The Role of the Tzaddik

A thought on Parashas Ekev

Thanks to Dovy Reich for this image

Many years ago I was invited to an event commemorating the yahrzeit of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. During the event, a few prominent Breslover leaders spoke about the beauty of Breslov etc... One of them said something, which really turned me off from Breslov and Chassidus for some time. He was explaining that one has to daven to the tzaddik and the tzaddik will then beseech on our behalf to Hashem. This bothered me quite a bit, as I was raised with the understanding that Judaism is monotheistic and there is nothing in the way between us and Hashem. To turn the tzaddik into God, so much so that we are praying to him, did not sit right with me.

Perhaps, I misunderstood the message.