'The Rebbe’s Chair' was inspired by the true story of a chair created for Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (Ukraine) in 1808 as a gift from the shohet (ritual slaughterer) of Teplik, one of his disciples. The chair, a masterwork of intricately carved flora and fauna was regarded by the Breslov Hasidim as a worthy throne for their Rebbe. The Rebbe used this chair throughout the rest of his life; studying, teaching and offering spiritual guidance in matters mundane and mystical to all who needed it. After his death in 1810 at the early age of 38, the chair retained its place next to the Ark in the Breslov synagogue as evidence of the Rebbe’s ‘presence’. It remained there until the Nazi invasion during World War II when the Breslovers were forced to flee for their lives. The chair, however, presented a difficult problem. Realizing that it could not be smuggled out of Breslov intact, the decision was made to disassemble it and distribute each of the small sections among the Hasidim. A vow was then taken to meet in Jerusalem where the chair would again be made whole. Although the journey was risky and fatal for many, those who carried sections of the chair arrived safely in Israel. By 1959, Rabbi Nachman’ s chair was restored by Katriel’s of Jerusalem and has since resumed its place of honor next to the Art in the Breslov synagogue at Me’ah Sha’arim in Jerusalem. Although the Breslov Hasidim were left without a leader, Rabbi Nachman had assured them that appointing a successor would not be necessary, since his spirit would always guard and guide them. To this day, each Rosh Hashanah, nearly 4,000 of Rabbi Nachman’s disciples from all over the world gather at his grave in Uman, in the Ukraine to be with their ‘Rebbe’.