Avraham Haim Zagdun

Avraham Haim Zagdun (Hebrew: ) is the leader of a Jewish messianic cult. He has described himself as the Messiah and the spiritual heir of Nachman of Breslov. At one time it attracted many students from Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa. The Tzaddiq symbolizes unity, while in the absence of the Tzaddiq, the Torah and even Kabbalah represent plurality. A renouncement of Rabbinic Judaism, including Sabbath observance, and the studying of the Talmud—which are all superseded by Zagdun's Torah. The acronym A"Z (his initials) is sacred Zagdun is often referred to by followers as the messiah, but he refuses to openly declare it, instead hinting through cryptic teachings.

Charismatic and rhetorical practices Zagdun is known for extended silences during lessons, sometimes waiting minutes between words. A family member and former follower described:

Claimed supernatural abilities

Bilocation Zagdun is known among his followers for recounting various stories that are described as miracles. In one of his sermons, Zagdun claimed to have been seen simultaneously in Netanya and Jerusalem. According to him, none of the listeners questioned the plausibility of this account. "I have no idea how, but I’ve been told this many times", he said, adding that someone once reported seeing him in a forest at night while he was asleep elsewhere.

Knowledge of sacred texts One of Zagdun's most remarkable claims is that he possesses direct, intuitive knowledge of Jewish sacred texts, without having studied them traditionally.

Temptation controversy In the early 2000s, as Zagdun began to gain popularity, a young woman was allegedly sent to tempt him. Over the years, various rumors circulated about him, but this was the only one he publicly acknowledged, admitting that he had "fallen". The revelation had a significant impact, leading many followers to leave his movement and join other Breslov-affiliated communities. As a result, Zagdun and his group became increasingly isolated within the broader Hasidic world.

A former student recalled: "At first, he tried to deny it, but eventually told us someone had drugged his drink, which caused him to lose control of his faculties."

Zagdun later offered a justification: "Is there anyone who hasn't had a fall? Just as a car involved in an accident isn't immediately discarded, the same goes for a person. Even Rebbe Nachman said that after someone falls, they can become a complete tzadik [righteous person]. So I don't understand how people who claim to follow Rebbe Nachman can ignore one of his most important teachings. In Psalms, it's written that King David merited that the Messiah would descend from his lineage because he sinned and admitted his sin."