Judge Every Person by His Merits

“Know this: you should judge every person by his merits. Even someone who seems completely wicked, you must search for and find that little speck of good, for in that place he is not wicked. By this you will raise him up and help him return to God. And you must also do this for yourself, finding your own good points, one after the other, raising yourself up. This is how melodies are made, note after note.”

Biographical note

Rebbe Nachman was born in Uman in the Ukraine, (April 4, 1772 – October 16, 1810) and was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement. His grandfather was Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Hasidic Movement. Rebbe Nachman seemed to have exceptional religious proclivities as a boy and was married right after his Bar Mitzvah to a girl named Sashia. He was thirteen years old. They had eight children during their twenty two years of marriage. Four of them died of tuberculosis, as well as Sashia. Rebbe Nachman also died of tuberculosis at the age of thirty eight.

The painting shown is a representation. It is probable that he didn't look like such an old man with white hair and beard. He is reputed to have been a very loving and wise spiritual leader, encouraging expressions of joy during worship and speaking to God as if He were a best friend. He was buried in the same cemetary where 20,000 victims of the Haidamak Massacre of Uman of 1768 were also buried.