarrassing passages. 

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