by Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
In his article on Academia, Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem demonstrate Rabbi Nachman’s hidden influence upon the Piaseczner Rebbe regarding the Hitbodedut (literally,being alone with one’s self) technique of meditation.
[E]ven though R. Kalonymus does not explicitly mentionR. Nachman or his writings, and does not always use the technical term hitbodedut, it is clear both from textual evidence and outside testimonythat R. Kalonymus was well versed in Bratzlav literature in general andparticularly in the literature on hitbodedut.
Read more at https://www.academia.edu/9935807/Pouring_out_your_Heart_Rabbi_Nachmans_Hitbodedut_and_its_Piaseczner_Reverberations
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Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem made Aliyah in 1979. He was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and holds a PhD in Jewish Thought from Bar-Ilan University.
Rabbi Leshem directs the Gershom Scholem Collection for Kabbalah and Hasidism at the National Library of Israel. He previously served in senior positions in Jewish education and as a community Rabbi.
His research focuses on Hasidism, Jewish Education, Gershom Scholem and the thought of Rav Shagar.
He and his wife live in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Leshem is the author of Redemptions: Contemporary Chassidic Essays on the Parsha and the Festivals (2006). Many of his academic and rabbinic articles are available at https://nli.academia.edu/zvileshem.