One of the biggest obstacles in the search for truth is other people, especially those who make fun of religion with sophisticated jokes… –The Advice Book
My current favorite Breslov tale is The Sophisticate and the Simpleton.(My favorite tale of Rebbe Nachman’s is always the one I’m reading at the moment.)
It’s easy to find parallel themes in the lessons in Likutey Moharan and the Rebbe’s stories. In class and b’chavrusa, we’ve been discussing how to have authentic, positive relationships. Especially with one’s self. The discussions are based on the quintessential Breslov teaching, lesson 282 in Likutey Moharan, known as Azamra.
At the end of the Azamra talk, we’ve been reading aloud from The Sophisticate and the Simpleton. This important yet humorous story offers a fascinating counterpoint and commentary on some of the themes of Azamra.
The Sophisticate
The Sophisticate is an expert in business, philosophy, and medicine.