THE ESSENTIAL
RABBI NACHMAN

Translated by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum

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Rabbi Nachman gave the name "General Remedy" - in Hebrew, Tikkun HaKlali - to a selection of Ten Psalms that he recommended for recital as a general spiritual remedy bringing inner purity and joy as well as many other benefits, and in particular as the remedy for a chance emission of seed.

The Ten Psalms are: Psalms 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137 and 150.

They should be recited in the same order in which they appear in the Book of Psalms (Likutey Moharan II, 92) .

An English translation of the Ten Psalms incorporating traditional rabbinic explanation of the text is printed below (pp. 488-527) together with an English transliteration of the original Hebrew.

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Ten Kinds of Song

The Ten Psalms correspond to the Ten Kinds of Song. These ten melodies are the true remedy. This is the Ti k kun HaKlal i - the General Remedy. There is a specific remedy for each sin, but this is the General Remedy. Go out and spread the teaching of the Ten Psalms to everyone.

Sichot Haran #141

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The General Remedy

There are places so fine and narrow that no remedy has the power to penetrate them except through the General Remedy, which injects healing into even the narrowest, finest places. First it is necessary to apply the General Remedy, and through this all the individual flaws will automatically be rectified.

It is true that the General Remedy is higher and more exalted than all the individual remedies. But all the different remedies depend on the mind and brain: it is necessary to draw purity from the mind and brain. And the only way to elevate the mind is through the General Remedy. This is why it is first necessary to go to the higher level, the General Remedy, in order to rectify the mind and brain, and through this everything else is automatically rectified.

Likutey Moharan I, 29

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Chance emissions

One who experiences a chance emission of seed should recite the Ten Psalms on the same day. He need then have no further worries about the spiritual damage that can be caused by such emissions, because any damage will certainly be repaired through the recital of these Ten Psalms. This is a very great remedy.

Likutey Moharan II, 92

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Be very careful to immerse in a mikveh (ritual pool) on the same day that you have an unclean experience. It is best to immerse immediately, but if you are unable to immerse first thing in the morning, do so at any time during the day, even towards evening. It is very important to immerse on the same day.

Everyone experiences a chance emission at some time or other. I call you to bear witness that these Ten Psalms are a very effective remedy: they are the complete remedy.

Some people experience such emissions because of excess eating and drinking, or as a result of fatigue and exhaustion. Others have them because of sleeping in a bad position. Such occurrences are nothing to worry about - they are like bedwetting by an infant.

Sometimes people are guarded from on high and protected from such experiences. Others are spared because of their destiny. Sometimes a person might dream that he is falling and suddenly wake up. This is a sign that he was protected from on high.

Others experience emissions because of their bad thoughts. This literally creates impure forces. But even in such cases recital of the Ten Psalms will do much to remedy the spiritual damage.

Many great Tzaddikim tried to discover this remedy and labored hard to find it. Some had no idea at all of the true remedy. Others began to grasp it, only to be taken from the world before they could grasp it completely. But God has helped me gain complete understanding of this matter. The remedy of the Ten Psalms is entirely original. It is a most wonderful and awesome remedy.

It is certainly best if you can immerse in a mikveh and then say the Ten Psalms. But even if you are sick or traveling and unable to immerse, reciting the Psalms alone is a great remedy. If you can say the Psalms with devotion and feeling, it is best. But even just saying the words helps.

This remedy has not been revealed since the time of creation.

Sichot Haran #141

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Repentance helps for all sins including the spilling of seed in vain, no matter how many times a person may have done it.

True repentance means never again repeating the sin from now on. You must return to the same place and situation as before in order to be tested. When you now restrain yourself and break your desire, holding back from what you did before, this is true repentance.

Sichot Haran #71

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Rabbi Nachman's promise

Bear witness to my words. When my days are over and I leave this world, I will still intercede for anyone who comes to my grave, says these Ten Psalms and gives a penny to charity. No matter how great his sins, I will do everything in my power, spanning the length and breadth of creation , to save him and cleanse him....

I am very positive in everything I say. But I am most positive in regard to the great benefit of these Ten Psalms.

Sichot Haran #141

 

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