Crossing the Narrow Bridge: A Practical Guide to Rebbe Nachman's Teachings [Hardcover]

Chaim Kramer (Author), Moshe Mykoff (Author), Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1989

The world is a very narrow bridge. The main thing is not to be afraid (Likutey Moharan II, 48). Lively, down-to-earth, and easy-to-read, this book gives clear, detailed guidance as to how to apply Rebbe Nachman's teachings in modern everyday life. The many subjects covered range from faith, truth, joy and meditation to earning a living, health-care and bringing up children. Containing a wealth of anecdotes from the lives of leading Breslover Chassidim of recent times, together with their oral teachings, this work answers many of the practical/technical questions that puzzle those who have begun to make their acquaintance with Breslov literature.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 452 pages
• Publisher: Breslov Research Inst; 1st edition (January 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930213408
• ISBN-13: 978-0930213404
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hasidism with heart!, December 2, 1999

By 

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Crossing the Narrow Bridge: A Practical Guide to Rebbe Nachman's Teachings (Hardcover)

You don't have to be Hasidic to get a lot out of this book! It dispells forever the stereotype of Hasidic Jews as "letter of the Law." This book reveals the heart behind many Hasidic/Orthodox practices, helping any Jew to start where s/he is at and move forward at his/her own pace toward greater lov of God.

The title comes from the famous quote by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov: "All the world is just a narrow bridge, but the main thing is not to fear at all." Rabbi Kramer tells us how to cross that bridge to greater faith. He explains the heart of daily Hasidic practice in plain, use-friendly language, too. The chapters are arranged by topic, so you can read the book from cover-to-cover, or start with the areas that most interest you. Highly recommended!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul with its boots on !, July 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crossing the Narrow Bridge: A Practical Guide to Rebbe Nachman's Teachings (Hardcover)

I've probably read more than most people have on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, and I definitely consider this book to be the most comprehensive, well organized, and practical introduction to the topic. It presents even the deepest concepts with surprising clarity and delivers them right to the heart. I discovered "Bridge" about eight years ago, and it literally became a bridge for me over all kinds of turbulent life situations. I've given it as a gift many times and if I could award it ten stars instead of five, I would. Chaim Kramer's comfortable, straight-forward style is full of warmth and humor. This book definitely has become one of my most cherished "friends".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to life work based on Rebbe Nachman, July 9, 2005

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Crossing the Narrow Bridge: A Practical Guide to Rebbe Nachman's Teachings (Hardcover)

The Breslow teacher Chaim Kramer has in this work tried to distill the practical wisdom of Rebbe Nachman. The chapters are: Simplicity, Joy, The Good Points, Truth, Faith, Torah and Prayer, Torah Study, Prayer, Hitbodedut, Peace, Day and Night, Daily Needs, In the Home, Earning a Living, Charity.The Seven Candles, Tzaddik, Rosh Hoshanah, Eretz Yisrael. The Holy Land, You Can Too.
The book is a compilation of teachings and often there is a choppiness to it. But there is a great deal of inspirational teaching here .
Here is a citation of one teaching of many, many.

"When we have faith , then our livelihood is like receiving manna from Heaven- we can rely on Heaven to send it to us.This way, we are content with whatever we receive, and have no desire for more and more.Conversely, when a person does desire more than what he is given, he destroys his whole life with the desire for wealth, for there is no manna in that. ( Likutey Halakhot, Netilat Yadayim li'Seudah 6:85)"

As this little excerpt illustrates "Advice is Wise only when it is wisely taken." There is also of course a temptation to interpret such a verse in a way which would free oneself from the need to make any effort at a livelihood. I may be wrong, but I don't think Rebbe Nachman is saying this.
In any case I wish that the reader will have the Siyata d'Sheminyah to read wisely even the wisest of works.