nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה — complete plain text Source index: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/ Sections: - א — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/1/index.txt - י — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/10/index.txt - ק — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/100/index.txt - קא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/101/index.txt - קב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/102/index.txt - קג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/103/index.txt - קד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/104/index.txt - קה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/105/index.txt - קו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/106/index.txt - קז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/107/index.txt - קח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/108/index.txt - קט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/109/index.txt - יא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/11/index.txt - קי — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/110/index.txt - קיא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/111/index.txt - קיב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/112/index.txt - קיג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/113/index.txt - קיד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/114/index.txt - קטו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/115/index.txt - קטז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/116/index.txt - קיז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/117/index.txt - קיח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/118/index.txt - קיט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/119/index.txt - יב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/12/index.txt - קכ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/120/index.txt - קכא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/121/index.txt - קכב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/122/index.txt - קכג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/123/index.txt - קכד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/124/index.txt - קכה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/125/index.txt - קכו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/126/index.txt - קכז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/127/index.txt - קכח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/128/index.txt - קכט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/129/index.txt - יג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/13/index.txt - קל — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/130/index.txt - קלא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/131/index.txt - קלב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/132/index.txt - קלג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/133/index.txt - קלד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/134/index.txt - קלה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/135/index.txt - קלו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/136/index.txt - קלז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/137/index.txt - קלח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/138/index.txt - קלט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/139/index.txt - יד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/14/index.txt - קמ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/140/index.txt - קמא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/141/index.txt - קמב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/142/index.txt - קמג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/143/index.txt - קמד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/144/index.txt - קמה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/145/index.txt - קמו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/146/index.txt - קמז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/147/index.txt - קמח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/148/index.txt - קמט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/149/index.txt - טו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/15/index.txt - קנ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/150/index.txt - קנא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/151/index.txt - קנב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/152/index.txt - קנג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/153/index.txt - קנד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/154/index.txt - קנה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/155/index.txt - קנו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/156/index.txt - קנז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/157/index.txt - קנח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/158/index.txt - קנט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/159/index.txt - טז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/16/index.txt - קס — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/160/index.txt - קסא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/161/index.txt - קסב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/162/index.txt - 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קעד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/174/index.txt - קעה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/175/index.txt - קעו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/176/index.txt - קעז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/177/index.txt - קעח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/178/index.txt - קעט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/179/index.txt - יח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/18/index.txt - קפ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/180/index.txt - קפא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/181/index.txt - קפב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/182/index.txt - קפג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/183/index.txt - קפד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/184/index.txt - קפה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/185/index.txt - קפו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/186/index.txt - קפז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/187/index.txt - קפח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/188/index.txt - יט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/19/index.txt - ב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/2/index.txt - כ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/20/index.txt - כא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/21/index.txt - כב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/22/index.txt - כג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/23/index.txt - כד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/24/index.txt - כה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/25/index.txt - כו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/26/index.txt - כז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/27/index.txt - כח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/28/index.txt - כט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/29/index.txt - ג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/3/index.txt - ל — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/30/index.txt - לא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/31/index.txt - לב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/32/index.txt - לג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/33/index.txt - לד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/34/index.txt - לה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/35/index.txt - לו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/36/index.txt - לז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/37/index.txt - לח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/38/index.txt - לט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/39/index.txt - ד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/4/index.txt - מ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/40/index.txt - מא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/41/index.txt - מב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/42/index.txt - מג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/43/index.txt - מד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/44/index.txt - מה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/45/index.txt - מו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/46/index.txt - מז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/47/index.txt - מח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/48/index.txt - מט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/49/index.txt - ה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/5/index.txt - נ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/50/index.txt - נא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/51/index.txt - נב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/52/index.txt - נג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/53/index.txt - נד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/54/index.txt - נה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/55/index.txt - נו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/56/index.txt - נז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/57/index.txt - נח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/58/index.txt - נט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/59/index.txt - ו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/6/index.txt - ס — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/60/index.txt - 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עג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/73/index.txt - עד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/74/index.txt - עה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/75/index.txt - עו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/76/index.txt - עז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/77/index.txt - עח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/78/index.txt - עט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/79/index.txt - ח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/8/index.txt - פ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/80/index.txt - פא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/81/index.txt - פב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/82/index.txt - פג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/83/index.txt - פד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/84/index.txt - פה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/85/index.txt - פו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/86/index.txt - פז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/87/index.txt - פח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/88/index.txt - פט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/89/index.txt - ט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/9/index.txt - צ — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/90/index.txt - צא — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/91/index.txt - צב — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/92/index.txt - צג — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/93/index.txt - צד — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/94/index.txt - צה — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/95/index.txt - צו — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/96/index.txt - צז — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/97/index.txt - צח — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/98/index.txt - צט — https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/99/index.txt ==================== # א URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/1/ א א Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/1 Segment 1 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לנו כתיבה וחתימה טובה EN: הָאֵל הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב הוּא יֵיטִיב לָנוּ כְּתִיבָה וַחֲתִימָה טוֹבָה May the G-d Who is good and Who does good, bestow upon us a good inscription and a good sealing. [A standard High Holiday blessing, wishing a favorable judgment in the heavenly books.] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבנו באמת ידידנו או"נ הותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם וכו' מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י עם שלום בנו האברך היקר הותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר נ"י EN: To the honor of our true beloved, our friend, our ohavainu [או"נ — "our beloved one"], the veteran Chassid, discerning and wise, etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu [מו"ה — "our teacher and our master"] Reb Tzvi, may he live — together with his son, the dear young scholar, veteran Chassid, the honor of his Torah's name [כש"ת — kivod shem torosso — "the honor of the name of his Torah"], Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may he live — along with his wife and his son Sender, may he live. Thank G-d — ב"ה ב"ה — blessed be He, blessed be He [the doubled ב"ה is deliberate emphasis, not a scribal repetition] — I am here in life and in peace. May I merit to hear likewise from you — life and peace. After inquiring after your good welfare with great love, I have come to request of your distinguished selves that our love be always bound together by means of a letter — that our love and our very souls remain tied together as one. My very soul — I have written it, I have given it [Ana nafshi ksavis yahaivis — an Aramaic formula of total, unconditional soul-commitment, drawn from the love-language of Shir HaShirim; the writer is declaring that he has poured his very soul into this bond] — and please, write to me of your health. For I have heard through Reb Dovid Segel that they are not in good health. And I too, together with my wife [may she live, תח'], from the day we arrived, have not been in good health — each time something different. Yet I understand in my mind that one cannot truly taste the ta'am [the taste, the inner flavor and essence] of Eretz Yisroel (א"י) until one has first passed through a measure of yissurim [sufferings, trials — the word carries the sense of refinement, not merely pain]. But in Hashem is the bitachon [trust, absolute reliance] — surely Hashem Yisbarach [השי"ת — "May He be blessed"] will save us and deliver us from all the sufferings, and will merit us — in the merit and power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to taste yet more, still more, of the kedushah [the consecrated sanctity, the active holiness — קדשת] of the Holy Land. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה אני פה בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים ושלום EN: And as for us — there was a cause from Hashem Yisbarach that I am dwelling in Teverya [Tiberias]. For at first I had traveled with the understanding that my sister has a home where I could stay with her. But when I came here and saw, for various reasons, that I am unable to stay with her — my intention had been to travel to Tzfas [תו"ת — tiskon uv'naiya toov, "may it be established and built for good"], to settle my residence with you. But from Hashem it was decreed otherwise: first I was ill for eight days, and afterward my wife weakened greatly, greatly — twice — and I was compelled to rent lodgings and acquire everything a dwelling requires: a table, a chair, a lamp, bowls, and cooking pots — and money flies away like dust. And since I am not in good health, the expenses are exceedingly great. Yet trust in Hashem is absolute — surely He will not forsake me. And the main thing is that Hashem Yisbarach should grant us bodily health, so that the body may serve as an aid to Torah and to prayer — as our teachers have instructed us, Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — so that through Torah and through prayer we should be bound to Rabbainu ז"ל and to his holy disciple. Words of one who truly loves you, Segment 4 HE: אחר דרישת שלומך הטוב באהבה רבה באתי לבקש מאת מעלתכם שיהיה אהבתנו קשורה תמיד ע"י מכתב יהיה אהבתנו ונפשנו קשורים ביחד אנא נפשי כתבית יהבית' ולכתוב לי מבריאותכם כי שמעתי ע"י ר' דוד סגל שהם אינם בקו הבריאה וגם אני וזוג' תח' מיום באנו איננו בקו הבריאה בכל פעם דבר אחר ואני מבין בדעתי שאין יכולים לטעם טעם א"י עד שעוברים מקדם על האדם כמה יסורים אך לה' הבטחון שבודאי יושיענו ויצילנו השי"ת מכל היסורים ויזכנו בזכות וכח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הקָּדוֹשׁ שיטעימנו עוד מקדשת ארץ הקדש EN: Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda זלה"ה And greetings of peace [ופב"ש — u'foras bish'lom — "and convey greetings of peace"] to our beloved friend, truly, the veteran Chassid, the wondrous and extraordinary [המפלא ומפלג — hamufla u'muflag — "wondrous and set apart / exceptional"], G-d-fearing, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachman, may he live. And greetings of peace to the veteran Chassid, G-d-fearing, etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachem Zalman, may he live. And peace to all the Anshay Shlomainu [אנ"ש — the fellowship of those who walk in the path of Rabbainu]. And peace to your dear grandson, Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender'l, may he live — for length of days and good years [לאיוש"ט — l'orech yomim u'shonim toovim]. Omain Selah, Omain Kain Yehi Ratzon. [א"ס אכי"ר] Undated — early period in Teverya (Tiberias) Segment 5 HE: ואצלנו היה סבה מאת השי"ת שאני יושב בטבריא כי מתחלה נסעתי על אופן שאחותי יש לה בית לישב עמה ואח"כ שבאתי לפה וראיתי מחמת כמה טעמים שאיני יכול לישב עמה והיה בדעתי לנסע לצפת תו"ת לקבע עמכם ישיבתי אך מה' היה שמקדם הייתי חולה שמונה ימים ואח"כ נחלשה זוג' מאד מאד שני פעמים והייתי מכרח לשכר לי דירה וכל מה שצריכין לדירה שלחן כסא ומנורה וקערות וקדרות ומעות פורחות כמו אבק ומחמת שאין אני בקו הבריאה ההוצאה גדולה עד למאד אך לה' הבטחון שבודאי לא יַעֲזב אותי והעיקר שיתן לנו השי"ת בריאות הגוף בכדי שיהיה הגוף לעזר לתורה ולתפילה כאשר הורו לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בכדי שע"י תורה ותפילה נהיה מקשרים לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' EN: הָאֵל הַטּוֹב וְהַמֵּטִיב הוּא יֵיטִיב לָנוּ כְּתִיבָה וַחֲתִימָה טוֹבָה May the G-d Who is good and Who does good bestow upon us a good inscription and a good sealing. [A High Holiday blessing: may we be inscribed and sealed for good in the heavenly books of judgment.] Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: — Translation and notes by the translator. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודה זלה"ה ופב"ש לידידנו אהובנו באמת ותיק וחסיד המפלא ומפלג ירא אלהים וכו' וכו' מו"ה ר' נחמן נ"י ופב"ש ותיק וחסיד ירא אלהים וכו' מו"ה נחום זלמן נ"י ובשלום כל אנ"ש ובשלום נכדכם היקר מו"ה סענדיר'ל נ"י לאיוש"ט א"ס אכי"ר EN: To the honor of our true beloved, our friend — our ohavainu ["our beloved one" — או"נ], the veteran Chassid, discerning and wise, etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu ["our teacher and our master" — מו"ה] Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with his son, the dear young Torah scholar [avrech], veteran Chassid, the honor of the name of his Torah [כש"ת — kivod shem torosso] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — along with his wife and his son Sender, may his candle shine. Thanks be to G-d — Blessed be He, Blessed be He [ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה — the doubled "Blessed be He" is deliberate emphasis, not a scribal repetition] — I am here in life and in peace. May I merit to hear likewise from you — life and peace. After inquiring after your good welfare with great love, I have come to request of your distinguished selves that our love be always bound together by means of letters — that our love and our very souls remain tied together as one. My very soul — I have written it, I have given it. [Ana nafshi ksavis yahaivis — an Aramaic formula of total, unconditional soul-commitment, drawn from the love-language of Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs); the writer is declaring that he has poured his very soul into this bond of friendship.] And please, write to me of your health — for I have heard through Reb Dovid Segel that they are not in good health. And I too, together with my wife [may she live — תח'], from the day we arrived, have not been in good health — each time something different. Yet I understand in my mind that one cannot truly taste the ta'am [the taste, the inner flavor and essence] of Eretz Yisroel [the Land of Israel] until one has first passed through a measure of yissurim [sufferings and trials — the word carries the sense of refinement, not merely pain]. But in Hashem is the bitachon [complete trust and reliance] — surely Hashem Yisbarach will save us and deliver us from all the sufferings, and will merit us — in the merit and power of Rabbainu ז"ל [of blessed memory] and his holy disciple — to taste yet more, still more, of the consecrated sanctity [קדשת — kedushah — the active, living holiness] of the Holy Land. And as for us — there was a cause from Hashem Yisbarach that I am dwelling in Teverya [Tiberias]. For at first I had traveled with the understanding that my sister has a home where I could stay with her. But when I came here and saw, for various reasons, that I am unable to stay with her — my intention had been to travel to Tzfas [תו"ת — "may it be established and built for good"] to settle my residence with you. But from Hashem it was decreed otherwise: first I was ill for eight days, and afterward my wife weakened greatly, greatly — twice — and I was compelled to rent lodgings and to acquire everything a dwelling requires: a table, a chair, a lamp, bowls, and cooking pots — and money flies away like dust. And since I am not in good health, the expenses are exceedingly great. Yet trust in Hashem is complete — surely He will not forsake me. And the main thing is that Hashem Yisbarach should grant us bodily health, so that the body may serve as an aid to Torah and to prayer — as our teachers have instructed us, Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — so that through Torah and through prayer we should be bound [mikushorim — tied, attached, connected at the root] to Rabbainu ז"ל and to his holy disciple. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda [זלה"ה — may his memory be a blessing] And convey greetings of peace [ופב"ש — u'foras bish'lom] to our beloved friend, truly, the veteran Chassid, the wondrous and the exceptional [המפלא ומפלג — hamufla u'muflag — "wondrous and set apart / extraordinary"], G-d-fearing, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And convey greetings of peace to the veteran Chassid, G-d-fearing, etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachem Zalman, may his candle shine. And peace to all the Anshay Shlomainu [אנ"ש — the fellowship of Breslov Chassidim]. And peace to your dear grandson, Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender'l, may his candle shine — for length of days and good years [לאיוש"ט — l'orech yomim u'shonim toovim]. Omain Selah, Omain Kain Yehi Ratzon. [א"ס אכי"ר] # י URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/10/ י י Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/10 Segment 2 HE: ב"ה יום ה' פ' שמות תרל"ו טבריא לכבוד ידידי או"נ הלא הוא המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן עם שלום כל ב"ב EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Shemos [Parshas Shemos — "Names" — the opening of the Book of Exodus; it falls in late December or January], 5636 [= early 1876 CE] — Teverya. To the honor of my friend — our ohavainu — why, it is none other than the wondrous one himself, the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun — together with peace upon all the members of his household. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך עם הא"ו לר' דב קבלתי לנכון והחיית אותי בבשורה טובה מגיסך בן אהבי באמת מו"ה משה נ"י כן תזכה בכל ימי חייך לבשר בשורות טובות אשר רבנו ז"ל אמר שנתלבש בזה האיש אליהו הנביא EN: Your letter together with the alef-vav [א"ו — a specific monetary sum or coin denomination used in this community; designated here for Reb Dov] for Reb Dov — I received properly. And you gave me life with the good tidings about your brother-in-law, the son of my true beloved — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Moshe, may his candle shine [Reb Moshe is beloved to the writer both in himself and as the son of one who is the writer's true beloved — the relationship is doubly precious]. May you thus merit all the days of your life to bear good tidings [a blessing drawn from Isaiah 52:7: "how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one who brings good tidings"] — for Rabbainu ז"ל said that into the one who bears good tidings, Eliyahu the Prophet [Elijah — the herald of all redemption; in Breslov teaching the bearer of true good tidings participates in Eliyahu's sacred mission] was clothed. Segment 4 HE: אך איני יודע הפרוש מה הוא שיצא מהר אז וגם מה זה שחמיך היקר בעצמו לא כתב לנו מכתב מזה מבשורה טובה כזו להחיות נפשות רבות אשר היו מצערים על זה בתפילה ובתחנונים ע"כ אני מבקש אותך שתכתב לי כל דבר שרש וגם המעות ששלחת לי עבור אחיך סענדיר נ"י להדליק שמן זית על התנא רמבע"ה בודאי אדליק ואתפלל שיצליח אותו השי"ת שיקבל כל המעות מהאדון וגם המעות ממחתנכם ידידנו ר' צבי נ"י בודאי ג"כ אדליק EN: But I do not know the meaning of the matter — what was it that caused him to leave quickly at that time? And also — why did your dear father-in-law himself not write us a letter about such good tidings as these, to give life to many souls who had been grieving over this and crying out in prayer and supplication? Therefore I ask of you to write me every word of the root of the matter [כל דבר שרש — "every word of the root" — the full story, down to its roots; leave nothing out]. And also the money you sent me for your brother Sender, may his candle shine — to kindle olive oil at the tomb of the Tanna the Rambam — I will surely kindle it and pray that Hashem Yisbarach grant him success in receiving all the money from the lord [a creditor or landlord from whom money is owed]. And also the money from our shared son-in-law, our friend Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — I will surely kindle that as well. Segment 5 HE: ולעת עתה ביום ג' תכף הלכתי עם ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י על ציון רבי נחמן הארידענקיר והתפללנו עליהם ועל ידידנו ר' נחום זלמן נ"י ואתמול הלכנו על ציון רבי יוחנן בן זכאי ותלמידיו הק' ואי"ה בשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה בודאי נהיה אצל רמבע"ה וגם להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' בר"ל בת פיגא כי זה שמונה ימים שאחז לה ההוסט כזה שאין לה עוד בכחה לסבל כי כל איזה מחוש שיש לה כשבא עליה הוא בחרון אף גדול עד למאד השי"ת ירחם ע"כ עוררו רחמים עליה כי אנו אין לנו להשען כי אם על השי"ת ועל חברינו היקרים כי כל אחד צריך להרגיש צרות חברו ולשמח בישועת חברו EN: And right now — on Tuesday — I went at once with our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, to the holy resting place [ציון — tzion — the grave-monument of a Tzaddik, literally "a marker, a sign"] of Reb Nachman of Horodenka [Rabbainu's grandfather — one of the early Chassidic masters, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, buried in Tiberias], and we prayed for them and for our friend Reb Nachem Zalman, may his candle shine. And yesterday we went to the holy resting place of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and his holy disciples [the great sage who preserved Torah learning after the Temple's destruction; his grave is traditionally located near Tiberias]. And G-d willing, next week — which is coming upon us for good — we will surely be at the Rambam's tomb. And also to pray for my wife, may she live, daughter of Reb Leib, daughter of Feige — for these eight days she has been seized by a cough [ההוסט — der hust — Yiddish for a cough, embedded in the Hebrew mid-sentence — the same natural code-switch into Yiddish that appeared in Letter 7 with vais ich nisht] so severe that she no longer has the strength to endure it. For whenever any ailment comes upon her it comes upon her with great and burning wrath [בחרון אף גדול — b'charon af gadol — "in great burning anger" — a biblical phrase for the fierce, consuming force of divine wrath; the writer applies it to the ferocity with which each illness seizes his wife, as though the illness itself burns with terrible force], exceedingly so. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy. Therefore — arouse mercy upon her. For we have nothing to lean upon except Hashem Yisbarach and our precious companions — for each person must feel the troubles of his companion and rejoice in the salvation of his companion [a foundational Breslov obligation of fellowship: shared suffering and shared joy are not sentiments but duties of true brotherhood]. Segment 6 HE: וג"כ תכתבו לי מידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י ומזוג' ומבריאותם וגם אם באו לו המעות מבנו נ"י להחיות נפשו וגם אולי יש לו איזה ידיעה מבנו מברסלב מכח הבילעט של בנו ששלח לקאמניץ מה שנעשה עמו וגם אולי יש איזה ידיעה לר' דב שוחט ובודק מברסלב ומי ומי ההולכים עתה בברסלב לאנשי חיל כי לבי דופק עלי מחמת בן זוג' מו"ה יצחק נ"י שיושב בטראויצע ויש לו בילעט מוואלחיי ע"כ תחקר בזה כי אין לי מכתב מטראויצע רק זה המכתב שנשלח לי על ידך מגיסך מו"ה נתן נ"י ע"כ אם יודע לך איזה ידיעה תודיע לי ותשיב לי על מכתבי על ראשון ראשון ועל אחרון אחרון ומכח הקאנצילאטין בטחתי בהשי"ת בכח זכות הצדיקים ובכח קדשת א"י שבודאי יגמר עמכם לטובה ביתר שאת ויתר עז EN: And also please write to me about our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and about his wife, and about their health. And also whether the money came to him from his son, may his candle shine — to give life to his soul. And also whether perhaps he has any news of his son from Breslov — regarding the ticket [בילעט — bilet — a travel permit or conscription document; borrowed from the European languages, used widely across the Russian and Ottoman empires] of his son that was sent to Kamenitz [Kamenetz-Podolsk — a major Jewish city in what is now Ukraine] — what became of it. And also perhaps there is some news with Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner [שוחט ובודק — shochet u'vodek — the ritual slaughterer who also examines the animal; a central communal religious functionary] from Breslov — and who and who are those now going in Breslov as men of valor [לאנשי חיל — "as men of valor, men of strength" — a term of great honor for those who stand firm in their service of G-d]. For my heart pounds upon me [לבי דופק עלי — "my heart pounds upon me" — alai — "upon me, against me" — the heart presses hard against the writer himself from within; more urgent and physical than merely "beats within me"] on account of my wife's son, Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak, may his candle shine, who is dwelling in Troyits and has a travel permit from Wallachia — therefore inquire into this. For I have no letter from Troyits except this one letter that was sent to me through your brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun, may his candle shine. Therefore — if you know any news, inform me. And reply to me on my letter — first things first and last things last [על ראשון ראשון ועל אחרון אחרון — address each point in the order it was asked; a request for an orderly, thorough reply]. And regarding the consular matter — I trust in Hashem Yisbarach, in the power of the merit of the Tzaddikim and in the power of the sanctity of Eretz Yisroel, that surely it will conclude for you for good, with surpassing elevation and surpassing strength [ביתר שאת ויתר עז — from Genesis 49:3, Yaakov's blessing of Reuven — "with surpassing elevation and surpassing strength" — applied here as a blessing that the resolution will exceed all expectation]. Segment 7 HE: דברי המצפה בכל עת לישועה מכל הצדדים EN: Words of one who awaits at all times salvation from every direction [המצפה בכל עת לישועה מכל הצדדים — not a formula but a precise self-description: the writer is besieged on all sides — illness, distance, financial worry, family concern — yet watching and waiting with full trust for G-d's salvation to come from every direction], Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Shemos, 5636 (early 1876), from Teverya. Good news of a rescue, prayers at the graves of the Tzaddikim of Tiberias, his wife's worsening illness, and a web of concern stretching from Teverya to Breslov to Troyits to Kamenitz. # ק URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/100/ ק ק Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/100 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק תשא תרמ"א לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: And also I the writer convey greetings of peace to you — and surely it has already become known to you from the departure of my modest mother — may I be the atonement for her resting place — who left us the living — on the night before Friday of the Torah portion of Tetzaveh. And yesterday I rose from the seven days of mourning. May her rest be in peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach help me — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to raise up the light of her soul to the place from which it was taken. Segment 2 HE: וגם אני הכתב פורס בשלומך ובודאי כבר נודע לך מפטירת אמי הצנועה הריני כפרת משכבה ששבקה לן חיי לעלמין אור ליום ו' תצוה ואתמול עמדתי מן השבעה יהיה מנוחתה שלום והשי"ת יעזור לי בכח וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' להעלות אור נפשה לאתר דאתנטלת מתמן EN: And my sister Chana, may she live, is not at all in good health — and tell the Anash to pray for her. And she is sending eighteen twenty-para coins as a redemption for the Anash — namely nine groshen — and for the soul of my mother — nine groshen. And make from them your money and distribute to the Anash as follows: Segment 3 HE: ואחותי חנה תח' אינה בקו הבריאה מאד ולומר לאנ"ש להתפלל עליה והיא שולחת שמונה עשר 20 על פדיון לאנ"ש הינו תשעה גר' סך ועבור נשמת אמי תשעה גר' סך ותעשה מהם מעות שלכם ותחלק לאנ"ש הינו לר' נחמן שנים וחצי גר' ולר' מאיר שני גר' ולר' דב עם בנו נ"י שלשה גר' ולר' איזיק נ"י שנים וחצי גר' ולר' יוסף וזוג' שני גר' ולאשת ר"י אחד 20 ולר' יואל צבי עם בנו שני גר' והמותר כשיהיה נשאר תתן לר' איזיק נ"י והוא ילך על ציון האר"י ועל ציון אבי ז"ל להתפלל עבור אחותי חנה בת בילא לאה ומבקש אני ממך שתתן מעות שלך לעת עתה ואי"ה כשתבוא לכאן תקבל המעות מאחותי תח' EN: And also know — that my son Aizik, may his candle shine, sent into my hand for Reb Yosef Adam the sum of forty francs — and my son wrote that he wrote to you to give on account thirty-five francs — and when he sends me the money — he will then send you your money that he wrote to you. And from the remainder — five francs — deliver to the wife of Reb Yosef, may his candle shine. Therefore if you are here — I will deliver to you the money. And also write to me what the exchange rate of a franc is — in order to know how much money I must give — ours or yours. Segment 4 HE: וגם תדע שבני איזיק נ"י שלח לידי עבור ר' יוסף אדם סך 40 פראנק וכתב בני שהוא כתב לך שתתן על חשבון 35 פראנק וכשישלח לי המעות אזי ישלח לך המעות שלך שכתב לך ומהמותר 5 פראנק תמסר לאשת ר' יוסף נ"י ע"כ אם תהיה בכאן אמסר לך המעות וגם לכתוב לי כמה המקח מפראנק בכדי לידע כמה אני צריך לתן המעות שלנו או שלכם EN: More there is no leisure to extend — because of the urgency of the caravan. And also to pray for my daughter Adel, may she live — an easy pregnancy and an easy birth — and a child who will endure. Segment 5 HE: יותר אין פנאי להאריך מחמת נחיצת השיירא וגם להתפלל עבור בתי אדל תח' הריון בנקל והולדה בנקל וזרע של קימא EN: One who loves you truly and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: אוהבכם באמת ובתמים EN: Written Friday, Parshas Ki Tissa, 5641 (February or early March 1881), from Teverya. The writer's mother has passed away — she died on the night before Friday of Parshas Tetzaveh; he rose from mourning yesterday. His sister Chana is ill. A detailed distribution. Francs from the diaspora. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 98 | צח (Tzaddik-Ches) # קא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/101/ קא קא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/101 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' ויקהל משה תרמ"א פה טבריא EN: Your letter from this Sunday [מיום א' דנא — "from this Sunday" — dana — Aramaic: "this" — a code-switch into Aramaic for the demonstrative; the same usage as in Daniel and Ezra where dana means "this"] I received properly — and also the letter of your wife, may she live — I also received. And regarding what you wrote about the coins — here you will not find coins — for here there were no currency-vouchers [קוויטליך — kvitlech — Yiddish plural: currency-vouchers or receipt-notes; without these banknotes in circulation, the larger denomination could not be exchanged] — they were unable to exchange the Meizhide — for even one who has coins buries and hides them away [מטמין אותם — "buries and hides them away" — from taman — to bury, to hide in the earth, to conceal as treasure is buried; the image is of literally burying coins underground rather than circulating them] for Tzfas, may it be established. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד או"נ כבני ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום בנו נ"י EN: And regarding Reb Yosef Adam — it is like this: my son Aizik wrote that Reb Yosef asked him that my son should write to you — that you give to Reb Yosef on account thirty-five francs — and he delivered the money to my son. And at the time when my son, may his candle shine, sends me money — my son will then settle the sum of thirty-five francs. And now my son sent me money — and among them the sum of thirty-five francs — and beyond this my son sent me five francs to give to the wife of Reb Yosef. And it came to here the sum of forty francs — the sum of two hundred groshen of our money. And from this money I deducted six groshen of our money — postal money. And I owe you one hundred and ninety-four groshen of our money. And you should do as seems good in your eyes — as much as you take against your debt — and the remainder give to his wife. For my son wrote to me that the sum of thirty-five francs belongs to you — and only five francs to the wife. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום א' דנא קבלתי לנכון וגם מכתב זוג' תח' ג"כ קבלתי ואודות מה שכתבת מכח מטבעות בכאן לא תמצאו מטבעות כי בכאן אז לא היה קוויטליך לא היו יכולין להחליף המז'ידע כי אפילו מי שיש לו מטבעות מטמין אותם לצפת תו"ת EN: And what you sent to the wife — a receipt — in my mission — she asks of you to send her two herring — and also the palimide — and to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל that the palimide that he wrote to me about — I did not receive. And also I received a letter. Segment 4 HE: ואודות ר' יוסף אדם הוא כך בני איזיק כתב שר' יוסף בקש אותו שבני יכתב לך שתתן לר' יוסף על 30 וחמשה פראנק והוא מסר המעות לבני ובעת שישלח לי בני נ"י מעות אזי יסלק בני הסך 30 וחמשה פראנק ועתה שלח לי בני מעות ובתוכם הסך 35 פראנק וחוץ מזה שלח לי בני חמש פראנק לתן לאשת ר' יוסף ועלה בכאן הסך 40 פראנק סך מאתים גר' מעות שלנו ומזה המעות נכיתי שש גר' מעות שלנו פאסט געלט ומחיב אני לתן לך מאה ותשעים וארבע גר' מעות שלנו ואתה תעשה כטוב בעיניך כמה שתקבל על החוב שלך והמותר תתן לאשתו כי בני כתב לי שסך 30 וחמש פראנק שיך לך ורק חמש פראנק לזוג' EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומה ששלחת לזוג' קבלה בשליחותי מבקשת מאתך שתשלח לה שני הערינג וגם הפאלימידע ולומר לר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל שהפאלימידע אשר כתב לי לא קבלתי וגם קבלתי מכתב EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayakhel, 5641 (late February or early March 1881), from Teverya. A franc accounting letter. No coins available — currency-vouchers missing. Herring and palimide requested. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter I received properly — along with the spirits — for the sending of portions. And every time I drink from it I will bless Hashem — and you and your household — and particularly on the days of the holy Purim festival. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit you to be a good agent to bring me joy with your spirits on the holy Purim — and may there be drawn down upon us the supreme uppermost awe — according to the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And through this may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to prayer with intention — which for Rabbainu ז"ל is like the red heifer to purify us from the impurity of death — and to receive the Passover festival in holiness and in purity and in propriety. For Purim is the preparation for Passover. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to fulfill all the commandments belonging to Purim — in truth and in wholeness and in great joy — and may we have no fallen fears — and awe is the fear of Yitzchak — and may Hashem Yisbarach remember and visit you with a child who will endure in this year — writhing like a woman in labor. And also the legumes I received — and write on your account-book [הבוק שלך — dayn buk — Yiddish from German Buch — book, ledger, account-book; the Yiddish word for the written record of transactions] — two rats of legumes. And also — as your wife, may she live, told your wife, may she live, that she received the raisins — and now it has become known to me that the palimide and the raisins were not sent to us. Therefore I ask of you to inquire to whom they belong — and pay on my behalf — and formally present it to my account — for the donkey-driver Zeidel demanded from me the raisins and the herring. And they already made from the raisins Purim foods — and the herring — without the raisins — he did not want to receive. And beyond this — the donkey-driver Zeidel still does not know to whom they belong. Therefore I asked to inquire there and to pay on my behalf for all the above — and formally present it to my account. And I have great suffering from the letter of your father, may his candle shine — and I will be compelled to write a letter to Reb Tzvi of Kalibulad. And also I read the letter from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, from last week — and he wrote to me: why do I not want to draw him close and receive him with love — as I drew close you and Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל? Have I not also not written to them that they should come — but if they came — I would surely receive them with love? And also if you come — surely I will receive you with love and with affectionate warmth. And I am not a Rebbe at all — only a good brother — in order to receive from one another the good point — and in this we can receive from the point. More news there is none — only life and peace. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Vayikra, 5641 (late March or early April 1881), from Teverya. Purim spirits received as mishloach manos. The red heifer teaching. Raisin-and-herring confusion. "I am not a Rebbe — only a good brother." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Salutations to your honor — that you exerted yourself and labored on my behalf — and it is reckoned by me also as a good sending of portions. May Hashem Yisbarach help you to receive the Passover festival in propriety — and may Hashem Yisbarach pour down upon you abundant blessing — from the spoils of the sea — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And know that the non-Jewish donkey-driver received from me one groshen — his fee for the trouble. And enclosed here is a letter to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine — from Keisar Kasdan — and the woman Leah — the wife of Reb Nussun — knows her. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. And because I do not have any paper in my house now — and I am also urgently needed to go to the resting place of the Rambam ז"ל to pray for you as well — I was brief — and with this I say shalom. [ואמר שלום — "and I say shalom" — the formal closing farewell formula: with this I take my leave — shalom; a specific traditional sign-off indicating the letter has come to its conclusion] One who loves you and loves all the Anash — who desires your success in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Undated — Purim-Adar period, 5641. A brief thank-you. Your trouble-taking is mishloach manos. Hurrying to the grave of the Rambam ז"ל. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from this Sunday [מיום א' דנא — "from this Sunday" — dana — Aramaic: "this" — a code-switch into Aramaic for the demonstrative; the same usage as in Daniel and Ezra where dana means "this"] I received properly — and also the letter of your wife, may she live — I also received. And regarding what you wrote about the coins — here you will not find coins — for here there were no currency-vouchers [קוויטליך — kvitlech — Yiddish plural: currency-vouchers or receipt-notes; without these banknotes in circulation, the larger denomination could not be exchanged] — they were unable to exchange the Meizhide — for even one who has coins buries and hides them away [מטמין אותם — "buries and hides them away" — from taman — to bury, to hide in the earth, to conceal as treasure is buried; the image is of literally burying coins underground rather than circulating them] for Tzfas, may it be established. And regarding Reb Yosef Adam — it is like this: my son Aizik wrote that Reb Yosef asked him that my son should write to you — that you give to Reb Yosef on account thirty-five francs — and he delivered the money to my son. And at the time when my son, may his candle shine, sends me money — my son will then settle the sum of thirty-five francs. And now my son sent me money — and among them the sum of thirty-five francs — and beyond this my son sent me five francs to give to the wife of Reb Yosef. And it came to here the sum of forty francs — the sum of two hundred groshen of our money. And from this money I deducted six groshen of our money — postal money. And I owe you one hundred and ninety-four groshen of our money. And you should do as seems good in your eyes — as much as you take against your debt — and the remainder give to his wife. For my son wrote to me that the sum of thirty-five francs belongs to you — and only five francs to the wife. And what you sent to the wife — a receipt — in my mission — she asks of you to send her two herring — and also the palimide — and to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל that the palimide that he wrote to me about — I did not receive. And also I received a letter. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayakhel, 5641 (late February or early March 1881), from Teverya. A franc accounting letter. No coins available — currency-vouchers missing. Herring and palimide requested. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter I received properly — along with the spirits — for the sending of portions. And every time I drink from it I will bless Hashem — and you and your household — and particularly on the days of the holy Purim festival. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit you to be a good agent to bring me joy with your spirits on the holy Purim — and may there be drawn down upon us the supreme uppermost awe — according to the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And through this may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to prayer with intention — which for Rabbainu ז"ל is like the red heifer to purify us from the impurity of death — and to receive the Passover festival in holiness and in purity and in propriety. For Purim is the preparation for Passover. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to fulfill all the commandments belonging to Purim — in truth and in wholeness and in great joy — and may we have no fallen fears — and awe is the fear of Yitzchak — and may Hashem Yisbarach remember and visit you with a child who will endure in this year — writhing like a woman in labor. # קב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/102/ קב קב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/102 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ויקרא תרמ"א לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: Your letter I received properly — along with the spirits — for the sending of portions. And every time I drink from it I will bless Hashem — and you and your household — and particularly on the days of the holy Purim festival. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit you to be a good agent to bring me joy with your spirits on the holy Purim — and may there be drawn down upon us the supreme uppermost awe — according to the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And through this may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to prayer with intention — which for Rabbainu ז"ל is like the red heifer to purify us from the impurity of death — and to receive the Passover festival in holiness and in purity and in propriety. For Purim is the preparation for Passover. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to fulfill all the commandments belonging to Purim — in truth and in wholeness and in great joy — and may we have no fallen fears — and awe is the fear of Yitzchak — and may Hashem Yisbarach remember and visit you with a child who will endure in this year — writhing like a woman in labor. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו הנחמד מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And also the legumes I received — and write on your account-book [הבוק שלך — dayn buk — Yiddish from German Buch — book, ledger, account-book; the Yiddish word for the written record of transactions] — two rats of legumes. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך קבלתי לנכון עם היי"ש על משלוח מנות ובכל עת שאשתה אברך ה' ואותך וב"ב ובפרט בימי חג הפורים הק' והשי"ת יזכה אותך שתהיה שליח טוב לשמח אותי עם היי"ש שלך בפורים הק' ויהיה נמשך עלינו יראה עלאה דעלאה כפי רצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וע"י זה יזכנו השי"ת לתפילה בכונה שהיא אצל רבנו ז"ל פרה אדמה לטהר אותנו מטמאת מת ולקבל חג הפסח בקדשה ובטהרה ובכשרות כי פורים הוא הכנה לפסח ויזכנו השי"ת לקים כל מצות השיכים לפורים באמת ובתמים ובשמחה גדולה ולא יהיו לנו שום יראות נפולות ויראה הוא פחד יצחק ויפקדך השי"ת בזרע של קימא בזה השנה חיל כיולדה EN: And also — as your wife, may she live, told your wife, may she live, that she received the raisins — and now it has become known to me that the palimide and the raisins were not sent to us. Therefore I ask of you to inquire to whom they belong — and pay on my behalf — and formally present it to my account — for the donkey-driver Zeidel demanded from me the raisins and the herring. And they already made from the raisins Purim foods — and the herring — without the raisins — he did not want to receive. And beyond this — the donkey-driver Zeidel still does not know to whom they belong. Therefore I asked to inquire there and to pay on my behalf for all the above — and formally present it to my account. Segment 4 HE: וגם הפאסאליס קבלתי ותכתב על הבוק שלך שני ראטל פאסאליס EN: And I have great suffering from the letter of your father, may his candle shine — and I will be compelled to write a letter to Reb Tzvi of Kalibulad. Segment 5 HE: וגם איך שזוג' תח' אמרה לזוג' תח' שקבלה הראזינקיס ועתה נודע לי שהפאלימידע והראזינקיס אינם נשלחים לנו ע"כ אני מבקש מאתך שתשאל למי שיכים ותשלם עבורי ותציג לחשבון שלי כי המיקער זידיל תבע אותי הראזינקיס והזאליט וכבר עשו מהראזינקיס מאכלי פורים והזאליט בלא הראזינקיס לא רצה לקבל וחוץ מזה שהמיקער זידיל עדין אינו יודע למי שיכים ע"כ בקשתי לחקר בשם ולשלם עבורי בעד כל הנ"ל ולהציג לחשבוני EN: And also I read the letter from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, from last week — and he wrote to me: why do I not want to draw him close and receive him with love — as I drew close you and Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל? Have I not also not written to them that they should come — but if they came — I would surely receive them with love? And also if you come — surely I will receive you with love and with affectionate warmth. And I am not a Rebbe at all — only a good brother — in order to receive from one another the good point — and in this we can receive from the point. Segment 6 HE: ויש לי יסורים גדולים מהמכתב של אביך נ"יף ואהיה מכרח לכתוב מכתב לר' צבי מקאליבלאד EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. Segment 7 HE: וגם קראתי המכתב מר' איזיק נ"י משבוע העבר וכתב לי למה אין אני רוצה לקרב אותו ולקבל אותו באהבה כמו שקרבתי אותך ור' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל הלא גם להם לא כתבתי שיבאו רק אם באו בודאי אקבל אותם באהבה וגם אם אתה תבוא בודאי אקבל אותך באהבה ובחבה ואין אני רבי כלל רק גיטיר ברידיר בכדי לקבל אחד מחברו הנקדה טובה ובזה אנו יכולין לקבל מהנקדה EN: Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Vayikra, 5641 (late March or early April 1881), from Teverya. Purim spirits received as mishloach manos. The red heifer teaching. Raisin-and-herring confusion. "I am not a Rebbe — only a good brother." Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת ובתמים EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Salutations to your honor — that you exerted yourself and labored on my behalf — and it is reckoned by me also as a good sending of portions. May Hashem Yisbarach help you to receive the Passover festival in propriety — and may Hashem Yisbarach pour down upon you abundant blessing — from the spoils of the sea — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And know that the non-Jewish donkey-driver received from me one groshen — his fee for the trouble. And enclosed here is a letter to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine — from Keisar Kasdan — and the woman Leah — the wife of Reb Nussun — knows her. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Salutations to your honor — that you exerted yourself and labored on my behalf — and it is reckoned by me also as a good sending of portions. May Hashem Yisbarach help you to receive the Passover festival in propriety — and may Hashem Yisbarach pour down upon you abundant blessing — from the spoils of the sea — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And know that the non-Jewish donkey-driver received from me one groshen — his fee for the trouble. And enclosed here is a letter to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine — from Keisar Kasdan — and the woman Leah — the wife of Reb Nussun — knows her. # קג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/103/ קג קג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/103 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ באמת מו"ה נתן נ"י תשואות למעלתו שטרח עבורי ונחשב אצלי ג"כ למשלוח מנות טוב כן יעזור לך השי"ת לקבל חג הפסח בכשרות וישפיע עליך השי"ת שפע רב מבזת הים בכח וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ותדע שהערל המיקער קבל אצלי אחד גר' שכר טרחא ורצוף פה מכתב לאשה דאבריס אשת ר' טעביל נ"י מקיסר קאסדאן ואשה לאה אשת ר' נתן יודעת אותה ולפב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה ומחמת שאין לי עתה ניר בביתי וגם אני נחוץ לילך על ציון רמבע"ה להתפלל בעדכם ג"כ קצרתי ואמר שלום אוהבך ואהב כל אנ"ש החפץ הצלחתכם בזה ובבא נתן מברסלב החונה פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Salutations to your honor — that you exerted yourself and labored on my behalf — and it is reckoned by me also as a good sending of portions. May Hashem Yisbarach help you to receive the Passover festival in propriety — and may Hashem Yisbarach pour down upon you abundant blessing — from the spoils of the sea — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And know that the non-Jewish donkey-driver received from me one groshen — his fee for the trouble. And enclosed here is a letter to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine — from Keisar Kasdan — and the woman Leah — the wife of Reb Nussun — knows her. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. And because I do not have any paper in my house now — and I am also urgently needed to go to the resting place of the Rambam ז"ל to pray for you as well — I was brief — and with this I say shalom. [ואמר שלום — "and I say shalom" — the formal closing farewell formula: with this I take my leave — shalom; a specific traditional sign-off indicating the letter has come to its conclusion] One who loves you and loves all the Anash — who desires your success in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Undated — Purim-Adar period, 5641. A brief thank-you. Your trouble-taking is mishloach manos. Hurrying to the grave of the Rambam ז"ל. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/104/ קד קד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/104 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' שמיני תרמ"א פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: I have greatly asked of you to write to me about the health of your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — and whether you have any letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and whether you received my letter that I wrote to you several days before Purim — and I gave it to a son of Avraham, may his candle shine — and it was delayed until after Purim. And the herring — I gave it to whoever it belongs to. And about the raisins — we have used them up — therefore whatever it was — give it back — and whatever it comes to — present to my account. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And also write to me how your Purim went — whether you were all together in joy — and also whether the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, was with you too — and who among you was personally the Purim-person and had the Parah made from him — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And also know that I prepared myself regarding Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — regarding the Torah portion of Parah — as I told you. And also whether you received the letter that I wrote to Reb Tzvi of Kalibulad, may his candle shine — and whether I wrote well. Segment 3 HE: מאד בקשתי ממך לכתוב לי מבריאות בנך מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ואם יש לכם איזה מכתב מחמיך נ"י ואם קבלת המכתב שלי שכתבתי לך כמה ימים קדם פורים ואני נתתי אותו לב"א נ"י ונתעכב עד אחר פורים שהזאליט נתתי למי ששיך לה ואודות הראזינקיס האבן מיר פאר טוהן ע"כ כמה שהיה נתן בחזרה וכמה שיעלה תציג לחשבוני EN: And also I ask of you — without any excuse — to write to me about the incident that occurred with the brother of Reb Meir of Keshanov — for three or four persons from your encampment and one from our encampment gave him poison and killed him — and took from him several hundred liras — and all his belongings. And it appears that he is the father of this young scholar who goes among you. Therefore write to me what is being heard about this — whether they were caught and imprisoned or not — for I need to know this clearly — because I have a reason that is stored away and treasured in concealment [ta'am kamus — from kamas — to store away, to treasure up in hiding; not merely a private reason but one deliberately held in reserve, stored as treasure is stored away for the right moment] in this. And G-d willing when we are together I will tell you the reason. Therefore I have greatly asked to write to me immediately and to reply to me on every single detail — coin by coin. Segment 4 HE: וגם תכתב לי איך עלה הפורים שלכם אם הייתם ביחד שמחים וגם אם החסיד ר' נחמן נ"י היה ג"כ עמכם ומי מכם היה פורים' בעצמו ונעשה מאתו פרה' כמבאר בדברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וגם תדע שאני הכנתי עצמי על ר' איזיק נ"י על פ' פרה כפי אשר אמרתי לך וגם אם קבלתם המכתב שכתבתי לר' צבי מקאליבלאד נ"י ואם כתבתי טוב EN: And my wife, may she live, is not in good health at all — on the right hand — may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing — and all those who need healing. Segment 5 HE: וגם אבקש ממך בלי שום תרוץ לכתוב לי מהמעשה אשר ארע עם אחיו של ר' מאיר מקעשניב אשר שלשה או ארבעה אנשים ממחנכם ואחד ממחננו נתנו לו סם המות והמיתו אותו ולקחו מאתו כמה מאות לירס וכל החפצים וכפי הנראה הוא אביו של זה האברך ההולך אצלכם ע"כ לכתוב לי מה שנשמע בזה אם תפסו אותם בתפיסה אם לאו כי אני צריך לידע מזה בברור מחמת שיש לי טעם כמוס בזה ואי"ה כשאהיה ביחד אספר לך הטעם ע"כ בקשתי מאד לכתוב לי תכף ולהשיב לי כל דבר ודבר בפרוטרוט EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. And may He give you a livelihood that flows through divine spirit [parnasah b'ruach — "livelihood through divine spirit / breath" — a livelihood that flows like wind and spirit from above, effortlessly and spiritually, rather than through grinding struggle; a blessing for sustenance that comes from the divine breath itself] — and may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to receive the Passover festival in holiness and in purity — and to be careful of any trace of leaven on Passover — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 6 HE: וזוג' תח' אינה בקו הבריאה מאד על היד ימין השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה וגם כל הצריכין רפואה EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ויתן לך פרנסה ברוח ויזכנו השי"ת לקבל חג הפסח בקדשה ובטהרה ולהיות נזהרים ממשהו חמץ בפסח בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: Written Monday, Parshas Shemini, 5641 (late March 1881), from Teverya. Urgent inquiry about a poisoning murder. The wife's right hand is ill. Livelihood through divine spirit. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your precious letter we received properly — and we saw your grief. You have surely already heard how I was gravely ill for approximately four months — to the point that the entire city did not believe I would live. And blessed be G-d — the G-d Who is good and does good — for Whom it is fitting to give thanks — He returned the life-force to me in all my limbs — blessed be G-d. And now — when I saw your letter — I immediately girded my loins like a warrior — to write to your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, a letter — that he should leave off from pursuing you — and not involve us, G-d forbid. And in their assembly may our honor not be joined. And we wrote him such letters — we are confident that he will surely hear the voice of our outcry. For he too in truth is a proper man — only no person is held responsible for his distress. But there is no counsel to humiliate one companion — and particularly, G-d forbid, to pursue a companion — among faithful beloved ones as you have been with one another from of old and from long ago. Is there not law in Israel? And may your honor not judge us to the pan of culpability, G-d forbid — only to the pan of merit. And do not receive slander, G-d forbid — for your love has not parted from us — as from long ago and from of old — your love will not part from us. For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — that I want to see from you and your children — as I want to see from my own sons and daughters. For our love is not contingent on anything — only because we are all bound to the root of the roots of the souls of Israel — which is Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And I am always pleading and beseeching intercession on your behalf — every day — and in the holy places — and for all the members of your household — and particularly for your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine. And may Hashem Yisbarach help you to come to your home in the Holy Land — in full salvation — quickly and soon — and carry you across — both by sea and by land — to life and to peace. More there is nothing new — only life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me and you to receive the Passover festival in holiness and purity — and to be careful of any trace of leaven on Passover — in the physical and in the spiritual. Your friend, one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Shemini, 5641 (late March 1881), from Teverya. A mediation letter to Reb Hirsh. Love not contingent on anything — rooted in Rabbainu z"l. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Wednesday, the 6th of Nissan — I received properly this morning — through a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I was given life by your letter — after Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, came home to peace — and saw all my sons and brothers in the diaspora. And also that you are blessed be G-d in life and in peace. And also that your co-parent-in-law arrived in Stankovitz in life and in peace. And also from the good tiding of my beloved Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — that their bills of exchange came before Passover — and he had some expansiveness. And from the small expansiveness that one finds — great expansivenesses can come — as per the saying of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And perhaps this will be the explanation according to the words of our rabbis z"l: "Open for me as the eye of a needle — and I will open for you" — and so on. This matter is both in the physical and in the spiritual. And do not wonder that I have not written you a letter until now — for when I received the last communication I immediately wrote you a letter with the donkey-driver Nachman — and I have suffering from that letter that you did not receive it. For within it was enclosed a letter from Breslov — to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — from her daughter in Breslov. And I placed her letter inside your letter and sealed them. But I wrote on the letter the name of Reb Nussun son of Chana. Therefore inquire by my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, or by the donkey-driver Nachman. For in her letter was a good tiding — that her grandson stood at the obligation and blessed be G-d he was saved. And further — for two weeks I have been a wanderer and a rover in my own house [na v'nad b'veisi — the precise words of Cain's curse [Genesis 4:12,14]: "a wanderer and a rover shall you be"; applied here with gentle self-deprecating humor — the writer wanders homeless within his own walls because the furniture has been moved for Passover cleaning] — and I had no writing implements — and I had no place to write. And because of this I did not reply to the letter of your brother, may his candle shine, as well — for my mind is confused — for I have no table — and we eat on the floor — because before Passover it is so. May it be for good long years. And now in these days — there is no counsel except yearnings and desires and longings for Hashem Yisbarach. דערווייל קלאמירשט לערינט מען קלאמירשט דאווינטמען — for now, one clings and grasps: one learns while clinging — one prays while clinging — only may our will be strong and firm — and let us bind ourselves to the root-source of the will — and there everything will be sweetened. And G-d willing — the days of Passover draw near and come — and the will shall be revealed. Therefore G-d willing when the days of Passover come — receive them in great joy. And I also want to receive them in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to say the Haggadah in a loud voice — in truth — and to count the Omer count with intention — and to prepare ourselves to receive the Torah with fresh ardent longing — fresh desires — to keep and to do. And to eat matzah as a remedy — in great joy. And to be careful of any trace of leaven — in the physical and in the spiritual. And the rendel that my son Aizik, may his candle shine, sent me — take it into your hand against your debt — only the tithe from the rendel — distribute wheat-money to the Anash — to whoever needs it most — according to your judgment. And write to me whether I still owe you — and if not — tear up my receipt-note. And also — that Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, did not bring me a letter from my son Aizik, may his candle shine — and also perhaps there is news of my daughter Adel, may she live — write to me. And also write to me about your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — whether he was in Troyits — and also surely was in Kalibulad — how he concluded there with the heirs — and whether he delivered my letters to my son, may his candle shine — for I gave him letters. And also to say to your brother, may his candle shine — that my wife herself will give him trouble if he comes home before the wedding — for he has lingered away from home for such a time without a conclusion — so it seems to me according to my humble opinion. And I do not know the opinion of our friend the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. On both this and that there is no news — only: every single day we must renew our drawing close to the hidden and concealed light — which reveals a handbreadth and conceals a handbreadth — and in every Torah teaching and Torah teaching He restores the soul with the seven restorers of flavor. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in truth — a love of truth — a love of soul — a love of eternity [Three deliberate dimensions of love enumerated one after another: ahavas emes — love of truth; ahavas nefesh — love of soul; ahavas nitzchiyus — love of eternity; a conscious triple that is itself a teaching on the depth of their bond] — in a strong and firm bond, Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, 12th of Nissan, 5641 (late March 1881) — four days before Passover. Good news. The writer homeless in his own house. A Passover teaching on yearning. The triple closing. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I have greatly asked of you to write to me about the health of your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — and whether you have any letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and whether you received my letter that I wrote to you several days before Purim — and I gave it to a son of Avraham, may his candle shine — and it was delayed until after Purim. And the herring — I gave it to whoever it belongs to. And about the raisins — we have used them up — therefore whatever it was — give it back — and whatever it comes to — present to my account. And also write to me how your Purim went — whether you were all together in joy — and also whether the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, was with you too — and who among you was personally the Purim-person and had the Parah made from him — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And also know that I prepared myself regarding Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — regarding the Torah portion of Parah — as I told you. And also whether you received the letter that I wrote to Reb Tzvi of Kalibulad, may his candle shine — and whether I wrote well. And also I ask of you — without any excuse — to write to me about the incident that occurred with the brother of Reb Meir of Keshanov — for three or four persons from your encampment and one from our encampment gave him poison and killed him — and took from him several hundred liras — and all his belongings. And it appears that he is the father of this young scholar who goes among you. Therefore write to me what is being heard about this — whether they were caught and imprisoned or not — for I need to know this clearly — because I have a reason that is stored away and treasured in concealment [ta'am kamus — from kamas — to store away, to treasure up in hiding; not merely a private reason but one deliberately held in reserve, stored as treasure is stored away for the right moment] in this. And G-d willing when we are together I will tell you the reason. Therefore I have greatly asked to write to me immediately and to reply to me on every single detail — coin by coin. And my wife, may she live, is not in good health at all — on the right hand — may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing — and all those who need healing. More news there is none — only life and peace. And may He give you a livelihood that flows through divine spirit [parnasah b'ruach — "livelihood through divine spirit / breath" — a livelihood that flows like wind and spirit from above, effortlessly and spiritually, rather than through grinding struggle; a blessing for sustenance that comes from the divine breath itself] — and may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to receive the Passover festival in holiness and in purity — and to be careful of any trace of leaven on Passover — in the physical and in the spiritual. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Shemini, 5641 (late March 1881), from Teverya. Urgent inquiry about a poisoning murder. The wife's right hand is ill. Livelihood through divine spirit. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your precious letter we received properly — and we saw your grief. You have surely already heard how I was gravely ill for approximately four months — to the point that the entire city did not believe I would live. And blessed be G-d — the G-d Who is good and does good — for Whom it is fitting to give thanks — He returned the life-force to me in all my limbs — blessed be G-d. # קה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/105/ קה קה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/105 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' שמיני תרמ"א לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Your precious letter we received properly — and we saw your grief. You have surely already heard how I was gravely ill for approximately four months — to the point that the entire city did not believe I would live. And blessed be G-d — the G-d Who is good and does good — for Whom it is fitting to give thanks — He returned the life-force to me in all my limbs — blessed be G-d. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידנו עז הרב המפלא ומפלג בתורה וביראת שמים וכו' ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם וכו' כש"ת מו"ה ר' הירש נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: And now — when I saw your letter — I immediately girded my loins like a warrior — to write to your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, a letter — that he should leave off from pursuing you — and not involve us, G-d forbid. And in their assembly may our honor not be joined. And we wrote him such letters — we are confident that he will surely hear the voice of our outcry. For he too in truth is a proper man — only no person is held responsible for his distress. But there is no counsel to humiliate one companion — and particularly, G-d forbid, to pursue a companion — among faithful beloved ones as you have been with one another from of old and from long ago. Is there not law in Israel? Segment 3 HE: הנה מכתבכם היקר קבלנו לנכון וראינו צערכם אתם בודאי כבר שמעתם איך שאני הייתי חולה מסכן ערך ארבעה חדשים עד שכל העיר לא האמין בחיי וב"ה האל הטוב והמטיב אשר לו נאה להודות החזיר לי החיות בכל האברים ב"ה EN: And may your honor not judge us to the pan of culpability, G-d forbid — only to the pan of merit. And do not receive slander, G-d forbid — for your love has not parted from us — as from long ago and from of old — your love will not part from us. For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — that I want to see from you and your children — as I want to see from my own sons and daughters. For our love is not contingent on anything — only because we are all bound to the root of the roots of the souls of Israel — which is Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And I am always pleading and beseeching intercession on your behalf — every day — and in the holy places — and for all the members of your household — and particularly for your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine. And may Hashem Yisbarach help you to come to your home in the Holy Land — in full salvation — quickly and soon — and carry you across — both by sea and by land — to life and to peace. Segment 4 HE: ועתה כשראיתי מכתבכם תכף אזרתי כגבור חלצי לכתוב למחתנכם ר' צבי נ"י מכתב שיניח אתכם מלרדף אתכם ולא לערב אותנו ח"ו ובקהלם אל תחד כבודנו וכתבנו לו מכתבים כאלה שבטוחים אנו שבודאי ישמע לקול צעקתנו כי גם הוא באמת איש כשר רק אין אדם נתפס על צערו אך זה אין עצה לבזות אחד את חברו ובפרט ח"ו לרדף את חברו בין אהבים נאמנים כאשר הייתם ביניכם מאז ומקדם הלא יש דין בישראל EN: More there is nothing new — only life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me and you to receive the Passover festival in holiness and purity — and to be careful of any trace of leaven on Passover — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 5 HE: ומעלתכם אל תדונו אותנו לכף חוב ח"ו רק לכף זכות ואל תקבלו לשון הרע ח"ו כי אהבתכם לא נפרדו מאתנו כמאז וכמקדם לא תפרדו אהבתכם מאתנו כי השי"ת יודע האמת שאני רוצה לראות בכם ובבניכם כמו שאני רוצה לראות בבני ובבנותי כי אהבתנו אינה תלויה בדבר רק מחמת שאנו מקשרים בשרש שרשי נשמות ישראל הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואני מעתיר תמיד בעדכם בכל יום ובמקומות הק' ובעד כל בני ביתכם ובפרט על בנכם מו"ה ישראל אריה נ"י והשי"ת יעזור לכם לבא לביתכם לארץ הקודש בישועה שלמה חיש מהר ויעביר אתכם בין בים ובין ביבשה לחיים ושלום EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: יותר אין לחדש רק חיים ושלום והשי"ת יזכה אותי ואתכם לקבל חג הפסח בקדשה וטהרה ולהיות נזהרים ממשהו חמץ בפסח בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Shemini, 5641 (late March 1881), from Teverya. A mediation letter to Reb Hirsh. Love not contingent on anything — rooted in Rabbainu z"l. Segment 7 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת ובתמים EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter from Wednesday, the 6th of Nissan — I received properly this morning — through a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I was given life by your letter — after Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, came home to peace — and saw all my sons and brothers in the diaspora. And also that you are blessed be G-d in life and in peace. And also that your co-parent-in-law arrived in Stankovitz in life and in peace. And also from the good tiding of my beloved Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — that their bills of exchange came before Passover — and he had some expansiveness. And from the small expansiveness that one finds — great expansivenesses can come — as per the saying of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And perhaps this will be the explanation according to the words of our rabbis z"l: "Open for me as the eye of a needle — and I will open for you" — and so on. This matter is both in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 9 HE: פ"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה EN: Your letter from Wednesday, the 6th of Nissan — I received properly this morning — through a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I was given life by your letter — after Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, came home to peace — and saw all my sons and brothers in the diaspora. And also that you are blessed be G-d in life and in peace. And also that your co-parent-in-law arrived in Stankovitz in life and in peace. And also from the good tiding of my beloved Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — that their bills of exchange came before Passover — and he had some expansiveness. And from the small expansiveness that one finds — great expansivenesses can come — as per the saying of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And perhaps this will be the explanation according to the words of our rabbis z"l: "Open for me as the eye of a needle — and I will open for you" — and so on. This matter is both in the physical and in the spiritual. And do not wonder that I have not written you a letter until now — for when I received the last communication I immediately wrote you a letter with the donkey-driver Nachman — and I have suffering from that letter that you did not receive it. For within it was enclosed a letter from Breslov — to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — from her daughter in Breslov. And I placed her letter inside your letter and sealed them. But I wrote on the letter the name of Reb Nussun son of Chana. Therefore inquire by my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, or by the donkey-driver Nachman. For in her letter was a good tiding — that her grandson stood at the obligation and blessed be G-d he was saved. And further — for two weeks I have been a wanderer and a rover in my own house [na v'nad b'veisi — the precise words of Cain's curse [Genesis 4:12,14]: "a wanderer and a rover shall you be"; applied here with gentle self-deprecating humor — the writer wanders homeless within his own walls because the furniture has been moved for Passover cleaning] — and I had no writing implements — and I had no place to write. And because of this I did not reply to the letter of your brother, may his candle shine, as well — for my mind is confused — for I have no table — and we eat on the floor — because before Passover it is so. May it be for good long years. # קו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/106/ קו קו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/106 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' י"ב ניסן תרמ"א לפ"ק טבריא EN: Your letter from Wednesday, the 6th of Nissan — I received properly this morning — through a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I was given life by your letter — after Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, came home to peace — and saw all my sons and brothers in the diaspora. And also that you are blessed be G-d in life and in peace. And also that your co-parent-in-law arrived in Stankovitz in life and in peace. And also from the good tiding of my beloved Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — that their bills of exchange came before Passover — and he had some expansiveness. And from the small expansiveness that one finds — great expansivenesses can come — as per the saying of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And perhaps this will be the explanation according to the words of our rabbis z"l: "Open for me as the eye of a needle — and I will open for you" — and so on. This matter is both in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ המפלא וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט א"ס EN: And do not wonder that I have not written you a letter until now — for when I received the last communication I immediately wrote you a letter with the donkey-driver Nachman — and I have suffering from that letter that you did not receive it. For within it was enclosed a letter from Breslov — to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — from her daughter in Breslov. And I placed her letter inside your letter and sealed them. But I wrote on the letter the name of Reb Nussun son of Chana. Therefore inquire by my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, or by the donkey-driver Nachman. For in her letter was a good tiding — that her grandson stood at the obligation and blessed be G-d he was saved. And further — for two weeks I have been a wanderer and a rover in my own house [na v'nad b'veisi — the precise words of Cain's curse [Genesis 4:12,14]: "a wanderer and a rover shall you be"; applied here with gentle self-deprecating humor — the writer wanders homeless within his own walls because the furniture has been moved for Passover cleaning] — and I had no writing implements — and I had no place to write. And because of this I did not reply to the letter of your brother, may his candle shine, as well — for my mind is confused — for I have no table — and we eat on the floor — because before Passover it is so. May it be for good long years. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ד' ו' ניסן קבלתי לנכון היום בבקר ע"י ב"א מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י והחייתי במכתבכם אחר שבא ר' יוסף נ"י לביתו לשלום וראה כל בני ואחי בחו"ל וגם מה שאתם ב"ה בחיים ושלום וגם מה שחמיך בא לשטאנקוויץ לחיים ושלום וגם מבשורות אהבי ר' איזיק נ"י שבאו הקאמביאלין שלהם קדם פסח והיה לו איזה הרחבה ומהרחבה מעט שמוצאים יכול להיות הרחבות גדולות כפי מאמר רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואפשר זה יהיה הפרוש ע"פ דברי רבותינו ז"ל פתחו לי כמחט סדקית ואני אפתח לכם וכו' זה הדבר הוא בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: And now in these days — there is no counsel except yearnings and desires and longings for Hashem Yisbarach. דערווייל קלאמירשט לערינט מען קלאמירשט דאווינטמען — for now, one clings and grasps: one learns while clinging — one prays while clinging — only may our will be strong and firm — and let us bind ourselves to the root-source of the will — and there everything will be sweetened. And G-d willing — the days of Passover draw near and come — and the will shall be revealed. Therefore G-d willing when the days of Passover come — receive them in great joy. And I also want to receive them in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to say the Haggadah in a loud voice — in truth — and to count the Omer count with intention — and to prepare ourselves to receive the Torah with fresh ardent longing — fresh desires — to keep and to do. And to eat matzah as a remedy — in great joy. And to be careful of any trace of leaven — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 4 HE: ואל יתפלא בעיניכם שלא כתבתי לכם עד עתה מכתב אחד שבעת קבלת הקאליח כתבתי לכם תכף מכתב עם המיקער נחמן ויש לי יסורים מזה המכתב שלא קבלתו כי בתוכו היה רצוף מכתב מברסלב להאשה דאבריס אשת ר' טעביל מבתה מברסלב והנחתי המכתב שלה בתוך המכתב שלך וחתמתי אותם אך כתבתי על המכתב על שם ר' נתן בן חנה ע"כ תחקרו אצל ידידי ר' נתן נ"י או אצל נחמן המיקער כי שם במכתב שלה היה בשורה טובה אליה כי נכדה עמד על הזעריב וב"ה שנצל ועוד מחמת שזה שני שבועות שאני נע ונד בביתי ולא היה לי כלי כתיבה ולא היה לי מקום לכתוב ומחמת זה לא השבתי תשובה על מכתב אחיך נ"י ג"כ כי מחי מבלבל כי אין לי שלחן ואוכלים על הקרקע כי קדם פסח כן יהיה לאיוש"ט EN: And the rendel that my son Aizik, may his candle shine, sent me — take it into your hand against your debt — only the tithe from the rendel — distribute wheat-money to the Anash — to whoever needs it most — according to your judgment. And write to me whether I still owe you — and if not — tear up my receipt-note. And also — that Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, did not bring me a letter from my son Aizik, may his candle shine — and also perhaps there is news of my daughter Adel, may she live — write to me. And also write to me about your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — whether he was in Troyits — and also surely was in Kalibulad — how he concluded there with the heirs — and whether he delivered my letters to my son, may his candle shine — for I gave him letters. And also to say to your brother, may his candle shine — that my wife herself will give him trouble if he comes home before the wedding — for he has lingered away from home for such a time without a conclusion — so it seems to me according to my humble opinion. And I do not know the opinion of our friend the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. Segment 5 HE: ועתה בימים האלו אין שום עצה רק כסופין ורצונות והשתוקקות להשי"ת דערווייל קלאמירשט לערינט¬מען קלאמירשט דאווינטמען רק רצוננו יהיה חזק ואמיץ ולקשר עצמנו בשרש הרצון ושם יהיה נמתק הכל ואי"ה ימי הפסח ממשמשין ובאין ויתגלה הרצון ע"כ אי"ה כשיבאו ימי הפסח תקבלו אותו בשמחה גדולה וגם אני רוצה לקבל אותו בשמחה ויזכה אותנו השי"ת לומר ההגדה בקול רם באמת ולספר ספירת העמר בכונה ולהכין עצמנו לקבלות התורה בחשק חדש ברצונות חדשים לשמר ולעשות ולאכל מצה אסותא בשמחה גדולה ולהיות נזהרים ממשהו חמץ בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: On both this and that there is no news — only: every single day we must renew our drawing close to the hidden and concealed light — which reveals a handbreadth and conceals a handbreadth — and in every Torah teaching and Torah teaching He restores the soul with the seven restorers of flavor. Segment 6 HE: והרענדל ששלח לי בני איזיק נ"י תקבל לידך על החב שלך רק המעשר מהרענדל תחלק מעות חטים לאנ"ש למי שנצרך יותר כפי דעתך ותכתב לי אם אני חיב לך עוד ואם לאו ואם אין אני חיב לך תקרע הקוויטל שלי וגם מה שר' יוסף נ"י לא הביא לי מכתב מבני איזיק נ"י וגם אפשר יש ידיעה מבתי אדל תח' יכתב לי וגם לכתוב לי מחמיך נ"י אם היה בטראויצע וגם בודאי היה בקאליבלאד איך גמר שם עם היורשים ואם מסר המכתבים שלי לבני נ"י כי נתתי לו מכתבים וגם לומר לאחיך נ"י שזוג' בעצמה תעשה לו יסורים אם יבא קדם החתנה לביתו כי שהה זמן כזה לביתו בלא גמר כך נראה לי לפי עניות דעתי ואיני יודע איך דעת ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' נחמן נ"י EN: Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in truth — a love of truth — a love of soul — a love of eternity [Three deliberate dimensions of love enumerated one after another: ahavas emes — love of truth; ahavas nefesh — love of soul; ahavas nitzchiyus — love of eternity; a conscious triple that is itself a teaching on the depth of their bond] — in a strong and firm bond, Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק בכל יום צריכין אנו לחדש התקרבותנו לאור הגנוז והנעלם אשר הוא מגלה טפח ומכסה טפח ובכל תורה ותורה הוא משיב הנפש בשבעה משיבי טעם EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת לאמתו אהבת אמת אהבת נפש אהבת נצחיות בקשר אמיץ וחזק EN: Written Monday, 12th of Nissan, 5641 (late March 1881) — four days before Passover. Good news. The writer homeless in his own house. A Passover teaching on yearning. The triple closing. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Translator's Summary — Letter 104 Segment 9 HE: ידידכם EN: Letter 104 | Kuf-Dalet Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Translator's Summary — Letter 104 # קז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/107/ קז קז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/107 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' קדושים תהיו תרמ"א פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Before Passover I wrote you a letter and sent it with the blind non-Jewish donkey-driver — and several matters necessary for you were written there — and I also asked there to reply to me about that letter which I need. And in the end I have no letter from you at all — and I have suffering lest the letter was not given to you. And there I wrote about the rendel that Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, brought me — that you should take it against your debt — but only the tithe from the rendel distribute to whoever needs more. And write to me whether you are still owed from me or not. And also to write to me when Reb Yosef was by my sons and brothers — and when he traveled from Teiteira — for it is a novelty to me that he did not bring me a letter from there. And also perhaps he knows whether my brothers already know of the departure of our mother — may I be the atonement for her resting place — may she rest in peace. And also I wrote to you to inform me whether your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, was in Kalibulad — and how he concluded with the heirs there. And also I wrote you a receipt for the last communication. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז אשר אני אהב אותך כאלו ראין זה את זה המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י כמבאר בסימן קפ"ג בלקוטי מוהר"ן ולכבוד ידידי עז מו"ה איזיקל נ"י EN: And within that receipt-letter I sent enclosed a letter to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — who has a daughter in Breslov. And the receipt together with the letter I sent through the donkey-driver Reb Nachman — and I wrote on the letter to Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana. And I also do not know whether the letter was given to him or not — and I have great suffering lest the letter of the woman Dabris was lost — and within it was a good tiding for her — that her grandson stood at the obligation and blessed be G-d he was saved. Segment 3 HE: הנה קדם פסח כתבתי לכם מכתב ושלחתי אותו עם הערל מיקער הסומא והיה נכתב שם כמה ענינים הצריכים לכם וגם בקשתי שם להשיב לי על המכתב זה שצריך לי ולבסוף אין לי שום מכתב מכם ויש לי יסורים שמא לא נתן לכם המכתב ושם כתבתי אודות הרענדל שהביא לי ר' יוסף נ"י שתקבלו על החוב שלך רק המעשר מהרענדל תחלק למי שצריך יותר ותכתב לי אם מגיע לך עוד ממני אם לאו וגם לכתוב לי מתי היה ר' יוסף אצל בני ואחי ומתי נסע מטייטרא כי זה חדוש אצלי מה שלא הביא לי מכתב משם וגם אפשר הוא יודע אם אחי כבר יודעים מפטירת אמנו הריני כפרת משכבה עליה השלום וגם כתבתי לך להודיע לי אם חמיך נ"י היה בקאליבלאד ואיך גמר עם היורשים בשם וגם כתבתי לך קבלה על הקאליח EN: And now I begin to speak — my brothers and my friends — about our eternal business. What shall I say to you, my precious brothers — why are we silent about the business of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple? And why do we cast our own foolishnesses as a shadow against such a great light that shines in all the worlds — and even in this physical world it can shine — and even according to the very substance of our physicality it can shine for us — only if we bend our shoulder and drive and thrust our eyes [ulitka einenu — "to drive and thrust our eyes in" — from taka — to drive in, to thrust, to plant with decisive force; the same root as the shofar blast — teki'as shofar; a powerful image of planting the gaze with the decisive force of a stake being driven into the ground] with the eye of truth upon these lights that Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple left for us in their holy books — for they can bring us out from every darkness and deep shadow that presses down upon us — even more than a precious stone. Segment 4 HE: ושם במכתב קבלה שלחתי רצוף מכתב לאשה דאבריס אשת ר' טעביל אשר יש לה בת בברסלב והקבלה עם המכתב שלחתי ע"י המיקער ר' נחמן וכתבתי על המכתב לר' נתן נ"י בן אשה חנה וג"כ איני יודע אם נתן לו המכתב אם לאו ויש לי יסורים גדולים אולי נאבד המכתב מאשה דאבריס ושם היה לה בשורה טובה שנכדה עמד על הזעריב וב"ה שנצל EN: For on the holy Shabbos I studied the Laws of Robbery, law 5 — and today I studied the Laws of Damages, law 3 — and I do not know how to give praise to Hashem Yisbarach for our portion and our lot. And I ask of you to look into these laws — and you will find repose for your nefesh, your ruach, and your neshamah [nefesh, ruach, v'neshamah — the three distinct levels of the Kabbalistic soul: nefesh — the animating life-soul; ruach — the emotional spirit; neshamah — the divine breath-soul; three ascending dimensions of the inner person, not merely synonyms]. And you will know how we must rejoice every single day — and say "how fortunate are we" — a hundred times a day — in great joy. And we have nothing at all to be sad about — since we have merited to be in this holy assembly. And if we are in joy — then all the harsh judgments will be sweetened from upon us — as Rabbainu z"l said: if you will be in joy it is a good thing for the entire world — and for us in particular it will surely be for good. And it is my intention G-d willing G-d willing to be in your holy encampment on the Shabbos of Pesach Sheni G-d willing. And I have asked of you to pray for my wife — for she is not at all on the line of health — for five days now — so that I should not have, G-d forbid, any impediment to my desired journey. Segment 5 HE: ועתה אני מתחיל לדבר אחי ורעי מעסקנו הנצחי מה אמר לכם אחי היקרים מה אנו דוממים בעסק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולמה אנו עשים בשטותים שלנו צל נגד אור גדול כזה המאיר בכל העולמות כלם ואפילו בעולם הגשמי הזה יכול להאיר ואפילו לפי עצם גשמיותנו יכול להאיר לנו רק אם נטה שכמנו ולתקע עינינו בעין האמת באורות האלו אשר השאירו לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בספריהם הק' אשר הם יכולין להוציא אותנו מכל חשכות ואפלה אשר מתגבר עלינו עוד יותר מאבן טוב EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: כי בשבת הק' למדתי הלכות גזלה הלכה ה' והיום למדתי הלכות נזיקין הלכה ג' ואין אני יודע איך לשבח להשי"ת על חלקנו וגורלנו ומבקש אני מאתכם שתעינו באלו הלכות ותמצאו מרגוע לנפש רוח ונשמה שלכם ותדעו איך אנו צריכין לשמח בכל יום ולומר אשרינו מאה פעמים בכל יום בשמחה גדולה ואין לנו מה להעצב כלל כשזכינו להיות בחלק הקבוץ הק' הזה ואם נהיה אנו בשמחה אזי כל הדינים יהיו נמתקין מאתנו כמו שאמר רבנו ז"ל אם תהיו בשמחה הוא טובה לכל העולם ובפרט אלינו בודאי היה לטובה ובדעתי אי"ה אי"ה על שבת פסח שני אי"ה אהיה במחנכם הק' ובקשתי מאתכם להתפלל עבור זוג' כי בקו הבריאה מאד זה חמשה ימים שלא יהיה לי ח"ו מניעה לרצון נסיעתי EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Kedoshim, 5641 (late April 1881), from Teverya. The pre-Passover letter may be lost. Planning to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Pesach Sheni. "How fortunate are we" — a hundred times a day. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter I received through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and it was for me a restoration of the soul — that my brothers and friends received the festival of matzos in joy. So may it be for you and for us on other festivals and pilgrimage-times — and may our joy be drawn upon us for the entire year. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that the joy should go and pass through the entire stature of joy — and through this may we merit to confess and pour out our hearts like water before Hashem Yisbarach — on every single detail. And may the light of the face that shines on the three pilgrimage festivals shine upon us — and through this may we merit the luminous faces — and to be saved, G-d forbid, from darkened faces — which is sadness and melancholy — which is from the other side. And every day accept upon yourselves to rejoice — at every moment — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — who warned us greatly about joy. And joy is a vessel for the receiving of the Torah. And now is the time when we are preparing ourselves for the receiving of the Torah — and we must arouse our hearts and count the Omer count in joy and with fresh arousal. For now Hashem Yisbarach wants to complete for us the receiving of the Torah and the fulfillment of the Torah — in the strength of the Tzaddik — who is engaged now primarily in the fulfillment of the Torah and the commandments — at every moment — with fresh ardor — and with a fresh beginning — and everything in joy. And trust in Hashem that He will surely not abandon you — and will provide for you — and will fulfill all your requests for good — in the strength of this Tzaddik — from whom all the flows of abundance go out to all the worlds — and particularly to those who join themselves to him. More news — Hashem Yisbarach renews every day continuously the work of creation [mechadesh b'chol yom tamid ma'aseh bereishis — the exact words of the morning liturgy: "Who renews every day continuously the work of creation" — from the blessing before the Shema; the writer closes with this liturgical formula as a teaching: there is always new creation, always renewal — for good] — for good. Your friend, one who truly loves you — interceding and beseeching on your behalf and on behalf of your household, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda z"l — of blessed memory — from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Kedoshim, 5641 (late April 1881), from Teverya. Joy as a vessel for receiving Torah. The Omer count. All abundance flows from the Tzaddik. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Last night I received a letter from my son Aizik, may his candle shine — and within it enclosed a bill of exchange from a certain person — for he received from him from the money that he wanted — and he lent him a favor — one rendel as a free loan — so that it should arrive in my hand before Passover — so that I should have something for Passover. And now more than a month has passed — and he still has not given it to me. And he has done him a kindness — for he had nothing for the expenses of the journey to the Holy Land — and he wants to repay evil for good, G-d forbid. And in the receipt-note it is written: if he does not pay me immediately — then I have the authority to go to the local court — and they will give me a lien to the trustees — that they give me from his new monthly payment. And why should he have such a disgrace? For mountain does not meet mountain — but person does meet person. And perhaps it will happen another time — and this will close the door before borrowers. Therefore I warn him and spur him with alacrity to settle with me immediately — for I cannot write my son a receipt — and because of this I am not writing him any letter to my son, may his candle shine — and they are awaiting my letters. And I have greatly asked of you for the sake of my wife, may she live — for she is not at all in good health — and she wants to escort me to Tzfas, may it be established — and to be with us together for the celebration of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai — and may her weakness not be, G-d forbid, an impediment to my journey to Rabbainu z"l for Rosh Hashana — for this is the main purpose of my journey: to be by Rosh Hashana at the master of the field — who is engaged in the repair of the souls of the dead and the living. And he said that even one who cannot repair himself the entire year — at Rosh Hashana can repair — whoever comes to him. On both this and that — because of the brevity of the opportunity from the wagon — I was brief — and I say shalom to you and to all the Anash — with strong love. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Emor, 5641 (early May 1881), from Teverya. An overdue bill of exchange. The wife wants to escort him to Meron. The master of the field — Rosh Hashana. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Before Passover I wrote you a letter and sent it with the blind non-Jewish donkey-driver — and several matters necessary for you were written there — and I also asked there to reply to me about that letter which I need. And in the end I have no letter from you at all — and I have suffering lest the letter was not given to you. And there I wrote about the rendel that Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, brought me — that you should take it against your debt — but only the tithe from the rendel distribute to whoever needs more. And write to me whether you are still owed from me or not. And also to write to me when Reb Yosef was by my sons and brothers — and when he traveled from Teiteira — for it is a novelty to me that he did not bring me a letter from there. And also perhaps he knows whether my brothers already know of the departure of our mother — may I be the atonement for her resting place — may she rest in peace. And also I wrote to you to inform me whether your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, was in Kalibulad — and how he concluded with the heirs there. And also I wrote you a receipt for the last communication. And within that receipt-letter I sent enclosed a letter to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — who has a daughter in Breslov. And the receipt together with the letter I sent through the donkey-driver Reb Nachman — and I wrote on the letter to Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana. And I also do not know whether the letter was given to him or not — and I have great suffering lest the letter of the woman Dabris was lost — and within it was a good tiding for her — that her grandson stood at the obligation and blessed be G-d he was saved. And now I begin to speak — my brothers and my friends — about our eternal business. What shall I say to you, my precious brothers — why are we silent about the business of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple? And why do we cast our own foolishnesses as a shadow against such a great light that shines in all the worlds — and even in this physical world it can shine — and even according to the very substance of our physicality it can shine for us — only if we bend our shoulder and drive and thrust our eyes [ulitka einenu — "to drive and thrust our eyes in" — from taka — to drive in, to thrust, to plant with decisive force; the same root as the shofar blast — teki'as shofar; a powerful image of planting the gaze with the decisive force of a stake being driven into the ground] with the eye of truth upon these lights that Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple left for us in their holy books — for they can bring us out from every darkness and deep shadow that presses down upon us — even more than a precious stone. For on the holy Shabbos I studied the Laws of Robbery, law 5 — and today I studied the Laws of Damages, law 3 — and I do not know how to give praise to Hashem Yisbarach for our portion and our lot. And I ask of you to look into these laws — and you will find repose for your nefesh, your ruach, and your neshamah [nefesh, ruach, v'neshamah — the three distinct levels of the Kabbalistic soul: nefesh — the animating life-soul; ruach — the emotional spirit; neshamah — the divine breath-soul; three ascending dimensions of the inner person, not merely synonyms]. And you will know how we must rejoice every single day — and say "how fortunate are we" — a hundred times a day — in great joy. And we have nothing at all to be sad about — since we have merited to be in this holy assembly. And if we are in joy — then all the harsh judgments will be sweetened from upon us — as Rabbainu z"l said: if you will be in joy it is a good thing for the entire world — and for us in particular it will surely be for good. And it is my intention G-d willing G-d willing to be in your holy encampment on the Shabbos of Pesach Sheni G-d willing. And I have asked of you to pray for my wife — for she is not at all on the line of health — for five days now — so that I should not have, G-d forbid, any impediment to my desired journey. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Kedoshim, 5641 (late April 1881), from Teverya. The pre-Passover letter may be lost. Planning to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Pesach Sheni. "How fortunate are we" — a hundred times a day. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter I received through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and it was for me a restoration of the soul — that my brothers and friends received the festival of matzos in joy. So may it be for you and for us on other festivals and pilgrimage-times — and may our joy be drawn upon us for the entire year. # קח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/108/ קח קח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/108 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' קדושים תרמ"א פעה"ק טבריא EN: Your letter I received through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and it was for me a restoration of the soul — that my brothers and friends received the festival of matzos in joy. So may it be for you and for us on other festivals and pilgrimage-times — and may our joy be drawn upon us for the entire year. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו החכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ולכבוד ר' איזיקל נ"י EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that the joy should go and pass through the entire stature of joy — and through this may we merit to confess and pour out our hearts like water before Hashem Yisbarach — on every single detail. And may the light of the face that shines on the three pilgrimage festivals shine upon us — and through this may we merit the luminous faces — and to be saved, G-d forbid, from darkened faces — which is sadness and melancholy — which is from the other side. And every day accept upon yourselves to rejoice — at every moment — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — who warned us greatly about joy. And joy is a vessel for the receiving of the Torah. And now is the time when we are preparing ourselves for the receiving of the Torah — and we must arouse our hearts and count the Omer count in joy and with fresh arousal. For now Hashem Yisbarach wants to complete for us the receiving of the Torah and the fulfillment of the Torah — in the strength of the Tzaddik — who is engaged now primarily in the fulfillment of the Torah and the commandments — at every moment — with fresh ardor — and with a fresh beginning — and everything in joy. And trust in Hashem that He will surely not abandon you — and will provide for you — and will fulfill all your requests for good — in the strength of this Tzaddik — from whom all the flows of abundance go out to all the worlds — and particularly to those who join themselves to him. Segment 3 HE: הנה מכתבכם קבלתי ע"י ר' חיים יהושע נ"י והיה לי למשיבת נפש שאחי ורעי קבלו חג המצות בשמחה כן יהיה לכם ולנו למועדים ולרגלים אחרים ושמחתנו יהיה נמשך עלינו על כל השנה ויזכה אותנו השי"ת שתלך ותעבר השמחה בכל קומת השמחה ונזכה ע"י זה שנוכל להתודות ולשפך לבנו כמים לפני השי"ת על כל פרט ופרט ויאיר עלינו אור הפנים המאיר בשלש רגלים וע"י זה נזכה לאנפין נהירין ולהנצל ח"ו מאנפין חשוכין שהיא עצבות ומרה שחורה שהיא מסטרא אחרא ובכל יום תקבלו עליכם לשמח בכל פעם בכח וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שהזהיר אותנו מאד על השמחה ושמחה היא כלי לקבלות התורה ועתה הוא עת שאנו מכינים עצמנו לקבלות התורה ואנו צריכין לעורר לבבנו ולומר ספירה בשמחה ובהתעוררות חדש כי עתה רוצה השי"ת לגמר ע"ינו קבלות התורה וקיום התורה בכח הצדיק שהוא עוסק עתה עיקר בקיום התורה והמצות בכל עת בחשק חדש ובהתחלה חדשה והכל בשמחה ולבטח בה' שבודאי לא יעזב אתכם ויפרנס אתכם וימלא כל משאלותיכם לטובה בכח זה הצדיק אשר ממנו הולכין כל ההשפעות לכל העולמות ובפרט להנלוים אליו EN: More news — Hashem Yisbarach renews every day continuously the work of creation [mechadesh b'chol yom tamid ma'aseh bereishis — the exact words of the morning liturgy: "Who renews every day continuously the work of creation" — from the blessing before the Shema; the writer closes with this liturgical formula as a teaching: there is always new creation, always renewal — for good] — for good. Segment 4 HE: יותר חדשות השי"ת מחדש בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית לטובה EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you — interceding and beseeching on your behalf and on behalf of your household, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda z"l — of blessed memory — from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת מעתיר בעדכם ובעד בני ביתכם EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Kedoshim, 5641 (late April 1881), from Teverya. Joy as a vessel for receiving Torah. The Omer count. All abundance flows from the Tzaddik. Segment 6 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/109/ קט קט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/109 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' אמר תרמ"א פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Last night I received a letter from my son Aizik, may his candle shine — and within it enclosed a bill of exchange from a certain person — for he received from him from the money that he wanted — and he lent him a favor — one rendel as a free loan — so that it should arrive in my hand before Passover — so that I should have something for Passover. And now more than a month has passed — and he still has not given it to me. And he has done him a kindness — for he had nothing for the expenses of the journey to the Holy Land — and he wants to repay evil for good, G-d forbid. And in the receipt-note it is written: if he does not pay me immediately — then I have the authority to go to the local court — and they will give me a lien to the trustees — that they give me from his new monthly payment. And why should he have such a disgrace? For mountain does not meet mountain — but person does meet person. And perhaps it will happen another time — and this will close the door before borrowers. Therefore I warn him and spur him with alacrity to settle with me immediately — for I cannot write my son a receipt — and because of this I am not writing him any letter to my son, may his candle shine — and they are awaiting my letters. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ כאהבת אב לבן יקיר כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו שיחיו ולאו"נ באמת ובתמים מו"ה ר' איזיקל נ"י EN: And I have greatly asked of you for the sake of my wife, may she live — for she is not at all in good health — and she wants to escort me to Tzfas, may it be established — and to be with us together for the celebration of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai — and may her weakness not be, G-d forbid, an impediment to my journey to Rabbainu z"l for Rosh Hashana — for this is the main purpose of my journey: to be by Rosh Hashana at the master of the field — who is engaged in the repair of the souls of the dead and the living. And he said that even one who cannot repair himself the entire year — at Rosh Hashana can repair — whoever comes to him. Segment 3 HE: הנה בלילה קבלתי מכתב מבני איזיק נ"י ובתוכו רצוף וועקסיל מר' איך שקבל אצלו ממעות שרצה ושלח לי ולוה לו גמילות חסד אחד רענדל בכדי שיגיע לידי קדם פסח בכדי שיהיה לי על פסח ועתה עבר יותר מחדש ימים ועדין לא נתן לי והוא עשה לו טובה כי לא היו לו על הוצאות לארץ הקודש והוא רוצה לשלם ח"ו רעה תחת טובה ובהקוויטל נכתב שאם לא ישלם לי תכף אזי יש לי כח בידי לילך להבית דין דשם והם יתנו לי עקול להממנים שיתנו לי ממעות חדש שלו ולמה לו בזיון כזה כי טורא בטורא לא פגע ואיניש באיניש פגע ואפשר יזדמן עוד הפעם ויהיה נעילת דלת בפני לווין ע"כ אני מזהיר אותו ומזרז אותו תכף לסלק לי כי אין אני יכול לכתוב לבני קבלה ומחמת זה אין אני כתב לו שום מכתב לבני נ"י והם מצפים על מכתבי EN: On both this and that — because of the brevity of the opportunity from the wagon — I was brief — and I say shalom to you and to all the Anash — with strong love. Segment 4 HE: ומאד בקשתי מכם עבור זוג' תח' כי אינה בקו הבריאה מאד והיא רוצה ללוות אותי לצפת תו"ת ותהיה עמנו יחד על הלולא דרבי שמעון בר יוחאי ולא ח"ו חלשתה מניעה לנסיעתי לרבנו ז"ל על ר"ה כי זה עיקר נסיעתי שאהיה על ר"ה אצל בעל השדה אשר הוא בתקון נשמת המתים והחיים ואמר שאפילו מי שאינו יכול לתקן אותו כל השנה בר"ה יכול לתקן מי שיבא אליו EN: Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: זו"ז מחמת קצר הפנאי מהשירה קצרתי ואמר שלום לכם ולכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Emor, 5641 (early May 1881), from Teverya. An overdue bill of exchange. The wife wants to escort him to Meron. The master of the field — Rosh Hashana. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 107 | Kuf-Zayin Segment 6 HE: ידידכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 107 | Kuf-Zayin # יא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/11/ יא יא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/11 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' בא תרל"ו פעה"ק טבריא EN: Tuesday, the Torah portion of Bo [Parshas Bo — "Come" — the portion recounting the final three plagues and the first Passover; it falls in late January or early February], 5636 [= early 1876 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי באמת ובתמים הלא הוא המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט אכי"ר והשי"ת ירפא אותו מכל תחלואיו ותזכו לגדלו לתורה ולחפה ולמעשים טובים בלי שום יסורים רק ברב נחת EN: To the honor of my truly beloved — and beloved in wholeness [באמת ובתמים — two distinct and equal qualities of love: be'emes — in truth, without pretense; u'vsomim — in wholeness, in undivided completeness, with no reservation held back; both words carry full independent weight] — why, it is none other than the wondrous one himself, the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with his wife, may she live, and his son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may he live — for length of days and good years — Omain Kain Yehi Ratzon. And may Hashem Yisbarach heal him from all his ailments, and may you merit to raise him to Torah, to the wedding canopy [חפה — chupah — the traditional blessing for children: "to Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good deeds"], and to good deeds — without any suffering whatsoever, only with abundant nachas [ברב נחת — the deep satisfaction and joy a parent feels from a child walking in good paths]. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום בלי שום צער כלל רק זוג' תח' אינה בקו הבריאה כי יש לה הוסט וב"ה היה ערך חמשה ימים שהקל חליה ועכשו עוד הפעם נתגברה עליה אך להשי"ת הבטחון שבודאי ירחם עלי ועליה בתוך כל חולי עמו ישראל וישלח לה ולהם רפואה שלמה חיש מהר EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — here all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace without any trouble whatsoever — only my wife, may she live, is not in good health, for she has a cough [הוסט — der hust — Yiddish: the cough]. And blessed be G-d, there have been approximately five days in which the weight of her illness was lightened [שהקל חליה — she'hikel chol'yah — literally "that her illness was made lighter" — the image is of the illness as a crushing weight that was briefly lifted from her] — and now it has once again gained strength over her. But in Hashem is the bitachon — surely He will have mercy on me and on her, in the midst of all the sick of His people Israel — and send her and them a complete healing, swiftly and soon. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך בצרוף מכתב מר' יוסף קבלתי לנכון ואנו אין יכולין לעזר לר' יוסף כלל רק לבקש רחמים עליו כי יש לנו בכאן ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י והוא יושב על התורה ועבודה יומם ולילה והוא באמת ירא שמים והוא עני ואביון גדול ואצלו יושב הגר הצדק באמת וג"כ אביון ואין לו מה לאכול ואין אחד מהעיר שואל מהיכן הם חיים ובפרט כשאנו לומדים יחד ובודאי הבע"ד אינו יכול לסבל וגם עוד שני שבועות אין להם עוד דירה לשבת ואין להם פרוטה על הדירה וע"כ יש לנו דאגה מהם כי צריכין עכ"פ להחיות בלחם ומים ודירה EN: Your letter together with the enclosed letter from Reb Yosef — I received properly. And we are unable to help Reb Yosef at all, except to request mercy for him. For we have here with us our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and he sits upon Torah and service [על התורה ועבודה — from Pirkei Avos: "the world stands upon three things — Torah, service, and acts of loving-kindness"] day and night, and he is truly G-d-fearing, and he is a great pauper and destitute. And with him sits the righteous convert — truly [באמת — the writer emphasizes: a genuinely, completely righteous convert] — and he too is destitute, and has nothing to eat. And not one person in the city asks from where they live. And particularly when we — Reb Kalman and I — study together [the "we" refers to the writer and Reb Kalman; it is precisely during their joint Torah study that the adversarial force is stirred most intensely against them] — surely the accuser [הבע"ד — ha'ba'al din — "the one who has a case against us" — the prosecuting angel, the spiritual adversary] is unable to bear it. And also in another two weeks they will have no dwelling to live in — and they have not a penny toward the rent. Therefore we have great worry for them — for at the very minimum they must be kept alive with bread and water and a place to live. Segment 5 HE: וזה אין דואג כי אם אני ואחותי תח' והיא אינה עשירה להניח בראשה שני תפלין כי היא יושבת אלמנה ואמי תח' אצלה והיא יושבת יומם ולילה ומקבלת אצל אחרים צמר גפן וקולעת אחד אנסי בעד 20 פאריס ומזה וממעט הפריצענט היא מפרנסת ונותנת ב"ה צדקה יותר מכחה EN: And this — no one worries except I and my sister, may she live. And she is not wealthy enough to afford two head-tefillin [an idiom meaning she cannot afford even two basic expenses at once; she can barely cover her own needs] — for she sits as a widow, and my mother, may she live, is with her. And she sits day and night, and receives cotton wool from others to spin — and braids one ansi [a measured unit of braided or woven work] for 20 parises [small coins]. And from this and from a small amount of interest [פריצענט — protzent — Yiddish from the German Prozent: interest income from a small sum lent out] she sustains herself — and gives, blessed be G-d, charity beyond her means. Segment 6 HE: ובפרט עתה כשיש עלינו אלו העניים ההגונים אין אנו יכולין לקבל דבר אחר כי אני בודאי השי"ת יודע האמת שכל מה שאני עשה בודאי הוא יותר מכחי כי אני ממש מחלק עם פי וגם היא אין בכחה למלאת בקשתי והוא כתב שרוצה לנסע לכאן והוא שטות גדול כי היכן יקבל ההוצאה אין אני יכול לעזר לו רק להתפלל עליו שהשי"ת ירחם עליו וירחיב לו ואנו יודעין כי בודאי מצוה גדולה לעזר לו אך אין אנו יכולין השי"ת שיש לו רחמים רבים ירחם עליו ועל ב"ב וימתיק מעליהם עניותו הגדולה EN: And particularly now, when we have these worthy paupers upon us — we are unable to take on anything else. For I — surely Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — everything I do is surely beyond my strength. For I literally share from my very own mouth [אני ממש מחלק עם פי — "I literally divide from my mouth" — the food he puts to his own lips he divides with them; an image of the most intimate and extreme generosity]. And she too — it is beyond her strength to fulfill my requests. And Reb Yosef wrote that he wishes to travel here — and that is a great foolishness. For where would he obtain the travel costs? I am unable to help him, only to pray for him that Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him and expand his circumstances. And we know that surely it is a great mitzvah to help him — but we are unable. May Hashem Yisbarach, Who has great mercies, have mercy on him and on the members of his household and sweeten away from them their great poverty. Segment 7 HE: וגם מה שכתבת שב"ה אתה וזוג' ובנך נ"י ב"ה הם יושבים על שלחן השי"ת יתן שיהיה בשעה מצלחת ובמז"ט וישגיח עליכם השי"ת בהשגחתו השלמה בעינא פקיחא ויתן לכם השי"ת פרנסה ברוח ויצליחך ויתן ברכה והצלחה וישפיע עליך חסדו הגדול שתהיה מלאכתך נעשית ע"י אחרים ואתה כהן ה' תקרא שתעשה המלאכה EN: And also regarding what you wrote — that blessed be G-d, you and your wife and your son, may his candle shine, are, blessed be G-d, sitting at the table [יושבים על שלחן — earning a livelihood; the table as a symbol of provision and sustenance] — may Hashem Yisbarach grant that it be in a fortunate hour and with a good omen. And may Hashem Yisbarach watch over you with His complete providence, with an open eye [בעינא פקיחא — Aramaic from the Zohar: G-d's watchful, protective, benevolent gaze — the highest level of divine attention]. And may Hashem Yisbarach give you livelihood with ease [פרנסה ברוח — "livelihood in a spirit of ease" — flowing freely, without struggle], and grant you success, and give blessing and flourishing, and pour upon you His great kindness — so that your work shall be done through others, and you shall be called a "priest of Hashem" [Isaiah 61:6], to do the sacred service [המלאכה — the sacred avodah — Torah and prayer — which is the true work, done while others attend to the material]. Segment 8 HE: ועתה בודאי אין שום עצה רק לקבע עתים לתורה ולתפילה ולהרבות בתפילה על כל פרט ופרט ולהיות בשמחה ואל תדאגו כלל רק השי"ת יהיה בעזרך ויפרנס אותך בסבה קלה ותתחיל מחדש לעסק בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בקביעות בכל יום ושם תמצא מרגוע לנפשך כי מה אמר לך אחי ידידי בכל עת שאני לומד אותם אני מטיל עצמי בג"ע כי אני אתמול למדתי התורה תקעו והלכות חל המועד הלכה ד' בחלק ג' בלילה צעקתי אפשר מאה פעמים לעצמי הנהיה כדבר הגדול או הנשמע כמהו הכלל מה אוכל לכתוב לך על פני השדה ועל פני הכתב EN: And now — surely there is no counsel except to set fixed times [לקבע עתים — likboa itim — inviolable, regular, established times; a foundational obligation in Jewish law and Breslov practice] for Torah and for prayer, and to multiply prayer on every single detail, and to be in joy — and do not worry at all. Only Hashem Yisbarach will be your help and will sustain you through a simple and easy means. And begin afresh to engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple regularly, every single day — and there you will find rest for your soul. For what can I tell you, my brother, my friend? At all times when I study them I cast myself into the Garden of Eden [אני מטיל עצמי בג"ע — Gan Eden — paradise; the books open the gates of the spiritual paradise the soul yearns for]. For yesterday I studied the Torah Tik'u [תקעו — "Sound the shofar!" — a specific Torah of Rabbainu ז"ל in Likutay Moharan] and the Laws of Chol HaMoed, Law 4 in Part 3 [of Likutay Halachos, Orach Chaim] — and at night I cried out to myself perhaps a hundred times: "Has such a great thing ever been? Has the like of it ever been heard?" [הנהיה כדבר הגדול הזה — an echo of Deuteronomy 4:32-33 — Moshe's cry of wonder at Sinai; the writer applies it to these words of Torah] The general truth is — what can I write to you on the face of the open field and on the face of the written page? Segment 9 HE: ותפב"ש למעני לידידי ר' איזיק נ"י ותאמר לו כשהייתי בצפת דברתי עמו שילמד בקביעות הספרים הנ"ל ועתה כתב אני מחמת אהבתו הגדולה הנקבע בלבי שיקבע זמן זמנים טובא עליהם ובודאי ינצל מעקמימות הלב ויזכה לישרות לב באמת ויהיו ידו ולבו לאל אמונה ואמונה היא תפילה נסים א"י שמירת הברית ובזה כלול הכל ובכל עת תמצא עצות חדשות איך ללחם מלחמות ה' כי עליהם נאמר בתחבלות תעשה מלחמה ואני איני רוצה להיות כי אם סרסור אצלכם לקנות סחורות טובות ויפות כאלו ובודאי תרויחו כי כל מי שקנה מהסחורות האלו בין מעט בין הרבה הרויח כל אחד כפי המסחר ואני רוצה שאהבי נפשי כמוכם תסחרו הרבה מזה הסחורה וגם לידידי מו"ה נתן חתן ר' יקותיאל הצדיק תקבלו ג"כ בשתפות כי הוא יכול לראות מה שאביו ז"ל וחמיו הרויחו מזה הסחורה בעולם ע"י הספרים רק השי"ת יאריך ימיכם ושנותיכם בטוב ובנעימים EN: And please convey greetings of peace on my behalf [תפב"ש — an imperative of love: "you should convey"] to my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And say to him: when I was in Tzfas I spoke with him — that he should study the said books regularly. And now I write — on account of the great love for him engraved in my heart — that he should set many, many good times for them [זמן זמנים טובא — the word is repeated and the Aramaic tava — "many/good" — is appended: an emphatic, almost incantatory insistence]. And surely he will be saved from crookedness of heart [עקמימות הלב — the twisting of the heart away from truth; a specific Breslov concept for the distortion caused by the adversarial forces and one's own failings] and will merit to true straightness of heart. And his hand and his heart will be faithful to G-d. And faith — emunah — is prayer, miracles, the holiness of Eretz Yisroel, and the guarding of the bris [ואמונה היא תפילה נסים א"י שמירת הברית — a compressed statement of Breslov teaching: emunah is the single root from which all these flow; they are not separate things but aspects of one living reality] — and in this all is included. And at all times you will find new counsel on how to wage the wars of Hashem — for of them it is said: "by stratagem shall you make war" [Proverbs 24:6]. And I wish to be nothing but a broker for you [סרסור — a middleman, a commercial agent; the writer as the one who brings fine goods to the buyer] — to purchase good and beautiful merchandise such as this. And surely you will profit. For everyone who purchased any of these goods — whether little or much — profited, each one according to his trading. And I want my beloved souls — like you — to trade much of this merchandise. And also include our friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun, son-in-law of Reb Yekusiel the Tzaddik — include him too in the partnership. For he is able to see what his father ז"ל and his father-in-law profited from this merchandise in the world — through the books. May Hashem Yisbarach only lengthen your days and your years in goodness and pleasantness. Segment 10 HE: דברי הכותב באהבה החפץ הצלחתכם בזה ובבא EN: Words of the writer, with love, who desires your success in this world and in the World to Come, Segment 11 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Bo, 5636 (early 1876), from Teverya. Three interwoven threads: the desperate poverty of Reb Kalman and the convert; the recipient's new livelihood; and the teaching of the merchandise metaphor and the faith-root. Segment 12 HE: ולפרס לידידנו ותיק וחסיד ירא אלהים ר' נחום זלמן בן עלקא ולכתוב לי החולאת שלו EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 13 HE: ועתה באתי לבקש ממך ידידי אהבי איך שכתבתי לך להודיע לי אם לא היה איזה ידיעה לידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י מבנו מברסלב מכח הפאשפארט שלו ששלח לקאמניץ איך ומה כי יש לנו יסורים גדולים ובפרט זוג' תח' מבנה יצחק נ"י איך שבברסלב היה בשנה זו מכח 20 ואחד שנים אך שיש לו פאשפארט מוואלחיי כאשר אתה יודע ואין לנו שום מכתב מהם או אפשר יודע ר' אבא נכד ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י מי ומי ההולכים מברסלב לשאל לו ולבקש מאתו להודיע לי ולא לומר כלל מבני רק בסתם אני מבקש אותו להודיע אפשר הוא יודע EN: And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to our friend, the veteran Chassid, G-d-fearing — Reb Nachem Zalman son of Alka [his father's name — a woman's name, meaning he may have been known by his mother's name, as was sometimes the custom] — and write to me about his illness. Segment 14 HE: וגם מה זה שמחמיך נ"י אין לנו שום מכתב מבנו גיסך מו"ה משה נ"י להחיות נפשנו או אפשר ידידנו ר' דב שוחט ובודק נ"י היה לו איזה מכתב מברסלב ואפשר כתבו לו מי ומי ההולכים אולי תח' נפשנו כי זוג' אשר חלשתה כך עוד בוכה ומיללת ומפחדת מבנה יצחק נ"י ע"כ תחקר בזה ותכתב לי וגם מחמיך אולי יהיה לכם איזה מכתב איך ומה לכתוב לי כי אצלי נסגרו כל הפאסטין הן מאחי והן מבני שיחיו והן מאהבי באמת כי מפ' עקב לא ראיתי שום מכתב כי אם זה המכתב קטן שכתב גיסך במוצאי שבת בראשית וממש כלתה מזה ובפרט חיות זוג' תח' השי"ת יעזור לך שתהיה שליח טוב לבשר לנו בשורות טובות EN: And now I have come to request of you, my beloved friend: as I wrote to you — let me know whether our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, has any news from his son from Breslov regarding his passport that was sent to Kamenitz — how and what. For we have great suffering — and particularly my wife, may she live, on account of her son Yitzchak, may his candle shine. For in Breslov this year there was a conscription of those who are twenty-one years old — but he has a passport from Wallachia, as you know. And we have no letter from them whatsoever. Or perhaps Reb Abba, grandson of Reb Chaim Kresh, may his candle shine, knows — who and who are going from Breslov — and ask him and request of him to let me know. And do not mention my son at all — only in general terms I ask him to inform me — perhaps he knows. Segment 15 HE: וגם תכתב לי אופן מעמדך על שלחנך מאיזה סבה היתה זאת ותדון את אביך ואמך לכף זכות וגם זוג' תדון אותם ג"כ לכף זכות וגם אותך ג"כ תדון לכף זכות ותכריע הכל לכף זכות ובזכות זה ישפיע עליך השי"ת כט"ס EN: And also — what is this that from your father-in-law, may his candle shine, we have no letter whatsoever from his son — your brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine — to give life to our souls? Or perhaps our friend Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner, may his candle shine, has some letter from Breslov — and perhaps they wrote to him who and who are going? Perhaps this will revive our souls [אולי תח' נפשנו — "perhaps it will give life to our souls" — the same word tichyeh used for the prayer that a person should live, applied here to their souls' desperate need for news]. For my wife, who is already so weakened, weeps and wails and is terrified on account of her son Yitzchak, may his candle shine. Therefore inquire into this and write to me. And also regarding your father-in-law — perhaps you will have some letter — how and what — write to me. For to me all the postal routes have been closed — both from my brother and from my sons, may they live, and from my true beloved. For since the Torah portion of Eikev I have seen no letter whatsoever — except this one small letter that your brother-in-law wrote on the night after Shabbos Bereishis. And truly my soul — and particularly the life and vitality of my wife, may she live — is entirely spent from this [ממש כלתה מזה ובפרט חיות זוג' תח' — "truly spent from this — and particularly the very life of my wife, may she live" — the word chiyus — "life-force, vitality" — indicates that the absence of news is literally extinguishing her life-force; mammash kaltah — "truly consumed" — the writer's own soul is also spent, but his wife's very life is the greater concern]. May Hashem Yisbarach help you to be a good agent and bring us good tidings. And also write to me the circumstances of your situation at your table — from what cause did this come about. And judge your father and your mother to the side of merit [לדון לכף זכות — to seek and find the most charitable interpretation of their actions; a fundamental principle of Jewish ethics and Breslov teaching alike]. And also your wife — let her judge them too to the side of merit. And also judge yourself to the side of merit [self-judgment toward merit is equally important — excessive self-condemnation is itself a spiritual failing]. And tip the entire scale to the side of merit [ותכריע הכל לכף זכות — actively press the whole balance to the favorable side; not merely passive interpretation but a deliberate act of will]. And in the merit of this, Hashem Yisbarach will pour upon you the fullness of good. # קי URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/110/ קי קי Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/110 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום במדבר תרמ"א באראט לכבוד או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו נ"י לאיוש"ט אכי"ר הנה באתי ב"ה לפה בשלום והיו לי נסים גדולים אך אין לי פנאי לכתוב מחמת טרדות הספינה מחמת שאין אני יכול לתת עצות בנפשי מחמת שיש שתי ספינות אחד מרוסיא ואחד מאוסטרייך הספינה מרוסיא עולה שני לירוס פראנציס והשניה עולה יותר משני לירוס טערקיס אך הספינה מרוסיא הולכת אל אלכסנדריא ויהיה אפשר ביום שבת שני שבועות בסטאמביל רק עצתי קרובה לנסע על הספינה מאוסטרייך הגם שאין לי כ"כ על הוצאות רק השי"ת בזכות רבנו ז"ל בודאי יעזור לי השי"ת ואני מבקש מאתכם ומאת כל מאהבי נפשי מאנ"ש להתפלל עלי שיעביר אותי בשלום למחוז חפצנו אשר אנו משתוקקים בכל עת על זה ויותר מזה אי"ה אכתב לכם באריכות בבאי למקומי לבני נ"י לשלום דברי אוהבך נתן מברסלב EN: I have arrived blessed be G-d here in peace — and I had great miracles — but I have no leisure to write because of the pressures of the ship — for I cannot give counsel within my own soul — for there are two ships: one from Russia and one from Austria. The Russian ship costs two liras Francis — and the second costs more than two Turkish liras. But the Russian ship goes to Alexandria — and possibly will be two Shabboses in Istanbul. But my counsel leans toward traveling on the Austrian ship — even though I do not have so much for expenses. But Hashem Yisbarach — in the merit of Rabbainu z"l — will surely help me. And I ask of you and of all who love my soul — of the Anash — to pray for me — that He bring me across in peace to the destination of our desire — which we yearn for at all times. And more than this — G-d willing I will write to you at length when I come to my place — to my son, may his candle shine — in peace. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Bemidbar, 5641 (late May 1881), from Barat (Beirut). Two ships — Russia or Austria. Pray that I arrive safely at the destination of our yearning. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I will tell you all the kindnesses of Hashem that He performed with me — and all of my journey was "in distress You relieved me" — and with great miracles I crossed over the sea and the land. And I give thanks to Hashem at all times — with thanksgiving and acknowledgment [b'todah hodaah — two distinct and deliberately doubled words: todah — thanksgiving; and hodaah — acknowledgment, the act of formally recognizing and admitting G-d's goodness; together they form a doubled and intensified expression: thanksgiving-acknowledgment in one complete act]. And nearly all four categories of those who must give thanks passed over me. For at the beginning of my journey from your holy encampment — I had great suffering — for in the wagon was the Jewish driver known as Chaim — and he said to me: because I did not want to travel with him but only with the non-Jew — for Shmuel son of Chana told him that I do not want to travel with him or with any Jewish driver — only with the non-Jew — because of this he will take revenge on me. And he disgraced me with every kind of humiliation. Even so — through those humiliations he performed for me several good things — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l: that through humiliations and the public shaming that pours out one's blood [shefichas damim — "pouring out of blood" — a Talmudic concept: public shaming causes the blood to drain from the face, which is halachically likened to bloodshed; Rabbainu z"l teaches that both humiliations and this kind of shaming lead one to repentance] — one merits repentance. And also in the name that he called me — Breslov dog — and in so doing he reminded me that I am a Breslover — and I was subsumed and encompassed within the name of Rabbainu z"l. This is one. And the second — as there was some mountain — both on the ascent and on the descent — I was compelled to walk on foot. And I walked on Sunday for approximately five hours on foot — until I came to Terzinbah — until my entire body became heated. And immediately when I arrived at the overnight lodging I came to such a fever that I fainted from the heat — and my entire body burned continuously — burned like fire ablaze [kiyked yikod aish — the biblical intensified infinitive-absolute construction: "burning — it burned like fire" — the doubling of the verb root expresses ceaseless, unbroken burning; from Ezekiel 24:10 and related contexts; not a single burning but a continuous unrelenting flame] — and I could not feel any limb. And the entire night I burned — burned like fire ablaze — and I did not eat and did not drink — only I was as one who had fainted. And it was like this until three hours into the day — until it was in my mind to turn back to your holy encampment. And also the people of the wagon took firm hold of this position [achazu — "they seized, they took firm hold" — from achaz — to seize, to grip firmly; they had a firm grip on the assessment that he should be returned] — to return me — for they regarded me as a wretched, pitiable person. And then they told me: it is still a whole Eretz Yisroel until Sidon. But Hashem Yisbarach — in His abundant mercies — on that very day — returned my strength to me — and I traveled on the donkey — even though I had no strength at all. Until Friday night — after prayer — when I drank wine for kiddush — immediately I had great vomiting beyond all measure. And this was the completion of the healing. And then I came to Barat and stayed at the inn of Reb Yaakov — as our friend the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, wrote him a letter to draw me close. And "he drew me close" — so that all the people who stayed with Reb Betzalel gave two Napoleon coins for the ship — and he took from me two Turkish liras. And all the people who stayed with the above-mentioned Reb Betzalel did not pay for the lodging — but I stayed with him for approximately five hours and he took from me lodging fees of two groshen. And also my wife gave me a little borshht — and I tasted only one spoonful — for I could not eat it — for it had no flavor at all. And then he charged me seventy paras for the borshht. And then he added sin to transgression [hosif chet al pesha — a direct biblical citation from Job 34:37: "he adds transgression to his sin" — the phrase for someone who compounds one wrong upon another] — and gave me debased change [izdatziye — Yiddish-Russian: the small change given back; from Russian sdacha — change returned from a payment; specifically the problematic small-denomination coins the innkeeper passed off on him] from the Meizhide — paras that circulate in Barat — two and a half for four groshen — and I did not want to accept them — for perhaps they do not circulate everywhere. And he told me they circulate throughout all of Turkey. And in the end I had not a single coin for expenses — and I was compelled to use them. This is how that murderer "drew me close" — and I have no grievance, G-d forbid, against Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — for he certainly thought he was doing me a good. And blessed be G-d that I crossed the sea in peace. And then I came to Galatz on the eve of the Shavuos festival in the morning — and immediately the captain stood to examine the passport — and there were two of us — and he said that he will not allow us into the city with our belongings — because the passport had already expired — and he will send us back on the ship to Istanbul. But it was a miracle for me that we had a passport from Wallachia — for three people who had Turkish passports — he returned them back to Istanbul before our very eyes. And I and the second who traveled with me were detained for approximately eight hours — and he led us with a soldier to the police — and there too we stood for approximately three hours — and then they let us free. And we spent the Shavuos festival in Galatz. And on Sunday I wanted to travel by train — and the train does not go — because there the water had flooded all the bridges — and even the iron bridges — for since after Passover not a single day had passed there without great rains. And we were compelled to hire a wagon — and it came to a large sum. And then we were compelled to cross the water by small boat — and that too cost seven francs. And I did not have enough for expenses. And blessed be G-d — Hashem Yisbarach arranged for me in Galatz a certain man — who sent with me fifteen francs to my wife in Teiteira. And this was a great good for me on the road — no one knew me — until I arrived here. And blessed be G-d — I arrived here on the night before the day — and it happened that there was a circumcision — and there was a vigil night at the home of a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Ze'ev, may his candle shine. And there were present my brother Michl, may his candle shine, and my brother Ze'ev, may his candle shine, and my son Aizik, may his candle shine. And we feasted at length on the spiritual feast of the teachings of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple [ha'se'udah me'Rabbainu z"l — "the feast of Rabbainu z"l" — se'udah specifically means a meal, a feast; the gathering around Torah-talk is described as a spiritual feast, a banquet of holy words — not merely "the precious things" but a full meal of teaching] — and we sat the entire night until the light of morning. For it was worthwhile — all the jolting and shaking of my journey [ha'tiltelim — "the jolting and shaking about" — from tiltel — to shake violently, to toss, to uproot; the specific physical jolting of a difficult journey — being shaken and tossed along rough roads; more vivid than merely "hardships"] — to be gathered together to speak of such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And the life-force that we had from those precious and pleasant words — more precious than gold and fine gold and pearls — and there is no name at all by which to describe the essential inestimable preciousness of the greatness of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — they give life to the soul. And through the counsels of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — I always found the business prospering. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Beha'aloscha, 5641 (June 1881), from Teiteira. A vivid account of the entire journey: humiliation, near-fatal fever, miraculous healing, eight hours detained by police, flooded railway bridges, arriving to a circumcision vigil. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I will tell you of the kindnesses of Hashem that He performed with me — and with my daughter Adel, may she live — together with peace upon her husband Morainu v'Rabbainu Zeidel — that I merited, blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — that I and my brothers and my son and my grandson, may his candle shine — were present together at the redemption of the firstborn son — this past Friday eve of Shabbos of the Torah portion of Shelach. And blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — we fulfilled the commandment in great joy. And my son-in-law and my daughter brought their son in great joy — and they gave the priest twenty francs. And in those three hours that we were there by my daughter, may she live, at the redemption of the firstborn son — we spoke many precious and pleasant and precious things from Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And there were many people present — not from the Anash. And from the great joy — I strengthened myself in heart — and was not ashamed to speak before them of the splendor of the holiness of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple. And how many Torah teachings I spoke with them — and the words of Rabbainu z"l entered their hearts — and also entered well into our own hearts. And there was direct light and reflected light. And I write to you — do not forget the love of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — even for a single moment. And rejoice at all times — that we had such a Rebbe who labors at all times to repair our souls. And we must believe in his great power — and strengthen ourselves at all times in his merit — and begin at all times anew to draw close to him and to his holy books — and each person should speak with his companion at all times from the holy and pleasant delicacies which give life to our souls — with the seven restorers of flavor. And they are the utterances of Hashem — pure utterances — for through these holy waters that flow from the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — one can purify all the impure — from impurity itself — from impurity to purity — in truth. And blessed be G-d — every day I speak from the cherished treasuries of Rabbainu z"l. And as Hashem Yisbarach has merited me to be present at the joy of loosening a mute's tongue and loosening the tongue of the barren woman — so may Hashem Yisbarach merit me to be present at the joys of the visitation of your wives to conception — and the births of your wives — for good — quickly and soon. And I have greatly asked of your honor to write to me in the city of Teiteira — every two weeks — letters — until the first of Elul. And write to me about your health and your household — and about your father — and about your co-parent-in-law — and about the wedding of a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. And also write to me about my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — all their welfare — to give life to my soul. And G-d willing — when I have a letter from you — and there will be an arousal from below — then G-d willing I will expand the speech on the business we have from the fellowship-partnership between us in the eternal business that Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple left for us. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda Leib z"l And let all the Anash pray for me — that I merit to see your faces. And greetings of peace to the patron Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and G-d willing when the wedding takes place — say to him on my behalf: congratulations, congratulations! And write to me whether the receipt-note for the thousand groshen has been exchanged. And also when did my wife travel home in peace. And I ask of your honor to write to me almost every week — letters — until the first of Elul — to Teiteira. And then write to me to Uman — so that it reaches my hand before Rosh Hashana in Uman. And surely G-d willing when I receive a letter from you — I will surely write to you as well. And fulfill your promise to me — and write to me at all times about my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — for I greatly pine and yearn to hear of your welfare and of their welfare — in life and in peace. And I have still not written a letter to Bucharest — for I have still not sat in a settled place — for I am traveling from place to place. And surely G-d willing I will write to you. Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Korach, 5641 (June 1881), from the village of Drimzest. The pidyon ha'ben of Adel's son — the child born after so many prayers. Teaching on Torah as purifying waters. Planning for Rosh Hashana in Uman. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קיא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/111/ קיא קיא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/111 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' בהעלותך תרמ"א פה טייטרא EN: I will tell you all the kindnesses of Hashem that He performed with me — and all of my journey was "in distress You relieved me" — and with great miracles I crossed over the sea and the land. And I give thanks to Hashem at all times — with thanksgiving and acknowledgment [b'todah hodaah — two distinct and deliberately doubled words: todah — thanksgiving; and hodaah — acknowledgment, the act of formally recognizing and admitting G-d's goodness; together they form a doubled and intensified expression: thanksgiving-acknowledgment in one complete act]. And nearly all four categories of those who must give thanks passed over me. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה ר' נתן נ"י ועם שלום בנו הנחמד מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ולאו"נ מו"ה יצחק איזיק נ"י EN: For at the beginning of my journey from your holy encampment — I had great suffering — for in the wagon was the Jewish driver known as Chaim — and he said to me: because I did not want to travel with him but only with the non-Jew — for Shmuel son of Chana told him that I do not want to travel with him or with any Jewish driver — only with the non-Jew — because of this he will take revenge on me. And he disgraced me with every kind of humiliation. Even so — through those humiliations he performed for me several good things — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l: that through humiliations and the public shaming that pours out one's blood [shefichas damim — "pouring out of blood" — a Talmudic concept: public shaming causes the blood to drain from the face, which is halachically likened to bloodshed; Rabbainu z"l teaches that both humiliations and this kind of shaming lead one to repentance] — one merits repentance. And also in the name that he called me — Breslov dog — and in so doing he reminded me that I am a Breslover — and I was subsumed and encompassed within the name of Rabbainu z"l. This is one. Segment 3 HE: הנה באתי לכאן ביום ו' עש"ק פ' נשא ואספר לכם כל נסיעתי והכל היה בצר הרחבת לי ובנסים גדולים עברתי על הים ועל היבשה ואני מודה לה' בכל עת בתודה הודאה ועבר כמעט עלי כל הארבעה הצריכין להודות הינו בתחלת נסיעתי ממחנכם קדוש היו לי יסורים כי היו בשירא המיקער הנקרא חיים הידוע ואמר לי בעבור שלא רציתי לנסע עמו רק עם הערל כי שמואל בן חנה ספר לו שאני איני רוצה לנסע עמו ועם שום מיקער יהודי רק עם הערל בעבור זה ינקם בי ובזה אותי בכל מיני בזיונות הגם שבאלו הבזיונות עשה לי כמה טובות כפי המבאר בדברי רבנו ז"ל שע"י בזיונות ושפיכת דמים זוכין לתשובה וגם בהשם שקרא לי ברסלבר כלב ובתוך כך הזכיר אותי שאני ברסלבר ונכללתי בשם רבנו ז"ל זוהי אחת EN: And the second — as there was some mountain — both on the ascent and on the descent — I was compelled to walk on foot. And I walked on Sunday for approximately five hours on foot — until I came to Terzinbah — until my entire body became heated. And immediately when I arrived at the overnight lodging I came to such a fever that I fainted from the heat — and my entire body burned continuously — burned like fire ablaze [kiyked yikod aish — the biblical intensified infinitive-absolute construction: "burning — it burned like fire" — the doubling of the verb root expresses ceaseless, unbroken burning; from Ezekiel 24:10 and related contexts; not a single burning but a continuous unrelenting flame] — and I could not feel any limb. And the entire night I burned — burned like fire ablaze — and I did not eat and did not drink — only I was as one who had fainted. And it was like this until three hours into the day — until it was in my mind to turn back to your holy encampment. And also the people of the wagon took firm hold of this position [achazu — "they seized, they took firm hold" — from achaz — to seize, to grip firmly; they had a firm grip on the assessment that he should be returned] — to return me — for they regarded me as a wretched, pitiable person. And then they told me: it is still a whole Eretz Yisroel until Sidon. But Hashem Yisbarach — in His abundant mercies — on that very day — returned my strength to me — and I traveled on the donkey — even though I had no strength at all. Until Friday night — after prayer — when I drank wine for kiddush — immediately I had great vomiting beyond all measure. And this was the completion of the healing. Segment 4 HE: והשניה איך שהיה איזה הר הן בעליה והן בירידה הכרחתי לילך רגלי והלכתי ביום ראשון ערך חמש שעות רגלי עד שבאתי לטערזינבה עד שנתחמם כל גופי ותכף כשבאתי על לינת לילה באתי לחמימות כזה עד שנתעלפתי מחמת חמימות וכל גופי הבעיר כיקד יקוד אש ולא הרגשתי שום אבר וכל הלילה יקדתי כיקוד אש ולא אכלתי ולא שתיתי רק הייתי כמו מי שנתעלף והיה כך עד שלשה שעות ביום עד שהיה במחשבתי לחזר למחנכם קדוש וגם אנשי השירה חקרו בזה להחזיר אותי כי אחזו אותי למסכן ואח"כ ספרו לי שעדין עד צידון הוא א"י רק השי"ת ברחמיו המרבין ביום זה החזיר לי כחי ונסעתי על החמור הגם שלא היה לי שום כח עד בליל שב"ק אחר התפילה כששתיתי יין מקדוש תכף נתתי הקאות גדולות עד אין לשער וזה היה גמר הרפואה EN: And then I came to Barat and stayed at the inn of Reb Yaakov — as our friend the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, wrote him a letter to draw me close. And "he drew me close" — so that all the people who stayed with Reb Betzalel gave two Napoleon coins for the ship — and he took from me two Turkish liras. And all the people who stayed with the above-mentioned Reb Betzalel did not pay for the lodging — but I stayed with him for approximately five hours and he took from me lodging fees of two groshen. And also my wife gave me a little borshht — and I tasted only one spoonful — for I could not eat it — for it had no flavor at all. And then he charged me seventy paras for the borshht. And then he added sin to transgression [hosif chet al pesha — a direct biblical citation from Job 34:37: "he adds transgression to his sin" — the phrase for someone who compounds one wrong upon another] — and gave me debased change [izdatziye — Yiddish-Russian: the small change given back; from Russian sdacha — change returned from a payment; specifically the problematic small-denomination coins the innkeeper passed off on him] from the Meizhide — paras that circulate in Barat — two and a half for four groshen — and I did not want to accept them — for perhaps they do not circulate everywhere. And he told me they circulate throughout all of Turkey. And in the end I had not a single coin for expenses — and I was compelled to use them. This is how that murderer "drew me close" — and I have no grievance, G-d forbid, against Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — for he certainly thought he was doing me a good. And blessed be G-d that I crossed the sea in peace. Segment 5 HE: ואח"כ באתי לבאראט ועמדתי על אכסניא ר' יעקב כאשר ידידנו הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י כתב לו מכתב לקרב אותי ו'קרב אותי' שכל האנשים שעומדים אצל ר' בצלאל נתנו בעד הספינה שני נאפאלין והוא לקח אצלי שני טערקישע לירוס וכל אנשים אשר עמדו אצל ר' בצלאל הנ"ל לא שלמו בעד הדירה ואני עמדתי אצלו ערך חמשה שעות ולקח אצלי שכר דירה שני גר' וגם זוג' נתנה לי מעט בארסט ולא טעמתי כי אם כף אחת כי לא יכלתי לאכל אותו כי לא היה בו שום טעם ואח"כ חשב לי בעד הבארסט שבעים פאריס ואח"כ הוסיף חטא על פשע ונתן לי איזדעציע מן המז'ידע פאריס אשר הולכים בבאראט שנים וחצי בעד ארבעה גר' ולא רציתי לקבלם כי אולי אינם הולכים ואמר לי שהם הולכים בכל טורקייע ולבסוף לא היה לי פ"א על הוצאות ואני מכרח עמהם כך קרב' אותי הרוצח הזה ואין אני מתרעם ח"ו על ר' חיים יהושע נ"י כי הוא בודאי דמה לעשות עמי טובה וב"ה שעברתי על הים בשלום EN: And then I came to Galatz on the eve of the Shavuos festival in the morning — and immediately the captain stood to examine the passport — and there were two of us — and he said that he will not allow us into the city with our belongings — because the passport had already expired — and he will send us back on the ship to Istanbul. But it was a miracle for me that we had a passport from Wallachia — for three people who had Turkish passports — he returned them back to Istanbul before our very eyes. And I and the second who traveled with me were detained for approximately eight hours — and he led us with a soldier to the police — and there too we stood for approximately three hours — and then they let us free. And we spent the Shavuos festival in Galatz. Segment 6 HE: ואח"כ באתי לגאלאץ ערב יו"ט שבועות בבקר ותכף עמד הקפיטאן לראות הפאשפארט והיינו שני אנשים ואמר הנ"ל שלא יניח אותנו לעיר עם החפצים כי הפאשפארט כבר עבר זמנו והוא ישלח לנו בחזרה על הספינה לסטאמביל רק זה היה לי נס שהיה לנו פאשפארט מוואלחיי כי שלשה אנשים שהיו להם פאשפארטין טערקישע החזיר אותם בחזרה לסטאמביל בפני עינינו והיינו אני והשני שנסע עמי תפוס ערך שמונה שעות והוליך אותנו עם הסאלדאט להפאליציע וגם שם עמדנו ערך שלש שעות ואח"כ הניחו אותנו לחרות ושבתנו חג שבועות בגאלאץ EN: And on Sunday I wanted to travel by train — and the train does not go — because there the water had flooded all the bridges — and even the iron bridges — for since after Passover not a single day had passed there without great rains. And we were compelled to hire a wagon — and it came to a large sum. And then we were compelled to cross the water by small boat — and that too cost seven francs. And I did not have enough for expenses. And blessed be G-d — Hashem Yisbarach arranged for me in Galatz a certain man — who sent with me fifteen francs to my wife in Teiteira. And this was a great good for me on the road — no one knew me — until I arrived here. Segment 7 HE: וביום א' רציתי לנסע על הבאן ואינו הולך הבאן מחמת שבשם שטפו המים כל הגשרים ואפילו הגשרים מברזל כי מאחר פסח לא עבר בשם יום אחד בלא גשמים גדולים והכרחנו לשכר עגלה ועלה לסך רב ואח"כ הכרחנו לעבר המים עם ספינה קטנה ועלה ג"כ שבעה פראנק ולא הספיק לי על הוצאות וב"ה שהזמין לי השי"ת בגאלאץ איש אחד ששלח עמי לזוג' לטייטרא חמשה עשר פראנק וזה לי לטובה גדולה בדרך אין מכיר אותי עד שבאתי לפה EN: And blessed be G-d — I arrived here on the night before the day — and it happened that there was a circumcision — and there was a vigil night at the home of a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Ze'ev, may his candle shine. And there were present my brother Michl, may his candle shine, and my brother Ze'ev, may his candle shine, and my son Aizik, may his candle shine. And we feasted at length on the spiritual feast of the teachings of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple [ha'se'udah me'Rabbainu z"l — "the feast of Rabbainu z"l" — se'udah specifically means a meal, a feast; the gathering around Torah-talk is described as a spiritual feast, a banquet of holy words — not merely "the precious things" but a full meal of teaching] — and we sat the entire night until the light of morning. For it was worthwhile — all the jolting and shaking of my journey [ha'tiltelim — "the jolting and shaking about" — from tiltel — to shake violently, to toss, to uproot; the specific physical jolting of a difficult journey — being shaken and tossed along rough roads; more vivid than merely "hardships"] — to be gathered together to speak of such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And the life-force that we had from those precious and pleasant words — more precious than gold and fine gold and pearls — and there is no name at all by which to describe the essential inestimable preciousness of the greatness of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — they give life to the soul. And through the counsels of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — I always found the business prospering. Segment 8 HE: וב"ה שבאתי לפה בלילה אור ליום ונזדמן שהיה ברית מילה והיה וואך נאכט אצל ב"א מו"ה זאב נ"י והיו בשם אחי מיכל נ"י ואחי זאב נ"י ובני איזיק נ"י ודברנו הרבה על הסעדה מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וישבנו כל הלילה עד אור הבקר אשר כדאי היה כל הטלטולים שלי להתועד יחד לדבר מרבי כזה ותלמיד כזה והחיות אשר היה לנו מהדבורים היקרים והנחמדים מזהב ומפז ומפנינים ואין שום שם לכנות בו עצם יקר הערך גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם מחיין הנפש וע"י עצות של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' עברתי העסק מצליח תמיד EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Beha'aloscha, 5641 (June 1881), from Teiteira. A vivid account of the entire journey: humiliation, near-fatal fever, miraculous healing, eight hours detained by police, flooded railway bridges, arriving to a circumcision vigil. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Beha'aloscha, 5641 (June 1881), from Teiteira. A vivid account of the entire journey: humiliation, near-fatal fever, miraculous healing, eight hours detained by police, flooded railway bridges, arriving to a circumcision vigil. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קיב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/112/ קיב קיב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/112 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' קרח תרמ"א פה כפר דרימזעסט EN: I will tell you of the kindnesses of Hashem that He performed with me — and with my daughter Adel, may she live — together with peace upon her husband Morainu v'Rabbainu Zeidel — that I merited, blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — that I and my brothers and my son and my grandson, may his candle shine — were present together at the redemption of the firstborn son — this past Friday eve of Shabbos of the Torah portion of Shelach. And blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — we fulfilled the commandment in great joy. And my son-in-law and my daughter brought their son in great joy — and they gave the priest twenty francs. And in those three hours that we were there by my daughter, may she live, at the redemption of the firstborn son — we spoke many precious and pleasant and precious things from Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And there were many people present — not from the Anash. And from the great joy — I strengthened myself in heart — and was not ashamed to speak before them of the splendor of the holiness of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple. And how many Torah teachings I spoke with them — and the words of Rabbainu z"l entered their hearts — and also entered well into our own hearts. And there was direct light and reflected light. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ בני ממש המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י וידידי או"נ באמת כבן לאב המפלא מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And I write to you — do not forget the love of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — even for a single moment. And rejoice at all times — that we had such a Rebbe who labors at all times to repair our souls. And we must believe in his great power — and strengthen ourselves at all times in his merit — and begin at all times anew to draw close to him and to his holy books — and each person should speak with his companion at all times from the holy and pleasant delicacies which give life to our souls — with the seven restorers of flavor. And they are the utterances of Hashem — pure utterances — for through these holy waters that flow from the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — one can purify all the impure — from impurity itself — from impurity to purity — in truth. And blessed be G-d — every day I speak from the cherished treasuries of Rabbainu z"l. And as Hashem Yisbarach has merited me to be present at the joy of loosening a mute's tongue and loosening the tongue of the barren woman — so may Hashem Yisbarach merit me to be present at the joys of the visitation of your wives to conception — and the births of your wives — for good — quickly and soon. Segment 3 HE: אספר לכם חסדי ה' שעשה עמי ועם בתי אדל תח' עם שלום בעלה מו"ה זיידל שב"ה זכיתי ב"ה שהייתי אני ואחי ובני ונכדי נ"י על הפדיון הבן ביחד עש"ק העבר פ' שלח וב"ה וב"ה קימנו המצוה בשמחה גדולה וחתני ובתי הביאו את בנם בשמחה גדולה ונתנו להכהן סך 20 פראנק ובאלו השלשה שעות שהיינו שם אצל בתי תח' על הפדיון הבן דברנו הרבה דברים יקרים ונעימים ונחמדים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והיו שם אנשים הרבה שלא מאנ"ש ומחמת שמחה הגדולה נתחזקתי בלבי ולא בשתי לדבר בפניהם מהדרת קדשת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו וכמה תורות דברתי עמהם ונכנסו דברי רבנו ז"ל בלבם וגם נכנסו בלבנו ג"כ היטב והיה אור הישר ואור החוזר EN: And I have greatly asked of your honor to write to me in the city of Teiteira — every two weeks — letters — until the first of Elul. And write to me about your health and your household — and about your father — and about your co-parent-in-law — and about the wedding of a son of Avraham, Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. And also write to me about my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — all their welfare — to give life to my soul. And G-d willing — when I have a letter from you — and there will be an arousal from below — then G-d willing I will expand the speech on the business we have from the fellowship-partnership between us in the eternal business that Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple left for us. Segment 4 HE: ואני כתב לכם שלא תשכחו אהבת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אפילו רגע אחד ותשמחו בכל עת שהיה לנו רבי כזה אשר הוא עוסק בכל עת לתקן נפשותינו ואנו צריכין להאמין בכחו הגדול ולהתחזק בכל עת בזכותו ולהתחיל בכל עת מחדש להתקרב אליו ולספריו הק' ולדבר כל אחד עם חברו בכל עת מהמטעמים הק' והנעימים אשר הם מחיין נפשותינו בשבעה משיבי טעם והם אמרות ה' אמרות טהורים אשר בהם בהמים הק' היוצאים מהנחל נבע מקור חכמה יכולין לטהר כל הטמאים מטמאה ממש מטמאה לטהרה באמת וב"ה שאני בכל יום אני מדבר מהאוצרות הנחמדים של רבנו ז"ל וכאשר זכה אותי השי"ת להיות על שמחת להתיר פה אלמים ולהתיר פה עקרות כן יזכה אותי השי"ת להיות על שמחות בפקדת נשיכם להריון ובהולדות נשיכם לטובה חיש מהר EN: Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda Leib z"l Segment 5 HE: ומאד בקשתי מאת מעלתכם לכתוב לי לעיר טייטרא בכל שני שבועות מכתבים עד ראש חדש אלול ולכתוב לי מבריאותכם ובני ביתכם ומאביך ומחמיך ומנשואין ב"א מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י וגם לכתוב לי מזוג' תח' ומאחותי תח' כל שלומם להחיות נפשי ואי"ה שיהיה לי מכתב מכם ויהיה אתערותא דלתתא אזי אי"ה ארחיב הדבור בהעסק שיש לנו מהשתפות שיש בינינו מהעסק הנצחי שהשאיר לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' EN: And let all the Anash pray for me — that I merit to see your faces. And greetings of peace to the patron Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and G-d willing when the wedding takes place — say to him on my behalf: congratulations, congratulations! And write to me whether the receipt-note for the thousand groshen has been exchanged. And also when did my wife travel home in peace. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ובתמים נתן בן מורנו יהודא לייב זללה"ה EN: And I ask of your honor to write to me almost every week — letters — until the first of Elul — to Teiteira. And then write to me to Uman — so that it reaches my hand before Rosh Hashana in Uman. And surely G-d willing when I receive a letter from you — I will surely write to you as well. And fulfill your promise to me — and write to me at all times about my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — for I greatly pine and yearn to hear of your welfare and of their welfare — in life and in peace. And I have still not written a letter to Bucharest — for I have still not sat in a settled place — for I am traveling from place to place. And surely G-d willing I will write to you. Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: ולהתפלל עבורי כל אנ"ש שאזכה לראות פניכם ותפב"ש הנגיד מו"ה ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ואי"ה כשיעשה החתנה תאמר לו עבורי מז"ט מז"ט ותכתב לי אם חלף הקוויטל מהאלף גר' וגם מתי נסעה זוג' לביתה לשלום EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Korach, 5641 (June 1881), from the village of Drimzest. The pidyon ha'ben of Adel's son — the child born after so many prayers. Teaching on Torah as purifying waters. Planning for Rosh Hashana in Uman. Segment 9 HE: ואני מבקש מאת מעלתכם לכתוב לי כמעט בכל שבוע מכתבים עד ראש חדש אלול לטייטרא ואח"כ תכתבו לי לאומן בכדי שיגיע לידי קדם ר"ה לאומן ובודאי אי"ה כשאקבל מכם מכתב בודאי אכתב לכם ג"כ ותקימו כהבטחתכם לי ולכתוב לי בכל עת מזוג' תח' ומאחותי תח' כי מאד אני מתגעגע לשמע משלומכם ומשלומם בחיים ושלום ועדין לא כתבתי מכתב לבוקארסט כי עדין לא ישבתי במקום מישב כי נוסע אני ממקום למקום ובודאי אי"ה אכתב לכם EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Korach, 5641 (June 1881), from the village of Drimzest. The pidyon ha'ben of Adel's son — the child born after so many prayers. Teaching on Torah as purifying waters. Planning for Rosh Hashana in Uman. Segment 10 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת EN: Letter 110 | Kuf-Yud Translator's Summary — Letter 110 Segment 11 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 110 | Kuf-Yud # קיג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/113/ קיג קיג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/113 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' מטות ומסעי תרמ"א לפ"ק פה נקיט EN: Your letter — and within it the news of my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — I received properly through my son Aizik, may his candle shine — two weeks ago. But I was not here at the time of receiving the letter — for I was by my daughter Adel, may she live. Therefore I did not reply to you immediately. And immediately when I came here and saw your letter — I girded like a warrior the fruit of my pen — to write to you a receipt for the letter — to repay you the reward of the commandment that you performed with me and with us — to give life to our souls. For seeing your letter was reckoned by me as seeing your faces — face to face. For all the Anash are engraved in my heart and in my inner awareness — in the love of heart and soul. And particularly your love — for we are bound to one another in the thick braided ropes of love — from the roots of the root of the holy tree — whose very leaves are very, very precious — as they said: "and its leaf is for healing" — to loosen a mute's tongue and to loosen the tongue of the barren. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ כבני ממש ותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י ובנו היקר והנעים מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י כן יחיו לאיוש"ט ולכבוד אחיו ידידי או"נ ותיק וחסיד מו"ה איזיק נ"י בדורי דורות א"ס EN: Therefore we must renew our mouths with a fresh beginning — to open our mouths to ask of Hashem Yisbarach greatly — and not to imagine that we have already engaged much in prayer and see no benefit — neither in the physical nor in the spiritual. For we have not yet begun at all — as much as we need to begin. For all beginnings are difficult. But Rabbainu z"l made from every single word of ours some kind of beginning. And Rabbainu z"l himself — in his precious and holy conversations — cried out for many and many years — and it seemed to him still that they were distancing him — and even so he did not leave his place — and cried out still with great simplicity — until he merited what he merited. And even so he cried out still and still — until the day of his holy departure. And he z"l commanded us to engage in prayer — and in outcry — and in wailing — and in pleading [tze'akah v'ze'akah v'shu'ah — three distinct modes of prayer-outcry: tze'akah — a loud cry of distress; ze'akah — a deeper cry of anguish, a wail; shu'ah — a plea for salvation, a cry for help; Rabbainu z"l commanded all three — each is a different depth of prayer] — "by day we shall not rest and by night we shall not be quiet" [Isaiah 62:6 — the verse of the watchmen on Jerusalem's walls who never cease calling to Hashem; "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never be silent — day and night they shall not rest — those who remind Hashem — give yourselves no rest"]. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will look down upon us with His abundant mercies — and save us — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם ובתוכם היה הידיעה מזוג' תח' ומאחותי תח' קבלתי לנכון ע"י בני איזיק נ"י זה שני שבועות אך לא הייתי בכאן בעת קבלת המכתב כי הייתי אצל בתי אדל תח' ע"כ לא השבתי לכם תכף ותכף כשבאתי לכאן וראיתי מכתבכם אזרתי כגבור פרי עטי לכתוב לכם קבלה על המכתב לשלם לכם גמול המצוה שעשיתם אתי ואתנו להחיות נפשנו כי ראית מכתבכם נחשבו אצלי כראית פניכם פנים אל פנים כי כל אנ"ש חקוקים בלבי ובדעתי באהבת הלב והנפש ובפרט אהבתכם אשר אנו קשורים זה בזה בחבלי העבותות האהבה משרשי שרש האילן הק' אשר אפילו העלין מזה האילן יקרים מאד מאד כמו שאמרו ועלהו לתרופה להתיר פה אלמים ולהתיר פה עקרות' EN: And as is apparent from the letter of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — it seems to him that he has cried out greatly to Hashem Yisbarach — and still sees no salvation — neither in the physical nor in the spiritual. And about this Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple taught us — that we do not know at all what is accomplished from our prayer. And do not forget what Rabbainu z"l said — about the Tzaddik who can sweeten all the twenty-four courts of judgment — sometimes something else is made from this. And Reb Nosson z"l explains in his holy books that this sweetening too — which the Tzaddik wanted to achieve — is also accomplished. And we who at least want to walk in the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — even our small prayer — which is clinging and clutching — Rabbainu z"l made from them other matters. And therefore we must be strong with strong desires and with many, many prayers — and be firm in our conviction that we surely do accomplish — only we do not know what we accomplish — and Rabbainu z"l knows what he has made from them. And surely G-d willing if we will be strong in prayer without sophistications — surely El Shaddai will give us mercy — and save us in the physical and in the spiritual. For our physical affairs are also spiritual — for we do not want to fill our bellies — but what we want — everything is for the sake of the ultimate purpose — both children, life, and sustenance. Therefore we must be strong in the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and be stubbornly tenacious in prayer and supplication — as is explained in Likutay Halachos on the verse "wrestlings of G-d have I wrestled." And when we are strong in this — then we must be occupied constantly with the ultimate purpose — until Hashem Yisbarach will open our mouth — and there will be a loosening of the mute's tongue and a loosening of the barren woman's tongue. Segment 4 HE: ע"כ אנו צריכין לחדש פינו בהתחלה חדשה לפתח פינו לבקש מאת השי"ת הרבה ולא לדמות שכבר עסקנו בתפילה הרבה ואין אנו ראין שום תועלת הן בגשמיות והן ברוחניות כי עדין לא התחלנו כלל כפי שצריכין להתחיל כי כל התחלות קשות רק רבנו ז"ל עשה מכל דבור ודבור שלנו איזה התחלה ורבנו ז"ל בעצמו בהשיחות היקרים והק' שלו שהוא צעק כמה וכמה שנים ונדמה לו עוד שמרחיקין אותו ואעפ"כ לא הניח מקומו וצעק עוד בתמימות הרבה עד שזכה למה שזכה ואעפ"כ צעק עוד ועוד עד יום הסתלקותו הק' והוא ז"ל צוה עלינו לעסק בתפילה וצעקה וזעקה ושועה יומם לא ננוח ולילה לא נשקט ובודאי ישקיף עלינו השי"ת ברחמיו המרבין ויושיענו בגשמיות וברוחניות וכפי הנראה ממכתב ר' איזיק נ"י שנדמה לו שהוא צעק הרבה להשי"ת ועדין אינו ראה שום ישועה לא בגשמיות ולא ברוחניות ועל זה למד אותנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאין אנו יודעים כלל מה שנעשה מתפילתנו EN: זארגט נישט, זייט אייך מתגבר בכל עת בשמחה — Do not worry — overcome yourselves at all times in joy — as Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple warned us about joy. אפילו נאריש מאכן — אבי זיין פריליך — even if it means acting foolishly — just be joyful! השי"ת וועט אייך בודאי נישט פארלאזן מיט אלסדינג מיט בני חיי ומזונא — Hashem Yisbarach will surely not abandon you — with everything — with children, life, and sustenance. אין אז מיר וועלן פאלגן, ביינקין וועלן מיר נאך אי"ה ערליכע יודן אויך זיין — And if we follow along and pine with longing — we will G-d willing still be proper Jews. For we need only to bring lime and bricks — and Rabbainu z"l makes from them buildings — wondrous and awesome buildings — beyond measure and beyond reckoning. Segment 5 HE: ואל תשכחו מה שאמר רבנו ז"ל מהצדיק שיכול להמתיק כל ה20 וארבעה בתי דינים לפעמים נעשה מזה ענין אחר ואדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצ"ל מבאר בספריו הק' שגם זה ההמתקה שרצה הצדיק להמתיק גם זה נעשה ואנו שרוצים עכ"פ לילך בדרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' גם מעט תפילתנו שהוא קלאמירשט עשה רבנו ז"ל מהם ענינים אחרים וע"כ צריכין אנו להיות חזק ברצונות חזקים ובתפלות הרבה הרבה ולהיות חזקים בדעתנו שבודאי אנו פועלין רק אין אנו יודעים מה שפועלין ורבנו ז"ל יודע מה שעשה מהם ובודאי אי"ה אם נהיה חזקים בתפילה בלי חכמות בודאי אל שדי יתן לנו רחמים ויושיענו בגשמיות וברוחניות כי הגשמיות שלנו הוא ג"כ רוחניות כי אין אנו רוצין למלאת כרסנו רק מה שאנו רוצים הכל בשביל התכלית הן בני חיי ומזונא ע"כ אנו צריכין להיות חזקים בדרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולהיות עקשנים בתפילה ותחנונים כמו שמבאר בלקוטי הלכות על הפסוק נפתולי אלהים נפתלתי וכשנהיה חזקים בזה אזי אנו צריכין להיות עסוקים תמיד בתכלית עד שיפתח השי"ת פינו ויהיה להתיר פה אלמים ולהתיר פה עקרות' EN: More there is nothing new — only life and peace. Segment 6 HE: ולמען ה' אחי היקרים זארגט נישט זייט אייך מתגבר בכל עת בשמחה כאשר הזהיר אותנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' על השמחה אפילו נאריש מאכן אבי זיין פריליך השי"ת וועט אייך בודאי נישט פארלאזן מיט אלסדינג מיט בני חיי ומזונא אין אז מיר וועלן פאלגן ביינקין וועלן מיר נאך אי"ה ערליכע יודן אויך זיין כי אנו צריכין רק להביא סיד ולבנים ורבנו ז"ל עשה מהם בנינים בנינים נפלאים ונוראים מאד מאד EN: And to pray for me — and for my wife — and for all my sons and daughters. And to write to me about your father, may his candle shine — for I do not know where he is — for if I knew where he is — I would surely write him letters. Segment 7 HE: יותר אין לחדש רק חיים ושלום EN: And greetings of peace on my behalf to your dear brother Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — and say to him: this letter arrives after the wedding — congratulations, congratulations! — may Hashem Yisbarach grant that it be for long life forever. And greetings of peace to our beloved in truth — the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and say to them also: congratulations, congratulations — on both weddings — may it be in an auspicious hour. And greetings of peace to my friend — our beloved in truth and in wholeness — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, he is a son of Avraham — for the sake of Hashem — son of Avraham — do not forget that there is an end and an ultimate purpose in the world. You think all the stratagems of how to earn a single coin — we must think over and plan for the eternal world — to do something as a stratagem so that one lives there. Therefore — heartfelt brother — guard yourself every day — as much as you can — a section of Shulchan Aruch and Psalms and prayers and many groanings — and plunge yourself deeply into our people — perhaps you will hear something of the flowing waters of the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — which purifies from all stains. And love truly with these people — our people. And put aside your sophistications — and go with the simplicity of your holy father the Tzaddik. Do not despair — you can still be a very proper Jew. As you go — keep speaking with your mouth: Master of the world — have mercy on me! Do not stop the mouth — and Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on you — and one day you will have a true settled composure of mind — "in what manner shall I come before the King." One who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: ולבקש בעדי ובעד זוג' ובעד כל בני ובנותי ולכתוב לי מאביך נ"י כי אין אני יודע היכן הוא כי אם יודע היכן הוא בודאי כתבתי לו מכתבים EN: And also perhaps you have geese cheaply — send to me — and I G-d willing when I come home will repay you with thanks. And greetings of peace to your brother Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham, may his candle shine. And to your brother Shmuel, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to Reb Henech, may his candle shine. To you too these words are said. And greetings of peace to Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — and Reb Meir, may his candle shine. Segment 9 HE: ולפב"ש למעני לאחיך היקר מו"ה סענדיר נ"י ולומר לו מגיע המכתב אחר החתנהלומר לו מז"ט מז"ט השי"ת יתן שיהיה לאיו"ש עדי עד ולפב"ש לאו"נ באמת החסיד ר' נחמן נ"י והחסיד ר' דב נ"י והנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ולומר להם ג"כ מז"ט מז"ט על שני החתנות שיהיה בשעה מצלחת EN: All my brothers and sons and my son-in-law Zeidel, may his candle shine — convey greetings of peace to the Anash — with strong love. And my daughter Adel, may she live — with her son, may his candle shine — sends great greetings to the woman Zeldah-Rachel, may she live — and to the woman Yidel-Leah, may she live — and to the woman Miuta Meni, may she live — together with their children, may they live. Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש לידידי או"נ באמת ובתמים מו"ה נתן נ"י הוא ב"א למען ה' ב"א פארגעס נישט אז ס'איז דא איין סוף און איין תכלית אויף דער וועלט טראכסטו כל התחבולות ווי אזוי צי פארדינען איין פרוטה מיר דארפן זיך איבער צי טראכטן אויף דער אייביגער וועלט מ'זאל עפעס טוהן א תחבולה כדי מ'זאל דארט לייבן ע"כ ברידער הארציגער היט אפ יעדן טאג ווי ווייט די קענסט א סעיף ש"ע אין תהלים ותפלות אין כמה קרעכץ אין טולע זיך איין אין אונזערע לייט טאמער וועסטו הערכן עפעס איין וואסער פון די קוועלנדיגע וואסער פין הנחל נבע מקור חכמה וואס זיי זענען מטהר מכל הכתמים אין האב זיך ליב באמת מיט די מענטשן אונזערע לייט אין לייג אוועק דיינע חכמות גייא מיט דעם תמימות פין אביך הצדיק זיי זיך נישט מיאש די קענסט נאך זיין זייער איין ערליכער יוד וויא מען גייט זאלסטי מיטן מויל רעדן רבש"ע האב אויף מיר רחמנות נישט אפצילאזן דאס מויל וועט השי"ת אויף דיר רחמנות האבן אז דו וועסט אמאל האבן איין אמת'ן ישוב הדעת בהאיך אנפין איעול קדם מלכא EN: And pray for my daughter Esther Sheindl daughter of Yachte Sarah, may she live — for she is not in good health — from before Passover — because she miscarried her child. Segment 11 HE: אוהבך באמת EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5641 (July 1881), from Neket. Three distinct modes of prayer — outcry, wail, plea. Isaiah 62:6. A long Yiddish passage on joy. Lime and bricks. Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 13 HE: וגם אולי יהיה אצלכם גאס בזול לשלח לי ואני אי"ה כשאבא לביתי אשלם לך בת"ח ופב"ש לאחיך יואל צבי נ"י עם שלום בנו מו"ה אברהם נ"י ולאחיך שמואל נ"י ופב"ש לר' העניך נ"י גם אליך נאמרו הדברים האלה ופב"ש לר' יוסף נ"י ולר' מאיר נ"י EN: Your letter — and within it the news of my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — I received properly through my son Aizik, may his candle shine — two weeks ago. But I was not here at the time of receiving the letter — for I was by my daughter Adel, may she live. Therefore I did not reply to you immediately. And immediately when I came here and saw your letter — I girded like a warrior the fruit of my pen — to write to you a receipt for the letter — to repay you the reward of the commandment that you performed with me and with us — to give life to our souls. For seeing your letter was reckoned by me as seeing your faces — face to face. For all the Anash are engraved in my heart and in my inner awareness — in the love of heart and soul. And particularly your love — for we are bound to one another in the thick braided ropes of love — from the roots of the root of the holy tree — whose very leaves are very, very precious — as they said: "and its leaf is for healing" — to loosen a mute's tongue and to loosen the tongue of the barren. Segment 14 HE: כל אחי ובני וחתני זידיל נ"י פורסים בשלום אנ"ש באהבה עזה ובתי אדל תח' עם בנה נ"י לאזן גריסן לאשה זל"ר תח' ולאשה יד"ל תח' ולאשה מיוטא מעני תח' עם בניהם שיחיו EN: Therefore we must renew our mouths with a fresh beginning — to open our mouths to ask of Hashem Yisbarach greatly — and not to imagine that we have already engaged much in prayer and see no benefit — neither in the physical nor in the spiritual. For we have not yet begun at all — as much as we need to begin. For all beginnings are difficult. But Rabbainu z"l made from every single word of ours some kind of beginning. And Rabbainu z"l himself — in his precious and holy conversations — cried out for many and many years — and it seemed to him still that they were distancing him — and even so he did not leave his place — and cried out still with great simplicity — until he merited what he merited. And even so he cried out still and still — until the day of his holy departure. And he z"l commanded us to engage in prayer — and in outcry — and in wailing — and in pleading [tze'akah v'ze'akah v'shu'ah — three distinct modes of prayer-outcry: tze'akah — a loud cry of distress; ze'akah — a deeper cry of anguish, a wail; shu'ah — a plea for salvation, a cry for help; Rabbainu z"l commanded all three — each is a different depth of prayer] — "by day we shall not rest and by night we shall not be quiet" [Isaiah 62:6 — the verse of the watchmen on Jerusalem's walls who never cease calling to Hashem; "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never be silent — day and night they shall not rest — those who remind Hashem — give yourselves no rest"]. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will look down upon us with His abundant mercies — and save us — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 15 HE: להתפלל עבור בתי אסתר שינדיל בת יעכט שרה תח' כי היא אינה בקו הבריאה מקדם הפסח מחמת שהפילה ולדה EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5641 (July 1881), from Neket. Three distinct modes of prayer — outcry, wail, plea. Isaiah 62:6. A long Yiddish passage on joy. Lime and bricks. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d [Tehillah l'El — "Praise to G-d" — from tehillah — praise, laudation; not merely thanks but active praise and glorification] — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us and all the Anash are in life and in peace — and engaged in joyous celebrations — the voice of gladness and the voice of joy — the voice of groom and the voice of bride — and we go from strength to strength [Psalms 84:8 — "they go from strength to strength" — the verse of the pilgrims who journey toward Jerusalem with ever-increasing spiritual power; a specific scriptural phrase about progressive ascent]. May Hashem Yisbarach help us to hear from you only gladness and joy — and may our enemies and those who pursue us without cause see and be ashamed forever. And may the Guardian of Truth guard us from all who hate us without cause — and avenge before our eyes the avenging of the blood poured out without cause — and save us from all our pursuers — those who spread a bad name about the Anash — the believers, children of believers — in the renewal of the work of creation and in the Written Torah and the Oral Torah — and in the coming of the Messiah and in the resurrection of the dead — and who believe in all the true Tzaddikim — whose merit shall protect us — and save us speedily from them and from their multitude — without limit. Your letter from the Torah portion of Chukas we received properly on Thursday of Eikev in Tazlaki — and all of us read the letter together — about the controversy that has risen against us and against you. And we saw with our own eyes how the words of Rabbainu z"l were fulfilled: "And I will redeem them — but they spoke lies about Me" — but my brothers and friends — do not be saddened by the controversy — for Rabbainu z"l said: the controversy elevates and raises up the person — and surely it elevates and raises each one according to his level. And he also said: the controversy is a sign that you want to be proper people — as Rabbainu z"l said to the people of Ladizhin — at the time that Rabbainu z"l asked them: what is being heard in your encampment? And they answered Rabbainu z"l: blessed be G-d — by us it is still and quiet. And he said to them: surely you are also quiet from the service of G-d. And furthermore — in every generation they rise against us, etc. etc. Therefore do not fear at all — for we have already passed through several sudden panics from the great and well-known controversy — and even so — the truth stands forever. And they will perish — and a thousand like them — and not one word of Torah will be annulled. And all this is only a trial — for this world is the world of trial. And Rabbainu z"l already said that this world is now the world of free choice. Therefore — my beloved and pleasant brothers — be silent toward Hashem, etc. — and do not do anything at all — only go to the graves of the Tzaddikim — and cry out over the exile of the Divine Presence — that such a light should be hidden. And for the sake of the self-sacrifice — it is his name — of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — may it help you and us — and humble all our enemies beneath the truth. For the truth stands forever — and the truth endures forever. And by this is hinted to us: our assembly is no passing thing — and through our assembly — houses will be built without measure and without reckoning. And do not fear at all — for Hashem is with us and by us and near us and adjacent to us. And strengthen yourselves in great joy — because they contend against you and against us — because we want to draw ourselves close to such a great light — the Light of Lights — which shines in all the worlds — and even upon us. And go and see the might of your Master! And know that Rabbainu z"l fights on our behalf — and he can pray a prayer in the aspect of judgment — whereby the Other Side is compelled to disgorge the very essence of its vitality. And at all times gather together — to review among yourselves the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and be in great joy. For in the controversies that passed over us in our youth — the main source of our strengthening was through joy — and joy is the sweetening of all harsh judgments. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us through this — that we should have a good inscription and sealing — and may Hashem remember you with children, life, and spacious abundant sustenance. [מזונא רויחא — Aramaic: "spacious, ample, relieved sustenance" — from Aramaic revicha — relief, spaciousness, abundance; the Talmudic Aramaic word added to the classic triple of bnei chayei u'mezonah: a provision that is spacious, unencumbered, and abundantly relieved] More news there is none — only life and peace. And I have already written a letter by post to Bucharest — and I have no reply yet. And I ask of you to write to me almost every week — letters — to Uman and to Breslov — to the address of David Shteh — and to Uman G-d willing to the address: Nussun Lirsman, may his candle shine. And I do not forget you even for a single moment — for your soul is bound to my soul — in the thick braided ropes of love — and surely at all times I will reply to you on your letter. And greetings of peace on my behalf to the honor of my friend, my dear brother, the veteran Chassid — G-d-fearing, etc. — the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and your wondrous, veteran Chassid brother Reb Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his precious, wise son Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — and congratulations to them forever. And now he must begin anew — to keep vigilant watch at the doors of the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple [לשקד על דלתות — from Proverbs 8:34: "happy is the man who listens to me — watching at my doors day by day — keeping guard at the posts of my doorways" — the image of the devoted student who keeps perpetual vigil at the doors of wisdom] — and to walk in the paths of Rabbainu z"l — in Torah and in prayer — and in private conversation between himself and his Creator — greatly. And to my truly beloved, our beloved — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And to my truly beloved friend Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l. And to his brother Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son, may his candle shine. And to Reb Henech, may his candle shine. And to Reb Yosef Adam, may his candle shine. And to Reb Meir, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the patron, our beloved, Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine — and to the patron Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — grandson of Reb Shimon, may his candle shine — and to the honor of the celebrated patron Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim Yehoshua — together with peace upon his wife — and congratulations to them — may it be in an auspicious hour — may it be for long life — and may they merit to see from their children — children and grandchildren — engaged in Torah and commandments — from great wealth and honor — without limit. Also my brother Michl, may his candle shine — and his son Kapil, may his candle shine — and my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yechiel, may his candle shine — and my brother Ze'ev, may his candle shine — together with his son-in-law, the kinsman Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak Ber, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son Aizik, may his candle shine. And my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Zeidel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife Mistress Adel, may she live — and their son Morainu v'Rabbainu Aharon Leib, may his candle shine — forever — convey greetings of peace to you on the wedding — may it G-d willing be on Tuesday of Tetzei — for congratulations. And all of them convey greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. And I ask of my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun to write to me — how is the grain held among us in Eretz Yisroel. And blessed be G-d — today I received the passport from Teiteira — and it is a great miracle — for here harsh decrees have greatly multiplied — may Hashem Yisbarach sweeten them — and so in all the holy places of Israel. Written 24th of Menachem Av, 5641 (August 1881), from Neket. Praise to G-d. Controversy as elevation. The Ladizhin story. "Go and see the might of your Master." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן A certain woman is traveling to the Holy Land — and I sat down with my intention to write to you everything that rises in my mind and in my thought — the binding of thought, speech, and deed — to Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Perhaps I will arouse myself from now — to begin anew to remind myself: this month is the time to circumcise the heart — the letters of Elul alluding to: "to circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed" — and to return in complete repentance — so that I may return in such repentance until I am able to fulfill: "and say: return, children of man — for days have been formed — and one of them to arouse greatly toward Hashem Yisbarach" — for all the business of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple is Rosh Hashana — and this month is a great preparation for Rosh Hashana — and these are days of divine will — will specifically. And we must yearn and pine and long — when will Hashem Yisbarach merit us — for all the rectifications that are made from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Shemini Atzeret — as is explained in the books of Likutay Halachos — many times — each time in a different manner. As is explained briefly in Likutay Eitzvos — the new section. And the essential thing is the will. And within all this — we must cry out and call and strengthen ourselves with fresh desires — and begin from now anew — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — through the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And for the sake of Hashem — let great mercies be aroused on all the graves of the Tzaddikim — for all of Israel stand now in very great distress. Both in Russia-land and here — for here harsh decrees are being renewed every single day — and one decree more harsh than its companion — namely: that Jews shall not reside in the villages at all, G-d forbid. And also they do not allow any person from outside Wallachia to come there — and even one man from Wallachia — when he travels to another country — they afterward do not allow him to return to his own country. In sum: there is no hatred against Israel as there is here. And also from Russia-land one hears here of great devastations. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on all Israel — for the compassion that is required for our brothers the children of Israel — is beyond all reckoning. And we are obligated to cry out to Hashem Yisbarach — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l in the Aleph-Beis — that every person must hang the communal suffering specifically upon his own sin [לתלות בחטאו — "to hang it upon his own sin" — from talah — to hang, to suspend; the image of hanging the collective suffering on one's own sin as on a peg — taking personal responsibility as the cause; not merely connecting to it but specifically suspending it there as one hangs something on a hook]. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Also I convey his good greetings — my friend and beloved — and may the inscription and sealing be good for him — none other than Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to all the Anash in general and in particular. I am making a wedding for my son — the precious distinguished young scholar the honor of our teacher Reb Leibele, may his candle shine — and the reception of the families is the coming Shabbos that comes upon us for good — the Torah portion of Shoftim — and the wedding canopy will be G-d willing on Thursday of Tetzei. And may Hashem Yisbarach help — and may the match succeed well — and would that Hashem Yisbarach help me — that I should be present for the coming Rosh Hashana in Uman. And as we have heard and seen that controversy has been stirred against us — without cause — and I hope that it will be fulfilled for us: "and our enemies shall see and be ashamed." And particularly words of falsehood such as these — where on every page and every page — he remembers our righteous Messiah — and the truth is that they have certainly desecrated him. Therefore do not fear and do not be afraid at all — for many rise against us and Hashem is our shield. Words of his friend, Yechiel Written Wednesday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5641 (August 1881), from Teiteira. An Elul letter. Reports of pogroms and decrees. Postscript by Reb Yechiel. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And as is apparent from the letter of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — it seems to him that he has cried out greatly to Hashem Yisbarach — and still sees no salvation — neither in the physical nor in the spiritual. And about this Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple taught us — that we do not know at all what is accomplished from our prayer. And do not forget what Rabbainu z"l said — about the Tzaddik who can sweeten all the twenty-four courts of judgment — sometimes something else is made from this. And Reb Nosson z"l explains in his holy books that this sweetening too — which the Tzaddik wanted to achieve — is also accomplished. And we who at least want to walk in the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — even our small prayer — which is clinging and clutching — Rabbainu z"l made from them other matters. And therefore we must be strong with strong desires and with many, many prayers — and be firm in our conviction that we surely do accomplish — only we do not know what we accomplish — and Rabbainu z"l knows what he has made from them. And surely G-d willing if we will be strong in prayer without sophistications — surely El Shaddai will give us mercy — and save us in the physical and in the spiritual. For our physical affairs are also spiritual — for we do not want to fill our bellies — but what we want — everything is for the sake of the ultimate purpose — both children, life, and sustenance. Therefore we must be strong in the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and be stubbornly tenacious in prayer and supplication — as is explained in Likutay Halachos on the verse "wrestlings of G-d have I wrestled." And when we are strong in this — then we must be occupied constantly with the ultimate purpose — until Hashem Yisbarach will open our mouth — and there will be a loosening of the mute's tongue and a loosening of the barren woman's tongue. זארגט נישט, זייט אייך מתגבר בכל עת בשמחה — Do not worry — overcome yourselves at all times in joy — as Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple warned us about joy. אפילו נאריש מאכן — אבי זיין פריליך — even if it means acting foolishly — just be joyful! השי"ת וועט אייך בודאי נישט פארלאזן מיט אלסדינג מיט בני חיי ומזונא — Hashem Yisbarach will surely not abandon you — with everything — with children, life, and sustenance. אין אז מיר וועלן פאלגן, ביינקין וועלן מיר נאך אי"ה ערליכע יודן אויך זיין — And if we follow along and pine with longing — we will G-d willing still be proper Jews. For we need only to bring lime and bricks — and Rabbainu z"l makes from them buildings — wondrous and awesome buildings — beyond measure and beyond reckoning. More there is nothing new — only life and peace. And to pray for me — and for my wife — and for all my sons and daughters. And to write to me about your father, may his candle shine — for I do not know where he is — for if I knew where he is — I would surely write him letters. And greetings of peace on my behalf to your dear brother Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — and say to him: this letter arrives after the wedding — congratulations, congratulations! — may Hashem Yisbarach grant that it be for long life forever. And greetings of peace to our beloved in truth — the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and say to them also: congratulations, congratulations — on both weddings — may it be in an auspicious hour. And greetings of peace to my friend — our beloved in truth and in wholeness — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, he is a son of Avraham — for the sake of Hashem — son of Avraham — do not forget that there is an end and an ultimate purpose in the world. You think all the stratagems of how to earn a single coin — we must think over and plan for the eternal world — to do something as a stratagem so that one lives there. Therefore — heartfelt brother — guard yourself every day — as much as you can — a section of Shulchan Aruch and Psalms and prayers and many groanings — and plunge yourself deeply into our people — perhaps you will hear something of the flowing waters of the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — which purifies from all stains. And love truly with these people — our people. And put aside your sophistications — and go with the simplicity of your holy father the Tzaddik. Do not despair — you can still be a very proper Jew. As you go — keep speaking with your mouth: Master of the world — have mercy on me! Do not stop the mouth — and Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on you — and one day you will have a true settled composure of mind — "in what manner shall I come before the King." One who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And also perhaps you have geese cheaply — send to me — and I G-d willing when I come home will repay you with thanks. And greetings of peace to your brother Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham, may his candle shine. And to your brother Shmuel, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to Reb Henech, may his candle shine. To you too these words are said. And greetings of peace to Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — and Reb Meir, may his candle shine. All my brothers and sons and my son-in-law Zeidel, may his candle shine — convey greetings of peace to the Anash — with strong love. And my daughter Adel, may she live — with her son, may his candle shine — sends great greetings to the woman Zeldah-Rachel, may she live — and to the woman Yidel-Leah, may she live — and to the woman Miuta Meni, may she live — together with their children, may they live. And pray for my daughter Esther Sheindl daughter of Yachte Sarah, may she live — for she is not in good health — from before Passover — because she miscarried her child. Written Tuesday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5641 (July 1881), from Neket. Three distinct modes of prayer — outcry, wail, plea. Isaiah 62:6. A long Yiddish passage on joy. Lime and bricks. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קיד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/114/ קיד קיד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/114 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום כ"ד מנחם אב תרמ"א פה כפר נקיט EN: Praise to G-d [Tehillah l'El — "Praise to G-d" — from tehillah — praise, laudation; not merely thanks but active praise and glorification] — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us and all the Anash are in life and in peace — and engaged in joyous celebrations — the voice of gladness and the voice of joy — the voice of groom and the voice of bride — and we go from strength to strength [Psalms 84:8 — "they go from strength to strength" — the verse of the pilgrims who journey toward Jerusalem with ever-increasing spiritual power; a specific scriptural phrase about progressive ascent]. May Hashem Yisbarach help us to hear from you only gladness and joy — and may our enemies and those who pursue us without cause see and be ashamed forever. And may the Guardian of Truth guard us from all who hate us without cause — and avenge before our eyes the avenging of the blood poured out without cause — and save us from all our pursuers — those who spread a bad name about the Anash — the believers, children of believers — in the renewal of the work of creation and in the Written Torah and the Oral Torah — and in the coming of the Messiah and in the resurrection of the dead — and who believe in all the true Tzaddikim — whose merit shall protect us — and save us speedily from them and from their multitude — without limit. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ הלא הוא המפלא וכו' וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר חיים שיח' EN: Your letter from the Torah portion of Chukas we received properly on Thursday of Eikev in Tazlaki — and all of us read the letter together — about the controversy that has risen against us and against you. And we saw with our own eyes how the words of Rabbainu z"l were fulfilled: "And I will redeem them — but they spoke lies about Me" — but my brothers and friends — do not be saddened by the controversy — for Rabbainu z"l said: the controversy elevates and raises up the person — and surely it elevates and raises each one according to his level. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו וכל אנ"ש בחיים ושלום ועוסקים בשמחות קול ששון וקול שמחה קול חתן וקול כלה ואנו הולכים מחיל אל חיל כן יעזור לנו השי"ת לשמע מכם רק ששון ושמחה ויראו שונאינו ורודפינו חנם ויבשו לעולם והשומר האמת ישמר אותנו מכל שונאי חנם וינקם לעינינו נקמת דם השפוך בחנם ויצילנו מכל רודפינו המוציאים שם רע על אנ"ש המאמינים בני מאמינים בחדוש מעשה בראשית ובתורה שבכתב ושבעל פה וביאת משיח ובתחית המתים ומאמינים בכל הצדיקים אמתיים אשר זכותם יגן עלינו ויצילנו מהרה מהם ומהמונם א"ס EN: And he also said: the controversy is a sign that you want to be proper people — as Rabbainu z"l said to the people of Ladizhin — at the time that Rabbainu z"l asked them: what is being heard in your encampment? And they answered Rabbainu z"l: blessed be G-d — by us it is still and quiet. And he said to them: surely you are also quiet from the service of G-d. And furthermore — in every generation they rise against us, etc. etc. Therefore do not fear at all — for we have already passed through several sudden panics from the great and well-known controversy — and even so — the truth stands forever. And they will perish — and a thousand like them — and not one word of Torah will be annulled. And all this is only a trial — for this world is the world of trial. And Rabbainu z"l already said that this world is now the world of free choice. Segment 4 HE: מכתבכם מפ' חקת קבלנו לנכון ביום ה' עקב בטאזלאקי וקראנו כלנו המכתב מהמחלקת שעמד עלינו ועליכם וראינו בעינינו איך שנתקים דברי רבנו ז"ל ואנכי אפדם והמה דברו עלי כזבים רק אחי ורעי אל תעצבו מהמחלקת כי רבנו ז"ל אמר כי המחלקת מרים ומגביה את האדם ובודאי מגביה ומרים את כל אחד לפי מדרגתו EN: Therefore — my beloved and pleasant brothers — be silent toward Hashem, etc. — and do not do anything at all — only go to the graves of the Tzaddikim — and cry out over the exile of the Divine Presence — that such a light should be hidden. And for the sake of the self-sacrifice — it is his name — of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — may it help you and us — and humble all our enemies beneath the truth. For the truth stands forever — and the truth endures forever. And by this is hinted to us: our assembly is no passing thing — and through our assembly — houses will be built without measure and without reckoning. And do not fear at all — for Hashem is with us and by us and near us and adjacent to us. And strengthen yourselves in great joy — because they contend against you and against us — because we want to draw ourselves close to such a great light — the Light of Lights — which shines in all the worlds — and even upon us. And go and see the might of your Master! Segment 5 HE: וגם אמר שהמחלקת היא סימן שאתם רוצים להיות אנשים כשרים כמו שאמר רבנו ז"ל לאנשי לאדיזין בעת ששאל אותם רבנו ז"ל מה נשמע במחנכם והשיבו לרבנו ז"ל שב"ה אצלנו שטיל ואמר להם שבודאי אתם ג"כ שותקים מעבודת ה' ולא עוד אלא שבכל דור ודור עומדים עלינו וכו' וכו' ע"כ אל תפחדו כלל כי כבר עבר עלינו כמה בהלות מהמחלקת הגדולה והידועה ואעפ"כ האמת קים לעולם ויאבדו הם ואלף כיוצא בהם ודבר אחד מדברי תורה לא יתבטל וכל זה הוא רק לנסיון כי זה העולם הוא עולם הנסיון וכבר אמר רבנו ז"ל שזה העולם הוא עתה עולם הבחירה EN: And know that Rabbainu z"l fights on our behalf — and he can pray a prayer in the aspect of judgment — whereby the Other Side is compelled to disgorge the very essence of its vitality. And at all times gather together — to review among yourselves the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and be in great joy. For in the controversies that passed over us in our youth — the main source of our strengthening was through joy — and joy is the sweetening of all harsh judgments. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us through this — that we should have a good inscription and sealing — and may Hashem remember you with children, life, and spacious abundant sustenance. [מזונא רויחא — Aramaic: "spacious, ample, relieved sustenance" — from Aramaic revicha — relief, spaciousness, abundance; the Talmudic Aramaic word added to the classic triple of bnei chayei u'mezonah: a provision that is spacious, unencumbered, and abundantly relieved] Segment 6 HE: ע"כ אחי האהובים והנעימים תקימו דום לה' וכו' ולא תעשו שום דבר רק תלכו על קברי הצדיקים ותצעקו על גלות השכינה שאור כזה יהיה נעלם ולמען מסירת נפש הוא שמו של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' יעזור לכם ולנו ויכניע כל שונאינו תחת האמת כי האמת לעולם עומדת והאמת קים לעד ובזה מרמזין לנו שהקבוץ שלנו אינו דבר וע"י הקבוץ שלנו יהיה נבנה הבתים עד אין שעור וערך ואל תפחדו כלל כי ה' עמנו ואצלנו וקרוב אלינו וסמוך אלינו ותחזקו עצמכם בשמחה גדולה על שחולקים עליכם ועלינו על שאנו רוצים לקרב עצמנו לאור גדול כזה אור האורות אשר הוא מאיר בכל העולמות וגם אפילו עלינו ופוק חזי גבורתא דמרך EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. Segment 7 HE: ותדעו שרבנו ז"ל לוחם בעדנו והוא יכול להתפלל תפילה בבחינת דין אשר הסטרא אחרא מכרחת להקיא עצמות חיותא ובכל עת תקבצו יחד לחזר ביניכם דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והיו בשמחה מאד כי בהמחלקת שעבר עלינו בנעורינו עקרי החזוק שלנו היה ע"י שמחה ושמחה היא המתקת כל הדינים והשי"ת יעזור לנו בזכות זה שיהיה לנו כתיבה וחתימה טובה ויפקד ה' אתכם בבני חיי ומזונא רויחא EN: And I have already written a letter by post to Bucharest — and I have no reply yet. And I ask of you to write to me almost every week — letters — to Uman and to Breslov — to the address of David Shteh — and to Uman G-d willing to the address: Nussun Lirsman, may his candle shine. And I do not forget you even for a single moment — for your soul is bound to my soul — in the thick braided ropes of love — and surely at all times I will reply to you on your letter. Segment 8 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: And greetings of peace on my behalf to the honor of my friend, my dear brother, the veteran Chassid — G-d-fearing, etc. — the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and your wondrous, veteran Chassid brother Reb Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his precious, wise son Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — and congratulations to them forever. And now he must begin anew — to keep vigilant watch at the doors of the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple [לשקד על דלתות — from Proverbs 8:34: "happy is the man who listens to me — watching at my doors day by day — keeping guard at the posts of my doorways" — the image of the devoted student who keeps perpetual vigil at the doors of wisdom] — and to walk in the paths of Rabbainu z"l — in Torah and in prayer — and in private conversation between himself and his Creator — greatly. And to my truly beloved, our beloved — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And to my truly beloved friend Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l. And to his brother Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son, may his candle shine. And to Reb Henech, may his candle shine. And to Reb Yosef Adam, may his candle shine. And to Reb Meir, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the patron, our beloved, Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine — and to the patron Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — grandson of Reb Shimon, may his candle shine — and to the honor of the celebrated patron Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim Yehoshua — together with peace upon his wife — and congratulations to them — may it be in an auspicious hour — may it be for long life — and may they merit to see from their children — children and grandchildren — engaged in Torah and commandments — from great wealth and honor — without limit. Also my brother Michl, may his candle shine — and his son Kapil, may his candle shine — and my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yechiel, may his candle shine — and my brother Ze'ev, may his candle shine — together with his son-in-law, the kinsman Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak Ber, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son Aizik, may his candle shine. And my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Zeidel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife Mistress Adel, may she live — and their son Morainu v'Rabbainu Aharon Leib, may his candle shine — forever — convey greetings of peace to you on the wedding — may it G-d willing be on Tuesday of Tetzei — for congratulations. And all of them convey greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. And I ask of my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun to write to me — how is the grain held among us in Eretz Yisroel. And blessed be G-d — today I received the passport from Teiteira — and it is a great miracle — for here harsh decrees have greatly multiplied — may Hashem Yisbarach sweeten them — and so in all the holy places of Israel. Segment 9 HE: וכבר כתבתי מכתב על הפאסט לבוקרעסט ואין לי עוד שום תשובה ומבקש אני מאתכם לכתוב לי כמעט בכל שבוע מכתבים לאומן ולברסלב על אדרעס דוד שטה ולאומן אי"ה על אדרעסי נתן לירסמאן נ"י ואין אני שוכח אתכם אפילו רגע אחת כי נפשכם קשורה בנפשי בחבלי עבותות האהבה ובודאי בכל עת אשיב לכם על מכתבכם EN: Written 24th of Menachem Av, 5641 (August 1881), from Neket. Praise to G-d. Controversy as elevation. The Ladizhin story. "Go and see the might of your Master." Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש עבורי לכבוד ידידי אחי היקר ותיק וחסיד ירא אלהים וכו' החסיד ר' נחמן נ"י ולהחסיד ר' דב נ"י ולאחיך המפלא ותיק וחסיד ר' סענדיר נ"י עם שלום בנו הנחמד החכם מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י ומז"ט להם עד עולם ועתה הוא צריך להתחיל מחדש לשקד על דלתות ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולילך בדרכי רבנו ז"ל בתורה ותפילה ושיחה בינו לבין קונו הרבה EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: ולאהבי באמת או"נ מו"ה איזיק נ"י ולידידי אהבי באמת נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ולאחיו ר' יואל צבי נ"י עם בנו נ"י ולר' העניך נ"י ולר' יוסף אדם נ"י ולר' מאיר נ"י ולפב"ש לכבוד הנגיד או"נ ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י ולהנגיד ר' יעקב נ"י נכד ר' שמעון נ"י ולכבוד הנגיד המפרסם מו"ה ר' חיים יהושע עם שלום זוג' ומז"ט להם שיהיה בשעה מצלחת שיהיה לאיוש"ט ושיזכו לראות מבניהם בנים ובני בנים עוסקים בתורה ומצות מרב עשר וכבוד א"ס EN: A certain woman is traveling to the Holy Land — and I sat down with my intention to write to you everything that rises in my mind and in my thought — the binding of thought, speech, and deed — to Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Perhaps I will arouse myself from now — to begin anew to remind myself: this month is the time to circumcise the heart — the letters of Elul alluding to: "to circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed" — and to return in complete repentance — so that I may return in such repentance until I am able to fulfill: "and say: return, children of man — for days have been formed — and one of them to arouse greatly toward Hashem Yisbarach" — for all the business of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple is Rosh Hashana — and this month is a great preparation for Rosh Hashana — and these are days of divine will — will specifically. Segment 12 HE: גם אחי מיכל נ"י ובנו קאפיל נ"י וחתני מו"ה יחיאל נ"י ואחי זאב נ"י עם חתנו ש"ב מו"ה יצחק בער נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו איזיק נ"י וחתני מו"ה זידיל נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' אדל תח' ובנם מו"ה אהרן לייב נ"י לעולמים פורסים בשלומכם הטוב על החתנה שתהיה אי"ה ביום ג' תצא למז"ט וכלם פורסים בשלום כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: And we must yearn and pine and long — when will Hashem Yisbarach merit us — for all the rectifications that are made from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Shemini Atzeret — as is explained in the books of Likutay Halachos — many times — each time in a different manner. As is explained briefly in Likutay Eitzvos — the new section. And the essential thing is the will. And within all this — we must cry out and call and strengthen ourselves with fresh desires — and begin from now anew — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — through the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Segment 13 HE: ואני מבקש מאת ידידי מו"ה נתן לכתוב לי איך אוחזת התבואה אצלנו בא"י וב"ה שהיום קבלתי הפאשפארט מטייטרא והוא נס גדול כי בכאן גברו גזרות רעות הרבה השי"ת ימתיק אותם וכן בכל מקומות הק' של ישראל EN: And for the sake of Hashem — let great mercies be aroused on all the graves of the Tzaddikim — for all of Israel stand now in very great distress. Both in Russia-land and here — for here harsh decrees are being renewed every single day — and one decree more harsh than its companion — namely: that Jews shall not reside in the villages at all, G-d forbid. And also they do not allow any person from outside Wallachia to come there — and even one man from Wallachia — when he travels to another country — they afterward do not allow him to return to his own country. In sum: there is no hatred against Israel as there is here. And also from Russia-land one hears here of great devastations. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on all Israel — for the compassion that is required for our brothers the children of Israel — is beyond all reckoning. And we are obligated to cry out to Hashem Yisbarach — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l in the Aleph-Beis — that every person must hang the communal suffering specifically upon his own sin [לתלות בחטאו — "to hang it upon his own sin" — from talah — to hang, to suspend; the image of hanging the collective suffering on one's own sin as on a peg — taking personal responsibility as the cause; not merely connecting to it but specifically suspending it there as one hangs something on a hook]. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 14 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov # קטו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/115/ קטו קטו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/115 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' ערב ראש חדש אלול תרמ"א פה טייטרא EN: A certain woman is traveling to the Holy Land — and I sat down with my intention to write to you everything that rises in my mind and in my thought — the binding of thought, speech, and deed — to Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Perhaps I will arouse myself from now — to begin anew to remind myself: this month is the time to circumcise the heart — the letters of Elul alluding to: "to circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed" — and to return in complete repentance — so that I may return in such repentance until I am able to fulfill: "and say: return, children of man — for days have been formed — and one of them to arouse greatly toward Hashem Yisbarach" — for all the business of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple is Rosh Hashana — and this month is a great preparation for Rosh Hashana — and these are days of divine will — will specifically. Segment 2 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב הכתיבה והחתימה EN: And we must yearn and pine and long — when will Hashem Yisbarach merit us — for all the rectifications that are made from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Shemini Atzeret — as is explained in the books of Likutay Halachos — many times — each time in a different manner. As is explained briefly in Likutay Eitzvos — the new section. And the essential thing is the will. And within all this — we must cry out and call and strengthen ourselves with fresh desires — and begin from now anew — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — through the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו כבוד מורנו ר' סענדיר חיים נ"י ולכבוד ידידי או"נ מו"ה איזיק נ"י וכבוד כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: And for the sake of Hashem — let great mercies be aroused on all the graves of the Tzaddikim — for all of Israel stand now in very great distress. Both in Russia-land and here — for here harsh decrees are being renewed every single day — and one decree more harsh than its companion — namely: that Jews shall not reside in the villages at all, G-d forbid. And also they do not allow any person from outside Wallachia to come there — and even one man from Wallachia — when he travels to another country — they afterward do not allow him to return to his own country. In sum: there is no hatred against Israel as there is here. And also from Russia-land one hears here of great devastations. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on all Israel — for the compassion that is required for our brothers the children of Israel — is beyond all reckoning. And we are obligated to cry out to Hashem Yisbarach — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu z"l in the Aleph-Beis — that every person must hang the communal suffering specifically upon his own sin [לתלות בחטאו — "to hang it upon his own sin" — from talah — to hang, to suspend; the image of hanging the collective suffering on one's own sin as on a peg — taking personal responsibility as the cause; not merely connecting to it but specifically suspending it there as one hangs something on a hook]. Segment 4 HE: הנה נוסעת לארץ הקודש אשה אחת וישבתי בדעתי לכתוב לכם כל מה שיעלה על דעתי ועל מחשבתי התקשרות המחשבה דבור ומעשה לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אולי נתעורר אני מעתה להתחיל מחדש להזכיר את עצמי שהחדש הזה הוא הזמן למול א'ת ל'בבי ול'בב זרעי ולשוב בתשובה שלמה שאשוב כך בתשובה עד שאוכל לקים ותאמר שובו בני אדם כי ימים יצרו ולו אחד בהם להתעורר הרבה להשי"ת כי כל עסקו של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הוא ר"ה וחדש זה הוא הכנה גדולה לר"ה והם ימי רצון רצון דיקא EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: וצריכין אנו לכסוף ולהשתוקק ולהתגעגע מתי יזכה אותנו השי"ת לכל התקונים הנעשים מראש חדש אלול עד שמיני עצרת כמבאר בספרי לקוטי הלכות הרבה בכל פעם באפן אחר המבאר בקצור בלקוטי עצות חדש והעיקר הוא הרצון ובתוך כך אנו צריכין לצעק ולזעק ולהתגבר ברצונות חדשים ולהתחיל מעתה מחדש לקרב עצמנו להשי"ת ע"י דרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' EN: Also I convey his good greetings — my friend and beloved — and may the inscription and sealing be good for him — none other than Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to all the Anash in general and in particular. I am making a wedding for my son — the precious distinguished young scholar the honor of our teacher Reb Leibele, may his candle shine — and the reception of the families is the coming Shabbos that comes upon us for good — the Torah portion of Shoftim — and the wedding canopy will be G-d willing on Thursday of Tetzei. And may Hashem Yisbarach help — and may the match succeed well — and would that Hashem Yisbarach help me — that I should be present for the coming Rosh Hashana in Uman. Segment 6 HE: ולמען ה' שיתעוררו רחמים גדולים על כל קברי הצדיקים כי כל ישראל עומדים עתה במצוקה גדולה עד למאד הן ברוסין לאנד והן בכאן כי בכאן גזרות קשות מתחדשות בכל יום וגזרה אחת קשה מחברתה הינו שלא ישבו ישראלים בכפרים כלל ח"ו וגם אינם מניחים שום אדם חוץ למדינת וואלחיי לבא לשם ואפילו איש אחד מוואלחיי כשנוסע למדינה אחרת אח"כ אינם מניחים אותו בהחזרה לבא למדינתו הכלל אין שנאה על ישראל כמו בכאן וגם מרוסין לאנד שומעים בכאן חרבנות גדולים השי"ת ירחם על כל ישראל כי אין לשער הרחמנות הגדול אשר על אחינו בני ישראל ועלינו מוטל לצעק להשי"ת כמבאר בדברי רבנו ז"ל בהאלף בית שכל אדם צריך לתלות בחטאו EN: And as we have heard and seen that controversy has been stirred against us — without cause — and I hope that it will be fulfilled for us: "and our enemies shall see and be ashamed." And particularly words of falsehood such as these — where on every page and every page — he remembers our righteous Messiah — and the truth is that they have certainly desecrated him. Therefore do not fear and do not be afraid at all — for many rise against us and Hashem is our shield. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: Words of his friend, Yechiel Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Wednesday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5641 (August 1881), from Teiteira. An Elul letter. Reports of pogroms and decrees. Postscript by Reb Yechiel. Segment 9 HE: גם אני פורס בשלומו הטוב ידידי ואהבי וייטיב לו הכתיבה והחתימה הלא הוא מו"ה נתן נ"י ולכל אנ"ש בכלל ופרט הנה אני עשה נשואין לבני הבחור החשוב המפלג כבוד מורנו ר' לייבלע נ"י והאוף ריפינס היא בשבת הבא עלינו לטובה פ' שופטים והחפה תהיה אי"ה יום ה' אלול פ' תצא ויעזור השי"ת שיהיה והזווג יהיה עולה יפה ומי יתן שיעזור השי"ת אותי שאהיה על ר"ה הבא עלינו לטובה באומן EN: Words of his friend, Yechiel Segment 10 HE: וכפי ששמענו וראינו שנתעורר המחלקת עלינו על לא חנם ואקוה שיקים בנו ויראו שנאינו ויבשו ובפרט דברי כזב כזה אשר בכל עת ועל כל דף ודף זוכר את משיח צדקנו והאמת שבודאי חללו ע"כ אל תיראו ואל תפחדו כלל כי רבים קמים עלינו וה' מגן בעדנו EN: Written Wednesday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5641 (August 1881), from Teiteira. An Elul letter. Reports of pogroms and decrees. Postscript by Reb Yechiel. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 113 | Kuf-Yud-Gimmel Translator's Summary — Letter 113 Letter 114 | Kuf-Yud-Dalet Segment 11 HE: דברי ידידו EN: Translator's Summary — Letter 113 Segment 12 HE: יחיאל EN: Letter 114 | Kuf-Yud-Dalet # קטז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/116/ קטז קטז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/116 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' בין כסה לעשור תרמ"ב פה אומן EN: Blessed be G-d — we had a very good Rosh Hashana — and blessed be G-d — the gathering was very, very large. And there were loud cries and pleas for salvation and sighs and meditative contemplations of repentance [tze'akos u'shu'os v'anachot v'hirhurei teshuvah — four distinct forms: loud cries of distress (tze'akos); pleas for salvation (shu'os); sighs and groans (anachot); and hirhurei teshuvah — meditative inward contemplations of repentance; hirhurim specifically means the soul's introspective pondering and turning-over of thoughts in repentance — distinct from the outward cry] at the resting place of Rabbainu z"l — greatly. And it surely ascended heavenward — and Rabbainu z"l will build from them buildings — wondrous and awesome buildings. And I bound you within the holy assembly — for I know your desire also to be there. And I prayed greatly on your behalf. And I received from you the letter — that Reb Aizik's wife wants to divorce him. And I prayed greatly before Rabbainu z"l that Hashem Yisbarach help him — that he be released from her — and that He arrange for him his match — with living and enduring children. For it gives me no ease. Segment 2 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לנו הגמר חתימה טובה EN: But know — that I suffered a loss here — for they stole from me a small trunk — and the loss comes to approximately ten rubles. And when I come home I will tell you how it was. And G-d willing from now — ask for Rosh Hashana — and I too ask of Hashem Yisbarach — from the Fast of Gedaliah — for the coming Rosh Hashana. For this is the essence of our hope and our life-force — forever. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום בנו היקר מו"ה סענדיר נ"י EN: And now I write: that the letter you sent me — to give the sum of 5024 rubles — I fulfilled your words. And G-d willing when I come home in peace — I will bring you receipts. And also I am sending you the sum of seventy-five rubles. And also Reb Hirsh of Kalibulad said he sent you fifty rubles. And also you have twenty-five rubles — what was given to you for the craftsman. And it will come to a total of one hundred and fifty rubles — against the debt. And I will give to the craftsman the sum of twenty-five rubles. And if you did not receive the fifty from Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — immediately write to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, by post — and let him travel to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, to give it to him — for Reb Hirsh told me angrily that he did not want to give to me but only to send — and I did not speak with Reb Hirsh about this — for I had no leisure — for it was almost Rosh Hashana eve — and he immediately traveled in the morning of the Fast of Gedaliah. But G-d willing after Yom Kippur — when I travel to Tcheryn for Sukkos — I will travel that way — and there I will speak with him. Segment 4 HE: ב"ה היה לנו ר"ה טוב מאד וב"ה היה קבוץ גדול עד מאד וצעקות ושועות ואנחות והרהורי תשובה היו על ציון רבנו ז"ל הרבה ובודאי עלה השמימה ורבנו ז"ל יבנה מהם בנינים בנינים נפלאים ונוראים וקשרתי אתכם בתוך הקבוץ הק' כי יודע אני רצונכם ג"כ להיות שם ובקשתי הרבה בעדכם וקבלתי ממך מכתב שר' איזיק נ"י אשתו רוצה לגרש אותו ובקשתי הרבה מרבנו ז"ל שהשי"ת יעזור לו שיפטר אותהויזמין לו זווגו עם בנים חיים וקימים כי אינו ניחא לי EN: And also to inform Reb Abba — that within my stolen goods — there were there stolen also the belongings that he sent with me for his son, may his candle shine — and they were stolen from me. And I have suffering from this. But to his brother-in-law Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — I gave him what he sent with me. And also to say to your father, may his candle shine — that I received the barnaz from your brother Nachman, may his candle shine — on behalf of your brother Yisroel Leib, may his candle shine. And also your sister-in-law Tzarne, may she live, was at Rosh Hashana — and I delivered to her the letter from your brother Sender, may his candle shine — and I spoke with her at length. And when I come home in peace I will tell him. And she also said to me that she will immediately send him a letter herself. Segment 5 HE: אך תדעו שהיה לי הזק בכאן שגנבו מאתי קלימק קטן ועולה ההזק על סך עשרה רו"ח וכשאבא לביתי אספר לכם איך היה ואי"ה מעתה תבקשו על ר"ה וגם אני מבקש מהשי"ת מצום גדליה על ר"ה להבא כי זה עיקר תקותנו וחיותנו לנצח EN: Also I received a letter from all the sons of our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and all of them were at Rosh Hashana — blessed be G-d. And the letter is enclosed here. More I have no leisure to write — because I want to go to the holy resting place of Rabbainu — and there surely is also his holy disciple. Segment 6 HE: ועתה אני כתב שמה ששלחת לי מכתב לתן הסך 5024 רו"ח קימתי דבריך ואי"ה כשאבא לביתי לשלום אביא לכם קבלות וגם אני שולח לך סך שבעים וחמש רו"כ וגם ר' הירש מקאליבלאד אמר ששלח לך חמשים רו"ח וגם יש לך 20 וחמש רו"ח מה שנתנו לך על הבעל מלאכה ויהיה בסך הכל מאה וחמשים רו"ח על חוב ואני אתן להבעל מלאכה הסך 20 וחמש רו"ח ואם לא קבלת הסך חמשים מר' הירש נ"י תכף תכתב לחמיך נ"י על הפאסט ויסע לר' הירש נ"י לתן לו כי ר' הירש אמר לי בכעס שלא רצה לתן לי רק לשלח ואני לא דברתי מזה עם ר' הירש נ"י כי לא היה לי פנאי כי כמעט ערב ר"ה ונסע תכף בבקר צום גדליה רק אי"ה אחר יום כפור כשאסע לטשעהרין על סכות אסע דרך שם ושם אדבר עמו EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who mentions you at all times for good — and blesses you with the completion of a good sealing, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: וגם להודיע לר' אבא כ"מ שבתוך הגנבה שלי היה שם הגנבה עם חפצים ששלח עמדי לבנו נ"י ונגנבו מאתי ויש לי יסורים מזה אך לגיסו ר' שמואל נ"י נתתי לו מה ששלח עמי וגם לומר לאביך נ"י שקבלתי הבארנאז מאחיך נחמן נ"י עבור אחיך ישראל לייב נ"י וגם גיסתך צארנע תח' היתה על ר"ה ומסרתי לה המכתב מאחיך סענדיר נ"י ודברתי עמה הרבה דבורים וכשאבא לביתי לשלום אספר לו והיא ג"כ אמרה לי שתכף תשלח לו מכתב בעצמה EN: Written Tuesday, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, 5642 (autumn 1881), from Uman. A very good Rosh Hashana. Four distinct forms of prayer at the grave. The writer was robbed. Account-settling. Rushing to the grave. Segment 8 HE: ג"כ קבלתי מכתב מכל בני ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י וכלם היו על ר"ה ב"ה והמכתב רצוף פה יותר אין לי פנאי לכתוב מחמת שאני רוצה לילך על ציון הק' של רבנו ובשם בודאי תלמידו הק' ג"כ EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת המזכירכם בכל פעם לטובה ומברך אתכם בגמר חתימה טובה EN: Your letter I received properly — and you gave me life with your letter — that you ask of Hashem Yisbarach to purify you from the evil blood. And this is the essence of repentance: to subdue the blood in the left cavity. And Rabbainu z"l also said in another place: that the quality of contentiousness and victory-seeking comes from the blood in which one did not serve Hashem Yisbarach. Therefore my friend, our beloved — now that Hashem Yisbarach has forgiven you all your sins on the day of the wedding canopy — now settle yourself in a settled and composed frame of mind — in your soul and in your heart — upon what we have come to this lowly world for [l'hai alma shfalah — Aramaic: "to this lowly world" — alma is the Aramaic word for world; a code-switch into the language of the Talmud and Zohar; shfalah — lowly, degraded]. And cast away every kind of victory-seeking and pride. And let your main victory-drive be directed against the evil impulse — not to allow it to enter into your thought. For two thoughts cannot be present at the same time — thus Rabbainu revealed. And establish fixed times in the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And greatly multiply prayer and supplication to Hashem Yisbarach — to save you from the flood of many waters that want to overwhelm us — and from the two mouths of the accuser who wants to chew us up and lies in wait for us in many nets — through his evil character traits. For blessed be G-d you are a person of great intellect — and Rabbainu z"l revealed: that the brain is a partition spread before the desires. And look at what is written in Chayei Moharan — page 15 — part two — in the letter about the virtue of seclusion — and in this letter look at least approximately one day — and there you will find repose for your soul in your youth. And also in the Torah Chayyim Nitzchiyim — Likutay Tinyana, sign 72 — Rabbainu revealed to us: that the essence of greatness is lowliness. And do not have in your heart any envy toward your brother-in-law — for he does not know of any ultimate purpose. And you — blessed be G-d — know what the essential ultimate purpose is. And as I spoke with you in my home — do not take offense at anything — and then you will carry grace and favor in the eyes of all — and even in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach you will carry grace and favor — and He will have mercy on you — and lead you on the straight and true path. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Teverya Undated — autumn-winter 5642. Personal guidance for the young newlywed. The blood of the left cavity. The brain as partition. Greatness is lowliness. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter I received properly — one for Reb Simcha, may his candle shine — and one for Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine — and also yours — and from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — all of them I received. For the sake of Hashem — my brothers and my friends — be strong and let yourselves be strengthened in the study of the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — for they are eternal life and the life of the world to come — and the Garden of Eden — "and the eye has not seen." For everything that I study more of their holy and awesome books — I taste a different flavor. And even if I had come into the world only for the purpose that the name of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple should be called upon us — that would be sufficient. For Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple want to bring all who come into the world out from the seven chambers of Gehinnom — and from all the shames that are worse than Gehinnom — and to bequeath to us three hundred and ten worlds — through their holy words. But we must abandon the imagined honor of this world — and even bear humiliations and the pouring out of one's blood. For thus said Rabbainu z"l: every Tzaddik of the generation who is true to truth has the power to guide the world as he knows it. And the ancient Tzaddikim — their main repentance was through afflictions and fastings. But Rabbainu z"l — his main repentance is to flee from honor — and to bear humiliations and the pouring out of one's blood. And just as by the people of the Master of Prayer — fasting and affliction was considered by them more precious than all pleasures — so must humiliation and pouring out of blood be considered precious by us. And particularly when the humiliations come to us of their own accord — and we are not pursuing them — as the people of the Master of Prayer pursued fastings and afflictions — and we must receive them with love and with joy. For through this — the form of the letter aleph is completed — and above — a human being is made from this to sit upon the throne. Therefore — my brothers and my friends — be strong and courageous — in joy — that there is our portion: in the yeshivah of Rabbainu z"l and of his holy disciple. [מישיבה של רבנו ז"ל — "from the yeshivah of Rabbainu z"l" — the spiritual academy and ongoing school of Rabbainu z"l; to belong to his yeshivah is to be enrolled in his permanent spiritual institution, not merely to be in his "fellowship"] And the guarded and preserved treasury of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple [אוצר המנצר — "the guarded and preserved treasury" — two distinct words: otzar — treasury; and metzar — the one that is guarded and carefully preserved; from natzar — to guard, to keep watch over; the treasury that is specifically watched over and kept safe] rests in our home. And Hashem Yisbarach will merit us to use them at all times — with constancy. And surely G-d willing our end will be for good. And also those who hate us without cause will be nullified before us. Only for the sake of Hashem — זייט פריליך אין גאט איז מיט אינז אין לעבן אינז אין שרעקט זיך נישט — Be joyful — and G-d is with us and lives with us — and do not be afraid — "stand firm and see the salvation of Hashem" — and the believer will not be shaken. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And I ask of you to find the letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — that came into your hand on Rosh Chodesh Elul or a little before — there it is written that he received from the wife of Chaike, may she live — the sum of three rubles. And according to my memory it seems to me that he wrote that he gave it to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and Reb Dov wrote that he did not receive from him. And surely this is the truth. Therefore I want you to write to me the exact words of the letter from your co-parent-in-law — and I will write to your co-parent-in-law. And also know — that I am sending you the two Meizhides and one quarter of a Meizhide. One Meizhide — give to my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yekusiel z"l — for I owe him fifty groshen. And one Meizhide — take against the debt that I owe you. And the quarter — distribute: two groshen to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and two groshen to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and one groshen to Reb Avraham Hirsh, may his candle shine — and the remainder to Reb Yosef, may his candle shine. And this money is from the redemption of my sister Chana, may she live — to distribute — for she is not in good health — pray for her. For my son Moshe Efraim sent seven rubles. Therefore I am sending you against the debt with Reb Simcha — and the remainder I will return to you with thanks. Words of the above-mentioned. And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Written Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 5642 (January 1882), from Teverya. Study of Rabbainu z"l's books — eternal life. Humiliation as repentance. The form of the aleph. A Yiddish closing. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — we had a very good Rosh Hashana — and blessed be G-d — the gathering was very, very large. And there were loud cries and pleas for salvation and sighs and meditative contemplations of repentance [tze'akos u'shu'os v'anachot v'hirhurei teshuvah — four distinct forms: loud cries of distress (tze'akos); pleas for salvation (shu'os); sighs and groans (anachot); and hirhurei teshuvah — meditative inward contemplations of repentance; hirhurim specifically means the soul's introspective pondering and turning-over of thoughts in repentance — distinct from the outward cry] at the resting place of Rabbainu z"l — greatly. And it surely ascended heavenward — and Rabbainu z"l will build from them buildings — wondrous and awesome buildings. And I bound you within the holy assembly — for I know your desire also to be there. And I prayed greatly on your behalf. And I received from you the letter — that Reb Aizik's wife wants to divorce him. And I prayed greatly before Rabbainu z"l that Hashem Yisbarach help him — that he be released from her — and that He arrange for him his match — with living and enduring children. For it gives me no ease. But know — that I suffered a loss here — for they stole from me a small trunk — and the loss comes to approximately ten rubles. And when I come home I will tell you how it was. And G-d willing from now — ask for Rosh Hashana — and I too ask of Hashem Yisbarach — from the Fast of Gedaliah — for the coming Rosh Hashana. For this is the essence of our hope and our life-force — forever. And now I write: that the letter you sent me — to give the sum of 5024 rubles — I fulfilled your words. And G-d willing when I come home in peace — I will bring you receipts. And also I am sending you the sum of seventy-five rubles. And also Reb Hirsh of Kalibulad said he sent you fifty rubles. And also you have twenty-five rubles — what was given to you for the craftsman. And it will come to a total of one hundred and fifty rubles — against the debt. And I will give to the craftsman the sum of twenty-five rubles. And if you did not receive the fifty from Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — immediately write to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, by post — and let him travel to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, to give it to him — for Reb Hirsh told me angrily that he did not want to give to me but only to send — and I did not speak with Reb Hirsh about this — for I had no leisure — for it was almost Rosh Hashana eve — and he immediately traveled in the morning of the Fast of Gedaliah. But G-d willing after Yom Kippur — when I travel to Tcheryn for Sukkos — I will travel that way — and there I will speak with him. And also to inform Reb Abba — that within my stolen goods — there were there stolen also the belongings that he sent with me for his son, may his candle shine — and they were stolen from me. And I have suffering from this. But to his brother-in-law Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — I gave him what he sent with me. And also to say to your father, may his candle shine — that I received the barnaz from your brother Nachman, may his candle shine — on behalf of your brother Yisroel Leib, may his candle shine. And also your sister-in-law Tzarne, may she live, was at Rosh Hashana — and I delivered to her the letter from your brother Sender, may his candle shine — and I spoke with her at length. And when I come home in peace I will tell him. And she also said to me that she will immediately send him a letter herself. Also I received a letter from all the sons of our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and all of them were at Rosh Hashana — blessed be G-d. And the letter is enclosed here. More I have no leisure to write — because I want to go to the holy resting place of Rabbainu — and there surely is also his holy disciple. Words of one who truly loves you — who mentions you at all times for good — and blesses you with the completion of a good sealing, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, 5642 (autumn 1881), from Uman. A very good Rosh Hashana. Four distinct forms of prayer at the grave. The writer was robbed. Account-settling. Rushing to the grave. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And look at what is written in Chayei Moharan — page 15 — part two — in the letter about the virtue of seclusion — and in this letter look at least approximately one day — and there you will find repose for your soul in your youth. And also in the Torah Chayyim Nitzchiyim — Likutay Tinyana, sign 72 — Rabbainu revealed to us: that the essence of greatness is lowliness. And do not have in your heart any envy toward your brother-in-law — for he does not know of any ultimate purpose. And you — blessed be G-d — know what the essential ultimate purpose is. And as I spoke with you in my home — do not take offense at anything — and then you will carry grace and favor in the eyes of all — and even in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach you will carry grace and favor — and He will have mercy on you — and lead you on the straight and true path. # קיז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/117/ קיז קיז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/117 Segment 1 HE: בסימן טוב ובמז"ט אקרא לאו"נ באמת ובתמים להאברך המשלם כש"ת מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י עם בת גילו תח' עם שלום חותנו הנגיד המפרסם לשבח כש"ת מו"ה ר' חיים יהושע נ"י עם שלום חמותו תח' ומז"ט להם כל ימיהם EN: Your letter I received properly — and you gave me life with your letter — that you ask of Hashem Yisbarach to purify you from the evil blood. And this is the essence of repentance: to subdue the blood in the left cavity. And Rabbainu z"l also said in another place: that the quality of contentiousness and victory-seeking comes from the blood in which one did not serve Hashem Yisbarach. Therefore my friend, our beloved — now that Hashem Yisbarach has forgiven you all your sins on the day of the wedding canopy — now settle yourself in a settled and composed frame of mind — in your soul and in your heart — upon what we have come to this lowly world for [l'hai alma shfalah — Aramaic: "to this lowly world" — alma is the Aramaic word for world; a code-switch into the language of the Talmud and Zohar; shfalah — lowly, degraded]. And cast away every kind of victory-seeking and pride. And let your main victory-drive be directed against the evil impulse — not to allow it to enter into your thought. For two thoughts cannot be present at the same time — thus Rabbainu revealed. And establish fixed times in the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And greatly multiply prayer and supplication to Hashem Yisbarach — to save you from the flood of many waters that want to overwhelm us — and from the two mouths of the accuser who wants to chew us up and lies in wait for us in many nets — through his evil character traits. For blessed be G-d you are a person of great intellect — and Rabbainu z"l revealed: that the brain is a partition spread before the desires. Segment 2 HE: מכתבך קבלתי לנכון והחייתני במכתבך שאתה מבקש מהשי"ת לזכך אותך מהדמים הרעים וזה עיקר התשובה להכניע הדם שבחלל השמאלי וגם רבנו ז"ל אמר במקום אחר שמדת הנצחון הוא מהדמים שלא עבד בהם השי"ת ע"כ ידידי או"נ איך שהשי"ת מחל לך כל עונותיך ביום החפה ועתה תישב עצמך בדעה מישבת ובנפשך ובלבבך על מה אתינן להאי עלמא שפלה ולהשליך כל מיני נצחון וגאות ועיקר הנצחון שלך יהיה נגד היצר הרע שלא תניח אותו לכנס במחשבתך כי שני מחשבות אינם יכולין להיות ביחד כך גלה רבנו ותקבע שעורים בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולהרבות בתפילה ותחנונים להשי"ת ולהציל אותך משטף מים רבים אשר רוצים לשטף אותנו ומשני הס"ם אשר רוצים ללעס אותנו ואורב עלינו בכמה רשתות במדותיו הרעים כי ב"ה אתה בעל דעת גדול ורבנו ז"ל גלה שהמח הוא מחיצה פרוסה בפני התאוות EN: And look at what is written in Chayei Moharan — page 15 — part two — in the letter about the virtue of seclusion — and in this letter look at least approximately one day — and there you will find repose for your soul in your youth. And also in the Torah Chayyim Nitzchiyim — Likutay Tinyana, sign 72 — Rabbainu revealed to us: that the essence of greatness is lowliness. And do not have in your heart any envy toward your brother-in-law — for he does not know of any ultimate purpose. And you — blessed be G-d — know what the essential ultimate purpose is. And as I spoke with you in my home — do not take offense at anything — and then you will carry grace and favor in the eyes of all — and even in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach you will carry grace and favor — and He will have mercy on you — and lead you on the straight and true path. Segment 3 HE: ולעין מה שכתוב בחיי מוהר"ן בדף ט"ו חלק שני באות מעלת התבודדות ובזה האות תעין עכ"פ ערך יום ושם תמצא מרגוע לנפשך בימי נעוריך וגם בהתורה חיים נצחיים לקוטי תנינא סימן ע"ב גלה לנו רבנו שעיקר גדלות הוא שפלות ואל תהיה בלבבך שום קנאה על גיסך כי הוא אינו יודע משום תכלית ואתה ב"ה יודע מה הוא עיקר התכלית וכאשר דברתי עמך בביתי שלא תקפיד על שום דבר ואזי תשא חן וחסד בעיני כל ואפילו בעיני השי"ת תשא חן וחסד וירחם עליך ויוליכך בדרך הישר והאמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Teverya Undated — autumn-winter 5642. Personal guidance for the young newlywed. The blood of the left cavity. The brain as partition. Greatness is lowliness. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 4 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Undated — autumn-winter 5642. Personal guidance for the young newlywed. The blood of the left cavity. The brain as partition. Greatness is lowliness. Segment 5 HE: נתן מטבריא EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קיח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/118/ קיח קיח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/118 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' לסדר שמות תרמ"ב פה טבריא EN: Your letter I received properly — one for Reb Simcha, may his candle shine — and one for Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine — and also yours — and from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — all of them I received. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי עז מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י לעולמים EN: For the sake of Hashem — my brothers and my friends — be strong and let yourselves be strengthened in the study of the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — for they are eternal life and the life of the world to come — and the Garden of Eden — "and the eye has not seen." For everything that I study more of their holy and awesome books — I taste a different flavor. And even if I had come into the world only for the purpose that the name of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple should be called upon us — that would be sufficient. For Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple want to bring all who come into the world out from the seven chambers of Gehinnom — and from all the shames that are worse than Gehinnom — and to bequeath to us three hundred and ten worlds — through their holy words. But we must abandon the imagined honor of this world — and even bear humiliations and the pouring out of one's blood. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם קבלתי לנכון א' לר' שמחה נ"י ולר' שמואל העניך נ"י וגם שלך ומר' איזיק נ"י לידי כלם קבלתי EN: For thus said Rabbainu z"l: every Tzaddik of the generation who is true to truth has the power to guide the world as he knows it. And the ancient Tzaddikim — their main repentance was through afflictions and fastings. But Rabbainu z"l — his main repentance is to flee from honor — and to bear humiliations and the pouring out of one's blood. And just as by the people of the Master of Prayer — fasting and affliction was considered by them more precious than all pleasures — so must humiliation and pouring out of blood be considered precious by us. And particularly when the humiliations come to us of their own accord — and we are not pursuing them — as the people of the Master of Prayer pursued fastings and afflictions — and we must receive them with love and with joy. For through this — the form of the letter aleph is completed — and above — a human being is made from this to sit upon the throne. Segment 4 HE: ולמען ה' אחי ורעי חזקו ונתחזק בלמודי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי הם חיים נצחיים וחיי עולם הבא וג"ע ועין לא ראתה כי כל מה שאני לומד יותר ספריהם הק' והנוראים אני טועם טעם אחר ואלמלא לא אתינא לעלמא אלא שיהיה שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' נקרא עלינו די כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' רוצים להוציא כל באי עולם משבעה מדורי גיהנם ומכל הבושות שהם גרועים מהגיהנם ולהנחיל אותנו ש"י עולמות ע"י דבוריהם הק' רק אנו צריכין להפקיר את הכבוד המדמה מזה העולם ואפילו לסבל בזיונות ושפיכות דמים EN: Therefore — my brothers and my friends — be strong and courageous — in joy — that there is our portion: in the yeshivah of Rabbainu z"l and of his holy disciple. [מישיבה של רבנו ז"ל — "from the yeshivah of Rabbainu z"l" — the spiritual academy and ongoing school of Rabbainu z"l; to belong to his yeshivah is to be enrolled in his permanent spiritual institution, not merely to be in his "fellowship"] And the guarded and preserved treasury of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple [אוצר המנצר — "the guarded and preserved treasury" — two distinct words: otzar — treasury; and metzar — the one that is guarded and carefully preserved; from natzar — to guard, to keep watch over; the treasury that is specifically watched over and kept safe] rests in our home. And Hashem Yisbarach will merit us to use them at all times — with constancy. And surely G-d willing our end will be for good. And also those who hate us without cause will be nullified before us. Only for the sake of Hashem — זייט פריליך אין גאט איז מיט אינז אין לעבן אינז אין שרעקט זיך נישט — Be joyful — and G-d is with us and lives with us — and do not be afraid — "stand firm and see the salvation of Hashem" — and the believer will not be shaken. Segment 5 HE: כי כך אמר רבנו ז"ל שכל הצדיק הדור האמת לאמתו יש לו כח להנהיג העולם כמו שהוא יודע והצדיקים הקדמונים היה עיקר תשובתם סגופים ותעניתים ורבנו ז"ל אצלו עיקר התשובה לברח מן הכבוד ולסבל בזיונות ושפיכות דמים וכמו שאצל אנשי הבעל תפילה היה חשוב אצלם תענית וסגוף יותר מכל התענוגים כך צריך להיות אצלנו חשוב בזיון ושפיכות דמים ובפרט כשבאים אלינו ממילא הבזיונות ואין אנו רודפים אחריהם כמו אנשי הבעל תפילה שהיו רודפים אחרי תעניתים וסגופים ואנו צריכין לקבל אותם באהבה ובשמחה כי עי"ז נשלם תמונת אל"ף ולמעלה נעשה מזה אדם לשבת על הכסא EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: ע"כ אחי ורעי חזקו ואמצו נא בשמחה ששם חלקנו מישיבה של רבנו ז"ל ומתלמידו הק' ואוצר המנצר של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מנחים בביתנו והשי"ת יזכה אותנו להשתמש בהם בכל עת ועת בהתמדה בודאי אי"ה יהיה אחריתנו לטובה וגם השונאי חנם יתבטלו בפנינו רק למען ה' זייט פריליך און גאט איז מיט אינז און לעבן אינז אין שרעקט זיך נישט התיצבו וראו את ישועת ה' והמאמין לא יחוש EN: And I ask of you to find the letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — that came into your hand on Rosh Chodesh Elul or a little before — there it is written that he received from the wife of Chaike, may she live — the sum of three rubles. And according to my memory it seems to me that he wrote that he gave it to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and Reb Dov wrote that he did not receive from him. And surely this is the truth. Therefore I want you to write to me the exact words of the letter from your co-parent-in-law — and I will write to your co-parent-in-law. And also know — that I am sending you the two Meizhides and one quarter of a Meizhide. One Meizhide — give to my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yekusiel z"l — for I owe him fifty groshen. And one Meizhide — take against the debt that I owe you. And the quarter — distribute: two groshen to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and two groshen to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and one groshen to Reb Avraham Hirsh, may his candle shine — and the remainder to Reb Yosef, may his candle shine. And this money is from the redemption of my sister Chana, may she live — to distribute — for she is not in good health — pray for her. For my son Moshe Efraim sent seven rubles. Therefore I am sending you against the debt with Reb Simcha — and the remainder I will return to you with thanks. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: Words of the above-mentioned. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Segment 9 HE: ואני מבקש מאתך לחפש המכתב מחמיך נ"י שבא לידך בראש חדש אלול או קדם מעט שם כתוב שקבל מבת זוג' חיקע תח' סך שלשה רו"ח ולפי הזכרון שלי נדמה בדעתי שכתב שנתן לר' דב נ"י ור' דב כתב שלא קבל מאתו ובודאי כך הוא האמת ע"כ אני רוצה שתכתב לי הלשון מהמכתב של חמיך נ"י ואני אכתב לחמיך נ"י גם תדע שאני שולח לך השני מז'ידעס ורבע מז'ידע אחד מז'ידע תתן לידידי ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל כי אני חיב לו חמשים גר' ואחד מז'ידע תקבל על החוב שאני חיב לך ורבע תחלק שני גר' לר' איזיק נ"י ושני גר' לר' דב נ"י ואחד גר' לר' אברהם הירש נ"י והמותר לר' יוסף נ"י וזה המעות של פדיון אחותי חנה תח' לחלק כי היא אינה בקו הבריאה להתפלל עליה כי בני משה אפרים שלח שבעה רו"ח ע"כ אני שולח לכם על החוב עם ר' שמחה והמותר אחזיר לך בת"ח EN: Words of the above-mentioned. And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Written Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 5642 (January 1882), from Teverya. Study of Rabbainu z"l's books — eternal life. Humiliation as repentance. The form of the aleph. A Yiddish closing. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 116 | Kuf-Tes-Zayin Segment 10 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש EN: Letter 116 | Kuf-Tes-Zayin # קיט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/119/ קיט קיט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/119 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' וארא תרמ"ב פה טבריא לכבוד ידידי או"נ המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י מכתבך מיום ה' שמות קבלתי לנכון ומחמת בלבול מחי שזוג' תח' חלשתה גברה עליה מאד בכמה מיני חולאת כאשר כתבתי לך השי"ת ירחם עליה חיש מהר בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאנו חוסים בהם ובזכות כל הצדיקים הגנוזים בכל ערי יהודא והגנוזים בחו"ל ע"כ לא עינתי בהחשבונות ועכשו עינתי היטב וראה אני מזלך שלא לצדיק כל און כי אם לא היה כתב לי לא שמתי לבי לחשבון ולבקש כל אנ"ש שיעתירו ויתפללו עבור זוג' הכשרה רפואה ואני פורס בשלום לכל אנ"ש וגם לר' יואל צבי נ"י וקבלתי ע"י חתנו ר' יוסף הפרישת שלום שלו ולכתוב לי מר' נחמן נ"י מה הוא עשה יותר חדשות אין רק השי"ת מחדש בכל יום תמיד בטובו מעשה בראשית בכל יום ידידכם אוהבכם באמת המתגעגע לראות עמכם EN: Your letter from Thursday of Shemos I received properly. And because of the confusion of my mind — for my wife, may she live, her weakness has greatly intensified — with several kinds of ailments — as I wrote to you — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her quickly and soon — in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — in whom we take shelter — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in all the cities of Judah and those stored away in the diaspora. Therefore I did not look carefully at the accounts. And now I looked at them carefully — and see — I am your good fortune [ראה אני מזלך — "see — I am your good fortune" — the writer presents himself as the recipient's mazal — his divine influence and fortune; in Kabbalistic thought the righteous intercessor is himself the mazal of those he prays for; a personal declaration, not merely "it is your good fortune"] that I do not condemn all the wrongdoing — for if you had not written to me — I would not have turned my attention to the accounting. Segment 2 HE: זוג' תח' ואחותי תח' פורסים בשלום זוג' תח' ובנך סענדיר נ"י למען ה' המלבוש שלי לשלח לי בשירא ראשונה כי אין לי במה לילך בשבת ולקרב ידידנו ר' הירש נ"י כי הוא איש כשר באמת ובתמים לקרב אותו EN: And to ask of all the Anash — that they intercede with fervent supplication and pray for my wife — the proper woman — a complete healing. And I convey greetings of peace to all the Anash — and also to Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine. And I received through his son-in-law Reb Yosef — the extending of his greetings of peace. And to write to me about Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — what he has done. More news there is none — only Hashem Yisbarach renews every day continuously in His goodness the work of creation — every day. Your friend, one who truly loves you — who longs to see you together. My wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, convey greetings of peace to your wife, may she live, and to your son Sender, may his candle shine. For the sake of Hashem — my clothing — send it to me on the first wagon — for I have nothing with which to go about on Shabbos. And to draw close our friend Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — for he is a truly proper man — in truth and in wholeness — draw him close. Written Tuesday, Parshas Vaera, 5642 (January 1882), from Teverya. The wife's condition greatly worsened. The accounting reviewed. A plea for Reb Hirsh. The writer has no Shabbos clothes. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am greatly astonished at you, my brother my friend — that I have no news from you about what has happened with my strong friend — the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And also from our accounting. And also about my clothing. And you have no cause at all to be resentful against me about the letter — for my mind is very confused — from my wife's weakness — with several kinds of ailments. And she has a very high fever. And she does not taste anything at all — only broth and quinine. And she craves that someone should cook her borsht from beets [בארטט מבעריקיס — borsht fun berekes — Yiddish: borsht made from beets; borsht — the specific Eastern European beet soup; berekes — beets; the combination: the classic beet borsht she longs for and which cannot be found in Teverya] — and here it is not available. Therefore I ask of you — and also of my friend, our beloved, Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l — that you both exert yourselves to send me beets — approximately one rats. And perhaps you will be agents of a mitzvah to give her life — in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim in whom we shelter — only in them — and not in the medicines of doctors. And the entire world confuses my mind with doctors. But my wife herself does not want under any circumstances a doctor — not even to have one mentioned to her. And I greatly ask of all the Anash — to stir up mercies on her behalf — with heart and soul. And also of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — I ask that he go to the graves of the Tzaddikim — and also to the grave of my father z"l — and all the Anash — to stir up mercies on her behalf. And also write to me when G-d willing he will travel — for I must send letters with him. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov And my mind is so confused — that the receipt from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l remained with me — and the receipt that belongs to Breslov — I sent to Tcheryn. And I have much to speak with you from our business — that I saw in the holy books of Rabbainu z"l. But I have no leisure — because of my sick-visiting at home. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — and to your brother Sender, may his candle shine — and to his son Eliezer, may his candle shine — and to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and to your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Undated — Teves-Shvat 5642. The wife desperately ill — fever, eating only broth and quinine, craving borsht from beets which is unavailable. The writer refuses doctors entirely. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — together with the letter of Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and together with the letter of our beloved, my strong friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l — and together with the letter of our beloved Reb Aizik — I received properly. And from the matter of my wife, may she live — a little expansiveness — that blessed be G-d the cough and the stabbing pains have left her — and I give thanks to G-d for this. But would that Hashem Yisbarach let the fever leave her — which is beyond all reckoning. And now with us is the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — he has seen her great suffering — for the fever lasts more than a full day and night. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her quickly and soon. And I greatly ask of you to pray for her — that Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — for she has no strength to bear it — and she tastes nothing at all — only cooked water. And the compassion is also very great upon me — for I cannot engage in Torah and prayer — except what I take by force from the time [מה שאני גוזל איזה עת — "what I rob and take by force from the time" — from gazel — to rob, to seize by force; the writer does not merely "steal" moments — he wrests and forcibly robs time away from the sick-visit to study; the word carries the weight of urgent, forcible seizure]. And my main consolation is Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — who revealed to us that even the Master of the Universe Himself is good — and even the preparation is very good. And what shall I say to you — my brothers and my friends — why, why do we sleep from such good that Hashem Yisbarach bequeathed to us through Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple? And we studied on the night after Shabbos the Torah "And Hashem built the rib" — and upon it there is a law: the Laws of One Who Injures His Companion — law 3. And look there — and you will see the greatness of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and the greatness of the graves of the Tzaddikim. And there is explained the answer to what Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that you have new sufferings. For there it is explained: that regarding honor — one must fear lest there be a departure and withdrawal of the soul. But regarding humiliations — there is nothing to fear at all; on the contrary — it is a segulah for repentance. And as for what they want to uproot the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — they will perish, etc. And Reb Nosson z"l already said — when the controversy intensified greatly against him — he gave himself life with this verse: "He who guards truth forever" — that Hashem Yisbarach Himself guards the truth forever. And from all the insults and slanders — turn yourselves to study Likutay Halachos — for Rabbainu z"l said: the Tzaddik makes from all the insults and slanders — laws. And from Reb Nosson z"l we saw with our own eyes that he merited to this. And we in simplicity must fulfill — that from all the humiliations we turn ourselves to the books of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple. And in another place it is explained: that through the controversy — a book is made. And Rabbainu z"l said: by that place — it shall be counted at every occasion as some book. Therefore — my brothers and my sons — beloved of my soul — Nussun, Eliezer, Aizik, Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, Henech, Avraham — and also all who truly desire the path of Rabbainu z"l — let us spare and have mercy upon ourselves [נחוס ונחמל עלינו — "let us spare and have mercy upon ourselves" — two distinct words: chus — to spare, to hold back from loss, to not allow something precious to be wasted; and chamal — to have compassion; together: spare and compassionately protect ourselves from squandering our precious days] and upon our days and our years — and let us renew our strength — to begin from now to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — according to the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Surely Hashem Yisbarach will save us from all the controversy — and everything will be set aright — and the word of our G-d will stand forever. And "Pharaoh drew close" [Exodus 14:10 — ופרעה הקריב — "And Pharaoh drew close / brought near" — the writer takes the verse's word hikriv — brought near, drew close — and reads it as a teaching: Pharaoh draws close to whoever has compassion and mercy on his own soul and spirit and divine soul; whoever draws himself near to his own soul's welfare, Pharaoh is drawn toward; a creative Midrashic reading of the word hikriv] — toward whoever has compassion and mercy on his own soul and spirit and divine soul. On both this and that I have no more leisure to speak with you — for I am engaged in the sick-visiting of the one at home. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness — and may He Who makes peace in His high places make peace upon us and upon all Israel, Your friend, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to our beloved — my friend, your precious father, may his candle shine — and to our friend, the veteran Chassid, our beloved, Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and my strong friend Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine. And I am sending you enclosed here the ticket to Jaffa — and also the letter that I sent to your hand for Breslov — for the sake of Hashem guard it — for it is very much needed. And write to me whether you received it in your hand. For my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, do not reply to the first matter first and the last last — for several times I wrote to them to inform me about our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — what he has done — and they did not reply to me — and I had great suffering. And know that the zhive and the beets I received properly — and why did he not write to me the price? And greetings of peace to the patron Reb Chaim Krish — and to Reb Abba, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife, may she live — and to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — and to Reb Sender, may his candle shine — and to Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine — and to Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — and to Reb Meir, may his candle shine — and to Reb Avraham Hirsh. How fortunate are you — Breslov Chassidim — how fortunate are we — how good is our portion! Written Tuesday night, Parshas Beshalach, 5642 (late January or early February 1882), from Teverya. A slight improvement. A rich teaching. Humiliation is a segulah. How fortunate are you — Breslov Chassidim! נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # יב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/12/ יב יב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/12 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' יתרו תרל"ו פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Yisro [Parshas Yisro — the portion containing the Giving of the Torah at Sinai; it falls in late January or early February], 5636 [= early 1876 CE] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי נפשי ולבבי בני אחים אהובים הלא הוא המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י ולכבוד חברו מו"ה איזיק נ"י ולכבוד או"נ מו"ה נתן בן ר"י נ"י EN: To the honor of my beloved soul and heart — my truly beloved brethren-children [אהבי נפשי ולבבי בני אחים אהובים — "the beloved of my soul and of my heart, my beloved brethren-children" — soul, heart, brothers, children — each term deepening the bond] — why, it is none other than the wondrous one himself, the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to the honor of his companion Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and to the honor of our ohavainu Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל שב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מכל אנ"ש הם ונשיהם ובניהם לאיו"ש אנס"ו EN: Thank G-d — blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you and from all the Anash — they and their wives and their children — life and peace, for length of days and good years. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: אחרי דרישת שלומך הטוב ממכתב מידידי ר' איזיק נ"י ובצרוף פ"ש ממך קבלתי לנכון וגם מכתב ממך ומרבי נתן בן ר"י ג"כ קבלתי לנכון והחייתני במכתבכם אך אוי על שברנו השבר הגדול אשר קרה לנו בפטירת הצדיק העניו מו"ה ר' נחום זלמן בשלום ינוח על משכבו המה סעו למנוחות ואותנו עזבו לאנחות השי"ת ינחם אותנו ויזכה אותנו ג"כ באריכות ימים EN: After inquiring after your good welfare — from a letter from my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, enclosing greetings of peace from you, I received properly. And also a letter from you and from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel I also received properly. And you gave me life with your letters. But woe to us for our great loss — the great shattering [אוי על שברנו השבר הגדול — "woe over our brokenness, the great break" — shever gadol: a fracture, a shattering; a mourning cry] — that has befallen us in the passing of the meek Tzaddik [הצדיק העניו — ha'tzaddik ha'anav — "the meek one, the lowly one" — anav is one of the most honored qualities in all of Jewish teaching; Moshe was described as "the most meek of all men" — calling Reb Nachem Zalman by this title after his death is a posthumous recognition of his deepest spiritual quality], Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachem Zalman. May he rest in peace upon his resting place. "They have journeyed to their resting places — and us they have left to our sighing." [המה סעו למנוחות ואותנו עזבו לאנחות — an echo of Lamentations 1:3, composed here as a sorrowful rhyme: menuhos / anachos — resting places / sighing] May Hashem Yisbarach comfort us and may He also merit us to length of days. Segment 5 HE: וצריכין אנו לקבל עלינו מחדש לקרב עצמנו לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וללכת בדרכיהם הק' כי אנו ראין איך זכה האדם הזה הנ"ל ע"י שאחז עצמו אצל רבנו ז"ל וחוץ מזה אנו מאמינים מה שעבודתו פעל למעלה למעלה ע"כ אהבי באמת לכו נא ונתחזקה אני מכאן ואתם מהתם בחשק חדש לקבל עלינו דרכי ה' אשר עתה בדורותינו המאיר והמעורר בדרך ה' הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ע"כ אנו צריכין לבלות רב ימינו ושנותינו רק בלמוד הק' הזה והוא ידרש לנו דרך הישר לילך בדרך מלכו של עולם לעד ולנצח נצחים ויוציא אותנו משני הס"מ ויביאנו לחיי עד ויורה אותנו איך לעבר על הגשר הצר בלי פחד והוא נותן לנו עצה אפילו למיקני נכסין ע"י תפילה ותחנונים EN: And we must take upon ourselves anew to draw ourselves close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple, and to walk in their holy paths. For we see how this person — the above-mentioned — merited, through the fact that he held himself close to Rabbainu ז"ל. And beyond this — outside of what we can see [וחוץ מזה — "and outside of / beyond this" — there is a visible dimension: his attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל — and then there is something beyond all visibility, accessible only through faith] — we believe what his divine service wrought far above, far above [למעלה למעלה — the doubled word is deliberate: his hidden spiritual work ascended to heights beyond what any of them could see or calculate]. Therefore, my true beloved ones — come, let us strengthen ourselves — I from here and you from there — with fresh desire, to take upon ourselves the ways of Hashem. For the one who now in our generations illuminates and arouses [המאיר והמעורר — two active roles: illuminating the path and awakening the sleeping soul to walk it] the way of Hashem — that is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore we must spend the greater part of our days and years only in this holy study. And it will show us the straight path to walk in the way of the Master of the World, forever and unto eternal eternity. And it will bring us out from the two Samech-Mems [הס"מ — the initials of the adversarial force and the force of evil; the Breslov texts refer to it by initials rather than name], and bring us into eternal life, and show us how to cross the narrow bridge [הגשר הצר — Rabbainu ז"ל's famous teaching: "the entire world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all"] without fear. And it gives us counsel even for acquiring possessions [למיקני נכסין — l'miknei nichasin — Aramaic: "for acquiring possessions / property" — the writer code-switches into Aramaic here, quoting or echoing a Talmudic or kabbalistic phrase; even material acquisitions and livelihood can be addressed through the counsel in these books] — through prayer and supplication. Segment 6 HE: כי אתמול ישבתי בלילה וחשבתי בדעתי בהסחורה שלנו אשר נמצא בחנות של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וראיתי ועינתי בהסחורות וראיתי שאין שום סחורה אשר העולם צריכין להם שלא נמצא בחנות זו וסחורות מפארים כאלו בכל מיני פאר הגם שהיו סוחרים גדולים מאד מאד והיה להם ג"כ סחורות יפות מאד מאד אשר אין אנו מבינים אותם אבל אינו נמצא כי אם איזה מיני סחורות יפות אבל בחנות זו נמצא כל מיני סחורות יפות וגם רפואות לכל מיני חולאת שבעולם וכל מיני אמנות וכל כלי נגינה הכלל אין דבר בעולם שלא נמצא בחנות ואין אנו צריכין כי אם לעסק בהם וממילא ילבישנו עז וחדוה וירפאנו מכל תחלואינו ומכאבינו ויחינו חיים טובים וארכים ואנו יכולין בחנות זו אפילו להרויח עשירות גדול כי אין דבר נמנע מחנות זו EN: For yesterday I sat at night and reflected in my mind on the merchandise of ours — that which is found in the shop of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And I saw and I peered closely into the merchandise [וראיתי ועינתי בהסחורות — two distinct verbs: ra'isi — I saw, a general seeing; and iyanti — I peered closely, from the root עין — eye — meaning to scrutinize, to examine with close attention; first a broad gaze, then a careful examination] — and I saw that there is no merchandise that the world needs which is not found in this shop — and such gloriously fine merchandise [סחורות מפארים כאלו בכל מיני פאר — merchandise adorned with every kind of splendor and glory]. Even though there were many very great merchants, and they too had very beautiful merchandise that we do not fully understand — nevertheless, only certain kinds of fine merchandise are found there. But in this shop there is found every kind of fine merchandise, and also medicines for every kind of illness in the world, and every kind of craft and skill, and every kind of musical instrument. In short — there is nothing in the world that is not found in this shop. And we need only engage in them — and of themselves they will clothe us in strength and joy [ילבישנו עז וחדוה — an echo of I Chronicles 16:27: "strength and joy are in His place"], and heal us from all our ailments and pains, and give us good and long life. And we can even earn great wealth from this shop — for nothing is withheld from this shop. Segment 7 HE: ויותר מה אני יכול להפליא לכם ב"ה מעט אתם בעצמכם יודעים ויותר מזה אם תביטו בעין יפה ובאמת ובהתמדה תראו בעצמכם גדל יקר יפי הסחורות מהחנות הזו אשר לא נמצא חנות כזו בעולם כי הסוחר שלנו נסע למדינות רחוקות מכל דבר יפה וטוב ונצרך לעולם וחדוש גדול קנה והביא לחנות שלו להחיות כל העולם ועוד נמצא שם כל מיני תבלין להסחורות לזכות לסחר הסחורות ע"י תפילה ותחנונים ואם אין יכולין לפתח פיו לתפילה אזי הוא נותן ריצעפט אחר להתאנח אנחות תכופות עד שיפלט כל הדם שבחלל השמאלי ברוחניות ואפילו כשעבר על האדם שיש לו קאנצילאטין ע"י תפילה יכול להושע מכל הצרות והעיקר להיות בשמחה ואל תדאגו כלל השי"ת בודאי יעזור אתכם ולא יעזב אתכם וגם אנחה הוא שלמות כל החסרונות וזמן השיחה בינו לבין קונו הוא טוב מאד קדם השנה ואפילו הכנה בעצמו הוא טוב מאד EN: And more than this — what can I marvel to you? Blessed be G-d — a little you already know yourselves. And more than this — if you look with a favorable eye [בעין יפה — with a generous, open, receptive eye; the opposite of a begrudging gaze] and in truth and with persistence — you will see for yourselves the great and precious beauty of the merchandise of this shop, such as no shop like it exists in the world. For our merchant traveled to distant lands for every beautiful and good and needed thing in the world — and purchased a great novelty and brought it into his shop, to give life to all the world. And there is also found there every kind of spice for the merchandise [תבלין להסחורות — the spices and condiments that enhance the goods; the means and methods for entering and using the merchandise effectively] — to merit to trade in the merchandise through prayer and supplication. And if one is unable to open his mouth to prayer — then he gives another prescription [ריצעפט — rezept — Yiddish from the German Rezept: a medical prescription] — to sigh frequent sighs until one expels all the blood from the spiritual left chamber [שיפלט כל הדם שבחלל השמאלי ברוחניות — a kabbalistic-medical image: the left chamber of the heart is the seat of the animal soul and its desires; to expel this blood spiritually, through earnest sighing and longing, is to purify the heart of its base drives]. And even when a person has consular affairs upon him — through prayer he can be saved from all the troubles. And the main thing is to be in joy — and do not worry at all. Hashem Yisbarach will surely help you and will not forsake you. And a sigh is the completion of all deficiencies [אנחה הוא שלמות כל החסרונות — a specific Breslov teaching: a sincere sigh before G-d completes and makes up for everything missing in one's prayer and service]. And the time of private conversation between a person and his Creator is very good before sleep — and even the preparation itself [sitting down and intending to speak — even before any words come — is itself already of great value] is very good. Segment 8 HE: ואודות מה שאתה כתב שאין אתה יכול לפתח פיך כמו אלם ממש זהו ג"כ טענה לפני השי"ת וחוץ מזה שכחת מה שאמר רבנו ז"ל שאותיות בלא נקדות הם כגוף בלא נפש ע"כ תדעו שאותיות יש לכם אך עדין אין לכם נקדות ונקדות נעשו ע"י כסופין וכסופין הם במחשבה ע"כ צריכין בכל יום לכסף עד שתוציאו דבורים מכח אל הפעל והנקדות נעשין מהמניעות תשעה נקדין תשעה רקיעין כמבאר בדברי רבנו ז"ל וזהו בעצמו המניעות שלכם שאתם רוצים תכף כשתפתחו פיכם תכף תדברו וכבר אמר רבנו ז"ל מאמר דוד המלך עליו השלום ודבר פי בצר לי' מן המצר' וכו' ואם תתגברו על המניעות ותאמרו עכ"פ חדש אחד רק רבש"ע רבש"ע' בודאי יעזור לכם השי"ת במעט מעט ואח"כ ירחיב לכם השי"ת הדבורים ויהיה רוח ה' דבר בי אך כבר אמר רבנו ז"ל שצריך להיות עקשן גדול בעבודת ה' ובפרט אצל דבר זה שהיה אצל רבנו ז"ל הנהגה הכללית ומי שיעסק בזה בודאי מה טוב אך תדעו אחי אהובים כשם שרצה רבנו הנהגה זו כך היה רצונו להיות בשמחה כל היום EN: And regarding what you wrote — that you are unable to open your mouth, like a mute literally — this too is a plea before Hashem Yisbarach. And beyond this — you have forgotten what Rabbainu ז"ל said: that letters without vowel-points are like a body without a soul. Therefore know: you have the letters — but you do not yet have the nekudos. And the nekudos are made through k'sufin [k'sufin — Aramaic: yearning, longing — the passionate desire and craving of the soul for G-d; an Aramaic term used in the Zohar and in Breslov teaching]. And k'sufin are in the thought — they are formed in the mind and heart, not yet in the mouth; they are the pre-verbal stage of prayer. Therefore one must long each day until one brings words from potential into actual [מכח אל הפעל — the Aristotelian-kabbalistic language of bringing what exists in embryonic potential into full living expression]. And the nekudos are formed from the obstacles themselves [נקדין נעשו מהמניעות — "the vowel-points are made from the very hindrances" — an astounding teaching: the blockages and obstacles, when pressed through, create the soul of prayer] — nine nekudos, nine heavens — as is explained in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל. And this is the very obstacle that you face: you want it to be that the moment you open your mouth you should immediately speak. But Rabbainu ז"ל has already cited the verse of King David, peace be upon him: "My mouth spoke in my distress — out of the constriction..." [Psalms 66:14 — דבר פי בצר לי מן המצר — it is from within the constriction itself, from the very tightness, that speech is born], and so on. And if you will force yourselves through the obstacles and say for at least one month only "Master of the World! Master of the World!" [רבש"ע רבש"ע — even this simple, repeated cry is a complete prayer; it contains the entire relationship: I, and You, and You are the Master] — surely Hashem Yisbarach will help you little by little, and afterward Hashem Yisbarach will expand the words for you, and "the spirit of Hashem spoke through me" [II Samuel 23:2 — when G-d's spirit rests on a person, speech flows of itself] will be fulfilled. But Rabbainu ז"ל has already said that one must be a great stubborn one [עקשן גדול — entirely positive: the tenacity to keep pushing through obstacle after obstacle without giving up; Rabbainu ז"ל praised this quality as essential] in the service of G-d — and particularly in this matter, which was Rabbainu ז"ל's universal practice. And whoever engages in this — surely how good it is. But know, my beloved brothers — just as Rabbainu ז"ל desired this practice, so was it his desire to be in joy all day. Segment 9 HE: וגם ידידי ב"א מו"ה נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י ממכתבך אתה דואג מאד דאגת פרנסה אל תדאגו כלל רק אכל בשמחה לחמך כי ה' עמך ובודאי לא יעזב אותך ומה שאתה כתב לי שזוג' לושת בעצמה אין אני מסכים על זה כלל כי זהו קמוץ כי כל מה שהיא יכולה לותר לך לא יעלה אפילו לחמשה רו"כ לשנה וכחה נחסר אין לשער כמה שוה ורבנו ז"ל הזהיר מאד על זה והשי"ת יעזור לך ויצליח לך ממקום אחר רק השי"ת מתאוה לתפילתך ותאמין לי שאני בודאי בכל עת מתפלל עליכם ועל אביך נ"י שיציל אתכם מכל צרה וצוקה וירחיב לכם בכל מיני הרחבות כי כבר אמר רבנו ז"ל משוך חסדך לידעיך אל קנא ונקם ובפרט כזה שצריכין לעבד עמו השי"ת רק מרה שחורה אין עצה לזה רק שמחה ותפילה EN: And also my friend, truly beloved — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — from your letter I see that you are very worried about livelihood. Do not worry at all — only "eat your bread with joy" [Ecclesiastes 9:7] — for Hashem is with you. And surely He will not forsake you. And regarding what you wrote to me — that your wife kneads the dough herself — I do not agree to this at all. For this is a false economy [קמוץ — a pinching, a miserly saving in the wrong place]. For everything she is able to spare you will not add up to even five rubles a year — and the diminishment to her strength is beyond reckoning in worth [כחה נחסר אין לשער כמה שוה — "the diminishment of her strength — it is impossible to reckon how much it is worth" — the loss to her health is worth infinitely more than what is saved in money]. And Rabbainu ז"ל warned very much against this. And Hashem Yisbarach will help you and grant you success through another source. Only Hashem Yisbarach yearns for your prayer [השי"ת מתאוה לתפילתך — "Hashem Yisbarach longs for your prayer" — G-d Himself desires, yearns to hear you pray; the longing is on both sides]. And believe me — surely I pray for you at all times, and for your father, may his candle shine — that He save you from all trouble and distress and expand you in every kind of expansion. For Rabbainu ז"ל has already said: "Draw Your kindness to those who know You, O G-d Who is jealous and avenging" [Psalms 36:11]. And particularly one who needs to serve G-d — for despondency [מרה שחורה — the black bile of melancholy and depression] there is no remedy except joy and prayer. Segment 10 HE: ואודות מה שכתבת לי מכח טראויצע שאין לך שום ידיעה ולכתוב שם איני יודע לתת עצה לנפשי מחמת שזה ששה שבועות שכתבתי לשם מכתב הכלל גדל היסורים שיש לי מטראויצע אין לשער ולהעריך כי אני חושש מה ששונא לא יחשב ובפרט שזוג' בוכה ומיללת ומחמת הצער הגדול שלה היא נחלשת כי אין לנו שום ידיעה מגיסך משה נ"י ויש לנו יסורים עצומים וגם מבני מו"ה יצחק נ"י ומחתני מו"ה ישראל נ"י שיש להם בילעטין מוואלחיי ואין לנו שום ידיעה מהם ואפשר אכתב אי"ה בשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה איזה מכתב ואכתב עבורכם ג"כ לחמיך נ"י ולמען ה' היה בשמחה וחזק זוג' תח' ג"כ בשמחה EN: And regarding what you wrote about Troyits — that you have no news there — and about writing there: I do not know what counsel to give myself, for these six weeks I have written a letter there. The general truth is — the suffering I have from Troyits is beyond measure and reckoning. For I fear what the enemy should not conceive [מה ששונא לא יחשב — I fear the worst; what one's enemies would wish on him]. And particularly my wife weeps and wails — and from the great grief she weakens. For we have no news from your brother-in-law Moshe, may his candle shine, and we have enormous suffering — and also from my son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak, may his candle shine, and from my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel, may his candle shine — who have passports from Wallachia — and we have no news from them. And perhaps I will write, G-d willing, next week some letter — and I will write on your behalf as well to your father-in-law, may his candle shine. And for the sake of Hashem — be in joy, and strengthen your wife too, may she live, in joy. Segment 11 HE: ואודות מה שכתבתם לי שאינכם יכולין לפתח פיכם לתפילה כבר מבאר בדברי רבנו ז"ל כמה מרחקינן משפכי כמים נכח פני ה' תמניא פרסי הינו תורה ותפילה הינו אנו צריכין הרבה ללמד ספרי רבנו ז"ל ולומר תפלות ותהלים ואח"כ יזכנו השי"ת לשפך כמים לבנו וחוץ מזה אנו צריכין לשפך עלינו הסממנים היקרים בלי שעור לרפאת תחלואי הנפש עד שיהיה לנו כח לדבר כמבאר המשל בחיי מוהר"ן במעלות תורותיו בסימן ס"ו EN: And regarding what you wrote to me — that you are unable to open your mouth for prayer — it is already explained in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל: how far we are from "pouring out water before the face of Hashem" [I Samuel 7:6 — the act of pouring out water as a symbol of pouring out the heart before G-d] — eight parsaos [tmania parsei — Aramaic: "eight parsaos" — a parsah is a Persian unit of distance used in the Talmud; the expression "eight parsaos away" means: an enormous, almost incomprehensible distance separates our current state of prayer from the ideal — this is a direct Aramaic citation, a code-switch into the language of the Talmudic source being quoted]. That is: Torah and prayer — that is: we must study much in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and say prayers and Tehillim, and afterward Hashem Yisbarach will merit us to pour out our hearts like water. And beyond this we must pour upon ourselves the precious healing herbs [הסממנים היקרים — ha'smanim ha'yekarim — specifically medicinal herbs and healing spices, not merely "medicines"; the image is of pouring costly healing ingredients onto one's wounds, without limit or measure] without measure — to heal the ailments of the soul — until we have the strength to speak — as is explained in the parable in Chaiyei Moharan, in the section on the virtues of his Torahs, sign 66. Segment 12 HE: ולמען ה' חזקו ונתחזקו לסחר הסחורות האלו בודאי אתם כשתרצו לסחור בודאי תסחרו כי אתם בימי נעוריכם זכיתם לחנות מכל טוב כי אנו בימי נעורינו עדין לא היו כל הסחורות גלויים אבל עתה הם גלויים וידועים ותאמינו לי שאתמול למדתי בלקוטי הלכות ח"א הלכות ברכות השחר הלכה ג' על המעשה מבן המלך והשפחה כמעט יצאתי מדעתי ובפרט באות כ"ז ונתתי תודה והודאה בשמחה עצומה להשי"ת על שזכה אותי השי"ת שיצא דרך פי אורות מאירות כאלה אשר היא מאירת עינים ומשמחת הלב כן ישמח אתכם השי"ת ב'אור צדיקים ישמח' EN: And for the sake of Hashem — be strong and strengthen yourselves to trade in this merchandise. Surely when you want to trade, you will trade — for you in your young years merited the shop full of all goodness. For in our young years the merchandise was not yet all revealed and known — but now it is revealed and known. And believe me: yesterday I studied in Likutay Halachos, Part 1, the Laws of the Morning Blessings, Law 3 — on the story of the prince and the maidservant — and I nearly went out of my mind [כמעט יצאתי מדעתי — "I almost lost my mind" — an expression of overwhelming spiritual rapture and amazement]. And particularly at letter 27 [a precise citation: the twenty-seventh subsection within that law]. And I gave thanks and acknowledgment with immense joy to Hashem Yisbarach — that He has granted me the merit that from my mouth should go forth illuminating lights such as these [שיצא דרך פי אורות מאירות כאלה — "that through my mouth there went forth lights that illuminate in this way" — the writer feels the words of Torah as living light that passes through his mouth into the world] — which illuminate the eyes and gladden the heart. So may Hashem gladden you with "the light of the righteous brings joy" [Proverbs 13:9 — אור צדיקים ישמח]. Segment 13 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 14 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Yisro, 5636 (early 1876), from Teverya. The death of Reb Nachem Zalman the meek, the full teaching on the merchandise-shop, the letters and their vowel-points, and Azaryah's life-threatening illness. Segment 15 HE: וגם מה זה שכתבתי להודיע לי כמה פעמים מידידנו אהבי באמת ר' איצילע נ"י ואין אתה כתב לי יש לי יסורים גדולים מזה וגם אם היה לו איזה מכתב מבניו שיחיו ומה עשה זוג' תח' ואם היה לו איזה מכתב מבניו תכתב לי מה כתבו לו מנידון הבילעט של בנו ולפרס לו בשלום עבורי באהבה עזה EN: Words of one who loves you, Segment 16 HE: ופב"ש לכל אהבנו באמת ובפרט לאביך היקר המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה צבי נ"י שיח' לארך ימים טובים אמן ופב"ש המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד ירא אלהים מו"ה ר' נחמן נ"י ופב"ש להחסיד ר' דב שוחט ובודק נ"י ופב"ש לבנו האברך מו"ה העניך נ"י ופב"ש להנגיד ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י ופב"ש להנגיד ר' יעקב נ"י ופב"ש להאברך ר' יואל הירש נ"י ופב"ש לבנו האברך מו"ה אברהם נ"י ופב"ש לאחיו האברך מו"ה נתן בן חנה נ"י ופב"ש לר' יוסף מטייטרא נ"י כי אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא' ובפרט שאנו אנשים מעט דמעט ופב"ש בנך החסיד מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 17 HE: וגם ידידנו החסיד ר' קלמן נ"י פורס בשלום כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה ומבקש מאת כל אהבנו באמת להתפלל עליו שירחם עליו השי"ת חיש מהר כי גדל הרחמנות שעליו אין לשער ולהעריך כי חוץ מזה שהוא מסבב בצרות וחותר יומם ולילה אחר התכלית הנצחי והוא מדכא בעניות חוץ מזה זה ארבעה שבועות שהגר צדק ושמו עזריה בן פעריל הוא חולה מסכן על חלי שלשול דם ר"ל ר"ל השי"ת ישלח לו רפואה שלמה מן השמים חיש מהר וזה עולה לו על כל הצרות כי אצל חלי כזה צריכין לעשות EN: And also — what is this that I have written many times to let me know about our truly beloved friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine — and you do not write to me? I have great suffering from this. And also whether he had any letter from his sons, may they live — and what became of his wife, may she live. And if he had any letter from his sons — write to me what they wrote to him about the matter of his son's ticket. And convey greetings of peace to him on my behalf with strong love. Segment 18 HE: כי ב"ה זוג' ואחותי תח' עשים מה שעשים שיהיה לו עוף אך הוא ר' קלמן נ"י צריך לבשל לו ולעסק עמו ואין בכחו עוד לסבל השי"ת ירחם עליו בכל מיני רחמנות לטובה שאנו מבינין ע"כ מבקש מאת כל אהבנו באמת להתפלל עליו ועל הגר וגם הוא מתפלל בעדכם תמיד בשבתו ובלכתו על הציונים הק' כי לא זז אהבתכם מאתנו אפילו רגע אחד EN: And convey greetings of peace to all our true beloved — and particularly to your dear father, the wondrous veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may he live, for length of good days — Omain. And greetings of peace to the wondrous and exceptional, veteran Chassid, G-d-fearing, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the pious one, Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to his son, the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Heynich, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the nagid Reb Chaim Kresh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the nagid Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the young scholar Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to his son, the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to his brother, the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun son of Chana, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to Reb Yosef of Teiteira, may his candle shine. For "the matter depends upon love" [כי אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא — Aramaic from the Zohar: the full form of the phrase — "for the matter depends on love" — milsa — "the matter, the thing" — our entire spiritual existence hangs on this love] — and particularly since we are so few, the few of the few [אנשים מעט דמעט — "people, few of the few" — the doubled smallness; the Breslov community in Eretz Yisroel is tiny and the writer feels this acutely]. And greetings of peace to your son, the pious one, Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may he live, for length of days and good years. And also our friend the pious one, Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, conveys greetings of peace to all the Anash with strong love — and requests of all our true beloved to pray for him, that Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him swiftly and soon. For the greatness of the compassion called for upon him is beyond measure and reckoning. For aside from his moving about in troubles and striving day and night after the eternal purpose — and being crushed by poverty — aside from all this: these past four weeks the righteous convert, whose name is Azaryah son of Peyerel, is ill — a poor wretch — with the illness of bloody dysentery — may the Merciful One save us, may the Merciful One save us [ר"ל ר"ל — the exclamation doubled; the horror demands double invocation of G-d's mercy]. May Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing from Heaven, swiftly and soon. And this surpasses all Reb Kalman's other troubles — for with an illness such as this one must do much. For blessed be G-d — his wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, are doing what can be done so that he should have poultry [poultry was considered essential nourishment for the dangerously ill]. But Reb Kalman himself must cook for him and attend to him — and he no longer has the strength to bear it. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him with every manner of mercy, for the good that we understand [לטובה שאנו מבינים — "for the good that we understand" — acknowledging that G-d's mercy may exceed our comprehension, but asking for mercy in the form we can recognize and receive]. Therefore he requests of all our true beloved to pray for him and for the ger. And he also prays for you always — in his sitting and in his going — at the holy gravesites. For your love has never left us even for one single moment. Words of the above-mentioned. Segment 19 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: For this is not simply some happening — what is being done to us. For the Samech-Mem gnashes his teeth upon us. And we must arouse the power of Rabbainu ז"ל — who has already said: "And I will bring you out from between the two Samech-Mems." [a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: he pledged to bring his followers out from between the two hostile spiritual forces of the adversary] But his eyes are still fixed upon us [the adversary has not relented; his gaze remains hostile and watchful]. And Rabbainu ז"ל has already also waged war against the evil eye. And we must pray in the power of our righteous Mashiach to sweeten the evil eye — and particularly the evil eye directed at our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And the leg is also in the dimension of the eye — in the aspect of "the eye of the foot" [a kabbalistic connection: in the mystical dimension, "foot" and "eye" are linked as channels through which spiritual forces flow; the broken leg and the eye pain are aspects of the same spiritual onslaught]. Therefore we must strengthen ourselves against it — and gather together for some hours each day to engage in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל. And each person individually — let his main occupation be this. And you too are obligated to engage with the young people — that is, with the young man Heynich son of Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner, may his candle shine — and with the son of Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine. For "from the mouths of babes and sucklings You have established strength" [Psalms 8:3] — for such was the desire of Rabbainu ז"ל. # קכ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/120/ קכ קכ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/120 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד או"נ בני ממש מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: I am greatly astonished at you, my brother my friend — that I have no news from you about what has happened with my strong friend — the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And also from our accounting. And also about my clothing. And you have no cause at all to be resentful against me about the letter — for my mind is very confused — from my wife's weakness — with several kinds of ailments. And she has a very high fever. And she does not taste anything at all — only broth and quinine. And she craves that someone should cook her borsht from beets [בארטט מבעריקיס — borsht fun berekes — Yiddish: borsht made from beets; borsht — the specific Eastern European beet soup; berekes — beets; the combination: the classic beet borsht she longs for and which cannot be found in Teverya] — and here it is not available. Therefore I ask of you — and also of my friend, our beloved, Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l — that you both exert yourselves to send me beets — approximately one rats. And perhaps you will be agents of a mitzvah to give her life — in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim in whom we shelter — only in them — and not in the medicines of doctors. And the entire world confuses my mind with doctors. But my wife herself does not want under any circumstances a doctor — not even to have one mentioned to her. Segment 2 HE: הנה תמיהה לי גדולה עליך אחי ידידי מה שאין לי ממך שום ידיעה מה עשה ידידי עז הותיק וחסיד ר' נחמן נ"י וגם מהחשבון שלנו וגם מהמלבוש שלי ועלי אין לך להתרעם כלל על המכתב כי מחי מבלבל מחלשת זוג' מאד בכמה חולאת ויש לה חם ביותר ואינה טועמת כלל רק רוטי חינא ומתאוה שיבשל לה בארטט מבעריקיס ובכאן אינו בנמצא ע"כ אני מבקש לך וגם ידידי או"נ ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל שתתאמצו לשלח לי הבעריקיס ערך ראטל ואפשר שיהיו אתם שלוחי מצוה להחיות בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובזכות כל הצדיקים אשר אנו חוסים רק בם ולא ברפואות דאקטורים וכל העולם מבלבלים מחי בדאקטורים אבל זוג' בעצמה אינה רוצה בשום אופן דאקטיר שלא להזכיר לה EN: And I greatly ask of all the Anash — to stir up mercies on her behalf — with heart and soul. And also of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — I ask that he go to the graves of the Tzaddikim — and also to the grave of my father z"l — and all the Anash — to stir up mercies on her behalf. And also write to me when G-d willing he will travel — for I must send letters with him. Segment 3 HE: ואני מבקש מאת כל אנ"ש לעורר רחמים עליה בלב ונפש וגם מר' איזיק נ"י אני מבקש שילך על קברי הצדיקים וגם על קבר אבי ז"ל וכל אנ"ש לעורר רחמים עליה גם לכתוב לי מתי אי"ה יסע כי אני צריך לשלח עמו מכתבים EN: Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ידידכם EN: And my mind is so confused — that the receipt from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l remained with me — and the receipt that belongs to Breslov — I sent to Tcheryn. And I have much to speak with you from our business — that I saw in the holy books of Rabbainu z"l. But I have no leisure — because of my sick-visiting at home. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — and to your brother Sender, may his candle shine — and to his son Eliezer, may his candle shine — and to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and to your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 5 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Undated — Teves-Shvat 5642. The wife desperately ill — fever, eating only broth and quinine, craving borsht from beets which is unavailable. The writer refuses doctors entirely. Segment 6 HE: ומחי כך מבלבל שהקבלה מר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל נשאר אצלי והקבלה ששיך לברסלב שלחתי לטשעהרין ויש לי עמכם הרבה לדבר מעסק שלנו שראיתי בספרים הק' של רבנו ז"ל אך אין לי פנאי מחמת בקור חולים שלי ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש ולאחיך סענדיר נ"י ולבנו אליעזור נ"י ולר' הירש נ"י ולבנך מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And my mind is so confused — that the receipt from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l remained with me — and the receipt that belongs to Breslov — I sent to Tcheryn. And I have much to speak with you from our business — that I saw in the holy books of Rabbainu z"l. But I have no leisure — because of my sick-visiting at home. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — and to your brother Sender, may his candle shine — and to his son Eliezer, may his candle shine — and to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and to your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Undated — Teves-Shvat 5642. The wife desperately ill — fever, eating only broth and quinine, craving borsht from beets which is unavailable. The writer refuses doctors entirely. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קכא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/121/ קכא קכא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/121 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה אור ליום ד' פ' בשלח תרמ"ב טבריא EN: Your letter — together with the letter of Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and together with the letter of our beloved, my strong friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l — and together with the letter of our beloved Reb Aizik — I received properly. And from the matter of my wife, may she live — a little expansiveness — that blessed be G-d the cough and the stabbing pains have left her — and I give thanks to G-d for this. But would that Hashem Yisbarach let the fever leave her — which is beyond all reckoning. And now with us is the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — he has seen her great suffering — for the fever lasts more than a full day and night. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her quickly and soon. And I greatly ask of you to pray for her — that Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — for she has no strength to bear it — and she tastes nothing at all — only cooked water. And the compassion is also very great upon me — for I cannot engage in Torah and prayer — except what I take by force from the time [מה שאני גוזל איזה עת — "what I rob and take by force from the time" — from gazel — to rob, to seize by force; the writer does not merely "steal" moments — he wrests and forcibly robs time away from the sick-visit to study; the word carries the weight of urgent, forcible seizure]. And my main consolation is Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — who revealed to us that even the Master of the Universe Himself is good — and even the preparation is very good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא וכו' וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And what shall I say to you — my brothers and my friends — why, why do we sleep from such good that Hashem Yisbarach bequeathed to us through Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple? And we studied on the night after Shabbos the Torah "And Hashem built the rib" — and upon it there is a law: the Laws of One Who Injures His Companion — law 3. And look there — and you will see the greatness of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and the greatness of the graves of the Tzaddikim. And there is explained the answer to what Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that you have new sufferings. For there it is explained: that regarding honor — one must fear lest there be a departure and withdrawal of the soul. But regarding humiliations — there is nothing to fear at all; on the contrary — it is a segulah for repentance. And as for what they want to uproot the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — they will perish, etc. And Reb Nosson z"l already said — when the controversy intensified greatly against him — he gave himself life with this verse: "He who guards truth forever" — that Hashem Yisbarach Himself guards the truth forever. And from all the insults and slanders — turn yourselves to study Likutay Halachos — for Rabbainu z"l said: the Tzaddik makes from all the insults and slanders — laws. And from Reb Nosson z"l we saw with our own eyes that he merited to this. And we in simplicity must fulfill — that from all the humiliations we turn ourselves to the books of Rabbainu z"l and his disciple. And in another place it is explained: that through the controversy — a book is made. And Rabbainu z"l said: by that place — it shall be counted at every occasion as some book. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך בצרוף מכתב ר' הירש נ"י ובצרוף מכתב או"נ ידידי עז ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ובצרוף מכתב או"נ ר' איזיק קבלתי לנכון ומכח זוג' תח' מעט הרחבה שב"ה הניח לה ההוסט ושטעכין ומודה לה' על זה אך מי יתן השי"ת שיניח לה החמימות שלה אשר אין לשער ועתה אצלנו החסיד ר' דב נ"י הוא ראה צערה הגדול שהחמימות שלה מתארך יותר מעת לעת השי"ת ירחם עליה חיש מהר ואני מבקש מאד מאתכם להתפלל עבורה שירחם השי"ת עליה כי אין כחה מספיק לסבל ואינה טועמת כלל כי אם מים מבשלים ועלי ג"כ הרחמנות גדול עד למאד כי איני יכול לעסק בתורה ותפילה כי אם מה שאני גוזל איזה עת ועיקר נחמתי הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שגלה לנו שאפילו רבש"ע בעצמו הוא טוב ואפילו הכנה הוא טוב מאד EN: Therefore — my brothers and my sons — beloved of my soul — Nussun, Eliezer, Aizik, Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, Henech, Avraham — and also all who truly desire the path of Rabbainu z"l — let us spare and have mercy upon ourselves [נחוס ונחמל עלינו — "let us spare and have mercy upon ourselves" — two distinct words: chus — to spare, to hold back from loss, to not allow something precious to be wasted; and chamal — to have compassion; together: spare and compassionately protect ourselves from squandering our precious days] and upon our days and our years — and let us renew our strength — to begin from now to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — according to the paths of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Surely Hashem Yisbarach will save us from all the controversy — and everything will be set aright — and the word of our G-d will stand forever. And "Pharaoh drew close" [Exodus 14:10 — ופרעה הקריב — "And Pharaoh drew close / brought near" — the writer takes the verse's word hikriv — brought near, drew close — and reads it as a teaching: Pharaoh draws close to whoever has compassion and mercy on his own soul and spirit and divine soul; whoever draws himself near to his own soul's welfare, Pharaoh is drawn toward; a creative Midrashic reading of the word hikriv] — toward whoever has compassion and mercy on his own soul and spirit and divine soul. Segment 4 HE: ומה אמר לכם אחי ורעי למה למה אנו ישנים מטוב כזה שהנחיל לנו השי"ת ע"י רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואנו למדנו במוצאי שב"ק התורה ויבן ה' את הצלע ועליה יש הלכה הלכות חובל בחברו הלכה ג' ותעינו בה ושם תראו גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וגדלת קברי הצדיקים ושם מבאר התרוץ על מה שכתב לי ר' איזיק נ"י שיש לכם יסורים חדשים כי שם מבאר שבהכבוד הוא מתפחד שלא יהיה הסתלקות הנפש אבל על בזיונות אין לפחד כלל אדרבא הוא סגלה לתשובה ומה שהם רוצים לעיקר דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' יאבדו הם וכו' וכבר אמר אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל כשגבר עליו המחלקת מאד החיה עצמו בזה הפסוק השמר אמת לעולם שהשי"ת בעצמו שומר האמת לעולם ומכל החרופין והגדופין תפנו עצמכם ללמד לקוטי הלכות כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שהצדיק מכל החרופין והגדופין הוא עשה הלכות ומאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל ראינו בעינינו שזכה לזה ואנו צריכין בפשיטות לקים שמכל הבזיונות נפנה עצמנו אל ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו ובמקום אחר מבאר שע"י המחלקת נעשה ספר ואמר רבנו ז"ל בשם שיהיה נחשב בכל פעם איזה ספר EN: On both this and that I have no more leisure to speak with you — for I am engaged in the sick-visiting of the one at home. Segment 5 HE: ע"כ אחי ובני אהבי נפשי נתן אליעזור איזיק נתן בן ר"י העניך אברהם וגם כל החפצים באמת של רבנו ז"ל נחוס ונחמל עלינו ועל ימינו ושנותינו ונחדש כחנו להתחיל מעתה לקרב עצמנו להשי"ת ע"פ דרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בודאי יציל אותנו השי"ת מכל המחלקת ויהיה הכל על נכון ודבר אלהינו יקום לעולם ופרעה הקריב למי שיחוס ויחמל על נפשו ורוחו ונשמתו EN: Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness — and may He Who makes peace in His high places make peace upon us and upon all Israel, Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: זו"ז אין לי פנאי עוד לדבר עמכם מחמת שאני עוסק בבקור חולה שבבית EN: And greetings of peace to our beloved — my friend, your precious father, may his candle shine — and to our friend, the veteran Chassid, our beloved, Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and my strong friend Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine. And I am sending you enclosed here the ticket to Jaffa — and also the letter that I sent to your hand for Breslov — for the sake of Hashem guard it — for it is very much needed. And write to me whether you received it in your hand. For my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, do not reply to the first matter first and the last last — for several times I wrote to them to inform me about our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — what he has done — and they did not reply to me — and I had great suffering. And know that the zhive and the beets I received properly — and why did he not write to me the price? Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ובתמים והעשה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל EN: And greetings of peace to the patron Reb Chaim Krish — and to Reb Abba, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife, may she live — and to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — and to Reb Sender, may his candle shine — and to Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine — and to Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — and to Reb Meir, may his candle shine — and to Reb Avraham Hirsh. Segment 8 HE: ידידכם EN: How fortunate are you — Breslov Chassidim — how fortunate are we — how good is our portion! Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Tuesday night, Parshas Beshalach, 5642 (late January or early February 1882), from Teverya. A slight improvement. A rich teaching. Humiliation is a segulah. How fortunate are you — Breslov Chassidim! Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש לאו"נ ידידי עז אביך היקר נ"י ולידידנו הותיק וחסיד או"נ ר' נחמן נ"י וידידי עז ר' הירש נ"י ואני שולח לך רצוף פה הבילעט ליפו וגם המכתב ששלחתי לידך לברסלב למען ה' תשמר אותו כי נחוץ הוא מאד ולכתוב לי אם קבלת אותו לידך כי ידידי ר' נתן נ"י ור' איזיק נ"י אינם משיבים על ראשון ראשון ועל אחרון אחרון כי כמה פעמים כתבתי להם להודיע לי מידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י מה הוא עשה ולא השיבו לי והיה לי יסורים גדולים ותדעו שהז'יבע והבעריקיס קבלתי לנכון ולמה לא כתב לי המקח EN: How fortunate are you — Breslov Chassidim — how fortunate are we — how good is our portion! Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש להנגיד ר' חיים קר"ש ולר' אבא נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ולר' יעקב נ"י ולר' סענדיר נ"י ולר' יואל הירש נ"י ולר' יוסף נ"י ולר' מאיר נ"י ולר' אברהם הירש EN: Written Tuesday night, Parshas Beshalach, 5642 (late January or early February 1882), from Teverya. A slight improvement. A rich teaching. Humiliation is a segulah. How fortunate are you — Breslov Chassidim! Segment 12 HE: אשריכם ברסלבר חסידים אשרינו מה טוב חלקנו EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 119 | Kuf-Tes-Ches Translator's Summary — Letter 119 # קכב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/122/ קכב קכב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/122 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' בשלח פרעה תרמ"ב פעה"ק טבריא לכבוד או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Beshalach, 5642 (early February 1882), from Teverya. The body of this letter is missing from the manuscript. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Regarding my wife, may she live — I have much to give thanks to G-d — and I give thanks for the past and cry out for the future to Hashem Yisbarach. And know — that from several ailments Hashem Yisbarach helped her — of each of which she was in a life-threatening state. And also the fever — she did not have it from the past Monday until Shabbos. But on Shabbos — after midday — a trembling seized her again — and then the heat — but it came with mercy — relative to the previous times. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her from now — for she has been left without any strength at all — and particularly on her legs — it is impossible for her to walk at all. And the magnitude of the troubles and the expansivenesses that we experienced in these four weeks is beyond all estimate and reckoning. For eye to eye I saw the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. But this is my consolation — that Hashem Yisbarach arranged for me our friend the wondrous Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and he came to me every day — and we spoke at length of the greatness of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and he gave me life. And I believed that through these words there would be a healing for her — for "a tower of salvations is He to His king" [Psalms 18:51 — מגדל ישועות מלכו — "a tower of salvations is He to His king" — migdal specifically means a tower; the King stands protected within a tower of divine salvations; not merely "great salvations" but the specific image of a protective tower] — etc., etc. And know — that I wrote to you two letters — and also a letter that I sent to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, to deliver to Breslov — to my son-in-law. And the last letter I sent you — a good letter — warm as coals of fire — and within it was placed the ticket for Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine. And also I ask of you to write to me whether you received all three letters. And I gave them to Reb Shbteil — a kinsman of your son-in-law Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and he told me that he sent them. And the last letter — of Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana — for I had a reason in this. And also to write to me about your son, may his candle shine — for you wrote to me that he is, G-d forbid, not in good health — and I had suffering. And surely I pray for him. Therefore I ask of you to write to me what has happened with him — and also write to me about all the Anash — how it has passed with them. And also write to me about my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — whether his home still stands. And from now let us begin to prepare ourselves for the joy of Purim — every single day — so that on Purim the darkness will be turned to light — and we will merit the supremely elevated awe through the joy. For we have something to rejoice about — that we have such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And as is explained in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Procreation and Fruitfulness — law 3 — on the Torah "joy and gladness shall overtake them" — etc. And there it is explained that the essential foundation of all our rectifications is only through joy. And look there — and you will find repose for your souls — and you will see the great virtue of joy. And particularly on Purim — Rabbainu z"l said explicitly that it is a great rectification. And every commandment requires preparation — both in deed and in speech. And do not be sad — for sadness is from the Other Side — and the Holy Blessed One hates it. And I greatly ask of you to write me letters — and to reply to me on this letter — first matter first and last matter last. And also to write to me whether our friend Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, has traveled from your holy encampment or is still there. And also whether you had a letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and what he wrote. And also know — that I wrote a letter on your behalf to your son-in-law Reb Hirsh of Kalibulad. And also perhaps you have heard in your encampment any good news from Wallachia — and also from the countries of Russia — any good word. For I have no letter from anywhere. And ask precisely and directly [ותשאל במכון — "and ask precisely, directly, at the right place" — from mekavon — a fixed, precise foundation; ask specifically and exactly so as to get the definitive answer — from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — who came with me] from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — who came with me — for he surely has news from there. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and joy. Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And if my friend Reb Hirsh is still in your encampment — I convey greetings of peace to him — and I ask him to guard the letter to my son-in-law that I sent through him — for it is urgently needed. And greetings of peace to my friend, our beloved — the patron and the community officer [הנגיד והקצין — "the patron and the community officer" — katzin specifically means a commander, an officer, a designated civic and communal leader; a title of recognized authority and distinction within the community] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Avraham Abba, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife Mistress Chava, may she live. To write to me whether he received the new monthly money from Reb Reuven, may his candle shine. Written Sunday, Parshas Mishpatim, 5642 (February 1882), from Teverya. The wife improving but still without strength. "Eye to eye I saw the words of Rabbainu z"l." Prepare for Purim. Three letters sent but possibly lost. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am informing you — that my wife, may she live, is still not fully in good health. The fever — blessed be G-d — has departed. But the harsh cough has not departed at all — and because of this all her limbs have become disjointed and unhinged — and it is impossible for her to regain her strength. And furthermore — since last Friday — a severe eye pain has intensified upon her — at first with very great heaviness — but now blessed be G-d it has eased a little — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d. My brother, my friend — it is impossible to tell you my intense suffering — only blessed be G-d that we know of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — they give me life in all the troubles that pass over me now. And beyond this — I do not know from where one receives life-force — only that there is a kingdom in concealment that gives life to the world. Therefore I ask of our truly beloved — to pray for my wife, may she live — so that I may fulfill the commandments practiced on Purim — G-d willing — in great joy and in the supremely elevated awe. And may Hashem Yisbarach help you too to be joyful on the holy Purim — as per the will of Hashem Yisbarach — and as per the will of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And I ask of you — that G-d willing on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — it is her yahrtzeit — may she rest in peace — distribute on behalf of my sister for the yahrtzeit — ten of our groshen — as follows: And for the sake of Hashem — send the money — the sum of four Meizhides — for it is a shame for me regarding Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine. And how many times I asked of you to write to me whether Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, received the letter I sent him — to deliver the letter to Breslov — to my son-in-law, may his candle shine. And you do not want to reply to me — and you have greatly withheld the fruit of your pen from me. And you do not know that my life-force is bound to your souls. More there is nothing new — only life and peace and joy and gladness — for the holy Purim days are palpably drawing near and coming [ממשמשין ובאין — "palpably drawing near and coming" — from memashesh — to feel by touch, to grope toward; Purim is approaching so closely you can almost feel it with your hands; a tactile, physical image of something you can touch as it arrives]. And through the joy of Purim — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to begin anew — for "and now" [ועכשו — an allusion to Rabbainu z"l's teaching about the power of now in prayer: prayer must be grounded in the present moment of now; declaring now before Hashem is the foundation of genuine prayer; each new now is a fresh beginning] — etc. And to merit a kosher Passover — and to burn the leaven from within us — namely sadness and melancholy — for sadness and melancholy is from the Other Side. Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 5642 (late February 1882), from Teverya. The fever has left but harsh cough and eye pain persist. The mother's first yahrtzeit. Distribution for her soul. Purim palpably approaching. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קכג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/123/ קכג קכג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/123 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' משפטים תרמ"ב פה טבריא EN: Regarding my wife, may she live — I have much to give thanks to G-d — and I give thanks for the past and cry out for the future to Hashem Yisbarach. And know — that from several ailments Hashem Yisbarach helped her — of each of which she was in a life-threatening state. And also the fever — she did not have it from the past Monday until Shabbos. But on Shabbos — after midday — a trembling seized her again — and then the heat — but it came with mercy — relative to the previous times. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her from now — for she has been left without any strength at all — and particularly on her legs — it is impossible for her to walk at all. And the magnitude of the troubles and the expansivenesses that we experienced in these four weeks is beyond all estimate and reckoning. For eye to eye I saw the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. But this is my consolation — that Hashem Yisbarach arranged for me our friend the wondrous Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and he came to me every day — and we spoke at length of the greatness of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and he gave me life. And I believed that through these words there would be a healing for her — for "a tower of salvations is He to His king" [Psalms 18:51 — מגדל ישועות מלכו — "a tower of salvations is He to His king" — migdal specifically means a tower; the King stands protected within a tower of divine salvations; not merely "great salvations" but the specific image of a protective tower] — etc., etc. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ המפלא וכו' וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And know — that I wrote to you two letters — and also a letter that I sent to Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, to deliver to Breslov — to my son-in-law. And the last letter I sent you — a good letter — warm as coals of fire — and within it was placed the ticket for Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine. And also I ask of you to write to me whether you received all three letters. And I gave them to Reb Shbteil — a kinsman of your son-in-law Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and he told me that he sent them. And the last letter — of Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana — for I had a reason in this. And also to write to me about your son, may his candle shine — for you wrote to me that he is, G-d forbid, not in good health — and I had suffering. And surely I pray for him. Therefore I ask of you to write to me what has happened with him — and also write to me about all the Anash — how it has passed with them. And also write to me about my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — whether his home still stands. Segment 3 HE: אודות זוג' תח' יש לי הרבה להודות לה' ומודה על העבר וצועק על להבא להשי"ת ותדעו שמכמה חולאת עזר לה השי"ת אשר מכל אחד היתה מסכנת וגם הפיבער לא היה לה מיום ב' העבר עד שב"ק אך ביום שב"ק אחר חצות היום אחז אותה עוד רעדה ואח"כ החם אך היה ברחמים כפי הזמנים הקודמים השי"ת ירחם עליה מעתה כי נשארה בלי שום כח ובפרט על רגליה א"א לה לילך כלל וגדל הצרות וההרחבות שהיה לנו באלו הארבעה שבועות אין לשער ולהעריך כי עין בעין ראיתי דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אך זאת נחמתי שהזמין לי השי"ת את ידידנו החסיד המפלא ר' דב נ"י והיה בא אצלי בכל יום ודברנו הרבה מגדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והחיה אותי והאמנתי שע"י אלו הדבורים יהיה לה רפואה כי מגדל ישועות מלכו וכו' וכו' EN: And from now let us begin to prepare ourselves for the joy of Purim — every single day — so that on Purim the darkness will be turned to light — and we will merit the supremely elevated awe through the joy. For we have something to rejoice about — that we have such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And as is explained in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Procreation and Fruitfulness — law 3 — on the Torah "joy and gladness shall overtake them" — etc. And there it is explained that the essential foundation of all our rectifications is only through joy. And look there — and you will find repose for your souls — and you will see the great virtue of joy. And particularly on Purim — Rabbainu z"l said explicitly that it is a great rectification. And every commandment requires preparation — both in deed and in speech. And do not be sad — for sadness is from the Other Side — and the Holy Blessed One hates it. Segment 4 HE: ותדע שכתבתי לכם שני מכתבים ועוד מכתב ששלחתי לר' הירש נ"י למסור לברסלב לחתני והמכתב האחרון שלחתי לכם מכתב טוב חמים כגחלי אש ושם היה מנח הבילעט לר' הירש נ"י גם אני מבקש מכם לכתוב לי אם קבלתם כל השלשה מכתבים ואני נתתי אותם לר' שבתיל שאר בשרו של מחתנכם ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ואמר לי ששלח אותם והמכתב האחרון של ר' נתן בן האשה חנה כי היה לי טעם בזה וגם לכתוב לי מבנך נ"י כי כתבת לי שהוא ח"ו אינו בקו הבריאה והיה לי יסורים ובודאי אני מתפלל בעדו ע"כ אני מבקש ממך לכתוב לי מה הוא עשה וגם לכתוב לי מכל אנ"ש איך עבר עליהם וגם לכתוב לי מידידי ר' איזיק נ"י אם הבית שלו עומד EN: And I greatly ask of you to write me letters — and to reply to me on this letter — first matter first and last matter last. And also to write to me whether our friend Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, has traveled from your holy encampment or is still there. And also whether you had a letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and what he wrote. And also know — that I wrote a letter on your behalf to your son-in-law Reb Hirsh of Kalibulad. And also perhaps you have heard in your encampment any good news from Wallachia — and also from the countries of Russia — any good word. For I have no letter from anywhere. And ask precisely and directly [ותשאל במכון — "and ask precisely, directly, at the right place" — from mekavon — a fixed, precise foundation; ask specifically and exactly so as to get the definitive answer — from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — who came with me] from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — who came with me — for he surely has news from there. Segment 5 HE: ומעתה נתחיל להכין עצמנו על שמחת פורים בכל יום ויום בכדי שבפורים יתהפך החשך לאור ונזכה ליראה עלאה דעלאה ע"י השמחה כי יש לנו במה לשמח שיש לנו רבי כזה ותלמיד כזה וכפי שמבאר בלקוטי הלכות הל' פריה ורביה הלכה ג' על התורה ששון ושמחה ישיגו וכו' ושם מבאר שעיקר כל התקונים שלנו הוא רק ע"י שמחה ותעינו שם ותמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם ותראו גדל מעלת השמחה ובפרט שבפורים אמר רבנו ז"ל בפרוש שהוא תקון גדול וכל מצוה צריך הכנה בעבדא ובמלולא ואל תעצבו כי העצבות היא מסטרא אחרא והק' ברוך הוא שונא אותה EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and joy. Segment 6 HE: ומאד בקשתי מאתכם לכתוב לי מכתבים ולהשיב לי על מכתב זה על ראשון ראשון ועל אחרון אחרון וגם לכתוב לי אם ידידנו ר' הירש נ"י נסע ממחנכם קדוש או עדין הוא במחנכם וגם אם היה לך מכתב מחמיך נ"י ומה הוא כתב וגם תדע שכתבתי עבורך מכתב למחתנכם ר' הירש מקאליבלאד וגם אולי שמעתם במחנכם איזה דבר טוב מוואלחיי וגם ממדינות רוסיא איזה דבר טוב כי אין לי שום מכתב משום מקום ותשאל במכון מר' דב נ"י שבא עמי כי אצלו בודאי יש ידיעה משם EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ושמחה EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Mishpatim, 5642 (February 1882), from Teverya. The wife improving but still without strength. "Eye to eye I saw the words of Rabbainu z"l." Prepare for Purim. Three letters sent but possibly lost. Segment 10 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת ואם ידידי ר' הירש עדין במחנכם אני פורס בשלומו ואני מבקש אותו לשמר האגרת לחתני ששלחתי על ידו כי נחוץ הוא ופב"ש לידידי או"נ הנגיד והקצין מו"ה ר' אברהם אבא כ"מ נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' חוה תח' לכתוב לי אם קבל מעות חדש מר' ראובן נ"י EN: And if my friend Reb Hirsh is still in your encampment — I convey greetings of peace to him — and I ask him to guard the letter to my son-in-law that I sent through him — for it is urgently needed. And greetings of peace to my friend, our beloved — the patron and the community officer [הנגיד והקצין — "the patron and the community officer" — katzin specifically means a commander, an officer, a designated civic and communal leader; a title of recognized authority and distinction within the community] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Avraham Abba, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife Mistress Chava, may she live. To write to me whether he received the new monthly money from Reb Reuven, may his candle shine. Written Sunday, Parshas Mishpatim, 5642 (February 1882), from Teverya. The wife improving but still without strength. "Eye to eye I saw the words of Rabbainu z"l." Prepare for Purim. Three letters sent but possibly lost. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קכד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/124/ קכד קכד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/124 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' תצוה תרמ"ב לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: I am informing you — that my wife, may she live, is still not fully in good health. The fever — blessed be G-d — has departed. But the harsh cough has not departed at all — and because of this all her limbs have become disjointed and unhinged — and it is impossible for her to regain her strength. And furthermore — since last Friday — a severe eye pain has intensified upon her — at first with very great heaviness — but now blessed be G-d it has eased a little — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ באמת הלא הוא המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: My brother, my friend — it is impossible to tell you my intense suffering — only blessed be G-d that we know of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — they give me life in all the troubles that pass over me now. And beyond this — I do not know from where one receives life-force — only that there is a kingdom in concealment that gives life to the world. Therefore I ask of our truly beloved — to pray for my wife, may she live — so that I may fulfill the commandments practiced on Purim — G-d willing — in great joy and in the supremely elevated awe. And may Hashem Yisbarach help you too to be joyful on the holy Purim — as per the will of Hashem Yisbarach — and as per the will of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. Segment 3 HE: הנה מודיעכם שזוג' תח' עדין אינה בקו הבריאה בשלמות הפיבער פטרה ב"ה אך ההוסט הקשה עדין לא פטרה כלל ומחמת זה כל אבריה נתפרקין וא"א לה לבא לכחה ועוד גברה עליה מיום ו' העבר כאב עינים היה ג"כ מתחלה בכבדות מאד אך עתה ב"ה הוקל מעט ב"ה ב"ה EN: And I ask of you — that G-d willing on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — it is her yahrtzeit — may she rest in peace — distribute on behalf of my sister for the yahrtzeit — ten of our groshen — as follows: Segment 4 HE: אחי ידידי א"א לספר לכם צערי הקשה רק ב"ה שאנו יודעין מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם מחיין אותי בכל הצרות שעוברין עלי עתה וחוץ מזה אין אני יודע מהיכן מקבלין חיות רק שיש מלכות באתכסיא שמחיה העולם ע"כ אני מבקש מאת אהבינו באמת להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' בכדי שאוכל לקים מצות הנוהגות בפורים אי"ה בשמחה גדולה וביראה עלאה וכן יעזור לכם השי"ת להיות ג"כ שמחים בפורים הק' כרצון השי"ת וכרצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' EN: And for the sake of Hashem — send the money — the sum of four Meizhides — for it is a shame for me regarding Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine. And how many times I asked of you to write to me whether Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine, received the letter I sent him — to deliver the letter to Breslov — to my son-in-law, may his candle shine. And you do not want to reply to me — and you have greatly withheld the fruit of your pen from me. And you do not know that my life-force is bound to your souls. Segment 5 HE: ואני מבקש מאתך שאי"ה ביום ו' עש"ק הוא יאר צייט עליה השלום תחלק עבור אחותי על היאר צייט עשרה גר' שלנו הינו לר' דב נ"י ובנו נ"י ארבעה גר' ולר' איזיק שני גר' ולר' יואל הירש ובנו ארבעה גר' מעות צפת ותאמרו להם שהוא לעלוי נשמת עבור אמי ביילא לאה בת ראובן עכ"פ כל אחד ילמד פרק אחד ואפשר ישאר איזה פאריע תתן לר' יוסף נ"י EN: More there is nothing new — only life and peace and joy and gladness — for the holy Purim days are palpably drawing near and coming [ממשמשין ובאין — "palpably drawing near and coming" — from memashesh — to feel by touch, to grope toward; Purim is approaching so closely you can almost feel it with your hands; a tactile, physical image of something you can touch as it arrives]. And through the joy of Purim — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to begin anew — for "and now" [ועכשו — an allusion to Rabbainu z"l's teaching about the power of now in prayer: prayer must be grounded in the present moment of now; declaring now before Hashem is the foundation of genuine prayer; each new now is a fresh beginning] — etc. And to merit a kosher Passover — and to burn the leaven from within us — namely sadness and melancholy — for sadness and melancholy is from the Other Side. Segment 6 HE: ולמען ה' לשלח המעות הסך ארבעה מז'ידעס כי הוא בושה לי עבור ר' שמואל העניך נ"י וכמה פעמים בקשתי מאתכם לכתוב לי אם קבל ר' הירש נ"י המכתב ששלחתי לו שימסר המכתב לברסלב לחתני נ"י ואין אתם רוצים להשיב לי ואתם מנעתם מאד פרי עטכם ממני ואין אתם יודעים שהחיות שלי קשורה בנפשכם EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: יותר אין לחדש רק חיים ושלום ושמחה וששון כי ימי הפורים הק' ממשמשין ובאין וע"י שמחת פורים יזכה אותנו השי"ת להתחיל מחדש כי ועכשו וכו' ולזכות לפסח כשר ולבער החמץ מקרבנו הינו העצבות ומרה שחורה כי העצבות ומרה שחורה היא מסטרא אחרא EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Tetzaveh, 5642 (late February 1882), from Teverya. The fever has left but harsh cough and eye pain persist. The mother's first yahrtzeit. Distribution for her soul. Purim palpably approaching. Segment 8 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 122 | Kuf-Kaf-Beis Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 122 | Kuf-Kaf-Beis # קכה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/125/ קכה קכה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/125 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' תשא תרמ"ב פעה"ק טבריא EN: Your letter from before Purim — with the four Meizhides — through Reb Tadris, may his candle shine — I received properly. And also the letter after Purim — of your great joy — that blessed be G-d He helped you to rejoice as per the will of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — I also received properly through the non-Jew. And I rejoiced in your letter — and at the peace that existed among you. And particularly the great salvation — that He performed for you — that our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — Hashem Yisbarach also helped him — that he was with you in the joy of Purim. And this is for me a great salvation. And I too — blessed be G-d — also rejoiced in the joy of Purim — but in private seclusion — and I danced a little — with hand-clapping and dancing — to fulfill the words of Rabbainu z"l — who said that through hand-clapping and dancing all harsh judgments are sweetened. And Rabbainu z"l said explicitly — about Purim — and through the merit of the joy of Purim — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to prayer in its fullness — which is the red heifer — to purify us from the impurity of the corpse that we had — and to merit the light of the face that shines on the three pilgrimage festivals — and Passover is the first of the three pilgrimage festivals. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז כלבבי וכנפשי כבני ממש מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו היקר החכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט א"ס EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that there should be joy and love among us — and that there should be a peace that has a mouth — so that each one can tell his companion what the ultimate purpose of this world is — and each one should help his companion to break the bad character trait that is in him. For no two people are alike — and "love covers all transgressions." And the love that should be between us is no small thing — for Rabbainu z"l said that the world is envious of the love that is among us. Therefore we are obligated to compel ourselves — each and every one — that from his side there should be no holding back of love. For all our service depends on love — that there should be no separation within the assembly, G-d forbid. For we must build houses — and every person who is added to the assembly — houses are added. And not even for a single moment are we permitted to detach our thoughts from the holy assembly of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And particularly the love of the young men of youth — for this is the essential thing by Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — for through them one can build wondrous buildings. And the Adversary lays great ambush against them. Therefore we must strengthen ourselves against him — and increase the peace with even greater elevation and greater might. Segment 3 HE: הנה מכתבכם מקדם פורים עם הארבעה מז'ידעס ע"י ר' טאדריס נ"י קבלתי לנכון וגם המכתב אחר פורים משמחתכם הגדולה אשר ב"ה עזר לכם לשמח כרצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' קבלתי ג"כ לנכון ע"י הערל ושמחתי במכתבכם ומהשלום שהיה ביניכם ובפרט הישועה הגדולה אשר עשה עמכם שידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י ג"כ עזר לכם השי"ת שהיה עמכם בשמחת פורים וזה לי ישועה גדולה ואני ב"ה ג"כ שמחתי בשמחת פורים אך ביחידות ומעט רקדתי במחאת כף ורקודין לקים דברי רבנו ז"ל שאמר שע"י המחאת כף ורקודין ממתיקין הדינים ורבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש על פורים ובזכות השמחה של פורים יזכה אותנו השי"ת לתפילה בשלמות היא פרה אדמה לטהר אותנו מטמאת מת שהיה לנו ולזכות לאור הפנים המאיר בשלש רגלים ופסח הוא ראשון לשלש רגלים EN: Words of one who blesses you with peace — your friend who truly and wholly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ויזכה אותנו השי"ת שיהיה שמחה ואהבה בינינו ויהיה שלום שיש לו פה שנוכל כל אחד לחברו מה הוא התכלית מזה העולם וכל אחד יעזור לחברו לשבר המדה הרעה שיש בו כי אין אדם דומה לחברו ועל כל פשעים תכסה אהבה ואהבה שיהיה בינינו אינו דבר רק כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שהעולם מקנאין על אהבה שבינינו ע"כ אנו מחיבים להכריח עצמנו כל אחד ואחד שמצדו לא יהיה עכוב אהבה כי כל העבודות שלנו תלויים באהבה שלא יהיה פרוד בין הקבוץ ח"ו כי אנו צריכין לבנות הבתים ומה שנתוסף אחד להקבוץ נתוספו הבתים ואפילו רגע אחד אין אנו רשאין להפרד מחשבותינו מהקבוץ הק' של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובפרט אהבת בני הנעורים כי זה עיקר אצל רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי בהם יכולין לבנות בנינים נפלאים ועליהם מניח הבעל דבר מאד ע"כ אנו צריכין להתחזק נגדו ולהרבות השלום ביתר שאת ויתר עז EN: And regarding my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — several ailments have departed. But she is not fully in good health — for her legs are very swollen. And now it is before Passover — and she is the anchor and mainstay of the home. Therefore I ask of all the Anash — to pray for her — when you go to your home and when you go to all the holy resting places — that Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. Segment 5 HE: דברי המברך אתכם בשלום ידידכם אוהבכם באמת ובתמים EN: And greetings of peace to my strong friend — the veteran Chassid, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and his wondrous son, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — and his precious grandson — the wondrous, precious young scholar — Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. My son — my truly beloved — know that I love you truly like my very own son. Therefore I counsel you with good counsel: be constant in studying the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and every day lay open and spread out your conversation before Hashem Yisbarach [תפרש שיחתך — "lay open and spread out your conversation" — from parash — to spread out, to lay open in full detail; the specific Breslov image of hisbodedus — the private spreading-out and laying-open of one's entire inner speech before G-d; every detail spread open, nothing held back] — and greatly multiply prayer and supplication. And "the consequence of humility is fear of Hashem." And through prayer — one can accomplish everything from Hashem Yisbarach. Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Tisa, 5642 (after Purim, March 1882), from Teverya. Purim joy in private seclusion. Love among the Anash. The young men. A personal address to Reb Avraham Eliezer. Segment 7 HE: ואודות זוג' תח' ב"ה כמה חולאת פטרה אך אינה בקו הבריאה בשלמות כי רגליה נפוחים מאד ועכשו קדם פסח והיא עקרת הבית ע"כ אני מבקש מאת כל אנ"ש להתפלל עבורה בלכתך לביתך ובלכתך על כל ציונים הק' שישלח לה השי"ת רפואה שלמה חיש מהר EN: Your letter from before Purim — with the four Meizhides — through Reb Tadris, may his candle shine — I received properly. And also the letter after Purim — of your great joy — that blessed be G-d He helped you to rejoice as per the will of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — I also received properly through the non-Jew. And I rejoiced in your letter — and at the peace that existed among you. And particularly the great salvation — that He performed for you — that our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — Hashem Yisbarach also helped him — that he was with you in the joy of Purim. And this is for me a great salvation. And I too — blessed be G-d — also rejoiced in the joy of Purim — but in private seclusion — and I danced a little — with hand-clapping and dancing — to fulfill the words of Rabbainu z"l — who said that through hand-clapping and dancing all harsh judgments are sweetened. And Rabbainu z"l said explicitly — about Purim — and through the merit of the joy of Purim — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to prayer in its fullness — which is the red heifer — to purify us from the impurity of the corpse that we had — and to merit the light of the face that shines on the three pilgrimage festivals — and Passover is the first of the three pilgrimage festivals. Segment 8 HE: ופב"ש לאו"נ ידידי עז ותיק וחסיד וכו' וכו' מו"ה ר' הירש נ"י ובנו המפלא וכו' וכו' מו"ה סענדיר נ"י ונכדו היקר המפלא היקר האברך מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י בני ידידי או"נ באמת תדע שאני אהב אותך כבני ממש ע"כ אני מיעצך עצה טובה שתתמיד בלמוד ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובכל יום תפרש שיחתך לפני השי"ת ותרבה בתפילה ותחנונים ועקב ענוה היא יראת ה' ובתפילה יכולין הכל לפעל מאת השי"ת EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Tisa, 5642 (after Purim, March 1882), from Teverya. Purim joy in private seclusion. Love among the Anash. The young men. A personal address to Reb Avraham Eliezer. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I bring you a good tiding — how a letter arrived here from the Rabbi Reb Dovid of Astria — from the 3rd of Adar — to the seven prominent men of the city — about how they were in Kiev — and the entire city fasted on Behab — even the assimilated ones and the students and the doctors. And they accepted from all the Jews — even the assimilated ones — every aspect of religious law — to put on tefillin and tzitzis. And the price of tefillin was twelve rubles a pair — and tzitzis forty kopeks a bundle. And they accepted not to speak among themselves except in the Jewish language. And Doctor Mendel Zan — a professor for eye ailments — pledged a large sum of money on behalf of the poor students — for tefillin and tzitzis. And likewise it was so in Petersburg — and all of them accepted all of this upon themselves. And likewise in many cities. And the Minister Ignatiev called Ginzburg and Poliakov — that they sign for themselves that they had not done anything bad to the Jews — and they did not want to sign for themselves — for they said: we are obligated to do good to our brothers the children of Israel and not evil, G-d forbid — and they gave over their very lives for the sanctification of G-d's name. And also the above-mentioned Reb Dovid wrote — that in Smila there was a consul from England — and he asked the rabbis and also the kazine rabbi — about what had happened in Smila. And the consul said that he has a mandate to travel to all places and ask about the damages that the murderers committed in all the places. And Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine, came to me precisely and directly — to bring me this good tiding — for the letter from the above-mentioned Reb Dovid was for several people — and Reb Shmuel Henech was also among them. May Hashem Yisbarach perform miracles with us — as in the days of your going forth from the land of Egypt — "I will show him wonders" — and give us a kosher Passover — and salvations and consolations. And may He help us too — that our hearts be renewed — to do true repentance — as per the will of Rabbainu z"l — and as per the will of his holy disciple — and as per the will of all the Tzaddikim — who cry out about repentance: "Return to Me and I will return to you." Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And I greatly ask of all the Anash — to pray for my wife — for since last Friday she again has a very severe fever. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Written Monday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5642 (late March 1882), from Teverya. Mass return to tefillin and tzitzis in Kiev and Petersburg; an English consul investigating the pogroms; Ginzburg and Poliakov refuse to sign. Fever has returned. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן In the past week I wrote you a letter — but the wagon did not arrive — and my sister received it — and went to the gate — and encountered a certain man — and gave him the letter. And now it has become known to me that this man stole from our friend Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and surely he did not deliver the letter. And now I write to you — how Hashem Yisbarach exercises divine providential oversight over me: when Hashem Yisbarach helped me with my wife, may she live — and Hashem Yisbarach healed her completely — in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and in the merit of your prayers — today she went to my sister, may she live — and on the way back she fell upon a stone — and it was a miracle that she did not break her head, G-d forbid, and all her limbs — for she remained weakened. Only Hashem Yisbarach — in His great and abundant mercies — did not harm her — only she has pain. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help still further. And upon me now the verse is fulfilled: "chastising — He has chastised me — Yah — but to death He has not given me over" [Psalms 118:18 — the full verse: "chastising He has chastised me — Yah — but to death He has not given me over" — the infinitive-absolute construction expresses unrelenting, repeated chastisement; yet the verse ends with trust and comfort: all the chastisement — and yet not unto death; the completion of the verse is the consolation] — etc., etc. And regarding what you wrote — whether I have a letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — you do not know that if I had a letter — I would surely have sent it to you. And I ask of you — perhaps you have news from your brother-in-law David, may his candle shine — how they concluded the obligation. And also perhaps you have some letter from Kalibulad — from your son-in-law Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — write to me what he wrote in reply to my letter. And now it has become newly known to me from the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — that we have no one to turn to except Hashem Yisbarach — at all times. And we must pray about every single detail — and bring forward mercy before anger, G-d forbid. And particularly we — who are careful about prayer from Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And particularly now — before Passover and the Omer counting — for from now begins a fresh beginning — to prepare ourselves for the receiving of the Torah. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to a kosher Passover — and to be careful about any trace of leaven on Passover — in the physical and in the spiritual. And thank you, your honor, for bringing me the good tiding about our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach restored him to his original pristine vigor. May Hashem Yisbarach help him — for long life and good years. And also write to me news from your brother Sender — whether he had letters from his wife, may she live — and what your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine, has done. And also from our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — what is being heard — from his wife, may she live. For the sake of Hashem — my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — do not fall away from prayer — be strong and courageous in prayer and supplication — only in joy. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will complete matters for you for good. And greetings of peace to my strong friend — the wondrous young scholar — Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. For the sake of Hashem — remember your Creator in the days of your youth — and hold yourself to the ways of Rabbainu z"l — and study the Torah Anochi — several times — and go through this Torah many times — and surely Hashem Yisbarach will lead you on the straight path. Nussun from Breslov Written the 9th of Nissan, 5642 (early April 1882), from Teverya. Five days before Passover. The wife recovered then fell on a stone — a near-miracle. A teaching on bringing mercy before anger. Good news about Reb Nachman. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that there should be joy and love among us — and that there should be a peace that has a mouth — so that each one can tell his companion what the ultimate purpose of this world is — and each one should help his companion to break the bad character trait that is in him. For no two people are alike — and "love covers all transgressions." And the love that should be between us is no small thing — for Rabbainu z"l said that the world is envious of the love that is among us. Therefore we are obligated to compel ourselves — each and every one — that from his side there should be no holding back of love. For all our service depends on love — that there should be no separation within the assembly, G-d forbid. For we must build houses — and every person who is added to the assembly — houses are added. And not even for a single moment are we permitted to detach our thoughts from the holy assembly of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And particularly the love of the young men of youth — for this is the essential thing by Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — for through them one can build wondrous buildings. And the Adversary lays great ambush against them. Therefore we must strengthen ourselves against him — and increase the peace with even greater elevation and greater might. Words of one who blesses you with peace — your friend who truly and wholly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And regarding my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — several ailments have departed. But she is not fully in good health — for her legs are very swollen. And now it is before Passover — and she is the anchor and mainstay of the home. Therefore I ask of all the Anash — to pray for her — when you go to your home and when you go to all the holy resting places — that Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. And greetings of peace to my strong friend — the veteran Chassid, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — and his wondrous son, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — and his precious grandson — the wondrous, precious young scholar — Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine. My son — my truly beloved — know that I love you truly like my very own son. Therefore I counsel you with good counsel: be constant in studying the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and every day lay open and spread out your conversation before Hashem Yisbarach [תפרש שיחתך — "lay open and spread out your conversation" — from parash — to spread out, to lay open in full detail; the specific Breslov image of hisbodedus — the private spreading-out and laying-open of one's entire inner speech before G-d; every detail spread open, nothing held back] — and greatly multiply prayer and supplication. And "the consequence of humility is fear of Hashem." And through prayer — one can accomplish everything from Hashem Yisbarach. Written Tuesday, Parshas Tisa, 5642 (after Purim, March 1882), from Teverya. Purim joy in private seclusion. Love among the Anash. The young men. A personal address to Reb Avraham Eliezer. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קכו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/126/ קכו קכו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/126 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ערב ראש חדש ניסן תרמ"ב לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: I bring you a good tiding — how a letter arrived here from the Rabbi Reb Dovid of Astria — from the 3rd of Adar — to the seven prominent men of the city — about how they were in Kiev — and the entire city fasted on Behab — even the assimilated ones and the students and the doctors. And they accepted from all the Jews — even the assimilated ones — every aspect of religious law — to put on tefillin and tzitzis. And the price of tefillin was twelve rubles a pair — and tzitzis forty kopeks a bundle. And they accepted not to speak among themselves except in the Jewish language. And Doctor Mendel Zan — a professor for eye ailments — pledged a large sum of money on behalf of the poor students — for tefillin and tzitzis. And likewise it was so in Petersburg — and all of them accepted all of this upon themselves. And likewise in many cities. And the Minister Ignatiev called Ginzburg and Poliakov — that they sign for themselves that they had not done anything bad to the Jews — and they did not want to sign for themselves — for they said: we are obligated to do good to our brothers the children of Israel and not evil, G-d forbid — and they gave over their very lives for the sanctification of G-d's name. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד כל אנ"ש ידידנו אהבי נפשי כלם בכלל EN: And also the above-mentioned Reb Dovid wrote — that in Smila there was a consul from England — and he asked the rabbis and also the kazine rabbi — about what had happened in Smila. And the consul said that he has a mandate to travel to all places and ask about the damages that the murderers committed in all the places. And Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine, came to me precisely and directly — to bring me this good tiding — for the letter from the above-mentioned Reb Dovid was for several people — and Reb Shmuel Henech was also among them. Segment 3 HE: אבשר לכם בשורה טובה איך שבא לכאן מכתב מהרב ר' דוד מסטריא מג' אדר להשבעה טובי עיר איך שהיו בקייב והתענו כל העיר בה"ב אפילו הדייטשין והאסטידענטין והדאקטורים וקבלו מכל היהודים אפילו הדייטשין כל הדת מהדת להניח תפלין וציצית והיה תפלין במקח שנים עשר רו"ח זוז וציצית 40 קאפיקיס בינטיל וקבלו שלא לדבר ביניהם כי אם לשון יהודית ודאקטיר מענדיל סאן פריוועסיר מכאב עינים נדר הון רב על עניי הסטידענטין על תפלין וציצית וכמו כן היה כן בפעטיר בארג וכלם קבלו עליהם כל זה וכן בכמה עירות והמניסטיר איגנאטיף קרא לגינזבורג ולפאליקאב שיחתמו עצמם שלא עשו שום דבר רע להיהודים ולא רצו לחתם עצמם כי אמרו אנו מחיבים לעשות טובה לאחינו בני ישראל ולא רעה ר"ל ומסרו נפשם ממש על קדוש ה' EN: May Hashem Yisbarach perform miracles with us — as in the days of your going forth from the land of Egypt — "I will show him wonders" — and give us a kosher Passover — and salvations and consolations. And may He help us too — that our hearts be renewed — to do true repentance — as per the will of Rabbainu z"l — and as per the will of his holy disciple — and as per the will of all the Tzaddikim — who cry out about repentance: "Return to Me and I will return to you." Segment 4 HE: וגם כתב ר' דוד הנ"ל שבסמילא היה קאנסליר מאיינגלאנד ושאל הרבנים והן הקאזינע רב מה שהיה בסמילא והקאנסליר אמר שיש לו פרוקאם שיסע בכל המקומות וישאל על הזקות שעשו הרוצחים בכל המקומות ור' שמואל העניך נ"י בא אלי במכון לבשר לי הבשורה הזאת כי המכתב מר' דוד הנ"ל היה לכמה אנשים ור' שמואל העניך ג"כ בתוכם EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: השי"ת יעשה עמנו נסים כימי צאתך מארץ מצרים אראנו נפלאות ויתן לנו פסח כשר וישועות ונחמות ויעזור לנו ג"כ שיתחדש לבנו לעשות תשובה אמתית כרצון רבנו ז"ל וכרצון תלמידו הק' וכרצון כל הצדיקים אשר צועקים על התשובה שובו אלי ואשובה אליכם EN: And I greatly ask of all the Anash — to pray for my wife — for since last Friday she again has a very severe fever. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Written Monday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5642 (late March 1882), from Teverya. Mass return to tefillin and tzitzis in Kiev and Petersburg; an English consul investigating the pogroms; Ginzburg and Poliakov refuse to sign. Fever has returned. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: ומאד מבקש מאת כל אנ"ש להתפלל עבור זוג' כי מיום ו' העבר יש לה עוד הפיבער קשה עד מאד ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: Written Monday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5642 (late March 1882), from Teverya. Mass return to tefillin and tzitzis in Kiev and Petersburg; an English consul investigating the pogroms; Ginzburg and Poliakov refuse to sign. Fever has returned. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן In the past week I wrote you a letter — but the wagon did not arrive — and my sister received it — and went to the gate — and encountered a certain man — and gave him the letter. And now it has become known to me that this man stole from our friend Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and surely he did not deliver the letter. # קכז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/127/ קכז קכז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/127 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום תשעה לחדש ניסן תרמ"ב פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: In the past week I wrote you a letter — but the wagon did not arrive — and my sister received it — and went to the gate — and encountered a certain man — and gave him the letter. And now it has become known to me that this man stole from our friend Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and surely he did not deliver the letter. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ בני ממש הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And now I write to you — how Hashem Yisbarach exercises divine providential oversight over me: when Hashem Yisbarach helped me with my wife, may she live — and Hashem Yisbarach healed her completely — in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and in the merit of your prayers — today she went to my sister, may she live — and on the way back she fell upon a stone — and it was a miracle that she did not break her head, G-d forbid, and all her limbs — for she remained weakened. Only Hashem Yisbarach — in His great and abundant mercies — did not harm her — only she has pain. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help still further. And upon me now the verse is fulfilled: "chastising — He has chastised me — Yah — but to death He has not given me over" [Psalms 118:18 — the full verse: "chastising He has chastised me — Yah — but to death He has not given me over" — the infinitive-absolute construction expresses unrelenting, repeated chastisement; yet the verse ends with trust and comfort: all the chastisement — and yet not unto death; the completion of the verse is the consolation] — etc., etc. Segment 3 HE: בשבוע העבר כתבתי לכם מכתב אך לא הגיעה השירה וקבלה אחותי והלכה עד השער ופגעה באיש אחד ונתנה לו המכתב ועתה נודע לי שאיש הזה גנב אצל ידידנו ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ובודאי לא מסר לו המכתב EN: And regarding what you wrote — whether I have a letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — you do not know that if I had a letter — I would surely have sent it to you. And I ask of you — perhaps you have news from your brother-in-law David, may his candle shine — how they concluded the obligation. And also perhaps you have some letter from Kalibulad — from your son-in-law Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — write to me what he wrote in reply to my letter. Segment 4 HE: ועתה אני כתב לכם איך השי"ת משגיח עלי כשהשי"ת עזר לי לזוג' תח' והבריא אותה השי"ת בשלמות בזכות רבנו ז"ל ובזכות תפילתכם היום הלכה לאחותי תח' והלכה בהחזרה ונפלה על האבן והיה נס שלא שברה ראשה ח"ו וכל אבריה כי נשארה חלשות רק השי"ת ברחמיו המרבין והגדולים שב"ה לא הזיק לה רק שיש לה מכאוב רק השי"ת יעזור עוד ובי מקים עתה יסר יסרני יה וכו' וכו' EN: And now it has become newly known to me from the words of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — that we have no one to turn to except Hashem Yisbarach — at all times. And we must pray about every single detail — and bring forward mercy before anger, G-d forbid. And particularly we — who are careful about prayer from Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And particularly now — before Passover and the Omer counting — for from now begins a fresh beginning — to prepare ourselves for the receiving of the Torah. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to a kosher Passover — and to be careful about any trace of leaven on Passover — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 5 HE: ואודות מה שאתה כתב אם יש לי מכתב מחמיך נ"י אין אתה יודע שאם היה לי מכתב בודאי שלחתי לכם ואני מבקש ממך אולי יש לך ידיעה מגיסך דוד נ"י איך פטרו הזעריב וגם אולי יש לכם איזה מכתב מקאליבלאד ממחתנכם ר' הירש נ"י תכתב לי מה הוא כתב תשובה על מכתבי EN: And thank you, your honor, for bringing me the good tiding about our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach restored him to his original pristine vigor. May Hashem Yisbarach help him — for long life and good years. And also write to me news from your brother Sender — whether he had letters from his wife, may she live — and what your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine, has done. And also from our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — what is being heard — from his wife, may she live. For the sake of Hashem — my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — do not fall away from prayer — be strong and courageous in prayer and supplication — only in joy. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will complete matters for you for good. Segment 6 HE: ועתה נודע לי מחדש דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאין לנו למי לפנות כי אם להשי"ת בכל עת וצריכין להתפלל על כל פרט ופרט ולהקדים רחמים לרגז ח"ו ובפרט אנו שנזהרים על התפילה מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובפרט עתה קדם פסח וספירה שמעתה מתחיל התחלה חדשה להכין עצמנו לקבלות התורה והשי"ת יזכה אותנו לפסח כשר ולהיות נזהרים ממשהו חמץ בפסח בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: And greetings of peace to my strong friend — the wondrous young scholar — Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. For the sake of Hashem — remember your Creator in the days of your youth — and hold yourself to the ways of Rabbainu z"l — and study the Torah Anochi — several times — and go through this Torah many times — and surely Hashem Yisbarach will lead you on the straight path. Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ות"ח למעלתכם שבשרתם לי בשורה טובה מידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י שהחזיר אותו השי"ת לאיתנו השי"ת יעזור לו לאיוש"ט וגם תכתב לי ידיעה מאחיך סענדיר אם היו לו מכתבים מזוג' תח' ומה עשה אחיך ישראל אריה נ"י וגם מידידנו ר' איזיק נ"י מה נשמע מזוג' תח' למען ה' ידידי איזיק נ"י לא תפל מתפילה חזק ואמץ בתפילה ותחנונים רק בשמחה ובודאי יגמר השי"ת עמך לטובה EN: Written the 9th of Nissan, 5642 (early April 1882), from Teverya. Five days before Passover. The wife recovered then fell on a stone — a near-miracle. A teaching on bringing mercy before anger. Good news about Reb Nachman. Segment 8 HE: ופב"ש לידידי עז האברך המפלא מו"ה אליעזור נ"י למען ה' זכר את בראך בימי בחרותך ואחז עצמך בדרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמד התורה אנכי' כמה פעמים ותלך בהתורה הזאת כמה זמנים ובודאי ידריכך השי"ת בדרך הישר EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 125 | Kuf-Kaf-Hey Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 125 | Kuf-Kaf-Hey # קכח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/128/ קכח קכח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/128 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' אסרו חג תרמ"ב פה טבריא תו"ת EN: I bring you a good tiding — that your brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu David, may his candle shine — has been saved from the standing obligation — and he has remained in Krizrad. For on the eve of Passover I received a letter from my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine — from the Torah portion of Tetzaveh — and within it enclosed was a letter from your brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun, may his candle shine — and there it is written that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, is in Tcheryn. And throughout the intermediate days of the festival — there was no wagon to send you the letter. Therefore I girded the fruit of my pen — for the sake of the commandment — on Isru Chag — to write to you — perhaps tomorrow there will be a wagon and the letter will be ready to send to you. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו החכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט EN: And know — that I ask of all the Anash — the beloved of my soul — to pray for my wife, may she live — for yesterday she had the fever again. And beyond this she has no strength at all — for her legs are swollen — and she has bone-shattering pain — and it is impossible for you to estimate what she has gone through. In sum — from the day I arrived — not a single day has passed over me without confusions. And were it not for the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — it would not have been in my power to withstand them. Segment 3 HE: אבשר לך בשורה טובה שגיסך מו"ה דוד נ"י נצל מן הזעריב והוא נשאר קריזראד כי ערב פסח קבלתי מכתב מבני משה אפרים נ"י מפ' תצוה ובתוכו היה רצוף מכתב מגיסך מו"ה נתן נ"י ושם כתוב שחמיך נ"י הוא בטשעהרין וכל החל המועד לא היה שירה לשלח לך המכתב ע"כ אזרתי פרי עטי למען המצוה באסרו חג לכתוב לך אולי למחר יהיה שירה ויהיה מוכן המכתב לשלח לך EN: But blessed be G-d — He has not withheld His kindness from us in these generations — and He brought the remedy before the affliction — and had mercy on us in these generations — and sent us a faithful shepherd [רעה נאמן — re'ah ne'eman — "a faithful shepherd" — the specific Zoharic title of Moshe Rabbeinu in the Zohar: Ra'ya Mehemna — the faithful shepherd; applied here to Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple as the faithful shepherds of this generation, carrying the same resonance as the greatest of all shepherds] — he is Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and they left after themselves a blessing — their holy books. And there is no confusion in the world that they cannot sweeten — and give life to the wretched and crushed souls. Would that we were to incline our shoulder to bear upon ourselves with constancy in their holy books — we would be saved from every trouble and distress — and we would live life. For the books of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple are literally the Garden of Eden — and the Upper Garden of Eden — and they can literally transform from the lowest depths of the pit to the lower Garden of Eden and to the Upper Garden of Eden. And at all times we must rejoice — that we have such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And as I have now studied the Laws of Evening and the Laws of Appointing an Agent to Collect His Debt — we must rejoice and rejoice — for sadness is an absolute prohibition. And Hashem Yisbarach will merit us to prepare ourselves through the Omer count for the receiving of the Torah — which is the root of all joy — as is explained in the Torah discourse Chosom b'soch Chosom. Segment 4 HE: ותדע שאני מבקש מאת כל אנ"ש מאהבי נפשי להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' כי אתמול היה לה עוד הפיבער ובלא זה אין לה שום כח כי רגליה נפוחים ויש לה כאב של שבר רגלים וא"א לכם לשער מה שעבר עליה הכלל מיום באי לא עבר עלי יום אחד בלי בלבולים ולולא ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לא היה ביכלתי לעמד בהם אך ב"ה לא עזב חסדו מאתנו בדורות האלו והקדים רפואה למכה ורחם עלינו בדורות האלו ושלח לנו רעה נאמן הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והשאירו לנו אחריהם ברכה ספריהם הק' אשר אין בלבול בעולם שהם לא יכלו להמתיקם ולהחיות נפשות האמללות והנדכאות ולואי והיינו מטים שכמנו לסבל על בהתמדה בספריהם הק' היינו נצולים מכל צרה וצוקה וחיינו חיים כי ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם ממש הג"ע וג"ע העליון והם יכולין ממש להפך משאול תחתיות לג"ע התחתון ולג"ע העליון ובכל עת אנו צריכין לשמח שיש לנו רבי כזה ותלמיד כזה וכפי שלמדתי עתה הלכות ערב והלכות עשה שליח לגבות חובו אנו צריכין לשמח ולשמח כי העצבות הוא אסור גמור והשי"ת יזכנו להכין עצמנו ע"י ספירת העמר לקבלות התורה אשר הוא שרש השמחה כמבאר בהתורה חותם בתוך חותם' EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Segment 5 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 6 HE: ותפב"ש לכל אנ"ש ותכתב לי אם הייתם שמחים ביו"ט זה ואם הייתם כלכם ביחד EN: And greetings of peace to all the Anash. And write to me whether you were joyful on this festival — and whether you were all together. Segment 7 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Isru Chag — the day after Passover, 5642 (April 1882), from Teverya. David freed from his legal obligation. The wife still very ill. The books of Rabbainu z"l as the Garden of Eden — sent as the faithful shepherd's blessing before the afflictions arrived. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קכט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/129/ קכט קכט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/129 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' י"ג למספר בני ישראל תרמ"ב טבריא תו"ת לכבוד ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י ומה לנו לעשות בהרפתקאות שעבר עלינו הכל מהשי"ת ובודאי הקדים רפואה למכה רק אנו צריכין להטות עצמנו להרמזים שהשי"ת מרמז לנו ואל מתיאשין מן הרחמים כי השי"ת מנסה אותנו בכל עת כי זה העולם הוא עולם הנסיון למען ה' לומר לידידנו ר' דב נ"י שלא יהיה מהיר במכירת הכרים והכסתות והעיקר שלנו לחדש עצמנו בתפילה כי כל עסקו של רבנו ז"ל הוא תורה ותפילה ידידך נתן מברסלב ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש ומאד בקשתי לשלח לי היי"ש או אתה או ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל וגם קארטליך ארבעה או חמשה כי זוג' תח' משביעי של פסח נתחדש אצלה הפיבער ר"ל ואין לה כח בשום אבר רק בה' בטחתי שבודאי ירפא אותה השי"ת ואת זוג' תח' מכל תחלואיהם כי אין לנו להשען כי אם על אבינו שבשמים EN: And what shall we do about the dangerous ordeals [הרפתקאות — harpatka'os — Talmudic Aramaic: dangerous encounters, perilous adventures along the way; from Aramaic riftaka — a dangerous encounter; used in the Talmud for harrowing ordeals on a journey] that have passed over us — everything is from Hashem Yisbarach — and surely He brings forward the remedy before the affliction. We need only to incline ourselves toward the hints that Hashem Yisbarach hints to us — and not despair of mercy. For Hashem Yisbarach tests us at all times — for this world is the world of trial. For the sake of Hashem — tell our friend Reb Dov, may his candle shine — not to be hasty in selling the pillows and cushions. And the essential thing for us is to renew ourselves in prayer — for all the business of Rabbainu z"l is Torah and prayer. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to all the Anash. And I have greatly asked — to send me the whiskey — either you or Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel z"l. And also four or five little prescription cards. For my wife, may she live — from the seventh day of Passover — the fever has returned again, G-d have mercy. And she has no strength in any limb. Only in Hashem I have trusted — that Hashem Yisbarach will surely heal her — and your wife, may she live — from all their ailments. For we have no one to lean upon except our Father in Heaven. Written Monday, the 13th of the Omer, 5642 (early May 1882), from Teverya. The fever returned on the 7th day of Passover. A plea for whiskey and prescription cards. Do not hastily sell the pillows and cushions. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # יג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/13/ יג יג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/13 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' תשא ארבעה ימים קדם אור הפורים תרל"ו EN: Monday, the Torah portion of Ki Sisa [Parshas Ki Sisa — the portion containing the sin of the Golden Calf and the shattering of the Tablets], four days before the light of Purim [קדם אור הפורים — "before the light of Purim" — in Jewish time-reckoning a day begins at nightfall; the word אור — light — refers to the night that opens the day of Purim; Purim begins at nightfall on the 13th of Adar; four days before that nightfall places this letter on the 10th of Adar — the writer is building toward the great joy of Purim], 5636 [= late February or early March 1876 CE]. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבנו באמת הנחקקים בקירות לבבי ונבעים במחי ובדעתי כבני ממש הלא הוא המפלא ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י בן הרב צבי נ"י ור' איזיקל נ"י ור' נתן בן ר"י נ"י שיחיו לאיוש"ט EN: To the honor of our true beloved ones — engraved in the walls of my heart and welling up from my mind and from my understanding — truly as my very own children [הנחקקים בקירות לבבי ונבעים במחי ובדעתי כבני ממש — "engraved in the walls of my heart, and welling / springing forth from my mind and my understanding — truly as my very own children" — the love is not merely felt but engraved — cut into the stone of his heart — and it wells up from the very depths of his mind and understanding, not only from emotion; the cascade of images is the most elaborate and beautiful opening address in the entire collection] — why, it is none other than the wondrous one himself, the veteran Chassid, the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — and Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, may his candle shine — may they live for length of days and good years. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום והשמחה עם כל אנ"ש EN: Thank G-d — blessed be G-d — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you and from all the Anash life and peace and joy. After inquiring after your welfare — I have come to inform you that the letter from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, may his candle shine, I received — along with the prescription [ריצעפט — rezept — a literal medical prescription sent along with the letter]. And also the letter from Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Sunday of Terumah — with the good tidings about the passports — I received. And also the letter from Tuesday of Tetzaveh, from Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and from Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — I also received. But I am surprised: why did you delay writing to me about the eye pain of our beloved friend, the veteran Chassid, our truly beloved — Reb Nachman, may his candle shine? For we must not be silent and still about such a matter. For we must cry out to Hashem Yisbarach with weeping and with supplication — for this is a great matter. For our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, is our pride and our ornament [פארנו וזיונו — "our splendor and our adornment" — words of communal love and honor; he is the beauty and the glory of their fellowship]. And do we have many such men in Tzfas? And immediately upon seeing the letter, I and Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, went to the grave of the Tanna Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and his holy disciples, and of the holy Shnei Luchos HaBris [של"ה הק' — the acronym stands for שני לוחות הברית — Shnei Luchos HaBris — "Two Tablets of the Covenant" — the title of the great kabbalistic work of Rabbi Yeshayahu Horowitz; by this acronym the writer names both the author and the book, as was common practice; Rabbi Horowitz is buried near Tiberias], and of Rav Ami and Rav Asi [two prominent Talmudic sages of Eretz Yisroel, buried near Tiberias], and we prayed for him. Segment 4 HE: אחרי דרישת שלומך באתי להודיעך שהמכתב מרבי נתן בן ר"י נ"י קבלתי עם הריצעפט וגם מכתב מרבי נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י מיום א' תרומה עם הבשורה מהבילעטין קבלתי וגם המכתב מב' תצוה מרבי נתן נ"י ומרבי איזיקל נ"י ג"כ קבלתי אך תמיה לי מה זה שאחרתם לכתוב לי מהכאב עינים של ידידנו הותיק וחסיד אהבנו באמת ר' נחמן נ"י כי אין אנו צריכין לחרש ולשתק מדבר זה כי אנו צריכין לצעק להשי"ת בבכי ובתחנונים כי זה דבר גדול כי ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י הוא פארנו וזיונו וכי יש לנו אנשים הרבה בצפת תו"ת כמוהו ותכף כראות המכתב הלכנו אני ור' קלמן נ"י על קבר התנא רבי יוחנן בן זכאי ותלמידיו הק' ושל"ה הק' ורב אמי ורב אסי והתפללנו עבורו EN: And you too — do not be silent and do not be at rest [אל תחרישו ואל תשקטו — an echo of Isaiah 62:6-7: "you who remind Hashem, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest" — the prophet's call for unceasing intercession; the writer places the recipients in the role of Jerusalem's watchmen who must not stop crying out] — to sweeten the judgments [להמתיק הדינים — "to sweeten the harsh decrees" — a kabbalistic concept: through prayer, joy, and the merits of the Tzaddikim, harsh divine judgments can be softened and transformed] upon the Anash. For people have been taken from us — on account of the gnashing of the accuser [חריקת הבע"ד — "the gnashing" of the adversary — חורק is the grinding of teeth, used in Psalms 35:16, 37:12, and 112:10 as the image of the enemy's impotent rage against the righteous; a deliberate biblical allusion]: first Reb Dovid ז"ל, and then the hidden Tzaddik [הצדיק הגנוז — "the concealed Tzaddik" — one whose holiness was hidden even from those around him; this is one of the highest posthumous honors in Breslov] Reb Nachem Zalman [זצוק"ל — zecher tzaddik v'kadosh livracha — the fullest honorific for a departed holy person]. And still the adversary gnashes his teeth upon us [חורק שנו עלינו — "gnashes his tooth upon us" — the singular שנו — his tooth — is the precise biblical usage; Psalms 37:12: "the wicked gnashes his teeth at the righteous"; the present tense: the gnashing has not stopped]: the wife of Reb Yekusiel has been swollen for a long time, and our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, has eye pain, and the mother-in-law of Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, has broken her leg. Therefore we must cry out before Hashem Yisbarach — in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple, and in the power of all the Tzaddikim — to sweeten the judgments from upon us and from upon the members of our households. Therefore we must cry out and shout with weeping and with supplication before Purim — and particularly on the Fast of Esther — and to rejoice on the holy Purim, so as to sweeten the judgments. Segment 5 HE: וגם אתם אל תחרישו ואל תשקטו להמתיק הדינים מאנ"ש כי נלקחו מאתנו מחמת חריקת הבע"ד מקדם ר' דוד ז"ל ואח"כ הצדיק הגנוז ר' נחום זלמן זצוק"ל ועוד חורק שנו עלינו שאשת ר"י מנחת נפוחה זמן רב וידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י יש לו כאב עינים וחמותה של ר' איזיקל נ"י נשברה רגלה ע"כ אנו צריכין לצעק לפני השי"ת בכח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וכח כל הצדיקים להמתיק דינים מעלינו ומעל בני ביתנו ע"כ אנו צריכין לצעק ולזעק בבכי ובתחנונים לפני פורים ובפרט בתענית אסתר ולשמח בפורים הק' כדי להמתיק הדינים EN: For this is not simply some happening — what is being done to us. For the Samech-Mem gnashes his teeth upon us. And we must arouse the power of Rabbainu ז"ל — who has already said: "And I will bring you out from between the two Samech-Mems." [a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: he pledged to bring his followers out from between the two hostile spiritual forces of the adversary] But his eyes are still fixed upon us [the adversary has not relented; his gaze remains hostile and watchful]. And Rabbainu ז"ל has already also waged war against the evil eye. And we must pray in the power of our righteous Mashiach to sweeten the evil eye — and particularly the evil eye directed at our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And the leg is also in the dimension of the eye — in the aspect of "the eye of the foot" [a kabbalistic connection: in the mystical dimension, "foot" and "eye" are linked as channels through which spiritual forces flow; the broken leg and the eye pain are aspects of the same spiritual onslaught]. Therefore we must strengthen ourselves against it — and gather together for some hours each day to engage in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל. And each person individually — let his main occupation be this. And you too are obligated to engage with the young people — that is, with the young man Heynich son of Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner, may his candle shine — and with the son of Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine. For "from the mouths of babes and sucklings You have established strength" [Psalms 8:3] — for such was the desire of Rabbainu ז"ל. Segment 6 HE: כי זה אינו דבר רק מה שנעשה עמנו כי הסמך מם חורק שניו עלינו ואנו צריכין לעורר כח רבנו ז"ל שכבר אמר והוצאתי אתכם מבין שני הסמך מם אך עדין עיניו לטושות עלינו וכבר לחם רבנו ז"ל עם הרע עין ג"כ וצריכין אנו להתפלל בכח של משיח צדקנו להמתיק הרע עין ובפרט הרע עין של ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י ורגלין הוא ג"כ עין בבחינת עין רגל' ע"כ אנו צריכין להתגבר כנגדו ולהתועד יחד איזה שעה ביום לעסק בדברי רבנו ז"ל וכל אחד ביחוד יהיה עיקר עסקו בזה וגם אתם מחיבים לעסק עם בני הנעורים הינו עם החתן העניך ב"ר דב שוחט ובודק נ"י ועם ב"ר יואל צבי נ"י כי מפי עוללים וינקים יסדת עז' כי כך היה רצון רבנו ז"ל EN: And believe me — from the day I heard of the great distress of our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and also the successive troubles of the wife of Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and the mother-in-law of Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — the pain has not been able to leave my mind even for one single moment. But I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that surely Hashem Yisbarach Himself will bind and shape our prayer into good [יציר תפילתנו לטוב — from the root צרר: "will press together, bind, form our prayer into good" — G-d does not merely hear the prayer but takes the words and fashions them, pressing them into an effective form; the image is of a craftsman shaping raw material into something purposeful and beautiful] — in the dimension of "and He blessed and did not reverse it" [Numbers 23:20 — Bilaam's words; once G-d joins and shapes the prayer it cannot be turned back]. Only we at least must give Him words of prayer in order that He should bind them into good. Therefore — you from there and we from here — let us strengthen ourselves in prayer and supplication on every single detail: both on the needs of the soul, and on the needs of the body, and on livelihood. For all of this we need Hashem Yisbarach. And I believe in Hashem Yisbarach that surely He will hear our prayer. Only we must at all times begin with fresh desire to pray. Segment 7 HE: ותאמינו לי שמיום ששמעתי מהצער הגדול של ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י וגם הצרות התכופות מאשת ר' איצילע נ"י ומחמותו של ר' איזקיל נ"י הצער לא יכול להפיג מדעתי אפילו רגע אחד רק אני בטוח בהשי"ת שבודאי השי"ת בעצמו יציר תפילתנו לטוב בחינת וברך ולא אשיבנו' רק אנו עכ"פ צריכים למסור לו דברי תפילה בכדי לצירם לטוב ע"כ אתם מהתם ואנן מהכא נחזק עצמנו בתפילה ובתחנונים על כל פרט ופרט הן על צרכי הנפש והן על צרכי הגוף והן על פרנסה הכל אנו צריכין להשי"ת כי אני מאמין בהשי"ת שבודאי ישמע לתפילתנו אך אנו צריכין בכל עת להתחיל בחשק חדש להתפלל EN: And regarding what Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel wrote to me — that sometimes he forgets whether he is a son of the king [בן מלך — the Breslov teaching: every Jewish soul is, in its essence, a royal child who has temporarily forgotten his identity] — know that whoever has even once been at the tzion of Rabbainu ז"ל — or who engages in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — is surely a son of the king. Only he is still being raised among the servants [still in the environment of the mundane and the lowly, which causes him to forget his true nature] — until he searches himself at least half an hour each day: "Where am I in the world?" [היכן אני בעולם — a cry of existential self-examination: where have I arrived? Where am I standing? Is this who I truly am? — a practice of daily awakening to one's royal identity] — until eventually he comes to his greatness. And the time for this is at the recitation of the Shema on the bed before sleep. Then sigh for at least half an hour. And when you engage in this for even one continuous month — surely, G-d willing, there will be some change in the very root of your desire [שנוי ברצון — "a change in the will, in the desire" — not merely behavior but the innermost direction of the will begins to shift]. And also know, my friend, my son Nussun — that you surely gave me life when you wrote that the consular affairs have risen to six percent. Would that Hashem Yisbarach grant that they rise as they were before — with even greater surpassing elevation and strength. For your money is very precious. And I have very much requested at all times that you write to me about the Anash — what they are doing — so that I should know the state of their situation. And the half-bishlik you sent for the righteous convert I received properly. And also the two bishlikim that Reb Boruch sent — I also received properly. And fortunate are you that you merited to fulfill the mitzvah of charity for the truly righteous convert — who is gravely ill. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him and on all the sick of His people Israel. Segment 8 HE: ואודות מה שכתב לי ר' נתן בן ר"י נ"י שלפעמים הוא שוכח אם הוא בן מלך תדעו שמי שהיה כי אם פעם אחת על ציון רבנו ז"ל או שעוסק בדברי רבנו ז"ל בודאי הוא בן מלך רק הוא עדין מגדל אצל העבד עד שיחפש עצמו עכ"פ חצי שעה ביום להתאנח היכן אני בעולם' עד שבסוף יבא לגדולתו והזמן לפניך הוא בעת קריאת שמע על המטה קדם השנה אז תתאנח עכ"פ חצי שעה וכשתעסק בזה עכ"פ חדש אחד רצופים בודאי אי"ה יהיה לך איזה שנוי ברצון EN: And I ask of you to lend me one bishlik and exchange it for ten coins of 20, and give two to Reb Aitzikel, and two to Reb Nachman, and two to Reb Yosef, and two to Reb Aizikl, and two to Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner — for I wish to fulfill the mitzvah of sending gifts to the poor of the Anash [the Purim mitzvah of mishloach manos — gifts to the poor — extended to the needy members of the Breslov fellowship]. And also for my sister Chana, may she live — lend ten thaler [taler — the silver coin ancestor of the dollar] and make from them eighteen coins of 20 — for six portions: and also to Reb Yoel Tzvi give three coins of 20 — and the remainder to those listed above, to each one also a coin of 20. And you shall be a shliach mitzvah — and surely I will repay you with thanks and loving-kindness. Segment 9 HE: וגם תדע ידידי בני נתן שבודאי החיית אותי בזה שכתבת לי שהקאנצילאטין נתעלו על ששה פריצענט ומי יתן השי"ת שיתעלו כמו שהיה מקדם בייתר שאת ועוז כי הממון שלכם הוא יקר מאד ומאד בקשתי בכל עת לכתוב לי מאנ"ש מה הם עשים בכדי לידע אופן מעמדם והחצי בישליק ששלחת עבור הגר צדק קבלתי לנכון וגם השני בישליקיס ששלח ר' ברוך ג"כ קבלתי לנכון ואשריך שזכית לקים מצות צדקה בהגר צדק האמת שהוא חולה מסכן מאד השי"ת ירחם עליו ועל כל חולי עמו ישראל EN: And I myself will send you as your mishloach manos — one word that I heard from our master and teacher [אדמו"ר — Admorainu v'Rabbainu — "our master and teacher" — the title given to Reb Nosson of Breslov ז"ל; this is one of the very few moments in these letters where the writer explicitly says "I heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל" — making this a direct personal transmission of a received teaching], Reb Nussun [זצוק"ל — of blessed memory] — regarding the matter of Purim — that Rabbainu ז"ל said: Segment 10 HE: ואני מבקש מאתך שתלוה לי אחד בישליק ותחליף אותו על עשרה 20 ותתן שנים לר' איצילע נ"י ושנים לר' נחמן נ"י ושנים לר' יוסף נ"י ושנים לר' איזיקל נ"י ושנים לר' דב שוחט ובודק כי אני רוצה לקים מצות משלוח לעניי אנ"ש וגם עבור אחותי חנה תח' תלוה עשר טאליר ותעשה מהם ג"כ שמונה עשר 20 על ששה חלקים גם לר' יואל צבי נ"י ג"כ תתן שלשה 20 והמותר להנרשמים לעיל לכל אחד ג"כ 20 ותהיה אתה שליח מצוה ובודאי אשלם לך בת"ח EN: "Formerly all beginnings came from Passover — and now..." — and he did not finish. Segment 11 HE: ואני אשלח לכם בעצמכם משלוח מנות דבור אחד ששמעתי מאדמו"ר רבי נתן זצוק"ל מענין פורים שאמר רבנו ז"ל מתחלה היו כל התחלות מפסח ועכשו וכו' ולא סים ושמעתי ממנו ז"ל שאמר ועכשו יש רבנו ז"ל שכל התחלות מאתו שא"א להתחיל לכנס בעבודת השי"ת כי אם ע"י ספרי רבנו ז"ל וכל מי שיתמיד יותר בהם בודאי יכנס בשלום ויצא בשלום EN: [ולא סים — "and he did not finish" — three simple words of immense significance. Rabbainu ז"ל began a teaching — "formerly all beginnings came from Passover — and now..." — and stopped. He left the sentence open. The incompleteness itself is part of the transmission: Rabbainu ז"ל deliberately left the ending unspoken, perhaps because the full meaning cannot be contained in words, or because he wished each person to complete it from within themselves. What Reb Nosson heard, and what the writer now transmits, is both the beginning of the sentence and its deliberate, meaningful silence.] Segment 12 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת המצפה לראות בכל אנ"ש כט"ס EN: And I heard from him ז"ל that he said: And now there is Rabbainu ז"ל, from whom all beginnings flow — for it is impossible to begin to enter the service of Hashem Yisbarach except through the books of Rabbainu ז"ל. And whoever perseveres more in them will surely enter in peace and go out in peace. [יכנס בשלום ויצא בשלום — an echo of the Talmudic phrase about entering the realm of mystical knowledge safely; here applied to the books of Rabbainu ז"ל: whoever perseveres in them will enter and exit the service of G-d whole, intact, in peace] Words of one who truly loves you — awaiting to see all the Anash in full goodness, Segment 13 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of one who truly loves you — awaiting to see all the Anash in full goodness, Nussun from Breslov dwelling in the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 14 HE: החונה בעיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת EN: Nussun from Breslov dwelling in the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. # קל URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/130/ קל קל Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/130 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' א'יבי י'שבו י'בשו ר'גע תרמ"ב טבריא לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז כלבבי וכנפשי המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו או"נ מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט כי השי"ת יודע שאני אהב כל אחד ואחד מאנ"ש ואני דן את כל אחד ואחד לכף זכות כאשר רצה רבנו ז"ל ואנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא ומחמת הצרות שהיו מלא הרחבות היה מחי מבלבל לכתוב לכם מכתבים בכל פעם ואי"ה כשיעזור השי"ת ויתן רפואה שלמה לזוג' תח' בודאי אי"ה אתחדש כחי לכתוב לכם בכל פעם מכתבים כי ב"ה בעסק שלנו יש ויש הרבה לדבר ולעורר אחד את חברו וגם רצוני היה בודאי שידידנו עז האברך המפלא מו"ה אליעזור נ"י ועם ר' איזיק נ"י יבאו אצלי בכדי להתועד עמהם ביחד אך מה אעשה שזוג' תח' אינה בקו הבריאה ויש בזה כמה טעמים אחד שצריך לקים הכנסת אורחים בעין יפה ועתה איני יכול כי כמה פעמים אין לי מה לאכל מחמת חלשת זוג' וגם אם היתה זוג' בבריאותה היתה הולכת אצל אחותי תח' לישן ועתה אינה יכולה ואין לי מקום להכניס אורחים כאלה ואי"ה בקיץ זה אבא אליכם על שני שבועות אי"ה ולעת עתה תאהבו עצמכם באהבה גמורה דברי אוהבכם באמת נתן מברסלב EN: For Hashem Yisbarach knows — that I love each and every one of the Anash — and I judge each and every one favorably — as Rabbainu z"l desired. And our matter is sustained by affection. And because of the troubles that were filled with expansivenesses — my mind was confused — to write to you letters at every occasion. And G-d willing when Hashem Yisbarach helps and gives a complete healing to my wife, may she live — surely G-d willing my strength will be renewed — to write to you letters at every occasion. For blessed be G-d — in our business — there is much, much to speak about — and to arouse each person his companion. And also it was certainly my desire — that our strong friend — the wondrous young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine — and together with Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — should come to me — so that we might hold a fellowship assembly together [להתועד עמהם ביחד — "to hold a fellowship assembly together" — from va'adeh / hitva'adus — the specific Breslov institution of Chassidim gathering together in fellowship for Torah-talk, mutual encouragement, and spiritual renewal; hitva'adus is a distinct and treasured Breslov practice, not merely a casual gathering]. But what can I do — for my wife, may she live, is not in good health. And there are several reasons for this: one is — that one must fulfill the commandment of hospitality with a generous and open eye — and now I cannot — for many times I have nothing to eat — because of my wife's weakness. And also if my wife were in her health — she would go to sleep at my sister's, may she live — and now she cannot. And I have no place to bring in guests such as these. And G-d willing in this summer I will come to you — for two weeks G-d willing. And for the present time — love yourselves with a complete love. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Iyar 5642 (May 1882) — date encoded in the acrostic of Psalms 6:11. The wife still ill. Cannot host visitors. Promises to visit Tzfas for two weeks this summer. "Our matter is sustained by affection." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/131/ קלא קלא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/131 Segment 1 HE: לידידי או"נ באמת הותיק וחסיד אהבי באמת ובתמים מו"ה נתן נ"י ויותר בקשתי מכל אנ"ש להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' כי יש לה עוד הפעם הפיבער זייער שטארק ואין לה שו כח לסבל כי זה ארבעה חדשים אשר בכל יום חלשתה מתגבר והיא בלא זה יש לה כמה חולאת ואינה יכולה לאכל אפילו כתינוק בן יומו השי"ת ירחם עליה בתוך שאר חולי עמו ישראל בזכות כל הצדיקים ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ויקבל תפלותנו חיש מהר עבור כל ישראל דברי אוהבכם באמת נתן מברסלב EN: And I ask still more — of all the Anash — to pray for my wife, may she live — for she again has the fever — very strong. And she has no strength at all to bear it — for these are four months during which every day her weakness grows stronger. And beyond this — she has several ailments — and she cannot eat — not even like a newborn infant of one day. [כתינוק בן יומו — "like a newborn infant of one day" — the Talmudic phrase for the most minimal possible: even a newborn infant of one day eats something; she cannot manage even that] May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — together with the other sick of His people Israel — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל. And may He receive our prayers quickly and soon — on behalf of all Israel. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Undated — Iyar 5642. The most minimal letter in the collection — pure urgent prayer. Four months of illness. The wife cannot eat even like a newborn infant of one day. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — with the whiskey — I received properly. And thank you — for the counsel from you — that you did not send the pillows and cushions — for I was very much afraid of imposing upon our friend Reb Dov, may his candle shine. Only — because there was no other option — because of the poverty of my home — I had no other way. And "Cast your burden upon Hashem." [Psalms 55:23 — "Cast your burden upon Hashem and He will sustain you" — hashlich al Hashem yehavecha; the verse of complete trust in casting one's load upon G-d] But now that Reb Yosef is traveling — it is surely better to send them with him. But I ask of you — and of Mistress Yidel-Leah, may she live — that you do it for the sake of the commandment — and hire a woman to pour out the feathers from the pillows — into the second cushion [להריק מהכרים הנוצות להכסת השני — to empty the feathers from the pillows into the second cushion; the pillows being converted into cushions — two pillows' worth of feathers consolidated into two larger cushions] — and make each one into two cushions — and pay the woman. And I greatly ask of all the Anash — to pray for my wife, may she live — for she is still not fully in good health. And on the night after Shabbos — an illness seized her — and her legs are swollen. אט גייען זיי אפ אט זענען זיי ווייטער געשוואלן — איך קען שוין נישט אויסשיסין דאס רחמנות וואס אויף איהר איז — just now they subside — just now they swell further; I can no longer express the compassion that is upon her. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Be strong and courageous in prayer on her behalf — and I on your behalf. And also may Hashem Yisbarach help — that now should be a time of divine favor by the divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai [התנא האלקי רבי שמעון בר יוחאי — "the divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai" — the master of the Zohar, whose hilulah — the anniversary of his passing — falls on Lag Ba'omer, the 33rd of the Omer; the writer is writing on the 17th of the Omer, approximately two weeks before Lag Ba'omer] — that he intercede favorably on behalf of your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — and nullify the decree from upon him — and restore his mind [ויחזיר לו הדעת בשלמות — "restore his mind to him in its wholeness" — the writer is praying for the restoration of Yisroel Aryeh's mental health and clarity of mind; da'as — the fullness of mental-spiritual awareness; to restore it in wholeness means a complete return to clarity] to him in its wholeness — together with the other sick of His people Israel. Omain, so may it be His will. And the above-mentioned items [The pillows and cushions being sent] should remain with you until there is a trustworthy person to send them to me. And if not — when I come to you — I will receive them. And I greatly ask to reply to me on my letter. ולמען ה' ברידער הארציגער לאמיר נישט פארגעסן אז מ'ציילט ספירה מ'זאל וויסן אז איטליכער טאג איז א טאג — For the sake of Hashem — heartfelt brothers — let us not forget that we are counting the Omer — let us know that every single day is a day! ס'זאל אינז ח"ו נישט אוועקגייען די טעג מיט א פאק — let the days not pass by in a bundle, G-d forbid! מיר זאלן ביינקען ווען וועלן מיר שוין זוכה זיין מקבל זיין די תורה ללמד וללמד לשמר ולעשות ולקים כפי רצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' — let us long and yearn: when will we finally merit to receive the Torah — to study and to teach — to observe and to do and to fulfill — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. ויהיה אצלנו כמו אחד שמתגעגע לדבר טוב והוא סופר הימים מתי יגיע לידי — and let it be for us like one who longs for a good thing — and he counts the days — when will it reach his hand. ולמען ה' אל תדאג כלל כי מה פעלת בדאגות שדאגת עד כה — For the sake of Hashem — do not worry at all — for what have you accomplished with all the worrying you have done until now? הדאגות אינם מועילים כלל אדרבא הדאגות היא עבדות והשמחה היא חרות — worry accomplishes nothing at all — on the contrary: worry is slavery — and joy is freedom. [הדאגות היא עבדות והשמחה היא חרות — "worry is slavery and joy is freedom" — one of Rabbainu ז"ל's core teachings; the inner slavery of worry constricts the soul; the inner freedom of joy liberates it; particularly apt in the Omer period between the Exodus (freedom from Egypt) and Shavuos (receiving the Torah)] On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Your friend, one who truly loves you — and desires your success, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Written the night before Friday, Parshas Tazria-Metzora, the 17th of the Omer, 5642 (early May 1882), from Teverya. Instructions about the pillows and cushions. A prayer for the mental recovery of Yisroel Aryeh. A beautiful Yiddish passage: count every day of the Omer — worry is slavery — joy is freedom. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Therefore I thought within my mind — that we have no counsel and no stratagem — except prayer and supplication — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But "a prisoner cannot release himself" [Babylonian Talmud, Berachos 5b — "a prisoner cannot release himself from his prison" — one cannot pray for oneself out of one's own constriction; one needs the prayers of others; the writer applies this to his wife's illness — he needs the prayers of the Anash] — etc. Therefore I ask of all the Anash — our truly beloved — to pray for her — with mercy and supplication — that Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon — together with the other sick of His people Israel. For we have no one to turn to — except Hashem Yisbarach — and our truly beloved. For we believe that through prayer — one accomplishes everything. And regarding what you wrote to me — about what happened to you with Reb Yosef in the pharmacy [באפטיע — apteyke — Yiddish: a pharmacy, an apothecary shop; from German Apotheke; the confrontation with Reb Yosef happened in a pharmacy] — and at all times people are stirred up against you — do not worry at all. For "Pharaoh drew close" — and Rabbainu ז"ל already said — about the journey to Eretz Yisroel — that for us it will be easy to travel — for he already suffered all the sufferings on our behalf. [A fundamental teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: by his very coming into the world and all that he suffered — he preemptively bore all the sufferings; those who travel to him and in his path find the road already eased by his prior suffering] And also in the controversy — it is likewise so — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and all the Anash have already borne the strength on our behalf. But a very little — a little — we too must bear — for Rabbainu ז"ל said: one cannot draw close to him except through self-sacrifice and bearing humiliations. But "and You — on high — forever, O Hashem" [Psalms 92:9 — "and You — on high — forever, O Hashem" — the verse of G-d's eternal supremacy over all opposition; no matter what rises against us — G-d is forever on high] — His hand is on top. They will perish — and a thousand like them — and not one word of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple will be annulled. And Hashem Yisbarach guards truth forever. And all these ordeals that pass over us — it is only to remind us that we are Breslov Chassidim — and not to forget even a single day. For this name is no small thing — as is explained in the Torah discourse Bereishis [Bereishis — the Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל beginning with the word Bereishis — "In the beginning" — dealing with the spiritual significance of names and their inner power; le'einei kol Yisroel — "before the eyes of all Israel" — the final words of the Torah] "before the eyes of all Israel" — for Rabbainu ז"ל is not a mediocre matter [אינו דבר ממצע — "is not a thing in the middle, not an average matter" — from emtza — the middle, the average; Rabbainu ז"ל is not something middling or ordinary but an extraordinary and unprecedented novelty] — but rather a novelty of novelties. And we must establish joy — every single day — over the privilege that is ours. And today I was at the resting place of the divine Tanna Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes, may his merit protect us [רמבע"ה זיע"א — Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — "Rabbi Meir the Master of the Miracle" — buried in Teverya; one of the great Tannaim and one of the key burial sites in Teverya; visited on the day of Pesach Sheni] — and I mentioned all of you for good. Omain, so may it be His will. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Pesach Sheni, 5642 (the 14th of Iyar, May 1882), from Teverya. "A prisoner cannot release himself." Rabbainu ז"ל suffered all sufferings for us already. The name "Breslov Chassidim" is no small thing — a novelty of novelties. Visit to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/132/ קלב קלב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/132 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה אור ליום ו' עש"ק תזריע ומצרע י"ז למספר בני ישראל תרמ"ב טבריא EN: Your letter — with the whiskey — I received properly. And thank you — for the counsel from you — that you did not send the pillows and cushions — for I was very much afraid of imposing upon our friend Reb Dov, may his candle shine. Only — because there was no other option — because of the poverty of my home — I had no other way. And "Cast your burden upon Hashem." [Psalms 55:23 — "Cast your burden upon Hashem and He will sustain you" — hashlich al Hashem yehavecha; the verse of complete trust in casting one's load upon G-d] But now that Reb Yosef is traveling — it is surely better to send them with him. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי אהבי באמת ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנו נ"י לעולם EN: But I ask of you — and of Mistress Yidel-Leah, may she live — that you do it for the sake of the commandment — and hire a woman to pour out the feathers from the pillows — into the second cushion [להריק מהכרים הנוצות להכסת השני — to empty the feathers from the pillows into the second cushion; the pillows being converted into cushions — two pillows' worth of feathers consolidated into two larger cushions] — and make each one into two cushions — and pay the woman. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך עם היי"ש קבלתי לנכון ות"ח על העצה שלכם שלא שלחתם הכרים והכסתות כי יראתי עד מאד שלא להטעות את ידידנו ר' דב נ"י רק מחמת אין בררה מחמת דחקות בתי לא היה לי שום אופן אחר והשלך על ה' יהבו אבל עכשו שר' יוסף נוסע בודאי יותר טוב לשלח עמו EN: And I greatly ask of all the Anash — to pray for my wife, may she live — for she is still not fully in good health. And on the night after Shabbos — an illness seized her — and her legs are swollen. אט גייען זיי אפ אט זענען זיי ווייטער געשוואלן — איך קען שוין נישט אויסשיסין דאס רחמנות וואס אויף איהר איז — just now they subside — just now they swell further; I can no longer express the compassion that is upon her. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Be strong and courageous in prayer on her behalf — and I on your behalf. Segment 4 HE: אך בבקשה ממך ומזוג' מ' יד"ל תח' שתעשו למען המצוה ותשכר אשה אחת להריק מהכרים הנוצות להכסת השני ולעשות כל אחד שני כסתות ולשלם לאשה EN: And also may Hashem Yisbarach help — that now should be a time of divine favor by the divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai [התנא האלקי רבי שמעון בר יוחאי — "the divine Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai" — the master of the Zohar, whose hilulah — the anniversary of his passing — falls on Lag Ba'omer, the 33rd of the Omer; the writer is writing on the 17th of the Omer, approximately two weeks before Lag Ba'omer] — that he intercede favorably on behalf of your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — and nullify the decree from upon him — and restore his mind [ויחזיר לו הדעת בשלמות — "restore his mind to him in its wholeness" — the writer is praying for the restoration of Yisroel Aryeh's mental health and clarity of mind; da'as — the fullness of mental-spiritual awareness; to restore it in wholeness means a complete return to clarity] to him in its wholeness — together with the other sick of His people Israel. Omain, so may it be His will. Segment 5 HE: גם מאד בקשתי מאת כל אנ"ש להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' כי עדין אינה בקו הבריאה בשלמות ובמוצאי שב"ק אחז לה חלי ורגליה נפוחים אט גייען זיי אפ אט זענען זיי ווייטער געשוואלן איך קען שוין נישט אויסשיסין דאס רחמנות וואס אויף איהר איז השי"ת זאל אויף איהר רחמנות האבן בזכות כל הצדיקים ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' חזקו ואמצו בתפילה עבורה ואני עבורכם וגם השי"ת יעזור שיהיה עתה עת רצון אצל התנא האלקי רבי שמעון בר יוחאי שימליץ טוב בעד אחיך ישראל אריה נ"י ויבטל הגזרה מעליו ויחזיר לו הדעת בשלמות בתוך שאר חולי עמו ישראל אכי"ר EN: And the above-mentioned items [The pillows and cushions being sent] should remain with you until there is a trustworthy person to send them to me. And if not — when I come to you — I will receive them. And I greatly ask to reply to me on my letter. Segment 6 HE: והאיין שיטין הנ"ל יהיה מנחים אצלכם עד שיהיה איש בטח לשלח לי ואם לאו כשאהיה אצלכם אקבל אותם ובקשתי מאד להשיב לי תשובה על מכתבי EN: ולמען ה' ברידער הארציגער לאמיר נישט פארגעסן אז מ'ציילט ספירה מ'זאל וויסן אז איטליכער טאג איז א טאג — For the sake of Hashem — heartfelt brothers — let us not forget that we are counting the Omer — let us know that every single day is a day! ס'זאל אינז ח"ו נישט אוועקגייען די טעג מיט א פאק — let the days not pass by in a bundle, G-d forbid! מיר זאלן ביינקען ווען וועלן מיר שוין זוכה זיין מקבל זיין די תורה ללמד וללמד לשמר ולעשות ולקים כפי רצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' — let us long and yearn: when will we finally merit to receive the Torah — to study and to teach — to observe and to do and to fulfill — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. ויהיה אצלנו כמו אחד שמתגעגע לדבר טוב והוא סופר הימים מתי יגיע לידי — and let it be for us like one who longs for a good thing — and he counts the days — when will it reach his hand. ולמען ה' אל תדאג כלל כי מה פעלת בדאגות שדאגת עד כה — For the sake of Hashem — do not worry at all — for what have you accomplished with all the worrying you have done until now? הדאגות אינם מועילים כלל אדרבא הדאגות היא עבדות והשמחה היא חרות — worry accomplishes nothing at all — on the contrary: worry is slavery — and joy is freedom. [הדאגות היא עבדות והשמחה היא חרות — "worry is slavery and joy is freedom" — one of Rabbainu ז"ל's core teachings; the inner slavery of worry constricts the soul; the inner freedom of joy liberates it; particularly apt in the Omer period between the Exodus (freedom from Egypt) and Shavuos (receiving the Torah)] Segment 7 HE: ולמען ה' ברידער הארציגער לאמיר נישט פארגעסן אז מ'ציילט ספירה מ'זאל וויסן אז איטליכער טאג איז א טאג ס'זאל אינז ח"ו נישט אוועקגייען די טעג מיט א פאק מיר זאלן ביינקען ווען וועלן מיר שוין זוכה זיין מקבל זיין די תורה ללמד וללמד לשמר ולעשות ולקים כפי רצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ויהיה אצלנו כמו אחד שמתגעגע לדבר טוב והוא סופר הימים מתי יגיע לידי ולמען ה' אל תדאג כלל כי מה פעלת בדאגות שדאגת עד כה הדאגות אינם מועילים כלל אדרבא הדאגות היא עבדות והשמחה היא חרות EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Segment 8 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 9 HE: ידידך אוהבך באמת וחפץ בהצלחתכם EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you — and desires your success, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written the night before Friday, Parshas Tazria-Metzora, the 17th of the Omer, 5642 (early May 1882), from Teverya. Instructions about the pillows and cushions. A prayer for the mental recovery of Yisroel Aryeh. A beautiful Yiddish passage: count every day of the Omer — worry is slavery — joy is freedom. Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Written the night before Friday, Parshas Tazria-Metzora, the 17th of the Omer, 5642 (early May 1882), from Teverya. Instructions about the pillows and cushions. A prayer for the mental recovery of Yisroel Aryeh. A beautiful Yiddish passage: count every day of the Omer — worry is slavery — joy is freedom. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/133/ קלג קלג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/133 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' פסח שני תרמ"ב פעה"ק טבריא EN: Therefore I thought within my mind — that we have no counsel and no stratagem — except prayer and supplication — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But "a prisoner cannot release himself" [Babylonian Talmud, Berachos 5b — "a prisoner cannot release himself from his prison" — one cannot pray for oneself out of one's own constriction; one needs the prayers of others; the writer applies this to his wife's illness — he needs the prayers of the Anash] — etc. Therefore I ask of all the Anash — our truly beloved — to pray for her — with mercy and supplication — that Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon — together with the other sick of His people Israel. For we have no one to turn to — except Hashem Yisbarach — and our truly beloved. For we believe that through prayer — one accomplishes everything. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד וכו' וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר EN: And regarding what you wrote to me — about what happened to you with Reb Yosef in the pharmacy [באפטיע — apteyke — Yiddish: a pharmacy, an apothecary shop; from German Apotheke; the confrontation with Reb Yosef happened in a pharmacy] — and at all times people are stirred up against you — do not worry at all. For "Pharaoh drew close" — and Rabbainu ז"ל already said — about the journey to Eretz Yisroel — that for us it will be easy to travel — for he already suffered all the sufferings on our behalf. [A fundamental teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: by his very coming into the world and all that he suffered — he preemptively bore all the sufferings; those who travel to him and in his path find the road already eased by his prior suffering] And also in the controversy — it is likewise so — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and all the Anash have already borne the strength on our behalf. But a very little — a little — we too must bear — for Rabbainu ז"ל said: one cannot draw close to him except through self-sacrifice and bearing humiliations. But "and You — on high — forever, O Hashem" [Psalms 92:9 — "and You — on high — forever, O Hashem" — the verse of G-d's eternal supremacy over all opposition; no matter what rises against us — G-d is forever on high] — His hand is on top. They will perish — and a thousand like them — and not one word of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple will be annulled. And Hashem Yisbarach guards truth forever. And all these ordeals that pass over us — it is only to remind us that we are Breslov Chassidim — and not to forget even a single day. For this name is no small thing — as is explained in the Torah discourse Bereishis [Bereishis — the Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל beginning with the word Bereishis — "In the beginning" — dealing with the spiritual significance of names and their inner power; le'einei kol Yisroel — "before the eyes of all Israel" — the final words of the Torah] "before the eyes of all Israel" — for Rabbainu ז"ל is not a mediocre matter [אינו דבר ממצע — "is not a thing in the middle, not an average matter" — from emtza — the middle, the average; Rabbainu ז"ל is not something middling or ordinary but an extraordinary and unprecedented novelty] — but rather a novelty of novelties. And we must establish joy — every single day — over the privilege that is ours. And today I was at the resting place of the divine Tanna Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes, may his merit protect us [רמבע"ה זיע"א — Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — "Rabbi Meir the Master of the Miracle" — buried in Teverya; one of the great Tannaim and one of the key burial sites in Teverya; visited on the day of Pesach Sheni] — and I mentioned all of you for good. Omain, so may it be His will. Segment 3 HE: ע"כ חשבתי בדעתי שאין לנו שום עצה ותחבולה כי אם תפילה ותחנונים כרצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אך אין חבוש מתיר עצמו וכו' ע"כ אני מבקש מכל אנ"ש אהבינו באמת להתפלל עבורה ברחמים ובתחנונים שהשי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה חיש מהר בתוך שאר חולי עמו ישראל כי אין לנו למי לפנות כי אם להשי"ת ולאהבינו באמת כי אנו מאמינים שע"י תפילה פועלין הכל EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ואודות זה שכתבת לי מה שהיה לך עם ר' יוסף באפטיע ובכל עת נתעוררים עליכם אנשים אחרים אל תדאגו כלל כי פרעה הקריב' וכבר אמר רבנו ז"ל על נסיעה לא"י שלנו יהיה בנקל לנסע כי כבר סבל הוא כל היסורים עבורנו וגם בהמחלקת הוא ג"כ כך כי כבר סבל רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וכל אנ"ש אשר כח עבורנו אך מעט דמעט צריכין אנו ג"כ לסבל כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שאינם יכולין להתקרב אליו כי אם ע"י מסירות נפש ולסבל בזיונות אבל ואתה מרום לעלם ה' לעולם ידו על העליונה יאבדו הם ואלף כיוצא בהם ודבר אחד מדברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לא יתבטל והשי"ת שומר אמת לעולם וכל אלו הרפתקאות שעוברים עלינו הוא רק להזכיר אותנו שאנו ברסלבר חסידים ושלא לשכח אפילו יום אחד כי שם זה אינו דבר רק כמבאר בהתורה בראשית לעיני כל ישראל כי רבנו ז"ל אינו דבר ממצע כי אם חדוש שבחדושין ואנו צריכין לקבע שמחה בכל יום על הזכיה שלנו ואני היום הייתי על ציון התנא רמבע"ה זיע"א והזכרתי אתכם כלכם לטובה אכי"ר EN: Written Wednesday, Pesach Sheni, 5642 (the 14th of Iyar, May 1882), from Teverya. "A prisoner cannot release himself." Rabbainu ז"ל suffered all sufferings for us already. The name "Breslov Chassidim" is no small thing — a novelty of novelties. Visit to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 131 | קלא (Kuf-Lamed-Aleph) Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 131 | קלא (Kuf-Lamed-Aleph) # קלד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/134/ קלד קלד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/134 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ער"ח סיון תרמ"ב פה טבריא לכבוד או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנך שיח' נ"י הנה ביום ד' בא ר' אלטיר נ"י ואמר שיש לו מכתב ממך לידי ואמר לי בעל פה שבנך היקר חולה בחלי החם והמכתב נאבד אצלו ותכף הלכתי עם זוג' תח' על קברי הצדיקים ממדינתנו הינו ר' נחמן ור' מענדלי ור' אברהם קאליסקיר ועוד צדיקים זכותם יגן עלינו ועשיתי פדיון עבורו ממעות מתנה שלי וגם היום התפללתי עליו השי"ת ישמע תפילתי וישלח לו רפואה שלמה בזכות כל הצדיקים ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ומאד בקשתי להודיע לי בכל יום מה הוא עשה ואפשר אין לך פנאי מבקש אני מאת ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י להודיע לי כי כלתה נפשי לשמע בכל עת מבריאותו הטוב להחיות נפשנו דברי אוהבך המצפה לישועה ולרפואה נתן מברסלב EN: On Wednesday, Reb Altir, may his candle shine, came here — and told me that he has a letter from you for my hand — and told me orally that your precious son is ill with the fever-ailment. And the letter was lost with him. And immediately I went with my wife, may she live, to the graves of the Tzaddikim from our land — namely Reb Nachman and Reb Mendele and Reb Avraham Kalisker — and other Tzaddikim — may their merit protect us. And I performed a redemption for him — from my own gift-money — and also today I prayed for him. May Hashem Yisbarach hear my prayer and send him a complete healing — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple. And I have greatly asked — to inform me every day what he has done. And perhaps you have no leisure — I ask of my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, to inform me — for my soul is entirely spent [כלתה נפשי — "my soul is entirely spent, consumed" — from kalah — to be consumed, utterly exhausted; the soul that has given everything to watching and waiting and is now consumed by longing] — watching with expectant eyes [המצפה — "the one who watches with expectant eyes" — from tzafah — to watch, to look out, to scan the horizon with eyes turned toward the expected arrival; active watchful expectation like a watchman — not passive waiting but constant watchful scanning] — to hear at every moment the good news of his health — to give our souls life. Words of one who loves you — who watches and waits with expectant eyes for salvation and healing, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5642 (late May 1882), from Teverya. Reb Altir arrived with oral news that the recipient's son is gravely ill. The writer went immediately to the graves of Reb Nachman, Reb Mendele, and Reb Avraham Kalisker. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in the line of life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace and a complete healing — together with all of Israel — without limit. On Wednesday, Reb Altir, may his candle shine, came here — who is traveling to Jerusalem — and conveyed to me greetings of peace from you — and told me that your precious son is not in good health. And he had a letter from you — but he lost it. And immediately I came home and told my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — and immediately went with them to the graves of the Tzaddikim — and performed a redemption from my own money — which I gave as a gift for your son. And on Thursday I wrote you a letter — asking you to inform me every day what he has done. And perhaps you have no leisure — I asked of my friend Reb Aizik to write to me — for the suffering is beyond all estimate — that we have no news from you of his good health. And today the wagon came — and the blind non-Jewish driver brought me from the woman Chana, may she live — beans and butter and plum-preserves — but brought us no letter at all. And truly our souls are entirely spent — longing to hear from you the good tiding of his health. And in the end we have no news at all. Therefore I ask of you to spur yourselves with alacrity [לזרז עצמכם — "to spur yourselves with alacrity" — from zerizus — alacrity, zealous swiftness in action; to urge oneself with eager, energetic speed; stronger and more urgent than merely "rouse yourselves"] and write to us good news. And may the G-d Who is good do good for you — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and may you merit to raise him to Torah and to the wedding canopy and to good deeds. And may He in His great mercies remember you this year with a male child — a seed that endures — for "two are better than one." [Ecclesiastes 4:9 — "two are better than one — for they have a good reward for their labor"; the verse of the advantage of partnership and companionship; applied here to the blessing of a second child alongside the sick son] And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to be pure — for the receiving of the Torah — with fresh ardor — and to draw upon ourselves repentance from the fiftieth gate — and to receive the holy festival of Shavuos in holiness and purity — and to draw upon ourselves great lovingkindness and supernal knowledge from the mikveh of the fiftieth gate — and to receive the holy festival in joy — so that we merit true settled composure of mind — to reckon from now onward on our eternal ultimate purpose — upon what we have come into this lowly world — and in what manner we shall enter before the King [v'b'haych anpin ni'ul kadam malka — Aramaic from the Zohar: "and in what manner shall we enter before the King" — ni'ul — "we shall enter" — from Aramaic a'al — to enter; the soul's approach and entry before the divine King]. And nonetheless we should be in joy always — for Rabbainu z"l warned greatly about constant joy. And particularly on the holy festival — through which is repaired the encompassing evil in which all bad character traits are contained. And to merit all the true and eternal good. More there is nothing new — only long life and good life — without limit. Your friend, one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always — with strong love, Nussun from Breslov Undated — shortly before Shavuos 5642. A fuller account of the same events as Letter 134. A radiant Shavuos teaching: the fiftieth gate as the mikveh of complete repentance. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am very, very astonished — that you have withheld the fruit of your pen — not to inform me about your son, may his candle shine. For we had news at the time that you wrote to me with Reb Altir — that your son, may his candle shine, is ill, G-d have mercy — but he did not give me the letter — for it was lost with him — only orally he told me. And immediately I and my wife and my sister, may she live, went to the holy resting places — and I gave from my own money as a gift — a redemption for him. And I wrote to you two letters after this — and in the end we have no news at all. And the magnitude of the anguish of our soul is beyond all estimate and reckoning — for our eyes are consumed with watching. [כלתה עינינו — "our eyes are consumed, spent" — from Psalms 69:4 — "my eyes are consumed" — kalu einai; eyes that have given everything to constant watchful scanning and are now utterly consumed by the waiting] And every day I go and ask — and they do not know. And even from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — sometimes we have letters from him — and now — in order to cause us suffering — and may it serve as an atonement for transgression. For Rabbainu z"l said: through sufferings one is saved from many burning wounds of Gehinnom — even through light sufferings. And particularly sufferings such as these — where our very life hangs almost upon you. And particularly since we have a partnership in the eternal business. More there is nothing new — only life and peace. Your friend, one who truly loves you — truly and in truth, Nussun from Breslov Undated — shortly after Shavuos 5642. Deep anguish — two letters sent, no reply. "Our eyes are consumed with watching." Sufferings save from burning wounds of Gehinnom. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/135/ קלה קלה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/135 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז המפלא וכו' וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in the line of life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace and a complete healing — together with all of Israel — without limit. Segment 2 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ורפואה שלמה בתוך כלל ישראל א"ס EN: On Wednesday, Reb Altir, may his candle shine, came here — who is traveling to Jerusalem — and conveyed to me greetings of peace from you — and told me that your precious son is not in good health. And he had a letter from you — but he lost it. And immediately I came home and told my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — and immediately went with them to the graves of the Tzaddikim — and performed a redemption from my own money — which I gave as a gift for your son. And on Thursday I wrote you a letter — asking you to inform me every day what he has done. And perhaps you have no leisure — I asked of my friend Reb Aizik to write to me — for the suffering is beyond all estimate — that we have no news from you of his good health. Segment 3 HE: הנה ביום ד' בא לכאן ר' אלטיר נ"י שנסע לירושלים ונתן לי פ"ש ממך ואמר לי שבנך היקר אינו בקו הבריאה והיה לו מכתב ממך רק אבד אותו ותכף באתי לביתי וספרתי לזוג' תח' ולאחותי תח' והלכתי עמהם תכף על קברי הצדיקים ועשיתי פדיון ממעות שלי שנתתי עבור בנך מתנה וביום ה' כתבתי לך מכתב בקשה להודיע לי בכל יום מה הוא עשה ואפשר אין לך פנאי בקשתי מאת ידידי ר' איזיק שיכתב לי כי אין לשער היסורים שלנו מזה שאין לנו שום ידיעה ממך מבריאותו הטוב EN: And today the wagon came — and the blind non-Jewish driver brought me from the woman Chana, may she live — beans and butter and plum-preserves — but brought us no letter at all. And truly our souls are entirely spent — longing to hear from you the good tiding of his health. And in the end we have no news at all. Therefore I ask of you to spur yourselves with alacrity [לזרז עצמכם — "to spur yourselves with alacrity" — from zerizus — alacrity, zealous swiftness in action; to urge oneself with eager, energetic speed; stronger and more urgent than merely "rouse yourselves"] and write to us good news. And may the G-d Who is good do good for you — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu z"l and his holy disciple — and may you merit to raise him to Torah and to the wedding canopy and to good deeds. And may He in His great mercies remember you this year with a male child — a seed that endures — for "two are better than one." [Ecclesiastes 4:9 — "two are better than one — for they have a good reward for their labor"; the verse of the advantage of partnership and companionship; applied here to the blessing of a second child alongside the sick son] Segment 4 HE: והיום בא שירא והמיקער הסומא הביא לי מאשה חנה תח' פאסוליס וחמאה ופרינזעלין ולא הביא לנו שום מכתב וממש כלתה נפשנו לשמע מכם בשורה מבריאותו הטוב ולבסוף אין לנו שום ידיעה ע"כ אבקש מכם לזרז עצמכם ולכתוב לנו ידיעה טובה והאל הטוב הוא האל הטוב והמטיב ייטיב לכם בזכות כל הצדיקים ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' תזכו לגדלו לתורה ולחפה ולמעשים טובים והוא ברחמיו המרבין יפקד אתכם בזה השנה בבן זכר זרע של קימא כי טובים השנים מן האחד EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to be pure — for the receiving of the Torah — with fresh ardor — and to draw upon ourselves repentance from the fiftieth gate — and to receive the holy festival of Shavuos in holiness and purity — and to draw upon ourselves great lovingkindness and supernal knowledge from the mikveh of the fiftieth gate — and to receive the holy festival in joy — so that we merit true settled composure of mind — to reckon from now onward on our eternal ultimate purpose — upon what we have come into this lowly world — and in what manner we shall enter before the King [v'b'haych anpin ni'ul kadam malka — Aramaic from the Zohar: "and in what manner shall we enter before the King" — ni'ul — "we shall enter" — from Aramaic a'al — to enter; the soul's approach and entry before the divine King]. And nonetheless we should be in joy always — for Rabbainu z"l warned greatly about constant joy. And particularly on the holy festival — through which is repaired the encompassing evil in which all bad character traits are contained. And to merit all the true and eternal good. Segment 5 HE: ויזכה אותנו השי"ת להיות טהורים לקבלות התורה בחשק חדש ולהמשיך עלינו תשובה משער החמשים ולקבל חג השבועות הק' בקדשה וטהרה ולהמשיך עלינו חסד גדול ודעת עליון מהמקוה של שער החמשים ולקבל חג הק' בשמחה בכדי שנזכה לישוב הדעת באמת לחשב מעתה על תכליתנו הנצחי על מה אתינן להאי עלמא שפלה ובהאיך אנפין ניעול קדם מלכא ואעפ"כ נהיה בשמחה תמיד כי רבנו ז"ל הזהיר מאד על שמחה תמיד ובפרט ביו"ט הק' שעל ידו נתקן רע הכולל אשר בו כלולים כל המדות ולזכות לכל טוב האמתי והנצחי EN: More there is nothing new — only long life and good life — without limit. Segment 6 HE: יותר אין לחדש רק חיים ארכים וחיים טובים א"ס EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always — with strong love, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ידידך אוהבך באמת ודורש שלומך תמיד באהבה עזה EN: Undated — shortly before Shavuos 5642. A fuller account of the same events as Letter 134. A radiant Shavuos teaching: the fiftieth gate as the mikveh of complete repentance. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/136/ קלו קלו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/136 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י הנה מאד מאד פליאה לי שמנעת פרי עטך להודיע לי מבנך נ"י איך שהיה לנו ידיעה בעת שכתבת לי עם ר' אלטיר שבנך נ"י הוא חולה ר"ל והוא לא נתן לי המכתב כי נאבד אצלו רק בעל פה אמר לי ותכף הלכנו אני וזוג' ואחותי תח' על ציונים הק' ונתתי מתנה שלי עבורו פדיון וכתבתי לך שני מכתבים אחר זה ולסוף אין לנו שום ידיעה וגדל העגמת נפש שלנו אין לשער ולהעריך כי כלתה עינינו ובכל יום אני הולך ושואל ואינם יודעים ואפילו מר' איזיק נ"י לפעמים יש לנו מכתבים מאתו ועתה בכדי לעשות לנו יסורים ותהיה לכפרת עון כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שביסורין נצולין מכמה כויות שבגיהנם אפילו ביסורים קלים ובפרט יסורים כאלה שכמעט חיי תלוים בכם ובפרט שיש לנו שתפות בעסק הנצחי יותר אין לחדש רק חיים ושלום ידידך אוהבך באמת לאמתו נתן מברסלב EN: I am very, very astonished — that you have withheld the fruit of your pen — not to inform me about your son, may his candle shine. For we had news at the time that you wrote to me with Reb Altir — that your son, may his candle shine, is ill, G-d have mercy — but he did not give me the letter — for it was lost with him — only orally he told me. And immediately I and my wife and my sister, may she live, went to the holy resting places — and I gave from my own money as a gift — a redemption for him. And I wrote to you two letters after this — and in the end we have no news at all. And the magnitude of the anguish of our soul is beyond all estimate and reckoning — for our eyes are consumed with watching. [כלתה עינינו — "our eyes are consumed, spent" — from Psalms 69:4 — "my eyes are consumed" — kalu einai; eyes that have given everything to constant watchful scanning and are now utterly consumed by the waiting] And every day I go and ask — and they do not know. And even from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — sometimes we have letters from him — and now — in order to cause us suffering — and may it serve as an atonement for transgression. For Rabbainu z"l said: through sufferings one is saved from many burning wounds of Gehinnom — even through light sufferings. And particularly sufferings such as these — where our very life hangs almost upon you. And particularly since we have a partnership in the eternal business. More there is nothing new — only life and peace. Your friend, one who truly loves you — truly and in truth, Nussun from Breslov Undated — shortly after Shavuos 5642. Deep anguish — two letters sent, no reply. "Our eyes are consumed with watching." Sufferings save from burning wounds of Gehinnom. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/137/ קלז קלז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/137 Segment 1 HE: הנה מאד לפלא בעיני שאין לי מכם שום מכתב ולא די שגברו עלי הצרות אשר הם מלאים הרחבות מזוג' תח' עוד גברו עלי יסורים שאין לי מכם שום מכתב מחמת שבפעם אחד כתבת לי מבנך נ"י ואין לי שום ידיעה מאז וכמה שירות שהיו מאז ואני בכל פעם שואל ומצפה למכתבכם ואין קול ואין עונה וגם כתבתי לכם מכתב מידידנו ר' דב שו"ב ושם כתבתי לכם כמה דברים ואין אתם רוצים להשיב לי כי היה לי כמה דברים נחוצים שהיה צריך לי לידע וגם יש לי חיות גדול כשאני ראה מכם איזה מכתב כי נפשכם קשורה בנפשי מחמת גדל אהבה שבינינו תשמישי אהבה של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ותדעו שזוג' עדין שוכבת על המטה השי"ת ירחם עליה בתוך כלל ישראל וירפא אותה גם למען ה' לשלח לר' שמואל העניך נ"י המעות עכ"פ ואם יש לך תשלח לי מעות שלי ג"כ כי הוצאות שלי עתה אין לשער ולהעריך דברי אוהבך באמת נתן מברסלב ופב"ש בכלל כל אהבי נפשי אשר אני אהב אותם כאחים דבוקים באהבה עזה ובפרט לאברך המפלא המשלם המפלג מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י EN: I am greatly astonished — that I have no letter from you at all. And not only have the troubles intensified upon me — which are full of expansivenesses — from my wife, may she live — but further sufferings have intensified upon me — that I have no letter from you at all. For at one time you wrote to me about your son, may his candle shine — and I have no news since then. And how many wagons have there been since then. And at every occasion I ask and watch [ומצפה — u'metzapeh — "and watches with expectant eyes" — the same root as in Letter 134; the watchman's active scanning toward the horizon, turned outward in expectation] for your letter — and there is no voice and no answer. [1 Kings 18:26 — the precise words from the scene on Mount Carmel where Elijah mocks the prophets of Baal who call out desperately and receive total silence: "they called in the name of Baal from morning until noon — and there was no voice and no answer" — ואין קול ואין עונה; the writer uses this exact biblical phrase to express his anguish at calling out to Tzfas and receiving nothing in return] And I also wrote to you a letter through our friend Reb Dov the shochet [שו"ב — abbreviation of שוחט ובודק — shochet u'bodek — the ritual slaughterer and examiner; a communal religious functionary who slaughters animals according to Jewish law and examines them for fitness; the title indicates his role] — and there I wrote to you several matters — and you do not want to reply to me. For I had several urgent matters that I needed to know. And also there is great life-force for me when I see any letter from you — for your souls are bound to my soul — because of the greatness of the love between us — the love-instruments [תשמישי אהבה — tashmishei ahavah — "the implements of love, the instruments of love" — the tools and accessories of the love; specifically: the books and teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple serve as the instruments and accessories through which the love between the Anash is activated and sustained] of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And know — that my wife still lies in bed. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — together with all of Israel — and heal her. And also for the sake of Hashem — send the money to Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine — at least. And if you have it — send me my own money too — for my expenses now are beyond all estimate and reckoning. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Undated — Sivan 5642. The anguish of silence continues. The wife still bedridden. An urgent request for money. The love-instruments of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן We hereby inform you — that I received your letter properly today. And Hashem Yisbarach give you life — in all good — as your soul desires — and as per His good will — as I want to see in you. Just as you gave me life with your letter — with the good news of the health of your precious son — for nearly our breath had been cut off from extraneous thoughts [מחשבות זרות — machshavos zaros — "extraneous thoughts" — in Breslov teaching, foreign and alien thoughts that invade the mind unbidden; here used to mean fears and anxious imaginings about the worst; the writer's mind had been seized by these alien fearful thoughts] — may Hashem Yisbarach lengthen his days and years — and give you children — a seed that endures — in this very year. May Hashem Yisbarach add upon you and upon your children. [Psalms 115:14 — "May Hashem add upon you — upon you and upon your children" — the blessing of multiplication and increase; a specific scriptural blessing applied here] And know — my brothers, my friends, and my sons — that there is no counsel in this world — and no escape from all the encounters of time [פגעי הזמן — peg'ei ha'zman — "the encounters of time, the accidents of time" — the random and unavoidable blows and encounters that time brings; everything that the flow of time throws at a person — illness, poverty, opposition; not chosen but encountered] — except prayer and prayer and prayer — at every moment — until through our prayers the prayers of Hashem are aroused — so that Hashem Yisbarach Himself — as it were — blessed be His name — prays with simple mercy toward great mercy — as is explained in the Laws of Gift, law 5. [הלכות מתנה הלכה ה' — Laws of Gift, law 5 — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל — a discourse on the concept that through the prayers of Israel, the divine attribute of simple mercy (rachamim pshutim) is awakened into great mercy (rachamim gedolim); and that G-d Himself — as it were — joins in prayer when human prayer reaches its fullness] And look there — and you will find repose for your souls. And we have no counsel at all — except to spend our days and years over the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And every day we must renew our days and begin anew to draw close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and their holy counsels — and give ourselves life every day. At least [עכ"פ — at minimum, at least; even if one cannot do everything — at the very minimum this one thing] — that the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple should rest in our house — and that we should not be, G-d forbid, opposers of them — on the contrary — our desire and our longing should be strong to study them and to fulfill them and to walk in them. And particularly as Rabbainu ז"ל warned us — to walk in the Torah Azamrah [אזמרה לאלהי בעודי — the Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל beginning with the verse "I will sing to my G-d while I yet am" [Psalms 146:2] — Azamrah l'Elohai b'odi; this teaching is about finding the good point in every person — including oneself — and singing to G-d from that point; even the smallest good point is infinitely precious] — that even a single point is very precious in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach. And we must seize at every moment some good point upon our darkness — so that it does not cover over, G-d forbid, the light of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And hold fast to them — like a blind man to his staff. [כמו עור במקלו — "like a blind man to his staff" — the vivid image of the blind person who holds his staff with total dependence — it is his guide and support in a world he cannot see; we must hold to Rabbainu ז"ל's books with precisely this total dependent grip] And because of the urgency of the wagon — I will be brief. Words of one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Shelach, 5642 (June 1882), from Teverya. The long-awaited good news: the son has recovered! A full teaching from Laws of Gift, law 5: G-d Himself — as it were — prays. Hold to the books like a blind man to his staff. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from the 3rd of Chukas — I received it on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — before the receiving of Shabbos. And I had no leisure even to read it. And then on the night after Shabbos I read it. And I have suffering from the controversy that is in your house [המחלקת שבביתכם — "the controversy that is in your house" — a conflict or dispute within his household or immediate circle; the writer does not specify its nature but feels pain at the news] — for "our matter is sustained by affection" [Aramaic from Shabbos 10a — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — our entire bond hangs on love and affection; any discord within the household of the Anash affects the writer personally] — and particularly with the household members. But afterward I studied in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — sign 250 [Likutay Moharan, sign 250 — a specific Torah discourse; the writer studied this teaching in response to hearing of the household conflict] — and afterward I studied the law on this saying — in the Laws of Handwashing, law 2. [הלכות נטילת ידים הלכה ב' — Laws of Handwashing, law 2 — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law connecting the Halachah of washing hands to the deeper spiritual significance of purity and divine service; the writer found there the answer and comfort for this situation] And there is answered everything that passes over a person. And there is no counsel in this world — except faith and much prayer. And one who flees from trouble is wise. [הבורח מן הצרה הוא פקח — "one who flees from trouble is wise" — a Talmudic principle; prudent avoidance of unnecessary conflict is wisdom, not weakness] And whatever good you are able to do — do it. And may He who makes peace in His high places make peace upon us. And always be from among the pursued — and not from among the pursuers [לעולם יהיה מן הנרדפים ולא מן הרודפים — "always be from among the pursued and not from among the pursuers" — from the Talmud, Bava Kamma 93a; G-d seeks out the pursued — the one who is wronged and chased — and champions their cause; it is always better to be the one pursued than the one pursuing] — for G-d seeks out the pursued. And by all presumption — since Hashem Yisbarach seeks him out — He will surely do all good for him. And no person touches what is prepared for his companion. [אין אדם נוגע במה שמוכן לחברו — "no person touches what is prepared for his companion" — the Talmudic teaching that every person's destined portion is reserved for him alone; no one can deprive another of what Providence has designated for him] And I have much to say — but because I am in the open field [על פני השדה — "on the face of the field" — outdoors, in the open; the writer is writing away from home, in an open or field setting, without his usual writing conditions] — and because of the urgency of the wagon — only ask of Hashem Yisbarach to give you good counsel — in how to conduct yourself in this. And also I received the letter from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and from Reb Avraham son of Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for them. And yesterday too I was at the grave of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — and prayed for them. And there is no counsel and no stratagem in this world — from everything that passes over a person — except to spread out one's conversation before Hashem Yisbarach. Words of one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Balak, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. The recipient reports household conflict. Counsel from Likutay Moharan sign 250 and Laws of Handwashing law 2. Always be from among the pursued — not the pursuers. A visit to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קלח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/138/ קלח קלח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/138 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' שלח תרמ"ב פה טבריא תו"ת EN: We hereby inform you — that I received your letter properly today. And Hashem Yisbarach give you life — in all good — as your soul desires — and as per His good will — as I want to see in you. Just as you gave me life with your letter — with the good news of the health of your precious son — for nearly our breath had been cut off from extraneous thoughts [מחשבות זרות — machshavos zaros — "extraneous thoughts" — in Breslov teaching, foreign and alien thoughts that invade the mind unbidden; here used to mean fears and anxious imaginings about the worst; the writer's mind had been seized by these alien fearful thoughts] — may Hashem Yisbarach lengthen his days and years — and give you children — a seed that endures — in this very year. May Hashem Yisbarach add upon you and upon your children. [Psalms 115:14 — "May Hashem add upon you — upon you and upon your children" — the blessing of multiplication and increase; a specific scriptural blessing applied here] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י עם שלום ידידי מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And know — my brothers, my friends, and my sons — that there is no counsel in this world — and no escape from all the encounters of time [פגעי הזמן — peg'ei ha'zman — "the encounters of time, the accidents of time" — the random and unavoidable blows and encounters that time brings; everything that the flow of time throws at a person — illness, poverty, opposition; not chosen but encountered] — except prayer and prayer and prayer — at every moment — until through our prayers the prayers of Hashem are aroused — so that Hashem Yisbarach Himself — as it were — blessed be His name — prays with simple mercy toward great mercy — as is explained in the Laws of Gift, law 5. [הלכות מתנה הלכה ה' — Laws of Gift, law 5 — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל — a discourse on the concept that through the prayers of Israel, the divine attribute of simple mercy (rachamim pshutim) is awakened into great mercy (rachamim gedolim); and that G-d Himself — as it were — joins in prayer when human prayer reaches its fullness] And look there — and you will find repose for your souls. And we have no counsel at all — except to spend our days and years over the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And every day we must renew our days and begin anew to draw close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and their holy counsels — and give ourselves life every day. At least [עכ"פ — at minimum, at least; even if one cannot do everything — at the very minimum this one thing] — that the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple should rest in our house — and that we should not be, G-d forbid, opposers of them — on the contrary — our desire and our longing should be strong to study them and to fulfill them and to walk in them. And particularly as Rabbainu ז"ל warned us — to walk in the Torah Azamrah [אזמרה לאלהי בעודי — the Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל beginning with the verse "I will sing to my G-d while I yet am" [Psalms 146:2] — Azamrah l'Elohai b'odi; this teaching is about finding the good point in every person — including oneself — and singing to G-d from that point; even the smallest good point is infinitely precious] — that even a single point is very precious in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach. And we must seize at every moment some good point upon our darkness — so that it does not cover over, G-d forbid, the light of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And hold fast to them — like a blind man to his staff. [כמו עור במקלו — "like a blind man to his staff" — the vivid image of the blind person who holds his staff with total dependence — it is his guide and support in a world he cannot see; we must hold to Rabbainu ז"ל's books with precisely this total dependent grip] Segment 3 HE: מהודענא שקבלתי מכתבכם לנכון היום והשי"ת יחיה אתכם בכל טוב כאות נפשכם וכרצונו הטוב מה שאני רוצה לראות בכם כמו שהחייתם אותי במכתבכם מבריאת בנכם היקר אשר כמעט נפשנו נפסק מחמת מחשבות זרות השי"ת יאריך ימיו ושנותיו ויתן לכם בנים זרע של קימא בזה השנה יוסף ה' עליכם ועל בניכם EN: And because of the urgency of the wagon — I will be brief. Segment 4 HE: ותדעו אחי ידידי ובני שאין שום עצה בזה העולם ואין שום מנוס מכל פגעי הזמן כי אם תפילה ותפילה ותפילה בכל רגע עד שנתעורר בתפלותינו תפלות ה' שהשי"ת בעצמו כביכול יתברך שמו יתפלל ברחמים פשוטים לרחמים גדולים כמבאר בהלכות מתנה הלכה ה' ותעינו בשם ושם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם ואנו אין לנו שום עצה כי אם לבלות ימינו ושנותינו על ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובכל יום אנו צריכין לחדש ימינו ולהתחיל מחדש לקרב עצמנו לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולעצותיהם הק' ולהחיות עצמנו בכל יום ש עכ"פ ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מנחים אצלנו בבית ואין אנו ח"ו מתנגדים עליהם אדרבא רצוננו וכספנו חזק ללמד אותם ולקים ללכת בהם ובפרט כפי שרבנו ז"ל הזהיר אותנו ללכת בהתורה אזמרה לאלהי בעודי שאפילו נקדה הוא יקר מאד בעיני השי"ת ואנו צריכין לחטף בכל עת איזה נקדה טובה על החשך שלנו שלא יכסה ח"ו אורו של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולהחזיק עצמנו בהם כמו עור במקלו EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומחמת נחיצת השירא אקצר EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Shelach, 5642 (June 1882), from Teverya. The long-awaited good news: the son has recovered! A full teaching from Laws of Gift, law 5: G-d Himself — as it were — prays. Hold to the books like a blind man to his staff. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ודוש"ת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from the 3rd of Chukas — I received it on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — before the receiving of Shabbos. And I had no leisure even to read it. And then on the night after Shabbos I read it. And I have suffering from the controversy that is in your house [המחלקת שבביתכם — "the controversy that is in your house" — a conflict or dispute within his household or immediate circle; the writer does not specify its nature but feels pain at the news] — for "our matter is sustained by affection" [Aramaic from Shabbos 10a — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — our entire bond hangs on love and affection; any discord within the household of the Anash affects the writer personally] — and particularly with the household members. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter from the 3rd of Chukas — I received it on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — before the receiving of Shabbos. And I had no leisure even to read it. And then on the night after Shabbos I read it. And I have suffering from the controversy that is in your house [המחלקת שבביתכם — "the controversy that is in your house" — a conflict or dispute within his household or immediate circle; the writer does not specify its nature but feels pain at the news] — for "our matter is sustained by affection" [Aramaic from Shabbos 10a — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — our entire bond hangs on love and affection; any discord within the household of the Anash affects the writer personally] — and particularly with the household members. # קלט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/139/ קלט קלט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/139 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' בלק תרמ"ב פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Your letter from the 3rd of Chukas — I received it on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — before the receiving of Shabbos. And I had no leisure even to read it. And then on the night after Shabbos I read it. And I have suffering from the controversy that is in your house [המחלקת שבביתכם — "the controversy that is in your house" — a conflict or dispute within his household or immediate circle; the writer does not specify its nature but feels pain at the news] — for "our matter is sustained by affection" [Aramaic from Shabbos 10a — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — our entire bond hangs on love and affection; any discord within the household of the Anash affects the writer personally] — and particularly with the household members. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ באמת המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: But afterward I studied in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — sign 250 [Likutay Moharan, sign 250 — a specific Torah discourse; the writer studied this teaching in response to hearing of the household conflict] — and afterward I studied the law on this saying — in the Laws of Handwashing, law 2. [הלכות נטילת ידים הלכה ב' — Laws of Handwashing, law 2 — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law connecting the Halachah of washing hands to the deeper spiritual significance of purity and divine service; the writer found there the answer and comfort for this situation] And there is answered everything that passes over a person. And there is no counsel in this world — except faith and much prayer. And one who flees from trouble is wise. [הבורח מן הצרה הוא פקח — "one who flees from trouble is wise" — a Talmudic principle; prudent avoidance of unnecessary conflict is wisdom, not weakness] And whatever good you are able to do — do it. And may He who makes peace in His high places make peace upon us. And always be from among the pursued — and not from among the pursuers [לעולם יהיה מן הנרדפים ולא מן הרודפים — "always be from among the pursued and not from among the pursuers" — from the Talmud, Bava Kamma 93a; G-d seeks out the pursued — the one who is wronged and chased — and champions their cause; it is always better to be the one pursued than the one pursuing] — for G-d seeks out the pursued. And by all presumption — since Hashem Yisbarach seeks him out — He will surely do all good for him. And no person touches what is prepared for his companion. [אין אדם נוגע במה שמוכן לחברו — "no person touches what is prepared for his companion" — the Talmudic teaching that every person's destined portion is reserved for him alone; no one can deprive another of what Providence has designated for him] And I have much to say — but because I am in the open field [על פני השדה — "on the face of the field" — outdoors, in the open; the writer is writing away from home, in an open or field setting, without his usual writing conditions] — and because of the urgency of the wagon — only ask of Hashem Yisbarach to give you good counsel — in how to conduct yourself in this. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם מג' חקת ביום ו' עש"ק קבלתי קדם קבלת שב"ק ולא היה לי פנאי אפילו לקרא אותו ואח"כ במוצאי שב"ק קראתי אותו ויש לי יסורים מהמחלקת שבביתכם כי אנן בחביבותא תליא ובפרט עם ב"ב אך אח"כ למדתי בספרי רבנו ז"ל בסימן ר"נ ואח"כ למדתי הלכה על זה המאמר בהלכות נטילת ידים הלכה ב' ושם הוא תרץ על כל מה שעבר על האדם ואין שום עצה בזה העולם כי אם אמונה ותפילה הרבה והבורח מן הצרה הוא פקח ומה שאתה תוכל לעשות בטוב תעשה והעשה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ולעולם יהיה מן הנרדפים ולא מן הרודפים כי האלהים יבקש את הנרדף ומן הסתם שהשי"ת מבקש אותו בודאי יעשה לו כל הטובות ואין אדם נוגע במה שמוכן לחברו ויש לי הרבה לדבר אך מחמת שעל פני השדה ומחמת נחיצות השירא אך תבקש מאת השי"ת שיתן לך עצה טובה איך להתנהג בזה EN: And also I received the letter from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and from Reb Avraham son of Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for them. And yesterday too I was at the grave of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — and prayed for them. And there is no counsel and no stratagem in this world — from everything that passes over a person — except to spread out one's conversation before Hashem Yisbarach. Segment 4 HE: וגם קבלתי המכתב מר' איזיק נ"י ומר' אברהם ב"ר יואל צבי נ"י ובודאי אני מתפלל בעדם ואתמול ג"כ הייתי על ציון רמבע"ה והתפללתי עבורם ואין עצה ותחבולה בזה העולם מכל מה שעבר על האדם כי אם לפרש שיחתו לפני השי"ת EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ודוש"ת EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Balak, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. The recipient reports household conflict. Counsel from Likutay Moharan sign 250 and Laws of Handwashing law 2. Always be from among the pursued — not the pursuers. A visit to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # יד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/14/ יד יד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/14 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' ער"ח איר תרל"ו עיר הקודש טבריא EN: Sunday, the eve of the New Moon of Iyar [ערב ראש חדש — erev rosh chodesh — the day before the new month; in Jewish practice this day carries its own spiritual significance as a minor day of repentance and prayer; Iyar is the month following Nissan — late April or May], 5636 [= spring 1876 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי באמת ובתמים ידיד נפשי הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב EN: To the honor of my truly and wholeheartedly beloved [באמת ובתמים — in truth and in wholeness; as in Letter 11, two full and equal qualities of love] — the beloved of my soul [ידיד נפשי — yedid nafshi — "the beloved of my soul" — not merely "friend" but a cherished, devoted soul-companion; the same phrase as the opening of the beloved Shabbos hymn Yedid Nefesh, evoking a devotional, even mystical bond of love], the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon all the members of his household. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח כלנו פה בחיים ושלום כן אזכה לשמע מכם בכל עת החיים והשלום המחזיק ברכה ובבריאותכם ובפרט בנך נ"י EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace — with enduring blessing and in your good health [המחזיק ברכה — "holding / sustaining blessing" — a blessing that holds firm and does not slip away] — and particularly that of your son, may his candle shine. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך ובצרוף מכתב מחמיך נ"י קבלתי לנכון וגם מכתב מיום ב' שמיני קבלתי ביום ו' לפנות ערב ולא היה לי פנאי לילך על קברי צדיקים להתפלל עבור בנך נ"י והתפללתי בביתי והיום בבקר השכם הלכתי לקברי התנא רבן יוחנן בן זכאי ותלמידיו הק' והתפללתי עבורך ועבור בנך נ"י ועבור כל אנ"ש השי"ת ישמע תפילתי בתוך תפלות עמו ישראל בזכות הצדיקים EN: Your letter — together with the enclosed letter from your father-in-law, may his candle shine — I received properly. And also the letter from Monday of Shemini [Parshas Shemini — the portion about the inauguration of the Tabernacle's service; it falls in early spring] I received on Friday toward evening — and I had no time to go to the graves of the Tzaddikim to pray for your son, may his candle shine. And I prayed in my home. And this morning, very early [השכם — hashkaim — "rising early" — the writer rose before dawn, before the day had fully begun], I went to the graves of the Tanna Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai and his holy disciples — and I prayed for you and for your son, may his candle shine, and for all the Anash. May Hashem Yisbarach hear my prayer in the midst of the prayers of His people Israel — in the merit of the Tzaddikim. Segment 5 HE: וגם תדע בני שאני שולח לך רצוף פה שני מכתבים אחד לאומן ואחד לברסלב ואותו לאומן תמסר לאחותו של ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' נחמן נ"י ולברסלב תתן לר' איצילע נ"י אם יסע לברסלב תכף ואפשר יסבב הרבה תתן לר' חיים קר"ש נ"י אם תכף נוסע הכלל תעשה עמהם על צד היותר טוב כי די למבין ברמיזה והישר היה לכתוב לכם להחיות נפשכם אך מחמת שכעת פאסט וואך ואני מכרח לכתוב כמה מכתבים לאחי ולבני נ"י כי היה לי מכל אחד מכתבים ואפילו מש"ב מו"ה יצחק בער נ"י ג"כ היה לי מכתב קטן והוא מבקש אותי שאכתב לכם שתכתבו לו איזה דבורים מוסר להחיות נפשו וגם אחי בקש אותי לכתוב ליצחק בער איזה דבורים מוסר מחמת שהוא כעסן גדול וזוג' היא חולה על הוסט וילדה תינוק בח' אלול וכבר אינו בעולם ושתתה פיש שמאלץ השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה ומחמת כעסו יש לו יסורים ע"כ אני צריך לכתוב בזה השבוע כמה מכתבים EN: And also know, my son, that I am sending you enclosed here two letters — one to Uman and one to Breslov. The one to Uman you should deliver to the sister of our beloved friend the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And the one to Breslov — give it to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, if he travels to Breslov immediately. And if he will perhaps travel around for a long time — give it to Reb Chaim Kresh, may his candle shine, if he is traveling immediately. The general rule — act with them in the very best manner [תעשה עמהם על צד היותר טוב — use your best judgment to ensure the letters arrive as quickly and safely as possible] — for a hint suffices the wise [די למבין ברמיזה — the recipient knows what to do without needing it spelled out further]. And it would have been right to write to you to give life to your souls — but since right now it is the postal week [פאסט וואך — post voch — Yiddish: "postal week" — the week in which the post goes out; the writer is under time pressure to write multiple letters before the post is dispatched], and I am compelled to write several letters to my brother and to my sons, may their candles shine — for I had letters from each of them — and even from my brother-in-law [ש"ב — shver-ben — Yiddish: "father-in-law's son" — i.e., the son of the same father-in-law, a brother-in-law; another Yiddish code-switch embedded mid-Hebrew, like vais ich nisht in Letter 7 and der hust in Letters 10–11] Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak Ber, may his candle shine, I also had a small letter. And he requests of me that I write to you to write to him some words of moral guidance to give life to his soul. And also my brother requested of me to write to Yitzchak Ber some words of moral guidance — because he is a person of great anger [כעסן גדול — "a great anger-one" — someone in whom the trait of anger is dominant; a spiritual danger that Breslov teaching addresses repeatedly]. And his wife is ill with the cough [הוסט — der hust — Yiddish], and she gave birth to an infant on the 8th of Elul — and it is already no longer in the world [the infant died; mentioned briefly, plainly, without elaboration — the grief is immense and the restraint total]. And she drank fish-brine [פיש שמאלץ — fish shmalts — Yiddish: fish brine or fat; a folk remedy taken after childbirth or illness to restore strength]. May Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing. And on account of his anger he himself suffers greatly. Therefore I must write this week several letters. Segment 6 HE: אך לבי בוער בקרבי להודיע לכם להלהיב לבבכם היקר כי אתם בני מלכים ולא בני השפחות כי רבנו ז"ל לא קבל לעצמו בני השפחות כי אם בני מלכים אך אהובי בני אם תרצו לידע גדלת רבנו ז"ל והשגת תלמידו הק' תלמדו בספר לקוטי עצות חדש באות צדיק כסדר מאות לאות כל אות צדיק ושם תראו איך אנו צריכין להחיות עצמנו שמסתופפים בצלו איך אנו צריכין לבלות ימינו בנעם ערבות ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' יומם לא ננוח ולילה לא נשקט בהם ובהם ובהם והם יוציאונו מבגדים הצואים וילבישונו בגדים נקיים וכל טוב עולם הבא גנוז בהם EN: But my heart burns within me [לבי בוער בקרבי — a biblical phrase from Psalms 39:4 and Jeremiah 20:9: an irresistible, fiery compulsion to speak, like fire shut up in the bones] — to inform you, to ignite [להלהיב — l'halheiv — to set ablaze, to kindle into flame; a strong active verb of fire — not merely to warm but to ignite] your precious hearts — for you are children of kings and not children of the maidservants [בני מלכים ולא בני השפחות — an allusion to the sons of Sarah and the sons of Hagar; Rabbainu ז"ל taught that he accepted for himself only children of kings — those of truly royal spiritual lineage; to be a Breslov Chassid is to claim this royal birthright]. For Rabbainu ז"ל accepted for himself only children of kings and not children of the maidservants. But my beloved children — if you wish to know the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and the comprehension of his holy disciple — study in the book Likutay Aitzos [לקוטי עצות — "Gathered Counsels" — a thematic compilation drawn from the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל, organized by subject and by the Hebrew alphabet], the new one, in the letter Tzaddik [the section organized under the Hebrew letter צ — Tzaddik — dealing with the righteous leader and one's attachment to him] — in the set order from entry to entry, every entry under Tzaddik [כסדר מאות לאות — "in order from letter to letter" — read sequentially, systematically, as a seder — an ordered progression, not randomly or selectively; the word seder is the same word as the Passover Seder — a set, fixed order to be followed faithfully]. And there you will see how we must give life to ourselves — those who shelter in his shade [המסתופפים בצלו — "those who shelter in his shadow / shade" — those who seek the cool shelter of the Tzaddik's shadow from the scorching sun of the world]. And how we must spend our days in the sweet pleasantness [נעם ערבות — sweet pleasantness; the word ערב carries the sense of evening's sweetness, of gentle restfulness and delight] of the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. By day we shall not rest and by night we shall not be still [יומם לא ננוח ולילה לא נשקט — the language of Isaiah 62:6-7 — the watchmen on Jerusalem's walls who give neither themselves nor G-d any rest; the writer places the reader in the role of these watchmen, with the books as their post] — in them, and in them, and in them [ובהם ובהם ובהם — the triple repetition is entirely deliberate: the writer hammers the point with each iteration; nothing else, nothing outside of them]. And they will bring us out of soiled garments and clothe us in clean garments [יוציאונו מבגדים הצואים וילבישונו בגדים נקיים — an allusion to Zechariah 3:4-5: the angel strips the soiled garments from Yehoshua the High Priest and dresses him in pure garments; a powerful image of complete spiritual transformation through the books]. And all the goodness of the World to Come is hidden within them. Segment 7 HE: ותאמינו לי שאם תציתו לדברי ותעסקו בהם כסדר באמונה בודאי תזכו לכל טוב שבכל העולמות וכל אחד צריך לחזק את חברו בזה ותלמדו כסדר תורה אחר תורה והלכה אחר הלכה מה אמר לכם ואז תראו ותתבוננו גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מה אמר לכם אני אהב אתכם ע"כ אני מתגעגע לראות בכם כל טוב ואין טוב אלא תורה בפרט תורה הנובעת מנחל נבע מקור חכמה מקור מים חיים על נפש עיפה ע"כ חזקו ואמצו בתורת ה' שהיא תורתו EN: And believe me — if you heed my words and engage in them in the set order, with faith [כסדר באמונה — two distinct qualities: k'seder — in the fixed, sequential order, systematically; and be'emunah — with faith, with genuine belief in the power of what you are reading; both the outer practice and the inner quality are required] — surely you will merit all the good in all the worlds. And each one must strengthen his companion in this. And study in order — Torah after Torah, law after law — what can I tell you? And then you will see and will contemplate the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — what can I tell you? [מה אמר לכם — the phrase appears twice in immediate succession; this is a deliberate rhetorical device — the writer throwing up his hands in loving helplessness not once but twice, unable to contain or express what he feels; each repetition deepens the sense of overwhelming, inexpressible experience] I love you — therefore I long to see in you all goodness. And there is no goodness except Torah — particularly Torah that flows from a wellspring [נחל נבע — "a flowing stream" — the image of Torah as living, moving water, never stagnant, always flowing fresh], a source of wisdom, a source of living waters [מקור מים חיים — Jeremiah 2:13 and 17:13 — G-d described as "the source of living waters"; the writer applies this divine title to the Torah of Rabbainu ז"ל] — upon a weary soul [על נפש עיפה — Proverbs 25:25: "like cold water upon a weary soul"; the books of Rabbainu ז"ל as cold, reviving water poured upon the soul parched by the desert of exile]. Therefore be strong and courageous in the Torah of Hashem — which is His Torah. Segment 8 HE: יותר חדשות אין תתחדש כנשר נעוריכי EN: More news there is none. May you be renewed like the eagle — your youth. [תתחדש כנשר נעוריכי — an echo of Psalms 103:5: "who renews your youth like the eagle" — the eagle was believed to completely renew its plumage in old age; the writer closes with a blessing for complete spiritual renewal and rejuvenation] Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda from Breslov who dwells at this time in the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 11 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא מברסלב היושב כעת בעיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda from Breslov who dwells at this time in the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. # קמ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/140/ קמ קמ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/140 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' מטות ומסעי תרמ"ב פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Your letter from the 3rd of Balak — and from the 4th of Pinchas — I received yesterday toward evening — in the shop of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And I too sent you this past Monday — through the above-mentioned shop — a letter — and I sealed it in an envelope [קאנווערט — konvert — Yiddish from German Kuvert: an envelope; a paper envelope used to seal a letter] — and I do not know whether it reached you — for you do not write like merchants — to write on which day you received it — and from which day it was sent. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד אהבי נפשי אחי ורעי וחברי ובני כבוד שם תפארתם מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י ור"י איזיק נ"י וכבוד כל בני הנעורים מאנ"ש שיחיו EN: And behold — according to your letters — it appears that you are not walking in the counsel of Rabbainu ז"ל: "today — if in His voice you will listen" [Psalms 95:7 — the verse of Kabbalas Shabbos: "today — if in His voice you will listen" — each day is a today of hearing G-d's voice; the call of perpetual freshness and beginning] — and also: "who in His goodness renews every day continuously the work of creation" — and sadness is greatly intensifying upon you. Is there nothing with which to give your souls life? Does not each one of us see the kindnesses of Hashem Yisbarach at all times? And how Hashem Yisbarach watches over us — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — with specific individual divine providence [השגחה פרטיות — hashgachah pratiyas — specific individual divine providence — the Kabbalistic and Chassidic teaching that G-d watches over each person with a completely individualized, particular, non-general oversight; not merely general providence over the world but individual providence over each person specifically] — in children, life, and sustenance — in a manner that is entirely beyond the way of nature. And if we were to believe with complete faith that Hashem Yisbarach watches over us — the providence upon us would be even greater — with greater elevation and greater might. Can you not recount the kindnesses of Hashem that He performed with us every single day? Only our sadness and our worries forfeit the kindnesses from upon us. And particularly we — blessed be G-d — who draw close to the blind beggar [לבעטליר העור — "to the blind beggar" — a specific character from one of Rabbainu ז"ל's famous stories — the Shevah Beggars — the Seven Beggars; the blind beggar is the one who declares that he sees nothing of this world because this entire world is not worth even the blink of an eye in his sight; drawing close to this figure means acquiring his perspective: this world is nothing] — for whom this entire world does not amount to the blink of an eye. And why should we worry about the evil eye? [הרע עין — the evil eye — but also "the evil of the eye" — the bad sight of this world; since the blind beggar tells us this world is not worth even the blink of an eye — why trouble our eyes with the world's evils at all?] For the salvations of Hashem are as swift as the blink of an eye. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם מג' בלק ומד' פנחס קבלתי אתמול לעת ערב בהחנות של ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ואני ג"כ שלחתי לכם ביום ב' העבר ע"י החנות הנ"ל מכתב ואני חתמתי אותו בקאנווערט ואיני יודע אם הגיע אליכם כי אין אתם כתבים כמו סוחרים לכתוב היום שקבלתם ומאיזה יום נשלח EN: And what shall I say to you — my brothers, my friends? On Shabbos I studied the Laws of Tefillin, law 5 — on the story [על המעשה — "on the story" — in Likutay Halachos, laws are often built upon and connected to the stories of Rabbainu ז"ל; this law is built upon a specific story] — and yesterday blessed be G-d I completed it. And truly — believe me — that during the time of study I sat in the Garden of Eden. And may Hashem Yisbarach grant that this shall be our Garden of Eden. And how we must give life and joy to our souls — for in all the world — and even in the cities of Judah — they are few [זעירין אינון — Aramaic: "they are few" — from the Zohar: a Zoharic Aramaic phrase expressing rarity and scarcity; those who truly possess and use the precious treasures are very few] — those with whom the precious treasuries are found — whose value is beyond all reckoning. And even where they are found — they are not studied. But among us — all the treasuries are found — and they permit us to search in the treasury of the King [גנזיא דמלכא — Aramaic: "the treasury of the King" — the Zoharic image of the divine treasury of wisdom and holiness; to be permitted to search in it freely is an incomprehensible privilege] — each one according to his will in truth — and according to his faith — and according to the joy with which he rejoices. And we must say at every moment: "how fortunate are we!" And with every worry that passes over us — we must give ourselves life: are not the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple found among us? And I believe blessed be G-d in them — and I pine with longing to study them and to fulfill everything written in them. And "no good desire is ever lost." [v'les re'usa tava d'yis'aveid — Aramaic from the Zohar: "no good desire is ever lost" — every genuine desire toward good is preserved and will ultimately bear fruit; no sincere longing for holiness is wasted] And do not be sad at all — for the help of our forefathers is from of old — a shield and a savior in every generation. And surely He will not abandon us. Only — Segment 4 HE: והנה כפי המכתבים שלכם נראה שאין אתם הולכים בהעצה של רבנו ז"ל היום אם בקלו תשמעו' וגם עם בטובו מחדש בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית' והעצבות מתגבר עליכם מאד האם אין לכם במה להחיות נפשכם הלא כל אחד מאתנו ראין חסדי השי"ת בכל עת ואיך השי"ת משגיח עלינו בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בהשגחה פרטיות בבני חיי ומזונא שלא ע"פ דרך הטבע כלל ואם היינו מאמינים באמונה שלמה שהשי"ת משגיח עלינו היה עלינו ההשגחה עוד ביתר שאת ויתר עז האם תוכלו לספר חסדי ה' שעשה עמנו בכל יום ויום רק העצבות שלנו והדאגות מפסידין החסדים מאתנו ובפרט אנו שב"ה אנו מקרבים לבעטליר העור שכל העולם הזה אינו עולה אצלו כהרף עין ומה לנו לדאג על הרע עין כי ישועות ה' כהרף עין EN: אמאל אמאל דארף מען אביסל איבערווארטן — sometimes, sometimes one must wait a little. And we have no counsel for anything — except prayer and supplication. And this counsel — let it not grow old and stale with us — but to renew this counsel at every moment — to bring mercy before anger. In sum: מיר דארפן טאג און נאכט נאר מאכן מיט דעם מויל — we must day and night only keep going with the mouth — for this is our inheritance from Moshe Rabbeinu — and Rabbainu ז"ל leads us on this path. Segment 5 HE: ומה אמר לכם אחי ידידי ביום שב"ק למדתי הלכות תפלין הלכה ה' על המעשה ואתמול ב"ה גמ'י אותה וממש תאמינו לי שבשעת הלמוד ישבתי בג"ע והשי"ת יתן שיהיה זה הג"ע שלנו ואיך אנו להחיות ולשמח נפשנו שבכל העולם ואפילו בערי יהודא זעירין אינון שנמצאים אצלם האוצרות היקרים אשר אין ערך אליהם ואפילו כשנמצאים אין לומדים ואצלנו הם נמצאים כל האוצרות ומניחים אותנו לחפש בגנזיא דמלכא כל אחד ואחד לפי רצונו באמת וכפי האמונה וכפי השמחה ששמח ואנו צריכים לומר בכל רגע אשרינו' ובכל דאגה שעובר עלינו צריכין אנו להחיות עצמנו הלא אצלנו נמצאים ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואני מאמין ב"ה בהם ואני מתגעגע ללמד אותם ולקים ככל הכתוב בהם ולית רעותא טבא דיתאביד' ואל תעצבו כלל כי עזרת אבותינו הוא מעולם מגן ומושיע בכל דור ודור ובודאי לא יעזב אותנו רק אמאל אמאל דארף מען אביסל איבער ווארטן ואין לנו שום עצה לשום דבר כי אם תפילה ותחנונים והעצה הזאת אל תהי ישנה אצלנו כי אם לחדש העצה הזאת בכל עת להקדים רחמים לרגז הכלל מיר דארפן טאג און נאכט נאר מאכן מיט דעם מויל כי זה הוא ירושה לנו ממשה רבנו ורבנו ז"ל מוליך אותנו בדרך הזה EN: And my friend, our beloved Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — for the sake of Hashem — my counsel does not agree to the controversy — only whatever you can do in a good manner — only cast your burden upon Hashem — and He will sustain you. And be careful that there should not be, G-d forbid, from your side — a desecration of G-d's name. [חלול ה' — chillul Hashem — desecration of G-d's name; the gravest of sins; the writer warns that in conducting the controversy one must be scrupulously careful not to cause a desecration of divine honor] Segment 6 HE: וידידי או"נ ר' נתן נ"י למען ה' אין עצתי מסכים למחלקת רק מה שתוכל בטוב רק להשליך על ה' יהבך והוא יכלכלך ותזהר שלא יהיה ח"ו מצדך חלול ה' EN: And also my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — it is astonishing to me — what are you worrying about? Is not the dowry that your father, may his candle shine, gave you — intact and complete? And are you not — blessed be G-d — in Eretz Yisroel for approximately eleven years? And blessed be G-d you have lived until now. And blessed be G-d you were twice at Rosh Hashana in Uman — and the travel going and returning cost some sum of money — and Hashem Yisbarach helped you with all of it. Therefore now you have a great claim against Hashem Yisbarach: "You were my help — do not abandon me and do not forsake me." [Psalms 27:9 — "do not hide Your face from me — do not turn Your servant away in anger — You were my help — do not abandon me and do not forsake me, O G-d of my salvation"; the verse of total trust based on past help] But everything — with mercy and with joy — and giving thanks for the past and crying out for the future. And melancholy helps nothing at all — and is an absolute prohibition. And afterward — when Hashem Yisbarach helps you — you will be ashamed of your melancholy. And even, G-d forbid, poverty — one must receive with joy — for joy is freedom and sadness is slavery. And G-d willing I will be in your holy encampment for Shabbos of the Torah portion of Ekev [Parshas Ekev — the writer is planning to travel to Tzfas for this Shabbos; approximately two weeks away] — and then the verse will be fulfilled for us: "and they receive it one from another." [From the Kedushah — "and they receive it one from another" — the angels passing the divine holiness from one to another; applied here to the spiritual renewal that comes from the Anash gathering together and renewing one another] Segment 7 HE: וגם ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י עליך הוא לפלא בעיני מה אתה דואג הלא הנדן שנתן לך אביך נ"י הוא בשלמות והלא אתה ב"ה בא"י ערך אחד עשר שנים וב"ה חיית עד עתה וב"ה היית שני פעמים על ר"ה באומן והנסיעה בהליכה ובחזרה עלה לאיזה סך מעות והכל עזר לך השי"ת ע"כ עתה יש לך טענה גדולה להשי"ת עזרתי היית אל תטשני ואל תעזבני אבל הכל ברחמים ובשמחה ומודה על העבר וצועק על להבא ומרה שחורה אין מועיל כלל ואסור גמור ואח"כ שיעזור לך השי"ת תבש מהמרה שחורה שלך ואפילו ח"ו דחקות צריכין לקבל בשמחה כי שמחה היא חרות ועצבות הוא עבד ואי"ה על שב"ק פ' עקב אהיה במחנכם קדוש ואז יתקים בנו ומקבלין דין מן דין EN: So speaks one who truly loves you — who waits and watches with expectant eyes to see you together — in the consolations of Zion and Jerusalem, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: כה דברי אוהבכם באמת המחכה ומצפה לראות עמכם ביחד בנחמות ציון וירושלים EN: Your friend, Nussun the above-mentioned Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Monday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. A rich multi-address letter. The blind beggar and this world not worth a blink. Studied Laws of Tefillin law 5 and sat in the Garden of Eden. A Yiddish teaching on prayer. The writer plans to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Ekev. The wife wants to visit the graves of the Ari and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Segment 10 HE: גם ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י איך אי"ה אסע למחנכם אי"ה רצון זוג' תח' ג"כ לנסע מחמת שבעת חליה ר"ל כמעט בלשון נדר אמרה כשיעזור לה השי"ת החיים רצונה להיות על ציון האר"י ועל ציון רבי שמעון בר יוחאי ע"כ לכתוב לי היכן היא יכולה לעמד ללון ולפוש שם ואפשר תוכל זוג' תח' לראות עצמה עם האשה חוה תח' אפשר יש לה מקום מנוחה גם זוג' תח' מבקשת מאתך שתשלחו לה הציכין כי נחוץ לה EN: Your letter from the 3rd of Balak — and from the 4th of Pinchas — I received yesterday toward evening — in the shop of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And I too sent you this past Monday — through the above-mentioned shop — a letter — and I sealed it in an envelope [קאנווערט — konvert — Yiddish from German Kuvert: an envelope; a paper envelope used to seal a letter] — and I do not know whether it reached you — for you do not write like merchants — to write on which day you received it — and from which day it was sent. Written Monday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. A rich multi-address letter. The blind beggar and this world not worth a blink. Studied Laws of Tefillin law 5 and sat in the Garden of Eden. A Yiddish teaching on prayer. The writer plans to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Ekev. The wife wants to visit the graves of the Ari and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Last week I sent you letters — both to you and to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and also to Reb Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I do not know whether you received them properly — and I long to know whether you received them. And I heard that you traveled to bathe at the malkin [המאלקין — malkin — the hot springs of Tiberias, known in Arabic as al-Hamme and in Yiddish as malkin; the famous therapeutic hot springs near Teverya used for medicinal bathing] — may Hashem Yisbarach help you — and may He command the angels to bring you healing quickly — in every matter — in the merit of the word of Hashem. And likewise for your wife, may she live. And likewise for your brother, may his candle shine — together with all of Israel. And I am informing all the Anash — and asking of them — to stir up mercies for my wife, may she live — for from Monday of Matos-Masei the quartan fever [קדחת רביעית — kadachas reviyis — "quartan fever" — a malarial fever that recurs every four days; a specific and recognized fever-pattern in which the fever strikes with great violence every fourth day and then subsides for three days; a severe and debilitating form of malaria] has seized her again — G-d have mercy, G-d have mercy. And she no longer has the strength to bear it — for all three of those days she has no strength even to speak. And the magnitude of her suffering is beyond our power to bear. And we are preparing ourselves — G-d willing — for the Torah portion of Ekev — G-d willing — to travel to your holy encampment. May Hashem Yisbarach merit us to see your faces — in life and in peace — in the merit of the flowing stream — the source of wisdom. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Devarim, during the Three Weeks, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. The wife has taken a quartan fever — every four days with full severity. Preparing to travel to Tzfas for Shabbos Ekev. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — and the letter of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — through the young scholar from here — I received properly. And also the letter through Reb Dov — I received properly. And thank you — for writing me a receipt for my letter — for sometimes I am sluggish about writing to you — because I do not know whether you received it. And particularly — since you wrote to me that you fulfilled my words and studied what I wrote to you — it turns out that you did yourselves a good for eternity. For from every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — from which one draws life-force — there will be good for eternity and forever and ever. For thus said Rabbainu ז"ל: what I say is a rectification [תקון — tikkun — rectification, repair, restoration; every word that Rabbainu ז"ל speaks performs a spiritual rectification that operates across all three dimensions of time simultaneously] — for the past and for the present and for the future — forever. Therefore I counsel you with my good counsel — which was taken from the counsel of the Tzaddikim — whose counsel was never divided [אשר לא נחלקה עצתם לשתים — "whose counsel was never divided into two" — the counsel of the true Tzaddikim is always whole, never contradictory or split; it flows from one unified source of supernal wisdom] — but their counsel is whole and goes forth from supernal wisdom — from the all-encompassing intellect [שכל הכולל — "the all-encompassing intellect" — the supreme unified intelligence that contains all particular knowledge within it; the counsel of the Tzaddikim flows from this comprehensive source] — that you should engage in these days and throughout all your days — in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — believing in them all with faith. And look very closely in them — and in the book Yemei Moharnat [Yemei Moharnat — "The Days of Reb Nosson" — the chronicle-diary of Reb Nosson ז"ל's life written by his son Reb Yitzchak — recording the events of Reb Nosson's life, his journeys, his spiritual struggles, and his encounters with Rabbainu ז"ל] — and there you will see how one person — through faith and simplicity and straightforwardness [אמונה ותמימות ופשיטות — "faith and simplicity and straightforwardness" — three interconnected qualities: emunah — faith; temimus — wholeness, simple sincerity; pshitus — straightforward simplicity, going straight ahead without deviation; together these three qualities constitute the path of Reb Nosson ז"ל] — merited to feel the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל — and the greatness of every single word from Rabbainu ז"ל — through which he merited to draw from the springs of salvation and from the springs of wisdom — through which he is able to purify us from filthy garments — and to save us even from foul and reeking vapors. [עשנים סרוחים — "foul and reeking vapors, stinking smokes" — an image for the most degraded spiritual states; Reb Nosson ז"ל's connection to Rabbainu ז"ל's words is powerful enough to save even from the most foul spiritual states] Only we must incline our shoulder — like an ox to the yoke [כשור לעל — "like an ox to the yoke" — the specific image of the ox who bends its neck willingly to the yoke and pulls; we must submit to the yoke of Rabbainu ז"ל's teachings with this same willing submission and steady pulling] — and bind ourselves in all our movements to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — in every single act [בכל עבדא ועבדא — Aramaic: "in every single act and act" — from avda — act, deed; the doubling emphasizes: every individual act, not only in general but in each specific deed] — and particularly in these awesome and holy days — in the Selichos and in the Rosh Hashana prayers — and in the sounding of the shofar — and in the eating on the eve of Yom Kippur — and in the five afflictions — and in the five prayers of Yom Kippur — and in the sitting in the Sukkah — and in the taking of the four species — G-d willing — all of it should be in bound attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the strength of the holy assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל. And we must be very constant in these days — in prayer and supplication and much seclusion [התבודדות הרבה — hisbodedus harbeh — much private seclusion in personal prayer; the Breslov practice of extended private conversation with G-d in one's own language] — for by Rabbainu ז"ל the main business is Rosh Hashana. And as we are bound — in our nefesh, ruach, and neshamah — so will there be peace with them and with their assembly — as is explained in the story of the guest in Chayei Moharan [A specific story in Chayei Moharan about a guest who visits — the story contains teachings about the bond between the Tzaddik and his followers and how the strength of the bond between their souls determines the quality of their connection]. And because of the great love that I love the Anash — and you — and all the young men who shelter in the shade of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — I want to give you all the good that is in all the worlds — which is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — through whom one can effect an abundant flow in the physical — and an abundant flow in the spiritual. For they contain within themselves all good — children, life, and sustenance — forgiveness, pardon, and atonement — healing of the soul and healing of the body — through Torah and prayer — joy, faith, trust, truth, and humility — "nothing is lacking in it." [Deuteronomy 8:9 — "a land where you will lack nothing" — לא תחסר כל בה; the verse describing Eretz Yisroel as a land of complete abundance; the writer applies this exact phrase to the books and teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל: they are themselves a complete land — לא תחסר כל בו — nothing is lacking in it] Words of one who truly and wholly loves you — who blesses you with a good inscription and sealing, Nussun from Breslov May you have a good final sealing. Written Tuesday, Parshas Tavo, 5642 (September 1882), from Teverya — two to three weeks before Rosh Hashana. A beautiful pre-Rosh Hashana letter. Every word of Rabbainu ז"ל is a rectification for past, present, and future. Bind every holy day to Rabbainu ז"ל. The five afflictions and five prayers of Yom Kippur. The four species. All of it in bound attachment. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And behold — according to your letters — it appears that you are not walking in the counsel of Rabbainu ז"ל: "today — if in His voice you will listen" [Psalms 95:7 — the verse of Kabbalas Shabbos: "today — if in His voice you will listen" — each day is a today of hearing G-d's voice; the call of perpetual freshness and beginning] — and also: "who in His goodness renews every day continuously the work of creation" — and sadness is greatly intensifying upon you. Is there nothing with which to give your souls life? Does not each one of us see the kindnesses of Hashem Yisbarach at all times? And how Hashem Yisbarach watches over us — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — with specific individual divine providence [השגחה פרטיות — hashgachah pratiyas — specific individual divine providence — the Kabbalistic and Chassidic teaching that G-d watches over each person with a completely individualized, particular, non-general oversight; not merely general providence over the world but individual providence over each person specifically] — in children, life, and sustenance — in a manner that is entirely beyond the way of nature. And if we were to believe with complete faith that Hashem Yisbarach watches over us — the providence upon us would be even greater — with greater elevation and greater might. Can you not recount the kindnesses of Hashem that He performed with us every single day? Only our sadness and our worries forfeit the kindnesses from upon us. And particularly we — blessed be G-d — who draw close to the blind beggar [לבעטליר העור — "to the blind beggar" — a specific character from one of Rabbainu ז"ל's famous stories — the Shevah Beggars — the Seven Beggars; the blind beggar is the one who declares that he sees nothing of this world because this entire world is not worth even the blink of an eye in his sight; drawing close to this figure means acquiring his perspective: this world is nothing] — for whom this entire world does not amount to the blink of an eye. And why should we worry about the evil eye? [הרע עין — the evil eye — but also "the evil of the eye" — the bad sight of this world; since the blind beggar tells us this world is not worth even the blink of an eye — why trouble our eyes with the world's evils at all?] For the salvations of Hashem are as swift as the blink of an eye. And what shall I say to you — my brothers, my friends? On Shabbos I studied the Laws of Tefillin, law 5 — on the story [על המעשה — "on the story" — in Likutay Halachos, laws are often built upon and connected to the stories of Rabbainu ז"ל; this law is built upon a specific story] — and yesterday blessed be G-d I completed it. And truly — believe me — that during the time of study I sat in the Garden of Eden. And may Hashem Yisbarach grant that this shall be our Garden of Eden. And how we must give life and joy to our souls — for in all the world — and even in the cities of Judah — they are few [זעירין אינון — Aramaic: "they are few" — from the Zohar: a Zoharic Aramaic phrase expressing rarity and scarcity; those who truly possess and use the precious treasures are very few] — those with whom the precious treasuries are found — whose value is beyond all reckoning. And even where they are found — they are not studied. But among us — all the treasuries are found — and they permit us to search in the treasury of the King [גנזיא דמלכא — Aramaic: "the treasury of the King" — the Zoharic image of the divine treasury of wisdom and holiness; to be permitted to search in it freely is an incomprehensible privilege] — each one according to his will in truth — and according to his faith — and according to the joy with which he rejoices. And we must say at every moment: "how fortunate are we!" And with every worry that passes over us — we must give ourselves life: are not the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple found among us? And I believe blessed be G-d in them — and I pine with longing to study them and to fulfill everything written in them. And "no good desire is ever lost." [v'les re'usa tava d'yis'aveid — Aramaic from the Zohar: "no good desire is ever lost" — every genuine desire toward good is preserved and will ultimately bear fruit; no sincere longing for holiness is wasted] And do not be sad at all — for the help of our forefathers is from of old — a shield and a savior in every generation. And surely He will not abandon us. Only — אמאל אמאל דארף מען אביסל איבערווארטן — sometimes, sometimes one must wait a little. And we have no counsel for anything — except prayer and supplication. And this counsel — let it not grow old and stale with us — but to renew this counsel at every moment — to bring mercy before anger. In sum: מיר דארפן טאג און נאכט נאר מאכן מיט דעם מויל — we must day and night only keep going with the mouth — for this is our inheritance from Moshe Rabbeinu — and Rabbainu ז"ל leads us on this path. And my friend, our beloved Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — for the sake of Hashem — my counsel does not agree to the controversy — only whatever you can do in a good manner — only cast your burden upon Hashem — and He will sustain you. And be careful that there should not be, G-d forbid, from your side — a desecration of G-d's name. [חלול ה' — chillul Hashem — desecration of G-d's name; the gravest of sins; the writer warns that in conducting the controversy one must be scrupulously careful not to cause a desecration of divine honor] And also my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — it is astonishing to me — what are you worrying about? Is not the dowry that your father, may his candle shine, gave you — intact and complete? And are you not — blessed be G-d — in Eretz Yisroel for approximately eleven years? And blessed be G-d you have lived until now. And blessed be G-d you were twice at Rosh Hashana in Uman — and the travel going and returning cost some sum of money — and Hashem Yisbarach helped you with all of it. Therefore now you have a great claim against Hashem Yisbarach: "You were my help — do not abandon me and do not forsake me." [Psalms 27:9 — "do not hide Your face from me — do not turn Your servant away in anger — You were my help — do not abandon me and do not forsake me, O G-d of my salvation"; the verse of total trust based on past help] But everything — with mercy and with joy — and giving thanks for the past and crying out for the future. And melancholy helps nothing at all — and is an absolute prohibition. And afterward — when Hashem Yisbarach helps you — you will be ashamed of your melancholy. And even, G-d forbid, poverty — one must receive with joy — for joy is freedom and sadness is slavery. And G-d willing I will be in your holy encampment for Shabbos of the Torah portion of Ekev [Parshas Ekev — the writer is planning to travel to Tzfas for this Shabbos; approximately two weeks away] — and then the verse will be fulfilled for us: "and they receive it one from another." [From the Kedushah — "and they receive it one from another" — the angels passing the divine holiness from one to another; applied here to the spiritual renewal that comes from the Anash gathering together and renewing one another] So speaks one who truly loves you — who waits and watches with expectant eyes to see you together — in the consolations of Zion and Jerusalem, Nussun from Breslov Your friend, Nussun the above-mentioned Written Monday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. A rich multi-address letter. The blind beggar and this world not worth a blink. Studied Laws of Tefillin law 5 and sat in the Garden of Eden. A Yiddish teaching on prayer. The writer plans to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Ekev. The wife wants to visit the graves of the Ari and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: ידידך EN: Last week I sent you letters — both to you and to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and also to Reb Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I do not know whether you received them properly — and I long to know whether you received them. And I heard that you traveled to bathe at the malkin [המאלקין — malkin — the hot springs of Tiberias, known in Arabic as al-Hamme and in Yiddish as malkin; the famous therapeutic hot springs near Teverya used for medicinal bathing] — may Hashem Yisbarach help you — and may He command the angels to bring you healing quickly — in every matter — in the merit of the word of Hashem. And likewise for your wife, may she live. And likewise for your brother, may his candle shine — together with all of Israel. Segment 12 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: And I am informing all the Anash — and asking of them — to stir up mercies for my wife, may she live — for from Monday of Matos-Masei the quartan fever [קדחת רביעית — kadachas reviyis — "quartan fever" — a malarial fever that recurs every four days; a specific and recognized fever-pattern in which the fever strikes with great violence every fourth day and then subsides for three days; a severe and debilitating form of malaria] has seized her again — G-d have mercy, G-d have mercy. And she no longer has the strength to bear it — for all three of those days she has no strength even to speak. And the magnitude of her suffering is beyond our power to bear. # קמא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/141/ קמא קמא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/141 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' דברים בבין המצרים תרמ"ב לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא לכבוד ידידי או"נ המפלא מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י הנה בשבוע העבר שלחתי לכם מכתבים הן לך ולר' איזיק נ"י והן לר' אליעזור נ"י ואין אני יודע האם קבלתם לנכון ומשתוקק אני לידע אם קבלתם ואני שמעתי שאתה נסעת לרחץ אותך בהמאלקין כן יעזור לך השי"ת ויצוה למלאכים שיביאו לך מהר הרפואה בכל דבר בזכות דבר ה' וכן לזוג' תח' וכן לאחיך נ"י בתוך כלל ישראל ואני מודיע לכל אנ"ש ומבקש מאתם שיתעוררו רחמים עבור זוג' תח' כי מיום ב' מטות ומסעי תפסה עוד הפיבער קדחת רביעית ר"ל ר"ל ואין עוד בכחה לסבל כי כל השלשה ימים אין לה כח אפילו לדבר וגדל הצער שלה אין בכחנו לסבל ואנו מכינים עצמנו אי"ה על פ' עקב אי"ה לנסע למחנכם קודש השי"ת יזכנו לראות פניכם בחיים ושלום בזכות הנחל נבע מקור חכמה דברי אוהבך נתן מברסלב EN: Last week I sent you letters — both to you and to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and also to Reb Eliezer, may his candle shine. And I do not know whether you received them properly — and I long to know whether you received them. And I heard that you traveled to bathe at the malkin [המאלקין — malkin — the hot springs of Tiberias, known in Arabic as al-Hamme and in Yiddish as malkin; the famous therapeutic hot springs near Teverya used for medicinal bathing] — may Hashem Yisbarach help you — and may He command the angels to bring you healing quickly — in every matter — in the merit of the word of Hashem. And likewise for your wife, may she live. And likewise for your brother, may his candle shine — together with all of Israel. And I am informing all the Anash — and asking of them — to stir up mercies for my wife, may she live — for from Monday of Matos-Masei the quartan fever [קדחת רביעית — kadachas reviyis — "quartan fever" — a malarial fever that recurs every four days; a specific and recognized fever-pattern in which the fever strikes with great violence every fourth day and then subsides for three days; a severe and debilitating form of malaria] has seized her again — G-d have mercy, G-d have mercy. And she no longer has the strength to bear it — for all three of those days she has no strength even to speak. And the magnitude of her suffering is beyond our power to bear. And we are preparing ourselves — G-d willing — for the Torah portion of Ekev — G-d willing — to travel to your holy encampment. May Hashem Yisbarach merit us to see your faces — in life and in peace — in the merit of the flowing stream — the source of wisdom. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Devarim, during the Three Weeks, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. The wife has taken a quartan fever — every four days with full severity. Preparing to travel to Tzfas for Shabbos Ekev. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קמב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/142/ קמב קמב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/142 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' תבוא תרמ"ב פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Your letter — and the letter of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — through the young scholar from here — I received properly. And also the letter through Reb Dov — I received properly. And thank you — for writing me a receipt for my letter — for sometimes I am sluggish about writing to you — because I do not know whether you received it. And particularly — since you wrote to me that you fulfilled my words and studied what I wrote to you — it turns out that you did yourselves a good for eternity. For from every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — from which one draws life-force — there will be good for eternity and forever and ever. For thus said Rabbainu ז"ל: what I say is a rectification [תקון — tikkun — rectification, repair, restoration; every word that Rabbainu ז"ל speaks performs a spiritual rectification that operates across all three dimensions of time simultaneously] — for the past and for the present and for the future — forever. Therefore I counsel you with my good counsel — which was taken from the counsel of the Tzaddikim — whose counsel was never divided [אשר לא נחלקה עצתם לשתים — "whose counsel was never divided into two" — the counsel of the true Tzaddikim is always whole, never contradictory or split; it flows from one unified source of supernal wisdom] — but their counsel is whole and goes forth from supernal wisdom — from the all-encompassing intellect [שכל הכולל — "the all-encompassing intellect" — the supreme unified intelligence that contains all particular knowledge within it; the counsel of the Tzaddikim flows from this comprehensive source] — that you should engage in these days and throughout all your days — in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — believing in them all with faith. Segment 2 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לכם הכתיבה והחתימה EN: And look very closely in them — and in the book Yemei Moharnat [Yemei Moharnat — "The Days of Reb Nosson" — the chronicle-diary of Reb Nosson ז"ל's life written by his son Reb Yitzchak — recording the events of Reb Nosson's life, his journeys, his spiritual struggles, and his encounters with Rabbainu ז"ל] — and there you will see how one person — through faith and simplicity and straightforwardness [אמונה ותמימות ופשיטות — "faith and simplicity and straightforwardness" — three interconnected qualities: emunah — faith; temimus — wholeness, simple sincerity; pshitus — straightforward simplicity, going straight ahead without deviation; together these three qualities constitute the path of Reb Nosson ז"ל] — merited to feel the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל — and the greatness of every single word from Rabbainu ז"ל — through which he merited to draw from the springs of salvation and from the springs of wisdom — through which he is able to purify us from filthy garments — and to save us even from foul and reeking vapors. [עשנים סרוחים — "foul and reeking vapors, stinking smokes" — an image for the most degraded spiritual states; Reb Nosson ז"ל's connection to Rabbainu ז"ל's words is powerful enough to save even from the most foul spiritual states] Only we must incline our shoulder — like an ox to the yoke [כשור לעל — "like an ox to the yoke" — the specific image of the ox who bends its neck willingly to the yoke and pulls; we must submit to the yoke of Rabbainu ז"ל's teachings with this same willing submission and steady pulling] — and bind ourselves in all our movements to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — in every single act [בכל עבדא ועבדא — Aramaic: "in every single act and act" — from avda — act, deed; the doubling emphasizes: every individual act, not only in general but in each specific deed] — and particularly in these awesome and holy days — in the Selichos and in the Rosh Hashana prayers — and in the sounding of the shofar — and in the eating on the eve of Yom Kippur — and in the five afflictions — and in the five prayers of Yom Kippur — and in the sitting in the Sukkah — and in the taking of the four species — G-d willing — all of it should be in bound attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the strength of the holy assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז כרע וכאח וכבן המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And we must be very constant in these days — in prayer and supplication and much seclusion [התבודדות הרבה — hisbodedus harbeh — much private seclusion in personal prayer; the Breslov practice of extended private conversation with G-d in one's own language] — for by Rabbainu ז"ל the main business is Rosh Hashana. And as we are bound — in our nefesh, ruach, and neshamah — so will there be peace with them and with their assembly — as is explained in the story of the guest in Chayei Moharan [A specific story in Chayei Moharan about a guest who visits — the story contains teachings about the bond between the Tzaddik and his followers and how the strength of the bond between their souls determines the quality of their connection]. And because of the great love that I love the Anash — and you — and all the young men who shelter in the shade of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — I want to give you all the good that is in all the worlds — which is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — through whom one can effect an abundant flow in the physical — and an abundant flow in the spiritual. For they contain within themselves all good — children, life, and sustenance — forgiveness, pardon, and atonement — healing of the soul and healing of the body — through Torah and prayer — joy, faith, trust, truth, and humility — "nothing is lacking in it." [Deuteronomy 8:9 — "a land where you will lack nothing" — לא תחסר כל בה; the verse describing Eretz Yisroel as a land of complete abundance; the writer applies this exact phrase to the books and teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל: they are themselves a complete land — לא תחסר כל בו — nothing is lacking in it] Segment 4 HE: מכתבך ומכתב ר' איזיק נ"י ע"י האברך מפה קבלתי לנכון וגם המכתב ע"י ר' דב לנכון קבלתי ות"ח לכם שכתבתם לי קבלה על מכתבי כי לפעמים אני מתעצל לכתוב לכם מחמת שאיני יודע אם קבלתם ובפרט שכתבתם לי שקימתם דברי ולמדתם מה שכתבתי לכם נמצא שעשיתם לכם טובה לעד כי מכל דבור ודבור של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שמקבלין חיות מאתו יהיה טובה לעד ולעולמי עולמים כי כך אמר רבנו ז"ל מה שאני אמר הוא תקון על העבר ועל ההוה ועל העתיד לעולמי עד לכן אני מיעצכם בעצתי הטובה אשר נלקחה מעצת צדיקים אשר לא נחלקה עצתם לשתים רק עצתם שלמה ונפקת מחכמה עלאה משכל הכולל שתעסקו באלו הימים ובכל ימיכם בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' להאמין בכלם באמונה EN: Words of one who truly and wholly loves you — who blesses you with a good inscription and sealing, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ותעינו מאד בהם ובהספר ימי מוהרנ"ת ושם תראו איך זכה אחד ע"י אמונה ותמימות ופשיטות להרגיש גדלת רבנו ז"ל וגדלת כל דבור ודבור מרבנו ז"ל אשר עי"ז זכה לשאב מעיני הישועה ומעיני החכמה אשר עי"ז הוא יכול לטהר אותנו מבגדים צואים ולהציל אותנו אפילו מעשנים סרוחים רק אנו צריכין להטות שכמנו כשור לעל ולקשר עצמנו בכל תנועותינו לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו בכל עבדא ועבדא ובפרט באלו הימים הנוראים והק' בסליחות ובתפלות ר"ה ובתקיעת שופר ובאכילת ערב יום כפור ובחמשה ענויים ובחמש תפלות ביום כפור ובישיבת סכה ובנטילת ארבעה מינים אי"ה הכל יהיה בהתקשרות לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובכח הקבוץ הק' של רבנו ז"ל EN: May you have a good final sealing. Segment 6 HE: וצריכין אנו להתמיד מאד באלו הימים בתפילה ותחנונים והתבודדות הרבה כי אצל רבנו ז"ל עיקר עסקיו הוא ר"ה וכפי שנהיה אנו מקשרים ב'נפש רוח ונשמה' שלנו כן נהיה השלום עמם ועם הקבוץ שלהם כמו שמבאר בהמעשה מהאורח בחיי מוהר"ן ומחמת אהבה הגדולה שאני אהב אנ"ש ואתכם וכל בני הנעורים המסתופפים בצל של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אני רוצה לתן לכם כל טוב שבכל העולמות הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר על ידם יכולין לפעל שפע בגשמיות ושפע ברוחניות כי הם כלולים מכל טוב בני חיי ומזונא סליחה מחילה כפרה רפואת הנפש ורפואות הגוף ע"י תורה ותפילה שמחה אמונה בטחון אמת וענוה לא תחסר כל בו EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Tavo, 5642 (September 1882), from Teverya — two to three weeks before Rosh Hashana. A beautiful pre-Rosh Hashana letter. Every word of Rabbainu ז"ל is a rectification for past, present, and future. Bind every holy day to Rabbainu ז"ל. The five afflictions and five prayers of Yom Kippur. The four species. All of it in bound attachment. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ובתמים המברך אתכם בכתיבה וחתימה טובה EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 140 | קמ (Kuf-Mem) Segment 9 HE: גמר חתימה טובה יהיה לכם EN: Letter 140 | קמ (Kuf-Mem) Thus are the words of one who blesses you with a good final sealing [גמר חתימה טובה — the specific traditional greeting of the Ten Days of Repentance — and particularly the days approaching Yom Kippur: "a good final sealing" — referring to the final sealing of the divine books on Yom Kippur, after the inscription on Rosh Hashana; this is the greeting of these very days, used precisely here as the letter is written between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur], Nussun from Breslov # קמג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/143/ קמג קמג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/143 Segment 1 HE: התולה ארץ על בלימה הוא ייטיב לנו ולכם הכתיבה והחתימה טובה EN: Praise to the living G-d [תל"ח — abbreviation of תהלה לאל חי — "Praise to the living G-d" — from tehillah — praise; l'El — to G-d; chai — living; the fuller formula that specifically invokes the living G-d] — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. And also my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — these ten days the fever has not returned again — and it is good to give thanks to Hashem for this. And also for the future — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her. So may I merit to hear from you — only life and peace — always. And particularly — that there should be peace among ourselves. And Hashem Yisbarach will draw great peace between the Anash — for our matter is sustained by affection. And through this — the all-encompassing intellect [שכל הכולל — "the all-encompassing intellect" — the supernal unified intelligence that contains all particular knowledge; it descends and rests upon those who are joined in true love and peace] will descend upon us — and all the harsh judgments will be sweetened from upon us. And through the love that is between us — we are able to bind ourselves to the holy assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And each one of us must ensure that he himself should not be the cause of separating the love between us — that he should not be, G-d forbid, a grumbler who separates a close friend [נרגן מפריד אלוף — from Proverbs 16:28 — "a grumbler separates a close friend" — nirgan mefareid aluf; the specific verse about the one whose constant grumbling and complaining drives apart even the closest friends] — that the accuser should not, G-d forbid, dance between us. [שלא יהיה השטן מרקד בינינו — "that the accuser should not dance between us" — the image of the Satan as a dancer who enters the space between people and dances, creating division and strife; a Talmudic expression from Kesubos 8b] And we must greatly multiply prayer — for peace and love. For our peace and love is no small matter — for we are able to be gathered together in fellowship [להתועד יחד — the hitva'adus — the specific Breslov fellowship assembly] — to mention some words from Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For according to what I studied tonight in the Laws of Reading the Torah, law 2 — based on the Torah Tekah Tochacha [Tekah Tochacha — "Sound the reproach" — a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל based on Psalms 81:4 and related verses; a teaching about rebuke and the blowing of the shofar as a form of awakening] — I do not know how one has the leisure to think about this world — and particularly about controversy, G-d forbid. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידנו האברך מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו נ"י EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 3 HE: תל"ח ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים ושלום וגם זוג' תח' ב"ה זה עשרה ימים שלא היה לה עוד הפעם הפיבער וטוב להדות לה' על זה וגם על להבא ירחם עליה השי"ת כן אזכה לשמע מכם רק החיים והשלום תמיד ובפרט שיהיה שלום בעצמינו והשי"ת ימשיך שלום גדול בין אנ"ש כי אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא' ועי"ז ימשיך עלינו שכל הכולל וימתיק מעלינו כל הדינים וע"י אהבה שיהיה בינינו אנו יכולין לקשר עצמנו להקבוץ הק' של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וכל אחד מאתנו צריך לראות שלא יהיה הוא הגורם להפריד אהבה שבינינו שלא יהיה ח"ו נרגן מפריד אלוף שלא יהיה ח"ו השטן מרקד בינינו וצריכין אנו להרבות בתפילה מאד על השלום ואהבה כי לא דבר רק הוא השלום ואהבה שלנו כי אנו יכולין להתועד יחד להזכיר איזה דבורים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי לפי שאני למדתי היום בלילה הלכות קריאת התורה הלכה ב' ע"פ התורה תקעו תוכחה אין אני יודע איך יש לנו פנאי לחשב בזה העולם ובפרט ח"ו מחלקת EN: Your friend, Nussun the above-mentioned Segment 4 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Segment 5 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Undated — Elul 5642. The wife has had no fever for ten days. A call for peace and love among the Anash. "The accuser should not dance between us." Speak to the rock of the heart — not to controversy. Segment 6 HE: ובשבוע העבר כתבתי לכם מכתב ואיני יודע אם קבלתם אותו ושם כתבתי לכם איך שאנו צריכין להתחיל מחדש לעסק בהתבודדות כי למדתי הלכות נשיאת כפים הלכה ה' ושם מבאר כח הדבור ובפרט באות ט"ז שצריכין לדבר אל הסלע הינו לב האבן ונתעוררתי לכתוב לכם לדבר רק על לב האבן ולא במחלקת ח"ו EN: Praise to the living G-d [תל"ח — abbreviation of תהלה לאל חי — "Praise to the living G-d" — from tehillah — praise; l'El — to G-d; chai — living; the fuller formula that specifically invokes the living G-d] — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. And also my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — these ten days the fever has not returned again — and it is good to give thanks to Hashem for this. And also for the future — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her. So may I merit to hear from you — only life and peace — always. And particularly — that there should be peace among ourselves. And Hashem Yisbarach will draw great peace between the Anash — for our matter is sustained by affection. And through this — the all-encompassing intellect [שכל הכולל — "the all-encompassing intellect" — the supernal unified intelligence that contains all particular knowledge; it descends and rests upon those who are joined in true love and peace] will descend upon us — and all the harsh judgments will be sweetened from upon us. And through the love that is between us — we are able to bind ourselves to the holy assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And each one of us must ensure that he himself should not be the cause of separating the love between us — that he should not be, G-d forbid, a grumbler who separates a close friend [נרגן מפריד אלוף — from Proverbs 16:28 — "a grumbler separates a close friend" — nirgan mefareid aluf; the specific verse about the one whose constant grumbling and complaining drives apart even the closest friends] — that the accuser should not, G-d forbid, dance between us. [שלא יהיה השטן מרקד בינינו — "that the accuser should not dance between us" — the image of the Satan as a dancer who enters the space between people and dances, creating division and strife; a Talmudic expression from Kesubos 8b] And we must greatly multiply prayer — for peace and love. For our peace and love is no small matter — for we are able to be gathered together in fellowship [להתועד יחד — the hitva'adus — the specific Breslov fellowship assembly] — to mention some words from Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For according to what I studied tonight in the Laws of Reading the Torah, law 2 — based on the Torah Tekah Tochacha [Tekah Tochacha — "Sound the reproach" — a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל based on Psalms 81:4 and related verses; a teaching about rebuke and the blowing of the shofar as a form of awakening] — I do not know how one has the leisure to think about this world — and particularly about controversy, G-d forbid. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Undated — Elul 5642. The wife has had no fever for ten days. A call for peace and love among the Anash. "The accuser should not dance between us." Speak to the rock of the heart — not to controversy. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Monday — and from Wednesday — I received yesterday at the appointed time. [לעת — "at the time, at the appointed moment" — from eis — a specific time; not "toward evening" but simply at the right time when it arrived] And it happened that I read the letter from Monday — in which you wrote about the magnitude of your illness and the suffering and tribulations of me and my wife and my sister who were then with me — which are beyond all estimate and reckoning — until I could not read the second letter. And my wife wept from the suffering. And afterward my wife told me to read the second letter. And the magnitude of the life-force with which your second letter gave us life — is beyond all estimate. So may Hashem Yisbarach give you life — and your wife, may she live — and your son — in all good — for long life and good years. And may He heal her completely from all her ailments — a healing of the soul and a healing of the body. And may He remember them quickly with salvation and mercy. May Hashem Yisbarach add upon you and upon your children — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in the cities of Judah — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for whom we are like one who peers through the lattices [כמציץ מן החרכים — from Song of Songs 2:9 — "my beloved stands behind our wall — gazing through the windows — peering through the lattices" — metzitz min ha'charakim; we catch only glimpses of the radiance of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple through the lattices — yet even these glimpses give us life] — to shelter in their holy shade. And we bear the pouring out of blood [שפיכות דמים — the public humiliation and shaming that drains the blood from the face; we bear this in order to shelter at least through this humiliation in their holy shade] — so that we may at least through our pouring out of blood — shelter in their holy shade. And through the Torah discourses that Rabbainu ז"ל said about illness of the lungs [חלי הראה — illness of the lung; Rabbainu ז"ל taught specific Torah discourses connected to healing of lung ailments; the wife's illness apparently involved the lungs or respiratory system] — may all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon my wife, may she live — and may Hashem Yisbarach heal her with health in all her body. And I am distributing here on her behalf — ten groshen — to the poor — oil for lighting and wine for kiddush on the festival. And I and my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, went today to the graves of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and his holy disciples — and Rav Ami and Rav Asi — and Rabbi Yochanan the master of the land of Israel — and the holy Shelah [Shelah ha'Kadosh — Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz ז"ל — the author of the Shnei Luchos ha'Bris — the "Two Tablets of the Covenant" — known by its acronym Shelah; he is buried in Teverya; a great master of the generation before the Baal Shem Tov] — to pray for her. May Hashem Yisbarach give her a complete healing — quickly and soon. [The letter ends here — the remainder of the manuscript is not preserved.] Written Thursday, Chol Ha'Moed Sukkos, 5643 (October 1882), from Teverya. A deeply moving letter — reading the first letter about the illness caused such pain that the writer could not continue to the second; the second gave them life. A distribution for the ill wife. A visit to the graves of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and the Shelah ha'Kadosh. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within an expansiveness of heart. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to see quickly the downfall of the wicked — in the merit of Eretz Yisroel — and in the merit of the Tzaddikim. And even the husks of Og and Avshalom [קלפות עוג ואבשלום — the husks — the shells of spiritual impurity — of Og King of Bashan and Avshalom son of David; Kabbalistic terms for specific forces of spiritual opposition and impurity; Rabbainu ז"ל wages the wars of Hashem against these forces] — with whom Rabbainu ז"ל wages the wars of Hashem — will surely be completed quickly. And he has already slain many strong husks. And surely he will subdue even the husks whose grip is on the right [הקלפות שאחיזתם בימין — "the husks whose grip is on the right side" — a specific Kabbalistic category of the most tenacious forces of opposition; those who clothe themselves in seeming holiness and grip from the right — the side of holiness — making them the hardest to dislodge] — quickly. Your letter — from the night before Sunday — I received today. And when reading the letter — my eyes streamed and overflowed with tears [זלגו עיני דמעות — "my eyes streamed, overflowed" — from zalag — to overflow, to stream forth involuntarily; stronger and more vivid than merely "shedding" — the tears streamed and overflowed uncontrolled] — and my wife wept tears of a third [דמעות שליש — "tears of a third" — an expression for tears shed in great quantity — a third of one's tears, a measure of deep weeping; the same expression appears in the context of intense grief in rabbinic literature] — but the magnitude of the suffering and humiliations that you endured — which touched Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for merely hearing it with the ear our soul grew faint. But what can we do — for the Divine Presence is in a great exile — and whoever engages in redeeming the Divine Presence from her exile — they seize him and his name in the exile. But "the wicked one watches for the righteous and seeks" [Psalms 37:32 — "the wicked one watches for the righteous and seeks to kill him — Hashem will not abandon him in his hand and will not condemn him when he is judged"; the verse of assurance that G-d does not abandon the righteous to the pursuer] — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. And surely He will avenge quickly. And the believer will not be shaken. And I counsel you — to go to the grave of the holy Ari — may his merit protect us — and tell him: because of this — that you study the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who labored to draw our hearts to Torah and to prayer with intention — and to arouse us toward Hashem Yisbarach — and to draw upon us the holiness of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and your holiness — and we want to shelter in the shade of your holy house of prayer. And worthless men pursue us — and want to thrust us out of your house of prayer — and pursue us with every kind of pursuit — to kill and to destroy. And we have no one to lean upon except our Father in Heaven — and the strength of all the Tzaddikim — and your strength — and your great merit — which is able to subdue all who pursue us without cause. And I too will not be silent — and I will go here to the holy resting places — and I will share in your great suffering. And believe — that Hashem Yisbarach will surely not abandon you — and they will perish — and a thousand like them — and not one word of Rabbainu ז"ל will be annulled. And Rabbainu ז"ל already said — the Torah Abba Shaul [Abba Shaul — a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל based on a teaching of Abba Shaul from the Mishnah; this specific discourse addresses the trial of persecution and how the righteous are tested] — and your trial is: that you should have such pursuits in Eretz Yisroel. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on us and on you — and take you out from all the troubles into great expansiveness. And may you have a good year — for a year that is poor [שנה שרשה מתחלתה — "a year that is poor at its beginning" — from the Talmud; a year that begins with poverty and difficulty will improve by its end; a consolation: the hardship of this year's beginning is itself a sign that its end will be good] at its beginning — its end is made good. And do not worry at all — for the humiliations will be for you a great honor in the World to Come. And Hashem Yisbarach — "He who guards truth forever" — will surely guard you from all evil. And my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — do not worry at all — for Hashem Yisbarach showed you that prayer helps. And from now begin anew to pray — and surely Hashem Yisbarach will help you from now — with living and enduring children. And receive the judgment of Hashem Yisbarach with love and with joy — as is explained in Chayei Moharan — at the time of Rabbainu ז"ל's journey from Breslov to Uman — paragraph 2. And surely He will not abandon you. And "emunah" in numerical value equals "banim." [ואמונה בגימטריא בנים — "and 'faith' in numerical value equals 'sons'" — emunah [aleph-mem-vav-nun-heh] = 1+40+6+50+5 = 102; banim [beis-nun-yud-mem] = 2+50+10+40 = 102; the same numerical value; faith itself — the practice of complete trust in G-d — is numerically the same as the children one prays for; faith in G-d is itself the merit and the channel through which children come] And I ask of you — that you write to me at all times about your situation — from the controversy — for my suffering is very great over what passed over you from the unprovoked enemies. Therefore my eyes are consumed [עיני כלות — "my eyes are consumed" — from Psalms 69:4; eyes utterly spent by constant watchful waiting] — to hear from you at all times about your peace. And also I asked to write to me whether you rented your dwelling. And also to write to me whether Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, dwells in the dwelling he bought — for congratulations. And also to write about how your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, wrote that he received three rubles from my daughter Chaike, may she live — and gave to Reb Dov. And you sent me a letter from my son Moshe Efraim — and in his letter he wrote that Reb Dov sent money to his daughter — perhaps he also sent the three rubles of mine — for I need them urgently. On both this and that I cannot write to you — for my mind is confused. Words of one who truly loves you — who shares in your suffering, Nussun from Breslov And to Reb Avraham Hirsh, may his candle shine. Words of the above-mentioned. And I convey greetings of peace to Reb Meir, may his candle shine. And know — that I delayed the wagon from today. And afterward I settled my mind — how yesterday on Shabbos I studied the Torah in sign 72 [Likutay Moharan, sign 72 — a Torah discourse about the evil impulse and its various manifestations; the writer studied it in response to the persecution news and found guidance for how to strengthen oneself] — there are several aspects of the evil impulse — and when there are harsh judgments — one must strengthen oneself against the evil impulse — whose root is harsh judgments. And afterward I studied Likutay Halachos, Laws of Handwashing, law 6 — in it the Laws of Slicing the Bread are explained — based on the Midrash "you are beautiful, my beloved, like Tirzah" [Song of Songs 6:4 — the verse about the beauty of the beloved; used here as the basis for a law in Likutay Halachos about inner beauty and divine service] — and look in it from letter 46 until letter 61 — and there you will find repose for your souls — in this time — and in all times that pass over a person in this world. And how we must strengthen ourselves in great joy — that we are not opponents of such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And this law is built upon the Torah "for He who has mercy upon them will lead them." [Isaiah 49:10 — "He who has mercy upon them will lead them — and by the springs of water will guide them"; the verse of divine compassionate guidance that underlies the entire law] And there it warns us not to be sluggards who are called shlimazalnikim [שלימזאלניקיס — shlimazalnikim — Yiddish: bunglers, chronically unlucky and hapless people who stumble through life; from shlim — bad + mazal — luck; those who give up and collapse under difficulty] — not to be frightened by anything. And that we are reckoned among the Tzaddikim and the early Chassidim — who had pursuits involving mortal danger — all the Chassidim who were in the days of the Baal Shem Tov and in the days of the Maggid. And Rabbainu ז"ל restored the ancient crown [החזיר עטרה לישנה — "restored the crown to its original ancient state" — a Talmudic expression for restoring something to its original glory; Rabbainu ז"ל restored the practice of serving G-d with total self-sacrifice — mesirus nefesh — to its ancient standard] — that one must serve Hashem Yisbarach with total self-sacrifice. And we must pray greatly to Hashem Yisbarach — to bring out the honor from the brazen-faced ones — and to restore the honor to those of understanding. [להוציא הכבוד מעזי פנים ולהחזיר הכבוד למביני מדע — "to bring out the honor from the brazen-faced ones and to restore the honor to those of understanding" — a specific prayer-formulation; the brazen-faced (azei fanim) who have seized honor that belongs to the wise and understanding (mevinei da'as)] But through this — we must give ourselves life and give joy to our souls — that at least we are not from the brazen-faced — against such a light — the Light of Lights — a pure and sparkling light [אור צח ומצחצח — "a pure and sparkling, brilliantly clear light" — from **צח** — bright, clear, pure; and **מצחצח** — polished, sparkling, dazzlingly bright; the light of Rabbainu ז"ל is described with a doubled intensity of purity and brilliance] — which studies together with the dwellers above and the dwellers below — and awakens them all to His service — and will awaken forever and ever — and his fire will never be extinguished. [ואשו לא תכבה — "and his fire will never be extinguished" — an echo of the eternal fire on the altar: "a fire shall burn on the altar — it shall not be extinguished" [Leviticus 6:6]; the fire of Rabbainu ז"ל's teaching is like the eternal altar-fire — never to be put out] And blessed be G-d — these forty-eight years — they have wanted to overwhelm us with the insolent waters of the disputants. [מים הזידונים — "the insolent, boiling, presumptuous waters" — from Psalms 124:5 — "then the insolent waters would have overwhelmed our soul"; the writer uses this verse to describe the opposition that has raged for forty-eight years since Rabbainu ז"ל's passing in 5571 (1810); forty-eight years = from 1810 to 1858... more likely from the beginning of Reb Nosson ז"ל's activity, reckoning from approximately 5583/1823 to 5642/1882] And where are these disputants? And the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple have multiplied greatly — very greatly. And the assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל has also multiplied. And woe to the pursuers — and how fortunate are the pursued. And everything that passed over us — at least we must snatch some dancing and joy over our good portion — which distinguished us from those who err. And why are you ashamed? You have nothing to be ashamed of at all — and "my forehead I made hard — as strong as their foreheads." [Ezekiel 3:8 — "behold I have made your face hard opposite their faces — and your forehead hard opposite their foreheads" — G-d's command to the prophet to match the brazenness of those who oppose him with the equal strength of holy boldness] And why are you worrying — that they are pushing you out of the synagogue of the holy Ari? Wherever you pray — the holy Ari will be with you. And surely he will not be with them — for Jacob our patriarch already prayed: "let not my soul enter their council — and in their assembly let not my honor be joined." [Genesis 49:6 — Jacob's blessing over Shimon and Levi; applied here to the opponents of Breslov: their council is one that the holy should not enter] And they will be as Korach and his congregation — and as Dathan and Abiram. And we know the truth — how they fabricate lies and falsehoods about Rabbainu ז"ל and his followers who are attached to him. And they are fulfilling: "and they looked after Moses" [Numbers 12:8 / Exodus 33:8 — the verse about those who stared at Moses with hostile eyes; applied here to those who stare at and slander Rabbainu ז"ל] — and they are the ones who killed Chur son of Miriam [Midrashic tradition: Chur, son of Miriam and Caleb, was killed by the mob who demanded the golden calf when he rebuked them; those who killed him are identified in Midrash as the troublesome element within Israel] — and they are reincarnations of Dathan and Abiram and the mixed multitude [ערב רב — the mixed multitude — the non-Israelites who joined the Exodus and were the source of the golden calf sin according to Kabbalistic tradition] — and from the 974 generations that were pressed out of time [מתתקע"ד דורות שקמטו ולא עת — "from the 974 generations that were pressed out and not in time" — a Kabbalistic concept: 974 pre-creation generations of souls whose time was compressed and who did not receive their proper spiritual portion; these unrefined souls reappear throughout history as sources of opposition to holiness]. And G-d willing tomorrow I will go with the letter to all the holy resting places — and there I will pour out my conversation and my suffering. And "the righteous one will rejoice when he sees vengeance — he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked — and all the horns of the wicked I will cut off — the horns of the righteous will be exalted." [Psalms 58:11 and 75:11 — combined verse of divine justice for the righteous and punishment of the wicked] Words of the above-mentioned. Nussun the above-mentioned Undated — autumn 5643. One of the most powerful letters in the collection. Severe persecution in Tzfas — they are being pushed out of the Ari's synagogue. Forty-eight years of opposition and the books of Rabbainu ז"ל have multiplied greatly. Emunah = banim in numerical value. A call to holy boldness. Laws of Handwashing, law 6, from letter 46 to 61. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your friend, Nussun the above-mentioned And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Undated — Elul 5642. The wife has had no fever for ten days. A call for peace and love among the Anash. "The accuser should not dance between us." Speak to the rock of the heart — not to controversy. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: ידידכם EN: Your letter from Monday — and from Wednesday — I received yesterday at the appointed time. [לעת — "at the time, at the appointed moment" — from eis — a specific time; not "toward evening" but simply at the right time when it arrived] And it happened that I read the letter from Monday — in which you wrote about the magnitude of your illness and the suffering and tribulations of me and my wife and my sister who were then with me — which are beyond all estimate and reckoning — until I could not read the second letter. And my wife wept from the suffering. And afterward my wife told me to read the second letter. And the magnitude of the life-force with which your second letter gave us life — is beyond all estimate. So may Hashem Yisbarach give you life — and your wife, may she live — and your son — in all good — for long life and good years. And may He heal her completely from all her ailments — a healing of the soul and a healing of the body. And may He remember them quickly with salvation and mercy. May Hashem Yisbarach add upon you and upon your children — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in the cities of Judah — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for whom we are like one who peers through the lattices [כמציץ מן החרכים — from Song of Songs 2:9 — "my beloved stands behind our wall — gazing through the windows — peering through the lattices" — metzitz min ha'charakim; we catch only glimpses of the radiance of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple through the lattices — yet even these glimpses give us life] — to shelter in their holy shade. And we bear the pouring out of blood [שפיכות דמים — the public humiliation and shaming that drains the blood from the face; we bear this in order to shelter at least through this humiliation in their holy shade] — so that we may at least through our pouring out of blood — shelter in their holy shade. And through the Torah discourses that Rabbainu ז"ל said about illness of the lungs [חלי הראה — illness of the lung; Rabbainu ז"ל taught specific Torah discourses connected to healing of lung ailments; the wife's illness apparently involved the lungs or respiratory system] — may all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon my wife, may she live — and may Hashem Yisbarach heal her with health in all her body. Segment 8 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: And I am distributing here on her behalf — ten groshen — to the poor — oil for lighting and wine for kiddush on the festival. And I and my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, went today to the graves of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and his holy disciples — and Rav Ami and Rav Asi — and Rabbi Yochanan the master of the land of Israel — and the holy Shelah [Shelah ha'Kadosh — Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz ז"ל — the author of the Shnei Luchos ha'Bris — the "Two Tablets of the Covenant" — known by its acronym Shelah; he is buried in Teverya; a great master of the generation before the Baal Shem Tov] — to pray for her. May Hashem Yisbarach give her a complete healing — quickly and soon. Segment 9 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש EN: [The letter ends here — the remainder of the manuscript is not preserved.] # קמד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/144/ קמד קמד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/144 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' דחל המועד סכות תרמ"ג טבריא EN: Your letter from Monday — and from Wednesday — I received yesterday at the appointed time. [לעת — "at the time, at the appointed moment" — from eis — a specific time; not "toward evening" but simply at the right time when it arrived] And it happened that I read the letter from Monday — in which you wrote about the magnitude of your illness and the suffering and tribulations of me and my wife and my sister who were then with me — which are beyond all estimate and reckoning — until I could not read the second letter. And my wife wept from the suffering. And afterward my wife told me to read the second letter. And the magnitude of the life-force with which your second letter gave us life — is beyond all estimate. So may Hashem Yisbarach give you life — and your wife, may she live — and your son — in all good — for long life and good years. And may He heal her completely from all her ailments — a healing of the soul and a healing of the body. And may He remember them quickly with salvation and mercy. May Hashem Yisbarach add upon you and upon your children — in the merit of all the Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in the cities of Judah — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for whom we are like one who peers through the lattices [כמציץ מן החרכים — from Song of Songs 2:9 — "my beloved stands behind our wall — gazing through the windows — peering through the lattices" — metzitz min ha'charakim; we catch only glimpses of the radiance of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple through the lattices — yet even these glimpses give us life] — to shelter in their holy shade. And we bear the pouring out of blood [שפיכות דמים — the public humiliation and shaming that drains the blood from the face; we bear this in order to shelter at least through this humiliation in their holy shade] — so that we may at least through our pouring out of blood — shelter in their holy shade. And through the Torah discourses that Rabbainu ז"ל said about illness of the lungs [חלי הראה — illness of the lung; Rabbainu ז"ל taught specific Torah discourses connected to healing of lung ailments; the wife's illness apparently involved the lungs or respiratory system] — may all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon my wife, may she live — and may Hashem Yisbarach heal her with health in all her body. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב וחיים ורפואה לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא כש"ת מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' הכשרה מ' יד"ל תח' בת זל"ר תח' ועם שלום בנכם היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט א"ס EN: And I am distributing here on her behalf — ten groshen — to the poor — oil for lighting and wine for kiddush on the festival. And I and my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, went today to the graves of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and his holy disciples — and Rav Ami and Rav Asi — and Rabbi Yochanan the master of the land of Israel — and the holy Shelah [Shelah ha'Kadosh — Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz ז"ל — the author of the Shnei Luchos ha'Bris — the "Two Tablets of the Covenant" — known by its acronym Shelah; he is buried in Teverya; a great master of the generation before the Baal Shem Tov] — to pray for her. May Hashem Yisbarach give her a complete healing — quickly and soon. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ב' ומיום ד' אתמול קבלתי לעת ונזדמן לי שקראתי המכתב מיום ב' ששם כתבת מגדל חליה והצער והיסורים שלי ושל זוג' ואחותי שהיו אז אצלי אין לשער ולהעריך עד שלא יכלתי לקרות עוד מכתב שני וזוג' בכתה מחמת הצער ואח"כ אמרה לי זוג' לקרות המכתב השני וגדל החיות שהחייתנו במכתבך השני אין לשער כן יחיה השי"ת אותך ואת זוג' תח' ואת בנך בכל טוב לאיוש"ט וירפא אותה בשלמות מכל תחלואיה רפואות הנפש ורפואות הגוף ויפקדם חיש מהר בישועה ורחמים יוסף ה' עליכם ועל בניכם בזכות כל הצדיקים הגנוזים בערי יהודא ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר אנו כמציץ מן החרכים להסתופף בצלם הק' ואנו סובלים שפיכות דמים בכדי להסתופף עכ"פ בשפיכות דמים שלנו בצלם הק' ובהתורות שאמר רבנו ז"ל על חלי הראה יהיו נמתקין כל הדינים מזוג' תח' וירפא אותה השי"ת בבריאות כל גופה EN: [The letter ends here — the remainder of the manuscript is not preserved.] Segment 4 HE: ואני מחלק עבורה בכאן עשרה גר' לעניים שמן למאור ויין לקדוש על יו"ט ואני וזוג' תח' ואחותי תח' הלכנו היום על ציונים של רבי יוחנן בן זכאי ותלמידיו הק' ורב אמי ורב אסי ורבי יוחנן מרא דארעא דישראל ושל"ה הק' להתפלל עבורה השי"ת יתן לה רפואה שלמה חיש מהר EN: Written Thursday, Chol Ha'Moed Sukkos, 5643 (October 1882), from Teverya. A deeply moving letter — reading the first letter about the illness caused such pain that the writer could not continue to the second; the second gave them life. A distribution for the ill wife. A visit to the graves of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and the Shelah ha'Kadosh. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קמה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/145/ קמה קמה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/145 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז הנאנח והנדכא עבור שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' יד"ל תח' עם שלום בנך מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ולכבוד או"נ מו"ה ר' איזיק EN: Thanks to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within an expansiveness of heart. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to see quickly the downfall of the wicked — in the merit of Eretz Yisroel — and in the merit of the Tzaddikim. And even the husks of Og and Avshalom [קלפות עוג ואבשלום — the husks — the shells of spiritual impurity — of Og King of Bashan and Avshalom son of David; Kabbalistic terms for specific forces of spiritual opposition and impurity; Rabbainu ז"ל wages the wars of Hashem against these forces] — with whom Rabbainu ז"ל wages the wars of Hashem — will surely be completed quickly. And he has already slain many strong husks. And surely he will subdue even the husks whose grip is on the right [הקלפות שאחיזתם בימין — "the husks whose grip is on the right side" — a specific Kabbalistic category of the most tenacious forces of opposition; those who clothe themselves in seeming holiness and grip from the right — the side of holiness — making them the hardest to dislodge] — quickly. Segment 2 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה כלנו פה בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מתוך הרחבת הלב ויזכה אותנו השי"ת לראות חיש מהר במפלת רשעים בזכות א"י ובזכות הצדיקים ואפילו קלפות עוג ואבשלום אשר רבנו ז"ל לוחם עמהם מלחמות ה' ובודאי יגמר המלחמה חיש מהר וכבר הרג כמה קלפות חזקות הרבה ובודאי יכניע אפילו הקלפות שאחיזתם בימין חיש מהר EN: Your letter — from the night before Sunday — I received today. And when reading the letter — my eyes streamed and overflowed with tears [זלגו עיני דמעות — "my eyes streamed, overflowed" — from zalag — to overflow, to stream forth involuntarily; stronger and more vivid than merely "shedding" — the tears streamed and overflowed uncontrolled] — and my wife wept tears of a third [דמעות שליש — "tears of a third" — an expression for tears shed in great quantity — a third of one's tears, a measure of deep weeping; the same expression appears in the context of intense grief in rabbinic literature] — but the magnitude of the suffering and humiliations that you endured — which touched Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for merely hearing it with the ear our soul grew faint. But what can we do — for the Divine Presence is in a great exile — and whoever engages in redeeming the Divine Presence from her exile — they seize him and his name in the exile. But "the wicked one watches for the righteous and seeks" [Psalms 37:32 — "the wicked one watches for the righteous and seeks to kill him — Hashem will not abandon him in his hand and will not condemn him when he is judged"; the verse of assurance that G-d does not abandon the righteous to the pursuer] — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. And surely He will avenge quickly. And the believer will not be shaken. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מאור ליום א' היום קבלתי ובעת קריאת המכתב זלגו עיני דמעות וזוג' תח' בכתה בדמעות שליש אך גדל הצער והבזיונות שלכם אשר נגעו לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הלא למשמע אזן דאבה נפשנו אך מה נעשה שהשכינה בגלות גדול וכל מי שעוסק לגאול השכינה מגלותה תופשין אותו ואת שמו בהגלות אך צופה רשע לצדיק ומבקש וכו' וה' לא יעזבנו בידו ובודאי ינקם בהם חיש מהר והמאמין לא יחוש EN: And I counsel you — to go to the grave of the holy Ari — may his merit protect us — and tell him: because of this — that you study the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who labored to draw our hearts to Torah and to prayer with intention — and to arouse us toward Hashem Yisbarach — and to draw upon us the holiness of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and your holiness — and we want to shelter in the shade of your holy house of prayer. And worthless men pursue us — and want to thrust us out of your house of prayer — and pursue us with every kind of pursuit — to kill and to destroy. And we have no one to lean upon except our Father in Heaven — and the strength of all the Tzaddikim — and your strength — and your great merit — which is able to subdue all who pursue us without cause. Segment 4 HE: ואני מיעץ אתכם שתלכו על ציון האר"י הק' זכותו יגן עלינו ותספרו לפניו שעבור זה שאתם לומדים ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' השתדלו לבבנו לתורה ולתפילה בכונה ולעורר אותנו להשי"ת ולהמשיך עלינו קדשת רבי שמעון בר יוחאי וקדשתכם ואנו רוצים להסתופף בצל קדשת בית התפילה שלכם ואנשי בליעל רודפים אותנו ורוצים להדיח אותנו מבית התפילה שלכם ורודפים אותנו בכל מיני רדיפות להרג ולאבד ואין לנו על מי להשען כי אם על אבינו שבשמים ועל כח כל הצדיקים ועל כחכם וזכותכם הגדול אשר אתם יכולין להכניע כל הרודפים אותנו בחנם ואני ג"כ לא אחריש ואלך בכאן על ציונים הק' ואשתף בצערכם הגדול ותאמינו שבודאי לא יעזב אתכם השי"ת ויאבדו הם ואלף כיוצא בהם ודבר אחד מדברי רבנו ז"ל לא יתבטל וכבר אמר רבנו ז"ל התורה אבא שאול והנסיון שלכם הוא שיהיה לכם רדיפות בא"י כאלה ובודאי ירחם עלינו השי"ת ועליכם ויוציאכם מכל הצרות להרחבות גדולות ויהיה לכם שנה טובה כי שנה שרשה מתחלתה מטיבין לה בסופה ואל תדאגו כלל כי הבזיונות יהיו לכם לכבוד גדול בעולם הבא והשי"ת השמר אמת לעולם בודאי ישמרכם מכל רע EN: And I too will not be silent — and I will go here to the holy resting places — and I will share in your great suffering. And believe — that Hashem Yisbarach will surely not abandon you — and they will perish — and a thousand like them — and not one word of Rabbainu ז"ל will be annulled. And Rabbainu ז"ל already said — the Torah Abba Shaul [Abba Shaul — a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל based on a teaching of Abba Shaul from the Mishnah; this specific discourse addresses the trial of persecution and how the righteous are tested] — and your trial is: that you should have such pursuits in Eretz Yisroel. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on us and on you — and take you out from all the troubles into great expansiveness. And may you have a good year — for a year that is poor [שנה שרשה מתחלתה — "a year that is poor at its beginning" — from the Talmud; a year that begins with poverty and difficulty will improve by its end; a consolation: the hardship of this year's beginning is itself a sign that its end will be good] at its beginning — its end is made good. And do not worry at all — for the humiliations will be for you a great honor in the World to Come. And Hashem Yisbarach — "He who guards truth forever" — will surely guard you from all evil. Segment 5 HE: וידידי ר' איזיק נ"י אל תדאג כלל כי השי"ת הראה לך שהתפילה מועיל ומעתה תתחיל מחדש להתפלל ובודאי יעזור לך השי"ת מעתה בבנים חיים וקימים ותקבל משפט השי"ת באהבה ובשמחה כמו שמבאר בחיי מוהר"ן בעת נסיעת רבנו ז"ל מברסלב לאומן סעיף ב' שבודאי לא יעזב אותך ו'אמונה' בגימטריא בנים' EN: And my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — do not worry at all — for Hashem Yisbarach showed you that prayer helps. And from now begin anew to pray — and surely Hashem Yisbarach will help you from now — with living and enduring children. And receive the judgment of Hashem Yisbarach with love and with joy — as is explained in Chayei Moharan — at the time of Rabbainu ז"ל's journey from Breslov to Uman — paragraph 2. And surely He will not abandon you. And "emunah" in numerical value equals "banim." [ואמונה בגימטריא בנים — "and 'faith' in numerical value equals 'sons'" — emunah [aleph-mem-vav-nun-heh] = 1+40+6+50+5 = 102; banim [beis-nun-yud-mem] = 2+50+10+40 = 102; the same numerical value; faith itself — the practice of complete trust in G-d — is numerically the same as the children one prays for; faith in G-d is itself the merit and the channel through which children come] Segment 6 HE: ומבקש אני מאתכם שתכתבו לי בכל עת מעמדכם מכח המחלקת כי צערי גדול עד למאד מה שעבר עליכם משונאי חנם ע"כ עיני כלות לשמע מכם בכל עת השלום שלכם גם בקשתי לכתוב לי אם שכרת הדירה שלך וגם לכתוב לי אם ר' איזיק נ"י יושב בהדירה שקנה למז"ט וגם לכתוב איך שחמיך נ"י כתב שקבל שלשה רו"ח מבתי חיקע תח' ונתן לר' דב ואתה שלחת לי מכתב מבני משה אפרים נ"י ובהמכתב שלו כתב שר' דב נ"י שלח מעות לבתו אפשר שלח ג"כ השלשה רו"ח שלי כי נחוץ לי זו"ז איני יכול לכתוב לכם מחמת שמחי מבלבל EN: And I ask of you — that you write to me at all times about your situation — from the controversy — for my suffering is very great over what passed over you from the unprovoked enemies. Therefore my eyes are consumed [עיני כלות — "my eyes are consumed" — from Psalms 69:4; eyes utterly spent by constant watchful waiting] — to hear from you at all times about your peace. And also I asked to write to me whether you rented your dwelling. And also to write to me whether Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, dwells in the dwelling he bought — for congratulations. And also to write about how your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, wrote that he received three rubles from my daughter Chaike, may she live — and gave to Reb Dov. And you sent me a letter from my son Moshe Efraim — and in his letter he wrote that Reb Dov sent money to his daughter — perhaps he also sent the three rubles of mine — for I need them urgently. On both this and that I cannot write to you — for my mind is confused. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who shares in your suffering, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת המשתתף בצערכם אין למען ה' גאר נישט זארגן כי ה' עמכם ואצלכם וקרוב אצלכם וסמוך לכם ורבנו ז"ל אמר שהמחלקת היא סימן שאין אתם שותקים בעבודת ה' ע"כ הבעל דבר ואנשיו ג"כ אינם שותקים ואתה מרום לעולם ה' לעולם ידך על העליונה ובודאי יגמר הכל בכי טוב EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who shares in your suffering, Nussun from Breslov Words of the above-mentioned. Segment 11 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: Words of the above-mentioned. Segment 12 HE: ולר' אברהם הירש נ"י ואני פורס בשלום לר' מאיר נ"י EN: And to Reb Avraham Hirsh, may his candle shine. And I convey greetings of peace to Reb Meir, may his candle shine. Segment 13 HE: ותדעו שאחרתי השירא מהיום ואח"כ נתישבתי בדעתי איך שאתמול בשב"ק למדתי התורה בסימן ע"ב שיש כמה בחינות ביצר הרע וכשיש דינים אזי צריכין להתגבר כנגד היצר הרע ששרשו הוא דינים ואח"כ למדתי לקוטי הלכות הל' נטילת ידים הלכה ו' בו מבאר הלכות בציעת הפת על המדרש יפה את רעיתי כתרצה ותעינו מאות מ"ו עד אות ס"א ושם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם בעת הזאת ובכל העתים העוברים על האדם בזה העולם ואיך צריכין אנו לחזק עצמנו בשמחה גדולה שאין אנו מתנגדים על רבי כזה ותלמיד כזה והלכה הזאת נבנית על התורה כי מרחמם ינהגם' ושם מזהיר אותנו שלא נהיה עצלים שקורין שלימזאלניקיס שלא להתפחד משום דבר ומה שאנו נחשבים מבין הצדיקים והחסידים הראשונים שהיה להם רדיפות בסכנות נפשות כל החסידים שהיו בימי הבעל שם טוב ובימי המגיד ורבנו ז"ל החזיר עטרה לישנה שצריכין לעבד השי"ת במסירות נפש וצריכין אנו להתפלל הרבה להשי"ת להוציא הכבוד מעזי פנים ולהחזיר הכבוד למביני מדע אבל בזה אנו צריכין להחיות עצמנו ולשמח נפשנו שאין אנו עכ"פ מהעזי פנים נגד אור אור האורות אור צח ומצחצח כזה אשר הוא לומד עם דרי מעלה ועם דרי מטה והוא מעורר כלם לעבודתו יתברך ויעורר לעולם ועד ואשו לא תכבה EN: And know — that I delayed the wagon from today. And afterward I settled my mind — how yesterday on Shabbos I studied the Torah in sign 72 [Likutay Moharan, sign 72 — a Torah discourse about the evil impulse and its various manifestations; the writer studied it in response to the persecution news and found guidance for how to strengthen oneself] — there are several aspects of the evil impulse — and when there are harsh judgments — one must strengthen oneself against the evil impulse — whose root is harsh judgments. And afterward I studied Likutay Halachos, Laws of Handwashing, law 6 — in it the Laws of Slicing the Bread are explained — based on the Midrash "you are beautiful, my beloved, like Tirzah" [Song of Songs 6:4 — the verse about the beauty of the beloved; used here as the basis for a law in Likutay Halachos about inner beauty and divine service] — and look in it from letter 46 until letter 61 — and there you will find repose for your souls — in this time — and in all times that pass over a person in this world. And how we must strengthen ourselves in great joy — that we are not opponents of such a Rebbe and such a disciple. And this law is built upon the Torah "for He who has mercy upon them will lead them." [Isaiah 49:10 — "He who has mercy upon them will lead them — and by the springs of water will guide them"; the verse of divine compassionate guidance that underlies the entire law] And there it warns us not to be sluggards who are called shlimazalnikim [שלימזאלניקיס — shlimazalnikim — Yiddish: bunglers, chronically unlucky and hapless people who stumble through life; from shlim — bad + mazal — luck; those who give up and collapse under difficulty] — not to be frightened by anything. And that we are reckoned among the Tzaddikim and the early Chassidim — who had pursuits involving mortal danger — all the Chassidim who were in the days of the Baal Shem Tov and in the days of the Maggid. And Rabbainu ז"ל restored the ancient crown [החזיר עטרה לישנה — "restored the crown to its original ancient state" — a Talmudic expression for restoring something to its original glory; Rabbainu ז"ל restored the practice of serving G-d with total self-sacrifice — mesirus nefesh — to its ancient standard] — that one must serve Hashem Yisbarach with total self-sacrifice. And we must pray greatly to Hashem Yisbarach — to bring out the honor from the brazen-faced ones — and to restore the honor to those of understanding. [להוציא הכבוד מעזי פנים ולהחזיר הכבוד למביני מדע — "to bring out the honor from the brazen-faced ones and to restore the honor to those of understanding" — a specific prayer-formulation; the brazen-faced (azei fanim) who have seized honor that belongs to the wise and understanding (mevinei da'as)] But through this — we must give ourselves life and give joy to our souls — that at least we are not from the brazen-faced — against such a light — the Light of Lights — a pure and sparkling light [אור צח ומצחצח — "a pure and sparkling, brilliantly clear light" — from **צח** — bright, clear, pure; and **מצחצח** — polished, sparkling, dazzlingly bright; the light of Rabbainu ז"ל is described with a doubled intensity of purity and brilliance] — which studies together with the dwellers above and the dwellers below — and awakens them all to His service — and will awaken forever and ever — and his fire will never be extinguished. [ואשו לא תכבה — "and his fire will never be extinguished" — an echo of the eternal fire on the altar: "a fire shall burn on the altar — it shall not be extinguished" [Leviticus 6:6]; the fire of Rabbainu ז"ל's teaching is like the eternal altar-fire — never to be put out] Segment 14 HE: וב"ה זה מ"ח שנים אשר רצו לשטף אותנו במים הזידונים של החולקים והיכן אלו החולקים וספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' נתרבו מאד עד מאד והקבוץ של רבנו ז"ל ג"כ נתרבה ואוי להרודפים ואשרי להנרדפים וכל מה שעבר עלינו עכ"פ צריכין אנו לחטוף איזה רקוד ושמחה על חלקנו הטוב אשר הבדילנו מן התועים ומה אתם בושים אין לכם להתביש כלל והיה מצחי חזק לעמת מצחם EN: And blessed be G-d — these forty-eight years — they have wanted to overwhelm us with the insolent waters of the disputants. [מים הזידונים — "the insolent, boiling, presumptuous waters" — from Psalms 124:5 — "then the insolent waters would have overwhelmed our soul"; the writer uses this verse to describe the opposition that has raged for forty-eight years since Rabbainu ז"ל's passing in 5571 (1810); forty-eight years = from 1810 to 1858... more likely from the beginning of Reb Nosson ז"ל's activity, reckoning from approximately 5583/1823 to 5642/1882] And where are these disputants? And the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple have multiplied greatly — very greatly. And the assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל has also multiplied. And woe to the pursuers — and how fortunate are the pursued. And everything that passed over us — at least we must snatch some dancing and joy over our good portion — which distinguished us from those who err. And why are you ashamed? You have nothing to be ashamed of at all — and "my forehead I made hard — as strong as their foreheads." [Ezekiel 3:8 — "behold I have made your face hard opposite their faces — and your forehead hard opposite their foreheads" — G-d's command to the prophet to match the brazenness of those who oppose him with the equal strength of holy boldness] Segment 15 HE: ומה אתם דואגים שדוחפים אתכם מביהכנ"ס של האר"י הק' היכן שתתפללו שם יהיה האר"י הק' עמכם ובודאי לא יהיה עמהם כי כבר בקש יעקב אבינו עליו השלום בסדם אל תבוא נפשי ובקהלם אל תחד כבדי והם יהיו כקרח וכעדתו וכדתן ואבירם ואנו יודעין האמת איך שהם בודים כזבים ושקרים על רבנו ז"ל ואנשיו הנלוים אליו והם מקימים והביטו אחרי משה והם שהרגו חור בן של מרים והם גלגולים מדתן ואבירם ומערב רב ומתתקע"ד דורות שקמטו ולא עת ואי"ה למחר אני אלך עם המכתב על כל ציונים הק' ושם אשפך שיחי וצערי ו"ישמח צדיק כי חזה נקם פעמיו ירחץ בדם הרשע וכל קרני רשעים אגדע תרוממנה קרנות צדיק EN: And why are you worrying — that they are pushing you out of the synagogue of the holy Ari? Wherever you pray — the holy Ari will be with you. And surely he will not be with them — for Jacob our patriarch already prayed: "let not my soul enter their council — and in their assembly let not my honor be joined." [Genesis 49:6 — Jacob's blessing over Shimon and Levi; applied here to the opponents of Breslov: their council is one that the holy should not enter] And they will be as Korach and his congregation — and as Dathan and Abiram. And we know the truth — how they fabricate lies and falsehoods about Rabbainu ז"ל and his followers who are attached to him. And they are fulfilling: "and they looked after Moses" [Numbers 12:8 / Exodus 33:8 — the verse about those who stared at Moses with hostile eyes; applied here to those who stare at and slander Rabbainu ז"ל] — and they are the ones who killed Chur son of Miriam [Midrashic tradition: Chur, son of Miriam and Caleb, was killed by the mob who demanded the golden calf when he rebuked them; those who killed him are identified in Midrash as the troublesome element within Israel] — and they are reincarnations of Dathan and Abiram and the mixed multitude [ערב רב — the mixed multitude — the non-Israelites who joined the Exodus and were the source of the golden calf sin according to Kabbalistic tradition] — and from the 974 generations that were pressed out of time [מתתקע"ד דורות שקמטו ולא עת — "from the 974 generations that were pressed out and not in time" — a Kabbalistic concept: 974 pre-creation generations of souls whose time was compressed and who did not receive their proper spiritual portion; these unrefined souls reappear throughout history as sources of opposition to holiness]. And G-d willing tomorrow I will go with the letter to all the holy resting places — and there I will pour out my conversation and my suffering. And "the righteous one will rejoice when he sees vengeance — he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked — and all the horns of the wicked I will cut off — the horns of the righteous will be exalted." [Psalms 58:11 and 75:11 — combined verse of divine justice for the righteous and punishment of the wicked] Words of the above-mentioned. Nussun the above-mentioned Undated — autumn 5643. One of the most powerful letters in the collection. Severe persecution in Tzfas — they are being pushed out of the Ari's synagogue. Forty-eight years of opposition and the books of Rabbainu ז"ל have multiplied greatly. Emunah = banim in numerical value. A call to holy boldness. Laws of Handwashing, law 6, from letter 46 to 61. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 16 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Words of the above-mentioned. Nussun the above-mentioned # קמו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/146/ קמו קמו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/146 Segment 2 HE: ב"ה יום ד' ה' מרחשון פעה"ק טבריא שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי נפשי הנאנחים והנדכאים מצרות הצוררים שונאי חנם שונאי הדת EN: Your letter from Thursday of Noach I received properly. And the magnitude of the suffering and the joy that I had when reading the letter is beyond all estimate and reckoning — that such a light trial is difficult for you to receive — and you are in sadness — and you are not holding yourselves to be in joy. And my joy is that blessed be G-d we are from the pursued of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and we hold ourselves to the great tree — "under it sheltered all the beasts of the field — and in its branches dwelt all the birds of the heaven" [Daniel 4:9 and 4:18 — Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great tree whose height reached the heavens and all creatures sheltered beneath it; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל — the great tree under whose branches all who attach themselves to him find shelter] — and the magnitude of the peace that is there — and the magnitude of the pleasure and joy that is there — and the magnitude of the knowledge that is there — is beyond all estimate and reckoning. And this tree stands forever and will never wither. And the pursuers — they are like the shadow of a flying bird in the air — a wind passes through it and it is gone. And at every occasion they rise against us — and the Holy Blessed One saves us from their hands. And through this — they hint to us to draw ourselves close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — with greater elevation and greater might — to begin anew — to engage in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — in Torah and prayer and supplication and petition and seclusion. And "Pharaoh drew close" — etc. And the lion and the bear already came — and struck it and killed it — and the Philistine shall be as one of them. [1 Samuel 17:36 — David's argument to Saul about why he can face Goliath: "your servant has slain both the lion and the bear — and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them"; applied here: Rabbainu ז"ל has already overcome far greater spiritual forces of opposition — the current persecutors are as nothing compared to those already defeated] And blessed be G-d that we have someone to trust and lean upon — our Father in Heaven — and the great power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who wage war against Amalek and against Bilam and against Og King of Bashan — and subdue all kinds of evil eye from upon us. Therefore we have nothing to fear from them and from their multitude. And He will surely ignite the thorns from the vineyard when the necessity arises. And "the wicked one watches for the righteous" — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. And I already heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל: whoever begins against the people of Rabbainu ז"ל in this — has filled his measure more than all transgressions. [A teaching from Reb Nosson ז"ל: attacking Rabbainu ז"ל's followers is the most severe possible transgression — it fills the attacker's measure of sin beyond all other sins] And you — be strong and courageous in the word of Hashem. And wherever you pray — your prayer will ascend before the throne of His glory — in the merit of the holy Ari — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And if you want specifically to pray in this synagogue — so as not to give them ease — you must accept upon yourselves that you do not want any honor — and even sometimes some humiliation. And what did my father ז"ל — and Reb Yisroel of Lipovitz ז"ל — and also Reb Nachum Zalman ז"ל — with the Tzaddik Reb Yeshayah Shalom ז"ל — who did not pray in this synagogue — were they not proper men? G-d forbid! May my portion be with them! And from ancient times — not in this synagogue — but only proper men. But now — since the leaders of the people — some are from the mixed multitude and from the 974 generations — and they are the heads in the synagogue — and cannot bear proper men. And why do you need to scheme specifically to pray there? And I trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that He will surely stir Egypt against Egypt [Isaiah 19:2 — "and I will stir Egypt against Egypt" — G-d causes the oppressors to turn against each other; applied here: their own internal conflicts will bring about their downfall without any action from those being persecuted] — and Hashem Yisbarach will give spirit and success among you. Stand firm and see the salvation of Hashem that He will perform for you. Be silent toward Hashem — and wait longingly for Him — and He will act for you for a sign of good — and your enemies will see and be ashamed. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד ידידי מו"ה נתן ב"ר הירש נ"י ולכבוד ידידי ר' איזיק ולכבוד או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ולכבוד כל אנ"ש וביחוד לר' יעקב נ"י EN: And also my friend — Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana — as they told me: that your mother, may she live, shamed you for holding yourself with us — and you have suffering from the pursuits of the Anash — and you share yourself in the suffering of the Anash. Do not pay attention to her at all — only walk in the path of your father ז"ל. For if our patriarch Abraham had wanted to listen to the voice of his father and mother — he would not have been the head of the forefathers. And look in the discourse "Echad hayah Avraham — Abraham was one" [Ezekiel 33:24 — "Abraham was one" — a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל at the beginning of Likutay Moharan Tinyana dealing with being singular and alone in one's commitment to truth; to stand alone as Abraham stood alone] — at the beginning of Likutay Tinyana. Only be strong and strengthen yourself — to share in the fellowship in one company [בצותא חדא — Aramaic: "in one united company" — the Zoharic and Talmudic phrase for being joined together as one group; from tzavsah — company, fellowship] — with the humiliation — for it is the honor of the World to Come. And the honor of this world will come of itself — for whoever flees from honor — honor pursues after him. And the honor of this world is also essentially the honor of Hashem — for one must diminish one's own honor and increase the honor of Hashem. And Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they and their books and those who join themselves to them — they are the honor of Hashem. And whoever holds fast with them — will surely have a good end — forever and ever — without limit. Segment 4 HE: מכתבכם מיום ה' נח קבלתי לנכון וגדל הצער והשמחה שהיה לי בעת קריאת המכתב אין לשער ולהעריך שנסיון קל כזה קשה עליכם לקבל ואתם בעצבות ואינכם מחזיקים עצמכם להיות בשמחה והשמחה שלי היא שב"ה אנו מהנרדפים של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר אנו מחזיקים עצמנו באילן הגדול תחותיהון תטלל כל חיות ברא ובענפוהי ידורון כל צפרי שמיא' וגדל השלום שיש שם וגדל התענוג והשמחה שיש שם וגדל הדעת שיש שם אין לשער ולהעריך והאילן הזה קים לעד ולא יכמש לעולם והרודפים הם כצלו של עוף הפורח באויר אשר רוח עברה בו ואיננו ובכל פעם עומדים עלינו והק' ברוך הוא מציל אותנו מידם ובזה מרמזים לנו לקרב אותנו לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ביתר שאת ויתר עז להתחיל מחדש לעסק בעסק של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בתורה ותפילה ותחנה ובקשה והתבודדות ופרעה הקריב וכו' וכבר בא הארי והדב והכתיו והמיתיו והיה הפלשתי כאחד מהם וב"ה שיש לנו על מי לסמך ולהשען על אבינו שבשמים ועל כחו הגדול של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שהם לוחמים עם עמלק ועם בלעם ועם עוג מלך הבשן ומכניעים כל מיני רע עין מאתנו ע"כ אין לנו להתפחד כלל מהם ומהמונם ובודאי יבעיר הקוצים מן הכרם בעת ההכרח ו"צופה רשע לצדיק וכו' וה' לא יעזבנו בידו וכבר שמעתי מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל שמי שיתחיל אנשי רבנו ז"ל בזה נתמלא סאתו יותר מכל העברות EN: And greetings of peace on my behalf to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — and tell him that he must rejoice in the humiliation and the pouring out of blood that happened to him — for they exchanged his ailment for this [A specific teaching: the persecutions and humiliations that Reb Yaakov suffered were a divine exchange — his physical ailment was spiritually traded for these humiliations; his suffering as persecution spared him the suffering of illness] — as is explained in the journey to Eretz Yisroel by Rabbainu ז"ל — concerning the people who humiliated him in Istanbul. And the letter that was sent to me through a Sephardic man — I also received today. And I see in the troubles great expansivenesses. And G-d willing let there be expansiveness for all. And when I received the letter — I was studying Likutay Moharan, sign 179 — which speaks of controversy. And there it is explained: for controversy — the remedy is fasting. And there in another place it is also explained: that *tzom* [צו"ם — fasting — the letters of tzom are a Hebrew acronym: ו'כתותי מ'פניו צ'ריו — "and crush before him his enemies" — Psalms 89:24; the very word for fasting contains within it the verse of crushing the enemies before him] is an acronym for "and I will crush his enemies before him." Therefore my opinion is inclined — that in the coming week — you should gather all the young men and fast at least one day — and go to the grave of the holy Ari — and there recite Psalms and prayers — and pour out your conversation before Hashem Yisbarach — and your suffering. And I will also do the same here — for our strength is only in the mouth. And may the Hearer of prayers hear our prayer — and answer us from all trouble and distress. And may He fulfill for us: "let all those who contend with you be put to shame and disgraced" [Isaiah 41:11 — "behold, all those who contend with you shall be put to shame and disgraced — those who fight against you shall be as nothing and shall perish"] — etc. — "you will seek them and not find them — those who quarrel with you shall be as nothing and as emptiness" — etc. — and so on. And even one drop of blood that they shed of yours — will not be lost. For Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — blessed be G-d — they can distribute the light that illuminates worlds — from thousands to hundreds. And this is only possible for a Torah scholar who avenges and holds a grudge [תלמיד חכם שהוא נוקם ונוטר — from the Talmud: a Torah scholar who is a specific form of nokeim v'noter — who avenges and bears the insult on behalf of the Torah; the Talmud rules that a Torah scholar has a specific right and duty to remember and avenge insults to Torah honor] — only the believer will not be shaken. And strengthen yourselves in joy — for Rabbainu ז"ל has concluded and will conclude. Segment 5 HE: ואתם חזקו ואמצו בדבר ה' והיכן שתתפללו תעלה תפילתכם לפני כסא כבודו בזכות האר"י הק' ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואם אתם רוצים דיקא להתפלל בביהכנ"ס זה בכדי שלא לעשות להם ניחא תקבלו עליכם שלא תרצו שום כבוד ואפילו לפעמים איזה בזיון ומה עשה אבי זללה"ה ור' ישראל מליפוביץ ז"ל וגם ר' נחום זלמן זצ"ל עם הצדיק ר' ישעיה שלום ז"ל שלא התפללו בביהכנ"ס זה לא היו אנשים כשרים ח"ו יהיה חלקי עמהם ומקדם לא בביהכנ"ס זה כי אם אנשים כשרים אבל עכשו שהרישא עמא הן מהערב רב ומהתתקע"ד דורות והם הראשים בביהכנ"ס ואינם יכולים לסבל אנשים כשרים ולמה אתם צריכים לחשב תחבולות דיקא להתפלל בשם ובטוח אני בהשי"ת שבודאי יסכסכו מצרים במצרים והשי"ת יתן רוח והצלחה ביניכם התיצבו וראו את ישועת ה' אשר יעשה עמכם דום לה' והתחולל לו ויעשה עמכם אות לטובה ויראו שונאיכם ויבשו EN: And he fulfills through you the letter that Rabbainu ז"ל wrote to his holy brother Reb Yechiel ז"ל — when there was controversy against him in Kremenczuk [Rabbainu ז"ל wrote a letter of encouragement to his brother Reb Yechiel during a period of controversy in Kremenczuk; this letter is preserved in Chayei Moharan; the writer applies it now to the persecutions in Tzfas] — and the letter is in Chayei Moharan. And all the controversies are only to hint to us: אז מיר זאלן טאקע זיין ברסלבער חסידים — that we should truly be Breslov Chassidim. מיר זאלן אסאך לערנען ספרי רבנו זצ"ל ותלמידו הק' — we must study very much in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and grow old and wear out in them — and from them do not move. [סיב ובלה בהם ומהם לא תזוע — "grow old and wear out in them — and from them do not move" — an echo of the Ashrei prayer and the language of total devotion to Torah study; the books of Rabbainu ז"ל are to be the primary occupation, not secondary to other studies] And among us — the primary study must be in these books. And if there is leisure remaining — study other sessions too. For thus said Rabbainu ז"ל. Segment 6 HE: גם ידידי ר' נתן בן האשה חנה איך שספרו לי שאמך תח' בזתה אותך על שמחזיק אותך אצלנו ויש לך יסורים מרדיפות אנ"ש ומשתף עצמך בצער אנ"ש לא תשגיח עליה כלל רק תלך על דרך אביך זללה"ה כי אם היה רוצה אברהם אבינו עליו השלום לשמע לקול אביו ואמו לא היה ראש האבות ותעין בהמאמר אחד היה אברהם' בתחלת לקוטי תנינא רק חזק ונתחזק להשתתף בצותא חדא עם הבזיון שהוא כבוד עולם הבא וכבוד עולם הזה הוא ממילא יבא כי כל הבורח מן הכבוד הכבוד רודף אחריו וכבוד עולם הזה הוא ג"כ עיקר כבוד השי"ת כי צריכין למעט בכבוד עצמו ולהרבות בכבוד השי"ת ורבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם וספריהם והנלוים אליהם הם הם כבוד השי"ת ומי שיחזיק עמהם בודאי יהיה לו אחרית טוב לנצח נצחים א"ס EN: And now I am studying the Laws of Slicing the Bread, law 5 — I do not know what we are silent about — is there anything as great as this — that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple want to clean and purify us entirely — from the filthy garments — and to clothe us in clean and white garments — for the World to Come — as is explained there in the above-mentioned law. And because of our smallness — we must not forget the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And we must rejoice and dance in the streets and the marketplaces over our lot and our portion. It is upon us to praise the Master of all — how fortunate are we, how fortunate are we! And not to become nullified before them — only give might to G-d. And the Torah was given to Israel only because they are bold — "You led with your might to Your holy habitation" [Exodus 15:13 — from the Song of the Sea — "in Your lovingkindness You led the people You redeemed — in Your might You guided them to Your holy habitation"; the word oz — might — is the key; the Torah requires boldness and might, not timidity] — and not to be ashamed before the mockers. And I have very, very much to say with you — but not in the open field. Segment 7 HE: ותפב"ש עבורי לר' יעקב נ"י ותאמרו לו שהוא צריך לשמח בהבזיון והשפיכת דמים שהיו לו כי החליפו את החולאת שלו על זה כמו שמבאר בהנסיעה של א"י מרבנו ז"ל מהאנשים שבזו אותו בסטאמביל והמכתב שנשלח לי ע"י ספרדי ג"כ קבלתי היום ואני ראה בהצרות הרחבות גדולות ואי"ה שתהיה לכלם הרחבות ובעת שקבלתי המכתב למדתי לקוטי מוהר"ן בסימן קע"ט המדבר ממחלקת ושם מבאר למחלקת סגלה הוא תענית ושם במקום אחר מבאר ג"כ שצום הוא ראשי תבות ו'כתותי מ'פניו צ'ריו ע"כ דעתי נוטה שבשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה שתקבצו כל בני הנעורים ותתענו עכ"פ יום אחד ותלכו על ציון האר"י הק' ושם תאמרו תהלים ותפלות ותשפכו שיחתכם לפני השי"ת וצערכם וגם אני אעשה ג"כ בכאן כי אין כחנו אלא בפה והשומע תפלות ישמע תפילתנו ויענה לנו מכל צרה וצוקה ויקים בנו הן יבשו והן יכלמו כל הנחרים בך יהיו כאין וכו' תבקשם ולא תמצאם אנשי מצתך יהיו כאין וכאפס וכו' וגומר וכו' ואפילו טפה דם ששפכו לכם לא יאבד כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ב"ה הם יכולין לחלק האור שהוא מאיר עולמות מאלפים למאות וזה אינו יכול כי אם תלמיד חכם שהוא נוקם ונוטר רק המאמין לא יחוש וחזקו עצמכם בשמחה כי רבנו ז"ל גמר ויגמר EN: On both this and that there is no news — only to pray for my wife, may she live — for the fever has returned again — and she has no more strength to bear it. Segment 8 HE: ומקים בכם המכתב שכתב רבנו ז"ל לאחיו הק' ר' יחיאל זצ"ל כשהיה עליו מחלקת בקרימנצ'אק והמכתב הוא בחיי מוהר"ן וכל המחלקות אינם כי אם לרמז לנו אז מיר זאלן טאקע זיין ברסלבער חסידים מיר זאלן אסאך לערנען ספרי רבנו זצ"ל ותלמידו הק' וסיב ובלה בהם ומהם לא תזוע ואצלנו צריכין שיהיה עיקר הלמוד בהספרים הללו ואם ישאר פנאי ילמדו עוד שעורים כי כך אמר רבנו ז"ל EN: And also I ask — perhaps there is some letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — or from Reb Yosef of Uman — to inform me of what they write. And also write to me immediately whether you received this letter — so that I know whether it reached you. And G-d willing in the coming week I will write a letter to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine — and send it to you. Segment 9 HE: ועכשו אני לומד הלכות בציעת הפת הלכה ה' אין אני יודע מה אנו מחשים הנהיה כדבר הגדול הזה אשר רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' רוצים לנקות ולטהר אותנו מכל וכל מהבגדים הצואים ולהלביש אותנו בבגדים נקיים ולבנים לעולם הבא כמבאר שם בהלכה הנ"ל ומחמת קטנותנו אין אנו צריכין לשכח גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואנו צריכין לשמח ולרקד ברחובות ובשוקים על גורלנו וחלקנו עלינו לשבח לאדון הכל אשרינו אשרינו ולא להתבטל בפניהם רק תנו עז לאלהים ולא נתנה תורה לישראל אלא מפני שהם עזין נהלת בעזך אל נוה קדשך ולא להתביש מפני המלעיגים ויש לי הרבה הרבה לדבר עמכם אך לא על פני השדה EN: And do not worry at all — השי"ת וועט אייך אויספירן מכל צרותיכם להרחבה גדולה — Hashem Yisbarach will lead you out from all your troubles into great expansiveness — and will give you children, life, and spacious abundant sustenance. And trust in Hashem — with faith and trust and joy — for your salvation is near to coming. Your friend — who seeks your peace always — and who truly seeks your good, The smallest one, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' שיש לה עוד הפעם הפיבער ואין לה עוד כח לסבל EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 11 HE: גם בקשתי אולי יש איזה מכתב מחמיך נ"י או מר' יוסף מאומן להודיע לי מה שכתבים וגם תכתב לי תכף אם קבלתם זה המכתב בכדי לידע אם הגיע לכם ואי"ה בשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה אכתב מכתב לר' פנחס יוסף נ"י ואשלח לך EN: Written Wednesday, 5th of Marcheshvan, 5643 (October 1882), from Teverya. A burning response to the persecution in Tzfas. The great tree. The lion and the bear. Stir Egypt against Egypt. A fast-day requested. *Tzom* as an acronym. The letter of Rabbainu ז"ל to Reb Yechiel. Study very much in Rabbainu ז"ל's books. Segment 12 HE: ואל תדאגו כלל השי"ת וועט אייך אויספירן מכל צרותיכם להרחבה גדולה ויתן לכם בני חיי ומזונא רויחא ובטחו בה' באמונה ובבטחון ובשמחה כי קרובה ישועתכם לבוא EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 13 HE: ידידכם הדוש"ת ומבקש טובתכם באמת EN: And this is my consolation — at least — when I have some letter from you. For every single one of the Anash is precious in my eyes as a brother — and the young men of youth are precious in my eyes as truly my very own sons — because we are from one root — from the Tzaddik who awakens and illuminates in the roots of the souls — through the Torah. In sum — it is worth it for us to bear all the humiliations — so that we should be included in the form of the letter aleph. [תמונת אל"ף — the form of the letter aleph — Rabbainu ז"ל's Kabbalistic teaching: bearing humiliation completes the spiritual form of the aleph — the letter of divine unity and the human being who sits upon the throne; one who accepts humiliation is spiritually molded into the shape of this letter] Words of one who loves you — watching with expectant eyes for your reply, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Seven weeks after Rosh Hashana — no reply from anyone. Every one of the Anash is as dear as a brother; the young men as his very own sons. It is worth all the humiliations to be included in the form of the letter aleph. Segment 14 HE: הקטן EN: And this is my consolation — at least — when I have some letter from you. For every single one of the Anash is precious in my eyes as a brother — and the young men of youth are precious in my eyes as truly my very own sons — because we are from one root — from the Tzaddik who awakens and illuminates in the roots of the souls — through the Torah. In sum — it is worth it for us to bear all the humiliations — so that we should be included in the form of the letter aleph. [תמונת אל"ף — the form of the letter aleph — Rabbainu ז"ל's Kabbalistic teaching: bearing humiliation completes the spiritual form of the aleph — the letter of divine unity and the human being who sits upon the throne; one who accepts humiliation is spiritually molded into the shape of this letter] Segment 15 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of one who loves you — watching with expectant eyes for your reply, Nussun from Breslov # קמז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/147/ קמז קמז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/147 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' חיי שרה תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא לכבוד אחי ידידי ובני ידידי או"נ הלא הוא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י עם שלום ידידי מו"ה איזיק נ"י עם שלום ב"ב הנה תמיה גדולה לי עליכם ידידי ואין יודע מה לחשב איך ששלחתי לכם מכתב עם שלום ירושלים תו"ת עם חמותו של ר' דוד צבי נ"י והיא חמותו של ידידנו ר' אברהם הירש נ"י ג"כ ואין לי שום ידיעה מכם ומחמת זה לא שלחתי לכם המכתב לר' איזיק נ"י לשלח לר' פנחס יוסף נ"י ובשם בקשתי מכם להשיב לי תכף וגם בקשתי לכם לכתוב לי אם לא היה איזה מכתב מחמיך נ"י או מר' יוסף נ"י או מר' דב נ"י מאומן כי בעת היותי בצפת תו"ת שלחתי לאומן מכתבים ובקשתי מבני ומחתני שתכף אחר ר"ה ישיבו לי איזה תשובה על המכתבים וגם לחמיך ג"כ כתבתי ולבסוף זה שבעה שבועות מר"ה ואין לי שום תשובה וזאת נחמתי עכ"פ כשיש לי איזה מכתב מכם כי כל אחד מאנ"ש חשוב בעיני כאח ובני הנעורים חשובים בעיני כבני ממש מחמת שאנו משרש אחד מהצדיק אשר מעורר ומאיר בשרשי נשמות שבתורה הכלל שכדאי לנו לסבל כל הבזיונות בכדי שנהיה נכללין בתמונת אל"ף דברי אוהבכם המצפה לתשובתכם נתן מברסלב EN: I am greatly astonished at you, my friends — and I do not know what to think. For I sent you a letter with the mother-in-law of Reb Dovid Tzvi, may his candle shine — who is also the mother-in-law of our friend Reb Avraham Hirsh, may his candle shine — through her from Jerusalem, may it be established — and I have no news from you. And because of this I did not send you the letter for Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — to send to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine. And there I asked of you to reply to me immediately. And also I asked of you to write to me whether there was any letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — or from Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — or from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — of Uman. For when I was in Tzfas, may it be established — I sent letters to Uman — and I asked of my son and my son-in-law that immediately after Rosh Hashana they should reply to me with some response to the letters. And also to your co-parent-in-law too I wrote. And in the end — it has been seven weeks since Rosh Hashana — and I have no reply at all. And this is my consolation — at least — when I have some letter from you. For every single one of the Anash is precious in my eyes as a brother — and the young men of youth are precious in my eyes as truly my very own sons — because we are from one root — from the Tzaddik who awakens and illuminates in the roots of the souls — through the Torah. In sum — it is worth it for us to bear all the humiliations — so that we should be included in the form of the letter aleph. [תמונת אל"ף — the form of the letter aleph — Rabbainu ז"ל's Kabbalistic teaching: bearing humiliation completes the spiritual form of the aleph — the letter of divine unity and the human being who sits upon the throne; one who accepts humiliation is spiritually molded into the shape of this letter] Words of one who loves you — watching with expectant eyes for your reply, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Seven weeks after Rosh Hashana — no reply from anyone. Every one of the Anash is as dear as a brother; the young men as his very own sons. It is worth all the humiliations to be included in the form of the letter aleph. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קמח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/148/ קמח קמח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/148 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' תולדות תרמ"ג לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: I wrote to you two letters — one I sent with the woman — the mother-in-law of Reb Avraham Hirsh, may his candle shine — and one I sent to you with the son-in-law of the scribe Reb Yisroel Avraham, may his candle shine. And surely they reached your hand. And in the end — there is no receipt and no reply to the letters. And because of this I am becoming sluggish about writing to you. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ יקירי וחביבי כלבבי וכנפשי המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו ידידי מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And we must at all times arouse each person his companion — as Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple desired — sometimes face to face and sometimes through the written word — not to abandon the business of our partnership — to be included in each other at all times — both in thought and in speech and in deed. In our business — blessed be G-d — there is always spirit [רוח — spirit, wind, vitality; the business of Rabbainu ז"ל's teachings always has fresh spirit and vitality; the market-price never falls — it only rises with each passing day] — and the market-price never falls — only every day it grows and grows — and there is another spirit — and more. Segment 3 HE: הנה כתבתי לכם שני מכתבים אחד שלחתי עם האשה חמותו של ר' אברהם הירש נ"י ואחד שלחתי לך עם חתן הסופר ר' ישראל אברהם נ"י ובודאי הגיע לידכם ולבסוף אין שום קבלה ותשובה על המכתבים ומחמת זה אני מתרשל עצמי לכתוב לכם EN: And because I studied tonight the Laws of the Blessing on Fragrances [הלכות ברכת הריח — Laws of the Blessing on Fragrances — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law connecting the blessing recited on pleasant fragrances to deep spiritual teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל] , law 4 — based on the Torah Tekah the third [Tekah Gimmel — the third Torah discourse beginning with the word Tekah — "sound" — a discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל about the shofar-blowing and its spiritual significance] — I do not know why we are not dancing in the streets and the marketplaces. And if you were here tonight — I would kiss you from sole to crown [מכף רגל ועד ראש — "from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head" — the biblical phrase from Isaiah 1:6 — "from the sole of the foot to the head — there is no soundness in it"; here applied positively: I would embrace and honor every part of you, from sole to crown, in joy and love] — that you merited to be called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And because of this — the 974 generations pursue you. And look in this law from letter 35 until letter 38 — and you will see how many times in one day we must rejoice. Segment 4 HE: ואנו צריכים בכל עת לעורר אחד את חברו כמו שרצה רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לפעמים פנים אל פנים ולפעמים על פני הכתב שלא להניח העסק שתפות שלנו להיות נכללים זה בזה בכל עת הן במחשבה והן בדבור והן במעשה בעסק שלנו ב"ה יש בו תמיד רוח ולא יפל המקח שום פעם רק בכל יום הולך וגדל ויש רוח אחר ויותר EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ולפי שלמדתי בלילה הזה הלכות ברכת הריח הלכה ד' על התורה תקעו ג' אין אני יודע על מה שאין אנו מרקדים ברחובות ובשוקים ואם הייתם פה הלילה הייתי מנשק אתכם מכף רגל ועד ראש שזכיתם להיות נקראים על שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ומחמת זה רודפים אתכם התתקע"ד דורות ותעינו בהלכה זאת מאות ל"ה עד אות ל"ח ותראו איך שאנו צריכים לשמח כמה פעמים ביום אחד EN: Nussun from Breslov — here in Teverya Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Toldos, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Two letters sent with no reply. A beautiful teaching from Laws of the Blessing on Fragrances. "If you were here tonight — I would kiss you from sole to crown." Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: ורצוף פה מכתב למסור לר' איזיק ולשלח לבוקרעסט ולפב"ש לכל אנ"ש לכל אחד ואחד מקטן ועד גדול באהבה עזה ועזה מקירות הלב EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Toldos, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Two letters sent with no reply. A beautiful teaching from Laws of the Blessing on Fragrances. "If you were here tonight — I would kiss you from sole to crown." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 146 | קמו (Kuf-Mem-Vav) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 146 Letter 147 | קמז (Kuf-Mem-Zayin) Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 146 Segment 10 HE: פה טבריא EN: Letter 147 | קמז (Kuf-Mem-Zayin) # קמט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/149/ קמט קמט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/149 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' ויצא תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: Hereby know — that I received all your letters — even through Reb Chaim, the son-in-law of Reb Itsmar — I also received it — only he had forgotten them — and I asked him and he remembered. And I have great suffering from the division of hearts [פרוד לבבות — "division of hearts" — the internal divisions and fractures among the Anash themselves; more painful to the writer than the external persecution from the opponents] that is between you — more than from the controversy that is upon you from the opponents. And it was in my mind to write some letter to our veteran friend and Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. But I sat with my mind — to ask you whether to write or not — for I do not know whether he will ever uphold: "I have never transgressed the words of my companion." [A Talmudic principle: he who says "I have never transgressed the words of my companion" — meaning he always honored and heeded the requests of his fellow; the writer is uncertain whether his letter to Reb Nachman will be received and honored] And also if I knew that my words are heard by your father, may his candle shine — I would surely not have been sluggish to write to him. For the suffering is great — that my wife, may she live, told me — from the daughter of Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine — the magnitude of the suffering that is being caused to his wife, may she live. And your father fulfills: "and among brothers he shall be fruitful." [Hosea 13:15 — "though he bears fruit among brothers — an east wind shall come, a wind of Hashem rising from the desert"; the verse's context is of one who flourishes among brothers but is then struck; applied here with some irony to the father whose behavior is causing discord among brothers] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי נפשי אהבי באמת ומשתתף בצרותיכם שרודפים מחמת שאתם מקרבים לאור הנעלם מכל העולמות ולא ח"ו מחמת עברות ח"ו ובודאי יגמר עמכם לטובה לכבוד או"נ מו"ה נתן ולכבוד או"נ מו"ה ר' איזיק עם שלום ב"ב EN: And tonight I studied law 5 of the Laws of Blessings upon Seeing [הלכות ברכות הראיה — Laws of Blessings upon Seeing — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; laws governing the blessings one recites upon seeing exceptional phenomena — lightning, the sea, mountains, rainbows, great Torah scholars; these laws connect to deep teachings about perception, awe, and divine vision] — and look there — and you will see the great obligation to love one's companion — and what comes of it. And this is what I wanted to write to you — and to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. In sum — my brothers and my friends: האלט אייך זיך אין איינעם באהבה עזה — hold fast to one another in strong love — and may Hashem be with you — and may Hashem conclude with you — everything for the good. And rejoice yourselves at all times — for through joy you will emerge from all the troubles — and you will merit great expansiveness. Segment 3 HE: הנה ידיעה לכם שקבלתי כל המכתבים שלכם אפילו ע"י ר' חיים חתן ר' איתמר קבלתי ג"כ רק שהוא שכח אותן ושאלתי אותו ונזכר לו ויש לי יסורים גדולים מפרוד לבבות שביניכם יותר מהמחלקת שעליכם מהמתנגדים ובדעתי היה לכתוב איזה מכתב לידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' נחמן נ"י אך ישבתי בדעתי לשאל אתכם אם לכתוב אם לאו כי איני יודע אם יקים מעולם לא עברתי על דברי חברי וגם אם ידעתי שדברי המה נשמעים אצל אביך נ"י בודאי לא עצלתי לכתוב לו כי גדל היסורים שיש לי שספרה לי זוג' תח' מבת ר' שמואל העניך נ"י גדל היסורים שעשים לזוג' תח' ואביך מקים ו"הוא בין אחים יפריא EN: And surely Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, did not do right — in that he said to the "known one" [ל'ידוע' — "to the known one" — a deliberate circumlocution for someone whose name or identity is being avoided; the writer refers to someone involved in the internal dispute without naming him directly] "Shabbat Shalom." But they need not distance themselves because of this — for we do things worse than this — and Hashem Yisbarach does not distance us — and also Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple do not distance us — only they strengthen us in all kinds of strengthening — and pray for us in the aspect of judgment — so that our spiritual odor should not become foul, G-d forbid [שלא יהיה ריחנו ח"ו — "so that our odor should not be foul, G-d forbid" — a Kabbalistic concept: a person's spiritual state has an odor before Heaven; prayer in the aspect of judgment ensures that the odor remains good and does not become foul; Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple pray precisely to protect the spiritual scent of the Anash] — but only to revive our souls. Segment 4 HE: ובלילה זו למדתי הלכה ה' הלכות ברכות הראיה ושם תעינו ותראו גדל החיוב לאהב את חברו ומה שנעשה מזה וזה אני רציתי לכתוב לכם ולר' נחמן נ"י הכלל אחי ורעי האלט אייך זיך אין איינעם באהבה עזה ויהיה ה' עמכם ויגמר ה' עמכם הכל לטובה ושמחו עצמכם בכל עת כי בשמחה תצאו מכל הצרות ותזכו להרחבות גדולות ובודאי לא עשה ר' איזיק נ"י שאמר לה'ידוע' שבת שלום אבל אינם צריכים להרחיק בשביל זה כי אנו עשים דברים גרועים מזה ואין השי"ת מרחיק אותנו וגם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ג"כ אינם מרחיקים אותנו רק מחזקים אותנו בכל מיני חזוק ומתפללים עבורנו בבחינת דין בכדי שלא יהיה ריחנו ח"ו רק להחיות נשמותינו EN: In sum — my brothers: גאט וועט אייך אויספירן — און איהר וועט אלסדינג איבערקומען — G-d will lead you out — and you will overcome everything. זייט נישט קיין מיחסים — do not be ones who give pedigree accounts [מיחסים — meyukhasim — those who pride themselves on their lineage and pedigree; here used ironically: do not act as if your honor and descent are at stake — do not stand on ceremony and pride when humiliation is the path to true honor] — for they already shamed Rabbainu ז"ל to his face — in Zlatipoli — in the bathhouse. And also his holy disciple. And I myself heard how they were shaming him to his face — and he bore it all — and did his own work. And now we see what they merited through this. And you too will bear it — and surely everything will be for the good. And what Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that he has it from all sides and from the neighbors — this is your trial — that you merit — if you will be strong in your strength — for the fullness of good. And do not forget the story of the Baal Shem Tov — explained at the end of Chayei Moharan. Segment 5 HE: הכלל אחי גאט וועט אייך אויספירן און איהר וועט אלסדינג איבער קומען זייט נישט קיין מיחסים כי כבר ביזו את רבנו ז"ל בפניו בזלאטיפולי במרחץ וגם תלמידו הק' ואני שמעתי בעצמי איך שהיו מבזים אותו בפניו והוא סבל הכל ועשה את שלו ועתה אנו ראין מה שזכו עי"ז וגם אתם תסבלו בודאי יהיה הכל לטובה ומה שר' איזיק נ"י כתב לי שיש לו מכל הצדדים ומן השכנים זהו נסיון שלך שתזכה אם תהיה חזק בכחך לכט"ס ולא תשכח המעשה מהבעל שם טוב המבאר בסוף חיי מוהר"ן EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayeitzei, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Suffering from the internal division of hearts among the Anash — more painful than the external persecution. A teaching from Laws of Blessings upon Seeing. Hold fast to one another in strong love. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And also the letter from Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — from the 2nd of Vayeitzei — I also received. And why did he not bring me a letter from my daughter from Breslov? And also my wife's son — whose name is Aharon — also dwells in Breslov — and surely Reb Yosef also saw him. And my wife, may she live, has suffering — that he brought her no letter from her daughter Chaike, may she live — and from her son Aharon, may his candle shine. And my wife, may she live, has the fever again this time. And because of this my mind is greatly confused — and I cannot write to you several words — to give life to my soul and to your soul — from the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — through which every day we see other novelties — upon which all the worlds depend. And from them I see the greatness of the power of free choice [כח הבחירה — the power of free will and free choice — bechira; one of the foundational concepts in Rabbainu ז"ל's teachings: the great power of human free choice, which is so great that it can even darken such great lights as those of the Anash; a sobering recognition of the importance of each person's choices] — which can darken such lights — even among the Anash. And we are obligated to give over our souls — and to be gathered together in fellowship [hitva'adus — the fellowship assembly] — perhaps we will merit to hear one word from their words — which stand at the very summit of all the worlds. And even to be in a house where the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and our assembly is mentioned — is no small thing. For our assembly is no small thing — for the main provocation of the Adversary in your encampment is because of the assembly. And each one of us must ensure that he himself should not be the cause of separation — and to pray greatly — that the houses that were built through the assembly should not be destroyed, G-d forbid — and to be a neighbor to the assembly. And each one must love his companion — and judge him favorably. For a little light drives away much darkness. And even if we see in one person that he has a bad character trait — all our fellowship must pray for him — that Hashem Yisbarach help him to break this bad trait. As is explained: "My fellowship — is there anything in the world that you have not swept over — come, let me be destroyed with them." [A paraphrase of a Talmudic saying from Sanhedrin 98b — a leader who says of his generation: "my fellowship" — meaning: is there anything, any failing, that you have not swept over me? If so — come, let me be destroyed together with them; one who is bound to his fellowship shares in their fate and their merit; a cry of total mutual responsibility] More I have no leisure to write — for I am preparing letters for my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine. And perhaps Reb Dov, may his candle shine, is coming — and he has with him my money — the sum of three rubles — send it to me immediately — for my time is pressing. And also — what did Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, say about the money from Tcheryn — for he wrote a letter saying they want to send it — and where is it? And also write to me whether our friend Reb Efraim arrived home safely to Jerusalem. And revive my soul. And regarding the letter to your co-parent-in-law — G-d willing after Shabbos I will write to him and send it to you — for now I have no leisure because of my own letters. And also write to me and ask Reb Yosef — whether the letter arrived that we sent to Uman in the name of your co-parent-in-law — for in it there was also a letter for Reb Yosef from my wife. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to wife Leah, may she live — and to the wife of Reb Yosef. Words of one who truly loves you — truly and in truth — and may Hashem Yisbarach give you the vessel that holds blessing for Israel — which is peace [Last Mishnah of Uktzin — "The Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing for Israel except peace"; the very last words of the entire Mishnah; the writer closes with this as a blessing: may you receive the vessel — peace — which alone can hold all blessing] , Nussun from Breslov Written the night before Thursday, Parshas Vayishlach, 5643 (late November/December 1882), from Teverya. The wife's fever has returned. Internal unity of the Anash — pray for one another, do not be the cause of separation. "A little light drives away much darkness." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Tuesday and Wednesday — I received from the hand of the woman on Friday — the eve of Shabbos. And you gave us life with your letter — that you received my letter — for I had suffering — perhaps the letter was not delivered to you. And our letter is a secret of secrets. And you gave us life — in that you wrote to me that you were joyful in Meron [מירון — Meron — the burial site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Mount Meron near Tzfas; one of the most important holy sites in Eretz Yisroel for Breslov Chassidim; a visit there to pray and rejoice] — by the light of the Tzaddikim — may it rejoice. So may joy flow upon you and upon me — always — from the sources of joy. Chadei — Rabbi Shimon [חדי רבי שמעון — chadei is Aramaic: "rejoice!" — an Aramaic imperative; "rejoice with Rabbi Shimon" — an exhortation addressed directly in the Aramaic imperative to be joyful together with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai] — and give yourselves life at all times. For blessed be G-d — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple rest on your table — and sometimes — almost every day — you study in them novelties such as these. And look in the letter on the excellence of his Torah and his holy books — sign 37 — and we must establish each day some joy about this — with permanence. [לקבע בכל יום איזה שמחה על זה בקביעות — to make fixed and permanent — keva — a regular, set, established joy every single day; not occasional but permanent and fixed] And we must not confuse our minds — with the controversy and the humiliations — for "from the desert — a gift" [Numbers 21:18 — "and from the desert — Mattanah" — a gift; a Talmudic teaching: the Torah was given in the desert — midbar — and is also a gift — matanah; what appears to be a desert of humiliation and emptiness is actually the place from which the gift emerges] — for through them we merit such good. And the controversy raises and elevates a person. And the main thing is that Hashem Yisbarach should help — that there should not be, G-d forbid, division among us. And even about this — we need not rebuke — even one who errs in this — for "Abraham was one" — and his attribute was lovingkindness. And regarding what you wrote — that I should write to your co-parent-in-law — I do not know — surely Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, spoke with him about Rosh Hashana — and what did he say to them? And nevertheless — if you write to me what to write to him — surely I will write to him and send it to you. Or if my mind is inclined — I will write to him and send it to him from here. Only write to me — how one writes to Gonrad [חנראד — Gonrad or Conrad — presumably a town in the diaspora to which the letter would be sent] — in the Russian language. And also I asked — to bring good tidings to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — that there came to my hand — in his name — Kamiel — from Reb Moshe Yadid — from her daughter — the sum of three rubles — with a letter from her daughter from Breslov. And write to me with whom to send it to her. And I paid postal money on behalf of the letters. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and to all the Anash. Woe — and bitter — over our bitter and most bitter breaking — that I heard this very moment — of the passing of the Tzaddik, the Chassid Reb Efraim — may his merit protect us. Woe to me — woe to me — woe, woe to me — over a basket full of books [צנא מלא דספרא — Aramaic from the Talmud [Sanhedrin 68a] — "a basket full of books" — the Talmudic elegy for a great scholar who has passed; Reb Efraim is mourned as one who was a basket full of Torah and holy books] — who gave over his soul — in order to be present at the Rosh Hashana of the Tzaddik — to pray in the aspect of judgment [תפילה בבחינת דין — prayer in the aspect of strict judgment — a specific Kabbalistic concept: the Tzaddikim who are hidden in the diaspora pray from the aspect of strict divine judgment; this specific manner of prayer is explained in Likutay Halachos in the laws about the Tzaddikim who are set apart and hidden in the diaspora] — as is explained in Likutay Halachos — on the exceptional Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in the diaspora — that this is prayer in the aspect of judgment. And now I ask — to inform me when he passed away — and whether he was in Uman — healthy — on Rosh Hashana — and in what place he passed away. For my heart aches over the passing of such a precious stone. And I want to know how and what his passing was. And how fortunate is he — for four or five years he was drawing close to Rabbainu ז"ל — with all his might — with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength — and drew close to himself with all his powers — to Reb Nosson ז"ל. How fortunate is he — in peace shall he rest upon his resting place. And we need in all respects to study his composition at least a little — so that his lips should murmur in the grave. [שיהיו שפתותיו דובבות בקבר — "so that his lips should murmur in the grave" — from the Talmud [Yevamos 97a]: one who cites a teaching in the name of its author causes the lips of that author to murmur in the grave; by studying Reb Efraim's compositions and citing his name, his lips will murmur in the grave — a form of continued spiritual life] And from now — "death shall be swallowed up forever." [Isaiah 25:8 — "He will swallow up death forever — and Hashem G-d will wipe away the tears from all faces"; a verse of ultimate consolation and eschatological hope applied at the moment of grief] Words of the above-mentioned. Written Sunday, Parshas Mikeitz, 5643 (December 1882 / Chanukah), from Teverya. Joy at Meron. Controversy as the desert from which gifts flow. "Abraham was one — and his attribute was lovingkindness." A stunning postscript: the writer hears this very moment of the passing of the Tzaddik Reb Efraim — "a basket full of books." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Hereby know — that I received all your letters — even through Reb Chaim, the son-in-law of Reb Itsmar — I also received it — only he had forgotten them — and I asked him and he remembered. And I have great suffering from the division of hearts [פרוד לבבות — "division of hearts" — the internal divisions and fractures among the Anash themselves; more painful to the writer than the external persecution from the opponents] that is between you — more than from the controversy that is upon you from the opponents. And it was in my mind to write some letter to our veteran friend and Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. But I sat with my mind — to ask you whether to write or not — for I do not know whether he will ever uphold: "I have never transgressed the words of my companion." [A Talmudic principle: he who says "I have never transgressed the words of my companion" — meaning he always honored and heeded the requests of his fellow; the writer is uncertain whether his letter to Reb Nachman will be received and honored] And also if I knew that my words are heard by your father, may his candle shine — I would surely not have been sluggish to write to him. For the suffering is great — that my wife, may she live, told me — from the daughter of Reb Shmuel Henech, may his candle shine — the magnitude of the suffering that is being caused to his wife, may she live. And your father fulfills: "and among brothers he shall be fruitful." [Hosea 13:15 — "though he bears fruit among brothers — an east wind shall come, a wind of Hashem rising from the desert"; the verse's context is of one who flourishes among brothers but is then struck; applied here with some irony to the father whose behavior is causing discord among brothers] And tonight I studied law 5 of the Laws of Blessings upon Seeing [הלכות ברכות הראיה — Laws of Blessings upon Seeing — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; laws governing the blessings one recites upon seeing exceptional phenomena — lightning, the sea, mountains, rainbows, great Torah scholars; these laws connect to deep teachings about perception, awe, and divine vision] — and look there — and you will see the great obligation to love one's companion — and what comes of it. And this is what I wanted to write to you — and to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. In sum — my brothers and my friends: האלט אייך זיך אין איינעם באהבה עזה — hold fast to one another in strong love — and may Hashem be with you — and may Hashem conclude with you — everything for the good. And rejoice yourselves at all times — for through joy you will emerge from all the troubles — and you will merit great expansiveness. And surely Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, did not do right — in that he said to the "known one" [ל'ידוע' — "to the known one" — a deliberate circumlocution for someone whose name or identity is being avoided; the writer refers to someone involved in the internal dispute without naming him directly] "Shabbat Shalom." But they need not distance themselves because of this — for we do things worse than this — and Hashem Yisbarach does not distance us — and also Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple do not distance us — only they strengthen us in all kinds of strengthening — and pray for us in the aspect of judgment — so that our spiritual odor should not become foul, G-d forbid [שלא יהיה ריחנו ח"ו — "so that our odor should not be foul, G-d forbid" — a Kabbalistic concept: a person's spiritual state has an odor before Heaven; prayer in the aspect of judgment ensures that the odor remains good and does not become foul; Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple pray precisely to protect the spiritual scent of the Anash] — but only to revive our souls. In sum — my brothers: גאט וועט אייך אויספירן — און איהר וועט אלסדינג איבערקומען — G-d will lead you out — and you will overcome everything. זייט נישט קיין מיחסים — do not be ones who give pedigree accounts [מיחסים — meyukhasim — those who pride themselves on their lineage and pedigree; here used ironically: do not act as if your honor and descent are at stake — do not stand on ceremony and pride when humiliation is the path to true honor] — for they already shamed Rabbainu ז"ל to his face — in Zlatipoli — in the bathhouse. And also his holy disciple. And I myself heard how they were shaming him to his face — and he bore it all — and did his own work. And now we see what they merited through this. And you too will bear it — and surely everything will be for the good. And what Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that he has it from all sides and from the neighbors — this is your trial — that you merit — if you will be strong in your strength — for the fullness of good. And do not forget the story of the Baal Shem Tov — explained at the end of Chayei Moharan. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayeitzei, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Suffering from the internal division of hearts among the Anash — more painful than the external persecution. A teaching from Laws of Blessings upon Seeing. Hold fast to one another in strong love. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayeitzei, 5643 (November 1882), from Teverya. Suffering from the internal division of hearts among the Anash — more painful than the external persecution. A teaching from Laws of Blessings upon Seeing. Hold fast to one another in strong love. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # טו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/15/ טו טו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/15 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' כ"ד לספירת העמר תרל"ו עיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת ב"ב EN: Tuesday, the 24th of the Omer count [Sefiras HaOmer — the 49-day count between Passover and Shavuos; the 24th day falls approximately three and a half weeks after Passover, in late spring], 5636 [= spring 1876 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי ידידי באמת ובתמים הנצמד בקירות לבבי ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן עם שלום כל אהבנו באמת ר' איזיק נ"י ור' נתן נ"י EN: To the honor of my truly and wholeheartedly beloved friend — embedded in the walls of my heart [הנצמד בקירות לבבי — "the one joined, attached, embedded in the walls of my heart" — nitzmed: bonded tightly, fused into the very stone of the heart] — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun — together with peace upon all our truly beloved: Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, and Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל פה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ובשורות טובות בכל עת אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — here all of us are in the way of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace and good tidings at all times — Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מג' תזריע קבלתי ועוד מכתב עם המכתב מטולטשין ג"כ קבלתי והיה לי למשיב נפשי שב"ה בנך מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ב"ה בקו החיים והשלום ואתה מכין עצמך לעשות לו חאלאקע למז"ט כן תזכה אתה וזוג' תח' לעשות לו בר מצוה וחתנה אי"ה למז"ט ואביך נ"י ואמך תח' יזכו לראות שמחתכם וגם כל אהביך וחמיך נ"י וחמותך תח' וכל מי שרוצה לראות בך כל טוב יזכו ג"כ לראות בשמחתכם תמיד EN: Your letter from Tuesday of Tazria [Parshas Tazria — the portion dealing with purity and impurity; it falls in early to mid-spring] I received — and also another letter together with the letter from Tulchin [Tultshin — Tulchin, a city in Ukraine; a significant center of the Breslov community] I also received. And it was a reviving of my soul — that blessed be G-d, your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine, is, blessed be G-d, in the way of life and in peace. And you are preparing yourself to make him a chalakah [חאלאקע — the ceremony of a boy's first haircut, traditionally performed at age three; a joyous occasion in Chassidic communities, often celebrated at the tomb of a Tzaddik on Lag Ba'Omer] with a good omen. So may you and your wife, may she live, merit to make for him a bar mitzvah and a wedding, G-d willing, with a good omen. And may your father, may his candle shine, and your mother, may she live, merit to see your joy. And also all your beloved ones and your father-in-law, may his candle shine, and your mother-in-law, may she live — and all who wish to see good for you — may they all merit to see your joy always. Segment 5 HE: ואני איני יכול לנסע לך על החאלאקע מחמת שאי"ה בדעתי ה' יגמר לטוב ויכון צעדי לנסע אי"ה ביום ד' הבא עלינו לטובה על ר"ה ובדעתי היה לנסע מקדם לירושלים תו"ת ומשם לאומן אך מחמת שני טעמים אחד מחמת זוג' תח' אינה כל כך בקו הבריאה והשני מחמת שאין לי על הוצאה כ"כ כי בלא זה הלויתי אצל אחותי תח' ארבע מאות גר' ואני מכרח לנסע על טייטרא לאחי נרם יאיר ולבני נרם יאיר ושם מכרח להתמהמה קצת ואני רוצה להיות אי"ה על ראש חדש אלול באומן ע"כ מכרח אני להקדים ובודאי רציתי להיות עמכם בצותא חדא על חאלאקע של בנך נ"י ע"כ תשמחו בשם ואני מרחוק אשמח גם אני EN: And I am unable to travel to you for the chalakah — because G-d willing, it is my intention — may Hashem bring it to completion for good and direct my steps [ה' יגמר לטוב ויכון צעדי — an echo of Psalms 37:23: "the steps of a man are established by Hashem"; the writer surrenders the plan to G-d's direction] — to travel, G-d willing, on the coming Wednesday which comes upon us for good, toward Rosh Hashana. And my intention had been to travel first to Yerushalayim, may it be established and built for good, and from there to Uman [Uman — the city in Ukraine where Rabbainu ז"ל is buried; the destination of the annual Rosh Hashana pilgrimage]. But for two reasons I cannot: first — my wife, may she live, is not sufficiently in good health. And second — I do not have enough for the expenses, for aside from this I have already borrowed from my sister, may she live, four hundred groshen. And I am compelled to travel via Teiteira to my brother, may his candle shine [נרם יאיר — here the writer writes out the blessing in full: neirom ya'ir — "may their candle shine" — rather than the usual abbreviation נ"י; the full written-out blessing for his own family members carries a tenderness beyond the abbreviated form], and to my sons, may their candles shine [again נרם יאיר written in full — the same tender distinction] — and there I must linger a little. And I wish to be in Uman, G-d willing, for the first of Elul. Therefore I must leave earlier. And surely I would have wanted to be with you together as one at the chalakah of your son, may his candle shine. Therefore — rejoice in the Name [תשמחו בשם — "rejoice in the Name" — in Hashem's Name; directing the celebration toward its true divine Source], and I from afar will also rejoice. Segment 6 HE: ואל תדאגו כלל מהקאנצילאטין כי השי"ת בודאי יגמר עמכם לטובה כי עדין אינו גמר מהמלאכה ובודאי יפרעו לכם אפילו עם העסקא רק צריכין מעט לסבל והשי"ת עשה עמכם זה במכון בכדי להתחיל מכאן לנוס להשי"ת ולהתפלל אליו כי הכל רמזים להתקרב לעבודתו יתברך והשי"ת לא יעזב ממונכם הכשר לאבד אפילו פ"א רק אנו צריכין לצעק להשי"ת על מעשינו הלא טובים ולאנח אנחות הרבה ואנחה היא שלמות החסרונות בגשמיות וברוחניות וימתיק הכל רק אנו צריכין שלא להתעצל בתפילה כי בחו"ל יש משא ומתן ובכאן עיקר משא ומתן הוא תפילה ולזכות לתפילה בשלמות אי אפשר לזכות כי אם כשנבלה ימינו על ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' על כן אחי ורעי אהובי חזקו והתאספו יחד באגדה אחת ותלמדו ביחד ספרים הנ"ל ותשלימו השלשה נקדות ויהיה נעשה בכל עת מלאפום וימלא משאלותיכם הכל לטובה בזה ובבא EN: And do not worry at all about the consular affairs — for Hashem Yisbarach will surely bring it to completion for good. For the matter is not yet concluded from the labor [עדין אינו גמר מהמלאכה — "it has not yet been finished from the work" — G-d's work in this matter has not yet reached its completion; the delay is unfinished process, not abandonment]. And surely they will pay you — even with the full profit [אפילו עם העסקא — "even with the business-profit" — principal and interest both, in full]. Only one must bear it a little patiently. And Hashem Yisbarach did this to you deliberately [במכון — "with intention, deliberately" — G-d arranged this situation with specific purpose, not randomly] — in order to begin from here to flee to Hashem Yisbarach and to pray to Him. For all things are signals to draw near to His service, may He be blessed. And Hashem Yisbarach will not allow your honestly earned money to be lost — not even once. Only we must cry out to Hashem Yisbarach about our not-good deeds, and sigh many sighs — and a sigh is the completion of deficiencies, in material matters and in spiritual matters alike — and He will sweeten everything. Only we must not be lazy in prayer. For in the diaspora there is buying and selling [משא ומתן — commerce, the give-and-take of trade] — but here, in Eretz Yisroel, the main buying and selling is prayer. And to merit prayer in its fullness — it is impossible to merit except when we spend our days in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore, my beloved brother and companion — be strong! And gather together as one united bond [באגדה אחת — "in one bundle / bond" — the word agadah here means a binding together, a gathering into a single strong unit, as scattered reeds are bound into one unbreakable bundle], and study together the said books, and fulfill the three nekudos [the three foundational points of holiness taught by Rabbainu ז"ל]. And then at all times there will come to be made upon you a melafum [ויהיה נעשה בכל עת מלאפום — "and it will come to be made upon you at all times" — passive and continuous: the melafum is not something they produce but something that is wrought upon them as a result of their work, constantly, moment by moment; melafum is the vowel-point of fullness and completion — the "O" sound — representing a state of completeness achieved when the three nekudos are fulfilled] — and He will fill [וימלא — "and He will fill" — the image of filling a vessel to the brim; Hashem Himself is the one who fills] all your requests [משאלותיכם — "your requests / petitions" — what you have specifically asked for, your named prayers] — all for good, in this world and in the World to Come. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov dwelling here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Tuesday, 24th of the Omer, 5636 (late spring 1876), from Teverya. The writer is planning his journey to Uman for Rosh Hashana. He cannot attend the chalakah but sends joy from afar. And he teaches: in Eretz Yisroel the main commerce is prayer. Segment 9 HE: החונה פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov dwelling here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. # קנ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/150/ קנ קנ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/150 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה אור ליום ה' לסדר וישלח תרמ"ג פה טבריא EN: And also the letter from Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — from the 2nd of Vayeitzei — I also received. And why did he not bring me a letter from my daughter from Breslov? And also my wife's son — whose name is Aharon — also dwells in Breslov — and surely Reb Yosef also saw him. And my wife, may she live, has suffering — that he brought her no letter from her daughter Chaike, may she live — and from her son Aharon, may his candle shine. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי או"נ המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And my wife, may she live, has the fever again this time. And because of this my mind is greatly confused — and I cannot write to you several words — to give life to my soul and to your soul — from the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — through which every day we see other novelties — upon which all the worlds depend. And from them I see the greatness of the power of free choice [כח הבחירה — the power of free will and free choice — bechira; one of the foundational concepts in Rabbainu ז"ל's teachings: the great power of human free choice, which is so great that it can even darken such great lights as those of the Anash; a sobering recognition of the importance of each person's choices] — which can darken such lights — even among the Anash. And we are obligated to give over our souls — and to be gathered together in fellowship [hitva'adus — the fellowship assembly] — perhaps we will merit to hear one word from their words — which stand at the very summit of all the worlds. And even to be in a house where the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and our assembly is mentioned — is no small thing. Segment 3 HE: וגם המכתב מר' יוסף נ"י מב' ויצא ג"כ קבלתי ולמה לא הביא לי מכתב מבתי מברסלב וגם בן זוג' ושמו אהרן ג"כ יושב בברסלב וודאי ראה ר' יוסף ג"כ עמו ויש לזוג' יסורים שלא הביא לה מכתב מבתה חיקע תח' ומבנה אהרן נ"י EN: For our assembly is no small thing — for the main provocation of the Adversary in your encampment is because of the assembly. And each one of us must ensure that he himself should not be the cause of separation — and to pray greatly — that the houses that were built through the assembly should not be destroyed, G-d forbid — and to be a neighbor to the assembly. And each one must love his companion — and judge him favorably. For a little light drives away much darkness. And even if we see in one person that he has a bad character trait — all our fellowship must pray for him — that Hashem Yisbarach help him to break this bad trait. As is explained: "My fellowship — is there anything in the world that you have not swept over — come, let me be destroyed with them." [A paraphrase of a Talmudic saying from Sanhedrin 98b — a leader who says of his generation: "my fellowship" — meaning: is there anything, any failing, that you have not swept over me? If so — come, let me be destroyed together with them; one who is bound to his fellowship shares in their fate and their merit; a cry of total mutual responsibility] Segment 4 HE: וזוג' תח' יש לה עוד הפעם הפיבער ומחמת זה מחי מבלבל מאד ואיני יכול לכתוב לכם כמה דבורים להחיות נפשי ונפשכם מדבורי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר בכל יום אנו ראין חדושים אחרים אשר בהם תלויים כל העולמות אשר מהם אני ראה גדל כח הבחירה אשר יכול להחשיך אורות כאלו אפילו אצל אנ"ש אשר אנו מחיבים למסור נפשנו ולהתועד יחד אולי נזכה לשמע דבור אחד מדבריהם העומדים ברומו של כל העולמות ואפילו להיות בבית ששם מזכירין שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וקבוץ שלנו אינו דבר רק כי עיקר התגרות הבעל דבר במחנכם הוא מחמת הקבוץ וכל אחד מאתנו צריך לראות שלא יהיה הוא הגורם להפרוד ולהתפלל הרבה על זה שלא להחריב ח"ו הבתים אשר נבנה מהקבוץ ולהיות שכן להקבוץ וכל אחד צריך לאהב את חברו וידון אותו לכף זכות כי מעט אור דוחה הרבה חשך ואפילו אנו ראין באחד שיש לו מדה רעה צריכין כל חברתנו להתפלל עבורו שהשי"ת יעזור לו שישבר המדה הרעה הזאת כמבאר חברתי מי איכא מידי בעלמא דלא שטפית וניתי אנא ונחרבה EN: More I have no leisure to write — for I am preparing letters for my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine. And perhaps Reb Dov, may his candle shine, is coming — and he has with him my money — the sum of three rubles — send it to me immediately — for my time is pressing. And also — what did Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, say about the money from Tcheryn — for he wrote a letter saying they want to send it — and where is it? And also write to me whether our friend Reb Efraim arrived home safely to Jerusalem. And revive my soul. Segment 5 HE: יותר אין לי פנאי לכתוב מחמת שאני מכין מכתבים לבני משה אפרים נ"י ואפשר בא ר' דב נ"י ויש אצלו מעות שלי סך שלשה רו"ח תשלחו לי תכף כי דחיקא לי שעתא וגם מה אמר ר' יוסף נ"י מהמעות מטשעהרין שכתב מכתב שרוצין לשלח והיכן הם וגם לכתוב לי אם ידידנו ר' אפרים בא לביתו בשלום לירושלים ותחיו נפשי EN: And regarding the letter to your co-parent-in-law — G-d willing after Shabbos I will write to him and send it to you — for now I have no leisure because of my own letters. And also write to me and ask Reb Yosef — whether the letter arrived that we sent to Uman in the name of your co-parent-in-law — for in it there was also a letter for Reb Yosef from my wife. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to wife Leah, may she live — and to the wife of Reb Yosef. Segment 6 HE: ואודות מכתב מחמיך אי"ה אחר שבת אכתב לו ואשלח לך כי עתה אין לי פנאי מחמת המכתבים שלי שאני וגם לכתוב לי ולשאל לר' יוסף אם בא המכתב ששלחנו לאומן על שם חמיך כי בשם היה מכתב לר' יוסף ג"כ מזוג' והשי"ת ישלח רפואה שלמה לזוג' לאה תח' ולזוג' של ר' יוסף EN: Words of one who truly loves you — truly and in truth — and may Hashem Yisbarach give you the vessel that holds blessing for Israel — which is peace [Last Mishnah of Uktzin — "The Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing for Israel except peace"; the very last words of the entire Mishnah; the writer closes with this as a blessing: may you receive the vessel — peace — which alone can hold all blessing] , Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת לאמתו ויתן לכם השי"ת הכלי המחזיק ברכה לישראל הוא השלום EN: Written the night before Thursday, Parshas Vayishlach, 5643 (late November/December 1882), from Teverya. The wife's fever has returned. Internal unity of the Anash — pray for one another, do not be the cause of separation. "A little light drives away much darkness." Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: וידידינו ר' נתן נ"י ור' איזיק נ"י תעינו בהלכות תפילת המנחה הלכה ה' ושם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Tuesday and Wednesday — I received from the hand of the woman on Friday — the eve of Shabbos. And you gave us life with your letter — that you received my letter — for I had suffering — perhaps the letter was not delivered to you. And our letter is a secret of secrets. # קנא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/151/ קנא קנא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/151 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' מקץ תרמ"ג לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: Your letter from Tuesday and Wednesday — I received from the hand of the woman on Friday — the eve of Shabbos. And you gave us life with your letter — that you received my letter — for I had suffering — perhaps the letter was not delivered to you. And our letter is a secret of secrets. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא בני ממש מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו היקר סענדיר EN: And you gave us life — in that you wrote to me that you were joyful in Meron [מירון — Meron — the burial site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Mount Meron near Tzfas; one of the most important holy sites in Eretz Yisroel for Breslov Chassidim; a visit there to pray and rejoice] — by the light of the Tzaddikim — may it rejoice. So may joy flow upon you and upon me — always — from the sources of joy. Chadei — Rabbi Shimon [חדי רבי שמעון — chadei is Aramaic: "rejoice!" — an Aramaic imperative; "rejoice with Rabbi Shimon" — an exhortation addressed directly in the Aramaic imperative to be joyful together with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai] — and give yourselves life at all times. For blessed be G-d — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple rest on your table — and sometimes — almost every day — you study in them novelties such as these. And look in the letter on the excellence of his Torah and his holy books — sign 37 — and we must establish each day some joy about this — with permanence. [לקבע בכל יום איזה שמחה על זה בקביעות — to make fixed and permanent — keva — a regular, set, established joy every single day; not occasional but permanent and fixed] Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ג' וד' קבלתי מיד האשה ביום עש"ק והחייתנו במכתבך שקבלת מכתבי כי היו לי יסורים אפשר לא מסר לכם המכתב ומכתב שלנו הוא סודי סודות EN: And we must not confuse our minds — with the controversy and the humiliations — for "from the desert — a gift" [Numbers 21:18 — "and from the desert — Mattanah" — a gift; a Talmudic teaching: the Torah was given in the desert — midbar — and is also a gift — matanah; what appears to be a desert of humiliation and emptiness is actually the place from which the gift emerges] — for through them we merit such good. And the controversy raises and elevates a person. And the main thing is that Hashem Yisbarach should help — that there should not be, G-d forbid, division among us. And even about this — we need not rebuke — even one who errs in this — for "Abraham was one" — and his attribute was lovingkindness. Segment 4 HE: והחייתנו בזה שאתה כתבת לי שהייתם שמחים במירון אצל אור צדיקים ישמח כן יהיה נמשך עליכם ועלי השמחה תמיד ממקורות השמחה חדי רבי שמעון ותחיו עצמכם בכל עת שב"ה ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם מנחים אצלכם על השלחן ולפעמים כמעט בכל יום אתם לומדים אותם חדושים כאלה ותעינו באות מעלת תורתו וספריו הק' סימן ל"ז ואנו צריכין לקבע בכל יום איזה שמחה על זה בקביעות EN: And regarding what you wrote — that I should write to your co-parent-in-law — I do not know — surely Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, spoke with him about Rosh Hashana — and what did he say to them? And nevertheless — if you write to me what to write to him — surely I will write to him and send it to you. Or if my mind is inclined — I will write to him and send it to him from here. Only write to me — how one writes to Gonrad [חנראד — Gonrad or Conrad — presumably a town in the diaspora to which the letter would be sent] — in the Russian language. Segment 5 HE: ואין אנו צריכים לבלבל דעתנו המחלקת והבזיונות כי ממדבר מתנה כי על ידם אנו זוכין לטוב כזה והמחלקת מגביה ומרים את האדם והעיקר שיעזור השי"ת שלא יהא ח"ו פרוד בינינו ואפילו על זה אין אנו צריכין ללמד אפילו מי שטועה בזה כי אחד היה אברהם ומדתו היה חסד EN: And also I asked — to bring good tidings to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil — that there came to my hand — in his name — Kamiel — from Reb Moshe Yadid — from her daughter — the sum of three rubles — with a letter from her daughter from Breslov. And write to me with whom to send it to her. And I paid postal money on behalf of the letters. Segment 6 HE: ואודות מה שכתבת לי שאכתב לחמיך אין אני יודע הלא בודאי ר' יוסף נ"י ור' דב נ"י דברו עמו על ר"ה ומה אמר להם ואעפ"כ אם תכתב לי מה לכתוב לו בודאי אכתב לו ואשלח לך או אם דעתי נוטה אכתב לו ואשלח לו מכאן רק תכתב לי איך כתבין לחנראד בלשון רוסיא EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: גם בקשתי לבשר בשורה טובה לאשה דאבריס אשת ר' טעביל שבא לידי על שמו קאמיאל מר' משה ידיד מבתה על סך שלשה רו"ח עם מכתב מבתה מברסלב ותכתב לי עם מי לשלח לה ונתתי פאסט געלד בעד המכתבים EN: And greetings of peace to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and to all the Anash. Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: Woe — and bitter — over our bitter and most bitter breaking — that I heard this very moment — of the passing of the Tzaddik, the Chassid Reb Efraim — may his merit protect us. Woe to me — woe to me — woe, woe to me — over a basket full of books [צנא מלא דספרא — Aramaic from the Talmud [Sanhedrin 68a] — "a basket full of books" — the Talmudic elegy for a great scholar who has passed; Reb Efraim is mourned as one who was a basket full of Torah and holy books] — who gave over his soul — in order to be present at the Rosh Hashana of the Tzaddik — to pray in the aspect of judgment [תפילה בבחינת דין — prayer in the aspect of strict judgment — a specific Kabbalistic concept: the Tzaddikim who are hidden in the diaspora pray from the aspect of strict divine judgment; this specific manner of prayer is explained in Likutay Halachos in the laws about the Tzaddikim who are set apart and hidden in the diaspora] — as is explained in Likutay Halachos — on the exceptional Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in the diaspora — that this is prayer in the aspect of judgment. And now I ask — to inform me when he passed away — and whether he was in Uman — healthy — on Rosh Hashana — and in what place he passed away. For my heart aches over the passing of such a precious stone. And I want to know how and what his passing was. And how fortunate is he — for four or five years he was drawing close to Rabbainu ז"ל — with all his might — with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength — and drew close to himself with all his powers — to Reb Nosson ז"ל. How fortunate is he — in peace shall he rest upon his resting place. And we need in all respects to study his composition at least a little — so that his lips should murmur in the grave. [שיהיו שפתותיו דובבות בקבר — "so that his lips should murmur in the grave" — from the Talmud [Yevamos 97a]: one who cites a teaching in the name of its author causes the lips of that author to murmur in the grave; by studying Reb Efraim's compositions and citing his name, his lips will murmur in the grave — a form of continued spiritual life] And from now — "death shall be swallowed up forever." [Isaiah 25:8 — "He will swallow up death forever — and Hashem G-d will wipe away the tears from all faces"; a verse of ultimate consolation and eschatological hope applied at the moment of grief] Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of the above-mentioned. Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש לר' איזיק נ"י ולכל אנ"ש EN: Woe — and bitter — over our bitter and most bitter breaking — that I heard this very moment — of the passing of the Tzaddik, the Chassid Reb Efraim — may his merit protect us. Woe to me — woe to me — woe, woe to me — over a basket full of books [צנא מלא דספרא — Aramaic from the Talmud [Sanhedrin 68a] — "a basket full of books" — the Talmudic elegy for a great scholar who has passed; Reb Efraim is mourned as one who was a basket full of Torah and holy books] — who gave over his soul — in order to be present at the Rosh Hashana of the Tzaddik — to pray in the aspect of judgment [תפילה בבחינת דין — prayer in the aspect of strict judgment — a specific Kabbalistic concept: the Tzaddikim who are hidden in the diaspora pray from the aspect of strict divine judgment; this specific manner of prayer is explained in Likutay Halachos in the laws about the Tzaddikim who are set apart and hidden in the diaspora] — as is explained in Likutay Halachos — on the exceptional Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure in the diaspora — that this is prayer in the aspect of judgment. And now I ask — to inform me when he passed away — and whether he was in Uman — healthy — on Rosh Hashana — and in what place he passed away. For my heart aches over the passing of such a precious stone. And I want to know how and what his passing was. And how fortunate is he — for four or five years he was drawing close to Rabbainu ז"ל — with all his might — with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength — and drew close to himself with all his powers — to Reb Nosson ז"ל. How fortunate is he — in peace shall he rest upon his resting place. And we need in all respects to study his composition at least a little — so that his lips should murmur in the grave. [שיהיו שפתותיו דובבות בקבר — "so that his lips should murmur in the grave" — from the Talmud [Yevamos 97a]: one who cites a teaching in the name of its author causes the lips of that author to murmur in the grave; by studying Reb Efraim's compositions and citing his name, his lips will murmur in the grave — a form of continued spiritual life] And from now — "death shall be swallowed up forever." [Isaiah 25:8 — "He will swallow up death forever — and Hashem G-d will wipe away the tears from all faces"; a verse of ultimate consolation and eschatological hope applied at the moment of grief] Segment 11 HE: אוי ומר על שברנו המר והמרור ששמעתי בזה הרגע מהסתלקות הצדיק החסיד ר' אפרים זכותו יגן עלינו אוי לי וי לי אוי אוי לי על צנא מלא דספרא אשר מסר נפשו בשביל להיות על ר"ה של הצדיק להתפלל בבחינת דין כמבאר בלקוטי הלכות על הצדיקים המפלגים הגנוזים בחו"לשזה תפילה בבחינת דין ועתה אני מבקש להודיע לי מתי נסתלק ואם באומן היה בריא על ר"ה והיכן באיזה מקום נסתלק כי לבי דוי על הסתלקות אבן' טוב כזו ורוצה אני לידע איך ומה הסתלקותו ואשרי לו שבן ארבעה או חמשה שנים היה מקרב לרבנו ז"ל בכל מאמצי כחו בכל לבבו ובכל נפשו ובכל מאדו וקרב עצמו בכל כחותיו לאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצ"ל אשרי לו בשלום ינוח על משכבותיו ואנו צריכים בכל ללמד החבור שלו עכ"פ מעט בכדי שיהיו שפתותיו דובבות בקבר ומעתה יהיה בלע המות לנצח EN: Words of the above-mentioned. Written Sunday, Parshas Mikeitz, 5643 (December 1882 / Chanukah), from Teverya. Joy at Meron. Controversy as the desert from which gifts flow. "Abraham was one — and his attribute was lovingkindness." A stunning postscript: the writer hears this very moment of the passing of the Tzaddik Reb Efraim — "a basket full of books." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 149 | קמט (Kuf-Mem-Tes) Segment 12 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: Letter 149 | קמט (Kuf-Mem-Tes) # קנב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/152/ קנב קנב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/152 Segment 1 HE: כתבתי ביום א' המכתב ולא היה לי עם מי לשלח מחמת שלא יכלתי למצא המיקער סאלאח ונתעכב אצלי המכתב עד היום ובין כך ובין כך למדתי הלכה ז' מתפילת המנחה על התורה לשמש שם אהל בהם ואין אני יודע למה אנו מחשים בזה העולם ואין אנו צועקים שאור כזה יש בעולם והוא נעלם מאתנו מחמת קלקול השלום ושם אפילו מבאר שאין זה להבטל לאין סוף כי אם לצמצם האור במדות אבל אעפ"כ לא היו חדושים כאלו בעולם ע"כ אני כתב לכם ידידי אחי ורעי ידידי ר' נתן נ"י ור' איזיק אם תוכלו בלילי חנכה הק' ללמד כל ההלכה בודאי תראו גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ומעלות המקרבים אליהם ואם אין לכם פנאי עכ"פ תלמדו ההלכה מסימן נ"ב עד סימן פ"ב ותחיו נפשכם ותמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם שכדאי לקבל כל הבזיונות וכל מה שעבר עלינו בכדי שנהיה נכללים בתוך הקבוץ של הצדיק הזה ולבטל כל הכבוד המדמה ואפילו לסבל בזיונות בכדי לשמע איזה דבור הק' מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואל תהיה בז לכל מי שהוא שכן לקבוץ של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ושלא להסתכל על מדות הרעות רק על הטוב שבו אריתי מורי עם בשמי דברי ידידכם נתן מברסלב EN: I wrote on Sunday — the letter — and I had no one with whom to send it — for I could not find the hired coachman Salach. [המיקער סאלאח — der miker — the hired coachman, the wagon-driver for hire — from German Mieter — one who hires out his services; Salach is an Arabic name; the specific person whose wagon the writer relied upon to carry letters] And the letter was delayed with me until today. And in between — I studied law 7 of the Laws of Mincha Prayer — on the Torah "for the sun He set a tent among them" [Psalms 19:5 — "He set a tent for the sun among them" — the verse about the sun's dwelling-place; the specific Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל or Reb Nosson ז"ל built upon this verse; the Laws of Mincha Prayer, law 7, connects the afternoon prayer to this verse and to the deep teachings about the Tzaddik whose light illuminates all worlds] — and I do not know why we are silent about this in the world — and why we do not cry out — that such a light exists in the world — and it is hidden from us — because of the corruption of peace. [מחמת קלקול השלום — "because of the corruption of peace" — the breakdown of peace and harmony among people hides and darkens the light that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple illuminated; the light is present but obscured by discord] And there it is even explained — that this is not to be nullified into the Infinite — but only to concentrate the light into the attributes. [A Kabbalistic teaching: the divine light is not lost into the Infinite — but rather concentrated and channeled specifically into the middos — the divine attributes of character; the concentration — tzimtzum — is not absence but focused channeling] But nevertheless — there were never such novelties in the world. Therefore I write to you — my friends — my brothers and my companions — my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and Reb Aizik — if you are able — on the holy nights of Chanukah — to study the entire law — surely you will see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and the excellence of those who draw close to them. And if you have no leisure — at least study the law from sign 52 until sign 82 — and give life to your souls — and you will find repose for your souls. For it is worth it to receive all the humiliations and everything that passed over us — so that we should be included within the assembly of this Tzaddik — and nullify all imaginary honor — and even to bear humiliations — so that we may hear some holy word from Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And do not despise anyone who is a neighbor to the assembly of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and not to look at the bad character traits — only at the good that is in him: "I have gathered my myrrh with my spice." [Song of Songs 5:1 — "I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride — I have gathered my myrrh with my spice — I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey"; the verse of the beloved entering the garden and gathering the good; applied here: look at every person's garden and gather the good fragrance from them — the myrrh with the spice — see only the good] Words of your friend, Nussun from Breslov Undated continuation of Letter 151 — Chanukah 5643 (December 1882). Delayed by the courier. A teaching from Laws of Mincha Prayer, law 7: the light that illuminates all worlds, hidden by discord. A call to study during the Chanukah nights from sign 52 to sign 82. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — through the son-in-law of Reb Itsmar, may his candle shine — with the palimide [פאלימידע — palimide — a Mediterranean preserved fish, likely a type of salted or pickled tuna or mackerel; a delicacy sent as a gift from Tzfas to Teverya] — I received today — Thursday — after midday. And I had no one with whom to give you fitting thanks for the good gift — for it is for me a truly good gift. And may Hashem Yisbarach give you great expansiveness — expansiveness of mind and joy of heart — and may you be joyful in your portion always — and let no sadness come upon you at all. And may there be peace for you and peace for those who help you [1 Samuel 25:6 — the blessing of Avigail to David: "peace to you and peace to your house and peace to all that you have"; the verse of complete peace extended to all sides] — for the essential path of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — the service of Hashem that they want to draw into the world — and particularly for those who shelter in their holy shade — is only through joy. For through joy He heals the princess — into whom all kinds of arrows were shot — and she fell weakened. [A reference to the story of the King and the Princess from Rabbainu ז"ל's tales — the princess who was struck by all kinds of arrows and collapsed; she is healed through the joy of the true king who reaches her; a central image in Rabbainu ז"ל's teaching about how joy is the medicine for the fallen and wounded soul] And look in almost all the Torah discourses of Rabbainu ז"ל — in almost every discourse he speaks of joy — sometimes explicitly — and sometimes allusively. And one who is joyful — has luminous faces — life. [אנפין נהורין חיים — Aramaic: "luminous faces — life" — from the Zohar; the radiant countenance that comes from inner joy; a luminous face is a face that carries the light of inner spiritual life] And every day — from among the seven days — as is explained in the story — conclude the day in joy. And know — that there is no counsel in this world — for whatever passes over a person — except to strengthen oneself in joy. And Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: even in frivolous matters. [אפילו במילי דשטותא — Aramaic: "even in frivolous matters, even in matters of foolishness" — a specific and striking teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: when a person cannot achieve joy through holy means — he should use even foolishness and frivolity to achieve joy; better to use even these than to remain in sadness] And that sadness is intensifying upon you from all sides — turn it all to joy. "And gladness and joy shall overtake them — and sorrow and sighing shall flee." [Isaiah 51:11 — the verse of ultimate consolation: "the redeemed of Hashem shall return — and come to Zion with singing — and everlasting joy upon their heads — gladness and joy shall overtake them — sorrow and sighing shall flee"; a verse of eschatological joy breaking in upon present sorrow] And if you strengthen yourselves in joy — Hashem Yisbarach will help you — that everything will be truly transformed to joy. And one must seek and search only after expansivenesses — for from the very searching after expansivenesses — by this one opens the channels from the expansiveness. So it is explained from the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And we must believe in every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that it is no trivial thing at all — it is a great act — and through this — great rectifications are made in all the worlds. And the Baal Shem Tov said: "Hashem is your shadow." [Psalms 121:5 — "Hashem is your keeper — Hashem is your shadow at your right hand"; the Baal Shem Tov's teaching on this verse: just as a shadow mirrors and follows every movement of the person who casts it — so G-d mirrors and responds to every movement of the person; G-d's response to us follows our own attitude and behavior like a shadow follows its caster] Words of one who truly loves you — and blesses you that you should walk in the ways of Hashem — in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and surely G-d willing everything will be for the good, Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Nussun the above-mentioned. And the katir intensified greatly upon me — until I am not going to the synagogue to pray. And nevertheless — it is a great kindness — that at least I am able to study Torah. Nussun from Breslov. Written Thursday, the 2nd of Chanukah, Parshas Mikeitz, 5643 (December 1882), from Teverya. Reb Aizik sent a gift of palimide. A rich teaching on joy as the central and only path. "Even in frivolous matters." The Baal Shem Tov: "Hashem is your shadow." The writer has taken ill with a respiratory ailment. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — with the uv'z [האו"ז — abbreviation of אורה וזמרה — "light and song" — or possibly an abbreviation for a promissory note or financial instrument; in context it appears to be a financial voucher or bill of exchange accompanying money sent from Tzfas to Teverya] — and also a letter from Reb Dov — and also a letter from my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — all of them I received properly. And I received the money properly — according to the uv'z. And also I hereby inform you — that our friend Reb Simcha, may his candle shine — from Jerusalem, may it be established — together with his household — arrived yesterday at the appointed time. And his intention is to delay here until G-d willing after the coming Shabbos — and then to travel to your holy encampment. And blessed be G-d — on this night we spoke at length about Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and we gave each other life. I gave him life and he gave me life. And because of the weariness of the journey — he wants to rest here several days. And also he wants to be at the graves of the Tzaddikim who are here. And regarding what Reb Eliezer wrote to me — about the proposed match [השדוך — the shidduch — a proposed marriage match; the writer is being consulted about a potential match for Reb Eliezer or someone in his circle] — surely I will inquire into the matter — toward the best possible outcome. Only I do not know how one can conclude it — for the groom's father is not at home. And why did he not write to me who the matchmaker is — so that I could know whether there is any substance to his words? And the Great Matchmaker — who knows all the destined matches — will surely arrange — through His great salvation — with the help of G-d — a fitting match before Him. But one must still wait for the salvation of Hashem. And I will surely inquire into the matter — and reply to my sender with an answer. And the young man is of good appearance and of a fine family — and his manner of study I will ask of someone who knows him. And because of the urgency of the wagon — I was brief. And Reb Simcha himself — who is here — says peace. [ואמר שלום — "and he says peace" — Reb Simcha is physically present with the writer as this letter is written; he verbally conveys his own greetings of peace to the recipient through this letter] From me — your friend who seeks your peace always — to each and every one of all the Anash — with strong love, Nussun from Breslov Words of one who loves you. Nussun the above-mentioned. Nussun the above-mentioned. [The letter closes with three separate sign-off lines in the manuscript — "Nussun from Breslov," "Nussun the above-mentioned," and "Nussun the above-mentioned" again — likely indicating the main letter body close, a first addendum, and a second addendum, each signed separately] Written Monday, Parshas Vayechi, 5643 (December 1882/January 1883), from Teverya. Reb Simcha has arrived from Jerusalem — Torah talk during the night gave life to both. A proposed match for Reb Eliezer — the writer agrees to inquire. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קנג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/153/ קנג קנג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/153 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' מקץ ב' דחנכה תרמ"ג טבריא EN: Your letter — through the son-in-law of Reb Itsmar, may his candle shine — with the palimide [פאלימידע — palimide — a Mediterranean preserved fish, likely a type of salted or pickled tuna or mackerel; a delicacy sent as a gift from Tzfas to Teverya] — I received today — Thursday — after midday. And I had no one with whom to give you fitting thanks for the good gift — for it is for me a truly good gift. And may Hashem Yisbarach give you great expansiveness — expansiveness of mind and joy of heart — and may you be joyful in your portion always — and let no sadness come upon you at all. And may there be peace for you and peace for those who help you [1 Samuel 25:6 — the blessing of Avigail to David: "peace to you and peace to your house and peace to all that you have"; the verse of complete peace extended to all sides] — for the essential path of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — the service of Hashem that they want to draw into the world — and particularly for those who shelter in their holy shade — is only through joy. For through joy He heals the princess — into whom all kinds of arrows were shot — and she fell weakened. [A reference to the story of the King and the Princess from Rabbainu ז"ל's tales — the princess who was struck by all kinds of arrows and collapsed; she is healed through the joy of the true king who reaches her; a central image in Rabbainu ז"ל's teaching about how joy is the medicine for the fallen and wounded soul] Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' ובנו שיחיו עם שלום ידידי אהבי באמת איש לוחם מלחמות ה' מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And look in almost all the Torah discourses of Rabbainu ז"ל — in almost every discourse he speaks of joy — sometimes explicitly — and sometimes allusively. And one who is joyful — has luminous faces — life. [אנפין נהורין חיים — Aramaic: "luminous faces — life" — from the Zohar; the radiant countenance that comes from inner joy; a luminous face is a face that carries the light of inner spiritual life] And every day — from among the seven days — as is explained in the story — conclude the day in joy. And know — that there is no counsel in this world — for whatever passes over a person — except to strengthen oneself in joy. And Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: even in frivolous matters. [אפילו במילי דשטותא — Aramaic: "even in frivolous matters, even in matters of foolishness" — a specific and striking teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: when a person cannot achieve joy through holy means — he should use even foolishness and frivolity to achieve joy; better to use even these than to remain in sadness] And that sadness is intensifying upon you from all sides — turn it all to joy. "And gladness and joy shall overtake them — and sorrow and sighing shall flee." [Isaiah 51:11 — the verse of ultimate consolation: "the redeemed of Hashem shall return — and come to Zion with singing — and everlasting joy upon their heads — gladness and joy shall overtake them — sorrow and sighing shall flee"; a verse of eschatological joy breaking in upon present sorrow] And if you strengthen yourselves in joy — Hashem Yisbarach will help you — that everything will be truly transformed to joy. And one must seek and search only after expansivenesses — for from the very searching after expansivenesses — by this one opens the channels from the expansiveness. So it is explained from the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And we must believe in every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that it is no trivial thing at all — it is a great act — and through this — great rectifications are made in all the worlds. And the Baal Shem Tov said: "Hashem is your shadow." [Psalms 121:5 — "Hashem is your keeper — Hashem is your shadow at your right hand"; the Baal Shem Tov's teaching on this verse: just as a shadow mirrors and follows every movement of the person who casts it — so G-d mirrors and responds to every movement of the person; G-d's response to us follows our own attitude and behavior like a shadow follows its caster] Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם ע"י חתן ר' איתמר נ"י עם הפאלימידע ביום ה' אחר חצות קבלתי היום ולא היה לי עם מי לתן לך תשואת חן על המתנה טובה כי אצלי היא מתנה טובה והשי"ת יתן לך הרחבה גדולה הרחבת הדעת ושמחת הלב ותהיה שמח בחלקך תמיד ולא יעלה עליך שום עצבות ויהיה שלום לך ושלום לעזרך כי עיקר דרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' עבודת ה' שהם רוצים להמשיך בעולם ובפרט המסתופפים בצלם הק' הוא רק ע"י שמחה כי בשמחה הוא מרפא הבת מלכה אשר נזרקה בה כל מיני חצים ונפלה חלשות EN: Words of one who truly loves you — and blesses you that you should walk in the ways of Hashem — in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and surely G-d willing everything will be for the good, Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ותעינו בכל התורות של רבנו ז"ל כמעט בכל תורה מדבר בשמחה לפעמים מדבר בפרוש ולפעמים ברמז ומי שהוא שמח יש לו אנפין נהורין חיים ובכל יום מהשבעה ימים המבאר בהמעשה גמרו היום בשמחה ותדעו שאין שום עצה בזה העולם מה שעבר על האדם כי אם להתגבר בשמחה ורבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש אפילו במילי דשטותא ומה שמתגבר עליכם העצבות מכל הצדדים תהפכו הכל לשמחה ששון ושמחה ישיגו ונסו יגון ואנחה ואם תתגברו בשמחה יעזור לכם השי"ת שיתהפך הכל לשמחה באמת וצריכין לחפש ולבקש רק אחר הרחבות כי מזה שמחפשין אחר הרחבות בזה פותחין הצנורות מהרחבה כך מבאר מדברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואנו צריכין להאמין בכל דבור ודבור מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאינו דבר רק רק הוא עבדא גדולה ובזה נעשים תקונים גדולים בכל העולמות והבעל שם טוב אמר ה' צלך EN: Nussun the above-mentioned. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ומברך אתכם שתלכו בדרכי ה' בכח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובודאי אי"ה יהיה הכל לטובה EN: And the katir intensified greatly upon me — until I am not going to the synagogue to pray. And nevertheless — it is a great kindness — that at least I am able to study Torah. Segment 6 HE: ידידכם EN: Nussun from Breslov. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, the 2nd of Chanukah, Parshas Mikeitz, 5643 (December 1882), from Teverya. Reb Aizik sent a gift of palimide. A rich teaching on joy as the central and only path. "Even in frivolous matters." The Baal Shem Tov: "Hashem is your shadow." The writer has taken ill with a respiratory ailment. Segment 8 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש לומר לר' חיים שר' שמחה שלח אלי החפצים ואין לי שום ידיעה מאתו והשי"ת יזכה אותנו לקבל ימי החנכה הק' בתודה והודאה בשמחה וחדוה ויהיה נמשך עלינו אור האמת כזה שמאיר בארבעה חלקי הדבור הנובעים ממקור החיים אך מחמת שיש לי ר"ל חולאת הקאטיר ומחי מעט מבלבל להתפלל עלי כי זה כמה ימים EN: Nussun from Breslov. Segment 9 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Your letter — with the uv'z [האו"ז — abbreviation of אורה וזמרה — "light and song" — or possibly an abbreviation for a promissory note or financial instrument; in context it appears to be a financial voucher or bill of exchange accompanying money sent from Tzfas to Teverya] — and also a letter from Reb Dov — and also a letter from my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — all of them I received properly. And I received the money properly — according to the uv'z. And also I hereby inform you — that our friend Reb Simcha, may his candle shine — from Jerusalem, may it be established — together with his household — arrived yesterday at the appointed time. And his intention is to delay here until G-d willing after the coming Shabbos — and then to travel to your holy encampment. And blessed be G-d — on this night we spoke at length about Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and we gave each other life. I gave him life and he gave me life. And because of the weariness of the journey — he wants to rest here several days. And also he wants to be at the graves of the Tzaddikim who are here. Segment 10 HE: והקאטיר התגבר עלי מאד עד שאין אני הולך לביהכנ"ס להתפלל ואעפ"כ הוא בחסד גדול ש עכ"פ אני יכול ללמד תורה EN: Written Thursday, the 2nd of Chanukah, Parshas Mikeitz, 5643 (December 1882), from Teverya. Reb Aizik sent a gift of palimide. A rich teaching on joy as the central and only path. "Even in frivolous matters." The Baal Shem Tov: "Hashem is your shadow." The writer has taken ill with a respiratory ailment. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — with the uv'z [האו"ז — abbreviation of אורה וזמרה — "light and song" — or possibly an abbreviation for a promissory note or financial instrument; in context it appears to be a financial voucher or bill of exchange accompanying money sent from Tzfas to Teverya] — and also a letter from Reb Dov — and also a letter from my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — all of them I received properly. And I received the money properly — according to the uv'z. And also I hereby inform you — that our friend Reb Simcha, may his candle shine — from Jerusalem, may it be established — together with his household — arrived yesterday at the appointed time. And his intention is to delay here until G-d willing after the coming Shabbos — and then to travel to your holy encampment. And blessed be G-d — on this night we spoke at length about Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and we gave each other life. I gave him life and he gave me life. And because of the weariness of the journey — he wants to rest here several days. And also he wants to be at the graves of the Tzaddikim who are here. And regarding what Reb Eliezer wrote to me — about the proposed match [השדוך — the shidduch — a proposed marriage match; the writer is being consulted about a potential match for Reb Eliezer or someone in his circle] — surely I will inquire into the matter — toward the best possible outcome. Only I do not know how one can conclude it — for the groom's father is not at home. And why did he not write to me who the matchmaker is — so that I could know whether there is any substance to his words? And the Great Matchmaker — who knows all the destined matches — will surely arrange — through His great salvation — with the help of G-d — a fitting match before Him. But one must still wait for the salvation of Hashem. And I will surely inquire into the matter — and reply to my sender with an answer. And the young man is of good appearance and of a fine family — and his manner of study I will ask of someone who knows him. And because of the urgency of the wagon — I was brief. And Reb Simcha himself — who is here — says peace. [ואמר שלום — "and he says peace" — Reb Simcha is physically present with the writer as this letter is written; he verbally conveys his own greetings of peace to the recipient through this letter] Segment 11 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And because of the urgency of the wagon — I was brief. And Reb Simcha himself — who is here — says peace. [ואמר שלום — "and he says peace" — Reb Simcha is physically present with the writer as this letter is written; he verbally conveys his own greetings of peace to the recipient through this letter] # קנד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/154/ קנד קנד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/154 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ויחי יעקב תרמ"ג לפ"ק טבריא EN: Your letter — with the uv'z [האו"ז — abbreviation of אורה וזמרה — "light and song" — or possibly an abbreviation for a promissory note or financial instrument; in context it appears to be a financial voucher or bill of exchange accompanying money sent from Tzfas to Teverya] — and also a letter from Reb Dov — and also a letter from my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — all of them I received properly. And I received the money properly — according to the uv'z. And also I hereby inform you — that our friend Reb Simcha, may his candle shine — from Jerusalem, may it be established — together with his household — arrived yesterday at the appointed time. And his intention is to delay here until G-d willing after the coming Shabbos — and then to travel to your holy encampment. And blessed be G-d — on this night we spoke at length about Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and we gave each other life. I gave him life and he gave me life. And because of the weariness of the journey — he wants to rest here several days. And also he wants to be at the graves of the Tzaddikim who are here. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז חביבי כלבבי וכנפשי וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' עם שלום בנו נ"י EN: And regarding what Reb Eliezer wrote to me — about the proposed match [השדוך — the shidduch — a proposed marriage match; the writer is being consulted about a potential match for Reb Eliezer or someone in his circle] — surely I will inquire into the matter — toward the best possible outcome. Only I do not know how one can conclude it — for the groom's father is not at home. And why did he not write to me who the matchmaker is — so that I could know whether there is any substance to his words? And the Great Matchmaker — who knows all the destined matches — will surely arrange — through His great salvation — with the help of G-d — a fitting match before Him. But one must still wait for the salvation of Hashem. And I will surely inquire into the matter — and reply to my sender with an answer. And the young man is of good appearance and of a fine family — and his manner of study I will ask of someone who knows him. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך עם האו"ז וגם מכתב מר' דב וגם מכתב מב"א מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י כלם קבלתי לנכון וקבלתי המעות לנכון כפי האו"ז וגם מהודענא לכם שידידנו ר' שמחה נ"י מוכן לירושלים תו"ת ב"ב בא אתמול לעת ובדעתו לעכב פה עד אי"ה אחר שבת הבא עלינו לטובה ואח"כ יסע למחנכם קדוש וב"ה בזו הלילה דברנו הרבה מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והחיינו בינינו אני החייתי אותו והוא אותי ומחמת טרדות הדרך רוצה לנוח בכאן כמה ימים וגם הוא רוצה להיות על קברי הצדיקים דפה EN: And because of the urgency of the wagon — I was brief. And Reb Simcha himself — who is here — says peace. [ואמר שלום — "and he says peace" — Reb Simcha is physically present with the writer as this letter is written; he verbally conveys his own greetings of peace to the recipient through this letter] Segment 4 HE: ואודות מה שכתב לי ר' אליעזור מכח השדוך בודאי אחקר בדבר על צד היותר טוב רק אין אני יודע איך יכולין לגמר הלא אב החתן אינו בביתו ולמה לא כתב לי מי השדכן בכדי לידע אם יש בדבריו איזה ממש והשדכן הגדול אשר הוא יודע כל הזווגים יזמין בודאי בישועתו הגדולה בעזר האל שדוך הגון לפניו אך צריכין להמתין עוד לישועת ה' ואני בודאי אחקר בדבר ואשיב לשולחי דבר תשובה והעלם הוא טוב ראי וממשפחה הגונה ואפן למודו אשאל למכירו EN: From me — your friend who seeks your peace always — to each and every one of all the Anash — with strong love, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומחמת נחיצת השירא קצרתי ואמר שלום EN: Words of one who loves you. Nussun the above-mentioned. Segment 6 HE: מנאי ידידכם הדוש"ת לכל אחד ואחד מכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: Nussun the above-mentioned. [The letter closes with three separate sign-off lines in the manuscript — "Nussun from Breslov," "Nussun the above-mentioned," and "Nussun the above-mentioned" again — likely indicating the main letter body close, a first addendum, and a second addendum, each signed separately] Written Monday, Parshas Vayechi, 5643 (December 1882/January 1883), from Teverya. Reb Simcha has arrived from Jerusalem — Torah talk during the night gave life to both. A proposed match for Reb Eliezer — the writer agrees to inquire. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 152 | קנב (Kuf-Nun-Beis) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 152 Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Monday, Parshas Vayechi, 5643 (December 1882/January 1883), from Teverya. Reb Simcha has arrived from Jerusalem — Torah talk during the night gave life to both. A proposed match for Reb Eliezer — the writer agrees to inquire. Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Letter 152 | קנב (Kuf-Nun-Beis) Segment 10 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 152 # קנה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/155/ קנה קנה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/155 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' וארא התרמ"ג פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Let it not be a wonder in your eyes that I did not reply to you until now — on your letter about the matter of the proposed match that was laid before you. Know — that at the time I received your letter — I was not in the line of health — for I was ill with the katir, G-d have mercy — for approximately ten days — and I did not go even to the synagogue to pray. But my wife, may she live, encountered the elderly mother of the desired one — and came to ask — who and who — and I told her — and it was very pleasing in her eyes. But I wanted to investigate the nature of the young man — in learning — and I could not go out. Afterward a certain woman came and told some falsehood — that the people of Karlin [The Chassidim of the Karlin dynasty — a prominent Chassidic group; the claim is that they refuse to intermarry with Breslov Chassidim] do not agree to make a match with the people of Breslov. And afterward — once again — my wife, may she live, was in the marketplace — and she saw his mother and the elderly woman — and they asked her what had been heard about this. And my wife said: I heard that you do not want — because of Breslov. And they said: who told you? For our holy Tzaddik father from Chmelnik [The holy Tzaddik of Chmelnik — a prominent Chassidic leader; he is the father of the desired young man and he himself is a son-in-law-in-law of Reb Avraham Ber — a distinguished pedigree connecting both families] — he is a son-in-law — and Reb Avraham Ber is his second-degree-relative. And I know that they are all proper people. Segment 2 HE: שלום וכט"ס לכבוד האברך המפלא המשלם חכם ונבון מו"ה אליעזור נ"י ויופיע כשמש בצהרים שיח' לשלום לימים טובים אמן EN: And when I heard this — I began to investigate the nature of the young man. First: he is of fine appearance. And also in learning he is good — namely — he can study a page of Gemara anywhere — only posek [Posek — legal decisor; Halachic literature — he has not studied the decisors, the codified law — the Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries — but he can learn Gemara fluently] he has not studied. And he walks on the straight and correct path. Afterward I met with his brother Morainu v'Rabbainu Yechiel, may his candle shine — who is the scribe in the Volhynia kollel [The Volhynia kollel — one of the regional charitable funds in Eretz Yisroel organized by region of origin; Reb Yechiel holds an administrative position as its scribe] — and he too is pleasing to people. And I asked him: what will be the financial obligations? You will give two thousand groshen — and they will give two thousand five hundred groshen. And the money will be Teverya money. [מעות טבריא — "Teverya money" — the local currency standard of Teverya, which differed from the currency standard of other cities; specifying "Teverya money" establishes which monetary scale is being used for the dowry] And from this money — they will take for the gifts — both for the bride and for the groom — as much as they wish. And here — room and board for the couple — only one year. And in Basilik [ביסיליק — Basilik or Vasilik — a town in the diaspora where the groom's family is based; the dowry will be arranged there] — the dowry will be arranged as follows: at the time of the engagement — they will make only heads of paragraphs [ראשי פרקים — "heads of paragraphs" — a preliminary outline agreement; not the full detailed contract but the main points only; the detailed terms are left for the formal tna'im — betrothal conditions] — and set a time for the formal conditions. And at the time of the formal conditions — the clearing of the dowry from both sides will take place. For Reb Yechiel, may his candle shine, will write to his father, may his candle shine — and send the dowry immediately — for he wrote that the dowry has been bound up under his hand for a considerable time already. Segment 3 HE: אל יהיה לפלא בעיניך שלא השבתי לך עד כה על מכתבך מנדון השדוך אשר ערך לפניכם תדע בעת שהשגתי מכתבך לא הייתי בקו הבריאה שהייתי חולה הקאטיר ר"ל ערך עשרה ימים ולא הלכתי אפילו לביהכנ"ס להתפלל אך זוג' תח' ראתה עצמה עם אם הזקנה של הנחמד ובאתה לשאל מי ומי וספרתי לה והוטבה בעיניה עד מאד אך אני רציתי לחקר מהות העלם בלמוד ולא יכלתי לילך בחוץ אח"כ באתה איזה אשה ואמרה איזה שקר שאנשי קארלין אינם מסכימים להשתדך עם אנשי ברסלבר ואח"כ עוד הפעם היתה זוג' תח' בשוק וראתה אמו והזקנה ושאלו אותה מה שנשמע מזה ואמרה זוג' הלא שמעתי שאינכם רוצים מחמת ברסלבר ואמרו מי הגיד לכם הלא אבינו הצדיק הק' מחמעלניק הוא מחתן ור' אברהם בער הוא שני בשני שלו ואני יודע שכלם אנשים כשרים EN: And know — that they very much want this — for I told them from what family you are. But I do not know how the conclusion can happen — whether you will travel here — or whether they will travel to your encampment. Therefore write to me whether you want this — in the manner that I wrote to you. And also — how much will your support provision be? And I will speak once more. And know — that they are proper people — and of a fine family — both on the father's side and on the mother's side. Segment 4 HE: וכששמעתי התחלתי לחקר מהות העלם ראשית הוא בריאה יפה וגם בלמוד הוא טוב הינו שיכול ללמד דף גמרא בכל מקום רק פוסק לא למד והוא הולך בדרך הישר והנכון אח"כ ראיתי עם אחיו מו"ה יחיאל נ"י שהוא הכתב בהכולל וואהלין והוא ג"כ נחמד לבריות ושאלתי אותו מה יהיה ההתחיבות אתם תתנו שני אלפים גר' והם יתנו שני אלפים וחמש מאות גר' והמעות יהיה מעות טבריא ומזה המעות יקבלו על המתנות הן להכלה והן להחתן כמה שירצו ובכאן מזונות להזוג רק שנה אחת וביסיליק הנדן יהיה כך בעת התקשרות יעשו רק ראשי פרקים ויגבילו זמן על התנאים ובעת התנאים יהיה הסלוק מהנדן משני הצדדים כי ר' יחיאל נ"י יכתב לאביו נ"י וישלח תכף הנדן כי כתב שהנדן הוא צרר תחת ידו זה זמן כביר EN: And only from Hashem — who makes the matches — will the match be concluded — "in good" [בכי טוב — "in very good" — the Talmudic expression for completely well and good; but also an allusion: כי טוב — "for it is good" — the phrase used for each day of Creation] — "and there is no good except the Tzaddik." [From the Talmud, Kiddushin 40a — "there is no good except Torah" — and in Breslov teaching this is extended: there is no good except the Tzaddik who embodies the Torah; the match will be sealed through the merit of the Tzaddik] And in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל — who said that he knows the matter of matches and unions in a way that no person in the world yet knows — and he is the Great Matchmaker — may Hashem Yisbarach help you — that it should be at a propitious hour — and a fitting match from Heaven — for long life and good years — and for generations upon generations — without limit. Segment 5 HE: ותדעו שהם רוצים מאד כי ספרתי להם מאיזה משפחה אתם אך אין אני יודע איך יכול להיות הגמר אם אתם תסעו לכאן או אם הם יסעו למחנכם ע"כ תכתבו לי אם אתם רוצים על אופן זה שכתבתי לכם וגם כמה יהיה החזקה שלכם ואדבר עוד הפעם ותדעו שהם אנשים כשרים וממשפחה הגונה הן מצד האב והן מצד האם EN: Words of one who desires your success and truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: ואך מאת ה' המזוג זווגים יגמר ב"כי טוב ו'אין טוב אלא צדיק' ובזכות רבנו שאמר שהוא יודע הענין משדוכים וזווגים שלא ידע עדין שום אדם בעולם והוא השדכן הגדול יעזור לכם השי"ת שיהיה בשעה מצלחת וזווג ההגון מן השמים לאריכת ימים לשנים טובים ולדורי דורות א"ס EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Va'eira, 5643 (January 1883), from Teverya. A full investigation of the proposed match for Reb Eliezer. Fine appearance, good learning (Gemara but not decisors), straight path. Financial terms in detail. Rabbainu ז"ל as the Great Matchmaker. Segment 7 HE: דברי החפץ הצלחתכם ואוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you — life and peace — from within expansiveness — and from within joy — and from within a comprehensive love — without any separation at all. For love and peace are wondrous vessels for holding all good in them. And what is this — that you did not mention to me in the letter — about Reb Aizik, may his candle shine? And I have suffering from this. And what you wrote to me — that you were greatly joyful at the time of the arrival of our veteran and Chassid friend — Reb Simcha the Cohen — the Tzaddik — you gave me life greatly. For joy among the Anash is no small thing — as Rabbainu ז"ל said: איהר זאלט זיין פריליך — you should be joyful — it was good for the entire world. [A specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל transmitted in Yiddish: "You should be joyful — it was good for the entire world" — meaning: when the Anash are joyful — this joy benefits and heals the entire world; an extraordinary statement about the cosmic effect of the joy of Chassidim] And I am also within the world. And also what you wrote — that there is peace between Reb Nachman and Reb Dov, may his candle shine — this too is for me good tidings. Would that Hashem Yisbarach give and have mercy — on our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and put it into his mind — to judge each and every one of the Anash favorably — and to make peace with Reb Yaakov too. For whoever is added to the holy assembly — many houses are added. And this is good for us too — perhaps we, G-d forbid, G-d forbid, are outside the holiness — and perhaps through the multiplication of houses — they will also surround us within the holiness. And what is this — that my strong friend is becoming sluggish in letters to me — to arouse the love of friends — from one to his companion? More I have no leisure — and I will be brief. And surely when you write to me — G-d willing — surely for you too likewise. Words of one who truly loves you — who earnestly presses his desire and pleases himself [המרצה באמת — "the one who earnestly seeks to please, who presses his desire" — from ratzah — to be pleased, to seek to make acceptable; the writer expresses his earnest pressing desire and pleasure that they should truly become proper men — not merely wishing but actively pressing this desire upon them] — that you should truly be proper men — even though I am as I am: "I am a companion to all who fear You." [Psalms 119:63 — "I am a companion to all who fear You — and to those who keep Your precepts"; the writer quotes this verse with humility: even though I am as I am — lowly and imperfect — I am a companion and friend to all who fear G-d] Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Beshalach, 5643 (January 1883), from Teverya. Joy at Reb Simcha's visit. Rabbainu ז"ל's Yiddish teaching: "You should be joyful — it was good for the entire world." Peace between Reb Nachman and Reb Dov. A call to write more frequently. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן A good man brings good tidings — good tidings from my kinsman [מש"ב — abbreviation of שארי בשרי — "my flesh and kin" — a relative by marriage; the writer's kinsman] Morainu v'Rabbainu Dov Ber, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yaakov — that he arrived home safely from Petersburg. But I do not know the explanation of the matter — for the entire year I wrote letters to them — to inform me about the denunciation that was laid against him — how and what. And now you wrote to me that he came from Petersburg — I do not know whether he went to the military authorities [לאנשי חיל — "to military men, to soldiers" — the military authorities or military courts; whether his case was heard before military authorities and resolved there] — and now they released him — or whether he labored in his rescue until he arrived in Petersburg — and from there they released him from the denunciation. Therefore my friend — our beloved — may peace be yours at your coming — and for long life and years. And may Hashem Yisbarach heal you — all your 248 limbs and 365 sinews [רמ"ח אבריך ושס"ה גידיך — "your 248 limbs and your 365 sinews" — the Talmudic count of the human body's components corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 prohibitions; a blessing for the healing of every limb and sinew] — in such a manner that you should have strength — to engage in Torah and in prayer — and to reckon on your eternal ultimate purpose — and why we came into this lowly world — and in what manner we shall enter before the King. [u'v'haych anpin ne'ul kadam malka — Aramaic from the Zohar: "and in what manner shall we enter before the King" — the great question of how the soul presents itself before the divine King] And for this purpose we came to Eretz Yisroel — to cast off the vanities of the world — and to always merit the World to Come — and to begin from now — to return to Him — blessed be He — in joy. For Rabbainu ז"ל said: קיין יאוש איז נישט דא — there is no despair at all. למען ה' זיי פריליך — שמחה איז איין רפואה צי אלסדינג — for the sake of Hashem — be joyful — joy is a remedy for everything. And also I ask you: you should write that you received from my daughter — two rubles and a half. And from my kinsman Morainu v'Rabbainu Yaakov, may his candle shine — one ruble and a half. And also sugar and little wine-glasses [וויינשלעך — vaynshlelekh — Yiddish: small wine-glasses or wine-vessels; diminutive of vayn — wine; small wine cups sent as a gift or for ritual use] she also sent me — and you write that you sent them to me — and I do not know how it is there. [גם ציקער אין וויינשלעך האט זי מיר אויך געשיקט אין די שרייבסט אז די האסט מיר געשיקט אין איך ווייס נישט וויא עס איז דא — in Yiddish: "Also sugar and wine-glasses she also sent to me — and you write that you sent them to me — and I do not know how it is there"; a financial accounting of items sent and received, written in Yiddish] And also my wife, may she live, asks you: you should write to her — the story of her son Aharon, may his candle shine — what the story is — that he traveled with his household — what drove him to it — that he should have broken himself. [גם זוג' תח' בייט דיך די זאלסט איהר שרייבן די מעשה פין בנה אהרן נ"י וואס די מעשה איז וואס ער איז גיפארן מיט זיין בני בית וועליכעס האט איהם גינייט דערצי אז ער זאל זיך ציברעכן — in Yiddish: "And also my wife asks you: you should write to her the story of her son Aharon — what the story is — that he traveled with his household — what drove him to it — that he should have broken himself"; the wife is asking what compelled her son Aharon to travel with his entire household — what necessity or crisis caused him to uproot himself] Words of one who truly loves you — who blesses you upon dwelling in Eretz Yisroel — for life and peace, Nussun son of our teacher Yehudah ז"ל Written Sunday, Parshas Beshalach, 5643 (January 1883), from Teverya — same day as Letter 156 but addressed to Reb Yaakov Ber. Good news of Reb Dov Ber's return from Petersburg. A healing blessing for 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Rabbainu ז"ל's Yiddish teaching: "There is no despair — joy is a remedy for everything." Financial queries in Yiddish. The wife's question about her son Aharon. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Let it not be a wonder in your eyes that I did not reply to you until now — on your letter about the matter of the proposed match that was laid before you. Know — that at the time I received your letter — I was not in the line of health — for I was ill with the katir, G-d have mercy — for approximately ten days — and I did not go even to the synagogue to pray. But my wife, may she live, encountered the elderly mother of the desired one — and came to ask — who and who — and I told her — and it was very pleasing in her eyes. But I wanted to investigate the nature of the young man — in learning — and I could not go out. Afterward a certain woman came and told some falsehood — that the people of Karlin [The Chassidim of the Karlin dynasty — a prominent Chassidic group; the claim is that they refuse to intermarry with Breslov Chassidim] do not agree to make a match with the people of Breslov. And afterward — once again — my wife, may she live, was in the marketplace — and she saw his mother and the elderly woman — and they asked her what had been heard about this. And my wife said: I heard that you do not want — because of Breslov. And they said: who told you? For our holy Tzaddik father from Chmelnik [The holy Tzaddik of Chmelnik — a prominent Chassidic leader; he is the father of the desired young man and he himself is a son-in-law-in-law of Reb Avraham Ber — a distinguished pedigree connecting both families] — he is a son-in-law — and Reb Avraham Ber is his second-degree-relative. And I know that they are all proper people. And when I heard this — I began to investigate the nature of the young man. First: he is of fine appearance. And also in learning he is good — namely — he can study a page of Gemara anywhere — only posek [Posek — legal decisor; Halachic literature — he has not studied the decisors, the codified law — the Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries — but he can learn Gemara fluently] he has not studied. And he walks on the straight and correct path. Afterward I met with his brother Morainu v'Rabbainu Yechiel, may his candle shine — who is the scribe in the Volhynia kollel [The Volhynia kollel — one of the regional charitable funds in Eretz Yisroel organized by region of origin; Reb Yechiel holds an administrative position as its scribe] — and he too is pleasing to people. And I asked him: what will be the financial obligations? You will give two thousand groshen — and they will give two thousand five hundred groshen. And the money will be Teverya money. [מעות טבריא — "Teverya money" — the local currency standard of Teverya, which differed from the currency standard of other cities; specifying "Teverya money" establishes which monetary scale is being used for the dowry] And from this money — they will take for the gifts — both for the bride and for the groom — as much as they wish. And here — room and board for the couple — only one year. And in Basilik [ביסיליק — Basilik or Vasilik — a town in the diaspora where the groom's family is based; the dowry will be arranged there] — the dowry will be arranged as follows: at the time of the engagement — they will make only heads of paragraphs [ראשי פרקים — "heads of paragraphs" — a preliminary outline agreement; not the full detailed contract but the main points only; the detailed terms are left for the formal tna'im — betrothal conditions] — and set a time for the formal conditions. And at the time of the formal conditions — the clearing of the dowry from both sides will take place. For Reb Yechiel, may his candle shine, will write to his father, may his candle shine — and send the dowry immediately — for he wrote that the dowry has been bound up under his hand for a considerable time already. And know — that they very much want this — for I told them from what family you are. But I do not know how the conclusion can happen — whether you will travel here — or whether they will travel to your encampment. Therefore write to me whether you want this — in the manner that I wrote to you. And also — how much will your support provision be? And I will speak once more. And know — that they are proper people — and of a fine family — both on the father's side and on the mother's side. And only from Hashem — who makes the matches — will the match be concluded — "in good" [בכי טוב — "in very good" — the Talmudic expression for completely well and good; but also an allusion: כי טוב — "for it is good" — the phrase used for each day of Creation] — "and there is no good except the Tzaddik." [From the Talmud, Kiddushin 40a — "there is no good except Torah" — and in Breslov teaching this is extended: there is no good except the Tzaddik who embodies the Torah; the match will be sealed through the merit of the Tzaddik] And in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל — who said that he knows the matter of matches and unions in a way that no person in the world yet knows — and he is the Great Matchmaker — may Hashem Yisbarach help you — that it should be at a propitious hour — and a fitting match from Heaven — for long life and good years — and for generations upon generations — without limit. Words of one who desires your success and truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Va'eira, 5643 (January 1883), from Teverya. A full investigation of the proposed match for Reb Eliezer. Fine appearance, good learning (Gemara but not decisors), straight path. Financial terms in detail. Rabbainu ז"ל as the Great Matchmaker. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you — life and peace — from within expansiveness — and from within joy — and from within a comprehensive love — without any separation at all. For love and peace are wondrous vessels for holding all good in them. # קנו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/156/ קנו קנו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/156 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' בשלח תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you — life and peace — from within expansiveness — and from within joy — and from within a comprehensive love — without any separation at all. For love and peace are wondrous vessels for holding all good in them. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז אהבי באמת האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י ועם שלום זוג' תח' עם שלום בנו אהובי מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And what is this — that you did not mention to me in the letter — about Reb Aizik, may his candle shine? And I have suffering from this. And what you wrote to me — that you were greatly joyful at the time of the arrival of our veteran and Chassid friend — Reb Simcha the Cohen — the Tzaddik — you gave me life greatly. For joy among the Anash is no small thing — as Rabbainu ז"ל said: איהר זאלט זיין פריליך — you should be joyful — it was good for the entire world. [A specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל transmitted in Yiddish: "You should be joyful — it was good for the entire world" — meaning: when the Anash are joyful — this joy benefits and heals the entire world; an extraordinary statement about the cosmic effect of the joy of Chassidim] And I am also within the world. And also what you wrote — that there is peace between Reb Nachman and Reb Dov, may his candle shine — this too is for me good tidings. Would that Hashem Yisbarach give and have mercy — on our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and put it into his mind — to judge each and every one of the Anash favorably — and to make peace with Reb Yaakov too. For whoever is added to the holy assembly — many houses are added. And this is good for us too — perhaps we, G-d forbid, G-d forbid, are outside the holiness — and perhaps through the multiplication of houses — they will also surround us within the holiness. And what is this — that my strong friend is becoming sluggish in letters to me — to arouse the love of friends — from one to his companion? Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כן יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מתוך הרחבה ומתוך שמחה ומתוך אהבה כלליות בלי שום פרוד כלל כי אהבה ושלום הם כלים נפלאים להחזיק בהם כל טוב EN: More I have no leisure — and I will be brief. And surely when you write to me — G-d willing — surely for you too likewise. Segment 4 HE: ומה זה שלא הזכרת לי במכתב מר' איזיק נ"י ויש לי יסורים ומה שכתבת לי שהייתם שמחים מאד בעת ביאת ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' שמחה הכהן הצדיק החיית אותי עד מאד כי שמחה מאנ"ש אינו דבר רק כמו שאמר רבנו ז"ל איהר זאלט זיין פריליך היה טובה לכל העולם ואני ג"כ בתוך העולם וגם מה שכתבת ששלום בין ר' נחמן ובין ר' דב נ"י הוא ג"כ אצלי בשורה טובה הלואי שיתן השי"ת וירחם על ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י ויתן בדעתו שידין את כל אחד ואחד מאנ"ש לכף זכות ויעשה שלום לר' יעקב ג"כ כי כל מי שנתוסף להקבוץ הק' נתוסף בתים הרבה והוא טובה לפנינו ג"כ אולי אנו ח"ו ח"ו מחוץ לקדשה ואולי ע"י רבוי הבתים יסובבו אותנו ג"כ בתוך הקדשה ומה זה שמתרשל ידידי עז במכתבים אלי לעורר אהבת חברים מאחד לחברו EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who earnestly presses his desire and pleases himself [המרצה באמת — "the one who earnestly seeks to please, who presses his desire" — from ratzah — to be pleased, to seek to make acceptable; the writer expresses his earnest pressing desire and pleasure that they should truly become proper men — not merely wishing but actively pressing this desire upon them] — that you should truly be proper men — even though I am as I am: "I am a companion to all who fear You." [Psalms 119:63 — "I am a companion to all who fear You — and to those who keep Your precepts"; the writer quotes this verse with humility: even though I am as I am — lowly and imperfect — I am a companion and friend to all who fear G-d] Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: יותר אין לי פנאי ואקצר ובודאי כשתכתבו לי אי"ה בודאי לכם ג"כ EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Beshalach, 5643 (January 1883), from Teverya. Joy at Reb Simcha's visit. Rabbainu ז"ל's Yiddish teaching: "You should be joyful — it was good for the entire world." Peace between Reb Nachman and Reb Dov. A call to write more frequently. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת המרצה באמת שאתם תהיו אנשים כשרים באמת אע"פ שאני כמו שאני חבר אני לכל אשר יראוך" EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן A good man brings good tidings — good tidings from my kinsman [מש"ב — abbreviation of שארי בשרי — "my flesh and kin" — a relative by marriage; the writer's kinsman] Morainu v'Rabbainu Dov Ber, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yaakov — that he arrived home safely from Petersburg. But I do not know the explanation of the matter — for the entire year I wrote letters to them — to inform me about the denunciation that was laid against him — how and what. And now you wrote to me that he came from Petersburg — I do not know whether he went to the military authorities [לאנשי חיל — "to military men, to soldiers" — the military authorities or military courts; whether his case was heard before military authorities and resolved there] — and now they released him — or whether he labored in his rescue until he arrived in Petersburg — and from there they released him from the denunciation. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: A good man brings good tidings — good tidings from my kinsman [מש"ב — abbreviation of שארי בשרי — "my flesh and kin" — a relative by marriage; the writer's kinsman] Morainu v'Rabbainu Dov Ber, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yaakov — that he arrived home safely from Petersburg. But I do not know the explanation of the matter — for the entire year I wrote letters to them — to inform me about the denunciation that was laid against him — how and what. And now you wrote to me that he came from Petersburg — I do not know whether he went to the military authorities [לאנשי חיל — "to military men, to soldiers" — the military authorities or military courts; whether his case was heard before military authorities and resolved there] — and now they released him — or whether he labored in his rescue until he arrived in Petersburg — and from there they released him from the denunciation. # קנז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/157/ קנז קנז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/157 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' בשלח תרמ"ג לפ"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: A good man brings good tidings — good tidings from my kinsman [מש"ב — abbreviation of שארי בשרי — "my flesh and kin" — a relative by marriage; the writer's kinsman] Morainu v'Rabbainu Dov Ber, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yaakov — that he arrived home safely from Petersburg. But I do not know the explanation of the matter — for the entire year I wrote letters to them — to inform me about the denunciation that was laid against him — how and what. And now you wrote to me that he came from Petersburg — I do not know whether he went to the military authorities [לאנשי חיל — "to military men, to soldiers" — the military authorities or military courts; whether his case was heard before military authorities and resolved there] — and now they released him — or whether he labored in his rescue until he arrived in Petersburg — and from there they released him from the denunciation. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא מו"ה ר' יעקב בער שיח' לאיוש"ט אמן EN: Therefore my friend — our beloved — may peace be yours at your coming — and for long life and years. And may Hashem Yisbarach heal you — all your 248 limbs and 365 sinews [רמ"ח אבריך ושס"ה גידיך — "your 248 limbs and your 365 sinews" — the Talmudic count of the human body's components corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 prohibitions; a blessing for the healing of every limb and sinew] — in such a manner that you should have strength — to engage in Torah and in prayer — and to reckon on your eternal ultimate purpose — and why we came into this lowly world — and in what manner we shall enter before the King. [u'v'haych anpin ne'ul kadam malka — Aramaic from the Zohar: "and in what manner shall we enter before the King" — the great question of how the soul presents itself before the divine King] And for this purpose we came to Eretz Yisroel — to cast off the vanities of the world — and to always merit the World to Come — and to begin from now — to return to Him — blessed be He — in joy. For Rabbainu ז"ל said: קיין יאוש איז נישט דא — there is no despair at all. למען ה' זיי פריליך — שמחה איז איין רפואה צי אלסדינג — for the sake of Hashem — be joyful — joy is a remedy for everything. Segment 3 HE: איש טוב מבשר טוב מהבשורה מש"ב מו"ה דב בער נ"י ב"ר יעקב שבא לביתו לשלום מפטרבורג אך אין אני יודע הפרוש כי כל השנה כתבתי להם מכתבים להודיע לי מהמסירה שמסרו אותו איך ומה ועתה אתה כתב לי שבא מפטרבורג איני יודע אם הלך לאנשי חיל ועתה פטרו אותו או אם עסק בהצלתו עד שבא לפטרבורג ומשם פטרו אותו מהמסירה EN: And also I ask you: you should write that you received from my daughter — two rubles and a half. And from my kinsman Morainu v'Rabbainu Yaakov, may his candle shine — one ruble and a half. And also sugar and little wine-glasses [וויינשלעך — vaynshlelekh — Yiddish: small wine-glasses or wine-vessels; diminutive of vayn — wine; small wine cups sent as a gift or for ritual use] she also sent me — and you write that you sent them to me — and I do not know how it is there. [גם ציקער אין וויינשלעך האט זי מיר אויך געשיקט אין די שרייבסט אז די האסט מיר געשיקט אין איך ווייס נישט וויא עס איז דא — in Yiddish: "Also sugar and wine-glasses she also sent to me — and you write that you sent them to me — and I do not know how it is there"; a financial accounting of items sent and received, written in Yiddish] Segment 4 HE: ע"כ ידידי או"נ לשלום יהיה באך ולאריכת ימים ושנים וירפא אותך השי"ת כל רמ"ח אבריך ושס"ה גידיך באפן שיהיה לך כח לעסק בתורה ובתפילה ולחשב על תכליתך הנצחי ולמה באנו להאי עלמא שפלא ובהאיך אנפין נעול קדם מלכא ועבור זה באנו לא"י להשליך הבלי העולם ולזכות תמיד לעלמא דאתי ולהתחיל מעתה לשוב אליו יתברך בשמחה כי רבנו ז"ל אמר קיין יאוש איז נישט דא למען ה' זיי פריליך שמחה איז איין רפואה צי אלסדינג EN: And also my wife, may she live, asks you: you should write to her — the story of her son Aharon, may his candle shine — what the story is — that he traveled with his household — what drove him to it — that he should have broken himself. [גם זוג' תח' בייט דיך די זאלסט איהר שרייבן די מעשה פין בנה אהרן נ"י וואס די מעשה איז וואס ער איז גיפארן מיט זיין בני בית וועליכעס האט איהם גינייט דערצי אז ער זאל זיך ציברעכן — in Yiddish: "And also my wife asks you: you should write to her the story of her son Aharon — what the story is — that he traveled with his household — what drove him to it — that he should have broken himself"; the wife is asking what compelled her son Aharon to travel with his entire household — what necessity or crisis caused him to uproot himself] Segment 5 HE: גם איך בייט דיך דו שרייבסט אז די האסט גענומען אצל בתי שני רו"ח וחצי אין אצל ש"ב מו"ה יעקב נ"י אחד רו"ח וחצי גם ציקער אין וויינשלעך האט זי מיר אויך געשיקט אין די שרייבסט אז די האסט מיר געשיקט אין איך ווייס נישט וויא עס איז דא EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who blesses you upon dwelling in Eretz Yisroel — for life and peace, Nussun son of our teacher Yehudah ז"ל Segment 6 HE: גם זוג' תח' בייט דיך די זאלסט איהר שרייבן די מעשה פין בנה אהרן נ"י וואס די מעשה איז וואס ער איז גיפארן מיט זיין בני בית וועליכעס האט איהם גינייט דערצי אז ער זאל זיך ציברעכן EN: And also my wife, may she live, asks you: you should write to her — the story of her son Aharon, may his candle shine — what the story is — that he traveled with his household — what drove him to it — that he should have broken himself. [גם זוג' תח' בייט דיך די זאלסט איהר שרייבן די מעשה פין בנה אהרן נ"י וואס די מעשה איז וואס ער איז גיפארן מיט זיין בני בית וועליכעס האט איהם גינייט דערצי אז ער זאל זיך ציברעכן — in Yiddish: "And also my wife asks you: you should write to her the story of her son Aharon — what the story is — that he traveled with his household — what drove him to it — that he should have broken himself"; the wife is asking what compelled her son Aharon to travel with his entire household — what necessity or crisis caused him to uproot himself] Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת המברך אותך בישיבת א"י לחיים ולשלום EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Beshalach, 5643 (January 1883), from Teverya — same day as Letter 156 but addressed to Reb Yaakov Ber. Good news of Reb Dov Ber's return from Petersburg. A healing blessing for 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Rabbainu ז"ל's Yiddish teaching: "There is no despair — joy is a remedy for everything." Financial queries in Yiddish. The wife's question about her son Aharon. Segment 8 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה EN: Letter 155 | קנה (Kuf-Nun-Hey) Segment 9 HE: מכתבך ע"י ר' דוד צבי נ"י קבלתי יום ב' אחר תפילת שחרית ואין לי פנאי להשיב לכם רק השי"ת יתן רפואה שלמה לכל חולי עמו ישראל חיש מהר ובתוכם על זוג' תח' ולמען ה' להשיב לי על מכתב זה כי אני צריך לכמה דברים לידע מכם לכתוב לי מה שנשמע עם ר' שמחה הכהן נ"י EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 155 # קנח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/158/ קנח קנח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/158 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: Your letter from Rosh Chodesh Adar — this present one [ר"ח אדר דנא — dana — Aramaic: "this, the present one" — from Aramaic den — this; dana — this present one; specifying this current Adar as distinct from any other] — I received properly on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — after the morning prayer. And you gave me life with your letter — for you wrote that you wrote letters to me and had no news from me — and you wrote the opposite — that I do not write letters to you and you have no news from me. For you wrote to me that you sent me a letter through Reb Pinchas, may his candle shine — and I neither saw nor heard it. Only this letter — through the wife of Reb Moshe Hirsh, may his candle shine. And I sent you — through the shop — and one was in the name of my beloved friend — since I wrote to him about the matter of the match — and enclosed within it a letter for you as well. And two more letters I sent you — and I do not know where they are. Segment 2 HE: מכתבך מר"ח אדר דנא קבלתי לנכון ביום ו' עש"ק אחר תפילת שחרית והחייתי במכתבך כי אתה כתב שאתה כתב לי מכתבים ואין לי ממך שום ידיעה ואתה כתב ההפך שאיני כתב לך מכתבים ואין לך ממני שום ידיעה כי אתה כתב לי ששלחת לי ע"י ר' פנחס נ"י מכתב ולא ראיתי ולא שמעתי רק זה המכתב ע"י אשת ר' משה הירש נ"י ואני שלחתי לך ע"י החנות ואחד היה על שם ב"א מחמת שכתבתי לו מכח השדוך ושם היה רצוף לכם ג"כ איזה מכתב ועוד שני מכתבים שלחתי לכם ואין אני יודע היכן הם EN: For it is no trivial matter — "then those who fear Hashem spoke one to another — and Hashem listened and heard — and a book of remembrance was written before Him" [Malachi 3:16 — "then those who fear Hashem spoke one to another — and Hashem listened and heard — and a book of remembrance was written before Him — for those who fear Hashem and who esteem His name"; the verse about the conversation of the G-d-fearing in times of adversity — their very words are inscribed in the book of remembrance; the writer applies this to his correspondence with the Anash] — etc. And surely I want that you should give me life and I should give you life. And particularly since Rabbainu ז"ל warned us on this — to engage in this matter — to speak one to his companion. And here I have no one with whom to fulfill it. And blessed be G-d that I have such beloved friends — through whom I am able to fulfill the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore I compel myself on this — even though the Adversary stretches himself in length and breadth [מניח עצמו לארכו ולרחבו — "stretches himself in his length and in his breadth" — the image of the Adversary spreading himself out to fill all available space; blocking every channel of communication and inspiration] — to prevent even this. But nevertheless — we have the free choice — not to be prevented by his preventions. And the main prevention for me is — since several precious letters that Hashem Yisbarach helped me to write to you — to give life to your souls — and I also gave myself life through them — and apparently they did not reach your hands. But many times I have settled my mind — that words such as these — engraved in the air — are also a very great thing — as is explained in Likutay Moharan. [A specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: words of Torah and holiness that are spoken — even if they do not reach their intended recipient — are engraved in the spiritual air and continue to act and resonate; no holy word is ever lost] Segment 3 HE: כי לא דבר רק הוא אז נדברו יראי ה' איש אל רעהו ויקשב ה' וישמע ויכתב בספר וכו' ובודאי אני רוצה שאתם תחיו אותי ואני אחיה אתכם ובפרט שרבנו ז"ל הזהיר לנו על זה לעסק בדבר זה לדבר אחד עם חברו ואין לי בכאן עם מי לקים וב"ה שיש לי אהבים כזה שבהם אני יכול לקים דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ע"כ אני מכריח על זה הגם שהבעל דבר מניח עצמו לארכו ולרחבו למנע גם מזה אך אעפ"כ יש לנו הבחירה שלא להמנע מהמניעות שלו ועיקר המניעות שלי מחמת שכמה מכתבים יקרים שהשי"ת עזר לי לכתוב לכם להחיות נפשכם וגם אני החייתי עצמי בהם ולפי הנראה לא באו לידכם אך כמה פעמים אני מישב שדבורים כאלו הנחקקים באויר הוא ג"כ דבר גדול מאד כמבאר בלקוטי מוהר"ן EN: And know — my brothers and my companions — my beloved and faithful ones. According to what I see in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — we have no counsel in this world — except good desires and longings and yearnings and passionate longing toward Hashem Yisbarach — and to be only in joy always — and to distance greatly from sadness and laziness — and to give ourselves life through good points — through a point specifically. [בנקדה דיקא — "through a point specifically" — the teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: even the smallest single good point — the tiniest spark of goodness — is sufficient to begin the return; and through the power of Rabbainu ז"ל, even this single point carries immense weight] For a good point — in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל — is no trivial thing. And how we must give ourselves life — through what we merited — that the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple is called upon us — as is explained in the Torah discourse Bereishis "before the eyes of all Israel." And the Adversary can intensify and say to us — that his name is still not upon us — for we do not kindle from their words. [אין אנו מציתין לדבריהם — "we do not kindle from their words" — from hitzis — to ignite, to set alight, to kindle; the image of fire: we are not catching fire from the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple; the Adversary says his name is not upon us because we are not igniting and setting ourselves ablaze from their words] Therefore Rabbainu ז"ל left us the Torah Azamrah — that even a good point is very precious. But at least — we are not, G-d forbid, G-d forbid, opponents of such a new light — a light that illuminates all worlds — which can illuminate even us — if we merit to rejoice through them. And for the sake of Hashem — my brothers and my friends — do not worry at all — for the worries are from the Other Side — and the Holy Blessed One hates it. Segment 4 HE: ותדעו אחי ורעי האהובים והנאמנים כפי שאני ראה בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאין לנו בזה העולם שום עצה כי אם רצונות טובים וכסופין וגעגועים והשתוקקות להשי"ת ולהיות אך בשמחה תמיד ולהרחיק מאד מעצבות ועצלות ולהחיות עצמנו בנקדות טובות בנקדה דיקא כי נקדה טובה בכח רבנו ז"ל אינו דבר רק ואיך אנו צריכין להחיות עצמנו במה שזכינו שנקרא שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' עלינו כמבאר בהתורה בראשית לעיני כל ישראל והבעל דבר יכול להתגבר ולומר לנו שעדין אין שמו עלינו כי אין אנו מציתין לדבריהם ע"כ השאיר לנו רבנו ז"ל התורה אזמרה' שאפילו נקדה טובה היא יקרה מאד אבל עכ"פ אין אנו ח"ו ח"ו מתנגדים על אור חדש כזה על אור המאיר בכל העולמות אשר יכול להאיר אפילו לנו אם נזכה לשמח בהם ולמען ה' אחי ידידי אל תדאגו כלל כי הדאגות הם מסטרא אחרא והק' ברוך הוא שונא אותה EN: And even what my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that a great sleep has fallen upon him — this too is because of his sadness — that he has sadness over not having children — this too is the counsel of the evil impulse. For surely one must pray greatly for children — and for every matter — and for every single detail. But everything — in joy. If He will give — He will give — as is explained in Likutay Moharan. "Hope to Hashem — and continue to hope" [Psalms 27:14 — "hope to Hashem — be strong and let your heart take courage — and hope to Hashem"; the repetition of "hope" teaching that even after hope — continue to hope again] — until Hashem Yisbarach looks down and has mercy on you — and then there will be complete salvation. And study the Torah Pasach Rebbi Shimon [A specific Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל beginning with the words "Rabbi Shimon opened" — a discourse on the spiritual significance of a child and the attainment of children through prayer and faith] — and the laws that explain this Torah. And also read all the stories of Rabbainu ז"ל — for Rabbainu ז"ל said that through them he awakens us from sleep. And ask mercy of Hashem Yisbarach — that through the merit of the stories — Hashem Yisbarach should awaken him from sleep. For do you not have something with which to give yourself life? Have you not drawn close several people — and through you they had several contemplative thoughts of repentance? And know — that the main rectification for the soul of the Sephardic one who passed away — peace upon him — will be through those words that you spoke with him about Rabbainu ז"ל. For Rabbainu ז"ל is the master of the field. And in Likutay Halachos it is explained — that even the envy of scribes will be for life and not otherwise [קנאת סופרים יהיה לחיים ולא — from the Talmud, Bava Basra 22a: "the envy of scribes increases wisdom"; but the phrase l'chayim v'lo — "for life and not otherwise" — indicates a specific teaching of Reb Nosson ז"ל: even envy between Torah scholars, if properly directed, leads to life and not, G-d forbid, to its opposite] — so as not to confuse you — not even the righteousness of one's companion [A teaching: one should not even be confused or disturbed by another person's righteousness — thinking it diminishes oneself; even another's righteousness serves to elevate — as Rabbainu ז"ל told the story: "this is his story and this is my story"] — for Rabbainu ז"ל already told the story: "this is his story and this is my story." Segment 5 HE: ואפילו מה שידידי ר' איזיק נ"י כתב לי שנפל עליו שנה מאד זה מחמת עצבותו שיש לו עצבות ממה שאין לו בנים הוא ג"כ עצת היצר כי בודאי צריכין להתפלל עבור בנים ועבור כל דבר ועל כל פרט ופרט אבל הכל בשמחה אם יתן יתן כמבאר בלקוטי מוהר"ן קוה אל ה' וחזר וקוה עד ישקיף ה' וירחם עליכם ואז יהיה ישועה שלמה וילמד התורה פתח רבי שמעון' ובהלכות המבארים על התורה הזאת וגם יקרא כל הספורי מעשיות אשר רבנו ז"ל אמר שבהם הוא מעורר אותנו מהשנה ויבקש רחמים מהשי"ת שבזכות המעשיות יעורר אותו השי"ת מהשנה הלא אתה יש לך במה להחיות עצמך הלא קרבת כמה אנשים והיה להם כמה הרהורי תשובה על ידך ותדע שעיקר תקון לנשמת הספרדי שנפטר עליו השלום יהיה ע"י אלו הדבורים שדברת עמו מרבנו ז"ל כי רבנו ז"ל הוא בעל השדה ובלקוטי הלכות מבאר שאפילו קנאת סופרים יהיה לחיים ולא וכו' שלא לבלבל אתכם אפילו צדקות חברו כי כבר ספר רבנו ז"ל המעשה מהתם זה מעשה שלו וזה מעשה שלי EN: The sum is: all the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are only to give life to the souls of Israel. "My spikenard gave forth its fragrance" [Song of Songs 1:12 — "while the king was on his couch — my spikenard gave forth its fragrance"; a verse of the beloved; applied here: the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל give forth their fragrance to revive and give life to souls — nirdi natan reicho] — and not the opposite, G-d forbid. For even in the Torah Zichron Olam Haba [A Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל — "Remembrance of the World to Come" — a teaching about the essence of joy and the World to Come] — it is explained there that the essence is joy. And also it is explained there on the verse "I will remember my music in the night" [Psalms 77:7 — "I remember my music in the night — I commune with my heart — and my spirit searches"; the verse of nocturnal remembrance; the teaching: even in the darkness of night — music and song — the essence is joy] — that the essence is joy — to seek good points. ביינטן אייך גייט נישט ארום מיט דאגות ומרה שחורה — זייט פריליך — אין הייבט זיך אן שוין מכין זיין על פורים — אין בייטן להשי"ת על שמחת פורים — I ask of you: do not go around with worries and melancholy — be joyful — and begin now already to prepare yourselves for Purim — and to ask Hashem Yisbarach for the joy of Purim. For you saw how the Other Side confused your Simchas Torah. And blessed be G-d that you received a good neighbor — our friend Reb Simcha — who truly holds to the true path of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — when he was with me — I was revived through him. And also Reb Yaakov Ber is also among the Anash — and travels every year and every year to the resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל — and he too is added to you for the assembly. And I have no merit — that I should have someone with whom to speak of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But blessed be G-d — I speak to myself of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and with my household members. And in concealment I speak with others sometimes of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — but in great hiddenness. And you — blessed be G-d — have someone with whom to speak openly. Segment 6 HE: הכלל שכל הדבורים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם רק להחיות נפשות ישראלי נרדי נתן ריחו ולא ההפך ח"ו כי אפילו בהתורה זכרון עלמא דאתי מבאר שם שעיקר הוא שמחה וגם מבאר שם על פסוק אזכרה נגינתי בלילה שהעיקר הוא שמחה לחפש נקדות טובות בייטן אייך גייט נישט ארום מיט דאגות ומרה שחורה זייט פריליך אין הייבט זיך אן שוין מכין זיין על פורים אין בייטן להשי"ת על שמחת פורים כי אתם ראיתם איך שבלבל הסטרא אחרא השמחת תורה שלכם וב"ה שנתוסף לכם שכן טוב הוא ידידנו ר' שמחה שאוחז באמת לאמתו בדרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והשי"ת יודע האמת בעת היותו אצלי החייתי בו וגם ר' יעקב בער הוא ג"כ מאנ"ש ונסע בכל שנה ושנה על ציון רבנו ז"ל וגם הוא נתוסף לכם להקבוץ ואני אין לי זכיה שיהיה לי עם מי לדבר מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אך ב"ה שאני מדבר אל עצמי מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ועם בני ביתי ובגנבה אני מדבר עם אחרים לפעמים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אך בהעלם גדול ואתם ב"ה יש לכם עם מי לדבר בגליא EN: And study sign 81 in Likutay Tinyana — and from this itself you will be able to see why Yosil Bateh and Yechiel do not worry — and there is not even a single person — the worst of the worst — because of the humility. And you speak one with another in the fear of Heaven — that for Rabbi Yochanan one student alone sufficed. [A Talmudic saying: Rabbi Yochanan said that even one student who recites a teaching in his name suffices to justify his entire life's work; applied here: even one person who truly engages in these teachings is sufficient] You worry — surely one must pray greatly to Hashem Yisbarach for children — but everything in joy and gladness — and to trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that surely there will be such a time of divine favor — in this power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to help you in all things in its proper time and its proper moment — with complete salvation. And not through pressing the hour. And sadness and worries help nothing at all — and the Holy Blessed One is not impressed by your sadness — on the contrary — the Holy Blessed One hates them. And might and gladness are in His place — and sadness is slavery — and being a son is joy. [A teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: sadness is the state of a slave — constricted, unfree; joy is the state of a beloved son — expansive, free; the contrast between the slave's sadness and the son's joy] Segment 7 HE: ותלמדו בסימן פ"א בלקוטי תנינא ומזה בעצמו תוכלו לראות למה אינו דואג יוסיל באטע ויחיאל ואין אפילו שום אדם הגרוע שבגרועים מחמת ההכנעה ואתם מדברים זה עם זה ביראת שמים דלרבי יוחנן די בתלמיד לבד אתם דואגים בודאי צריכין להתפלל על בנים הרבה להשי"ת אבל הכל בשמחה וחדוה ולבטח בהשי"ת שבודאי יהיה עת רצון כזה בזה הכח של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לעזר לכם כל הדברים בעתו ובזמנו בישועה שלמה ולא בדחיקת השעה והעצבות ודאגות אין מועילין כלל ואין הק' ברוך הוא מתפחד מעצבות שלכם אדרבא הק' ברוך הוא שונא אותם ועז וחדוה במקומו ועצבות הוא עבד ובן הוא שמחה EN: Therefore my brothers and my companions — we must greatly rejoice — very, very greatly — that we merited — even from afar — at least — to know that there exists in the world a true Tzaddik — such a novelty — the flowing stream that purifies from all stains — and his springs go forth in valley and in mountain — through his holy disciple — to give life to our souls at every time — with a different medicine — warm waters that heal the body and the soul. But we must be constant in them. And we do not need to travel to distant places to seek warm baths to heal our souls and our bodies. But we have them in our very home — and without any expense at all — only to incline our ears and our eyes and our hearts well — to these holy books. And surely we will attain all good — "all things that are of benefit" [kol milei d'meitev — Aramaic from the Talmud, Kesubos 8a — "all things that are of benefit" — the wedding blessing formula; applied here to the complete benefit flowing from the books of Rabbainu ז"ל] — for Rabbainu ז"ל is the all-encompassing intellect through whom all the harsh judgments in the world are sweetened. And particularly my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — you have no business in this world — except to engage day and night in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and to rejoice every day — and to go every day to our beloved Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to remind him to be in joy. And do not worry at all — for G-d willing if you hold yourself to the ways of Rabbainu ז"ל — surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be. Only the believer will not be shaken — and faith is prayer. Segment 8 HE: ע"כ אחי ורעי אנו צריכין מאד לשמח מאד מאד שזכינו מרחוק עכ"פ לידע שנמצא בעולם צדיק אמתי חדוש כזה הנחל המטהר מכל הכתמים ומעינותיו יוצאים בבקעה ובהר ע"י תלמידו הק' להחיות נפשנו בכל עת ועת ברפואה אחרת מים חמים המרפאין הגוף והנפש אך אנו צריכין להתמיד בהם ואין אנו צריכין לנסע למרחקים לבקש מרחצאות חמים לרפאת נפשנו וגופנו אך יש לנו בבית ממש ובלי הוצאות כלל רק להטות אזנינו ועינינו ולבנו היטב להספרים הק' האלו ובודאי נשיג כל טוב כל מילי דמיטב כי רבנו ז"ל הוא השכל הכולל אשר על ידו נמתקין כל הדינים שבעולם ובפרט ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י שאין לך שום עסק בזה העולם כי אם לעסק יומם ולילה בדברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולשמח בכל יום ולילך בכל יום לאו"נ ר' נתן נ"י ולהזכיר אותו שיהיה בשמחה ולא תדאג כלל כי אי"ה אם תאחז עצמך בדרכי רבנו ז"ל בודאי אי"ה יהיה הכל על נכון אך המאמין לא יחוש ואמונה היא תפילה EN: Words of one who truly loves you — and desires your good forever — in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת וחפץ בטובתכם לנצח בזה ובבא EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Undated — Adar 5643, shortly before Purim. Lost letters. The words engraved in air. Joy, good points, the Adversary. Yiddish: begin preparing for Purim. Speaking of Rabbainu ז"ל in hiddenness. A warm postscript to Reb Nachman — open your mouths — four hundred benches. Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש לידידי עז או"נ באמת הרב הותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם מו"ה ר' נחמן נ"י הנה שמעתי מהנס הגדול אשר עשה עמכם השי"ת ברוך הטוב והמטיב הגומל חסדים טובים אך בזה רמז לכם השי"ת שלא תסגרו פיכם להזכיר דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר אני יודע שיש בפיכם מרגליות טובים מרבנו ז"ל ואין אתם מוציאים מכח אל הפעל להחיות נפשות אחרות אשר זה היה רצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שלא נהיה ח"ו עצים יבשים כמבאר בחיי מוהר"ן ואל תתרעמו עלי שאני כתב כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שבעץ יכולין להדליק העץ הגדול והקבוץ שלנו הוא דבר גדול עד למאד וצריכין לדון את כל אחד ואחד לכף זכות ובזה נתוסף ארבע מאות ספסלי כי אם לא היה רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' דנים אותנו לכף זכות לפי אורם הגדול לא היו מקרבים לשום אחד מאנ"ש השי"ת יתן לכם אריכת ימים ושנים ושיבה טובה לתורה ולעבודה כרצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' EN: Your letter from Rosh Chodesh Adar — this present one [ר"ח אדר דנא — dana — Aramaic: "this, the present one" — from Aramaic den — this; dana — this present one; specifying this current Adar as distinct from any other] — I received properly on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — after the morning prayer. And you gave me life with your letter — for you wrote that you wrote letters to me and had no news from me — and you wrote the opposite — that I do not write letters to you and you have no news from me. For you wrote to me that you sent me a letter through Reb Pinchas, may his candle shine — and I neither saw nor heard it. Only this letter — through the wife of Reb Moshe Hirsh, may his candle shine. And I sent you — through the shop — and one was in the name of my beloved friend — since I wrote to him about the matter of the match — and enclosed within it a letter for you as well. And two more letters I sent you — and I do not know where they are. Undated — Adar 5643, shortly before Purim. Lost letters. The words engraved in air. Joy, good points, the Adversary. Yiddish: begin preparing for Purim. Speaking of Rabbainu ז"ל in hiddenness. A warm postscript to Reb Nachman — open your mouths — four hundred benches. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am astonished — on Sunday of Tetzaveh I wrote a letter to the honor of Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — and the letter was delayed — and I did not send the letter until the above-mentioned Friday. And I sent it through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach the blind one. [The same hired coachman referred to in Letter 159 — the blind coachman Salach who regularly carried letters between Teverya and Tzfas; his blindness is mentioned as a distinguishing characteristic] And there I wrote to you that you should send me immediately the above-mentioned matter that I wrote to you on Sunday of Tetzaveh — for it was a precious letter to give life to your souls. And the hired coachman was with us in the past week several times — and he told me that upon his coming he returned your letter to you. And from you I have not seen any form of a letter. And because of this I did not send you any letter — for I do not know how to send you letters that will actually reach you — for several times I sent through the shop of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and did not receive from them a receipt for the letter — and it was in my mind that perhaps they did not send it to you — or it was lost. And now I sent you through the above-mentioned non-Jewish man — to give him a payment of one twenty-copper piece [צוואנציקר — tsvantsikher — Yiddish: a twenty-copper-piece coin — a specific small coin denomination used in the Ottoman currency system; a modest payment for the delivery service] — so that he should deliver it clearly. And on the letter is written: from Uman — to Tzfas, may it be established. And I do not know what to think — for you are considered by me as truly like my own sons. And when I have no letter from you — I have great suffering. And many times I wrote to you — perhaps my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, is occupied and has no leisure to write to me when the wagon goes — let my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizik, may his candle shine, write to me. Even though the partnership that exists between us — requires putting aside all the occupations of the doubtful livelihood — for our business — which is a certain livelihood. For the eternal truth of Israel does not lie — for even if our letters accomplish only some good desire toward the Creator — blessed be He — that too is very good. For "no good desire is ever lost." And know — that today I studied the Laws of Rosh Hashana, law 6 — on the Torah "where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" [Genesis 22:7 — the binding of Isaac; Abraham says "G-d will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering"; the Torah discourse of Reb Nosson ז"ל in Laws of Rosh Hashana, law 6, connects this to the shofar and the theme of seeking G-d's provision] — and what shall I say to you — my brothers and companions — look in this law in truth and you will see the great secrets that are revealed there — and you will find repose for your souls — to give you life. For according to the ordeals that pass over me in this year — without the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — I could not have lived even a single hour. For from my sons and from my daughters I have no letter — and from my grandson in Breslov — I received word that he went into the military. [שהלך לחיל — "that he went to the military" — conscripted or enlisted into military service; a serious matter for a Jewish young man in Tsarist Russia; the writer's grandson has been taken into the army] And my wife, may she live — almost there do not pass two days — that some ailment does not seize her. And she no longer has the strength to bear her pains. And since the past Thursday — the fever has seized her again — every day with great fierce anger. [בחרון אף גדול — "with great fierce anger" — the fever strikes with the force of divine fierce anger; the Talmudic idiom for intense, wrathful heat] And beyond this — ס'פארט איהר אינטערן הארץ — it pains her deep inside the heart [s'fart ir interm hartsn — Yiddish: "it pains her deep within the heart" — a deep internal pain within the chest cavity; a serious internal ailment in addition to the fever] — and her cries are bitter and most bitter. And the compassion upon her — it is impossible for me to bear. But since I believe that in distress He will make expansiveness for me — I see expansivenesses. For "were it not for Your Torah" — etc. [Psalms 119:92 — "were it not for Your Torah being my delight — I would have perished in my affliction"; the verse of survival through Torah in the midst of suffering] And I ask of you — that you lend me two bishliks [בישליקיס — bishlikim — Ottoman coins; beshlik — a specific Ottoman coin denomination worth approximately five piasters; a modest sum needed urgently] — and go — you and Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine — to the grave of the holy Ari — and there perform a redemption for her — and distribute the money to these people. And also go to the grave of my father ז"ל. And also tell all the Anash to ask mercy for her. And also I ask of our friend — to ask perhaps he has some spiritual remedy [סגלה — a segulah — an innate spiritual virtue or remedy; a specific practice, object, or formula known to have spiritual efficacy for healing] — tell him that she has been ill for approximately fifteen months. And when she takes quinine [חינא — china/kina — quinine; from the Peruvian cinchona bark; the standard treatment for malaria and fever in the 19th century] — it throws her off for four or five days — and then seizes her again. Only now a new ailment has been added to her — וואס ס'פארט איהר אינטערן הארץ — the deep internal pain within the heart. And whatever he tells you — write to me. Or perhaps you can obtain a prescription — and it will cost a small amount — send it to me from there. And the main thing is to pray for her — that Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. And we must ask mercy for the joy of Purim — and prepare ourselves for the sweetening of all the harsh judgments. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and joy. One who truly loves you in complete wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Vayakhel, 5643 — delayed until Sunday Parshas Pekudei (February-March 1883), from Teverya. Lost letters, the blind coachman Mohamad Salach. The wife's condition is deteriorating sharply — fever daily with fierce anger, new deep internal pain. Grandson conscripted into the military. A request for money for a redemption at the Ari's grave, quinine, and a spiritual remedy. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Herewith is enclosed a letter — which I wrote to the nagid [הנגיד — the nagid — the patron and community leader; Reb Chaim Yehoshua; a prominent and wealthy communal figure] Reb Chaim Yehoshua — and I do not want his trusted agent to read it before him. Therefore I am sending it to your honor — enclosed within your letter — so that you should read the letter before the above-mentioned nagid — and explain to him the truth of my letter. For I am not touching either side — only the truth as it appears in my mind and my heart — I wrote to him. And also I heard from afar that you consider that I am not judging you favorably, G-d forbid. Is it possible for your honor to believe this? For Rabbainu ז"ל warned us in many Torah discourses — to judge favorably — even those who shame us — and even to judge oneself favorably — for each person surely knows the wounds of his own heart. And particularly — to a faithful friend such as you — for Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — how I love the Anash. And I know — that no two people's minds are alike. And specifically — from differing actions — when simple unity is made — this is precious in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach. And we need only to ensure — not to cause, G-d forbid, division of hearts — for we are all rooted from one root. And I have no agitation against you — to diminish, G-d forbid, the love between us — but as before — and as from ancient times — with strong and very great love. Only every person who is not in a state of perfection — sometimes errs in some matter. But my love for you is fastened in my heart and in my mind — for you are among the people of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. How fortunate are you — and how fortunate is your portion — and how fortunate is my portion — and how fortunate are we — how good is our portion — and how pleasant is our lot — and how beautiful is our inheritance. And blessed be G-d — the days of Purim are drawing palpably near. [ממשמשין ובאין — "drawing near palpably, approaching with tangible closeness" — from mimashmashin — feeling, touching with the fingers; the days of Purim are palpably approaching, close enough to touch] May Hashem Yisbarach help us too — that there should be made for us also the downfall of Haman — and Amalek — may his name be blotted out — and his remembrance be erased. And may we merit to rejoice in the joy of the holy Purim — and the downfall of Haman and Amalek. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to cry out beforehand — a great and bitter cry — and afterward to rejoice on the holy festival of Purim — with hand-clapping and dancing — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And may there be drawn upon us — on Purim — within the joy — supremely elevated divine awe [יראה עלאה דעלאה — Aramaic from the Zohar: "supremely elevated divine awe" — the highest and most refined level of divine awe; the supernal awe that transcends even ordinary awe — the awe of the completely purified soul; this specific level is drawn down specifically through the joy of Purim] — as is explained in Likutay Halachos — in the Laws of the Firstborn Kosher Animal. [הלכות בכור בהמה טהורה — Laws of the Firstborn Kosher Animal — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law that connects the Halachah of the firstborn kosher animal to the deep teachings about Purim, joy, and supremely elevated divine awe] And because of the urgency of the Shabbos eve — I was brief — and he says peace to my truly beloved. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Vayakhel, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. A letter enclosing a separate letter for the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua. A defense of the writer's love for the Anash. Purim approaches. Supremely elevated divine awe drawn down through Purim joy. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן For it is no trivial matter — "then those who fear Hashem spoke one to another — and Hashem listened and heard — and a book of remembrance was written before Him" [Malachi 3:16 — "then those who fear Hashem spoke one to another — and Hashem listened and heard — and a book of remembrance was written before Him — for those who fear Hashem and who esteem His name"; the verse about the conversation of the G-d-fearing in times of adversity — their very words are inscribed in the book of remembrance; the writer applies this to his correspondence with the Anash] — etc. And surely I want that you should give me life and I should give you life. And particularly since Rabbainu ז"ל warned us on this — to engage in this matter — to speak one to his companion. And here I have no one with whom to fulfill it. And blessed be G-d that I have such beloved friends — through whom I am able to fulfill the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore I compel myself on this — even though the Adversary stretches himself in length and breadth [מניח עצמו לארכו ולרחבו — "stretches himself in his length and in his breadth" — the image of the Adversary spreading himself out to fill all available space; blocking every channel of communication and inspiration] — to prevent even this. But nevertheless — we have the free choice — not to be prevented by his preventions. And the main prevention for me is — since several precious letters that Hashem Yisbarach helped me to write to you — to give life to your souls — and I also gave myself life through them — and apparently they did not reach your hands. But many times I have settled my mind — that words such as these — engraved in the air — are also a very great thing — as is explained in Likutay Moharan. [A specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: words of Torah and holiness that are spoken — even if they do not reach their intended recipient — are engraved in the spiritual air and continue to act and resonate; no holy word is ever lost] And know — my brothers and my companions — my beloved and faithful ones. According to what I see in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — we have no counsel in this world — except good desires and longings and yearnings and passionate longing toward Hashem Yisbarach — and to be only in joy always — and to distance greatly from sadness and laziness — and to give ourselves life through good points — through a point specifically. [בנקדה דיקא — "through a point specifically" — the teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: even the smallest single good point — the tiniest spark of goodness — is sufficient to begin the return; and through the power of Rabbainu ז"ל, even this single point carries immense weight] For a good point — in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל — is no trivial thing. And how we must give ourselves life — through what we merited — that the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple is called upon us — as is explained in the Torah discourse Bereishis "before the eyes of all Israel." And the Adversary can intensify and say to us — that his name is still not upon us — for we do not kindle from their words. [אין אנו מציתין לדבריהם — "we do not kindle from their words" — from hitzis — to ignite, to set alight, to kindle; the image of fire: we are not catching fire from the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple; the Adversary says his name is not upon us because we are not igniting and setting ourselves ablaze from their words] Therefore Rabbainu ז"ל left us the Torah Azamrah — that even a good point is very precious. But at least — we are not, G-d forbid, G-d forbid, opponents of such a new light — a light that illuminates all worlds — which can illuminate even us — if we merit to rejoice through them. And for the sake of Hashem — my brothers and my friends — do not worry at all — for the worries are from the Other Side — and the Holy Blessed One hates it. And even what my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that a great sleep has fallen upon him — this too is because of his sadness — that he has sadness over not having children — this too is the counsel of the evil impulse. For surely one must pray greatly for children — and for every matter — and for every single detail. But everything — in joy. If He will give — He will give — as is explained in Likutay Moharan. "Hope to Hashem — and continue to hope" [Psalms 27:14 — "hope to Hashem — be strong and let your heart take courage — and hope to Hashem"; the repetition of "hope" teaching that even after hope — continue to hope again] — until Hashem Yisbarach looks down and has mercy on you — and then there will be complete salvation. And study the Torah Pasach Rebbi Shimon [A specific Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל beginning with the words "Rabbi Shimon opened" — a discourse on the spiritual significance of a child and the attainment of children through prayer and faith] — and the laws that explain this Torah. And also read all the stories of Rabbainu ז"ל — for Rabbainu ז"ל said that through them he awakens us from sleep. And ask mercy of Hashem Yisbarach — that through the merit of the stories — Hashem Yisbarach should awaken him from sleep. For do you not have something with which to give yourself life? Have you not drawn close several people — and through you they had several contemplative thoughts of repentance? And know — that the main rectification for the soul of the Sephardic one who passed away — peace upon him — will be through those words that you spoke with him about Rabbainu ז"ל. For Rabbainu ז"ל is the master of the field. And in Likutay Halachos it is explained — that even the envy of scribes will be for life and not otherwise [קנאת סופרים יהיה לחיים ולא — from the Talmud, Bava Basra 22a: "the envy of scribes increases wisdom"; but the phrase l'chayim v'lo — "for life and not otherwise" — indicates a specific teaching of Reb Nosson ז"ל: even envy between Torah scholars, if properly directed, leads to life and not, G-d forbid, to its opposite] — so as not to confuse you — not even the righteousness of one's companion [A teaching: one should not even be confused or disturbed by another person's righteousness — thinking it diminishes oneself; even another's righteousness serves to elevate — as Rabbainu ז"ל told the story: "this is his story and this is my story"] — for Rabbainu ז"ל already told the story: "this is his story and this is my story." The sum is: all the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are only to give life to the souls of Israel. "My spikenard gave forth its fragrance" [Song of Songs 1:12 — "while the king was on his couch — my spikenard gave forth its fragrance"; a verse of the beloved; applied here: the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל give forth their fragrance to revive and give life to souls — nirdi natan reicho] — and not the opposite, G-d forbid. For even in the Torah Zichron Olam Haba [A Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל — "Remembrance of the World to Come" — a teaching about the essence of joy and the World to Come] — it is explained there that the essence is joy. And also it is explained there on the verse "I will remember my music in the night" [Psalms 77:7 — "I remember my music in the night — I commune with my heart — and my spirit searches"; the verse of nocturnal remembrance; the teaching: even in the darkness of night — music and song — the essence is joy] — that the essence is joy — to seek good points. ביינטן אייך גייט נישט ארום מיט דאגות ומרה שחורה — זייט פריליך — אין הייבט זיך אן שוין מכין זיין על פורים — אין בייטן להשי"ת על שמחת פורים — I ask of you: do not go around with worries and melancholy — be joyful — and begin now already to prepare yourselves for Purim — and to ask Hashem Yisbarach for the joy of Purim. For you saw how the Other Side confused your Simchas Torah. And blessed be G-d that you received a good neighbor — our friend Reb Simcha — who truly holds to the true path of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — when he was with me — I was revived through him. And also Reb Yaakov Ber is also among the Anash — and travels every year and every year to the resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל — and he too is added to you for the assembly. And I have no merit — that I should have someone with whom to speak of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But blessed be G-d — I speak to myself of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and with my household members. And in concealment I speak with others sometimes of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — but in great hiddenness. And you — blessed be G-d — have someone with whom to speak openly. And study sign 81 in Likutay Tinyana — and from this itself you will be able to see why Yosil Bateh and Yechiel do not worry — and there is not even a single person — the worst of the worst — because of the humility. And you speak one with another in the fear of Heaven — that for Rabbi Yochanan one student alone sufficed. [A Talmudic saying: Rabbi Yochanan said that even one student who recites a teaching in his name suffices to justify his entire life's work; applied here: even one person who truly engages in these teachings is sufficient] You worry — surely one must pray greatly to Hashem Yisbarach for children — but everything in joy and gladness — and to trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that surely there will be such a time of divine favor — in this power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to help you in all things in its proper time and its proper moment — with complete salvation. And not through pressing the hour. And sadness and worries help nothing at all — and the Holy Blessed One is not impressed by your sadness — on the contrary — the Holy Blessed One hates them. And might and gladness are in His place — and sadness is slavery — and being a son is joy. [A teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: sadness is the state of a slave — constricted, unfree; joy is the state of a beloved son — expansive, free; the contrast between the slave's sadness and the son's joy] Therefore my brothers and my companions — we must greatly rejoice — very, very greatly — that we merited — even from afar — at least — to know that there exists in the world a true Tzaddik — such a novelty — the flowing stream that purifies from all stains — and his springs go forth in valley and in mountain — through his holy disciple — to give life to our souls at every time — with a different medicine — warm waters that heal the body and the soul. But we must be constant in them. And we do not need to travel to distant places to seek warm baths to heal our souls and our bodies. But we have them in our very home — and without any expense at all — only to incline our ears and our eyes and our hearts well — to these holy books. And surely we will attain all good — "all things that are of benefit" [kol milei d'meitev — Aramaic from the Talmud, Kesubos 8a — "all things that are of benefit" — the wedding blessing formula; applied here to the complete benefit flowing from the books of Rabbainu ז"ל] — for Rabbainu ז"ל is the all-encompassing intellect through whom all the harsh judgments in the world are sweetened. And particularly my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — you have no business in this world — except to engage day and night in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and to rejoice every day — and to go every day to our beloved Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to remind him to be in joy. And do not worry at all — for G-d willing if you hold yourself to the ways of Rabbainu ז"ל — surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be. Only the believer will not be shaken — and faith is prayer. Words of one who truly loves you — and desires your good forever — in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov Nussun from Breslov Undated — Adar 5643, shortly before Purim. Lost letters. The words engraved in air. Joy, good points, the Adversary. Yiddish: begin preparing for Purim. Speaking of Rabbainu ז"ל in hiddenness. A warm postscript to Reb Nachman — open your mouths — four hundred benches. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: I am astonished — on Sunday of Tetzaveh I wrote a letter to the honor of Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — and the letter was delayed — and I did not send the letter until the above-mentioned Friday. And I sent it through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach the blind one. [The same hired coachman referred to in Letter 159 — the blind coachman Salach who regularly carried letters between Teverya and Tzfas; his blindness is mentioned as a distinguishing characteristic] And there I wrote to you that you should send me immediately the above-mentioned matter that I wrote to you on Sunday of Tetzaveh — for it was a precious letter to give life to your souls. And the hired coachman was with us in the past week several times — and he told me that upon his coming he returned your letter to you. And from you I have not seen any form of a letter. And because of this I did not send you any letter — for I do not know how to send you letters that will actually reach you — for several times I sent through the shop of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and did not receive from them a receipt for the letter — and it was in my mind that perhaps they did not send it to you — or it was lost. And now I sent you through the above-mentioned non-Jewish man — to give him a payment of one twenty-copper piece [צוואנציקר — tsvantsikher — Yiddish: a twenty-copper-piece coin — a specific small coin denomination used in the Ottoman currency system; a modest payment for the delivery service] — so that he should deliver it clearly. And on the letter is written: from Uman — to Tzfas, may it be established. # קנט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/159/ קנט קנט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/159 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ויקהל תרמ"ג פה טבריא EN: I am astonished — on Sunday of Tetzaveh I wrote a letter to the honor of Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — and the letter was delayed — and I did not send the letter until the above-mentioned Friday. And I sent it through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach the blind one. [The same hired coachman referred to in Letter 159 — the blind coachman Salach who regularly carried letters between Teverya and Tzfas; his blindness is mentioned as a distinguishing characteristic] And there I wrote to you that you should send me immediately the above-mentioned matter that I wrote to you on Sunday of Tetzaveh — for it was a precious letter to give life to your souls. And the hired coachman was with us in the past week several times — and he told me that upon his coming he returned your letter to you. And from you I have not seen any form of a letter. And because of this I did not send you any letter — for I do not know how to send you letters that will actually reach you — for several times I sent through the shop of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and did not receive from them a receipt for the letter — and it was in my mind that perhaps they did not send it to you — or it was lost. And now I sent you through the above-mentioned non-Jewish man — to give him a payment of one twenty-copper piece [צוואנציקר — tsvantsikher — Yiddish: a twenty-copper-piece coin — a specific small coin denomination used in the Ottoman currency system; a modest payment for the delivery service] — so that he should deliver it clearly. And on the letter is written: from Uman — to Tzfas, may it be established. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ אחי ורעי מו"ה נתן נ"י ועם שלום מו"ה איזיק נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: And I do not know what to think — for you are considered by me as truly like my own sons. And when I have no letter from you — I have great suffering. And many times I wrote to you — perhaps my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, is occupied and has no leisure to write to me when the wagon goes — let my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizik, may his candle shine, write to me. Even though the partnership that exists between us — requires putting aside all the occupations of the doubtful livelihood — for our business — which is a certain livelihood. For the eternal truth of Israel does not lie — for even if our letters accomplish only some good desire toward the Creator — blessed be He — that too is very good. For "no good desire is ever lost." Segment 3 HE: הנה לפלא בעיני ביום א' תצוה כתבתי מכתב לכבוד ר' יעקב בער נ"י ונתעכב המכתב ולא שלחתי המכתב עד יום ו' הנ"ל ושלחתי אותו ע"י המיקער מוחאמד סאלאח הסומא ושם כתבתי לכם שתכף תשלחו לי הדבר הנ"ל שכתבתי לכם ביום א' תצוה כי היה מכתב יקר להחיות נפשכם והיה אצלנו המיקער בשבוע העבר כמה פעמים ואמר לי שתכף בבאו החזיר לך המכתב ומאתכם לא ראיתי שום תמונת אות ומחמת זה לא שלחתי לכם שום מכתב כי אין אני יודע איך לשלח לכם שיגיע לידכם כי כמה פעמים שלחתי ע"י החנות מר' חיים יהושע נ"י ולא קבלתי מהם קבלה על המכתב והיה בדעתי שמא לא שלחו לכם או שנאבד ועתה שלחתי לכם ע"י הערל הנ"ל לתן לו שכר טרחא אחד צוואנציקר בכדי שימסר בברור ועל המכתב כתוב מאומן לצפת תו"ת EN: And know — that today I studied the Laws of Rosh Hashana, law 6 — on the Torah "where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" [Genesis 22:7 — the binding of Isaac; Abraham says "G-d will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering"; the Torah discourse of Reb Nosson ז"ל in Laws of Rosh Hashana, law 6, connects this to the shofar and the theme of seeking G-d's provision] — and what shall I say to you — my brothers and companions — look in this law in truth and you will see the great secrets that are revealed there — and you will find repose for your souls — to give you life. For according to the ordeals that pass over me in this year — without the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — I could not have lived even a single hour. For from my sons and from my daughters I have no letter — and from my grandson in Breslov — I received word that he went into the military. [שהלך לחיל — "that he went to the military" — conscripted or enlisted into military service; a serious matter for a Jewish young man in Tsarist Russia; the writer's grandson has been taken into the army] And my wife, may she live — almost there do not pass two days — that some ailment does not seize her. And she no longer has the strength to bear her pains. And since the past Thursday — the fever has seized her again — every day with great fierce anger. [בחרון אף גדול — "with great fierce anger" — the fever strikes with the force of divine fierce anger; the Talmudic idiom for intense, wrathful heat] And beyond this — ס'פארט איהר אינטערן הארץ — it pains her deep inside the heart [s'fart ir interm hartsn — Yiddish: "it pains her deep within the heart" — a deep internal pain within the chest cavity; a serious internal ailment in addition to the fever] — and her cries are bitter and most bitter. And the compassion upon her — it is impossible for me to bear. But since I believe that in distress He will make expansiveness for me — I see expansivenesses. For "were it not for Your Torah" — etc. [Psalms 119:92 — "were it not for Your Torah being my delight — I would have perished in my affliction"; the verse of survival through Torah in the midst of suffering] Segment 4 HE: ואין אני יודע מה לחשב כי אתם נחשבים אצלי כמו בני ממש וכשאין לי מכם שום מכתב יש לי צער גדול וכמה פעמים כתבתי לכם אפשר ידידי מו"ה נתן נ"י הוא טרוד ואין לו פנאי לכתוב לי בעת השירא הולכת יכתב ידידי מו"ה איזיק נ"י הגם שהשתפות שיש בינינו צריכין להניח כל הטרדות מהספק רוח להעסק שלנו שהוא ודאי רוח כי נצח ישראל לא ישקר כי אם אין אנו פועלין בהמכתבים שלנו כי אם איזה רצון טוב להבורא יתברך ג"כ טוב מאד כי לית רעותא טבא דיתאביד EN: And I ask of you — that you lend me two bishliks [בישליקיס — bishlikim — Ottoman coins; beshlik — a specific Ottoman coin denomination worth approximately five piasters; a modest sum needed urgently] — and go — you and Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine — to the grave of the holy Ari — and there perform a redemption for her — and distribute the money to these people. And also go to the grave of my father ז"ל. And also tell all the Anash to ask mercy for her. And also I ask of our friend — to ask perhaps he has some spiritual remedy [סגלה — a segulah — an innate spiritual virtue or remedy; a specific practice, object, or formula known to have spiritual efficacy for healing] — tell him that she has been ill for approximately fifteen months. And when she takes quinine [חינא — china/kina — quinine; from the Peruvian cinchona bark; the standard treatment for malaria and fever in the 19th century] — it throws her off for four or five days — and then seizes her again. Only now a new ailment has been added to her — וואס ס'פארט איהר אינטערן הארץ — the deep internal pain within the heart. And whatever he tells you — write to me. Or perhaps you can obtain a prescription — and it will cost a small amount — send it to me from there. And the main thing is to pray for her — that Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. And we must ask mercy for the joy of Purim — and prepare ourselves for the sweetening of all the harsh judgments. Segment 5 HE: ותדעו שהיום למדתי הלכות ר"ה הלכה ו' על התורה איה השה לעלה ומה אמר לכם אחי ורעי תעינו בהלכה זאת באמת ותראו הסודות הגדולים אשר שם מגלה ותמצאו שם מרגוע לנפשכם להחיותכם כי לפי ההרפתקאות שעוברין עלי בשנה הזאת בלתי ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לא הייתי יכול לחיות אפילו שעה אחת כי מבני ומבנותי אין לי שום מכתב ומנכדי מברסלב היתה לי ידיעה שהלך לחיל וזוג' תח' כמעט אינו עבר שני ימים שלא תהיה לה חולאת אחר ואין לה עוד כח לסבל מכאוביה ומיום ד' העבר תפס לה עוד הפעם הפיבער בכל יום בחרון אף גדול וחוץ מזה ס'פארט איהר אינטערן הארץ וצעקותיה מרים ומרורים והרחמנות שעליה א"א לי לסבל אך מחמת שאני מאמין שבצר הרחבת לי אני ראה הרחבות כי לולי תורתך וכו' EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and joy. Segment 6 HE: ואני מבקש מאתך שתלוה לי שני בישליקיס ותלך אתה ור' איזיק נ"י ור' יואל הירש נ"י על ציון האר"י הק' ושם תעשו עבורה פדיון ותחלק המעות לאלו האנשים וגם תלך על ציון אבי זללה"ה וגם לומר לכל אנ"ש שיבקשו רחמים עליה וגם אני מבקש מאת ידידנו מו"ה ולבקש אולי יתן איזה סגלה לספר לו שהיא חולה ערך חמשה עשר חדשים וכשמקבלת חינא זורק אותה על ארבעה חמשה ימים ותופס אותה עוד הפעם רק עתה נתחדש לה עוד חולאת וואס ס'פארט איהר אינטערן הארץ ומה שאמר לך תכתב לי או אפשר שתוכל לקנות הריצפט ויעלה דבר קטן תשלח לי משם והעיקר להתפלל עליה שישלח לה השי"ת רפואה שלמה חיש מהר ואנו צריכין לבקש רחמים על שמחת פורים ולהכין עצמנו להמתקת כל הדינים EN: One who truly loves you in complete wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ושמחה EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: אוהבך באמת ובתמים מחמת שלא היה שירא המכתב נתעכב עד היום יום א' פקודי ואשיח לפניכם צרות זוג' תח' להתפלל עבורה כי היום היה לה שני פעמים פיבור ואין בכחי לסבל צרותיה עמדו נא חברי לעורר רחמים עליה כי היא אשה כשרה מאד ותבקשו מכל אנ"ש להתפלל עליה EN: Written Monday, Parshas Vayakhel, 5643 — delayed until Sunday Parshas Pekudei (February-March 1883), from Teverya. Lost letters, the blind coachman Mohamad Salach. The wife's condition is deteriorating sharply — fever daily with fierce anger, new deep internal pain. Grandson conscripted into the military. A request for money for a redemption at the Ari's grave, quinine, and a spiritual remedy. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And blessed be G-d — the days of Purim are drawing palpably near. [ממשמשין ובאין — "drawing near palpably, approaching with tangible closeness" — from mimashmashin — feeling, touching with the fingers; the days of Purim are palpably approaching, close enough to touch] May Hashem Yisbarach help us too — that there should be made for us also the downfall of Haman — and Amalek — may his name be blotted out — and his remembrance be erased. And may we merit to rejoice in the joy of the holy Purim — and the downfall of Haman and Amalek. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to cry out beforehand — a great and bitter cry — and afterward to rejoice on the holy festival of Purim — with hand-clapping and dancing — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And may there be drawn upon us — on Purim — within the joy — supremely elevated divine awe [יראה עלאה דעלאה — Aramaic from the Zohar: "supremely elevated divine awe" — the highest and most refined level of divine awe; the supernal awe that transcends even ordinary awe — the awe of the completely purified soul; this specific level is drawn down specifically through the joy of Purim] — as is explained in Likutay Halachos — in the Laws of the Firstborn Kosher Animal. [הלכות בכור בהמה טהורה — Laws of the Firstborn Kosher Animal — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law that connects the Halachah of the firstborn kosher animal to the deep teachings about Purim, joy, and supremely elevated divine awe] # טז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/16/ טז טז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/16 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ר"ח שבט תרל"ז פה טבריא תו"ת ב"ב EN: Monday, the New Moon of Shevat [Rosh Chodesh Shevat — the first day of the month of Shevat; the late winter month that contains Tu BiShvat — the New Year for Trees; it falls in late January or early February], 5637 [= January or February 1877 CE — a new year; more than six months have passed since Letter 15; this is the first letter of 5637] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידנו הלא הוא הותיק וחסיד המפלא ומפלג או"נ וכו' כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום זוג' וב"ב EN: To the honor of our friend — why, it is the veteran Chassid, the wondrous and exceptional, our ohavainu, etc., the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with his wife and all the members of his household. [This letter is addressed to the father — Reb Tzvi — not to his son Reb Nussun as in most letters; it concerns a wedding in the family] Segment 3 HE: מז"ט לכם השי"ת יעלה וירומם מזלכם וקרנכם למעלה ולמעלה בזה ובבא אנס"ו EN: With a good omen! [מז"ט — mazal tov — the letter opens with this joyous blessing before any other greeting, as is customary when congratulating on a celebration] Segment 4 HE: מכתבכם היקר שקבלתי עם הבקשה על החתנה קבלתי לנכון והיה לי למשיבת נפש שזכה אחי ידידי להיות שמח בשמחה של מצוה כזו שאין לה שעור ופרות הק' אוכלין בעולם הזה והקרן קימת לעולם הבא EN: May Hashem Yisbarach raise up and elevate your fortune and your glory — higher and higher — in this world and in the World to Come. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Your precious letter, which I received with the request regarding the wedding — I received properly. And it was a gently reviving of my soul [למשיבת נפש — the feminine construct form — l'meshivas nefesh — rather than the more usual l'meshiv nefesh; the feminine form gives the reviving a quality of gentle, tender restoration — like a mother comforting a child] — that my beloved brother and friend merited to be joyful in such an immeasurable mitzvah joy [שמחה של מצוה כזו שאין לה שעור — "joy of a mitzvah such as this one that has no measure"]. And the fruits of the holy one [פרות הק' — an allusion to the Mishnah in Peah: certain acts of which one "eats the fruits in this world while the principal stands for the World to Come" — the wedding-mitzvah belongs to this category] are eaten in this world while the principal stands for the World to Come. Segment 5 HE: והישר היה שאסע גם אני להיות בצותא חדא לשמח בשמחת אחי אך מחמת כמה טעמים איני יכול לנסע אחד מחמת הוצאות שהשעה דחוקה לי עתה ואם היה לכם עת רווח באפן אחר הייתי נוסע על הוצאות שלכם אך אני יודע שלעת עתה אתם ג"כ דחוקים עד ישקיף ה' וירחם עליכם להוציא הניצוצות הק' המנחים בהמעות שלכם הכשר מעמקי הקלפות אשר לפי דברי רבנו ז"ל בהתורה היכל הקודש ולפי תלמידו הק' בהלכות גבית מלוה הלכה ג' מבארים שע"י משפט יכולין להכניע הרע ולהוציא כל הניצוצות הק' ותעינו בהלכה זאת ותמצאו מרגוע לנפשותיכם ותאמינו שבודאי בכח רבנו ז"ל אם תעסקו בזה בודאי תשברו הרע ואת הטוב תוציאו וגם טלטול הדרך קשה עלי ג"כ EN: And it would have been right for me to travel as well — to be as one together [בצותא חדא — Aramaic: "as one together"] to rejoice in the joy of my brother. But for several reasons I am unable to travel. One — on account of expenses, for the time is pressing for me right now [שהשעה דחוקה לי — "for the hour is pressing / tight for me" — a time of financial constriction]. And if it were a time of breathing-room for you in another way [עת רווח — eis revach — "a time of breathing-room, a time of relief from pressure" — the precise opposite of שעה דחוקה — a pressing tight hour; revach means relief, spaciousness, the easing of constriction; and באפן אחר — "in another way, in different circumstances"] — I would have traveled at your expense. But I know that right now you too are under pressure — until Hashem will look down and have mercy upon you — to extract the holy sparks [הניצוצות הקדושים — sparks of divine light that fell into the material world and are held captive; releasing them is itself a sacred act] that lie sleeping within your honestly earned money [המנחים בהמעות — ha'manichim ba'hama'os — "those that lie resting within the money" — from the root נוח — to rest, to lie; the holy sparks are not merely "in" the money but lying at rest within it, sleeping and waiting to be awakened and liberated; a vivid, precise image] from the depths of the klippos [קלפות — the kabbalistic husks and shells of impurity that surround and entrap the holy sparks; the money they are owed is held captive within these forces until justice releases it]. For according to the words of Rabbainu ז"ל in the Torah Heichal HaKodesh [היכל הקודש — "the Holy Palace / Sanctuary" — a specific Torah of Rabbainu ז"ל in Likutay Moharan], and according to his holy disciple in the Laws of Debt Collection, Law 3 [a specific law in Likutay Halachos directly relevant to the money dispute they are pursuing] — it is explained that through judgment one can subdue the evil and extract all the holy sparks. And study deeply into this law [ותעינו בהלכה זאת — v'sa'aynu — from the root עיין — to peer closely, to examine with the eye, to study with deep attention; the same root as ועינתי in Letter 12 — not a casual glance but a penetrating, sustained examination] and you will find rest for your souls. And believe that surely in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל — if you engage in this — surely you will break the evil and you will extract the good. And also the hardship of the journey is difficult for me too. Segment 6 HE: ואף שרצוני חזק מאד לראות בכל עת עם אחים אהובים כאלו אשר אהבתכם תקועה בלבי ואני אהב אתכם באהבה עזה אשר כל מימות שבעולם לא יוכלו לכבות רשפי אהבת לבבנו ע"כ רצוני חזק אך איני יכול עדין להוציא מכח אל הפעל ע"כ אני מבטיח לכם שאי"ה ביום ה' ביום החפה אשמח גם אני בשמחתכם ואתם תראו לשמח מאד שהשי"ת עזר לכם להשיא יתומה ואצל רבנו ז"ל היה מצות הכנסת כלה מהמצות הגדולות כך שמעתי מאדמו"ר רבי נתן זצוק"ל ועיקר המצוה כשיהיה בשמחה EN: And although my desire is very strong to see at all times beloved brethren such as these — whose love is driven into my heart — and I love you with a strong love such that all the waters in the world could not extinguish the sparks of the love of our hearts [כל מימות שבעולם לא יוכלו לכבות רשפי אהבת לבבנו — an allusion to Song of Songs 8:7: "many waters cannot quench love" — rishfei ahavah — "sparks of love" — are the very words of the Song; the writer consciously invokes the language of the Song of Songs for the love between these brothers] — therefore my desire is very strong. But I am still unable to bring it from potential into actual [להוציא מכח אל הפעל — the same Aristotelian-kabbalistic phrase used earlier regarding prayer; here applied to the physical journey: the desire exists in potential but cannot yet be actualized]. Therefore I promise you that G-d willing, on Thursday — on the day of the wedding canopy [יום החפה — the day of the chupah — the actual wedding ceremony; Ashkenazi weddings were traditionally held on Tuesdays or Thursdays] — I will also rejoice in your joy. And you should see to it to rejoice greatly — for Hashem Yisbarach has helped you to marry off an orphan [להשיא יתומה — "to bring a bride who is an orphan to the wedding canopy" — one of the greatest mitzvos of hachnasos kallah; the mitzvah is magnified enormously when the bride is an orphan]. And with Rabbainu ז"ל the mitzvah of hachnasos kallah [הכנסת כלה — bringing a bride into joy, enabling and celebrating a wedding — one of the great acts of gemilus chassadim] was among the greatest of all the commandments — so I heard from our master and teacher [אדמו"ר] Reb Nussun [of Breslov — זצוק"ל; another direct personal transmission from Reb Nosson ז"ל, heard by the writer himself — the second such transmission in these letters, the first being the Purim teaching in Letter 13]. And the essence of the mitzvah is when it is done in joy. Segment 7 HE: והשי"ת יתן לכם שמחה בלבבכם עד שיהיה לבו נשא את רגליו' לרקד הרבה ולהמתיק כל הדינים אפילו מהממון שלכם ומכל הדינים שבעולם כי כך אמר רבנו ז"ל אם אתם תהיו שמחים יהיה טובה גדולה להעולם ואנו צריכים להאמין בכל דבור של רבנו ז"ל שאינו פשוט אלא יש בו רזין ורזין דרזין ואעפ"כ אנו צריכים לקימם בפשיטות ובתמימות המחאת כף ורקודין בידים וברגלים ורבנו ז"ל יעשה מזה מה שהוא יודע ואני שולח דרשה גישאנק אחד בישליק ואני נותן להם חיים ארכים וחיים טובים וכל המתנות שנתנו להזוג הידוע וכל החתנות שבעולם הם רמז מזה החתנה ובפרט אצל אלו שמאמינים באלו הדבורים בודאי הרמז גדול עד למאד באדארף מען טאקע אהאילי טוהן בחדוה גדולה EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach give you joy in your hearts — until "his heart lifts his feet" [עד שיהיה לבו נשא את רגליו — an allusion to Genesis 29:1: when Yaakov heard that Rachel was Lavan's daughter "he lifted his feet" — Rashi explains: his heart lifted with joy, and that joy carried his feet forward; the writer applies this: may the joy be so great it translates spontaneously into physical movement] — to dance greatly, and to sweeten all the harsh decrees — even from your money and from all the decrees in the world. For Rabbainu ז"ל said: if you will be joyful it will be a great good for the world. [the joy of the Breslov Chassid is not private; it radiates outward and benefits the entire world; one of Rabbainu ז"ל's most striking and characteristic teachings] And we must believe in every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל — for none of it is simple; within each word there are secrets, and secrets of secrets [רזין ורזין דרזין — Aramaic: "secrets and secrets of secrets" — the kabbalistic language of layered hidden meaning]. And even so we must fulfill them in simplicity and in wholeness — with clapping of hands and with dancing — with hands and with feet [המחאת כף ורקודין בידים וברגלים — the full physical expression of joy: clapping the palms, dancing with the hands and with the feet; G-d is served through the whole body]. And Rabbainu ז"ל will make of this what he knows [רבנו ז"ל יעשה מזה מה שהוא יודע — a sublime statement of trust and partnership: do your part with full physical joy, and Rabbainu ז"ל will do with it what only he knows how to do]. And I am sending a derasha geshank [דרשה גישאנק — derasha geshank — Yiddish: "sermon-gift" or "wedding gift" — a monetary gift presented at a wedding, traditionally accompanied by a Torah discourse; the conventional Ashkenazi wedding gift] — one bishlik. And I give them long life and good life and all the gifts that are given to the known couple. And all the weddings in the world are an allusion to this wedding [כל החתנות שבעולם הם רמז מזה החתנה — every wedding in the world is a hint and shadow of this one; the writer elevates this particular humble wedding to cosmic significance — it is the archetype, not merely one instance]. And particularly for those who believe in these words — surely the allusion is very great. One must truly, properly carry it through in great joy! [באדארף מען טאקע אהאילי טוהן בחדוה גדולה — Yiddish: ba'darf men take ahayli tun in chedvah gedolah — "one truly, properly must do it — carry it through — in great joy!" — the writer breaks into the intimate Yiddish vernacular for this final exclamation; take means "truly, really"; ahayli is an intensifier meaning "properly, the real thing, in full measure" — not just to be there but to conduct oneself fully and properly; the Yiddish carries an urgency and loving insistence that the sacred Hebrew cannot quite match at this moment] Segment 8 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. # קס URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/160/ קס קס Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/160 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק פ' ויקהל פה טבריא EN: Herewith is enclosed a letter — which I wrote to the nagid [הנגיד — the nagid — the patron and community leader; Reb Chaim Yehoshua; a prominent and wealthy communal figure] Reb Chaim Yehoshua — and I do not want his trusted agent to read it before him. Therefore I am sending it to your honor — enclosed within your letter — so that you should read the letter before the above-mentioned nagid — and explain to him the truth of my letter. For I am not touching either side — only the truth as it appears in my mind and my heart — I wrote to him. And also I heard from afar that you consider that I am not judging you favorably, G-d forbid. Is it possible for your honor to believe this? For Rabbainu ז"ל warned us in many Torah discourses — to judge favorably — even those who shame us — and even to judge oneself favorably — for each person surely knows the wounds of his own heart. And particularly — to a faithful friend such as you — for Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — how I love the Anash. And I know — that no two people's minds are alike. And specifically — from differing actions — when simple unity is made — this is precious in the eyes of Hashem Yisbarach. And we need only to ensure — not to cause, G-d forbid, division of hearts — for we are all rooted from one root. And I have no agitation against you — to diminish, G-d forbid, the love between us — but as before — and as from ancient times — with strong and very great love. Only every person who is not in a state of perfection — sometimes errs in some matter. But my love for you is fastened in my heart and in my mind — for you are among the people of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. How fortunate are you — and how fortunate is your portion — and how fortunate is my portion — and how fortunate are we — how good is our portion — and how pleasant is our lot — and how beautiful is our inheritance. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז אהבי באמת וידיד נפשי הלא הוא המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד וכו' וכו' כש"ת לשבח ולתהלה מו"ה נחמן נ"י בן הרב ר' שלמה זלמן זצ"ל EN: And blessed be G-d — the days of Purim are drawing palpably near. [ממשמשין ובאין — "drawing near palpably, approaching with tangible closeness" — from mimashmashin — feeling, touching with the fingers; the days of Purim are palpably approaching, close enough to touch] May Hashem Yisbarach help us too — that there should be made for us also the downfall of Haman — and Amalek — may his name be blotted out — and his remembrance be erased. And may we merit to rejoice in the joy of the holy Purim — and the downfall of Haman and Amalek. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to cry out beforehand — a great and bitter cry — and afterward to rejoice on the holy festival of Purim — with hand-clapping and dancing — as per the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And may there be drawn upon us — on Purim — within the joy — supremely elevated divine awe [יראה עלאה דעלאה — Aramaic from the Zohar: "supremely elevated divine awe" — the highest and most refined level of divine awe; the supernal awe that transcends even ordinary awe — the awe of the completely purified soul; this specific level is drawn down specifically through the joy of Purim] — as is explained in Likutay Halachos — in the Laws of the Firstborn Kosher Animal. [הלכות בכור בהמה טהורה — Laws of the Firstborn Kosher Animal — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law that connects the Halachah of the firstborn kosher animal to the deep teachings about Purim, joy, and supremely elevated divine awe] Segment 3 HE: הנה מנח מכתב רצוף פה אשר כתבתי להנגיד ר' חיים יהושע ואין אני רוצה שנאמן שלו יקרא אותו בפניו ע"כ אני שולח למעלתכם בתוך מכתבכם בכדי שאתם תקראו את המכתב בפני הנגיד הנ"ל ותסבירו לו האמת ממכתבי שאין אני נוגע לשום צד רק האמת הנראה במחי ובלבבי אני כתב לו וגם שמעתי מרחוק שאתם סוברים שאין אני דן אתכם לכף זכות ח"ו היכול מעלתו להאמין בזה איך שרבנו ז"ל הזהיר אותנו בכמה תורות לדון לזכות אפילו המבזים אותנו ואפילו לדון את עצמו לזכות שכל אחד בודאי יודע נגעי לבבו ובפרט לאהב נאמן כמותכם אשר השי"ת יודע האמת איך שאני אהב את אנ"ש ויודע אני שאין דעת אדם דומה לחברו ודוקא מפעלות משתנות כשנעשה אחדות הפשוט זה יקר בעיני השי"ת ואנו צריכין רק לראות שלא לגרם ח"ו פרוד לבבות כי אנו כלנו משרשים משרש אחד ואין לי שום נדנוד עליכם לחסר ח"ו האהבה שבינינו רק כמאז וכמקדם באהבה עזה ורבה עד מאד רק כל אדם שאין בו שלמות לפעמים שוגה באיזה דבר אבל אהבתי אתכם תקועה בלבי ובמחי כי אתם מאנשי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשרי לכם ואשרי חלקכם ואשרי חלקי ואשרינו מה טוב חלקנו ומה נעים גורלנו ומה יפה ירושתנו EN: And because of the urgency of the Shabbos eve — I was brief — and he says peace to my truly beloved. Segment 4 HE: וב"ה ימי הפורים ממשמשין ובאין השי"ת יעזור לנו ג"כ שיהיה נעשה ע"ינו ג"כ מפלת המן ועמלק ימח שמו ונמח זכרו ונזכה אנחנו לשמח בשמחת פורים הק' ומפלת המן ועמלק ויזכנו השי"ת לזעק מקדם זעקה גדולה ומרה ואח"כ לשמח בחג הפורים הק' בהמחאת כף ורקודין כרצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ויהיה נמשך עלינו בפורים בתוך השמחה יראה עלאה דעלאה כמבאר בלקוטי הלכות בהלכות בכור בהמה טהורה EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומחמת נחיצות עש"ק קצרתי ואמר שלום לאהבי באמת EN: Written Friday, Parshas Vayakhel, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. A letter enclosing a separate letter for the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua. A defense of the writer's love for the Anash. Purim approaches. Supremely elevated divine awe drawn down through Purim joy. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 158 | קנח (Kuf-Nun-Ches) Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 158 | קנח (Kuf-Nun-Ches) # קסא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/161/ קסא קסא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/161 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ער"ח אדר שני תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: Your letter from Monday of Vayakhel — I received yesterday — through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach. And surely I ask greatly on your behalf — and particularly on behalf of your wife, may she live — for you are to me as truly like my own sons — and your suffering is truly my own suffering. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy upon you — and fulfill in you: "it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved." [Jeremiah 30:7 — "alas, for that day is great — there is none like it — and it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved"; the verse of ultimate salvation emerging from within the very distress itself] And may Hashem Yisbarach remember you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy — quickly and soon — with pregnancy and birth. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו החכם מו"ה סענדיר נ"י EN: And my mind is inclined — that you should perform the spiritual remedies [סגלות — segulos — specific spiritual remedies, practices with innate spiritual virtue; a set of specific practices or objects known to have efficacy for particular needs] explained in the book Sefer Ha'Middos [ספר המדות — "The Book of Character Traits" — also known as Aleph-Beis of Rabbainu ז"ל; a book of concise teachings organized alphabetically by topic; the letter Nun — for nidah — contains specific spiritual remedies related to fertility and children] — under the letter Nidah. And leave the doctor. And the main effort should be after the Holy Blessed One. And from the money that would need to be given to the doctor — distribute it to charity. Until Hashem looks down and sees — to have mercy on her and on you. And for the sake of Hashem — let her guard herself from anger and from worries. And greatly exert yourself in prayer and supplication. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will hear your prayer and save you. For there is no other counsel in the world — as Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us — that "Hashem is good to all" — for every matter — both for healing and for sustenance and for children. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ב' ויקהל קבלתי אתמול ע"י המיקער מוחמאד סלאח ובודאי אני מבקש מאד עבורכם ובפרט עבור זוג' תח' כי אתם אצלי כמו בני ממש וצערכם הוא צערי ממש השי"ת ירחם עליכם ויקים בכם כי עת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע ויפקד אתכם השי"ת בפקדת ישועה ורחמים חיש מהר בהריון ולדה ודעתי נוטה שתעשו הסגלות המבאר בספר המדות אות נדה ותניח הדאקטיר ועיקר השתדלותך בתר קדשא בריך הוא ומהמעות שצריך לתן להדאקטיר תחלק לצדקה עד ישקיף וירא ה' לרחם עליה ועליך ולמען ה' תשמר עצמה מכעס ומדאגות ומאד תתאמץ בתפילה ובתחנונים ואי"ה בודאי השי"ת ישמע תפילתכם ויושיע אתכם כי אין שום עצה אחרת בעולם כמו שגלה לנו רבנו ז"ל ש"טוב ה' לכל לכל דבר הן לרפואה הן לפרנסה והן לבנים ותדע שזוג' תח' ב"ה מיום ב' העבר ב"ה לא היה לה עוד הפיבער השי"ת יעזור שיהיה סוף וקץ לכל צרותינו ולצרות כל חולי ישראל רק שאין לה עוד שום כח EN: And know — that my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — since this past Monday — blessed be G-d — she has had no more fever. May Hashem Yisbarach help — that there should be an end and a conclusion to all our troubles — and to the troubles of all the sick of Israel. Only she has no more strength at all. Segment 4 HE: ומאד בקשתי מכם כמה פעמים שבעת שאתם כתבים לי מכתב תכתבו לי קבלה על המכתב שלי מאיזה יום נכתב ולעת עתה אני שלחתי לכם מכתב ביום ו' תשא מכתב גדול לך ולידידנו ר' איזיק נ"י ושם היה פ"ש לר' נחמן נ"י כפי חות דעתכם אם להראות לו הפ"ש אם לאו וגם בשבוע זה ביום ב' שלחתי לכם ג"כ מכתב ע"י אשה אחת שאמרה שידידנו ר' נתן בן חנה נ"י יושב אצלה בשכנות ואין לי שום ידיעה אם קבלתם וכבר כתבתי לכם אפשר אין לך פנאי להשיב לי עכ"פ ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י ישיב לי קבלה ואם יהיה לי קבלה על כל מכתב בודאי אתאמץ בכל עת לכתוב לכם מכתבים EN: And I greatly asked of you many times — that when you write me a letter — write me a receipt for my letter — from which day it was written. And at present — I sent you a letter on Friday of Tisa — a large letter — for you and for our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And there were greetings of peace for Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — according to your opinion — whether to show him the greetings of peace or not. And also this week — on Monday — I sent you a letter too — through a woman who said that our friend Reb Nussun son of Chana, may his candle shine, dwells with her as a neighbor. And I have no news whether you received it. And I already wrote to you — perhaps you have no leisure to reply to me — at least my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, should reply to me with a receipt. And if I have a receipt for every letter — surely I will exert myself at every time to write you letters. Segment 5 HE: ואולי יעזור לי השי"ת שאכתב לכם איזה דבורים הנובעים ממקור החיים הננמ"ח להחיות נפשכם והבזיונות והשפיכות דמים שסבלתם שנתגרשו מביהכנ"ס האר"י ז"ל יהיה תקון על הדמים EN: And perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will help me — that I write to you some words flowing from the source of life — the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah [הנחל נובע מקור חכמה — "the flowing stream — the source of wisdom" — the Breslov title for Likutay Halachos, the major work of Reb Nosson ז"ל; the full title embeds the letters of Reb Nosson's name in an acronym: נחל נובע מקור חכמה] — to give life to your souls. And the humiliations and the pouring out of blood that you bore — that you were expelled from the synagogue of the Ari ז"ל — will be an atonement for the blood. [יהיה תקון על הדמים — "will be a rectification for the blood" — the humiliation of being forcibly expelled served as a spiritual atonement; the very blood-draining shame serves as a tikkun — a rectification and repair for sins] Segment 6 HE: וימי הפורים הק' ממשמשין ובאין ומתחילין מפ' שקלים ועתה נתחיל מעתה התחלה חדשה בשמחה ויזכה אותנו השי"ת שבכח השמחה יהיה נמתקין מעלינו כל הדינים בכדי שנזכה לקבל חג הפסח בקדשה ולקים כל מצות התורה ביראה ואהבה ולקבל עלינו את צום התענית אסתר בשמחה ובאהבה ואנו צריכין מעתה להרגיל עצמנו לצעק ולזעק להשי"ת כי להיות עוסקים כמו שעשה אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל שתכף אחר חנכה עוסק בענין פורים כי לפי דברי רבנו ז"ל עתה הוא התחלה מכל התחלות ולמען ה' תבקשו מאד מאת השי"ת ותכריחו מאד עצמכם על שמחת פורים והשי"ת יזכה אותי ג"כ שאקבל הפורים בשמחה גדולה EN: And the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — and they begin from the Torah portion of Shekalim. [Parshas Shekalim — the first of the four special Torah portions read before Passover; it falls around Rosh Chodesh Adar and initiates the Purim-to-Passover season; Reb Nosson ז"ל would begin preparing for Purim immediately after Chanukah] And now let us begin from this moment a fresh beginning — in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that through the power of the joy — all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon us — so that we merit to receive the Passover festival in holiness — and to fulfill all the commandments of the Torah in awe and love — and to accept upon ourselves the fast of Taanis Esther in joy and in love. And we must from now accustom ourselves to cry out and to call out to Hashem Yisbarach. For to be occupied as Reb Nosson ז"ל did — who immediately after Chanukah engaged in the matter of Purim — for according to the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — now is the beginning of all beginnings. And for the sake of Hashem — ask greatly from Hashem Yisbarach — and greatly compel yourselves — for the joy of Purim. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me too — to receive Purim in great joy. Segment 7 HE: ומאד בקשתי מכם לכתוב לי אם ר' שמחה נ"י מצא טוב וגם אם הוא מתועד עמכם בתוך הקבוץ בשלש סעדות ומי נשא לאשה וגם מה זה שלא היה לי שום פ"ש מר' איזיק נ"י ותכף לכתוב לי מכח אחיך ישראל לייב מה הוא עשה עתה וגם מר' אבא נ"י מה הוא עשה אם החזיר לאיתנו ותחיו נפשי וגם לכתוב לי מהיכן פרנסתו של ידידי מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל כשהוא יושב בשכנות EN: And I greatly ask of you — to write to me whether Reb Simcha, may his candle shine, found something good. And also whether he gathers together in fellowship with you — within the assembly — at the three Shabbos meals. And who married whom. And also — what is this — that I have had no greetings of peace at all from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine? And immediately write to me about your brother Yisroel Leib — what he is doing now. And also from Reb Abba, may his candle shine — what he is doing — whether he has been restored to his original vigor. And give life to my soul. And also write to me — from where is the livelihood of my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — when he dwells as a neighbor. Segment 8 HE: יותר אין לחדש רק חיים ושלום ורפואה שלמה לזוג' תח' ולאחיך ישראל אריה נ"י ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: More there is nothing new — only life and peace and a complete healing for my wife, may she live — and for your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. Spiritual remedies from Sefer Ha'Middos — leave the doctor, give the money to charity. Good news — no fever since Monday. The humiliation of expulsion is an atonement. Purim preparation begins from Parshas Shekalim. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — which are the beginning of all beginnings. And joy is also the beginning of all beginnings. And when you want to taste the taste of Purim — look in the laws — the third section [The third section of Likutay Halachos — the laws that deal specifically with Purim and the deeper mystical dimensions of the festival] — which speaks of Purim. And there you will see the great secrets that were revealed in our days — for action and for deed. The sum is: we must rejoice greatly at all times — and particularly on Purim. And for the sake of Hashem — do not worry at all. השי"ת וועט אייך אלסדינג העלפן — Hashem Yisbarach will help you in everything. Only the believer will not be shaken. And He who performs miracles — will surely perform miracles with us at all times — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who always engaged in faith and in miracles and in Eretz Yisroel. And my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — has great expansiveness. But one leg is swollen — and nevertheless she walks. And blessed be G-d — "the Guardian of His people — behold He neither slumbers nor sleeps — the Guardian of Israel — He will save you from the hand of all your enemies." [Psalms 121:4 — "Behold — the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps"; and Psalms 31:16 — "save me from my enemies and from my pursuers"; combined here as a blessing-prayer] So may He save you forever — and perform miracles with us — a sign for good. And may our enemies see and be ashamed. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing from Heaven — to our beloved sick person — Avraham Abba son of Ati. [A specific prayer for a sick person listed by name as is customary in Jewish prayer; Avraham Abba son of Ati — likely a Breslov Chassid in need of healing] And a letter — through Mohamad Salach — I received. And today too I received — through Reb Zeidel. And I had no leisure to extend myself to you in words — because of the wagon. And for the sake of Hashem — greatly multiply the joy of Purim. And I am a companion to all who fear You — and to all who rejoice on this holy day — through the word [בהתבה — "through the word, within the word" — b'hatevah; the Kabbalistic teaching that the holy day of Purim is received specifically through and within the power of speech and the spoken word; the word — tevah — is both the Hebrew word for "word" and for "ark"; to be within the word is to be sheltered within the protective power of holy speech]. And now — etc. — there is the flowing stream — the source of wisdom. And through this — supremely elevated divine awe is drawn down. And from there — joy is drawn upon us. Only: מיר דארפן זיך שניצן — א רגז — מיא זאל זיך אזוי מאכן פריליך ביז מיא זאל זיך טאקע באמת פריליך זיין — we must exert ourselves — with a rage [a rogez — a rage, an intense angry determination; the Yiddish: "we must exert ourselves — with a rage — one should make oneself so joyful — until one truly becomes joyful in truth"; the teaching that achieving joy sometimes requires an angry, forceful self-determination — a rage against one's own sadness — until the forced joy becomes genuine] — one should make oneself so joyful — until one truly becomes joyful in truth. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Tzav, 5643 (around Purim, March 1883), from Teverya. Purim draws near — it is the beginning of all beginnings. The wife has great expansiveness but one leg still swollen. A prayer for Avraham Abba son of Ati. A striking Yiddish teaching: make yourself joyful with a rage — until you truly become joyful in truth. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your small letter — through the Jewish hired coachman — I received properly. And blessed be G-d — I was greatly, very greatly joyful on the holy Purim — I myself — joy in heart and soul. And blessed be G-d — that we have something with which to rejoice. Only yesterday — on Shabbos — after midday — the fever struck my wife, may she live again. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her and on me — for her weakness greatly confuses my mind. Only the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they strengthen me and hold me by the hands. And blessed be G-d — that He saved you from the theft. [The writer responds to news that the recipient was saved from some theft or robbery — an incident not described in the earlier letters; G-d's protection in saving him from the thief] So may He guard your going out and your coming in — forever and ever. And regarding what my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, asks of me — to write a letter to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine — even though I am occupied writing letters to my sons and my brothers — nevertheless I will take leisure for myself to write to him a letter. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help — that I should be able to write to him words — to give life to his soul. And I greatly asked — to write to me how your Purim was — whether all the Anash were together — and who was present on Purim itself. And about the enemy — to write to me clearly. And also to write to me where you are praying now. And also to write to me whether your brother, may his candle shine, will make a wedding for his daughter — for a good sign — in the month of Nissan. And also to write to me from our friend Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — where is his lodging — and what reason has he not married — for did he not make a match? And convey greetings of peace from me to him — with strong love. And also to Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Tulchin — greetings of peace from me. And convey greetings of peace from me to Reb Abba, may his candle shine — and write to me what he has done. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him quickly and soon — and restore him to his original pristine vigor in wholeness. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — to each and every one — with strong love — and particularly to Reb Simcha, may his candle shine. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Shemini, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya — after Purim. The writer was greatly joyful on Purim. But the fever has struck the wife again on Shabbos. The recipient was saved from theft. Many questions about the Purim celebrations, various friends, and upcoming events. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Monday of Vayakhel — I received yesterday — through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach. And surely I ask greatly on your behalf — and particularly on behalf of your wife, may she live — for you are to me as truly like my own sons — and your suffering is truly my own suffering. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy upon you — and fulfill in you: "it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved." [Jeremiah 30:7 — "alas, for that day is great — there is none like it — and it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved"; the verse of ultimate salvation emerging from within the very distress itself] And may Hashem Yisbarach remember you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy — quickly and soon — with pregnancy and birth. And my mind is inclined — that you should perform the spiritual remedies [סגלות — segulos — specific spiritual remedies, practices with innate spiritual virtue; a set of specific practices or objects known to have efficacy for particular needs] explained in the book Sefer Ha'Middos [ספר המדות — "The Book of Character Traits" — also known as Aleph-Beis of Rabbainu ז"ל; a book of concise teachings organized alphabetically by topic; the letter Nun — for nidah — contains specific spiritual remedies related to fertility and children] — under the letter Nidah. And leave the doctor. And the main effort should be after the Holy Blessed One. And from the money that would need to be given to the doctor — distribute it to charity. Until Hashem looks down and sees — to have mercy on her and on you. And for the sake of Hashem — let her guard herself from anger and from worries. And greatly exert yourself in prayer and supplication. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will hear your prayer and save you. For there is no other counsel in the world — as Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us — that "Hashem is good to all" — for every matter — both for healing and for sustenance and for children. And know — that my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — since this past Monday — blessed be G-d — she has had no more fever. May Hashem Yisbarach help — that there should be an end and a conclusion to all our troubles — and to the troubles of all the sick of Israel. Only she has no more strength at all. And I greatly asked of you many times — that when you write me a letter — write me a receipt for my letter — from which day it was written. And at present — I sent you a letter on Friday of Tisa — a large letter — for you and for our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And there were greetings of peace for Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — according to your opinion — whether to show him the greetings of peace or not. And also this week — on Monday — I sent you a letter too — through a woman who said that our friend Reb Nussun son of Chana, may his candle shine, dwells with her as a neighbor. And I have no news whether you received it. And I already wrote to you — perhaps you have no leisure to reply to me — at least my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, should reply to me with a receipt. And if I have a receipt for every letter — surely I will exert myself at every time to write you letters. And perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will help me — that I write to you some words flowing from the source of life — the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah [הנחל נובע מקור חכמה — "the flowing stream — the source of wisdom" — the Breslov title for Likutay Halachos, the major work of Reb Nosson ז"ל; the full title embeds the letters of Reb Nosson's name in an acronym: נחל נובע מקור חכמה] — to give life to your souls. And the humiliations and the pouring out of blood that you bore — that you were expelled from the synagogue of the Ari ז"ל — will be an atonement for the blood. [יהיה תקון על הדמים — "will be a rectification for the blood" — the humiliation of being forcibly expelled served as a spiritual atonement; the very blood-draining shame serves as a tikkun — a rectification and repair for sins] And the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — and they begin from the Torah portion of Shekalim. [Parshas Shekalim — the first of the four special Torah portions read before Passover; it falls around Rosh Chodesh Adar and initiates the Purim-to-Passover season; Reb Nosson ז"ל would begin preparing for Purim immediately after Chanukah] And now let us begin from this moment a fresh beginning — in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that through the power of the joy — all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon us — so that we merit to receive the Passover festival in holiness — and to fulfill all the commandments of the Torah in awe and love — and to accept upon ourselves the fast of Taanis Esther in joy and in love. And we must from now accustom ourselves to cry out and to call out to Hashem Yisbarach. For to be occupied as Reb Nosson ז"ל did — who immediately after Chanukah engaged in the matter of Purim — for according to the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — now is the beginning of all beginnings. And for the sake of Hashem — ask greatly from Hashem Yisbarach — and greatly compel yourselves — for the joy of Purim. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me too — to receive Purim in great joy. And I greatly ask of you — to write to me whether Reb Simcha, may his candle shine, found something good. And also whether he gathers together in fellowship with you — within the assembly — at the three Shabbos meals. And who married whom. And also — what is this — that I have had no greetings of peace at all from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine? And immediately write to me about your brother Yisroel Leib — what he is doing now. And also from Reb Abba, may his candle shine — what he is doing — whether he has been restored to his original vigor. And give life to my soul. And also write to me — from where is the livelihood of my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — when he dwells as a neighbor. More there is nothing new — only life and peace and a complete healing for my wife, may she live — and for your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. Spiritual remedies from Sefer Ha'Middos — leave the doctor, give the money to charity. Good news — no fever since Monday. The humiliation of expulsion is an atonement. Purim preparation begins from Parshas Shekalim. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: ידידכם EN: Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. Spiritual remedies from Sefer Ha'Middos — leave the doctor, give the money to charity. Good news — no fever since Monday. The humiliation of expulsion is an atonement. Purim preparation begins from Parshas Shekalim. # קסב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/162/ קסב קסב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/162 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' צו תרמ"ג פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Blessed be G-d — the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — which are the beginning of all beginnings. And joy is also the beginning of all beginnings. And when you want to taste the taste of Purim — look in the laws — the third section [The third section of Likutay Halachos — the laws that deal specifically with Purim and the deeper mystical dimensions of the festival] — which speaks of Purim. And there you will see the great secrets that were revealed in our days — for action and for deed. The sum is: we must rejoice greatly at all times — and particularly on Purim. And for the sake of Hashem — do not worry at all. השי"ת וועט אייך אלסדינג העלפן — Hashem Yisbarach will help you in everything. Only the believer will not be shaken. And He who performs miracles — will surely perform miracles with us at all times — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who always engaged in faith and in miracles and in Eretz Yisroel. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י עם שלום ידידי או"נ ידידי עז מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — has great expansiveness. But one leg is swollen — and nevertheless she walks. And blessed be G-d — "the Guardian of His people — behold He neither slumbers nor sleeps — the Guardian of Israel — He will save you from the hand of all your enemies." [Psalms 121:4 — "Behold — the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps"; and Psalms 31:16 — "save me from my enemies and from my pursuers"; combined here as a blessing-prayer] So may He save you forever — and perform miracles with us — a sign for good. And may our enemies see and be ashamed. Segment 3 HE: הנה ב"ה ימי הפורים הק' ממשמשין ובאין אשר הם התחלה מכל התחלות ושמחה היא ג"כ התחלה מכל התחלות וכשתרצו לטעם טעם פורים תעינו בהלכות חלק ג' המדברים מפורים ושם תראו הסודות הגדולים אשר נתגלה בימינו לעבדא ולמעשה הכלל אנו צריכין לשמח מאד בכל עת ובפרט בפורים ולמען ה' אל תדאגו כלל השי"ת וועט אייך אלסדינג העלפן רק המאמין לא יחוש והעשה נסים בודאי יעשה נסים עמנו בכל עת בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שעסק תמיד באמונה ובנסים ובא"י EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing from Heaven — to our beloved sick person — Avraham Abba son of Ati. [A specific prayer for a sick person listed by name as is customary in Jewish prayer; Avraham Abba son of Ati — likely a Breslov Chassid in need of healing] Segment 4 HE: וזוג' תח' ב"ה הרבה הרחבה לה אך שרגל אחת נפוח ואעפ"כ היא הולכת וב"ה השומר עמו הנה לא ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל הצילך מכף כל אויביך כן יציל אותך לעולם ויעשה עמנו נסים אות לטובה ויראו שונאינו ויבשו EN: And a letter — through Mohamad Salach — I received. And today too I received — through Reb Zeidel. And I had no leisure to extend myself to you in words — because of the wagon. Segment 5 HE: והשי"ת ישלח רפואה שלמה מן השמים לאו"נ החולה אברהם אבא בן עטי EN: And for the sake of Hashem — greatly multiply the joy of Purim. And I am a companion to all who fear You — and to all who rejoice on this holy day — through the word [בהתבה — "through the word, within the word" — b'hatevah; the Kabbalistic teaching that the holy day of Purim is received specifically through and within the power of speech and the spoken word; the word — tevah — is both the Hebrew word for "word" and for "ark"; to be within the word is to be sheltered within the protective power of holy speech]. And now — etc. — there is the flowing stream — the source of wisdom. And through this — supremely elevated divine awe is drawn down. And from there — joy is drawn upon us. Only: מיר דארפן זיך שניצן — א רגז — מיא זאל זיך אזוי מאכן פריליך ביז מיא זאל זיך טאקע באמת פריליך זיין — we must exert ourselves — with a rage [a rogez — a rage, an intense angry determination; the Yiddish: "we must exert ourselves — with a rage — one should make oneself so joyful — until one truly becomes joyful in truth"; the teaching that achieving joy sometimes requires an angry, forceful self-determination — a rage against one's own sadness — until the forced joy becomes genuine] — one should make oneself so joyful — until one truly becomes joyful in truth. Segment 6 HE: ומכתב ע"י מוחמאד סלאח קבלתי וגם היום קבלתי ע"י ר' זידיל ולא היה לי פנאי להאריך לכם בדבורים מחמת השירא EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ולמען ה' תרבו מאד בשמחת פורים ואני חבר לכל אשר יראוך ולכל השמחים ביום הק' הזה בהתבה ועכשו וכו' יש נחל נבע מקור חכמה ועי"ז נמשך יראה עלאה דעלאה ומשם נמשך השמחה עלינו רק מיר דארפן זיך שניצן א רגז מיא זאל זיך אזוי מאכן פריליך ביז מיא זאל זיך טאקע באמת פריליך זיין EN: Written Monday, Parshas Tzav, 5643 (around Purim, March 1883), from Teverya. Purim draws near — it is the beginning of all beginnings. The wife has great expansiveness but one leg still swollen. A prayer for Avraham Abba son of Ati. A striking Yiddish teaching: make yourself joyful with a rage — until you truly become joyful in truth. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your small letter — through the Jewish hired coachman — I received properly. And blessed be G-d — I was greatly, very greatly joyful on the holy Purim — I myself — joy in heart and soul. And blessed be G-d — that we have something with which to rejoice. Only yesterday — on Shabbos — after midday — the fever struck my wife, may she live again. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her and on me — for her weakness greatly confuses my mind. Only the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they strengthen me and hold me by the hands. And blessed be G-d — that He saved you from the theft. [The writer responds to news that the recipient was saved from some theft or robbery — an incident not described in the earlier letters; G-d's protection in saving him from the thief] So may He guard your going out and your coming in — forever and ever. Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your small letter — through the Jewish hired coachman — I received properly. And blessed be G-d — I was greatly, very greatly joyful on the holy Purim — I myself — joy in heart and soul. And blessed be G-d — that we have something with which to rejoice. Only yesterday — on Shabbos — after midday — the fever struck my wife, may she live again. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her and on me — for her weakness greatly confuses my mind. Only the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they strengthen me and hold me by the hands. And blessed be G-d — that He saved you from the theft. [The writer responds to news that the recipient was saved from some theft or robbery — an incident not described in the earlier letters; G-d's protection in saving him from the thief] So may He guard your going out and your coming in — forever and ever. # קסג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/163/ קסג קסג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/163 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' שמיני תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Your small letter — through the Jewish hired coachman — I received properly. And blessed be G-d — I was greatly, very greatly joyful on the holy Purim — I myself — joy in heart and soul. And blessed be G-d — that we have something with which to rejoice. Only yesterday — on Shabbos — after midday — the fever struck my wife, may she live again. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her and on me — for her weakness greatly confuses my mind. Only the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they strengthen me and hold me by the hands. And blessed be G-d — that He saved you from the theft. [The writer responds to news that the recipient was saved from some theft or robbery — an incident not described in the earlier letters; G-d's protection in saving him from the thief] So may He guard your going out and your coming in — forever and ever. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ הלא הוא ידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ועם שלום ידידי יקירי ורעי וחביבי כנפשי מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And regarding what my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, asks of me — to write a letter to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine — even though I am occupied writing letters to my sons and my brothers — nevertheless I will take leisure for myself to write to him a letter. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help — that I should be able to write to him words — to give life to his soul. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך הקטן ע"י מיקער יהודי קבלתי לנכון וב"ה שהייתי שמח מאד מאד בפורים הק' אני בעצמי שמחה בלב ונפש וב"ה שיש לנו במה לשמח רק אתמול ביום שב"ק אחר היום פגע עוד הפיבער לזוג' תח' השי"ת ירחם עליה ועלי כי חלשתה מבלבלת מאד המח שלי רק ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם מחזקים ואוחזים אותי בידים וב"ה שהציל אותך מהגנבה כן ישמר צאתך ובאך לעולם ועד EN: And I greatly asked — to write to me how your Purim was — whether all the Anash were together — and who was present on Purim itself. And about the enemy — to write to me clearly. And also to write to me where you are praying now. And also to write to me whether your brother, may his candle shine, will make a wedding for his daughter — for a good sign — in the month of Nissan. And also to write to me from our friend Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — where is his lodging — and what reason has he not married — for did he not make a match? And convey greetings of peace from me to him — with strong love. And also to Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Tulchin — greetings of peace from me. And convey greetings of peace from me to Reb Abba, may his candle shine — and write to me what he has done. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him quickly and soon — and restore him to his original pristine vigor in wholeness. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — to each and every one — with strong love — and particularly to Reb Simcha, may his candle shine. Segment 4 HE: ואודות מה שמבקש אותי ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י לכתוב מכתב לר' פנחס יוסף נ"י הגם שאני טרוד לכתוב מכתבים לבני ואחי אעפ"כ אקח לי פנאי לכתוב לו מכתב רק השי"ת יעזור שאוכל לכתוב לו דבורים להחיות נפשו EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומאד בקשתי לכתוב לי איך היה הפורים שלכם אם הייתם כל אנ"ש ביחד ומי היה פורים בעצמו ואודות השונא לכתוב לי בברור וגם לכתוב לי היכן אתם מתפללים וגם לכתוב לי אם אחיך נ"י יעשה נשואין לבתו למז"ט בחדש ניסן וגם לכתוב לי מידידנו ר' יעקב בער נ"י היכן אכסניא שלו ומה טעם לא נשא הלא עשה שדוך ולפרס לו בשלום עבורי באהבה עזה וגם לר' צבי נ"י מטולטשין לפב"ש עבורי ותפב"ש עבורי לר' אבא נ"י ולכתוב לי מה הוא עשה השי"ת ירחם עליו חיש מהר ויחזיר אותו לאיתנו בשלמות ולפב"ש לכל אנ"ש לכל אחד ואחד באהבה עזה ובפרט לר' שמחה נ"י EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Shemini, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya — after Purim. The writer was greatly joyful on Purim. But the fever has struck the wife again on Shabbos. The recipient was saved from theft. Many questions about the Purim celebrations, various friends, and upcoming events. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 161 | קסא (Kuf-Samech-Aleph) Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 161 | קסא (Kuf-Samech-Aleph) # קסד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/164/ קסד קסד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/164 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' דר"ח ניסן תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: Your letter — through Reb Itsmar, may his candle shine — I received yesterday. And surely my suffering is very great — from our persecutions. But this is my consolation — for "G-d seeks out the pursued." [Ecclesiastes 3:15 — "G-d seeks out the pursued" — v'ha'Elokim yevakesh es ha'nirdaf; G-d takes the side of the pursued; since they pursue us — G-d is on our side] And "the wicked one watches for the righteous" — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. Therefore strengthen yourselves in joy — for Hashem is with you — and close to you — and Hashem will plead your cause and fight on your behalf. And we have someone to rely upon — for Rabbainu ז"ל wages war against Amalek and against Og King of Bashan and against Bilam and against Goliath — and all of them he subdues — little by little — until he will subdue all the powerful husks. And even one in whom some powerful husk has clothed itself — surely Rabbainu ז"ל will subdue them — through his holy disciple — and through the holy books that they left after themselves — a blessing — in the world. And do not fear the accursed husk — Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens [ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי — "the accursed Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens" — Haman's wife Zeresh from the Book of Esther; applied here to the forces of opposition surrounding the Tzfas community; Zeresh advised Haman how to terrorize — the writer refers to her as "the wife of the one who frightens"] — and do not fear at all. And surely G-d willing you will see their downfall — without a supporter. Only the believer will not be shaken. And for the present — greatly multiply prayer and crying out. And study the Torah Abba Shaul — and through the power of this Torah — the downfall of the unprovoked enemies will come. But you — do not fear and do not worry at all — only transform — for we have such a King. And all of it is only a trial. And I already heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל — may his merit protect us — that whoever holds himself steady in the controversy that passed over him — he is tied to the holy cord. And the holy cord will never be shaken — for the spirit of impurity will pass from the world. But "and You are on high — forever, O Hashem — His hand is on top." And be strong and courageous in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they are mighty of strength [גבורי כח — from Psalms 103:20 — "mighty of strength who do His word — hearkening to the voice of His word" — the angels described as mighty warriors of strength; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple as the heavenly warriors fighting on behalf of the persecuted Anash] — and they will fight for you. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב ויעשה עמכם אות לטובה לכבוד אהבי נפשי כבני ממש חברי האהובים EN: And blessed be He Who is good and does good — over the good tidings of my friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach helped him. And perhaps the controversy was exchanged [נתחלף המחלקת להחיות אותו — "the controversy was exchanged to give him life" — the spiritual exchange: what was previously manifested as controversy and persecution was transformed into a source of spiritual life and revival for him; the suffering transmuted into vitality] — to give him life. And also bring good tidings — for a good sign — to your precious father — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your mother, may she live. And to your veteran Chassid brother — the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son — the veteran Chassid young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And to his wife, may she live — with your son — may Hashem Yisbarach give that it should be for a good sign and for good fortune and for success and blessing — for you and for all the Anash. And the match should flourish — in prosperity and honor and long and good years. And may there be seen from them generations upon generations that will be a contentment of spirit to Hashem Yisbarach from them. And regarding the ten rubles from Breslov — I have not yet received them. And if I send immediately — to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדירל נ"י ועם שלום אהבי לנצח כש"ת מו"ה יצחק איזיק נ"י עם שלום כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: And know — that the fever has intensified greatly upon my wife, may she live — in a manner that has not been like this before. And I was compelled to take in a hired cook for the household — until after Passover. [A significant measure: the writer is forced to hire a cook because his wife is completely incapacitated; a mark of how severe her condition has become as Passover approaches with all its intensive preparation requirements] Therefore have mercy on me and on her — all the Anash — and pray for her. For she has no more strength to bear the great pain, G-d have mercy. And because of this — my mind is somewhat confused. And were it not for the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which strengthen me — at least with a will. Segment 4 HE: מכתבכם ע"י ר' איתמר נ"י קבלתי ביום אתמול ובודאי הצער שלי גדול מאד מהרדיפות שלנו אך זאת נחמתי כי אלהים מבקש את הנרדף ו"צופה רשע לצדיק וכו' וה' לא יעזבנו בידו ע"כ תתגברו בשמחה כי ה' עמכם וקרוב אצלכם וה' יריב ריבכם וילחם עבורכם ויש לנו על מי לסמך כי רבנו ז"ל לוחם עם עמלק ועם עוג מלך הבשן ועם בלעם ועם גלית וכלם מכניע אותם מעט מעט עד שיכניע כל הקלפות החזקות ואפילו מי שנתלבש בו איזה קלפה חזקה בודאי יכניע אותם רבנו ז"ל ע"י תלמידו הק' וע"י הספרים הק' שהשאירו בעולם אחריהם ברכה ואל תפחדו מקלפות ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי ואל תפחדו כלל ובודאי אי"ה תראו מפלתם באין סומך רק המאמין לא יחוש ולעת עתה תרבו בתפילה ובזעקה ותלמדו התורה אבא שאול ובכח התורה הזאת יהיה מפלתם של שונאי חנם אבל אתם לא תפחדו ולא תדאגו כלל רק תהפכו כי יש לנו מלך כזה והכל הוא רק לנסיון וכבר שמעתי מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זכותו יגן עלינו שמי שיחזיק עצמו בהמחלקת שעבר עליו הוא נקשר בהחבל הקדשה וחבל הקדשה לא ימוט לעולם כי רוח הטמאה יעבר מן העולם אבל ואתה מרום לעולם ה' לעולם ידו על העליונה וחזקו ואמצו בכחו של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם גבורי כח והם ילחמו בעדכם EN: Words of one who loves you — who blesses you with a kosher Passover — and to fulfill all the commandments that apply on Passover — and everything in joy — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: וברוך הטוב והמטיב על בשורות ידידי ר' נחמן נ"י שעזר לו השי"ת ואפשר נתחלף המחלקת להחיות אותו וגם תבשר בשורות מז"ט לאביך היקר ותיק וחסיד מו"ה ר' הירש נ"י עם שלום אמך תח' ולאחיך הותיק וחסיד האברך מו"ה סענדיר נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו האברך הותיק וחסיד מו"ה אליעזור נ"י ולזוג' תח' עם בנך השי"ת יתן שיהיה לסימן טוב ולמז"ט ולהצלחה וברכה לכם ולכל אנ"ש והזווג יהיה עולה יפה בעשר ובכבוד ובאריכת ימים ושנים טובים ויראה מהם דורות ודורי דורות שיהיה נחת רוח להשי"ת מהם ואודות העשרה רו"ח מברסלב עדין לא קבלתי ואם אשלח תכף לר' חיים נ"י EN: Written Monday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Words of encouragement against the persecution. Good news — Reb Nachman has been helped; and joyous tidings of Reb Eliezer's forthcoming match. The wife's fever has intensified — a cook was hired for Passover. Segment 6 HE: ותדעו שזוג' תח' מאד התגבר עליה הפיבער אשר לא היה לה כזה אשר הכרחתי לקבל אשה מבשלת לביתי עד אחר פסח ע"כ רחמו עלי ועליה כל אנ"ש ותתפללו עליה כי אין לה עוד בכחה לסבל הכאב הגדול ר"ל ומחמת זה מחי מעט מבלבל ולולא ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שהם מחזקים אותי עכ"פ לרצון EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם המברך אתכם בפסח כשר ולקים כל המצות הנוהגות בפסח והכל בשמחה דוש"ת EN: Your letter from Wednesday — this present one [dana — Aramaic: "this present one"] — I received properly. And also the Meizhide [A coin — the Meizhide; money sent as a charitable donation or contribution] — I received properly. And in the merit of the charity — from Reb Abba ז"ל — may his soul ascend to the light of the face. And I will recite Kaddish for him the entire month. And regarding what I wrote to him about the matter of the distribution [החלוקה — chalukah — the distribution; the system of distributing funds collected in the diaspora for the support of Jews living in Eretz Yisroel; specifically here the distribution funds allocated to Reb Abba ז"ל who has passed away] — I met with the administrator [הממנה — "the appointed one, the administrator" — the person appointed to oversee and distribute the chalukah funds in Teverya] — and he told me how Reb Altir — who was the son-in-law of Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel [ר' שמואל העליר עקל — "Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel" — ha'alir appears to be from Yiddish allyr — an agent or collector who gathers charitable funds on behalf of an institution; Akel or Ekl — possibly the name of a town or institution he represented; the exact identification is uncertain but the role is clear: a fund-collector] — here — received the distribution money of Reb Abba ז"ל. And since his wife, may she live, was traveling to Jerusalem — she transferred the power of the distribution — that Reb Abba ז"ל should receive it on her behalf. Therefore — if Reb Altir will write — with the signature of a rabbinical court — that he received from Reb Abba the distribution — from the period of time from which he will now travel — then they will transfer to him their distribution — whatever is on their portion. And I will do as per your letter — half I will receive into my hand — and half I will receive for the woman Chava, may she live — as per your letter. And for sending me the honorable sum of thirteen groshen — may Hashem Yisbarach bless you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy. And may it be a comprehensive redemption — to sweeten through the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — all the harsh judgments — in general and in particular and in the particulars of particulars. [בכלל ובפרט ובפרטי פרטיות — "in general and in particular and in the particulars of particulars" — the Kabbalistic tripartite structure of reality: the comprehensive whole, each individual particular, and each sub-particular within each particular; the redemption sweetens all harsh judgments at every level of reality] And may you merit — together with the Anash — to receive the holy Passover festival in fitness and in holiness and purity and joy and gladness — and in prayer with intention and outcry — as is explained in Likutay Moharan — on Passover — that one cries out in prayer. And may we all merit — to receive through the festival of Passover — such knowledge — to break the lust for money. [לשבר תאות ממון — "to break the lust for money" — a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל connected to Passover: the Exodus from Egypt is an Exodus from the material lust that enslaves; Passover specifically has the power to break the grip of the money-lust] And may we all merit to prepare ourselves — through the Omer count with intention — for the receiving of the Torah — with ardor and with a fresh beginning. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to taste the taste of the pleasant words from the sayings of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and to truly settle ourselves — as to what is the ultimate purpose of this world. For we have nothing in this world — except to long and to watch with expectant eyes for the World to Come — as is explained in Likutay Tinyana, sign 10. [Likutay Moharan Tinyana — the Second Collection — sign 10; a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל that explains the soul's true purpose in this world: to long and watch for the World to Come; this world is only the antechamber — the longing itself is the purpose] Peace to you and to my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, the 13th of Nissan, 5643 (April 1883) — one day before Passover eve. News of Reb Abba's passing — the writer will say Kaddish for him all month. Distribution fund matters. A Passover teaching: cry out in prayer; break the lust for money; long for the World to Come. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Today I was at the administrator — and he told me that he will give me all the monthly money due to Reb Abba ז"ל — and to his wife, may she live. Therefore write to me immediately — as you wrote before the Passover festival — that half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. Only I have not yet received it — because I have not returned the distributor. [שלא השבתי המחלק — "because I have not returned the distributor" — some financial document or allocating instrument that needs to be returned before the funds can be disbursed] Therefore immediately write to me — to know — so that immediately with the previous wagon. And when I send the money to her hand — I will then send to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — his money — 2510 groshen of our money. And to Reb Yaakov Dov — the sum of six groshen. And to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — 310 groshen. For this money — Reb Moshe the shochet and examiner sent — one ruble — a payment. And wrote to me to give to Reb Yaakov Dov — with G-d's help — half a ruble. And to the shochet and examiner — 20 and five kopeks. And to me — 20 and five kopeks. And Reb Moshe Yadid received six groshen. And I do not reckon the money of Reb Moshe Yadid — only upon me and upon Reb Chaim — and for them I do not reckon. And I asked that immediately and at once — to reply to me — with alacrity — without delay. And also to write — how was your conclusion of Passover — whether it passed in peace and in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you and from each and every one of the beloved of my soul — only joy and gladness. And the money — I exchanged here — each ruble — thirteen and a half groshen. And greetings of peace to our truly beloved Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — let him not worry at all — only strengthen himself in prayer. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will conclude everything for him for the good. Only the believer will not be shaken. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Nussun the above-mentioned Written Monday, the 2nd of the Omer, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Financial matters about the distribution of Reb Abba's funds. A report on Passover — a little joy fulfilled. The writer went to the holy graves to pray for the wife. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — through Reb Itsmar, may his candle shine — I received yesterday. And surely my suffering is very great — from our persecutions. But this is my consolation — for "G-d seeks out the pursued." [Ecclesiastes 3:15 — "G-d seeks out the pursued" — v'ha'Elokim yevakesh es ha'nirdaf; G-d takes the side of the pursued; since they pursue us — G-d is on our side] And "the wicked one watches for the righteous" — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. Therefore strengthen yourselves in joy — for Hashem is with you — and close to you — and Hashem will plead your cause and fight on your behalf. And we have someone to rely upon — for Rabbainu ז"ל wages war against Amalek and against Og King of Bashan and against Bilam and against Goliath — and all of them he subdues — little by little — until he will subdue all the powerful husks. And even one in whom some powerful husk has clothed itself — surely Rabbainu ז"ל will subdue them — through his holy disciple — and through the holy books that they left after themselves — a blessing — in the world. And do not fear the accursed husk — Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens [ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי — "the accursed Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens" — Haman's wife Zeresh from the Book of Esther; applied here to the forces of opposition surrounding the Tzfas community; Zeresh advised Haman how to terrorize — the writer refers to her as "the wife of the one who frightens"] — and do not fear at all. And surely G-d willing you will see their downfall — without a supporter. Only the believer will not be shaken. And for the present — greatly multiply prayer and crying out. And study the Torah Abba Shaul — and through the power of this Torah — the downfall of the unprovoked enemies will come. But you — do not fear and do not worry at all — only transform — for we have such a King. And all of it is only a trial. And I already heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל — may his merit protect us — that whoever holds himself steady in the controversy that passed over him — he is tied to the holy cord. And the holy cord will never be shaken — for the spirit of impurity will pass from the world. But "and You are on high — forever, O Hashem — His hand is on top." And be strong and courageous in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they are mighty of strength [גבורי כח — from Psalms 103:20 — "mighty of strength who do His word — hearkening to the voice of His word" — the angels described as mighty warriors of strength; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple as the heavenly warriors fighting on behalf of the persecuted Anash] — and they will fight for you. And blessed be He Who is good and does good — over the good tidings of my friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach helped him. And perhaps the controversy was exchanged [נתחלף המחלקת להחיות אותו — "the controversy was exchanged to give him life" — the spiritual exchange: what was previously manifested as controversy and persecution was transformed into a source of spiritual life and revival for him; the suffering transmuted into vitality] — to give him life. And also bring good tidings — for a good sign — to your precious father — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your mother, may she live. And to your veteran Chassid brother — the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son — the veteran Chassid young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And to his wife, may she live — with your son — may Hashem Yisbarach give that it should be for a good sign and for good fortune and for success and blessing — for you and for all the Anash. And the match should flourish — in prosperity and honor and long and good years. And may there be seen from them generations upon generations that will be a contentment of spirit to Hashem Yisbarach from them. And regarding the ten rubles from Breslov — I have not yet received them. And if I send immediately — to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And know — that the fever has intensified greatly upon my wife, may she live — in a manner that has not been like this before. And I was compelled to take in a hired cook for the household — until after Passover. [A significant measure: the writer is forced to hire a cook because his wife is completely incapacitated; a mark of how severe her condition has become as Passover approaches with all its intensive preparation requirements] Therefore have mercy on me and on her — all the Anash — and pray for her. For she has no more strength to bear the great pain, G-d have mercy. And because of this — my mind is somewhat confused. And were it not for the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which strengthen me — at least with a will. Words of one who loves you — who blesses you with a kosher Passover — and to fulfill all the commandments that apply on Passover — and everything in joy — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Words of encouragement against the persecution. Good news — Reb Nachman has been helped; and joyous tidings of Reb Eliezer's forthcoming match. The wife's fever has intensified — a cook was hired for Passover. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And regarding what I wrote to him about the matter of the distribution [החלוקה — chalukah — the distribution; the system of distributing funds collected in the diaspora for the support of Jews living in Eretz Yisroel; specifically here the distribution funds allocated to Reb Abba ז"ל who has passed away] — I met with the administrator [הממנה — "the appointed one, the administrator" — the person appointed to oversee and distribute the chalukah funds in Teverya] — and he told me how Reb Altir — who was the son-in-law of Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel [ר' שמואל העליר עקל — "Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel" — ha'alir appears to be from Yiddish allyr — an agent or collector who gathers charitable funds on behalf of an institution; Akel or Ekl — possibly the name of a town or institution he represented; the exact identification is uncertain but the role is clear: a fund-collector] — here — received the distribution money of Reb Abba ז"ל. And since his wife, may she live, was traveling to Jerusalem — she transferred the power of the distribution — that Reb Abba ז"ל should receive it on her behalf. Therefore — if Reb Altir will write — with the signature of a rabbinical court — that he received from Reb Abba the distribution — from the period of time from which he will now travel — then they will transfer to him their distribution — whatever is on their portion. And I will do as per your letter — half I will receive into my hand — and half I will receive for the woman Chava, may she live — as per your letter. # קסה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/165/ קסה קסה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/165 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק י"ג ניסן תרמ"ג פה טבריא EN: Your letter from Wednesday — this present one [dana — Aramaic: "this present one"] — I received properly. And also the Meizhide [A coin — the Meizhide; money sent as a charitable donation or contribution] — I received properly. And in the merit of the charity — from Reb Abba ז"ל — may his soul ascend to the light of the face. And I will recite Kaddish for him the entire month. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ הלא הוא המפלא וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנו היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And regarding what I wrote to him about the matter of the distribution [החלוקה — chalukah — the distribution; the system of distributing funds collected in the diaspora for the support of Jews living in Eretz Yisroel; specifically here the distribution funds allocated to Reb Abba ז"ל who has passed away] — I met with the administrator [הממנה — "the appointed one, the administrator" — the person appointed to oversee and distribute the chalukah funds in Teverya] — and he told me how Reb Altir — who was the son-in-law of Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel [ר' שמואל העליר עקל — "Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel" — ha'alir appears to be from Yiddish allyr — an agent or collector who gathers charitable funds on behalf of an institution; Akel or Ekl — possibly the name of a town or institution he represented; the exact identification is uncertain but the role is clear: a fund-collector] — here — received the distribution money of Reb Abba ז"ל. And since his wife, may she live, was traveling to Jerusalem — she transferred the power of the distribution — that Reb Abba ז"ל should receive it on her behalf. Therefore — if Reb Altir will write — with the signature of a rabbinical court — that he received from Reb Abba the distribution — from the period of time from which he will now travel — then they will transfer to him their distribution — whatever is on their portion. And I will do as per your letter — half I will receive into my hand — and half I will receive for the woman Chava, may she live — as per your letter. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ד' דנא קבלתי לנכון וגם המז'ידע קבלתי לנכון ובזכות הצדקה מר' אבא ז"ל תעלה נשמתו לאור הפנים ואני אמר קדיש עבורו כל החדש EN: And for sending me the honorable sum of thirteen groshen — may Hashem Yisbarach bless you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy. And may it be a comprehensive redemption — to sweeten through the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — all the harsh judgments — in general and in particular and in the particulars of particulars. [בכלל ובפרט ובפרטי פרטיות — "in general and in particular and in the particulars of particulars" — the Kabbalistic tripartite structure of reality: the comprehensive whole, each individual particular, and each sub-particular within each particular; the redemption sweetens all harsh judgments at every level of reality] And may you merit — together with the Anash — to receive the holy Passover festival in fitness and in holiness and purity and joy and gladness — and in prayer with intention and outcry — as is explained in Likutay Moharan — on Passover — that one cries out in prayer. And may we all merit — to receive through the festival of Passover — such knowledge — to break the lust for money. [לשבר תאות ממון — "to break the lust for money" — a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל connected to Passover: the Exodus from Egypt is an Exodus from the material lust that enslaves; Passover specifically has the power to break the grip of the money-lust] And may we all merit to prepare ourselves — through the Omer count with intention — for the receiving of the Torah — with ardor and with a fresh beginning. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to taste the taste of the pleasant words from the sayings of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and to truly settle ourselves — as to what is the ultimate purpose of this world. For we have nothing in this world — except to long and to watch with expectant eyes for the World to Come — as is explained in Likutay Tinyana, sign 10. [Likutay Moharan Tinyana — the Second Collection — sign 10; a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל that explains the soul's true purpose in this world: to long and watch for the World to Come; this world is only the antechamber — the longing itself is the purpose] Segment 4 HE: ואודות מה שכתבתי לו מכח החלוקה ראיתי עצמי עם הממנה ואמר לי איך שר' אלטיר שהיה חתן ר' שמואל העליר עקל בכאן מעות חלוקה מר' אבא ז"ל וזוג' תח' באשר כי יסע לירושלים מסר כח החלוקה שיקבל עבורו ר' אבא ז"ל ע"כ אם יכתב ר' אלטיר בחתימת בית דין שקבל מר' אבא החלוקה מהמשך הזמן שיסע אם עתה אזי ימסרו לו החלוקה שלהם מה שיש על חלקם ואני אעשה כדבריך מחצה אקבל לידי ומחצה אקבל לאשה חוה תח' כמכתבך EN: Peace to you and to my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ועבור ששלח לי מעלתו סך שלשה עשר גר' יברך אותך השי"ת בפקדת ישועה ורחמים ויהיו פדיון הכולל להמתיק ע"י כח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כל הדינים בכלל ובפרט ובפרטי פרטיות ותזכה עם אנ"ש לקבל חג הפסח הק' בכשרות ובקדשה וטהרה ושמחה וחדוה ובתפילה בכונה וצעקה כמבאר בלקוטי מוהר"ן בפסח שזועקין בתפילה ונזכה כלנו לקבל ע"י חג הפסח דעת כזה לשבר תאות ממון ונזכה כלנו להכין עצמנו ע"י ספירה בכונה לקבלות התורה בחשק ובהתחלה חדשה ויזכה אותנו השי"ת לטעם טעם אמרי נעם ממאמרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולישב עצמנו באמת מהו התכלית מזה העולם כי אין לנו על העולם הזה כי אם לכסוף ולצפות על העולם הבא כמבאר בלקוטי תנינא סימן י' EN: Written Friday, the 13th of Nissan, 5643 (April 1883) — one day before Passover eve. News of Reb Abba's passing — the writer will say Kaddish for him all month. Distribution fund matters. A Passover teaching: cry out in prayer; break the lust for money; long for the World to Come. Segment 6 HE: שלום לך ולידידי ר' איזיק נ"י EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Today I was at the administrator — and he told me that he will give me all the monthly money due to Reb Abba ז"ל — and to his wife, may she live. Therefore write to me immediately — as you wrote before the Passover festival — that half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. Only I have not yet received it — because I have not returned the distributor. [שלא השבתי המחלק — "because I have not returned the distributor" — some financial document or allocating instrument that needs to be returned before the funds can be disbursed] Therefore immediately write to me — to know — so that immediately with the previous wagon. And when I send the money to her hand — I will then send to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — his money — 2510 groshen of our money. And to Reb Yaakov Dov — the sum of six groshen. And to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — 310 groshen. For this money — Reb Moshe the shochet and examiner sent — one ruble — a payment. And wrote to me to give to Reb Yaakov Dov — with G-d's help — half a ruble. And to the shochet and examiner — 20 and five kopeks. And to me — 20 and five kopeks. And Reb Moshe Yadid received six groshen. And I do not reckon the money of Reb Moshe Yadid — only upon me and upon Reb Chaim — and for them I do not reckon. And I asked that immediately and at once — to reply to me — with alacrity — without delay. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Today I was at the administrator — and he told me that he will give me all the monthly money due to Reb Abba ז"ל — and to his wife, may she live. Therefore write to me immediately — as you wrote before the Passover festival — that half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. Only I have not yet received it — because I have not returned the distributor. [שלא השבתי המחלק — "because I have not returned the distributor" — some financial document or allocating instrument that needs to be returned before the funds can be disbursed] Therefore immediately write to me — to know — so that immediately with the previous wagon. And when I send the money to her hand — I will then send to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — his money — 2510 groshen of our money. And to Reb Yaakov Dov — the sum of six groshen. And to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — 310 groshen. For this money — Reb Moshe the shochet and examiner sent — one ruble — a payment. And wrote to me to give to Reb Yaakov Dov — with G-d's help — half a ruble. And to the shochet and examiner — 20 and five kopeks. And to me — 20 and five kopeks. And Reb Moshe Yadid received six groshen. And I do not reckon the money of Reb Moshe Yadid — only upon me and upon Reb Chaim — and for them I do not reckon. And I asked that immediately and at once — to reply to me — with alacrity — without delay. # קסו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/166/ קסו קסו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/166 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' למספר בני ישראל תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: Today I was at the administrator — and he told me that he will give me all the monthly money due to Reb Abba ז"ל — and to his wife, may she live. Therefore write to me immediately — as you wrote before the Passover festival — that half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. Only I have not yet received it — because I have not returned the distributor. [שלא השבתי המחלק — "because I have not returned the distributor" — some financial document or allocating instrument that needs to be returned before the funds can be disbursed] Therefore immediately write to me — to know — so that immediately with the previous wagon. And when I send the money to her hand — I will then send to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — his money — 2510 groshen of our money. And to Reb Yaakov Dov — the sum of six groshen. And to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — 310 groshen. For this money — Reb Moshe the shochet and examiner sent — one ruble — a payment. And wrote to me to give to Reb Yaakov Dov — with G-d's help — half a ruble. And to the shochet and examiner — 20 and five kopeks. And to me — 20 and five kopeks. And Reb Moshe Yadid received six groshen. And I do not reckon the money of Reb Moshe Yadid — only upon me and upon Reb Chaim — and for them I do not reckon. And I asked that immediately and at once — to reply to me — with alacrity — without delay. Segment 2 HE: בגזרות העמר ישפת החיים והשלום וכל טוב וטוב ה' לכל EN: And also to write — how was your conclusion of Passover — whether it passed in peace and in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you and from each and every one of the beloved of my soul — only joy and gladness. And the money — I exchanged here — each ruble — thirteen and a half groshen. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ וידידי עז ונפשי קשורה בנפשו ע"י חבל הקדשה של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' בבריאות גופה ונפשה מ' יד"ל עם שלום בנך היקר והנעים מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And greetings of peace to our truly beloved Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — let him not worry at all — only strengthen himself in prayer. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will conclude everything for him for the good. Only the believer will not be shaken. Segment 4 HE: הנה היום הייתי אצל הממנה ואמר לי שיתן לי כל המעות חדש המגיע לר' אבא ז"ל ולזוג' תח' ע"כ תכתב לי תכף איך שכתבת קדם יו"ט פסח שמחצה אקבל לידי ומחצה אשלח לאשה חוה תח' רק עדין לא קבלתי מחמת שלא השבתי המחלק ע"כ תכף לכתוב לי לידע איך תכף בשירא הקודמת וכשאשלח המעות לידה אשלח אז לר' חיים נ"י מעות שלו 2510 גר' מעות שלנו ולר' יעקב דב סך שש גר' ולר' דב נ"י 310 גר' כי זה המעות שלח ר' משה שוחט ובודק אחד רו"ח פזיט וכתב לי לתן לר' יעקב דב בעזרת ה' חצי רו"ח ולר' שוחט ובודק 20 וחמשה קאפ ולי 20 וחמשה קאפ ור' משה ידיד קבל שש גר' ואיני חושב המעות ר' משה ידיד רק עלי ועל ר' חיים ועליהם אין אני חושב ובקשתי שתכף ומיד להשיב לי בזריזות בלי אחור EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: וגם לכתוב איך היה אצלכם גמר הפסח אם עבר בשלום ובשמחה והשי"ת יזכה אותי לשמע מכם ומכל אחד ואחד מאהבי נפשי רק שמחה וששון והמעות החלפתי בכאן כל רו"ח שלשה עשר וחצי גר' EN: Nussun the above-mentioned Segment 6 HE: ולפב"ש לאו"נ באמת מו"ה איזיק נ"י אל ידאג כלל רק לחזק עצמו בתפילה ואי"ה בודאי יגמר עמו השי"ת הכל לטובה רק המאמין לא יחוש EN: Written Monday, the 2nd of the Omer, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Financial matters about the distribution of Reb Abba's funds. A report on Passover — a little joy fulfilled. The writer went to the holy graves to pray for the wife. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 164 | קסד (Kuf-Samech-Dalet) Segment 9 HE: וביום ה' הלכתי אני וזוג' ואחותי על ציונים הק' להתפלל עבור זוג' מ' יד"ל בת זל"ר תח' לרפואה שלמה ובתוכם כל אנ"ש ועל אחיך ישראל אריה השי"ת ירחם עליו וב"ה קימתי מעט שמחת יו"ט והחייתי ב"אזמרה לאלהי בעודי על מעט השמחה השי"ת יזכנו להוסיף קדשת שמחת המצות ויו"ט ושבת בתוספת קדשה בכל עת להוסיף מחל על הקודש כי ב"ה יש לנו במה לשמח EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 164 | קסד (Kuf-Samech-Dalet) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 164 Letter 165 | קסה (Kuf-Samech-Hey) Segment 10 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Letter 165 | קסה (Kuf-Samech-Hey) # קסז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/167/ קסז קסז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/167 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' עשרה ימים למספר בני ישראל תרמ"ג טבריא EN: Your letters — and from our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and with the letter from Reb Altir — from Tuesday, this present one — I received today in the morning. And blessed be G-d — over the kindness that He performed with you and with your wife, may she live — and over the kindness that He will yet perform with you. And regarding what you wrote to me — about the festival — and about before the festival — this is nothing but beginning from the side. [אין זה כי אם מתחילין מן הצד — "this is nothing but beginning from the side" — a Talmudic expression indicating that the questioner or opponent is approaching the matter obliquely, from an indirect angle — not dealing with the core issue directly but circling around it; the writer dismisses the complaints with this formula: they are coming at things sideways, not directly] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And Hashem Yisbarach will show wonders — that it will not enter the minds of human beings. For Rabbainu ז"ל — one hour before his passing — made a fist and shook it forcefully [עשה אגרוף ונענע עמו בחזק — "made a fist and shook it forcefully" — a specific account preserved from the final hours of Rabbainu ז"ל's life: with one hour remaining before his passing, he clenched his fist and shook it with great force — to demonstrate and signal that he is a warrior in both the spiritual and physical dimensions; an act of defiance against the forces of opposition even in his final hour] — to show that he is a warrior — in spirituality and in physicality. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will not permit any one of them. And we need to hold only to the weapons of Torah and prayer. "Give might to G-d" [Psalms 68:35 — "give might to G-d — whose majesty is over Israel and whose might is in the skies"; the verse calling to ascribe and give all might to G-d, not to the forces of opposition] — and G-d will give might and power for eternity. Segment 3 HE: המכתבים שלך ומידידנו ר' איזיק נ"י ועם המכתב מר' אלטיר מיום ג' דנא קבלתי היום בבקר וב"ה על החסד שעשה עמך ועם זוג' תח' ועל החסד שיעשה עמכם עוד ואודות מה שכתבת לי מיו"ט ומקדם יו"ט אין זה כי אם מתחילין מן הצד EN: And it astonishes me — at first your honor wrote that I should receive the monthly money of Reb Abba ז"ל — and half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. And at first they did not want to give me — because Reb Altir asked to hold it back. But afterward you argued with them and they agreed to give me. Only now — the distributor — the honored our teacher Reb Yaakov — is in your encampment. And he told me before his journey — that he will give the woman Chava half — and the other half — when he comes home — he will give to me. But now — perhaps she has gone back on her words. [חזרה בדבריה — "she went back on her words" — the feminine form; the subject is the woman Chava, may she live — it is she who may have reversed her position, not the distributor; the distributor will give her half, but now she may be reconsidering her arrangement] And regarding the clock [השעך — "your clock" — a clock or timepiece that was being sought; the writer notes it is not here and the entire city laughs at him over it] — it is not here — and the entire city laughs at me — saying it is of no use at all. Segment 4 HE: והשי"ת יראה נפלאות שלא יעלה על דעת בני אדם כי רבנו ז"ל שעה אחת קדם הסתלקותו עשה אגרוף ונענע עמו בחזק להראות שהוא בעל מלחמה ברוחניות ובגשמיות ובודאי השי"ת לא יותר לשום אחד מהם ואנו צריכין להחזיק רק בהכלי זין של תורה ותפילה תנו עז לאלהים ואל יתן עז ותעצמות לעד EN: And also — to distinguish between thousands upon thousands and myriads of distinctions [להבדיל בין אלפי אלפים רבבות הבדלות — the standard formula of absolute distinction between the holy and the non-holy; the writer is about to mention something of the non-holy world and distances it from the sacred matters just discussed with this formula of infinite distinction] — in the synagogue of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — there were several people from Jerusalem — and they had no effect at all — and they traveled home empty — without any effect whatsoever. Segment 5 HE: ותמיה לי מתחלה כתב מעלתו שאקבל מעות חדש מר' אבא ז"ל ומחצה אקבל לידי ומחצה אשלח לאשה חוה תח' ומתחלה לא רצו לתן לי מחמת שר' אלטיר בקש לעכב אבל אח"כ טענת עמהם והסכימו לתן לי רק עתה המחלק כבוד מורנו ר"י יעקב הוא במחנכם ואמר לי קדם נסיעתו שהוא יתן לאשה חוה מחצה וחצי השני כשיבא לביתו יתן לי אבל עתה אפשר חזרה בדבריה ואודות השעך אינו בכאן וכל העיר צוחקים מאתי ואמרים שאינו מועיל כלל EN: And know — my brother and my friend — that I am sending you — through the bearer of this letter — two Meizhides. And from them give our money — according to the Meizhides — 322 — to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — 1025 groshen — after a correct accounting — one groshen — five paras [פאריס — paris — a small Ottoman coin denomination; fractions of a groshen; five paras = one groshen according to the local exchange rate] — from Reb Moshe Yadid. And to Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — the sum of six groshen of our money. And to Reb Dov — one bishlik — ten paras. And the remainder — whatever is left — set it to the account of what I owe you. Segment 6 HE: וגם אודות להבדיל בין אלפי אלפים רבבות הבדלות בביהכנ"ס של רמבע"ה היו כמה אנשים מירושלים ולא היה להם פעלה כלל ונסעו לביתם ריקם בלי שום פעלה כלל ותדע אחי ידידי שאני שולח לך ע"י מוסר כתב זה שני מז'ידעס ומהם תתן מעות שלנו כפי המז'ידעס 322 לר' חיים נ"י 1025 גר' אחר נכון אחד גר' חמש פאריס מר' משה ידיד ולר' יעקב בער נ"י סך ששה גר' מעות שלנו ולר' דב אחד בישליק עשרה פאריס והמותר מה שישאר תציג לחשבון מה שאני חיב לך EN: And it astonishes me — that I wrote to you that I distributed ten groshen on behalf of your wife — and you should distribute ten groshen on behalf of your wife — and I wrote to you to whom to give — and you did not write me news of this. And perhaps you did not receive my letter. Segment 7 HE: ותמיה לי שכתבתי לך שחלקתי עבור זוג' עשרה גר' ואתה תחלק עבור זוג' עשרה גר' וכתבתי לך למי לתן ולא כתבת לי ידיעה מזו ואפשר לא קבלת המכתב שלי EN: The sum: my brothers and companions — do not worry at all — for Hashem is with you and by you and close to you. And surely He will not abandon you. Segment 8 HE: הכלל אחי ורעי לא תדאגו כלל כי ה' עמכם ואצלכם וקרוב לכם ובודאי לא יעזב אתכם EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, the 10th of the Omer, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. A vivid tradition about Rabbainu ז"ל: one hour before his passing he made a fist and shook it forcefully — to show he is a warrior in spirituality and physicality. Financial distribution details. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter I received on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — after midday. And I had no leisure at all to reply to you as befits replying to two such beloved ones. Only I wrote you a receipt for your letter. And also I asked — since I am sending — with our veteran Chassid friend Reb Volveh — who is called Reb Ze'ev — from Jerusalem — the sum of seven groshen — to distribute: to my friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — two groshen. To Reb Dov — two groshen. To Reb Itzig — two groshen. To Reb Aizik — two groshen. And to the widow of Reb Itzele — one groshen. [Note: the distribution totals nine groshen, not seven — there may be a scribal error in the source or the writer counted differently] And I ask of you — perhaps your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, will come — and bring letters to my hand from the diaspora — that you send them to me immediately — and revive my soul. For I have no letter from anywhere. And for the sake of Hashem — be in joy for the great Hillula [הלולא רבא — Aramaic: "the great Hillula" — the celebration of the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Lag Ba'omer at Meron; the greatest annual Chassidic celebration in Eretz Yisroel; hillulah from Aramaic — celebration, jubilation] — for Rabbainu ז"ל will surely also be there. One who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Nussun the above-mentioned. To Reb Nussun son of Reb Hirsh in Tzfas, may it be established — my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — receive this guest — who is among the distinguished of the Anash — with a pleasant countenance. [בסבר פנים יפות — "with a pleasant countenance" — from the Mishnah, Avos 1:15: "receive every person with a pleasant countenance"; the specific Mishnaic phrase for warm, open-faced hospitality; the honored way of welcoming a guest] For blessed be G-d — he stayed with me too — eight days — with a pleasant countenance. Written the night after Shabbos, around Lag Ba'omer, 5643 (May 1883), from Teverya. A brief letter sending seven groshen for distribution. A request for prayers at the Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. A letter of introduction for a distinguished guest. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I received your letter — and also a letter from the woman Chava, may she live. And surely I will fulfill her request. But today I could not find Reb Yaakov son of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — to inquire with him. And the wagon is urgent. And G-d willing after Shabbos I will send her the account clearly. And I — according to what appears — will not be at Meron [מירון — Meron — where the Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai takes place on Lag Ba'omer; the writer will not be able to attend because of his wife's condition] — because my wife is not in good health — her legs are swollen. And the olive oil [השמן זית — olive oil — brought to Meron for the Hillula; it is customary to kindle torches and bonfires at the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Lag Ba'omer; oil was sent as a contribution to the Hillula celebrations] — surely I will give. Only why did he not write on behalf of which Figa? [A specific question: several women named Figa were in need of prayer; the writer needs to know which Figa the oil is being dedicated for, to pray by the right name] And I ask of you — to pray for us. And I will pray for you at Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. And I greatly long to see you. And the money — send it to me. Only for the olive oil — I will pay here — it comes to ten — 20 coins. And set it to the account of the debt that I owe you. And also write to me — who sent the money. And also I ask of you — since I received this week a letter from Bobrents [בברינץ — Bobrents — a town in the diaspora; likely Bobrynets in Ukraine; a community where some of the writer's family lives] — through my friend Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana — and he wrote to me that his daughter Figa Bilimah is not in good health. Therefore I ask of you — since enclosed here is a letter for Bobrents — deliver it to my friend Reb Nussun the above-mentioned. And I ask of him — that surely when he sends a letter to the above-mentioned — he should send my letter too. And convey greetings of peace to him. And let him write to me what became of his daughter, may she live. And the letter that you sent this week — I did not receive. And why did you not write with whom you sent it? And also the letter from Reb Yudel Kudniver, may his candle shine — I also did not receive. And also I received the letter from my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — that a door fell upon his wife, may she live. [A serious accident — a door fell on Reb Aizik's wife; the writer addresses this at the end with a prayer for her healing] Therefore write to me what happened to her. And may the merit of all these awesome Tzaddikim before whom we are prostrating ourselves now — and the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — send to your wife, may she live — and to his wife, may she live — and to the daughter of Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to the wife of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and remember them with salvation and mercy — together with all of Israel. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Behar, 5643 (around Lag Ba'omer, May 1883), from Teverya. The writer cannot attend Meron — the wife's legs are swollen. Olive oil sent for the Hillula. A letter enclosed for Bobrents. A door fell on Reb Aizik's wife — prayers for her healing. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letters — and from our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and with the letter from Reb Altir — from Tuesday, this present one — I received today in the morning. And blessed be G-d — over the kindness that He performed with you and with your wife, may she live — and over the kindness that He will yet perform with you. And regarding what you wrote to me — about the festival — and about before the festival — this is nothing but beginning from the side. [אין זה כי אם מתחילין מן הצד — "this is nothing but beginning from the side" — a Talmudic expression indicating that the questioner or opponent is approaching the matter obliquely, from an indirect angle — not dealing with the core issue directly but circling around it; the writer dismisses the complaints with this formula: they are coming at things sideways, not directly] And Hashem Yisbarach will show wonders — that it will not enter the minds of human beings. For Rabbainu ז"ל — one hour before his passing — made a fist and shook it forcefully [עשה אגרוף ונענע עמו בחזק — "made a fist and shook it forcefully" — a specific account preserved from the final hours of Rabbainu ז"ל's life: with one hour remaining before his passing, he clenched his fist and shook it with great force — to demonstrate and signal that he is a warrior in both the spiritual and physical dimensions; an act of defiance against the forces of opposition even in his final hour] — to show that he is a warrior — in spirituality and in physicality. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will not permit any one of them. And we need to hold only to the weapons of Torah and prayer. "Give might to G-d" [Psalms 68:35 — "give might to G-d — whose majesty is over Israel and whose might is in the skies"; the verse calling to ascribe and give all might to G-d, not to the forces of opposition] — and G-d will give might and power for eternity. And it astonishes me — at first your honor wrote that I should receive the monthly money of Reb Abba ז"ל — and half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. And at first they did not want to give me — because Reb Altir asked to hold it back. But afterward you argued with them and they agreed to give me. Only now — the distributor — the honored our teacher Reb Yaakov — is in your encampment. And he told me before his journey — that he will give the woman Chava half — and the other half — when he comes home — he will give to me. But now — perhaps she has gone back on her words. [חזרה בדבריה — "she went back on her words" — the feminine form; the subject is the woman Chava, may she live — it is she who may have reversed her position, not the distributor; the distributor will give her half, but now she may be reconsidering her arrangement] And regarding the clock [השעך — "your clock" — a clock or timepiece that was being sought; the writer notes it is not here and the entire city laughs at him over it] — it is not here — and the entire city laughs at me — saying it is of no use at all. And also — to distinguish between thousands upon thousands and myriads of distinctions [להבדיל בין אלפי אלפים רבבות הבדלות — the standard formula of absolute distinction between the holy and the non-holy; the writer is about to mention something of the non-holy world and distances it from the sacred matters just discussed with this formula of infinite distinction] — in the synagogue of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — there were several people from Jerusalem — and they had no effect at all — and they traveled home empty — without any effect whatsoever. And know — my brother and my friend — that I am sending you — through the bearer of this letter — two Meizhides. And from them give our money — according to the Meizhides — 322 — to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — 1025 groshen — after a correct accounting — one groshen — five paras [פאריס — paris — a small Ottoman coin denomination; fractions of a groshen; five paras = one groshen according to the local exchange rate] — from Reb Moshe Yadid. And to Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — the sum of six groshen of our money. And to Reb Dov — one bishlik — ten paras. And the remainder — whatever is left — set it to the account of what I owe you. And it astonishes me — that I wrote to you that I distributed ten groshen on behalf of your wife — and you should distribute ten groshen on behalf of your wife — and I wrote to you to whom to give — and you did not write me news of this. And perhaps you did not receive my letter. The sum: my brothers and companions — do not worry at all — for Hashem is with you and by you and close to you. And surely He will not abandon you. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, the 10th of the Omer, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. A vivid tradition about Rabbainu ז"ל: one hour before his passing he made a fist and shook it forcefully — to show he is a warrior in spirituality and physicality. Financial distribution details. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Written Wednesday, the 10th of the Omer, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. A vivid tradition about Rabbainu ז"ל: one hour before his passing he made a fist and shook it forcefully — to show he is a warrior in spirituality and physicality. Financial distribution details. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קסח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/168/ קסח קסח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/168 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום מוצאי שב"ק טבריא לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י וידידי או"נ ר' איזיק נ"י מכתבכם קבלתי ביום ו' עש"ק אחר חצות ולא היה לי שום פנאי להשיב לכם כראוי להשיב לשני אהובים כאלו רק אני כתב לכם קבלה על מכתבכם גם בקשתי איך שאני שולח עם ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' וואלווי הנקרא ר' זאב מירושלים סך שבע גר' לחלק לידידי ר' נחמן נ"י שני גר' ולר' דב שני גר' ולר' איציק שני גר' ולר' איזיק שני גר' ולאלמנת ר' איצילע אחד גר' ואבקש מאתך אולי יבא חמיך נ"י והביא מכתבים לידי מחו"ל שתכף תשלחו לי ותחיו נפשנו כי אין לי משום מקום שום מכתב ולמען ה' תהיו בשמחה על הלולא רבא כי רבנו ז"ל בודאי ג"כ יהיה שם אוהבכם באמת נתן מברסלב וב"ה זוג' תח' מעט הקל חליה ולהתפלל עבורי נתן בן ביילא לאה זוג' בר"ל בת פיגא ועל בתי אדל בת יעכט שרה עם בעלה יהושע בן טוביא שהשי"ת ירחם עליהם בזכות כל הצדיקים אשר יהיו שם על הלולא דרבי שמעון בר יוחאי שיפקד אותם השי"ת אתכם ג"כ נתן הנ"ל לר' נתן ב"ר הירש בצפת תו"ת ידידי ר' נתן נ"י לקבל האורח זה שהוא מחשובי אנ"ש בסבר פנים יפות כי ב"ה אצלי ג"כ עמד שמונה ימים בסבר פנים יפות EN: Your letter I received on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — after midday. And I had no leisure at all to reply to you as befits replying to two such beloved ones. Only I wrote you a receipt for your letter. And also I asked — since I am sending — with our veteran Chassid friend Reb Volveh — who is called Reb Ze'ev — from Jerusalem — the sum of seven groshen — to distribute: to my friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — two groshen. To Reb Dov — two groshen. To Reb Itzig — two groshen. To Reb Aizik — two groshen. And to the widow of Reb Itzele — one groshen. [Note: the distribution totals nine groshen, not seven — there may be a scribal error in the source or the writer counted differently] And I ask of you — perhaps your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, will come — and bring letters to my hand from the diaspora — that you send them to me immediately — and revive my soul. For I have no letter from anywhere. And for the sake of Hashem — be in joy for the great Hillula [הלולא רבא — Aramaic: "the great Hillula" — the celebration of the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Lag Ba'omer at Meron; the greatest annual Chassidic celebration in Eretz Yisroel; hillulah from Aramaic — celebration, jubilation] — for Rabbainu ז"ל will surely also be there. One who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Nussun the above-mentioned. To Reb Nussun son of Reb Hirsh in Tzfas, may it be established — my friend Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — receive this guest — who is among the distinguished of the Anash — with a pleasant countenance. [בסבר פנים יפות — "with a pleasant countenance" — from the Mishnah, Avos 1:15: "receive every person with a pleasant countenance"; the specific Mishnaic phrase for warm, open-faced hospitality; the honored way of welcoming a guest] For blessed be G-d — he stayed with me too — eight days — with a pleasant countenance. Written the night after Shabbos, around Lag Ba'omer, 5643 (May 1883), from Teverya. A brief letter sending seven groshen for distribution. A request for prayers at the Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. A letter of introduction for a distinguished guest. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קסט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/169/ קסט קסט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/169 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום עש"ק בהר תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: I received your letter — and also a letter from the woman Chava, may she live. And surely I will fulfill her request. But today I could not find Reb Yaakov son of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — to inquire with him. And the wagon is urgent. And G-d willing after Shabbos I will send her the account clearly. And I — according to what appears — will not be at Meron [מירון — Meron — where the Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai takes place on Lag Ba'omer; the writer will not be able to attend because of his wife's condition] — because my wife is not in good health — her legs are swollen. And the olive oil [השמן זית — olive oil — brought to Meron for the Hillula; it is customary to kindle torches and bonfires at the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Lag Ba'omer; oil was sent as a contribution to the Hillula celebrations] — surely I will give. Only why did he not write on behalf of which Figa? [A specific question: several women named Figa were in need of prayer; the writer needs to know which Figa the oil is being dedicated for, to pray by the right name] Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And I ask of you — to pray for us. And I will pray for you at Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. And I greatly long to see you. And the money — send it to me. Only for the olive oil — I will pay here — it comes to ten — 20 coins. And set it to the account of the debt that I owe you. And also write to me — who sent the money. Segment 3 HE: הנה קבלתי מכתבך וגם מכתב מאשה חוה תח' ובודאי אמלא בקשתה אך היום לא יכלתי למצא לר' יעקב ב"ר איזיק נ"י לחקר אצלו והשירא נחוצה ואי"ה אחר שבת אשלח לה החשבון ברור ואני כפי הנראה לא אהיה במירון מחמת שזוג' אינה בקו הבריאה שרגליה נפוחים והשמן זית בודאי אתן רק למה לא כתב בעד איזה פיגא EN: And also I ask of you — since I received this week a letter from Bobrents [בברינץ — Bobrents — a town in the diaspora; likely Bobrynets in Ukraine; a community where some of the writer's family lives] — through my friend Reb Nussun son of the woman Chana — and he wrote to me that his daughter Figa Bilimah is not in good health. Therefore I ask of you — since enclosed here is a letter for Bobrents — deliver it to my friend Reb Nussun the above-mentioned. And I ask of him — that surely when he sends a letter to the above-mentioned — he should send my letter too. And convey greetings of peace to him. And let him write to me what became of his daughter, may she live. Segment 4 HE: ובקשתי מכם להתפלל עבורנו ואני אתפלל עבורכם אצל רמבע"ה ומאד אני מתגעגע לראות עמכם והמעות תשלחו לי רק בעד השמן זית אני אשלם בכאן עולה עשרה 20 מעות ותציג לחשבון החוב שאני חיב לך וגם לכתוב לי מי שלח המעות EN: And the letter that you sent this week — I did not receive. And why did you not write with whom you sent it? And also the letter from Reb Yudel Kudniver, may his candle shine — I also did not receive. And also I received the letter from my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — that a door fell upon his wife, may she live. [A serious accident — a door fell on Reb Aizik's wife; the writer addresses this at the end with a prayer for her healing] Therefore write to me what happened to her. And may the merit of all these awesome Tzaddikim before whom we are prostrating ourselves now — and the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — send to your wife, may she live — and to his wife, may she live — and to the daughter of Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and to the wife of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and remember them with salvation and mercy — together with all of Israel. Segment 5 HE: וגם אני מבקש ממך איך שאני קבלתי שבוע זה מכתב מבברינץ ע"י ידידי ר' נתן בן אשה חנה וכתב לי שבתו פיגא בלימא אינה בקו הבריאה ע"כ בקשתי ממך איך שרצוף בה מכתב לבברינץ תמסר לידידי ר' נתן הנ"ל ומבקש אני מאתו שבודאי כשישלח מכתב להנ"ל ישלח מכתבי ג"כ ותפרס לו בשלום ויכתב לי מה עשה בתו תח' EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: והמכתב ששלחת בשבוע זה לא קבלתי ולמה לא כתבת עם מי ששלחת וגם המכתב מר' יודל קודניבר נ"י ג"כ לא קבלתי וגם קבלתי המכתב מידידי ר' איזיק נ"י שעל זוג' תח' נפלה דלת ע"כ לכתוב לי מה היא עשה וזכות כל הצדיקים הנוראים האלו שאנו משתטחים לפניהם עתה וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ישלח לזוג' תח' ולזוג' תח' ולבתו של ר' נתן נ"י ולאשת ר' איזיק נ"י ויפקדם בישועה ורחמים בתוך כלל ישראל EN: Written Friday, Parshas Behar, 5643 (around Lag Ba'omer, May 1883), from Teverya. The writer cannot attend Meron — the wife's legs are swollen. Olive oil sent for the Hillula. A letter enclosed for Bobrents. A door fell on Reb Aizik's wife — prayers for her healing. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 167 | קסז (Kuf-Samech-Zayin) Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 167 | קסז (Kuf-Samech-Zayin) # יז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/17/ יז יז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/17 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ הנחקק בקירות לבי ותיק וחסיד כבוד מורנו ר' נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו סענדיר חיים שיח' ולכבוד חברו ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל EN: Date not given — no date or place header appears on this letter. [The letter opens directly with the addressee — no date, no city, no opening blessing. It may be a fragment, or the header was lost in transmission. Context suggests it belongs to the Teverya period, likely 5637 (1877 CE).] Segment 2 HE: ב"ה אתנו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם בכל עת החיים והשלום אנס"ו EN: To the honor of my friend — our ohavainu — engraved in the walls of my heart [הנחקק בקירות לבי — permanently carved into the stone of the heart, not merely remembered] — the veteran Chassid — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun [כבוד מורנו ר' נתן — "the honor of our teacher" — a fuller and more formal title than the usual מו"ה abbreviation, marking a particular degree of respect], may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son Sender Chaim, may he live. And to the honor of his companion, my friend, our ohavainu — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, of blessed memory [ז"ל — Reb Yekusiel has passed away since he was last mentioned; the writer adds this quietly, without dwelling on the loss]. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך קבלתי לנכון והיה לי למשיבת נפש בראית מכתבכם אשר נפשכם קשורה בנפשי ואנא נפשי כתבית יהבית' לדבר עמכם על פי אויר הזך והנח אוירא דא"י ובפרט ע"י רעים אהובים כמוכם לחקק הדבורים שהגיד מרדכי היהודי בעט סופר לחדש ימינו בכל עת בהתחלה חדשה לעסק בדברי רבנו ז"ל אשר הוא עוסק תמיד לבקש התפארות חדש בכל יום מאתנו להביא להשי"ת שעי"ז זוכין ליראה ואהבה ותשובה שלמה EN: Blessed be G-d — life and peace are with us. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace — Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Your letter I received properly — and upon seeing your letter [בראית מכתבכם — bir'ias michtavechem — "in the seeing of / upon seeing your letter" — the preposition ב indicates that the very act and moment of seeing was itself the reviving; it was not merely the content but the sight of their handwriting that restored his soul] it was a reviving of my soul — knowing that your souls are bound to my soul. And my very soul — I have written it, I have given it [אנא נפשי כתבית יהבית' — the Aramaic formula of total soul-commitment, first invoked in Letter 1; the writer returns to it here as the expression of this enduring bond] — to speak with you upon the pure and restful air — avira d'Eretz Yisroel [אוירא דא"י — Aramaic: "the air of Eretz Yisroel" — a deliberate code-switch into Aramaic invoking the Talmudic principle: avira d'Eretz Yisroel machkim — "the air of Eretz Yisroel makes one wise" [Bava Basra 158b]; the writer is not merely describing pleasant air but consciously citing this teaching: he writes from within the spiritually clarifying atmosphere of the Holy Land] — and particularly through beloved companions such as you — to engrave the words that Mordechai the Jew declared with the pen of the scribe [לחקק הדבורים שהגיד מרדכי היהודי בעט סופר — an allusion to the Book of Esther and Psalms 45:2: "the pen of a skilled scribe"; the writer sees himself as a scribe engraving the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל into distant hearts] — to renew our days at all times with a new beginning, to engage in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל. For he always occupies himself with seeking new glory — new tif'eres [התפארות חדש — new splendor and beauty — one of the ten sefiros; the dimension of harmonious beauty and truth] — each day from us — to bring to Hashem Yisbarach. For through this one merits awe and love and complete teshuvah. Segment 4 HE: ע"כ אנו צריכין לעורר אותנו בכל עת באיזה עבדא באיזה מעשה טוב ושלא לישן ימינו ושנותינו בתרוצים מהבע"ד כי הוא רוצה להפיל עלינו שנה משני עולמות ולהבלי עולם הזה הוא מעורר אותנו ע"כ אנו צריכים ללמד הרבה ספרי רבנו ז"ל אשר הוא היה ההפך ממש שהיה עור וחרש וכבד פה וכו' מזה העולם רק כל עסקיו היה העולם הבא וכל מה שאנו נדבק בדבוריו הק' יותר כן נפנה עצמנו מזה העולם לעולם הבא ע"כ אחי היקרים נטה שכמנו לסבל על תורה ותפילה ושיחה בינו לבין קונו בכל יום חק ולא יעבר בודאי תהיה אחריתנו לטובה EN: Therefore we must arouse ourselves at all times with some act [באיזה עבדא — b'eizeh avda — Aramaic: "with some act / deed" — a code-switch into Aramaic mid-sentence; immediately paired with its Hebrew twin: באיזה מעשה טוב — "with some good deed" — a bilingual pair, each word enriching the other], with some good deed — and not sleep away our days and our years with excuses from the accuser [בתרוצים מהבע"ד — "with justifications / excuses from the adversary" — the prosecuting angel provides endless rationalizations for delay and spiritual inaction]. For he wishes to cast upon us sleep from both worlds [להפיל עלינו שנה משני עולמות — spiritual inertia in both this world and the World to Come simultaneously] — and to the many vapors of this world [ולהבלי עולם הזה — u'l'havlei olam hazeh — "and to the vapors of this world" — the plural construct: havlei — vapors, vanities in their many forms; each trivial attraction of the world is one more vapor; the adversary stirs us actively toward them all while casting sleep over the eternal] he arouses us eagerly. Therefore we must study greatly in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — for he was literally the very opposite: regarding this world, he was blind and deaf and heavy of mouth [עור וחרש וכבד פה — applying to Rabbainu ז"ל the description of Moshe — "heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue" (Exodus 4:10); deliberately blind and deaf to the seductions of this world] and so on — regarding this world. Only all his affairs were the World to Come. And the more we attach ourselves to his holy words, the more we turn ourselves away from this world toward the World to Come. Therefore, my beloved brothers — let us incline our single shared shoulder to bear [נטה שכמנו לסבל — niteh shichmenu lisbol — literally "let us incline our shoulder" — shichmenu is singular: one shared shoulder, not plural shoulders; the image is of all of them together placing one collective shoulder under the yoke of Torah, prayer, and hisbodidus — a communal act, one body, one shoulder] — the yoke of Torah and prayer and private speech between a person and his Creator [שיחה בינו לבין קונו — hisbodidus — the daily intimate conversation between the person and his Maker] every single day — a fixed statute that shall not pass [חק ולא יעבר — an echo of Psalms 148:6: "He gave a statute that shall not pass" — the writer elevates this daily practice to the level of an inviolable divine law]. Surely our end will be for good. Segment 5 HE: ותדעו אחי נ"י שעתה אין יכול לרפאת הבת מלכה שהיא נפשותינו כי אם מי שיכול לשורר עשרה מיני נגינה שהם כל התורות וכל התפלות וכל עצות הק' ובלעדיו לא ירים איש את ידו ואת רגלו לרפאת עצמו בסם אחד רק כשמקבלים מקדם אלו הרפואות אזי בכל מתרפאין EN: And know, my brothers, may their candles shine — that now there is no one who can heal the princess [הבת מלכה — "the king's daughter" — an allusion to the famous story of the Seven Beggars told by Rabbainu ז"ל; the princess is the soul of Israel, which has forgotten its royal origin and must be healed by one who knows all ten kinds of melody] — who is our souls — except one who can sing the ten kinds of melody [the ten kinds of melody correspond to all the Torahs, all the prayers, and all the holy counsels in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple] — which are all the Torahs and all the prayers and all the holy counsels. And without him no man can raise his hand or his foot to heal himself with a single remedy [ובלעדיו לא ירים איש את ידו ואת רגלו — echoing Genesis 41:44: without Yosef "no man shall raise his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt"; applied to Rabbainu ז"ל: without him no spiritual healing is possible]. Only when one first receives these medicines — then through them one is healed from everything. Segment 6 HE: ותאמינו לי שאני לומד עתה ההלכות מחשן משפט ח"א ואני יושב משתומם ותוהה אם זה אמר ילוד אשה הנהיה כדבר הזה הנשמע קול אלהים מדבר מתוך האש ויחי שיכולין לזכות לאוצרות כאלו ע"י תמימות ופשיטות ע"י זקן שבזקנים ע"כ עורו נא שלא לישן התעוררו נא לאהבתנו ויחזק אחד את חברו לעורר אחד את חברו שלא לישן ימינו להבל וריק רק בתורה ותפילה EN: And believe me — I am now studying the laws from Choshen Mishpat, Part 1 [the section of Likutay Halachos dealing with civil and monetary law — the most apparently "dry" domain, revealed here as a voice of living fire] — and I sit in astonishment and bewilderment: is this the voice of one born of woman? Has such a thing ever been? Has a voice of G-d speaking from within the fire ever been heard — and lived? [הנהיה כדבר הזה הנשמע קול אלהים מדבר מתוך האש ויחי — Deuteronomy 4:33 quoted in full: "Has any people heard the voice of G-d speaking from within the fire as you have heard — and lived?" — the word ויחי — "and lived!" — is the culmination of the verse; the miracle of Sinai was not only that G-d spoke from fire but that Israel heard it and survived; the writer applies this to Likutay Halachos: these words burn like fire from G-d — and we can hear them and live] And can one merit such treasures through wholeness and simplicity [תמימות ופשיטות — the two great Breslov crowns: sincerity and plain straightforwardness] — through the eldest of elders [ע"י זקן שבזקנים — Rabbainu ז"ל himself; the supreme elder]? Therefore — awaken now, do not sleep! Rouse yourselves now for our love — and let each one strengthen his companion, let each one arouse his companion — that we should not sleep away our days in vapor and hollow void [להבל וריק — l'hevel v'rik — two distinct qualities of nothingness: hevel — vapor, breath, vanity — the word of Ecclesiastes; and rik — hollow emptiness, a void; two complementary faces of wasted existence] — but only in Torah and in prayer. # קע URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/170/ קע קע Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/170 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' במדבר תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא EN: Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here we are in life and in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you — life and peace — in all its aspects. And know, my brother — that the sufferings have greatly intensified upon me. For my wife, may she live — her legs are very swollen — and this is more than two weeks — that she has it at every time and moment, G-d have mercy. And she has no more strength at all — in any limb. And because of her weakness — she faints repeatedly. [מתעלפת בכל פעם — "she faints repeatedly" — from alaf — to faint, to swoon; fainting from weakness, repeatedly, again and again] And I am compelled to stand over her — with spirits [שפירט — shpirt — Yiddish: spirits, smelling salts or strong spirits of alcohol; a 19th-century medical practice of waving strong spirits under the nostrils of someone who has fainted to revive them] — to revive her. But the expansiveness that I have — what there is of it — blessed be G-d — is great. And when she has a little ease — there is relief. And we do not know what to do — only I know One — our G-d — who is in the heavens and the earth. And we have no one to turn to except Hashem Yisbarach alone — and to bind ourselves to the word of Hashem. And the Great Lender [המלוה הגדול — "the Great Lender" — G-d as the ultimate lender who provides all; a Talmudic image: all of creation is on loan from G-d; here applied to health — may G-d lend healing to the wives] will lend healing to my wife, may she live — and also to your wife — healing in all foods — even in bread and water. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי אחי ורעי האהובים והנאמנים אהבי נפשי הלא הוא המפלא מו"ה ר' נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו נ"י ולידידי או"נ הותיק וחסיד מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And know, my brother and my friend — that it was in my mind to prepare myself to break the obstacles — to travel for Rosh Hashana. But because my wife, may she live, is in such great weakness — this is the greatest obstacle for me — of all the obstacles. For I have many great obstacles — but this one prevents me more than all. For upon whom does one leave her? For it has been a year and a half that she has been weakened — and there has not passed a single week in which her health was fully complete. But at all times Hashem Yisbarach shows some expansiveness — so that I should know that He can expand — so that He should arouse me in prayer and supplication and petition. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה אנו בחיים ושלום השי"ת יזכה אותי לשמע מכם החיים והשלום בכל הבחינות ותדע אחי שהיסורים גברו עלי עד מאד כי זוג' תח' רגליה נפוחים מאד וזה יותר משני שבועות שיש לה בכל עת ורגע ר"ל ואין לה עוד שום כח בכל אבר ומחמת חלשתה מתעלפת בכל פעם ומכרח אני לעמד עליה עם שפירט להחיותה אך הרחבה שלי מה שישנה ב"ה הרבה ובעת יש לה מעט ניחא ואין אנו יודעין מה לעשות רק אני יודע אחד אלהינו שבשמים ובארץ ואין לנו למי לפנות כי אם להשי"ת לבד ולקשר עצמנו בדבר ה' והמלוה הגדול ילוה לזוג' תח' וגם לזוג' רפואתם בכל המאכלים אפילו בלחם ומים EN: And know, my brother and my friend — that I pray for your wife, may she live, at virtually every time and moment — for you are to us truly like sons. And even my wife, may she live — within her weakness — prays for your wife, may she live. And every day she tells me — that I should ask passersby and wayfarers what has happened with your wife, may she live. Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — at all times write to us about your health. And also my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me about his wife — that the door fell upon her — and did not write to me further what happened to her. Segment 4 HE: ותדע אחי ידידי שבדעתי היה להכין עצמי לשבר המניעות לנסע על ר"ה אך מחמת שזוג' תח' בחלשתה מאד זה המניעה הגדולה אצלי מכל המניעות כי יש לי מניעות גדולות הרבה אבל זה מונע אותי ביותר כי על מי מניחין אותה כי זה שנה ומחצה שנחלשה לא עבר עליה שבוע אחד שיהיה בשלמות בריאותה אך בכל עת מראה השי"ת איזה הרחבה בכדי שאדע שהוא יכול להרחיב בכדי שיעורר אותי בתפילה ותחנונים ובקשה EN: And know, my brother — that I am not abandoning my desire and my strong longing for Rosh Hashana. And particularly — since I studied Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Immersion — law 4 — on the Shabbos. And there it speaks greatly of the greatness of the Tzaddik. And based on the Torah "and let there be now a double portion" [2 Kings 2:9 — Elisha's request of Elijah: "let there be now a double portion of your spirit upon me"; the Torah discourse of Reb Nosson ז"ל built upon this verse speaks of the transmission of the Tzaddik's spirit to his followers and the greatness of Rosh Hashana] — which Torah was said at the time of the great controversy. And there it speaks greatly of the greatness of Rosh Hashana and of the breaking of the waves. [משברות — "the breaking waves, the breakers" — a Kabbalistic image: the waves that break and overwhelm the soul are themselves transformed on Rosh Hashana into waves of divine mercy; mishbaros — breakers of the sea — applied to the breakers of spiritual adversity that are sweetened on Rosh Hashana] And I counsel you — to look in this law from beginning to end [me'reisha l'sofah — Aramaic: "from its head to its end" — מרישא לסופה; reisha — Aramaic: head, beginning; sofah — end; the Aramaic idiom for the complete entirety from first to last] — and there you will find repose for your souls — and give yourselves life from your persecutions — and there you will see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — how fitting it is for us to bear all the persecutions and all the humiliations — in order to be called by their name. And how we must rejoice over our portion. And surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be — only the believer will not be shaken. Segment 5 HE: ותדע אחי ידידי שכמעט אני מתפלל על זוג' תח' בכל עת ורגע כי אתם אצלנו כמו בנים ממש ואפילו זוג' תח' בתוך חלשתה מתפללת על זוג' תח' ובכל יום אמ' לי שאשאל עוברים ושבים מה עשה זוג' תח' ע"כ למען ה' בכל עת לכתוב לנו מבריאותכם וגם ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י כתב לי מזוג' שנפלה עליה הדלת ולא כתב לי עוד מה היא עשה EN: And write to me how the Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai ז"ל went for you. And I was on Lag Ba'omer at the grave of Rabbi Akiva and his students — may their merit protect us — Amen. And there I prayed for you and for all the Anash. And also I was beforehand at the kindling of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — and poured the olive oil for the woman Figa — within the kindling — as your honor wrote to me. And it comes to a total of 1020 groshen. Segment 6 HE: ותדע אחי שאין אני מניח רצוני וחשקי חזק מאד על ר"ה ובפרט שאני למדתי לקוטי הלכות הל' טבילה הלכה ד' בשבת ושם מדבר מאד מגדלת הצדיק וע"פ התורה ויהיו נא פי שנים אשר התורה נאמרה בעת המחלקת הגדול ושם מדבר מאד מגדלת ר"ה ומשברות ואני מיעץ אתכם שתעינו בהלכה הזאת מרישא לסופה ושם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם ותחיו עצמכם מרדיפותיכם ושם תראו גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' איך שראוי לנו לסבל כל רדיפות וכל הבזיונות בכדי להקרא על שמם ואיך אנו צריכין לשמח על חלקנו ובודאי אי"ה יהיה הכל על נכון רק המאמין לא יחוש EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Segment 7 HE: ותכתבו לי איך עלה לכם ההלולא של רבי שמעון בר יוחאי זיע"א ואני הייתי בל"ג בעמר אצל רבי עקיבא ותלמידיו זכותם יגן עלינו אמן ושם התפללתי עבורכם ועבור כל אנ"ש וגם הייתי קדם על הדלקה של רמבע"ה ושפכתי השמן זית עבור האשה פיגא בתוך ההדלקה כאשר כתב לי מעלתו ועולה בסך הכל 1020 גר' EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach help us — that we should have no sufferings from each other — and may Hashem Yisbarach sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us — through the comprehensive redemption — and through the all-encompassing intellect — which is formed through faith in the sages. [השכל הכולל שנעשה ע"י אמונת חכמים — "the all-encompassing intellect that is formed through faith in the sages" — a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: the all-encompassing intellect — sekhel ha'kolel — which sweetens all harsh judgments — is specifically formed and activated through emunas chachamim — complete faith in and attachment to the true Tzaddikim] Segment 8 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 9 HE: והשי"ת יעזור לנו שלא יהיו לנו יסורים זה מזה ושימתיק השי"ת כל הדינים מעלינו ע"י פדיון הכולל וע"י שכל הכולל שנעשה ע"י אמונת חכמים EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. The wife is fainting from weakness — the writer stands over her with spirits to revive her. He longs for Rosh Hashana in Uman but the wife prevents him. On Lag Ba'omer at the grave of Rabbi Akiva. Laws of Immersion law 4 — the greatness of Rosh Hashana and the breaking of the waves. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — here we are in life and in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you — life and peace — in all its aspects. And know, my brother — that the sufferings have greatly intensified upon me. For my wife, may she live — her legs are very swollen — and this is more than two weeks — that she has it at every time and moment, G-d have mercy. And she has no more strength at all — in any limb. And because of her weakness — she faints repeatedly. [מתעלפת בכל פעם — "she faints repeatedly" — from alaf — to faint, to swoon; fainting from weakness, repeatedly, again and again] And I am compelled to stand over her — with spirits [שפירט — shpirt — Yiddish: spirits, smelling salts or strong spirits of alcohol; a 19th-century medical practice of waving strong spirits under the nostrils of someone who has fainted to revive them] — to revive her. But the expansiveness that I have — what there is of it — blessed be G-d — is great. And when she has a little ease — there is relief. And we do not know what to do — only I know One — our G-d — who is in the heavens and the earth. And we have no one to turn to except Hashem Yisbarach alone — and to bind ourselves to the word of Hashem. And the Great Lender [המלוה הגדול — "the Great Lender" — G-d as the ultimate lender who provides all; a Talmudic image: all of creation is on loan from G-d; here applied to health — may G-d lend healing to the wives] will lend healing to my wife, may she live — and also to your wife — healing in all foods — even in bread and water. And know, my brother and my friend — that it was in my mind to prepare myself to break the obstacles — to travel for Rosh Hashana. But because my wife, may she live, is in such great weakness — this is the greatest obstacle for me — of all the obstacles. For I have many great obstacles — but this one prevents me more than all. For upon whom does one leave her? For it has been a year and a half that she has been weakened — and there has not passed a single week in which her health was fully complete. But at all times Hashem Yisbarach shows some expansiveness — so that I should know that He can expand — so that He should arouse me in prayer and supplication and petition. And know, my brother and my friend — that I pray for your wife, may she live, at virtually every time and moment — for you are to us truly like sons. And even my wife, may she live — within her weakness — prays for your wife, may she live. And every day she tells me — that I should ask passersby and wayfarers what has happened with your wife, may she live. Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — at all times write to us about your health. And also my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote to me about his wife — that the door fell upon her — and did not write to me further what happened to her. And know, my brother — that I am not abandoning my desire and my strong longing for Rosh Hashana. And particularly — since I studied Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Immersion — law 4 — on the Shabbos. And there it speaks greatly of the greatness of the Tzaddik. And based on the Torah "and let there be now a double portion" [2 Kings 2:9 — Elisha's request of Elijah: "let there be now a double portion of your spirit upon me"; the Torah discourse of Reb Nosson ז"ל built upon this verse speaks of the transmission of the Tzaddik's spirit to his followers and the greatness of Rosh Hashana] — which Torah was said at the time of the great controversy. And there it speaks greatly of the greatness of Rosh Hashana and of the breaking of the waves. [משברות — "the breaking waves, the breakers" — a Kabbalistic image: the waves that break and overwhelm the soul are themselves transformed on Rosh Hashana into waves of divine mercy; mishbaros — breakers of the sea — applied to the breakers of spiritual adversity that are sweetened on Rosh Hashana] And I counsel you — to look in this law from beginning to end [me'reisha l'sofah — Aramaic: "from its head to its end" — מרישא לסופה; reisha — Aramaic: head, beginning; sofah — end; the Aramaic idiom for the complete entirety from first to last] — and there you will find repose for your souls — and give yourselves life from your persecutions — and there you will see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — how fitting it is for us to bear all the persecutions and all the humiliations — in order to be called by their name. And how we must rejoice over our portion. And surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be — only the believer will not be shaken. And write to me how the Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai ז"ל went for you. And I was on Lag Ba'omer at the grave of Rabbi Akiva and his students — may their merit protect us — Amen. And there I prayed for you and for all the Anash. And also I was beforehand at the kindling of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — and poured the olive oil for the woman Figa — within the kindling — as your honor wrote to me. And it comes to a total of 1020 groshen. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us — that we should have no sufferings from each other — and may Hashem Yisbarach sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us — through the comprehensive redemption — and through the all-encompassing intellect — which is formed through faith in the sages. [השכל הכולל שנעשה ע"י אמונת חכמים — "the all-encompassing intellect that is formed through faith in the sages" — a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: the all-encompassing intellect — sekhel ha'kolel — which sweetens all harsh judgments — is specifically formed and activated through emunas chachamim — complete faith in and attachment to the true Tzaddikim] Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. The wife is fainting from weakness — the writer stands over her with spirits to revive her. He longs for Rosh Hashana in Uman but the wife prevents him. On Lag Ba'omer at the grave of Rabbi Akiva. Laws of Immersion law 4 — the greatness of Rosh Hashana and the breaking of the waves. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Yesterday I sent you a letter — and I could not find in hand the non-Jewish man Mohamad Salach the blind one — and I gave it to his brother — and promised him ten paras. Therefore perhaps he did not deliver it to your hand — ask him and receive it from him — for it is a sealed and good letter — and it contains several personal matters. # קעא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/171/ קעא קעא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/171 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' במדבר תרמ"ג לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' יד"ל עם שלום בנכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י אתמול שלחתי לכם מכתב ולא היה בידי למצא הערל מוחמאד סאלח העור ונתתי לאחיו והבטחתי לו עשרה פאריס ע"כ אפשר לא מסר לידך תבקשהו ותקבל מאתו כי הוא מכתב חתום וטוב ויש בו כמה דברים פרטיים וגם אמרתי בשם את רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מחדש להחיות נפשותינו כי אם היינו מתמידים להחיות נפשותינו בהם היה טובה גדולה לפנינו כי זה הוא תקון לנפשנו לזכר בהם כמבאר בחיי מוהר"ן בהמעשה מר' יהושע מז'רין ששלח רבנו ז"ל אליו קוויטל דברי אוהבכם באמת נתן מברסלב למען ה' לשלח לי ידיעה מזוג' תח' וב"ה מיום אתמול הקל מזוג' תח' רק השי"ת יעזור לרפואה שלמה על רגליה ולכל רמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה וכן יעזור לזוג' תח' חיש מהר EN: Yesterday I sent you a letter — and I could not find in hand the non-Jewish man Mohamad Salach the blind one — and I gave it to his brother — and promised him ten paras. Therefore perhaps he did not deliver it to your hand — ask him and receive it from him — for it is a sealed and good letter — and it contains several personal matters. And also I said — in the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — anew — to give life to our souls. For if we were constant in giving life to our souls through them — it would be of great good for us. For this is a rectification for our souls — to mention them — as is explained in Chayei Moharan — in the story of Reb Yehoshua of Zhirin [ר' יהושע מז'רין — Reb Yehoshua of Zhirin — the town name ז'רין is likely the Ukrainian town Zhirin or a variant spelling; not necessarily Zhitomir; a specific Breslov Chassid in the time of Rabbainu ז"ל whose story is preserved in Chayei Moharan] [A specific story preserved in Chayei Moharan: Rabbainu ז"ל sent a prayer-name-slip — kvitl — to Reb Yehoshua of Zhitomir; the story illustrates how the mere mention of Rabbainu ז"ל's name and the transmission of his words serves as a rectification for the soul; just speaking about Rabbainu ז"ל — lehazkiram — to mention them — is itself a spiritual act of rectification] — that Rabbainu ז"ל sent to him a prayer-name-slip. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya — the day after Letter 170. Yesterday's letter was given to the brother of the blind coachman. A teaching: the mere mentioning of Rabbainu ז"ל's name is itself a rectification for the soul. Good news — the wife has eased somewhat since yesterday. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Yesterday I sent you a letter — and I could not find in hand the non-Jewish man Mohamad Salach the blind one — and I gave it to his brother — and promised him ten paras. Therefore perhaps he did not deliver it to your hand — ask him and receive it from him — for it is a sealed and good letter — and it contains several personal matters. And also I said — in the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — anew — to give life to our souls. For if we were constant in giving life to our souls through them — it would be of great good for us. For this is a rectification for our souls — to mention them — as is explained in Chayei Moharan — in the story of Reb Yehoshua of Zhirin [ר' יהושע מז'רין — Reb Yehoshua of Zhirin — the town name ז'רין is likely the Ukrainian town Zhirin or a variant spelling; not necessarily Zhitomir; a specific Breslov Chassid in the time of Rabbainu ז"ל whose story is preserved in Chayei Moharan] [A specific story preserved in Chayei Moharan: Rabbainu ז"ל sent a prayer-name-slip — kvitl — to Reb Yehoshua of Zhitomir; the story illustrates how the mere mention of Rabbainu ז"ל's name and the transmission of his words serves as a rectification for the soul; just speaking about Rabbainu ז"ל — lehazkiram — to mention them — is itself a spiritual act of rectification] — that Rabbainu ז"ל sent to him a prayer-name-slip. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya — the day after Letter 170. Yesterday's letter was given to the brother of the blind coachman. A teaching: the mere mentioning of Rabbainu ז"ל's name is itself a rectification for the soul. Good news — the wife has eased somewhat since yesterday. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קעב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/172/ קעב קעב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/172 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' במדבר ה'תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: A letter has arrived to me from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, from Vilna. And the letter is enclosed here — for he is there in mortal danger — and he needs intercession [מליצה — melitzah — intercession, advocacy — a formal letter of advocacy and recommendation on behalf of someone in legal or political danger; a character-witness document or letter of defense] from your encampment — from the judges and from other important people. And also from your encampment — from the Rabbi Reb Shmuel HaElir, may his candle shine, and may he shine. Therefore here I have done what is proper and fitting — and therefore I ask of your honor — for the sake of the commandment — and may your honor forgive — to receive the intercession from the Rabbi the Gaon Reb Shmuel HaElir — to the Rabbi the Gaon Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks — the head of the rabbinical court of the holy community of Warsaw. [Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks ז"ל — the author of Nefesh Chayah — a prominent Gaon who served as head of the rabbinical court of Warsaw; a letter of intercession from the Tzfas rabbinate addressed to him could carry significant weight in Reb Kalman's case] And the letter from Reb Kalman — I am sending here — to show to the Rabbi Reb Shmuel HaElir, may his candle shine. And when Hashem Yisbarach helps you — and you receive a letter from the above-mentioned Rabbi — deliver it into the hand of our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine. And he will send it by post to the Rabbi Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks — to Warsaw. And the postal money will be on my account. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז הלא הוא המפלא ותיק וחסיד וכו' וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נחמן נ"י ויופיע לעולמים שיח' לארך ימים טובים אמן ה' ישמרהו ויצילהו EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach help us — to complete the Omer count — and to purify us and sanctify us — so that we can receive the fulfillment of the Torah anew — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who engage in this every year and every year — in different manners — to instill in us the fulfillment of the Torah. Segment 3 HE: הנה שהגיע לי מכתב מר' קלמן נ"י מוילנא והמכתב רצוף פה אשר הוא שם בסכנות נפשות וצריך לו למליצה ממחנכם מהדינים ומשאר אנשים חשובים וגם ממחנכם מהרב ר' שמואל העליר נ"י ויזרח ע"כ בכאן אני עשיתי כהגן וע"כ אני מבקש ממעלתכם למען המצוה וימחל מעלתכם לקבל המליצה מהרב הגאון הרב שמואל העליר להרב הגאון ר' חיים אליעזור וואקס ראש אב בית דין מקהלת קודש ווארשיווע והמכתב מר' קלמן אני שולח פה להראות להרב ר' שמואל העליר נ"י וכשיעזור לכם השי"ת ותקבלו מכתב מהרב הנ"ל תמסרו אותו ליד או"נ ר' נתן ב"ר הירש נ"י והוא ישלח על הפאסט להרב ר' חיים אליעזור וואקס לווארשיווע והמעות פאסט געלט יהיה על חשבוני EN: Words of one who truly loves you — and watches with expectant eyes to see you face to face, Nussun from Breslov who dwells here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 4 HE: והשי"ת יעזור לנו לגמר הספירה ולטהרנו ולקדשנו בכדי שנוכל לקבל קיום התורה מחדש בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר הם עוסקים בזה בכל שנה ושנה באפנים אחרים להכניס בנו קיום התורה EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. An urgent request: Reb Kalman of Vilna is in mortal danger and needs a letter of intercession from the Tzfas rabbinate addressed to the Gaon Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks of Warsaw. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ומצפה לראותכם פנים אל פנים EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 170 | קע (Kuf-Ayin) Segment 7 HE: החונה פה טבריא תו"ת EN: A letter has arrived to me from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, from Vilna. And the letter is enclosed here — for he is there in mortal danger — and he needs intercession [מליצה — melitzah — intercession, advocacy — a formal letter of advocacy and recommendation on behalf of someone in legal or political danger; a character-witness document or letter of defense] from your encampment — from the judges and from other important people. And also from your encampment — from the Rabbi Reb Shmuel HaElir, may his candle shine, and may he shine. Therefore here I have done what is proper and fitting — and therefore I ask of your honor — for the sake of the commandment — and may your honor forgive — to receive the intercession from the Rabbi the Gaon Reb Shmuel HaElir — to the Rabbi the Gaon Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks — the head of the rabbinical court of the holy community of Warsaw. [Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks ז"ל — the author of Nefesh Chayah — a prominent Gaon who served as head of the rabbinical court of Warsaw; a letter of intercession from the Tzfas rabbinate addressed to him could carry significant weight in Reb Kalman's case] And the letter from Reb Kalman — I am sending here — to show to the Rabbi Reb Shmuel HaElir, may his candle shine. And when Hashem Yisbarach helps you — and you receive a letter from the above-mentioned Rabbi — deliver it into the hand of our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine. And he will send it by post to the Rabbi Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks — to Warsaw. And the postal money will be on my account. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us — to complete the Omer count — and to purify us and sanctify us — so that we can receive the fulfillment of the Torah anew — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who engage in this every year and every year — in different manners — to instill in us the fulfillment of the Torah. Words of one who truly loves you — and watches with expectant eyes to see you face to face, Nussun from Breslov who dwells here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Written Wednesday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. An urgent request: Reb Kalman of Vilna is in mortal danger and needs a letter of intercession from the Tzfas rabbinate addressed to the Gaon Reb Chaim Eliezer Waks of Warsaw. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קעג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/173/ קעג קעג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/173 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק טבריא לכבוד ידידי עז המפלא בני ממש מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י הנה ראיתי עצמי עם ר' דב הכהן שתפו של ר' חיים יהושע נ"י וכתב ר' דב נ"י לקבל אצל ר' חיים יהושע נ"י המעות עבורי ויתן לך אוו"ז ואודות מה שכתבת לי שידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י מקנא אותי תדע שב"ה גם לי חלק השי"ת יסורים כי מחמיך נ"י וגם מאתכם שאינו הולך לכם כסדר יש לי יסורים גדולים כי אנו משרש אחד אשר רבנו ז"ל הוא שרש שרשי כל נשמותינו ונשמת כל העולם וחוץ מזה שאין לי שום מכתב מיום באי לביתי ויש לי יסורים גדולים אשר אין לשער כי לא הרגלתי בכך וחוץ מזה מה שזוג' תח' יושבת זה שמונה ימים סגור ומסגר שני עיניה ויש לה כאב הראש שצועקת בקול מר אשר א"א לסבל צערה השי"ת ירחם עליה ועל חמותך בתוך חולי ישראל ומבקש אני מאתכם להתפלל עליה בר"ל בת פיגא ולמען ה' לומר עבורי לחמיך למען ה' שלא לשכר הגראלנע בשום אופן ולפב"ש לאביך נ"י באהבה עזה ואו"נ ר' נחמן נ"י ולר' דב נ"י ולר' חיים נ"י ולכל אנ"ש ולר' איזיק נ"י ותכתב לי מה עשה חמותך תח' ידידכם אוהבכם באמת בכל לב ונפש נתן מברסלב ומטבריא EN: I met with Reb Dov the Cohen — the partner of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And Reb Dov, may his candle shine, wrote — to receive at the hand of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — the money on my behalf — and he will give you a bill of exchange. [אוו"ז — a financial instrument; a bill of exchange or voucher used in the transfer of money; Reb Dov will arrange the transfer of funds through Reb Chaim Yehoshua and provide the recipient with a voucher] And regarding what you wrote to me — that our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, envies me — know that blessed be G-d — Hashem Yisbarach has also given me a portion of sufferings. For from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, and also from you — that things are not going in order for you — I have great sufferings. For we are from one root — and Rabbainu ז"ל is the root of the roots of all our souls — and of the soul of all the world. And beyond this — I have no letter at all from the day I came to my home. And I have great sufferings — beyond all estimate — for I am not accustomed to this. And beyond this — what my wife, may she live, has been sitting for these eight days — closed and locked — both her eyes — and she has a headache from which she cries out in a bitter voice — which it is impossible to bear her suffering. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — and on your mother-in-law — among the sick of Israel. And I ask of you — to pray for her — daughter of Figa. And for the sake of Hashem — tell on my behalf to your co-parent-in-law — for the sake of Hashem — not to rent out the gralne [גראלנע — gralne — Yiddish: a distillery or an inn with a liquor license — from Polish gorzalnia — a distillery; the writer urgently requests that the co-parent-in-law not rent out this establishment, likely for moral or spiritual reasons] — in any manner whatsoever. And greetings of peace to your father, may his candle shine — with strong love. And our beloved Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And all the Anash. And Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And write to me what became of your mother-in-law, may she live. Your friend — one who loves you — truly — with all heart and soul, Nussun from Breslov and from Teverya Written Friday eve of Shabbos, Sivan 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. The wife's eyes have been closed for eight days with severe head pain. An urgent request not to rent the distillery-inn. Financial arrangement through Reb Dov the Cohen. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — with the sum of money — through the wife of Reb Tadris, may his candle shine — I received properly — with the letter. And also today I received your letter — written from Isru Chag [The day after Shavuos — Isru Chag — "bind the festival offering" — the day immediately following the festival; the letter was written on the day after Shavuos] — and you gave me life with your letter — in that you wrote that blessed be G-d — it was quiet among you on the holy Shavuos festival — from the disputants and from the pursuers — the unprovoked enemies. And from the fact that you were blessed be G-d — joyful on the holy festival. And would that Hashem Yisbarach grant — that the joy of the holy festival be drawn upon us — over the entire year — to rejoice every single day over our good portion and lot — in double and redouble — beyond all number. And from now may Hashem Yisbarach help us — that our filth [זהמתנו — "our filth, our spiritual contamination" — the Talmudic concept of the spiritual contamination that was removed at the giving of the Torah: "when the serpent came upon Eve — he implanted filth in her — when Israel stood at Sinai — their filth ceased"; the writer alludes to this: at the giving of the Torah the spiritual filth was removed — and now again through the renewed receiving of the Torah] should be as at the time of the giving of our Torah — which drew away all the sadness and worries and melancholy. But "the precepts of Hashem are upright — rejoicing the heart." [Psalms 19:9 — "the precepts of Hashem are upright — rejoicing the heart"; the verse of the Torah's joy; the Torah's commandments are straight and they bring joy to the heart] And every day we must rejoice over our good portion — for at our disposal rest the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which are the ancient concealed Torah [אוריתא דעתיקא סתימאה — Aramaic from the Zohar: "the Torah of the Ancient Concealed One" — the deepest, most hidden level of the Torah as it exists within the divine mind before all creation; the books of Rabbainu ז"ל are identified with this level — the primordial Torah that pre-exists all worlds] — and we merit to hold them in our hands — and sometimes to glance in them — and sometimes to study them — and sometimes to fulfill some point from them. And for this — we must greatly rejoice — that Hashem Yisbarach has merited us — within such a concealment — in which the entire world wants to conceal the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — with a hiddenness within a hiddenness. And we have merited — within such a concealment — for whom it is: "silence! do not mention the name of the Tzaddik" [An allusion to Amos 6:10 — "silence — for we may not mention the name of Hashem"; the writer applies this to the situation: in an environment of severe opposition and concealment — in which one dare not even mention the Tzaddik's name openly — even within that silence, the light shines through] — who illuminates for us the Light of Lights — as one who peers through the lattices. [Song of Songs 2:9 — "peering through the lattices" — even through the lattices of concealment and opposition, the light of Rabbainu ז"ל shines through] For every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל is a rectification — for the past and for the present and for the future — and in the grave and in the resurrection of the dead — and for the great Day of Judgment. And if we had joy in this every single day — we would be pursuing to snatch even more good points from these books — for they are precious and desirable treasuries — and precious spiritual remedies to save our souls from the pit — and also in the physical — to save our souls — that we should not have darkened faces but rather "a joyful heart makes a face glad." [Proverbs 15:13 — "a joyful heart makes a face glad — but through a sorrowful spirit the spirit is crushed"; the verse of joy reflected in the face] For according to the study of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — a person has no need to worry at all. And according to what I studied today — Likutay Halachos — Laws of Interest — law 3 — if we were inclining our ears and our shoulder to these precious words — we would have nothing to worry about at all. And even our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, would also be in joy — for surely Hashem Yisbarach will help him. And He desires our prayer — that it should be in the aspect of the prayer of the poor man. [בחינת תפילה לעני — "in the aspect of the prayer of the poor man" — from Psalms 102:1: "a prayer of the poor man when he faints" — the most sincere and humble form of prayer; utterly stripped of everything and crying out from the depths; the prayer of the destitute who has nothing else to rely upon] And for the sake of Hashem — let us not allow time to overpower us [שלא להגביר עלינו הזמן — "not to let time overpower us" — from the Breslov teaching: Rabbainu ז"ל wants to elevate us above time — the realm from which all abundance flows; those who are enslaved to time lose access to the infinite abundance above time] — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple want to raise us above time — from where all the flows of abundance come — and to give ourselves life through: "until now Your mercies have sustained us" [Psalms 71:6 — "upon You have I leaned from the womb — You drew me from my mother's innards — of You is my praise continually"; or this phrase may echo the prayer Emes v'Emunah: "until here Your mercies have helped us — and Your kindnesses have not abandoned us" — a phrase of total trust based on past providence] — and surely He will never abandon us. But sometimes one must wait — because of the insufficiency of our complete trust. And we have no counsel in this world — except to give thanks for the past and to cry out for the future — and all in joy. And "proclaim from day to day His salvation." [Psalms 96:2 — "sing to Hashem — bless His name — proclaim His salvation from day to day"] And we must not forget — how within the very strait He expanded for us — many and many times. And surely He will never abandon us forever. And for the present — what do the worries and the sadness accomplish? — for they are from the Other Side — and Hashem Yisbarach hates them. And He is a G-d who is rendered sterile [אל אחר איסתרס — Aramaic from the Talmud [Sotah 48a]: "another G-d — he was rendered sterile and does not bear fruit" — said of the Sitra Achra — the Other Side — which has no true power to produce lasting fruit; it only appears to have power but is ultimately sterile and barren; Hashem Yisbarach hates the Other Side's sadness because it comes from this sterile domain] and does not bear fruit. And therefore our flow of abundance is delayed, G-d forbid. Therefore we must greatly strengthen ourselves in joy. And joy is freedom. And "fortunate is the land whose king is a free man." [Ecclesiastes 10:17 — "fortunate are you O land whose king is a nobleman — ben chorin — a free man — and whose princes eat at the proper time in strength and not in drunkenness"; the verse of the truly free king; applied here to joy as the mark of true inner freedom] And the kingdom receives its sustenance from the hands which return the wisdom — and it is ground and milled out [ונשחקת — "and it is ground, milled, pounded fine" — from shachak — to grind, to pound to a fine powder; the image is of wisdom ground down like grain in a mill and measured out precisely in fine portions — apportioned to each person exactly what he needs, with the precision of milled flour] to each and every one — what he needs. [A Kabbalistic teaching: the attribute of kingship — malchus — receives its sustenance from the hands that bring the wisdom down; applied here to the distribution of divine abundance to each person according to his need through joy and freedom] And believe me — that if, G-d forbid, I did not know from this holy study — how things pass over me — almost every single day — I could not, G-d forbid, have withstood them. For my wife, may she live — almost every day something passes over her. For now she has eye pain — and the eyes are closed. And also I have great pain — the left side pains me greatly. But everything is with great expansiveness. And "were it not for Your Torah being my delight." [Psalms 119:92] And particularly — since I heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל — who said explicitly — in this very language: "יש ענשין קשים ומרים ולבסוף זאל זיך נאך גלוסטן צי רעדן אויף אזא רבי" — "there are difficult and bitter punishments — and in the end they will still want to speak against such a Rebbe." אין מיר געלויבט איז השי"ת אז מיר רעדן ח"ו אודאי נישט — "and we — praised be Hashem — that we certainly do not speak against him, G-d forbid." אין מיר האבן נאך יסורים וואס איינער רעדט — "and we still have sufferings from the one who speaks against." אדרבא מיר גלייבן זיך נאך — "on the contrary — we still hold firm." וואס האבן מיר זיך צי זארגן — "what then do we have to worry about?" מיר דארפן זייער פריליך זיין — "we must be very joyful." אין מיר דארפן זיך זייער ליב האבן — "and we must love each other very much." And to judge each and every one favorably — and to look only at the good of each one of us. For just as Rabbainu ז"ל said that whoever is circumcised is in the category of repair of the covenant — so too whoever draws close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — is in the category of those who justify the many — "like the stars." [Daniel 12:3 — "and those who justify the many — like the stars — forever and ever"] And let there be in your hearts no residue of resentment [טינא — tina — Aramaic: "mud, sludge, residue" — a residue of bad feeling or grudge that settles like mud at the bottom; from Aramaic tin — mud, clay; the Talmudic image for a hidden, settled resentment] against any one of you — only draw upon yourselves love. And let there be between us such love — as is explained in the Torah Ashrei — sign 13 — the saying: "my fellowship — is there anything in the world that you have not swept over." And also in the story of the tree — thus Rabbainu ז"ל wanted to draw upon us love. For our love is no trivial thing — and from the intensification of the Adversary upon us — we see the greatness of what can rejoice from love. And I will conclude in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach bless you — in comprehensive peace — and peace among ourselves. Words of one who loves you — and watches with expectant eyes to see you — in life and in peace — and with smiling faces [ובפנים שוחקות — "with smiling, laughing faces" — from sachak — to laugh, to smile; faces that smile and radiate joy; the specific image of faces lit up with joy and laughter when the meetings of the Anash sweeten all the harsh judgments] — to sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us and from upon all our households, Your friend forever, Nussun from Breslov And also I ask of you — to write to me what I owe you in your debt — for I want to know. And if I do not owe you much — I ask of you — if you have good sugar — send me half a ratle [ראטל — a ratle — a unit of weight used in the Middle East and Ottoman Empire; approximately 400-500 grams depending on the locale] — only if it is good. And also I ask of you — to inform me what happened with the old man from Uman — whether they are holding him in the hospital — and whether they give him food. And tell him — that I have not yet received the money into my hand — and if it comes — I will send it to him through your hand. And I greatly asked — to inquire of our beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — whether he sent my letter to Bobrents — and what is this — that I have no letter from him at any time. Written Wednesday, Parshas Beha'aloscha, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. Shavuos passed in peace and joy. A magnificent teaching on joy, the ancient concealed Torah, darkened and luminous faces, time and eternity. A remarkable Yiddish passage: Reb Nosson ז"ל's teaching on those who speak against such a Rebbe. A call for love among the Anash. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter I received properly. [...] [The middle portion of this letter is absent from the manuscript as preserved; only the beginning and closing portions are available] More there is nothing new. And G-d willing — when I am in your encampment — I will tell you in person how it happened — that he was a co-parent-in-law of mine [שהוא היה מחתן עמי — "that he was a co-parent-in-law with me" — the writer is referring to some relationship or situation he will explain in person when he visits Tzfas; the details of this matter are reserved for a face-to-face meeting] — to lend on his behalf. And regarding your apartment — it appears to me — not to sell — until Hashem Yisbarach arranges a buyer — and at least he should give you your money. And more than this — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to begin from now — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — in the power of the eldest of the elders. [בכחו של זקן שבזקנים — "in the power of the eldest of the elders" — a title for Rabbainu ז"ל — the one who embodies the most ancient and deep level of wisdom; the writer closes with this formula: may we begin from now to draw close to G-d through the power and in the path of Rabbainu ז"ל] Your friend — one who loves your soul, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Shelach, 5643 (June/July 1883), from Teverya. Brief. Advice: do not sell the apartment until a buyer is arranged. The writer hints at visiting Tzfas. "May we draw close to G-d in the power of the eldest of the elders" — Rabbainu ז"ל. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קעד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/174/ קעד קעד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/174 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' בהעלותך תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Your letter — with the sum of money — through the wife of Reb Tadris, may his candle shine — I received properly — with the letter. And also today I received your letter — written from Isru Chag [The day after Shavuos — Isru Chag — "bind the festival offering" — the day immediately following the festival; the letter was written on the day after Shavuos] — and you gave me life with your letter — in that you wrote that blessed be G-d — it was quiet among you on the holy Shavuos festival — from the disputants and from the pursuers — the unprovoked enemies. And from the fact that you were blessed be G-d — joyful on the holy festival. And would that Hashem Yisbarach grant — that the joy of the holy festival be drawn upon us — over the entire year — to rejoice every single day over our good portion and lot — in double and redouble — beyond all number. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד או"נ האמתי המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנו מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And from now may Hashem Yisbarach help us — that our filth [זהמתנו — "our filth, our spiritual contamination" — the Talmudic concept of the spiritual contamination that was removed at the giving of the Torah: "when the serpent came upon Eve — he implanted filth in her — when Israel stood at Sinai — their filth ceased"; the writer alludes to this: at the giving of the Torah the spiritual filth was removed — and now again through the renewed receiving of the Torah] should be as at the time of the giving of our Torah — which drew away all the sadness and worries and melancholy. But "the precepts of Hashem are upright — rejoicing the heart." [Psalms 19:9 — "the precepts of Hashem are upright — rejoicing the heart"; the verse of the Torah's joy; the Torah's commandments are straight and they bring joy to the heart] And every day we must rejoice over our good portion — for at our disposal rest the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which are the ancient concealed Torah [אוריתא דעתיקא סתימאה — Aramaic from the Zohar: "the Torah of the Ancient Concealed One" — the deepest, most hidden level of the Torah as it exists within the divine mind before all creation; the books of Rabbainu ז"ל are identified with this level — the primordial Torah that pre-exists all worlds] — and we merit to hold them in our hands — and sometimes to glance in them — and sometimes to study them — and sometimes to fulfill some point from them. And for this — we must greatly rejoice — that Hashem Yisbarach has merited us — within such a concealment — in which the entire world wants to conceal the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — with a hiddenness within a hiddenness. And we have merited — within such a concealment — for whom it is: "silence! do not mention the name of the Tzaddik" [An allusion to Amos 6:10 — "silence — for we may not mention the name of Hashem"; the writer applies this to the situation: in an environment of severe opposition and concealment — in which one dare not even mention the Tzaddik's name openly — even within that silence, the light shines through] — who illuminates for us the Light of Lights — as one who peers through the lattices. [Song of Songs 2:9 — "peering through the lattices" — even through the lattices of concealment and opposition, the light of Rabbainu ז"ל shines through] For every single word of Rabbainu ז"ל is a rectification — for the past and for the present and for the future — and in the grave and in the resurrection of the dead — and for the great Day of Judgment. And if we had joy in this every single day — we would be pursuing to snatch even more good points from these books — for they are precious and desirable treasuries — and precious spiritual remedies to save our souls from the pit — and also in the physical — to save our souls — that we should not have darkened faces but rather "a joyful heart makes a face glad." [Proverbs 15:13 — "a joyful heart makes a face glad — but through a sorrowful spirit the spirit is crushed"; the verse of joy reflected in the face] For according to the study of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — a person has no need to worry at all. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך עם הסך מעות ע"י אשת ר' טאדריס נ"י קבלתי לנכון עם המכתב וגם היום קבלתי מכתבך הנכתב מאסרו חג והחייתני במכתבך שכתבת שב"ה היה בהשקט אצלכם בחג השבועות הק' מהחולקים ומהרודפים שונאי חנם וממה שהייתם ב"ה שמחים ביו"ט הק' ומי יתן השי"ת ששמחת יו"ט הק' יהיה נמשך עלינו על כל השנה לשמח בכל יום על חלקנו וגורלנו הטוב בכפלים עד אין מספר EN: And according to what I studied today — Likutay Halachos — Laws of Interest — law 3 — if we were inclining our ears and our shoulder to these precious words — we would have nothing to worry about at all. And even our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, would also be in joy — for surely Hashem Yisbarach will help him. And He desires our prayer — that it should be in the aspect of the prayer of the poor man. [בחינת תפילה לעני — "in the aspect of the prayer of the poor man" — from Psalms 102:1: "a prayer of the poor man when he faints" — the most sincere and humble form of prayer; utterly stripped of everything and crying out from the depths; the prayer of the destitute who has nothing else to rely upon] And for the sake of Hashem — let us not allow time to overpower us [שלא להגביר עלינו הזמן — "not to let time overpower us" — from the Breslov teaching: Rabbainu ז"ל wants to elevate us above time — the realm from which all abundance flows; those who are enslaved to time lose access to the infinite abundance above time] — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple want to raise us above time — from where all the flows of abundance come — and to give ourselves life through: "until now Your mercies have sustained us" [Psalms 71:6 — "upon You have I leaned from the womb — You drew me from my mother's innards — of You is my praise continually"; or this phrase may echo the prayer Emes v'Emunah: "until here Your mercies have helped us — and Your kindnesses have not abandoned us" — a phrase of total trust based on past providence] — and surely He will never abandon us. But sometimes one must wait — because of the insufficiency of our complete trust. And we have no counsel in this world — except to give thanks for the past and to cry out for the future — and all in joy. And "proclaim from day to day His salvation." [Psalms 96:2 — "sing to Hashem — bless His name — proclaim His salvation from day to day"] And we must not forget — how within the very strait He expanded for us — many and many times. And surely He will never abandon us forever. And for the present — what do the worries and the sadness accomplish? — for they are from the Other Side — and Hashem Yisbarach hates them. And He is a G-d who is rendered sterile [אל אחר איסתרס — Aramaic from the Talmud [Sotah 48a]: "another G-d — he was rendered sterile and does not bear fruit" — said of the Sitra Achra — the Other Side — which has no true power to produce lasting fruit; it only appears to have power but is ultimately sterile and barren; Hashem Yisbarach hates the Other Side's sadness because it comes from this sterile domain] and does not bear fruit. And therefore our flow of abundance is delayed, G-d forbid. Therefore we must greatly strengthen ourselves in joy. And joy is freedom. And "fortunate is the land whose king is a free man." [Ecclesiastes 10:17 — "fortunate are you O land whose king is a nobleman — ben chorin — a free man — and whose princes eat at the proper time in strength and not in drunkenness"; the verse of the truly free king; applied here to joy as the mark of true inner freedom] And the kingdom receives its sustenance from the hands which return the wisdom — and it is ground and milled out [ונשחקת — "and it is ground, milled, pounded fine" — from shachak — to grind, to pound to a fine powder; the image is of wisdom ground down like grain in a mill and measured out precisely in fine portions — apportioned to each person exactly what he needs, with the precision of milled flour] to each and every one — what he needs. [A Kabbalistic teaching: the attribute of kingship — malchus — receives its sustenance from the hands that bring the wisdom down; applied here to the distribution of divine abundance to each person according to his need through joy and freedom] Segment 4 HE: ומעתה יעזור לנו השי"ת שיהיה זהמתנו כמו בעת מתן תורתנו אשר משך כל העצבות והדאגות והמרה שחורה אבל פקודי ה' ישרים משמחי לב ובכל יום אנו צריכין לשמח על חלקנו הטוב אשר אצלנו מנחים ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר הם אוריתא דעתיקא סתימאה ואנו זוכים לאחזם בידינו ולפעמים להביט בהם ולפעמים ללמד אותם ולפעמים לקים איזה נקדה מהם אשר על זה אנו צריכין לשמח מאד אשר זכה אותנו השי"ת מתוך העלמה כזאת אשר כל העולם רוצים להעלים שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בהסתרה שבתוך הסתרה ואנו זכינו בתוך העלמה כזאת אשר הס מלהזכיר שם הצדיק שמאיר לנו אור האורות כאלו כמציץ מן החרכים אשר כל דבור של רבנו ז"ל הוא תקון על העבר ועל ההוה ועל העתיד ובקבר ובתחית המתים וליום הדין הגדול ואם היה לנו שמחה בכל יום בזה היינו רודפים לחטף עוד נקדות טובות מאלו הספרים כי הם אוצרות יקרים ונחמדים וסגלות יקרים להציל נפשותינו מני שחת וגם בגשמיות להציל נפשנו שלא נהיה אנפין חשוכין רק לב שמח ייטב פנים כי כפי למוד רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אין להאדם לדאג כלל EN: And believe me — that if, G-d forbid, I did not know from this holy study — how things pass over me — almost every single day — I could not, G-d forbid, have withstood them. For my wife, may she live — almost every day something passes over her. For now she has eye pain — and the eyes are closed. And also I have great pain — the left side pains me greatly. But everything is with great expansiveness. And "were it not for Your Torah being my delight." [Psalms 119:92] And particularly — since I heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל — who said explicitly — in this very language: "יש ענשין קשים ומרים ולבסוף זאל זיך נאך גלוסטן צי רעדן אויף אזא רבי" — "there are difficult and bitter punishments — and in the end they will still want to speak against such a Rebbe." אין מיר געלויבט איז השי"ת אז מיר רעדן ח"ו אודאי נישט — "and we — praised be Hashem — that we certainly do not speak against him, G-d forbid." אין מיר האבן נאך יסורים וואס איינער רעדט — "and we still have sufferings from the one who speaks against." אדרבא מיר גלייבן זיך נאך — "on the contrary — we still hold firm." וואס האבן מיר זיך צי זארגן — "what then do we have to worry about?" מיר דארפן זייער פריליך זיין — "we must be very joyful." אין מיר דארפן זיך זייער ליב האבן — "and we must love each other very much." And to judge each and every one favorably — and to look only at the good of each one of us. For just as Rabbainu ז"ל said that whoever is circumcised is in the category of repair of the covenant — so too whoever draws close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — is in the category of those who justify the many — "like the stars." [Daniel 12:3 — "and those who justify the many — like the stars — forever and ever"] And let there be in your hearts no residue of resentment [טינא — tina — Aramaic: "mud, sludge, residue" — a residue of bad feeling or grudge that settles like mud at the bottom; from Aramaic tin — mud, clay; the Talmudic image for a hidden, settled resentment] against any one of you — only draw upon yourselves love. And let there be between us such love — as is explained in the Torah Ashrei — sign 13 — the saying: "my fellowship — is there anything in the world that you have not swept over." And also in the story of the tree — thus Rabbainu ז"ל wanted to draw upon us love. For our love is no trivial thing — and from the intensification of the Adversary upon us — we see the greatness of what can rejoice from love. Segment 5 HE: וכפי שלמדתי היום לקוטי הלכות הל' רבית הלכה ג' אם היינו מטים אזנינו ושכמנו להדבורים היקרים האלו לא היה לנו לדאג כלל ואפילו ידידנו ר' איזיק נ"י היה ג"כ בשמחה כי בודאי יעזור לו השי"ת ומתאוה לתפילתנו שיהיה בבחינת תפילה לעני ולמען ה' שלא להגביר עלינו הזמן כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' רוצים להעלות אותנו למעלה מהזמן אשר משם כל ההשפעות ולהחיות עצמנו ב"עד הנה עזרונו רחמיך ובודאי לא יעזב אותנו לעולמים אך לפעמים צריכין להמתין מחמת חסרון בטחוננו בשלמות ואין לנו שום עצה בזה העולם כי אם להודות לשעבר ולצעק להבא והכל בשמחה ובשרו מיום אל יום ישועתו ואין אנו צריכין לשכח איך בתוך המצר הרחיב לנו כמה וכמה פעמים ובודאי לא יטש אותנו לעולם ולעת עתה מה מועילין הדאגות והעצבות אשר הם מסטרא אחרא והשי"ת שונא אותם והוא אל אחר איסתרס ולא עביד פירין וע"כ נתעכב השפע שלנו ח"ו ע"כ אנו צריכין להתגבר בשמחה מאד ושמחה היא חרות ואשרי ארץ שמלכך בן חורין והמלכות מקבלת הפרנסה מהידים שבים החכמה ונשחקת לכל אחד ואחד מה שצריך EN: And I will conclude in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach bless you — in comprehensive peace — and peace among ourselves. Segment 6 HE: ותאמינו לי שאם ח"ו אני לא ידעתי מלמוד הק' הזה איך שעבר עלי כמעט בכל יום לא יכלתי ח"ו לעמד בהם כי זוג' תח' כמעט בכל יום עבר עליה דבר כי עתה יש לה כאב עינים ועינים הם סגורים וגם אני יש לי כאב גדול שהצד השמאלי כואב אותי מאד אבל הכל בהרחבה גדולה ו"לולא תורתך שעשעי ובפרט ששמעתי מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל זיע"א שאמר בפרוש בזה הלשון ש"יש ענשין קשים ומרים ולבסוף זאל זיך נאך גלוסטן צי רעדן אויף אזא רבי" און מיר געלויבט איז השי"ת אז מיר רעדן ח"ו אודאי נישט און מיר האבן נאך יסורים וואס איינער רעדט אדרבא מיר גלייבן זיך נאך וואס האבן מיר זיך צי זארגן מיר דארפן זייער פריליך זיין אין מיר דארפן זיך זייער ליב האבן ולדון את כל אחד ואחד לכף זכות ולהסתכל רק על הטוב של כל אחד מאתנו כי כמו שאמר רבנו ז"ל שמי שהוא נמול הוא בכלל תקון הברית כך מי שמקרב לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הוא בכלל מצדיקי הרבים ככוכבים ולא יהיה בלבכם שום טינא על שום אחד מכם רק תמשיכו עליכם אהבה ויהיה בינינו אהבה כזו כמו שמבאר בהתורה אשרי סימן י"ג חברתי מי איכא וגם בהמעשה מהאילן כך רצה רבנו ז"ל להמשיך עלינו אהבה כי אהבה שלנו אינו דבר רק ומהתגברות הבעל דבר עלינו אנו ראין גדל ההפך מה שיכולין לשמח מאהבה EN: Words of one who loves you — and watches with expectant eyes to see you — in life and in peace — and with smiling faces [ובפנים שוחקות — "with smiling, laughing faces" — from sachak — to laugh, to smile; faces that smile and radiate joy; the specific image of faces lit up with joy and laughter when the meetings of the Anash sweeten all the harsh judgments] — to sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us and from upon all our households, Your friend forever, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ואסים בשלום השי"ת יברך אתכם בשלום הכללי ושלום בעצמינו EN: And also I ask of you — to write to me what I owe you in your debt — for I want to know. And if I do not owe you much — I ask of you — if you have good sugar — send me half a ratle [ראטל — a ratle — a unit of weight used in the Middle East and Ottoman Empire; approximately 400-500 grams depending on the locale] — only if it is good. And also I ask of you — to inform me what happened with the old man from Uman — whether they are holding him in the hospital — and whether they give him food. And tell him — that I have not yet received the money into my hand — and if it comes — I will send it to him through your hand. And I greatly asked — to inquire of our beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — whether he sent my letter to Bobrents — and what is this — that I have no letter from him at any time. Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם ומצפה לראותכם בחיים ושלום ובפנים שוחקות להמתיק כל הדינים מעלינו ומעל כל בני ביתנו EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Beha'aloscha, 5643 (June 1883), from Teverya. Shavuos passed in peace and joy. A magnificent teaching on joy, the ancient concealed Torah, darkened and luminous faces, time and eternity. A remarkable Yiddish passage: Reb Nosson ז"ל's teaching on those who speak against such a Rebbe. A call for love among the Anash. Segment 9 HE: ידידכם לנצח EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter I received properly. [...] [The middle portion of this letter is absent from the manuscript as preserved; only the beginning and closing portions are available] Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י גם אליו פי מדבר שלום לו ידידי אהבי באמת אני שולח רצוף פה מכתב מליצה עבור ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י למען ה' להתאמץ לחתם בו הרב הגאון מו"ה ר' שמואל העליר נ"י ושאר נכבדי ארץ ולשלח על הפאסט בטח על האדרעס הרב ר' חיים אליעזור וואקס נ"י כי מטבריא כבר שלחתי על הפאסט עם ריצפעסטי ושם יש אצלך חצי בישליק מהאגרת אשה דאבריס אשת ר' טעביל נ"י אני נותן על פאסט געלט ובכאן נתתי פאסט געלט 330 גר' כי בכאן נותנין ריציפסט אחד לידי וריציפסט אחד שולחין לשם ומשם שולחין שזה האיש ששלחו אליו המכתב קבל המכתב וחותם עצמו על הקבלה ואח"כ נותנין לי הקבלה משם בכדי שאדע שהגיע בטח ודעתי נוטה לעשות אצלכם ג"כ כך EN: More there is nothing new. And G-d willing — when I am in your encampment — I will tell you in person how it happened — that he was a co-parent-in-law of mine [שהוא היה מחתן עמי — "that he was a co-parent-in-law with me" — the writer is referring to some relationship or situation he will explain in person when he visits Tzfas; the details of this matter are reserved for a face-to-face meeting] — to lend on his behalf. And regarding your apartment — it appears to me — not to sell — until Hashem Yisbarach arranges a buyer — and at least he should give you your money. And more than this — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to begin from now — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — in the power of the eldest of the elders. [בכחו של זקן שבזקנים — "in the power of the eldest of the elders" — a title for Rabbainu ז"ל — the one who embodies the most ancient and deep level of wisdom; the writer closes with this formula: may we begin from now to draw close to G-d through the power and in the path of Rabbainu ז"ל] Segment 12 HE: גם בקשתי ממך לכתוב לי במה אני מגיע לך לחוב שלך כי אני רוצה לידע ואם אין אני חיב לך הרבה בקשתי ממך אם יש לך צוקיר טוב תשלח לי חצי ראטל רק אם הוא טוב גם בקשתי ממך להודיע לי מה עשה הזקן מאומן אם אוחזין אותו בהספיטאל ואם נותנין לו אכילה ותאמר לו שעדין לא בא המעות לידי ואם תבוא אזי אשלח לו על ידך ומאד בקשתי לשאל לידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל אם שלח המכתב שלי לבברינץ ומה זה שאין לי מאתו שום מכתב בשום פעם EN: Your letter I received properly. [...] [The middle portion of this letter is absent from the manuscript as preserved; only the beginning and closing portions are available] More there is nothing new. And G-d willing — when I am in your encampment — I will tell you in person how it happened — that he was a co-parent-in-law of mine [שהוא היה מחתן עמי — "that he was a co-parent-in-law with me" — the writer is referring to some relationship or situation he will explain in person when he visits Tzfas; the details of this matter are reserved for a face-to-face meeting] — to lend on his behalf. And regarding your apartment — it appears to me — not to sell — until Hashem Yisbarach arranges a buyer — and at least he should give you your money. And more than this — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to begin from now — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — in the power of the eldest of the elders. [בכחו של זקן שבזקנים — "in the power of the eldest of the elders" — a title for Rabbainu ז"ל — the one who embodies the most ancient and deep level of wisdom; the writer closes with this formula: may we begin from now to draw close to G-d through the power and in the path of Rabbainu ז"ל] Your friend — one who loves your soul, Nussun from Breslov # קעה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/175/ קעה קעה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/175 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק פ' שלח עיר הקודש טבריא שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י מכתבך קבלתי לנכון ... יותר אין לחדש ואי"ה שאהיה במחנכם אספר לך איך היה שהוא היה מחתן עמי להלוות עבורו ואודות הדירה שלך נראה בעיני שלא למכר עד שיזמין השי"ת קונה עכ"פ יתן לך מעות שלך ויותר מזה יזכנו השי"ת להתחיל מעתה לקרב עצמנו להשי"ת בכחו של זקן שבזקנים ידידכם אהב נפשכם נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter I received properly. [...] [The middle portion of this letter is absent from the manuscript as preserved; only the beginning and closing portions are available] More there is nothing new. And G-d willing — when I am in your encampment — I will tell you in person how it happened — that he was a co-parent-in-law of mine [שהוא היה מחתן עמי — "that he was a co-parent-in-law with me" — the writer is referring to some relationship or situation he will explain in person when he visits Tzfas; the details of this matter are reserved for a face-to-face meeting] — to lend on his behalf. And regarding your apartment — it appears to me — not to sell — until Hashem Yisbarach arranges a buyer — and at least he should give you your money. And more than this — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to begin from now — to draw ourselves close to Hashem Yisbarach — in the power of the eldest of the elders. [בכחו של זקן שבזקנים — "in the power of the eldest of the elders" — a title for Rabbainu ז"ל — the one who embodies the most ancient and deep level of wisdom; the writer closes with this formula: may we begin from now to draw close to G-d through the power and in the path of Rabbainu ז"ל] Your friend — one who loves your soul, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Shelach, 5643 (June/July 1883), from Teverya. Brief. Advice: do not sell the apartment until a buyer is arranged. The writer hints at visiting Tzfas. "May we draw close to G-d in the power of the eldest of the elders" — Rabbainu ז"ל. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קעו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/176/ קעו קעו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/176 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' בלק תרמ"ג לפ"ק עיר הקודש טבריא EN: Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. So may I merit — to hear from you — life and peace — from within expansiveness of heart and expansiveness of mind — in the physical and in the spiritual — and the fullness of all good. Let it not be a wonder in your eyes — that it is close to two weeks — that I have not written you any letter. For this was because of several reasons that passed over me. First — for three days I was not at all in good health. Second — because my wife, may she live, had the fever again, G-d have mercy, G-d have mercy. Third — because I transported myself from the dwelling in which I sat — to another dwelling — close to the synagogue of Makaria [The synagogue of Makaria — a specific synagogue in Teverya; the writer has moved to a new residence adjacent to or under the same roof as this synagogue] — under one roof with the synagogue. Fourth — because not every person wants to receive letters — out of fear of the post. [A reference to surveillance and fear of authorities reading postal correspondence — a real danger in the Ottoman Empire and in dealings with the Russian Tsarist authorities; not everyone wished to be identified as receiving letters] But it is a wonder to me — that Reb Shepsil — the trusted agent of Reb Chaim Yehoshua — was in your encampment — and surely you saw him — and did not give him any letter. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד אהבי נפשי ידידי הנצמדים בקירות לבבי הלא הוא המפלא מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנו החכם מו"ה סענדיר נ"י לאיוש"ט א"ס ולכבוד או"נ המפלא וכו' מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And you know in your hearts — how I long for you and for your letters — truly as for my own sons, may they live. And beyond this — b'is'arusa d'lissata is'ar l'eila [Aramaic from the Zohar: "through an awakening from below — an awakening is stirred above" — the foundational Kabbalistic principle: when a person below makes a spiritual move or gesture — it awakens a corresponding movement above; when the Anash write to the writer, he is compelled to respond — and in this exchange of letters both parties receive the good point that flows from the heavenly arousal triggered by the earthly one] — when you write to me — I am compelled to reply to you. And through this — we fulfill and receive one from another — the good points. For I have no one from whom to receive the good point — even though Rabbainu ז"ל taught us to receive good points — even through mundane conversation. But surely — when I receive the good point from a person — within which we mention words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — then the comprehensive good points of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are also awakened within us. And then the three good points are awakened within us together. [A teaching about the three levels of the good point: the personal good point; the good point of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple mentioned in the conversation; and the comprehensive universal good point of Rabbainu ז"ל — all three are awakened simultaneously when two people of the Anash exchange letters mentioning his name] Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה כלנו פה בחיים ושלום כן אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מתוך הרחבת הלב והרחבת הדעת בגשמיות ורוחניות וכט"ס אל תהיה לפלא בעיניכם שזה קרוב לשני שבועות שלא כתבתי לכם שום מכתב שזה היה מחמת כמה טעמים שעבר עלי ראשית שזה שלשה ימים שלא הייתי בקו הבריאה מאד והשנית מחמת שזוג' תח' היה לה עוד הפעם הפיבער ר"ל ר"ל והשלישית מחמת שטלטלתי עצמי מהדירה שישבתי לדירה אחרת בסמוך לביהכנ"ס מקאריא תחת גג אחד עם הביהכנ"ס והרביעית מחמת שלא כל אחד רוצה לקבל מכתבים מחמת מורא הפאסט אבל עליכם הוא לפלא בעיני שהיו ר' שעפסיל הנאמן מר' חיים יהושע במחנכם ובודאי ראיתם אותו ולא נתתם לו שום מכתב EN: And beyond this — what are we silent about and what are we sleeping about — in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple? When Hashem Yisbarach has given us — in His great and mighty mercy — such gifts — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — and the books of his holy disciple — and such prayers — and Sefer Ha'Middos — and Chayei Moharan — and the stories — and Shivchei Moharan — and such Likutay Etzos [Likutay Etzos — "Collected Counsels" — a topical compendium of Rabbainu ז"ל's practical spiritual advice, organized by subject; one of the key works of Breslov literature] — which are supernal Eden [עדן עלאה — Aramaic: "supernal Eden" — the highest level of spiritual delight and pleasure in the divine realm; Rabbainu ז"ל's books are identified with the Garden of Eden in its most exalted dimension] — and also the book Yemei Moharan"as [ספר ימי מוהרנ"ת — "The Days of Reb Nosson" — a journal or chronicle of Reb Nosson ז"ל's activities and travels; a biographical-diary work preserving the record of his life and journeys] — through any one of which one can merit eternal life. Segment 4 HE: ואתם יודעים בלבבכם איך שאני מתגעגע עבורכם ועבור מכתבכם ממש כמבני שיחיו וחוץ מזה באתערותא דלתתא איתער לעלא כשאתם כתבים לי אני מכרח להשיב לכם ובזה אנו מקימין ומקבלין דין מן דין הנקדות טובות כי אין לי ממי לקבל הנקדה טובה הגם שרבנו ז"ל למד אותנו לקבל נקדות טובות אפילו ע"י שיחות חלין אך בודאי כשאני מקבל הנקדה טובה מאיש שבתוכה אנו מזכירין דבורים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אזי נתעורר בנו נקדות הכלליות של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ג"כ אזי נתעורר בנו השלשה נקדות ביחד EN: And even in this world one can live through them and rejoice through them. For just as we must rejoice over "who has not made me a gentile" [The morning blessing shelo asani goy — "who has not made me a gentile" — one of the three morning blessings; a matter of immense rejoicing] — and we must greatly, greatly rejoice over this — for as is told of the Tzaddik Reb Moshe Leib of Sasov — that he was dancing the entire day — and some Tzaddik asked him about his joy — and he said that immediately upon saying in the morning "who has not made me a gentile" — he rejoices over this the entire day. And also Rabbainu ז"ל told of the Tzaddik who gave himself life through "who has not made me a gentile" — until he arrived at the joy of Moshe Rabbainu, peace upon him — at the time of the receiving of the Tablets. [A specific story told by Rabbainu ז"ל: a Tzaddik meditated upon the blessing "who has not made me a gentile" with such intensity that through it — layer by layer — he ascended spiritually until he arrived at the level of the joy of Moshe Rabbainu at the moment he received the Torah at Sinai; a story about the infinite spiritual depth available within even a simple daily blessing] So too — we must rejoice — in that we are not disputing against such a wondrous light — and against his holy disciples — and against his holy books. On the contrary — we delight in them. Only we must begin anew — to take ourselves leisure — to be constant in them. For they are the fulfillment of the Torah — and they are the ancient concealed Torah — and they are our life and the length of our days. And through them we can give life to ourselves and to all the worlds that depend upon us. And when we are strengthened through them — surely our end will be for the good. For where in the world is there a book that speaks of everything that exists in the world — and reveals such secrets — on every single matter — and is for action and for deed — and gives life from the first of all levels to the last of all levels [u'l'hachayos me'reish kol dargin ad sof kol dargin — Aramaic: "and to give life from the head of all the levels to the end of all the levels" — reish — Aramaic: head, beginning; dargin — Aramaic: levels, rungs; from the topmost rung to the bottommost — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל give life at every level of existence without exception]? And where are there such prayers — in which there is not a single commandment — for which there is not a prayer — with such words and with such entreaties and appeasements — the like of which has never been heard? Only we are lazy — in that we do not make use of these treasuries — more desirable than all wealth and preciousness — and than gold and than pearls. And if we were strong to be constant in the prayers — there would be nothing in the world that we could not accomplish through them. Only the believer will not be shaken — as the saying of our sages ז"ל: "hope to Hashem — and continue to hope." Segment 5 HE: וחוץ מזה מה אנו מחשים ומה אנו ישנים בעסק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כשהשי"ת נתן לנו ברחמנותו הגדול והעצום מתנות כאלה ספרי רבנו ז"ל וספרי תלמידו הק' ותפלות כאלו וספר המדות וחיי מוהר"ן וספורי מעשיות ושבחי מוהר"ן ולקוטי עצות כאלו אשר הם עדן עלאה וגם ספר ימי מוהרנ"ת אשר בכל אחד מהם יכולין לזכות לחיי עד EN: And on this night I studied the Laws of Oath and the Honoring of Father and Mother — law 2. And I almost went out of my vessels [יצאתי מן הכלים — "I went out of my vessels" — an idiom: so overwhelmed with spiritual enthusiasm and feeling that one's soul seems to leap out of its bodily vessels; an ecstatic overflow of the soul beyond its containing vessels] — and I was aroused to write to you: אז איהר זאלט נישט זיין קיין שלימזל'ניקעס — that you should not be unlucky ones [shlimazl'nikes — Yiddish: unlucky ones, hapless unfortunates — from shlimazl — a person plagued by bad luck; the writer exhorts them not to be spiritually hapless, not to waste their great fortune through inattention] — אין איהר זאלט פריליך זיין מזה ששם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' נקרא עלינו — and you should be joyful — over this — that the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple is called upon us. אין גלייבן אז השי"ת וועט אינז אלסדינג העלפן נאר מ'דארף אמאל ווארטן — and believe that Hashem Yisbarach will help us in everything — only one must sometimes wait. For Rabbainu ז"ל said about himself — that if he had not waited — he would have traveled like all the other travelers. And we have no counsel — except prayer and joy. And surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be. For sadness and worries — the Holy Blessed One hates them. And beyond this — they accomplish nothing at all. Until Hashem looks down from the heavens and watches over us — and helps us with His great salvation — and then the salvation will be complete. Segment 6 HE: ואפילו בזה העולם יכולין לחיות בהם ולשמח בהם כי כמו שאנו צריכין לשמח ב"שלא עשני גוי שאנו צריכין לשמח בזה מאד מאד כי כמו שמספרין מהצדיק ר' משה ליב מסאסוב שהיה כל היום ברקודין ושאל אותו איזה צדיק אחד על השמחה שלו ואמר שתכף באמרו בבקר שלא עשני גוי הוא שמח בזה כל היום וגם רבנו ז"ל ספר מהצדיק שהחיה עצמו ב"שלא עשני גוי עד שבא לשמחת משה רבנו עליו השלום בעת קבלת הלוחות כמו כן אנו צריכין לשמח בזה שאין אנו חולקין על אור נפלא כזה ועל תלמידיו הק' ועל ספריו הק' אדרבא אנו משתעשעים בהם רק אנו צריכין להתחיל מחדש לקח לנו פנאי להתמיד בהם כי הם קיום התורה והם אוריתא דעתיקא סתימאה והם חיינו וארך ימינו ובהם אנו יכולין להחיות עצמנו וכל העולמות התלויים בנו וכשנהיה אנו מחזקים בהם בודאי יהיה אחריתנו לטובה כי היכן נמצא בעולם ספר שידבר בכל מה שיש בעולם ומגלה סודות כאלו על כל דבר ודבר ויהיה לעבדא ולמעשה ולהחיות מריש כל דרגין עד סוף כל דרגין והיכן נמצאים תפלות כאלו שאין לך שום מצוה שלא יתפלל עליה בדבורים כאלו ובפיוסים ורצויים כאלו הנשמע כמוהו רק שאנו עצלנים שאין אנו משתמשין באלו האוצרות הנחמדים מכל הון ויקר ומפז ומפנינים ואם היינו חזקים להתמיד בתפלות לא היה שום דבר בעולם שלא היינו יכולים לפעל על ידם רק המאמין לא יחוש כמאמר חכמינו ז"ל קוה אל ה' וחזר וקוה EN: On both this and that — because the time for Mincha prayer arrived — I was brief — in the middle of the words flowing from the source of wisdom — flowing from the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah — which drew its stream through his holy disciple — with mercies and with supplications. Segment 7 HE: ובלילה זה למדתי הלכות שבועה וכבוד אב ואם הלכה ב' וכמעט יצאתי מן הכלים ונתעוררתי לכתוב לכם אז איהר זאלט נישט זיין קיין שלימזל'ניקעס אין איהר זאלט פריליך זיין מזה ששם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' נקרא עלינו אין גלייבן אז השי"ת וועט אינז אלסדינג העלפן נאר מ'דארף אמאל ווארטן כי רבנו ז"ל אמר על עצמו שאם לא היה ממתין היה נוסע כמו כל הנוסעים ואין לנו שום עצה כי אם תפילה ושמחה ובודאי אי"ה יהיה על נכון כי עצבות ודאגות הק' ברוך הוא שונא אותם וחוץ מזה שאין מועילים כלל עד ישקיף ה' משמים וישגיח עלינו ויעזור לנו בישועתו הגדולה ואז יהיה הישועה בשלמות EN: Words of one who watches with expectant eyes — to see all the Anash — with great love — face to face — and who counts the days to see them all — in life and in peace, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: זו"ז מחמת שהגיע עת תפילת מנחה קצרתי באמצע הדבורים הנובעים ממקור החכמה הנובעים מהננמ"ח אשר המשיך הנחל שלו ע"י תלמידו הק' ברחמים ובתחנונים EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Balak, 5643 (July 1883), from Teverya. Two weeks of silence explained: illness, wife's fever, moving house to near the Makaria synagogue, fear of the post. A rich teaching on the three good points, on the books of Rabbainu ז"ל as supernal Eden, on the joy of "who has not made me a gentile." Interrupted mid-sentence by Mincha time. Segment 9 HE: דברי המצפה לראות כל אנ"ש באהבה רבה פנים אל פנים ומונה הימים לראותם כלם בחיים ושלום EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I received your letter — with the sugar [ציקר — tsuker — Yiddish: sugar — from German Zucker; the recipient sent a gift of sugar along with the letter] — through Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And I remain indebted to your honor for the sugar. And several words of the letter I did not understand — the words themselves [לא הבנתי התבות — "I did not understand the words" — תיבות — individual written words; not the general handwriting style but specific words within the letter that were unclear or illegible and could not be deciphered] — what you wrote to me from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — that his wife wants. And I made you an agent to bring good tidings to the elder Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, of Uman — that today I obtained a bill of exchange [אוו"ז — a bill of exchange or financial voucher; a formal document guaranteeing the payment of a specified sum of money at a specified place] for him — in the sum of one hundred rubles — a payment. Only tell him in secret — so that no one else should know. And for the present — you can give him whatever he needs — to give life to his soul. And I ask of you — to write me the price of the payment among you — how many groshen one ruble of Teverya money comes to — for here they give me for each ruble thirteen and a half groshen. And I do not want to exchange until I have news from you — at what rate the Teverya money stands among you. And it is in my mind — to bring the bill of exchange at the time of my coming — G-d willing — to your encampment. Perhaps G-d willing — for Shabbos Nachamu. [Shabbos Nachamu — "the Shabbos of consolation" — the Shabbos immediately following the fast of Tisha B'Av; named for its Haftarah beginning Nachamu nachamu ami — "console, console My people" (Isaiah 40:1); the writer hopes to visit Tzfas for this Shabbos] If at least it will come to thirteen and a half groshen of Teverya money among you. And if not — I will be compelled to exchange here — and to receive a bill of exchange on the money — to your encampment. For I do not want the responsibility of carrying the money with me. Therefore write to me. And also I have suffering — from what you wrote to me — that you have a controversy with your brother, may his candle shine, and his son, may his candle shine. For I want there to be peace among the Anash — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who warned greatly about love and peace. And how can blessing dwell upon you — when at every turn there is found among you another controversy? And "the Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing for Israel — except peace." [From the Mishnah, last of Uktzin — "The Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds all blessing for Israel except peace"] And one must pray greatly for peace. For controversy is despised — and peace is great. And all the losses of those who dispute — are because there is no peace and true love among us — "for over all transgressions — love covers." [Proverbs 10:12 — "hatred stirs up strife — but love covers over all transgressions"] And I pray to Hashem Yisbarach — that there should be love. And also all of you — all of you must pray greatly to Hashem Yisbarach. For our love is no trivial thing — for through it one can gather together — and mention Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And to mention their name is a rectification for the soul, spirit, and higher soul. For they are eternal — eternally eternal. Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Masei, 5643 (July 1883), from Teverya. Sugar received as a gift. A bill of exchange for 100 rubles obtained for the old man of Uman. The writer hopes to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Nachamu. A call for peace — "the Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing except peace." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I hereby inform you — that I am laid low in weakness — with fever and constipation [חמימות ועצירות — "heat and constipation" — chimimus — fever, heat; atzirus — constipation, obstruction; a combination of acute symptoms that has left the writer bedridden for a week] — for seven days. And on this night — I had a sweat [זעה — ze'ah — a sweat, a perspiration — specifically a night sweat, often associated with fever breaking; a significant medical event indicating a possible turn in the illness] — for approximately eight hours. And the fever eased upon me somewhat — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d. Therefore — pray for me — to Hashem Yisbarach — in the power and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — that Hashem Yisbarach send me quickly and soon — a complete healing — so that I should merit to gather together with you in fellowship — in order to fulfill and receive one from another — and to draw upon us the comprehensive good point — through our speaking greatly about the pure and dazzling light [אור הצח והמצחצח — "the pure and dazzling, sparkling light" — from tzach — pure, clear, bright; and metzachtzach — sparkling, polished to a brilliant shine; the light of Rabbainu ז"ל described in its most radiant and burnished aspect — a light of absolute clarity and brilliance] — which is our life and the essential foundation of our hope — forever and for eternity upon eternity. Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Devarim, 5643 (July/August 1883), from Teverya — near Tisha B'Av. The writer is ill with fever and constipation for seven days; an eight-hour night sweat has eased the fever somewhat. A prayer request, and a beautiful closing on the fellowship assembly and "the pure and dazzling light." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. So may I merit — to hear from you — life and peace — from within expansiveness of heart and expansiveness of mind — in the physical and in the spiritual — and the fullness of all good. Let it not be a wonder in your eyes — that it is close to two weeks — that I have not written you any letter. For this was because of several reasons that passed over me. First — for three days I was not at all in good health. Second — because my wife, may she live, had the fever again, G-d have mercy, G-d have mercy. Third — because I transported myself from the dwelling in which I sat — to another dwelling — close to the synagogue of Makaria [The synagogue of Makaria — a specific synagogue in Teverya; the writer has moved to a new residence adjacent to or under the same roof as this synagogue] — under one roof with the synagogue. Fourth — because not every person wants to receive letters — out of fear of the post. [A reference to surveillance and fear of authorities reading postal correspondence — a real danger in the Ottoman Empire and in dealings with the Russian Tsarist authorities; not everyone wished to be identified as receiving letters] But it is a wonder to me — that Reb Shepsil — the trusted agent of Reb Chaim Yehoshua — was in your encampment — and surely you saw him — and did not give him any letter. And you know in your hearts — how I long for you and for your letters — truly as for my own sons, may they live. And beyond this — b'is'arusa d'lissata is'ar l'eila [Aramaic from the Zohar: "through an awakening from below — an awakening is stirred above" — the foundational Kabbalistic principle: when a person below makes a spiritual move or gesture — it awakens a corresponding movement above; when the Anash write to the writer, he is compelled to respond — and in this exchange of letters both parties receive the good point that flows from the heavenly arousal triggered by the earthly one] — when you write to me — I am compelled to reply to you. And through this — we fulfill and receive one from another — the good points. For I have no one from whom to receive the good point — even though Rabbainu ז"ל taught us to receive good points — even through mundane conversation. But surely — when I receive the good point from a person — within which we mention words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — then the comprehensive good points of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are also awakened within us. And then the three good points are awakened within us together. [A teaching about the three levels of the good point: the personal good point; the good point of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple mentioned in the conversation; and the comprehensive universal good point of Rabbainu ז"ל — all three are awakened simultaneously when two people of the Anash exchange letters mentioning his name] And beyond this — what are we silent about and what are we sleeping about — in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple? When Hashem Yisbarach has given us — in His great and mighty mercy — such gifts — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — and the books of his holy disciple — and such prayers — and Sefer Ha'Middos — and Chayei Moharan — and the stories — and Shivchei Moharan — and such Likutay Etzos [Likutay Etzos — "Collected Counsels" — a topical compendium of Rabbainu ז"ל's practical spiritual advice, organized by subject; one of the key works of Breslov literature] — which are supernal Eden [עדן עלאה — Aramaic: "supernal Eden" — the highest level of spiritual delight and pleasure in the divine realm; Rabbainu ז"ל's books are identified with the Garden of Eden in its most exalted dimension] — and also the book Yemei Moharan"as [ספר ימי מוהרנ"ת — "The Days of Reb Nosson" — a journal or chronicle of Reb Nosson ז"ל's activities and travels; a biographical-diary work preserving the record of his life and journeys] — through any one of which one can merit eternal life. And even in this world one can live through them and rejoice through them. For just as we must rejoice over "who has not made me a gentile" [The morning blessing shelo asani goy — "who has not made me a gentile" — one of the three morning blessings; a matter of immense rejoicing] — and we must greatly, greatly rejoice over this — for as is told of the Tzaddik Reb Moshe Leib of Sasov — that he was dancing the entire day — and some Tzaddik asked him about his joy — and he said that immediately upon saying in the morning "who has not made me a gentile" — he rejoices over this the entire day. And also Rabbainu ז"ל told of the Tzaddik who gave himself life through "who has not made me a gentile" — until he arrived at the joy of Moshe Rabbainu, peace upon him — at the time of the receiving of the Tablets. [A specific story told by Rabbainu ז"ל: a Tzaddik meditated upon the blessing "who has not made me a gentile" with such intensity that through it — layer by layer — he ascended spiritually until he arrived at the level of the joy of Moshe Rabbainu at the moment he received the Torah at Sinai; a story about the infinite spiritual depth available within even a simple daily blessing] So too — we must rejoice — in that we are not disputing against such a wondrous light — and against his holy disciples — and against his holy books. On the contrary — we delight in them. Only we must begin anew — to take ourselves leisure — to be constant in them. For they are the fulfillment of the Torah — and they are the ancient concealed Torah — and they are our life and the length of our days. And through them we can give life to ourselves and to all the worlds that depend upon us. And when we are strengthened through them — surely our end will be for the good. For where in the world is there a book that speaks of everything that exists in the world — and reveals such secrets — on every single matter — and is for action and for deed — and gives life from the first of all levels to the last of all levels [u'l'hachayos me'reish kol dargin ad sof kol dargin — Aramaic: "and to give life from the head of all the levels to the end of all the levels" — reish — Aramaic: head, beginning; dargin — Aramaic: levels, rungs; from the topmost rung to the bottommost — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל give life at every level of existence without exception]? And where are there such prayers — in which there is not a single commandment — for which there is not a prayer — with such words and with such entreaties and appeasements — the like of which has never been heard? Only we are lazy — in that we do not make use of these treasuries — more desirable than all wealth and preciousness — and than gold and than pearls. And if we were strong to be constant in the prayers — there would be nothing in the world that we could not accomplish through them. Only the believer will not be shaken — as the saying of our sages ז"ל: "hope to Hashem — and continue to hope." And on this night I studied the Laws of Oath and the Honoring of Father and Mother — law 2. And I almost went out of my vessels [יצאתי מן הכלים — "I went out of my vessels" — an idiom: so overwhelmed with spiritual enthusiasm and feeling that one's soul seems to leap out of its bodily vessels; an ecstatic overflow of the soul beyond its containing vessels] — and I was aroused to write to you: אז איהר זאלט נישט זיין קיין שלימזל'ניקעס — that you should not be unlucky ones [shlimazl'nikes — Yiddish: unlucky ones, hapless unfortunates — from shlimazl — a person plagued by bad luck; the writer exhorts them not to be spiritually hapless, not to waste their great fortune through inattention] — אין איהר זאלט פריליך זיין מזה ששם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' נקרא עלינו — and you should be joyful — over this — that the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple is called upon us. אין גלייבן אז השי"ת וועט אינז אלסדינג העלפן נאר מ'דארף אמאל ווארטן — and believe that Hashem Yisbarach will help us in everything — only one must sometimes wait. For Rabbainu ז"ל said about himself — that if he had not waited — he would have traveled like all the other travelers. And we have no counsel — except prayer and joy. And surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be. For sadness and worries — the Holy Blessed One hates them. And beyond this — they accomplish nothing at all. Until Hashem looks down from the heavens and watches over us — and helps us with His great salvation — and then the salvation will be complete. On both this and that — because the time for Mincha prayer arrived — I was brief — in the middle of the words flowing from the source of wisdom — flowing from the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah — which drew its stream through his holy disciple — with mercies and with supplications. Words of one who watches with expectant eyes — to see all the Anash — with great love — face to face — and who counts the days to see them all — in life and in peace, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Balak, 5643 (July 1883), from Teverya. Two weeks of silence explained: illness, wife's fever, moving house to near the Makaria synagogue, fear of the post. A rich teaching on the three good points, on the books of Rabbainu ז"ל as supernal Eden, on the joy of "who has not made me a gentile." Interrupted mid-sentence by Mincha time. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: I received your letter — with the sugar [ציקר — tsuker — Yiddish: sugar — from German Zucker; the recipient sent a gift of sugar along with the letter] — through Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And I remain indebted to your honor for the sugar. And several words of the letter I did not understand — the words themselves [לא הבנתי התבות — "I did not understand the words" — תיבות — individual written words; not the general handwriting style but specific words within the letter that were unclear or illegible and could not be deciphered] — what you wrote to me from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — that his wife wants. And I made you an agent to bring good tidings to the elder Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, of Uman — that today I obtained a bill of exchange [אוו"ז — a bill of exchange or financial voucher; a formal document guaranteeing the payment of a specified sum of money at a specified place] for him — in the sum of one hundred rubles — a payment. Only tell him in secret — so that no one else should know. And for the present — you can give him whatever he needs — to give life to his soul. And I ask of you — to write me the price of the payment among you — how many groshen one ruble of Teverya money comes to — for here they give me for each ruble thirteen and a half groshen. And I do not want to exchange until I have news from you — at what rate the Teverya money stands among you. And it is in my mind — to bring the bill of exchange at the time of my coming — G-d willing — to your encampment. Perhaps G-d willing — for Shabbos Nachamu. [Shabbos Nachamu — "the Shabbos of consolation" — the Shabbos immediately following the fast of Tisha B'Av; named for its Haftarah beginning Nachamu nachamu ami — "console, console My people" (Isaiah 40:1); the writer hopes to visit Tzfas for this Shabbos] If at least it will come to thirteen and a half groshen of Teverya money among you. And if not — I will be compelled to exchange here — and to receive a bill of exchange on the money — to your encampment. For I do not want the responsibility of carrying the money with me. Therefore write to me. # קעז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/177/ קעז קעז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/177 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' מסעי תרמ"ג פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: I received your letter — with the sugar [ציקר — tsuker — Yiddish: sugar — from German Zucker; the recipient sent a gift of sugar along with the letter] — through Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And I remain indebted to your honor for the sugar. And several words of the letter I did not understand — the words themselves [לא הבנתי התבות — "I did not understand the words" — תיבות — individual written words; not the general handwriting style but specific words within the letter that were unclear or illegible and could not be deciphered] — what you wrote to me from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — that his wife wants. And I made you an agent to bring good tidings to the elder Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, of Uman — that today I obtained a bill of exchange [אוו"ז — a bill of exchange or financial voucher; a formal document guaranteeing the payment of a specified sum of money at a specified place] for him — in the sum of one hundred rubles — a payment. Only tell him in secret — so that no one else should know. And for the present — you can give him whatever he needs — to give life to his soul. And I ask of you — to write me the price of the payment among you — how many groshen one ruble of Teverya money comes to — for here they give me for each ruble thirteen and a half groshen. And I do not want to exchange until I have news from you — at what rate the Teverya money stands among you. And it is in my mind — to bring the bill of exchange at the time of my coming — G-d willing — to your encampment. Perhaps G-d willing — for Shabbos Nachamu. [Shabbos Nachamu — "the Shabbos of consolation" — the Shabbos immediately following the fast of Tisha B'Av; named for its Haftarah beginning Nachamu nachamu ami — "console, console My people" (Isaiah 40:1); the writer hopes to visit Tzfas for this Shabbos] If at least it will come to thirteen and a half groshen of Teverya money among you. And if not — I will be compelled to exchange here — and to receive a bill of exchange on the money — to your encampment. For I do not want the responsibility of carrying the money with me. Therefore write to me. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי עז המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And also I have suffering — from what you wrote to me — that you have a controversy with your brother, may his candle shine, and his son, may his candle shine. For I want there to be peace among the Anash — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who warned greatly about love and peace. And how can blessing dwell upon you — when at every turn there is found among you another controversy? And "the Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing for Israel — except peace." [From the Mishnah, last of Uktzin — "The Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds all blessing for Israel except peace"] And one must pray greatly for peace. For controversy is despised — and peace is great. And all the losses of those who dispute — are because there is no peace and true love among us — "for over all transgressions — love covers." [Proverbs 10:12 — "hatred stirs up strife — but love covers over all transgressions"] And I pray to Hashem Yisbarach — that there should be love. And also all of you — all of you must pray greatly to Hashem Yisbarach. For our love is no trivial thing — for through it one can gather together — and mention Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And to mention their name is a rectification for the soul, spirit, and higher soul. For they are eternal — eternally eternal. Segment 3 HE: הנה קבלתי מכתבך עם הציקר ע"י מו"ה ר' חיים נ"י ונשארתי חיב למעלתו עבור הציקר וכמה דבורים מהמכתב לא הבנתי התבות מה שכתבת לי מחמיך נ"י שזוג' רוצה ואני עשה אותך שליח לבשר בשורה טובה להזקן ר' נחמן נ"י מאומן שהיום השגתי אוו"ז עבורו על סך מאה רו"ח פזיט רק תאמר לו בסוד שלא ידע אחר ולעת עתה יכול אתה לתן לו מה שצריך להחיות נפשו ובקשתי מאתך לכתוב לי המקח מפזיט אצלכם כמה גר' יעלה אחד רו"ח מעות טבריא כי בכאן נותנים לי עבור כל רו"ח שלשה עשר וחצי גר' ואין אני רוצה להחליף עד שיהיה לי ידיעה ממך באיזה מקום עומד אצלכם על מעות טבריא ובדעתי להביא האוו"ז בעת באי אי"ה למחנכם אפשר אי"ה על שבת נחמו אם עכ"פ יעלה במחנכם במקח שלשה עשר וחצי גר' מעות טבריא ואם לא אהיה מכרח להחליף בכאן ולקבל אוו"ז על המעות למחנכם כי אין אני רוצה אחריות המעות להוליך עמי ע"כ לכתוב לי EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: וגם יש לי יסורים מזה שכתבת לי שיש לך מחלקת עם אחיך נ"י ובנו נ"י כי אני רוצה שיהיה שלום בין אנ"ש בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שהזהירו מאד על אהבה ושלום ואיך יכול לשרות ברכה עליכם שבכל פעם נמצא ביניכם מחלקת אחר ו"לא מצא הק' ברוך הוא כלי ברכה מחזיק לישראל אלא השלום וצריכין הרבה להתפלל על השלום כי שנוא המחלקת וגדול השלום וכל אבדת החולקים הוא מחמת שאין בינינו השלום ואהבה באמת שיהיה על כל פשעים תכסה אהבה ואני מתפלל על זה להשי"ת שיהיה אהבה וגם אתם כלכם צריכין להתפלל הרבה להשי"ת כי אהבה שלנו אינו דבר רק כי יכולין להתועד יחד ולהזכיר את רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולהזכיר שמם הוא תקון לנפש רוח ונשמה כי הם נצחי נצחיים EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Masei, 5643 (July 1883), from Teverya. Sugar received as a gift. A bill of exchange for 100 rubles obtained for the old man of Uman. The writer hopes to visit Tzfas for Shabbos Nachamu. A call for peace — "the Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing except peace." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 5 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קעח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/178/ קעח קעח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/178 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' דברים תרמ"ג לפ"ק טבריא שלום וישע רב לכל אנ"ש הנאהבים והנעימים ובפרט לידידי או"נ המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י הנה מודיעכם שאני מנח בחלישות חמימות ועצירות זה שבעה ימים ובזה הלילה היה לי זעה ערך שמונה שעות ומעט הקל מעלי החם ב"ה ב"ה ע"כ להתפלל עלי להשי"ת בכח וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובזכות כל הצדיקים שישלח לי השי"ת חיש מהר רפואה שלמה בכדי שאזכה להתועד עמכם ביחד בכדי לקים ומקבלין דין מן דין ולהמשיך עלינו הנקדה הכלליות ע"י שאנו מדברים מאד מאור הצח והמצחצח אשר זה חיינו ועיקר תקותנו לעד ולנצח נצחים נתן מברסלב EN: I hereby inform you — that I am laid low in weakness — with fever and constipation [חמימות ועצירות — "heat and constipation" — chimimus — fever, heat; atzirus — constipation, obstruction; a combination of acute symptoms that has left the writer bedridden for a week] — for seven days. And on this night — I had a sweat [זעה — ze'ah — a sweat, a perspiration — specifically a night sweat, often associated with fever breaking; a significant medical event indicating a possible turn in the illness] — for approximately eight hours. And the fever eased upon me somewhat — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d. Therefore — pray for me — to Hashem Yisbarach — in the power and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — that Hashem Yisbarach send me quickly and soon — a complete healing — so that I should merit to gather together with you in fellowship — in order to fulfill and receive one from another — and to draw upon us the comprehensive good point — through our speaking greatly about the pure and dazzling light [אור הצח והמצחצח — "the pure and dazzling, sparkling light" — from tzach — pure, clear, bright; and metzachtzach — sparkling, polished to a brilliant shine; the light of Rabbainu ז"ל described in its most radiant and burnished aspect — a light of absolute clarity and brilliance] — which is our life and the essential foundation of our hope — forever and for eternity upon eternity. Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Devarim, 5643 (July/August 1883), from Teverya — near Tisha B'Av. The writer is ill with fever and constipation for seven days; an eight-hour night sweat has eased the fever somewhat. A prayer request, and a beautiful closing on the fellowship assembly and "the pure and dazzling light." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קעט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/179/ קעט קעט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/179 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' שופטים תרמ"ג עיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת EN: Blessed be G-d — on this night I arrived home safely — without any strength at all. And my wife, may she live — in the past week — was very weakened — with a fainting on her face. [בבעשעחי על פניה — beshekhn — Yiddish/German: a fainting, a swooning; specifically a fainting episode that caused her face to pale and fall — an episode of collapse on her face; this is the same term as beshinken or beshechen — to faint, to swoon] And we wanted to write — but my wife, may she live, did not agree. And now — blessed be G-d — she has returned to her original vigor. Segment 2 HE: ייטיב ה' הכתיבה והחתימה טובה בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: And know — that I forgot at your place — a shirt and trousers — with ribbons [בענדליך — bendlekh — Yiddish: ribbons, ties, bands — small ribbon-ties used to fasten garments; the trousers have ribbons or tie-cords] — inside the box where the ready-made items are kept. [הגרייט — gereyt — Yiddish: ready, prepared; items that are kept ready; the box that holds prepared and ready items] Therefore I ask — send them to me. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד כל אנ"ש הנאהבים והנעימים מנעם קדשת רבנו ז"ל ולכבוד ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' הצנועה מ' יד"ל תח' עם שלום בנו הנחמד מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י ועם שלום ידידי מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And know — that my sister had a great miracle — for she came home — and everything was locked and sealed. And when she came into the house — she saw that all the objects that were in the box — and the pillows and the cushions — and even the vessels — were laid strewn upon the ground. [מפסחמנחים על הארץ — an unusual compound word in the manuscript; likely מוּנחים — "laid, placed, resting" — from nuach — to rest, to be placed; with a scribal insertion or textual irregularity; the general meaning — that everything was cast down and lying on the ground — is clear from context even if the exact form is uncertain] And it appears that they searched only for money — for they took only one silver goblet — and a good bracelet [בריסטיך טוב — bristik — a bracelet; from German or Yiddish Armband — arm-band; a piece of jewelry worn on the wrist; a good quality bracelet that was taken in the burglary] — and also she had a pledge — earrings — for a Meizhide [אורניגליך — oyringlekh — Yiddish: earrings — from German Ohrring — ear-ring; a pair of earrings that had been left as a pledge or pawn for a loan of one Meizhide] — and this they took. And no more — blessed be G-d. And all is in the merit of the Tzaddikim. Segment 4 HE: ב"ה בלילה זו באתי לשלום לביתי בלי שום כח וזוג' תח' היתה בשבוע העבר נחלשת מאד בבעשעחי על פניה והיינו רוצים לכתוב אך זוג' תח' לא היתה מסכימה ועתה ב"ה חזרה לאיתנה EN: And also Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine, was with me today — and conveyed greetings of peace from you. And I was compelled to receive from him — in deposit — eighteen Meizhides. And also he asked of me — to convey greetings of peace to his wife. [ובקש מאתי לפרס לזוג' — "and he asked of me to convey greetings to his wife" — the pronoun refers to Reb Yehoshua's own wife, not the recipient's wife; Reb Yehoshua is asking the writer to pass on his own greetings of peace to his wife who is apparently in Tzfas or elsewhere] Segment 5 HE: ותדעו ששכחתי אצלכם כתנת ומכנסים עם בענדליך בתוך התבה שאוחזים שם הגרייט ע"כ בקשתי לשלח לי ותדעו שאחותי היה לה נס גדול שבאה לביתה והיה הכל סגור ומסגר וכשבאה לתוך הבית ראתה שכל החפצים שהיו בתבה והכרים והכסתות ואפילו הכלים מפסחמנחים על הארץ והנראה שחפשו רק אחר מעות כי לא לקחו רק גביע אחד מכסף ובריסטיך טוב וגם היה לה משכון אורניגליך עבור מז'ידע וזה לקחו ולא יותר ב"ה והכל בזכות הצדיקים EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: וגם ר' יהושע נ"י היה היום אצלי ופרס בשלומכם ומכרח הייתי לקבל אצלו בפקדון שמונה עשר מז'ידעס וגם בקש מאתי לפרס לזוג' EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Shoftim, Elul 5643 (August 1883), from Teverya. The writer has just returned home safely. The wife had a fainting episode but has recovered. A shirt and trousers left behind at Tzfas. A near-miraculous escape from a burglary at the sister's home. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: I received your letter — and also the objects — in their completeness. And I greatly ask of you — and of your wife, may she live — that you should not be involved, G-d forbid, in the controversy. And even whoever disputes against you, G-d forbid — receive him with love. And may you merit to complete repentance — and "he will return and be healed." [Isaiah 6:10 — "lest he see with his eyes and hear with his ears and understand with his heart and return and be healed" — the verse of repentance and healing; applied here: whoever is involved in the controversy — if received with love — will return and be healed] And particularly — since now blessed be G-d — it is the month of Elul — the time of repentance. And it is impossible to merit repentance — except through humiliations. And let him be silent and still. And particularly — the controversy between the women — through which, G-d forbid, Troyitz [טראויצע — Troyitz or Trowitz — a community that was destroyed; the writer refers to a historical destruction of a Jewish community that was caused by controversy among women — used as a warning of what internal discord can lead to] was destroyed, G-d forbid. And also in the days of the Ari ז"ל — the redemption was ruined — and through controversy it was broken. [A tradition that in the time of the holy Ari ז"ל — a spiritual redemption was imminent — but was prevented by internal controversy; a sobering reminder of how high the stakes of internal peace truly are] And for the present — congratulations to you — for a congratulation is always a good sign. And do not worry at all — for Hashem is with you and by you and close to you. And Hashem Yisbarach — G-d willing — will conclude everything for you for the good — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Segment 9 HE: זוג' תח' ואחותי תח' פורסים בשלום זוג' תח' ובשלום כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: Blessed be G-d — on this night I arrived home safely — without any strength at all. And my wife, may she live — in the past week — was very weakened — with a fainting on her face. [בבעשעחי על פניה — beshekhn — Yiddish/German: a fainting, a swooning; specifically a fainting episode that caused her face to pale and fall — an episode of collapse on her face; this is the same term as beshinken or beshechen — to faint, to swoon] And we wanted to write — but my wife, may she live, did not agree. And now — blessed be G-d — she has returned to her original vigor. And know — that I forgot at your place — a shirt and trousers — with ribbons [בענדליך — bendlekh — Yiddish: ribbons, ties, bands — small ribbon-ties used to fasten garments; the trousers have ribbons or tie-cords] — inside the box where the ready-made items are kept. [הגרייט — gereyt — Yiddish: ready, prepared; items that are kept ready; the box that holds prepared and ready items] Therefore I ask — send them to me. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I received your letter — and also the objects — in their completeness. And I greatly ask of you — and of your wife, may she live — that you should not be involved, G-d forbid, in the controversy. And even whoever disputes against you, G-d forbid — receive him with love. And may you merit to complete repentance — and "he will return and be healed." [Isaiah 6:10 — "lest he see with his eyes and hear with his ears and understand with his heart and return and be healed" — the verse of repentance and healing; applied here: whoever is involved in the controversy — if received with love — will return and be healed] And particularly — since now blessed be G-d — it is the month of Elul — the time of repentance. And it is impossible to merit repentance — except through humiliations. And let him be silent and still. And particularly — the controversy between the women — through which, G-d forbid, Troyitz [טראויצע — Troyitz or Trowitz — a community that was destroyed; the writer refers to a historical destruction of a Jewish community that was caused by controversy among women — used as a warning of what internal discord can lead to] was destroyed, G-d forbid. And also in the days of the Ari ז"ל — the redemption was ruined — and through controversy it was broken. [A tradition that in the time of the holy Ari ז"ל — a spiritual redemption was imminent — but was prevented by internal controversy; a sobering reminder of how high the stakes of internal peace truly are] And for the present — congratulations to you — for a congratulation is always a good sign. And do not worry at all — for Hashem is with you and by you and close to you. And Hashem Yisbarach — G-d willing — will conclude everything for you for the good — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And I ask of you — and of all the Anash — to pray for my wife — for since Shabbos she has had the fever every single day. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy upon her. And we have no counsel — except prayer and supplication and faith and trust and joy. For in the course of time — everything will pass. And sufferings accomplish nothing at all. And through joy — everything is turned to good. And also greetings of peace to my friend, our truly beloved, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son, may his candle shine. ידידי הרב איזיק — למען ה' פליווע נאר בתפילה ותחנונים — וועסטי זעהן ווי אזוי השי"ת וועט דיר אלסדינג העלפן — My friend the Rabbi Aizik — for the sake of Hashem — fly only [fli nor — Yiddish: "fly only" — an idiom of total concentration and immersion — fly with full force in prayer and supplication alone; soar in it; give yourself over to it entirely as a bird gives itself over to flight] in prayer and supplications — and you will see how Hashem Yisbarach will help you in everything. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Ki Savo, Elul 5643 (August 1883), from Teverya. A plea to stay out of the controversy entirely. Month of Elul — repentance through humiliation. The wife's fever daily since Shabbos. A Yiddish exhortation to Reb Aizik: "fly only in prayer." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may I merit — to hear from you — life and peace — from abundant success and expansiveness — and from abundant joy — without limit. Two of your letters I received properly — one through the hired coachman — and one through Reb Dovid Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for our veteran Chassid friend Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. And yesterday a new strengthening arose within me — to write to you — to be in joy — over the fact that we merited to be among those who yearn and long to shelter in the holy shade of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For I studied the Torah "and they were emptying their sacks" [Genesis 42:35 — "and it came to pass as they were emptying their sacks — and behold every man's bundle of money was in his sack" — the Torah portion of Joseph and his brothers; Reb Nosson ז"ל built a Torah discourse upon this verse in Likutay Halachos] — and I studied in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Mixed Animal Species — law 4. [הלכות כלאי בהמה — Laws of Mixed Animal Species — the prohibition of mating or yoking together different species; Reb Nosson ז"ל's law 4 connects this to a deep teaching about the mingling of the holy and the non-holy and the path of the Tzaddik who disentangles and separates them; a new path for transcending all the ordeals of this world is explained there] And there is explained a new path — of how to pass over all the ordeals of this world. And I said — in the prayers — prayer 22. [תפילה כ"ב — Prayer 22 from Likutay Tefilos — "Collected Prayers" — the prayer-book of Reb Nosson ז"ל composed from the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל; prayer 22 corresponds to a specific Torah discourse and addresses the themes of that law] What shall I say to you — my brothers and my nation — has the like been heard or seen in the world — such things as these? And when you look in this law — you will find repose for your souls. And at the time of the doing of this study — I cried out to you with a great voice that did not cease: what are we silent about? What do we have to worry about? When we have such a Rebbe — and such a disciple — who will illuminate all the face of the world — and through them there will be a rectification of all the worlds? And surely — within the worlds — our own souls will also be rectified. And we must bind ourselves — at every time anew — to these lights. And surely everything will be as it should be. And surely — if we trust in Hashem Yisbarach — and we are truly bound to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be — both in the physical and in the spiritual. More — leisure does not suffice to write. Your friend — one who loves you and all the Anash — with strong and true love, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Ki Savo, Elul 5643 (August 1883), from Teverya. Two letters received. A new arousal to write about joy. The Torah "and they were emptying their sacks" — Laws of Mixed Animal Species law 4 — a new path to pass over all ordeals. Prayer 22 from Likutay Tefilos. "I cried out to you with a great voice." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And know — that my sister had a great miracle — for she came home — and everything was locked and sealed. And when she came into the house — she saw that all the objects that were in the box — and the pillows and the cushions — and even the vessels — were laid strewn upon the ground. [מפסחמנחים על הארץ — an unusual compound word in the manuscript; likely מוּנחים — "laid, placed, resting" — from nuach — to rest, to be placed; with a scribal insertion or textual irregularity; the general meaning — that everything was cast down and lying on the ground — is clear from context even if the exact form is uncertain] And it appears that they searched only for money — for they took only one silver goblet — and a good bracelet [בריסטיך טוב — bristik — a bracelet; from German or Yiddish Armband — arm-band; a piece of jewelry worn on the wrist; a good quality bracelet that was taken in the burglary] — and also she had a pledge — earrings — for a Meizhide [אורניגליך — oyringlekh — Yiddish: earrings — from German Ohrring — ear-ring; a pair of earrings that had been left as a pledge or pawn for a loan of one Meizhide] — and this they took. And no more — blessed be G-d. And all is in the merit of the Tzaddikim. And also Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine, was with me today — and conveyed greetings of peace from you. And I was compelled to receive from him — in deposit — eighteen Meizhides. And also he asked of me — to convey greetings of peace to his wife. [ובקש מאתי לפרס לזוג' — "and he asked of me to convey greetings to his wife" — the pronoun refers to Reb Yehoshua's own wife, not the recipient's wife; Reb Yehoshua is asking the writer to pass on his own greetings of peace to his wife who is apparently in Tzfas or elsewhere] Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Shoftim, Elul 5643 (August 1883), from Teverya. The writer has just returned home safely. The wife had a fainting episode but has recovered. A shirt and trousers left behind at Tzfas. A near-miraculous escape from a burglary at the sister's home. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # יח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/18/ יח יח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/18 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ניסן תרל"ז החדש אשר ישועות מקיפות EN: Thursday, Nissan, 5637 — the month in which salvations surround us [החדש אשר ישועות מקיפות — "the month in which salvations encompass / surround" — Nissan is enveloped in salvations on all sides; exactly the right framing for a letter written after a near-death experience and recovery]. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי חביבי הנחקק בקירות לבי מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביו ועם שלום כל ב"ב EN: To the honor of my beloved and my cherished one [אהבי חביבי — two distinct terms: ahavi — my beloved; chavivi — my cherished, my dear one; chaviv is the Talmudic word for one who is especially favored — chaviv Adam she'nivra b'tzelem — "beloved is the person created in G-d's image" — a warmth deeper than ordinary affection] — engraved in the walls of my heart — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his father and upon all the members of his household. Segment 3 HE: טוב להודות לה' על כל החסד חנם והטובות אשר גמל עמי מפורים עד הנה כי זוג' תח' היתה מסכנת עד מאד בכמה מיני חלאים ואח"כ התגבר עליה חלי ההוסט עד שכמעט נחנקה וביום ה' העבר בעת תפילת שחרית התגבר עליה עד שכמעט נראה בה כל סימני גסיסה וכך היה לה עד עת הערב קדם הלילה ואח"כ עזר השי"ת ונתן לה שנה וישנה ערך שבעה שעות כסדר וב"ה הקל חליה עד שב"ה עתה מעט הולכת בביתה אנה ואנה כן יעזור השי"ת לנו ולכל אהבנו באמת שיעשה לנו נסים תמיד רק נסים כאלו שאפילו בעל נס אינו מכיר בנסו שיציל אותנו מכל מיני חלאים ומכל גזרות רעות ומכל מיני דינים שבעולם ויושיע לנו בגוף ונפש וממון ומחמת זה לא כתבתי לכם שום מכתב עד הנה כי מחי היה מבלבל EN: It is good to give thanks to Hashem [טוב להודות לה' — Psalms 92:2 — the Psalm of the Shabbos day; the writer opens with a verse of gratitude rather than the usual health formula, because the health news itself is the subject] — for all the free, undeserved kindness [חסד חנם — chessed chinam — grace given purely, with no merit on the part of the recipient] and all the goodnesses [והטובות — the plural: not one goodness but many individual acts of goodness, each counted separately] that He dealt with me [אשר גמל עמי — asher gamal immi — "that He dealt with me / treated me with" — the verb gamal is the root of gemilus chassadim — acts of loving-kindness; it means to treat someone, to deal generously with them; not merely "bestowed" (one-directional) but "dealt with" — the warm, reciprocal language of someone who treats another as a person worthy of kindness] from Purim until now. For my wife, may she live, was gravely ill — a poor wretch — with several kinds of ailments. And afterward the illness of the cough [חלי ההוסט — der hust — Yiddish: the cough, described here as a full named illness] gained strength over her — until she nearly choked. And on the past Thursday, during the morning prayer, it gained such strength over her that nearly all the signs of the death-throes were visible in her [כל סימני גסיסה — the unmistakable physical signs that a person is in the final stages of dying; described with full, unflinching directness]. And this was her condition until the time of the evening before nightfall. And afterward Hashem Yisbarach helped — and gave her sleep, and she slept approximately seven hours continuously. And blessed be G-d, the weight of her illness was lightened — until, blessed be G-d, she now walks a little about the house here and there. May Hashem Yisbarach help us and all our true beloved — to do miracles for us always — only miracles such as these: that even the one upon whom the miracle is wrought does not recognize his own miracle [שאפילו בעל נס אינו מכיר בנסו — a Talmudic concept: the highest form of miracle is so naturally embedded in events that even the beneficiary does not perceive it as supernatural; the hidden, seamless miracle woven into the fabric of life]. May He save us from all kinds of illness and from all evil decrees and from all kinds of harsh judgments in the world — and save us in body and in soul and in money. And on account of this I did not write you any letter until now — for my very brain was scrambled [כי מחי היה מבלבל — ki moichi haya mevulbal — moichi is the most intimate word for the seat of thought, the very brain itself; mevulbal — disordered, scrambled, stirred beyond coherence; not merely troubled but physically unable to form thought]. Segment 4 HE: ועתה באתי לבקש אותך איך שידידנו החסיד העני האביון המדכא ביסורים כתב שני מכתבים לר' ברוך מכח המעות הסך שנים עשר רו"ח המנחים אצל ר' מרדכי סגל ולבסוף אין לו שום תשובה מר' ברוך נ"י ואינו יודע מה לחשב ולבא למחנכם א"א מחמת שאין לו פ"א ויש לו עוד צרות שהוא בע"ח עבור הגר ערך מאתים גר' ובעלי חוב נוגשים אותו בכל עת ואין אני יודע במה הוא חי EN: And now I have come to request of you: our friend — the pious one, the poor, the destitute, crushed by suffering [החסיד העני האביון המדכא ביסורים — four epithets in succession, each adding weight to the portrait of Reb Kalman's condition] — Reb Kalman — wrote two letters to Reb Boruch regarding the money — the sum of twelve rubles — that lies resting with Reb Mordechai Segel. And in the end he has no reply whatsoever from Reb Boruch, may his candle shine. And he does not know what to reckon. And to come to your settlement — even once — is impossible [א"א מחמת שאין לו פ"א — eino yachol, mipnei she'ein lo pa'am achas — פ"א stands for פעם אחת — "even once, even one time" — it is not merely that he has no money; the situation is so impossible he cannot manage the journey even a single time; the impossibility is total]. And he has further troubles: he is a debtor on account of the ger [Azaryah the righteous convert — for whose food and care Reb Kalman has gone into debt] — approximately two hundred groshen — and creditors press him at all times. And I do not know by what means he lives. Segment 5 HE: ע"כ בקשתי ממעלתו לשאל אצל ר' ברוך נ"י אם קבל השני מכתבים אחד לר' מרדכי ואחד להרב ר' שמואל העליר נ"י ועוד מכתבים ששלח אליו ומה התשובה עליהם ואפשר צריך לר' קלמן לכתוב מהממנים דפה ומהדין דפה לר' מרדכי כי כלם יודעים האמת שר' קלמן העני מחמת הגרים שמסר נפשו וגופו וממונו עבורם ולבסוף יעשק אותו העני ואביון כמותו ע"כ בקשתי שטוחה מול כבודך תכף להודיע לנו כל דבר שרש בכדי לידע אם יהיה איזה ממש אם אפשר באיזה אופן להציל עשוק מיד עושקו כי מעולם לא עשה עברה כזו לגזל עני מרוד כזה אשר אין לשער עניותו ואין לו להשען כי אם על אבינו שבשמים שהשי"ת בודאי יעזור לו באיזה אופן שהוא יודע ואין אנו יודעים EN: Therefore I have requested of your distinguished self to inquire with Reb Boruch, may his candle shine, whether he received the two letters — one to Reb Mordechai and one to Reb Shmuel Heller, may his candle shine — and also the other letters he sent him — and what is the reply to them. And perhaps Reb Kalman needs to write from those appointed here [the official communal leadership of Tiberias, whose endorsement could carry legal or moral authority] and from the law of this place to Reb Mordechai — for all of them know the truth: that Reb Kalman became poor because of the converts, for whom he gave his soul and his body and his money. And in the end this poor and destitute one like himself is exploiting him [יעשק אותו — the Torah's word for exploiting the weak and powerless]. Therefore I make this urgent, prostrate request before your honor [בקשתי שטוחה מול כבודך — "my request laid flat / stretched out before your honor" — fully prostrate, holding nothing back] — immediately let us know every word of the root of the matter — so that we should know whether there is any substance to it, whether there is any way to rescue the oppressed from the hand of his oppressor. For never has such a sin been committed — to rob such a homeless, wandering pauper as this one [עני מרוד — ani marud — a specific biblical phrase from Lamentations 3:19: zachor ani v'morudi — "remember my affliction and my wandering"; marud means specifically "wandering, driven about, with no stable place" — not merely wretched but homeless, displaced, with no fixed ground under his feet; Reb Kalman is this figure: a wandering pauper with nowhere to lean] — whose poverty is beyond reckoning — and who has nothing to lean upon except our Father in Heaven. Surely Hashem Yisbarach will help him in some way that He knows — though we do not know it. # קפ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/180/ קפ קפ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/180 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' תבוא פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת ב"ב EN: I received your letter — and also the objects — in their completeness. And I greatly ask of you — and of your wife, may she live — that you should not be involved, G-d forbid, in the controversy. And even whoever disputes against you, G-d forbid — receive him with love. And may you merit to complete repentance — and "he will return and be healed." [Isaiah 6:10 — "lest he see with his eyes and hear with his ears and understand with his heart and return and be healed" — the verse of repentance and healing; applied here: whoever is involved in the controversy — if received with love — will return and be healed] And particularly — since now blessed be G-d — it is the month of Elul — the time of repentance. And it is impossible to merit repentance — except through humiliations. And let him be silent and still. And particularly — the controversy between the women — through which, G-d forbid, Troyitz [טראויצע — Troyitz or Trowitz — a community that was destroyed; the writer refers to a historical destruction of a Jewish community that was caused by controversy among women — used as a warning of what internal discord can lead to] was destroyed, G-d forbid. And also in the days of the Ari ז"ל — the redemption was ruined — and through controversy it was broken. [A tradition that in the time of the holy Ari ז"ל — a spiritual redemption was imminent — but was prevented by internal controversy; a sobering reminder of how high the stakes of internal peace truly are] And for the present — congratulations to you — for a congratulation is always a good sign. And do not worry at all — for Hashem is with you and by you and close to you. And Hashem Yisbarach — G-d willing — will conclude everything for you for the good — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Segment 2 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לנו הכתיבה והחתימה טובה EN: And I ask of you — and of all the Anash — to pray for my wife — for since Shabbos she has had the fever every single day. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy upon her. And we have no counsel — except prayer and supplication and faith and trust and joy. For in the course of time — everything will pass. And sufferings accomplish nothing at all. And through joy — everything is turned to good. Segment 3 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנו הנעים מו"ה סענדיר נ"י EN: And also greetings of peace to my friend, our truly beloved, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son, may his candle shine. Segment 4 HE: הנה קבלתי מכתבך וגם החפצים בשלמות ומאד בקשתי מאתך ומאת זוג' תח' שלא תהיו ח"ו מערבים בהמחלקת ואפילו ח"ו מי שחולק עליכם תקבלו באהבה ותזכו לתשובה שלמה ושב ורפא לו ובפרט שעתה ב"ה חדש אלול שזמן תשובה וא"א לזכות לתשובה כי אם ע"י בזיונות וישתק וידם ובפרט המחלקת בין הנשים שעי"ז נחרב ח"ו טראויצע וגם בימי האר"י ז"ל נתקלקל הגאלה וע"י מחלקת נשבר ולעת עתה מז"ט לכם כי מז"ט הוא תמיד סימן טוב ואל תדאגו כלל כי ה' עמכם ואצלכם וסמוך לכם והשי"ת אי"ה יגמר עמכם הכל לטובה בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' EN: ידידי הרב איזיק — למען ה' פליווע נאר בתפילה ותחנונים — וועסטי זעהן ווי אזוי השי"ת וועט דיר אלסדינג העלפן — My friend the Rabbi Aizik — for the sake of Hashem — fly only [fli nor — Yiddish: "fly only" — an idiom of total concentration and immersion — fly with full force in prayer and supplication alone; soar in it; give yourself over to it entirely as a bird gives itself over to flight] in prayer and supplications — and you will see how Hashem Yisbarach will help you in everything. Segment 5 HE: ומבקש אני מאתכם ומאת כל אנ"ש להתפלל עבור זוג' כי מיום שב"ק יש לה הפיבער בכל יום השי"ת ירחם עליה ואין לנו שום עצה כי אם תפילה ותחנונים ואמונה ובטחון ושמחה כי בהמשך הזמן יעבר הכל והיסורים אין מועילין כלל ובשמחה מהפכין הכל לטובה EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: וגם לפב"ש ידידי מו"ה או"נ באמת מו"ה איזיק נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Ki Savo, Elul 5643 (August 1883), from Teverya. A plea to stay out of the controversy entirely. Month of Elul — repentance through humiliation. The wife's fever daily since Shabbos. A Yiddish exhortation to Reb Aizik: "fly only in prayer." Segment 7 HE: ידידי הרב איזיק למען ה' פליווע נאר בתפילה ותחנונים וועסטי זעהן ווי אזוי השי"ת וועט דיר אלסדינג העלפן EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Praise to G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may I merit — to hear from you — life and peace — from abundant success and expansiveness — and from abundant joy — without limit. Two of your letters I received properly — one through the hired coachman — and one through Reb Dovid Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for our veteran Chassid friend Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Praise to G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may I merit — to hear from you — life and peace — from abundant success and expansiveness — and from abundant joy — without limit. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Two of your letters I received properly — one through the hired coachman — and one through Reb Dovid Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for our veteran Chassid friend Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. # קפא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/181/ קפא קפא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/181 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' תבוא תרמ"ג עיר הקודש טבריא EN: Praise to G-d — here all of us are in life and in peace. So may I merit — to hear from you — life and peace — from abundant success and expansiveness — and from abundant joy — without limit. Segment 2 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לנו הכתיבה והחתימה EN: Two of your letters I received properly — one through the hired coachman — and one through Reb Dovid Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for our veteran Chassid friend Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי או"נ וידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן שיח' לאיוש"ט אמן עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר חיים נ"י ולידידי או"נ מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: And yesterday a new strengthening arose within me — to write to you — to be in joy — over the fact that we merited to be among those who yearn and long to shelter in the holy shade of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For I studied the Torah "and they were emptying their sacks" [Genesis 42:35 — "and it came to pass as they were emptying their sacks — and behold every man's bundle of money was in his sack" — the Torah portion of Joseph and his brothers; Reb Nosson ז"ל built a Torah discourse upon this verse in Likutay Halachos] — and I studied in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Mixed Animal Species — law 4. [הלכות כלאי בהמה — Laws of Mixed Animal Species — the prohibition of mating or yoking together different species; Reb Nosson ז"ל's law 4 connects this to a deep teaching about the mingling of the holy and the non-holy and the path of the Tzaddik who disentangles and separates them; a new path for transcending all the ordeals of this world is explained there] And there is explained a new path — of how to pass over all the ordeals of this world. And I said — in the prayers — prayer 22. [תפילה כ"ב — Prayer 22 from Likutay Tefilos — "Collected Prayers" — the prayer-book of Reb Nosson ז"ל composed from the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל; prayer 22 corresponds to a specific Torah discourse and addresses the themes of that law] What shall I say to you — my brothers and my nation — has the like been heard or seen in the world — such things as these? And when you look in this law — you will find repose for your souls. And at the time of the doing of this study — I cried out to you with a great voice that did not cease: what are we silent about? What do we have to worry about? When we have such a Rebbe — and such a disciple — who will illuminate all the face of the world — and through them there will be a rectification of all the worlds? And surely — within the worlds — our own souls will also be rectified. And we must bind ourselves — at every time anew — to these lights. And surely everything will be as it should be. And surely — if we trust in Hashem Yisbarach — and we are truly bound to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely G-d willing everything will be as it should be — both in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 4 HE: ת"ל פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מרב הצלחה והרחבה ומרב שמחה א"ס EN: More — leisure does not suffice to write. Segment 5 HE: שני המכתבים שלכם קבלתי לנכון אחד ע"י המיקער ואחד ע"י ר' דוד צבי נ"י ובודאי מתפלל עבור ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' יעקב נ"י EN: Your friend — one who loves you and all the Anash — with strong and true love, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: ואתמול נתחזק אצלי מחדש לכתוב לכם להיות בשמחה על שזכינו להיות מאלו הכוספים והמשתוקקים להסתופף בצל הק' של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי למדתי התורה ויהיו הם מריקים שקיהם ולמדתי בלקוטי הלכות הל' כלאי בהמה הלכה ד' אשר שם מבאר דרך חדש איך לעבר על כל פגעי עולם הזה ואמרתי בהתפלות תפילה כ"ב מה אמר לכם אחי ולאומי הנשמע או הנראה כדברים האלו בעולם וכשתעינו בהלכה זו תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם ובעת מעשה הלמוד הזה צעקתי אליכם בקול גדול ולא יסף מה אנו שותקים מה יש לנו לדאג כשיש לנו רבי כזה ותלמיד כזה אשר הם יאירו כל פני תבל ועל ידם יהיה תקון כל העולמות ובודאי בתוך העולמות נתתקן גם נפשותינו ואנו צריכין לקשר עצמנו בכל עת מחדש לאורות האלו ובודאי יהיה הכל נכון ובודאי אם נהיה בטוחים בהשי"ת ונהיה מקשרים באמת לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בודאי אי"ה יהיה הכל על נכון הן בגשמיות והן ברוחניות EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Ki Savo, Elul 5643 (August 1883), from Teverya. Two letters received. A new arousal to write about joy. The Torah "and they were emptying their sacks" — Laws of Mixed Animal Species law 4 — a new path to pass over all ordeals. Prayer 22 from Likutay Tefilos. "I cried out to you with a great voice." Segment 7 HE: יותר אין הפנאי מספיק לכתוב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: ידידכם האהב אתכם ואת כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה באמת EN: Letter 179 | קעט (Kuf-Ayin-Tes) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 179 Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 179 # קפב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/182/ קפב קפב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/182 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' פ' וירא פעה"ק טבריא לידידי החסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י מכתבכם קבלתי לנכון עם החפצים והחייתנו משמיעת בריאותכם לטוב כן יעזור לי השי"ת חיש מהר להחיות נפשכם מבריאותי הטוב ולעת עתה אין לי שום הנחה מחלאתי ומבקש אני ממך ומכל אהבינו ורעי שלא תשקטו מלהתפלל עבורי שהשי"ת ימלא רחמיו עלי וישלח לי מהרה רפואה שלמה ומזה שאין אני בעצמי באתי לכם במכתב תבינו גדל חלאתי ידידכם אוהבכם נתן מברסלב EN: Your letters I received properly — with the objects [מכתבכם — "your letters" — the plural form used for a singular addressee; a conventional honorific plural of respect, treating the recipient as though he were multiple people in his own importance] — and you gave us life — from the hearing of your good health. So may Hashem Yisbarach help me — quickly and soon — to give life to your soul — from my good health. And for the present — I have no easing at all from my illness. And I ask of you — and of all our loved ones and companions — that you should not be silent from praying for me — that Hashem Yisbarach should fill His mercies upon me — and send me quickly a complete healing. And from the fact that I myself did not come to you in the letter — you will understand the magnitude of my illness. [A poignant note: the writer dictated this letter or had someone else write it on his behalf — he did not write it himself — which indicates how severely ill he is; the very fact that the letter is not in his own hand is a signal to the recipient of the gravity of his condition] Your friend — one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Vayeira, 5644 (October/November 1883), from Teverya. A brief, barely written letter — addressed to Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi. The writer is gravely ill and cannot write himself. "From the fact that I myself did not come to you in the letter — you will understand the magnitude of my illness." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן After inquiring of your good welfare — as is fitting — I have come to inform you that I received all your letters — and they were surely a comfort — because of your love for me. But Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — that I do not have the strength to reply to you. And surely there is in my mind — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to reply to you with such words — that I would surely give life to your soul. But my whole body is broken — broken to shards. [נשבר לשברי שברים — "broken to shards, broken to fragments of fragments" — the most extreme expression of brokenness; every shard itself further shattered; the body has been completely broken by the prolonged illness] But still — in great kindness — for surely everything is for the good. Until I will act before Hashem Yisbarach — that Hashem Yisbarach should deliver to us the mercies. [עד שאפעל אצל השי"ת שימסר לנו השי"ת הרחמים — "until I accomplish before Hashem Yisbarach — that Hashem Yisbarach should deliver to us the mercies" — הרחמים is a noun: "the mercies" — the actual flows of divine compassion; the writer says: until I have enough spiritual power before G-d to cause Him to release and deliver the mercies themselves to us and our household] May the Almighty G-d give you mercy. [אל שדי יתן לכם רחמים — "may the Almighty G-d give you mercy" — from Genesis 43:14: "and may the Almighty G-d give you mercy before the man"; the verse Jacob said when sending his sons to Egypt before Joseph; applied here as a prayer that G-d should grant mercies upon the recipients] And know — my brother and my friend — that perhaps a few lines I wrote to you — with all my strength — so that you should not imagine that my heart and my mouth are far from you. For since the eve of Shabbos — the heat has intensified upon me again — every day — from midday until the evening. And my sister is also very ill. And my wife is also not in good health — and is compelled to be with me and with her. But Hashem is good to all. And G-d willing — when Hashem Yisbarach helps me — surely I will write to you at all times letters. And I ask of you — and of all the Anash — to pray for us — for all of them are righteous — for they are attached to the Pure One — and pure. [כי דבקים לטהור טהור — a phrase echoing the Talmudic expression: one who attaches himself to the pure one — becomes pure himself; those attached to Rabbainu ז"ל are themselves pure and their prayers have power] Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to all the Anash. And know — my brother and my friend — that the letter was delayed — until today — Tuesday. And in the night — I could not sleep at all. And I was compelled with all my strength — and I studied in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Division of Partnership — law 5 — on the Torah "before the eyes of all Israel." [Deuteronomy 34:12 — the final verse of the entire Torah — "and for all the mighty hand and for all the great awe — which Moshe did before the eyes of all Israel"; Reb Nosson ז"ל's law 5 of Laws of Division of Partnership builds a Torah discourse upon this closing verse of the Torah] Study this law — only in your mind — as you would study the Shach [The Shach — Siftei Cohen — a major Halachic commentary on the Shulchan Aruch by Reb Shabsai HaCohen ז"ל; to study it "as you would study the Shach" means to give it the same serious, attentive, analytical study one gives to major traditional Halachic works] — and give life to your soul. And know — how you must keep vigil at the doors of the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for there you will see their greatness and their splendor. And G-d willing — when I return to my original vigor — surely I will write to you at every time letters — G-d willing. Nussun the above-mentioned. And write me a receipt for the letter. Nussun the above-mentioned. Written Monday-Tuesday, Parshas Vayeishev, Kislev 5644 (November/December 1883), from Teverya. The writer is broken to shards — fever daily from midday to evening — his sister is also ill — his wife also unwell. A request for herring. A night of sleeplessness turned to study: Laws of Division of Partnership, law 5 — "before the eyes of all Israel." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am sending you a Meizhide — with the bearer of this letter — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent to you — namely the eighteen that I wrote to you to distribute. And also four groshen and thirty paras — also to distribute — according to your considered opinion. And blessed be G-d — her illness has eased. And I had the fever again — day by day [ביום וביום — "day by day, day after day" — a biblical doubling formula conveying the daily, relentless recurrence of the fever each and every day without exception] — and on Thursday the fever. And blessed be G-d — since Shabbos it has not been upon me. But my strength is very weak. But I trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that in the merit of the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely G-d willing He will heal us — a complete healing — among all of Israel — without limit. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Zos Chanukah, Teves 5644 (December 1883), from Teverya. Sending a Meizhide for distribution. The sister's illness has eased. The writer had the fever daily but since Shabbos it has not returned. Strength very weak but trust in Hashem. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קפג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/183/ קפג קפג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/183 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' לסדר וישב תרמ"ד טבריא EN: After inquiring of your good welfare — as is fitting — I have come to inform you that I received all your letters — and they were surely a comfort — because of your love for me. But Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — that I do not have the strength to reply to you. And surely there is in my mind — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to reply to you with such words — that I would surely give life to your soul. But my whole body is broken — broken to shards. [נשבר לשברי שברים — "broken to shards, broken to fragments of fragments" — the most extreme expression of brokenness; every shard itself further shattered; the body has been completely broken by the prolonged illness] But still — in great kindness — for surely everything is for the good. Until I will act before Hashem Yisbarach — that Hashem Yisbarach should deliver to us the mercies. [עד שאפעל אצל השי"ת שימסר לנו השי"ת הרחמים — "until I accomplish before Hashem Yisbarach — that Hashem Yisbarach should deliver to us the mercies" — הרחמים is a noun: "the mercies" — the actual flows of divine compassion; the writer says: until I have enough spiritual power before G-d to cause Him to release and deliver the mercies themselves to us and our household] May the Almighty G-d give you mercy. [אל שדי יתן לכם רחמים — "may the Almighty G-d give you mercy" — from Genesis 43:14: "and may the Almighty G-d give you mercy before the man"; the verse Jacob said when sending his sons to Egypt before Joseph; applied here as a prayer that G-d should grant mercies upon the recipients] Segment 2 HE: שלום וכט"ס לידידי אהבי באמת לאמתו הלא הוא האברך המפלא המשלם וכו' וכו' מו"ה אברהם אליעזור נ"י ויזרח ויופיע מעל השמים חסדך א"ס EN: And know — my brother and my friend — that perhaps a few lines I wrote to you — with all my strength — so that you should not imagine that my heart and my mouth are far from you. For since the eve of Shabbos — the heat has intensified upon me again — every day — from midday until the evening. And my sister is also very ill. And my wife is also not in good health — and is compelled to be with me and with her. But Hashem is good to all. And G-d willing — when Hashem Yisbarach helps me — surely I will write to you at all times letters. And I ask of you — and of all the Anash — to pray for us — for all of them are righteous — for they are attached to the Pure One — and pure. [כי דבקים לטהור טהור — a phrase echoing the Talmudic expression: one who attaches himself to the pure one — becomes pure himself; those attached to Rabbainu ז"ל are themselves pure and their prayers have power] Segment 3 HE: אחרי דרישת שלומך הטוב כמשפט באתי להודיעך שקבלתי כל המכתבים שלך והיו בודאי לנחת מחמת אהבתך אותי אך השי"ת יודע האמת שאין בכחי להשיב לך ובודאי יש במחי בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' להשיב לך דבורים כאלה שבודאי החייתי נפשך אך כל גופי נשבר לשברי שברים אך עדין בחסד גדול כי בודאי הכל לטובה עד שאפעל אצל השי"ת שימסר לנו השי"ת הרחמים אל שדי יתן לכם רחמים EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ותדע אחי ידידי שאולי כמה שורות כתבתי לך בכל כחי שלא תדמה שלבי ופי רחוק ממך כי מעש"ק התגבר עלי עוד הפעם החם בכל יום מחצי יום עד הערב ואחותי ג"כ חולה מאד וזוג' ג"כ אינה בקו הבריאה ומכרחת להיות אצלי ואצלה אבל טוב ה' לכל ואי"ה כשיעזור לי השי"ת בודאי אכתב לך בכל עת מכתבים ומבקש אני ממך ומכל אנ"ש להתפלל עלינו כי כלם צדיקים כי דבקים לטהור טהור EN: And greetings of peace to all the Anash. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: And know — my brother and my friend — that the letter was delayed — until today — Tuesday. And in the night — I could not sleep at all. And I was compelled with all my strength — and I studied in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Division of Partnership — law 5 — on the Torah "before the eyes of all Israel." [Deuteronomy 34:12 — the final verse of the entire Torah — "and for all the mighty hand and for all the great awe — which Moshe did before the eyes of all Israel"; Reb Nosson ז"ל's law 5 of Laws of Division of Partnership builds a Torah discourse upon this closing verse of the Torah] Study this law — only in your mind — as you would study the Shach [The Shach — Siftei Cohen — a major Halachic commentary on the Shulchan Aruch by Reb Shabsai HaCohen ז"ל; to study it "as you would study the Shach" means to give it the same serious, attentive, analytical study one gives to major traditional Halachic works] — and give life to your soul. And know — how you must keep vigil at the doors of the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for there you will see their greatness and their splendor. And G-d willing — when I return to my original vigor — surely I will write to you at every time letters — G-d willing. Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Nussun the above-mentioned. Segment 7 HE: ועוד אני מבקש ממך לכתוב לר' שעפסיל לתן לי הערינג אולי אחיה נפשי EN: And know — my brother and my friend — that the letter was delayed — until today — Tuesday. And in the night — I could not sleep at all. And I was compelled with all my strength — and I studied in Likutay Halachos — the Laws of Division of Partnership — law 5 — on the Torah "before the eyes of all Israel." [Deuteronomy 34:12 — the final verse of the entire Torah — "and for all the mighty hand and for all the great awe — which Moshe did before the eyes of all Israel"; Reb Nosson ז"ל's law 5 of Laws of Division of Partnership builds a Torah discourse upon this closing verse of the Torah] Study this law — only in your mind — as you would study the Shach [The Shach — Siftei Cohen — a major Halachic commentary on the Shulchan Aruch by Reb Shabsai HaCohen ז"ל; to study it "as you would study the Shach" means to give it the same serious, attentive, analytical study one gives to major traditional Halachic works] — and give life to your soul. And know — how you must keep vigil at the doors of the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for there you will see their greatness and their splendor. And G-d willing — when I return to my original vigor — surely I will write to you at every time letters — G-d willing. Segment 8 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש EN: Nussun the above-mentioned. Segment 9 HE: ודע אחי ידידי שנתעכב המכתב היום יום ג' ובלילה לא יכלתי לישן כלל והכרחתי בכל כחי ולמדתי בלקוטי הלכות הל' חלוקת השתפות הלכה ה' על התורה בראשית לעיני כל ישראל ותלמד הלכה זו רק במחך כמו שאתה לומד ש"ך ותח' נפשך ותדע איך שאתה צריך לשקד על דלתי ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי בשם תראה גדלתם ותפארתם ואי"ה כשאחזר לאיתני בודאי אכתב לך בכל פעם מכתבים אי"ה EN: Nussun the above-mentioned. Segment 10 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: ולכתוב לי קבלה על המכתב EN: And write me a receipt for the letter. Nussun the above-mentioned. Written Monday-Tuesday, Parshas Vayeishev, Kislev 5644 (November/December 1883), from Teverya. The writer is broken to shards — fever daily from midday to evening — his sister is also ill — his wife also unwell. A request for herring. A night of sleeplessness turned to study: Laws of Division of Partnership, law 5 — "before the eyes of all Israel." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am sending you a Meizhide — with the bearer of this letter — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent to you — namely the eighteen that I wrote to you to distribute. And also four groshen and thirty paras — also to distribute — according to your considered opinion. And blessed be G-d — her illness has eased. And I had the fever again — day by day [ביום וביום — "day by day, day after day" — a biblical doubling formula conveying the daily, relentless recurrence of the fever each and every day without exception] — and on Thursday the fever. And blessed be G-d — since Shabbos it has not been upon me. But my strength is very weak. But I trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that in the merit of the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely G-d willing He will heal us — a complete healing — among all of Israel — without limit. Segment 12 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: And blessed be G-d — her illness has eased. And I had the fever again — day by day [ביום וביום — "day by day, day after day" — a biblical doubling formula conveying the daily, relentless recurrence of the fever each and every day without exception] — and on Thursday the fever. And blessed be G-d — since Shabbos it has not been upon me. But my strength is very weak. But I trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that in the merit of the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely G-d willing He will heal us — a complete healing — among all of Israel — without limit. # קפד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/184/ קפד קפד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/184 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' זאת חנכה לפ"ק עיר הקודש טבריא לכבוד ידידי או"נ המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י הנה אני שולח לך מז'ידע עם המוסר כתב זה ששלחה לך אחותי חנה תח' הינו השמונה עשר שכתבתי לך לחלק ועוד ארבעה גר' 30 פאריס ג"כ לחלק לפי חות דעתך וב"ה שהקל חליה ואני היה לי עוד ביום וביום ה' הפיבער וב"ה מיום שב"ק לא היה לי אך כחי חלש מאד אך בטחתי בהשי"ת שבזכות הצדיקים ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שבודאי אי"ה ירפאנו רפואה שלמה בתוך כלל ישראל א"ס דברי אוהבך נתן מברסלב EN: I am sending you a Meizhide — with the bearer of this letter — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent to you — namely the eighteen that I wrote to you to distribute. And also four groshen and thirty paras — also to distribute — according to your considered opinion. And blessed be G-d — her illness has eased. And I had the fever again — day by day [ביום וביום — "day by day, day after day" — a biblical doubling formula conveying the daily, relentless recurrence of the fever each and every day without exception] — and on Thursday the fever. And blessed be G-d — since Shabbos it has not been upon me. But my strength is very weak. But I trust in Hashem Yisbarach — that in the merit of the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely G-d willing He will heal us — a complete healing — among all of Israel — without limit. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Zos Chanukah, Teves 5644 (December 1883), from Teverya. Sending a Meizhide for distribution. The sister's illness has eased. The writer had the fever daily but since Shabbos it has not returned. Strength very weak but trust in Hashem. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # קפה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/185/ קפה קפה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/185 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' לסדר ויהי לי לישועה תרמ"ד טבריא תו"ת EN: Blessed be G-d — here all of us are in the line of life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within great expansiveness and abundant flow — and the fullness of all good. I have already sent you a letter through Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — and also I sent through Reb Shepsil — two Meizhides and two bishliks — on account of the elder Reb Nachman of Rovats — whose monthly money I received — in the sum of fifty-five groshen. And I received into my hand one bishlik and 20 paras. And the remainder I sent to you. And I have no reply. And G-d willing in this coming week — I will send you one Meizhide — toward the debt that I owe you. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ האברך המפלא וכו' וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובשלום בנו הנעים והיקר והאהוב מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט אנס"ו עם שלום כל אנ"ש EN: And I ask — that I should have a letter from you and from our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — so that I should write to you about the business of the partnership that is between us — to strengthen each one his companion — not to become sluggish in the great business. For all the more that we engage in this — the greater the spirit [יהיה רוח גדול בזה — "there will be a great spirit in this" — the business of Rabbainu ז"ל always has fresh spirit and vitality; the more one engages, the more the spirit grows] — for it is always close to profit — and loss there will certainly not be. And all the flows of abundance of all the world go through our business. And according to what appears — you are silent — and you are engaging in it in laziness and sadness. And this business loves only joy and vitality. And all the more that one rejoices — the more one succeeds greatly. And in the Laws of Deposit — law 3 — there you will find repose for your souls. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה פה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כן אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מתוך הרחבה גדולה ושפע רב וכט"ס הנה איך ששלחתי לכם מכתב ע"י ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל וגם שלחתי ע"י ר' שעפסיל שני מז'ידעס ושני בישליקיס על חשבון הזקן ר' נחמן מרוואצק שקבלתי על מעות חדש שלו סך חמשים וחמש גר' וקבלתי לידי אחד בישליק ו20 פאריס והמותר שלחתי לך ואין לי תשובה ואי"ה בזו השבוע אשלח לך אחד מז'ידע על החוב שאני חיב לך EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ובקשתי שיהיה לי מכתב מאתך ומידידנו ר' איזיק נ"י בכדי שאכתב לכם מעסק השתפות שיש בינינו לחזק אחד את חברו שלא להתרשל בעסק הגדול כי כל מה שאנו עוסקים יותר בזה יהיה רוח גדול בזה כי הוא קרוב לשכר תמיד והפסד בודאי לא יהיה וכל ההשפעות של כל העולם הולכים ע"י עסק שלנו וכפי הנראה אתם מחשים ואתם עוסקים בו בעצלות ועצבות וזה העסק אהב רק שמחה וחיות וכל מה ששמחים יותר מצליחים מאד ובהלכות פקדון הלכה ג' שם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם EN: Written Monday, Parshas Beshalach, Shvat 5644 (January/February 1884), from Teverya. Financial accounting. A call to awaken from lethargy in the partnership of Rabbainu ז"ל's business — the business that loves only joy, and the more one rejoices the more one succeeds. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן In the night I received your letter — with your bill of exchange. And surely I will fulfill — to receive the money and to settle with Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and to receive from him a receipt. And I will give him a Meizhide from my money. And know — that I am sending you one bishlik — through my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And do as follows with the Meizhide and the bishlik: the total of your money — 3020 groshen. Receive toward my debt — 20 groshen. And there will remain for you — three bishliks. Distribute them on my behalf — to the Anash: namely — to Reb Nachman — half a bishlik. And to Reb Dov — also half a bishlik. And to Reb Aizik — half a bishlik. And to Reb Yechiel Mendel — half a bishlik. And to Reb Meir — one groshen. And to Reb Avraham Hirsh — one groshen. And to Reb Yosef — one groshen. And there I previously received from the sum — six rubles — 2020 groshen. And half a bishlik is owed to me — from the letter I wrote before Rosh Hashana to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. And it will be in total — 40 groshen. And when you write me a letter — write me how much more is owed to you — so that I can know — to pray that Hashem Yisbarach help me — to settle everything that I owe to any person. For thus I have learned from our Rabbis ז"ל — that in prayer one must specify every matter in detail. And today I received — through the hired coachman Salach — a letter from the week of the Torah portion of Shemos — with the receipt from Reb Dov the shochet and examiner — among them. And I ask to be informed about all that our pursuers are doing — every matter at its root. And Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, should write me a letter at length — about every matter at its root. And G-d willing in the coming week — I will write to you at length — several good things. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Yisro, Shvat 5644 (February 1884), from Teverya. Detailed financial distribution instructions. A letter received from the week of Parshas Shemos. Ask about the pursuers — every matter at its root. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — with us are life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within great expansiveness and abundant success and doubled flow — and the fullness of all good. In the past week I received from you a small letter — with the money that you sent to Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And I gave him the money — and also my Meizhide too I gave him. And I sent you receipts. And also I sent you one more bishlik — with a small letter — because there was no leisure — because of the urgency of the wagon. The Meizhide and the bishlik together are your money — 30 groshen and 20 paras — receive toward your debt — 20 groshen — and the remainder distribute as I wrote to you in the letter I sent you through my beloved friend, may his candle shine. And I have had no reply from you. And also from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — it has been a considerable time — I have had no letter. And also you have not written to me about him — what he has done — and whether he is joyful — even at a time when he descends from kingship. [אפילו בעת שיורד מן המלוכה — "even at a time when he descends from kingship" — a reference to the teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל about the need for joy even in times of descent and diminishment; when a person's spiritual or material state declines — even then — he must find joy; this teaching is explained in the metaphor of the king who descends from his throne] And also from you — I have not received a letter from the inner depths of your soul. And it appears that you are drawing upon yourself: "in sadness shall you eat it." [Genesis 3:17 — "cursed is the ground for your sake — in sadness shall you eat of it all the days of your life" — the curse of Adam; the writer applies this: by living in sadness, you are bringing upon yourself the curse that was meant to be superseded by Torah] But Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple do not teach us this — only to be joyful in our portion — and to draw upon ourselves luminous faces — "fullness of joys in Your presence" [Psalms 16:11 — שבע שמחות את פניך — "fullness of joys in Your presence" — שבע here is sova — satiation, fullness — not the number seven; from sova — to be satiated, to be full; "fullness of joys in Your presence — pleasures at Your right hand forever"; a verse of luminous countenance and joy in the divine presence] — a joyful heart makes a face glad. And through this — the curse is transformed into blessing. And even one who has not today, G-d forbid, anything to eat — also need not worry — for worries accomplish nothing at all. Only trust in Hashem Yisbarach and ask of Him that He should arrange sustenance. And particularly — one who has something upon which blessing can rest — must give thanks to Hashem Yisbarach. Blessed be G-d — that I have something upon which blessing can rest. And may it be His will that blessing should rest on the work of our hands. And everything in joy. And all your free choice consists in this — that you should not worry at all. And what do we have to worry about? For the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple rest with us — openly. And blessed be G-d — we study them little by little. And we were — many and many times — on Rosh Hashana. And we long yet to be on Rosh Hashana. And in the kindness of Hashem Yisbarach — that we are not on the side of those who dispute against this hidden light — how we must rejoice over this — day and night. For according to what is explained in the books — the magnitude of the blemish of those who dispute — is that their very purchase is nullified in its entirety — as is explained in the Laws of Overreaching — and in many other laws. [בטל מקחם מכל וכל — "their very purchase is nullified in its entirety" — a strong Halachic metaphor: the opponents' entire spiritual transaction — their claim on the World to Come — is invalidated through their opposition; as in a purchase made under conditions of overreaching — the transaction is cancelled altogether] And for this world — one certainly need not worry — only ask of Hashem Yisbarach — in joy — for all that one needs. And joy is success — and sadness is a great transgression — which brings, G-d forbid, all the transgressions of the world. And through it — one does not recognize the providence of Hashem Yisbarach — for one always feels lacking. And whoever worries — is deficient in faith in two respects: first — he does not believe that when Hashem Yisbarach wants it thus — it must surely be thus — for we do not know what He sweetens through this; and second — he does not believe that Hashem Yisbarach can save from nothing to something. For from where was our vitality until now — was it through the natural way — each one according to his worth — if not through the help of Hashem Yisbarach? And sometimes He delays — for He desires our prayer — that we receive the flow of abundance through prayer. But everything must be in joy — to give thanks for the past — and to cry out for the future. And even my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, is also being foolish when he worries — for worries accomplish nothing for him at all. And he must be very joyful — over the fact that he was created an Israelite. And not only that — but also that he was not caught, G-d forbid, in the sects of Bucharest. [שלא נלכד ח"ו בהכתות מבוקרעסט — "that he was not caught in the sects of Bucharest" — the various non-traditional religious movements or sects that operated in Bucharest; Reb Aizik is thanked that he was not drawn into these] And also this — that he has been drawn close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And blessed be G-d — that he engages little by little in the ways of these books. And also — from within his pressures — he was many times on Rosh Hashana — and longs yet to be on Rosh Hashana. Is there a greater wealth than this? For it is more precious than gold and than pearls — and all desirable things cannot compare to it. And regarding children — for the present — Hashem Yisbarach has shown you — that blessed be G-d — you are not barren. And "emunah" — faith — equals in gematria — "banim" — children. [אמונה in gematria = 102; בנים = 102; this gematria is a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: faith — emunah — is itself the spiritual root of children — banim; one who strengthens his faith thereby spiritually opens the gates for children to be granted] And faith is prayer. Until Hashem looks down upon you — and has mercy upon you — with complete salvation. And everything can be accomplished through joy — for joy is the sweetening of the harsh judgments. And particularly since blessed be G-d — the days of Adar and the holy Purim are drawing palpably near. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us to receive them in joy — as we accepted upon ourselves in the days of Mordechai and Esther — with hand-clapping and dancing. And G-d willing surely some sweetening will be drawn upon us. And trust in Hashem — for He will surely not abandon you — neither in this world nor in the next. And everything that is needed for the rectification of our souls — surely Hashem Yisbarach will help us — in the merit and power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who are themselves the rectification of the souls of the dead and the living. And today I studied the Laws of Robbery — law 4 — and there you will find repose for your souls. And I have heard that Reb Simcha, may his candle shine, is also not going to the three Shabbos meals — because there was a resentment against him — because of money. Is it not that you believe in divine providence? And what is destined for you — surely will be yours. And can Hashem Yisbarach not arrange for you from another place? Is it truly very good — to be a recipient? [הלא רבנו ז"ל אמר שקשה מאד להיות מקבל — "For Rabbainu ז"ל said that it is very difficult to be a recipient" — a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: receiving gifts or charity from others is spiritually burdensome and difficult; one who has another option should not choose to be a recipient] For Rabbainu ז"ל said it is very difficult to be a recipient. And particularly — he too did not take for himself — only to distribute to the Anash. One must believe that Hashem Yisbarach wants it thus. And not for the sake of money should one distance oneself from the unity of the assembly. For "it is in affection that our matter is sustained." [Aramaic from the Talmud [Shabbos 10a] — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — "for us the matter depends on affection" — the fellowship is sustained by mutual love and affection; it is affection — not money — that holds the assembly together] And each one must see — that from his side — there should be no separation, G-d forbid. For through unity one merits to complete counsel — as is explained in the Torah "rejoice, Rabbi Shimon" [chadei Rebbi Shimon — Aramaic: "rejoice, Rabbi Shimon" — the formula of the Zohar; unity and fellowship bring about the joy and revelation of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's light] — and one merits joy. And you need to draw people close. And you — for money — are distancing. For it is not enough that we do not cry out — a hundred and forty voices [מאה ו40 קלין — "100 and 40 voices" — a reference to specific teachings about the need to cry out from the depths in prayer; the number 140 (100 + 40) may allude to specific Kabbalistic concepts of levels of prayer] — to be saved from the lust for money. But at least — we need not draw upon ourselves the lust for money — which does not rest in separation. And also — one should not disparage even a Tzaddik whose ruling is not followed — like Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And because of the urgency of leisure — I will be brief. From me — one who truly loves you — and "I am a companion to all who fear You." [Psalms 119:63] Nussun from Breslov My wife and my sister, may they live — convey their good greetings of peace to you. Written Tuesday, Parshas Mishpatim, Shvat 5644 (February 1884), from Teverya. A rich letter. Reb Aizik is encouraged: joy even in descent. Sadness is a great transgression. Worry shows deficiency of faith in two respects. Reb Aizik's gematria: emunah = banim = 102. Purim approaching. Reb Simcha's withdrawal reproved. "It is in affection that our matter is sustained." נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I received the letter — with the sending of portions. [משלוח מנות — mishlo'ach manot — the sending of Purim gifts; the Purim custom of sending portions of food to friends and relatives on the day of Purim; the recipient sent mishlo'ach manot to the writer in Teverya] And I cannot reply — for from the 7th of Adar — when I went to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — from that day I became very, very ill. And I inform you — that through the joy of Purim — you can sweeten from upon me [יכולים אתם להמתיק מעלי — "you can sweeten from upon me" — a Kabbalistic concept: the Purim joy of the Anash in Tzfas can spiritually sweeten the harsh judgments that rest upon the writer in Teverya; through their joy they can perform a spiritual act of sweetening on his behalf across the distance] — for I do not have one complete limb. And I am compelled every single day — to sit on pillows and cushions. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov — may he live. [הי"ו — abbreviation of הי' וחי — "may he live" — a blessing appended after a living person's name; in the context of this gravely ill final letter it carries particular poignancy] Written Monday, after the 7th of Adar, 5644 (February 1884), from Teverya. The last letter in the entire collection. Mishlo'ach manot received. The writer has been gravely ill since the 7th of Adar when he went to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. "I do not have one complete limb — I am compelled every day to sit on pillows and cushions." He asks only that the joy of Purim should sweeten the harsh judgments from upon him. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — here all of us are in the line of life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within great expansiveness and abundant flow — and the fullness of all good. I have already sent you a letter through Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — and also I sent through Reb Shepsil — two Meizhides and two bishliks — on account of the elder Reb Nachman of Rovats — whose monthly money I received — in the sum of fifty-five groshen. And I received into my hand one bishlik and 20 paras. And the remainder I sent to you. And I have no reply. And G-d willing in this coming week — I will send you one Meizhide — toward the debt that I owe you. And I ask — that I should have a letter from you and from our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — so that I should write to you about the business of the partnership that is between us — to strengthen each one his companion — not to become sluggish in the great business. For all the more that we engage in this — the greater the spirit [יהיה רוח גדול בזה — "there will be a great spirit in this" — the business of Rabbainu ז"ל always has fresh spirit and vitality; the more one engages, the more the spirit grows] — for it is always close to profit — and loss there will certainly not be. And all the flows of abundance of all the world go through our business. And according to what appears — you are silent — and you are engaging in it in laziness and sadness. And this business loves only joy and vitality. And all the more that one rejoices — the more one succeeds greatly. And in the Laws of Deposit — law 3 — there you will find repose for your souls. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Beshalach, Shvat 5644 (January/February 1884), from Teverya. Financial accounting. A call to awaken from lethargy in the partnership of Rabbainu ז"ל's business — the business that loves only joy, and the more one rejoices the more one succeeds. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: In the night I received your letter — with your bill of exchange. And surely I will fulfill — to receive the money and to settle with Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and to receive from him a receipt. And I will give him a Meizhide from my money. And know — that I am sending you one bishlik — through my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And do as follows with the Meizhide and the bishlik: the total of your money — 3020 groshen. Receive toward my debt — 20 groshen. And there will remain for you — three bishliks. Distribute them on my behalf — to the Anash: namely — to Reb Nachman — half a bishlik. And to Reb Dov — also half a bishlik. And to Reb Aizik — half a bishlik. And to Reb Yechiel Mendel — half a bishlik. And to Reb Meir — one groshen. And to Reb Avraham Hirsh — one groshen. And to Reb Yosef — one groshen. And there I previously received from the sum — six rubles — 2020 groshen. And half a bishlik is owed to me — from the letter I wrote before Rosh Hashana to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. And it will be in total — 40 groshen. And when you write me a letter — write me how much more is owed to you — so that I can know — to pray that Hashem Yisbarach help me — to settle everything that I owe to any person. For thus I have learned from our Rabbis ז"ל — that in prayer one must specify every matter in detail. # קפו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/186/ קפו קפו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/186 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' יתרו תרמ"ד פה טבריא EN: In the night I received your letter — with your bill of exchange. And surely I will fulfill — to receive the money and to settle with Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and to receive from him a receipt. And I will give him a Meizhide from my money. And know — that I am sending you one bishlik — through my beloved friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And do as follows with the Meizhide and the bishlik: the total of your money — 3020 groshen. Receive toward my debt — 20 groshen. And there will remain for you — three bishliks. Distribute them on my behalf — to the Anash: namely — to Reb Nachman — half a bishlik. And to Reb Dov — also half a bishlik. And to Reb Aizik — half a bishlik. And to Reb Yechiel Mendel — half a bishlik. And to Reb Meir — one groshen. And to Reb Avraham Hirsh — one groshen. And to Reb Yosef — one groshen. And there I previously received from the sum — six rubles — 2020 groshen. And half a bishlik is owed to me — from the letter I wrote before Rosh Hashana to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. And it will be in total — 40 groshen. And when you write me a letter — write me how much more is owed to you — so that I can know — to pray that Hashem Yisbarach help me — to settle everything that I owe to any person. For thus I have learned from our Rabbis ז"ל — that in prayer one must specify every matter in detail. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' ובנו היקר והנעים מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט אנס"ו EN: And today I received — through the hired coachman Salach — a letter from the week of the Torah portion of Shemos — with the receipt from Reb Dov the shochet and examiner — among them. And I ask to be informed about all that our pursuers are doing — every matter at its root. And Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, should write me a letter at length — about every matter at its root. And G-d willing in the coming week — I will write to you at length — several good things. Segment 3 HE: הנה בלילה קבלתי מכתבך עם האוו"ז שלך ובודאי אקים לקבל המעות ולסלק לר' יהושע נ"י ולקבל מאתו קבלה ואני אתן לו מז'ידע ממעות שלי ותדע שאני שולח לך אחד בישליק ע"י ב"א מו"ה אליעזור נ"י וככה תעשה עם המז'ידע והבישליק עולה מעות שלכם 3020 גר' תקבל על החוב שלי 20 גר' ויהיה נשאר לך שלשה בישליקים תחלק אותם עבורי לאנ"ש הינו לר' נחמן חצי בישליק ולר' דב ג"כ חצי בישליק ולר' איזיק חצי בישליק ולר' יחיאל מענדיל חצי בישליק ולר' מאיר אחד גר' ולר' אברהם הירש אחד גר' ולר' יוסף אחד גר' ושם קבלתי מקדם מהסך ששה רו"ח 2020 גר' וחצי בישליק מגיע לי מהמכתב שכתבתי קדם ר"ה לחמיך נ"י ויהיה בסך הכל 40 גר' וכשתכתב לי מכתב תכתב לי כמה עוד מגיע לך בכדי לידע להתפלל שיעזור לי השי"ת לסלק כל מה שאני חיב לשום אדם כי כך למדתי מרבותינו ז"ל שבתפילה צריכין לפרש כל דבר בפרט EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: והיום קבלתי ע"י מיקער סאלאח מכתב מפ' שמות עם הקבלה מר' דב שוחט ובודק בתוכם ובקשתי להודיע לי מרודפינו כל דבר שרש ור' איזיק נ"י יכתב לי מכתב באריכות מכל דבר שרש ואי"ה בשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה אכתב לכם באריכות כמה דברים טובים EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Yisro, Shvat 5644 (February 1884), from Teverya. Detailed financial distribution instructions. A letter received from the week of Parshas Shemos. Ask about the pursuers — every matter at its root. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — with us are life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within great expansiveness and abundant success and doubled flow — and the fullness of all good. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Blessed be G-d — with us are life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within great expansiveness and abundant success and doubled flow — and the fullness of all good. # קפז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/187/ קפז קפז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/187 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' לסדר משפטים תרמ"ד עיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת EN: Blessed be G-d — with us are life and peace. So may I merit to hear from you — life and peace — from within great expansiveness and abundant success and doubled flow — and the fullness of all good. Segment 2 HE: שלום וישע רב לכבוד ידידי או"נ אחי ורעי המפלא וכו' וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לתורה ולחפה ולמעשים טובים א"ס EN: In the past week I received from you a small letter — with the money that you sent to Reb Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And I gave him the money — and also my Meizhide too I gave him. And I sent you receipts. And also I sent you one more bishlik — with a small letter — because there was no leisure — because of the urgency of the wagon. The Meizhide and the bishlik together are your money — 30 groshen and 20 paras — receive toward your debt — 20 groshen — and the remainder distribute as I wrote to you in the letter I sent you through my beloved friend, may his candle shine. And I have had no reply from you. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה אתנו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום בתוך הרחבה גדולה והצלחה מרבה ושפע כפולה וכט"ס EN: And also from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — it has been a considerable time — I have had no letter. And also you have not written to me about him — what he has done — and whether he is joyful — even at a time when he descends from kingship. [אפילו בעת שיורד מן המלוכה — "even at a time when he descends from kingship" — a reference to the teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל about the need for joy even in times of descent and diminishment; when a person's spiritual or material state declines — even then — he must find joy; this teaching is explained in the metaphor of the king who descends from his throne] And also from you — I have not received a letter from the inner depths of your soul. And it appears that you are drawing upon yourself: "in sadness shall you eat it." [Genesis 3:17 — "cursed is the ground for your sake — in sadness shall you eat of it all the days of your life" — the curse of Adam; the writer applies this: by living in sadness, you are bringing upon yourself the curse that was meant to be superseded by Torah] But Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple do not teach us this — only to be joyful in our portion — and to draw upon ourselves luminous faces — "fullness of joys in Your presence" [Psalms 16:11 — שבע שמחות את פניך — "fullness of joys in Your presence" — שבע here is sova — satiation, fullness — not the number seven; from sova — to be satiated, to be full; "fullness of joys in Your presence — pleasures at Your right hand forever"; a verse of luminous countenance and joy in the divine presence] — a joyful heart makes a face glad. And through this — the curse is transformed into blessing. And even one who has not today, G-d forbid, anything to eat — also need not worry — for worries accomplish nothing at all. Only trust in Hashem Yisbarach and ask of Him that He should arrange sustenance. And particularly — one who has something upon which blessing can rest — must give thanks to Hashem Yisbarach. Blessed be G-d — that I have something upon which blessing can rest. And may it be His will that blessing should rest on the work of our hands. And everything in joy. And all your free choice consists in this — that you should not worry at all. Segment 4 HE: בשבוע העבר קבלתי ממך מכתב קטן עם המעות ששלחת לר' יהושע נ"י ונתתי לו המעות וגם המז'ידע שלי ג"כ נתתי לו ושלחתי לך קבלות וגם שלחתי לך עוד אחד בישליק עם מכתב קטן כי לא היה פנאי מחמת נחיצת השירא שהמז'ידע עם הבישליק הם מעות שלכם 30 גר' 20 פאריס שתקבל על החוב שלך 20 גר' והמותר תחלק כפי שכתבתי לך בהמכתב ששלחתי לך ע"י ב"א נ"י ולא היה לי ממך שום תשובה EN: And what do we have to worry about? For the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple rest with us — openly. And blessed be G-d — we study them little by little. And we were — many and many times — on Rosh Hashana. And we long yet to be on Rosh Hashana. And in the kindness of Hashem Yisbarach — that we are not on the side of those who dispute against this hidden light — how we must rejoice over this — day and night. For according to what is explained in the books — the magnitude of the blemish of those who dispute — is that their very purchase is nullified in its entirety — as is explained in the Laws of Overreaching — and in many other laws. [בטל מקחם מכל וכל — "their very purchase is nullified in its entirety" — a strong Halachic metaphor: the opponents' entire spiritual transaction — their claim on the World to Come — is invalidated through their opposition; as in a purchase made under conditions of overreaching — the transaction is cancelled altogether] Segment 5 HE: וגם מר' איזיק נ"י לא היה לי זה זמן כביר שום מכתב וגם אתה לא כתבת לי מאתו מה הוא עשה ואם הוא שמח אפילו בעת שיורד מן המלוכה וגם ממך לא קבלתי מכתב מפנימיות נפשך ונראה שאתה ממשיך עליך בעצבון תאכלנה אבל רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לא כך לומדים אותנו רק להיות שמחים בחלקנו ולהמשיך עלינו אנפין נהורין שבע שמחות את פניך לב שמח ייטב פנים ועי"ז מהפך הקללה לברכה ואפילו ח"ו מי שאין לו היום ח"ו מה שיאכל ג"כ אינו צריך לדאג כי הדאגות אינם מועילין כלל רק לבטח בהשי"ת ולבקש מאתו שיזמין לו פרנסה ובפרט מי שיש לו על מה שישרה עליו ברכה צריכין לתן הודאה להשי"ת ב"ה שיש לי על מה לשרות ברכה ויהי רצון שתשרה ברכה במעשה ידינו והכל בשמחה וכל הבחירה שלכם הולכת שלא תדאגו כלל EN: And for this world — one certainly need not worry — only ask of Hashem Yisbarach — in joy — for all that one needs. And joy is success — and sadness is a great transgression — which brings, G-d forbid, all the transgressions of the world. And through it — one does not recognize the providence of Hashem Yisbarach — for one always feels lacking. And whoever worries — is deficient in faith in two respects: first — he does not believe that when Hashem Yisbarach wants it thus — it must surely be thus — for we do not know what He sweetens through this; and second — he does not believe that Hashem Yisbarach can save from nothing to something. For from where was our vitality until now — was it through the natural way — each one according to his worth — if not through the help of Hashem Yisbarach? And sometimes He delays — for He desires our prayer — that we receive the flow of abundance through prayer. But everything must be in joy — to give thanks for the past — and to cry out for the future. Segment 6 HE: ומה יש לנו לדאג הלא ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מנחים אצלנו במפרסם וב"ה שאנו לומדים אותם במעט מעט ועל ר"ה היינו כמה וכמה פעמים ואנו מתגעגעים עוד להיות על ר"ה ובחסד השי"ת שאין אנו מצד החולקים על אור הגנוז הזה איך אנו צריכין לשמח בזה יומם ולילה כפי שמבאר בהספרים גדל הפגם מהחולקים שבטל מקחם מכל וכל כמבאר בהלכות אונאה ועוד בכמה הלכות EN: And even my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, is also being foolish when he worries — for worries accomplish nothing for him at all. And he must be very joyful — over the fact that he was created an Israelite. And not only that — but also that he was not caught, G-d forbid, in the sects of Bucharest. [שלא נלכד ח"ו בהכתות מבוקרעסט — "that he was not caught in the sects of Bucharest" — the various non-traditional religious movements or sects that operated in Bucharest; Reb Aizik is thanked that he was not drawn into these] And also this — that he has been drawn close to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And blessed be G-d — that he engages little by little in the ways of these books. And also — from within his pressures — he was many times on Rosh Hashana — and longs yet to be on Rosh Hashana. Is there a greater wealth than this? For it is more precious than gold and than pearls — and all desirable things cannot compare to it. And regarding children — for the present — Hashem Yisbarach has shown you — that blessed be G-d — you are not barren. And "emunah" — faith — equals in gematria — "banim" — children. [אמונה in gematria = 102; בנים = 102; this gematria is a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: faith — emunah — is itself the spiritual root of children — banim; one who strengthens his faith thereby spiritually opens the gates for children to be granted] And faith is prayer. Until Hashem looks down upon you — and has mercy upon you — with complete salvation. Segment 7 HE: ועל העולם הזה בודאי אין צריכין לדאג רק לבקש מהשי"ת בשמחה על כל מה שצריכין ושמחה היא הצלחה ועצבות היא עברה גדולה שמביא ח"ו לכל העברות שבעולם ועי"ז אינו מכיר בהשגחות השי"ת כי לעולם חסר לו ומי שדואג הוא מחסר אמונה בשני פנים אחד שאינו מאמין כשהשי"ת רוצה כך בודאי כך צריך להיות כי אין אנו יודעין מה שהוא ממתיק בזה והשני שאינו מאמין שהשי"ת יכול להושיע מאין ליש כי מהיכן היה החיות שלנו עד עתה האם היה דרך הטבע כל אחד כפי ערכו אם לא בעזרת השי"ת ולפעמים הוא מעכב כי מתאוה לתפילתנו שנקבל השפע בתפילה אבל הכל צריך להיות בשמחה לתן תודה הודאה על העבר ולצעק על להבא EN: And everything can be accomplished through joy — for joy is the sweetening of the harsh judgments. And particularly since blessed be G-d — the days of Adar and the holy Purim are drawing palpably near. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us to receive them in joy — as we accepted upon ourselves in the days of Mordechai and Esther — with hand-clapping and dancing. And G-d willing surely some sweetening will be drawn upon us. And trust in Hashem — for He will surely not abandon you — neither in this world nor in the next. And everything that is needed for the rectification of our souls — surely Hashem Yisbarach will help us — in the merit and power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who are themselves the rectification of the souls of the dead and the living. And today I studied the Laws of Robbery — law 4 — and there you will find repose for your souls. Segment 8 HE: ואפילו ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י הוא ג"כ שוטה כשהוא דואג כי הדאגות אין מועילין לו כלל והוא צריך להיות בשמחה מאד על שנברא ישראל ולא זו אף זו שלא נלכד ח"ו בהכתות מבוקרעסט וגם זו שנתקרב לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וב"ה שעוסק במעט מעט בדרכי הספרים האלו וגם היה מתוך דחק שלו כמה פעמים על ר"ה ומתגעגע עוד להיות על ר"ה היש עשר גדול מזה כי יקרה היא מפז ומפנינים וכל חפצים לא ישוו בה ומכח בנים לעת עתה הראה לכם השי"ת שב"ה אין אתם עקרים ו'אמונה' היא בגימטריא בנים' ואמונה היא תפילה עד ישקיף ה' עליכם וירחם עליכם בישועה שלמה EN: And I have heard that Reb Simcha, may his candle shine, is also not going to the three Shabbos meals — because there was a resentment against him — because of money. Is it not that you believe in divine providence? And what is destined for you — surely will be yours. And can Hashem Yisbarach not arrange for you from another place? Is it truly very good — to be a recipient? [הלא רבנו ז"ל אמר שקשה מאד להיות מקבל — "For Rabbainu ז"ל said that it is very difficult to be a recipient" — a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: receiving gifts or charity from others is spiritually burdensome and difficult; one who has another option should not choose to be a recipient] For Rabbainu ז"ל said it is very difficult to be a recipient. And particularly — he too did not take for himself — only to distribute to the Anash. One must believe that Hashem Yisbarach wants it thus. And not for the sake of money should one distance oneself from the unity of the assembly. For "it is in affection that our matter is sustained." [Aramaic from the Talmud [Shabbos 10a] — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — "for us the matter depends on affection" — the fellowship is sustained by mutual love and affection; it is affection — not money — that holds the assembly together] And each one must see — that from his side — there should be no separation, G-d forbid. For through unity one merits to complete counsel — as is explained in the Torah "rejoice, Rabbi Shimon" [chadei Rebbi Shimon — Aramaic: "rejoice, Rabbi Shimon" — the formula of the Zohar; unity and fellowship bring about the joy and revelation of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's light] — and one merits joy. And you need to draw people close. And you — for money — are distancing. For it is not enough that we do not cry out — a hundred and forty voices [מאה ו40 קלין — "100 and 40 voices" — a reference to specific teachings about the need to cry out from the depths in prayer; the number 140 (100 + 40) may allude to specific Kabbalistic concepts of levels of prayer] — to be saved from the lust for money. But at least — we need not draw upon ourselves the lust for money — which does not rest in separation. And also — one should not disparage even a Tzaddik whose ruling is not followed — like Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And because of the urgency of leisure — I will be brief. Segment 9 HE: והכל יכולין לפעל ע"י שמחה כי שמחה היא המתקת הדינים ובפרט שב"ה ימי אדר ופורים הק' ממשמשין ובאין והשי"ת יעזור לנו לקבל אותם בשמחה כאשר קבלנו עלינו בימי מרדכי ואסתר שהם מחאת כף ורקודין ואי"ה בודאי יהיה נמשך עלינו איזה המתקה ובטחו בה' שבודאי לא יעזב אתכם לא בזה ולא בבא וכל מה שצריכין לתקון נפשותינו בודאי יעזור לנו השי"ת בזכות וכח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר הם הם התקון של נפשות המתים והחיים והיום למדתי הלכות גזלה הלכה ד' ושם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם EN: From me — one who truly loves you — and "I am a companion to all who fear You." [Psalms 119:63] Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: ואני שמעתי שר' שמחה נ"י ג"כ אינו הולך לשלש סעדות מחמת שהיתה תרעמת עליו מחמת מעות האם אין אתה מאמין בהשגחה ומה שזוכין לך בודאי יהיה שלך והאם השי"ת אינו יכול להזמין לך ממקום אחר האם טוב מאד להיות מקבל הלא רבנו ז"ל אמר שקשה מאד להיות מקבל ובפרט שהוא ג"כ לא קבל לעצמו רק חלק לאנ"ש צריך להאמין שכך רוצה השי"ת ולא בשביל מעות לרחק מאחדות הקבוץ הלא אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא' וצריך כל אחד לראות שמצדו לא יהיה פרוד ח"ו כי ע"י האחדות זוכין לעצה שלמה כמבאר בהתורה חדי רבי שמעון וזוכין לשמחה ואתם צריכין לקרב בני אדם ואתם בשביל מעות אתם מרחיקים כי לא די שאין אנו צועקין מאה ו40 קלין להנצל מתאות ממון אבל עכ"פ אין אנו צריכין להמשיך עלינו תאות ממון דלא שריא בפרודא וגם שלא לגנות אפילו צדיק שאין הלכה כמותו כמו ר' דב נ"י ומחמת נחיצת הפנאי אקצר EN: My wife and my sister, may they live — convey their good greetings of peace to you. Segment 11 HE: מנאי אוהבכם באמת ו"חבר אני לכל אשר יראוך" EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Mishpatim, Shvat 5644 (February 1884), from Teverya. A rich letter. Reb Aizik is encouraged: joy even in descent. Sadness is a great transgression. Worry shows deficiency of faith in two respects. Reb Aizik's gematria: emunah = banim = 102. Purim approaching. Reb Simcha's withdrawal reproved. "It is in affection that our matter is sustained." Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 13 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה ותדעו שאני עתה ג"כ איני בקו הבריאה בשלמות EN: I received the letter — with the sending of portions. [משלוח מנות — mishlo'ach manot — the sending of Purim gifts; the Purim custom of sending portions of food to friends and relatives on the day of Purim; the recipient sent mishlo'ach manot to the writer in Teverya] And I cannot reply — for from the 7th of Adar — when I went to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — from that day I became very, very ill. And I inform you — that through the joy of Purim — you can sweeten from upon me [יכולים אתם להמתיק מעלי — "you can sweeten from upon me" — a Kabbalistic concept: the Purim joy of the Anash in Tzfas can spiritually sweeten the harsh judgments that rest upon the writer in Teverya; through their joy they can perform a spiritual act of sweetening on his behalf across the distance] — for I do not have one complete limb. And I am compelled every single day — to sit on pillows and cushions. Segment 14 HE: זוג' ואחותי תח' פורסים בשלומכם הטוב EN: I received the letter — with the sending of portions. [משלוח מנות — mishlo'ach manot — the sending of Purim gifts; the Purim custom of sending portions of food to friends and relatives on the day of Purim; the recipient sent mishlo'ach manot to the writer in Teverya] And I cannot reply — for from the 7th of Adar — when I went to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — from that day I became very, very ill. And I inform you — that through the joy of Purim — you can sweeten from upon me [יכולים אתם להמתיק מעלי — "you can sweeten from upon me" — a Kabbalistic concept: the Purim joy of the Anash in Tzfas can spiritually sweeten the harsh judgments that rest upon the writer in Teverya; through their joy they can perform a spiritual act of sweetening on his behalf across the distance] — for I do not have one complete limb. And I am compelled every single day — to sit on pillows and cushions. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov — may he live. [הי"ו — abbreviation of הי' וחי — "may he live" — a blessing appended after a living person's name; in the context of this gravely ill final letter it carries particular poignancy] # קפח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/188/ קפח קפח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/188 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת לידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י הנה קבלתי המכתב עם המשלוח מנות ואין אני יכול להשיב כי מיום ז' אדר שהלכתי לרמבע"ה מיום זה החליתי מאד מאד ואני מודיע לכם שבשמחת פורים יכולים אתם להמתיק מעלי כי אין לי אבר אחד שלם ומכרח בכל יום לישב בכרים וכסתות דברי אוהבך באמת נתן מברסלב הי"ו EN: I received the letter — with the sending of portions. [משלוח מנות — mishlo'ach manot — the sending of Purim gifts; the Purim custom of sending portions of food to friends and relatives on the day of Purim; the recipient sent mishlo'ach manot to the writer in Teverya] And I cannot reply — for from the 7th of Adar — when I went to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — from that day I became very, very ill. And I inform you — that through the joy of Purim — you can sweeten from upon me [יכולים אתם להמתיק מעלי — "you can sweeten from upon me" — a Kabbalistic concept: the Purim joy of the Anash in Tzfas can spiritually sweeten the harsh judgments that rest upon the writer in Teverya; through their joy they can perform a spiritual act of sweetening on his behalf across the distance] — for I do not have one complete limb. And I am compelled every single day — to sit on pillows and cushions. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov — may he live. [הי"ו — abbreviation of הי' וחי — "may he live" — a blessing appended after a living person's name; in the context of this gravely ill final letter it carries particular poignancy] Written Monday, after the 7th of Adar, 5644 (February 1884), from Teverya. The last letter in the entire collection. Mishlo'ach manot received. The writer has been gravely ill since the 7th of Adar when he went to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. "I do not have one complete limb — I am compelled every day to sit on pillows and cushions." He asks only that the joy of Purim should sweeten the harsh judgments from upon him. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # יט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/19/ יט יט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/19 Segment 1 HE: והיינו ב"ה בחברון עיר הקודש אצל מערת המכפלה וגדל החיות והשמחה שיש לי מעצם החסד הגדול שעשה השי"ת עמדי שהביא אותנו לקדשה כזו ואין מקום קדוש שלא הזכרתי את שמכם לפניו ובפרט בנכם בן דוואסי שלא יצא ממחשבתי אפילו רגע אחד ואני בטוח בהשי"ת שבזכות המקומות הק' כבר רפא אותו השי"ת בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר היו אנשים אמתיים ולא אנשים שקרנים ומה שארע לו הדבר הזה מחמת שזוגתם תלתה הדבר בדבר רק וכבר שמעתי מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת ז"ל כי אנו מקשרין לאור החיים וזה פגם אמונת חכמים וכבר מבאר בהתורה תקעו אמונה גדל הענין ו'הגדול' שרצה לרדף את אחיכם הצדיק הרג את עצמו אך באמת כח רבנו ז"ל גדול עד למאד שהיה מכניע כל הקלפות הקשות והוא מכניעם EN: Date not given — the letter opens mid-sentence. [The text begins with "and we were, blessed be G-d, in Chevron" — the opening of the letter has been lost, or it is a continuation of a longer letter. Context places this in 5637 (1877 CE), during a journey to Yerushalayim and Chevron.] And we were — blessed be G-d — in Chevron, the Holy City [Chevron — Hebron — one of Judaism's four holy cities; the city of the Patriarchs, site of the Cave of Machpelah where Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivkah, and Leah are buried], at the Cave of Machpelah [מערת המכפלה — "the Cave of the Double" — purchased by Avraham in Genesis 23; the burial place of the founding generation of the Jewish people]. And the vitality and joy that I have — from the very marrow of the great kindness [מעצם החסד הגדול — me'etzem ha'chessed ha'gadol — "from the very bone / marrow of the great kindness" — etzem means bone, the solid innermost core, the marrow; not abstract essence but the hard, solid, inmost substance of the kindness — its very bone] that Hashem Yisbarach did with me, by bringing us to such a holiness — is immense. And there is no holy place where I did not mention your names before it. And particularly your son [בנכם בן דוואסי — "your son, the son of Dvassi" — named by his mother's name, following the practice in prayers for healing of calling a sick person "X son of his mother Y"] — who never left my thoughts even for one single moment. And I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that through the merit of the holy places He has already healed him — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple, who were true men and not false men [אנשים אמתיים ולא אנשים שקרנים — a strong, direct defense of the reality of Rabbainu ז"ל's power against doubt or criticism raised in connection with the child's illness]. And what happened to him — this matter — is because your wife attached the matter merely to something else [תלתה הדבר בדבר רק — "she attached the matter to the matter — only / merely" — the word רק — "only, merely" — qualifies and limits the attachment: she linked the child's situation to something else in a partial, misplaced, merely-surface way; the connection was not grounded in the full truth of their bond to the Tzaddikim; this רק is doing important work — the attachment was limited, incomplete, not total]. Only I have already heard from our master and teacher, Moharanat [אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת ז"ל — Reb Nosson of Breslov ז"ל; another direct personal transmission from him] ז"ל — for we are bound to the Or HaChaim [לאור החיים — "to the Light of Life" — the holy Or HaChaim, Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, buried on the Mount of Olives; their bond to this source of living light is their protection], and this is a blemish of faith in the sages [פגם אמונת חכמים — in Breslov teaching, doubting or reducing the power of the Tzaddik is itself the cause of spiritual harm; the doubt opens a breach]. And it is already explained in the Torah Tiku — the greatness of the matter of faith. And "the Great One" [an adversarial figure who set himself against the Breslov community] who wished to pursue your righteous brother — killed himself [the adversary who set out to destroy the righteous one destroyed himself in the attempt; the power of the Tzaddik turned the assault back upon the attacker]. But in truth the power of Rabbainu ז"ל is very great — for he was subduing all the hard klippos, and he subdues them still. Segment 2 HE: ועתה באתי לבקש אתכם ואת ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' קלמן נ"י ואת ידידנו הותיק וחסיד הצדיק ר' אפרים שתראו להתאמץ ולרדף ולעשות שלום בין נכדי מו"ה נחמן נ"י ועכשו כשבאתי ביום ה' העבר ואמרו לי שהוא בצפת תו"ת ונעשה שלום ביניהם ע"כ אני מבקש מאתכם וגם ר' אפרים מבקש מאתכם שתראו בכל כחכם לחפש איזה זכות ונקדה טובה והנקדה שיש בו היא מצוי למצא בו כי הוא נכד רבנו ז"ל וזה בודאי נקדה טובה וכבר אמר רבנו ז"ל איר זאלט ערליך האלטין מייני קינדיר ווארין עס ועט פין זייא ארויס קימין גיטע פירות ולא אמר שהם בעצמם יהיו טובים רק הם יהיה להם בחירה וסוף כל סוף יהיו מהם פרות טובים ומאד בקשתי מכם לכתוב לי באיזה אופן הוא השלום בכדי לידע איך להתנהג ואיך לכתוב לידידנו ר' אפרים EN: And now I have come to request of you and of our beloved friend the veteran Chassid Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, and of our beloved friend the veteran Chassid, the Tzaddik, Reb Efraim — that you should see to strengthen yourselves and to actively pursue and make peace [ולרדף ולעשות שלום — "to pursue and to make peace" — the word רדף — lirdof — "to chase after" — echoes Psalms 34:15: baksheish shalom v'rodfehu — "seek peace and pursue it"; peace is not to be passively hoped for but aggressively chased down] — between the grandsons of Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine [נכדי מו"ה נחמן נ"י — nekudai — plural: "the grandsons of" — there may be more than one grandson involved, or this refers collectively to Rabbainu's grandchildren; the writer asks them to seek peace with them and find merit in them] — and now when I came on the past Thursday they told me that he is in Tzfas, may it be established and built for good, and peace was made between them. Therefore I ask of you — and Reb Efraim also asks of you — that you should see with all your strength to seek some merit and some good point in him. And the good point that is in him is right there, present and waiting to be found [מצוי למצא בו — matzui limtzo bo — "available / present to be found in him" — matzui means readily accessible, right there; not easy — rather: it is present, waiting; you simply need to look] — for he is the grandson of Rabbainu ז"ל, and this is surely a good point. And Rabbainu ז"ל has already said: איר זאלט ערליך האלטין מייני קינדיר, ווארין עס ועט פין זייא ארויס קימין גיטע פירות Segment 3 HE: וגם תדעו שהיה הטוליפ שלו משועלים במשכון עבור הקניה ופדיתי אותו ביום ו' העבר בעד חמשים גר' והוא מנח אצלי ע"כ תאמרו לנפתלי שישלח לי ע"י איש בטח עם מכתב ויקבל את הטוליפ ממני וגם אני כתב לכם שנמצא אצלי סך חמשה עשר בישליקיס הנשלח לי מר' יעקב נ"י שנצרך לתן להזוג אזי אשלח לך EN: [Yiddish — Rabbainu ז"ל's own words, as he spoke them: "Ir zolt erlich haltin mayne kinder, varin es vet fin zey aroys kimen gite fruchts" — "You shall treat my children with integrity and honor — for from them there will come forth good fruits."] And he did not say that they themselves will be good — only that they will have free choice, and in the final end of all ends [וסוף כל סוף — v'sof kol sof — "and the end of all ends" — an emphatic Talmudic and Kabbalistic phrase meaning the ultimate, final conclusion; not merely "in the end" but the very last end, the end beyond all ends] good fruits will come from them. And I have very much requested of you to write to me in what manner the peace stands — so that I should know how to conduct myself and how to write to our friend Reb Efraim. And also know that his tallis [הטוליפ — der tallis — Yiddish: the prayer shawl] was pawned with the foxes [משועלים במשכון — "pawned with foxes" — a nickname or surname for certain people who held the pledge; the image of foxes suggests cunning, unreliable lenders — like the foxes of Song of Songs 2:15 that spoil the vineyards] as a pledge for a purchase — and I redeemed it on the past Friday for fifty groshen. And it rests with me. Therefore tell Naftali to send it to me through a trustworthy person with a letter — and he will receive the tallis from me. And also I wrote to you that there is with me the sum of fifteen bishlikim sent to me by Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine, which needs to be given to the couple — and then I will send it to you [אזי אשלח לך — "then I will send it to you" — singular; and the "then" is conditional and sequential: first arrange the tallis matter, and then, as a result, I will send the fifteen bishlikim; the two actions are linked in sequence]. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ידידך EN: Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: A letter without a full header — written during or just after a journey to Yerushalayim and Chevron in 5637 (1877 CE). The writer has stood at the Cave of Machpelah and prayed for the recipients and their sick child. Contains a direct Yiddish quotation of Rabbainu ז"ל's own words. # ב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/2/ ב ב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/2 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' לעת ערב שמיני תרל"ה פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Thursday evening, the 8th of Adar, 5635 [= 1875 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya [פעה"ק — p'as ha'ir ha'kedoshah — "the corner of the holy city"], may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי באמת או"נ האברך המשכיל המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום חברו היקר מו"ה איזיק נ"י EN: To the honor of my true beloved — our ohavainu, the learned, accomplished, and wondrous young Torah scholar — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with his dear friend, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה החיים והשלום אתנו מכתביכם היקרים קבלתי בזו הרגע והיו למשיב נפשי ששמעתי החסד הגדול שעשה עמכם השי"ת הטוב ומטיב שחמיך היקר נ"י ואמך היקרה השיב השי"ת אותם לאיתנם וגם הגדיל לעשות עמך חסדו הגדול לעשות עם בנך נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט טוב להדות לה' והוא יגמול עמכם כט"ס וגם המכתב מבני מטראויצע החייתני בזה המכתב השי"ת יחיה אתכם בגשמיות וברוחניות וגם אודות שמחתכם בפורים הק' ג"כ החייתני כי חבר אני לכל אשר יראוך' כפי שמחַתְכם כן נמשך עליכם יראה עלאה דעלאה ואני קשרתי עמכם ואני שמחתי בעצמי בביתי EN: Blessed be G-d — life and peace are with us. Your precious letters I received this very moment, and they were a reviving of my soul [mishiv nafshi — a resuscitation, a restoration of life-force to the soul] — for I heard of the great chessed [loving-kindness] that Hashem the Good and the Beneficent did for you: that your dear father-in-law, may his candle shine, and your dear mother, Hashem restored them to their full strength [l'eisonom — "to their former vigor, their solid foundation"]. And He further magnified His great kindness with you — to do for your son, may he live [שיח' — sheyichyeh — "may he live" — a distinct blessing from נ"י], for length of days and good years. It is good to give thanks to Hashem. And He will repay you with the fullness of good [כט"ס — k'tov shlom — "with the fullness of good"]. And also the letter from the people of Troyits [a town where the writer's family and friends reside] — it gave me life. With this letter, may Hashem Yisbarach give you life — in material matters and in spiritual matters. And also regarding your joy in the holy Purim [the joyous festival of the salvation of the Jewish people in the time of Queen Esther] — that too gave me life. For "I am a companion to all who fear You" [Psalms 119:63]. In the measure of your joy, so is drawn down upon you the supernal awe above all awe [yir'ah ila'ah d'ila'ah — Aramaic, from the Zohar: the highest level of awe of Heaven, which paradoxically flows from the deepest joy]. And I was bound together with you, and I myself rejoiced in my own home. Segment 4 HE: ורציתי לכתוב לכם איזה דבורים הנובעים מהננמ"ח אך מחי מבלבל כי זוג' תח' בר"ל בת פיגא אינה בקו הבריאה עוד מאסתר תענית כי התענית בלא הסכמתי ולא שמעה אלי ותכף חלתה על חלישות הלב כך היתה שני פעמים ביום ובזה השבוע נחלשה מאד ויש לה חלישות הלב אין ספאריניס וכבד עליה ידה ורגלה והיסורים שלי אין לשער ולהעריך כי בלא זה היא רוחני ואינה אוכלת כלל ע"כ בקשתי מאת כל אהבי באמת אנ"ש להתפלל עליה שישלח לה השי"ת רפואה שלמה חיש מהר הַכְּלל לא עבר עלי מיום באי לאדמת הקודש שני שבועות שלא היה לה איזה מחוש אחר רק בצר הרחבת לי ו"רוח תשימו בין עדר לעדר" EN: And I wanted to write to you some words that flow from our holy master and teacher [הננמ"ח — an honorific abbreviation for Reb Nosson of Breslov, the holy disciple] — but my mind is in turmoil. For my wife [may she live — תח'], daughter of Reb Leib [בר"ל — bas Reb Leib], daughter of Feige — is not well, ever since the Taanis Esther [the Fast of Esther, observed the day before Purim]. For she fasted without my agreement and did not heed me — and immediately she fell ill with weakness of the heart [cardiac weakness, heart palpitations]. This happened to her twice a day. And in this past week she has weakened greatly — she has weakness of the heart, no strength at all [ain spareinis — apparently from the local vernacular: "no reserves, no energy whatsoever"], and her hand and her foot are heavy upon her. And my own suffering is beyond measure and beyond reckoning — for even without this she is spiritually inclined and eats nothing at all. Therefore I have come to urgently request of all my true beloved, the Anash, to pray for her — that Hashem Yisbarach should send her a complete healing, swiftly and soon. The general rule is: not two weeks have ever passed since my arrival on holy soil without her having some new ailment or another. "In my distress You have broadened me" [Psalms 4:2 — the writer cites this as his own lived experience: in the very constriction, G-d makes room] — "and put a distance between flock and flock" [Genesis 30:36 — used here with rueful irony: just as Lavan kept interposing distance between Yaakov and the flocks, so does illness keep interposing itself between them and health]. Segment 5 HE: והשני בישליקיס קבלתי ואקנה שמן זית ואדליק עבורכם לעלוי נשמתו של התנא רמבע"ה ובזכות זה יעשה עמכם תמיד נסים הרבה ויקים בכם טרם יקראו ואני אענה ותשואת חן למעלתו עבור הלואת הבישליק לתן לר' נחמן נ"י ור' איצילע נ"י שקימתי מתנות לאביונים בא"י ואתה היית שליח מצוה ומבקש אני מאד מאת כל אהבנו אחינו האמתיים להתפלל עבור זוג' תח' כי היא עקרת הבית וב"ה היא אשה כשרה ואינה מנחת אותי לילך לחוץ אפילו על דבר קל EN: And the two bishlikim [bishlik — a small Turkish coin, the currency of Ottoman Palestine] I received, and I will purchase olive oil and kindle it for you for the aliyyas neshomoh [elevation of the soul] of the Tanna [a sage of the Mishnaic era] the Rambam [Maimonides — רמבע"ה — buried in Tiberias]. And in the merit of this, may Hashem always do many miracles for you, and fulfill in you: "Before they call I will answer" [Isaiah 65:24]. And my gratitude and grace to your distinguished self for the loan of the bishlik — to give to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine — for I fulfilled the mitzvah of gifts to the poor in Eretz Yisroel [one of the Purim obligations, fulfilled here in the Holy Land, which carries especial merit], and you were the shliach mitzvah [the agent of the commandment — a great distinction, as the agent shares fully in the merit]. And I urgently request of all our beloved, our true brethren, to pray on behalf of my wife, may she live — for she is the very foundation of the home [akeres habayis — the one who holds the household together, its essential pillar]. And blessed be G-d, she is a righteous woman — and does not let me go outside even for a minor matter. Segment 6 HE: וגם המכתבים לר' משה נ"י אמסר לו כשאראה אותו וגם תכתב לי שהאברך ר' יוסף נ"י בא למחנכם עם איזה פאשפארט בא לכאן ומאיזה טעם ברח בכדי לידע מחמת שבני יצחק נ"י יש לו ג"כ פאשפארט מוואלחיי וחתני ישראל נ"י כתב לי שהפאשפארט שלהם טובים מאד ע"כ תמיה לי ביאתו לפה גם אין אני יודע איך שלטו הזרים במכתבי הלא אנכי חתמתי אותם בקאנווערט וכתבתי בחרם דרבנו גרשום וגם שלחתי אותם ע"י ר' בער נ"י נאמן מר' חיים יהושע נ"י ובודאי הגיע לר' חיים יהושע נ"י ובאיזה סבה שלט יד זרים בהם EN: And also the letters for Reb Moshe, may his candle shine — I will deliver them to him when I see him. And please write to me: the young scholar Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, came to your settlement with some kind of passport — why did he come here, and for what reason did he flee? — so that I may know. For my son Yitzchak, may his candle shine, also has a passport from Wallachia [a region of present-day Romania — the writer's family originated there], and my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, wrote to me that their passports are very good — so his arrival here puzzles me. Also, I do not know how strangers got their hands on my letters — for did I not seal them in an envelope and write upon them the ban of Rabbainu Gershom [Rabbainu Gershom of Mainz, 10th–11th century — his famous ruling included a ban on reading another person's mail without permission, observed to this day in Jewish law]? And I also sent them through Reb Bear, may his candle shine — the trusted agent of Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and surely they reached Reb Chaim Yehoshua — so through what cause did the hands of strangers gain control of them? Segment 7 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין אך מחמת נחיצת תפילת מנחה אקצר ואמר שלום וחזקו חברים אהובים בדברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וייטב לכם לעד EN: As for news — there is none. But due to the pressing need for the afternoon prayer [Minchah — the daily afternoon prayer, which must be recited before nightfall; the writer cuts the letter short so as not to miss it — a small but telling detail of his priorities], I will be brief and say: peace! Be strong, dear beloved friends, in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and it shall be good for you forever. Segment 8 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה EN: Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda [זללה"ה — may the memory of the holy and righteous be a blessing] # כ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/20/ כ כ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/20 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' קרח תרל"ז פה טבריא תו"ת ב"ב א"ס EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Korach [Parshas Korach — the portion dealing with Korach's rebellion against Moshe; it falls in late June or early July], 5637 [= summer 1877 CE] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home [ב"ב — b'veiso]. Omain Selah. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: To the honor of my friend — our ohavainu — the wondrous young Torah scholar, the veteran Chassid — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם גם בכל עת החיים והשלום נצח סלה ועד EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you too at all times life and peace — forever, Selah, and ever [נצח סלה ועד — here the writer spells out in full what is elsewhere abbreviated as אנס"ו — Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed; the full written form gives it added weight and solemnity]. Segment 4 HE: מכתביכם היקרים ע"י ר' שמואל העליר נ"י קבלתי לנכון והיו לי למשיבת נפש ובפרט מהבשורה שהאברך ר' נפתלי נ"י הוא בשלום עם זוג' תח' ותכף כתבתי לר' אפרים נ"י ולר' יעקב נ"י להחיות נפשם הנדכאות מצרותיו השי"ת ירחם עליו בזכות התורה ותפילה שלו ואני שולח לך סך עשרה בישליקיס ומאד בקשתי ממך איך שהיה לי מכתב מאחי זאב נ"י שבאלו הימים ישלח לי מעות ולעת עתה היה לי על הוצאות ולויתי מאלו המעות סך שש וחצי בישליקיס ע"כ אני מבקש ממך שתעשו למעני אם לא אשלח לך קדם שנחסר הסך עשרה בישליקיס אזי תתן עבורי הסך שש וחצי בישליקיס ואני תכף בבא לי המעות אשלח לך בכל גוני EN: Your precious letters — through Reb Shmuel Heller, may his candle shine — I received properly, and they were a reviving of my soul. And particularly from the good tidings that the young scholar Reb Naftali, may his candle shine, is at peace with his wife, may she live. And I immediately wrote to Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, and to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — to give life to their souls which were downcast from his troubles. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him in the merit of his Torah and prayer. And I am sending you the sum of ten bishlikim. And I have greatly and urgently requested of you [ומאד בקשתי ממך — "and greatly I have requested of you" — me'od — "greatly, exceedingly" — the first of two occurrences of this emphatic word in this letter; each time it intensifies the request beyond ordinary asking]: I had a letter from my brother Zeev, may his candle shine, that in these days he will send me money — and at this time I had expenses, and I borrowed from that money the sum of six and a half bishlikim. Therefore I request of you all [שתעשו — plural: "that you [all] should act" — the writer addresses the recipient and presumably those around him; the shift from singular to plural here is the writer's characteristic way of widening the appeal] to act on my behalf: if I do not send it to you before the sum of ten bishlikim is depleted — then give on my behalf the sum of six and a half bishlikim. And I, as soon as the money arrives, will send it to you by every means [בכל גוני — "in every way / by every color / by every means" — a vivid Aramaic-inflected idiom: I will find a way no matter what route is available]. Segment 5 HE: ור' יעקב אמר לי בפרוש שהסך אחד רו"כ שכתב לאביך נ"י לתן עד שיבא חמיו של ר' נפתלי יכול לתן לו ור' יעקב בודאי יחזיר בטח ע"י מי שיכתב לו תכף והמעות אני שולח ע"י ר' דב נאמן מר' חיים יהושע והוצאות שלי לירושלים היה סך חמש מאות וששים גר' רק ב"ה ב"ה ב"ה שהייתי בעיר הקודש בירושלים וממש החייתי את נפשי במקומות הק' שזכה אותי השי"ת במתנת חנם ונדבת חסד להיות שם EN: And Reb Yaakov told me explicitly that the sum of one silver ruble [רו"כ — rubl kesef — "a ruble of silver" — specifying a silver ruble as distinct from paper rubles, which circulated concurrently in this period at a different exchange rate; the metal is specifically named] that he wrote to your father, may his candle shine, to give until the father-in-law of Reb Naftali comes — he can give it to him. And Reb Yaakov will certainly repay it securely — through whoever writes to him immediately. And I am sending the money through Reb Dov, the trusted agent of Reb Chaim Yehoshua. And my expenses for Yerushalayim came to the sum of five hundred and sixty groshen. Only — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d [ב"ה ב"ה ב"ה — the triple blessing, as in Letter 1; three times, as for three worlds — body, soul, and spirit — each one separately blessed] — that I was in the Holy City of Yerushalayim, and I truly gave life to my soul in the holy places that Hashem Yisbarach merited me to visit — as a free gift and a freewill gift of kindness [במתנת חנם ונדבת חסד — two distinct forms of unearned grace: matnas chinam — a gratuitous gift, given with no claim on the recipient's part; and nedavas chessed — a freewill gift of loving-kindness, given from the pure desire of the giver; two qualitatively different expressions of grace]. Segment 6 HE: ואם היה אצל אחותי חנה תח' מעות לא הייתי צריך לבקש אותך להלוות לי אך עתה אין לה מעות בביתה כלל וכלל לכן אני מבקש ממך ואל תדאגו כלל כי אני אפרע לך חיש מהר בכל גוני לא יאחר מחדש ימים גם אני מבקש ממך שתאמר לר' קלמן נ"י איך שהיה לו מנעלים ומכר אותם לאיש אחד בעד 30 ושש גר' ולא קבל מעות ועתה זה האיש קבץ בכאן ערך סך 20 גר' וברח מכאן ועתה נשמע שהוא בצפת תו"ת מבקש אותו אולי יקבל עבור המנעלים וגם הצוואה מסר בעל הבית שלו לערל אחד מצפת תו"ת וכתב לי לתן לו 20 פאריס ולא היה לי לתן לו הסך הנ"ל ועדין אותה הצוואה אצלו ע"כ יקבל מאתו הצוואה EN: And if my sister Chana, may she live, had money I would not need to ask you to lend me — but right now she has absolutely no money whatsoever in her house [כלל וכלל — the doubled expression: "at all and at all" — emphasizing that the absence is total and complete, not even a small amount]. Therefore I ask of you — and do not worry at all — for I will repay you quickly by every means, without delay of even one month. And also I greatly and urgently request of you [ומאד בקשתי ממך — the second occurrence of me'od — "greatly" — in this letter; the urgency of this request for Reb Kalman is equal to the urgency of the financial request above] that you should tell Reb Kalman, may his candle shine: he had a pair of shoes and sold them to a certain person for 30 and six groshen — and received no money. And now this person gathered approximately 20 groshen here and fled from here. And now it is heard that he is in Tzfas, may it be established and built for good — and he is sought there [מבקש אותו — "he is sought / they are seeking him" — or possibly "he [Reb Kalman] is asking after him"; the Hebrew is ambiguous between "he is being looked for" and "he [Reb Kalman] is seeking him / asking after him"; most likely the meaning is that Reb Kalman is trying to locate the man in order to receive payment for the shoes] — to see whether he can receive payment for the shoes. And also the document [הצוואה — tzavaa — a written will or legal document; here apparently a document relating to Reb Kalman's legal claims] was delivered by his landlord to a certain gentile from Tzfas — and he wrote to me to give him 20 parises, and I had nothing to give him the said sum. And still that document is with him. Therefore let him retrieve the document from him. Segment 7 HE: ודע בני ידידי שאני למדתי בזה הלילה הלכות פקדון הלכה ה' על התורה חדי רבי שמעון ושם מבאר תרוץ על כל ההרפתקאות שעובר עלינו מחמת שאנו פוגמין באמונת חכמים ודי למבין והספרים אינם נחשבים אצלנו כמו שצריכים להחשב בעינינו ע"כ בני חזקו והתחזקו בחשק חדש ללמד הספרים ויהיו נמתקין כל הדינים והצמצומים וישפע עלינו כל טוב EN: And know, my son my friend — that I studied this past night the Laws of Deposits [הלכות פקדון — Halachos Pikadon — the Laws of Deposits and Guardianship in Likutay Halachos], Law 5 — on the Torah Chadi Rabbi Shimon [חדי רבי שמעון — "Rabbi Shimon rejoices" — a specific Torah of Rabbainu ז"ל in Likutay Moharan dealing with the joy of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the spiritual dimensions of joy in Torah] — and there it explains a resolution [תרוץ — terutz — an answer, a resolution to a difficulty; here: a deep spiritual explanation for why troubles befall those trying to walk in the right path] for all the trials and ordeals [הרפתקאות — harpatakaos — Aramaic: "adventures, ordeals, upheavals" — the turbulent, unexpected turns of fate that befall a person; a Talmudic word for all that passes over a person without his control] that pass over us — because we blemish our faith in the sages [פגם אמונת חכמים — a blemish in faith in the Tzaddikim; the root cause of troubles]. And a hint suffices the wise. And the books are not valued by us as they should be valued in our eyes. Therefore, my children — be strong and strengthen yourselves with fresh desire to study the books, and all the harsh judgments and constrictions will be sweetened, and all goodness will flow upon us. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Korach, 5637 (summer 1877), from Teverya. Good news of Reb Naftali's reconciliation, careful financial accounting, practical matters for Reb Kalman, and a burning teaching from the night's study. # כא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/21/ כא כא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/21 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' חקת תרל"ז פה טבריא תו"ת ב"ב אנס"ו EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Chukas [Parshas Chukas — "The Statute" — the portion containing the Red Heifer, the death of Miriam and Aharon, and the sin of Moshe at the rock; it falls in late June or early July], 5637 [= summer 1877 CE] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ הלא הוא האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביו היקר המפלא ומפלג בתורה וביראה ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י שיח' לארך ימים טובים אמן EN: To the honor of my friend — our ohavainu — why, it is none other than the wondrous young Torah scholar, the veteran Chassid — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his dear father, the wondrous and exceptional in Torah and in the fear of Heaven, the veteran Chassid — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may he live, for length of good days — Omain. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל כלנו פה בחקת החיים והשלום כן נזכה בכל עת לשמע מכם חיים והשלום ובשורות מחו"ל אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us here are in the statute of life and peace [בחקת החיים והשלום — b'chukas ha'chaim v'ha'shalom — "in the statute / ordinance of life and peace" — a deliberate wordplay on the name of the Torah portion Chukas: just as Chukas is a divine statute beyond rational explanation that must simply be accepted, so too is the blessing of life and peace a divine statute — fixed, decreed, beyond ordinary cause and effect — granted to them as an act of G-d's inscrutable will; the writer weaves the portion's name into the living fabric of his blessing]. May we merit at all times to hear from you life and peace and good tidings from outside the Land. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: מכתבכם מיום ג' שבוע זו קבלתי ע"י מיקער זידיל לנכון והחייתנו במכתבכם משני טעמים אחד השי"ת יודע האמת כשאני ראה מכתב ממך הוא חיות שלי והשני משלום של ידידנו הנ"ל השי"ת ירחם על הדמעות מאבי זקנו ר' אפרים נ"י ויטהר לבבו ללכת בדרך הישר ואודות המעות כבר שלחתי ע"י ר' דב קריימיר נ"י לר' חיים יהושע עוד ביום ה' העבר וכשקבלתי המכתב מהם בלילה הלכתי היום בבקר לר' דב נ"י ושאלתי אותו ואמר לי שלא שלח ביום ה' העבר רק ביום ג' שבוע זו כי לא היה לו עם מי לשלח ושלחתי רק עשרה בישליקיס ובקשתי ממך שהמותר סך שש וחצי בישליקיס תלוה לי עד ראש חדש מנחם אב ואשלח לך הסך הנ"ל בת"ח כי הוצאות על הוצאות שלי ואצל אחותי אין לה פ"א בביתה ואי"ה בחדש מנחם אב אחזיר לך בת"ח בלי עכוב EN: Your letter from Tuesday of this week I received through the postal courier Zeidel properly — and you gave us life with your letter, for two reasons. The first — Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: when I see a letter from you it is my very life-force. The second — the news of the peace of the said friend. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on the tears of his grandfather Reb Efraim, may his candle shine — and purify his heart to walk in the straight path. And regarding the money — I already sent it through Reb Dov Kraimer, may his candle shine, to Reb Chaim Yehoshua — already on last Thursday. And when I received the letter from them at night, I went this morning to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and asked him — and he told me that he did not send it last Thursday but on Tuesday of this week, for he had no one to send it through. And I sent only ten bishlikim. And I have asked of you that the remainder — the sum of six and a half bishlikim — you should lend me until the New Moon of Menachem Av [ראש חדש מנחם אב — the first day of the month of Av; named Menachem — "the Comforter" — expressing the hope of consolation even within mourning], and I will send you the said sum with thanks and loving-kindness — for expense upon expense falls upon me, and my sister has not even a single penny in her house. And G-d willing in the month of Menachem Av I will repay you with thanks and loving-kindness, without delay. Segment 5 HE: ואודות מה שכתב לי אביך נ"י שאכתב לר' יעקב נ"י מכח המעות הישר שאביך נ"י בעצמו יכתב מכתב לר' אפרים נ"י ולר' יעקב נ"י להחיות נפשם בהשלום של בני הזוג וגדל המצוה אין לשער ובפרט שר' יעקב כתב מתחלה לאביך נ"י מכח האחד רו"ח בכל שבוע שיתן להזוג באם שיהיה שלום ואני ג"כ אכתב מכאן מכח המעות לר' יעקב נ"י והמעות הוא בטח שבודאי יתנו אחד רו"ח בכל שבוע עד שיבא חמיו נ"י כי זה המעות שנתנו לו היה אפילו באפן ח"ו בלא שלום לשלם עבורו בעד קעסט ור' יעקב בקש ממני שאם ישלם זה המעות אזי אלוה אצל אחותי תח' ואכתב לו והוא ישלח כל מה שאלוה ובפרט שעזר השי"ת השלום בודאי יקים דברו וישלח אחד רו"ח בכל שבוע רק בקשו אותנו לכתוב בכל עת מכתבים איך ומה ע"כ הישר שאתם תכתבו להם ואני ג"כ אכתב להם EN: And regarding what your father, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that I should write to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine, regarding the money — the right thing is that your father, may his candle shine, himself write a letter to Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, and to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — to give life to their souls regarding the peace of the young couple. And the greatness of this mitzvah is beyond measure. And particularly since Reb Yaakov wrote at the outset to your father, may his candle shine, regarding the one silver ruble — that each week he should give it to the couple, provided there is peace. And I too will write from here regarding the money to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. And the money — it is certain that they will give one silver ruble each week until the father-in-law, may his candle shine, comes. For the money that was given to him was — even in the case of — G-d forbid — no peace, to pay for board [קעסט — kest — Yiddish: the traditional post-wedding arrangement by which the bride's family provides the young couple with room, board, and sometimes a stipend for a fixed period; a standard institution in traditional Ashkenazi marriage agreements]. And Reb Yaakov asked of me: if this money is paid, then I should borrow from my sister, may she live, and write to him — and he will send whatever I borrow. And particularly since Hashem Yisbarach has helped with the peace — he will surely keep his word and send one silver ruble each week. Only they have asked us to write letters at all times — how and what. Therefore it is right that you write to them, and I too will write to them. Segment 6 HE: ואודות השדוך מה שכתבתם לי אין אני יודע איך תאמינו בזה שבא"י נמצא אחד שיתן אלף רו"ח ואתם לא תתנו כי אם מאה רו"ח היאמן כי יספר אך דברתי עם חותנכם מו"ה משה נ"י ואמר לי ששדכן אמר לו פיזמע שבירושלים נמצא גרושה ילדה שהיה לה בעל עלוי שבעלויים אך מחמת איזה סבה גרשו עצמם ולהכעיס אם יזדמן לו עולה גדול ויהיה לו ערך פחות ממה שהוא יתן ג"כ היה טוב ואני מבין שזה השי"ת יזמין לכם שדוך הגון עבורו ולא בגדולות ובנפלאות מכם EN: And regarding the marriage match — what you wrote to me: I do not know how you can believe this — that in Eretz Yisroel there is found someone who will give one thousand rubles, while you will give only one hundred rubles. Can such a thing be believed? Can such a thing be told? [היאמן כי יספר — an echo of Job 15:22; the incredulous refrain — "will it be believed when it is told?" — the writer uses it with gentle irony: this sounds too good to be true] But I spoke with your father-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine — and he told me that a matchmaker said to him — namely [פיזמע — pizme — Yiddish: "namely, that is to say, to wit" — an introductory marker introducing the specifics of what was said; another code-switch into Yiddish mid-Hebrew, as in vais ich nisht, der hust, and others throughout these letters] — that in Yerushalayim there is found a divorcée, a young woman [גרושה ילדה — "a divorced young woman" — as a divorcée her match-value was considered somewhat reduced, yet she was young and healthy], whose former husband was an iluy of iluyim [עלוי שבעלויים — "a prodigy of prodigies" — the superlative of iluy, a Torah genius of exceptional brilliance] — but for some reason they divorced each other. And out of spite [ולהכעיס — u'l'haChis — "and to spite, to vex, to provoke" — a stronger word than mere aggravation; the family would take a lesser match as a pointed act of spite: even with less money we find someone worthy; the word carries the full force of wounded pride asserting itself] — even if a great iluy were to present himself who would give somewhat less than what he would give, that too would be acceptable. And I understand from this that Hashem Yisbarach will bring you a suitable match for him — and not through great things and wonders beyond you [ולא בגדולות ובנפלאות מכם — an echo of Psalms 131:1: "my heart is not lifted up, nor my eyes raised too high; I do not pursue great things or wonders beyond me"; the writer counsels: do not chase the impossible or the overly grand; G-d will find the right match through more accessible means]. Segment 7 HE: ואני ראה מזה שהשי"ת מתאוה לתפילתכם והזמין לכם נכד שיח' לאיו"ש ואתם צריכים לגדל אותו לתורה ולחפה ולמעשים טובים ונתחדש אצלכם תפילה חדשה והשומע תפלות ישראל בודאי ישמע תפילתכם ויעזור לכם על הצד היותר טוב ואל שדי יתן לכם רחמים גדולים ויתהפך הכל לטובה בכח וזכות מי שאמר זה הצרוף כי אין לנו להשען כי אם על אבינו שבשמים ועל כח וזכות הצדיקים והם ימתיקו מאתנו כל הדינים הכל לטובה EN: And I see from this that Hashem Yisbarach yearns for your prayer — and He has brought you a grandson, may he live, for length of days and good years. And you must raise him to Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good deeds. And there has been renewed for you a new prayer — and the One Who hears the prayers of Israel will surely hear your prayer and help you in the very best manner. And El Shaddai [ואל שדי — "and the Almighty" — the divine Name associated with sufficiency and with the protection of the family; the Name placed on the mezuzah, guarding the home] should give you great mercies — and everything shall be turned to good, in the power and merit of the one who said this combination [בכח וזכות מי שאמר זה הצרוף — "in the power and merit of the one who said this combination" — tzeruf: a combination of holy letters or divine Names; the "one who said this combination" refers to Rabbainu ז"ל, who revealed the specific arrangement of divine Name and teaching that applies to this situation; the power of the Tzaddik's teaching is invoked as the merit that turns everything to good]. For we have nothing to lean upon except our Father in Heaven and the power and merit of the Tzaddikim — and they will sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us — all for good. Segment 8 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: As for news — there is none, only life and peace. Segment 9 HE: כה דברי הדוש"ת וחפץ הצלחתכם באמת EN: Thus — words of one who always seeks your good and desires your success in truth [כה דברי הדוש"ת וחפץ הצלחתכם באמת — הדוש"ת = ha'doresh shlomchem tamid — "the one who always inquires after your welfare"], Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Chukas, 5637 (summer 1877), from Teverya. The reconciliation of the young couple, careful financial accounting, advice on a marriage match, and the news of a new grandchild. # כב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/22/ כב כב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/22 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' בלק תרל"ז פה טבריה לכבוד ידידי האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד המשכיל כבוד מורנו ר' נתן נ"י ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום אנס"ו מאד בקשתי ממך להודיע לי אם קבלתם המעות מיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י סך עשר בישליקיס ואם לוית הסך שש וחצי בישליקיס שבקשתי ממך להלוות על חשבוני ואני אסלק לך אי"ה בחדש הבא יום א' מכתב ואם לאו אפשר לא רצית להלוות לי ג"כ תכתב לי וגם אני שולח עם מוסר כתב זה הטוליפ משועלים לר' נפתלי נ"י עם מוסר כתב זה ר' נתן ג"כ לכתוב לי אם קבלתם וגם אני שולח עם מוסר כתב זה סך ארבע פעסיר לר' קלמן נ"י המנחים בתוך הבלעד ע"כ תקבלו ממוסר כתב זה ולתן אותם לר' קלמן נ"י והוא יעשה עמהם מה שהוא יודע וגם להתפלל עבורי שזה חמשה ימים שיש לי כאב חצי הראש אשר כמה פעמים אין ביכלתי לסבל מחמת כאבי העצום ר"ל השי"ת ירפא אותי בתוך כלל ישראל חיש מהר ואולי יהיה לכם איזה ידיעה מאחיך נ"י מחו"ל תכף תודיעני זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ורב טוב ידידך החפץ הצלחתך הדוש"ת נתן מברסלב EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Balak [Parshas Balak — the portion containing Bilaam's attempted curses turned into blessings; it falls in late June or early July], 5637 [= summer 1877 CE] — here in Teverya. To the honor of my friend — the wondrous young Torah scholar, the veteran Chassid, the man of understanding [המשכיל — ha'maskil — "the one who understands, the enlightened one, the discerning scholar" — an additional honorific in this letter not present in the address of earlier letters; a mark of particular intellectual and spiritual recognition] — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. I have very much asked of you to inform me whether you received the money from Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — the sum of ten bishlikim — and whether you lent the sum of six and a half bishlikim that I asked of you to lend on my account. And I will settle with you, G-d willing, in the coming month — on the Sunday of the letter's arrival [יום א' מכתב — "the first Sunday of the letter" — meaning: the first Sunday after my next letter arrives; the repayment is tied to the sequence of correspondence — when my letter comes, I will settle on that Sunday; a conditional commitment tied to the arrival of news, not simply to a calendar date]. And a letter — and if not — if you did not wish to lend me, also write to me. And also I am sending with the bearer of this letter the tallis [הטוליפ משועלים — the tallis redeemed from the foxes, as mentioned in Letter 19; now finally dispatched after months of being held] — redeemed from the foxes — to Reb Naftali, may his candle shine. And Reb Nussun also — please write to me whether you received it. And also I am sending with the bearer of this letter the sum of four pesers [פעסיר — peser — a very small Ottoman coin, smaller than a para; the smallest unit of currency in use in this period] for Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — resting inside the folded letter-paper [המנחים בתוך הבלעד — "resting within the blead" — blead is the folded letter-paper itself serving as the wrapper and envelope for the coins; not a formal sealed envelope but the letter folded around the coins, holding them inside; and from the root נוח — to rest, to lie — the same tender word used throughout these letters for the sleeping sparks, the unreachable money, and the coins sent to Reb Kalman]. Therefore receive them from the bearer of this letter and give them to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and he will do with them what he knows [והוא יעשה עמהם מה שהוא יודע — exactly the same formula used in Letter 16 for what Rabbainu ז"ל will do with our joy: "Rabbainu ז"ל will do with it what he knows"; here applied to Reb Kalman — the writer trusts him completely to allocate even four tiny coins as he sees best; the same language for Reb Kalman as for Rabbainu ז"ל]. And also — please pray for me: for these five days I have had pain in half of my head [כאב חצי הראש — "pain in half of the head" — a severe one-sided headache, likely a migraine; described with precision; the writer has been suffering for five days] — which several times I am not able to bear because of my great pain — may the Merciful One save us [ר"ל — rachaman litzlan — the protective exclamation inserted mid-description, as in earlier letters]. May Hashem Yisbarach heal me in the midst of all of Israel, swiftly and soon. And perhaps you will have any news from your brother, may his candle shine, from outside the Land — inform me immediately. As for news — there is none — only life and peace and much goodness. Your friend, who desires your success and always seeks your good [ידידך החפץ הצלחתך הדוש"ת — הדוש"ת = ha'doresh shlomcha tamid — "the one who always seeks your welfare"], Nussun from Breslov 📜 # כג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/23/ כג כג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/23 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' תצא תרל"ז פה טבריא תו"ת ב"ב א"ס EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Ki Tetze [Parshas Ki Tetze — "When you go out to war" — the portion containing more commandments than any other; it falls in late August or early September, in the month of Elul before Rosh Hashana], 5637 [= late summer 1877 CE] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Omain Selah. Segment 2 HE: התולה ארץ על בלימה הוא ייטיב לנו הכתיבה והחתימה טובה EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 21 Segment 3 HE: לכבוד כל מאהבי נפשי ובפרט לכבוד ידידנו הרב הותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם המפלא ומפלג בתורה וביראה כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום בנו היקר או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל אנ"ש EN: May He Who suspends the earth upon nothingness [התולה ארץ על בלימה — from Job 26:7; G-d suspends the earth in the void with nothing beneath it — a striking image of absolute divine sovereignty; chosen here instead of the more common High Holiday blessing formula, drawing from the cosmic poetry of Job] bestow upon us a good inscription and a good sealing. Segment 4 HE: אחר דרישת שלומכם הטוב כמשפט באתי לתן תודה והודאה לפניכם לאל הגומל חסדים טובים אשר גמל עמנו הטוב והחסד EN: To the honor of all who love my soul — and in particular to the honor of our friend, the senior rabbi, the veteran Chassid, discerning and wise, wondrous and exceptional in Torah and in the fear of Heaven, the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with his son, our dear ohavainu, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — and together with peace upon all the Anash. Segment 5 HE: בעת נסיעתנו סמוך למחננו ערך שלשת רבעי שעה קדם ביאתנו נפלו עלינו רוצחים ושודדים ואשה אחת עם תינוקת נסעה באחרונה ומיקער אחד הלך אחריה ונפלו עליהם והכו את המיקער מכת רצח עד שנפלו שניו וגם האשה הכו והפילו אותה לארץ והיה גיוואלד גדול EN: After inquiring after your good welfare as is right and proper — I have come to give thanks and acknowledgment before you — to G-d Who bestows good acts of loving-kindness [לאל הגומל חסדים טובים — the precise liturgical formula of the HaGomel blessing, which opens with these very words] — for the goodness and for the loving-kindness He bestowed upon us [אשר גמל עמנו הטוב והחסד — "Who bestowed upon us the goodness and the loving-kindness" — two distinct divine gifts named separately: ha'tov — the goodness, the positive benefit received; and ha'chessed — the loving-kindness, the quality and manner of the giving; each deserves its own weight]. Segment 6 HE: ועל החמור השני נסע זה האיש שהיה בביתכם וגם אותו הפילו לארץ וקבלו החמור שלו עם כל החפצים ואני נסעתי לפני האיש הזה ואחותי תח' נסעה לפניו ונפל הרוצח עליה ג"כ והכה אותה ג"כ על היד ונפלה על הארץ כמעט סמוך לים והחמור שלה עם החפצים ברח לעיר ומחמת שאני צעקתי גיוואלד בצעקה גדולה ברחו לאחור הרוצחים ואני ושלשה נשים נשארתי לבדי והלכנו רגלי לעיר בפחד גדול וגם החמור שלי הולכתי בידי עד העיר ומשני החמורים האחרונים שדדו כל החפצים תכשיטין בעד ערך אלף וחמש מאות גר' ושדדו בכל החמורים הינוחי ובאנו לעיר בלילה EN: During our journey, close to our settlement — approximately three-quarters of an hour before our arrival — robbers and murderers [רוצחים ושודדים — "murderers and brigands" — both words together; not merely thieves but violent, dangerous men] fell upon us. And a woman with a baby girl [תינוקת — tinokes — specifically a female infant, a baby girl; not merely "an infant" but a girl-child; the feminine form is precise and deliberate] was traveling last in the group — and one donkey-driver [מיקער — meiker — a donkey-driver, a road-guide who walks alongside and leads the animals on the road; not a letter-courier but the person responsible for conducting the donkeys safely; the same word appears again below] was walking behind her — and they fell upon them: they beat the donkey-driver with deadly blows until his teeth fell out [מכת רצח עד שנפלו שניו — "with murderous blows until his teeth fell out" — a precise, unsparing description of the violence]. And they also beat the woman and threw her to the ground — and there was a great outcry [גיוואלד גדול — gevald — Yiddish: the standard cry of distress; embedded naturally mid-Hebrew sentence]. And on the second donkey rode the man who had been in your home — and they also threw him to the ground, and seized his donkey together with all his belongings. And I was riding ahead of this man, and my sister, may she live, was riding ahead of me — and the robber fell upon her as well and struck her too upon the hand, and she fell to the ground — almost close to the sea [כמעט סמוך לים — Tiberias sits on the shore of the Sea of Galilee; she fell so close to the water that had the attack gone differently she could have fallen in]. And her donkey together with her belongings fled to the city. And because I cried out gevald [גיוואלד — the Yiddish cry for help, a second time; the writer's shout of gevald is precisely what drove the robbers back — the same word he uses at the climax of Letter 24 addressed to his son-in-law] with a great shout — the robbers fled backward. And I and three women remained alone — and we walked on foot to the city in great fear. And also my donkey I led by hand all the way to the city. And from the two hindmost donkeys they looted all the belongings — ornaments and valuables worth approximately one thousand five hundred groshen — and from all the donkeys they took the panniers [הינוחי — di hinekhe or similar — the panniers or side-bags hung on the flanks of the donkeys for carrying goods; a regional or Yiddish term for this specific type of saddlebag; everything stored in them was seized]. And we arrived in the city at night. Segment 7 HE: ואחותי עשה השי"ת עמה שני נסים אחד שלא הכה אותה על הראש רק על ידים ועל גבה והשני שברח החמור שלה כי היה לה שם מעות מזמן ערך חמש מאות גר' וכל החפצים ואני ב"ה נצלתי מכל דבר וביום ו' הלכתי לביהמ"ד וברכתי ברכת הודאה וגם לפניכם אני נותן תודה הודאה להשי"ת והיסורים והפחדים יהיה לנו לכפרת עון וכל אהבנו יצלו מצרה הזאת לרוחה ויזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם בשורות טובות חיש מהר מכל המקומות EN: And upon my sister Hashem Yisbarach performed two miracles: one — that they did not strike her on the head, only on the hands and on the back. And the second — that her donkey fled — for she had upon it money from some time ago of approximately five hundred groshen, and all her belongings. And I — blessed be G-d — was saved from everything. And on Friday I went to the house of study and recited the blessing of thanksgiving [ברכת הודאה — the HaGomel blessing — recited publicly after surviving danger: a dangerous journey, illness, imprisonment, or similar peril; recited in the presence of a minyan]. And also before you I give thanks and acknowledgment to Hashem Yisbarach. And may the suffering and the fear serve as atonement for sin [יהיה לנו לכפרת עון — the writer does not rage at what happened but receives it as a spiritual opportunity; suffering endured atones and cleanses]. And may all our beloved be saved from such a trouble to spaciousness — and may Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you good tidings, quickly and soon, from all the places. Segment 8 HE: ועתה באתי לבקש מאת אהבי מו"ה נתן נ"י איך ששכחתי אצלכם הבריל שלי או באיזה ספר או על השלחן לשלח לי ע"י איש בטח ולכתוב לי מה היא עשה זוג' תח' עם בנך נ"י אם הקל חליו EN: And now I have come to request of my beloved Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine: I forgot at your home my glasses [הבריל שלי — di bril — Yiddish: "my glasses / spectacles"; a small domestic detail in the midst of drama — he left his spectacles during his stay] — either in some book or on the table — to please send them to me through a trustworthy person. And to write to me what the wife, may she live, has done regarding your son, may his candle shine [מה היא עשה זוג' תח' עם בנך נ"י — "what has she done — the wife, may she live — with your son, may his candle shine" — the question is specifically about what action she took, what she did in relation to the son's illness; not a general health inquiry but a report of her efforts and actions on his behalf] — whether the weight of his illness has lifted. Segment 9 HE: ואודות הבית מש"ב הוא שקר וש"ב מ' סאסיא היתה אצלי וקבלה הקויטל מהעסקה ואמרה שבעלה שלום עמה ובריאותה בשלמות רק שלפעמים בלילה מפחדת מן השנה EN: And regarding the house matter — the brother-in-law [מש"ב — min shver-ben — Yiddish: "from the father-in-law's son" — a brother-in-law; the same Yiddish code-switch as ש"ב in Letter 20] — it is a falsehood. And the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia was with me and received the document [הקויטל מהעסקה — "the note / document from the transaction" — a legal or financial document relating to the house matter] from the transaction. And she said that her husband is at peace with her, and her health is complete — only that sometimes at night she is frightened from sleep [a poignant domestic detail: amid all the legal matters and the robbery, a woman who sometimes wakes from fearful dreams]. Segment 10 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום וכט"ס EN: More news there is none — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Your friend who always seeks your good, Nussun from Breslov Segment 11 HE: ידידכם הדוש"ת EN: More news there is none — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your friend who always seeks your good, Nussun from Breslov # כד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/24/ כד כד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/24 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' לסדר כי תצא למלחמה ה' אלול תרל"ז פה טבריא EN: Tuesday, the Torah portion of Ki Tetze, the 5th of Elul, 5637 [= late August 1877 CE — the month of Elul, the month of repentance; Rosh Hashana is less than four weeks away; the urgency of this letter is inseparable from this moment in the calendar] — here in Teverya. [This letter is addressed to Reb Aizik — the writer's son-in-law — a different recipient from all previous letters. It is the longest and most emotionally charged letter in the collection.] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד בני היקר הנצמד בקירות לבבי ונחקק במחי וברוחי מו"ה איזיק נ"י עם שלום זוג' היא כלתי הצנועה והחסודה מ' קילא תח' עם שלום נכדתי מ' חיה לאנע תח' ונכדתי הנעימה מ' פיגלע תח' ונכדתי הצנועה מ' יענטא תח' ונכדי החביב והנעים מו"ה נפתלי משה נ"י ונכדי היקר וחביב מו"ה שמעון נ"י EN: To the honor of my dear son — joined to the walls of my heart and engraved in my mind and in my spirit [הנצמד בקירות לבבי ונחקק במחי וברוחי — three layers of the writer's inner being: the heart, the mind (moach), and the spirit (ruach); the son-in-law is embedded in all three — bonded, engraved, present] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife — she who is my daughter-in-law, the modest and the graceful [כלתי הצנועה והחסודה — two distinct feminine qualities: tznu'ah — modest, retiring; chasudah — gracious, full of lovingkindness] — Miriam Kilah, may she live — and with peace upon my granddaughter Miriam Chaya Lona, may she live, and my dear granddaughter Miriam Figeleh, may she live, and my modest granddaughter Miriam Yenta, may she live, and my beloved and pleasant grandson Morainu v'Rabbainu Naftali Moshe, may his candle shine, and my precious and beloved grandson Morainu v'Rabbainu Shimon, may his candle shine. [Each grandchild named individually with a specific term of endearment — beloved, pleasant, modest, dear, precious — each child seen and honored separately.] Segment 3 HE: וה' השומע טוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לכם הכתיבה והחתימה טובה עמכם ועם בני ובנותי ובניהם ובנותיהם ועם כל אחי ואחיותי הם ובניהם עם בנותיהם וכל בעליהם ונשותיהם בטוב בכל מכל כל בתוך כלל ישראל אנס"ו EN: And Hashem Who hears good and Who does good — may He bestow upon you a good inscription and a good sealing — upon you and upon my sons and daughters and their sons and daughters, and upon all my brothers and sisters, they and their sons with their daughters, and all their husbands and wives — in goodness, in everything, from everything, from all — in the midst of all of Israel. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: ב"ה פה אני וזוג' תח' ואמי תח' ואחותי ואנ"ש הדרים בצפת תו"ת ובירושלים תו"ת ב"ב אמן כלם בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ושלום דיקא והצלחה וברכה מתוך שלום אנס"ו EN: Blessed be G-d — here I and my wife, may she live, and my mother, may she live, and my sister — and the Anash who dwell in Tzfas and in Yerushalayim — all of them are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — and peace specifically [ושלום דיקא — "and peace — specifically, precisely" — the Aramaic-Yiddish emphatic particle dika: "particularly, precisely this and not merely the word"; the writer prays for real, genuine peace, not merely its name] — and success and blessing from within peace. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 5 HE: אחר דרישת שלומכם הטוב כמשפט באתי להודיעך ידידי בני שלא היה בדעתי לכתוב לך עוד מכתב עד אחר ר"ה הבא עלינו לטובה אך מכרח אני לכתוב לך מחמת גזרת אבי ז"ל שגזר עלי לכתוב לך ואספר לך מעשה EN: After inquiring after your good welfare as is right and proper — I have come to inform you, my friend my son, that it was not my intention to write you another letter until after the coming Rosh Hashana. But I am compelled to write to you — because of a decree of my father ז"ל [גזרת אבי ז"ל — "a decree of my father, of blessed memory" — the writer's own father appeared in a dream and decreed that this letter must be written; the word gezeirah — decree — is used for irrevocable rabbinic and divine rulings; the appearance lends this entire letter the authority of a transmission from beyond] who decreed upon me to write to you. And I will tell you a story. Segment 6 HE: מעשה שהיה כך היה אני נסעתי על יאר צייט מאבי ז"ל לעיר הקודש צפת תו"ת ושם נתמהמהתי שלשה עשר ימים מחמת שנסעתי לר' צבי וגם להיות ערב ראש חדש על ציון הק' של האר"י זיע"א ועל שאר ציונים הק' ובשבוע העבר ביום ב' וביום ד' וביום ו' ראיתי אבי ז"ל בחלום ואמר בדרך קובלנא שמעתי המחלקת שיש בין בני מיכל נ"י ובין נכדי שהוא בנך איזיק נ"י ואף שבגוף העסק מתחלה היה בנך צודק אך מחמת שהוא כפוי טובה איך שבני גדל אותו ולמד עמו ונשא אותו ועל זה היה קטרוג גדול עליו ואני עמדתי למליץ ולא הועיל אך המלצתי עליו בטענה אחת שהוא ידע בעת שישב בנו היכן בני זאב טמן עצמו מהגזרה ולא הגיד ונתנו לו ארכא ארבעה חדשים והיה צריך לי לילך לבנך איזיק נ"י לומר לתקן הדבר ועתה כשבאת על מקום שלי אני מודיע לך בכדי שלא אצטרך לילך מא"י לחו"ל ואתה תכתב לו שישוה עם בני מיכל נ"י על פי דת ודין ולא יהיה כפוי טובה ח"ו ואמר סימן שהחלום הוא אמת כי לפעמים דברי חלומות לא מעלין ולא מורידין וסימן אם הוא חלום אמת שתכף בבאך תשיג מכתב מבני מיכל נ"י מהעניות והדחקות שלו EN: The story was as follows: I traveled for the yahrtzeit of my father ז"ל to the Holy City of Tzfas — and there I lingered for thirteen days, because I traveled to Reb Tzvi and also to be there for the eve of the New Moon at the holy resting place of the holy Ari [האר"י זיע"א — Rabbi Yitzchak Luria; buried in Tzfas; the eve of the new month at his grave was a beloved Breslov practice] and the other holy resting places. And in the past week — on Monday and on Wednesday and on Friday [ביום ב' וביום ד' וביום ו' — three times in one week, on these three specific days; in kabbalistic reckoning these days are associated with particular spiritual dimensions; the triple appearance in succession is a deliberate pattern — the deceased father came three times to ensure the message would be received and acted upon] — I saw my father ז"ל in a dream. And he said, in the manner of a complaint: "I heard of the dispute that exists between my son Michoel, may his candle shine, and my grandson — who is your son Aizik, may his candle shine. And although in the substance of the matter at the outset your son was in the right — yet because he is an ingrate [כפוי טובה — kafui tovah — "one who has turned upside down the good done to him" — one who denies or ignores the goodness he received; the Talmud equates ingratitude with denial of G-d Himself; one of the most serious moral failings in Jewish ethics] — because my son raised him and taught him and bore his burdens — there was a great accusation against him. And I stood to advocate on his behalf and did not succeed. But I did advocate for him with one argument — that he knew, at the time when his son was staying there, where my son Zeev had hidden himself from the decree — and did not reveal it. And he was granted a postponement of four months. And I was required to go to your son Aizik, may his candle shine, to tell him to correct the matter. And now that you have come to my place, I am informing you — so that I should not need to go from Eretz Yisroel to the diaspora. And you write to him that he should make peace with my son Michoel, may his candle shine — according to law and judgment — and not be an ingrate, G-d forbid." And he said: the sign that this dream is true — for sometimes the words of dreams neither help nor harm — and the sign that it is a true dream is that immediately upon your arrival you will receive a letter from my son Michoel, may his candle shine, about his poverty and his dire straits. Segment 7 HE: וכך היה אני באתי לפה ביום א' שבוע זו ובאור הבקר בא מכתב מאחי מיכל נ"י בדבר גדול מגדל מרירות הדחקות שלו והעניות העובר עליו וגדל האכזריות שלך עליו מיום ב' בין המצרים וגדל הבזיונות שבזית אותו בביתו של ר' ברוך עד שבתי שינדל תח' ובתי אדל תח' בכו וחתני ברוך נ"י אמר לו שהוא מן הנעלבים ואינם עולבים שומעים חרפתם ואין משיבים ובתי הכתה עצמה על ראשה ואמרה לך למי אתה מבזה לאביך ולרבך ואמרה לך דבורים שח"ו כדאי לקרע עליהם שאפילו ח"ו למשה רבנו לא תשמע תקנת עצמך ולא ח"ו על ר"ה מחמת אפשר יאמר אין אתה עשה כשורה הגם שאיני מאמין כך אבל אעפ"כ נמצאו EN: And so it was: I arrived here on Sunday of this week — and at the very first light of dawn [ובאור הבקר — u've'or ha'boker — "and in the light of the morning" — the first brightening of the sky before sunrise, the earliest dawn light; the letter arrived at the very moment the new day began to lighten, fulfilling the sign of the dream with almost supernatural immediacy] there arrived a letter from my brother Michoel, may his candle shine — with a great and bitter account of the straits of his poverty, and the severity of his hardship that passes over him, and the great cruelty of your actions toward him from Monday of the Three Weeks [בין המצרים — "Between the Straits" — the three weeks of mourning between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av]. And the great humiliations with which you humiliated him in the home of Reb Boruch — until my daughter Sheindel, may she live, and my daughter Adel, may she live, wept — and my son-in-law Boruch, may his candle shine, said to him that he is among those who are humiliated and do not humiliate in return [מן הנעלבים ואינם עולבים — a Talmudic category from tractate Shabbos 88b: those who bear humiliation without responding; who hear their shame and do not answer; they are compared to the sun rising in its might], who hear their shame and do not respond. And my daughter struck herself on the head and said to you: whom are you shaming? Your father and your teacher! And she said words to you — G-d forbid — that deserve to be mourned over; that even G-d forbid — to Moshe Rabbainu you would not listen: to correct yourself — and G-d forbid — not even for Rosh Hashana. Although I do not believe such a thing — but even so, such words were said. Segment 8 HE: ובקצור כשקראתי המכתב נפלתי חלשות לערך שעה והיה בכיה גדולה וזוג' תח' ואמי תח' ואחותי תח' ובדחק הקימו אותי ע"כ בני ידידי אם אתה רוצה באמת שאחיה עוד ותשוה עם אחי כמו שתוכל להשוות ותאמין להשי"ת שלא יעזב אותך וימלא לך כל חסרונך אשר לפי דעתך הרב והבוררים מחסרים לך כי ערם יצאת מבטן אמך ואצל השי"ת אין עצור להושיע בין רב למעט ותקים לעשות הטוב והישר זו הפשרה EN: And to be brief about it [ובקצור — u'viktzur — "and in brief / to be short" — a rhetorical signal of deliberate compression; after pages of narrative the writer suddenly contracts; he cannot dwell on what follows] — when I read the letter I fainted for approximately one hour, and there was great weeping — and my wife, may she live, and my mother, may she live, and my sister, may she live — and with great difficulty they revived me. Therefore, my son my friend — if you truly want me to remain alive [אם אתה רוצה באמת שאחיה עוד — "if you truly want me to live yet more" — a raw, direct appeal: your behavior is literally killing me] — make peace with my brother as best you are able to make it. And believe in Hashem Yisbarach that He will not forsake you — and will fill all your deficiencies, which in your opinion the rabbi and the arbiters are shortchanging you — for "naked you came out of your mother's womb" [Job 1:21], and with Hashem Yisbarach there is no restraint between saving by many or by few. And fulfill the good and the right — this compromise. Segment 9 HE: ותאמין שאין אחד נוגע במה שמוכן לחברו ואיך אתה יכול לסבל בלבבך שאפילו לא יהיה אחי ידידך רק איש אחר אם ישב בכפר החקורות כזו אתה צריך לרחם עליו כי זה סימן ישראלי רחמנים גמלנים בישנים ובפרט דודך ובני דודך ואתה אהוב עמו עד לפני שני שנים כשני אחים אהובים וכבן לאב ואיך נהפך לבך בקרבך לאכזריות כזה EN: And believe that no one touches what is set aside for his companion [אין אחד נוגע במה שמוכן לחברו — a fundamental principle: what is destined for one person cannot be taken by another]. And how can you bear in your heart — even if he were not your brother, your beloved, but merely another person — if he lived in a desolate village in such need — you would need to have mercy on him! For this is a Jewish sign: "the merciful, the doers of kindness, the modest ones" [רחמנים גמלנים בישנים — the three defining qualities of Israel in the Talmud]. And particularly he is your uncle and your cousin — and you loved him until two years ago like two beloved brothers, and like a son to a father. And how has your heart turned within you to such cruelty? Segment 10 HE: ואפילו אם הוא אכזר נגדך אתה צריך להיות רחמן נגדו כי מתחלה עשה לך טובות הרבה ואין אתה צריך לשכח הטובה לעולם ואתה צריך לדון אותו לכף זכות כי מחמת דחקתו אשר לא הרגל בזה מעולם עשה עולה EN: And even if he acts cruelly toward you — you must be merciful toward him — for at first he did much good for you, and you must never forget the good — forever. And you must judge him to the side of merit — for on account of his pressing straits, which he has never been accustomed to, he acted wrongly. Segment 11 HE: ותדע בני שאם חס ושלום חס ושלום לא תשוה אתו ולא תעשו שלום באמת כמאז וכמקדם אזי ח"ו חס ושלום תתחרט כי חס ושלום חס ושלום אל תפתח פה לשטן ר"ל תאבד אותי ח"ו כי לא יכלתי עוד לסבל המכתבים והעגמת נפש וקול בכיות מאמי תח' ומאחותי תח' ואם תראה אותי לא תכיר אותי מחמת גדל הצער שהייתי בצפת תו"ת שאלו אותי אנ"ש מפני מה הזקנת כ"כ EN: And know, my son — that if — G-d forbid, G-d forbid — you do not make peace with him, and you do not make peace in truth as before and as of old — then — G-d forbid, G-d forbid, do not open a mouth to the adversary [אל תפתח פה לשטן — "do not open a mouth to the Satan" — a Talmudic principle: do not articulate what you fear; to name the danger invites it; the writer stops himself mid-thought and shifts] — may the Merciful One save us — you will destroy me, G-d forbid. For I can no longer bear the letters and the soul-grief [עגמת נפש — agmas nefesh — "soul-grief" — the deepest form of sorrow, afflicting the soul at its core; used in halachic contexts to describe suffering so profound it has legal weight; more than mere sadness] and the sound of weeping from my mother, may she live, and from my sister, may she live. And if you were to see me, you would not recognize me — from the great anguish I endured in Tzfas, where the Anash asked me: why have you aged so much? Segment 12 HE: בני בני בני בני בני בני בני רחם עלי ועליך ועל נפש עולליך וטפיך או לברח משם ואם אין אתה יכול לברח תשוה עצמך כמו שתוכל ואני בטוח בהשי"ת ובכח וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וזכות הצדיקים השוכנים בארץ הקודש ובכח התפלות שאתפלל עליך ועל זוג' ועל בניך היקרים שבודאי איך שתהיה רק בלי מחלקת בודאי לא יעזב אותך השי"ת וישפיע עליך כל הטוב סלה ותגדל עם זוג' תח' את בניך ובנותיך בהרחבה רק למען ה' תעשה לפנים משורת הדין ולהפך כל אכזריות לרחמנות באמת לסבל מה שהוא רוצה EN: My son, my son, my son, my son, my son, my son, my son [בני בני בני בני בני בני בני — the word "my son" repeated seven times — one of the most striking moments in the entire collection; the writer abandons all rhetorical strategy and simply cries out the word seven times, as a father broken open by love and anguish; seven is the number of completeness — he calls from the full depth of his fatherhood] — have mercy on me, and on yourself, and on the soul of your young children and your little ones. Either flee from there — and if you cannot flee, reconcile yourself as best you are able. And I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach and in the power and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple, and the merit of the Tzaddikim who dwell in the Holy Land — and in the power of the prayers that I will pray for you and for your wife and for your precious children — that surely however it goes — only without dispute — Hashem Yisbarach will surely not forsake you, and will pour upon you all goodness, Selah. And you shall raise your children and daughters with your wife, may she live, in spaciousness. Only — for the sake of Hashem — act beyond the letter of the law [לפנים משורת הדין — "inside the line of the law" — beyond what strict justice requires; from the fullness of the heart] — and turn all cruelty into mercy in truth — and endure what he wants, whatever is within your power to bear. Segment 13 HE: ע"כ איני יכול ואין אני גוזר דבר שאין יכולין לומר ואיך שתהיה יתן לך השי"ת פרנסה ותשליך כל השנאה והקנטור מלבך ותהפך לבבך לאהבה לדודך ולבני דודך כי אני יודע שאהבת אותם אהבת נפש ואני כתב לך כל זה בגזרת אביך זקנך זצוק"ל שהוא אהב אותך כאב לבן ואתה תבקש מאת אחי זאב נ"י שהוא יעשה שלום ביניכם באמת בלי שום ערמה ובלי עוד שום טוען ומשיב ודין ודברים רק באמת כמאז וכמקדם מה ששיך לאחי יהיה שיך לו ומה ששיך לך יהיה לך EN: Therefore I cannot — and I do not issue a decree for something that cannot be said. However things are — may Hashem Yisbarach give you livelihood. And cast away from your heart all the hatred and the spirit of contention [והקנטור — ha'kantur — from the Latin contentio: contention, the habitual disposition to quarrel and provoke; not merely quarreling but the constant needling and stirring of conflict — "contentiousness" or "the spirit of provocation"; distinct from hatred: one is the emotion, the other is the behavioral pattern of constant picking of arguments] — and turn your heart toward love — toward your uncle and toward your cousins. For I know that you loved them with a soul-love. And I have written all this to you by the decree of your grandfather — your great-grandfather ז"ל, who loved you as a father loves a son. And you should ask of my brother Zeev, may his candle shine, that he make peace between you in truth — without any cunning, and without any more pleading and responding, and disputing and debating — only in truth, as before and as of old. What belongs to my brother — let it be his. And what belongs to you — let it be yours. Segment 14 HE: ומזה שאתה ראה לפעמים שאני כתב לאחי דברים חדודים מזה לא תקשה ערפך כי אליו אני צריך לכתוב כך אבל אתה איך שכחת הטובות שעשה עמך מתחלת ביאתך איך קרב אותך ואיך קבל אותך בשמחה ואיך למד עמך ואיך נשא אותך ונסע לחמיך ז"ל לעשות גמר על החתנה שנסע על הרים וגבעות שאתה בעצמך ספרת לי למה אתה רוצה לדחות אותו מהכפר וכי כך הישר הלא הוא אבד כל הונו ורכושו עבור חמיו ואח"כ נתן לו מעות חזקה EN: And from the fact that you sometimes see me write sharp words to my brother — do not harden your neck on this account — for to him I need to write in that manner. But you — how did you forget the goodnesses he did for you from the time of your first arrival: how he drew you close, and how he received you with joy, and how he studied with you, and how he bore your burdens — and traveled to your father-in-law ז"ל to finalize the engagement, traveling over mountains and over hills [שנסע על הרים וגבעות — "who traveled over mountains and hills" — an echo of Song of Songs 2:8: "behold, he comes leaping over the mountains, skipping upon the hills"; Michoel's journey to arrange the engagement was heroic, love-driven effort — the writer invokes the language of the beloved leaping toward his love to describe his brother's dedication] — as you yourself told me? Why do you want to push him out of the village? And is this right? Has he not lost all his wealth and possessions for the sake of his father-in-law — and afterward gave him the money of chazakah [מעות חזקה — chazakah money — money establishing legal ownership or tenancy rights; a substantial sum paid to secure a claim of residence]? Although you too have your claim — that you sit in such [difficulty]. But you come from his strength. Has there not been a Single One Who watches — from Whom nothing is hidden? And one must fear Him, may He be blessed, and be abashed before Him — to act in truth and in wholeness. And it is written: "and you shall be clean before Hashem and before Israel" [Numbers 32:22]. And it is written: "and you shall come to the judge" — and Rashi explains: "you have none other but the judge of your own generation." [Rashi on Deuteronomy 17:9] And particularly — your three arbiters write to me thus: "G-d stands in the assembly of the mighty" [Psalms 82:1]. Segment 15 HE: הגם שאתה ג"כ יש לך טענה שאתה יושב כ"כ אבל אתה בא מכחו הלא יש יחיד המשגיח ומאתו לא נעלם שום דבר וצריך להתירא מפניו יתברך ולהתביש מפניו לעשות באמת ותמים וכתוב והייתם נקיים מה' ומישראל וכתיב ובאת אל השופט ופרש רש"י אין לך אלא בשופט שבימיך ובפרט שלשה בורריך כותבים אלי כך אלהים נצב בעדת אל EN: Gevald, my son [גיוואלד — Yiddish: the cry of distress bursts into the Hebrew again; the same word the writer shouted at the robbers in Letter 23, now aimed at his son's heart], may his candle shine — Jews give their souls and their money for the sake of Hashem — even the frivolous and the empty-headed [קלי עולם — kalei olam — "the light-weights of the world" — the frivolous, the spiritually empty, those of no substance; the contempt is pointed: even people who are hollow and trivial sacrifice themselves for G-d, yet you — a person of Torah and substance — fail to do so over a money concern]! And you, on account of a concern about a loss of livelihood, you transgress the command of G-d. And particularly the destruction of the Second Temple was on account of baseless hatred [שנאת חנם — sinas chinam — the Talmud's explanation for why the Second Temple was destroyed]. And particularly toward your uncle who drew you close and raised you — from whom you surely received even one letter's teaching — and you must call him your teacher, your guide, and your intimate [רבי אלופי ומידעי — a phrase from Psalms 55:14 describing the closest of friends and teachers]. And you must treat him with honor — and the loss of one's teacher takes precedence over the loss of one's father [a Talmudic principle from tractate Bava Metzia]. Segment 16 HE: גיוואלד בני נ"י יהודים מוסרים נפשם וממונם בשביל השי"ת ואפילו קלי עולם ואתה מחמת חשש חסרון פרנסה אתה עובר על מצות האל ובפרט חרבן בית שני היה מחמת שנאת חנם ובפרט נגד דודך אשר קרב אותך וגדל אותך אשר בודאי קבלת מאתו אות אחת ואתה צריך לקראו רבי אלופי ומידעי וצריך לנהג בו כבוד ואבדת רבו קודמת לאבדת אביו EN: Therefore, my son my friend my beloved — whom I love with a soul-love — and I desire your success in truth, with great wealth — and I do not desire money of robbery near you — when the rabbi and two arbiters have said thus, believe that thus said the Holy One, blessed be He. And surely what will be lacking from you on account of the arbiters' ruling — Hashem Yisbarach will surely fill for you from another place — in double and redoubled abundance. And do not harden your heart against your impoverished brother — "and from your own flesh do not hide" [Isaiah 58:7]. See Rashi's commentary on the Torah portion Re'eh, chapter 15, verse 7. And also see Rashi on verse 9. [Deuteronomy 15:7 and 15:9 — the obligation to give generously to the poor; Rashi's explanation of "your brother" and "your hand" and "your heart" directly applies to this situation] Segment 17 HE: ע"כ בני ידידי אהובי אשר אני אהב אותך אהבת נפש ואני חפץ הצלחתך באמת בעשר רב ואין אני חפץ מעות גזלות אצלך וכשהרב ושני בוררים אמרו כך תאמין שכך אמר הק' ברוך הוא ובודאי מה שיהיה נחסר מאתך מחמת הפסק דין של הבוררים בודאי ימלא לך השי"ת ממקום אחר בשפע כפולה ומכפלת ואל תאמץ לבך מאחיך האביון ומבשרך אל תתעלם עין רש"י פרוש הפסוק בפ' ראה בקפיטל ט"ו פסוק ז' גם עין ברש"י פסוק ט' EN: And I cannot understand how you can hold yourself back — while you spread through all the village — and he has not a loaf of bread. If you do not have mercy on him, you must have mercy on his small children — are they not my very flesh and bone? Consider this well, my child — is this right? [בעטראכט זיך גוט מיין קינד צי סע רעכט אזוי — Yiddish: "Ba'trach zikh gut mayn kind, tsi ze rekht azoy" — "Consider this well, my child — is this right, is it so?" — the writer breaks into Yiddish for this most direct of parental appeals; the intimate vernacular carries what the sacred language cannot at this moment] And particularly Hashem Yisbarach hates dispute and loves peace — for the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He, is Peace. And it is worth giving one's soul and one's money for the honor of Hashem. And I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that you will not lose at all — as it is written: "there is one who scatters and yet increases more" [Proverbs 11:24]. And Hashem Yisbarach will fill your deficiency — and G-d willing you will see the salvation of Hashem with you. Segment 18 HE: ואין אני יכול להבין איך אתה יכול להתאפק שאתה תתפזר בכל הכפר והוא לא יהיה לו פת לחם אם אין אתה מרחם עליו אתה צריך לרחם על בניו הקטנים הלא עצמי ובשרי הם בעטראכט זיך גוט מיין קינד צי סע רעכט אזוי בפרט השי"ת שונא המחלקת ואהב שלום כי שמו של הק' ברוך הוא שלום וכדאי בעבור כבוד ה' למסור נפשך וממונך ואני בטוח בהשי"ת שבודאי לא תפסיד כלל כמו שכתוב יש מפזר ונוסף עוד והשי"ת ימלא לך חסרונך ואי"ה תראה ישועות ה' עמך EN: And do this for the sake of the commandment of honoring your father, may his candle shine, and your mother, your grandmother. For believe me, my son — we no longer have the strength to bear their letters. And my brother Zeev does not write to me at all — for I have become a stranger to my brother. And do this for the sake of your grandfather, your great-grandfather ז"ל. Segment 19 HE: ותעשה למען מצות כבוד אביך נ"י ואמך זקנתך כי תאמין לי בני שאין עוד בכחנו לסבל המכתבים שלהם ואחי זאב אין כתב לי כלל כי מוזר הייתי לאחי ועשה זאת בשביל אביך זקנך EN: And communicate all this to my brother Zeev, may his candle shine — and pour out your heart before him, all that you are unable to bear in your strength — perhaps he will ease some of it from you. And I ask of him to have mercy on me — and make peace in truth, fair to both sides. And I promise him, with the help of G-d the Great and the Awesome Whose Name is Peace — that if he makes a true peace, the peace will be for him a vessel that holds blessing [כלי מחזיק ברכה — "a vessel that holds blessing" — the Talmudic teaching: peace is the vessel in which all blessing is contained; there is no blessing without peace; make peace and it will gather all your scattered fortunes] — to gather all his scattered ones — and he will succeed in his possessions and will have spaciousness from both sides. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on my brother Zeev, may his candle shine — and expand him in every kind of expansion. And may He have mercy on our elderly and very, very weak mother — and on me as well, who have become very, very weak — my hands tremble from my weakness. And may He find the fair middle path between both sides in truth — and may it be reckoned with him as it ought to be reckoned when making a fair settlement between two people, as truth demands. Segment 20 HE: ותמסר לאחי זאב נ"י ותפרש שיחתך לפניו כל מה שאתה אין יכול לסבל בכחך אפשר יקל מעליך ואני מבקש אותו שירחם עלי ויעשה שלום באמת השוה לשני הצדדים ואני מבטיח לו בעזר האל הגדול והנורא אשר שמו שלום שאם יעשה שלום אמתי יהיה השלום לו כלי מחזיק ברכה לקבץ כל פזרונו ויצליח בנכסיו ויהיה לו הרחבות משני הצדדים והשי"ת ירחם על אחי זאב נ"י וירחיב לו בכל מיני הרחבות וירחם על אמנו הזקנה והחלושה עד מאד מאד ועלי ג"כ שנחלש כחי מאד מאד שידי רותתין מחמת חלשתי וימצא הצד השוה לשני הצדדים באמת לאמתו ויהיה נחשב אצלו כמו שצריך להשוות שני אנשים זרים כפי האמת EN: And you too, my son — yield from your share all that you are able in your strength — so that there should be peace between you. And I believe that your life will be set right — good lives. And also der agradnik vet zich oich af zikhn [Yiddish: "the farming plot / the agricultural concern will also sort itself out" — agradnik from the Polish ogrodnik: a gardener, a smallholder; the agricultural land at the heart of the dispute will resolve itself]. And study in the book of Middos [Sefer HaMidos — "The Book of Character Traits" — compiled by Rabbainu ז"ל; organized alphabetically by character quality], the letter Quarrel and the letter Money — and there you will see the great damage of dispute. Segment 21 HE: וגם אתה בני תותר משלך כל מה שתוכל בכחך בכדי שיהיה שלום ביניכם ואני מאמין שיתתקן אצלכם החיים טובים וגם דער אגראדניק וועט זיך אויך אפ זיכן ותלמד בספר המדות אות מריבה ואות ממון ושם תראה גדל פגם המחלקת EN: And read my letter several times — and each time pray to Hashem Yisbarach that you should be able to fulfill my letter; that Hashem Yisbarach help you to overcome your inclination and to subdue it [ולכף אותו — velichof oso — "and to subdue it, to press it down" — from the root kefiyah — compulsion, forcible subjugation; not merely to bend but to overpower the evil inclination and press it down toward peace; a stronger act than mere moderation] — only toward peace. And there will be peace for you and for your father and for your precious children — peace in their bodies and peace in their money and peace in their Torah. For you fulfill the Torah: "and you shall love your neighbor as yourself" — this is the great principle of the Torah — and it is all the Torah. [Rabbi Akiva's teaching from Sifra: "this is the great principle of the Torah" [Leviticus 19:18]; the entire dispute is framed within this ultimate commandment] Segment 22 HE: ותקרא המכתב שלי כמה פעמים ובכל פעם תתפלל להשי"ת שתוכל לקים מכתבי שיעזור לך השי"ת להתגבר על יצרך ולכף אותו רק לשלום ויהיה שלום לך ולאביך ולבניך היקרים שלום בגופם ושלום בממונם ושלום בתורתם כי תקים התורה כי ואהבת לרעך כמוך הוא כלל גדול בתורה והוא כל התורה EN: And on account of my great confidence in your love for me — and also because it is now the days of the holy Rosh Chodesh Elul, when we must prepare ourselves for the Day of Judgment — I have been brief and say peace. Segment 23 HE: ומחמת גדל בטחוני מאהבתך אותי וגם מחמת שעתה הוא הימים של ראש חדש אלול הק' שצריכין להכין עצמנו ליום הדין קצרתי ואמר שלום EN: Your father who pleads on your behalf at all times and desires peace — for there is a mouth [שיש לו פה — "who has a mouth" — meaning: who will speak and plead on your behalf; the writer's prayer is the mouth pleading for you] — and who always seeks your good, and desires your success in truth — and hopes for your reply together, as before and as of old — and awaits to hear that you were all at Rosh Hashana in Uman, within the holy gathering. Segment 24 HE: אביך המעתיר בעדכם בכל עת וחפץ שלום שיש לו פה ודוש"ת וחפץ הצלחתכם באמת ומקוה לתשובתכם ביחד כמו מאז ומקדם ומצפה לשמע שהיו כלכם על ר"ה באומן בתוך קבוץ הק' EN: The small one, Segment 25 HE: הקטן EN: And this letter I am sending to you with "a seal within a seal" — so that no other person will read it. And if your uncle truly wants peace in truth — without any cunning — and what is within your power to bear, bear it for the sake of peace. And if perhaps he wants something that is entirely beyond your power to bear — I do not issue a decree upon you, G-d forbid, G-d forbid. Only — for the sake of Hashem — from now on do not shame him. And bear all the shames with which he shames you — and do not respond to him with anything whatsoever — at all and at all. Segment 26 HE: נתן בן אדוני אבי מורי ורבי מו"ה יהודה זללה"ה EN: Nussun son of my master my father my teacher and my Rebbe, Morainu v'Rabbainu Yehuda [זללה"ה] Segment 27 HE: ומכתב אני שולח לך ב'חותם בתוך חותם' שלא יקרא שום אדם אותו ואם דודך רוצה שלום באמת בלי שום ערמה ומה שבכחך לסבל תסבל למען השלום ואפשר הוא רוצה דבר שאין כלל בכחך לסבל אין אני גוזר עליך ח"ו ח"ו רק למען ה' מעתה לא תבזה אותו ותסבל כל הבזיונות שיבזה אותך ולא תשיב לו שום דבר כלל וכלל EN: A sealed note within the letter: [ב'חותם בתוך חותם' — "sealed within a seal" — a doubly sealed letter within the letter, so that no one but the addressee can read it; from rabbinic law regarding confidential letters] And this letter I am sending to you with "a seal within a seal" — so that no other person will read it. And if your uncle truly wants peace in truth — without any cunning — and what is within your power to bear, bear it for the sake of peace. And if perhaps he wants something that is entirely beyond your power to bear — I do not issue a decree upon you, G-d forbid, G-d forbid. Only — for the sake of Hashem — from now on do not shame him. And bear all the shames with which he shames you — and do not respond to him with anything whatsoever — at all and at all. # כה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/25/ כה כה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/25 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' לך לך תרל"ח פה טבריה תו"ת ב"ב EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Lech Lecha [Parshas Lech Lecha — "Go, go forth" — the portion of Avraham's call to leave his homeland and travel to the Land of Israel; it falls in late October or November], 5638 [= autumn or winter 1877–78 CE — a new year; the first letter of 5638] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ הלא הוא הותיק וחסיד האברך המשכיל מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' וכל ב"ב עם שלום אביך נ"י ועם שלום זוג' תח' ולכל אנ"ש בכלל ופרט EN: To the honor of our ohavainu — why, it is the veteran Chassid, the wondrous young Torah scholar, the man of understanding — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and all the members of his household — and together with peace upon your father, may his candle shine, and upon his wife, may she live — and to all the Anash, each and every one in general and in particular. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל כלנו בחיים ושלום אך לא בקו הבריאה בשלמות כי זוג' תח' יש לה כאב עינים השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה וכן יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם ומכל אנ"ש בתוך כלל ישראל בחיים ושלום EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us are in life and in peace — but not fully in the way of health [אך לא בקו הבריאה בשלמות — a careful qualification: they are alive and at peace, but the writer's wife is not well] — for my wife, may she live, has pain in her eyes. May Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing. And may Hashem Yisbarach likewise merit me to hear from you and from all the Anash — in the midst of all of Israel — life and peace. Segment 4 HE: אחר דרישת שלומכם הטוב באהבה רבה באתי לבקש מאתך תכף כראות כתב זה תכתב לי מכתב איך ששלחתי לך על החוב שלך סך מאה ושמונה עשר גר' מעות טבריא עם מכתב אצל החלפן ר' אלטיר בן ר"ש וכך שמו זה שני שבועות ואין לי שום מכתב ממך ויש לי יסורים גדולים מזה ע"כ בין כך ובין כך תכתב לי מכתב לידע איך להתנהג וגם תכתב לי אם קבלת המכתב ששלחתי לך ע"י הכולל EN: After inquiring after your good welfare with great love [אחר דרישת שלומכם הטוב באהבה רבה — "after inquiring after your good welfare — with great love" — the phrase באהבה רבה — "with great love" — is explicit in the Hebrew and names the quality of the inquiry itself: this is not a perfunctory formula but a reaching-out from genuine and great love] — I have come to ask of you: immediately upon seeing this letter, write to me — for I sent to you regarding your debt the sum of one hundred and eighteen groshen of Tiberias currency — together with a letter — to the money-changer [החלפן — the money-changer who exchanged currencies between the various coins in circulation in Ottoman Palestine] Reb Altir son of Reb Sh. — and that was two weeks ago, and I have no letter from you at all. And I have great suffering from this. Therefore — whether this way or that way [בין כך ובין כך — "whether this way or that way" — not merely "in any case" but specifically naming both possibilities: whether the money arrived or did not arrive, whether things went well or badly — in either case, write; the writer names both branches of the uncertainty] — write to me a letter so that I should know how to conduct myself. And also write to me whether you received the letter I sent you through the kollel [הכולל — the communal organization of the Jewish community in Eretz Yisroel that maintained the distribution of funds and correspondence from diaspora communities]. Segment 5 HE: תכף לכתוב ע"י ר' חיים יהושע לר' דב נ"י ולא ע"י זידיל כי לא רצה לתן לי המכתב ורק לתן לו אחד 20 וחוץ שלא היה לי חוץ מזה אצלנו א"א להשיג אחד 20 וכשאקבל מכתב ממך אכתב לך באריכות כי יש לי כמה דברים לכתוב לך אך מחמת נחיצת מוסר כתב זה קצרתי ואמר שלום EN: Write back immediately — through Reb Chaim Yehoshua — to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and not through Zeidel, for he did not want to give me the letter unless I gave him one coin of 20, and aside from the fact that I had nothing — beyond this, it is impossible to obtain a coin of 20 here. And when I receive a letter from you, I will write to you at length — for I have several matters to write to you. But on account of the urgency of dispatching this letter I have been brief — and say peace. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת השמח בשמחת בריאות אחיך היקר נ"י השי"ת ישמרהו מעתה מכל מיני חלאים ויחזיר לו השי"ת הונו ורכושו חיש מהר EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who rejoices in the joy of the recovery of your dear brother, may his candle shine [השמח בשמחת בריאות אחיך היקר — the recipient's brother has recovered from an illness; the writer rejoices with him in this]. May Hashem Yisbarach guard him from this time forth from all kinds of illness — and may Hashem Yisbarach swiftly return to him his wealth and possessions. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ידידך EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Lech Lecha, 5638 (autumn or winter 1877–78), from Teverya. A new year. A short, urgent, practical letter — a money transfer unacknowledged, the courier Zeidel demanding payment, and the writer's wife has eye pain. But the closing brightens: the recipient's brother has recovered. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # כו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/26/ כו כו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/26 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ויצא תרל"ח פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Monday, the Torah portion of Vayetzei [Parshas Vayetzei — "And he went out" — Yaakov's flight from home, the vision of the ladder, the years of labor for Lavan; it falls in November or early December], 5638 [= November or December 1877 CE] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ונפשי קשורה בנפשו הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך או"נ הותיק והחסיד מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י EN: To the honor of our ohavainu — and my soul is bound to his soul [ונפשי קשורה בנפשו — "and my soul is bound to his soul" — the direction matters: it is the writer's soul that reaches toward and binds itself to the recipient's; the writer is the one doing the binding, his soul reaching across the distance in active attachment] — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your father, our ohavainu, the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם בשורות טובות החיים והשלום מכל אחד ואחד מאנ"ש מהם ומבני ביתם בבריאותם בשלמות אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — here all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you and from all the Anash — every single one, they and the members of their households — good tidings, life and peace, in complete health. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מיום ב' תולדות קבלתי ביום ה' הנ"ל ותמיה גדולה לי מה שלא קבלת המכתב שלי מב' חיי שרה ששלחתי לך ע"י ר' דב לר' חיים יהושע נ"י והוא שלח המכתב שלי ביום ד' הנ"ל ע"י המכתבים בצרוף לשלח לר' חיים יהושע נ"י ואין אני יודע שום פרוש על זה מה זה שלא נתן לך המכתב ושם כתבתי לך אודות המעות שנשאר לך מהסך מאה שלשה גר' ואחד בישליק שהייתי חיב לך ונשאר אצלך עוד 1014 גר' ועוד בקשתי מאתך להלוות על חשבון אחותי חצי בישליק ויהיה בסך הכל שבעה עשר וחצי גר' EN: Your letter from Monday of Toldos I received on the Thursday mentioned. And I am greatly surprised that you did not receive my letter from Monday of Chaiyei Sarah — which I sent to you through Reb Dov to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, and he dispatched my letter on Wednesday through the postal channels, forwarded to Reb Chaim Yehoshua — and I have no explanation whatsoever for why the letter was not given to you. And there I wrote to you about the money — what remains from the sum of one hundred and three groshen and one bishlik that I owed you: there remains with you still 1014 groshen. And further I asked of you to lend on account of my sister half a bishlik — making the total seventeen and a half groshen. Segment 5 HE: ותעשה מהם כך אחד גר' טוב תתן לאשת ר' איזיק נ"י ואחד גר' טוב לר' מאיר נ"י ואחד בישליק לר' דב שוחט ובודק נ"י ונשאר אצלך עוד ערך תשעה גר' תחלק מחצה לר' מאיר נ"י ומחצה לר' איצילע נ"י ועוד כתבתי לך הרבה דברים המכרחים לי לידע ממך אם לא היה איזה מכתב מחמיך וממחתנכם ר' צבי נ"י ואם היה אצלכם איזה מכתב מידידנו הנגיד ר' אבאלע נ"י וגם מאיזה טעם המחלקת מאחיך היקר ישראל אריה נ"י השי"ת ישלח לו רפואה שלמה לנצח עם חותנו ר' צבי נ"י EN: And from these do thus: one good grosh [גר' טוב — a "good grosh" — a full-weight, genuine coin; the qualifier "good" was important in an era of debased coinage] give to the wife of Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And one good grosh to Reb Meir, may his candle shine. And one bishlik to Reb Dov the ritual slaughterer and examiner, may his candle shine. And what remains — approximately nine groshen — divide half to Reb Meir, may his candle shine, and half to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine. And further I wrote to you many things that I must urgently know from you — whether there is any letter from your father-in-law and from your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, and whether you had any letter from our friend the nagid Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine. And also for what reason there is dispute from your dear brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing — to prevail peacefully with his father-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. Segment 6 HE: וגם אם תכתב איזה מכתב לחמיך נ"י תכתב עבורי מכתב לגיסך נתן נ"י או לחמיך נ"י שהם יראו לקבל איזה מכתב מבתי ומחתני ומבני זוג' בלי שום תרוץ כי כבר כשל כח הסבל מהבכיות והצער של זוג' תח' כי אפילו הבשורה טובה שכתבת לי מאחיך נ"י ורקדתי מחמת שמחה בצנעה ולא הודעתי לה כי אני אמר שגם אתם אין לכם שום מכתב משם ובזה אני מעט מנחם לצערה EN: And also if you are writing some letter to your father-in-law, may his candle shine — write on my behalf a letter to your brother-in-law Nussun, may his candle shine, or to your father-in-law, may his candle shine — that they should see to obtaining some letter from my daughter and from my son-in-law and from my wife's sons — without any excuse. For the strength to endure has already faltered [כבר כשל כח הסבל — kvar kashal koach ha'sevel — "the strength to bear has already stumbled / given way" — the word kashal means to stumble, to falter, to have one's legs give way under one; not a sudden collapse but the gradual failing of the capacity to endure, like someone whose knees buckle beneath them] from the weeping and grief of my wife, may she live. For even the good tidings you wrote to me about your brother, may his candle shine — I danced from joy in private [ורקדתי מחמת שמחה בצנעה — "and I danced from joy — in private, in concealment" — the writer received good news and danced with joy, alone, in secret, so his wife would not see his joy and ask questions that would lead to her learning more painful truths] — and I did not inform her. For I told her that you too have no letter from there [כי אני אמר שגם אתם אין לכם שום מכתב משם — the writer did not merely withhold the news from her; he actively told her a specific comforting falsehood: "you too have nothing from that direction" — so she would feel less alone in the silence; a small mercy performed at cost to his own honesty] — and in this way I comfort her a little in her grief. Segment 7 HE: וגם כתבתי זה שלשה שבועות מכתב לבני נרם יאיר וגם לחמיך נ"י מטראויצע וכתבתי עבורכם מכתב ואני מוכיח חמיך וחמותך תח' מאד במכתבי עבורכם ע"כ אני מבקש מאתך שתכתב אתה בקשה עבורי כי אין אני יודע עוד איך לכתוב כי מחג הפסח בודאי כתבתי שבעה מכתבים ואין קול ואין עונה EN: And also I wrote three weeks ago a letter to my sons, may their candles shine, and also to your father-in-law, may his candle shine, in Troyits — and I wrote on your behalf a letter — and I greatly admonish your father-in-law and mother-in-law, may she live [ואני מוכיח חמיך וחמותך תח' מאד — "and I greatly admonish / rebuke your father-in-law and your mother-in-law" — the word mokhiach means to formally admonish and rebuke; it is the act of tokhechah — the Torah obligation to reprove one's fellow; this is not merely scolding but a formal moral act, and me'od — greatly — intensifies it: the writer performs this tokhechah in full measure] in my letter on your behalf. Therefore I ask of you — write yourself a request on my behalf — for I no longer know how to write. For from Passover — certainly I wrote seven letters, and there is no voice and no response [אין קול ואין עונה — an echo of Elijah's taunt of the priests of Baal at Mount Carmel [I Kings 18:26]: "there was no voice and none answered"; the silence feels as empty and frightening as that of a false god]. Segment 8 HE: וגם שם במכתבי ששלחתי לך ביום ב' הנ"ל כתבתי לך אודות ר' קלמן נ"י ג"כ איך שעד ראש חדש חשון לא היה לו שכן ומראש חדש חשון יש לו שכן ואני קבלתי אלי כל ספרי רבנו ז"ל והטארבע עם גרייט והמידנצע והקווארט וגליזיר ובוטל עם פלעשיר והלאמפ והמותר נשאר אצלו וגם אם נשאר אצלו וגם אם יהיה לו איש בטח שאוכל לשלח הטוליפ שלו והגרייט יכתב לי עם מי לשלח ואשלח לו EN: And also there in my letter that I sent you on the said Monday — I wrote to you about Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — how until the first of Cheshvan he had no neighbor, and from the first of Cheshvan he has a neighbor. And I received from him all the books of Rabbainu ז"ל, and the table with the ready-state [הטארבע עם גרייט — di tarbe mitn greyt — Yiddish: "the table with its fittings / readiness" — the table together with whatever was prepared and fitted upon or with it], and the sideboard [והמידנצע — di midentsye — Yiddish: a sideboard or buffet cabinet], and the quarter-chest [והקווארט — der kvart — Yiddish: a quarter-sized chest or crate], and the glazed vessel with the flasks [וגליזיר ובוטל עם פלעשיר — glazir un botl mitn flesher — Yiddish: a glazed container and a bottle together with flasks], and the lamp. And the remainder stayed with him. And also if there is a trustworthy person through whom I can send his tallis and the table-fitting — let him write to me through whom to send, and I will send it to him. Segment 9 HE: וגם תכתב מה עשה זוג' תח' וגם ר' דב נ"י וגם אשת ר' נחמן נ"י כי כבר כתבתי כמה פעמים לכתוב לי מאשת ר' נחמן ואין לי שום ידיעה ויש לי יסורים גדולים מזה EN: And also write what the wife, may she live, did. And also Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And also the wife of Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — for I have already written several times to write to me about the wife of Reb Nachman, and I have no news at all — and I have great suffering from this. Segment 10 HE: וגם איך ששמעתי בכאן שהקאנצילאטין אשר ממצרים הם טובים וקבלו אנשי מחננו עבורם בשבוע העבר העסקא ע"כ תכתב לי מהיכן הם הקאנצילאטין שלכם אולי יצמח לכם ג"כ איזה ישועה ותחיו נפשי כי האמר לעולמו די יאמר לצרותיכם ג"כ די ומעתה ירום קרנכם ומזלכם הן בבריאותכם והן בפרנסתכם וישמח אתכם בכל טוב EN: And also — as I heard here that the consular certificates from Egypt are favorable, and the people of our settlement received on their account the profit last week — therefore write to me: from where are your consular certificates? Perhaps there will sprout for you as well some salvation — and give life to my soul. For He Who says to His world "enough!" will also say to your troubles "enough!" [האמר לעולמו די יאמר לצרותיכם ג"כ די — an echo of the Talmudic teaching [Chagigah 12a] that G-d created the world by the power of the divine Name Shaddai — meaning: the One Who said to His creation "enough / dai" and stopped its expansion; the same divine Name will say to your suffering: "enough"]. And from now may your glory and your fortune be raised — both in your health and in your livelihood — and may He gladden you with all goodness. Segment 11 HE: ואודות זוג' תח' אל תדאגו כלל השי"ת יהיה בודאי בעזרכם וירפא אתכם ואל יאחר צערכם רק היה היה בשמחה וגם אליה תאמר שלא תהיה בעצבות כך רק צריכין להרבות בעתר ובתפילה לפני השי"ת אני מכאן ואתם מהתם עד ישקיף ה' וישמע תפילתנו כי אין לנו להשען כי אם על תפילה ותחנונים כי הן רופאי אליל כלם כשיתן השי"ת ישועה תהיה הישועה בשלמות בכל הפרטים טוב ה' לכל הן לפרנסה והן לרפואה והן לבנים' ואפילו לתורה ולתפילה ג"כ אין לנו להשען כי אם עליו יתברך EN: And regarding the wife, may she live — do not worry at all. Hashem Yisbarach will surely be your help and heal you — and may your grief not linger. Only be in joy — and tell her too not to be in sadness. Only one must greatly multiply in earnest supplication and in prayer [להרבות בעתר ובתפילה — two distinct forms of divine address: atar — עתר — intense personal entreaty, pouring-out prayer; the word appears in Genesis 25:21 when Yitzchak "entreated" for his wife — it carries the sense of abundant, repeated, pleading supplication; and tefillah — תפילה — the structured prayer; both must be multiplied; the writer deliberately names both, not as synonyms but as two complementary modes of reaching G-d] before Hashem Yisbarach — I from here and you from there — until Hashem looks down and hears our prayer. For we have nothing to lean upon except prayer and supplication. For all healers are worthless [כי הן רופאי אליל כלם — an echo of Job 13:4: "you are all physicians of worthlessness"; applied here to the doctors of the day: only G-d heals; the physicians are without power] — when Hashem Yisbarach gives salvation, the salvation will be complete in every particular. Hashem is good to all — both in livelihood and in healing and in children. And even for Torah and prayer — we have nothing to lean upon except on Him, may He be blessed. Segment 12 HE: ואם קבלת המכתב שלי מר' חיים יהושע נ"י תכתב לי על כל דבר תשובה על מה שמבאר שם וגם על מכתב זה תשובה EN: And if you received my letter from Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — write to me a reply on everything that is explained there. And also a reply on this letter. Segment 13 HE: ותדע שעתה נודע לי מהיכן נצמח הדבר שש"ב מו"ה משה נעשה מתנגד כזה הוא מאחיו של ר' דב נ"י שכמעט בכל יום מדבר עמו בהתנגדות גדול אשר בשפאלע אין שומעין כך כי ש"ב סאסיא תח' ספרה בבית אחותי תח' שבכל יום הוא בא בדברים אחרים ממני וגם יש עוד שוחט אחד אשר הוא שכן למחתנכם ושמואל העניך הולך אליו ומשה ג"כ בשם ושם מבזין רבנו ואנ"ש עפרא לפומיהו EN: And know that I have now learned from where the matter sprouted — that the brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe became such an opponent [מתנגד — misnaged — an opponent of Chassidus generally and Breslov in particular; the word carries the full weight of the historical opposition between rationalist opponents of Chassidus and Chassidim] — it is from the brother of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, who speaks with him almost every day in great opposition — the likes of which one does not hear even in Shpole [Shpole — a town in Ukraine associated with the harshest known opposition to Breslov Chassidus; to say "one does not hear such things even in Shpole" is to say this opposition exceeds the most extreme known opposition]. For the sister-in-law Sasia, may she live, told in the home of my sister, may she live, that every day he comes with different words against me. And there is also another ritual slaughterer who is a neighbor to your son-in-law — and Shmuel Heynich goes to him — and Moshe too goes there in their name — and they shame Rabbainu and the Anash there. Earth to their mouths! [עפרא לפומיהו — Aramaic: "dust to their mouths" — a strong Talmudic imprecation against those who blaspheme or speak against holiness; the writer switches to Aramaic for this curse] Segment 14 HE: וגדל הדחקות שהיא סובלת אין לשער כי הם חיים רק מזה העסקא שאתם שולחים להם ואעפ"כ היא אוחזת עצמה בשם ואין שום אדם יודע מה שנעשה עמה וגם שמואל העניך הוא עני ואביון גדול אשר אפילו לחם צר ומים לחץ ממש אין לו ובעל חוב גדול אשר אין מקום שלא יהיה בעל חוב ואין לו אצל מי ללוות עוד ועמו בשקריו הוא דובר בטוב תמיד EN: And the great hardship she endures is beyond reckoning — for they live only from the consular transaction that you send them. And even so she holds herself in the Name [היא אוחזת עצמה בשם — "she holds herself in the Name" — she clings to the Name of Hashem as her only anchor amid great poverty and opposition] — and no other person knows what is being done to her. And Shmuel Heynich is a great poor and destitute man — who has not even bread of adversity and water of affliction [לחם צר ומים לחץ — an echo of Isaiah 30:20: "bread of adversity and water of affliction" — the very poorest of existences; the writer uses the biblical phrase to measure the depth of his destitution] literally — and a great debtor, with no place where he is not indebted, and no one from whom he can still borrow. And yet with his falsehoods he speaks well of himself always. Segment 15 HE: ואסים בדבר טוב גאט האט אויס גיפירט און וועט אויס פירן ויראו שונאינו ויבושו ועמנו יעשה אות לטובה EN: And I will close with a good word: Gott hat oysgefirt un vet oysfirn [Yiddish: "G-d has led forth and will lead forth" — a simple closing declaration of faith and trust; G-d led us out before and will continue to lead us forward]. And our enemies will see and be ashamed — and with us He will make a sign for good. Segment 16 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ובתמים החפץ בטובתכם ודוש"ת EN: Words of one who truly and wholeheartedly loves you, who desires your good, and always seeks your welfare, Nussun from Breslov Segment 17 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And more than this — what can I marvel to you? Blessed be G-d — a little you already know yourselves. And more than this — if you look with a favorable eye [בעין יפה — with a generous, open, receptive eye; the opposite of a begrudging gaze] and in truth and with persistence — you will see for yourselves the great and precious beauty of the merchandise of this shop, such as no shop like it exists in the world. For our merchant traveled to distant lands for every beautiful and good and needed thing in the world — and purchased a great novelty and brought it into his shop, to give life to all the world. And there is also found there every kind of spice for the merchandise [תבלין להסחורות — the spices and condiments that enhance the goods; the means and methods for entering and using the merchandise effectively] — to merit to trade in the merchandise through prayer and supplication. And if one is unable to open his mouth to prayer — then he gives another prescription [ריצעפט — rezept — Yiddish from the German Rezept: a medical prescription] — to sigh frequent sighs until one expels all the blood from the spiritual left chamber [שיפלט כל הדם שבחלל השמאלי ברוחניות — a kabbalistic-medical image: the left chamber of the heart is the seat of the animal soul and its desires; to expel this blood spiritually, through earnest sighing and longing, is to purify the heart of its base drives]. And even when a person has consular affairs upon him — through prayer he can be saved from all the troubles. And the main thing is to be in joy — and do not worry at all. Hashem Yisbarach will surely help you and will not forsake you. And a sigh is the completion of all deficiencies [אנחה הוא שלמות כל החסרונות — a specific Breslov teaching: a sincere sigh before G-d completes and makes up for everything missing in one's prayer and service]. And the time of private conversation between a person and his Creator is very good before sleep — and even the preparation itself [sitting down and intending to speak — even before any words come — is itself already of great value] is very good. # כז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/27/ כז כז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/27 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' ויגש תרל"ח פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת ב"ב EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Vayigash [Parshas Vayigash — "And he approached" — Yehuda's plea before Yosef, the revelation, the descent of Yaakov's family to Egypt; it falls in late December or early January], 5638 [= December 1877 or January 1878 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי אהבי עז או"נ בני ממש מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב EN: To the honor of my friend, my strong beloved, our ohavainu — my son truly [בני ממש — "my son truly / literally" — not metaphorically but in every sense; the word mammash — truly, literally — deepens the fatherhood: fully, completely his son] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon all the members of his household. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל החיים והשלום אתנו כה אזכה לראתכם ולשמע מכם החיים והשלום ורב טוב אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — life and peace are with us. May I merit to see you and to hear from you life and peace and great goodness. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: מאד בקשתי איך שביום ב' העבר שלחתי לך מכתב ע"י ר' דב נ"י לר' חיים יהושע נ"י ובתוך מכתבך היה רצוף מכתב לידידנו ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י ושם בקשתי מאד ממנו לכתוב לי אפשר יש לו איזה מכתב מחתני נ"י ובתי תח' וגם מבני זוג' תח' אשר הם ג"כ יושבים בברסלב וגם אם היה על ר"ה באומן אם ראה בשם אחי מיאסי וגם בני איזיק מיאסי ע"כ מחמת שכתבתי לו זה ארבעה שבועות ושלחתי לך ג"כ מכתב ע"י ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ונאבד המכתב ע"כ אני כתב לך המכתב ע"י מוסר כתב זה ואני מבקש ממך שתעשה בציר נאמן לשלחיו ותמלא שאלתי לשאול אצל ר' חיים הנ"ל כל בקשתי המבאר לעיל ותכתב לי כל מה שתשמע מפיו אודות חתני נ"י ובתי תח' ואודות בני זוג' אחד שמו אברהם בער והשני שמו אהרן נ"י ותח' נפשנו ובפרט זוג' תח' כי ממש אין לה חיות כלל כי זה תשעה ימים שיש לה חלי שעול דם ואני יודע שכל החלשות שלה הוא מחמת צער כי אין לה שום מכתב משום מקום לא מבני ובנותי נ"י ולא מאחי ולא מבניה ואין אנו יודעים מה לחשב עוד EN: I have greatly requested: on the past Monday I sent you a letter through Reb Dov, may his candle shine, to Reb Chaim Yehoshua — and within your letter there was enclosed a letter to our friend Reb Chaim Kresh, may his candle shine. And there I greatly requested of him to write to me — whether perhaps he has some letter from my son-in-law, may his candle shine, and from my daughter, may she live. And also from my wife's sons who also dwell in Breslov. And also whether he was at Rosh Hashana in Uman — whether he saw there my brother from Yassy and also my son Aizik from Yassy. Therefore, since I wrote to him four weeks ago — and I also sent you a letter through Reb Chaim Yehoshua — and the letter was lost — I am now writing to you the letter through the bearer of this letter. And I ask of you to be a faithful agent [שתעשה בציר נאמן לשלחיו — "that you should be a faithful emissary for the one who sent it" — an echo of Proverbs 25:13: "a faithful envoy to those who send him"; the writer draws on the proverb to describe what he needs] — and fulfill my request: ask of Reb Chaim the said all that I requested as explained above. And write to me everything you hear from his mouth about my son-in-law, may his candle shine, and my daughter, may she live — and about my wife's sons: one whose name is Avraham Ber and the second whose name is Aharon, may his candle shine and may she live — give life to our souls. And particularly my wife, may she live — for she truly has no life-force at all, for these nine days she has the illness of coughing of blood [חלי שעול דם — "the illness of coughing blood" — a dangerous symptom indicating serious pulmonary illness; named clearly and precisely]. And I know that all her weakness is from grief — for she has no letter from anywhere: not from my sons and daughters, may their candles shine, and not from my brothers, and not from her sons. And we no longer know what to reckon. Segment 5 HE: וגם מה נשמע במדינתנו מכח הפאשפארטין מטורקייע ומוואלחיי אם הם טובים במדינתנו וגם אם ידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י היה לו מכתב מבנו נתן נ"י מכח הפאשפארט שלו וגם תדע שהיה לו ג"כ מכתב מידידנו ר' אבאלע נ"י עם מעות וגם בני משה אפרים נ"י ג"כ שלח לי מעות כי ידידנו ר' חיים נ"י התפלל בברסלב בהקלויז של אדמו"ר ר' נתן זצוק"ל וגם חתני מו"ה נטע נ"י בן זאב זידיע נ"י התפלל ג"כ בשם עם נכדי מו"ה שלמה לייב ונכדי פנחס נ"י וגם בתי מ' סימא תח' איך אפשר שלא ראתה עצמה עם האשה מ' פעריל תח' בעת נסיעתי לפה עכ"פ לפרס בשלומנו על כל זה תחקר אצלם היטב ותכתב לי ידיעה ברורה EN: And also — what is heard in our lands regarding the passports from Turkey and from Wallachia — whether they are good in our lands? And also whether our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, had a letter from his son Nussun, may his candle shine, regarding his passport? And also know that he also had a letter from our friend Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine, with money. And also my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine, also sent me money — for our friend Reb Chaim, may his candle shine, prayed in Breslov in the kloys [הקלויז — the intimate Breslov house of prayer in Breslov itself, the kloys of Reb Nosson ז"ל — the most sacred Breslov prayer space] of our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל. And also my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Neta son of Zeev Zidye, may his candle shine, also prayed there with my grandson Morainu v'Rabbainu Shlomo Leib and my grandson Pinchas, may his candle shine. And also my daughter Miriam Sima, may she live — how is it possible that she did not see herself with the woman Miriam Peyerel, may she live, at the time of my journey here? — at least to convey greetings of peace on our behalf. On all this inquire of him well — and write me clear news. Segment 6 HE: וגם אפשר הוא מכיר חתני ר' ישראל נ"י וראה אותו באומן על ר"ה כי גדל הצער שלנו אין לשער מטראויצע אין לנו שום מכתב מבבריניץ אין לנו שום ידיעה מיאסי מבני איזיק נ"י אין לי שום ידיעה עוד מאסתר תענית ומבתי אדל אין לנו שום ידיעה יותר משנה ומאחי מיאסי אין לי שום ידיעה ומברסלב היה לנו מכתב אחר שבועות ושם כתוב שחתני רוצה לשלח לי מעות ואינו יודע איך לשלח וגם שם היה כתוב שבן זוג' מו"ה אברהם בער נ"י היה לו חולאת על רגליו ראמטידני ולא היה יכול לילך ומאז אין לנו שום ידיעה אפשר ידידנו ר' חיים נ"י ישלח מכתב לברסלב EN: And also perhaps he knows my son-in-law Reb Yisroel, may his candle shine, and saw him in Uman on Rosh Hashana. For the great grief we have is beyond reckoning — from Troyits we have no letter, from Bebrinitz we have no news, from Yassy regarding my son Aizik, may his candle shine, I have no news, about Esther Taanis and about my daughter Adel — we have no news for more than a year — and from my brother in Yassy I have no news. And from Breslov we had one letter after weeks — and there it was written that my son-in-law wishes to send me money but does not know how to send it. And also there was written that my wife's son Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Ber, may his candle shine, had an illness in his legs — rheumatism [ראמטידני — romatidni — Yiddish/European: rheumatism; a word borrowed from Eastern European medical vocabulary] — and was unable to walk. And since then we have no news. Perhaps our friend Reb Chaim, may his candle shine, will send a letter to Breslov. Segment 7 HE: בקשתי ממך שתכתב עבורי מכתב לחתני מו"ה נטע לערמר נ"י ולבני חורגי מו"ה אברהם בער נ"י ולבני חורגי מו"ה אהרן נ"י הם ונשיהם ובניהם ובנותיהם שיחיו חצי רבע ניר שאני מבקש מאתם שיכתבו לי מכתב משלומם והחתם אותי נתן בן מורנו יהודא ז"ל ותבקש לר' חיים לקבל מכתבו אולי יצמח על ידך איזה ישועה כי מאחר סכות כתבתי להם שני מכתבים ואולי אפשר ר' איצילע שלח לבני נ"י וגם הוא יקבל מכתב קטן שלי וגם בשבוע העבר שלחתי ע"י ר' זידיל מיקער הטוליפ של ר' קלמן נ"י וגם ציך עם זוג זאקין וגם מעט צמר גפן ושני זוג מלבוש תחתון ואחד כתנת ואחד יארמולקע לכתוב לי אם קבל בשלמות EN: I have asked of you to write on my behalf a letter to my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Neta Lermer, may his candle shine, and to my stepson Morainu v'Rabbainu Avraham Ber, may his candle shine, and to my stepson Morainu v'Rabbainu Aharon, may his candle shine — they and their wives and their sons and their daughters, may they live — a quarter of a quarter of a sheet [חצי רבע ניר — "half a quarter of a sheet of paper" — one eighth of a full sheet; the writer asks only for the smallest possible written acknowledgment, just a few lines to know they are alive] — that I ask of them to write to me a letter about their welfare. And sign me: Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda ז"ל. And ask Reb Chaim to receive his letter — perhaps through you some salvation will sprout. For since after Sukkos I have written them two letters. And perhaps Reb Aitzikel sent to my sons, may their candles shine — and also he himself should receive a small letter from me. And also last week I sent through Reb Zeidel the donkey-driver the tallis of Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and also a small pouch [ציך — tsikh — Yiddish: a small cloth bag or pouch; a code-switch into Yiddish mid-Hebrew, like the other Yiddish household words throughout these letters] with a pair of socks [זוג זאקין — a zug zakin — Yiddish: "a pair of socks"; another Yiddish code-switch], and a little cotton wool, and two pairs of undergarments, and one shirt, and one skullcap [יארמולקע — yarmulke — Yiddish: the skullcap worn by Jewish men; another Yiddish code-switch; the Hebrew word is kipah but the writer uses the familiar Yiddish term] — to write to me whether he received everything in full. Segment 8 HE: ולהתפלל עבור זוג' תח' ולכתוב לי מזוג' תח' מה היא עשה וגם מבנך החכם מה הוא לומד כי השי"ת יודע האמת שאני מתפלל עבורכם בכל עת כי אהבת נפשכם קשורה בנפשי EN: And pray for my wife, may she live. And write to me what the wife, may she live, did. And also your son, the wise child — what is he studying? For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: I pray for you at all times — for the love of your souls is bound to my soul. Segment 9 HE: ומחמת בטחוני קצרתי ואמר שלום לך ושלום לעזרך EN: And on account of my confidence I have been brief — and say peace to you and peace to your helper [שלום לך ושלום לעזרך — an echo of I Samuel 25:6 — David's greeting to Nabal: "peace to you, peace to your household, peace to all that is yours"; a warm ancient greeting formula; "your helper" — ezrecha — referring to his wife, his companion, his support]. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש למעני באהבה עזה אשר מים רבים לא יוכלו לכבותה לאביך הותיק וחסיד מו"ה הירש נ"י ופב"ש לש"ב מו"ה אליעזור נ"י עם שלום בנך סענדיר חיים נ"י ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש ולכתוב לי מידידנו ר' דב נ"י מה הוא עשה ופב"ש הנגיד ר' חיים קר"ש ותברך אותם למעני שיהיה לחיים ארכים ולשלום באך וגם אם יש לך איזה ידיעה מר' איזיקלע נ"י היכן הוא עתה לכתוב לי EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 12 HE: ולפב"ש לר' קלמן נ"י חזק ונתחזק אתו בהתבודדות ולא תתרעם כלל על מדותיו של השי"ת רק תקבל בשמחה ותצפה לישועה עד ישקיף ה' משמים וירחם עליכם ע"י תפילה ותחנונים בשמחה EN: And convey greetings of peace on my behalf with strong love — love such that many waters cannot extinguish — to your father, the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Hirsh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to the brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine — together with your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to all the Anash. And write to me about our friend Reb Dov, may his candle shine — what did he do? And greetings of peace to the nagid Reb Chaim Kresh — and bless them on my behalf: may they have long life and peace in your coming [לשלום באך — "peace in your coming" — a directional blessing for peace as one arrives and departs; not merely "peace" in the abstract but peace accompanying the movement of life — in your coming and in your going]. And also if you have any news of our beloved Aizikl, may his candle shine — where he is now — write to me. And greetings of peace on my behalf to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine. Be strong and strengthen yourself with him in hisbodidus. And do not take issue at all with the ways of Hashem Yisbarach — only receive in joy and look toward salvation — until Hashem looks down from Heaven and has mercy upon you — through prayer and supplication in joy. The above-mentioned Nussun Segment 13 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — and I give thanks and acknowledgment that blessed be G-d — yesterday toward evening the weight of my wife's illness was lightened — for she had become very, very weak from this — to a degree that cannot be committed to writing. And beyond this she is also a woman who is not healthy. And this had been a great trouble, very great. But blessed be G-d — Who turned "trouble" [צרה — tzarah — trouble, distress] into "He desired" [רצה — ratzah — He willed, He desired; these two words are composed of the same three Hebrew letters in different order: צ-ר-ה rearranged into ר-צ-ה; G-d rearranged the letters of trouble into the letters of His own will and desire — a kabbalistic reversal teaching that within every suffering lies the seed of G-d's desire and purpose] — and she returned a little to her former strength. And all of us are in the way of life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you and from your wife, may she live, life and peace — in the complete health of her entire body as we pray for her at all times. And likewise in the complete health of your brother, may his candle shine. And good tidings from all our brethren the children of Israel — and particularly from our beloved Anash, and from all our close ones — life and peace and all good. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. # כח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/28/ כח כח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/28 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ויחי תרל"ח פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Monday, the Torah portion of Vayechi [Parshas Vayechi — "And he lived" — the final portion of Bereishis; Yaakov's blessings and death in Egypt; it falls in late December or early January], 5638 [= December 1877 or January 1878 CE — the week following Letter 27] — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ בני ממש ותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב ובנו היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י עם שלום אביך היקר המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד או"נ וכו' וכו' מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י EN: To the honor of my strong friend, our ohavainu — my son truly — the veteran Chassid, the wondrous one — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his household, and his precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — and with peace upon his dear father, the wondrous and exceptional, veteran Chassid, our ohavainu, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח ומודה אני בתודה הודאה שב"ה זוג' תח' אתמול לעת ערב הקל חליתה אשר היתה נחלשת מאד מזה אשר אין להעלות על הכתב ובלא זה ג"כ היא אשה אינה בריאה וזה היה צרה גדולה עד למאד אך ב"ה שהפך מ'צרה' ל'רצה' וחזרה מעט לאיתנה וכלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם ומזוג' תח' החיים והשלום בבריאות כל גופה בשלמות כאשר אנו מתפללים עבורה בכל עת וכן בבריאות אחיך נ"י בשלמות ובבשורות טובות מכל אחינו בני ישראל ובפרט מאהבנו אנ"ש מכל קרובינו החיים והשלום וכל טוב אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — and I give thanks and acknowledgment that blessed be G-d — yesterday toward evening the weight of my wife's illness was lightened — for she had become very, very weak from this — to a degree that cannot be committed to writing. And beyond this she is also a woman who is not healthy. And this had been a great trouble, very great. But blessed be G-d — Who turned "trouble" [צרה — tzarah — trouble, distress] into "He desired" [רצה — ratzah — He willed, He desired; these two words are composed of the same three Hebrew letters in different order: צ-ר-ה rearranged into ר-צ-ה; G-d rearranged the letters of trouble into the letters of His own will and desire — a kabbalistic reversal teaching that within every suffering lies the seed of G-d's desire and purpose] — and she returned a little to her former strength. And all of us are in the way of life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you and from your wife, may she live, life and peace — in the complete health of her entire body as we pray for her at all times. And likewise in the complete health of your brother, may his candle shine. And good tidings from all our brethren the children of Israel — and particularly from our beloved Anash, and from all our close ones — life and peace and all good. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מיום ג' ויגש עם עוד שלשה מכתבים מבתי תח' ומקרובי קבלתי לנכון ובודאי החייתני השי"ת יחיה אותך וגם ת"ח לידידי או"נ הנגיד ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י עם עזרתו תח' שהביאו לי המכתבים אך גדל הדחק והצער שהיה לי מזוג' תח' שראתה שמבתי תח' יש לי ב"ה מכתב ומבניה שדרים ג"כ בברסלב אין לה שום מכתב ואפילו בתי תח' לא כתבה עבורם שום פ"ש אין לשער ואין להעריך כי כל היום בכתה בבכי גדול כמו ח"ו וכו' ר"ל כי אין לה משום מקום מבניה שום ידיעה הן מטראויצע והן מברסלב ע"כ אני מבקש ממך עוד הפעם שתחקר אצל ידידנו ר' חיים הנ"ל אפשר ראה אותם בברסלב ואפשר שמע איזה ידיעה מהם אחד מהם שמו ר' אברהם בעריל פיטל ואחיו אהרן פיטל והן בניו של ר' נחמן ז"ל אחיו של ר' הירש גרשון ז"ל ואחיו של ר' שמשון פיטל הנפטר בצפת תו"ת וגם אפשר הוא אינו מכיר אותם אפשר נכדו אשר בא עמם אפשר הוא יודע מהם ותאמר לנכדם סימן שבנה אחד אברהם בער נ"י יושב בכפר סטאפקווץ ובנה השני מו"ה אהרן נ"י יש לו כנוי אהרן גאון' ואפשר הוא ראה אותם קדם נסיעתו לכאן ותכתב לי ותח' אותה למצוה גדולה יחשב EN: Your letter from Tuesday of Vayigash — together with three additional letters from my daughter, may she live, and from relatives — I received properly. And Hashem Yisbarach surely gave me life — may He give life to you as well. And also thanks and acknowledgment to my friend, our ohavainu, the nagid Reb Chaim Kresh, may his candle shine, and his helper, may she live, who brought me the letters. But great was the distress and grief I had from my wife, may she live — for she saw that blessed be G-d I have a letter from my daughter, may she live — while from her sons who also dwell in Breslov she has no letter at all — and even my daughter, may she live, did not write on their behalf even a single greeting of peace. It is beyond reckoning and beyond estimating. For she wept all day with great weeping — as if — G-d forbid — and so on — may the Merciful One save us [כמו ח"ו וכו' ר"ל — the writer cannot finish the sentence; he gestures toward what the weeping resembles but stops himself from saying it; the protective formulas ward off the unspoken thought] — for she has no news from her sons from anywhere — neither from Troyits nor from Breslov. Therefore I ask of you once again: inquire of our friend Reb Chaim the said one — perhaps he saw them in Breslov, perhaps he heard some news of them. One of them is named Reb Avraham Beril Pitel, and his brother is Aharon Pitel — and they are the sons of Reb Nachman ז"ל, the brother of Reb Hirsh Gershon ז"ל, and the brother of Reb Shimshon Pitel who passed away in Tzfas. And also perhaps he does not know them — perhaps his grandson who came with them perhaps knows them. And tell his grandson: the sign — that one son, Avraham Ber, may his candle shine, lives in the village of Stapkowitz, and the second son Morainu v'Rabbainu Aharon, may his candle shine, has the nickname "Aharon the Gaon." And perhaps he saw them before his journey here. Write to me — and it will be reckoned for her as a great mitzvah. Segment 5 HE: וגם איך שבתי תח' כתבה לי במכתבה ששלחה מתנה ע"י ידידנו הנ"ל ציקר וגם השני רו"ח עם עשרה קאפיקע לקבל מאתו ולשלח לי ותח' נפשי עתה ואני אכתב מכתב קבלה לברסלב ואם תקבל תחליף אותם בשם ותקבל מהמעות החצי בישליק עבור אחותי תח' שנתת עבורה והמותר תשלח לי עם המיקער ותח' נפשי וזוג' EN: And also — as my daughter, may she live, wrote to me in her letter that she sent a gift through the said friend — sugar, and also the second ruble with ten kopikes — to receive it from him and send it to me. And give life to our souls right now! And I will write a letter of receipt to Breslov. And if you receive it — exchange it there and receive from the money the half-bishlik for my sister, may she live, that you gave on her behalf — and the remainder send to me with the donkey-driver. And give life to our souls — and to my wife, may she live. Segment 6 HE: ועתה באתי להתחיל מחדש בהתחלה חדשה ולהזכיר אותי ואותך מעסק הנצחי שיש בינינו אם אתה דולה ומשקה מתורת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בכל יום כמה שעות בהתמדה גדולה כי הם חיינו ממש ותאמין לי ידידי בני שאין אני יודע איך יכולין לחיות בלא הם אפילו יום אחד בהצרות והמרירות אשר עוברין עלינו בזה העולם המר והנמהר אשר כמעט אין רגע בלא פגע ח"ו מה אמר לך אחי אני לומד עתה בלקוטי הלכות היה בדעתי כמה פעמים לרוץ בשוקים וברחובות ולצעק בקול גדול הנהיה כדבר הזה היש כזה בעולם צדיק כזה שהיה לו תלמיד כזה אשר יכול לפטר כל העולם מן הדין אם יטו אזניהם לדבריו הק' בתמימות ובפשיטות אך מה אנו יכולין לעשות שנעלם מהם אור גדול כזה אבל אנו שזכה השי"ת אותנו באור טוב כזה ואנו מאמינים בני מאמינים ע"כ אנו צריכין להטות שכמנו למס עבד להגות בהם כמעט יומם ולילה ולקים בזה מיץ חלב יוציא חמאה ומיץ אף יוציא דם כי הם חמאה של תורה EN: And now I have come to begin again with a new beginning [להתחיל מחדש בהתחלה חדשה — a characteristic Breslov phrase; every moment is a fresh start; the ability to begin again is one of the central gifts of Rabbainu ז"ל's teaching] — and to remind myself and you of the eternal matter that is between us: whether you draw from and water from [אם אתה דולה ומשקה — doleh u'mashkeh — the precise Talmudic phrase from the Mishnah: one who draws water from the depths for himself and gives it to others to drink; the full cycle of Torah learning and teaching; a student drawing up from the depths of the source and a teacher giving others to drink — both at once] the Torah of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple, every day, for several hours, with great constancy. For they are truly our very life. And believe me, my friend my son — I do not know how one can live without them even for one single day — in the troubles and the bitterness that pass over us in this bitter and hurrying world [בזה העולם המר והנמהר — "this bitter and hurrying world" — two qualities: mar — bitter, full of bitterness; and nimhar — rushing, speeding, frantic; the world of exile rushing past in bitterness with no rest], where there is almost not a moment without some harmful event — G-d forbid. What can I tell you, my brother? I am now studying in Likutay Halachos — and several times it has been in my mind to run through the markets and the streets and to cry out in a great voice: has such a thing ever been? Is there such a one in the world? — such a Tzaddik who had such a disciple who is able to acquit the entire world from judgment — if only they would incline their ears to his holy words, in wholeness and in simplicity! But what can we do — that such a great light is hidden from them? But we — whom Hashem Yisbarach has merited with such a good light — and we are believers, children of believers — therefore we must incline our shoulder to bear as a servant pays tribute [למס עבד — from Genesis 49:15: Yissachar "inclined his shoulder to bear and became a labor-gang servant" — the tribe of Yissachar who devoted themselves entirely to Torah study; this is what full dedication looks like: bearing the yoke completely] — to meditate in them almost day and night [כמעט יומם ולילה — "almost day and night" — kim'at — almost, virtually, as close to constant as humanly possible; the word qualifies: not the absolute of unceasing day-and-night study which the Talmud sets as an ideal, but the closest approach to it within human capacity; the word kim'at is doing important honest work here], and to fulfill in this: "the pressing of milk produces butter, and the pressing of the nose produces blood" [Proverbs 30:33 — persistent pressing yields its substance; the books of Rabbainu ז"ל are "the butter of Torah" — the richest, most nourishing extract pressed from all Torah through sustained effort] — for they are the butter of Torah. Segment 7 HE: ולמען ה' בני בני תעשה לך עת קבוע ללמד אותם ותח' אותך לנצח נצחים ואפשר תח' גם אחרים ותלפת אותם בתפילה ובהתבודדות בכל יום כי התבודדות היתה הנהגה הכללית אצל רבנו ז"ל ע"כ אנו צריכין לעסק בתפילה זו הרבה כי רבנו השיג במקום שהשיג שע"י התבודדות יכולין להכניע כל הרע מאתנו ולפעל כל טוב יותר מכל התעניתים והסגופים ואנו צריכין להאמין בדבריו הק' לעסק בהם בכל יום חק ולא יעבר עכ"פ איזה שעה ואפילו אינם יכולין לדבר עכ"פ לומר רבש"ע רחם וקרבנו לעבודתך שעה רצופים ובודאי כשנהיה חזקים בזה בעקשנות גדול בודאי ישפיע עלינו השי"ת דבורים מן השמים וחוץ מזה אמר רבנו ז"ל בפרוש שכל מה שעובר על האדם בכל יום בגוף ונפש וממון יספר לפני השי"ת כל לבו ובפרט שאנו צריכין עוד הרבה לצעק בהם אל תשטפני שבלת מים ואל תבלעני מצולה EN: And for the sake of Hashem, my son my son — make for yourself a fixed time to study them. And it will give life to you to eternal eternity. And perhaps it will give life to others as well. And cling to them [ותלפת אותם — v'tilfes osom — "and cling to them, cleave to them, wrap yourself around them" — from the root lafas — to cling as a vine to its trellis, to grasp and hold as Delilah grasped Samson [Judges 16:19]; a stronger, more physical image than "attach" — to wind yourself around them, to wrap them into you and yourself into them; through prayer and hisbodidus] through prayer and through hisbodidus every day — for hisbodidus was the universal practice of Rabbainu ז"ל. Therefore we must engage in this prayer greatly — for Rabbainu ז"ל achieved where he achieved specifically through hisbodidus: that one can subdue all the evil within oneself and accomplish all good — more than all the fasts and afflictions. And we must believe in his holy words — to engage in them every day as a fixed statute that shall not pass — at least some hours. And even when one cannot speak — at least say: "Master of the World, have mercy and bring us near to Your service" — for one continuous hour. And surely when we are strong in this with great stubbornness [בעקשנות גדול — b'akshanus gadol — "with great stubbornness / tenacity" — the characteristic Breslov virtue of unyielding, persistent refusal to give up; Rabbainu ז"ל praised this quality repeatedly as essential in the service of G-d] — Hashem Yisbarach will surely pour upon us words from Heaven. And beyond this — Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: that everything that passes over a person each day — in body, in soul, and in money — tell it before Hashem Yisbarach, all of one's entire heart [כל לבו — "all of his heart" — the entire heart, holding nothing back; not a partial unburdening but a complete outpouring of the whole heart before G-d; every chamber of the heart opened]. And particularly — we must yet cry out greatly: "let not the floodwaters overwhelm me, and let not the deep swallow me" [Psalms 69:16 — a cry from the depths of drowning; the writer feels the weight of exile and suffering pressing against them and directs them to this specific verse as their prayer]. Segment 8 HE: וגם תחברו עמכם ש"ב מו"ה אליעזור נ"י ומו"ה העניך נ"י ועם ר' אברהם נ"י ועם ר' נתן בן ר"י נ"י ולדבר עמהם מרבנו ז"ל ולהודיע להם מהצדיק הגנוז והנעלם הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואנו צריכים לרקד ולצעק גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ולחנך את הבנים קטנים בדרך של רבנו ז"ל כי מפי עוללים וינקים יסדת עז EN: And also bring together with you the brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine, and Morainu v'Rabbainu Heynich, may his candle shine, and Reb Avraham, may his candle shine, and Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, may his candle shine — and speak with them about Rabbainu ז"ל, and inform them of the hidden and concealed Tzaddik — who is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And we must dance and shout out the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and educate the young children in the way of Rabbainu ז"ל. For "from the mouths of babes and sucklings You have established strength" [Psalms 8:3]. Segment 9 HE: כי ב"ה עתה נמצא כמה בני הנעורים שיחיו לאיוש"ט מאנ"ש רק צריכין להבעיר אותם ולדבר עמהם ועל זה הזהיר אותנו רבנו ז"ל הרבה לדבר עם חברו ביראת שמים ואפילו תנועה קלה כשתפעל אצלם יהיה טובה להם ולך לנצח נצחים וכשתלמד ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בקביעות בודאי יהיה לך דבורים לדבר עמהם כי הם מעין הנבע ונחל המטהר מכל הכתמים וכלי כזה שעל כל דבר חי שמניחין אותה יכולה לשורר הנגון הנפלא ומי יתן השי"ת שיזכה אותנו השי"ת וכמה בני הנעורים בודאי זכינו עמהם הרבה והדבור יש לו כח גדול לנפש הישראלי לעורר EN: For blessed be G-d — there are now found several young people, may they live, for length of days and good years, from the Anash — only one must kindle them and speak with them. And for this Rabbainu ז"ל warned us greatly: to speak with one's companion about the fear of Heaven. And even a slight movement — when you accomplish something with them — will be good for them and for you to eternal eternity. And when you study the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple with constancy — surely you will have words to speak with them. For they are a flowing spring and a stream that purifies from all stains. And such an instrument — that over every living thing that one places it upon, it can play the wondrous melody. And would that Hashem Yisbarach merit us — and how many young people surely have we already merited with them! And speech has great power to arouse the Jewish soul. Segment 10 HE: ויש לי הרבה דבורים לדבר עמך אך א"א על פני הכתב ועל פני השדה ע"כ אקצר ואמר שלום לך ולכל ב"ב לבנך סענדיר חיים נ"י ולאביך היקר הותיק וחסיד מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י ולש"ב מו"ה אליעזור נ"י ושלום לכל אנ"ש לכל אחד ואחד באהבה עזה באהבת נפש ולפב"ש עבורי לידידנו הנגיד ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י עם ב"ב וגם לכתוב לי אם היה ידיעה מאהבי איזיקל נ"י היכן הוא ובקשתי ממך שעל כל המכתב תשיב לי תשובה ואם כתבת איזה מכתב לטראויצע אם כתבת למעני ג"כ EN: And I have many words to speak with you — but it is impossible on the face of the written page and on the face of the open field. Therefore I will be brief and say peace — to you and to all the members of your household, to your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine, and to your dear father the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. And peace to the brother-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And peace to all the Anash — every single one — with strong love, with soul-love. And greetings of peace on my behalf to our friend the nagid Reb Chaim Kresh, may his candle shine, with his household. And also write to me whether there was any news of our beloved Aizikl, may his candle shine — where he is now. And I asked of you to reply to me on the entire letter. And whether you wrote some letter to Troyits — whether you wrote on my behalf as well. Segment 11 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמ כאב לבן יחידי EN: Words of one who loves you in truth [באמ — this appears to be a truncated form of באמת — be'emes — "in truth"; the final letter tav is absent; likely a scribal abbreviation or copying omission; the meaning is clear] — as a father his only son, Nussun from Breslov Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of one who loves you in truth [באמ — this appears to be a truncated form of באמת — be'emes — "in truth"; the final letter tav is absent; likely a scribal abbreviation or copying omission; the meaning is clear] — as a father his only son, Nussun from Breslov # כט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/29/ כט כט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/29 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' וארא שנת תרל"ח פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת ב"ב EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Vaeira [Parshas Vaeira — "And I appeared" — the first seven plagues; it falls in late January], 5638 [= late January 1878 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ באמת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביו היקר המפלא ותיק וחסיד וכו' כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י EN: To the honor of my strong friend, our ohavainu, truly — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his dear father, the wondrous veteran Chassid, etc., the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם חיש מהר בשורות טובות מבריאותכם הטוב אנס"ו ומרפואתכם בשלמות מב"ב ומאמך תח' ומכל אהבנו באמת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you quickly and soon good tidings about your good health — Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed — and about your complete healing [ומרפואתכם בשלמות — "and about your complete healing" — a prayer for an ongoing illness; the recipient or his wife is currently unwell, and the writer prays for their full recovery] — from your household and from your mother, may she live, and from all our true beloved. Segment 4 HE: המכתבים ממך ומידידנו ר' צבי נ"י ומבני קבלתי לנכון והחייתני השי"ת יחיה אתכם בבשורות טובות אך השמחה עדין אינו יכול להיות בשלמות מחמת שזוג' אינה בקו הבריאה ואחיך נ"י עדין לא נתרפא ומה זה שמקדם כתבת לי שנתרפא והיה על ר"ה אך בזה מרמזין לנו שצריכין אנו רק לצעק ולזעק להשי"ת ולהודות על המעט הרחבה ולצעק להבא על הישועה שלמה בגשמיות ורוחניות ולקבל הכל בשמחה ובאהבה ואעפ"כ לצעק להשי"ת עד ישקיף וירא ה' משמים וירחם בישועה שלמה EN: The letters — from you and from our friend Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, and from my son — I received properly. And Hashem Yisbarach surely gave me life — may He give life to you with good tidings. But the joy still cannot be complete — because my wife is not in good health, and your brother, may his candle shine, has not yet been healed. And what is this — that earlier you wrote to me that he had been healed and was at Rosh Hashana? But in this we are being signaled that we must only cry out and shout to Hashem Yisbarach — and give thanks for the little spaciousness of relief [ולהודות על המעט הרחבה — "and to give thanks for the little revachah" — revachah means spaciousness, relief from constriction, the opening of breathing room; the opposite of distress is not merely improvement but the specific opening of space; even the smallest revachah — the tiniest breath of relief — deserves thanksgiving] — and cry out for the future for complete salvation, in material and in spiritual matters. And to receive everything in joy and in love — and even so to cry out to Hashem Yisbarach until He looks down and Hashem sees from Heaven and has mercy with complete salvation. Segment 5 HE: וגם אודות שכתבת לי מבן ידידנו ר"י ז"ל שנתרחק מביתכם זה שני חדשים יש לי צער גדול כי הוא בן ר"י וחתן ידידנו הצדיק ר' יקותיאל ז"ל ואפשר צריכין דוקא לקרב המרחק כמו אליהו הנביא אי"ה בשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה אכתב לו בעצמי איזה מכתב כי זכאה מאן דרדיף בתר חיבא EN: And also regarding what you wrote to me about the son of our friend Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — who has distanced himself from your community for these two months — I have great grief about this. For he is the son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל and the son-in-law of our friend the Tzaddik Reb Yekusiel ז"ל. And perhaps one must specifically draw near the one who is distant — like Elijah the Prophet [כמו אליהו הנביא — Elijah is the one who — according to Malachi 3:24 — "will turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers" before the great day; in Breslov teaching, Elijah represents the one who goes out actively to restore broken bonds and draw back the distant soul; the writer is not making a casual comparison but invoking this specific teaching about active pursuit of the straying person]. G-d willing, in the coming week I will write to him myself some letter — for fortunate is the one who pursues the beloved [זכאה מאן דרדיף בתר חיבא — Aramaic: "fortunate / meritorious is the one who pursues after the beloved / after love" — a Talmudic-Aramaic phrase; the writer switches into the sacred Aramaic of the Talmud; to be the one who actively pursues love is itself a great merit; do not wait for the distant soul to return — go after them]. Segment 6 HE: ותדע שאני שולח הקבלה על סך שבעים וחמש קאפיקע וגם ר' שמואל העניך אמר לי שכתב לכם שתשלחו לו המעות רק לנכות מזה המעות מה שהוא חיב לאחי ר' דב נ"י ולב"ר אפריקלע והמותר תשלחו לו והוא בעצמו יכתב מכתב לקאליבלאד ואפשר אתה רוצה דוקא קבלה תעשה כך לשלח יותר המעות לידי אחר נכיון מר' דב נ"י ואני לא אתן לו עד שיתן לי קבלה EN: And know that I am sending the receipt for the sum of seventy-five kopikes. And also Reb Shmuel Heynich told me that he wrote to you to send him the money — only to deduct from it the money that he owes to my brother Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and to the son of [ולב"ר — ul'var — Aramaic: "and to the son of" — the abbreviation ב"ר stands for the Aramaic bar — "son of"; another of the natural Aramaic title-abbreviations embedded throughout these letters] Reb Efrikele — and the remainder send to him. And he himself will write a letter to Kalibulad [a place name in the diaspora where related correspondence is to be sent]. And if perhaps you specifically want a receipt — do thus: send more of the money to the hand of another after deducting from Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And I will not give it to him until he gives me a receipt. Segment 7 HE: ומחמת נחיצת תפילת מנחה קצרתי ואמר שלום EN: And on account of the urgency of the Mincha prayer [תפילת מנחה — the afternoon prayer; the writer literally stops writing to go pray; prayer takes precedence over correspondence — a vivid and genuine moment] I have been brief — and say peace. Segment 8 HE: ידידכם הדוש"ת וחפץ לראות בכם כט"ס EN: Your friend who always seeks your good and desires to see in you the fullness of good, Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Vaeira, 5638 (late January 1878), from Teverya. A brief letter cut short by Mincha. News from his son. Joy incomplete. A young man distanced from the fellowship. The principle: pursue the distant soul with love. # ג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/3/ ג ג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/3 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' בלק תרל"ה עיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת EN: Wednesday, the Torah portion of Balak [Parshas Balak — the weekly Torah reading containing the story of Bilaam and his blessings of Israel; this portion falls in the summer, approximately June–July], 5635 [= 1875 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידנו הרב הותיק וחסיד הנבון וחכם המפלא ומפלג בתורה וביראה כש"ת מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י עם שלום בנו או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב EN: To the honor of our friend — the senior rabbi, veteran Chassid, discerning and wise, wondrous and exceptional in Torah and in the fear of Heaven, the honor of the name of his Torah [כש"ת — kivod shem torosso] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with his son, our ohavainu, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon all the members of his household [ב"ב — bnei baiso — "the children of his home," meaning his entire family]. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם בכל עת בשורות טובות ויציל אותנו ואת כל ישראל מכל הצרות ומכל חלאים רעים ונאמנים ויתגלה עלינו מאורי אור ויכניע מאתנו המאורי אש בזכות הראש בית אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us are in the way of life and peace. [תל"ח — todah l'Kel chaiyainu — "thanks to G-d for our lives" — followed by כלנו — "all of us," meaning the entire household] May I merit to hear from you at all times good tidings. And may He save us and all of Israel from all the troubles and from all evil and persistent diseases [chola'im ra'im v'ne'emanim — literally "evil and faithful diseases" — the word ne'emanim means "faithful, persistent, tenacious" — diseases that cling and do not let go]. And may there be revealed upon us the luminaries of light [me'orei or — the Tzaddikim, the righteous, who illuminate the world], and may He drive back and subdue from upon us — from pressing close against us — the luminaries of fire [me'orei aish — the forces of harsh judgment and destruction, the kabbalistic counterpart to the luminaries of light] — in the merit of the head of our house [הראש בית אנס"ו — "the head of the house of our fellowship" — Rabbainu ז"ל, whose merit the writer invokes as a shield for all]. Segment 4 HE: אחרי דרישת שלומך הטוב באתי להודיעכם שהיום בבקר קבלתי מכתבכם היקר וגדל החיות והשמחה שהיה לנו בקריאת המכתבים אשר מקדם לזה כלתה נפשי עכ"פ לשמע מכם איזה פ"ש ויתן השי"ת ויחיה אתכם ואת בניכם נרם יאיר ואת בני ביתכם בכל טוב שבעולם וישלח רפואה שלמה לאהבי באמת בנכם נתן נ"י בכדי שיוכל לעסק בתורה ובתפילה בחיות חדש וגם אותנו יזכה השי"ת לחשק חדש לחדש ימינו לתורה ולתפילה כאשר הורו לנו רבותינו ז"ל ויזכנו לטעם אור התורה ואור הצדיקים קדשת ארץ יִשְׂראל כי זה הוא עיקר תקותנו לנצח ולעד EN: After inquiring after your good welfare, I have come to inform you that this morning I received your precious letter — and how great was the vitality and the joy that we had in reading the letters! For before this, my soul had been spent with longing, just to hear any greeting of peace from you [פ"ש — p'rias sholom — a greeting of peace]. May Hashem Yisbarach give life to you and to your children — may their candles shine [נרם יאיר — the full meaning of the abbreviation נ"י: "may their candle shine"] — and to all the members of your household, with every goodness in the world. And may He send a complete healing to my true beloved, your son Nussun, may his candle shine — so that he may be able to engage in Torah and in prayer with fresh vitality [chiyus chadash — new life-force, renewed energy; the necessity of constant renewal is a key Breslov teaching]. And may Hashem Yisbarach also merit us to a fresh longing and desire [cheshek chadash — fresh passion, a new kindling of the heart] — to renew our days in Torah and in prayer, as our teachers ז"ל have instructed us. And may He merit us to taste the light of the Torah and the light of the Tzaddikim — the sanctity of the Land of Israel — for this is the very core of our hope, forever and ever. Segment 5 HE: והמעות קבלתי מר' דב נ"י סך ששים ושש גר' מעות צפת תו"ת ומאד בקשתי להודיע לי אם אתם יושבים בהדירה המשכנתא או בהדירה בית תפילה שלכם שקניתם לחיים ולשלום בכדי לידע איך להתפלל עבורכם ומחמת מרוצת המיקער קצרתי ואמר שלום לכם ולכל אנ"ש הינו לר' נחמן נ"י ולר' נחום זלמן נ"י ולר' איצילע נ"י ולר' דב נ"י ולר' דוד נ"י ולר' חיים קר"ש נ"י ולר' יעקב נ"י וביחוד להאברך מו"ה איזיקלע נ"י וגם ידידי או"נ האיש הכשר והירא מו"ה קלמן נ"י פורס בשלום כֻלְּכם ומבקש מאתכם להתפלל עבורו כי הוא במצור ובמצוק מאד ה' ירחם עליו EN: And the money I received from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — the sum of sixty-six groshen [a small coin; Tzfas currency]. And I very much wished that you inform me whether you are dwelling in the mortgaged apartment or in your own prayer-house apartment that you purchased, for life and for peace — so that I should know how to pray for you specifically. And due to the haste of the postal courier [ha'mekair — the express postal rider] I was brief — and I say peace to you and to all the Anash: that is, to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine; and to Reb Nachem Zalman, may his candle shine; and to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine; and to Reb Dov, may his candle shine; and to Reb Dovid, may his candle shine; and to Reb Chaim Kresh [קר"ש — an abbreviated family name], may his candle shine; and to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — and in particular to the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizikl, may his candle shine. And also my friend, our ohavainu, the upright and G-d-fearing man, Morainu v'Rabbainu Kalman, may his candle shine — sends greetings of peace to all of you, and requests of you to pray for him — for he is in great siege and in great distress [במצור ובמצוק — a biblical phrase from Deuteronomy 28:53, describing being hemmed in and crushed from all sides]. May Hashem have mercy on him. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda dwelling in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 7 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא EN: Words of one who loves you, Segment 8 HE: החונה בטבריא תו"ת EN: Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda dwelling in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. # ל URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/30/ ל ל Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/30 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' בא שנת תרל"ח לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Bo [Parshas Bo — "Come" — the final three plagues and the first Passover — the Exodus from Egypt; it falls in late January or early February; the language of the writer's closing prayer echoes the Exodus vocabulary of this very portion], 5638, according to the minor reckoning — the Holy City of Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביו נ"י וזוג' תח' ועם שלום בנכם היקר נ"י לאיוש"ט א"ס EN: To the honor of our ohavainu, my strong friend — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his father, may his candle shine, and his wife, may she live — and together with peace upon your precious son, may his candle shine, for length of days and good years. Omain Selah. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ג' קבלתי היום עם שלשה דגים וגם כל המכתבים ששלחת לי בשבוע העבר ע"י ר' חיים יהושע סך המעות ג"כ קבלתי לנכון וגם אני שלחתי לך ביום העבר מכתב קטן עם קבלה מהגבאים ע"י ר' משה נ"י אשר אתה מכירו וגם ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י ג"כ מכירו כי היה מקדם חתן בכאן ובודאי קבלת ממני ואודות המכתב מוואלחיי לא כתב לי בני שום מכתב רק פ"ש וכתב לי שעל הפאסט שלחו לי שני מכתבים באריכות ועדין לא בא וכשיבא ויהיה חדשות אזי אכתב לך EN: Your letter from Tuesday I received today — together with three fish — and also all the letters you sent me last week through Reb Chaim Yehoshua — the sum of money too I received properly. And also I sent you yesterday a small letter with a receipt from the administrators [מהגבאים — from the gabbaim, the communal administrators who manage charitable funds; a receipt confirming donations have been properly received and recorded] through Reb Moshe, may his candle shine, whom you know — and our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, knows him too, for he was formerly a bridegroom here. And surely you received it from me. And regarding the letter from Wallachia — my son did not write me any letter, only greetings of peace. And he wrote to me that via the post he sent me two lengthy letters — and they have not yet arrived. And when they arrive and there is news, then I will write to you. Segment 4 HE: ואני מבקש מאתך איך שאני צריך לתן מעשר ע"כ אני רוצה להנות אנ"ש חלק מהמעשר ע"כ תלוה לי סך שלשה מטבעות מן שבעה גר' ותעשה בהם כך אחד טאליר טוב לאשת ר' מאיר זצוק"ל ואחד טאליר לאשת ר' איזיקלע נ"י ואחד טאליר לר' מאיר בלעכיר ואחד טאליר לר' יוסף אדם ואחד טאליר לביהכנ"ס שאני חיב יהיה בסך הכל 5025 גארויץ ויהיה נשאר ערך יותר מן חמש עשרה גר' תעשה בהם כך חמשה גר' לר' דב נ"י כי הוא אינו בקו הבריאה והמותר תחלק לר' נחמן נ"י ולר' איצילע נ"י ולר' קלמן נ"י חלק כחלק ולא תאמר להם מי שלח המעות או תאמר להם על שם אחותי תח' ואני עדין לא קבלתי המעות אצל ר' דב נ"י וכשאקבל אזי אשאיר אצלו הסך הנ"ל ואשלח לך ע"י ר' חיים יהושע והוא יסלק לך בתורת חוב EN: And I ask of you: since I need to give tithes — I wish to benefit the Anash and cause them to enjoy a share of the tithe [להנות אנ"ש חלק מהמעשר — l'hanos anash chelek min ha'maaser — "to benefit / to cause the Anash to enjoy a share of the tithe" — the word hana'ah — הנאה — means enjoyment, pleasure, benefit; the writer does not merely "give" — he wishes to cause them to experience genuine pleasure and benefit from his tithe; a warm and generous framing of an act of charity]. Therefore lend me the sum of three minted coins of seven groshen [שלשה מטבעות מן שבעה גר' — three coins, each worth seven groshen — twenty-one groshen in total; matbe'os — minted, coined money] — and do with them thus: one good thaler [טאליר — taler — the silver coin ancestor of the dollar] to the wife of Reb Meir ז"ל, and one thaler to the wife of Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, and one thaler to Reb Meir Blechir, and one thaler to Reb Yosef Adam, and one thaler to the synagogue — for I owe it. This will come to a total of 5025 garoyts [garoyts — Yiddish: small coin units used in this mixed-currency accounting]. And there will remain approximately more than fifteen groshen — do with them thus: five groshen to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — for he is not in good health. And the remainder divide equally among Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — each one an equal portion. And do not tell them who sent the money — or tell them it is in the name of my sister, may she live. And I have still not received the money from Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and when I receive it, I will keep back the said sum and send it to you through Reb Chaim Yehoshua — and he will settle with you as a debt. Segment 5 HE: גם מאד בקשתי לשלח המעות השיך לר' שמואל העניך כי הוא עני ואביון אשר אין להעלות על הכתב ממש יושב כמה יום בלא לחם רק לנכות מעות אשר הוא חיב לר' דב אחיו כי הוא בעצמו כתב כך בשבוע העבר לנכות ואל תאחז המעות בידך כלל כי לפי דעתי הוא חושב שבמכון אוחזים המעות EN: And also I have greatly requested to send the money that belongs to Reb Shmuel Heynich — for he is poor and destitute to a degree that cannot be committed to writing — literally sitting for several days without bread. Only deduct the money that he owes to Reb Dov his brother — for he himself wrote thus last week — to deduct it. And do not hold the money in your hand at all — for in my opinion he thinks it is being held back with deliberate intention [שבמכון אוחזים המעות — "that with intention / on purpose the money is being held" — b'machon means deliberately, purposefully, with specific intent; not accidentally but by design; Reb Shmuel Heynich suspects the withholding is purposeful, which makes the suffering worse]. Segment 6 HE: ותדע שבכאן גזרו תענית בה"ב ותוקעים בשופר השי"ת ירחם וישמע צעקת בני ישראל בכל מושבותם להושיע אותם מיד רודפיהם ולוחציהם חיש מהר EN: And know that here they decreed a fast of Behav [תענית בה"ב — the fast of Monday-Thursday-Monday, observed in the weeks after Passover and after Sukkos; its being specifically decreed here suggests particular urgency or communal distress], and they sound the shofar. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy and hear the cry of the children of Israel in all their dwelling places — to save them from the hand of those who pursue them and oppress them [מיד רודפיהם ולוחציהם — "from the hand of those who pursue them and press / oppress them" — the word lochatzeihem is from the root לחץ — to press, to squeeze, to oppress — precisely the word the Torah uses for Israel's oppression in Egypt; this is the Torah portion of Bo — the last plagues and the Exodus — and the writer prays using the language of Egypt for the current oppressors; the resonance between the biblical redemption and the current need is deliberate and pointed] — swiftly and soon. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Bo, 5638 (late January or early February 1878), from Teverya. Tithe distribution, fish received, a communal fast with shofar-blowing, and a prayer that echoes the very Exodus vocabulary of the Torah portion being read that week. # לא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/31/ לא לא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/31 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' אדר ראשון שנת תרל"ח פעה"ק טבריא EN: Sunday, Adar Rishon [Adar Rishon — "the First Adar" — this year is a Jewish leap year with two months of Adar; Adar Rishon falls in late February or early March; Purim will be celebrated in Adar Sheni — the second Adar], 5638 [= late February or early March 1878 CE] — the Holy City of Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז אהבי באמת ובתמים ממש בני כבוד מורנו ר' נתן נ"י עם שלום אביו נ"י עם שלום בנו החכם כבוד מורנו ר' סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: To the honor of our ohavainu, my strong friend, my truly and wholeheartedly beloved, truly my son — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his father, may his candle shine — and together with peace upon his son, the wise child, the honor of our teacher Reb Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל החיים והשלום אתנו כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום וכט"ס EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — life and peace are with us. May I merit to hear from you life and peace and the fullness of good. It is a wonder to me that for three weeks I have had no letter at all from you — and my eyes are consumed [עיני כלות למכתבכם — "my eyes are consumed / spent waiting for your letter" — an echo of Psalms 119:82 and 123: "my eyes fail for Your word / my eyes look to You"; the image of eyes worn out from straining toward the horizon, watching for something that does not come; a vivid, anguished physical image of longing and waiting] waiting for your letter — for your lives are truly as my own life. And now I have come to recount my heart before you [לספר לבבי לפניך — "to tell / to recount my heart before you" — the verb lesaper means to tell, to narrate, to recount as one tells a story; the writer does not simply "pour out" feeling but recounts it, tells it; this verb connects directly to the closing teaching of this very letter: that King David told everything before G-d through the Psalms — sipur, narration, is the act; the writer is doing to the recipient exactly what he says David did before G-d] — that for these eleven months we have had no letter whatsoever from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon my daughter and my grandchildren, may they live. And also from my wife's sons. And I have certainly written to them — without any exaggeration — eight letters. And also to your father-in-law, our ohavainu, I also wrote several letters — and requested of him to urge my sons with some letter — at least to give us life from their good health. And particularly for my wife, may she live, who weeps and wails almost day and night. And this morning there arrived a letter from Uman — sealed in the envelope — on a quarter of a sheet — within a large envelope. And on this quarter of a sheet there is a letter from Reb Nussun Lirsman [ר' נתן לירסמאן — Reb Nussun Lirsman; Lirsman or Lehrsman is the surname — likely from German/Yiddish Lehrer-Mann — "teacher-man"; a common construction in Eastern European Jewish surnames of this era] to me. Segment 4 HE: לפלא בעיני שלא היה לי שלשה שבועות שום מכתב מכם ועיני כלות למכתבכם כי חייכם באמת כחיי ועתה באתי לספר לבבי לפניך איך שזה עשתי עשר חדש שלא היה לנו שום מכתב מחתני ישראל נ"י עם שלום בתי ונכדי שיח' וגם מבני זוג' תח' ואני בודאי כתבתי להם בלי שום גזמא שמונה מכתבים וגם לחמיך או"נ ג"כ כתבתי כמה מכתבים ובקשתי מאתו לזרז בני באיזה מכתב בכדי להחיותנו עכ"פ מבריאותם הטוב ובפרט לזוג' תח' אשר היא בוכה ומיללת כמעט יומם ולילה והיום בבקר בא מכתב מאומן חתום בהקאנווערט על רבע ניר בתוך קאנווערט גדול ועל זה הרבע ניר יש מכתב מר' נתן לירס מאן לי EN: And I am writing to you a copy of what he wrote to the hand of his father-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and to his mother-in-law Miriam Brina, may she live: Segment 5 HE: ואני כתב לך העתקה שכתב ליד חמיו מו"ה נתן נ"י ולחמותו מ' ברינע תח' אני וזוג' ובני ביתי ובתי תח' וחתני מו"ה שמואל נ"י ובני נחמן ובני דוד יוסף נ"י ובני שמשון נ"י ובנכם יצחק נ"י וזוג' כלם בחיים ושלום ואפילו לא חתם עצמו זה כל האגרת שלו והפיג רוחי בקרבי ע"כ ידידי אהבי באמת אפשר יש אצלכם איזה מכתב מחמיך נ"י אפשר הוא כתב לך עבור בני מאד יש לי מרה שחורה שכפי הנראה אין זה כתב ידו אך אין אחר יודע שם נכדי מבתי חייקי תח' כלם בפרוטרוט ע"כ מקשקש רוחי בקרבי ע"כ ידידי אהבי באמת אפשר יש איזה דבר מבני לא תכזב ממני כי נמס לבי בקרבי וגם אם יש לך איזה מכתב מחמיך נ"י על מכתבך שכתבת לו EN: "I and my wife and the members of my household and my daughter, may she live, and my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine, and my son Nachman and my son Dovid Yosef, may his candle shine, and my son Shimshon, may his candle shine, and your son Yitzchak, may his candle shine, and his wife — all of them are in life and in peace." Segment 6 HE: וגם זה שלשה שבועות אשר שלחתי מכתב למחתנכם מו"ה צבי על האדרעס ר' יקותיאל קאמינסקא אם לא שגיתי באדרעסי ע"כ כתבתי מכתב לחמיך וגם עבורכם כתבתי פ"ש וגם כתבתי מכתב לבני איך אפשר שלא יכתבו לי בני זמן כביר כזה שום מכתב ע"כ בקשתי לך אולי יש לך איזה ידיעה ותכתב לי ותח' נפשנו וגם זה שידידנו ר' איזיקל כתב לי כמה פעמים לכתוב לו איזה מכתב להיות לו איזה ניחא מב"ב כי הוא נע ונד וא"א לו לבא לביתו ואני אי"ה ג"כ אכתב לו איזה מכתב להחיות נפשו כי להחיות נפש מישראל אינו דבר רק ח"ו רק כאלו קים עולם מלא ומאד בקשתי למהר להשיב לי על מכתבי ולכתוב לי אם ר' דב נ"י הולך אצלכם ב"ה וגם מזוג' תח' מה היא עשה עם בנה נ"י עם בריאות גופם EN: And he did not even sign himself — this is the entirety of his letter. And it dissolved the tension of my spirit within me [והפיג רוחי בקרבי — v'heivig ruchi b'kirbi — "and it dissipated / dissolved my spirit within me" — the word heivig means to make vanish, to dissolve, to disperse the tension or heaviness; here it means the suffocating weight of the spirit's anguish was momentarily dissolved by the letter's arrival; relief, not joy — a releasing of held breath]. Therefore, my friend, my truly beloved — perhaps there is with you some letter from your father-in-law, may his candle shine — perhaps he wrote to you on behalf of my son. I have great melancholy [מרה שחורה — marah shechorah — "black bile" — the medical-spiritual term for melancholy and depression; the writer diagnoses his own state with clinical precision] — for apparently this is not in his own handwriting. But no one else knows there the names of my grandchildren from my daughter Chaikeh, may she live — all of them in detail. Therefore my spirit rattles within me [מקשקש רוחי בקרבי — mekashkesh ruchi b'kirbi — "my spirit rattles / trembles within me" — keshkesh — to shake, to rattle; not a gentle flutter but a rattling, as of something loose and shaking inside; a different and more agitated sensation than the dissolving of relief above — three distinct physical images of the spirit in this passage]. Therefore, my friend, my truly beloved — perhaps there is something from my son — do not withhold it from me [לא תכזב ממני — "do not deceive me / do not withhold from me / do not let me down" — from the root meaning to fail, to prove false, to withhold what was hoped for; an urgent, pleading imperative: if you have any news at all, share it — do not leave me disappointed and let down] — for my heart melts within me [נמס לבי בקרבי — an echo of Psalms 22:15: "my heart is like wax, it melts within my innards"; the heart losing its solid form, becoming liquid with grief]. And also if you have any letter from your father-in-law, may his candle shine, on your letter that you wrote to him. Segment 7 HE: וגם לכתוב אם נשמעת לעצתי לקבע עתים לספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בקביעות כי עתה בתוך מעוף מצוקתנו אשר גברו עלינו ועל כל ישראל אין שום עצה להחיות נפשנו כי אם במים קרים על נפש עיפה הנובעים מהננמ"ח וללפת אותם בתפילה ותחנונים וחוץ מזה אין עצה אחרת כי הוא משגב לי ומנוס ביום צר לי וכל מה שעובר עליך תרגיל עצמך לספר כל הנעשה עמך לפני השי"ת כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מראין לנו שדוד משיח צדקנו יסד מזה ספר תהלים כל מה שעבר עליו ספר לפני השי"ת ואנו חולים כאלו שצריכין להמשיך רפואתנו ממקום גדול וגבה מאד וילמד מהם דרכים ישרים ללכת בהם EN: And also — three weeks ago I sent a letter to your son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Tzvi — at the address of Reb Yekusiel Kaminska — if I did not err in the address. Therefore I wrote a letter to your father-in-law as well. And also on your behalf I wrote greetings of peace. And also I wrote a letter to my sons — how is it possible that my sons do not write to me for such a very long time — not a single letter? Therefore I asked of you: perhaps you have some news — write to me and give life to our souls. And also the following: that our friend Reb Aizikl wrote to me several times to write him some letter — to have some comfort [איזה ניחא — eizeh nicha — Aramaic: "some comfort / some ease" — the Aramaic word nicha means ease, rest, relief; a gentle code-switch into Aramaic for an emotional nuance] for his household — for he wanders and roams and is unable to come to his home. And I will G-d willing also write him some letter to give life to his soul — for to give life to the soul of a Jew is not a small matter, G-d forbid, but rather as if one has sustained an entire world [כאלו קים עולם מלא — an echo of the Talmudic teaching [Sanhedrin 37a]: "whoever sustains a single soul of Israel, Scripture accounts it as if he had sustained an entire world"; the writer applies this to the act of writing a letter of spiritual sustenance]. And I have greatly requested to hurry and reply to me on my letter — and to write to me whether Reb Dov, may his candle shine, comes to you, blessed be G-d. And also about my wife, may she live — what she did with her son, may his candle shine — and about the health of their bodies. And also — to write whether you have heeded my counsel to set fixed times for the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple with constancy. For now, in the midst of the swooping distress that hovers over us [בתוך מעוף מצוקתנו — "in the midst of the me'of of our distress" — me'of literally means "flight / flying" — from עוף, to fly; it appears in Isaiah 8:22 in a context of overwhelming darkness and anguish; the image is of distress that descends on one with the speed and force of a swooping bird — not merely "turmoil" but distress that swoops down and overwhelms; "our swooping distress" captures the active, attacking quality of the image] — which has intensified over us and over all Israel — there is no counsel to give life to our souls except the cold water upon a weary soul that flows from the Hinnuvme [הננמ"ח — the acronym for הנחל נבע מקור חכמה — "the stream that flows from the source of wisdom" — the title and description of Likutay Halachos by Reb Nosson of Breslov ז"ל; one of the most beautiful and precise names for this work in the entire collection]. And to cling to them through prayer and supplication. And beyond this there is no other counsel — for He is my stronghold and my refuge in the day of my distress. And everything that passes over you — train yourself to recount before Hashem Yisbarach everything that happens to you — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple show us that King David our righteous Mashiach laid the foundation of the book of Psalms from this [יסד מזה ספר תהלים — "founded / laid the foundation of the book of Psalms from this" — the verb yasad means to found, to establish, to lay the foundation; the same root as yesod — foundation — one of the ten sefiros; King David did not merely write or collect the Psalms — he laid their foundation in the practice of telling-narration; the book of Psalms is built on the foundation of sipur — recounting before G-d; this connects directly to the opening of the letter where the writer himself uses lesaper — to recount — his heart before the recipient] — everything that passed over him he recounted before Hashem Yisbarach. And we are sick people of the kind described [חולים כאלו — "sick like those ones" — referring to a specific type of spiritually ill patient described in the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל and Reb Nosson ז"ל: those whose illness is of the soul and requires medicine drawn from a very elevated, spiritual source; not sick people in general but the specific category requiring the elevated healing] — who must draw our healing from a very great and very high place — and learn from them straight paths on which to walk. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: And pray for my wife, may she live. And write to me what the wife, may she live, did. And also your son, the wise child — what is he studying? For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: I pray for you at all times — for the love of your souls is bound to my soul. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And on account of my confidence I have been brief — and say peace to you and peace to your helper [שלום לך ושלום לעזרך — an echo of I Samuel 25:6 — David's greeting to Nabal: "peace to you, peace to your household, peace to all that is yours"; a warm ancient greeting formula; "your helper" — ezrecha — referring to his wife, his companion, his support]. # לב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/32/ לב לב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/32 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' טוב אדר שני תרל"ח לפ"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Begun: Friday, a good day [יום טוב — "a good day" — Purim has just been celebrated; the Megillah calls Purim "days of joy and feasting a Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ וממש בני וב"א כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך נ"י ויופיע כאור שמש ועם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנך היקר וחכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט אנס"ו EN: nd a good day"], Adar Sheni [the Second Adar of the leap year; Purim is celebrated in Adar Sheni; this is Purim itself or Shushan Purim], 5638, according to the minor reckoning — Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Completed: Sunday, the Torah portion of Shemini — as the letter explains. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום מתוך בשורות טובות ואות נפשנו אנס"ו כן יהי רצון EN: To the honor of our ohavainu — and truly my son [וממש בני — "and truly my son" — the word mammash deepens the fatherhood: truly, literally, in every sense his son] — and in truth [וב"א — either u'v'emes — "and in truth" — or possibly u'ven ahov — "and a beloved son"; both readings are consistent with the text; the accumu Segment 4 HE: אחר דרישת שלומו כמשפט תמיה עליך מה מנעת פרי עטך ממני וזה שני שבועות שלא היה לי שום מכתב מכם וגדל היסורים שלי אין לשער ואין להעריך ולא די לי היסורים ממניעת המכתבים מטראויצע מבני עכ"פ היה לי לפעמים למשיבת נפש המכתבים שלך כי תאמין לי כי קשרתי אהבתך בלבי ממש כבן האהוב לפני אביו ועתה כשזה זמן כביר לא ראיתי ממך שום מכתב גדלו היסורים שלי ובפרט זוג' תח' בכל עת שואלת אותי מה זה שאין לי שום ידיעה מצפת תו"ת השי"ת יודע מה שנעשה בשם השי"ת יתן שיהיה לטובה EN: lated titles of love deepen with each word] — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your father, may his candle shine — and may he shine like the light of the sun [ויופיע כאור שמש — "and may he shine forth like the light of the sun" — an unusual and beautiful blessing for the father's greeting: a prayer for radiance and vitality] — and together with peace upon your wife, may she live, and upon your precious and wise son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine, for length of days and good years. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace from within good tidings — and a life-giving token for our soul [ואות נפשנו — "and a sign / token for our soul" — the word os — sign, token, letter-character — used here for something that gives proof and vitality to the soul; a tangible token of connection; it may also be a gentle wordplay on os as a letter of the alphabet — the letter itself is the life-giving token, the written sign that the soul lives]. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. Segment 5 HE: ובפרט שאני כתבתי מראש חדש אדר זה מכתב רביעי ובכל עת שבא שירא הולך אני או זוג' תח' או אחותי תח' ושואלים אצל ר' דב נ"י מכח המכתב מכם ואין לו ע"כ הוא לפלא בעיני ולא היה דעתי לכתוב לך עד שאקבל ממך איזה מכתב אך אתמול בא אברך מו"ה שלום נ"י שהוא שכן סמוך לכם ושאלתי אותו עליכם ואמר לי שב"ה בפורים הייתם שמחים בביתכם והחיה אותי אך עתה הפליאה עוד גדולה אצלי עד למאד מה זה שאין לי מכתבים ממך והלכתי באסתר תענית במכון לר' יוסף אזליר נ"י ושאלתי אותו עליכם ונשבע לי שאתם ב"ה כלכם בחיים ושלום ואמר לי שאתה אמ' לו שיש אצלכם עבורי מעות סך שנים עשר רו"ח הינו מר' אבאלע נ"י סך עשרה רו"ח ומבני מו"ה משה אפרים סך שני רו"ח EN: After inquiring after your welfare as is right and proper — I am astonished at you: what has held back the fruit of your pen from me? [מה מנעת פרי עטך ממני — "what has held back the fruit of your pen from me?" — the letters are the living, organic fruit of the pen; something that has been withheld from one who hungers for it] For these two weeks I have had no letter from you at all — and the greatness of my suffering is beyond reckoning and beyond estimating. And it is not enough that I suffer from the withholding of letters from Troyits — from my sons — at least I had the letters from you from time to time as a reviving of my soul. For believe me — I have knotted your love into my heart [קשרתי אהבתך בלבי — kasharti ahavtecha b'libi — "I have knotted / tied your love in my heart" — the verb kashar means to tie, to knot, to bind physically; not a metaphor of feeling but a physical image: the love has been knotted like a cord knotted tightly around something; it cannot come loose] — truly like a beloved son before his father. And now that for such a long time I have seen no letter from you, my suffering has increased. And particularly my wife, may she live, at all times asks me: what is this that I have no news at all from Tzfas? May Hashem Yisbarach know what is happening there — may Hashem Yisbarach grant that it be for good. And particularly since I have written from the first of this Adar a fourth letter — and every time the postal courier comes, I or my wife, may she live, or my sister, may she live, goes and asks of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, about the letter from you — and he has nothing. Therefore it is a wonder to me. And it was not my intention to write to you until I received some letter from you — but yesterday there came a young scholar, Morainu v'Rabbainu Shalom, may his candle shine, who is a nearby neighbor to you — and I asked him about you — and he told me that blessed be G-d on Purim you were joyful in your home. Segment 6 HE: ותאמין לי ידידי עז שאין לי שום פליאה על המעות אך לפלא בעיני על מכתבך שקדם פורים לא יהיה לי שום מכתב ממך כי אתם יודעים שאני בכאן אחד היה אברהם' כי אפילו ב"ה בפורים הק' רקדתי כל היום ושמחתי בעצמי וב"ה הייתי בשמחה גדולה כי ב"ה יש לנו במה לשמח כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ידעו מה הוא פורים ומה יכולין לזכות ע"י פורים הק' ב"ה מחאת כף ורקודין ובכל המצות הנוהגות בפורים ואני בכאן יחיד וע"כ אם עכ"פ יש לי מכתב מכם אני מחיה עצמי ע"כ למען ה' תכף כראות מכתבי תשיב לי מכתב בחזרה ותח' נפשי ואפשר לא קבלת המכתבים שלי אך מכתב אחד ששלחתי ע"י אשת ר' חיים יהושע בודאי קבלת EN: And this gave me life. But now the wonder is even greater to me — why I have no letters from you. And on the Fast of Esther I went specifically to Reb Yosef Azler, may his candle shine, and asked him about you — and he swore to me that you are, blessed be G-d, all of you in life and in peace. And he told me that you said to him that you have for me money — the sum of twelve rubles — namely from Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine, the sum of ten rubles, and from my son Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe Efraim the sum of two rubles. And believe me, my strong friend — I have no wonder at all about the money. But it is a wonder to me about your letter — that before Purim I should have had no letter at all from you. For you know that I am here alone — "Avraham was one" [אחד היה אברהם — Ezekiel 33:24; Avraham was alone — one person — yet he sustained the entire world; the writer applies this to himself: he is alone in Tiberias within the Breslov community, as Avraham was alone in his generation; yet the single one contains and sustains multitudes] — for even on the holy Purim, blessed be G-d, I danced all day and rejoiced within myself [ושמחתי בעצמי — "and I rejoiced within myself / by myself" — b'atzmi: alone; the joy was genuine and full, danced out bodily all day; and yet entirely alone; the word carries both triumph and solitude at once] — and blessed be G-d I was in great joy. For blessed be G-d we have in what to rejoice — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple knew what Purim is and what one can merit through the holy Purim. Blessed be G-d — with clapping of hands and with dancing, and with all the commandments that are in practice on Purim. And I am here alone — and therefore, if at least I have a letter from you, I give myself life. Segment 7 HE: ומחמת נחיצת קדם התפילה אקצר ואמר שלום EN: Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — immediately upon seeing my letter, write me a letter back and give life to my soul. Segment 8 HE: מנאי אוהבך EN: And on account of the urgency of before the prayer I will be brief — and say peace. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: From me [מנאי — mina'i — Aramaic: "from me" — not the usual Hebrew mimeni; a natural Aramaic code-switch in the closing formula, as throughout these letters], your beloved, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: היום יום א' שמיני כי לא השגתי השירא ביום ו' ונשאר אצלי המכתב עד היום ובבקר באה אצלי אשה אחת אשת ר' יעקב דאקטיר מצפת תו"ת והביא לי מכתב מיום ה' ויקרא ושם כתוב ששלחת לי כמה מכתבים ע"י הנאמן והלכתי בכאן לר' דב נ"י והראיתי לו מכתבים ואמר לי שלא קבל אפילו אחד ואני יודע האמת שאם יש לו איזה מכתב אזי תכף נותן לי המכתב אם לא נאבדו שם המכתבים וגם אין אני יודע אם קבלת מכתב אחד ע"י אשת ר' יהושע ששלחתי ע"י ר' דב נ"י EN: And perhaps you did not receive my letters — but at least the one letter I sent through the wife of Reb Chaim Yehoshua — that one you surely received. Segment 11 HE: ובזה שכתבת לי שב"ה בנך בקו הבריאה החיית נפשנו אך מי יתן השי"ת חיש מהר רפואה שלמה לזוג' תח' לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה ויש לנו צער גדול מזה ואנו מתפללים בכל עת עליכם וגם על בנך נ"י השי"ת ישמע תפילתנו חיש מהר ותכתב לי איך עבר עליכם שמחת פורים שע"י זה נמתקים כל הדינים EN: And on account of the urgency of before the prayer I will be brief — and say peace. From me [מנאי — mina'i — Aramaic: "from me" — not the usual Hebrew mimeni; a natural Aramaic code-switch in the closing formula, as throughout these letters], your beloved, Nussun from Breslov Added Sunday, the Torah portion of Shemini: Today is Sunday of Shemini — for I did not manage to find the postal courier on Friday and the letter remained with me until today. And this morning there came to me a woman — the wife of Reb Yaakov the Doctor from Tzfas, may it be established and built for good — and she brought me a letter from Thursday of Vayikra. And there it is written that you sent me several letters through the trusted one. And I went here to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and showed him the letter — and he told me that he did not receive even one. And I know the truth: that if he has any letter he immediately gives it to me — if the letters were not already lost there, before reaching him, the letters [the writer fully trusts Reb Dov; therefore the only explanation is that the letters were lost in transit in Tzfas before they ever reached Reb Dov; the loss is not Reb Dov's fault]. And also I do not know whether you received the one letter through the wife of Reb Yehoshua that I sent through Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace from within good tidings — and a life-giving token for our soul [ואות נפשנו — "and a sign / token for our soul" — the word os — sign, token, letter-character — used here for something that gives proof and vitality to the soul; a tangible token of connection; it may also be a gentle wordplay on os as a letter of the alphabet — the letter itself is the life-giving token, the written sign that the soul lives]. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. After inquiring after your welfare as is right and proper — I am astonished at you: what has held back the fruit of your pen from me? [מה מנעת פרי עטך ממני — "what has held back the fruit of your pen from me?" — the letters are the living, organic fruit of the pen; something that has been withheld from one who hungers for it] For these two weeks I have had no letter from you at all — and the greatness of my suffering is beyond reckoning and beyond estimating. And it is not enough that I suffer from the withholding of letters from Troyits — from my sons — at least I had the letters from you from time to time as a reviving of my soul. For believe me — I have knotted your love into my heart [קשרתי אהבתך בלבי — kasharti ahavtecha b'libi — "I have knotted / tied your love in my heart" — the verb kashar means to tie, to knot, to bind physically; not a metaphor of feeling but a physical image: the love has been knotted like a cord knotted tightly around something; it cannot come loose] — truly like a beloved son before his father. And now that for such a long time I have seen no letter from you, my suffering has increased. And particularly my wife, may she live, at all times asks me: what is this that I have no news at all from Tzfas? May Hashem Yisbarach know what is happening there — may Hashem Yisbarach grant that it be for good. And particularly since I have written from the first of this Adar a fourth letter — and every time the postal courier comes, I or my wife, may she live, or my sister, may she live, goes and asks of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, about the letter from you — and he has nothing. Therefore it is a wonder to me. And it was not my intention to write to you until I received some letter from you — but yesterday there came a young scholar, Morainu v'Rabbainu Shalom, may his candle shine, who is a nearby neighbor to you — and I asked him about you — and he told me that blessed be G-d on Purim you were joyful in your home. And this gave me life. But now the wonder is even greater to me — why I have no letters from you. And on the Fast of Esther I went specifically to Reb Yosef Azler, may his candle shine, and asked him about you — and he swore to me that you are, blessed be G-d, all of you in life and in peace. And he told me that you said to him that you have for me money — the sum of twelve rubles — namely from Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine, the sum of ten rubles, and from my son Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe Efraim the sum of two rubles. 📜 And believe me, my strong friend — I have no wonder at all about the money. But it is a wonder to me about your letter — that before Purim I should have had no letter at all from you. For you know that I am here alone — "Avraham was one" [אחד היה אברהם — Ezekiel 33:24; Avraham was alone — one person — yet he sustained the entire world; the writer applies this to himself: he is alone in Tiberias within the Breslov community, as Avraham was alone in his generation; yet the single one contains and sustains multitudes] — for even on the holy Purim, blessed be G-d, I danced all day and rejoiced within myself [ושמחתי בעצמי — "and I rejoiced within myself / by myself" — b'atzmi: alone; the joy was genuine and full, danced out bodily all day; and yet entirely alone; the word carries both triumph and solitude at once] — and blessed be G-d I was in great joy. For blessed be G-d we have in what to rejoice — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple knew what Purim is and what one can merit through the holy Purim. Blessed be G-d — with clapping of hands and with dancing, and with all the commandments that are in practice on Purim. And I am here alone — and therefore, if at least I have a letter from you, I give myself life. Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — immediately upon seeing my letter, write me a letter back and give life to my soul. And perhaps you did not receive my letters — but at least the one letter I sent through the wife of Reb Chaim Yehoshua — that one you surely received. And on account of the urgency of before the prayer I will be brief — and say peace. From me [מנאי — mina'i — Aramaic: "from me" — not the usual Hebrew mimeni; a natural Aramaic code-switch in the closing formula, as throughout these letters], your beloved, Nussun from Breslov Today is Sunday of Shemini — for I did not manage to find the postal courier on Friday and the letter remained with me until today. And this morning there came to me a woman — the wife of Reb Yaakov the Doctor from Tzfas, may it be established and built for good — and she brought me a letter from Thursday of Vayikra. And there it is written that you sent me several letters through the trusted one. And I went here to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and showed him the letter — and he told me that he did not receive even one. And I know the truth: that if he has any letter he immediately gives it to me — if the letters were not already lost there, before reaching him, the letters [the writer fully trusts Reb Dov; therefore the only explanation is that the letters were lost in transit in Tzfas before they ever reached Reb Dov; the loss is not Reb Dov's fault]. And also I do not know whether you received the one letter through the wife of Reb Yehoshua that I sent through Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. Begun Friday, Purim or Shushan Purim, Adar Sheni 5638 (late February or early March 1878); completed the following Sunday, Parshas Shemini. The letter sat two days because the postal courier could not be found. Lost letters, the Purim joy danced alone all day, and a prayer for 248 limbs and 365 sinews. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 12 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: Begun Friday, Purim or Shushan Purim, Adar Sheni 5638 (late February or early March 1878); completed the following Sunday, Parshas Shemini. The letter sat two days because the postal courier could not be found. Lost letters, the Purim joy danced alone all day, and a prayer for 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Segment 13 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 14 HE: אוהבך EN: Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. Segment 15 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And regarding what you wrote — that all the Anash agreed together to give one grosh from each ruble on behalf of our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — I also agree. And also in my letter I wrote that you should receive one and a half bishlikim for the Anash to divide among them. Now receive only one bishlik — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent — and divide it as I wrote to you: to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — equal to equal. And the remainder will go with the letter of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, that is written on my letter — and surely he will receive the money from you. And if you see that even so he does not want to receive it — send it with the donkey-driver Zeidel, as I wrote to you in my letter from yesterday — for the money is urgently needed by me now before the holy Passover. And I need to settle a little money with my sister as well. # לג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/33/ לג לג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/33 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' שמיני תרל"ח לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Monday, the Torah portion of Shemini, 5638, according to the minor reckoning — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. [The Monday immediately following Letter 32's Sunday completion; two letters on consecutive days] Segment 3 HE: לידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י תדע ששלחתי לך מכתב ביום ו' עש"ק פקודי קבלתם לנכון ושלחתי לך מכתבי ומכתב ממאלדווע ושלחתי אותם ע"י הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י וגם את הפיסאליס ואני שאלתי לר' דב נ"י כמה פעמים על מכתבים ואמר לי שאין לו ואתמול לעת ערב פתח החנות והביא לי המכתבים בעצמו ועתה אני כתב לך שר' דב בעצמו כתב לר' חיים יהושע נ"י לקבל אצלך המעות ויתן לו אוו"ז ואני אסלק בכאן EN: To my friend, our ohavainu — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. Segment 4 HE: ואודות מה שאתה כתב שכל אנ"ש הסכימו יחד לתן אחד גר' מכל רו"ח עבור ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י גם אני מסכים גם במכתבי כתבתי שתקבל א' בישליק וחצי עבור אנ"ש לחלק אותם עתה תקבל רק בישליק אחד ששלחה אחותי חנה תח' ותחלק כאשר כתבתי לך לר' נחמן נ"י ולר' איצילע נ"י ולר' דב נ"י ולר' קלמן נ"י שוה בשוה והמותר תלך עם המכתב של ר' דב נ"י אשר נכתב על מכתבי ובודאי יקבל המעות אצלך ואם תראה שאעפ"כ אינו רוצה לקבל תשלח עם המיקער זידיל כמו שכתבתי לך במכתבי מאתמול כי המעות נחוץ לי עתה קדם פסח הק' ואני צריך לסלק לאחותי מעט מעות ג"כ EN: And regarding what you wrote — that all the Anash agreed together to give one grosh from each ruble on behalf of our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — I also agree. And also in my letter I wrote that you should receive one and a half bishlikim for the Anash to divide among them. Now receive only one bishlik — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent — and divide it as I wrote to you: to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — equal to equal. And the remainder will go with the letter of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, that is written on my letter — and surely he will receive the money from you. And if you see that even so he does not want to receive it — send it with the donkey-driver Zeidel, as I wrote to you in my letter from yesterday — for the money is urgently needed by me now before the holy Passover. And I need to settle a little money with my sister as well. Segment 5 HE: והשי"ת יברך אותך ואת זוג' תח' ואת בנך נ"י וכל ב"ב בכל טוב ויציל אתכם השי"ת מעתה מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה ויאמר די לצרותיכם וימתיק מכם כל מיני דינים בגוף ונפש וממון ויופיע עליכם בשורות טובות מחו"ל חיש מהר ועל אהבנו אנ"ש בכאן ובחו"ל ישפת עליהם ועלינו החיים והשלום וברכה והצלחה וכט"ס EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and your wife, may she live, and your son, may his candle shine, and all the members of your household with all goodness — and may Hashem Yisbarach save you from now on from all kinds of sickness and from all kinds of disease [מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה — the paired biblical formula from Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:60: kol choli v'kol madveh — "every sickness and every disease"; the writer deliberately echoes the Torah's words of protection — the same passage that promises G-d will remove all illness from those who keep His covenant; a citation of the Torah's own protective language] — and may He say "enough!" to your troubles — and sweeten from upon you all kinds of harsh judgments in body and in soul and in money — and may He make to shine upon you good tidings from outside the Land quickly and soon. And upon our beloved Anash here and in the diaspora — may He pour out in overflowing abundance [ישפת עליהם — yishpas aleihem — from the root שפע — shefa — to pour out in overflowing measure, to provide in abundance beyond ordinary giving; not merely "pour" but the overflow of shefa — the mode of divine abundance; life and peace poured out in full, overflowing measure] upon them and upon us life and peace and blessing and success — and the fullness of good. Segment 6 HE: ידידך אוהבך באמת EN: Your friend who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And do not be lazy with your letters to me — each and every time. [ואל תתעצל במכתביך אלי בכל פעם ופעם — the closing admonition; "each and every time" — the doubled phrase insists: not just sometimes but every single time, without exception, without laziness] Segment 8 HE: ואל תתעצל במכתביך אלי בכל פעם ופעם EN: Your friend who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And do not be lazy with your letters to me — each and every time. [ואל תתעצל במכתביך אלי בכל פעם ופעם — the closing admonition; "each and every time" — the doubled phrase insists: not just sometimes but every single time, without exception, without laziness] # לד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/34/ לד לד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/34 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' לסדר שמיני תרל"ח לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא EN: Tuesday, the Torah portion of Shemini, 5638, according to the minor reckoning — the Holy City of Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ הלוא הוא המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך היקר נ"י ויופיע כאור שמש עם שלום בנך סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: [The Tuesday of the same week as Letter 33; three letters in three consecutive days] To the honor of my strong friend, our ohavainu — is it not the wondrous one? [הלוא הוא המפלא — "is it not he, the wondrous one?" — halo is the rhetorical particle of affirmation: "is it not? / surely! / behold!"; drawing the recipient's name into focus with mild rhetorical flourish] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your dear father, may his candle shine — and may he shine like the light of the sun — and together with peace upon your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל כלנו ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום בשלמות ובבשורות טובות ובשמחה שלמה אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us — blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and in peace [ת"ל כלנו ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום — the word kulanu — "all of us" — appears twice in this short blessing, with the "Blessed be G-d" inserted between them: "Thanks to G-d, all of us — blessed be G-d — all of us"; the repetition is emphatic: not one of us is missing, all of us without exception are in life and peace; the writer stresses completeness]. May I merit to hear from you life and peace in fullness and good tidings and complete joy. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך עם הלירא פראנציזי עם הששת בישליקיס וחצי וסך הכל 1020 קבלתי לנכון ונתתי 220 שכר טרחה והחייתני מאד בשמחתכם בשמחת פורים הק' וגם מזה שכתבת לי שהאברך נתן היה ג"כ עמכם בשמחת פורים הק' גם מזה היה לי נחת כי היה לי צער גדול מה שנפרד נפש מאתנו ומי יתן שרבנו ז"ל ימתיק מאתנו כל הדינים ע"י שמחת פורים וישלח השי"ת רפואה שלמה לזוג' תח' ויתן לה הריון חיש מהר EN: Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Your letter — together with the French pound [לירא פראנציזי — a French franc or pound; a specific currency denomination in use in the Ottoman Levant alongside local Ottoman coins] — and together with the six and a half bishlikim — totaling in sum 1020 — I received properly. And I gave 220 in fees for the trouble [שכר טרחה — payment to the carrier or agent for the effort of conveying the money]. And you gave me life greatly — with your joy in the joy of the holy Purim. And also from what you wrote to me that the young scholar Nussun was also with you in the joy of the holy Purim — this too gave me nachas [נחת — the deep pleasure felt when someone one loves is doing well; this young man had distanced himself from the Breslov fellowship (Letter 29); his return and presence at the Purim celebration gives the writer genuine nachas: a soul that had parted from their midst has come back] — for I had great grief about the fact that a soul had parted from our midst. And would that Rabbainu ז"ל sweeten from upon us all the harsh judgments through the joy of Purim. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to your wife, may she live, and give her a pregnancy quickly and soon [ויתן לה הריון חיש מהר — "and give her a pregnancy swiftly and soon" — a specific, personal prayer for conception; a long-hoped-for blessing prayed for in the same breath as her physical healing]. Segment 5 HE: ולאחיך היקר נ"י ישלח השי"ת חיש מהר רפואה שלמה ויגדל דעתו דעה צלולה ובשמחה והשי"ת יקבץ כל פזרונכם מכל המקומות חיש מהר שנתפזרו המעות היקר שלכם ומחמת נחיצת המיקער קצרתי ואמר שלום EN: And to your dear brother, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing — and may He expand his mind with clear knowledge and in joy [ויגדל דעתו דעה צלולה ובשמחה — "and may He expand his mind — clear knowledge and in joy" — the illness has affected the brother's mental clarity; the prayer is not only for physical healing but for da'as tzlulah — lucid, clear understanding — and specifically that this clarity should come in joy, not merely through recovery but through a blossoming of the mind in happiness]. And may Hashem Yisbarach gather all your scattered ones from all the places quickly and soon — the precious money of yours that became scattered. And on account of the urgency of the donkey-driver I have been brief — and say peace. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: One who loves you truly and pleads on your behalf always, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: אוהבכם באמת המעתיר בעדכם תמיד ומטראויצע לא קבלתי שום מכתב ואתה שואל אותי ואני שואל אותך ובזה אנו נשארים ואין אני יכול עוד לסבל צער זוג' תח' ובכיתה ובפרט כשראה שבא איזה מכתב מבני בזה צערה גדול מאד אך מה לעשות הכל בהשגחת השי"ת שרוצה לצער אותנו ויהיה כפרת עונותינו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us — blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and in peace [ת"ל כלנו ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום — the word kulanu — "all of us" — appears twice in this short blessing, with the "Blessed be G-d" inserted between them: "Thanks to G-d, all of us — blessed be G-d — all of us"; the repetition is emphatic: not one of us is missing, all of us without exception are in life and peace; the writer stresses completeness]. May I merit to hear from you life and peace in fullness and good tidings and complete joy. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Your letter — together with the French pound [לירא פראנציזי — a French franc or pound; a specific currency denomination in use in the Ottoman Levant alongside local Ottoman coins] — and together with the six and a half bishlikim — totaling in sum 1020 — I received properly. And I gave 220 in fees for the trouble [שכר טרחה — payment to the carrier or agent for the effort of conveying the money]. And you gave me life greatly — with your joy in the joy of the holy Purim. And also from what you wrote to me that the young scholar Nussun was also with you in the joy of the holy Purim — this too gave me nachas [נחת — the deep pleasure felt when someone one loves is doing well; this young man had distanced himself from the Breslov fellowship (Letter 29); his return and presence at the Purim celebration gives the writer genuine nachas: a soul that had parted from their midst has come back] — for I had great grief about the fact that a soul had parted from our midst. And would that Rabbainu ז"ל sweeten from upon us all the harsh judgments through the joy of Purim. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to your wife, may she live, and give her a pregnancy quickly and soon [ויתן לה הריון חיש מהר — "and give her a pregnancy swiftly and soon" — a specific, personal prayer for conception; a long-hoped-for blessing prayed for in the same breath as her physical healing]. One who loves you truly and pleads on your behalf always, Nussun from Breslov And from Troyits I have received no letter — and you ask me and I ask you — and with this we remain [ובזה אנו נשארים — "and with this we remain" — a phrase of shared helplessness: they both ask the same question and neither can answer; the mutual asking and mutual not-knowing is itself the answer; they are trapped together in the same silence]. And I can no longer bear the grief of my wife, may she live, and her weeping. And particularly when some letter comes from my sons — then her grief is very great indeed [when a letter arrives from the writer's sons, his wife sees that others have written while her own sons remain silent; the contrast makes her suffering worse, not better]. But what is to be done — everything is in the providence of Hashem Yisbarach, Who wishes to cause us grief [שרוצה לצער אותנו — "Who wishes to cause us grief" — a startling formulation of radical acceptance; the writer does not soften this to "Who permits" or "Wh o allows" but says explicitly that G-d w ants to cause them grief; this is not complaint but a direct, unfiltered statement of faith in divine providence — even suffering is willed; and it is followed immediately by the acceptance: "and may it be atonement for our sins"] — and may it be atonement for our sins. 📜 And to your dear brother, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing — and may He expand his mind with clear knowledge and in joy [ויגדל דעתו דעה צלולה ובשמחה — "and may He expand his mind — clear knowledge and in joy" — the illness has affected the brother's mental clarity; the prayer is not only for physical healing but for da'as tzlulah — lucid, clear understanding — and specifically that this clarity should come in joy, not merely through recovery but through a blossoming of the mind in happiness]. And may Hashem Yisbarach gather all your scattered ones from all the places quickly and soon — the precious money of yours that became scattered. And on account of the urgency of the donkey-driver I have been brief — and say peace. One who loves you truly and pleads on your behalf always, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Shemini, 5638 (mid-March 1878), from Teverya — the third consecutive letter of this week. Money received, Purim joy shared at a distance, the young scholar Nussun has returned, and a formulation of radical acceptance. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 32 | לב (Lamed-Beis) # לה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/35/ לה לה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/35 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' תזריע תרל"ח לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Tazria [Parshas Tazria — ritual purity; falls in late March or early April, shortly before Passover], 5638, according to the minor reckoning — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: To the honor of my friend, our ohavainu, my strong friend, the wondrous one — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום בתמידות מזוג' תח' ומאחיך נ"י אנס"ו כן יהי רצון EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you in unbroken constancy [בתמידות — b'temidus — "in constancy, in uninterrupted regularity" — from tamid, the daily perpetual Temple offering that was never allowed to lapse; the writer is not merely asking to hear from them often but for the quality of unbroken, perpetual constancy, like the tamid offering; the word carries the resonance of the Temple's most continuous divine service] — life and peace — from your wife, may she live, and from your brother, may his candle shine. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך ע"י ר' שמואל מטייטרא קבלתי ביום ה' שמיני ושם כתוב מג' פ' צו אתה כתב לי לשלח לך קבלה על המעות ואני קבלתי המעות ביום ג' שמיני ונתתי לו קבלה וגם שלחתי לך אחד בישליק מאחותי תח' לאנ"ש ואיני יודע אם קבלת המכתבים עם הבישליק ע"כ תכתב לי תשובה וקבלה וגם אודות שכתבת לי שקבלת מכתב מאחיך סענדיר נ"י וגם ממכתבך נראה שגם המחתן כתב לכם מכתב עתה וכתב לכם שכתב מכתבים ולא הגיע לכם אין אני מבין הפרוש וגם מה זה שאחיך כתב לכם מכתב ומחמיך ומבני אין שום מכתב הלא היא עיר קטנה ואינם יכולין להודיע זה לזה כשהם רוצים לכתוב מכתב EN: Your letter — through Reb Shmuel from Teiteira — I received on Thursday of Shemini. And there it is written from Tuesday of the Torah portion of Tzav — that you wrote to me to send you a receipt for the money. And I received the money on Tuesday of Shemini — and I gave him a receipt. And also I sent you one bishlik from my sister, may she live, for the Anash. And I do not know whether you received the letters with the bishlik — therefore write me a reply and a receipt. And also regarding what you wrote to me — that you received a letter from your brother Sender, may his candle shine — and also from your letter it appears that the co-parent-in-law [המחתן — ha'mechutan — specifically the parent of one's in-law, the co-parent-in-law between the two families; distinct from chasan — the son-in-law; the mechutan is the senior figure connecting the two families at the parent level] also wrote you a letter now — and wrote to you that he had sent letters that did not reach you. I do not understand the explanation. And also — what is this that your brother wrote you a letter, while from your father-in-law and from my sons there is no letter at all? After all it is a small city — and they cannot inform one another when they want to write a letter? Segment 5 HE: מה אמר לך בני אין אני יכול עוד לסבל צערי ובפרט צער זוג' תח' אם תראה אותה בודאי לא תכיר אותה ע"כ ידידי בני אני מבקש אותך ואת ש"ב אליעזר אולי תכתבו מכתב לאחיך סענדיר נ"י תבקשו עבורי שהוא יקבל מכתב הן מחתני ישראל נ"י והן מחתני שמואל נ"י עם זוג' חייקי תח' והן מבני יצחק נ"י וגדל המצוה אין לשער ואני מתפלל תמיד בעדו על כל המקומות הק' ע"כ גם הוא יעשה לי טובה זו EN: What can I tell you, my son? I can no longer bear my grief — and particularly the grief of my wife, may she live. If you were to see her — you surely would not recognize her. Therefore, my friend my son — I ask of you and of the brother-in-law Eliezer — perhaps write a letter to your brother Sender, may his candle shine, and request on my behalf that he obtain a letter — both from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, and from my son-in-law Shmuel, may his candle shine, together with his wife Chaikeh, may she live — and from my son Yitzchak, may his candle shine. And the greatness of this mitzvah is beyond reckoning. And I always pray for him at all the holy sites. Therefore let him also do this kindness for me. Segment 6 HE: והב' אני מבקש אותך אם יגיעכם המכתב מחותנכם נ"י אולי יש איזה מכתב אלינו תזרז תכף לשלח לנו אולי תח' אותנו כי אני כתבתי במכתבי לחותנכם ובקשתי אותו לקבל מבני מכתב והוא בודאי יעשה עבורי וגם לכתוב לי מה נשמע מבן חותנכם מו"ה משה נ"י אם הציל אותו השי"ת מהצרה כי בודאי אחיך כתב לכם וגם היכן אמך תח' ואחיך ישראל אריה נ"י השי"ת ישלח לו רפואה שלמה היכן הם עתה איך אחיך סענדיר נ"י אחז עם האדון שלו עם החוב שלו וגם כמה פעמים כתבתי לך להודיעני מידידנו הותיק וחסיד מו"ה אפרים נ"י מירושלים כי לא היה לי שום ידיעה ממנו יותר מחצי שנה מה הוא עשה ואין לי שום ידיעה ממך ויש לי יסורים גדולים ע"כ אני מבקש להשיב לי על מכתבי ראשון ראשון EN: And the second request: I ask of you — if the letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, reaches you — perhaps there is some letter in it for us — hasten immediately to send it to us, that it may give us life. For I wrote in my letter to your co-parent-in-law and asked him to obtain a letter from my sons — and he will surely act on my behalf. And also write to me what is heard about the son of your co-parent-in-law, Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine — whether Hashem Yisbarach saved him from the trouble. For surely your brother wrote to you about this. And also — where is your mother, may she live, and your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing — where are they now? And how is your brother Sender, may his candle shine, gripping and holding on with his master regarding his debt? [איך אחיך סענדיר נ"י אחז עם האדון שלו עם החוב שלו — "how does your brother Sender grip and hold on with his master regarding his debt" — the verb achaz — to grip, to cling, to grasp — is physically and emotionally charged; the brother is clinging to his situation with a creditor-master; the image is of someone gripping hard to maintain their position under great pressure] And also — many times I have written to you to inform me about our beloved friend, the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Efraim, may his candle shine, from Yerushalayim — for I have had no news from him for more than half a year — what he has done. And I have no news from you about this, and I have great suffering. Therefore I ask of you: reply to me on my letter — first things first. [ראשון ראשון — "first things first" — the Talmudic principle applied to correspondence: address each question in the order it was asked, the first before the second] Segment 7 HE: ואי"ה ביום מחר אני מוכן לילך על כמה מקומות הק' בודאי אתפלל עבורכם ועבור כל אנ"ש והשומע תפלות ישראל ישמע גם תפילתנו ג"כ וגם אתם תתפללו עבורנו שיתן לנו השי"ת פסח כשר בגשמיות וברוחניות וכן גם אתם תברכו בברכה זו שתקבלו חג הפסח בכשרות ובשמחה מתוך בשורות טובות EN: And G-d willing tomorrow I am prepared to go to several of the holy places — and I will certainly pray for you and for all the Anash. And may the One Who hears the prayers of Israel hear our prayer as well. And also you should pray for us — that Hashem Yisbarach give us a kosher Passover in material and in spiritual matters. And likewise — may you also be blessed with this blessing: that you receive the festival of Passover in holiness and in joy, from within good tidings. The small one, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: הקטן EN: The small one, Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Tazria, 5638 (late March or early April 1878), from Teverya — shortly before Passover. Receipts, lost letters, two specific requests, and prayers at the holy sites tomorrow. # לו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/36/ לו לו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/36 Segment 1 HE: מידידנו משרת בקודש הקדשים ר' נחמן טאלטשיניר נ"י מה טוב חלקנו בחשק חדש ובשמחה גדולה של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר בזה אנו צריכין בכל יום ללמד בהם חק ולא יעבור ושלא לשכח בזה בכל יום כי זה יהיה תקותנו לנצח נצחים פ"ש לכל אנ"ש הדרים בצפת תו"ת לכל אחד ואחד בפרט באהבה רבה דברי אוהבך באמת נתן ב"ר יהודה זללה"ה מברסלב ופרס שלום לכל אנ"ש EN: No date or place header — opens directly with the recipient's name. [A brief note — perhaps a slip of paper enclosed within another letter; addressed to a specific person in Tzfas not previously named in this collection] From our friend, the servant in the Holy of Holies [משרת בקודש הקדשים — "a servant in the Holy of Holies" — the innermost chamber of the Temple, entered only by the High Priest on Yom Kippur; the most elevated honorific in these letters; to call someone this is to say their service of G-d reaches the very innermost place of holiness] — Reb Nachman Toltshinir [Toltshinir — indicating his town of origin, Tulchin / Tultshin, a significant Breslov center in Ukraine mentioned in Letter 15], may his candle shine — How good is our portion — with fresh ardent longing [בחשק חדש — "with new / fresh cheshek" — the word cheshek means ardent passionate longing and attachment; it is used in Deuteronomy 7:7 for G-d's deep attachment to Israel; to approach the books each day with cheshek chadash — fresh ardent longing — means encountering them as if for the first time, with the full force of renewed passionate desire] and with the great joy of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — in which we must study each day as a fixed statute that shall not pass [חק ולא יעבור — the first obligation: establish the study as an inviolable statute, something that cannot be bypassed] — and not to forget this on any day [ושלא לשכח בזה בכל יום — the second, distinct obligation: beyond establishing the statute, the active daily obligation not to forget; two separate aspects: (1) make it an inviolable practice, and (2) do not let it slip from memory even for one day]. For this will be our hope to eternal eternity. Greetings of peace to all the Anash who dwell in Tzfas, may it be established and built for good — every single one — with great love. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun son of Reb Yehuda [זללה"ה] from Breslov And convey greetings of peace to all the Anash. 📜 # לז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/37/ לז לז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/37 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' מצורע תרל"ח פה טבריא EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Metzora [Parshas Metzora — purification from tzara'as; it falls in April], 5638 — here in Teverya. To the honor of my strong friend, our ohavainu, my cherished one — like my heart and like my soul [חביבי כלבבי וכנפשי — "my cherished one — like my heart and like my soul" — two dimensions of inner selfhood: the heart (levav) and the soul (nefesh); the recipient is as cherished as both together] — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ חביבי כלבבי וכנפשי הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: Blessed be G-d — here with us is life and peace. May I merit at all times to hear from you life and peace and good tidings and salvations — which in this month surround us — and we must hope for salvation at all times. As the Midrash says in the portion of Vayechi, page 98: Rabbi Yochanan said: everything depends on hoping [הכל בקווי' — "everything is in the hoping / in the taut expectation" — from the root קוה — to hope, to wait with expectant tension, like a cord stretched taut toward something; Rabbi Yochanan's teaching: the entire outcome of a person's life depends on this quality of hopeful, taut expectation directed toward G-d]. And there: look into it deeply and give life to your soul [ושם תעין ותח' נפשך — "and there examine / peer into it carefully and give life to yourself" — the verb ta'ayin is from the root עין — eye; to look into carefully, to examine with the eye's full attention, to peer deeply; not surface reading but contemplative deep-looking]. And particularly we — who are grafted onto the merit of the great tree, the Tree of Life [אילן הגדול עץ החיים — Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple; the great tree from whom all healings and all divine flows descend] — the great lender from whom all healings and all good divine flows are drawn — we must prepare our vessels to receive. And our vessel is prayer and trust and faith. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה פה אתנו החיים והשלום כה אזכה בכל עת לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ובשורות טובות וישועות אשר בחדש זה מקיפות עלינו ואנו צריכין לקוות לישועה בכל עת כמאמר המדרש בפ' ויחי דף צ"ח אמר ר"י הכל בקווי' ושם תעין ותח' נפשך ובפרט אנו שתולין בזכות אילן הגדול עץ החיים המלוה הגדול אשר ממנו נמשכין כל הרפואות וכל ההשפעות טובות ואנו צריכין להכין כלינו לקבל והכלי שלנו הוא תפילה ובטחון ואמונה EN: And we must do as Rabbainu ז"ל told us — the story of two young boys who loved each other so greatly that they were unable to live one without the other: And once one of them became ill — and the second was in very great distress. And he asked what to do so that his companion would recover. And they told him to recite Psalms. And he in wholeness and simplicity began to recite Psalms — and every time he had recited several chapters he asked his companion whether he had recovered. And this was so several times — and they said to him that he was still ill. And he said more — until there was a complete recovery for him. Segment 4 HE: ואנו צריכין לעשות כמו שספר לנו רבנו ז"ל המעשה משני נערים קטנים שהיו אהבים זה לזה מאד עד שלא היו יכולין לחיות זה בלא זה ופעם אחד נחלש אחד מהם והיה השני בצער גדול עד למאד ושאל מה לעשות שיבריא חברו ואמרו לו שיאמר תהלים והוא בתמימות התחיל לומר תהלים ובכל פעם שאמר כמה קפיטליך שאל את חברו אם הבריא והיה כך כמה פעמים ואמרו שעדין הוא חולה ואמר עוד עד שהיה לו רפואה בשלמות וכל מה שספר רבנו ז"ל בזה הורה לנו דרך התפילה בתמימות שצריכין אנו להתפלל ולהתפלל בתמימות עד שימשך הישועה בשלמות ולהאמין שבכל תפילה ממתיקין מעט מעט הדינים עד שימתיקו כל הדינים בשלמות EN: And everything that Rabbainu ז"ל told in this showed us the path of prayer in wholeness and simplicity: that we must pray and pray in wholeness and simplicity — until the salvation is drawn in fullness. And to believe that with every prayer the harsh judgments are sweetened a little, little by little — until all the harsh judgments are sweetened in fullness. And your letter from Tuesday of Tazria I received on Thursday. And the great grief I have from your brother, may his candle shine, is beyond reckoning and estimating. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on our grief quickly and soon — and bring us tidings of his complete health. For he is our brother, our friend from the Anash, who truly wanted to be a fully fit and proper man [איש כשר — ish kasher — "a fit / proper man" — kasher means fully fit, complete, and proper in every dimension; not merely morally righteous but a person who is entirely kasher — fit in the full Jewish sense: complete in practice, in character, in his Jewishness] — but our sins caused all this. Therefore we must appease Him [לרצות — liratzos — to bring oneself into divine favor, to make the relationship desired again; from ratzon — divine will and favor; to restore the divine favor toward us] and conciliate Him [ולפיס — ul'fayeis — specifically to pacify, to win over, to actively conciliate an offended party; from the root used in Talmudic law for pacifying one who has been wronged; distinct from ratzos: the first restores favor, the second actively conciliates; together they describe the full act of repair], may He be blessed — until Hashem looks down and has mercy on him — and draws to him knowledge in fullness and in joy. For we have no other counsel except prayer and supplication on every matter in the world — for Rabbainu ז"ל took upon himself primarily to redeem prayer from exile [לגאל התפילה מן הגלות — "to redeem prayer from exile" — a central and specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: prayer itself has gone into exile; it is degraded, confused, and scattered; Rabbainu ז"ל's primary mission was to restore prayer to its dignity and power; one of the most important formulations of Rabbainu's purpose in all these letters]. For now prayer is in exile — for all the natural means and intermediate causes [כל הסבות — kol ha'sibos — "all the causes / natural means" — in Breslov teaching, sibos refers specifically to the chain of natural causation, the worldly mechanisms and practical efforts through which people try to achieve their goals instead of turning to prayer; this is a specific philosophical term in Rabbainu ז"ל's teaching: the sibos-approach versus the prayer-approach] are pursued with eagerness and energy, while in prayer they grow slow and heavy with laziness. And Rabbainu ז"ל wants the reverse — that from all the natural means there should be laziness, and prayer should be pursued with eagerness and with strengthening — and hope and return and hope again [וקוה וחזר וקוה — "and hope and return and hope again" — hope is not a single act; if it is not yet answered, one returns to hoping again; the active, persistent returning to hope]. For we are all guided from one pasture [כי אנו כלנו מרעה אחד נחנו — "for we are all from one pasture we are guided" — an echo of Psalms 23; all feed from and are guided by the same divine pasture; therefore each person's suffering is everyone's, and each must pray for all the others]. Therefore we all must set our hearts on our companion's troubles and multiply prayer each one for his companion. And the One Who hears the prayer of every mouth will hear our prayers — and save him and heal him together with all the sick of His people Israel. Segment 5 HE: ומכתבך מיום ג' תזריע קבלתי ביום ה' וגדל הצער שיש לי מאחיך נ"י אין לשער ולהעריך השי"ת ירחם על צערנו חיש מהר ויבשר לנו בשורות הבריאה שלו בשלמות כי הוא אחינו ידידנו מאנ"ש אשר רצה באמת להיות איש כשר אך עוונותינו גרמו כל אלה ע"כ אנו צריכין לרצות ולפיס אותו יתברך עד ישקיף ה' וירחם עליו וימשיך לו דעת בשלמות ובשמחה כי אין לנו עצה אחרת כי אם תפילה ותחנונים על כל דבר שבעולם כי רבנו לקח עצמו עיקר לגאל התפילה מן הגלות כי עתה התפילה בגלות כי כל הסבות עשין בזריזות ובתפילה מתרשלין בעצלות ובכבדות ורבנו ז"ל רוצה בהפך שמכל הסבות יהיה בעצלות ותפילה תהיה בזריזות ובהתחזקות וקוה וחזר וקוה כי אנו כלנו מרעה אחד נחנו ע"כ כלנו צריכין לשום לבנו לצרות חברנו ולהרבות בתפילה אחד על חברו והשומע תפלות כל פה ישמע תפלותינו ויושיענו וירפא אותו עם כל תחלואי עמו ישראל EN: And for now we are prepared, G-d willing, to receive the holy festival of Passover in holiness. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us and you to receive it in holiness and sanctity and purity and joy and honor — in order that we merit the building of Yerushalayim. And through this one merits prayer in fullness. Segment 6 HE: ולעת עתה אנו מוכנים אי"ה לקבל חג הפסח הק' בכשרות והשי"ת יעזור לנו ולכם לקבל אותו בכשרות וקדשה ובטהרה ובשמחה ובכבוד בכדי שנזכה לבנין ירושלים וע"י זה זוכין לתפילה בשלמות EN: Words of one who truly loves you — and truly loves your father — and truly loves all the Anash with strong love, Your friend, Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת ואהב אביך באמת ואהב כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: Nussun from Breslov My friend, my beloved — if when a letter arrives to you from your son-in-law and there might also be there some letter from my sons, may they live — surely how good! And if — G-d forbid, G-d forbid — there is no letter for me: I have asked of you to do thus — ask someone to write you a letter in the name of my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel — and thus to the hand of my dear father-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and to my mother-in-law, the modest one, Miriam Brina, may she live, and to my grandmother Miriam Baila, may she live, and to my aunt Miriam Chana, may she live — Segment 8 HE: ידידכם EN: אין מיר האבין גילובט השי"ת ציא ביסלך פרנסה — And we praised G-d for a little livelihood [ציא ביסלך — Yiddish: "for a little, for a small amount" — a bisl; the praise is specifically for a small livelihood, not abundance; an honest acknowledgment of poverty combined with genuine gratitude for even a little] — אין מיר האבין מקבל גיוועזין אייערי בריף — and we received your letters — אין מיר האבין אייך גישיקט בזה החרף שלשה מכתבים על הפאסט — and we sent you this past winter three letters by post — אין מיר ווייסין ניט פאר וואס האט איהר זייא ניט מקבל גיוועזין — and we do not know why you did not receive them. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: אין ר"ה האב איך אייך גישיקט איין בריף — And at Rosh Hashana I sent you a letter. אין בנכם אברהם בער מיט זייני קינדר זענין גיזונד — And your son Avraham Ber with his children is well. אין בנכם אהרן נ"י מיט זיין ווייב מיט זיין קינד זעהן אויך ב"ה גיזינד — And your son Aharon, may his candle shine, with his wife and his child are also, blessed be G-d, well. Segment 10 HE: ידידי אהבי אם כשיגיע לך מכתבים ממחתנכם ויהיה שם ג"כ אולי איזה מכתב מבני שיחיו בודאי מה טוב ואולי ח"ו ח"ו לא יהיה מכתב לידי בקשתי ממך שתעשה כך שתבקש מאחר לכתוב לך מכתב בשם חתני מו"ה ישראל וכך ליד חמי היקר מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום חמותי הצנועה מ' ברינע תח' עם שלום זקנתי מ' ביילא תח' עם שלום דודתי מ' חנה תח' זייט וויסין אז איך מיט זוג' מ' פיגא תח' עם בני מו"ה נחמן נ"י עם בתי מ' טובא תח' וחתנכם מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' היא בתכם מ' חייקא תח' עם נכדכם נחמן נ"י עם דוד יוסף נ"י ושמשון נ"י ובנכם מו"ה יצחק נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' גאלדא תח' ונכדכם מו"ה שמואל נ"י זענין מיר ב"ה אלע גיזינד אין מיר האבין גילובט השי"ת ציא ביסלך פרנסה אין מיר האבין מקבל גיוועזין אייערי בריף אין מיר האבין אייך גישיקט בזה החרף שלשה מכתבים על הפאסט אין מיר ווייסין ניט פאר וואס האט איהר זייא ניט מקבל גיוועזין אין ר"ה האב איך אייך גישיקט איין בריף אין בנכם אברהם בער מיט זייני קינדר זענין גיזונד אין בנכם אהרן נ"י מיט זיין ווייב מיט זיין קינד זעהן אויך ב"ה גיזינד דא איז גיוועזין ר' נחמן נ"י בן אבי מורי ורבי ז"ל איז גיוועזין בייא אינז האב איך איהם גיפרעגט האט ער מיר אויך גיזאגט אז זייא זענין ב"ה גיזינד אין זייא האבין געלאזט גריסין אינז מיט ר' נחמן נ"י השי"ת זאל העלפין אז מיר זאלין הערין פין אייך אייער גיזינד אין נכדכם נחמן לערינט שוין חמש ביז חמישי אין בני וועט אויך שוין אן הייבין חמש אי"ה אין גיכי צייטין אין דיא מתנות וואס איהר האט מיר גישיקט מיט ר' צבי מקאליבלאד נ"י האבין מיר מקבל גיוועזין אין בייא גיוועזין אן גילובט השי"ת זאל אונז גיבין פרנסה ברוח אין מיר זאלין קענין אייך שיקין מעות אזוי וויא מיר וועלין זייט גיזינד EN: The enclosed letter in Yiddish — written by Reb Yisroel son of Reb Chaim the Kohen, the writer's son-in-law: [The long-awaited letter from son-in-law Reb Yisroel, whose handwriting was in doubt in Letter 31; now confirmed — as the postscript explains — to have been written by a different hand on his behalf; the letter is written largely in Yiddish with Hebrew phrases woven throughout] Segment 13 HE: ישראל ב"ר חיים הכהן פין אינז אלה דברי אוהבכם אין אן שרייבין מקדם פריער מיט ששה שבועות מעיר חאנראד און ניט דיין כתב ווארין זוג' קען שוין דיין כתב אפילו אויף איין אנדערע ניר ניט אף אזוי אייניר וויא דיא וועסט מיר שיקין ווארין איך קען שוין ניט אויס האלטין איהר צער איך האב זיך אלין אויך גיניג צער נאר איך בין מיר מחזק נאר איהר צער אין לשער ולהעריך אויב ח"ו זיא וועט ניט האבין קיין בריף ח"ו פאר פסח השי"ת זאל מיר העלפין אז איך זאל האבין איין פרייליכין פסח אין זאלסט בייהאלטין דיא בריף ביז סע וועט אן קומען דיא בריף או ממחתנכם או מחמיך נ"י וועסט דיא דעמלט זעהן וויא אזוי ציא טיהן EN: אין ר"ה האב איך אייך גישיקט איין בריף — And at Rosh Hashana I sent you a letter. אין בנכם אברהם בער מיט זייני קינדר זענין גיזונד — And your son Avraham Ber with his children is well. אין בנכם אהרן נ"י מיט זיין ווייב מיט זיין קינד זעהן אויך ב"ה גיזינד — And your son Aharon, may his candle shine, with his wife and his child are also, blessed be G-d, well. זייט וויסין — Know that I — with my wife Miriam Figa, may she live — with my son Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine — with my daughter Miriam Tovah, may she live — and your son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine, together with his wife — she who is your daughter — Miriam Chaikah, may she live — with your grandson Nachman, may his candle shine, with Dovid Yosef, may his candle shine, and Shimshon, may his candle shine — and your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak, may his candle shine, with his wife Miriam Golda, may she live — and your grandson Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine — זענין מיר ב"ה אלע גיזינד — we are, blessed be G-d, all well. אין מיר האבין גילובט השי"ת ציא ביסלך פרנסה — And we praised G-d for a little livelihood [ציא ביסלך — Yiddish: "for a little, for a small amount" — a bisl; the praise is specifically for a small livelihood, not abundance; an honest acknowledgment of poverty combined with genuine gratitude for even a little] — אין מיר האבין מקבל גיוועזין אייערי בריף — and we received your letters — אין מיר האבין אייך גישיקט בזה החרף שלשה מכתבים על הפאסט — and we sent you this past winter three letters by post — אין מיר ווייסין ניט פאר וואס האט איהר זייא ניט מקבל גיוועזין — and we do not know why you did not receive them. דא איז גיוועזין ר' נחמן נ"י בן אבי מורי ורבי ז"ל איז גיוועזין בייא אינז — There was here Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, the son of my master my teacher and my Rebbe ז"ל — he was by us. האב איך איהם גיפרעגט האט ער מיר אויך גיזאגט אז זייא זענין ב"ה גיזינד — I asked him — and he also told me that they are, blessed be G-d, well. אין זייא האבין געלאזט גריסין אינז מיט ר' נחמן נ"י — And they sent greetings to us through Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. השי"ת זאל העלפין אז מיר זאלין הערין פין אייך אייער גיזינד — May Hashem Yisbarach help that we should hear from you of your well-being. אין נכדכם נחמן לערינט שוין חמש ביז חמישי — And your grandson Nachman is already learning up to and including the fifth book [chamishi — the fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy; a proud educational report: the grandson has reached this level in his Torah studies]. אין בני וועט אויך שוין אן הייבין חמש אי"ה אין גיכי צייטין — And my son will also begin the fifth book, G-d willing, soon. אין דיא מתנות וואס איהר האט מיר גישיקט מיט ר' צבי מקאליבלאד נ"י האבין מיר מקבל גיוועזין אין בייא גיוועזין אן גילובט — And the gifts that you sent me with Reb Tzvi from Kalibulad, may his candle shine — we received them and praised G-d for them. השי"ת זאל אונז גיבין פרנסה ברוח — May Hashem Yisbarach give us livelihood with ease and with spirit [פרנסה ברוח — Yiddish with Hebrew: "livelihood with ruach" — the word ruach means both ease/spaciousness and spirit; the phrase may carry a double meaning: livelihood given with material ease and spaciousness, and livelihood given with spiritual spirit and energy; both dimensions are present] — אין מיר זאלין קענין אייך שיקין מעות אזוי וויא מיר וועלין — so that we will be able to send you money as we wish. זייט גיזינד — Be well. From all of us — words of those who love you, Yisroel son of Reb Chaim the Kohen [ישראל ב"ר חיים הכהן — the son-in-law Reb Yisroel, whose handwriting was suspected in Letter 31; confirmed below to have been written by a different hand on his behalf] And in writing: Earlier — six weeks ago — from the city of Honarad [the writer now identifies the suspicious letter of Letter 31: it came six weeks earlier from the city of Honarad; this is the specific letter whose handwriting the writer's wife could not recognize] — and not his handwriting [און ניט דיין כתב — Yiddish: "and not his handwriting" — explicit confirmation of what was feared in Letter 31; the letter from Honarad six weeks ago was not written in the son-in-law's own hand; it was dictated to another to write on his behalf] — ווארין זוג' קען שוין דיין כתב אפילו אויף איין אנדערע ניר [Yiddish: "for my wife already knows your handwriting even on another sheet of paper" — she knows his handwriting so well that she can identify it on any paper; and she could tell this was not it] — ניט אף אזוי אייניר וויא דיא וועסט מיר שיקין [Yiddish: "not even one like the one you will send me" — the writer asks for a comparable, reliable writer to draft the substitute letter] — ווארין איך קען שוין ניט אויס האלטין איהר צער [Yiddish: "for I can no longer bear her grief"]. איך האב זיך אלין אויך גיניג צער נאר איך בין מיר מחזק נאר איהר צער אין לשער ולהעריך [Yiddish: "I too have enough grief of my own — but I strengthen myself — only her grief is beyond reckoning and estimating"]. אויב ח"ו זיא וועט ניט האבין קיין בריף ח"ו פאר פסח [Yiddish: "If — G-d forbid — she will not have a letter — G-d forbid — before Passover"] — השי"ת זאל מיר העלפין אז איך זאל האבין איין פרייליכין פסח [Yiddish: "may Hashem Yisbarach help me that I should have a joyful Passover"]. אין זאלסט בייהאלטין דיא בריף ביז סע וועט אן קומען דיא בריף או ממחתנכם או מחמיך נ"י וועסט דיא דעמלט זעהן וויא אזוי ציא טיהן [Yiddish: "And you should hold the letter until the letters come — either from your son-in-law or from your father-in-law, may his candle shine — and then you will see what to do"]. The above-mentioned Nussun. Segment 14 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: אין דיא מתנות וואס איהר האט מיר גישיקט מיט ר' צבי מקאליבלאד נ"י האבין מיר מקבל גיוועזין אין בייא גיוועזין אן גילובט — And the gifts that you sent me with Reb Tzvi from Kalibulad, may his candle shine — we received them and praised G-d for them. השי"ת זאל אונז גיבין פרנסה ברוח — May Hashem Yisbarach give us livelihood with ease and with spirit [פרנסה ברוח — Yiddish with Hebrew: "livelihood with ruach" — the word ruach means both ease/spaciousness and spirit; the phrase may carry a double meaning: livelihood given with material ease and spaciousness, and livelihood given with spiritual spirit and energy; both dimensions are present] — אין מיר זאלין קענין אייך שיקין מעות אזוי וויא מיר וועלין — so that we will be able to send you money as we wish. זייט גיזינד — Be well. # לח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/38/ לח לח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/38 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' מצורע שנת תרל"ח לפ"ק טבריא EN: Monday, the Torah portion of Metzora, 5638, according to the minor reckoning — Teverya. [The day after Letter 37] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי באמת ובתמים כבן לאב הותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו היקר סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: To the honor of my truly and wholeheartedly beloved — like a son before a veteran Chassid father — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his precious son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ויתלבש בך אליהו הנביא ויבשר לך בשורות טובות הן מאחיך נ"י והן מבתי תח' והן מכלל כל אהבינו באמת והן מכלל ישראל ויהיה החדש הזה סוף וקץ לכל צרותינו ותחלה וראש לפדיון נפשנו אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — and may Eliyahu the Prophet be clothed in you and bring you good tidings [ויתלבש בך אליהו הנביא ויבשר לך בשורות טובות — "and may Eliyahu the Prophet be clothed in you and bring you good tidings" — a striking blessing: the spirit of Elijah the herald of redemption invests and clothes itself in the bearer of the letter, making the recipient the living embodiment of the good news he brings] — both from your brother, may his candle shine, and from my daughter, may she live, and from all our beloved — and from all of Israel. And may this month be the end and the limit of all our troubles — and the beginning and the head of the redemption of our souls. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מהיום קבלתי היום עם המעות הסך שבעה בישליקס עם עשרה פאריס הגם שצערנו גדול עד למאד מבתי תח' ומאחיך נ"י ומדחיקות השעה מחמיך אהבי נ"י אעפ"כ אני מאמין בצר הרחבת לי ובטוח אני בהשי"ת שבודאי יהיה איזה טובה והרחבה רק מזכירין אותנו לתקן עצמנו בתפילה בכל עת ובל נתיאש מן התפילה ומן הרחמים ולהקדים רחמים לרגז EN: Your letter of today I received today — with the money, the sum of seven bishlikim with ten paras. Although our grief is very great — from my daughter, may she live, and from your brother, may his candle shine, and from the constricting pressure of the hour [מדחיקות השעה — mi'dechikus ha'sha'ah — "from the pressing / squeezing of the hour" — the specific financial and circumstantial constriction bearing down on the co-parent-in-law; dechikus means to press, to squeeze, to constrict; a strong word for the tight pressure of circumstances] — because of your co-parent-in-law, my beloved, may his candle shine — even so I believe: "in my distress You have given me spaciousness" [Psalms 4:2: in the very place of constriction, G-d provides relief; the writer cites this as his credo in the face of multiple simultaneous griefs] — and I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that there will surely be some goodness and spaciousness. Only we are being reminded to correct ourselves through prayer at all times — and let there be absolutely no despair [ובל נתיאש — u'val nitya'esh — the word bal is the biblical-poetic emphatic negative particle found in Psalms and biblical poetry; stronger than the ordinary "and not" — it means "let there absolutely be no / and absolutely not"; a categorical prohibition against despair] of prayer and of mercy — and to bring mercy before wrath [ולהקדים רחמים לרגז — an echo of the Talmudic teaching about G-d's own practice of preceding mercy before judgment; the writer applies this to their own spiritual posture: meet every difficult situation by invoking mercy first]. Segment 5 HE: ומה שאתה כתב לי שאביך נ"י בקש אותי לעורר רחמים על בנו ישראל אריה נ"י תאמין לי שלא זז ממחשבתי יום אחד מלהתפלל עליו כי הוא אחד מאנ"ש היקרים ואני מבקש מכם ג"כ שתעוררו רחמים על בתי מ' פיגא מרים תח' בת יוכבד שרה כי היא אצלי בת יקרה מאד כי היא אשה צנועה ותבקש מאתי לר' קלמן נ"י שילך למעני על ציון האר"י ז"ל הק' ולהתפלל עליה EN: And what you wrote to me — that your father, may his candle shine, asked me to arouse mercy for his son Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — believe me, he has not budged from my thoughts [שלא זז ממחשבתי — shelo zaz mi'machshavti — "that he did not stir / budge from my thoughts" — the word zaz means to move, to stir, to budge even slightly; the person is immovably lodged in the writer's consciousness — not moved even a hair's breadth from his thoughts, not for a single day] for even a single day without praying for him — for he is one of the precious Anash. And I ask of you as well to arouse mercy for my daughter Miriam Figa, may she live, daughter of Yocheved Sarah — for she is a very precious daughter to me — for she is a modest woman. And ask on my behalf of Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, that he go on my behalf to the resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל and pray for her. Segment 6 HE: ועוד אני מבקש ממך כמה דברים א' בודאי תכתבו מכתב לידידנו מחתנכם נ"י איזה מכתב תכתבו למעני אליו בבקשה גדולה שיעשה למען המצוה ולמען אהבתנו באמת שנקשרת בקשר אמיץ וחזק להשתדל שיהיה לנו מכתב מחתני ומבתי תח' ומנכדי ומבן זוג' מו"ה יצחק נ"י עם זוג' ובנו שיח' ומבת זוג' מ' חייקא תח' עם שלום בעלה נ"י ובניו שיחיו כי שכר מצוה אין להעריך ואני בודאי אשרת אותו בכאן בתפילה ותחנונים על כל ציונים הק' כי אין אני יכול עוד לסבל צער זוג' תח' כי כשבא המכתב ממך וכתבת לי מבתי תח' שמחתנכם כתב שאינה בקו הבריאה ומבניה לא כתב כלל נתעלפה על ערך עשר מינוט והבכיות שלה אין ערך ואני מחזיק עצמי בכל עת וב"ה יש לי במה להחיות נפשי כי ב"ה יש תורה הק' ובפרט ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' אשר הם יכולים להחיות מתים אבל עליה הרחמנות גדול עד למאד כי אין לה במה להחיות נפשה ובפרט שבתה היא אצלה בת יחידה ולברך אותו בברכת ה' על המעות ששלח לי עתה קדם הפסח הכשר כן יברך אותו השי"ת בשכר מצוה מצוה EN: And furthermore I ask several things of you. First — certainly write a letter to our friend your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — write some letter on my behalf to him — with a great request — that for the sake of the mitzvah and for the sake of our true love which is bound with an intense and strong bond — he should endeavor to ensure that we have a letter from my son-in-law and from my daughter, may she live, and from my grandchildren — and from my wife's son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yitzchak, may his candle shine, with his wife and his son, may they live — and from my wife's daughter Miriam Chaikah, may she live, together with peace upon her husband, may his candle shine, and his sons, may they live. For the reward of a mitzvah is beyond estimating — and I will certainly bless him and advocate for him here [אשרת אותו בכאן — asharess oso b'chan — "I will bless / affirm / advocate for him here" — from the root asher — to bless, to declare fortunate, to affirm; or from sheres — to minister, to serve; the writer promises to act as his spiritual advocate from the Holy Land, blessing and ministering on his behalf at the holy sites] in prayer and supplication at all the holy resting places. For I can no longer bear the grief of my wife, may she live — for when your letter came and you wrote to me about my daughter, may she live, that your co-parent-in-law wrote that she is not in good health — and from her sons he did not write at all — she fainted for approximately ten minutes — and her weeping is beyond measure. And I hold myself together at all times — and blessed be G-d I have in what to give life to my soul — for blessed be G-d there is the holy Torah, and particularly the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples, which are able to give life to the dead. But upon her the compassion is very great — for she has nothing with which to give life to her soul. And particularly — her daughter is to her an only daughter. And bless him on my behalf with the blessing of Hashem for the money he sent me now before the kosher Passover — may Hashem Yisbarach bless him in the reward of a mitzvah for a mitzvah [בשכר מצוה מצוה — the Talmudic principle: the reward of one mitzvah is another mitzvah; the highest reward for a good deed is the next good deed]. Segment 7 HE: והב' אני מבקש ממך אם תוכל לשלח לי המכתבים בעצמם מחמיך נ"י או ממחתנכם כי אני רוצה לראות אותם או עכ"פ תכתב לי העתקה באמת אות באות כי אני רוצה לידע האמת מבתי תח' מה חלשתה ואל תפחד ממני כלל כי אני רוצה לידע EN: And the second: I ask of you — if you are able to send me the letters themselves from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, or from your son-in-law — for I want to see them. Or at least write me a true copy — letter for letter — for I want to know the truth about my daughter, may she live — what her weakness is. And do not be afraid of me at all — for I want to know. Segment 8 HE: ואודות מה שכתבת לי שדברת עם ר' נחמן נ"י אודות המכתבים שאין לו שני שנים ואינו מזכיר הלא ר' קלמן זה כמה וכמה שנים שנתרחק מבניו ואפילו כשהיה בביתו לא ישבו עמו ביחד ובנינו הם היו מגדלים עד נסיעתנו בביתנו והם בני הנעורים ועד שנה זו היה לנו מכתבים מהם ועתה זה שנה תמימה שאין לנו שום מכתב צערנו גדול ובפרט צער זוג' תח' וחוץ מזה שהבנים של ר' נחמן נ"י אין להם בכאן אם להשתוקק אחריהם כי אם יותר משתוקקת אחר בניה מאב EN: And regarding what you wrote — that you spoke with Reb Nachman about the letters — that he has had none for two years and does not mention it: but Reb Kalman — for how many years now has he been distanced from his sons. And even when he was in his home they did not sit with him together. And our sons — they were raised in our home until our departure, and they are children of our youth. And until this year we had letters from them — and now for a full year there is no letter at all. Our grief is great — and particularly the grief of my wife, may she live. And beyond this — the sons of Reb Nachman have no mother here to yearn after them — whereas she yearns after her sons more than a father yearns. Segment 9 HE: גם רצוף מכתב שכתבתי לך ביום א' הנ"ל ושם תראה מה שכתבתי לך ועתה תמתין אי"ה עד אחר חג הפסח אולי יגיענו איזה מכתב מטראויצע מבני שיחיו ואם לאו ח"ו כמכתבי הרצוף פה רק על בתי פיגא מרים תח' שהיתה חולה וב"ה החזיר לאיתנה בשלמות כדי להפיג צערה של זוג' תח' עד ישקיף ה' ויהיה לנו מכתב באמת EN: And also enclosed is the letter I wrote to you on Sunday — and there you will see what I wrote to you. And now wait, G-d willing, until after the Passover festival — perhaps some letter will reach us from Troyits from my sons, may they live. And if not — G-d forbid — as in the enclosed letter herein — only regarding my daughter Figa Miriam, may she live, who was ill — and blessed be G-d has returned to her full strength — in order to dissolve the grief of my wife, may she live, until Hashem looks down and we truly have a letter. Segment 10 HE: הכפל בקשתי לכתוב לי תשובה אם קבלת זה המכתב ולהשיב לי על מכתבי מה שאני מבקש אותך יותר אין לחדש EN: My request is doubled: write to me a reply whether you received this letter — and reply to me on my letter with all that I ask of you. More there is nothing new to say. Segment 11 HE: וימי הפסח ממשמשין ובאין אע"פ שהמן עמלק ובלעם רוצים לבלבל אותנו ולהעריב שמחותינו מהמצות הק' הנובעים בימים אעפ"כ כבר היה יהושע משרת משה שהרג ראשי גבוריו ופנחס שהרג את בלעם ושמואל שהרג את אגג ומרדכי הצדיק שתלה את המן וממרדכי הצדיק היו כמה וכמה בחירי דצדיקיא שלחמו מלחמות ה' עבורנו ולהכניע כל הקלפות ובודאי פעלו מה שפעלו ובכחם ובזכותם אנו בטוחים שבודאי ישמר אותנו השי"ת ממשהו חמץ בפסח כאשר אנו רוצים באמת להיות נזהרים משאור וחמץ בגשמיות וברוחניות כן יעזור אותנו וכן אני מברך אתכם בכל לבבי EN: And the days of Passover draw near and come — even though Haman-Amalek and Balaam wish to confuse us and darken our joy in the holy commandments that spring forth and well up from their source [הנובעים בימים — "that spring forth / well up in these days" — the word novim is from nevi'ah — the welling-up of a spring from its source; a single precise word: the commandments spring up like living water in these days, welling forth from their divine source] in these days — even so: already Yehoshua, the servant of Moshe, who slew the chief warriors of his troops; and Pinchas who slew Balaam; and Shmuel who slew Agag; and Mordechai the Tzaddik who hanged Haman — and from Mordechai the Tzaddik there were many, many of the elect of the Tzaddikim [בחירי דצדיקיא — bechiri d'tzadikaya — "the elect / chosen ones of the Tzaddikim" — bechiri — those specifically selected and designated; d'tzadikaya — the Aramaic genitive: "of the Tzaddikim"; a mixed Hebrew-Aramaic phrase marking these warriors as the divinely chosen among all the righteous] who fought the battles of Hashem for us and subjugated all the husks — and surely accomplished what they accomplished. And in their strength and in their merit we are confident that Hashem Yisbarach will surely guard us from any trace of leaven on Passover — as we truly want to be careful of leaven and ferment in the material and in the spiritual. So may He help us — and so I bless you with all my heart. Segment 12 HE: אוהבך באמת EN: Greetings of peace to all the Anash who dwell in Tzfas, may it be established and built for good — every single one — with great love. Segment 13 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun son of Reb Yehuda [זללה"ה] from Breslov Segment 14 HE: פ"ש לאביך היקר הותיק וחסיד מו"ה צבי נ"י ונכדו אליעזור נ"י ופ"ש לאהבי באמת הותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נחמן נ"י ואו"נ ר' איזיקל ור' דב נ"י עם בנו נ"י והנגיד ר' חיים נ"י וידידי או"נ ר' קלמן נ"י תקימו כאשר אני מבקש אתכם במכתבי ולידידנו ר' יואל צבי נ"י עם בנו נ"י ועם ידידי אחיו הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ובשלום כל אנ"ש EN: One who truly loves you, Segment 15 HE: גם תלוה לי אחד בישליק ותתן לר' קלמן נ"י וילך עם המעות ויניח המעות אצל ציון האר"י הק' ויאמר התפילה קכ"ג המדבר מפדיון ואח"כ תקבל מאתו הבישליק ותן לר' נחמן נ"י ור' איצילע נ"י ור' דב נ"י ור' קלמן נ"י שוה בשוה וזה יהיה פדיון עבור בתי פיגא מרים בת יעכט שרה EN: Nussun from Breslov Greetings of peace to your dear father, the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, and his grandson Eliezer, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to my truly beloved, the veteran Chassid, the wondrous one, Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine. And our ohavainu Reb Aizikl and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, with his son, may his candle shine. And the nagid Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And my friend our ohavainu Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — fulfill as I ask you in my letter. And to our friend Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine, with his son — and with my friend his brother, the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל. And peace to all the Anash. And also lend me one bishlik and give it to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and let him go with the money and place the money at the resting place of the holy Ari and recite prayer number 123 which speaks of redemption [prayer 123 in Likutay Tefillot — the collection of prayers by Reb Nosson of Breslov ז"ל based on the teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל; prayer 123 deals with the theme of pidyon — redemption]. And afterward receive from him the bishlik and give it to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — equal to equal. And this will be a redemption on behalf of my daughter Figa Miriam daughter of Yekhes Sarah. # לט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/39/ לט לט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/39 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' כ"א למספר בני ישראל תרל"ח EN: Thursday, the 21st of the counting of the children of Israel [the 21st day of the Omer — the count between Passover and Shavuos; the 21st of Iyar, approximately late April or early May 1878], 5638 — Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ חביבי כלבבי וכנפשי הלא הוא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ועם שלום אביו היקר מו"ה צבי נ"י ועם שלום בנכם היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: To the honor of our ohavainu, my cherished one — like my heart and like my soul — why, it is the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife — and upon his dear father Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — and upon your precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל החיים והשלום אתנו כה יתן ה' וכה יעזור השי"ת לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ברפואה שלמה בישועת ה' כהרף עין לזוג' תח' וגם לאחיך נ"י בתוך רפואות עמו ישראל אנס"ו כן יהי רצון EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — life and peace are with us. May Hashem grant and may Hashem Yisbarach help — to hear from you life and peace — with a complete healing in the salvation of Hashem in the blink of an eye — for your wife, may she live, and also for your brother, may his candle shine — in the midst of the healings of His people Israel. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מיום אתמול קבלתי ע"י ר' העניך עם מכתב מטשעהרין ועם הסך שלשה בישליקיס והחיית אותי במכתב בני אך היה לי לצער שידידי הותיק וחסיד הגביר הכשר ירא אלהים ר' אבאלע אינו בקו הבריאה אך בלילה זו אמרתי זו התפילה מהפדיון עבורו וכן צריכים כל אנ"ש שהגיע להם מעות ממנו שיעשו פדיון עבורו ולומר התפילה הנ"ל כי הוא מחזיק בנין רבנו ז"ל וירא שמים כזה EN: Your letter from yesterday I received — through Reb Heynich — together with a letter from Tcherin — and together with the sum of three bishlikim. And you gave me life with the letter from my son. But I had grief that our friend, the man of great substance and a patron of holiness [הגביר — ha'gevir — specifically a wealthy patron who uses his means for holy causes; a man of financial substance and communal significance; distinct from merely "a worthy man"], the fully proper one, G-d-fearing — Reb Abaleh — is not in good health. But this night I recited this prayer of the redemption for him. And likewise all the Anash who received money from him must perform a redemption for him and recite the said prayer — for he supports the building of Rabbainu ז"ל — and he is a Heaven-fearer such as this. Segment 5 HE: ואודות מה שכתב לי שלא קבל ממני קבלה על סך שנים עשר רו"ח אני כתבתי תכף באסתר תענית קבלה לידו כי אז קבלתי המעות והיה בפ' צו והוא כתב עתה מכתבו בפ' שמיני ועדין לא היה צריך להיות מכתב שלי ואעפ"כ אכתב עוד הפעם על ידך קבלה על הסך שנים עשר רו"ח ועל הסך שבעה רו"ח שבאו עתה ואודות המעות אם חלפת עתה תשלחו ע"י ר' חיים יהושע נ"י להנאמן ר' דב נ"י ואני שולח לך רצוף פה מכתב מר' איזיקל מבאקארסט שכתב לידך בצרוף שבא לידו מכתב מחתני ישראל נ"י ומר' נתן לירסמאן ומידידנו ר' נחמן הלוי EN: And regarding what you wrote — that he did not receive from me a receipt for the sum of twelve rubles: I wrote immediately on the Fast of Esther a receipt directly to him — for I received the money then, during the Torah portion of Tzav. And he now writes his letter during the portion of Shemini — and my letter could not yet have reached him. Even so, I will write once more through you a receipt — for the sum of twelve rubles and for the sum of seven rubles that came now. And regarding the money — if you have exchanged it already, send it through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to the trusted one Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And I am sending you enclosed here a letter from Reb Aizikl from Bucharest — that was written to your hand — and in it there came to him a letter from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, and from Reb Nussun Lirsman, and from our friend Reb Nachman the Levi. And I received in your letter news from my wife's sons — and they are, blessed be G-d, in life and in peace. And from my daughter Figa, may she live, and her son, may his candle shine — that she and her son are lying in the hospital in Uman. Segment 6 HE: וקבלתי במכתבכם ידיעה מבני זוג' והם ב"ה בחיים ושלום ומבתי פיגא תח' ומבנה נ"י שהיא ובנה מנחים באספיטאל באומן והיה לה בת ג"כ ונפטרה כך כתב לי חתני ומחמת שהיא נחלשת בטראויצע עם בניה והרבו עליה נשים רבות להוליכה לאומן אשר שם דאקטורים וכשבאו לשם והיא עניה קבל אותה ואת בנה הדאקטיר לאספיטאל וגדל הנחת שלי אתה יכול להבין אך ר' נתן לירסמאן מנחם אותי ונשבע בהן צדקו שהיה חיש מהר והיה להם רפואה ואינה מסכנת כלל ח"ו אך להרבות בתחנה ובקשה איני מפסיד ע"כ אני מבקש מאת כל אנ"ש ומאביך נ"י ומידידי ר' קלמן נ"י לבקש רחמים עליה ועל בנה ושמה פיגא מרים בת יעכט שרה ובנה נחמן כי אני מתפלל תמיד עבורם על כל אחד ואחד EN: And she also had a daughter — and she passed away. And this is what my son-in-law wrote to me: because she became weak in Troyits with her sons — and many women pressed upon her to take her to Uman, where there are doctors — and when they came there and she was poor — the doctor received her and her son into the hospital. And the great nachas I have — you yourself can understand. But Reb Nussun Lirsman comforts me and swears by the truth of his righteousness that it was quickly and they had a healing — and she is in no danger at all, G-d forbid. But to multiply entreaty and supplication I do not lose by. Therefore I ask of all the Anash — and of your father, may his candle shine — and of our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — to seek mercy for her and for her son. And her name is Figa Miriam daughter of Yekhes Sarah — and her son Nachman. For I pray for them always — every single one. And Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: when they wrote to me about your brother Nachman, may his candle shine — what is passing over him — my grief is very great. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him and take him out of all his troubles — and gather our scattered ones from all the nations [the classic prayer for the ingathering of the exiles — kibbutz galuyos — applied to the community's scattered members and circumstances]. For his money is righteous, proper money [כי יש לו מעות כשר — "for he has kasher money" — money that is clean, properly earned, fit in every respect; righteous money deserves divine protection and return]. Segment 7 HE: והשי"ת יודע האמת כשכתבו לי מאחיך נחמן נ"י מה שעובר עליו וצערי גדול מאד והשי"ת ירחם עליו ויוציאו מכל הצרות ויקבץ פזורינו מכל הגוים כי יש לו מעות כשר כי אהבתי קשורה באהבת נפש לכל אנ"ש מקטן ועד גדול והם כלם כאחי ואיך אנו צריכין להתאנח על פטירת הותיק וחסיד רבי סענדיר זצוק"ל כי עד שהיה חי היה כופה בדבריו היקרים לכל אחד ואחד על הצדקה כי המעות של כל אחד ואחד כחובה נשגבה ואפילו במקומות הצרים נתרחבו ושבו לבעליו והצדקה הציל כל אחד ואחד שלא לפל כ"כ בתאות ממון ושלא להיות אץ להעשיר רק כל אחד בהדרגה ובמדה וכל זה קלקל הבע"ד ע"י שנתלבש עצמו בהזקן ישראל ממינסק השי"ת ירחם עלינו ועל כל אהבינו ויתקן הכל כי השי"ת בודאי יגמר ע"י רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הכל לטובה ואשרי מי שיהיה לו חלק בזה EN: For my love is bound with a soul-love to all the Anash from small to great — and they are all like my brothers. And how we must mourn and sigh over the passing of the veteran Chassid, Reb Sender ז"ל — for while he was alive he would compel with his precious words every single one toward charity [כופה בדבריו היקרים לכל אחד ואחד על הצדקה — the word kofeh means to compel, to coerce, to press upon forcibly; it is from kefiyah — compulsion; stronger than "press" — his precious words were a gentle but irresistible force of love and wisdom that compelled each person toward giving] — for the money of every single one was like an exalted, sublime obligation — and even in the narrow places things expanded and returned to their owners [ואפילו במקומות הצרים נתרחבו ושבו לבעליו — "and even in the narrow places, they expanded and returned to their owners" — the classic teaching: those who gave charity even from their own financial narrowness found that things expanded (nithrachvu — became spacious) and the money returned (shavu — returned) to them with increase; the act of giving in the narrow place itself creates the expansion]. And charity saved every single one from falling so deeply into the lust for money, and from being a person who rushes to become wealthy — only each one in gradual measure and in proper proportion. And all this was corrupted by the adversary through the medium of the elder Yisroel from Minsk. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on us and on all our beloved — and set everything right. For Hashem Yisbarach will surely complete through Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple everything for good — and fortunate is the one who will have a portion in this. Segment 8 HE: ומה שלא כתבתי לך עד עתה כי בחול המועד לא כתבתי ואחר חג הפסח לא הייתי בקו הבריאה וגם עתה איני בשלמות בבריאות גופי כי היה לי ולזוג' קאטיר חזק עד מאד ואי"ה כשזוג' תח' תיסע אי"ה לעיר הקודש ירושלים תו"ת יגן עלינו זכות ירושלים וזכות מקום מקדשנו שתהיה לה רפואה שלמה לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה ותסע בחיים ושלום ובבאה בביתה ותבוא עליה ברכת טוב EN: And the reason I have not written to you until now: during the intermediate days of Passover I did not write — and after the Passover festival I was not in good health. And even now I am not fully well in my bodily health — for my wife and I had a very strong catarrh. And G-d willing when my wife, may she live, travels G-d willing to the Holy City of Yerushalayim — may the merit of Yerushalayim and the merit of the place of our Sanctuary protect us — that there be for her a complete healing to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and three hundred and sixty-five sinews. And may she travel in life and in peace — and in her coming home may the blessing of good come upon her. Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And from this money receive for yourself one bishlik which I owe. And also half a bishlik give to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, as a redemption for my daughter — that he go to the grave of the holy Ari to pray for her and for her son, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach send them quickly and soon a complete healing. And also at the other graves of the Tzaddikim. And also if he is able to inform my father ז"ל — let him inform of the said matters. And receive one and a half bishlikim — and fulfill the paying of a creditor as a mitzvah. Segment 11 HE: ואודות מה שכתבת לש"ב מ' סאסיא תח' לכתוב לבני משפחתה והם ישלחו לה מעות למה לא כתבת לה למי לכתוב האם היא יודעת למי לכתוב ע"כ תכתב או אתה עבורה או לכתוב לה למי לכתוב ויכתב בעלה והיא ב"ה בחדש השמיני שיהיה לאריכת ימים ושנים EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — life and peace are with us. May Hashem grant and may Hashem Yisbarach help — to hear from you life and peace — with a complete healing in the salvation of Hashem in the blink of an eye — for your wife, may she live, and also for your brother, may his candle shine — in the midst of the healings of His people Israel. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. Segment 12 HE: ומזה המעות תקבל לך אחד בישליק שאני חיב וגם חצי בישליק תתן לר' קלמן נ"י עבור פדיון בתי שילך על קבר האר"י הק' להתפלל עליה ועל בנה נ"י שישלח להם השי"ת חיש מהר רפואה שלמה וגם על שאר קברי צדיקים וגם אם אפשר לו להודיע לאבי ז"ל יודיע דברי הנ"ל ותקבל אחד בישליק וחצי ותקים פריעת בע"ח מצוה EN: Your letter from yesterday I received — through Reb Heynich — together with a letter from Tcherin — and together with the sum of three bishlikim. And you gave me life with the letter from my son. But I had grief that our friend, the man of great substance and a patron of holiness [הגביר — ha'gevir — specifically a wealthy patron who uses his means for holy causes; a man of financial substance and communal significance; distinct from merely "a worthy man"], the fully proper one, G-d-fearing — Reb Abaleh — is not in good health. But this night I recited this prayer of the redemption for him. And likewise all the Anash who received money from him must perform a redemption for him and recite the said prayer — for he supports the building of Rabbainu ז"ל — and he is a Heaven-fearer such as this. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And regarding what you wrote — to the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live — to write to her family that they should send her money: why did you not write to her to whom to write? Does she know to whom to write? Therefore you write — either yourself on her behalf, or write to her to whom to write — and let her husband write. And she is, blessed be G-d, in her eighth month — may it be for length of days and years. And from this money receive for yourself one bishlik which I owe. And also half a bishlik give to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, as a redemption for my daughter — that he go to the grave of the holy Ari to pray for her and for her son, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach send them quickly and soon a complete healing. And also at the other graves of the Tzaddikim. And also if he is able to inform my father ז"ל — let him inform of the said matters. And receive one and a half bishlikim — and fulfill the paying of a creditor as a mitzvah. 📜 And regarding what you wrote — that he did not receive from me a receipt for the sum of twelve rubles: I wrote immediately on the Fast of Esther a receipt directly to him — for I received the money then, during the Torah portion of Tzav. And he now writes his letter during the portion of Shemini — and my letter could not yet have reached him. Even so, I will write once more through you a receipt — for the sum of twelve rubles and for the sum of seven rubles that came now. And regarding the money — if you have exchanged it already, send it through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to the trusted one Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And I am sending you enclosed here a letter from Reb Aizikl from Bucharest — that was written to your hand — and in it there came to him a letter from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, and from Reb Nussun Lirsman, and from our friend Reb Nachman the Levi. And I received in your letter news from my wife's sons — and they are, blessed be G-d, in life and in peace. And from my daughter Figa, may she live, and her son, may his candle shine — that she and her son are lying in the hospital in Uman. And she also had a daughter — and she passed away. And this is what my son-in-law wrote to me: because she became weak in Troyits with her sons — and many women pressed upon her to take her to Uman, where there are doctors — and when they came there and she was poor — the doctor received her and her son into the hospital. And the great nachas I have — you yourself can understand. But Reb Nussun Lirsman comforts me and swears by the truth of his righteousness that it was quickly and they had a healing — and she is in no danger at all, G-d forbid. But to multiply entreaty and supplication I do not lose by. Therefore I ask of all the Anash — and of your father, may his candle shine — and of our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — to seek mercy for her and for her son. And her name is Figa Miriam daughter of Yekhes Sarah — and her son Nachman. For I pray for them always — every single one. And Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: when they wrote to me about your brother Nachman, may his candle shine — what is passing over him — my grief is very great. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him and take him out of all his troubles — and gather our scattered ones from all the nations [the classic prayer for the ingathering of the exiles — kibbutz galuyos — applied to the community's scattered members and circumstances]. For his money is righteous, proper money [כי יש לו מעות כשר — "for he has kasher money" — money that is clean, properly earned, fit in every respect; righteous money deserves divine protection and return]. For my love is bound with a soul-love to all the Anash from small to great — and they are all like my brothers. And how we must mourn and sigh over the passing of the veteran Chassid, Reb Sender ז"ל — for while he was alive he would compel with his precious words every single one toward charity [כופה בדבריו היקרים לכל אחד ואחד על הצדקה — the word kofeh means to compel, to coerce, to press upon forcibly; it is from kefiyah — compulsion; stronger than "press" — his precious words were a gentle but irresistible force of love and wisdom that compelled each person toward giving] — for the money of every single one was like an exalted, sublime obligation — and even in the narrow places things expanded and returned to their owners [ואפילו במקומות הצרים נתרחבו ושבו לבעליו — "and even in the narrow places, they expanded and returned to their owners" — the classic teaching: those who gave charity even from their own financial narrowness found that things expanded (nithrachvu — became spacious) and the money returned (shavu — returned) to them with increase; the act of giving in the narrow place itself creates the expansion]. And charity saved every single one from falling so deeply into the lust for money, and from being a person who rushes to become wealthy — only each one in gradual measure and in proper proportion. And all this was corrupted by the adversary through the medium of the elder Yisroel from Minsk. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on us and on all our beloved — and set everything right. For Hashem Yisbarach will surely complete through Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple everything for good — and fortunate is the one who will have a portion in this. And the reason I have not written to you until now: during the intermediate days of Passover I did not write — and after the Passover festival I was not in good health. And even now I am not fully well in my bodily health — for my wife and I had a very strong catarrh. And G-d willing when my wife, may she live, travels G-d willing to the Holy City of Yerushalayim — may the merit of Yerushalayim and the merit of the place of our Sanctuary protect us — that there be for her a complete healing to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and three hundred and sixty-five sinews. And may she travel in life and in peace — and in her coming home may the blessing of good come upon her. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And from this money receive for yourself one bishlik which I owe. And also half a bishlik give to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, as a redemption for my daughter — that he go to the grave of the holy Ari to pray for her and for her son, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach send them quickly and soon a complete healing. And also at the other graves of the Tzaddikim. And also if he is able to inform my father ז"ל — let him inform of the said matters. And receive one and a half bishlikim — and fulfill the paying of a creditor as a mitzvah. Written Thursday, the 21st of the Omer, 5638 (late April or early May 1878), from Teverya. Terrible news: the daughter and grandson in the hospital in Uman; a newborn granddaughter died. Mourning for Reb Sender ז"ל. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 13 HE: דברי נתן מברסלב EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — life and peace are with us. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — for all our true beloved and for you and for all your household. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. I have come to inform you that my wife, may she live, arrived yesterday toward evening and spent the night with me — and in the morning at two o'clock she traveled [בשירא — in the postal carriage; the same word shira used throughout these letters for the postal conveyance; here she travels in the pre-dawn hours to catch the carriage] — with blessing, with peace, and for healing. # ד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/4/ ד ד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/4 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ט"ו מנחם אב תרל"ה טבריא תו"ת EN: The 15th of Menachem Av [Tu B'Av — the 15th of Av, a joyous day associated with love and renewal; it falls in late July or August. It was considered in the Breslov community as the beginning of the fifty-day preparation period leading to Rosh Hashana], 5635 [= 1875 CE] — Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי אהבי באמת ממש כבני המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: To the honor of my beloved friend, truly and utterly, like my own son — the wondrous, veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל וב"ה שאני וזוג' ואמי ואחותי ב"ה בחיים ושלום כן נזכה לשמע מבריאותכם מכל אחד ואחד החיים והשלום באריכת ימים ושנים טובים אנס"ו EN: Thank G-d, and blessed be G-d — I, and my wife, and my mother, and my sister are, blessed be G-d, in life and in peace. May we likewise merit to hear of the health of each and every one of you — life and peace, with length of days and good years. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed [אנס"ו — "Omain, forever, Selah, and ever" — a fuller formula of affirmation than simply "Omain Selah"]. Segment 4 HE: זה שני שבועות שכתבתי לכם מכתב וכתבתי לכם כמה דברים שצריך לי תשובה עליהם וגם מבריאותכם כלתה נפשי ואזני לשמע מחמת שבכאן המרה שחורה גדלה עד מאד ממחנכם שאמרים שאינה יפה אצלכם השי"ת ירחם על כל עירי ישראל ויהודא ברחמיו הגדולים והמרבים ותאמין לי ידידי כשאין לי ידיעה מכם כמה ימים עיני כלות ומיחלות לאיזה שמועה טובה כי אהבתכם תקועה בלבי בתוך קירות לבבי ובתוך פנימיות מחי כי אין לי בכאן אהבים קרובים ורעים אהובים וסמוכים כמוכם כי נפשכם קשורה בנפשי בקשר אמיץ וחזק כי מרעה אחד נחנו ואב אחד לכלנו EN: These two weeks I have written you a letter, and in it I wrote you several matters that require your reply — and also your health: my soul and my ears have been spent with longing to hear [כלתה נפשי ואזני לשמע — literally "my soul and my ears have been consumed with longing to hear" — both soul and ears are straining toward them across the distance]. For here the despondency [mara shchorah — "black bile" — the classical term for melancholy and dread; here: a dark mood of anxiety spreading from bad reports] has grown exceedingly great, from your settlement — as people are saying that things are not well with you. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on all the cities of Israel and Judah with His great and abundant mercies. And believe me, my friend — when I have had no word from you for several days, my eyes are spent and longing for any good tidings. For your love is driven deep into my heart — within the very walls of my heart and within the innermost part of my mind — for I have here no beloved ones, no close and dear and beloved and dependable companions such as you. For your soul is bound to my soul with a strong and mighty bond — for we are from one pasture [mir'eh echad — we were nourished and formed from the same source: Rabbainu ז"ל], and one Father we all have [Genesis 42:11 — the writer uses Yosef's brothers' declaration in its deepest sense: we are all children of one heavenly Father, and disciples of one Rebbe]. Segment 5 HE: למען ה' אחי ורעי למען ה' אתה ואהבי איזיק נ"י אל תשכחו שהיום מתחיל ימים נוראים הק' וצריכין אנו להתחיל בדרכי התשובה מחדש ואין אנו יכולין להתחיל התשובה כי אם בדרך אשר הורו לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הינו ללמד ספרי רבנו ז"ל בחשק חדש ולהאמין בהם שיש להם כח לרפאת נפשנו ולומר תהלים הרבה ותפלות הרבה בחשק חדש ובתמימות ובפשיטות ולהמשיך עלינו הדרך מהאיש הפשוט בהתקשרות רבנו ז"ל ולהתמרמר בבכיה גדולה על שנתרחקנו מאבינו שבשמים EN: For the sake of Hashem, my brother and my companion — for the sake of Hashem: you, and my beloved Aizik, may his candle shine — do not forget that today the holy Days of Awe begin [Yomim Noraim — in the Breslov reckoning, the fifty days from the 15th of Av through Yom Kippur constitute the full arc of preparation and return; today, the 15th of Av, is the opening of that arc]. And we must begin the paths of teshuvah [return to G-d — the word means "return," not merely regret] afresh. And we are unable to begin teshuvah except by the way that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple have instructed us — that is: to study the books of Rabbainu ז"ל with fresh desire [cheshek chadash — a new kindling of longing and passion], and to believe in them that they have the power to heal our souls. And to say many Tehillim [Psalms] and many prayers with fresh desire — with wholeness [temimus — sincerity and wholesomeness, without calculation or cleverness] and with simplicity [p'shitut — plain straightforwardness; in Breslov teaching, simplicity is not a deficiency but a crown]. And to draw upon ourselves the path of the simple man [ha'ish ha'poshut — the plain, unpretentious person who serves G-d without intellectual sophistication; a deeply honored ideal in Breslov teaching] in the bond with Rabbainu ז"ל. And to be bitter — in great weeping [l'hismarmer b'vchiyah gedolah — to cry out with a broken, bitter heart; not despair, but longing] — over the fact that we have grown distant from our Father in Heaven. Segment 6 HE: ועי"ז ימשכו עלינו תקותם מהאור אין סוף ברוך הוא כמבאר בלקוטי הלכות אשר משם יכולין לתקן אפילו אנשים פגומין מאד ואין שום אדם שבעולם שלא יהיה לו תקון משם רק אנו צריכין לעסק בזה בחשק חדש ולהכין עצמנו לקבל התקון ובפרט שהימי רצון' ממשמשין ובאין ע"כ צריכין לעסק רק ב'רצון' וכסופין והשתוקקות להשי"ת לשון נופל על לשון וגם הם ימי תשובה' ע"כ אנו צריכין בכל עת לומר בפה מלא החזירנו ב'תשובה' שלמה כי דבר בעתו מה טוב וחזקו ואמצו בתורה ובתפילה ובשמחה כי כך דרך רבנו ז"ל EN: And through this, the hope drawn from the Infinite Light, Blessed be He [Or Ain Sof Boruch Hu — the kabbalistic term for G-d's boundless light, the source of all being and all repair] will be drawn upon us — as is explained in Likutay Halachos [the great work of Reb Nosson of Breslov — the writer points his friend directly to this source] — from which even very badly blemished people [anoshim pegumin me'od — those whose souls carry deep and severe damage] can receive their tikkun [repair, rectification], and there is no person in the world for whom there is no tikkun from there. Only we must engage in this with fresh desire, and prepare ourselves to receive the tikkun. And in particular since the days of ratzon [ymei ratzon — days of divine favor and goodwill, when Heaven is especially open and receptive] are approaching and coming — therefore we must engage only in ratzon [note the wordplay — lashon nofel al lashon: ratzon means both "divine will/favor" and "desire/longing" — we must fill these days of divine favor with our own passionate desire and longing] — and in k'sufin [Aramaic: yearning, longing] and in passionate desire [hishtokkekus — intense spiritual craving and thirsting] for Hashem Yisbarach. And these are also the days of teshuvah [another wordplay: teshuvah means both "return to G-d" and "response / answer" — these are days when our return calls forth G-d's answering response]. Therefore we must at all times say with a full mouth: "Return us in complete teshuvah" — for "a word in its time — how good it is" [Proverbs 15:23]. And be strong and courageous — in Torah, in prayer, and in joy — for such is the way of Rabbainu ז"ל. Segment 7 HE: ולמען ה' בכל עת תכתבו לי מכתבים ואני אי"ה אכתב לכם כי מאד חשקה נפשי בכם וגם אני וידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י מתפללים עליכם בכל יום היום היינו על קבר הצדיק הק' ר' נחמן זקנו של רבנו ז"ל והתפללנו עבור כל אנ"ש השי"ת ישמע תפילתנו וגם אתה תתפלל עלינו ועל זוג' תח' כי לא עבר עוד שני ימים שתהיה בקו הבריאה בשלמות השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה כי היא לנגדי ממש זבולון EN: And for the sake of Hashem — at all times write me letters, and I, G-d willing [אי"ה — im yirtzeh Hashem], will write to you — for my soul greatly longs for you. And also I and our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, are praying for you every day. Today — this very day — we went to the tomb of the holy Tzaddik Reb Nachman [Reb Nachman of Horodenka — the grandfather of Rabbainu ז"ל, buried in Tiberias; his tomb was a place of great significance for Breslov Chassidim], the grandfather of Rabbainu ז"ל — and we prayed on behalf of all the Anash. May Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer. And you too — pray for us, and for my wife, may she live — for not even two days have passed that she has been fully well. May Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing — for she is literally my Zevulun before me [Zevulun was the tribe that supported Yissochor materially so that Yissochor could devote himself entirely to Torah; the writer calls his wife his Zevulun — she enables and sustains his spiritual life by running the home]. Segment 8 HE: וגם בקשתי ממך אולי תכתב מכתב לחמיך נ"י תשאל אותו היכן חתני ישראל נ"י עם בתי יושבים וגם מבני יצחק נ"י ובתי חיקע עם חתני שמואל נ"י מה הם עשים ומה שנשמע מגיסך מו"ה משה נ"י להחיות נפשי וגם תכתב לאחיך סענדיר נ"י או לחמיך נ"י לשלח לי האחד רו"ח שכתב לי ששולח לי על שמן זית לרמבע"ה ואני כבר הדלקתי לעת עתה מכיסי כי חמיך שכח לשלח לי ואביך נ"י יודע שלא שלח לי ואני לעת עתה הדלקתי עבור פדיון שכתב לי מהשונאים שלו והתפללתי עליו השי"ת ישמע תפילתי בעדו ובעד ב"ב EN: And I also request of you: perhaps you could write a letter to your father-in-law, may his candle shine, and ask him where my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, is dwelling with my daughter — and also about my son Yitzchak, may his candle shine — and about my daughter Chaikeh with her husband Shmuel, may his candle shine — what they are doing. And what is heard from your brother-in-law [גיסך — gischa — specifically a brother-in-law: a sibling's spouse, or a spouse's sibling] Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine — to revive my soul. And also write to your brother Sender, may his candle shine, or to your father-in-law, may his candle shine, to send me the one ruble [a Russian silver coin — the currency used by Russian-origin Jews in Ottoman Palestine] that he wrote to me he was sending for olive oil for the Rambam's tomb. And I have already kindled it for now from my own pocket — for your father-in-law forgot to send it to me, and your father, may his candle shine, knows that he did not send it. And I for now kindled it in exchange for the pidyon [redemption — a sum given as a spiritual redemption on a person's behalf; here the lamp-kindling at the Rambam's tomb serves as a pidyon] that he wrote to me about, from his enemies — and I prayed for him. May Hashem Yisbarach hear my prayer for him and for all the members of his household. Segment 9 HE: ואני כתבתי משבועות שני מכתבים לטראויצע ואין לי שום מכתב ואיני יכול לתת עצה לנפשי אם לכתוב להם כי אני מקמץ הפאסט געלט שלהם שצריכין לתן בעד המכתבים ע"כ אני מבקש מאתך לפב"ש עבורי ולבקש מהם לכתוב לך מחתני ישראל נ"י ומבתי תח' ומנכדי שיחיו ומבני יצחק נ"י ומבתי חיקע תח' עם שלום בעלה שמואל נ"י עם שלום בניו שיחיו וגם מכלתי אשת בני יצחק אם ילדה ומה ילדה ותעשה זאת למען זוג' שהיא מבקשת ממך כי היא בוכה ומיללת והיא לא צריכה יותר כי בלא כך ג"כ היא מלאה יסורים מחליה העצום והיא בוטחת בך שבודאי תעשה למענה ותכתב וגם אולי שמעת מחותני ר' צבי בן סלאווע מה הוא עשה תכתב לי ג"כ כי הוא מאהבנו באמת EN: And I wrote since Shavuos [the festival of Pentecost — approximately seven weeks before this letter's date] two letters to Troyits, and I have received no letter at all — and I am unable to advise myself whether to write to them, for I am economizing on the postage money [post gelt — Yiddish: postage money; in this period one could pay the recipient's postage in advance, and the writer is careful with every coin] that must be paid for the letters. Therefore I ask of you: convey greetings of peace on my behalf, and ask them to write to you — about my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, and about my daughter, may she live, and about my grandchildren, may they live [שיחיו — sheyichyu — "may they live"], and about my son Yitzchak, may his candle shine, and about my daughter Chaikeh, may she live, together with her husband Shmuel, may his candle shine, together with his sons, may they live. And also about my daughter-in-law — the wife of my son Yitzchak — whether she has given birth, and what she gave birth to. And please do this for the sake of my wife — for she is asking this of you, and she weeps and wails. And she does not need any further reason to weep — for even without this she is already filled with sufferings from her great and terrible illness. And she trusts in you that you will certainly do this for her sake. And write. [The single word ותכתב — "and write" — stands alone at the end of this plea, direct and raw: a cry more than a request.] And also: perhaps you have heard from my co-parent-in-law [חותני — chosni — specifically a father-in-law or a co-parent-in-law: the father of one's child's spouse, a distinct relationship from a brother-in-law] Reb Tzvi of Slaveh [a town in Eastern Europe] — what has he done? Please write to me also about this — for he is among our true beloved. Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda [זללה"ה — may the memory of the holy and righteous be a blessing] Segment 11 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda [זללה"ה — may the memory of the holy and righteous be a blessing] # מ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/40/ מ מ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/40 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' במדבר שנת תרל"ח לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא EN: Tuesday, the Torah portion of Bamidbar [Parshas Bamidbar — the opening of Numbers; always read on the Shabbos before Shavuos; late May or early June 1878], 5638, according to the minor reckoning — the Holy City of Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד ידידי עז מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום בנו סענדיר חיים נ"י אכי"ר EN: To the honor of our ohavainu, the wondrous young Torah scholar, the veteran Chassid, my strong friend — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. So may it be His will. Omain Selah. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל החיים והשלום אתנו כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום לכל אהבינו באמת ולך ולכל ב"ב אנס"ו באתי להודיע שבאתה זוג' תח' אתמול לעת ערב ולנה אצלי ובבקר בשעה שתים נסעה לברכה לשלום ולרפואה EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — life and peace are with us. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — for all our true beloved and for you and for all your household. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. I have come to inform you that my wife, may she live, arrived yesterday toward evening and spent the night with me — and in the morning at two o'clock she traveled [בשירא — in the postal carriage; the same word shira used throughout these letters for the postal conveyance; here she travels in the pre-dawn hours to catch the carriage] — with blessing, with peace, and for healing. Segment 4 HE: וגם מידידנו הישיש הותיק וחסיד מו"ה אפרים נ"י היה אצלי ב"ה מיום ה' שבוע העבר עד היום וב"ה קבלתי אותו בסבר פנים יפות כראוי לו ונסע ג"כ עם זוג' תח' בצותא חדא בשירא אתה וזוג' תח' בקשה אותי לכתוב לך שתעין על בנך בעינא פקיחא ורחמני הגם שאיני צריך לכתוב לך כי כרחם אב על בנים כתוב אך אני צריך למלאת בקשתה כאשר הבטחתי לה לכתוב לך ועתה אנו צריכין להתפלל עליה שבזכות ירושלים יהיה לה רפואה שלמה כמבאר בתורה תקעו ממשלה' ובפרט שעתה הולך אי"ה חג שבועות שהוא אחרון התקונים לבנין ירושלים ובכל יו"ט קודש כלול כל התקונים וע"י התפילה יהיה נמשך עליה ועל כל ישראל דבר ה' וישלח להם רפואה שלמה ע"י לחם ומים רק עכ"פ אנו צריכין להתעורר באיזה התעוררות תפילה בכדי לקשר עצמנו להמלוה הגדול בכדי שיהיה איזה התקשרות עמו EN: And also our friend, the venerable elder [הישיש — ha'yashish — specifically a man of very advanced age, an elder of many years; from the biblical usage in Job 12:12 where the very aged are the possessors of wisdom; yashish conveys honor and great venerable age together], the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Efraim, may his candle shine, was with me — blessed be G-d — from Thursday of last week until today. And blessed be G-d I received him with a welcoming face, as is proper for him. And he traveled as well with my wife, may she live, together as one [בצותא חדא — b'tzvusa chada — Aramaic: "together as one, in one company" — a Talmudic phrase for traveling in united company] — in the postal carriage. And your wife, may she live, asked me to write to you — to watch over your son with an open eye and a merciful eye [בעינא פקיחא ורחמני — Aramaic-Hebrew mixed: "with an open eye and a merciful one" — ayin p'kicha — an open, watchful, fully seeing eye; and rachmani — merciful; watch your son with both the sharpness of full perception and the warmth of mercy; the mother's request transmitted from Yerushalayim through the writer] — although I do not need to write to you this, since it is written: "as a father has mercy on his children" — but I must fulfill her request, as I promised her to write to you. And now we must pray for her — that in the merit of Yerushalayim there be for her a complete healing — as is explained in the Torah: "blow the trumpet of its sovereignty." And particularly now, G-d willing, the festival of Shavuos is approaching — which is the final of the tikkunim for the building of Yerushalayim. And in every holy festival all the tikkunim are included — and through prayer it will be drawn upon her and upon all Israel — and may He send them a complete healing through bread and water. Only in any case we must rouse ourselves in some arousal of prayer in order to tie ourselves to the great Lender — in order that there be some bond with him. Segment 5 HE: ולמען ה' לא תדאג כלל כי אתה רוצה להיות איש כשר ורבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש מי שרוצה להיות איש כשר יזהר את עצמו מעצבות ועצלות ובכל ספריו הק' וספרי תלמידו הק' מלאים מאסור עצבות ודאגות ומרה שחורה וגדל יקר עבודת השמחה ובטח בה' כי לא יעזב אותך ושמחה היא כלי להצלחה ואפילו לב נשבר לפני השי"ת ג"כ לא צוה לנו רבנו ז"ל כי אם שעה אחת ביום וכל היום בשמחה ואל תשמע לעצת היצר כי הוא טומן לכל אחד ואחד רשתו במה שיכול לזה בכבוד ולזה בגאוה ולזה בעצבות ולזה בעצלות רק למען ה' תתגבר בשמחה בכל עת ולא תדאג כלל לא כי בדאגות אינם מועילים כלל אדרבא הם מפסידין בגשמיות וברוחניות ונשארים בלא כח ב"ה יום יום ואין אתה יודע איזה ישועה יכול השי"ת להושיע לך ועל הכרחיות אתה צריך לבטח בהשי"ת בשמחה שבודאי לא יעזב אותך לעולם EN: And for the sake of Hashem — do not worry at all. For you want to be a fit and proper man — and Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: one who wants to be a fit and proper man must guard himself from sadness and from laziness. And in all his holy books and the books of his holy disciple they are filled with the prohibition of sadness and worry and melancholy — and the great preciousness of the service of joy. And trust in Hashem — for He will not forsake you. And joy is a vessel for success. And even a broken heart before Hashem Yisbarach — Rabbainu ז"ל also did not command us this except for one hour per day — and all day in joy. And do not listen to the counsel of the evil inclination — for it lays its net for every single one in that by which it can catch him: to this one through honor, to this one through pride, to this one through sadness, to this one through laziness. Only — for the sake of Hashem — strengthen yourself in joy at all times. And do not worry at all — absolutely not. For in worries one accomplishes nothing whatsoever — on the contrary, they cause loss in both material and spiritual matters — and one remains without strength — blessed be G-d [ב"ה יום יום — the blessing "blessed be G-d" is inserted mid-description, even while describing the damage caused by worry; a small act of radical acceptance: one acknowledges the harm of worry while still affirming divine goodness; the insertion of this blessing in the middle of the negative description is itself a spiritual practice of the very joy being taught] — day by day. And you do not know what salvation Hashem Yisbarach is able to bring you. And for the inescapable necessities [על הכרחיות — al ha'hechrechiyos — "for the unavoidable necessities" — from hechreach — inescapable necessity, that which cannot be avoided; even for the things that are truly inescapable and unavoidable — even there, trust in Hashem in joy] — you must trust in Hashem Yisbarach in joy — for He will surely never forsake you. Segment 6 HE: וזוג' תח' בקשה אותי לכתוב לך שתשתה חלב בכל יום ובשמחה אכל ובשמחה למד ובשמחה תתפלל הכלל רק שמחה EN: And your wife, may she live, asked me to write to you — to drink milk every day. And in joy — eat. And in joy — study. And in joy — pray. The entire principle is only joy. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת החפץ לראות בך כט"ס EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who desires to see in you the fullness of good, Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And pray for my wife, may she live. And write to me what the wife, may she live, did. And also your son, the wise child — what is he studying? For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: I pray for you at all times — for the love of your souls is bound to my soul. Segment 9 HE: ופב"ש לידידי ר' יואל צבי נ"י עם שלום בנו נ"י ובפרט אחיו ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י באהבה עזה ובשלום לכל אנ"ש ויזכה אותנו השי"ת לקבל חג השבועות הק' ולקבל עלינו בחשק חדש לקים את התורה הק' הנתנה לנו ע"י משה רבנו נאמן ביתו זיע"א אכי"ר אנס"ו EN: Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to my friend Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine, with his son — and particularly to his brother, my friend, our ohavainu Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — with strong love. And peace to all the Anash. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to receive the holy festival of Shavuos — and to receive upon ourselves with fresh ardent longing the fulfillment of the holy Torah given to us through Moshe Rabbainu, the faithful shepherd of his house, may his memory be for a blessing and for eternal life. So may it be His will. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. # מא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/41/ מא מא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/41 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' ח"י סיון תרל"ח לפ"ק טבריא תו"ת ב"ב EN: Wednesday, the 18th of Sivan, 5638, according to the minor reckoning — Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. [The 18th of Sivan, approximately two to three weeks after Shavuos; June 1878] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי ונאמני ידידי עז הותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' לאה עם שלום בנו מו"ה סענדיר חיים EN: To the honor of my beloved and my faithful one [אהבי ונאמני — "my beloved and my faithful one" — ne'emani — a specific title: "my trustworthy, reliable, faithful one" — from emunah — faithfulness and trustworthiness; this person is the writer's singular tested-and-proven faithful one, not merely a friend who happens to be faithful], my strong friend, the veteran Chassid, the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife Miriam Leah [the first time the wife's name is given explicitly in the entire collection — Miriam Leah; throughout all previous letters she has been "your wife, may she live"] — and together with peace upon his son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום והרפואה לזוג' תח' ולאחיך נ"י בתוך חולי עמו ישראל אנס"ו כן יהי רצון EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace and healing — for your wife, may she live, and for your brother, may his candle shine — in the midst of the sick of His people Israel. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. Segment 4 HE: המכתבים מיום ב' קבלתי ע"י ר' שמואל העניך והחייתי שזוג' תח' וגם החסיד המפרסם מו"ה ר' אפרים נ"י עברו לשלום הדרך בלי פגע כן יזכה אותך השי"ת שתבוא זוג' תח' ברפואה שלמה לביתך לשלום וירפא אתכם השי"ת ברפואות הנפש ורפואות הגוף והממון ג"כ והחיית אותי בבשורות הטוב שמתחילין הקאנצילאטין לעלות כן ירחם עליכם השי"ת ועל כל ישראל שמחזיר אבדתכם בשלמות בלי שום חסרון EN: The letters from Monday I received — through Reb Shmuel Heynich. And you gave me life — that your wife, may she live, and also the widely-renowned Chassid [החסיד המפרסם — ha'chassid ha'mefursam — "the renowned / famous Chassid" — mefursam means widely known, publicly proclaimed, whose name has spread broadly beyond the local community; renown that has been published and spread abroad, not merely local celebrity] Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, passed the road in peace without mishap. May Hashem Yisbarach merit you that your wife, may she live, should come in complete healing to her home in peace — and may Hashem Yisbarach heal you in the healings of the soul and the healings of the body and also the money. And you gave me life with the good tidings that the consular certificates are beginning to rise — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on you and on all Israel — and return your lost property [שמחזיר אבדתכם — "Who returns your aveidah" — the Talmudic term for a lost object whose owner has not given up hope of recovery; the writer invokes this specific legal-spiritual category: their money is a recoverable lost possession, and G-d is the One Who returns it] in fullness without any deficiency. Segment 5 HE: ואבשר לך ג"כ בשורה טובה שאתמול בלילה השגתי מכתב מאומן מר' נתן לירסמאן וגם מחותנו מו"ה ישראל נ"י שב"ה בתי פיגא תח' ובנה נחמן היה להם רפואה בשלמות ב"ה ב"ה ב"ה וכתבו לי המכתב ביום ב' בחקותי ועל שבת הנ"ל היתה מוכנת לילך מאספיטאל לביתה עם בנה נ"י ב"ה EN: And I will also bring you the good tiding — that yesterday at night I obtained a letter from Uman, from Reb Nussun Lirsman and also from his co-parent-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel, may his candle shine [מחותנו — Reb Nussun Lirsman's mechutan — the father of whoever married into the Lirsman family; here this is Reb Yisroel, the writer's own son-in-law who is Lirsman's co-parent-in-law; the letter thus came from both Lirsman and the writer's son-in-law jointly] — that blessed be G-d my daughter Figa, may she live, and her son Nachman — they had a complete recovery — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d. And they wrote me the letter on Monday of Bechukosai — and on the Shabbos mentioned she was prepared to leave the hospital for her home with her son, may his candle shine — blessed be G-d. Segment 6 HE: ואני נותן תודה לאל ההודאות הרופא חולי עמו ישראל אשר הפליא חסדו עמי ועמהם כן יפליא השי"ת חסדו עם זוג' ואחיך נ"י והכל בכח וזכות רבנו ז"ל אשר הוא מגדיל בכל יום אצל השי"ת חסדים חדשים עלינו ועל כל ישראל כי גדלתו יתברך היא חסדו ע"כ אין אנו צריכים לדאג כלל רק לשאת אבנים וסיד בכל כחנו בשמחה להבנינים של רבנו ז"ל והוא יעשה מהם בנינים נפלאים ונוראים ויתקן הכל בגשמיות וברוחניות ודאגה ומרה שחורה אין מועיל כלל ורבנו ז"ל הזהיר מאד על זה וצריכין אנו לחזק עצמנו בכל דבריו היקרים ובפרט שאין מועיל כלל כלל לנו רק הם מפסידים הכח בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: And I give thanks to G-d of thanksgivings — the Healer of the sick of His people Israel — Who performed His kindness wondrously with me and with them. May Hashem Yisbarach likewise perform His kindness wondrously with your wife and your brother, may his candle shine. And all of this is in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל — Who each day increases before Hashem Yisbarach new acts of loving-kindness upon us and upon all Israel. For His greatness, may He be blessed — it is His loving-kindness [כי גדלתו יתברך היא חסדו — "for His greatness, may He be blessed — it is His loving-kindness" — a radical theological equation: G-d's greatness is not power or might but chessed — loving-kindness; the divine greatness and the divine love are not two separate qualities but one; His greatness consists in His love; therefore there is no fear in His greatness, only love]. Therefore we need not worry at all — only to carry stones and mortar with all our strength in joy for the buildings of Rabbainu ז"ל [each Jew as a bearer of stones and mortar for the spiritual building of Rabbainu ז"ל; we are construction workers in a holy edifice, carrying our individual loads with joy, and Rabbainu ז"ל builds the wondrous structure from them] — and he will make from them wondrous and awesome structures and set everything right in material and in spiritual matters. And worry and melancholy accomplish nothing at all — and Rabbainu ז"ל warned greatly about this — and we must strengthen ourselves in all his precious words. And particularly since they accomplish nothing at all for us — rather they deplete the strength in both material and spiritual. Segment 7 HE: לאמיר טאקע זיין אמת'ע ברסלבער חסידים לאמיר זיך טאקע אן קוקן בספרי רבנו ז"ל לכל תורה ותורה פון וואס מיר דארפן זיך דער ווייטערן און צו וואס מיר דארפן זיך צו צוהען מיט רצונות טובים כי רבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש שבכל תורה ותורה קען מען זיין איין איד טאקע איין איד ווייל מען לעבט לאמיר נישט פאר שלאפן דעם אור פון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' המאיר לכל העולמות ו"אור צדיקים ישמח אז השי"ת האט רחמנות געהאט אויף אונז און האט אונז געגעבן פון גאר דער וועלט דעם אוצר פון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' לביתינו צריכין אנו להחיות עצמינו בכל יום ויום בשמחה גדולה ועצומה EN: לאמיר טאקע זיין אמת'ע ברסלבער חסידים [Yiddish: "Let us truly be authentic Breslov Chassidim"] — לאמיר זיך טאקע אן קוקן בספרי רבנו ז"ל לכל תורה ותורה פון וואס מיר דארפן זיך דער ווייטערן [Yiddish: "Let us truly look into the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — in every single Torah teaching — from what we must distance ourselves further"] — און צו וואס מיר דארפן זיך צו צוהען מיט רצונות טובים [Yiddish: "and toward what we must draw ourselves closer — with good desires and intentions"] — for Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: שבכל תורה ותורה קען מען זיין איין איד טאקע איין איד ווייל מען לעבט [Yiddish: "that through every single Torah teaching one can be a Jew — truly a Jew — for as long as one lives"]. לאמיר נישט פאר שלאפן דעם אור פון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' המאיר לכל העולמות [Yiddish: "Let us not allow to be extinguished the light of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples which illuminates all the worlds"] — "and the light of the righteous rejoices" [Proverbs 13:9 — cited in Hebrew mid-Yiddish as a verse-anchor] — אז השי"ת האט רחמנות געהאט אויף אונז און האט אונז געגעבן פון גאר דער וועלט דעם אוצר פון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' לביתינו [Yiddish: "that Hashem Yisbarach had compassion on us and gave us — from the entire world — the treasure of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples into our homes"] — we must give life to ourselves each and every day in great and mighty joy. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: From me [מנאי — mina'i — Aramaic: "from me" — not the usual Hebrew mimeni; a natural Aramaic code-switch in the closing formula, as throughout these letters], your beloved, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת בלב ונפש גם בקשתי מיר צו שרייבן צו דו האסט אוועק געשיקט מיינע בריב לחו"ל וואס איך האב דיר געשיקט מיט ידידי ר' ניסן נכד ר' חיים קר"ש EN: Words of one who truly loves you — with heart and soul, Nussun from Breslov גם בקשתי מיר צו שרייבן צו דו האסט אוועק געשיקט מיינע בריוו לחו"ל וואס איך האב דיר געשיקט מיט ידידי ר' ניסן נכד ר' חיים קר"ש [Yiddish: "And I asked you to write to me whether you sent my letters abroad — those which I sent to you with my friend Reb Nissan, grandson of Reb Chaim Kresh"]. # מב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/42/ מב מב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/42 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' בהעלתך תרל"ח פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Wednesday, the Torah portion of Beha'alosecha [the lighting of the Menorah, the Levites' service, the silver trumpets; June 1878], 5638 — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ היקר המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך היקר המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י ויזרח EN: To the honor of my strong friend, our ohavainu, the precious wondrous one — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your dear father, the wondrous and exceptional, the veteran Chassid, the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — and may he shine forth radiantly [ויזרח — v'yizrach — "and may he rise and shine" — as the sun rises; a blessing for the father's radiance; note that in Letter 43 this same person receives the blessing v'yofi'a — a different word for shining forth, meaning to appear in radiant beauty; the two verbs are related but distinct: yizrach evokes the rising sun; yofi'a evokes the appearance of glorious radiance]. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום שלום שיש לו פה EN: Blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — peace that has a mouth [שלום שיש לו פה — from Tractate Shabbos 10b; the full peace that can speak for itself, that declares and articulates its own wholeness; not silent or passive peace but peace that has voice and presence]. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך קבלתי ושם כתוב שבנך ב"ה התחיל חמש למז"ט אך לפי דעתי הוא למותר כי בן חמש שנים למקרא' ואין צריכין להוסיף על התורה ואני ירא ח"ו אם לא היה לו עין הרע ע"כ למען ה' תצוה להמלמד שלא ידחק אותו כלל ולא לירא אותו כי לפעמים זה בא מפחד גדול ויחנך אותו לדבר במתינות ולא במרוצה ויותר מזה צריכין להתפלל עליו להשי"ת אשר שם פה לאדם שבזכות הכבד פה הגדול אשר באמת לא היה כבד פה והיה יכול לשורר שירים וחידות יפים ישלח השי"ת חסדו עליו שיהיה דבורו ותפילתו ותורתו סדורה ושגורה בפיו כי הכל ביד ה' ואל תדאג כלל ואל תמשך אחר הצער כי השי"ת ירחם עליך ועל זוג' תח' ועל בנך נ"י אם תהיו בשמחה וכשם שרפא אותו השי"ת ואותך ואת זוג' תח' מכל החלאים שעברו עליכם כן יעזור לכם כט"ס EN: Your letter I received — and there it is written that your son, blessed be G-d, has begun the fifth book — for a good sign and a good time. But in my opinion he is going more than is needed — for "a five-year-old for Scripture" — and one does not need to add to the Torah. And I am afraid, G-d forbid, whether there was not an evil eye upon him. Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — instruct the teacher not to press him at all — and not to frighten him — for sometimes this comes from great fear. And let him train him to speak at a measured walking pace, and not at a run [ויחנך אותו לדבר במתינות ולא במרוצה — "metinut" is the quality of deliberate, measured, patient pace — walking at one's own tempo; "merutzah" — at a run, literally running — the speech racing ahead of itself; the image is vivid: train him to speak at walking-pace, not running-pace, taking each word carefully in stride]. And beyond this one must pray for him to Hashem Yisbarach — Who placed a mouth in a person — that in the merit of the great heaviness-of-mouth — who in truth was not heavy of mouth and was able to sing beautiful songs and riddles [Moshe Rabbainu; attributed with a speech difficulty in the Torah [Exodus 4:10]; the writer teaches that this quality was given to Moshe — who could in truth speak beautifully — so that all who have speech difficulties could draw on his merit for healing] — may Hashem Yisbarach send His kindness upon him, that his speech and his prayer and his Torah should be well-ordered and flowing freely from his mouth [סדורה ושגורה בפיו — two distinct qualities: sedurah — ordered, properly arranged, set in correct order; and shegurah — flowing freely and easily, well-rehearsed and habitually ready on the tongue; the prayer asks for both: the correct arrangement of speech and the ease of its flow]. For everything is in the hands of Hashem Yisbarach. And do not worry at all — and do not be drawn after the grief — for Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on you and on your wife, may she live, and on your son, may his candle shine — if you are in joy. And just as Hashem Yisbarach healed him and you and your wife, may she live, from all the illnesses that passed over you — may He likewise help you with the fullness of good. Segment 5 HE: ומאד בקשתי ממך שלא יעבר אצלך שבוע אחד שלא תכתב לי מכתב כי אני מחיה עצמי במכתביך ועוד בכדי שלא להרחיק הלבבות זה מזה ומאד בקשתי שתכתב לי אם שלחת המכתבים שלי לטשעהרין ולקאליבלאד וגם אם יסע אי"ה ידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י תודיעו לי ואני אשלח עמו מכתבים כי אין לי שום ידיעה מבתי פיגא מרים שכתבו לי בפ' תזריע שהיא מנחת באספיטאל באומן עם בנה וצערי גדול עד מאד אך זה אין עצה להיות ח"ו בעצבות ומרה שחורה ח"ו כי זה אין רצון השי"ת כי אם לקבל באהבה ולבקש אותו השי"ת כי מתאוה לתפלותנו ע"כ השי"ת מעורר עלינו בכל עת איזה דברים לבל נשכח אותו כמבאר במדרש רבה פ' שמות פרשה כ"א משל רבי יהושע בן לוי ע"כ אין אנו צריכין להפסיק מלהתפלל תמיד לפני השי"ת כרצון רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שנהיה עסוקים תמיד בתפילה ובתחנונים ונהיה מקדימין רחמים לרגז והבעל שם טוב זיע"א אמר ה' צלך' כמו שעשה אדם להשי"ת כן השי"ת עשה עם האדם ויקדים ג"כ הרחמים EN: And I have greatly asked of you — that not a single week pass without your writing to me a letter — for I give myself life through your letters. And also in order not to distance the hearts from each other. And I have greatly asked that you write to me whether you sent my letters to Tcherin and to Kalibulad. And also if our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, will travel G-d willing — notify me — and I will send letters with him. For I have no news whatsoever from my daughter Figa Miriam — they wrote to me during the Torah portion of Tazria that she is lying in the hospital in Uman with her son — and my grief is very great. But this — there is no counsel for it — G-d forbid — to be in sadness and melancholy — for this is not the will of Hashem Yisbarach. Rather: to receive in love — and to request of Hashem Yisbarach — for He yearns and craves our prayers [כי מתאוה לתפלותנו — ki mis'aveh l'tefilloseinu — "for He longs for / craves our prayers" — the word mis'aveh is from ta'avah — longing, craving desire; a stronger and more intimate word than "desires"; G-d does not merely accept or welcome our prayers but actively yearns for and craves them with the intensity of longing]. Therefore Hashem Yisbarach arouses over us at all times some matters, so that we should not forget Him — as is explained in the Midrash Rabbah, the Torah portion of Shemos, chapter 21 — the parable of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi [the parable about a king who arranges obstacles for his beloved son in order to keep the son turning to him; G-d arranges troubles to ensure we keep praying and turning to Him]. Therefore we must not cease from praying before Hashem Yisbarach always — as is the will of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that we should be occupied always in prayer and supplication — and precede mercy before wrath. And the Ba'al Shem Tov said: "Hashem is your shadow" [Psalms 121:5 — the shadow mirrors every movement of the one who casts it] — just as a person acts toward Hashem Yisbarach, so Hashem Yisbarach acts toward the person — and He too will precede mercy. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And if there are any letters from abroad — from your brother, may his candle shine, or from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — write to me immediately — perhaps some salvation will sprout for your brother. Segment 8 HE: ולתלות לבנך סגלה מרבנו ז"ל סנפיר מדג והוא סגלה לעין הרע EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Segment 9 HE: ואם יהיה לכם איזה מכתבים מחו"ל מאחיך נ"י או מחמיך נ"י אזי תכתב לי תכף אולי נצמח איזה ישועה לאחיך נ"י EN: Nussun from Breslov And hang for your son a charm from Rabbainu ז"ל — a fish scale [סנפיר מדג — a fish scale; fish live beneath the water's surface, beneath the gaze of others, and therefore are not affected by the evil eye; their scales carry this protective quality] — and it is a segulah against the evil eye. And if there are any letters from abroad — from your brother, may his candle shine, or from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — write to me immediately — perhaps some salvation will sprout for your brother. # מג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/43/ מג מג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/43 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק קרח תרל"ח לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos, the Torah portion of Korach [the rebellion of Korach and his company; late June or early July 1878; written in urgency before Shabbos], 5638, according to the minor reckoning — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי באמת אשר אהבתך קשורה בנפשי המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך ותיק וחסיד מו"ה צבי נ"י ויופיע EN: To the honor of my truly beloved — whose love is bound to my soul — the wondrous veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your father the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — and may he appear and shine forth in radiant beauty [ויופיע — v'yofi'a — "and may he appear / shine forth in radiant beauty" — from the root meaning to make beautiful, to glorify, to emerge in glorious radiance; distinct from the v'yizrach — "may he rise and shine like the sun" — used for the same person in Letter 42; yofi'a evokes the emergence of glorious radiant beauty, as the dawn or a great light appearing; the writer varies the blessing of radiance between letters]. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך ע"י ר' מרדכי סטאליר קבלתי בזו הרגע ותכף להשיבך גם בזו השבוע קבלתי עוד מכתב ממך והיה לי צער גדול מהגנבה של ידידנו ר' אפרים נ"י ומזה שזוג' כתבת שעדין אין לה רפואה והוצאה מרבה וגדל טרדתה וגם מבנך שיש לו כאב עינים אך מכל זה למד אותנו רבנו ז"ל לדבק עצמו בהשי"ת כי מי עשה לי כל זה השי"ת ומדה טובה מרבה אלף ותתקצ"ט פעמים ע"כ אנו צריכין לעורר רחמיו המרבין בתפילה ותחנונים עד ישקיף ה' וירא משמים לרחם עליכם וימתיק כל הדינים מעליכם EN: Your letter — through Reb Mordechai Stalir — I received this very moment — and immediately to reply to you. And also this week I received yet another letter from you — and I had great grief from the theft against our friend Reb Efraim, may his candle shine — and from the fact that your wife wrote that she still has no healing — and the expenses are great and the burden of cares pressing upon her is heavy [וגדל טרדתה — u'gadal tardatah — "and the greatness of her tardah" — tardah means the state of being burdened and preoccupied by pressing demands and cares; more than mere physical burden — the constant pressing of demands, worries, and preoccupations that crowd and weigh upon the mind and spirit; she is terudah — driven and pressed by circumstances]. And also from your son who has eye pain. But from all of this Rabbainu ז"ל taught us to cleave to Hashem Yisbarach — for who made all this for me? — Hashem Yisbarach [כי מי עשה לי כל זה השי"ת — a teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל: in every trouble and difficulty, ask the question "who made this for me?" — and the answer is always: Hashem Yisbarach; this transforms trouble into encounter with G-d; the question is not rhetorical complaint but a spiritual practice of recognition]. And the attribute of good is more by one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine times [מדה טובה מרבה אלף ותתקצ"ט פעמים — combining Talmudic teachings about the overwhelming preponderance of divine goodness; the exact figure — 1,599 — emphasizes beyond any reckoning how much divine goodness exceeds any measure of divine judgment]. Therefore we must arouse His mercies — multiplying in prayer and supplication — until Hashem looks down and sees from Heaven to have mercy on you — and sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon you. Segment 4 HE: וכפי אשר ספרה זוג' תח' חלשתה לזוג' אין אני יודע אם הדאקטיר יועיל לזה כי זי איז רויט געווארן ואפשר זי זאל זיך גיווייזן בכאן באדן על כך 30 יום נאר זי נישט גייען צו פיס נאר פארן וועט איהר אפשר געהאלפן חוץ דעם דא וואלט זיא איין שליש הוצאות געהאט דער זכות ירושלים זאל אויף איהר מגין זיין און זאל האבן איין רפואה שלמה נאר מיט הארץ בעטן להשי"ת EN: And as your wife, may she live, described her weakness to my wife — I do not know whether the doctor will help in this — for זי איז רויט געווארן [Yiddish: "she became red / flushed" — a medical symptom; redness or flushing possibly indicating fever or inflammation] — and perhaps she should present herself here at the baths [זי זאל זיך גיווייזן — Yiddish: "she should show herself / present herself for consultation" — the Yiddish idiom zikh geveyzn means to present oneself, to appear before someone for examination or consultation; the famous hot sulfurous springs of Tiberias, used for healing since antiquity] — אויף כך 30 יום [Yiddish: "for about thirty days" — a month-long course of treatment] — נאר זי נישט גייען צו פיס נאר פארן [Yiddish: "only she should not go on foot but by carriage" — she is not strong enough to walk; she must travel by conveyance] — וועט איהר אפשר געהאלפן [Yiddish: "perhaps it will help her"]. חוץ דעם דא וואלט זיא איין שליש הוצאות געהאט [Yiddish: "besides this, here she would have a third of the expenses" — in Tiberias the cost would be one third of what she is spending in Yerushalayim; a practical financial argument]. May the merit of Yerushalayim shield her — and may she have a complete healing — only pray to Hashem Yisbarach with the heart [נאר מיט הארץ בעטן להשי"ת — Yiddish: "only with the heart — petition Hashem Yisbarach" — beten — to pray, to ask earnestly; mitn harts — from the innermost sincere place; a Yiddish code-switch carrying both a practical instruction and a spiritual one: petition from the innermost sincerity]. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of the above-mentioned, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: גם אני שולח לך פה רצוף שני מכתבים אחד לברסלב ואחד לטעפליק ועל האדרעס שיכתב על מכתב כך ישלח ידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י מאד בקשתי ממך בכל מקום שתבוא ושם בני תזרז אותם במכתבים אלי ותסעו לשלום ותפעל שם אצל רבנו ז"ל כל חפצך ותבוא לשלום לביתך שלום בגופך שלום בתורתך ושלום בממונך וגם אותי יזכה השי"ת תשוקתי וכספי וגעגועי מכח אל הפעל EN: Words of one who loves you, Segment 8 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: And greetings of peace to my friend the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach help: just as you expound beautifully, may you likewise fulfill beautifully [כמו שאתה נאה דורש כן אתה נאה תקים — na'eh doresh na'eh mekayem — the classic Talmudic blessing pairing beautiful preaching with beautiful practice; the one who teaches attractively should also live it attractively; a blessing that the inner and the outer correspond] — and surely it will be good for you. And greetings of peace to my friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, and to the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Nissan, may his candle shine, and to his grandfather Morainu v'Rabbainu Chaim Kresh. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Friday, Parshas Korach, 5638 (late June or early July 1878), from Teverya — in urgency before Shabbos. Reb Efraim robbed. The wife still unwell, pressed by cares. The Tiberias baths recommended. The recipient about to travel to Uman. Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש בנך סענדיר חיים נ"י השי"ת ישלח לו רפואה שלמה וגם אם האברך מו"ה ניסן נ"י היה לו מכתב לנסע לביתו אם לאו וגם ר' איצילע זאל וויסן אז קיין טעפליק גייט אויך די פאסט און אי"ה אז איך וועל זיין על היאר צייט מאבי ז"ל וועל איך געבן לאשת ר' איצילע עבור הפאסט געלט ס'וועט קאסטן ערך שבעה קאפיקעס EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש לידידי האברך מו"ה אליעזור נ"י השי"ת יעזור כמו שאתה נאה דורש כן אתה נאה תקים ובודאי יהיה טוב לך ופב"ש לידידי ר' קלמן נ"י ולהאברך מו"ה ניסן נ"י וזקנו מו"ה חיים קר"ש EN: And I am also sending you enclosed two letters — one to Breslov and one to Teplik. And on the address written on the letter — thus our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, should send it. I have greatly asked of you — everywhere you go and where my sons are — press them for letters to me. And travel in peace [ותסעו לשלום — the recipient is about to travel to Uman — to the resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל — for Rosh Hashana or another occasion; the postscript is clearly addressed to someone departing for this holy journey] — and act there before Rabbainu ז"ל for all your desires [ותפעל שם אצל רבנו ז"ל כל חפצך — use your time at the resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל to pray and accomplish everything you need; the most intimate spiritual transaction is being entrusted to the traveler]. And come in peace to your home — peace in your body, peace in your Torah, and peace in your money. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — that my longing and my yearning and my passion be translated from potential into actual [תשוקתי וכספי וגעגועי מכח אל הפעל — three words for the writer's desire: teshukah — longing; chesev — yearning, passionate desire; ge'agu'im — the ache of missing, nostalgic longing; and the philosophical pair mi'koach el ha'po'al — from potency to actuality, from the Aristotelian potentia to actus; may the fullness of his yearning be actualized and fulfilled, not remain merely potential]. Words of the above-mentioned, Nussun from Breslov And greetings of peace to your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing. And also — whether our young scholar Reb Nissan, may his candle shine, had a letter to travel home or not. And also — Reb Aitzikel should know that the postal carriage goes to Teplik as well — and G-d willing, when I will be at the yahrtzeit of my father ז"ל, I will give to the wife of Reb Aitzikel the postal money — it will cost approximately seven kopikes. And greetings of peace to my friend the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach help: just as you expound beautifully, may you likewise fulfill beautifully [כמו שאתה נאה דורש כן אתה נאה תקים — na'eh doresh na'eh mekayem — the classic Talmudic blessing pairing beautiful preaching with beautiful practice; the one who teaches attractively should also live it attractively; a blessing that the inner and the outer correspond] — and surely it will be good for you. And greetings of peace to my friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, and to the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Nissan, may his candle shine, and to his grandfather Morainu v'Rabbainu Chaim Kresh. # מד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/44/ מד מד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/44 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק פ' חקת שנת תרל"ח פה טבריא EN: Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos, the Torah portion of Chukas [Parshas Chukas — the Red Heifer, the deaths of Miriam and Aharon, the striking of the rock; late June or early July], 5638 — here in Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז האברך המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך היקר הרב המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם וכו' וכו' מו"ה צבי נ"י EN: To the honor of our beloved [או"נ — ohavainu — "our beloved"; a standard honorific title of affection used throughout these letters for cherished members of the Breslov fellowship], my strong friend, the wondrous young Torah scholar — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your dear father, the great rabbi, the wondrous and exceptional, the veteran Chassid, discerning and wise, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: אך לה' הבטחון והכל בהשגחה פרטיות ואני צריך להתפלל להשי"ת שיכניס השפע מחו"ל לפנים ודאגות לא יועיל כלל רק ב"ה יום יום ועל יום המחר אין צריך לדאג כלל כי בכל יום בריאה חדשה ובטובו מחדש בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית ובטובו' דיקא ובפרט אנו מה צריכין לדאג כשמניחים על השלחן אוצר של יראת שמים האוצר של מתנת חנם שהשאיר לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אנו יכולין להחיות נפשותינו בכל שעה ושעה בריצעפט אחר הינו למוד ספר לקוטי מוהר"ן וספר המדות וקצור לקוטי מוהר"ן וחיי מוהר"ן וספורי מעשיות ושבחי הר"ן ולקוטי הלכות ולקוטי עצות ולקוטי עצות חדש ומהדורה תנינא ולקוטי תפלות ושמות הצדיקים והם מחזקים אותנו לעסק בתורה ובמשנה וש"ע ובאגדה ובמדרש ובזהר הק' ובשאר ספרים הק' ובתהלים ובהתבודדות האם יש לנו פנאי לדאג הלא אנו צריכין לקבל הרעצפטין בפרוש און ווייטער וואס מען האט אויפן הארץ דערציילט פארן אייבערשטן והשי"ת ימלא כל מחסורנו לטובה EN: Only to Hashem is the trust — and everything is in particular divine providence. [אך לה' הבטחון והכל בהשגחה פרטיות — this letter opens directly with a spiritual declaration, without the usual health blessing; hashgachah pratis — not general or abstract providence but the precise, individual, particular care of G-d for each specific person in each specific moment] And I need to pray to Hashem Yisbarach that He bring the divine flow of abundance from outside the Land inward. And worries accomplish nothing at all — only blessed be G-d, day by day. And for tomorrow one need not worry at all — for each day is a new creation, and in His goodness He renews each day always the work of Creation — and in His goodness — specifically, precisely [ובטובו דיקא — u'v'tuvo dika — "and in His goodness — specifically, precisely" — the Aramaic-Yiddish emphatic dika: creation is renewed specifically through divine goodness, not mechanically but precisely through love; the word insists on the personal, intentional quality of the renewal]. And particularly we — what do we need to worry about? When we place upon the table a treasure of the fear of Heaven — the treasure of the free gift [האוצר של מתנת חנם — "the treasure of the free gift" — the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple given freely, without condition or cost; a treasure one did not earn but was given; placed on the table before us — domestic, accessible, right here] that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple left us — we are able to revive our souls at every single hour with one prescription [בריצעפט — rezept — Yiddish/German: a medical prescription; the writer uses the precise medical term — a doctor's written prescription — to describe what follows; the Breslov books are the prescription for every ill of body and soul] — namely: study the book Likutay Moharan, and the book of Middos, and Kitzur Likutay Moharan, and Chayei Moharan, and Sipurei Maasiyos, and Shivchei HaRan, and Likutay Halachos, and Likutay Etzyos, and Likutay Etzyos Chadash, and the second edition [מהדורה תנינא — mahadura tanina — Aramaic: "the second edition / recension" — the standard Talmudic term for a second, revised version of a text], and Likutay Tefillot, and Shemos HaTzaddikim. And these strengthen us to engage in Torah, Mishnah, Shulchan Aruch, Aggadah, Midrash, the holy Zohar, and the other holy books, and Psalms, and hisbodidus. Do we have any leisure to worry? Are we not required to receive the prescriptions with explicit, detailed attention to each element [לקבל הרעצפטין בפרוש — "to receive the prescriptions bifeirush" — the word bifeirush means explicitly, clearly, with careful articulation of each component; not merely "fully" but with the precise, careful attention one gives to reading each item of a medical prescription, noting every ingredient and dosage] — and further — what one has on the heart to recount before the Almighty [און ווייטער וואס מען האט אויפן הארץ דערציילט פארן אייבערשטן — Yiddish: "and further — what one has on the heart — to recount before the Almighty" — the writer slips from Hebrew into Yiddish for the most intimate line; what is in the heart must be told to G-d; the Yiddish word dertseilt — to recount, to tell as a story — echoes the practice of telling G-d everything from Letters 28 and 31]? And may Hashem Yisbarach fill all our needs for good. Segment 4 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת הדוש"ת חפץ הצלחתכם ומצפה לקבל חיש מהר תשובה על המכתבים EN: Words of those who truly love you, who always seek your welfare, who desire your success and await quickly and soon a reply on the letters, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Friday, Parshas Chukas, 5638 (late June or early July 1878), from Teverya. A brief but remarkable letter: no health blessing, no preamble. Opens directly with trust and particular providence. The central content: a full rezept — medical prescription — of all Breslov books, received with explicit careful attention, followed by Torah and prayer — and what one has on the heart to tell the Almighty. # מה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/45/ מה מה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/45 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' לסדר בלק תרל"ח פה טבריא EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Balak [the portion of Balak's attempts to curse Israel and Balaam's blessings; early July 1878], 5638 — here in Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן עם שלום כבוד אביך היקר מו"ה ר' צבי EN: To the honor of our beloved, my strong friend, the veteran Chassid, the wondrous one — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun — together with peace upon the honor of your dear father Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום בשלמות בלי שום תערובות דין כלל ומי שאמר לעולמו די יאמר לצרותיכם די די אנס"ו אכי"ר EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us are in the way of life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace in fullness — without any admixture of judgment at all [בלי שום תערובות דין כלל — "without any admixture of judgment at all" — a Kabbalistic concept: the divine attribute of strict judgment mixing into and contaminating the flow of blessing; the prayer is for pure, unalloyed blessing unmixed with any element of strictness] — and may the One Who said to His world "enough!" say to your troubles "enough! enough!" [the Shaddai teaching — doubled here: "enough! enough!" — a doubled urgency of petition]. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. So may it be His will. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מד' לסדר חקת ומיום א' שבוע זה קבלתי היום ביחד ומכח הדברים היה לי צער גדול ומכמה דברים היה לי נחת מה שכתבת לי שבנך נ"י היה לו ב"ה רפואה על העינים ומהמעשה שנעשה עם ידידנו ר' דב נ"י ועם כל אנ"ש ודברתם שם דבורים הק' מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובודאי זה עיקר נחמתנו ותקותנו לנצח ומידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י שנסע למקום קודש הקדשים השי"ת ינחה אותו למחוז חפצו בהליכה ובחזרה בחיים טובים ולשלום ויפעל בגשמיות וברוחניות כאות נפשו EN: Your letter from Wednesday of Chukas and from Sunday of this week I received today together — and from the content of the matters I had great grief. And from several matters I had nachas — from what you wrote to me that your son, may his candle shine, had blessed be G-d healing for the eyes — and from the matter that transpired with our friend Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and with all the Anash — and you spoke there holy words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and surely this is the main comfort and our hope to eternity. And from our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, who traveled to the place of the Holy of Holies — may Hashem Yisbarach guide him to his heart's destination in going and returning in good life and in peace — and may he accomplish in material and in spiritual as his soul desires. Segment 5 HE: ומזה שאתה כתב לי מזוג' תח' שהוצאה שלה גדולה עד למאד שאין בכחך לסבל ההוצאה כזו בודאי יש לי צער גדול עד למאד כי אני יודע שאין בכחך אך מה שאתה כתב לי שאתה ממש כמו מטרף מה יועיל לך היסורים והדאגות המרבין מה היא יכולה לעשות כשכבר נוסעת וסובלת חולאת וחושבת אולי ירחם עליה השי"ת ויתן לה רפואה כי אתה יודע שכל העולם נבוכים מאד מאד בענין דאקטורים ונוסעים מכאן אנשים לווין להדאקטורים ומירושלים באים אנשים בכל שבוע לחיפא לרחץ בים המלח ויש להם ג"כ הוצאות הרבה כי בן אדם אינו יכול לסבל חלאים וחושבים אולי מזה או מזה יצמח להם רפואה ובפרט זוג' אשר היא אשה בנעוריה וסובלת חולאת כזו ואנשים מן העולם נמצאים הרבה שמחזיקים אותה שבודאי יהיה לה רפואה אי"ה השי"ת יעזור לה ברחמיו המרבין וירחם עליך ג"כ וישלח לה חיש מהר רפואה שלמה EN: And from what you wrote to me about your wife, may she live — that her expenses are very great, beyond your capacity to bear such expenses — I certainly have very great grief — for I know it is beyond your capacity. But what you wrote to me — that you are literally like one shredded and ravaged [כמו מטרף — k'miteref — "like one torn, shredded, ravaged" — the image of an animal torn by a predator; an extreme image fully acknowledging the severity of the husband's anguish before gently redirecting it] — what will the suffering and worry accomplish when they multiply? What can she do — she is already traveling and enduring illness and thinking: perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on her and give her healing. For you know that the entire world is very much bewildered on the matter of doctors — and people lend themselves to doctors [אנשים לווין להדאקטורים — "people lend themselves to doctors" — a striking phrase; they give themselves over to doctors on loan, placing themselves in the doctors' hands as if lending their bodies temporarily; the language suggests both desperation and the sense that the arrangement is conditional and temporary] — and from Yerushalayim people come every week to Haifa to bathe in the Dead Sea — and they too have great expenses. For a human being cannot bear illness and thinks: perhaps from this or from that some healing will sprout for them. And particularly your wife — who is a woman in her youth and endures such an illness. And people of the world are found in great numbers who maintain that she will surely have healing. G-d willing, Hashem Yisbarach will help her in His abundant mercies — and have mercy on you as well — and send her swiftly and soon a complete healing. Segment 6 HE: וזעירין אנון מאנ"ש שהם חזקים בדברי רבנו ז"ל מענין הדאקטורים שלא לעסק עמהם ע"כ הטרוף שלך אינו מועיל כלל כלל לא אך צריכין ישוב הדעת ולהתפלל להשי"ת ולספר לפניו רבש"ע אתה יודע שאין בכחי ההוצאה ע"כ רחם עלי ושלח רפואה שלמה לזוג' תח' ובהמעות שאני צריך לתן להדאקטיר וההוצאות יהיה לפרנסתי בכדי שאוכל לעסק בתורתך ובעבודתך' EN: And few are they [וזעירין אנון — ze'eerin inun — Aramaic: "few are they" — the standard Talmudic Aramaic formula; a code-switch into the Aramaic of the Talmud for this observation; the writer is noting that even within the Breslov community, only a small minority hold strictly to the position of not consulting doctors] among the Anash who are strong in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל on the matter of doctors — not to engage with them. Therefore your being shredded and ravaged accomplishes absolutely nothing — not at all — no [כלל כלל לא — three degrees of negation stacked upon each other: "at all, at all, no" — the triple negative is a rhetorical intensification; the frantic torn-apart state accomplishes nothing — this verdict is given in the most absolute possible terms]. Rather: one needs settled composure of mind [ישוב הדעת — yishuv ha'da'as — the foundational Breslov virtue of mental groundedness and composure; the capacity to act from stability rather than panic; the specific antidote offered to the torn-apart state] — and to pray to Hashem Yisbarach and recount before Him: Master of the World — You know that I do not have the capacity for these expenses — therefore have mercy on me and send a complete healing to my wife, may she live. And with the money I need to give to the doctor and the expenses — may it be for my livelihood, so that I can engage in Your Torah and Your service. Segment 7 HE: ומהמכתב שלך אין אני ראה רק שאתה מבהל שאתה כתבת לי שאכתב על הפאסט מכתב ואתה תשלם לי הפאסט געלד ואין אתה כתב לי להיכן לכתוב והשי"ת ירחם עליך ועל זוג' תח' ועל בנך נ"י ועל אביך נ"י והקל מעליך כל הדינים ובכל מיני המתקות מהשכל הכולל ומשכליים פרטיים ומפדיון הכולל יצמיח עליכם כל מיני ישועות ויהפך שלא כסדר לבחינת כסדר והשי"ת כל יכול EN: And from your letter I see only that you are in panic — for you wrote to me that you want me to write via the post a letter and you will pay me the postal money — and you did not write to me to where to write. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on you and on your wife, may she live, and on your son, may his candle shine, and on your father, may his candle shine — and lighten from upon you all the harsh judgments — and through all kinds of sweetening — from the encompassing intellect and from particular intellects and from the encompassing redemption — may He cause to sprout upon you all kinds of salvation — and turn what is not in its proper order into what is in its proper order. And Hashem Yisbarach is all-capable. Segment 8 HE: ואתה יודע שהיא בעצמה יש לה צער גדול מזה שיש לה הוצאות כאלו וגדל הגעגועים שלה עבור בנה נ"י אך שבאתה לשם ואמרים לה שבודאי יהיה לה רפואה אינה יכולה לתת עצה בנפשה וכשהיתה בביתה אזי היה לך עת לישב דעתך אך לזה צריכין להיות חזק בדברי רבנו ז"ל ולבטח רק בהשי"ת EN: And you know that she herself has great grief from the fact that she has such expenses — and the great longing she has for her son, may his candle shine. But she came there and people tell her that she will surely have healing — and she cannot govern her own soul [אינה יכולה לתת עצה בנפשה — "she cannot give counsel to her own soul" — the Talmudic expression for the capacity for self-determination and inner governance; once she is already in Yerushalayim with doctors telling her she will recover, her soul's own counsel — her inner capacity to direct herself differently — has been overwhelmed by circumstances and external voices] — and when she was at home, then you had time to settle your composure. But for this one must be strong in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — and trust only in Hashem Yisbarach. Segment 9 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ואל שדי יתן לכם רחמים ומצפה לישועתכם בכל עת בשלמות בגוף ונפש וממון EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. And may the Almighty G-d give you mercy — and I await your salvation at all times in fullness — in body and soul and money. Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # מו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/46/ מו מו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/46 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' מטות ומסעי תרל"ח פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Monday, the Torah portions of Matos and Masei [Parshas Matos-Masei — the tribal vows and the forty-two journeys; read together; late July 1878; the period of the Three Weeks approaching Tisha b'Av], 5638 — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי בני ממש או"נ הרבני ותיק וחסיד כבוד מורנו ר' נתן נ"י EN: To the honor of my friend, my son truly, our beloved, the rabbinic one, the veteran Chassid — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מג' פנחס קבלתי היום בזו הרגע והחיית את נפשי בכל מיני משיבי נפש א' מבתי תח' ובנה נ"י שיצאו בשלום מהאספיטל השי"ת יציל אותנו מעתה מכל מיני חלאים רעים ומכאוב וגם זוג' תח' ישלח לה השי"ת רפואה שלמה מן השמים וגם לאחיך נ"י יודע השי"ת שבודאי אשמח בישועתו כמו מבני ממש EN: Your letter from Wednesday of Pinchas I received today this very moment — and you gave me life — restoring my soul in every kind of soul-restorer [בכל מיני משיבי נפש — "in every kind of soul-restorer" — meshivei nefesh — things that restore the soul to its proper place; from hashiv — to restore, to return to its right state; not merely "revive" but restore what had been displaced or diminished; each piece of good news returned some part of the soul to its proper wholeness]. First — from my daughter, may she live, and her son, may his candle shine — that they left the hospital in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach save us from now on from all kinds of bad illnesses and pain. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to your wife, may she live — and also for your brother, may his candle shine — Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: I will rejoice in his salvation as if from my own son literally. And the second — from what you wrote to me that your brother Sender, may his candle shine, received the money from the master of the anshara [ה'אנשארא' — possibly from the French assurance — an insurance fund or guarantee company from which payment was finally received after protracted difficulty] — this also gave me life. Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: I prayed greatly to Hashem Yisbarach for him — for he is among our beloved and among the Anash in truth. And also — that your brother Yisroel Aryeh is gathering his scattered ones little by little — may Hashem Yisbarach merit him to expand his mind in fullness — and gather his banished and driven-out ones [ויקבץ נדחיו — veyikabetz nidchav — "and gather his banished ones / his driven-out ones" — from the biblical root nadach — to be driven away, banished, thrust out in exile; the phrase yikabetz nidchav echoes Isaiah 11:12 and 56:8 — the gathering of the dispersed exiles of Israel; the writer applies the language of exile-and-ingathering to the brother's scattered financial and personal circumstances] — in the merit of the good heart he has — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples to whom he has been attached. Segment 4 HE: והב' מזה שכתבת לי שאחיך סענדיר נ"י קבל המעות מאדון ה'אנשארא' ג"כ החייתני השי"ת יודע האמת שאני התפללתי הרבה להשי"ת עבורו כי הוא מאהבינו ומאנ"ש באמת וגם מה שאחיך ישראל אריה מקבץ מפזרונו מעט מעט השי"ת יזכה אותו להרחיב דעתו בשלמות ויקבץ נדחיו בזכות הלב טוב שהיה לו בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' שהיה נדבק בהם EN: Regarding what you ask of me about the matter of your traveling to the diaspora — know, my brother my friend: first one must cry out greatly to Hashem Yisbarach and may He guide us with good counsel. And my mind leans toward the view that you should travel — in order that you be, G-d willing, at Rosh Hashana — and rescue your righteous money. But even so, one must still deliberate on the matter until after the Ninth of Av. And also — what does your father, may his candle shine, say? And what does our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, say — who has blessed be G-d a straight mind? Therefore I will still deliberate further with Hashem Yisbarach in prayer and supplication. And perhaps in these days your wife, may she live, will come in peace to her home in complete healing. Segment 5 HE: אודות מה שאתה שואל אותי מכח נסיעתך לחו"ל תדע אחי ידידי שצריכין קדם לצעק להשי"ת הרבה ותקננו בעצה טובה ודעתי בודאי נוטה שתסע בכדי שתהיה אי"ה על ר"ה ותציל ממונך הכשר אך אעפ"כ צריכין עוד לישב בדבר עד אחר תשעה באב וגם מה אמר אביך נ"י וידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י אשר יש לו ב"ה מח ישר ע"כ עוד אתישב עם השי"ת בתפילה ותחנונים ואפשר באלו הימים תבוא זוג' תח' לביתה בשלום ברפואה שלמה EN: And regarding what you fear from the decrees — that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, wrote to you — and particularly our friend Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, who is a settled and composed man as it appears — surely you have nothing to fear at all — for they know the situation well. And surely if they sensed any fear, they would not have written to you to travel. Segment 6 HE: ואודות מה שירא מהגזרות כשחמיך נ"י כתב לך ובפרט ידידנו ר' צבי נ"י שהוא איש מישב כפי הנראה בודאי אין לך לפחד כלל כי הם יודעים היטב ובודאי אם הרגישו איזה פחד לא כתבו לך לסע EN: And regarding your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — I certainly do not agree at all with the idea of his traveling to Eretz Yisroel. For I heard that our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל did not agree at all with traveling before the age of sixty to Eretz Yisroel to settle. But what can I do — he has a great evil inclination about this, and the root of his evil inclination is his wife, may she live. But my view leans toward your father, may his candle shine, and our friend Reb Nachman — and I as well — writing to him together that we do not agree with his journey at all — no. For what will he do here? And your mother-in-law is not fully in her health. And particularly here — where even healthy people are weakened — and they do not know that here — a time of cheapness [עת זול — the word זול — zol — is the Yiddish word for cheap or inexpensive, embedded mid-Hebrew; the writer uses the Yiddish term naturally as part of the phrase; even what counts as cheap here is expensive by diaspora standards] is expensiveness for the children of the diaspora. And I do not know what they want. And particularly to plan their journey until after the festival of Sukkos — when the season is rain and great winds. Therefore we must warn him not to travel. And what he wants to do — and perhaps he has fulfilled all the commandments in the diaspora and wants to also fulfill the commandments that are practiced in Eretz Yisroel — to me this is literally great foolishness. And particularly to come here with his household. Segment 7 HE: ואודות חמיך נ"י בודאי אין דעתי מסכים כלל לנסע לא"י כי שמעתי שאדמו"ר רבי נתן זצוק"ל לא הסכים כלל לנסע קדם ששים לא"י להשתקע אך מה אעשה שיש לו יצר הרע גדול ויש לו שרש היצר הרע היא זוג' תח' אך דעתי נוטה שאביך נ"י וידידנו ר' נחמן וגם אני יכתבו לו ביחד שאין אנו מסכימים לנסיעתו כלל לא כי מה יעשה בכאן וחמותך אינה בבריאותה בשלמות ובפרט בכאן אשר אנשים בריאים הם חלשים והם אינם יודעים שבכאן עת זול היא יקרות לבני חו"ל ואיני יודע מה הם רוצים ובפרט להנהיג נסיעתם עד אחר יום טוב סכות אשר הזמן גשמים ורוחות גדולות ע"כ אנו צריכין להתרות בו שלא לסע ומה שהוא רוצה לעשות ואפשר שקים כל המצות בחו"ל ורוצה עוד לקים המצות הנוהגות בא"י ואצלי הוא ממש שגעון גדול ובפרט לבא לכאן עם ב"ב EN: And know that during the Torah portion of Balak I sent you a letter — at the time I received from you the letter about your wife, may she live — and it was a very precious letter. But it became known to me that the letter was lost — for my sister Chana gave it to a certain woman, and the woman promised her to deliver it to your hands — and in the end the woman came on Thursday of Pinchas to her home and told me that she had lost the letter. And this caused me soul-grief. And regarding what you wrote to me — that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, sent me one ruble and Reb Tzvi sent me three rubles — I ask of you to send me immediately and give life to my soul — for I have literally not a single prutah. And my intention was to write to you that you lend me approximately fifty groshen — for someone sent me 20 and three gallons from Moldova — even before Passover — through Reb Yehuda Aharon from Lvov — and there is no voice and no response. And I have written four weeks ago to Lvov — and yesterday the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live, was by me — and I did not recognize her — and she told me that you sent her the sum of four bishlikim. And also with me she had from the sum three bishlikim — two and a half bishlikim — and she sent a woman to receive it for her. And in the end she told me that she tasted nothing of it [שלא טעם מהם כלום — "that she tasted nothing of it at all" — she received nothing, benefited nothing; not a single morsel of benefit reached her; the money came and went before she could even taste the smallest portion of it] — for there was not even the time of a Kriyas Shema recited over it [לא היה על הקריאת שמע ליינען — Yiddish embedded in Hebrew: "there was not the Kriyas Shema recited over it" — the Yiddish idiom meaning there was not even a moment's peace with it, not the time to recite even one short prayer; the money came and went with no moment of rest or security] — and for the bris there was not even bread. And she was compelled to give the money out of shame. And from all the celebration treats [ובכל הקונפעט — konfet — Yiddish/Polish from Italian confetto: the celebratory treats, sweets, and refreshments served at a joyous occasion such as a bris; not merely "the celebration" but specifically the party treats and sweets] she ate nothing except half a small measure of butter [חצי אנסי חמאה — half an ansi — a small measure, possibly related to the German Unze or Italian oncia — of butter; a devastatingly tiny amount of food at what should have been a festive celebration]. Therefore she asked me to write to you that you send her from their money the sum of three hundred groshen — to give life to their souls — for there is not even a pledge in the house on which to borrow. Segment 8 HE: ותדע שבפ' בלק שלחתי לך מכתב בעת שקבלתי ממך מזוג' תח' והיה מכתב יקר מאד אך נודע לי שאבד המכתב כי אחותי חנה נתנה לאשה אחת והאשה הבטיחה לה למסור לידך ולבסוף באתה האשה ביום ה' פנחס לביתה ואמרה לי שאבדה המכתב והיה לי עגמת נפש EN: Words of the above-mentioned, Segment 9 HE: ואודות מה שאתה כתב לי שחמיך נ"י שלח לי אחד רו"ח ור' צבי שלח לי שלשה רו"ח בקשתי ממך שתשלח לי תכף ותח' נפשי כי אין לי ממש פ"א ודעתי היה לכתוב לך שתלוה לי ערך חמשים גר' כי שלחו לי 20 ושלש גאלין ממאלדווע עוד קדם פסח ע"י ר"י אהרן מלבוב ואין קול ואין עונה ואני כתבתי זה ארבעה שבועות ללבוב ואתמול היתה אצלי ש"ב מ' סאסיא תח' ולא הכרתי אותה וספרה לי שאתם שלחתם לה סך ארבעה בישליקיס וגם אצלי היה לה מהסך שלשה בישליקיס שנים וחצי בישליקיס ושלחה אשה אחת שאתן לה ולבסוף ספרה לי שלא טעם מהם כלום כי לא היה על הקריאת שמע ליינען ועל הברית אפילו לחם ומכרחת היתה לתן המעות מחמת בושה ובכל הקונפעט לא אכלה כי אם חצי אנסי חמאה ע"כ בקשה אותי לכתוב לכם שתשלחו לה מהמעות שלהם סך שלש מאות גר' להחיות נפשם כי אין אפילו משכון בבית להלוות עליו EN: Nussun from Breslov # מז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/47/ מז מז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/47 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' לסדר מטות ומסעי שנת תרל"ח לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Matos-Masei, 5638, according to the minor reckoning — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. [Begun Thursday; completed the following Monday of Devarim, as the addendum explains] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך נ"י EN: To the honor of our beloved, my strong friend, the wondrous veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your father, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: היום קבלתי המכתב שלך עם האו"ז ע"י ר' יודל בן דינא דפה וע"י ר' זידיל מיקער לא קבלתי שום מכתב רק ביום ג' שבוע זו קבלתי מכתב שלך עם מכתב מר' נתן לירסמאן ע"י ערל מיום ג' פנחס ותכף השבתי לך מכתב ע"י ערל זה וגם בתוכו היה רצוף מכתב קטן לר' נתן לירסמאן נ"י ואני מכרח הייתי לתן להערל בעד המכתב אחד 20 פאריס וגם על המכתב שלך כתבתי ג"כ לתן לו 20 פאריס EN: Today I received your letter with the draft through Reb Yudel son of Dina who is from here [בן דינא דפה — "son of Dina who is from here / of here" — the Aramaic relative particle d' — naturally woven into the description as in spoken Aramaic-Hebrew blend: "son of Dina — d'fah — who is of this place"]. And through Reb Zeidel the donkey-driver I received no letter at all. But on Tuesday of this week I received your letter with the letter of Reb Nussun Lirsman — through a non-Jewish carrier — from Tuesday of Pinchas. And I immediately replied to you with a letter through this carrier — and inside it was enclosed a small letter to Reb Nussun Lirsman, may his candle shine. And I was compelled to give the carrier for the letter one coin of 20 paras. And also for your letter I wrote as well to give him 20 paras. Segment 4 HE: ואיני יכול לשער במכתב איך אתה החיית בזה המעות ששלחתם כי אין אפילו פ"א ולאחותי חיב אני סך שלש מאות ששים גר' מחמת שקנתה עבורי חטים אי"ה לשכר ואין אני יכול לקבל עוד וחוץ מזה המעות שלה הם תחובים במקומות שא"א לקבלם ויש לה ג"כ דחק במעות והמעות שלי עדין לא בא ששלחו לי בני ובתי מטייטרא על שם הרב ר"י אהרן מלבוב קדם פסח ואין קול ואין עונה EN: And I cannot express in a letter how you gave me life with this money you sent — for there is not even a single prutah. And to my sister I owe the sum of three hundred and sixty groshen — because she purchased wheat for me, G-d willing for rent — and I am unable to receive any more. And beyond this — her money is wedged into places where it is impossible to extract it [תחובים — techuvim — "wedged, stuck, inserted into a tight space" — from the root meaning to insert and press into a tight space; not merely "tied up" but physically wedged and stuck, unable to be drawn out; money that has gone into places from which it cannot be moved]. And she too has financial pressure. And my money has still not come — which my sons and daughter sent me from Teiteira in the name of the rabbi Reb Yehuda Aharon from Lvov — before Passover — and there is no voice and no response. Segment 5 HE: ואודות נסיעתך לחו"ל צריכין הרבה להתישב בדבר אחר שזוג' תח' השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה אינה בביתה על מי נשאר הילד היקר שלך וגם יש לך פחד ואם תסע על ר"ה בלי תביעות ממון לא יהיה פחדי גדול כי אתה יכול להיות באומן אבל עתה אתה צריך לראות עצמך עם אחיך ישראל לייב נ"י ועם אחיך סענדיר וצריך להיות פרסום גדול אך לפי שחמיך נ"י ור' צבי נ"י כתבו לך לסע בודאי הם יודעים שאין לך לפחד אך אין אני מבין כשעזר לו השי"ת נס כזה וקבל מאדון סך כזה ששלשה חלקים היה אחר יאוש אך התפלות מאנ"ש שהתפללו בכח גדול הוציאו המעות ישראלי מהקלפות ע"כ איני יכול להבין איך לא יסלק לך עכ"פ הקרן שלך ולמה לא יכתב אתה ואביך נ"י וגם אמך תח' היתה בשם והיא יודעת מעמדך EN: And regarding your traveling to the diaspora — one must deliberate on the matter greatly — after your wife, may she live — may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing — is not at home; on whom does the precious child of yours remain? And also you have fear. And if you travel for Rosh Hashana without monetary claims it will not be a great fear for me — for you can be in Uman. But now you need to appear before your brother Yisroel Leib, may his candle shine, and your brother Sender — face to face [לראות עצמך עם אחיך — "to see yourself with your brother" — the Hebraic idiom for presenting oneself, appearing in person, showing one's face; to confront the situation and be seen — a face-to-face appearance, not a letter or intermediary] — and there needs to be a great public accounting. But since your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, and Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, wrote to you to travel — surely they know that you have nothing to fear. But I cannot understand: when Hashem Yisbarach helped him with such a miracle — and he received from the master such a sum — of which three-quarters had been after all hope was abandoned [שלשה חלקים היה אחר יאוש — "three-quarters were after ye'ush" — the Talmudic legal category of despairing of recovery; once an owner despairs of recovering lost property it changes its legal status; three-quarters of the amount had been given up as irrecoverable; its return was therefore beyond the realm of natural expectation — a miracle drawn by prayer] — but the prayers of the Anash who prayed with great force drew the Jewish money out of the husks. Therefore I cannot understand why he does not at least repay you the principal — and why do not you and your father, may his candle shine, write — and also your mother, may she live, was there and she knows your standing [מעמדך — ma'amadcha — "your standing, your position, your status" — from amad — to stand; the full picture of one's position and circumstances; not merely "situation" but specifically where one stands and what one's standing is in this matter]. Segment 6 HE: ע"כ בני ידידי עד אחר תשעה באב תקבע עת בכל יום ויום להתפלל להשי"ת שיתן לך עצה טובה ולומר התפילה מ' בכל יום ולמסור עצמך להשי"ת ולדבר עם אביך נ"י ועם ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י וגם אני בודאי אתפלל עליך ותשועה ברב יועץ ואפשר יעזור לך השי"ת שבתוך הזמן זה תבוא זוג' תח' ברפואה שלמה ואם מה' יצא הדבר לנסע ישלח לך מחשבות חזקות והן ולאו תקח בידך רק השי"ת הטוב בעיניו יעשה איך שהוא יודע כי מה' מצעדי גבר כוננו EN: Therefore, my son my friend — until after the Ninth of Av set a fixed time every single day to pray to Hashem Yisbarach that He give you good counsel — and to recite prayer forty every day — and to surrender yourself to Hashem Yisbarach and speak with your father, may his candle shine, and with our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine. And I will certainly also pray for you — and in an abundance of counselors there is salvation. And perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will help you — that within this time your wife, may she live, will come in complete healing. And if this matter came from Hashem — to travel — He will send you strong thoughts. And yes and no take in your hand — only: may Hashem do what is good in His eyes, as He knows. For it is Hashem Who establishes the steps of a man. And also what helps is that he should strengthen his heart — your brother — that he send you your money without any monetary claims. And I can only reply to you with what we received from our fathers: that Hashem is good to all — in everything one needs — both in material and in spiritual. Although you also know this and I also know this — but even so we must arouse each other at all times to actively use this at all times with fresh ardent longing — as if today we heard these things from Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For there is no other counsel besides this. And may Hashem Yisbarach send you quickly and soon a complete healing for the pain in your eyes — and for your wife, may she live, and for your brother, may his candle shine. And may Hashem Yisbarach give you the good and complete counsel in a manner that will bring you success to eternal eternity. Segment 7 HE: וגם על זה מועיל שיחזיק לבב אחיך שישלח לך המעות שלך בלי שום תביעה ואין אני יכול להשיב לך כי אם מה שקבלנו מאבותינו שטוב ה' לכל לכל מה שצריכין הן בגשמיות והן ברוחניות הגם שאתה ג"כ יודע זה ואני ג"כ יודע זה אך אעפ"כ אנו צריכין אחד לעורר את חברו בכל עת להשתמש בזה בכל עת בחשק חדש כאלו היום שמענו אלו הדברים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי אין עצה אחרת חוץ מזה והשי"ת ישלח לך חיש מהר רפואה שלמה על כאב עיניך ולזוג' תח' ולאחיך נ"י והשי"ת יתן לך עצה שלמה הטובה באפן שיצליחך לנצח נצחים EN: Words of one who truly loves you, who always seeks your welfare, who desires your success in this world and the next, and who pleads on your behalf every day in truth, Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת הדוש"ת וחפץ הצלחתך בזה ובבא ומעתיר בעדכם בכל יום באמת EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: The letter was delayed with me because Reb Yudel did not give me the money until yesterday. And also because of the receipt for rent from the administrators which I wanted to send together. And also I did not want to write to you that I had a wound on my left hand and I received great pain from it. But yesterday, blessed be G-d, the wound opened for me — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — the immense pain lightened a little. And blessed be G-d I give thanks to the living G-d. And I asked to reply to me whether you received the letters from Thursday of Matos-Masei through the non-Jewish carrier. Segment 10 HE: עד יום ב' דברים המכתב נתאחר אצלי מחמת שר' יודל לא נתן לי המעות כי אם אתמול וגם מחמת הקבלה עבור השכר דירה מהגבאים שרציתי לשלח ביחד וגם לא רציתי לכתוב לך שהיה לי מכה על יד שמאל וקבלתי כאב גדול אך עתה אתמול ב"ה נפתח לי המכה ב"ה ב"ה הוקל מעט כאבי העצום וב"ה אודה לאל חי ובקשתי להשיב לי אם קבלת המכתבים מיום ג' מטות ומסעי ע"י הערל EN: Added Monday of Devarim: Segment 11 HE: לכבוד הנגיד המפרסם מו"ה חיים יהושע נ"י מאד בקשתי ממעלתו הרמה למחל למסור האגרת הלז לכבוד ידידי ר' נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י מטראויצע כי נחוץ הוא ולמצוה גדולה יחשב לעיר הקודש צפת תו"ת ב"ב אנס"ו EN: The letter was delayed with me because Reb Yudel did not give me the money until yesterday. And also because of the receipt for rent from the administrators which I wanted to send together. And also I did not want to write to you that I had a wound on my left hand and I received great pain from it. But yesterday, blessed be G-d, the wound opened for me — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — the immense pain lightened a little. And blessed be G-d I give thanks to the living G-d. And I asked to reply to me whether you received the letters from Thursday of Matos-Masei through the non-Jewish carrier. Cover note addressed separately: To the honor of the widely-renowned patron Morainu v'Rabbainu Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — I have greatly requested of his elevated eminence to be so kind as to deliver this letter to my friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Troyits — for it is urgent and it will be reckoned a great mitzvah — to the Holy City of Tzfas, may it be established and built for good. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. # מח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/48/ מח מח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/48 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' לסדר עקב לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Eikev [Parshas Eikev — the second paragraph of the Shema and the promise of reward; late July or early August 1878], according to the minor reckoning — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י EN: To the honor of our beloved, the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your father Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה ששמעתי בשורה טובה מבנך היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י כן יוסיף ה' ימים ושנים מעתה בלי שום חלי ומכאוב ותדע שאי"ה ביום ב' הבא עלינו לטובה לעת ערב אני אהיה אצלכם כי אבא על היאר צייט אי"ה ולראות את עצמי עם אנ"ש ומכתבים שלחתי לחו"ל אתמול על הפאסט ואפשר תסע קדם ביאתי למחנכם ותהיה נסיעתך בהליכה ובחזרה לשלום בלי שום פגע והזק רק להשלים כל החסרונות בגשמיות וברוחניות רק אני מבקש ממך שתראה שתקבל מכתבים מחתני מו"ה ישראל נ"י עם שלום בתי והעיקר מבני זוג' תח' בלי תרוץ מכל אחד ואחד וזה לך שליח מצוה על הדרך כי תח' אותה ואני בטוח באהבתך אותי שתמלא את בקשתי EN: Blessed be G-d — I heard the good tiding about your precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — may Hashem add for him days and years from now on without any illness or pain. And know that G-d willing on the coming Monday — toward evening — I will be by you — for I am coming for the yahrtzeit of my father ז"ל, G-d willing — and to see myself with the Anash. And letters I sent to the diaspora yesterday via the post. And perhaps you will travel before my arrival at your settlement — and may your journey be in going and in returning in peace without any mishap or harm — only to complete all the deficiencies in material and in spiritual. Only I ask of you that you see to it that you receive letters from my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel, may his candle shine, with peace upon my daughter — and most importantly — from my wife's sons — without any excuse — from each and every one. And this is for you a mission of a mitzvah on the road [שליח מצוה — shliach mitzvah — "an agent of a mitzvah" — one traveling on a mitzvah-mission is protected from harm; the writer designates the recipient's journey as such a mission specifically so that this protection accompanies him on the road] — for it will give her life. And I am confident in your love for me that you will fulfill my request. Segment 4 HE: וגם תזכיר אותי בכל פעם שתלך על ציון הק' ואת זוג' בר"ל בת פיגא נתן בן ביילא לאה וגם תפב"ש למעני לחמיך מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום בנו מו"ה משה נ"י עם חתניו נרם יאיר ולאהבי באמת מו"ה ר' צבי מקאליבלאד באהבה עזה ולכל אנ"ש ולכל בני וחתני אשר יהיו על ר"ה אי"ה ואפשר יהיו אחי נרם יאיר ג"כ תפרס בשלומם עבורי באהבה עזה EN: And also mention me every time you go to the holy resting place — and my wife, may the Merciful One protect her [בר"ל — bar rachmana litzlan — Aramaic: "may the Merciful One protect her / save her" — this protective Aramaic formula, rather than the usual "may she live," signals that the wife is in serious danger at this time], daughter of Figa — Nussun son of Baila Leah. And also convey greetings of peace on my behalf to your co-parent-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine, with his son Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine, with his sons-in-law may their candles shine — and to my truly beloved Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi from Kalibulad — with strong love. And to all the Anash. And to all my sons and sons-in-law who will be at Rosh Hashana, G-d willing. And perhaps my brothers too may their candles shine will also be there — convey greetings of peace on their behalf from me with strong love. Segment 5 HE: אוהבך באמת EN: One who truly loves you, Nussun son of Morainu v'Rabbainu Yehuda ז"ל from Tiberias Segment 6 HE: נתן בן מו"ה יהודא ז"ל מטבריא EN: One who truly loves you, Segment 7 HE: גם בקשתי ממך הגם שאתה נחוץ לדרכך הק' אעפ"כ תעשה למעני להלוות לי ערך ששים גר' כי הולך לי ממאלדווע ערך שש מאות גר' ונתעכבו בדרך ותכף כשיבא המעות אסלק לזוג' תח' כי נחוץ לי כי אין לי פ"א ולהכין לי אצל אביך נ"י המעות ואני כשאהיה אצלכם אקבל EN: Nussun son of Morainu v'Rabbainu Yehuda ז"ל from Tiberias And I also ask of you — although you are pressed for your holy journey — even so do this for me: lend me approximately sixty groshen — for approximately six hundred groshen is coming to me from Moldova and has been delayed on the road. And immediately when the money arrives I will settle with your wife, may she live. For it is urgent — for I have not a single prutah. And prepare the money for me at your father's, may his candle shine — and when I am by you I will receive it. Words of Nussun from Breslov. Segment 8 HE: דברי נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # מט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/49/ מט מט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/49 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' תבוא תרל"ח פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Monday, the Torah portion of Ki Savo [Parshas Ki Savo — "When you come" — the first fruits and the blessings and curses; late August or early September, close to Rosh Hashana], 5638 — the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי ע‎‎‏ז או"נ הרב הותיק וחסיד המפלא ומפלג וכו' וכו' מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י EN: To the honor of my strong beloved, our beloved, the great rabbi, the veteran Chassid, the wondrous and exceptional, etc., etc. — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. [This letter is addressed to the father, Reb Tzvi — not to the son Reb Nussun; one of the few letters in the collection addressed directly to the father] Segment 3 HE: הנה בבא האברך ר' נתן בן ר"י למחננו קדוש ביום ה' בלילה אור ליום ו' עש"ק ואמר לי שכלתכם היקרה הצנועה מ' לאה תח' היא בחלשה מאד ואח"כ בבקר הלכתי לר' יוסף אייזליר ואמר לי שח"ו יש לה חלי וחמימות ופחד ונרעד לבי מאד מכל אשר עובר עליכם ועל בנכם וכל הלילה לא יכלתי לישן אפילו רגע אחד והצעתי טענותי לזכות לפני השי"ת ואח"כ בבקר הלכתי עם האברך מו"ה נתן נ"י על ציון הצדיק מו"ה רבי נחמן הארידענקיר ור' מענדיל פרימישלאנר ור' מענדיל מויטעפסק ורבי אברהם קאליסקיר ושאר צדיקים וקבלתי אצל האברך הנ"ל חצי בישליק ונתתי על פדיון על ציון רבי נחמן הנ"ל עבורה ואמרתי התפילה אשר תקן אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת לומר בשביל פדיון ע"כ להחזיר לי החצי בישליק ואני שולח החצי בישליק לצפת תו"ת לתן שלשה 20 לר' דב נ"י ושני 20 לר' קלמן נ"י ויעלה לפדיון ולהמתקה מעל כל צרותיכם ומי שאמר לעולמו די יאמר לצרותיכם ג"כ די EN: When the young scholar Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel came to our holy encampment [למחננו קדוש — "to our holy encampment / our holy settlement" — the word machaneh — camp, encampment — echoes the Israelite encampment in the wilderness, machane Yisroel; the Breslov-Chassidic settlement in Tiberias is described with this resonant biblical word for the holy camp of Israel] on Thursday at night — the eve of Friday — he told me that your precious and modest daughter-in-law Miriam Leah, may she live, is very weak. And afterward in the morning I went to Reb Yosef Aizler — and he told me that G-d forbid she has illness and fever. And my heart shuddered and trembled greatly from all that is passing over you and over your son and the entire household. And the entire night I could not sleep even for a single moment. And I presented my arguments to advocate merit before Hashem Yisbarach [והצעתי טענותי לזכות לפני השי"ת — "and I presented my arguments to find merit / to advocate for acquittal before Hashem Yisbarach" — the specifically forensic-legal act of lezkos — finding merit, arguing for acquittal in the divine court; the writer lay awake all night presenting his arguments in the role of defense advocate before G-d, seeking merit on the family's behalf]. And afterward in the morning I went with the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun, may his candle shine, to the resting place of the Tzaddik Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nachman of Horodenka [the grandfather of Rabbainu ז"ל; one of the earliest disciples of the Ba'al Shem Tov; buried in Tiberias], and Reb Mendel of Premishlan [an early Chassidic master, disciple of the Ba'al Shem Tov; buried in Tiberias], and Reb Mendel of Vitebsk [the leader of the first Chassidic immigration to Eretz Yisroel in 1777; a founding figure of Chassidic settlement in the Land; buried in Tiberias], and Reb Avraham of Kalisk [a close disciple of Reb Mendel of Vitebsk; one of the most prominent Chassidic leaders in Eretz Yisroel; buried in Tiberias; all four graves visited in a single urgent morning of intercession], and the other Tzaddikim. And I received from the said young scholar half a bishlik — and gave it as a redemption at the resting place of Reb Nachman the said one on her behalf — and I recited the prayer which our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל composed to recite for the sake of a redemption. Therefore — return to me the half bishlik. And I am sending the half bishlik to Tzfas — to give three coins of 20 to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and two coins of 20 to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and it will count as a redemption and a sweetening of all your troubles. And may the One Who said to His world "enough!" say to your troubles likewise "enough!" Segment 4 HE: ובקשתי מאד להודיע לי ע"י האברך מו"ה נתן נ"י מה היא עשה כלתכם תח' כי אין אני וזוג' ואחותי חיים מחמת הצער הגדול EN: And I have greatly asked to inform me — through the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Nussun, may his candle shine — what your daughter-in-law, may she live, has done. For I and my wife and my sister are not alive from the great grief. Segment 5 HE: השי"ת ייטיב לכם הכתיבה והחתימה בכל מילי דמיטב ויעורר עליכם ועל בני ביתכם רחמים גדולים שאין בו שום תערובות דין כלל רק כלו טוב EN: May Hashem Yisbarach bestow upon you a good inscription and a good sealing in every kind of that which is good [בכל מילי דמיטב — b'chol milei d'meitav — Aramaic: "in every kind of that which is good" — a specific quotation from the Talmudic wedding blessings formula [Kesubos 8a], the seven blessings recited under the wedding canopy; milei is Aramaic for "matters, things"; d'meitav — "of goodness / that is good"; the writer invokes this formula here as Rosh Hashana draws near — connecting the New Year's blessing of a good inscription with the language of the most joyous human blessing; joy and blessing united in the same Aramaic phrase] — and arouse over you and over the members of your household great mercies which have no admixture of judgment at all — only entirely good. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Monday, Parshas Ki Savo, 5638 (late August or early September 1878), from Teverya — close to Rosh Hashana. A short urgent letter to the father Reb Tzvi. Miriam Leah gravely ill with fever. The writer lay awake all night advocating merit. Four holy graves visited at dawn. The pidyon performed. Rosh Hashana blessings in the language of the Talmudic wedding formula. # ה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/5/ ה ה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/5 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' עקב פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת ב"ב לכבוד ידידי או"נ הלא הוא המפלא מו"ה נתן עם שלום ידידי האברך מו"ה איזיק נ"י הנה אחותי מ' חנה תח' נוסעת בכל שנה על היאר צייט של אבינו זללה"ה כ"ב מנחם אב הבא עלינו לטובה והנה עתה מחמת הקראנטין אינה יכולה לנסע וגם אין לה שירא כי אם איש אחד ואין דעתי מסכמת לנסע רק אמרתי שתשלח מעות לידך ואתה תראה שילך מנין על קבר אבי ז"ל ביום היאר צייט ולבקש עבורה שימחל לה וגם שולחת ע"י דב נאמן מר' חיים יהושע סך 30 גר' לתן להמנין הנ"ל עבור שילכו על קבר אבי להתפלל עלינו ועל אחינו ואחותנו ובנינו ובנותינו וארשם בהצעטיל כל השמות ויניחו בקבר אבי ז"ל ומקדם לקרא כל השמות ואח"כ להניח הקוויטל ויכתב לי מכתב קבלה וגם לכתוב לי אם אתם עדין יושבים בביתכם אשר קניתם למז"ט ואם לאו ח"ו ואולי יש עמכם איזה ידיעה מטראויצע מה שנשמע שם וגם אם קבלתם המכתב בקאנווערט אשר שלחתי לכם ע"י אשה אחת יותר אין לי פנאי לכתוב מחמת הנחיצה אוהבכם באמת נתן בן מורנו יהודא אני וידידי ר' קלמן פורסים בשלום אביך נ"י ובשלום כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה והם יתפללו עלינו ואנו מתפללים עליכם תמיד נתן הנ"ל EN: Thursday, the Torah portion of Eikev [Parshas Eikev — the weekly Torah portion containing Moshe's charge to Israel to keep the commandments; it falls in late July or early August] — the Holy City [פעה"ק — p'as ha'ir ha'kedoshah] of Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home [ב"ב — b'veiso — "in his home"]. Year not stated — context places this in 5635 (1875 CE). To the honor of my friend — our ohavainu — why, it is none other than the wondrous one himself! [הלא הוא המפלא — an exclamation of warm, affectionate recognition: "is he not — he is none other than — the wondrous one!"] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun — along with my friend, the young Torah scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. Behold — my sister, Miriam Chana [מ' חנה — the letter מ' abbreviates Miriam], may she live — travels every year for the yahrtzeit [the anniversary of a person's passing, on which it is customary to visit the grave and pray] of our father [זללה"ה — may the memory of the holy and righteous be a blessing] — the 22nd of Menachem Av, which is coming upon us for good. But now, on account of the quarantine [karantin — a quarantine in force at the time, preventing travel between towns; Ottoman Palestine suffered periodic outbreaks of cholera and typhus, and the Turkish authorities would impose strict quarantines], she is unable to travel. And also she has no companion except one person, and my mind does not agree to her traveling in this manner. Therefore I said that she should send money into your hands — and you will see to it that a minyan [a quorum of ten Jewish men — the minimum required for communal prayer] goes to the grave of my father ז"ל on the day of the yahrtzeit, to request of him on her behalf that he grant her forgiveness [שימחל לה — sheyimchal lah — from the root mechilah: to grant pardon, to forgive fully; a daughter asking her deceased father's forgiveness on his yahrtzeit — a moment of great intimacy and gravity]. And she is also sending — through Dov, the trusted agent of Reb Chaim Yehoshua — the sum of 30 groshen, to give to the said minyan — for going to the grave of my father to pray for us, and for our brothers, and for our sister, and for our sons, and for our daughters. And I myself will write [ואני ארשם — first person singular: it is the writer himself who will inscribe the names, not someone else] all the names on the tzettel [a small slip of paper bearing the names, placed at a holy grave — a widespread Jewish practice of requesting spiritual intercession through a written note], and it should be placed at the grave of my father ז"ל. And first — beforehand — [ומקדם — a ritual instruction specifying the order: this step must come first, before anything else] let them read out all the names aloud. And only afterward let them place the kvittel [the Yiddish word for the same written note — kvittel and tzettel are used interchangeably] there. And please write me a letter of acknowledgment of receipt. And also write to me whether you are still dwelling in the house that you purchased with a good omen [l'mazel tov] — and if not, G-d forbid. And perhaps you have with you any news from Troyits — what is heard there. And also — whether you received the letter in the envelope that I sent you through a certain woman. I have no more time to write, on account of the urgency. Your true beloved, Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda I and my friend Reb Kalman convey greetings of peace to your father, may his candle shine, and peace to all the Anash — each and every one — with strong love. For we all depend upon, we are all suspended in, this love [כי אנן בחביבותא תליא' — Aramaic from the Zohar: "for we are suspended in, we hang upon, love" — our entire connection to holiness is held together by the love between us; not a pleasantry but a theological declaration]. And may they pray for us, and we pray for you always. Nussun, the above-mentioned. 📜 # נ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/50/ נ נ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/50 Segment 2 HE: ב"ה יום ג' דסליחות פעה"ק טבריא הנוטה כדק שמים הוא יתן ברכה וחיים ולשנה טובה תכתבו ותחתמו לאלתר לחיים ולטובה ולכל טוב לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ באמת הלא הוא הותיק וחסיד בני ממש כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנו סענדיר נ"י EN: Tuesday of the Selichos period [the days of penitential prayers before Rosh Hashana; this Tuesday falls in the final days of Elul, immediately before the New Year] — the Holy City of Teverya. He Who stretches out the heavens like a gossamer veil [הנוטה כדק שמים — a direct quotation from Isaiah 40:22: "Who stretches out the heavens like a dok" — dok means a very thin, fine, transparent fabric — a gauze-veil, thinner than cloth; the heavens as a gossamer veil stretched across space] — may He give blessing and life — and for a good year may you be inscribed and sealed right away [לאלתר — le'altar — Aramaic: "immediately, right away, without delay" — the Talmudic-Aramaic word for immediacy; the blessing asks that the inscription and sealing happen without any delay] — for life and for good and for every good — to the honor of my strong friend, our beloved in truth — why, it is the veteran Chassid, my son truly — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife, may the Merciful One protect her, and his son Sender, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם מבשורה טובה מכל אנ"ש עם עוד שלשה מכתבים מבני שיחיו קבלתי לנכון והחיית את נפשי והשי"ת יחיה אתכם ובני ביתכם ובניכם ובנותיכם כמו שהחייתם אותי ואני תכף כתבתי לכם תכף מכתב וגם כתבתי קבלה לשלח לידידנו או"נ ר' אבאלע נ"י ו'השמש צדקה' יזרח לו וירפא אותו ואין לי שום ידיעה אם קבלתם אותו כי שלחתי אותו ע"י ר' דב נ"י נאמן מר' חיים יהושע נ"י וגם פליאה לי איך שכתבתם שבשבוע הבא עלינו לטובה תשלחו לי המעות הנצרך לי מאד כי ממש אין לי שום פרוטה בביתי והלויתי לי שני בישליקיס על זה המעות ואין זה לפלא עלי שליחות המעות רק אני חושב שח"ו ח"ו מחמת איזה סבה אין אתם שולחים לי כי אני יודע שאתם לא תעכבו מעות אנ"ש כי אתם שמחים עוד בהגיע מעות לאנ"ש בשמחה עצומה מחמת זה אני חושב ח"ו ח"ו והשי"ת שאמר לעולמו די יאמר לצרותיכם די ודי וישמח אתכם מעתה בכל מיני שמחה וגם מחמת שאין לי שום ידיעה מבנכם נ"י ומנכדיכם נ"י שידעו שהיה לי מכתב מבראד מיום ג' תבוא שעדין היו בבראד ויש לי יסורים וגם עוד מאיזה דברים גדולים ע"כ לקחתי לי מעט פנאי לכתוב לכם ובקשתי מכם להשיב לי EN: Your letter with good tidings from all the Anash — together with another three letters from my sons, may they live — I received properly and you gave life to my soul. And may Hashem Yisbarach give life to you and your household and your sons and daughters — as you gave life to me. And I immediately wrote you a letter — and also wrote a receipt to send to our beloved Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — and "the sun of righteousness shall shine" for him and heal him. And I have no knowledge whether you received it — for I sent it through Reb Dov, may his candle shine, who is trusted by Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also it is an astonishment to me that you write that in the coming week you will send me the money I urgently need — for I have literally not a single coin in my home. And I borrowed two bishlikim against this money. And it is no astonishment to me that the money is being sent — I only think — G-d forbid, G-d forbid — that perhaps on account of some circumstance you are not sending it to me. For I know that you would not hold back the money of the Anash — for you are joyful even when money of the Anash arrives — with very great joy. Because of this I think — G-d forbid, G-d forbid. And may Hashem Yisbarach who said to His world "enough!" say to your troubles "enough! and enough!" — and rejoice you from now on in every kind of joy. And also because I have no knowledge from your son, may his candle shine, and from your grandson, may his candle shine — they should know that I had a letter from Brod from Tuesday of Ki Savo — that they were still in Brod. And I have suffering from this. And also from several other great matters. Therefore I took for myself a little leisure to write to you — and I ask of you to reply to me. Segment 4 HE: וגם עוד מאיזה דבר הכרחתי לכתוב לכם הגם שאין רצוני היה עד עתה לכתוב לכם אך מחמת אין ברירה למען ה' איך שש"ב מ' סאסיא תח' היא עתה חולנית על דם מאד ואין לה במה להחיות נפשה ואין לה במה להניק בנה נ"י ובנה נעשה דק כמו אצבע כי כל בני ביתה חסרי לחם צר ממש ממש אע"פ שצר לי לכתוב לכם אך אוי לי אם אמר אוי לי אם לא אמר ואחותי וזוג' הכריחו אותי לכתוב לכם אולי תוכלו לעזר לה מה שתוכלו כי א"א לסבל הרחמנות שעליה וחמיה יושב בחו"ל ואוכל ושותה והשליך ב"ב מנגד ע"כ לא תתרעמו עלי שאני כתב לכם כי אני יודע מעט מעמדכם אך מחמת צערה הגדול אני כתב אולי תוכלו לתת לכם איזה עצה להחיות נפשה הנדכאת מיום באה לכאן לבית חמותה הטובה' ובפרט לעניות כזה והיא סובלת הכל והשי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה חיש מהר בתוך שאר חולי עמו ישראל בזכות כל הצדיקים הק' אשר בארץ המה ובזכות רבנו ז"ל שיכול להמתיק כל הדין מכל ה20 וארבעה בתי דינים EN: And also from another matter I was compelled to write to you — although it was not my wish until now to write to you — but due to having no choice — for the sake of Hashem: how the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live, is now very ill with a blood condition — and she has nothing with which to sustain her soul — and she has nothing with which to nurse her son, may his candle shine — and her son has become thin as a finger — for the entire household lacks bread — truly, truly. Although it pains me to write to you — but woe to me if I say it and woe to me if I do not say it. And my sister and my wife compelled me to write to you — perhaps you will be able to help her with whatever you can. For it is impossible to bear the compassion that she deserves. And her father-in-law sits in the diaspora eating and drinking — and has cast his household away from him. Therefore do not be resentful toward me for writing to you — for I know a little of your own standing. But due to her great grief I am writing — perhaps you will be able to give some counsel to give life to her crushed soul [נפשה הנדכאת — "her crushed soul" — from daka — to crush, to beat down; Psalms 34:19: "G-d is close to the brokenhearted and saves those of crushed spirit"; not merely downtrodden but ground down under a crushing weight] — from the day she came here to the home of her good mother-in-law. And particularly in such poverty. And she endures everything. And may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon — in the midst of the other sick of His people Israel — in the merit of all the holy Tzaddikim who are in the Land — and in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל — Who is able to sweeten all judgment from all the twenty-four courts of law. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת וחפץ לשמע מכם ומבני ביתכם ומכל אהבינו באמת בכל עת בשורות טובות EN: Words of one who truly loves you and desires to hear from you and from your household and from all our beloved in truth at all times — good tidings, Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Because there was no caravan I did not send this letter — and now I am writing to you that I received the letters with the draft — and I will receive the money, G-d willing, from him — and then I will send you a receipt through someone else. Segment 7 HE: מחמת שלא היתה שיירה לא שלחתי המכתב הלז ועתה אני כתב לכם שקבלתי המכתבים עם האו"ז ואני אקבל אי"ה המעות אצלו ואזי אשלח לכם קבלה ע"י אחר EN: Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: ואתה ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י אל תדאג מה שחזרת בהחזרה כי גם זה נחשב כאלו עשיתו ובפרט שהיה לך הוצאות על כח רבנו ז"ל ונתתקן אצלך חוש המישוש ובכל חוש כלול כל החושים ועתה תתחיל מעתה לכסוף ולהשתוקק על ר"ה ובכל השנה יגמרו הכסופין להוציא מכח אל הפעל EN: Because there was no caravan I did not send this letter — and now I am writing to you that I received the letters with the draft — and I will receive the money, G-d willing, from him — and then I will send you a receipt through someone else. Segment 9 HE: ואין לי פנאי לכתוב לך יותר דבורים הנובעים ממקור מים חיים הננמ"ח כי צערי גדול מאד מידידי הגביר ידיד ה' אהב צדקה וחסד ר' אבאלע נ"י שאני רוצה לילך על קברי הצדיקים לצעק ולזעק בתפילה ובתחנונים עבור רפואתו בשלמות ועבור כל אנ"ש ודעתי נוטה שיתאספו מנין מאנ"ש ויקחו הסך הנ"ל שישלם לאנ"ש ויעשו מזה המעות פדיון על ציון האר"י ויאמרו תהלים מן צ' עד ק"ז ואחר כך לומר קפיטל ל"ט וס"ב ושמו ושם אמו בתמניא אפה ויהי רצון אחר תהלים ואח"כ כלכם לומר התפילה מפדיון סימן קכ"ג כי אין אנו צריכין לדם ולשתק בזה רק לצעק ולזעק ולעורר רחמים עליו ולהודיע לכל אנ"ש היראים שוכני עפר לעורר אותם שימליצו טוב בעדו כי הוא פארנו והדרתנו והוא ממחזיקי הבנין של רבנו ז"ל ומתומכי אוריתא EN: And you, my friend, our beloved, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — do not grieve over your having returned from your journey — for even this is reckoned as if you had done it. And particularly since you had expenses — in the strength of Rabbainu ז"ל — and the sense of touch has been corrected in you. And within every sense all the senses are included. And now begin from now to yearn and long for Rosh Hashana — and throughout the year the yearnings will be completed — to bring from potential into actual. Segment 10 HE: דברי המצפה לישועה ולרפואה שלמה לכל אנ"ש EN: And I have no leisure to write to you further — words flowing from the source of living waters — the Hinnuvme [הננמ"ח — the abbreviation for ha'nachal navua mekor chochmah — "the stream that flows — the source of wisdom" — the title of Likutay Halachos by Reb Nosson of Breslov ז"ל; from Proverbs 18:4] — for my grief is very great from my friend, the man of substance, the beloved of G-d, the lover of charity and kindness — Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine. And I want to go to the graves of the Tzaddikim to cry out and call aloud in prayer and supplication for his complete healing — and for all the Anash. And my view leans toward: let a quorum of the Anash gather — and take the said sum that is to be paid to the Anash — and make from this money a redemption at the resting place of the Ari — and recite Psalms from Psalm 90 through Psalm 107 — and afterward recite chapter 39 and chapter 62 — and his name and the name of his mother in the eight faces [בתמניא אפה — b'tamniya apei — Aramaic: "in the eight faces / eight aspects" — a specific Kabbalistic formula for inserting a person's name into eight dimensions of prayer] — and the Yehi Ratzon after the Psalms — and afterward all of you together recite the prayer of redemption, sign 123. For we need not stand mute and keep silent about this [כי אין אנו צריכין לדם ולשתק בזה — "for we need not be mute and keep silent in this" — two distinct words for silence: lidom — to be mute, to stand speechless; and l'shatok — to suppress and withhold sound; together a merism of total silence; the writer says: do not be any kind of silent about this — cry out instead] — only cry out and call aloud and arouse mercy upon him — and inform all the Anash, the G-d-fearers who dwell in the dust [an echo of Isaiah 26:19 — "awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust" — invoking the holy souls resting in the earth of Tzfas to advocate on Reb Abaleh's behalf] — to arouse them that they advocate well on his behalf. For he is our glory and our splendor — and he is among the supporters of the building of Rabbainu ז"ל — and among the upholders of Torah. [ומתומכי אוריתא — u'misomchei oraisa — Aramaic: "and from the upholders of Torah" — the Aramaic form of the word for Torah used here as in the Talmud] Segment 11 HE: והשי"ת ייטיב לכם הכתיבה והחתימה טובה בתוך כל ישראל EN: Words of one who awaits salvation and complete healing for all the Anash. And may Hashem Yisbarach bestow upon you a good inscription and a good sealing in the midst of all Israel. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov In the Holy City of Teverya. Segment 12 HE: ידידכם EN: Written Tuesday of the Selichos period, 5638 (late Elul, early September 1878), from Teverya. Good tidings from the Anash and letters from sons in Brod. Miriam Sasia gravely ill and destitute. Detailed instructions for a communal pidyon for Reb Abaleh. Segment 13 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 14 HE: בעיר הקודש טבריא EN: May Hashem Yisbarach give you and your sons and your sons' sons a good inscription and sealing — through the gateway of the Heavens — which is the Holy Land. And may Hashem Yisbarach help you that your arrival be for life and for peace — and may you lengthen many days and years in goodness and in pleasantness. And may Hashem Yisbarach draw upon you the holiness of Eretz Yisroel — and not forsake you. And may you merit to perform many commandments in Eretz Yisroel. And may you merit to hear at all times good tidings from your sons who are in the diaspora — and from your daughter and sons-in-law and grandchildren who are in Eretz Yisroel. # נא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/51/ נא נא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/51 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ באמת ידידי עז מאז ומקדם וגם עתה הנגיד ר' שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' הצנועה מ' זל"ר תח' עם שלום בנם האברך מו"ה נחמן נ"י ה' ישמרהו ויצילהו השי"ת יתן לכם ולבניכם ולבני בניכם כתיבה וחתימה טובה דרך שער השמים הוא א"י הק' והשי"ת יעזור לכם שיהיה באכם לחיים ולשלום ותאריכו ימים ושנים הרבה בטוב ובנעימים והשי"ת ימשיך עליכם קדשת א"י ולא יעזב אתכם ותזכו לעשות מצות רבות בא"י ושיהיה לכם נחת בא"י ותזכו לשמע בכל עת בשורות טובות מבניכם שבחו"ל ומבתכם וחתניכם ונכדיכם שבא"י הכלל יהיה לטוב ביאתכם וב"ב ובימיכם יבא הגואל צדק ויקבץ אתכם מארבע כנפות הארץ ויגאלנו גאלה שלמה ועיקר הכל שתהיו בשמחה ולא תעצבו כלל ולא תדאגו כלל כי לא עזב אתכם עד עתה וגם לא יעזב אתכם כל ימי חייכם רק בשמחה תהיו ויהיה הכל על נכון ואי"ה אבא אליכם על כל החג ולא יאחר מחול המועד סכות לשמח עם אנ"ש ביחד בשמחת ה' ובשמחת חבורתנו האהובים והנעימים יהיה חלקי עמהם אוהבכם באמת ודוש"ת וחפץ הצלחתכם בזה ובבא נתן מברסלב EN: No date given. [Undated; from its content — welcoming new arrivals and promising to visit for Sukkos — likely late Elul or early Tishrei 5639] To the honor of our beloved in truth, my strong friend from long ago and from before — and also now — the patron Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his modest wife, Mistress Zeldah-Rachel, may she live [מ' זל"ר תח' — the מ' is the abbreviation for Moras — "Mistress" — the honorific title for a married woman; it is not part of her name; זל"ר are the initial letters of her name, likely Zeldah Rachel] — together with peace upon their son, the young Torah scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine — may Hashem guard him and save him. May Hashem Yisbarach give you and your sons and your sons' sons a good inscription and sealing — through the gateway of the Heavens — which is the Holy Land. And may Hashem Yisbarach help you that your arrival be for life and for peace — and may you lengthen many days and years in goodness and in pleasantness. And may Hashem Yisbarach draw upon you the holiness of Eretz Yisroel — and not forsake you. And may you merit to perform many commandments in Eretz Yisroel. And may you merit to hear at all times good tidings from your sons who are in the diaspora — and from your daughter and sons-in-law and grandchildren who are in Eretz Yisroel. The general principle: may your arrival — and your household — be for good. And in your days may the righteous redeemer come — and gather you from the four corners of the earth — and redeem us with a complete redemption. And the main thing of all — be in joy and do not grieve at all and do not worry at all — for He has not forsaken you until now and He will not forsake you all the days of your lives — only be in joy and everything will be set aright. And G-d willing I will come to you for all of the festival — and will not delay past the intermediate days of Sukkos — to rejoice together with the Anash in the joy of Hashem and in the joy of our fellowship, the beloved ones and the pleasant ones [בשמחת ה' ובשמחת חבורתנו האהובים והנעימים — two distinct joys: first, the joy that belongs to Hashem — the divine joy; second, the joy of the fellowship; and the fellowship is described with two qualities: ha'ahuvim — the beloved ones; and v'hane'imim — the pleasant, delightful ones; both qualities name what this community is] — may my portion be with them. One who truly loves you, who always seeks your welfare, and desires your success in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov 📜 # נב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/52/ נב נב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/52 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' ד' דעשרת ימי תשובה שנת תרט"ל פה טבריא תו"ת לכבוד ידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום בנכם או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום בנו מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י מכתבים מאתמול קבלתי היום לנכון ע"י המיקער ותמיה לי כמה דברים שאתם כתבים לי שר' יעקב נ"י כתב שתשלחו לי לחלק תשעה רו"ח פזיט לעניי טבריא תו"ת עבור פדיון ורפא ירפא לידידנו הגביר ותיק וחסיד מו"ה ר' אבאלע נ"י ויזרח כשמש בצהרים ואני אכתב לך תכף קבלה על המעות ואיני יודע היכן המעות ואני הלכתי לר' דב נאמן לשאל לו אולי יש אצלו ואין לו ואיך אכתב לו קבלה וחוץ מזה בעת ששלחתם קבלה לירושלים עבור המעות שחלקתם בצפת תו"ת למה לא כתבתם עבורי ג"כ קבלה ולחתם אותו בכדי שיהיו הקבלות ביחד וגם אתם כתבים לחלק כחות דעתי לעניי טבריא וקצת לקח עבורי למה לא כתבתם לי כמה לאחד מאנ"ש שבכאן בכדי לידע כמה לקבל עבורי בכדי שלא אגזל עניים רק כפי חות דעתכם ודעת ידידי ותיק וחסיד ר' נחמן נ"י שנתתם לאחד מאנ"ש כן אקבל גם אני כה דברי המברך אתכם בגמר חתימה טובה נתן מברסלב EN: Tuesday, the 4th of the Ten Days of Repentance, [the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur; the 4th of Tishrei; four days after Rosh Hashana, approaching Yom Kippur] the year 5630 [the Hebrew date תרט"ל reads as 5630 — apparently a scribal error in the original; based on the sequence of letters and their content, this letter clearly belongs to the autumn of 5639 / 1878] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. To the honor of my strong friend, the wondrous veteran Chassid, discerning and wise — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your son, our beloved, Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Letters from yesterday I received today properly — through the donkey-driver. And several matters are a wonder to me — that you write to me that Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine, wrote that you should send me nine rubles as a deposit to distribute to the poor of Teverya — as a redemption — and may he be healed, our friend, the man of substance, the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — and may he shine like the sun at noon. And I will write you immediately a receipt for the money — but I do not know where the money is. And I went to Reb Dov, the trusted one, to ask him — perhaps it is by him — and it is not by him. And how can I write him a receipt? And beyond this — when you sent a receipt to Yerushalayim for the money you distributed in Tzfas — why did you not also write me a receipt and seal it so that the receipts would be together? And also you write to distribute according to my expressed opinion [כחות דעתי — k'chavos da'ati — Aramaic: "according to my stated and expressed opinion" — a specific Talmudic-Aramaic formula for the formal articulation of one's reasoned view; chavos — to give voice to, to express one's opinion] to the poor of Teverya — and a portion was taken for me — why did you not write to me how much to each one of the Anash here — so that I know how much to receive for myself — so that I not rob the poor? — only according to your expressed opinion and the expressed opinion of our friend the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine [חות דעתכם — chavos da'aschem — Aramaic: "your stated and expressed opinion" — the same formula used above; the formal Talmudic-Aramaic phrase for a reasoned opinion given voice] — what you gave to one of the Anash — so I too will receive. Thus are the words of one who blesses you with a good final sealing [גמר חתימה טובה — the specific traditional greeting of the Ten Days of Repentance — and particularly the days approaching Yom Kippur: "a good final sealing" — referring to the final sealing of the divine books on Yom Kippur, after the inscription on Rosh Hashana; this is the greeting of these very days, used precisely here as the letter is written between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur], Nussun from Breslov 📜 # נג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/53/ נג נג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/53 Segment 1 HE: האל הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב גמר חתימה טובה לכבוד אהבים ונאמנים אחים ורעים נאמני או"נ הנגיד המרומם מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' הצנועה מ' זל"ר תח' לאיוש"ט בטוב ובנעימים אנס"ו אכי"ר עם שלום בנם מו"ה נחמן נ"י תדעו שטוב ויפה עשיתם שלא נסע מעלתכם עתה אלי אחר שאין הישר כך שאתם שבאתם לפה תסעו אלי רק אני צריך לסע אצלכם לראות עמכם כי אהבתכם תקועה בלבי ביתד חזק בל ימוט לעולם רק אין הפנאי עתה גורם לסע ואם לא היו ימים כאלו בודאי כבר נסעתי אצלכם ובדעתי היה אי"ה לנסע אחר שני ימים ראשונים של חג הסכות הק' אך עתה שאתם מתגעגעים כך לראות עמי אני מבטל דעתי ואי"ה אחר יום כפור הק' תכף כשיהיה שירה אסע למחנכם קדוש לראות עמכם ועם כל חברתנו האהובים והנעימים ולשמח עמכם בשמחת יו"ט קודש כמאז ומקדם דברי אוהבך באמת המברך אתכם בחיים ושלום וכל טוב נתן מברסלב ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה רבה EN: No date given. [From its content — written during the Ten Days of Repentance and promising to visit right after Yom Kippur — this letter belongs to Tishrei 5639] The G-d Who is good and Who does good — may He bestow a good final sealing. [האל הטוב והמטיב — from Brachos 54a and the daily liturgy; G-d's twin qualities of inherent goodness and actively doing good] To the honor of the beloved and faithful, brothers and friends, faithful to our beloved — the exalted patron Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his modest wife, Mistress Zeldah-Rachel, may she live — for length of days and good years [לאיוש"ט — the abbreviation for le'orech yomim u'shanim tovos — "for length of days and good years"; a specific blessing formula appended to the "may she live" — she should not merely live but live long and well] — in goodness and pleasantness, Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed, so may it be His will — together with peace upon their son Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine. Know that you did well and rightly that your eminence [מעלתכם — ma'alaschem — "your eminence, your elevated dignity" — the formal honorific of elevated standing; ma'alah — height, ascent, elevated dignity] did not travel now to me — since it is not proper that you who have come here should travel to me; rather it is I who must travel to you — to see with you. For your love is fixed in my heart like a peg driven firm that shall never be moved [Isaiah 22:23 — the peg hammered immovably into a sure place; the love that nothing can dislodge]. Only the lack of leisure now is what prevents traveling. And if these days were not such days I would surely have already traveled to you. And it was my intention, G-d willing, to travel after the first two days of the holy festival of Sukkos. But now — since you are pining so [מתגעגעים — misgageim — pining, yearning with deep nostalgic ache; ge'agu'im — the emotional longing of one who misses someone keenly; stronger and more specifically aching than ordinary "longing"] to see me — I am setting aside my intention. And G-d willing — right after the holy Yom Kippur — as soon as there is a postal carriage — I will travel to your holy encampment — to see with you and with all our beloved and pleasant fellowship — and rejoice with you in the joy of the holy festival — as in days of old. Words of one who truly loves you — who blesses you with life and peace and every good, Nussun from Breslov And convey greetings of peace to all the Anash with great love. 📜 # נד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/54/ נד נד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/54 Segment 1 HE: ולפב"ש עבורי לידידנו עז חבר אני לכל אשר יראוך משמש בקודש הקדשים הלא הוא ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם וכמו"ה רבי נחמן מברסלב נ"י ויופיע השי"ת יחיה אותו כמו שחיה נפשי במכתבו הראשון והשני בדבריו המעלים המחזיקים הרבה ובלא מכתבו ג"כ אני מתפלל עבורו וב"ב ובפרט בנו נ"י ובפרט ששלח לי מתנה כזו דבורים מרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר הם מחיין את נפש האדם מריש כל דרגין עד סוף כל דרגין EN: No date given. [Two separate notes on the same page — one to Reb Nachman of Breslov; one to Reb Itzik] Segment 2 HE: ובקשתי שטוחה מול כבודו להזכיר אותי בכל עת לפני רבנו ז"ל שאזכה להיות נאכל להצדיק הק' ולאמונה הק' לא"י הק' ולפב"ש לבנו אברהם נ"י ולכל אנ"ש אשר נמצאים בשם EN: And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to our strong friend — a companion to me in all who fear You [Psalms 119:63 — "I am a companion to all who fear You"] — a servant in the Holy of Holies — why, it is the veteran Chassid, discerning and wise — and the like of Morainu v'Rabbainu — Reb Nachman of Breslov, may his candle shine — and may he shine forth. May Hashem Yisbarach give him life — as he gave life to my soul through his first letter and his second letter — with his lifting and greatly strengthening words [בדבריו המעלים המחזיקים הרבה — "with his words that lift upward and greatly strengthen and hold firm" — ha'ma'alim — those that elevate and lift; from alah — to ascend; and ha'machzikim harbeh — those that greatly strengthen and hold one firm; two distinct actions: lifting upward and holding firm]. And even without his letter I also pray for him and his household — and particularly for his son, may his candle shine. And particularly since he sent me such a gift — words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which give life to a person's soul from the very beginning of all levels to the very end of all levels. Segment 3 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: May Hashem Yisbarach give him life — as he gave life to my soul through his first letter and his second letter — with his lifting and greatly strengthening words [בדבריו המעלים המחזיקים הרבה — "with his words that lift upward and greatly strengthen and hold firm" — ha'ma'alim — those that elevate and lift; from alah — to ascend; and ha'machzikim harbeh — those that greatly strengthen and hold one firm; two distinct actions: lifting upward and holding firm]. And even without his letter I also pray for him and his household — and particularly for his son, may his candle shine. And particularly since he sent me such a gift — words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which give life to a person's soul from the very beginning of all levels to the very end of all levels. Segment 4 HE: ולפרס לידידי ר' איזיק נ"י מכתבך קבלתי זה פעם שני ותדע שב"ה זוג' תח' וחמותך תח' הם בחיים ושלום וכל חפציך הם על נכון ולא תדאגו כלל כי מן השמים מעכבים אותך להרבות בעתר ותפילה לפני רבנו ז"ל ומה שאתה בצער ג"כ שאתה סמוך אצל רבנו ז"ל הלא חסידים קדמונים בכאן ישבו אצל הצדיקים שנים שלשה שנים והצדיקים הקדמונים היו עניים ובודאי לא אכלו חסידים כסדר על שלחנם רק לפעמים אצל זה ולפעמים אצל זה והיו בשמחה שמצאו רופא ממחה כזה שיכול לרפאת חלי נפשם והסיחו דעתם מביתם עד כי יבא עת שרבותיהם שלחו אותם לביתם ואתה ראה בעיניך שמן השמים עכבוך ואין שום בררה עתה לנסע לביתך ע"כ היה בשמחה ותצעק ותצעק להשי"ת בצעקה וזעקה והטלטול הוא תקון לאמונה ואמונה היא תפילה א"י EN: And my request lies prostrated before his honor [ובקשתי שטוחה מול כבודו — "and my request is spread flat / prostrated facing his honor" — shetuchah — spread out flat, prostrated as one prostrates before a king; the request lies prostrated directly facing his honored presence; an image of complete supplication] — to mention me at all times before Rabbainu ז"ל — that I merit to be consumed by the holy Tzaddik — and by holy faith — and by the Holy Land. And convey greetings of peace to his son Avraham, may his candle shine, and to all the Anash who are found there. Segment 5 HE: ותצעק כ"כ להשי"ת עד שיאמרו לך לסע ואז תסע לשלום לביתך וכשהשי"ת יסכים לנסיעתך בודאי יזמין לך על הוצאות ג"כ ותבקש מהשי"ת שיזמין לך הוצאות לעת עתה אתה יכול להיות מעט באומן ומעט בטראויצע ומעט בטעפליק אם אין בכח ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י לאחז אותך כסדר ואם יאחז אותך בודאי מה טוב הכלל איך שתהיה תזהר מעצבות ומרה שחורה רק בשמחה יגילון כל היום' וגם אני מבקש אותך שתראה שחתני מו"ה ישראל נ"י יכתב לי מכתב מאתו ובנו זאב נ"י הכל בפרוטרוט EN: Nussun from Breslov Second note — to Reb Aizik: Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: And convey greetings of peace to my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. Your letter I received — this is the second time. And know that blessed be G-d your wife, may she live, and your mother-in-law, may she live, are in life and in peace — and all your affairs are properly in order. And do not worry at all — for from Heaven they are detaining you to multiply in abundant outpouring entreaty and prayer [להרבות בעתר ותפילה — "to multiply in aser and prayer" — the word aser is the specific root of intense, outpouring supplication used in the Torah for Yitzchak's prayer for children [Genesis 25:21] and Moshe's prayer against the frogs; an earnest and abundant entreaty that pours itself out before G-d; a stronger and more specific word than ordinary prayer] before Rabbainu ז"ל. And that you are in distress — and yet you are close to Rabbainu ז"ל — know that the Chassidim of old used to sit here by the Tzaddikim for two or three years. And the Tzaddikim of old were poor — and surely the Chassidim did not eat in regular order at their table — only sometimes by this one and sometimes by that one. And they were in joy — for they had found a physician who erases all traces — who can heal the illness of their souls. And they took their minds off their homes — until the time came when their masters sent them home. And you yourself see that from Heaven they held you back — and there is no choice now to travel home. Therefore be in joy — and cry out and cry out again to Hashem Yisbarach [ותצעק ותצעק — the same verb doubled: "cry out and cry out" — the repetition is emphatic; not once but again and again] — with a sharp cry and a distress call [בצעקה וזעקה — two distinct modes of crying out: tze'akah — a sharp, urgent cry; and ze'akah — a cry of extremity and distress, a call for rescue from one in desperate need; together the full range of urgent outcry] — and the wandering itself is a correction for faith — and faith is prayer — and prayer is Eretz Yisroel. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And cry out so much to Hashem Yisbarach until they tell you to travel — and then travel in peace to your home. And when Hashem Yisbarach agrees to your traveling, He will surely also providentially arrange for you the travel money. [יזמין לך על הוצאות — "will providentially arrange for you the expenses" — yezamen — to prepare and arrange through divine providential ordering; not merely "provide" but specifically to arrange and make available through G-d's providential preparation] And ask Hashem Yisbarach that He providentially arrange travel expenses for you. For now you can be a little in Uman and a little in Troyits and a little in Teplik — if our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, does not have the capacity to maintain you in regular order. And if he maintains you — surely how good. The general rule: however you are — guard against sadness and melancholy — only "in joy they shall rejoice all the day." And also I ask of you that you see to it that my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel, may his candle shine, writes me a letter from himself — and his son Ze'ev, may his candle shine — everything in full detail. Segment 8 HE: חונה פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: And convey greetings of peace to my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. Your letter I received — this is the second time. And know that blessed be G-d your wife, may she live, and your mother-in-law, may she live, are in life and in peace — and all your affairs are properly in order. And do not worry at all — for from Heaven they are detaining you to multiply in abundant outpouring entreaty and prayer [להרבות בעתר ותפילה — "to multiply in aser and prayer" — the word aser is the specific root of intense, outpouring supplication used in the Torah for Yitzchak's prayer for children [Genesis 25:21] and Moshe's prayer against the frogs; an earnest and abundant entreaty that pours itself out before G-d; a stronger and more specific word than ordinary prayer] before Rabbainu ז"ל. And that you are in distress — and yet you are close to Rabbainu ז"ל — know that the Chassidim of old used to sit here by the Tzaddikim for two or three years. And the Tzaddikim of old were poor — and surely the Chassidim did not eat in regular order at their table — only sometimes by this one and sometimes by that one. And they were in joy — for they had found a physician who erases all traces — who can heal the illness of their souls. And they took their minds off their homes — until the time came when their masters sent them home. And you yourself see that from Heaven they held you back — and there is no choice now to travel home. Therefore be in joy — and cry out and cry out again to Hashem Yisbarach [ותצעק ותצעק — the same verb doubled: "cry out and cry out" — the repetition is emphatic; not once but again and again] — with a sharp cry and a distress call [בצעקה וזעקה — two distinct modes of crying out: tze'akah — a sharp, urgent cry; and ze'akah — a cry of extremity and distress, a call for rescue from one in desperate need; together the full range of urgent outcry] — and the wandering itself is a correction for faith — and faith is prayer — and prayer is Eretz Yisroel. And cry out so much to Hashem Yisbarach until they tell you to travel — and then travel in peace to your home. And when Hashem Yisbarach agrees to your traveling, He will surely also providentially arrange for you the travel money. [יזמין לך על הוצאות — "will providentially arrange for you the expenses" — yezamen — to prepare and arrange through divine providential ordering; not merely "provide" but specifically to arrange and make available through G-d's providential preparation] And ask Hashem Yisbarach that He providentially arrange travel expenses for you. For now you can be a little in Uman and a little in Troyits and a little in Teplik — if our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, does not have the capacity to maintain you in regular order. And if he maintains you — surely how good. The general rule: however you are — guard against sadness and melancholy — only "in joy they shall rejoice all the day." And also I ask of you that you see to it that my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel, may his candle shine, writes me a letter from himself — and his son Ze'ev, may his candle shine — everything in full detail. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped in the Holy City of Teverya, may it be established and built for good [חונה — choneh — "encamped" — from chanah — to encamp, to pitch a camp; the word used for the Israelite encampments in the wilderness; the writer describes himself as encamped in Teverya — not merely dwelling but encamped with the resonance of the Israelite camp, the same root as machaneh used in Letter 49]. # נה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/55/ נה נה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/55 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' לך שנת תרט"ל לפ"ק פה טבריא לכבוד אהבי ונאמני אהבי באמת ותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן אך אני מבקש מאתך שתראה לשאל על המכתב אצל מוחמאד כי שם היה מכתב לר' ברוך דובנער נ"י אודות ר' קלמן נ"י כי אפשר לך לשער הצער שלי שיש לי מהבעל הבית שלו שרוצה לקרא אותי להבית דין ואיני יודע מה חטאתי ע"כ כתבתי לר' ברוך נ"י אולי יחונן אותי בהלואה ואני אשלח לו כל הספרים עד שירחם עליו השי"ת ויזמן לר' קלמן מעות ע"כ לבקש אצל ערל המכתב ולתן לר' ברוך הנ"ל ולראות להשיב לי תשובה מהרה ידידכם נתן מברסלב EN: Wednesday, the Torah portion of Lech Lecha [Parshas Lech Lecha — "Go for yourself" — Avraham's journey; late October or November; the year shown is likely a scribal error for 5639 / 1878–79], according to the minor reckoning — here in Teverya. To the honor of my beloved and faithful, my truly beloved, the veteran Chassid, the wondrous one — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun. But I ask of you to look into the letter at Muhammad's — for there was a letter there for Reb Boruch the Dubnerian, may his candle shine, concerning Reb Kalman, may his candle shine. For you can imagine my grief from his landlord — who wants to summon me to a court of law — and I do not know what I have sinned. Therefore I wrote to Reb Boruch, may his candle shine — perhaps he will bestow his grace upon me with a loan [יחונן אותי בהלואה — "will bestow grace upon me through a loan" — yechonnen — to bestow unearned gracious favor; from chanan — grace; the writer makes no claim but asks for gracious favor; acknowledging he has no right to the loan, only the plea for grace] — and I will send him all the books as security — until Hashem Yisbarach has mercy on him and providentially arranges money for Reb Kalman [ויזמן לר' קלמן מעות — "and arranges money for Reb Kalman" — yezamen — to arrange and make available through G-d's providential ordering; as in Letter 54 — not merely provide but arrange through divine preparation]. Therefore: ask the non-Jewish carrier about the letter — and give it to the said Reb Boruch — and see to reply to me quickly. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov 📜 # נו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/56/ נו נו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/56 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' לסדר חיי שרה תרט"ל טבריא תו"ת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. Only my wife, may she live, is very far from being in good health — may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing. May Hashem Yisbarach likewise swiftly merit me to hear from you life and peace and the fullness of their good health — and all the Anash in the generality of all Israel. For I received some time ago the letter that you yourself had a fever — and also your co-parent-in-law is not in good health — and also your father, may his candle shine, wrote to me that he had a pain in the joints — and also about Reb Aizikl they wrote to me as well that he is not in good health. And from then I have heard no further news — and my eyes are consumed with yearning [עיני כלות — "my eyes are consumed, spent to exhaustion" — from kalah — to be consumed, used up entirely; an echo of Psalms 119:82 and 123: "my eyes fail / are consumed waiting for Your word" — the image of eyes literally consumed in watching and waiting] to hear some news from you for good — that it may give me life. And perhaps you have some news about our friend Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — for my eyes are consumed with yearning to hear good tidings from the Anash. For we are people who are brothers — from one root — in the thought of the Holy One Blessed be He [במחשבה דקדשא בריך הוא — "in the thought of the Holy One Blessed be He" — the phrase דקדשא בריך הוא is Aramaic: d'kudsha brich hu — "of the Holy One Blessed be He" — the Aramaic genitive particle d' marking the relationship; a code-switch into the Aramaic of the Talmud and Zohar for the divine name]. And every one is connected to his companion like branches on a tree. And we have no leisure except for Torah and for prayer — and today, if you will but hear His voice. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ממש כבני חביבי היקר ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב עם שלום אביך היקר ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם המפלא מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום חמיך היקר ידידי עז מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: Therefore I ask of you at all times — to inform me of your welfare — to give us life. And I will certainly also write to you, G-d willing. And due to the urgency of the postal carriage I was brief — and send greetings of peace. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו פה בחיים ושלום רק זוג' תח' מאד אינה בקו הבריאה השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה כן חיש מהר יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ומבריאותם הטוב בשלמות וכל אנ"ש בכלל כל ישראל כי קבלתי מקדם המכתב שאתה היה לך הפיבער וגם חמיך אינו בקו הבריאה וגם אביך נ"י ג"כ כתבת לי שהיה לו מחוש על הקרעזיס וגם מר' איזיקל ג"כ כתבו לי שאינו בקו הבריאה ומאז לא שמעתי עוד שום ידיעה ועיני כלות לשמע איזה ידיעה מכם לטובה ותח' נפשי ואפשר יש לכם ידיעה מידידנו ר' אבאלע נ"י כי כלו עיני לשמע בשורות טובות מאנ"ש כי אנשים אחים אנחנו משרש אחד במחשבה דקדשא בריך הוא וכל אחד מקשר לחברו כענפים באילן ואין לנו פנאי כי אם לתורה ולתפילה והיום אם בקלו תשמעו EN: From me, your brother and your beloved, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda Segment 4 HE: וע"כ אני מבקש מכם בכל עת להודיעני משלומכם להחיותנו ואני אי"ה בודאי אכתב לכם ג"כ ומחמת נחיצת השירה קצרתי ואמר שלום EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 5639 (November 1878), from Teverya. Four simultaneous illnesses. Brief — cut short by the urgency of the departing postal carriage. Segment 5 HE: מנאי אחיכם ואוהבכם EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא בשבוע העבר שלחתי לך מכתב ע"י ר' גדליה העסלירי מברסלב ואמר לי שנתן המכתב לר' ברוך דובנער EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — both those dwelling in Eretz Yisroel and those dwelling in the diaspora. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Your small letter I received last week. And it is a wonder in my eyes that I have had no reply at all from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — nor from Reb Boruch the Dubnerian, may his candle shine — what he says — since I have no rest from his landlord. And now I come to ask of you: perhaps you have some news about our friend Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — and you do not want to write it to me — and it is impossible for you to imagine my grief from not being informed. And perhaps our friend Reb Aitzikel came and brought some news. And also as it appears — surely our friend the veteran Chassid Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, is also compelled to be in his home — what is this that we have no news from him at all? Therefore I ask of you: immediately — the moment you have any news — immediately send it to me. And also if Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, comes and has letters from my sons and daughters from the diaspora — send them to me immediately through a trustworthy person. And also if there is any news from the diaspora via the post — inform me as well about your brother, may his candle shine. And also write to me if there is any news about the divorce document from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — inform us as well. And whether your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has already purchased all the hides — and how the price of hides stands now — how the price has risen. And about your health as well write to me — for here I have had the joint ailment for three weeks already — but blessed be G-d — by extraordinary grace, beyond the regular order of things. And my wife and my sister, may they live — they have had for three days — may the Merciful One protect them — a fever — and moreover something that beats in her stomach like a drum. May Hashem Yisbarach save them from now on in the midst of all of Israel. The general principle: there is no moment without a blow — there is no counsel except to flee to Hashem Yisbarach and to the holy Torah and to the Tzaddik Who sweetens all kinds of bitterness in the world — in the strength of the Torah of loving-kindness which flows down upon us. And we also have nothing except to be constant in his holy books — and to believe in all of them — that all his holy books are needed by us to give life to our souls and to sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us — as is explained in the Torah "Chadei Rabbi Shimon" — sign 61. And upon this is built the great discourse in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Deposit, law 5. And there we are able to find repose for our souls at all times. And the Torah and the explanation upon the Torah are themselves the encompassing intellect — through which all the harsh judgments are sweetened from upon us and from upon all our brothers the children of Israel. Only we must believe with faith in the sages in truth [אמונת חכמים — emunas chachamim — "faith in the sages" — the specific rabbinic principle of trusting and accepting the authority of the Torah sages; not the faith that the sages themselves possessed, but the obligation to place one's faith in the sages as authoritative transmitters of divine wisdom]. And we must even believe in ourselves — that through our engaging in these new teachings, precious things will be made to happen — not through proof by trial [בלי נסיון — "without nisayon" — without proving through trial and observable test; nisayon is specifically the trial or test that proves something empirically; not through empirical proof but through faith alone] — but through faith alone. For I have no other counsel to counsel you — for in all the counsels of the world they are mixed with the smoke of putrefaction and rot [בעשנים סרוחים — "with putrid, reeking smokes" — seruchim — specifically rotten, putrid, reeking from decomposition; not merely unpleasant but the foul smell of decay and rot; all worldly counsels carry this taint]. And the counsel of Hashem stands forever — and Your righteousness is a righteousness forever — and Your Torah is truth. And they — all the holy books — are the counsel of Hashem. Therefore, my friend, my beloved brothers — have compassion upon yourselves — and be strong with fresh ardent longing and with fresh will — and engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples — for they are life to those who bring them forth in their mouths. And you are still in your youth — and fix them in your hearts as ink written on fresh paper. On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. למען ה' באגער צו לערנין [Yiddish: "For the sake of Hashem — cultivate a desire to study"] — און זאג און סאך תהלים ותפלות [Yiddish: "and say a great many Psalms and prayers"] — און בייט זיך בייא השי"ת אז ער זאל דיר שטארקין דאס הארץ [Yiddish: "and petition Hashem Yisbarach that He should strengthen your heart"] — אז דיא זאלסט גייען בדרך הישר והאמת [Yiddish: "so that you should walk in the straight and true path"]. One who loves you, The above-mentioned Nussun Written Wednesday, 15th of Cheshvan, 5639 (November 1878), from Teverya. Multiple illnesses. All of Rabbainu ז"ל's books are needed. Believe with faith in the sages and in yourselves. While still young, fix the teachings like ink on fresh paper. A Yiddish postscript for Nachman son of Avraham. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. Only my wife, may she live, is very far from being in good health. And blessed be G-d — my sister, may she live — blessed be G-d — has departed from the fever without leaving any trace [בלא חינא — "without any chinah" — without leaving any residue or aftermath; chinah means the traces or residual marks left behind by something; the fever departed completely cleanly, without any lasting damage or mark]. May Hashem Yisbarach likewise merit me to hear from you life and peace — and may He lighten from upon you all the harsh judgments — both from your wife, may she live — and heal her body in fullness as the good hand of Hashem is upon all the world — and from your brother, may his candle shine — in the midst of all Israel. And may Hashem Yisbarach incline His ear to hear the sound of our prayers and supplications which we pray to Him on every single particular — and give us the heart to give thanks for the past and to cry out for the future — and to hold ourselves in the delight of the World to Come which is the days of Chanukah — the days of thanksgiving. And know that I received all the letters — both through the non-Jewish carrier with the sum of four rubles — and the letters you sent me through the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Shimshon. And I will certainly do as you have requested of me. And this is a novelty to me — that I wrote to you to inform me about Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — what is heard about him — and you do not want to write it to me. Are not my sufferings very great? — for Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, has been away from the diaspora for approximately more than a month — and how is it that he has not heard about him? Therefore I have greatly asked of you not to withhold this truth from me [שלא תכחש מאתי — "that you should not deny / dissemble toward me" — tichachesh — to deny, to withhold the truth, to give a false account; from kachash — to lie, to deny; stronger than merely "hide" — it implies a deliberate suppression that amounts to a falsehood; do not deny me the truth] — for the suffering is beyond reckoning. Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — my truly beloved: perhaps money will reach him from some place — in the name of your father, may his candle shine — hold the money in your hands. For I will write to him. And also I am sending a letter to Amsterdam — to the seven good men of the city — for perhaps they sent my money to another place. And they have a receipt with the validating seal and the name of the appointed responsible official [עם הקים והממנה — "with the validating seal and the appointed one" — ha'kayim — the confirming, validating stamp or seal; and ha'memuneh — the person designated and appointed as responsible for this matter; the receipt bears both the official seal and the name of the designated responsible party] from this place — that money be sent here — so that they can see who received the money — in order to address this person who received without right the money of others. Therefore for now hold his money in your hands if it reaches you. More news there is none — only life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to illuminate upon us the light of wisdom below ten. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayeishev, 5639 (November–December 1878), from Teverya — the Chanukah period. The wife still very ill; the sister has recovered without trace. The writer investigates his missing Amsterdam money. The Chanukah teaching: the delight of the World to Come. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # נז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/57/ נז נז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/57 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' חצי חדש וירא ה' כי סר לראות' תרט"ל פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת ב"ב אכי"ר אנס"ו EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — both those dwelling in Eretz Yisroel and those dwelling in the diaspora. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ הלא הוא המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך היקר נ"י ועם שלום כבוד חמיך היקר ותיק וחסיד מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: Your small letter I received last week. And it is a wonder in my eyes that I have had no reply at all from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — nor from Reb Boruch the Dubnerian, may his candle shine — what he says — since I have no rest from his landlord. And now I come to ask of you: perhaps you have some news about our friend Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — and you do not want to write it to me — and it is impossible for you to imagine my grief from not being informed. And perhaps our friend Reb Aitzikel came and brought some news. And also as it appears — surely our friend the veteran Chassid Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, is also compelled to be in his home — what is this that we have no news from him at all? Therefore I ask of you: immediately — the moment you have any news — immediately send it to me. And also if Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, comes and has letters from my sons and daughters from the diaspora — send them to me immediately through a trustworthy person. And also if there is any news from the diaspora via the post — inform me as well about your brother, may his candle shine. And also write to me if there is any news about the divorce document from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — inform us as well. And whether your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has already purchased all the hides — and how the price of hides stands now — how the price has risen. And about your health as well write to me — for here I have had the joint ailment for three weeks already — but blessed be G-d — by extraordinary grace, beyond the regular order of things. And my wife and my sister, may they live — they have had for three days — may the Merciful One protect them — a fever — and moreover something that beats in her stomach like a drum. May Hashem Yisbarach save them from now on in the midst of all of Israel. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל פה כלנו ב"ה ב"ה בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום הן הדרים בא"י והן הדרים בחו"ל אנס"ו EN: The general principle: there is no moment without a blow — there is no counsel except to flee to Hashem Yisbarach and to the holy Torah and to the Tzaddik Who sweetens all kinds of bitterness in the world — in the strength of the Torah of loving-kindness which flows down upon us. And we also have nothing except to be constant in his holy books — and to believe in all of them — that all his holy books are needed by us to give life to our souls and to sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us — as is explained in the Torah "Chadei Rabbi Shimon" — sign 61. And upon this is built the great discourse in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Deposit, law 5. And there we are able to find repose for our souls at all times. And the Torah and the explanation upon the Torah are themselves the encompassing intellect — through which all the harsh judgments are sweetened from upon us and from upon all our brothers the children of Israel. Only we must believe with faith in the sages in truth [אמונת חכמים — emunas chachamim — "faith in the sages" — the specific rabbinic principle of trusting and accepting the authority of the Torah sages; not the faith that the sages themselves possessed, but the obligation to place one's faith in the sages as authoritative transmitters of divine wisdom]. And we must even believe in ourselves — that through our engaging in these new teachings, precious things will be made to happen — not through proof by trial [בלי נסיון — "without nisayon" — without proving through trial and observable test; nisayon is specifically the trial or test that proves something empirically; not through empirical proof but through faith alone] — but through faith alone. For I have no other counsel to counsel you — for in all the counsels of the world they are mixed with the smoke of putrefaction and rot [בעשנים סרוחים — "with putrid, reeking smokes" — seruchim — specifically rotten, putrid, reeking from decomposition; not merely unpleasant but the foul smell of decay and rot; all worldly counsels carry this taint]. And the counsel of Hashem stands forever — and Your righteousness is a righteousness forever — and Your Torah is truth. And they — all the holy books — are the counsel of Hashem. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך הקטן קבלתי בשבוע העבר ולפלא בעיני מה שלא היה לי שום תשובה מר' קלמן נ"י וגם מר' ברוך דובנער נ"י מה אמר שאין לי שום מנוחה מהבעל בית שלו ועתה באתי לבקש מאתך אולי יש לכם איזה ידיעה מידידנו ר' אבאלע נ"י ואין אתם רוצים לכתוב לי וא"א לכם לשער הצער שלי מבלי הודעה ואפשר בא ידידנו ר' איצילע והביא איזה ידיעה וגם לפי הנראה בודאי מכרח הוא ידידנו הותיק וחסיד ר' אפרים נ"י ג"כ להיות בביתו מה זה שאין לנו שום ידיעה ע"כ אבקש מאתך תכף שיהיה לך איזה ידיעה תכף תשלחו לי וגם אולי יבא ר' איצילע נ"י ויהיה לו מכתבים מבני ומבנותי מחו"ל תשלחו לי תכף ע"י איש בטח וגם אם יהיה לכם איזה ידיעה מחו"ל על הפאסט ג"כ תודיעו לי אודות אחיך נ"י וגם תכתב לי אם יש איזה ידיעה עבור הגט מר' קלמן נ"י ג"כ תודיענו ואם כבר קנה חמיך נ"י כל העורות ואיך עתה עומד המקח מעורות איך נתעלה המקח ומבריאותכם ג"כ תכתב לי כי בכאן אני יש לי זה שלשה שבועות חלי הקרעזיס אך ב"ה בחסד שלא כסדר וזוג' ואחותי תח' יש להם זה שלשה ימים ר"ל פיבער ויותר שדופק בבטנה כמו בתוף השי"ת יציל אותם מעתה בתוך כלל ישראל EN: Therefore, my friend, my beloved brothers — have compassion upon yourselves — and be strong with fresh ardent longing and with fresh will — and engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples — for they are life to those who bring them forth in their mouths. And you are still in your youth — and fix them in your hearts as ink written on fresh paper. Segment 5 HE: הכלל אין רגע בלי פגע אין עצה כי אם לברח להשי"ת ולהתורה הק' ולהצדיק הממתיק כל מיני מרירות שבעולם בכח תורת חסד שמשפיע עלינו ג"כ אין לנו כי אם להתמיד בספריו הק' ולהאמין בכלם שכל ספריו הק' נצרכים לנו להחיות נפשנו ולהמתיק כל הדינים מעלינו כמבאר בהתורה חדי רבי שמעון' בסימן ס"א ועל זה נבנה הדרוש הגדול בהלכות פקדון הלכה ה' ושם יכולין אנו למצא מרגוע לנפשותינו בכל עת והתורה והבאור על התורה הם בעצמם השכל הכולל אשר על ידם נמתקו כל הדינים מעלינו ומכל אחינו בני ישראל רק אנו צריכין להאמין אמונת חכמים באמת ואפילו אנו צריכין להאמין בנו שע"י שאנו עוסקים בחדושים אלו יהיה נעשים דברים יקרים מאד בלי נסיון רק באמונה כי אין לי עצה אחרת ליעץ אתכם כי בכל העצות שבעולם הם מערבים בעשנים סרוחים ועצת ה' לעולם תעמד וצדקתך צדק לעולם ותורתך אמת והם הספרים הק' כלם הם עצת ה' EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 6 HE: ע"כ ידידי אחי אהובים חמלו עליכם וחזקו בחשק חדש וברצון חדש ועסקו בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' כי חיים הם למוציאיהם בפה ואתם עדין בנעוריכם ותקבעו בלבבכם כדיו כתובה על ניר חדש EN: Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ושמחה נאר פריליך זיין כי בדאגות אין פועלין כלל EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. Segment 10 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י אם תרצה להלוות על חשבון אחותי תח' סך שני בישליקיס ותחלק לר' נחמן חצי בישליק ולר' דב חצי בישליק ולר' קלמן ארבעה 20 ולר' איזיקל שלשה 20 ולר' איצילע המותר עד בישליק ויהיה בסך הכל שני בישליקיס ואי"ה כשאשלח לך הסך חמשים גר' שאני חיב לך אשלח לך גם את זה EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. למען ה' באגער צו לערנין [Yiddish: "For the sake of Hashem — cultivate a desire to study"] — און זאג און סאך תהלים ותפלות [Yiddish: "and say a great many Psalms and prayers"] — און בייט זיך בייא השי"ת אז ער זאל דיר שטארקין דאס הארץ [Yiddish: "and petition Hashem Yisbarach that He should strengthen your heart"] — אז דיא זאלסט גייען בדרך הישר והאמת [Yiddish: "so that you should walk in the straight and true path"]. Segment 11 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. Segment 14 HE: החונה פה טבריא תו"ת ותפב"ש לב"א מו"ה נחמן נ"י למען ה' באגער צו לערנין און זאג און סאך תהלים ותפלות און בייט זיך בייא השי"ת אז ער זאל דיר שטארקין דאס הארץ אז דיא זאלסט גייען בדרך הישר והאמת EN: One who loves you, The above-mentioned Nussun Written Wednesday, 15th of Cheshvan, 5639 (November 1878), from Teverya. Multiple illnesses. All of Rabbainu ז"ל's books are needed. Believe with faith in the sages and in yourselves. While still young, fix the teachings like ink on fresh paper. A Yiddish postscript for Nachman son of Avraham. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and your wife, may she live, and your son, may his candle shine, and all the members of your household with all goodness — and may Hashem Yisbarach save you from now on from all kinds of sickness and from all kinds of disease [מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה — the paired biblical formula from Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:60: kol choli v'kol madveh — "every sickness and every disease"; the writer deliberately echoes the Torah's words of protection — the same passage that promises G-d will remove all illness from those who keep His covenant; a citation of the Torah's own protective language] — and may He say "enough!" to your troubles — and sweeten from upon you all kinds of harsh judgments in body and in soul and in money — and may He make to shine upon you good tidings from outside the Land quickly and soon. And upon our beloved Anash here and in the diaspora — may He pour out in overflowing abundance [ישפת עליהם — yishpas aleihem — from the root שפע — shefa — to pour out in overflowing measure, to provide in abundance beyond ordinary giving; not merely "pour" but the overflow of shefa — the mode of divine abundance; life and peace poured out in full, overflowing measure] upon them and upon us life and peace and blessing and success — and the fullness of good. Your friend who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And do not be lazy with your letters to me — each and every time. [ואל תתעצל במכתביך אלי בכל פעם ופעם — the closing admonition; "each and every time" — the doubled phrase insists: not just sometimes but every single time, without exception, without laziness] Written Monday, Parshas Shemini, 5638 (mid-March 1878), from Teverya — the day after Letter 32's completion. A brief practical letter: the mystery of the letters solved, money arrangements, the pisalis, and a beautiful overflowing blessing. Segment 15 HE: אוהבך EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and your wife, may she live, and your son, may his candle shine, and all the members of your household with all goodness — and may Hashem Yisbarach save you from now on from all kinds of sickness and from all kinds of disease [מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה — the paired biblical formula from Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:60: kol choli v'kol madveh — "every sickness and every disease"; the writer deliberately echoes the Torah's words of protection — the same passage that promises G-d will remove all illness from those who keep His covenant; a citation of the Torah's own protective language] — and may He say "enough!" to your troubles — and sweeten from upon you all kinds of harsh judgments in body and in soul and in money — and may He make to shine upon you good tidings from outside the Land quickly and soon. And upon our beloved Anash here and in the diaspora — may He pour out in overflowing abundance [ישפת עליהם — yishpas aleihem — from the root שפע — shefa — to pour out in overflowing measure, to provide in abundance beyond ordinary giving; not merely "pour" but the overflow of shefa — the mode of divine abundance; life and peace poured out in full, overflowing measure] upon them and upon us life and peace and blessing and success — and the fullness of good. Segment 16 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Your friend who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov # נח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/58/ נח נח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/58 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' וישב שנת תרט"ל לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. Only my wife, may she live, is very far from being in good health. And blessed be G-d — my sister, may she live — blessed be G-d — has departed from the fever without leaving any trace [בלא חינא — "without any chinah" — without leaving any residue or aftermath; chinah means the traces or residual marks left behind by something; the fever departed completely cleanly, without any lasting damage or mark]. May Hashem Yisbarach likewise merit me to hear from you life and peace — and may He lighten from upon you all the harsh judgments — both from your wife, may she live — and heal her body in fullness as the good hand of Hashem is upon all the world — and from your brother, may his candle shine — in the midst of all Israel. And may Hashem Yisbarach incline His ear to hear the sound of our prayers and supplications which we pray to Him on every single particular — and give us the heart to give thanks for the past and to cry out for the future — and to hold ourselves in the delight of the World to Come which is the days of Chanukah — the days of thanksgiving. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך היקר מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום חמיך היקר או"נ מו"ה שמואל נ"י ולכל ב"ב EN: And know that I received all the letters — both through the non-Jewish carrier with the sum of four rubles — and the letters you sent me through the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Shimshon. And I will certainly do as you have requested of me. And this is a novelty to me — that I wrote to you to inform me about Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — what is heard about him — and you do not want to write it to me. Are not my sufferings very great? — for Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, has been away from the diaspora for approximately more than a month — and how is it that he has not heard about him? Therefore I have greatly asked of you not to withhold this truth from me [שלא תכחש מאתי — "that you should not deny / dissemble toward me" — tichachesh — to deny, to withhold the truth, to give a false account; from kachash — to lie, to deny; stronger than merely "hide" — it implies a deliberate suppression that amounts to a falsehood; do not deny me the truth] — for the suffering is beyond reckoning. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה כלנו פה בחיים ושלום רק זוג' תח' מאד אינה בקו הבריאה וב"ה אחותי תח' ב"ה פטרה הפיבער בלא חינא כן יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם ג"כ החיים והשלום ויקל מעליכם כל הדינים הן מזוג' תח' וירפא לגופה בשלמות כיד ה' הטובה לכל העולם והן מאחיך נ"י בתוך כלל ישראל והשי"ת יטה אזנו לשמע לקול תפלותינו ותחנונינו שאנו מתפללים אליו על כל פרט ופרט ויתן בלבנו להודות על העבר ולצעק על להבא ולאחז עצמנו בשעשוע עולם הבא שהם ימי חנכה ימי הודאה EN: Therefore — for the sake of Hashem — my truly beloved: perhaps money will reach him from some place — in the name of your father, may his candle shine — hold the money in your hands. For I will write to him. And also I am sending a letter to Amsterdam — to the seven good men of the city — for perhaps they sent my money to another place. And they have a receipt with the validating seal and the name of the appointed responsible official [עם הקים והממנה — "with the validating seal and the appointed one" — ha'kayim — the confirming, validating stamp or seal; and ha'memuneh — the person designated and appointed as responsible for this matter; the receipt bears both the official seal and the name of the designated responsible party] from this place — that money be sent here — so that they can see who received the money — in order to address this person who received without right the money of others. Therefore for now hold his money in your hands if it reaches you. Segment 4 HE: ותדע שקבלתי כל המכתבים הן מערל עם הסך ארבעה רו"ח והן המכתבים ששלחתם לי ע"י האברך מו"ה שמשון ובודאי אעשה כבקשתכם אלי וזה לי לדבר חדוש שכתבתי לך להודיע לי מר' אבאלע נ"י מה הנשמע ממנו ואין אתם רוצים לכתוב לי הלא היסורים שלי גדלו עד למאד הלא ר' איצילע נ"י הוא מחו"ל ערך יותר מחדש ואיך לא שמע ממנו ע"כ בקשתי ממך מאד שלא תכחש מאתי כי אין לשער היסורים שלי EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to illuminate upon us the light of wisdom below ten. Segment 5 HE: ע"כ למען ה' אהבי באמת אולי יגיע לו מעות מאיזה מקום על שם אביך נ"י שתאחזו המעות בידכם כי אני אכתב לו וגם אני שולח מכתב לאמסטרדם להשבעה טובי העיר שאפשר שלחו המעות שלי למקום אחר ויש להם קבלה עם הקים והממנה מזה המקום שישלחו לכאן בכדי שיראו מי קבל המעות בכדי לפנות אל האיש הזה שקבל בחנם מעות של אחרים ע"כ לעת עתה תעכבו המעות שלו בידכם אם יגיע לידכם EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ויזכה אותנו השי"ת להאיר עלינו אור החכמה למטה מעשרה EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayeishev, 5639 (November–December 1878), from Teverya — the Chanukah period. The wife still very ill; the sister has recovered without trace. The writer investigates his missing Amsterdam money. The Chanukah teaching: the delight of the World to Come. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: Today is Sunday of Shemini — for I did not manage to find the postal courier on Friday and the letter remained with me until today. And this morning there came to me a woman — the wife of Reb Yaakov the Doctor from Tzfas, may it be established and built for good — and she brought me a letter from Thursday of Vayikra. And there it is written that you sent me several letters through the trusted one. And I went here to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and showed him the letter — and he told me that he did not receive even one. And I know the truth: that if he has any letter he immediately gives it to me — if the letters were not already lost there, before reaching him, the letters [the writer fully trusts Reb Dov; therefore the only explanation is that the letters were lost in transit in Tzfas before they ever reached Reb Dov; the loss is not Reb Dov's fault]. And also I do not know whether you received the one letter through the wife of Reb Yehoshua that I sent through Reb Dov, may his candle shine. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. # נט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/59/ נט נט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/59 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' ויגש שנת תרט"ל לפ"ק טבריא EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you and from all the Anash — both those dwelling in Eretz Yisroel and those dwelling in the diaspora — in the midst of all Israel — life and peace and the fullness of good. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ בני ממש הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כבוד אביך היקר המפלא ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם ירא אלהים וכו' וכו' מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום חמיך היקר או"נ ידידי עז הנגיד מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נחמן נ"י EN: Your letter from Sunday of Vayigash I received properly — through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — with the sum of eighteen bishlikim. And you gave my soul very great life with your letter — for our eyes have been very much consumed with yearning for a letter from you. For now your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has been added to me — I want to know from him and from his son what they are doing. But I do not know what this is — that you are very much allowing things to slip [מתרשל — misrashel — to be slack and allow things to slip through negligence; from rashal — to be slack, to let things drag; stronger than merely "lax" — it conveys the specific quality of allowing things to fall away through slackness and inattention] with letters to me. Are we not brothers — and one Father to us all — and we have a partnership together in the eternal world's business — through the pillar of the world [עמוד עולם — "the pillar of the world" — the specific Talmudic title from Chagigah 12b: the world stands on one pillar whose name is Tzaddik; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל as the single pillar upon whom the eternal spiritual world rests] — which is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples. Who — he and his holy disciple — left us a great inheritance and treasuries of treasuries for thousands and for tens of thousands — to trade with them and to sell to others. And from the treasuries nothing is deficient at all — on the contrary, at all times there will be spirit upon them. And from every kind of merchandise found in all the worlds — it is found in the shop of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But we must arouse each one his companion — not to be slack in the trade — each and every one according to his strength and according to his brain [ולפי מחו — "and according to his moach" — specifically the brain, the organ of intellect; in Chassidic thought the moach is the seat of divine wisdom as it enters the person; each partner must contribute according to both their physical capacity and their intellectual-spiritual capacity] must engage for the benefit of the partnership. And each one must help his companion and arouse him in love — and with very, very great advocacy of merit — so that the love between us not be damaged in any way — for "our whole matter hangs on affection" [אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא — Aramaic: "our whole matter — it hangs on love / affection" — from the Talmud; chavivusa — warm affectionate love; the entire bond and success depends specifically on this love] — and we need peace that has a mouth — so that each one can speak with his companion in love and arouse him. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כן אזכה לשמע מכם ומכל אנ"ש הדרים בא"י והדרים בחו"ל בתוך כלל ישראל החיים והשלום וכט"ס אנס"ו EN: My brothers my friends — since we are called by the name of Rabbainu — therefore we must educate ourselves at all times with a new beginning — to walk in his true ways — in which he labored and toiled all his holy days — and suckled out mother's milk for our sake — to guide us on the straight and true path — the path that our forefathers walked from eternity. But they forgot it — and Rabbainu ז"ל came and restored it with additional deep counsels — to give us life even in the very depths of our fall — in these the heels of the Messiah's time. And he warned us not to be lazy — those who are called שלימזאלניקיס. And we can also reach the illumination of the supernal will. And according to the explanation — as the words of our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — we should not be lazy by saying "who am I that I should merit the illumination of the will" — this itself is called laziness. Rather each one of us can so pine and yearn toward the Almighty — קען זיך אזוי פאר ביינקין צום אייבירשטין — and should always cry out: רבש"ע איך וויל פארט זיין באמת איין יוד אין וויל פארט אז מיין רצון זאל נכלל ווערין ברצונך האין סוף [Yiddish: "Master of the World — I truly want to be a Jew — I truly want that my will should be absorbed in Your infinite will"]. Therefore we must spend our days and our years on the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples — for they illuminate even within darkness — within our darkness — to arouse us. For they rouse the sleeping from their slumber — and they will not allow even a single day to pass us without repentance. And if we engage in them more — they will not allow us even a single hour without a thought of repentance. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מיום א' ויגש קבלתי לנכון ע"י הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י עם הסך שמונה עשר בישליקיס והחייתי את נפשי במכתבך מאד כי מאד כלו עינינו במכתב מכם כי עתה נתוסף לי חמיך נ"י שאני רוצה לידע ממנו ומבנו מה הם עשים אך איני יודע מה זה שאתה מתרשל מאד במכתבים אלי הלא אחים אנחנו ואב אחד לכלנו ואנו יש לנו שתפות ביחד בעסק עולם הנצחי ע"י עמוד עולם הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' אשר הוא ותלמידו הק' השאירו לנו ירושה גדולה ואוצרי אוצרות לאלפים ולרבבות לסחר בהם ולמכר לאחרים ומאוצרות לא נחסר כלל אדרבא בכל עת יהיה רוח עליהם ומכל מיני סחורות הנמצאים בכל העולמות נמצא בחנות של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אבל אנו צריכין לעורר אחד את חברו שלא נהיה עצלים בהמסחר כל אחד ואחד לפי כחו ולפי מחו צריך לעסק לטובת השתפות וכל אחד צריך לעזר לחברו ולעורר אותו באהבה ובלמוד זכות מאד מאד בכדי שלא יתקלקל אהבה שבינינו בשום אופן כי אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא' וצריכין אנו לשלום שיש לו פה בכדי שכל אחד יוכל לדבר עם חברו באהבה ולעורר אותו EN: What can I say to you? — although I am a small tree among the smallest compared to you — yet Rabbainu ז"ל already said that with a small tree one can light a large tree. Therefore — לאמיר ניט פאר שלאפין אינזערי יאר אין טעג בעסק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' [Yiddish: "let us not sleep away our years and days in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple"] — surely when Hashem Yisbarach had mercy on us and made known to us this hidden light — almost from the entire world — and even G-d-fearing people do not know about this — and upon us Hashem Yisbarach had mercy from the standpoint of the innate mysterious virtue [מצד הסגלה — "from the standpoint of the segulah" — the specific Chassidic-Kabbalistic term for an innate mysterious spiritual virtue or potency; as if those who follow Rabbainu ז"ל carry a particular segulah-quality that brought divine mercy upon them; not merely "special quality" but a mysterious, intrinsic potency]. ע"כ לאמיר ניט שלאפין לאמיר גראבין אין דיא אוצרות [Yiddish: "therefore let us not sleep — let us dig into the treasuries"]. Segment 5 HE: אחי ידידי איך שאנו נקראים על שם רבנו ע"כ אנו צריכין לחנך אותנו בכל עת בהתחלה חדשה לילך בדרכיו האמתיים אשר יגע וטרח כל ימיו הק' והקיא חלב אם עבורנו להדריכנו בדרך הישר והאמת הדרך אשר דרכו בו אבותינו מעולם אך שכחום וחזר רבנו ויסדם בתוספות עצות עמקות להחיותנו אפילו בעצם ירידתנו אלה בעוקבא דמשיחא והזהיר אותנו שלא נהיה עצלים שקורין שלימזאלניקיס ואנו יכולין ג"כ להארת הרצון העליון והפרוש כפי דברי אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת שלא נהיה עצלים לומר מי אנכי שאזכה להארת הרצון זהו נקרא עצלות רק כל אחד מאתנו קען זיך אזוי פאר ביינקין צום אייבירשטין אין זאל אלע מאל שרייען רבש"ע איך וויל פארט זיין באמת איין יוד אין וויל פארט אז מיין רצון זאל נכלל ווערין ברצונך האין סוף ע"כ אנו צריכין לבלות ימינו ושנותינו על ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידיו הק' כי הם מאירים אפילו בתוך חשך בתוך החשך שלנו לעורר אותנו כי הם מעוררים ישנים מתרדמתם והם לא יניחו שיעבר לנו אפילו יום אחד בלא תשובה ואם נעסק בהם יותר לא יניחו לנו אפילו שעה אחת בלי הרהור תשובה EN: And that night I studied the Torah "and now let there please be a double portion of your spirit upon me, Eliyahu" — and afterward I studied in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Robbery, on the Torah "nine tikkunim" — and I was so aroused — that if I had wings to fly to you — to cry out in a great voice — וואס שווגין מיר [Yiddish: "what are we silent about?!"] — I would have flown to you. Although the adversary does not agree with my writing to you — for he said to me: who are you to write to people as upright as these — surely they themselves know about this. But blessed be G-d — Rabbainu ז"ל has already taught us holy boldness. And particularly Rabbainu ז"ל warned us many times in many Torah discourses and in his holy conversations — that one should speak with his companion about the fear of Heaven. And Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are a treasury of the fear of Heaven. And I have no one with whom to speak — therefore I speak with you by way of writing. And you as well — you should also fulfill speaking with me at all times by way of writing. And you also — with the help of Hashem — will be able to fulfill in actual deed speaking one with another — for blessed be G-d you have companions there, may they live — for length of days and years. And I will also inform you — blessed be G-d — that for approximately four weeks now — blessed be G-d — Reb Yisroel Avraham the scribe has begun to come to me every Motzei Shabbos — and I speak with him much about Rabbainu ז"ל — and I have also studied with him several Torah discourses of Rabbainu ז"ל. And blessed be G-d that I have someone with whom to speak about Rabbainu ז"ל. And surely if we engage in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — we will surely not be laboring to futility and emptiness. [לריק — "to emptiness, to futility" — from rik — empty, void; the specific emptiness of effort that leaves nothing behind; we will not labor to nothingness] And there is no good desire that is ever lost [ולית רעותא טבא דיתאביד — Aramaic: "and there is no good desire that is lost" — from the Zoharic literature; every genuine desire toward good, even unfulfilled, is preserved and will bear fruit]. Rather everything will be for good. More news — and in His goodness He renews each day always the work of Creation. Segment 6 HE: מה אמר לכם הגם שאני עץ קטן שבקטנים נגדכם אך כבר אמר רבנו ז"ל שבעץ קטן יכולין להדליק עץ גדול ע"כ לאמיר ניט פאר שלאפין אינזערי יאר אין טעג בעסק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בודאי כשהשי"ת רחם עלינו והודיע לנו מאור הגנוז הזה מכל העולם כמעט ואפילו אנשים יראים אינם יודעים בזה ועלינו רחם השי"ת מצד הסגלה ע"כ לאמיר ניט שלאפין לאמיר גראבין אין דיא אוצרות EN: Your friend, your truly beloved, who always seeks your welfare, who desires your success, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ואותו הלילה למדתי התורה ויהי נא פי שנים ברוחך אלי' ואח"כ למדתי בלקוטי הלכות הל' גזלה על התורה תשעה תקונין' נתעוררתי כך כי אם היה לי כנפים לעוף אליכם לצעק בקול גדול וואס שווגין מיר הייתי מועף אליכם הגם שהבע"ד אינו מסכים לזה שאכתב לכם כי אמר לי מי אתה שאתה כתב לאנשים כשרים כאלו הלא הם בעצמם יודעים מזה אך ב"ה כבר למד אותנו רבנו ז"ל עזות דקדשה ובפרט שרבנו ז"ל הזהיר אותנו כמה פעמים בכמה תורות ובשיחותיו הק' שידבר אחד עם חברו ביראת שמים ורבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם אוצר של יראת שמים ואין לי עם מי לדבר ע"כ אני מדבר עמכם על פני הכתב ואתם גם אתם תקימו לדבר עמי בכל עת על הכתב וגם אתם בעזרת ה' תוכלו לקים בפעל לדבר אחד עם חברו כי ב"ה יש לכם חברים בשם שיחיו לאיו"ש וגם אני אכתב לכם שב"ה זה ערך ארבעה שבועות שב"ה ר' ישראל אברהם סופר התחיל לילך אצלי בכל מוצאי שבת ואני מדבר עמו הרבה מרבנו ז"ל וגם למדתי עמו כמה תורות מרבנו ז"ל וב"ה שיש לי עם מי לדבר מרבנו ז"ל ובודאי אם נהיה אנו עוסקים בעסק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בודאי לא נהיה לריק ולית רעותא טבא דיתאביד רק יהיה הכל לטובה יותר חדשות ובטובו מחדש בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית EN: Words of those who love you, Nussun the Breslov Chassid Segment 8 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת הדוש"ת החפץ הצלחתכם EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Vayigash, 5639 (December 1878 or January 1879), from Teverya. The eternal trading partnership. Suckled out mother's milk. The heels of the Messiah's time. Holy boldness. A new study partner. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Begun Friday, Purim or Shushan Purim, Adar Sheni 5638 (late February or early March 1878); completed the following Sunday, Parshas Shemini. The letter sat two days because the postal courier could not be found. Lost letters, the Purim joy danced alone all day, and a prayer for 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש לידידנו מו"ה קלמן נ"י ולכתוב לי אם היה לו איזה ידיעה מהגט שלו ולכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה ובפרט לאו"נ היקר החסיד מו"ה איזיקלע נ"י וגם מה זה שאינכם רוצים לכתוב לי מה עשה ר' אבאלע ואיני יודע מה לחשב מזה שאין לי שום ידיעה ואני מתפלל עבורו שיתרפא ואם ח"ו שנפטר אתפלל עבור נשמתו למה תכחשו מאתי וגם מר' אפרים לכתוב לי אם בא לביתו כי הם אחינו באמת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you and from all the Anash — both those dwelling in Eretz Yisroel and those dwelling in the diaspora — in the midst of all Israel — life and peace and the fullness of good. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace and success in all your affairs which you do — and may your deeds be included in the Ten Utterances through which the world was created [עשרה מאמרות — the Ten Utterances — the ten divine pronouncements through which the world was created [Mishnah Avos 5:1]; and within them are included the Ten Commandments — עשרת הדברות; the blessing prays that all of one's mundane affairs be elevated into and included within these divine creative utterances] — in which the Ten Commandments are included — and when your soul is bound to the Torah in every deed and deed, this is not called preoccupation at all — only sacred siftings [רק ברורים — "only berurim" — the Lurianic Kabbalistic concept of the sacred clarifications and siftings by which divine sparks embedded in material reality are extracted and returned to their holy source; when one's soul is bound to the Torah in every act, the act becomes not a distraction but a birur — an act of cosmic clarification]. And do not engage as one driven by preoccupation — only in measured deliberate pace. And may Hashem Yisbarach bring you success through an easy cause — without limit. And now, my brothers my friends — it has become known to me our great shattering [משברנו הגדול — "our great shattering" — from shever — to shatter, to break violently; the word used in Lamentations for the shattering of the people; sharper and more violent than "breach" — it is a breaking that cannot easily be repaired] that has passed over us at this time — that the glory of our head, the desire of our eyes, Reb Abaleh ז"ל, has been taken from us — and the light of his Torah and his righteousness shall be bound up in the bundle of life [יצרור בצרור החיים — "shall be bound up in the bundle of life" — the specific formula from I Samuel 25:29: "the soul of my master shall be bound up in the bundle of life with Hashem your G-d"; tzror — a small bundle tied up; the souls of the righteous are gathered together and tied in a bundle before G-d; the traditional formula said for the deceased] in the midst of the souls of the Tzaddikim and Chassidim of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But upon us there is to mourn a great mourning — that there has been diminished from us from within the holy community such a great person. Therefore, my son and my brother — I have greatly asked of you to write to me: when was his passing — and whether he wrote a testament — and how, and in what manner — and whether he spoke before his passing. And also write to me whether the sons who were born to him are blessed be G-d alive and well — and upon whom he left his wealth and property for the sake of holiness. For surely you know his mind — that the Anash — namely Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine — should recite for him some Kaddish every day in Eretz Yisroel. And also I, immediately upon my learning of this — I recite Kaddish every day — for he has no son to recite Kaddish for him. And particularly in Eretz Yisroel. For we must be grateful to him — for he supported the sons of Rabbainu ז"ל until now — and also was among the upholders of Torah and among the supporters of the Yeshiva of Eretz Yisroel as well. Fortunate is he and fortunate is his portion. — surely at the hearing of the ear my soul languished [למשמע אזן דאבה נפשי — "at the hearing of the ear my soul languished" — an echo of Job 42:5 and Lamentations 3:51; davah — to languish, to faint and ache with grief; stronger than "sick" — the soul that faints and languishes under the weight of terrible news] — that he was taken from us before his time. But the Rock — His work is perfect and all His ways are justice — to declare that Hashem is straight — my Rock — and there is no injustice in Him — righteous and upright is He. And I have very greatly asked of you to write to me all that I ask of you — for my heart languishes and aches within me [לבי דוי עלי — "my heart is davoy upon me" — languishing, aching; from Jeremiah 8:18 and Lamentations; the heart that faints from grief rather than merely feeling "sick"]. Therefore I want to know how and what — for my grief is very great — and my tears are on my cheek as I remember him. For I knew the true measure of his worth — for I stood by him for four weeks in succession — and saw his fear of Heaven. Woe to us for our shattering — the bitter and the bitter-herbs [המר והמרור — "the bitter and the maror" — the Passover bitter herbs; the grief of this loss is compared to the bitterness of the maror — the ritual symbol of Egyptian slavery; the most intense, visceral bitterness; both the quality of bitterness and its specific Passover embodiment are invoked together]. May the Omnipresent comfort us in the midst of the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov And I will tell you a story that I saw with my own eyes by our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — how many years ago there was talk in the world that the children of the tribe of Dan were going and the Messiah would come — and Rabbainu ז"ל said it was a lie. And there was a certain person from the Anash who was attached to this foolishness — and when he heard that Rabbainu ז"ל did not agree and said it was a lie — this person became angry at Rabbainu ז"ל and cursed him. And the Anash wanted to push him away — and it became known to Rabbainu ז"ל — and he became angry at the Anash who wanted to push him away. And he acted as if he did not know — and drew him close. And this person afterward became a very upright man and repented over this bad thing he had done — that he had damaged the honor of his master — for he had good points in him. And particularly since he is under the force of harsh judgments — for he is very poor. And Rabbainu ז"ל said that the evil inclination is empowered by harsh judgments. Therefore my view does not lean toward this — although you blessed be G-d are upright and G-d-fearing people and exceptional in Torah more than I — only I served and stood by Rabbainu ז"ל and received from him practical law. And there are many more stories that I saw with my own eyes — and it is impossible to tell you by way of writing. Written Sunday, Parshas Vaeira, 5639 (January 1879), from Teverya. The death of Reb Abaleh ז"ל confirmed. Deep mourning. The Torah of "I will sing." The story of Reb Nosson ז"ל. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן This past week — on the day there arrived to me a letter from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, from Uman — enclosed within the letter was also a small letter to you. And I am sending it to you to give life to your soul. And I heard from one person who told me that you are in very great melancholy. I said I should write to you: for the sake of Hashem — do not grieve at all — for Hashem will be your help and He will not forsake you. For you know from before — for I wrote to you several times — that here expenses are great and income is very little — and even so Hashem Yisbarach helped and provides for all His creatures. And worries accomplish nothing at all. Here nothing accomplishes anything at all — except prayers and Psalms and supplications and very, very great joy — and not to worry at all about tomorrow's worries — blessed be G-d, day by day. For melancholy accomplishes nothing at all here — for the holiness of Eretz Yisroel cannot be received through sadness and melancholy. And every day one must in any case dance at least one dance — and trust in Hashem Yisbarach Who has shepherded us from our beginnings — and we are the people of His pasture and the flock of His hand — Who will surely watch over us with His particular divine providence — and give us life with every good. גאט האט אייך גיהאלפין און ער וועט אייך ווייטער העלפין [Yiddish: "G-d has helped you and He will continue to help you further"] — און בפרט איר זענט זיך ניט גיפארין בלי ישוב הדעת [Yiddish: "and particularly — you did not travel without settled composure of mind"] — סע האט זיך גיאווערט ארבעה שנים [Yiddish: "it took four years"] — from when it was your will to travel. And we wrote you many letters that here one must travel with the complete surrender of one's very soul [במסירות נפש — b'mesirus nefesh — "with the handing-over of the soul" — the specific term for the willingness to give over one's very life for a holy purpose; the same term used for martyrdom; to come to Eretz Yisroel with mesirus nefesh means to come prepared to surrender everything — one's entire self — to the sacred mission of living in the Holy Land; beyond ordinary self-giving] — and be in joy — and the bishlik that needs to go, let it go — in joy, without sadness and without anger — for it accomplishes nothing at all. And the sadness is the counsel of the evil inclination — in order to distract you from Torah and from prayer and from the joy of the holiness of Eretz Yisroel. And you must overpower it — only through joy. For "in joy you shall go out and in peace you shall be led" — and Hashem Yisbarach is with you and He will not forsake you all the days of your lives — for length of days and good years. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Written Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 5639 (January or February 1879), from Teverya. Reb Shmuel and his wife are in great melancholy. Joy, dance at least one dance every day. Mesirus nefesh — the surrender of one's very soul — is what was required to come to the Land. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Sunday of Vayigash I received properly — through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — with the sum of eighteen bishlikim. And you gave my soul very great life with your letter — for our eyes have been very much consumed with yearning for a letter from you. For now your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has been added to me — I want to know from him and from his son what they are doing. But I do not know what this is — that you are very much allowing things to slip [מתרשל — misrashel — to be slack and allow things to slip through negligence; from rashal — to be slack, to let things drag; stronger than merely "lax" — it conveys the specific quality of allowing things to fall away through slackness and inattention] with letters to me. Are we not brothers — and one Father to us all — and we have a partnership together in the eternal world's business — through the pillar of the world [עמוד עולם — "the pillar of the world" — the specific Talmudic title from Chagigah 12b: the world stands on one pillar whose name is Tzaddik; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל as the single pillar upon whom the eternal spiritual world rests] — which is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples. Who — he and his holy disciple — left us a great inheritance and treasuries of treasuries for thousands and for tens of thousands — to trade with them and to sell to others. And from the treasuries nothing is deficient at all — on the contrary, at all times there will be spirit upon them. And from every kind of merchandise found in all the worlds — it is found in the shop of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But we must arouse each one his companion — not to be slack in the trade — each and every one according to his strength and according to his brain [ולפי מחו — "and according to his moach" — specifically the brain, the organ of intellect; in Chassidic thought the moach is the seat of divine wisdom as it enters the person; each partner must contribute according to both their physical capacity and their intellectual-spiritual capacity] must engage for the benefit of the partnership. And each one must help his companion and arouse him in love — and with very, very great advocacy of merit — so that the love between us not be damaged in any way — for "our whole matter hangs on affection" [אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא — Aramaic: "our whole matter — it hangs on love / affection" — from the Talmud; chavivusa — warm affectionate love; the entire bond and success depends specifically on this love] — and we need peace that has a mouth — so that each one can speak with his companion in love and arouse him. My brothers my friends — since we are called by the name of Rabbainu — therefore we must educate ourselves at all times with a new beginning — to walk in his true ways — in which he labored and toiled all his holy days — and suckled out mother's milk for our sake — to guide us on the straight and true path — the path that our forefathers walked from eternity. But they forgot it — and Rabbainu ז"ל came and restored it with additional deep counsels — to give us life even in the very depths of our fall — in these the heels of the Messiah's time. And he warned us not to be lazy — those who are called שלימזאלניקיס. And we can also reach the illumination of the supernal will. And according to the explanation — as the words of our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — we should not be lazy by saying "who am I that I should merit the illumination of the will" — this itself is called laziness. Rather each one of us can so pine and yearn toward the Almighty — קען זיך אזוי פאר ביינקין צום אייבירשטין — and should always cry out: רבש"ע איך וויל פארט זיין באמת איין יוד אין וויל פארט אז מיין רצון זאל נכלל ווערין ברצונך האין סוף [Yiddish: "Master of the World — I truly want to be a Jew — I truly want that my will should be absorbed in Your infinite will"]. Therefore we must spend our days and our years on the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples — for they illuminate even within darkness — within our darkness — to arouse us. For they rouse the sleeping from their slumber — and they will not allow even a single day to pass us without repentance. And if we engage in them more — they will not allow us even a single hour without a thought of repentance. What can I say to you? — although I am a small tree among the smallest compared to you — yet Rabbainu ז"ל already said that with a small tree one can light a large tree. Therefore — לאמיר ניט פאר שלאפין אינזערי יאר אין טעג בעסק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' [Yiddish: "let us not sleep away our years and days in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple"] — surely when Hashem Yisbarach had mercy on us and made known to us this hidden light — almost from the entire world — and even G-d-fearing people do not know about this — and upon us Hashem Yisbarach had mercy from the standpoint of the innate mysterious virtue [מצד הסגלה — "from the standpoint of the segulah" — the specific Chassidic-Kabbalistic term for an innate mysterious spiritual virtue or potency; as if those who follow Rabbainu ז"ל carry a particular segulah-quality that brought divine mercy upon them; not merely "special quality" but a mysterious, intrinsic potency]. ע"כ לאמיר ניט שלאפין לאמיר גראבין אין דיא אוצרות [Yiddish: "therefore let us not sleep — let us dig into the treasuries"]. And that night I studied the Torah "and now let there please be a double portion of your spirit upon me, Eliyahu" — and afterward I studied in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Robbery, on the Torah "nine tikkunim" — and I was so aroused — that if I had wings to fly to you — to cry out in a great voice — וואס שווגין מיר [Yiddish: "what are we silent about?!"] — I would have flown to you. Although the adversary does not agree with my writing to you — for he said to me: who are you to write to people as upright as these — surely they themselves know about this. But blessed be G-d — Rabbainu ז"ל has already taught us holy boldness. And particularly Rabbainu ז"ל warned us many times in many Torah discourses and in his holy conversations — that one should speak with his companion about the fear of Heaven. And Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are a treasury of the fear of Heaven. And I have no one with whom to speak — therefore I speak with you by way of writing. And you as well — you should also fulfill speaking with me at all times by way of writing. And you also — with the help of Hashem — will be able to fulfill in actual deed speaking one with another — for blessed be G-d you have companions there, may they live — for length of days and years. And I will also inform you — blessed be G-d — that for approximately four weeks now — blessed be G-d — Reb Yisroel Avraham the scribe has begun to come to me every Motzei Shabbos — and I speak with him much about Rabbainu ז"ל — and I have also studied with him several Torah discourses of Rabbainu ז"ל. And blessed be G-d that I have someone with whom to speak about Rabbainu ז"ל. And surely if we engage in the business of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — we will surely not be laboring to futility and emptiness. [לריק — "to emptiness, to futility" — from rik — empty, void; the specific emptiness of effort that leaves nothing behind; we will not labor to nothingness] And there is no good desire that is ever lost [ולית רעותא טבא דיתאביד — Aramaic: "and there is no good desire that is lost" — from the Zoharic literature; every genuine desire toward good, even unfulfilled, is preserved and will bear fruit]. Rather everything will be for good. More news — and in His goodness He renews each day always the work of Creation. Your friend, your truly beloved, who always seeks your welfare, who desires your success, Nussun from Breslov Words of those who love you, Nussun the Breslov Chassid Written Wednesday, Parshas Vayigash, 5639 (December 1878 or January 1879), from Teverya. The eternal trading partnership. Suckled out mother's milk. The heels of the Messiah's time. Holy boldness. A new study partner. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: דברי אוהבכם EN: Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. Segment 12 HE: נתן ברסלבר חסיד EN: And regarding what you wrote — that all the Anash agreed together to give one grosh from each ruble on behalf of our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — I also agree. And also in my letter I wrote that you should receive one and a half bishlikim for the Anash to divide among them. Now receive only one bishlik — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent — and divide it as I wrote to you: to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — equal to equal. And the remainder will go with the letter of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, that is written on my letter — and surely he will receive the money from you. And if you see that even so he does not want to receive it — send it with the donkey-driver Zeidel, as I wrote to you in my letter from yesterday — for the money is urgently needed by me now before the holy Passover. And I need to settle a little money with my sister as well. # ו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/6/ ו ו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/6 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' תבוא תרל"ה טבריא תו"ת EN: Sunday, the Torah portion of Tavo [Parshas Tavo — the Torah portion containing the great blessings and the fearsome curses; it falls in late August or early September, just before Rosh Hashana — the writer is standing at the very threshold of Elul], 5635 [= 1875 CE] — Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: ה' הטוב והמטיב הוא ייטיב לכם הכתיבה והחתימה טובה בתוך כל ישראל אמן EN: Your true beloved, Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda Segment 3 HE: לכבוד הרב הותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם המפלא ומפלג או"נ מו"ה צבי ולכבוד בנכם המפלא ומפלג או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל בני ביתכם EN: May Hashem Who is good and Who does good bestow upon you a good inscription and a good sealing — in the midst of all Israel — Omain. [The High Holiday blessing for a favorable judgment, with the addition "in the midst of all Israel" — the writer prays not for them alone but for the entire Jewish people together with them.] Segment 4 HE: תל"ח ב"ה ב"ה פה אתנו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע בכל עת החיים והשלום בגוף ונפש וממון ובאריכת ימים ושנים טובים בגשמיות וברוחניות אנס"ו EN: To the honor of the senior rabbi, veteran Chassid, discerning and wise, wondrous and exceptional — our ohavainu — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi — and to the honor of your son, the wondrous and exceptional, our ohavainu — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon all the members of your household. Segment 5 HE: אחרי דרישת שלומכם הטוב באתי בבקשה גדולה מאת מעלתכם איך שאני רוצה אי"ה לנסע לירושלים עיר הקודש עם זוג' תח' ועם אחותי ואין לי לעת עתה על הוצאות ואי"ה אחר יו"ט סכות יהיה לי מעות ע"כ אני מבקש מאת מעלתכם להלוות לי סך ארבע מאות גר' ואי"ה בחצי חדש מרחשון לא יאחר אסלק לכם עד פרוטה אחרונה בלי שום חשש כי אין אני רוצה לנסע לעיר הקודש ח"ו בממון של אחרים ואם היה לאחותי תח' מעות הלויתי אצלה אך מחמת הבהלה שהיה בכאן נמצאים אנשים שחיבים לה ואינם בכאן לתבע אותם ע"כ אני מכרח לבקש מכם שתעשו אתם הגמילות חסד אתי ואני בטוח בהשי"ת שלזמן הנ"ל אסלק לכם ולא אגמל ח"ו רע מול טוב שתעשו עמדי EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — Blessed be He, Blessed be He [תל"ח ב"ה ב"ה] — here with us is life and peace. May I merit to hear at all times life and peace — in body, and in soul, and in money [בגוף ונפש וממון — the writer enumerates three distinct categories: the body, the soul, and financial wellbeing; mammon — money — is named explicitly and without apology, as it is a real and legitimate human need] — with length of days and good years, in material matters and in spiritual matters. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. [אנס"ו — "Omain, forever, Selah, and ever."] Segment 6 HE: ואם תרצו למלאת בקשתי תשלחו לי ע"י הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י לר' דב נאמן שלו ועם מוסר כתב זה תשלחו לי מכתב איך ומה ומחמת גדל בטחוני שזה לא חסר וזה נהנה קצרתי ואמר שלום לכם ולכל בני ביתכם EN: After inquiring after your good welfare, I have come with a great request of your distinguished selves: I wish — G-d willing — to travel to Yerushalayim, the Holy City, together with my wife, may she live, and with my sister. And I do not have at this time the means for the expenses. And G-d willing, after the festival of Sukkos [the Festival of Tabernacles, falling in the autumn, approximately two to three weeks after Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur] I will have money. Therefore I am requesting of your distinguished selves to lend me the sum of four hundred groshen. And G-d willing, by the middle of the month of Marcheshvan [the month following Tishrei, roughly October–November; approximately six to seven weeks after Sukkos] — without any delay — I will repay you to the last penny, without any doubt whatsoever. For I do not wish — G-d forbid — to travel to the Holy City with the money of others [a striking principle: he refuses to arrive in Yerushalayim in spiritual and financial debt — the sanctity of the journey demands that it be his own]. And if my sister, may she live, had money I would borrow it from her — but on account of the panic and disruption that has been here, there are people who owe her money and they are not here for her to claim it from them. Therefore I am compelled to ask of you that you do this act of gemilus chassadim [an act of loving-kindness — lending without interest is itself a great mitzvah] with me. And I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that by the stated time I will repay you — and I will not repay — G-d forbid [ח"ו — chalilah — a second, emphatic invocation of "G-d forbid," applying to the very thought of repaying evil for good] — evil in return for the good that you will do for me. Segment 7 HE: השי"ת יתן לנו אלול טוב בתשובה שלמה כאשר הודיע לנו רבנו ז"ל ובדעתי אי"ה לנסע אי"ה בצום גדליה הבא עלינו לטובה EN: And if you wish to fulfill my request, send it to me through the nagid [nagid — a communal leader of standing and means] Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — to Reb Dov, his trusted agent. And together with the conveying of this letter, send me a letter explaining how and what. And on account of my great confidence that this will not fall short — and this one benefits while this one loses nothing [זה לא חסר וזה נהנה — the Talmudic principle: zeh neheneh v'zeh lo chaser — "this one benefits and this one loses nothing"; the writer applies it to the act of lending: the lender is not diminished while the borrower is greatly helped] — I have been brief and say peace to you and to all the members of your household. May Hashem Yisbarach give us a good Elul [Elul — the month of spiritual preparation before Rosh Hashana; a time of repentance, prayer, and return to G-d] — with complete teshuvah, as Rabbainu ז"ל has taught us [not merely as a general wish but as a specific Breslov teaching: how to make a true Elul]. And my intention — G-d willing — is to travel, G-d willing, on Tzom Gedalyah [the Fast of Gedaliah — observed on the 3rd of Tishrei, the day after the two days of Rosh Hashana; it commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam, the last Jewish governor of Israel after the Babylonian destruction; the writer plans to depart for Yerushalayim on that solemn day], which is coming upon us for good. Segment 8 HE: השי"ת יתן לנו כתיבה וחתימה טובה לנו ולכל בני ביתנו ולבנינו ולבנותינו EN: May Hashem Yisbarach give us a good inscription and a good sealing — for us and for all the members of our household, and for our sons, and for our daughters. Segment 9 HE: הקטן EN: May Hashem Yisbarach give us a good inscription and a good sealing — for us and for all the members of our household, and for our sons, and for our daughters. Segment 10 HE: נתן בן אדני אבי מו"ה יהודא זללה"ה EN: The small one [הקטן — "the small one" — a formula of genuine humility: I consider myself the least among you] Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש לכל אחד ואחד באהבה עזה כי אנן בחביבותא תליא' כי אנו כלנו קבוץ אחד עם הקבוץ שיתאספו על ציון הק' של רבנו ז"ל על ר"ה הק' וגם בשבוע העבר שלחתי לבנכם ר' נתן נ"י מכתב ג"כ בקשתי להשיב לי תשובה על כל דבר מה שכתבתי לו וגם להודיע לי מנכדכם נ"י מה הוא עשה וגם מהדירה שלכם איך ומה יהיה הסוף מהמשכנתא וגם לכתוב לי מה עשה אשת ידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י EN: Nussun, son of my lord my father [נתן בן אדני אבי — ben adoni avi — "son of my lord, my father" — a tender and reverent formula, combining the title of lordship with the intimacy of fatherhood; not a mere honorific but an expression of deep love and veneration], Morainu v'Rabbainu Yehuda [זללה"ה — may the memory of the holy and righteous be a blessing] Segment 12 HE: דברי המעתיר בעדכם בכל עת EN: And convey greetings of peace to all the Anash — each and every one — with strong love. For we all depend upon, we are all suspended in, this love [כי אנן בחביבותא תליא' — Aramaic from the Zohar: our entire spiritual existence is suspended in and held together by the love between us]. For we are all one gathering — one with the gathering that will assemble at the holy resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל for the holy Rosh Hashana [an explicit reference to the Breslov practice of traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashana to pray at the grave of Rabbainu ז"ל — a practice already deeply established at this time, more than sixty years after Rabbainu's passing in 1810]. And also last week I sent to your son Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, a letter — and I also asked him therein to reply to me on every matter that I wrote to him: and to inform me of your grandson, may his candle shine — what has become of him; and about your apartment — how and what will be the outcome of the mortgage; and also to write to me what has become of the wife of our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine. Words of one who pleads on your behalf at all times, Nussun, the above-mentioned. Segment 13 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us are in the way of life. Would that Hashem Yisbarach remove the weakness of the heart from the wife [מ' יד"ל — an abbreviated name; yad"l likely stands for yichyeh l'orech yomim — "may she live for length of days" — or is an abbreviated personal name], may she live — of the recipient. [The writer opens not with the standard health formula but with a direct, heartfelt prayer for the recipient's wife — her cardiac condition is foremost in his mind and heart.] # ס URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/60/ ס ס Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/60 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' וארא תרט"ל פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace and success in all your affairs which you do — and may your deeds be included in the Ten Utterances through which the world was created [עשרה מאמרות — the Ten Utterances — the ten divine pronouncements through which the world was created [Mishnah Avos 5:1]; and within them are included the Ten Commandments — עשרת הדברות; the blessing prays that all of one's mundane affairs be elevated into and included within these divine creative utterances] — in which the Ten Commandments are included — and when your soul is bound to the Torah in every deed and deed, this is not called preoccupation at all — only sacred siftings [רק ברורים — "only berurim" — the Lurianic Kabbalistic concept of the sacred clarifications and siftings by which divine sparks embedded in material reality are extracted and returned to their holy source; when one's soul is bound to the Torah in every act, the act becomes not a distraction but a birur — an act of cosmic clarification]. And do not engage as one driven by preoccupation — only in measured deliberate pace. And may Hashem Yisbarach bring you success through an easy cause — without limit. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ ותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י ולכבוד אביך ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם המפלא ומפלג וכו' וכו' מו"ה צבי נ"י ולכבוד חמיך היקר או"נ באמת ובתמים מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And now, my brothers my friends — it has become known to me our great shattering [משברנו הגדול — "our great shattering" — from shever — to shatter, to break violently; the word used in Lamentations for the shattering of the people; sharper and more violent than "breach" — it is a breaking that cannot easily be repaired] that has passed over us at this time — that the glory of our head, the desire of our eyes, Reb Abaleh ז"ל, has been taken from us — and the light of his Torah and his righteousness shall be bound up in the bundle of life [יצרור בצרור החיים — "shall be bound up in the bundle of life" — the specific formula from I Samuel 25:29: "the soul of my master shall be bound up in the bundle of life with Hashem your G-d"; tzror — a small bundle tied up; the souls of the righteous are gathered together and tied in a bundle before G-d; the traditional formula said for the deceased] in the midst of the souls of the Tzaddikim and Chassidim of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But upon us there is to mourn a great mourning — that there has been diminished from us from within the holy community such a great person. Therefore, my son and my brother — I have greatly asked of you to write to me: when was his passing — and whether he wrote a testament — and how, and in what manner — and whether he spoke before his passing. And also write to me whether the sons who were born to him are blessed be G-d alive and well — and upon whom he left his wealth and property for the sake of holiness. For surely you know his mind — that the Anash — namely Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine — should recite for him some Kaddish every day in Eretz Yisroel. And also I, immediately upon my learning of this — I recite Kaddish every day — for he has no son to recite Kaddish for him. And particularly in Eretz Yisroel. For we must be grateful to him — for he supported the sons of Rabbainu ז"ל until now — and also was among the upholders of Torah and among the supporters of the Yeshiva of Eretz Yisroel as well. Fortunate is he and fortunate is his portion. — surely at the hearing of the ear my soul languished [למשמע אזן דאבה נפשי — "at the hearing of the ear my soul languished" — an echo of Job 42:5 and Lamentations 3:51; davah — to languish, to faint and ache with grief; stronger than "sick" — the soul that faints and languishes under the weight of terrible news] — that he was taken from us before his time. But the Rock — His work is perfect and all His ways are justice — to declare that Hashem is straight — my Rock — and there is no injustice in Him — righteous and upright is He. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה כלנו פה בחיים ושלום כן אזכה לשמע מכם בכל עת החיים והשלום והצלחה בכל עסקיכם אשר אתם עשים ויהיה מעשיכם נכלל בעשרה מאמרות אשר בהם נכלל עשרת הדברות וכשתהיה נפשכם קשורה בהתורה בכל עשיה ועשיה אין זה נקרא טרדות כלל רק ברורים ולא תעסק בטרדה רק במתינות והשי"ת יצליח לכם בסבה קלה א"ס EN: And I have very greatly asked of you to write to me all that I ask of you — for my heart languishes and aches within me [לבי דוי עלי — "my heart is davoy upon me" — languishing, aching; from Jeremiah 8:18 and Lamentations; the heart that faints from grief rather than merely feeling "sick"]. Therefore I want to know how and what — for my grief is very great — and my tears are on my cheek as I remember him. For I knew the true measure of his worth — for I stood by him for four weeks in succession — and saw his fear of Heaven. Woe to us for our shattering — the bitter and the bitter-herbs [המר והמרור — "the bitter and the maror" — the Passover bitter herbs; the grief of this loss is compared to the bitterness of the maror — the ritual symbol of Egyptian slavery; the most intense, visceral bitterness; both the quality of bitterness and its specific Passover embodiment are invoked together]. May the Omnipresent comfort us in the midst of the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim. Segment 4 HE: ועתה אחי ידידי נודע לי משברנו הגדול שעבר עלינו בעת הזאת אשר נלקח מאתנו פאר ראשנו מחמד עינינו ר' אבאלע זצ"ל אשר אור תורתו וצדקתו יצרור בצרור החיים בתוך נשמות הצדיקים והחסידים של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אך עלינו לספד מספד רב שנחסר לנו מתוך הקבוץ הק' אדם גדול כזה ע"כ בני ואחי מאד בקשתי ממך לכתוב לי מתי היה הסתלקותו ואם כתב צוואה ואיך ובאיזה אופן ואם דבר קדם הסתלקותו וגם לכתוב לי אם הבנים שנולדו לו עתה הם ב"ה חיים וקימים ועל מי השאיר הונו ורכושו דקדשה כי בודאי אתם יודעים בדעתו שאנ"ש הינו ר' נחמן נ"י ור' איצילע נ"י ור' דב נ"י יאמרו עבורו בכל יום איזה קדיש בא"י וגם אני תכף שנודע לי אני אמר בכל יום קדיש כי אין לו בן לומר קדיש עבורו ובפרט בא"י כי אנו צריכין להחזיק לו טובה שהחזיק בני רבנו ז"ל עד עתה וגם היה מתומכי אוריתא ממחזיקי ישיבת א"י ג"כ אשרי לו ואשרי חלקו הלא למשמע אזן דאבה נפשי שנלקח מאתנו קדם הזמן אך הצור תמים פעלו וכל דרכיו משפט להגיד כי ישר ה' צורי ולא עולתה בו צדיק וישר הוא EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומאד בקשתי ממך לכתוב לי מה שאני מבקש אותך כי לבי דוי עלי ע"כ אני רוצה לידע איך ומה כי צערי גדול עד למאד ודמעתי על לחיי בזכרי אותו כי אני ידעתי עיקר ערכו כי אני עמדתי אצלו ארבעה שבועות כסדר וראיתי היראת שמים שלו אוי לנו על שברנו המר והמרור המקום ינחם אותנו בתוך אבלי ציון וירושלים EN: And I will tell you a story that I saw with my own eyes by our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — how many years ago there was talk in the world that the children of the tribe of Dan were going and the Messiah would come — and Rabbainu ז"ל said it was a lie. And there was a certain person from the Anash who was attached to this foolishness — and when he heard that Rabbainu ז"ל did not agree and said it was a lie — this person became angry at Rabbainu ז"ל and cursed him. And the Anash wanted to push him away — and it became known to Rabbainu ז"ל — and he became angry at the Anash who wanted to push him away. And he acted as if he did not know — and drew him close. And this person afterward became a very upright man and repented over this bad thing he had done — that he had damaged the honor of his master — for he had good points in him. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — both those dwelling in Eretz Yisroel and those dwelling in the diaspora. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your small letter I received last week. And it is a wonder in my eyes that I have had no reply at all from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — nor from Reb Boruch the Dubnerian, may his candle shine — what he says — since I have no rest from his landlord. And now I come to ask of you: perhaps you have some news about our friend Reb Abaleh, may his candle shine — and you do not want to write it to me — and it is impossible for you to imagine my grief from not being informed. And perhaps our friend Reb Aitzikel came and brought some news. And also as it appears — surely our friend the veteran Chassid Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, is also compelled to be in his home — what is this that we have no news from him at all? Therefore I ask of you: immediately — the moment you have any news — immediately send it to me. And also if Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, comes and has letters from my sons and daughters from the diaspora — send them to me immediately through a trustworthy person. And also if there is any news from the diaspora via the post — inform me as well about your brother, may his candle shine. And also write to me if there is any news about the divorce document from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — inform us as well. And whether your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has already purchased all the hides — and how the price of hides stands now — how the price has risen. And about your health as well write to me — for here I have had the joint ailment for three weeks already — but blessed be G-d — by extraordinary grace, beyond the regular order of things. And my wife and my sister, may they live — they have had for three days — may the Merciful One protect them — a fever — and moreover something that beats in her stomach like a drum. May Hashem Yisbarach save them from now on in the midst of all of Israel. Segment 8 HE: איך ששמעתי שר' קלמן נ"י היה לו עזות נגד הכלל ונגד הפרט ואתם מרחיקים אותו הרחקה גדולה עבור זה הגם שלפי האמת ראוי להרחיקו אך זה האמת הוא מהכת שאמרו אל יברא אבל רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם דנים דין אמת לאמתו ולפי דעתי אין צריכין להרחיקו כי רבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש אין זה מלאכה להרחיק אדם זוהי מלאכה לקרב ולרומם האדם וזה אמר רבנו ז"ל על הצדיק מבארדיטשוב שהשפיל איש אחד ובפרט שבזה הלילה למדתי התורה אזמרה' והזהיר מאד רבנו ז"ל לילך עם זה התורה ורבנו ז"ל סים ספרו עם זה התורה ואדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל התחיל ספריו הק' בזה התורה ע"כ אנו מכרחין בכל כחנו לילך בדרך זה EN: And particularly since he is under the force of harsh judgments — for he is very poor. And Rabbainu ז"ל said that the evil inclination is empowered by harsh judgments. Therefore my view does not lean toward this — although you blessed be G-d are upright and G-d-fearing people and exceptional in Torah more than I — only I served and stood by Rabbainu ז"ל and received from him practical law. And there are many more stories that I saw with my own eyes — and it is impossible to tell you by way of writing. Segment 9 HE: ואני אספר לכם מעשה שראיתי בעיני אצל אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל איך לפני כמה וכמה שנים דברו בעולם שבני דן הולכים ומשיח יבא ורבנו ז"ל אמר ששקר הוא והיה איש אחד מאנ"ש שהיה אדוק בשטות זה וכששמע שרבנו ז"ל אינו מסכים לזה ואמר ששקר כעס האיש על רבנו ז"ל וקלל אותו ורצו אנ"ש לדחק אותו ונודע לרבנו ז"ל וכעס על אנ"ש שרצו לדחקו והוא עשה עצמו כלא יודע וקרב אותו והיה האיש הזה אח"כ איש כשר מאד ועשה תשובה על הדבר הרע הזה שפגם בכבוד רבו כי היו לו נקדות טובות EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Vaeira, 5639 (January 1879), from Teverya. The death of Reb Abaleh ז"ל confirmed. Deep mourning. The Torah of "I will sing." The story of Reb Nosson ז"ל. Segment 10 HE: ובפרט שהוא בתקף הדינים כי הוא עני גדול ורבנו ז"ל אמר שהיצר הרע הוא מתקף הדינים ע"כ אין דעתי נוטה לזה הגם שאתם ב"ה אנשים כשרים ויראים ומפלגים בתורה יותר ממני רק אני הייתי משרת ועומד אצל רבנו ז"ל וקבלתי מאתו הלכה למעשה ועוד יש מעשיות הרבה שראיתי בעיני וא"א לספר לכם על פני הכתב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Therefore, my friend, my beloved brothers — have compassion upon yourselves — and be strong with fresh ardent longing and with fresh will — and engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciples — for they are life to those who bring them forth in their mouths. And you are still in your youth — and fix them in your hearts as ink written on fresh paper. On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. # סא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/61/ סא סא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/61 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' בשלח תרט"ל לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: This past week — on the day there arrived to me a letter from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, from Uman — enclosed within the letter was also a small letter to you. And I am sending it to you to give life to your soul. And I heard from one person who told me that you are in very great melancholy. I said I should write to you: for the sake of Hashem — do not grieve at all — for Hashem will be your help and He will not forsake you. For you know from before — for I wrote to you several times — that here expenses are great and income is very little — and even so Hashem Yisbarach helped and provides for all His creatures. And worries accomplish nothing at all. Here nothing accomplishes anything at all — except prayers and Psalms and supplications and very, very great joy — and not to worry at all about tomorrow's worries — blessed be G-d, day by day. For melancholy accomplishes nothing at all here — for the holiness of Eretz Yisroel cannot be received through sadness and melancholy. And every day one must in any case dance at least one dance — and trust in Hashem Yisbarach Who has shepherded us from our beginnings — and we are the people of His pasture and the flock of His hand — Who will surely watch over us with His particular divine providence — and give us life with every good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ הרבני הנגיד מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' הצנועה מ' זל"ר תח' עם שלום בנכם מו"ה נחמן נ"י EN: גאט האט אייך גיהאלפין און ער וועט אייך ווייטער העלפין [Yiddish: "G-d has helped you and He will continue to help you further"] — און בפרט איר זענט זיך ניט גיפארין בלי ישוב הדעת [Yiddish: "and particularly — you did not travel without settled composure of mind"] — סע האט זיך גיאווערט ארבעה שנים [Yiddish: "it took four years"] — from when it was your will to travel. And we wrote you many letters that here one must travel with the complete surrender of one's very soul [במסירות נפש — b'mesirus nefesh — "with the handing-over of the soul" — the specific term for the willingness to give over one's very life for a holy purpose; the same term used for martyrdom; to come to Eretz Yisroel with mesirus nefesh means to come prepared to surrender everything — one's entire self — to the sacred mission of living in the Holy Land; beyond ordinary self-giving] — and be in joy — and the bishlik that needs to go, let it go — in joy, without sadness and without anger — for it accomplishes nothing at all. And the sadness is the counsel of the evil inclination — in order to distract you from Torah and from prayer and from the joy of the holiness of Eretz Yisroel. And you must overpower it — only through joy. For "in joy you shall go out and in peace you shall be led" — and Hashem Yisbarach is with you and He will not forsake you all the days of your lives — for length of days and good years. Segment 3 HE: הנה בשבוע העבר ביום הגיעני מכתב מחתני ישראל נ"י מאומן והיה רצוף בהמכתב לידכם ג"כ מכתב קטן ואני שולח לכם להחיות נפשכם ושמעתי מאיש אחד שאמר לי שאתם במרה שחורה מאד אמרתי לכתוב לכם למען ה' אל תעצבו כלל כי ה' יהיה בעזרכם ולא יעזב אתכם כי הלא אתם ידעתם מקדם כי כתבתי לכם כמה פעמים שבכאן הוצאה מרבה והכנסה מועטת מאד ואעפ"כ עזר השי"ת ומפרנס לכל בריותיו והדאגות אינם מועילים כלל בכאן אין מועיל כלל כי אם תפלות ותהלים ותחנונים ושמחה הרבה הרבה ושלא לדאג כלל דאגות מחר ב"ה יום יום כי מרה שחורה אינו מועיל כלל בכאן כי קדשת א"י אינם יכולין לקבל בעצבות ומרה שחורה ובכל יום צריכין עכ"פ לרקד רקוד אחד ולבטח בהשי"ת הרעה אותנו מעודנו ואנחנו עם מרעיתו וצאן ידו שבודאי ישגיח עלינו בהשגחתו הפרטית ויחיה אותנו בכל טוב EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 4 HE: גאט האט אייך גיהאלפין און ער וועט אייך ווייטער העלפין און בפרט איר זענט זיך ניט גיפארין בלי ישוב הדעת סע האט זיך גיאווערט ארבעה שנים מעת שהיה רצונכם לנסע וכמה מכתבים כתבנו לכם שבכאן צריכין לנסע במסירות נפש ולהיות בשמחה והבישליק שצריך לילך ילך בשמחה בלא עצבות ובלא כעס כי אינו מועיל כלל והעצבות היא העצת יצר הרע בכדי להטריד אתכם מתורה ומתפילה ומשמחת קדשת א"י ואתם צריכין להתגבר עליו רק בשמחה כי בשמחה תצאו ובשלום תובלון והשי"ת עמכם ולא יעזב אתכם כל ימי חייכם לאיוש"ט EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Beshalach, 5639 (January or February 1879), from Teverya. Reb Shmuel and his wife are in great melancholy. Joy, dance at least one dance every day. Mesirus nefesh — the surrender of one's very soul — is what was required to come to the Land. Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 59 | נט (Nun-Tes) Segment 7 HE: החונה פה טבריא תו"ת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 59 | נט (Nun-Tes) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 59 # סב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/62/ סב סב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/62 Segment 2 HE: תרט"ל לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת שלום וישע רב לאו"נ ב"א יקירי המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י ושלום אביך היקר המפלא ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם וכו' ידידי עז מו"ה צבי נ"י ובשלום ידידנו הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נחמן נ"י והותיק וחסיד ר' איצילע נ"י והותיק וחסיד ר' דב נ"י וכל אנ"ש שיחיו EN: As I received a letter from our friend the renowned veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Efraim, may his candle shine — that he is not in good health at all — and is unable to go even to the synagogue. Therefore he commanded me to write to you — that all of us pray for him. And he also wrote to me to tell his grandson Morainu v'Rabbainu Naftali, may his candle shine, that he has no support to lean on from him — therefore for the sake of Hashem — cast aside the ways of youth and walk on the straight path — the path that his forefathers walked. And surely it will be good. And also a small letter from the brother-in-law Reb Nussun son of Reb Yosef — I am sending to you — enclosed here. And also Reb Dov, may his candle shine, told me that Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, wrote to him to give me the money on behalf of the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live. And today I gave her two bishlikim — for she is drinking fish oil — and she told my wife that her cough [ההוסט — der hust — Yiddish: "the cough" — from the German/Yiddish Husten; a code-switch into Yiddish for the medical symptom within an otherwise Hebrew sentence] has somewhat eased. And she does not want a doctor at all — rather she said that Hashem Yisbarach is the Doctor. May Hashem Yisbarach send her healing together with all the sick of His people Israel. And for your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — swiftly and soon — and may Hashem Yisbarach merit us with this good tiding swiftly and soon. And may the One Who has mercy on all creatures have mercy on him — on Yisroel Aryeh son of Dvoyasi Rivkah — with settled composure of mind and a complete healing. One who truly loves you — as beloved brothers, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda ז"ל Segment 3 HE: איך שקבלתי מכתב מידידנו הרב הותיק והחסיד המפרסם מו"ה ר' אפרים נ"י איך שאינו בקו הבריאה כלל ואינו יכול לילך אפילו לביהכנ"ס ע"כ צוה עלי לכתוב אליכם שכלנו נתפלל עליו וגם כתב לי שתאמרו לנכדו מו"ה נפתלי נ"י שאין לו שום סמיכה עליו ע"כ למען ה' להשליך מעשה נערות ולילך בדרך הישר בדרך שדרכו בו אבותיו ובודאי יהיה טוב וגם מכתב קטן מש"ב ר' נתן ב"ר יוסף אני שולח לכם ששלח אצלכם רצוף פה וגם ר' דב נ"י אמר לי שר' חיים יהושע נ"י כתב לו שיתן לי המעות עבור ש"ב מ' סאסיא תח' והיום נתתי לה שני בישליקיס כי היא שותה שמן דגים ואמרה לזוג' שמעט הוקל לה ההוסט ודאקטיר אין רצונה כלל לקרא רק אמ' שהשי"ת הוא הדאקטיר השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה עם כל חולי עמו ישראל ולבנכם מו"ה ישראל אריה נ"י חיש מהר ויזכה אותנו השי"ת בהבשורה טובה הזה חיש מהר והמרחם על הבריות ירחם עליו על ישראל אריה בן דוואסי רבקה בדעת מישב וברפואה שלמה EN: All the letters from last week I received properly — but I have no leisure to write to you — because I received a letter by post from Amsterdam — concerning my money — that there is confidence in the matter. Segment 6 HE: אוהבך באמת כאחים אהובים כל המכתבים משבוע העבר קבלתי לנכון אך אין לי פנאי לכתוב לכם מחמת שהגיע לי מכתב מפאסט אמשטרדם מכח המעות שלי שיש בטחון לדבר EN: And you, Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — you and our beloved my precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizikl, may his candle shine — study in Likutay Halachos, Laws of the Even HaEzer, Laws of Procreation, law 5 — study the entire law — or at least paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13 — and you will know how to conduct yourselves — and even with Reb Naftali, may his candle shine, the grandson of Reb Efraim. For that which caused Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi to merit entering the Garden of Eden while still alive — is what he studied with those afflicted with skin disease — in particular the business of Rabbainu ז"ל is not an empty thing. Undated, 5639. Reb Efraim gravely ill. Miriam Sasia drinking fish oil — the cough somewhat eased. Amsterdam money yields hope. Study Laws of Procreation in Likutay Halachos. Segment 7 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה ואתה ר' קלמן נ"י תלמדו אתה ואו"נ בני חביבי מו"ה איזיקלע נ"י בלקוטי הלכות אבן העזר הלכות פריה ורביה הלכה ה' למדו כל ההלכה או עכ"פ אות י' יא' יב' יג' ותדעו איך להתנהג את עצמכם ואפילו עם ר' נפתלי נ"י נכד ר' אפרים נ"י כי מה שזכה רבי יהושע בן לוי שיכנס לג"ע חי הוא מה שלמד עם בעלי ראתן ר"ל בפרט עסק רבנו ז"ל אינו דבר ריק EN: One who truly loves you forever, Nussun from Breslov Here in Teverya. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Tuesday, the 11th of Beshalach, I received properly. And I had no leisure to reply to you — because I was not in good health. For these two months a certain rib on my left side has been painful — beyond reckoning. And sometimes two days pass that I do not feel the pain as much — and sometimes a day comes when my pain has greatly increased — such that when I am sitting and need to stand or to turn, I cry out involuntarily from the pain. And my sister as well is not fully in good health. And one letter has been lying with me to send to you — and I had no one through whom to send it. And now I come to reply to you about what Reb Dovber, may his candle shine, told you — that he wishes to send the sister-in-law to your settlement. Know that this is not my wish. Rather — she was by him and told him that here there is not to be found anyone to nurse the infant. And also her mother-in-law — איז איהר נישט געטריי כמו אם אחרת [Yiddish: "is not as devoted to her as a real mother would be"] — and also several more words she said to him about her — that I am unable to write in the open field [על פני השדה — "on the face of the open field" — an idiom for the public domain, the open sphere where anyone might read; the writer cannot write these things "on the face of the field" — openly and publicly in a letter that circulates]. And a certain person from Tzfas told her that he will give her lodging in Tzfas free of charge — and there she will find someone to nurse the infant. And she also told him that she feels in herself — that if she goes to her home in Tzfas she will renew her strength — for her mother-in-law in front of other people presents herself as being — קלאמירשט געטריי [Yiddish: "supposedly devoted, ostensibly caring"] — but between herself and herself — עסן זיא זיך [Yiddish: "they eat each other up — they are in constant friction"] — and the sister-in-law, because of her weakness, is irritable. And beyond this there are many things — from Wednesday of the Torah portion of Beshalach until now I have given her six bishlikim. And in the end my wife was there today — and she had no meat the whole day. And beyond this she also has the fever — and she has no appetite at all to eat — only she craves sour things — and she is not permitted to eat them. And the doctor — the sister-in-law does not want in any manner. And even so I did not agree to her traveling to Tzfas — because I knew that you yourselves are wandering without a fixed place. And she is drinking fish brine — as people told her to drink. And she had wanted to drink donkey's milk — but it is still not available — only until after two weeks. And my wife goes to her nearly every day. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her young years — and send her a complete healing. For now — איז גאר נישט גוט — it is not good at all — Hashem Yisbarach can improve — the salvation of Hashem is as the blink of an eye. מיר זאגן איהר אז זי זאל נישט זייגן התינוק [Yiddish: "we tell her that she should not nurse the infant"] — און זי זאל נישט זיצן עם הבעל [Yiddish: "and she should not sit with her husband"] — זאלט זי זעגט נישט מער ווי שלשה פעמים במעת לעת [Yiddish: "she should nurse no more than three times per twenty-four hours"]. And beyond this — you know that my wife, may she live, has barely had two days fully in good health — and she does not even have the strength to go to visit her — for she is at a far distance from her. And with all her strength she goes to her. And my sister is still not fully in good health. And those who are in Eretz Yisroel — האט איטליכער פאר זיך ציט טאן [Yiddish: "each one has his own things to pull and deal with"] — for he has no relative and no redeemer. The general principle — there is no counsel except to pray for her to Hashem Yisbarach. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — for the compassion due her is very great. Words of one who truly loves you — who pleads for your salvation from every corner and every side — and desires your success — and may He Who said to His world "enough!" say to your troubles "enough! and enough!" Nussun son of the master my father Morainu v'Rabbainu of Breslov And know that I received a letter from Amsterdam — that I should write to them my father's name ז"ל — and they will investigate in Teiteira whether the money belongs to me — and they will send me the money securely. About the match with Reb Eismar, may his candle shine — I spoke with my sister, may she live — and she told me that there was a great householder — practically a wealthy man — and he has a son-in-law who has been sitting at his table on the supported-study arrangement [על קעסט — kest — the specific Yiddish institution: a wealthy father-in-law supports a son-in-law at his table after the marriage so the son-in-law can continue Torah study without financial worry; a formal arrangement set into the marriage contract] for several years — and he is comprehensively appointed and designated by the Kolel of Vizhnitz [ממנה מהכולל מוויזנצע מכל וכל — "appointed and designated by the Kolel of Vizhnitz in everything and everything" — memuneh — formally designated and appointed; and mi'kol v'kol — comprehensively, entirely; he is the Kolel's fully designated representative in every matter] — and he is a learned man. And beyond this — one must pray that Hashem Yisbarach providentially arrange a fitting match for him from Heaven. And we already have prayers here for the match as well. And beyond this — Rabbainu ז"ל warned us to ask every matter from Hashem Yisbarach in our own language — and particularly a match is no small thing — for it is a building forever and ever [בנין עדי עד — "a building forever and ever" — the specific phrase from the Talmudic wedding blessings formula; not merely a general "eternal building" but the precise liturgical language of the marriage ceremony itself; the writer invokes it here to emphasize the sacred weight of the matchmaking discussion]. And as it appears — ווייזט אויס אז דא א פייזים שדוך [Yiddish: "it appears that there is a fitting match here" — payzim — fitting, proper, suitable] — and I do not know him except from a distance. And if this matter came from Hashem — it will be concluded most favorably. Your friend, your truly beloved — who desires to see in you and your sons and your sons' sons the fullness of good — who desires your success as your very own soul desires, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, 18th of Shvat, 5639 (February 1879), from Teverya. Severe rib pain for two months. Miriam Sasia's dire condition in full detail. Matchmaking discussion for Reb Shmuel's family. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter and the letter of your precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — I received this very moment — and you gave us life with your letter — for our eyes were consumed yearning for your letter. And first — give congratulations and congratulations to our beloved in truth Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife, may she live, and his daughter, may she live — and the son-in-law, may his candle shine — and may Hashem Yisbarach give that it be at a propitious hour and for length of days and good years. And after this — as your precious son wrote to me — to write to him how much the Tzaddik Reb Abaleh — the memory of the righteous and holy one, blessed for the life of the World to Come [זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה לחיי עולם הבא — an extended memorial formula: "the memory of the righteous and holy one, blessed for the life of the World to Come" — more than the usual ז"ל; the word kadosh — holy — and the blessing extending specifically to the World to Come marks Reb Abaleh as of extraordinary standing; a fuller formula reserved for the especially righteous] — gave me: I cannot write exactly — for it was not in equal amounts. But in total it comes to approximately 20 per year. And this money he would send me sometimes in two installments and sometimes in three installments. And beyond to me — he would send to my elderly mother three rubles every year. And to the woman Chana, granddaughter of the holy Tzaddik the great rabbi Reb Avraham Ber of Khmelnik — two rubles per year. And to her two sons as well — two rubles per year. And to Reb Yosef Aizler — sometimes two rubles per year and sometimes one ruble per year. Thus he would send every year — from the day of my arrival in Eretz Yisroel. Only in this year I received from the said Tzaddik the sum of 30 rubles. Therefore write according to your expressed opinion. And know that I blessed be G-d am grateful to the said Tzaddik — and I recite Kaddish for him every evening and morning every day. And regarding what our friend your son wrote to me — that your co-parent-in-law wishes that I be at your settlement for Purim — I have several reasons why I cannot travel — for my wife is not in good health — and also due to my pain I am unable to sit on a donkey for approximately seven hours. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help us in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that you receive there the days of Purim in great joy — and I here. And the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live — blessed be G-d — her illness has eased a little. May Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. And also for our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing — for we are a small precious remnant [מתי מעט — metei me'at — "a small number of people" — the specific biblical phrase from Deuteronomy 26:5: "a small number of people" — Yaakov going down to Egypt; the phrase carries the resonance of a precious small remnant sustained by divine providence against all odds] — and the merit of his journey for Rosh Hashana will stand for him — that he should lengthen days and years. And also I asked to convey greetings of peace on my behalf to your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — that he should trust in Hashem — for surely G-d willing Hashem Yisbarach will complete things for him for good — for we certainly pray for him always — and for all the Anash. And why have you not written to me what is heard about your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine? More news there is none — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Your friend, your truly beloved — as beloved brothers and friends, Nussun from Breslov And I have greatly asked of you — when you write a name-slip [צעטיל — tzetl — Yiddish: a small slip of paper; specifically in Breslov practice a prayer name-slip submitted at the resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל or another Tzaddik, with the name of the person one is praying for written on it; not merely a general note but a formal prayer submission at the holy site] to Reb Avraham, the brother-in-law of the Tzaddik Reb Abaleh ז"ל — also write down Reb Kalman as well — for it is a great mitzvah. And do not look at the bad — only at the good. Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Written Thursday, 4th of Adar, 5639 (February or March 1879), from Teverya. A wedding in Reb Shmuel's family. Detailed accounting of Reb Abaleh's giving. Cannot come for Purim. Reb Aitzikel ill — be strong in trust. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן As I received a letter from our friend the renowned veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Efraim, may his candle shine — that he is not in good health at all — and is unable to go even to the synagogue. Therefore he commanded me to write to you — that all of us pray for him. And he also wrote to me to tell his grandson Morainu v'Rabbainu Naftali, may his candle shine, that he has no support to lean on from him — therefore for the sake of Hashem — cast aside the ways of youth and walk on the straight path — the path that his forefathers walked. And surely it will be good. And also a small letter from the brother-in-law Reb Nussun son of Reb Yosef — I am sending to you — enclosed here. And also Reb Dov, may his candle shine, told me that Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, wrote to him to give me the money on behalf of the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live. And today I gave her two bishlikim — for she is drinking fish oil — and she told my wife that her cough [ההוסט — der hust — Yiddish: "the cough" — from the German/Yiddish Husten; a code-switch into Yiddish for the medical symptom within an otherwise Hebrew sentence] has somewhat eased. And she does not want a doctor at all — rather she said that Hashem Yisbarach is the Doctor. May Hashem Yisbarach send her healing together with all the sick of His people Israel. And for your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine — swiftly and soon — and may Hashem Yisbarach merit us with this good tiding swiftly and soon. And may the One Who has mercy on all creatures have mercy on him — on Yisroel Aryeh son of Dvoyasi Rivkah — with settled composure of mind and a complete healing. One who truly loves you — as beloved brothers, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda ז"ל All the letters from last week I received properly — but I have no leisure to write to you — because I received a letter by post from Amsterdam — concerning my money — that there is confidence in the matter. And you, Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — you and our beloved my precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizikl, may his candle shine — study in Likutay Halachos, Laws of the Even HaEzer, Laws of Procreation, law 5 — study the entire law — or at least paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13 — and you will know how to conduct yourselves — and even with Reb Naftali, may his candle shine, the grandson of Reb Efraim. For that which caused Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi to merit entering the Garden of Eden while still alive — is what he studied with those afflicted with skin disease — in particular the business of Rabbainu ז"ל is not an empty thing. One who truly loves you forever, Nussun from Breslov Here in Teverya. Undated, 5639. Reb Efraim gravely ill. Miriam Sasia drinking fish oil — the cough somewhat eased. Amsterdam money yields hope. Study Laws of Procreation in Likutay Halachos. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: אוהבכם באמת לנצח EN: One who truly loves you forever, Nussun from Breslov Here in Teverya. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Undated, 5639. Reb Efraim gravely ill. Miriam Sasia drinking fish oil — the cough somewhat eased. Amsterdam money yields hope. Study Laws of Procreation in Likutay Halachos. Segment 10 HE: פה טבריא EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # סג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/63/ סג סג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/63 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' ח"י שבט תרט"ל לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: Your letter from Tuesday, the 11th of Beshalach, I received properly. And I had no leisure to reply to you — because I was not in good health. For these two months a certain rib on my left side has been painful — beyond reckoning. And sometimes two days pass that I do not feel the pain as much — and sometimes a day comes when my pain has greatly increased — such that when I am sitting and need to stand or to turn, I cry out involuntarily from the pain. And my sister as well is not fully in good health. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ היקר הרב המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם וכו' כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום בנכם היקר או"נ המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: And one letter has been lying with me to send to you — and I had no one through whom to send it. And now I come to reply to you about what Reb Dovber, may his candle shine, told you — that he wishes to send the sister-in-law to your settlement. Know that this is not my wish. Rather — she was by him and told him that here there is not to be found anyone to nurse the infant. And also her mother-in-law — איז איהר נישט געטריי כמו אם אחרת [Yiddish: "is not as devoted to her as a real mother would be"] — and also several more words she said to him about her — that I am unable to write in the open field [על פני השדה — "on the face of the open field" — an idiom for the public domain, the open sphere where anyone might read; the writer cannot write these things "on the face of the field" — openly and publicly in a letter that circulates]. And a certain person from Tzfas told her that he will give her lodging in Tzfas free of charge — and there she will find someone to nurse the infant. And she also told him that she feels in herself — that if she goes to her home in Tzfas she will renew her strength — for her mother-in-law in front of other people presents herself as being — קלאמירשט געטריי [Yiddish: "supposedly devoted, ostensibly caring"] — but between herself and herself — עסן זיא זיך [Yiddish: "they eat each other up — they are in constant friction"] — and the sister-in-law, because of her weakness, is irritable. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם מיום ג' י"א בשלח קבלתי לנכון ולא היה לי פנאי להשיב לכם מחמת שלא הייתי בקו הבריאה כי זה שני חדשים אשר כואב אותי קליב אחד מצדי השמאלית אשר אין לשער ויש לפעמים שני ימים שאין אני מרגיש הכאב כ"כ ולפעמים יום אחד שהגדיל כאבי מאד אשר כשאני יושב וצריך לעמד או להטות אני צועק שלא בקולי מחמת הכאב ואחותי ג"כ אינה בקו הבריאה כ"כ EN: And beyond this there are many things — from Wednesday of the Torah portion of Beshalach until now I have given her six bishlikim. And in the end my wife was there today — and she had no meat the whole day. And beyond this she also has the fever — and she has no appetite at all to eat — only she craves sour things — and she is not permitted to eat them. And the doctor — the sister-in-law does not want in any manner. And even so I did not agree to her traveling to Tzfas — because I knew that you yourselves are wandering without a fixed place. And she is drinking fish brine — as people told her to drink. And she had wanted to drink donkey's milk — but it is still not available — only until after two weeks. And my wife goes to her nearly every day. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her young years — and send her a complete healing. For now — איז גאר נישט גוט — it is not good at all — Hashem Yisbarach can improve — the salvation of Hashem is as the blink of an eye. מיר זאגן איהר אז זי זאל נישט זייגן התינוק [Yiddish: "we tell her that she should not nurse the infant"] — און זי זאל נישט זיצן עם הבעל [Yiddish: "and she should not sit with her husband"] — זאלט זי זעגט נישט מער ווי שלשה פעמים במעת לעת [Yiddish: "she should nurse no more than three times per twenty-four hours"]. Segment 4 HE: ומכתב אחד מנח אצלי לשלח לכם ולא היה עם מי לשלח ועתה אני בא להשיב לכם על מה שאמר לכם ר' דובער נ"י שרצונו לשלח ש"ב למחנכם תדעו שזה אין רצוני רק היא היתה אצלו ואמרה לו שבכאן אינו בנמצא אם להניק התינוק וגם חמותה איז איהר נישט געטריי כמו אם אחרת ועוד כמה דבורים שאמרה לו עליה שאיני יכול לכתוב על פני השדה ואיש אחד מצפת אמר לה שהוא יתן לה דירה בצפת תו"ת בחנם ושם תמצא אם להניק התינוק וגם אמרה לו שמרגישה בעצמה אם תלך בביתה לצפת תו"ת תתחדש כחה כי חמותה בפני אנשים אחרים מראה עצמה קלאמירשט געטריי ובינה לבין עצמה עסן זיא זיך וש"ב מחמת חלשתה היא כעסנית EN: And beyond this — you know that my wife, may she live, has barely had two days fully in good health — and she does not even have the strength to go to visit her — for she is at a far distance from her. And with all her strength she goes to her. And my sister is still not fully in good health. And those who are in Eretz Yisroel — האט איטליכער פאר זיך ציט טאן [Yiddish: "each one has his own things to pull and deal with"] — for he has no relative and no redeemer. The general principle — there is no counsel except to pray for her to Hashem Yisbarach. And may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — for the compassion due her is very great. Segment 5 HE: וחוץ מזה יש הרבה דברים מיום ד' פ' בשלח עד עתה נתתי לה שש בישליקיס ולבסוף היתה זוג' בשם היום ולא היה לה בשר כל היום וחוץ מזה יש לה הפיבער ג"כ ואין לה אפטיט כלל לאכל רק מתאוה לדברים חמוצים ואינה רשאית לאכל והדאקטיר אינה רוצה ש"ב בשום אופן ואעפ"כ לא הסכמתי לנסע לצפת תו"ת מחמת שידעתי שאתם בעצמכם נע ונד והיא שותה פיש שמאלץ שכך אמרו לה אנשים לשתות ורצונה היה לה לשתות חלב מהחמור אך עדין אינו בנמצא רק עד אחר שני שבועות וזוג' הולכת כמעט בכל יום והשי"ת ירחם על ימי נעוריה וישלח לה רפואה שלמה לעת עתה איז גאר נישט גוט השי"ת קען פאר בעסערן ישועת ה' כהרף עין מיר זאגן איהר אז זי זאל נישט זייגן התינוק און זי זאל נישט זיצן עם הבעל זאלט זי זעגט נישט מער ווי שלשה פעמים במעת לעת EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who pleads for your salvation from every corner and every side — and desires your success — and may He Who said to His world "enough!" say to your troubles "enough! and enough!" Nussun son of the master my father Morainu v'Rabbainu of Breslov Segment 6 HE: וחוץ מזה אתם יודעים שזוג' תח' כמעט לא עבר שני ימים בקו הבריאה בשלמות ואין לה אפילו כח לילך אליה לבקרה כי לפניה היא ברחוק מקום ובכל אמץ כחה הולכת אליה ואחותי עדין אינה בקו הבריאה בשלמות ואותם שבא"י האט איטליכער פאר זיך ציט טאן כי אין לו קרוב ואין לו גואל הכלל אין עצה כי אם להתפלל עבורה להשי"ת והשי"ת ירחם עליה כי מאד גדלו הרחמנות עליה EN: And know that I received a letter from Amsterdam — that I should write to them my father's name ז"ל — and they will investigate in Teiteira whether the money belongs to me — and they will send me the money securely. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת המעתיר בעד ישועתכם מכל פנה ופנה ומכל צד וצד וחפץ הצלחתכם והאמר לעולמו די יאמר לצרותיכם די ודי EN: About the match with Reb Eismar, may his candle shine — I spoke with my sister, may she live — and she told me that there was a great householder — practically a wealthy man — and he has a son-in-law who has been sitting at his table on the supported-study arrangement [על קעסט — kest — the specific Yiddish institution: a wealthy father-in-law supports a son-in-law at his table after the marriage so the son-in-law can continue Torah study without financial worry; a formal arrangement set into the marriage contract] for several years — and he is comprehensively appointed and designated by the Kolel of Vizhnitz [ממנה מהכולל מוויזנצע מכל וכל — "appointed and designated by the Kolel of Vizhnitz in everything and everything" — memuneh — formally designated and appointed; and mi'kol v'kol — comprehensively, entirely; he is the Kolel's fully designated representative in every matter] — and he is a learned man. Segment 8 HE: נתן בן אדוני אבי מו"ה מברסלב EN: And beyond this — one must pray that Hashem Yisbarach providentially arrange a fitting match for him from Heaven. And we already have prayers here for the match as well. And beyond this — Rabbainu ז"ל warned us to ask every matter from Hashem Yisbarach in our own language — and particularly a match is no small thing — for it is a building forever and ever [בנין עדי עד — "a building forever and ever" — the specific phrase from the Talmudic wedding blessings formula; not merely a general "eternal building" but the precise liturgical language of the marriage ceremony itself; the writer invokes it here to emphasize the sacred weight of the matchmaking discussion]. And as it appears — ווייזט אויס אז דא א פייזים שדוך [Yiddish: "it appears that there is a fitting match here" — payzim — fitting, proper, suitable] — and I do not know him except from a distance. And if this matter came from Hashem — it will be concluded most favorably. Segment 9 HE: ותדעו שקבלתי מכתב מאמסטרדם שאכתב להם שם אבי ז"ל והם יחקרו בטייטרא אם המעות שיך לי וישלחו לי המעות בטח EN: Your friend, your truly beloved — who desires to see in you and your sons and your sons' sons the fullness of good — who desires your success as your very own soul desires, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ באהבה רבה ועזה הנגיד מו"ה ר' שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: Written Tuesday, 18th of Shvat, 5639 (February 1879), from Teverya. Severe rib pain for two months. Miriam Sasia's dire condition in full detail. Matchmaking discussion for Reb Shmuel's family. Segment 11 HE: אודות השדוך עם ר' איתמר נ"י דברתי עם אחותי תח' ואמרה לי שהיה בעל הבית גדול כמעט הוא עשיר ויש לו חתנו יושב אצלו כמה שנים על קעסט והוא ממנה מהכולל מוויזנצע מכל וכל והוא למדן EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 12 HE: ויותר מזה צריכין להתפלל שיזמין השי"ת זווגו ההגון לו משמים וכבר יש אצלנו תפלות על השדוך ג"כ וחוץ מזה הזהיר אותנו רבנו ז"ל לבקש כל דבר מאת השי"ת על דייטש ובפרט שדוך אינו דבר קטן כי הוא בנין עדי עד וכפי הנראה ווייזט אויס אז דא א פייזים שדוך ואני איני מכיר אותו כי אם מרחוק ואם מה' יצא הדבר יגמר בכי טוב EN: Your letter and the letter of your precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — I received this very moment — and you gave us life with your letter — for our eyes were consumed yearning for your letter. And first — give congratulations and congratulations to our beloved in truth Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife, may she live, and his daughter, may she live — and the son-in-law, may his candle shine — and may Hashem Yisbarach give that it be at a propitious hour and for length of days and good years. Segment 13 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת החפץ לראות בכם ובבניכם ובני בניכם כט"ס החפץ הצלחתכם כאות נפשכם EN: And after this — as your precious son wrote to me — to write to him how much the Tzaddik Reb Abaleh — the memory of the righteous and holy one, blessed for the life of the World to Come [זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה לחיי עולם הבא — an extended memorial formula: "the memory of the righteous and holy one, blessed for the life of the World to Come" — more than the usual ז"ל; the word kadosh — holy — and the blessing extending specifically to the World to Come marks Reb Abaleh as of extraordinary standing; a fuller formula reserved for the especially righteous] — gave me: I cannot write exactly — for it was not in equal amounts. But in total it comes to approximately 20 per year. And this money he would send me sometimes in two installments and sometimes in three installments. And beyond to me — he would send to my elderly mother three rubles every year. And to the woman Chana, granddaughter of the holy Tzaddik the great rabbi Reb Avraham Ber of Khmelnik — two rubles per year. And to her two sons as well — two rubles per year. And to Reb Yosef Aizler — sometimes two rubles per year and sometimes one ruble per year. Thus he would send every year — from the day of my arrival in Eretz Yisroel. Only in this year I received from the said Tzaddik the sum of 30 rubles. Therefore write according to your expressed opinion. And know that I blessed be G-d am grateful to the said Tzaddik — and I recite Kaddish for him every evening and morning every day. And regarding what our friend your son wrote to me — that your co-parent-in-law wishes that I be at your settlement for Purim — I have several reasons why I cannot travel — for my wife is not in good health — and also due to my pain I am unable to sit on a donkey for approximately seven hours. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help us in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that you receive there the days of Purim in great joy — and I here. Segment 14 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And regarding what our friend your son wrote to me — that your co-parent-in-law wishes that I be at your settlement for Purim — I have several reasons why I cannot travel — for my wife is not in good health — and also due to my pain I am unable to sit on a donkey for approximately seven hours. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help us in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that you receive there the days of Purim in great joy — and I here. # סד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/64/ סד סד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/64 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ד' אדר תרט"ל לפ"ק טבריא EN: Your letter and the letter of your precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — I received this very moment — and you gave us life with your letter — for our eyes were consumed yearning for your letter. And first — give congratulations and congratulations to our beloved in truth Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife, may she live, and his daughter, may she live — and the son-in-law, may his candle shine — and may Hashem Yisbarach give that it be at a propitious hour and for length of days and good years. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז הרב ותיק וחסיד נבון וחכם המפלא מו"ה ר' צבי נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט כן יהי רצון אמן EN: And after this — as your precious son wrote to me — to write to him how much the Tzaddik Reb Abaleh — the memory of the righteous and holy one, blessed for the life of the World to Come [זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה לחיי עולם הבא — an extended memorial formula: "the memory of the righteous and holy one, blessed for the life of the World to Come" — more than the usual ז"ל; the word kadosh — holy — and the blessing extending specifically to the World to Come marks Reb Abaleh as of extraordinary standing; a fuller formula reserved for the especially righteous] — gave me: I cannot write exactly — for it was not in equal amounts. But in total it comes to approximately 20 per year. And this money he would send me sometimes in two installments and sometimes in three installments. And beyond to me — he would send to my elderly mother three rubles every year. And to the woman Chana, granddaughter of the holy Tzaddik the great rabbi Reb Avraham Ber of Khmelnik — two rubles per year. And to her two sons as well — two rubles per year. And to Reb Yosef Aizler — sometimes two rubles per year and sometimes one ruble per year. Thus he would send every year — from the day of my arrival in Eretz Yisroel. Only in this year I received from the said Tzaddik the sum of 30 rubles. Therefore write according to your expressed opinion. And know that I blessed be G-d am grateful to the said Tzaddik — and I recite Kaddish for him every evening and morning every day. Segment 3 HE: מכתבכם ומכתב בנכם היקר מו"ה נתן נ"י קבלתי בזה הרגע והחייתנו במכתבכם כי כלו עינינו על מכתבכם ומתחלה תתנו מז"ט מז"ט ליד או"נ באמת מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם זוג' תח' ובתו תח' וחתנם נ"י ולהחתן השי"ת יתן שיהיה בשעה מצלחת ובאריכת ימים ושנים טובים EN: And regarding what our friend your son wrote to me — that your co-parent-in-law wishes that I be at your settlement for Purim — I have several reasons why I cannot travel — for my wife is not in good health — and also due to my pain I am unable to sit on a donkey for approximately seven hours. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help us in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that you receive there the days of Purim in great joy — and I here. Segment 4 HE: ואחר זה איך שבנכם היקר כתב לי לכתוב לו כמה נתן לי הצדיק ר' אבאלע זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה לחיי עולם הבא אין אני יכול לכתוב בברור כי לא היה בשוה אך בסך הכל עולה בשנה ערך 20 וזה המעות היה שולח לי לפעמים על שני פעמים ולפעמים על שלשה פעמים וחוץ מאתי היה שולח לאמי הזקנה שלשה רו"ח בכל שנה ולאשה חנה נכדת הצדיק הרב הק' ר' אברהם בער מחמעלניק שני רו"ח לשנה ולשני בניה ג"כ שני רו"ח לשנה ולר' יוסף אייזליר לפעמים שני רו"ח לשנה ולפעמים אחד רו"ח לשנה כך היה שולח בכל שנה מיום באי לא"י רק בשנה זו היה לי מאת הצדיק הנ"ל סך 30 רו"ח ע"כ תכתבו כפי חות דעתכם ותדעו שאני ב"ה מחזיק טובה להצדיק הנ"ל ואני אמר קדיש עבורו ערב ובקר בכל יום EN: And the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live — blessed be G-d — her illness has eased a little. May Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. And also for our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing — for we are a small precious remnant [מתי מעט — metei me'at — "a small number of people" — the specific biblical phrase from Deuteronomy 26:5: "a small number of people" — Yaakov going down to Egypt; the phrase carries the resonance of a precious small remnant sustained by divine providence against all odds] — and the merit of his journey for Rosh Hashana will stand for him — that he should lengthen days and years. Segment 5 HE: ואודות מה שידידנו בנכם כתב לי שחמיך רוצה שאהיה על פורים אצלכם יש לי כמה טעמים שאין אני יכול לנסע כי זוג' אינה בקו הבריאה וגם מחמת הכאב שלי אין אני יכול לישב על החמור ערך שבע שעות רק השי"ת יעזור לנו בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאתם תקבלו בשם ימי הפורים בשמחה רבה ואני בכאן EN: And also I asked to convey greetings of peace on my behalf to your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — that he should trust in Hashem — for surely G-d willing Hashem Yisbarach will complete things for him for good — for we certainly pray for him always — and for all the Anash. And why have you not written to me what is heard about your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine? Segment 6 HE: וש"ב מ' סאסיא תח' ב"ה מעט הוקל חליה השי"ת ישלח לה רפואה שלמה חיש מהר וגם לידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י ישלח לו השי"ת רפואה שלמה כי אנו מתי מעט וזכות נסיעתו על ר"ה יעמד לו שיאריך ימים ושנים EN: More news there is none — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Segment 7 HE: וגם בקשתי לפרס עבורי למחתנכם ר' צבי נ"י שיבטח בה' שבודאי אי"ה יגמר עמו השי"ת לטובה כי אנו בודאי מתפללים עבורו בכל עת ובעד כל אנ"ש ולמה לא כתבתם לי מה נשמע מבנכם מו"ה ישראל אריה נ"י EN: Your friend, your truly beloved — as beloved brothers and friends, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום וכט"ס EN: And I have greatly asked of you — when you write a name-slip [צעטיל — tzetl — Yiddish: a small slip of paper; specifically in Breslov practice a prayer name-slip submitted at the resting place of Rabbainu ז"ל or another Tzaddik, with the name of the person one is praying for written on it; not merely a general note but a formal prayer submission at the holy site] to Reb Avraham, the brother-in-law of the Tzaddik Reb Abaleh ז"ל — also write down Reb Kalman as well — for it is a great mitzvah. And do not look at the bad — only at the good. Segment 9 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת כאחים ורעים אהובים EN: Nussun from Breslov Encamped here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, 4th of Adar, 5639 (February or March 1879), from Teverya. A wedding in Reb Shmuel's family. Detailed accounting of Reb Abaleh's giving. Cannot come for Purim. Reb Aitzikel ill — be strong in trust. Segment 11 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש ופרט למחתנכם או"נ מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו ותאמר להם עוד הפעם מז"ט מז"ט ותאמר לר' איצילע נ"י שיהיה חזק בבטחון שיעמד מחלי זה כי כך ראיתי בספר תולדות יעקב יוסף ששמע ממורו שכשאדם חזק בבטחון אין מענישין אותו ומרבנו ז"ל ג"כ שמעתי מאדמו"ר רבי נתן כעין זה EN: Written Thursday, 4th of Adar, 5639 (February or March 1879), from Teverya. A wedding in Reb Shmuel's family. Detailed accounting of Reb Abaleh's giving. Cannot come for Purim. Reb Aitzikel ill — be strong in trust. Segment 12 HE: ומאד בקשתי מאתכם כשתכתבו צעטיל לר' אברהם גיסו של הצדיק ר' אבאלע זצוק"ל תרשמו לר' קלמן ג"כ כי היא מצוה גדולה ואל תסתכלו על הרע רק על הטוב EN: Letter 62 | סב (Samech-Beis) Segment 13 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 62 Segment 14 HE: חונה פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Letter 62 | סב (Samech-Beis) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 62 Letter 63 | סג (Samech-Gimmel) # סה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/65/ סה סה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/65 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And also I ask to be informed about your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — at what price and commercial transaction [מקח מכר — mekach u'mimkar — "the buying and selling" — the specific Talmudic legal term for the complete commercial transaction; from Tractate Bava Metzia which deals extensively with commercial law; not merely a "price" but the full transactional legal reality] he sold the hides — for I want to know, to give life to my soul. And also about any news from your dear co-parent-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Kalibulad — for my eyes and my heart and my soul are consumed yearning to hear some news — for he is our truly beloved one in truth and in complete wholeness [באמת ובתמים — "in truth and in wholeness" — two qualities: emes — truthfulness; and tamim — completeness, wholeness, without any reservation; the love is both true and entirely without any reservation or withholding]. And also to inform about the shtreimel — for it is impossible for you to imagine the grief and suffering I have from this — that through it there will be, G-d forbid, such damage. And I took a vow of olive oil upon the soul of the Rambam — that Hashem Yisbarach help me — that the shtreimel which I lost in the spiritual sense should be found. For everything is in the way of allusions — to draw closer to doing the will of the Creator, may He be blessed. And also — when did your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, write that he is coming home in peace? Segment 2 HE: גם בקשתי להודיע לי מחמיך נ"י באיזה מקח מכר העורות כי אני רוצה לידע להחיות נפשי וגם אודות איזה ידיעה ממחתנכם היקר ר' צבי נ"י מקאליבלאד כי עיני ולבי ונפשי כלו לשמע איזה ידיעה כי אהבינו באמת ובתמים וגם להודיע מהשטריימיל כי א"א לך לשער הצער והיסורים שלי שיש לי מזה שעל ידי יהיה ח"ו הזק כזה ואני נדרתי שמן זית על נשמת רמבע"ה שיעזור לי השי"ת שימצא השטריימיל שאבדתי ברוחניות כי הכל הוא רמזים להתקרב לעשות רצון הבורא יתברך וגם מתי כתב חמיך נ"י שיבא לביתו לשלום EN: And know that blessed be G-d — the days of Purim draw near and come. And we must calculate, according to our levels, to subdue the Haman-Amalek — may his name be blotted out — and to merit the joy of Purim. For all sadness is from the side of Haman and Amalek. And we blessed be G-d are drawing close to such a Tzaddik — who inserted himself to subdue all the husks — the husks of Pharaoh and his ministers, the husks of Balaam and Amalek and Haman, and the husks of Esav and Yishmael. But we must help him with bricks and mortar — and the main thing of all is joy. For Rabbainu ז"ל warned us greatly about this. And as is explained in Likutay Halachos — and particularly the joy of Purim through clapping of hands and dancing — through this one sweetens all the harsh judgments — and one merits to receive Passover in holiness and in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to capture the spoil of Egypt and the spoil of the Sea. Segment 3 HE: ותדע שב"ה ימי הפורים ממשמשין ובאין וצריכין אנו לחשב לפי מדרגותנו להכניע המן עמלק ימח שמו ולזכות לשמחת פורים כי כל העצבות הוא מסטרא דהמן ועמלק ואנו ב"ה מקרבים לצדיק כזה שהכניס עצמו להכניע כל הקלפות קלפות פרעה ושריו קלפות בלעם ועמלק והמן וקלפות עשו וישמעאל אך אנו צריכין לעזר לו בלבנא וטינא ועיקר מהכל הוא השמחה כי על זה הזהיר לנו רבנו ז"ל מאד וכן מבאר בלקוטי הלכות ובפרט שמחת פורים במחאת כף ורקודין עי"ז ממתיקין כל הדינים וזוכין לקבל פסח בכשרות ובשמחה ויזכנו השי"ת לקבץ בזת מצרים ובזת הים EN: Therefore we have nothing to worry about at all — for the main thing is to trust in Hashem Yisbarach and to be in joy. For we must rejoice — to be in this holy fellowship — in which the disciple's disciple performed such a thing and transmitted to us Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who give life to our souls and to the souls of all Israel — and sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us through them and through their intermediary our end will be good. Therefore: fortunate are we — how good is our portion and how pleasant is our lot and how beautiful is our inheritance — fortunate are we, fortunate are we. Segment 4 HE: ע"כ אין לנו מה לדאג כלל כי העיקר לבטח בהשי"ת ולהיות בשמחה כי אנו צריכין לשמח להיות בחברותא קדישא כזו אשר תלמיד תלמידו הפליא לעשות דבר כזה ומסר לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר הם מחיין נפשותינו ונפשות כל ישראל וממתיקין כל הדינים מעלינו בהם ועל ידיהם יהיה אחריתנו טוב ע"כ אשרינו מה טוב חלקנו ומה נעים גורלנו ומה יפה ירושתנו אשרינו אשרינו EN: Words of one who truly loves you — with heart and soul — who loves all the Anash with strong love — in thought and in speech and in deed, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת בלב ונפש אהב כל אנ"ש באהבה עזה במחשבה ובדבור ובמעשה EN: And I ask of all the Anash to pray for my wife — may the Merciful One protect her — daughter of Figa — that she have a complete healing for her eyes — for she is still not in good health — and on one eye she cannot see at all. Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: ופב"ש לאו"נ האברך מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ותאמרו לו עבורי מז"ט מז"ט לו השי"ת יברך אותם ואת בניהם באריכת ימים ושנים טובים ובהצלחה ובשפע רב והשי"ת יעזור לו שיתחיל מעתה בהתחלה חדשה לקרב עצמו לרבנו ז"ל ולספריו הק' ושלא יעבר עליו יום אחד בלי תורה ותפילה ולכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה EN: And also I ask to be informed about your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — at what price and commercial transaction [מקח מכר — mekach u'mimkar — "the buying and selling" — the specific Talmudic legal term for the complete commercial transaction; from Tractate Bava Metzia which deals extensively with commercial law; not merely a "price" but the full transactional legal reality] he sold the hides — for I want to know, to give life to my soul. And also about any news from your dear co-parent-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Kalibulad — for my eyes and my heart and my soul are consumed yearning to hear some news — for he is our truly beloved one in truth and in complete wholeness [באמת ובתמים — "in truth and in wholeness" — two qualities: emes — truthfulness; and tamim — completeness, wholeness, without any reservation; the love is both true and entirely without any reservation or withholding]. And also to inform about the shtreimel — for it is impossible for you to imagine the grief and suffering I have from this — that through it there will be, G-d forbid, such damage. And I took a vow of olive oil upon the soul of the Rambam — that Hashem Yisbarach help me — that the shtreimel which I lost in the spiritual sense should be found. For everything is in the way of allusions — to draw closer to doing the will of the Creator, may He be blessed. And also — when did your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, write that he is coming home in peace? Segment 8 HE: ומבקש אני מכל אנ"ש להתפלל עבור זוג' בר"ל בת פיגא שיהיה לה רפואה שלמה על עיניה כי עדין אינה בקו הבריאה ועל עין אחת אינה ראה כלל EN: One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Undated — late Adar 5639, approaching Purim. The lost shtreimel; a vow at the Rambam's grave. The Purim teaching on subduing Amalek through joy. The wife's eye worsening. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן It is a wonder in my eyes — that for more than two weeks I have had no letter at all from you. And particularly since I sent you several letters sealed together in one wrapped bundle — and I have no reply whether you received the letters. And surely I have great suffering from this. And particularly — that you wrote to me that our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, is lying on a bed of languishing pain — may the Merciful One protect him — how great is my suffering from this — very much. My eyes are consumed yearning to hear from him life and peace. And I go nearly every day to Reb Ber, may his candle shine, to ask him about letters from you — for believe me — the life of my soul depends on your love. And the sealed letter I sent you through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and I do not know what to think. And it is further a wonder in my eyes — how Reb Eismar, may his candle shine, the one appointed by the Kolel of Vizhnitz, came to excuse and justify himself before me [התנצל לפני — hisnatzzel lefanai — "excused and justified himself before me" — hisnatzzel specifically means to offer one's excuse and justification, to explain one's conduct; not simply to apologize but to account for oneself and explain why things went as they did] — explaining that as it had been agreed with your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, concerning the match with his son, may his candle shine — he only needed to come here to see the daughter and to conclude matters. And in the end — someone from his acquaintances wrote to him that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has already made a match — congratulations — with his son at a propitious hour — with a certain person — and they call him Zivenberger. And this is a wonder in my eyes — that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, did not write to me in order to bless him with a congratulations-blessing — for we are as beloved brothers forever and ever — and G-d forbid your grief is my grief — may the Merciful One protect you — and your joy is my joy. Therefore I ask of you to write to me whether you received my letters — and also about your health — from each and every one of the Anash — and about the match. And I have greatly asked of you to pray for my wife — may the Merciful One protect her — daughter of Figa — for what grief she has — eye pain — which is impossible to bear the sound of her crying and her moaning. In the daytime there is a little relief — and also I am not fully in good health. And the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live — blessed be G-d — her illness has eased a little — the cough — and she is drinking goat's milk and also legumes and eating meat. But not through a doctor. But her mother-in-law, the wicked one [חמותה המרשעת — "her mother-in-law the wicked one" — marshais — genuinely wicked, from the same root as rasha — the wicked person of the Passover Haggadah; the strongest possible moral characterization; she is not merely difficult but truly wicked in her conduct], is full of anger — that I do not give her all the money together. And to spite her she does not accept the infant even for a single moment. And now let us begin to speak from the great business and the partnership that is between us. In this month we must draw upon ourselves the holiness of Mordechai and Esther — in order that we have the power to erase the memory of Amalek and the wicked Haman. And this task was done for us by Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But we must in any case bind ourselves with good desires and with very great prayer and supplication — and not to forget that in every generation and generation they arise against us to destroy us — and the Holy One Blessed be He saves us from their hand in the merit of the Tzaddik the foundation of the world. And the holy days of Purim draw near and come — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to fulfill all the Purim commandments in great joy — and to merit to receive the festival of Passover in holiness, sanctity, and purity — and to be careful from any trace of leaven — and the work of righteousness is peace. Words of one who truly loves you — and whose desire is bound to you at all times, Nussun from Breslov Undated — approaching Purim, 5639. Over two weeks without letters. Reb Aitzikel gravely ill. The match concluded with Zivenberger. Miriam Sasia improving but the mother-in-law is wicked. The wife's eye pain severe. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן First I inform you — that blessed be G-d — in another three days there will come upon us and upon all Israel the illumination of the miracle that was performed for us at this time — through the illumination of the holiness of Mordechai and Esther — which is called by its holy name: Purim. There is no land [אין לאנד — ayn land — Yiddish code-switch: "no land" — meaning no country in the entire world; the Yiddish word land embedded within the Hebrew sentence to convey universality] where all the Tzaddikim of every generation and generation spoke so highly about the true depth of the essential holiness of the day [עצומו של יום — atzmo shel yom — "the essence of the day itself" — the specific Halachic-liturgical term from the laws of Yom Kippur [Yoma 85b]: "the essence of the day itself atones" — atzmo shel yom mechaper; applied here to Purim: the Tzaddikim spoke about the inherent intrinsic sanctity of the day of Purim itself, independent of any actions — the very substance of Purim as a holy day]. And particularly Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple spoke at very great length — and revealed many holy secrets from every single thing that happens on Purim — and particularly about the joy of Purim. Therefore I ask of all our beloved to pray for me as well — that I merit to rejoice in the joy of Purim. For I have a great pain — for more than two months — such that when I am sitting I cannot stand — and when I am standing I cannot sit. But I have much relief in this — for there are sometimes such and such days when I do not feel the pain as much. Blessed be the Good One and He Who does good. And my wife, may she live — for three weeks she has — may the Merciful One protect her — eye pain and headache — which is impossible to put in writing — her crying and her pain. And for more than a week one eye is sealed and sealed shut. And for almost the entire week she has not tasted the flavor of food — only the food of our Arab neighbors [מאכלינו טייע — "our Tayyeh-food" — Tayyeh is the Talmudic-Aramaic word for Arab, from the name of the Arabian Tay tribe; used throughout rabbinic literature for Arab; the writer means the food of their Arab neighbors who apparently assisted the sick wife during this difficult time] and bread — because of her great pain. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her in the midst of the other sick of His people Israel. And she asked me to write to you to pray for her. And even so — sadness and melancholy is a complete prohibition — and one must strengthen oneself to be in joy. And particularly we — who have something to rejoice about — that Hashem Yisbarach had mercy on us — and revealed to us a little of the hidden light, concealed from all living — and His light is hidden and stored in his holy books. And their words are like coals of fire burning — like torches of fire — in the heart of those who study and meditate upon them. And particularly since we are bound to such a Tzaddik — who blessed be G-d gives forth and does not receive — as is explained in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Appointing an Agent to Collect a Debt, according to the Torah of the Silver Trumpets. And there you will see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל. And the entire Torah is built on performing the commandment in joy. Therefore we must rejoice greatly — G-d willing — in the joy of Purim. For joy itself is a commandment. Therefore we must rejoice with the joy of a commandment. Therefore I ask of all our truly beloved — G-d willing — when you merit to rejoice — bind me as well to your joy. And I too will bind my joy to your joy — so that my joy will be part of the congregation of the Anash. הכלל חאטשי דער רבי מסטרא דילן איז נישט דא אבער זיינע ספרים זענין דא מייגין מיר פריליך זיין און מיר בעדארפן זייער פריליך זיין [Yiddish with Aramaic embedded: "The general principle — even though the Rebbe from our side is not here — but his books are here — we can be joyful — and we need to be very joyful"; chatshi — Yiddish concessive: "even though, although"; mistara dilan — Aramaic within the Yiddish: "from our side" — the Breslov side; three languages in one sentence — Yiddish, Aramaic, Hebrew — itself a Purim mixture]. And my beloved friends in truth — Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, and Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine, and his brother Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and his son, may his candle shine — and all our truly beloved — let us begin from now to draw ourselves close to the light of lights and to his holy disciples — for this will be our hope forever and to eternal eternity. My friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — on Thursday past I sent you a letter — about what your father, may his candle shine, wrote to me — about the money that the patron Reb Yonah Zeitziv wishes to send — for the merit of the grape wine of the Rambam ז"ל — and within it was also enclosed a letter of congratulations to your co-parent-in-law. And I forgot to write to him that I received the letters from the wife of Reb Naftali, may his candle shine — and I received from her the sum of three bishlikim that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, sent me — and immediately upon receiving it I blessed him and his household and all his sons and daughters. And I have greatly asked of you — for the sake of Hashem — after Purim write to me a letter how your Purim was. And also write to me what happened to my beloved friend in truth — who rescued our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל from insults and acts of humiliation and contempt [מחרפות ומבזיונות — "from insults and humiliations" — two distinct categories: cherpot — verbal insults, shaming, reproach; and bizyonos — acts of contempt and degradation, humiliations; Reb Aitzikel physically protected Reb Nosson ז"ל from those who were subjecting him to both categories of mistreatment in Uman] in Uman — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine. For the sake of Hashem — write to me. And also as you wrote to me that you made yourself a shop in your home — write to me if you have any drawing of nourishment from it [יניקה — yenikah — "suckling, drawing nourishment" — from yenek — to nurse, to suckle; the organic bodily image of drawing life-sustenance; the writer asks whether the shop is actually providing him with nourishment — drawing livelihood from it as an infant draws milk] — and how was it concluded with the debt from Aba Sheinker — and with the other debts. And also I ask of you and our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — as our friend Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, wrote to me that I request of you to draw close his grandson, may his candle shine — and not to look at his bad points — for how Rabbainu ז"ל drew close Reb Elazar son of Reb Shimon — who went where he went — as is explained in the Talmud, tractate Bava Metzia. And also the grandson of Rabbi Tarfon — and afterward they made from them complete Tzaddikim. For I know that if he had a worthy wife he would already have been a proper man. And also these two weeks I had a letter from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and he wrote me that Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote him something false — and he wrote me to ask you. And from this it appears that he has remorse. And do not forget what Rabbainu ז"ל tells in the story of the Master of Prayer — when the watchman said to him "and beyond this — what can I do — I am alone in the world?" — these words were considered by the Master of Prayer as repentance. And also you should know that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple wanted us to build homes and not to destroy homes. And fortunate is the one who pursues the beloved. And also you should know — the one delivering this letter is going to you to get married — and he has books from the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — and he wants to draw close to us. I studied with him on Motzei Shabbos the Torah "I am Hashem your G-d." Therefore draw him close. More news there is none — only life and peace — אין פריליך זיין אין שיכרין אין פורים אין פיליאען אין ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' זכותם יגן עלינו אמן [Yiddish: "and be joyful and get drunk on Purim and revel and in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — may their merit protect us. Omain."] One who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, the Fast of Esther, 5639 (March 1879), from Teverya. The writer in severe pain; the wife's eye sealed shut for over a week; almost no food. A passionate Purim call. The famous Yiddish line: even though the Rebbe is not here — his books are here. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And know that blessed be G-d — the days of Purim draw near and come. And we must calculate, according to our levels, to subdue the Haman-Amalek — may his name be blotted out — and to merit the joy of Purim. For all sadness is from the side of Haman and Amalek. And we blessed be G-d are drawing close to such a Tzaddik — who inserted himself to subdue all the husks — the husks of Pharaoh and his ministers, the husks of Balaam and Amalek and Haman, and the husks of Esav and Yishmael. But we must help him with bricks and mortar — and the main thing of all is joy. For Rabbainu ז"ל warned us greatly about this. And as is explained in Likutay Halachos — and particularly the joy of Purim through clapping of hands and dancing — through this one sweetens all the harsh judgments — and one merits to receive Passover in holiness and in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to capture the spoil of Egypt and the spoil of the Sea. Therefore we have nothing to worry about at all — for the main thing is to trust in Hashem Yisbarach and to be in joy. For we must rejoice — to be in this holy fellowship — in which the disciple's disciple performed such a thing and transmitted to us Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who give life to our souls and to the souls of all Israel — and sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us through them and through their intermediary our end will be good. Therefore: fortunate are we — how good is our portion and how pleasant is our lot and how beautiful is our inheritance — fortunate are we, fortunate are we. Words of one who truly loves you — with heart and soul — who loves all the Anash with strong love — in thought and in speech and in deed, Nussun from Breslov And I ask of all the Anash to pray for my wife — may the Merciful One protect her — daughter of Figa — that she have a complete healing for her eyes — for she is still not in good health — and on one eye she cannot see at all. One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Undated — late Adar 5639, approaching Purim. The lost shtreimel; a vow at the Rambam's grave. The Purim teaching on subduing Amalek through joy. The wife's eye worsening. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: אוהבכם EN: It is a wonder in my eyes — that for more than two weeks I have had no letter at all from you. And particularly since I sent you several letters sealed together in one wrapped bundle — and I have no reply whether you received the letters. And surely I have great suffering from this. And particularly — that you wrote to me that our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, is lying on a bed of languishing pain — may the Merciful One protect him — how great is my suffering from this — very much. My eyes are consumed yearning to hear from him life and peace. And I go nearly every day to Reb Ber, may his candle shine, to ask him about letters from you — for believe me — the life of my soul depends on your love. And the sealed letter I sent you through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and I do not know what to think. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And it is further a wonder in my eyes — how Reb Eismar, may his candle shine, the one appointed by the Kolel of Vizhnitz, came to excuse and justify himself before me [התנצל לפני — hisnatzzel lefanai — "excused and justified himself before me" — hisnatzzel specifically means to offer one's excuse and justification, to explain one's conduct; not simply to apologize but to account for oneself and explain why things went as they did] — explaining that as it had been agreed with your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, concerning the match with his son, may his candle shine — he only needed to come here to see the daughter and to conclude matters. And in the end — someone from his acquaintances wrote to him that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has already made a match — congratulations — with his son at a propitious hour — with a certain person — and they call him Zivenberger. And this is a wonder in my eyes — that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, did not write to me in order to bless him with a congratulations-blessing — for we are as beloved brothers forever and ever — and G-d forbid your grief is my grief — may the Merciful One protect you — and your joy is my joy. Therefore I ask of you to write to me whether you received my letters — and also about your health — from each and every one of the Anash — and about the match. And I have greatly asked of you to pray for my wife — may the Merciful One protect her — daughter of Figa — for what grief she has — eye pain — which is impossible to bear the sound of her crying and her moaning. In the daytime there is a little relief — and also I am not fully in good health. # סו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/66/ סו סו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/66 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' ר'אש ד'ברך א'מת משנת תרט"ל טבריא EN: It is a wonder in my eyes — that for more than two weeks I have had no letter at all from you. And particularly since I sent you several letters sealed together in one wrapped bundle — and I have no reply whether you received the letters. And surely I have great suffering from this. And particularly — that you wrote to me that our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, is lying on a bed of languishing pain — may the Merciful One protect him — how great is my suffering from this — very much. My eyes are consumed yearning to hear from him life and peace. And I go nearly every day to Reb Ber, may his candle shine, to ask him about letters from you — for believe me — the life of my soul depends on your love. And the sealed letter I sent you through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and I do not know what to think. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי ב"א חביבי כלבבי וכנפשי ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב עם שלום אביך אחי היקר המפלא ומפלג בתורה ובחסידות וכו' כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום חמיך היקר או"נ באהבה עזה חביבי הנגיד מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב EN: And it is further a wonder in my eyes — how Reb Eismar, may his candle shine, the one appointed by the Kolel of Vizhnitz, came to excuse and justify himself before me [התנצל לפני — hisnatzzel lefanai — "excused and justified himself before me" — hisnatzzel specifically means to offer one's excuse and justification, to explain one's conduct; not simply to apologize but to account for oneself and explain why things went as they did] — explaining that as it had been agreed with your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, concerning the match with his son, may his candle shine — he only needed to come here to see the daughter and to conclude matters. And in the end — someone from his acquaintances wrote to him that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, has already made a match — congratulations — with his son at a propitious hour — with a certain person — and they call him Zivenberger. And this is a wonder in my eyes — that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, did not write to me in order to bless him with a congratulations-blessing — for we are as beloved brothers forever and ever — and G-d forbid your grief is my grief — may the Merciful One protect you — and your joy is my joy. Therefore I ask of you to write to me whether you received my letters — and also about your health — from each and every one of the Anash — and about the match. And I have greatly asked of you to pray for my wife — may the Merciful One protect her — daughter of Figa — for what grief she has — eye pain — which is impossible to bear the sound of her crying and her moaning. In the daytime there is a little relief — and also I am not fully in good health. Segment 3 HE: לפלא בעיני שזה יותר משני שבועות שאין לי מכם שום מכתב ובפרט שאני שלחתי לכם כמה מכתבים חתום בתכריך אחד ואין לי שום תשובה אם קבלתם המכתבים ובודאי יש לי בזה יסורים גדולים ובפרט שאתה כתבת לי שידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י מוטל על ערש דוי ר"ל מה גדלו היסורים מזה מאד אשר עיני תכלנה לשמע מאתו החיים והשלום ואני כמעט בכל יום אני הולך לר' בער נ"י לשאל אותו על מכתבים מאתכם כי תאמינו לי שחיות נפשי תלוי באהבתכם והמכתב החתום שלחתי לכם ע"י הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ואין אני יודע מה לחשב EN: And the sister-in-law Miriam Sasia, may she live — blessed be G-d — her illness has eased a little — the cough — and she is drinking goat's milk and also legumes and eating meat. But not through a doctor. But her mother-in-law, the wicked one [חמותה המרשעת — "her mother-in-law the wicked one" — marshais — genuinely wicked, from the same root as rasha — the wicked person of the Passover Haggadah; the strongest possible moral characterization; she is not merely difficult but truly wicked in her conduct], is full of anger — that I do not give her all the money together. And to spite her she does not accept the infant even for a single moment. Segment 4 HE: ועוד לפלא בעיני איך שר' איתמר נ"י הממנה מכולל וויזנצע התנצל לפני איך הוא כמו שנגמר עם חמיך נ"י מכח השדוך עם בנו נ"י רק צריך לבא לכאן לראות בתו ולגמר ולבסוף כתב לו אחד ממכיריו שכבר עשה חמיך נ"י למז"ט שדוך עם בנו בשעה מצלחת עם איש אחד וקוראין אותו זיבין בערגער וזה לי לפלא בעיני שלא כתב לי חמיך נ"י בכדי לברך אותו בברכת מז"ט כי אנו כאחים אהובים לנצח נצחים וח"ו צערכם הוא צערי ר"ל ושמחתכם היא שמחתי ע"כ בקשתי מכם לכתוב לי אם קבלתם המכתבים שלי וגם מכח בריאתכם מכל אחד ואחד מאנ"ש ומכח השדוך ומאד בקשתי מכם להתפלל עבור זוג' בר"ל בת פיגא איך שזה צער יש לה כאב עינים אשר א"א לסבל קול צעקתה ואנקתה ביום יש מעט הרחבה וגם אני איני בשלמות בקו הבריאה EN: And now let us begin to speak from the great business and the partnership that is between us. In this month we must draw upon ourselves the holiness of Mordechai and Esther — in order that we have the power to erase the memory of Amalek and the wicked Haman. And this task was done for us by Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. But we must in any case bind ourselves with good desires and with very great prayer and supplication — and not to forget that in every generation and generation they arise against us to destroy us — and the Holy One Blessed be He saves us from their hand in the merit of the Tzaddik the foundation of the world. And the holy days of Purim draw near and come — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to fulfill all the Purim commandments in great joy — and to merit to receive the festival of Passover in holiness, sanctity, and purity — and to be careful from any trace of leaven — and the work of righteousness is peace. Segment 5 HE: וש"ב מ' סאסיא תח' ב"ה מעט הוקל חליה וההוסט ושותה חלב מעז וגם פולין ואוכלת בשר אבל לא ע"י דאקטיר אך חמותה המרשעת מלאה כעס שאין אני נותן לה כל המעות ביחד ולהכעיס אינה מקבלת התינוק אפילו רגע אחד EN: Words of one who truly loves you — and whose desire is bound to you at all times, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: ועתה נתחיל לדבר מעסק הגדול והשתפות שיש בינינו בחדש זה אנו צריכין להמשיך עלינו קדשת מרדכי ואסתר בכדי שיהיה לנו כח למחות זכר עמלק והמן הרשע והעסק הזה עשה רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' עבורנו אך אנו צריכין עכ"פ לקשר עצמנו ברצונות טובים ובתפילה ותחנונים הרבה ושלא לשכח שבכל דור ודור עומדים עלינו לכלותנו והק' ברוך הוא יצילנו מידם בזכות הצדיק יסוד העולם וימי הפורים הק' ממשמשין ובאין השי"ת יזכה אותנו לקים כל המצות פורים בשמחה גדולה ולזכות לקבל חג הפסח בכשרות בקדשה וטהרה ולהיות נזהרים ממשהו חמץ והיה מעשה הצדקה שלום EN: Undated — approaching Purim, 5639. Over two weeks without letters. Reb Aitzikel gravely ill. The match concluded with Zivenberger. Miriam Sasia improving but the mother-in-law is wicked. The wife's eye pain severe. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת ורצוני מקשר אליכם בכל עת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן First I inform you — that blessed be G-d — in another three days there will come upon us and upon all Israel the illumination of the miracle that was performed for us at this time — through the illumination of the holiness of Mordechai and Esther — which is called by its holy name: Purim. There is no land [אין לאנד — ayn land — Yiddish code-switch: "no land" — meaning no country in the entire world; the Yiddish word land embedded within the Hebrew sentence to convey universality] where all the Tzaddikim of every generation and generation spoke so highly about the true depth of the essential holiness of the day [עצומו של יום — atzmo shel yom — "the essence of the day itself" — the specific Halachic-liturgical term from the laws of Yom Kippur [Yoma 85b]: "the essence of the day itself atones" — atzmo shel yom mechaper; applied here to Purim: the Tzaddikim spoke about the inherent intrinsic sanctity of the day of Purim itself, independent of any actions — the very substance of Purim as a holy day]. And particularly Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple spoke at very great length — and revealed many holy secrets from every single thing that happens on Purim — and particularly about the joy of Purim. Therefore I ask of all our beloved to pray for me as well — that I merit to rejoice in the joy of Purim. For I have a great pain — for more than two months — such that when I am sitting I cannot stand — and when I am standing I cannot sit. But I have much relief in this — for there are sometimes such and such days when I do not feel the pain as much. Blessed be the Good One and He Who does good. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: First I inform you — that blessed be G-d — in another three days there will come upon us and upon all Israel the illumination of the miracle that was performed for us at this time — through the illumination of the holiness of Mordechai and Esther — which is called by its holy name: Purim. There is no land [אין לאנד — ayn land — Yiddish code-switch: "no land" — meaning no country in the entire world; the Yiddish word land embedded within the Hebrew sentence to convey universality] where all the Tzaddikim of every generation and generation spoke so highly about the true depth of the essential holiness of the day [עצומו של יום — atzmo shel yom — "the essence of the day itself" — the specific Halachic-liturgical term from the laws of Yom Kippur [Yoma 85b]: "the essence of the day itself atones" — atzmo shel yom mechaper; applied here to Purim: the Tzaddikim spoke about the inherent intrinsic sanctity of the day of Purim itself, independent of any actions — the very substance of Purim as a holy day]. And particularly Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple spoke at very great length — and revealed many holy secrets from every single thing that happens on Purim — and particularly about the joy of Purim. Therefore I ask of all our beloved to pray for me as well — that I merit to rejoice in the joy of Purim. For I have a great pain — for more than two months — such that when I am sitting I cannot stand — and when I am standing I cannot sit. But I have much relief in this — for there are sometimes such and such days when I do not feel the pain as much. Blessed be the Good One and He Who does good. # סז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/67/ סז סז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/67 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' אסתר תענית פה טבריא תו"ת EN: First I inform you — that blessed be G-d — in another three days there will come upon us and upon all Israel the illumination of the miracle that was performed for us at this time — through the illumination of the holiness of Mordechai and Esther — which is called by its holy name: Purim. There is no land [אין לאנד — ayn land — Yiddish code-switch: "no land" — meaning no country in the entire world; the Yiddish word land embedded within the Hebrew sentence to convey universality] where all the Tzaddikim of every generation and generation spoke so highly about the true depth of the essential holiness of the day [עצומו של יום — atzmo shel yom — "the essence of the day itself" — the specific Halachic-liturgical term from the laws of Yom Kippur [Yoma 85b]: "the essence of the day itself atones" — atzmo shel yom mechaper; applied here to Purim: the Tzaddikim spoke about the inherent intrinsic sanctity of the day of Purim itself, independent of any actions — the very substance of Purim as a holy day]. And particularly Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple spoke at very great length — and revealed many holy secrets from every single thing that happens on Purim — and particularly about the joy of Purim. Therefore I ask of all our beloved to pray for me as well — that I merit to rejoice in the joy of Purim. For I have a great pain — for more than two months — such that when I am sitting I cannot stand — and when I am standing I cannot sit. But I have much relief in this — for there are sometimes such and such days when I do not feel the pain as much. Blessed be the Good One and He Who does good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ חביבי ב"א המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב עם שלום אביך היקר נ"י ועם שלום חמיך נ"י ועם שלום כל ב"ב ועם שלום כל אהבינו אנ"ש שיחיו EN: And my wife, may she live — for three weeks she has — may the Merciful One protect her — eye pain and headache — which is impossible to put in writing — her crying and her pain. And for more than a week one eye is sealed and sealed shut. And for almost the entire week she has not tasted the flavor of food — only the food of our Arab neighbors [מאכלינו טייע — "our Tayyeh-food" — Tayyeh is the Talmudic-Aramaic word for Arab, from the name of the Arabian Tay tribe; used throughout rabbinic literature for Arab; the writer means the food of their Arab neighbors who apparently assisted the sick wife during this difficult time] and bread — because of her great pain. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her in the midst of the other sick of His people Israel. And she asked me to write to you to pray for her. Segment 3 HE: ראשית אודיעכם שב"ה בעוד שלשה ימים יבא עלינו ועל כל ישראל הארת הנס שנעשה לנו בזמן הזה ע"י הארת קדשת מרדכי ואסתר הנקרא בשמו הק' פורים אין לאנד אשר כל הצדיקים שבכל דור ודור הפליגו מאד בעצם קדשת עצומו של יום ובפרט רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הפליגו מאד מאד והרבו לדבר וגלו סודות קדושים מכל דבר ודבר הנעשה בפורים ובפרט משמחת פורים ע"כ אני מבקש מאת אהבינו להתפלל עלי ג"כ שאזכה לשמח בשמחת פורים כי יש לי מחוש גדול זה יותר משני חדשים שכשיושב אין אני יכול לעמד ואם אני עומד אין אני יכול לישב אך יש לי בזה הרבה הרחבות כי יש לפעמים כך וכך ימים שאין אני מרגיש הכאב כ"כ ברוך הטוב והמטיב EN: And even so — sadness and melancholy is a complete prohibition — and one must strengthen oneself to be in joy. And particularly we — who have something to rejoice about — that Hashem Yisbarach had mercy on us — and revealed to us a little of the hidden light, concealed from all living — and His light is hidden and stored in his holy books. And their words are like coals of fire burning — like torches of fire — in the heart of those who study and meditate upon them. And particularly since we are bound to such a Tzaddik — who blessed be G-d gives forth and does not receive — as is explained in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Appointing an Agent to Collect a Debt, according to the Torah of the Silver Trumpets. And there you will see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל. And the entire Torah is built on performing the commandment in joy. Therefore we must rejoice greatly — G-d willing — in the joy of Purim. For joy itself is a commandment. Therefore we must rejoice with the joy of a commandment. Therefore I ask of all our truly beloved — G-d willing — when you merit to rejoice — bind me as well to your joy. And I too will bind my joy to your joy — so that my joy will be part of the congregation of the Anash. Segment 4 HE: וזוג' תח' זה שלשה שבועות שיש לה ר"ל כאב עינים וכאב ראש אשר אין להעלות על הכתב צעקתה וכאבה וזה יותר משבוע שעין אחד הוא סתום וחתום וכמעט כל השבוע לא טעמה טעם מאכל רק מאכלינו טייע ולחם מחמת כאבה הגדול השי"ת ירחם עליה בתוך שאר חולי עמו ישראל והיא בקשה מאתי לכתוב לכם להתפלל עליה EN: הכלל חאטשי דער רבי מסטרא דילן איז נישט דא אבער זיינע ספרים זענין דא מייגין מיר פריליך זיין און מיר בעדארפן זייער פריליך זיין [Yiddish with Aramaic embedded: "The general principle — even though the Rebbe from our side is not here — but his books are here — we can be joyful — and we need to be very joyful"; chatshi — Yiddish concessive: "even though, although"; mistara dilan — Aramaic within the Yiddish: "from our side" — the Breslov side; three languages in one sentence — Yiddish, Aramaic, Hebrew — itself a Purim mixture]. Segment 5 HE: ואעפ"כ עצבות ומרה שחורה הוא אסור גמור וצריכין להתגבר להיות בשמחה ובפרט אנו שיש לנו לשמח במה שרחם עלינו השי"ת וגלה לנו מעט מאור הגנוז הצפון מעין כל חי ואורו גנוז וצפון בספריו הק' אשר דבריהם כגחלי אש הבוערים כלפידי אש בלב הלומדים וההוגים בהם ובפרט שאנו מקשרים לצדיק כזה שב"ה משפיע ולא מקבל כמבאר בהלכות העשה שליח לגבות חוב' ע"פ התורה בחצוצרות' ושם תראו גדלת רבנו ז"ל וכל התורה בנוי על עשית המצוה בשמחה ע"כ אנו צריכין לשמח מאד אי"ה בשמחת הפורים כי השמחה בעצמה היא מצוה ע"כ אנו צריכין לשמח בשמחה של מצוה ע"כ אני מבקש מאת כל אהבינו באמת אי"ה כשתזכו לשמח תקשרו אותי ג"כ לשמחתכם ואני ג"כ אקשר שמחתי לשמחתכם בכדי שיהיה שמחה שלי בצבור של אנ"ש EN: And my beloved friends in truth — Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, and Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine, and his brother Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, and his son, may his candle shine — and all our truly beloved — let us begin from now to draw ourselves close to the light of lights and to his holy disciples — for this will be our hope forever and to eternal eternity. Segment 6 HE: הכלל חאטשי דער רבי מסטרא דילן איז נישט דא אבער זיינע ספרים זענין דא מייגין מיר פריליך זיין און מיר בעדארפן זייער פריליך זיין EN: My friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — on Thursday past I sent you a letter — about what your father, may his candle shine, wrote to me — about the money that the patron Reb Yonah Zeitziv wishes to send — for the merit of the grape wine of the Rambam ז"ל — and within it was also enclosed a letter of congratulations to your co-parent-in-law. And I forgot to write to him that I received the letters from the wife of Reb Naftali, may his candle shine — and I received from her the sum of three bishlikim that your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, sent me — and immediately upon receiving it I blessed him and his household and all his sons and daughters. Segment 7 HE: וידידי אהבי באמת ר' נחמן נ"י ור' צבי נ"י ור' שמואל נ"י ור' איצילע נ"י ור' דב נ"י ור' איזיקלע נ"י ור' יואל צבי נ"י ואחיו מו"ה נתן נ"י ובנו נ"י וכל אהבינו באמת נתחיל מעתה לקרב עצמנו לאור האורות ולתלמידיו הק' כי זה יהיה תקותנו לעד ולנצח נצחים EN: And I have greatly asked of you — for the sake of Hashem — after Purim write to me a letter how your Purim was. And also write to me what happened to my beloved friend in truth — who rescued our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל from insults and acts of humiliation and contempt [מחרפות ומבזיונות — "from insults and humiliations" — two distinct categories: cherpot — verbal insults, shaming, reproach; and bizyonos — acts of contempt and degradation, humiliations; Reb Aitzikel physically protected Reb Nosson ז"ל from those who were subjecting him to both categories of mistreatment in Uman] in Uman — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine. For the sake of Hashem — write to me. And also as you wrote to me that you made yourself a shop in your home — write to me if you have any drawing of nourishment from it [יניקה — yenikah — "suckling, drawing nourishment" — from yenek — to nurse, to suckle; the organic bodily image of drawing life-sustenance; the writer asks whether the shop is actually providing him with nourishment — drawing livelihood from it as an infant draws milk] — and how was it concluded with the debt from Aba Sheinker — and with the other debts. Segment 8 HE: ידידי ר' נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י ביום ה' העבר שלחתי לכם מכתב מכח שכתב לי אביך נ"י מכח המעות שרוצה הגביר ר' יונה זייציב לשלח לסגלת יין גפן רמבע"ה ובתוכו היה רצוף מכתב ג"כ במז"ט לחמיך ושכחתי לכתוב לו שקבלתי המכתבים מאשת ר' נפתלי נ"י וקבלתי מאתה סך שלשה בישליקיס ששלח לי חמיך נ"י ותכף לנטילה ברכתי אותו ואת ב"ב וכל בניו ובנותיו EN: And also I ask of you and our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — as our friend Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, wrote to me that I request of you to draw close his grandson, may his candle shine — and not to look at his bad points — for how Rabbainu ז"ל drew close Reb Elazar son of Reb Shimon — who went where he went — as is explained in the Talmud, tractate Bava Metzia. And also the grandson of Rabbi Tarfon — and afterward they made from them complete Tzaddikim. For I know that if he had a worthy wife he would already have been a proper man. Segment 9 HE: וגם עתה בקשתי ממך שתלוה עבורי אחד זיבינער ועבור אחותי תח' אחד זיבינער ותעשה עם המעות כך לתן לר' נחמן נ"י חצי בישליק ולר' איצילע נ"י חצי בישליק ולר' דב נ"י חצי בישליק ולר' איזיקלע נ"י חצי בישליק והמותר אם ר' קלמן הולך אצלכם תתן לו ואם לאו תתן מחצה לר' מאיר נ"י ומחצה לר' יוסף נ"י והמעות תתן להם אי"ה בפורים עבורי ועבור אחותי תח' ואני אי"ה אשלח לך בתורת חוב ואפשר יבא לי מעות מאיזה מקום על שם אביך נ"י תקבל משם EN: And also these two weeks I had a letter from Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — and he wrote me that Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, wrote him something false — and he wrote me to ask you. And from this it appears that he has remorse. And do not forget what Rabbainu ז"ל tells in the story of the Master of Prayer — when the watchman said to him "and beyond this — what can I do — I am alone in the world?" — these words were considered by the Master of Prayer as repentance. And also you should know that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple wanted us to build homes and not to destroy homes. And fortunate is the one who pursues the beloved. And also you should know — the one delivering this letter is going to you to get married — and he has books from the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — and he wants to draw close to us. I studied with him on Motzei Shabbos the Torah "I am Hashem your G-d." Therefore draw him close. Segment 10 HE: ומאד בקשתי ממך למען ה' אחר פורים תכתב לי מכתב איך היה הפורים שלכם וגם תכתבו לי מה עשה ידידי אהבי באמת אשר הציל אדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת מחרפות ומבזיונות באומן מו"ה ר' איצילע נ"י למען ה' לכתוב לי גם איך שכתבת לי שעשית לך חנות בביתך תכתב לי אם יש לך איזה יניקה ואיך גמ' עם החוב מאבא שיינקיר ועם שאר חובות EN: More news there is none — only life and peace — אין פריליך זיין אין שיכרין אין פורים אין פיליאען אין ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' זכותם יגן עלינו אמן [Yiddish: "and be joyful and get drunk on Purim and revel and in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — may their merit protect us. Omain."] Segment 11 HE: וגם בקשתי מאתך ומאת ידידי ר' איזיקלע נ"י איך שידידנו ר' אפרים נ"י כתב לי שאבקש אתכם לקרב נכדו נ"י ולא תביטו על הרע שלו כי איך רבנו הק' קרב ב"ר אלעזר ב"ר שמעון שהלך למקום שהלך כמבאר בגמרא בבא מציעא וגם בר ברתה דרבי טרפון ואח"כ עשו מהם צדיקים גמורים כי אני יודע שאם היה לו אשה כשרה כבר היה איש כשר EN: One who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 12 HE: וגם זה שני שבועות שהיה לי מכתב מר' קלמן נ"י וכתב לי שר' איזיק נ"י כתב לו שקר וכתב לי שאשאל אותך וכפי זה נראה שיש לו חרטה ולא תשכח מה שמספר רבנו ז"ל בהמעשה של הבעל תפילה כשהשומר אמר לו ויותר מזה מה אני יכול לעשות הלא אני יחיד בעלמא היו אלו הדברים נחשבים אצל הבעל תפילה לתשובה וגם תדעו שרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' רצו שאנו נבנה בתים ולא להחריב בתים וזכאה מאן דרדיף בתר חיבא וגם תדעו שזה המוסר כתב זה נוסע אצלכם להשיא אשה הוא יש לו ספרים מספרי רבנו ז"ל והוא רוצה לקרב אלינו אני למדתי עמו במוצאי שב"ק התורה אנכי ה' אלהיך ע"כ תקרבו אותו EN: Written Thursday, the Fast of Esther, 5639 (March 1879), from Teverya. The writer in severe pain; the wife's eye sealed shut for over a week; almost no food. A passionate Purim call. The famous Yiddish line: even though the Rebbe is not here — his books are here. Segment 13 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום אין פריליך זיין אין שיכרין אין פורים אין פיליאען אין ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' זכותם יגן עלינו אמן EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 65 | סה (Samech-Hey) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 65 Segment 14 HE: אוהבכם באמת EN: Letter 65 | סה (Samech-Hey) Segment 15 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 65 # סח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/68/ סח סח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/68 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ז' ניסן תרט"ל פה טבריא תו"ת EN: On Thursday I received your letter from Thursday of Vayakhel — and also from our friend Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine. And yesterday toward evening I also received your letter from Thursday of Vayikra. And you truly gave life to my soul with your letter — as if I were seeing your face — for whenever I see some letter from you — it is truly my life-force — as if I were seeing my own children — for I truly love you. And say once more: congratulations and congratulations to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, and your mother-in-law, and your wife, may she live, and the son-in-law, may his candle shine — that it be at a propitious hour and for length of days and good years. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ חביבי כלבבי וכנפשי הותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב ועם שלום אביך היקר נ"י וחמיך או"נ נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב ועם שלום בנך נ"י EN: And regarding what you wrote — that you have despondency of mind about what you shattered and broke on the holy Purim [ששברת השאב — "that you shattered the ladle / drawing vessel" — shavarta ha'sha'av — shavar means to break and shatter; sha'av means a ladle or vessel for drawing liquid; the recipient broke or shattered a vessel during Purim celebrations — not merely spilled something, but broke the vessel itself] — to the point that you want to take a vow — this is great foolishness. For know: everything that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple said — it is all only for life — and not to make from it, G-d forbid, such melancholy. Rather give thanks to Hashem that you fulfilled the joy of Purim — and Rabbainu ז"ל will do with our joy what he will do. Segment 3 HE: ביום ה' קבלתי מכתבך מיום ה' ויקהל וגם מידידנו ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י ואתמול לעת ערב ג"כ קבלתי מכתבך מיום ה' ויקרא והחיית את נפשי ממש במכתבך כראותי פניכם כי שאני ראה מכם איזה מכתב החיות שלי ממש כראות מבני כי אהב אתכם באמת ותאמרו עוד הפעם מז"ט מז"ט לחמיך נ"י ולחמותך ולזוג' תח' ולהחתן נ"י שיהיה בשעה מצלחת ולאיוש"ט EN: And regarding the fears you have about the hides — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on you — only this is an allusion that we must begin anew to engage in seclusion-prayer. For Rabbainu ז"ל said that through the judgment by which we judge ourselves we are saved from fallen fears [יראות נפולות — "fallen fears" — fears that come from the fallen side, the realm of the husks; irrational fears with no legitimate source in holiness; Rabbainu ז"ל teaches that self-judgment liberates one from these illegitimate, fallen fears]. And surely G-d willing I will ask of Hashem Yisbarach that He save you from all evil — and do good for you in every kind of that which is good — for your grief is also my grief — for I love you very much with a love of soul. Segment 4 HE: ואודות מה שכתבת שיש לך חלשת הדעת במה ששברת השאב בפורים הק' עד שאתה רוצה לנדר זהו שטות גדול כי תדע כל מה שאמר רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם רק לחיים ולא לעשות מזה ח"ו מרה שחורה כזה רק להודות לה' שקימת שמחת פורים ורבנו ז"ל יעשה משמחתנו מה שיעשה EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach save you from every acute pain and deep anguish of suffering [מכל כאב ומכאוב — two distinct words for pain: ke'ev — the acute felt sensation of pain; and mich'ov — the deeper anguish and grief-pain of suffering; together covering both dimensions: the immediate hurt and the existential anguish]. And also for my wife — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy — and may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. For her pain is very great from her eyes. And now — before such a festival — we must only ask of the faithful Physician — the Physician Who heals without payment — and to draw upon ourselves the holiness of the holy matzah — which is a remedy. Segment 5 HE: ואודות הפחדים שלכם מהעורות השי"ת ירחם עליכם רק זה רמז שאנו צריכין להתחיל מחדש לעסק בהתבודדות כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שע"י משפט שאנו שופטין עצמנו נצולין מיראות נפולות ובודאי אי"ה אבקש מאת השי"ת שיציל אתכם מכל רע וייטיב עמכם בכל מילי דמיטב כי צערכם ג"כ צערי כי אני אהב אתכם מאד באהבת נפש EN: And you gave us life — with what you wrote to me that our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, has had his illness eased. May Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit all of us together to receive the holy Passover festival — all its customary commandments — in holiness and joy — and to be careful of any trace of leaven in the physical and in the spiritual. For the sake of Hashem — be only in joy. For one who draws after sadness, G-d forbid — and so on. Rather everything to the contrary — to joy. And not to worry at all. Only to live with the verse: "today if you will but hear His voice." And surely Hashem Yisbarach will not abandon us — for we are bound to such a Tzaddik — who leapt across two bridges of gold for our sake — to draw down for us abundance even in material matters. And he in concealment [באתכסיא — be'iskasya — Aramaic: "in concealment, in hiddenness" — a specific Zoharic and Kabbalistic term for the hidden mode of divine rule; the Tzaddik rules the world not openly but from behind the veil of concealment, invisible to ordinary perception] rules over the entire world. And when you wish, look in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Torah Study, law 1 — and there you will see a great comprehension from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — and your soul will be revived. For it is a great shame before us that we should be in melancholy when we are bound to such a Tzaddik — from whom flows a spirit of life to complete all the deficiencies — in the physical and in the spiritual. Segment 6 HE: והשי"ת יציל אתכם מכל כאב ומכאוב וגם על זוג' ירחם השי"ת וישלח לה השי"ת רפואה שלמה חיש מהר כי כאבה גדול עד למאד מעיניה ועתה קדם יו"ט כזה רק אנו צריכין לבקש מהרופא נאמן רופא חנם ולהמשיך עלינו קדשת המצה הק' שהיא אסותא EN: More news there is none — only life and peace. Segment 7 HE: והחייתנו במה שכתבת לי שידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י הוקל חליו השי"ת ישלח לו רפואה שלמה ויזכה אותנו השי"ת כלם בכלל לקבל חג הפסח הק' כל המצות הנהוגות בהם בקדשה ושמחה ולהיות נזהרים ממשהו חמץ בגשמיות וברוחניות למען ה' להיות רק בשמחה כי הנמשך אחר הצער ח"ו וכו' רק הכל להפך לשמחה ושלא לדאג כלל רק להחיות עם הפסוק היום אם בקלו תשמעו ובודאי לא יעזב אותנו השי"ת כי אנו מקשרין לצדיק כזה ששוור על תרי גישרא דדנג עבורנו להמשיך לנו שפע בגשמיות ג"כ והוא באתכסיא מושל על כל העולם וכשתרצה תעין בלקוטי הלכות הל' תלמוד תורה הלכה א' ושם תראה השגה גדולה מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל ותח' נפשך כי זה בושה גדולה לפנינו שנהיה אנחנו במרה שחורה כשאנו מקשרים לצדיק כזה שממנו נמשך רוח חיים להשלים כל החסרונות בגשמיות וברוחניות EN: From the diaspora let your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, write a letter to my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine — and to my son-in-law, may his candle shine — and write on my behalf greetings of peace to them — and to ask of them to receive a letter from my son's wife, may she live, to give life to her soul. Words of one who loves you in truth — and greetings of peace to all the Anash — and to the patron Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — who gave me life with the letter of his grandson — who always seeks your welfare. Nussun son of Reb Leib of Breslov Segment 8 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: The above-mentioned Nussun. Segment 9 HE: מחו"ל יכתב חמיך נ"י מכתב לבני משה אפרים נ"י ולחתני נ"י יכתב עבורי פ"ש להם ולבקש מאתם שיקבלו מכתב מבני זוג' תח' להחיות נפשה EN: Written Thursday, 7th of Nisan, 5639 (April 1879), from Teverya. Reb Aitzikel's illness easing. The recipient broke a vessel on Purim and is despondent — rebuked sharply. Passover teachings. "Two bridges of gold." Concealedness of the Tzaddik's rule. Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ופ"ש לכל אנ"ש ולהנגיד ר' חיים נ"י שהחיה אותי במכתב נכדו הדוש"ת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 12 HE: נתן ב"ר לייב מברסלב זוג' תח' ואחותי תח' פורסים בשלום חמותך תח' ובשלום זוג' תח' ובשלום בנך נ"י ומבקשת מאתך שתתפללו עליה שיתן לה השי"ת רפואה שלמה כי זה ששה שבועות שיש לה כאב עינים וכאב ראש אשר אין לשער כאבה הגדול השי"ת ירחם עליה וש"ב מ' סאסיא ב"ה הוקל חליה ואין לה אצלי עוד כי אם חמשה בישליקיס ואם אפשר לך לשלח לי שני אנסיס ציקר פסח ועלי לשלם בודאי מה טוב EN: I am informing you [מהודענא — mehodana — Aramaic: "I am making known, I am informing" — from the Aramaic root yeda — to know; a formal Aramaic code-switch for the act of notification, as used in Daniel and throughout Aramaic correspondence] that I arrived here in peace this very moment — and I had a great miracle on the road. In those waters where Reb Shmuel Bendirer had cast something [שהשלך ר' שמואל בענדיריר — "where Reb Shmuel Bendirer had thrown / cast" — hishlikh — had thrown, cast, flung; Reb Shmuel Bendirer had previously cast something into those waters — perhaps money or an object in fulfillment of a vow or custom — making this a known landmark on the coastal road identified by this act] — I stood there — and my mule wanted to drink — and went with me into the waters — and there was a great swamp — to the point that it was impossible to move from there. Only Hashem Yisbarach providentially arranged a donkey-driver — and he went into the waters and cried out at the mule — and Hashem Yisbarach performed a miracle — and gave strength to the mule — and it went out by a great miracle from the waters. And all said it was a great miracle. And I attribute it to the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל — and to the merit of the Anash who accompanied me with great love. May this merit stand for me in my going there and in my returning to Eretz Yisroel. And I will pray for all of you on Rosh Hashana. Reb Peysi, may his candle shine, and Reb Moshe, may his candle shine, and Reb Leizer, may his candle shine — traveled to Yerushalayim — for they missed the time of Meron. And I have greatly asked to inform my mother, may she live, and my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — that I arrived in peace in Barat. And G-d willing on Monday — G-d willing — I will direct my journey onto the ship. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5639 (late May or early June 1879), from Beirut. The writer has departed Eretz Yisroel. A dramatic miracle: his mule entered a deep swamp and was saved by divine providence. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — I am in life and in peace — and all my family here — blessed be G-d — in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — and a good inscription and sealing in the midst of all Israel. And to merit to see your faces in life and in peace — from within joy and from within expansive breadth of mind. [הרחבת הדעת — harkhavat ha'da'as — "expansiveness of the mind" — the open, spacious, broad mental clarity that is the opposite of the contracted, narrow mind of worry; a specific desirable state of inner freedom and clarity] And for the present moment — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to receive the awesome holy days in holiness and purity — and weeping from within joy [ובכיה מתוך שמחה — "weeping from within joy" — the paradoxical Breslov elevated state: tears of longing and repentance that arise from within a framework of joy, not from sadness; the most exalted form of prayer at the Days of Awe] — and may our prayer be included in the midst of the holy assembly. And let me inform you — that I had suffering here from the pass — for today here it is very, very difficult to receive a passport. And for three weeks I sat here — until I received a passport here — through great miracles and through much prayer — that Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us. And "Moses drew near to the thick darkness where G-d was" — for it is within the obstacles that Hashem is present. And I turned with all my heart to Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem Yisbarach helped me with His great loving-kindness — for prayers are not in vain. And even so — one needs the loving-kindnesses of Hashem at all times. And every day felt to me like many days — for I surely should have already been in the Russian land [ברוסין לאנד — in Russin land — Yiddish code-switch: "in the Russian land" — land — Yiddish for country/land; the same word as in Letter 67's ayn land; a natural code-switch into Yiddish for the destination country]. But from Heaven I was delayed until now. And G-d willing after the coming Shabbos I will travel — by the mouth of Hashem — on my holy way. More news there is none — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Your friend who desires your good and always seeks your welfare, Nussun son of my father the master Morainu v'Rabbainu Yehuda ז"ל Written Thursday, 2nd of Elul, 5639 (late August 1879), from Teiteira — Odessa. Three weeks stranded for a passport. Prayer and miracles. Approaching the Days of Awe. Will travel into Russia after Shabbos. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן On Thursday I received your letter from Thursday of Vayakhel — and also from our friend Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine. And yesterday toward evening I also received your letter from Thursday of Vayikra. And you truly gave life to my soul with your letter — as if I were seeing your face — for whenever I see some letter from you — it is truly my life-force — as if I were seeing my own children — for I truly love you. And say once more: congratulations and congratulations to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, and your mother-in-law, and your wife, may she live, and the son-in-law, may his candle shine — that it be at a propitious hour and for length of days and good years. And regarding what you wrote — that you have despondency of mind about what you shattered and broke on the holy Purim [ששברת השאב — "that you shattered the ladle / drawing vessel" — shavarta ha'sha'av — shavar means to break and shatter; sha'av means a ladle or vessel for drawing liquid; the recipient broke or shattered a vessel during Purim celebrations — not merely spilled something, but broke the vessel itself] — to the point that you want to take a vow — this is great foolishness. For know: everything that Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple said — it is all only for life — and not to make from it, G-d forbid, such melancholy. Rather give thanks to Hashem that you fulfilled the joy of Purim — and Rabbainu ז"ל will do with our joy what he will do. And regarding the fears you have about the hides — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on you — only this is an allusion that we must begin anew to engage in seclusion-prayer. For Rabbainu ז"ל said that through the judgment by which we judge ourselves we are saved from fallen fears [יראות נפולות — "fallen fears" — fears that come from the fallen side, the realm of the husks; irrational fears with no legitimate source in holiness; Rabbainu ז"ל teaches that self-judgment liberates one from these illegitimate, fallen fears]. And surely G-d willing I will ask of Hashem Yisbarach that He save you from all evil — and do good for you in every kind of that which is good — for your grief is also my grief — for I love you very much with a love of soul. And may Hashem Yisbarach save you from every acute pain and deep anguish of suffering [מכל כאב ומכאוב — two distinct words for pain: ke'ev — the acute felt sensation of pain; and mich'ov — the deeper anguish and grief-pain of suffering; together covering both dimensions: the immediate hurt and the existential anguish]. And also for my wife — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy — and may Hashem Yisbarach send her a complete healing quickly and soon. For her pain is very great from her eyes. And now — before such a festival — we must only ask of the faithful Physician — the Physician Who heals without payment — and to draw upon ourselves the holiness of the holy matzah — which is a remedy. And you gave us life — with what you wrote to me that our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, has had his illness eased. May Hashem Yisbarach send him a complete healing. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit all of us together to receive the holy Passover festival — all its customary commandments — in holiness and joy — and to be careful of any trace of leaven in the physical and in the spiritual. For the sake of Hashem — be only in joy. For one who draws after sadness, G-d forbid — and so on. Rather everything to the contrary — to joy. And not to worry at all. Only to live with the verse: "today if you will but hear His voice." And surely Hashem Yisbarach will not abandon us — for we are bound to such a Tzaddik — who leapt across two bridges of gold for our sake — to draw down for us abundance even in material matters. And he in concealment [באתכסיא — be'iskasya — Aramaic: "in concealment, in hiddenness" — a specific Zoharic and Kabbalistic term for the hidden mode of divine rule; the Tzaddik rules the world not openly but from behind the veil of concealment, invisible to ordinary perception] rules over the entire world. And when you wish, look in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Torah Study, law 1 — and there you will see a great comprehension from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — and your soul will be revived. For it is a great shame before us that we should be in melancholy when we are bound to such a Tzaddik — from whom flows a spirit of life to complete all the deficiencies — in the physical and in the spiritual. More news there is none — only life and peace. From the diaspora let your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, write a letter to my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine — and to my son-in-law, may his candle shine — and write on my behalf greetings of peace to them — and to ask of them to receive a letter from my son's wife, may she live, to give life to her soul. Words of one who loves you in truth — and greetings of peace to all the Anash — and to the patron Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — who gave me life with the letter of his grandson — who always seeks your welfare. Nussun son of Reb Leib of Breslov The above-mentioned Nussun. Written Thursday, 7th of Nisan, 5639 (April 1879), from Teverya. Reb Aitzikel's illness easing. The recipient broke a vessel on Purim and is despondent — rebuked sharply. Passover teachings. "Two bridges of gold." Concealedness of the Tzaddik's rule. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 13 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Reb Peysi, may his candle shine, and Reb Moshe, may his candle shine, and Reb Leizer, may his candle shine — traveled to Yerushalayim — for they missed the time of Meron. # סט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/69/ סט סט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/69 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק במדבר תרט"ל לפ"ק באראט EN: I am informing you [מהודענא — mehodana — Aramaic: "I am making known, I am informing" — from the Aramaic root yeda — to know; a formal Aramaic code-switch for the act of notification, as used in Daniel and throughout Aramaic correspondence] that I arrived here in peace this very moment — and I had a great miracle on the road. In those waters where Reb Shmuel Bendirer had cast something [שהשלך ר' שמואל בענדיריר — "where Reb Shmuel Bendirer had thrown / cast" — hishlikh — had thrown, cast, flung; Reb Shmuel Bendirer had previously cast something into those waters — perhaps money or an object in fulfillment of a vow or custom — making this a known landmark on the coastal road identified by this act] — I stood there — and my mule wanted to drink — and went with me into the waters — and there was a great swamp — to the point that it was impossible to move from there. Only Hashem Yisbarach providentially arranged a donkey-driver — and he went into the waters and cried out at the mule — and Hashem Yisbarach performed a miracle — and gave strength to the mule — and it went out by a great miracle from the waters. And all said it was a great miracle. And I attribute it to the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל — and to the merit of the Anash who accompanied me with great love. May this merit stand for me in my going there and in my returning to Eretz Yisroel. And I will pray for all of you on Rosh Hashana. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ חביבי כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך נ"י וחמיך נ"י עם שלום בני ביתם וזוג' תח' ובנך נ"י EN: Reb Peysi, may his candle shine, and Reb Moshe, may his candle shine, and Reb Leizer, may his candle shine — traveled to Yerushalayim — for they missed the time of Meron. Segment 3 HE: מהודענא שבאתי לפה לשלום בזו הרגע והיה לי נס גדול בהדרך שבזה המים שהשלך ר' שמואל בענדיריר עמדתי בשם והפרדה שלי רצה לשתות והלך עמי בתוך המים ושם זומפ גדול עד שלא היה באפשר לזוז משם רק השי"ת הזמין מיקער אחד והלך לתוך המים וצעק על הפרדה ועשה השי"ת נס ונתן כח בפרדה והלכה בנס גדול חוץ למים וכלם אמרו שנס גדול ואני תולה בזכות רבנו ז"ל וזכות אנ"ש שלוו אותי באהבה גדולה כן יעמד זכות זה לי בהליכה להתם ובחזרה לא"י ואני על ר"ה אתפלל בעד כלכם EN: And I have greatly asked to inform my mother, may she live, and my wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live — that I arrived in peace in Barat. And G-d willing on Monday — G-d willing — I will direct my journey onto the ship. Segment 4 HE: שר' פעסי נ"י ור' משה נ"י ור' לייזיר נ"י נסעו לירושלים כי אחרו זמן מירון EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומאד בקשתי להודיע לאמי תח' ולזוג' תח' ולאחותי תח' שבאתי בשלום לבאראט ואי"ה ביום ב' אי"ה אנהיג נסיעתי על הספינה EN: Written Friday, Parshas Bamidbar, 5639 (late May or early June 1879), from Beirut. The writer has departed Eretz Yisroel. A dramatic miracle: his mule entered a deep swamp and was saved by divine providence. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Blessed be G-d — I am in life and in peace — and all my family here — blessed be G-d — in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — and a good inscription and sealing in the midst of all Israel. And to merit to see your faces in life and in peace — from within joy and from within expansive breadth of mind. [הרחבת הדעת — harkhavat ha'da'as — "expansiveness of the mind" — the open, spacious, broad mental clarity that is the opposite of the contracted, narrow mind of worry; a specific desirable state of inner freedom and clarity] Segment 8 HE: ומאד בקשתי לשלח תכף מכתב לטבריא תו"ת ואי"ה כשאהיה על הספינה אשלח לכם מכתב ע"י ר' יעקב קאניאר נ"י ומאד בקשתי אי"ה אחר עשרה ימים תחקר מבני ביתי מה הם עשים ותכתב לי לטייטרא ופאסט געלט על חשבוני ולתן לערל ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל שני צוואנציקרליך EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — I am in life and in peace — and all my family here — blessed be G-d — in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — and a good inscription and sealing in the midst of all Israel. And to merit to see your faces in life and in peace — from within joy and from within expansive breadth of mind. [הרחבת הדעת — harkhavat ha'da'as — "expansiveness of the mind" — the open, spacious, broad mental clarity that is the opposite of the contracted, narrow mind of worry; a specific desirable state of inner freedom and clarity] And for the present moment — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to receive the awesome holy days in holiness and purity — and weeping from within joy [ובכיה מתוך שמחה — "weeping from within joy" — the paradoxical Breslov elevated state: tears of longing and repentance that arise from within a framework of joy, not from sadness; the most exalted form of prayer at the Days of Awe] — and may our prayer be included in the midst of the holy assembly. And let me inform you — that I had suffering here from the pass — for today here it is very, very difficult to receive a passport. And for three weeks I sat here — until I received a passport here — through great miracles and through much prayer — that Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us. And "Moses drew near to the thick darkness where G-d was" — for it is within the obstacles that Hashem is present. And I turned with all my heart to Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem Yisbarach helped me with His great loving-kindness — for prayers are not in vain. And even so — one needs the loving-kindnesses of Hashem at all times. And every day felt to me like many days — for I surely should have already been in the Russian land [ברוסין לאנד — in Russin land — Yiddish code-switch: "in the Russian land" — land — Yiddish for country/land; the same word as in Letter 67's ayn land; a natural code-switch into Yiddish for the destination country]. But from Heaven I was delayed until now. And G-d willing after the coming Shabbos I will travel — by the mouth of Hashem — on my holy way. # ז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/7/ ז ז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/7 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' ויצא תרל"ו לפ"ק טבריא EN: Tuesday, the Torah portion of Vayaitzai [Parshas Vayaitzai — the portion recounting Yaakov's departure from Be'er Sheva, his dream of the heavenly ladder, and his years with Lavan; it falls in late November or early December], 5636 [= autumn–winter 1875–76 CE] — Teverya. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: To the honor of our ohavainu — the wondrous young Torah scholar, veteran Chassid — the honor of the name of his Torah [כש"ת — kivod shem torosso] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח כלנו בקו החיים מי יתן השי"ת שיסור חלישות הלב מזוג' מ' יד"ל תח' EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us are in the way of life. Would that Hashem Yisbarach remove the weakness of the heart from the wife [מ' יד"ל — an abbreviated name; yad"l likely stands for yichyeh l'orech yomim — "may she live for length of days" — or is an abbreviated personal name], may she live — of the recipient. [The writer opens not with the standard health formula but with a direct, heartfelt prayer for the recipient's wife — her cardiac condition is foremost in his mind and heart.] Segment 4 HE: מכתבך עם עשרה הערינג קבלתי לנכון ונתתי למוסר כתב זה אחד 20 שכר טרחה ותדע שתכף בבאי נתתי לר' קלמן הסך שני בישליקיס כאשר צוה עלי מעלתו ע"כ וויס איך נישט אם אתה מצוה עלי עוד לתן על חשבונך בעד ההערינג עוד אחד בישליק ויהיה בסך הכל שלשה בישליקיס לר' קלמן נ"י ע"כ לכתוב אם אתן להנ"ל עוד בישליק ואתן לו תכף כי אני חושש אפשר שכחת שצוית עלי לתן ממעות שלו שני בישליקיס ע"כ לכתוב לי EN: Your letter together with the ten herrings [hering — Yiddish: herrings; salted or pickled herring was a staple food and a common practical gift exchanged between communities] I received properly. And I gave to the one conveying this letter one coin of 20 [para — a Turkish small coin, approximately 1/40 of a groshen; payment for the physical labor of carrying the letter] as payment for his trouble. And know that immediately upon my arrival I gave to Reb Kalman the sum of two bishlikim, as your distinguished self instructed me. Therefore — I do not know [וויס איך נישט — vais ich nisht — the writer switches mid-sentence into Yiddish: "I do not know" — a natural code-switch for Eastern European Jews of this period, for whom Yiddish was the intimate vernacular and Hebrew the language of sacred correspondence] — whether you are still instructing me to give on your account, for the herrings, another one bishlik — in which case the total would come to three bishlikim for Reb Kalman, may his candle shine. Therefore write to me whether I should give the said person another bishlik — and I will give it to him immediately. For I am concerned that perhaps you forgot that you had instructed me to give from his money two bishlikim. Therefore write to me. And also write to me what is now heard from your consular affairs [קאנצילאטין — kantzilatin — from the Italian or German Konsulat: the foreign consulate; in Ottoman Palestine, Jews who held European citizenship depended on their country of origin's consulate for legal protection, documentation, and intervention with the Ottoman authorities — a matter of vital practical importance for immigrant Jews] — so that I should know how to pray. And also write to me about our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — what has become of him? Is he going together with you to learn together? And let us strengthen ourselves from it — from the learning together [ונתחזק מחו — v'nischazek mihu — "and let us strengthen ourselves from it / from this" — the strengthening is drawn specifically from the Torah study itself, not merely from the company] — with settled, composed minds [בישוב הדעת — b'yishuv ha'da'as — inner stillness and composure; the Breslov ideal of serving G-d from a place of calm, not agitation or anxiety], as in former times [כמקדם — "as before, as in earlier days" — carrying a note of longing for a previous closeness that the distance has made harder] — to give life to my soul, which is bound to your souls. And also — what has become of your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine? And what has become of the wife of our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine? For we are truly beloved brothers. Segment 5 HE: וגם תכתב לי מה שנשמע עתה מהקאנצילאטין שלכם בכדי לידע איך להתפלל וגם לכתוב לי מידידנו ר' איזיקלע נ"י מה הוא עשה אם הוא הולך עמכם ללמד ביחד ונתחזק מחו בישוב הדעת כמקדם להחיות נפשי הקשורה בנפשותיכם וגם מה עשה בנך סענדיר חיים נ"י ואשת ר' איצילע נ"י כי אנו ממש אחים אהובים וגם אתמול למדתי לקוטי הלכות הל' שבת חלק ג' הלכה ה' והחיה אותי עד מאד ע"כ אני מבקש מאתך שתלמד ג"כ הלכה הנ"ל ותראה פלאות ותח' נפשך ונפש ידידי ר' איזיק נ"י EN: And also — yesterday I studied Likutay Halachos, the Laws of Shabbos, Part 3, Law 5 [a precise citation — not a general recommendation but a specific location within the work, as one friend shares a discovery with another: "go to this exact page"] — and it gave me life to a very great degree. Therefore I request of you that you too study the said law — and you will see wonders, and it will give life [ותח' — v'sichayeh — "and it will give life to" — the subject doing the reviving is the Torah passage itself; the life-force flows from the text into the soul] to your soul and to the soul of my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. Segment 6 HE: השי"ת יתן לכם ולנו חיים טובים וארכים EN: May Hashem Yisbarach give you and us good and long life. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך EN: May Hashem Yisbarach give you and us good and long life. Segment 8 HE: נתן מטבריא תו"ת EN: Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Teverya, may it be established and built for good. # ע URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/70/ ע ע Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/70 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' שופטים ב' אלול תרט"ל פה טייטרא EN: Blessed be G-d — I am in life and in peace — and all my family here — blessed be G-d — in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace — and a good inscription and sealing in the midst of all Israel. And to merit to see your faces in life and in peace — from within joy and from within expansive breadth of mind. [הרחבת הדעת — harkhavat ha'da'as — "expansiveness of the mind" — the open, spacious, broad mental clarity that is the opposite of the contracted, narrow mind of worry; a specific desirable state of inner freedom and clarity] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ היקר המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה צבי נ"י עם שלום בנכם היקר מו"ה נתן עם שלום זוג' ובנו שיחיו ולכבוד או"נ היקר מו"ה שמואל עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: And for the present moment — may Hashem Yisbarach merit us to receive the awesome holy days in holiness and purity — and weeping from within joy [ובכיה מתוך שמחה — "weeping from within joy" — the paradoxical Breslov elevated state: tears of longing and repentance that arise from within a framework of joy, not from sadness; the most exalted form of prayer at the Days of Awe] — and may our prayer be included in the midst of the holy assembly. And let me inform you — that I had suffering here from the pass — for today here it is very, very difficult to receive a passport. And for three weeks I sat here — until I received a passport here — through great miracles and through much prayer — that Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us. And "Moses drew near to the thick darkness where G-d was" — for it is within the obstacles that Hashem is present. And I turned with all my heart to Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem Yisbarach helped me with His great loving-kindness — for prayers are not in vain. And even so — one needs the loving-kindnesses of Hashem at all times. And every day felt to me like many days — for I surely should have already been in the Russian land [ברוסין לאנד — in Russin land — Yiddish code-switch: "in the Russian land" — land — Yiddish for country/land; the same word as in Letter 67's ayn land; a natural code-switch into Yiddish for the destination country]. But from Heaven I was delayed until now. And G-d willing after the coming Shabbos I will travel — by the mouth of Hashem — on my holy way. Segment 3 HE: ב"ה אני בחיים ושלום וכל משפחתי בכאן ב"ה בחיים ושלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים ושלום וכתיבה וחתימה טובה בתוך כלל ישראל ולזכות לראות פניכם בחיים ושלום מתוך שמחה ומתוך הרחבת הדעת EN: More news there is none — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Segment 4 HE: ולעת עתה יזכנו השי"ת לקבל ימים הנוראים הק' בקדשה וטהרה ובכיה מתוך שמחה ולהכלל תפילתנו בתוך קבוץ הק' ואודיעכם שהיה לי בכאן יסורים מתוך הפאס כי היום בכאן קשה מאד מאד לקבל הפאשפארט ושלשה שבועות ישבתי בכאן עד שקבלתי בכאן פאשפארט בנסים גדולים ומתוך תפלות הרבה שגלה לנו רבנו ז"ל ומשה נגש אל הערפל אשר שם האלהים אשר בתוך המניעות שם השי"ת ופניתי בכל לבי להשי"ת עד שעזר לי השי"ת בחסדו הגדול כי התפלות אינם לריק ואעפ"כ צריכין לחסדי ה' בכל עת וכל יום היה אצלי גדול כמה ימים כי בודאי הייתי צריך כבר להיות ברוסין לאנד אך מן השמים נתעכבתי עד עתה ואי"ה אחר שבת הבא עלינו לטובה אסע ע"פ ה' לדרכי בקודש EN: Your friend who desires your good and always seeks your welfare, Nussun son of my father the master Morainu v'Rabbainu Yehuda ז"ל Segment 5 HE: יותר חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום וכט"ס EN: Written Thursday, 2nd of Elul, 5639 (late August 1879), from Teiteira — Odessa. Three weeks stranded for a passport. Prayer and miracles. Approaching the Days of Awe. Will travel into Russia after Shabbos. Segment 6 HE: ידידכם החפץ בטובתכם ודוש"ת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן בן אבי אדוני מו"ה יהודא זללה"ה EN: Letter 68 | סח (Samech-Ches) # עא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/71/ עא עא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/71 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' חמשה עשר בשבט תר"ם לפ"ק טבריא תו"ת EN: Surely you received the greetings of peace that I wrote to you on the letter of Reb Chaim the Breslover. And now I come to make our love fresh and new [לחדש אהבתנו — "to make our love new, to renew it to freshness" — from chadash — new; to restore something to its original freshness and newness; not merely to recall or confirm the love but to make it genuinely new again] — and to convey greetings of peace to all the Anash. And I ask of you to inform me if there was any letter from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, or any other news — and give life to my soul. Also: please give on account of my sister the sum of one and a half zibeners — to distribute to the Anash as follows: Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום אביך ותיק וחסיד המפלא ומפלג וכו' כש"ת מו"ה צבי נ"י EN: And formally present the money to my account [ותציג המעות לחשבוני — "and present and set the money to my account" — v'satzeg — from yatzeg — to place, to present, to formally set before; not merely a casual note but a formal presentation and setting of the expenditure to the writer's account]. And also if you are able to send me four rats of pasulis — but only if the rat costs no more than five of your groshen — for I still need to pay additional cart-hire for each rat. And perhaps you don't even have pasulis available. Segment 3 HE: בודאי קבלתם הפ"ש שכתבתי לכם על המכתב של ר' חיים ברסלבר ועתה באתי לחדש אהבתנו ולפרס לכם בשלום לכל אנ"ש ובקשתי ממך להודיע לי אם היה איזה מכתב מחמיך נ"י או איזה ידיעה אחרת ותחיו נפשי גם תתן על חשבון אחותי אחד וחצי זיבינער לחלק לאנ"ש הינו לר' נחמן שני 20 לר' בער שלשה 20 לבנו של ר' יואל הירש חמש 20 כי זוג' היא קימפטארן ולר' איזיק שני 20 ולאשת ר' איצילע שני 20 ולר' יוסף שני 20 ותציג המעות לחשבוני וגם אם תוכל לשלח לי ארבעה ראט' פאסוליס אך באפן שלא יעלה הראט' יותר מחמשה גר' שלכם כי אני צריך לשלם עוד שכר עגלה בעד כל ראט' וגם אפשר אין בנמצא אצלך הפאסוליס EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us — that the point which we drew upon ourselves at the time of the holy gathering of Rabbainu ז"ל on Rosh Hashana — may it awaken within us and may they operate and produce their effects within us [ויפעלו בנו — "and may they act and operate within us" — the plural: the awakened sparks and forces drawn in at Rosh Hashana should operate in their multiple effects within us; not merely a single act but multiple spiritual operations working from within] — to merit complete repentance — we and all our fellowship. Segment 4 HE: תפב"ש עבורי לר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל אהבי באמת שהוא ישלח לי ועם המוסר כתב זה אשר יביא הפאסוליס אשלח לו המעות וגם איך שהיה אצלי בביתי וסברה זוג' שהוא ג"כ יסע לאומן ושלחה עמו שני נאפאלין ווארשוויר וגם שני לעמפליך קטנים ע"כ בקשתי לשלח לי בהחזרה EN: Words of one who truly loves you and desires your success, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום והשי"ת יעזור לנו שיתעורר בנו הנקדה אשר המשכנו עלינו בעת הקבוץ הק' של רבנו ז"ל על ר"ה ויפעלו בנו לזכות לתשובה שלמה אנו וכל חברתנו EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת וחפץ הצלחתכם EN: Written Wednesday, 15th of Shvat (Tu B'Shvat), 5640 (January or February 1880), from Teverya. Charitable distributions to six households. A request for beans. The inner point drawn at Rosh Hashana must operate and produce its effects. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit all the Anash — they and their wives and their sons and daughters — to hear life and peace at all times. # עב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/72/ עב עב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/72 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק פ' יתרו תר"ם טבריא לכבוד או"נ האברך מו"ה נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כה יזכה השי"ת לשמע מכל אנ"ש מהם ומנשיהם ובניהם ובנותיהם החיים והשלום בכל עת מכתבך קבלתי לנכון ותכף עשיתי פדיון עבורו ונתתי המעות לצדקה כן יעזור ה' שיהיה הפדיון שלו מעת כתיבת המכתב מאומן והשי"ת יעזור לנו שנשמע חיש מהר רפואתו בשלמות כי הוא אהבנו באמת ואהב רבנו ז"ל וכל אנ"ש באמת ולמה לא כתבת לי מה החולאת שלו ותדע שבזה השבוע שלחתי מכתב לאו"נ ר' נתן ב"ר צבי נ"י ושם כתבתי לך פ"ש באהבה עזה כי אני אהב אותך באמת וכל אנ"ש אהבינו באמת ודן אותם לכף זכות ובודאי אפרס בגינך לר' יוסף אזליר ולבנו נ"י ומחמת עש"ק מכרח אני לקצר ואולי היה בזה המכתב איזה מכתב מחתני ישראל נ"י שיושב בבית ר' נתן לירסמאן או עכ"פ איזה פ"ש דברי אוהבך באמת וחפץ הצלחתך בזה ובבא נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here are in life and in peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit all the Anash — they and their wives and their sons and daughters — to hear life and peace at all times. Your letter I received properly — and immediately I performed a redemption for him — and gave the money to charity. May Hashem help that his redemption be from the time of the writing of the letter in Uman. And may Hashem Yisbarach help us that we hear quickly and soon of his complete recovery — for he is our truly beloved — and he truly loved Rabbainu ז"ל and all the Anash. And why did you not write to me what his illness is? And know that this week I sent a letter to our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — and there I wrote you greetings of peace with strong love — for I truly love you — and all the Anash our beloved — I truly love them and judge them to the pan of merit [לכף זכות — "to the pan of merit" — the specific Talmudic phrase from Avos 1:6: "judge every person to the pan of merit" — kaf — the pan of a scale; the image is of the scale of divine judgment; to judge someone "to the pan of merit" means to place their conduct on the side of merit rather than the side of culpability]. And surely I will spread and extend greetings in your name [ואפרס בגינך — "and I will spread out and extend on your behalf / in your name" — efros — to spread out, to extend; biginecha — in your name, on your behalf, for your sake; to spread and extend greetings specifically in the recipient's name and merit] to Reb Yosef Aizler and to his son, may his candle shine. And due to the eve of Shabbos I am compelled to be brief. And perhaps in this letter there is some letter from my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine — who lodges at the house of Reb Nussun Lirsman — or at least some greetings of peace. Words of one who truly loves you and desires your success in this world and the next, Nussun son of our teacher Yehuda ז"ל Written Friday, Parshas Yisro, 5640 (January or February 1880), from Teverya. A redemption performed immediately for a sick community member in Uman. Cut short by the eve of Shabbos. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # עג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/73/ עג עג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/73 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' משפטים תר"ם פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in the line of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace at all times. And likewise may He let us hear quickly and soon from the Anash in the diaspora — life and peace. And particularly from our friend, our beloved in truth — Reb Hirsh son of Slaveh [ר' הירש בן סלאווע — "Reb Hirsh son of Slaveh" — Slaveh is his mother's name — a Slavic-Yiddish woman's name; he is identified here by his mother's name rather than his father's, as was sometimes done; not a place name but the name of his mother] — life and success and peace — without limit. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז המפלא ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו כבוד מורנו ר' סענדיר חיים נ"י ולידידי או"נ ר' איזיק נ"י EN: Your letter from Friday of Beshalach and from Sunday of Yisro — I received this very moment — and it was a wonder in my eyes that you wrote that you have not received any letter from me since my arrival here. Have I not sent my letter to Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine, through the donkey-driver Reb Zeidel immediately upon my arrival — on Wednesday of Beshalach — and on that letter I wrote of the peace of my arrival here and of the peace of all the members of my household. Only I do not know whether Reb Zeidel gave the letter to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. Therefore ask Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And also on Wednesday of last week I sent you a letter through Reb Dov, may his candle shine, the partner of the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also I received on Friday a letter from our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel — who wrote to me from our friend Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — that he has fallen ill in Uman. And it is a time of trouble for Yaakov — and from it he will be saved. And we have great suffering — that we have no letter at all from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. Therefore if Hashem Yisbarach gives any news about him — immediately inform me. And regarding what you wrote about the books — there are no buyers here at all — for a woman also brought books with her worth three rubles — and she has no buyers at all. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום וכמו כן ישמיענו חיש מהר מחו"ל מאנ"ש החיים והשלום ובפרט מידידנו אהבנו באמת ר' הירש בן סלאווע החיים והצלחה והשלום א"ס EN: And regarding the sugar — for here it is a small town and full of poor people — and it is established and fixed in you that you want a livelihood that is not a livelihood — and you still do not know that we cannot form partnerships with the Anash in business matters in this way. But presumably Hashem Yisbarach will help you and this too shall pass. Only you must pray to Hashem Yisbarach that He do good for you — and repent greatly over this action — that you went according to the counsel of the vile world — for this is not the counsel of Rabbainu ז"ל. And for everything prayer and repentance avails — and surely Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on you and bless you most favorably. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מיום ו' בשלח ומג' יתרו היום בזו הרגע קבלתי והיה לפלא בעיני שאתה כתב שלא קבלת ממני שום מכתב מביאתי לפה הלא שלחתי לר' חיים קר"ש נ"י מכתבי ע"י ר' זידיל מיקער תכף בבאי ביום ד' בשלח על המכתב הזה כתבתי עליו משלום באי לפה ומשלום כל בני ביתי רק אין אני יודע אם ר' זידיל נתן המכתב לר' חיים נ"י ע"כ תשאלו לר' חיים נ"י וגם ביום ד' שבוע העבר שלחתי לך מכתב ע"י ר' דב נ"י שתפו של הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י וגם קבלתי ביום ו' מכתב מידידי או"נ ר' נתן בן ר"י שכתב לי מידידנו ר' צבי נ"י שנחלה באומן ועת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע ויש לנו יסורים גדולים מה שאין לנו שום מכתב מחמיך נ"י ע"כ אם יתן השי"ת איזה ידיעה ממנו תכף תודיעו לי ואודות מה שכתבת לי אודות הספרים אין בכאן שום קונים כי אשה אחת ג"כ הביאה עמה ספרים בעד שלש רו"ח ואין לה קונים כלל EN: And know, my faithful brother — that I studied much in the Yikara D'Shabbata — and it is impossible for you to estimate the greatness of the new teachings that are there — and particularly regarding the stories. And from there one sees: whoever attaches himself to the books of Rabbainu ז"ל with constancy and with great faith — how he is able to refine his brain — and to see wonders in all the holy Torah — through the illuminating light of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore we must believe that Hashem Yisbarach provides for us through an easy cause — and not to take upon oneself excessive distraction [טרדא יתרה — Aramaic code-switch: tarda yeserah — "excess distraction, excessive preoccupation" — tarda is the Aramaic form of the Hebrew tirdah; a code-switch into Aramaic for this word; the distraction and driven-preoccupation of the person who chases unsuitable livelihood]. Therefore, my brothers my friends — be strong and courageous in Torah and prayer — and trust in Hashem — for surely Hashem Yisbarach will provide for you — and do not worry at all. Only be in joy — for you have merited to be on the great and awesome Rosh Hashana in the midst of the holy gathering. And draw yourself close to Rabbainu ז"ל — in thought, in speech, and in deed — and surely G-d willing everything will be properly set aright. Segment 5 HE: ואודות הציקר כי בכאן עיר קטנה ורב עניים וקימת בך שאתה רוצה פרנסה שאינה פרנסה ועדין אין אתה יודע שאין אנו יכולין לעשות שתפות עם אנ"ש רק מסתמא יעזור לך השי"ת ותעבר גם על זה רק אתה צריך להתפלל להשי"ת שיעשה עמך לטובה ולהתחרט מאד על המעשה זה שהלכת בעצת העולם הבזוי כי זה אין עצת רבנו ז"ל ועל הכל מועיל תפילה וחרטה ובודאי ירחם עליך השי"ת ויברך לך בכי טוב EN: Words of one who truly desires your success — only from within joy — one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: ותדע אחי נאמני שאני למדתי הרבה ב"יקרא דשבתא וא"א לך להעריך גדל החדושים שיש שם ובפרט על המעשיות ומשם ראין שמי שמדבק עצמו לספרי רבנו ז"ל בהתמדה ובאמונה גדולה איך יכול לזכך מחו ולראות נפלאות בכל התורה הק' ע"י אור המאיר של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ע"כ אנו צריכין להאמין שהשי"ת מפרנס אותנו בסבה קלה ולא לקבל על עצמו טרדא יתרה ע"כ אחי ידידי חזקו ואמצו בתורה ותפילה ובטח בה' שודאי יפרנסך השי"ת ולא תדאג כלל רק היה בשמחה שזכית להיות על ר"ה הגדול והנורא בתוך הקבוץ הק' ותקרב עצמך לרבנו ז"ל בין במחשבה בין בדבור בין במעשה ובודאי אי"ה יהיה הכל על נכון EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Mishpatim, 5640 (January or February 1880), from Teverya. Reb Tzvi ill in Uman. No buyers for books. A direct rebuke on the sugar trade. A teaching from Yikara D'Shabbata: attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל's books refines the brain. Segment 7 HE: דברי החפץ הצלחתך באמת רק מתוך שמחה אוהבך באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened. # עד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/74/ עד עד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/74 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ויקהל פקודי תר"ם לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in the line of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace and good tidings from you and from the diaspora — as my soul desires — without limit. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז אהבי באמת ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ידידי עז מו"ה איזיקל נ"י EN: After the holy Purim I was watching for your letter — how the joy of Purim went with you — which sweetens all the harsh judgments. And in the end — I have not merited to give life to my soul with the joy of my precious brothers — whose love is tied and attached in my heart. For I blessed be G-d was in joy — and I tied my joy to your joy and to the joy of all the Anash. And beyond this — I have suffering because of what you wrote to me about your wife — that she is not in good health. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ובשורות טובות מכם ומחו"ל כאות נפשי א"ס EN: And also I want to know — perhaps you have any letter from your co-parent-in-law, our beloved precious one — perhaps through him there is some news about our friend your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. For my soul is utterly spent with yearning to hear some news from him. And also from you I have had no news for some days — and I have grief — for they are engraved in my heart truly as children. And particularly since there is a great business between us — in the partnership formed between us through Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore we must know at all times how I am engaged in the partnership — and how you are engaged in the partnership — so that each one according to his capacity not be idle, G-d forbid, in our business in whatever he can do. And the main thing of this business is prayer and supplication and joy. Segment 4 HE: הנה אחר פורים הק' צפיתי למכתבכם איך עלה אצלכם השמחה של פורים אשר היא המתקת כל הדינים ולבסוף אין לי זכיה להחיות נפשי בשמחת אחי היקרים אשר אהבתכם קשור ודבוק בלבי כי אני ב"ה הייתי בשמחה וקשרתי שמחתי לשמחתכם ולשמחות כל אנ"ש וחוץ מזה יש לי יסורים מחמת שכתבת לי מזוג' שאינה בקו הבריאה EN: For thus I heard from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — before his holy and pure departure — and thus he said in his holy language — that blessed be G-d we now have three clarified laws: for Rosh Hashana one must travel; and Shulchan Aruch one must study; and seclusion-prayer one must do every day — and specifically from all preoccupations and all confusions and all mixings — one must make from this prayer. For on that account it is called prayer — praise. And I settled my mind — to arouse myself and arouse you — to begin this anew — to hearken and obey Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to fix each day a set time for seclusion-prayer — a statute that shall not be transgressed [חק ולא יעבר — "a statute and it shall not be transgressed" — the specific biblical phrase from Psalms 148:6 and Proverbs 8:29: the immutable decree of G-d that cannot be crossed; the daily seclusion-prayer is fixed as immutably as the laws of nature]. And even to say only "Master of the World, have mercy on me" — for solid, unbroken hours [שעה רצופים — "unbroken, pressed-together hours" — from ratzuf — pressed together, continuous, without interruption; the hours should be solid and unbroken, each pressed against the next]. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will help us — and the spirit of Hashem will speak through us — for it is no empty word — these are the words of Rabbainu ז"ל. Segment 5 HE: וגם אני רוצה לידע אולי יש לכם איזה מכתב מחמיך או"נ היקר אולי יש על ידו איזה ידיעה מידידנו מחתנכם ר' צבי נ"י כי כלתה נפשי לשמע איזה ידיעה מאתו וגם מאתכם אין לי ידיעה איזה ימים ויש לי צער כי נחקקים בלבי כבנים ממש ובפרט שיש לנו עסק גדול בינינו בשתפות הנעשה בינינו ע"י רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ע"כ אנו צריכין לידע בכל עת איך אני עוסק בהשתפות ואיך אתם עוסקים בהשתפות שכל אחד לפי כחו לא יהיה עצל ח"ו בהעסק שלנו במה שיוכל והעיקר מזה העסק הוא תפילה ותחנונים ושמחה EN: And our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — who merited what he merited — and revealed such new teachings — and composed such prayers — it was only because he set aside and nullified his holy mind before Rabbainu ז"ל — and performed in wholeheartedness everything that Rabbainu ז"ל commanded — and engaged in seclusion-prayer — both with few words and with many words — and did not allow a single day without seclusion-prayer. And faith and prayer are one thing — namely: through our being believers in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — we will surely engage in prayer every day. For this is the foundation of Rabbainu ז"ל — for the main weapon of the Messiah is prayer — and through it one can conquer all the battles — both in the physical and in the spiritual. And G-d willing surely everything will be properly set aright — for Hashem is good to all. Segment 6 HE: כי כך שמעתי מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצ"ל קדם הסתלקותו הק' והטהור וכך אמר בלשונו הק' שב"ה יש לנו עתה ג' הלכות מבררות על ר"ה צריכין לנסע וש"ע צריכין ללמד והתבודדות צריכין בכל יום ודוקא מכל הטרדות ומכל הבלבולים ומכל הערבובים צריכין לעשות מזה תפילה כי על שם זה נקרא תפילה תהלה ונתישבתי בדעתי לעורר אותי ואתכם להתחיל בזה מחדש לצית את רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' לקבע בכל יום איזה שעה על התבודדות חק ולא יעבר ואפילו לומר רק רבש"ע רחם עלי' שעה רצופים ובודאי יעזור לנו השי"ת ויהיה רוח ה' דבר בנו כי לא דבר רק הוא דברי רבנו ז"ל EN: And greetings of peace to our beloved, my strong friend, your dear father, may his candle shine — and to our beloved the Chassid, the wondrous one, Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine — and to our beloved the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine, together with his son, may his candle shine — and to Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine, together with his son, may his candle shine — and to his brother, our beloved, Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. Segment 7 HE: ואדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת זצוק"ל שזכה למה שזכה וגלה חדושים כאלה ועשה תפלות כאלה היה רק מחמת שסלק ובטל דעתו הק' לרבנו ז"ל ועשה בתמימות כל מה שצוה רבנו ז"ל ועסק בהתבודדות בין בדבורים מעטים בין בדבורים הרבה ולא הניח יום אחד בלי התבודדות ואמונה ותפילה הוא דבר אחד הינו ע"י שאנו נהיה מאמינים בדברי רבנו בודאי נהיה אנו עוסקים בתפילה בכל יום כי זה עיקר של רבנו ז"ל כי עיקר כלי זינו של משיח הוא תפילה ועי"ז יכולין לכבש כל המלחמות הן בגשמיות והן ברוחניות ואי"ה בודאי יהיה הכל על נכון כי טוב ה' לכל EN: And I do not know what this is — that I wrote him a letter about the two Napoleon-coins and the two small lamps — and he also has not written me a letter since his son was born — congratulations. And surely when he writes to me — I will certainly also write to him — for I want to draw him close and he distances himself from me. And I know that his distancing is because of his despondency of spirit. But Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple already cried out: זייט זיך ניט מיאש קיין יאוש איז גאר ניט פאר האנדין גאט איז מיט דיר גאט איז בא דיר גאט איז לייבן דיר אין שרעק דיך נישט [Yiddish: "Do not despair! Despair does not exist at all! G-d is with you — G-d is by you — G-d is next to you — do not be afraid!"]. And since Rabbainu ז"ל does not despair of us — we ourselves certainly need not despair of ourselves. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Segment 8 HE: ולפב"ש לאו"נ ידידי עז אביך היקר נ"י ולאו"נ החסיד המפלא מו"ה נחמן נ"י ולאו"נ החסיד ר' דב נ"י עם בנו נ"י ולר' יואל צבי נ"י עם בנו נ"י ולאחיו או"נ ר' נתן נ"י EN: Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: ואיני יודע מה זה שכתבתי לו מכתב מכח השני נאפאלין ושני לעמפליך וגם לא כתב לי מכתב מעת שנולד לו בנו למז"ט ובודאי כשיכתב לי בודאי אני אכתב לו ג"כ כי אני רוצה לקרב אותו והוא מרחק אותי ואני יודע שהתרחקות שלו מחמת חלישות דעתו אבל כבר צעק רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' זייט זיך ניט מיאש קיין יאוש איז גאר ניט פאר האנדין גאט איז מיט דיר גאט איז בא דיר גאט איז לייבן דיר אין שרעק דיך נישט וכשרבנו לא יאש אותנו אנו בעצמנו אין אנו צריכין ליאש עצמנו זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום וכט"ס EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, 5640 (February or March 1880), from Teverya. The three settled laws of Reb Nosson ז"ל. The weapon of the Messiah is prayer. The Yiddish call against despair. Segment 10 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I bring you good tidings as well — good tiding facing good tiding. For my wife, may she live, on Shabbos and on Sunday was in mortal danger — and none believed she would live. And blessed be G-d on Monday her illness eased — and now blessed be G-d she walks in the house. For she had illness and vomitings — may the Merciful One protect us. But good it is to give thanks to Hashem for all the loving-kindness He has bestowed upon us. And may Hashem Yisbarach give life to you and your household in the fullness of good — both in the physical and in the spiritual — as you gave life to us with your letter. And my wife, may she live, danced for joy — that our friend the beloved of our souls Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, is in life and in peace. May you swiftly and soon bring us good tidings about your brother, may his candle shine — who every day does not depart from my mind — for I was thinking thoughts outside, G-d forbid — because for a weighty span of time [זמן כביר — "a weighty, substantial time" — from kabir — heavy, weighty, great; not merely a long time but a heavily weighty one; the duration carried significant weight and gravity] — he wrote to us that he is ill — and there was no letter from him about his recovery. Therefore may Eliyahu be clothed in you — and you brought us good tidings — so at all times may Eliyahu be clothed in you and bring us good tidings. And regarding what you wrote me — to give you counsel — one must first pray and fix us with good counsel — for I do not know whether he knows the particulars of buying and selling. And due to the urgency of the postal carriage I have no leisure to sit and settle myself — only you write to me in what manner you want to do with him — and what kind of shop you want to make with him — and I will settle myself and pray — perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will send us some good counsel. And also what you wrote about your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — gave me life very greatly — for a person came here and gave me greetings of peace from your mother-in-law, may she live — and I had very great suffering from this. But a good man brings good tidings. And the straight thing would have been to write to you words flowing from the Hinnuvme — for I have many words — but due to the urgency of the postal carriage I have no leisure to bring them from potential into actual. And regarding the Maizide money that was sent to me through Reb Yisroel Avraham, may his candle shine — I received it and it gave us life. And the remainder of the money — send it to me through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And send me all the money — although I owe you — G-d willing when money comes to me from my son, may his candle shine, I will then discharge and clear the debt. And G-d willing I will write to you a letter at the time the money comes into my hands. And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to your father, may his candle shine — and write to me whether it is in his mind to travel to the diaspora. And to all the Anash who are beloved to me as my own soul. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped in Teverya. Written Wednesday, 11th of the Omer, 5640 (late April or early May 1880), from Teverya. The wife recovered from mortal danger. Reb Tzvi is alive. May Eliyahu be clothed in you. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life. But they will not allow me to restore my spirit [לא יתנוני השב רוחי — "they do not allow me to restore my spirit" — hashev ruchi — to return / restore the spirit to its settled equilibrium; a more specific image than merely "rest" — it is the restoration of the spirit to its composed, settled state; they will not let the spirit be restored and recomposed] — with my wife, may she live. For blessed be G-d Hashem Yisbarach helped us — and returned life to her. But I do not know whether from an evil eye there formed upon her a wound with very great pain — to the point that she cries out with a bitter voice by day and by night — for six days now — and they still see only a red mark. And everything is allusions — to draw closer to His service, may He be blessed. For there is no place to flee from the blows of time except to Hashem Yisbarach and to His holy Torah — and to multiply prayer and supplication before Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem looks down and sweetens all the harsh judgments — both above and below. And for livelihood — one need not worry at all. For we do not know at all — if sometimes the livelihood is in great constriction — we do not know what is being exchanged for this. And there is no counsel for anything except Torah and prayer — and not to be lazy of mouth before Hashem Yisbarach [לא לעצל פה — "not to be lazy of mouth" — the laziness of not opening the mouth to speak in prayer; the mouth must not be lazy but must open in prayer and supplication] in prayer and supplication — to strengthen oneself in trust — and to raise our eyes on high — and to believe in the personal divine providence of Hashem Yisbarach over every single particular — how He watches over us — and through this He watches over us with a complete and full gaze. And the general principle, my brothers my friends — if you want to live any life in this passing and drifting world — I do not know how it is possible to live without the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and the disciple of his disciple. For if you want to find any repose for your soul — whether in the service of Hashem: study in the Laws of Reading the Torah, law 6 — whether in how one can conduct buying and selling: study in the Laws of Buying and Selling, law 4. And if you truly look in them — with complete faith and with true attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely you will find repose for your souls. For I do not understand at all — how can one who is called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — how he does not constantly search in the treasure-house of the King — in the precious treasuries that Hashem Yisbarach revealed to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For they restore the soul in this world and the next — and every single day that one studies in them — they will give life-force to that day — according to what passes over the person on that day. And without them I do not know how one receives life-force. For Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple lived good lives and long lives — and could sing songs and enigmatic teachings — and could make time so that the time is precious — and draw us with their voice toward Hashem Yisbarach. And with their words — which are few that hold much — they can heal our souls from all our illnesses — which strike with ten arrows. Only we must bend our shoulder — in wholeheartedness and simplicity — to walk in the ways of Hashem Yisbarach and in the ways of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and with strong desires day and night — and not to relinquish the desire at all. And Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple labored with great labors — with such healings — for the sake of drawing upon us and upon all who wish to shelter at the threshold of their holy presence [להסתופף בצלם הק' — "to shelter at the threshold of their holy presence" — from hisstopef — to linger at the entrance, to place oneself at the threshold; from saf — threshold; the image of one who stands at the threshold of the Tzaddik's holy presence, as in Psalms 84:11: "I would rather be a doorkeeper at the threshold of my G-d's house"] — such healings — precious healings — to heal our souls in this world and the next — and to clothe us in complete garments — so that nothing should be lacking for us — even at the time when he is in the synagogue in Yerushalayim — according to the garments. For every Torah teaching and every law is a garment for our souls. And above all — Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple warned us about joy. For even seclusion-prayer — which was the essential thing for Rabbainu ז"ל — even so he commanded us: only one hour or two hours. And for all the rest of the day he warned us about joy — and from worry and sadness we must guard ourselves greatly. For Rabbainu ז"ל commanded us even to be joyful with matters of foolishness — for Rabbainu ז"ל foresaw and looked at how in these times the adversary would greatly overpower the joy — and would strengthen himself with sadness and worries — for this is his side. Therefore he said: be joyful even with matters of foolishness — for from this joy the adversary still does not know. And particularly you, Reb Aizikl — what do you have to worry about? Is it not written: "the one who multiplies possessions multiplies worry"? — and this is also not an obligation, G-d forbid — for one must be happy with one's portion. And whoever worries about what he will eat tomorrow is of the small in faith. But you — what do you have to worry about? — for you have no possessions at all. Only you have a Shulchan Aruch and the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and Psalms and prayers. Grow old and worn out in them — and trust in Hashem — for surely He will not abandon you — and you will not die, G-d forbid, of hunger. And raise your eyes on high — and fulfill: "the eyes of all look to You with hope — and You give them their food in its time" — according to the trust. And thus I speak to our friend Reb Henech, may his candle shine, and to Reb Avraham, may his candle shine, and to our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, may his candle shine — although he has been withholding from me and has not written me any letter — even so I love him and have compassion on him — for he is a son of Avraham ז"ל. And I ask of you — when you write to me a letter — write to me from the receipt of my letters — from which letter — in order to know whether you received my letter. And also — I received your letter with the draft for the sum of four and a half Meizhides — this morning after the morning prayer — and it gave us life. And know that from the day of my arrival I have not received any letter from the diaspora from any place — except last week I received a letter from my daughter Gitl, may she live, from Bobrents — how the relatives of my son-in-law ז"ל are taking revenge upon her and her children. And she asks me to receive her son to be with me — for he is ten years old — and she has no means to pay his tuition fees — and has no one to watch over him — besides that she has no means to provide for her six children. May the Omnipresent have mercy on her and on her children. The orphan and the widow He upholds — Hashem shall reign forever. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace for you and all your household — and good tidings and complete healing. Nussun from Breslov Written during the Omer, 5640 (late April or May 1880), from Teverya. The wife has an alarming new wound. A sustained teaching on studying Rabbainu ז"ל's books. Joy even with foolishness. Reb Aizikl has no possessions — only books; trust in G-d. A widowed daughter in poverty. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in the line of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace and good tidings from you and from the diaspora — as my soul desires — without limit. After the holy Purim I was watching for your letter — how the joy of Purim went with you — which sweetens all the harsh judgments. And in the end — I have not merited to give life to my soul with the joy of my precious brothers — whose love is tied and attached in my heart. For I blessed be G-d was in joy — and I tied my joy to your joy and to the joy of all the Anash. And beyond this — I have suffering because of what you wrote to me about your wife — that she is not in good health. And also I want to know — perhaps you have any letter from your co-parent-in-law, our beloved precious one — perhaps through him there is some news about our friend your son-in-law Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine. For my soul is utterly spent with yearning to hear some news from him. And also from you I have had no news for some days — and I have grief — for they are engraved in my heart truly as children. And particularly since there is a great business between us — in the partnership formed between us through Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore we must know at all times how I am engaged in the partnership — and how you are engaged in the partnership — so that each one according to his capacity not be idle, G-d forbid, in our business in whatever he can do. And the main thing of this business is prayer and supplication and joy. For thus I heard from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — before his holy and pure departure — and thus he said in his holy language — that blessed be G-d we now have three clarified laws: for Rosh Hashana one must travel; and Shulchan Aruch one must study; and seclusion-prayer one must do every day — and specifically from all preoccupations and all confusions and all mixings — one must make from this prayer. For on that account it is called prayer — praise. And I settled my mind — to arouse myself and arouse you — to begin this anew — to hearken and obey Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to fix each day a set time for seclusion-prayer — a statute that shall not be transgressed [חק ולא יעבר — "a statute and it shall not be transgressed" — the specific biblical phrase from Psalms 148:6 and Proverbs 8:29: the immutable decree of G-d that cannot be crossed; the daily seclusion-prayer is fixed as immutably as the laws of nature]. And even to say only "Master of the World, have mercy on me" — for solid, unbroken hours [שעה רצופים — "unbroken, pressed-together hours" — from ratzuf — pressed together, continuous, without interruption; the hours should be solid and unbroken, each pressed against the next]. And surely Hashem Yisbarach will help us — and the spirit of Hashem will speak through us — for it is no empty word — these are the words of Rabbainu ז"ל. And our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — who merited what he merited — and revealed such new teachings — and composed such prayers — it was only because he set aside and nullified his holy mind before Rabbainu ז"ל — and performed in wholeheartedness everything that Rabbainu ז"ל commanded — and engaged in seclusion-prayer — both with few words and with many words — and did not allow a single day without seclusion-prayer. And faith and prayer are one thing — namely: through our being believers in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — we will surely engage in prayer every day. For this is the foundation of Rabbainu ז"ל — for the main weapon of the Messiah is prayer — and through it one can conquer all the battles — both in the physical and in the spiritual. And G-d willing surely everything will be properly set aright — for Hashem is good to all. And greetings of peace to our beloved, my strong friend, your dear father, may his candle shine — and to our beloved the Chassid, the wondrous one, Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine — and to our beloved the Chassid Reb Dov, may his candle shine, together with his son, may his candle shine — and to Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine, together with his son, may his candle shine — and to his brother, our beloved, Reb Nussun, may his candle shine. And I do not know what this is — that I wrote him a letter about the two Napoleon-coins and the two small lamps — and he also has not written me a letter since his son was born — congratulations. And surely when he writes to me — I will certainly also write to him — for I want to draw him close and he distances himself from me. And I know that his distancing is because of his despondency of spirit. But Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple already cried out: זייט זיך ניט מיאש קיין יאוש איז גאר ניט פאר האנדין גאט איז מיט דיר גאט איז בא דיר גאט איז לייבן דיר אין שרעק דיך נישט [Yiddish: "Do not despair! Despair does not exist at all! G-d is with you — G-d is by you — G-d is next to you — do not be afraid!"]. And since Rabbainu ז"ל does not despair of us — we ourselves certainly need not despair of ourselves. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and the fullness of good. Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei, 5640 (February or March 1880), from Teverya. The three settled laws of Reb Nosson ז"ל. The weapon of the Messiah is prayer. The Yiddish call against despair. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. # עה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/75/ עה עה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/75 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' י"א למספר בני ישראל תר"ם טבריא EN: I bring you good tidings as well — good tiding facing good tiding. For my wife, may she live, on Shabbos and on Sunday was in mortal danger — and none believed she would live. And blessed be G-d on Monday her illness eased — and now blessed be G-d she walks in the house. For she had illness and vomitings — may the Merciful One protect us. But good it is to give thanks to Hashem for all the loving-kindness He has bestowed upon us. And may Hashem Yisbarach give life to you and your household in the fullness of good — both in the physical and in the spiritual — as you gave life to us with your letter. And my wife, may she live, danced for joy — that our friend the beloved of our souls Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, is in life and in peace. May you swiftly and soon bring us good tidings about your brother, may his candle shine — who every day does not depart from my mind — for I was thinking thoughts outside, G-d forbid — because for a weighty span of time [זמן כביר — "a weighty, substantial time" — from kabir — heavy, weighty, great; not merely a long time but a heavily weighty one; the duration carried significant weight and gravity] — he wrote to us that he is ill — and there was no letter from him about his recovery. Therefore may Eliyahu be clothed in you — and you brought us good tidings — so at all times may Eliyahu be clothed in you and bring us good tidings. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ כלבבי וכנפשי הנחקק בקירות לבבי המפרסם מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו שיח' EN: And regarding what you wrote me — to give you counsel — one must first pray and fix us with good counsel — for I do not know whether he knows the particulars of buying and selling. And due to the urgency of the postal carriage I have no leisure to sit and settle myself — only you write to me in what manner you want to do with him — and what kind of shop you want to make with him — and I will settle myself and pray — perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will send us some good counsel. And also what you wrote about your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — gave me life very greatly — for a person came here and gave me greetings of peace from your mother-in-law, may she live — and I had very great suffering from this. But a good man brings good tidings. And the straight thing would have been to write to you words flowing from the Hinnuvme — for I have many words — but due to the urgency of the postal carriage I have no leisure to bring them from potential into actual. Segment 3 HE: אבשר לך ג"כ בשורה טובה מול טובה שזוג' תח' היתה ביום שב"ק וביום א' מסכנת ואין מאמין שתח' וב"ה ביום ב' הוקל חליה ועתה ב"ה הולכת בבית כי היה לה חולאת והקאות וקראם ר"ל אך טוב להדות לה' על כל החסד אשר גמל עמנו והשי"ת יחיה אותך ואת ב"ב בכט"ס הן בגשמיות והן ברוחניות כמו שאתה החייתנו במכתבך וזוג' תח' רקדה מחמת שמחה שידידנו אהב נפשנו ר' צבי נ"י הוא בחיים ושלום כן חיש מהר תבשרנו בבשורות טובות מאחיך נ"י אשר בכל יום אינו זז מדעתי כי חשבתי מחשבות חוץ ח"ו מחמת שזה זמן כביר שכתב לנו שהוא חולה ולא היה מאתו מכתב מבריאותו ע"כ נתלבש בך אליהו ובשרת לנו בשורה טובה כן בכל עת יתלבש בך אליהו ותבשר לנו בשורות טובות EN: And regarding the Maizide money that was sent to me through Reb Yisroel Avraham, may his candle shine — I received it and it gave us life. And the remainder of the money — send it to me through the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And send me all the money — although I owe you — G-d willing when money comes to me from my son, may his candle shine, I will then discharge and clear the debt. And G-d willing I will write to you a letter at the time the money comes into my hands. And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to your father, may his candle shine — and write to me whether it is in his mind to travel to the diaspora. And to all the Anash who are beloved to me as my own soul. Segment 4 HE: ואודות מה שכתבת לי לתן לך עצה צריכין מקדם להתפלל ותקננו בעצה טובה כי אין אני יודע אם הוא יודע בטיב משא ומתן ומחמת נחיצת השירה אין לי פנאי לישב עצמי רק אתה תכתב לי באיזה אופן אתה רוצה לעשות עמו ואיזה חנות אתה רוצה לעשות עמו ואתישב ואתפלל אולי ישלח השי"ת לנו איזה עצה טובה וגם מזה שכתבת לי מחמיך נ"י החיה אותי עד מאד כי בכאן בא איש אחד ונתן לי פ"ש מחמותך תח' והיה לי יסורים גדולים עד למאד רק איש טוב מבשר טוב והישר היה לכתוב לכם איזה דבורים הנובעים מהננמ"ח כי יש לי דבורים הרבה אך מחמת נחיצת השירה אין לי פנאי להוציא מכח אל הפעל EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Encamped in Teverya. Segment 5 HE: ומכח המעות המיזידע שנשלח לי ע"י ר' ישראל אברהם נ"י קבלתי והחייתנו וגם מותר המעות תשלחו לי ע"י הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י לר' דב נ"י ותשלחו לי כל המעות הגם שאני חיב לך אי"ה כשיגיע לי מעות מבני נ"י אז אסלק לך בתורת חוב ואי"ה אכתב לכם מכתב בעת ביאת המעות לידי ותפב"ש עבורי לאביך נ"י ותכתב לי אם בדעתו לנסע לחו"ל ולכל אנ"ש האהובים עלי כנפשי EN: Written Wednesday, 11th of the Omer, 5640 (late April or early May 1880), from Teverya. The wife recovered from mortal danger. Reb Tzvi is alive. May Eliyahu be clothed in you. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life. But they will not allow me to restore my spirit [לא יתנוני השב רוחי — "they do not allow me to restore my spirit" — hashev ruchi — to return / restore the spirit to its settled equilibrium; a more specific image than merely "rest" — it is the restoration of the spirit to its composed, settled state; they will not let the spirit be restored and recomposed] — with my wife, may she live. For blessed be G-d Hashem Yisbarach helped us — and returned life to her. But I do not know whether from an evil eye there formed upon her a wound with very great pain — to the point that she cries out with a bitter voice by day and by night — for six days now — and they still see only a red mark. And everything is allusions — to draw closer to His service, may He be blessed. For there is no place to flee from the blows of time except to Hashem Yisbarach and to His holy Torah — and to multiply prayer and supplication before Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem looks down and sweetens all the harsh judgments — both above and below. And for livelihood — one need not worry at all. For we do not know at all — if sometimes the livelihood is in great constriction — we do not know what is being exchanged for this. And there is no counsel for anything except Torah and prayer — and not to be lazy of mouth before Hashem Yisbarach [לא לעצל פה — "not to be lazy of mouth" — the laziness of not opening the mouth to speak in prayer; the mouth must not be lazy but must open in prayer and supplication] in prayer and supplication — to strengthen oneself in trust — and to raise our eyes on high — and to believe in the personal divine providence of Hashem Yisbarach over every single particular — how He watches over us — and through this He watches over us with a complete and full gaze. Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life. But they will not allow me to restore my spirit [לא יתנוני השב רוחי — "they do not allow me to restore my spirit" — hashev ruchi — to return / restore the spirit to its settled equilibrium; a more specific image than merely "rest" — it is the restoration of the spirit to its composed, settled state; they will not let the spirit be restored and recomposed] — with my wife, may she live. For blessed be G-d Hashem Yisbarach helped us — and returned life to her. But I do not know whether from an evil eye there formed upon her a wound with very great pain — to the point that she cries out with a bitter voice by day and by night — for six days now — and they still see only a red mark. Segment 8 HE: החונה בטבריא EN: And everything is allusions — to draw closer to His service, may He be blessed. For there is no place to flee from the blows of time except to Hashem Yisbarach and to His holy Torah — and to multiply prayer and supplication before Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem looks down and sweetens all the harsh judgments — both above and below. And for livelihood — one need not worry at all. For we do not know at all — if sometimes the livelihood is in great constriction — we do not know what is being exchanged for this. And there is no counsel for anything except Torah and prayer — and not to be lazy of mouth before Hashem Yisbarach [לא לעצל פה — "not to be lazy of mouth" — the laziness of not opening the mouth to speak in prayer; the mouth must not be lazy but must open in prayer and supplication] in prayer and supplication — to strengthen oneself in trust — and to raise our eyes on high — and to believe in the personal divine providence of Hashem Yisbarach over every single particular — how He watches over us — and through this He watches over us with a complete and full gaze. # עו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/76/ עו עו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/76 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' טוב לספירה לטהרת בני ישראל טבריא EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life. But they will not allow me to restore my spirit [לא יתנוני השב רוחי — "they do not allow me to restore my spirit" — hashev ruchi — to return / restore the spirit to its settled equilibrium; a more specific image than merely "rest" — it is the restoration of the spirit to its composed, settled state; they will not let the spirit be restored and recomposed] — with my wife, may she live. For blessed be G-d Hashem Yisbarach helped us — and returned life to her. But I do not know whether from an evil eye there formed upon her a wound with very great pain — to the point that she cries out with a bitter voice by day and by night — for six days now — and they still see only a red mark. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ כבני ממש וכב"א המפלא וכו' וכו' כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י ובנו הנחמד החכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט אכי"ר EN: And everything is allusions — to draw closer to His service, may He be blessed. For there is no place to flee from the blows of time except to Hashem Yisbarach and to His holy Torah — and to multiply prayer and supplication before Hashem Yisbarach — until Hashem looks down and sweetens all the harsh judgments — both above and below. And for livelihood — one need not worry at all. For we do not know at all — if sometimes the livelihood is in great constriction — we do not know what is being exchanged for this. And there is no counsel for anything except Torah and prayer — and not to be lazy of mouth before Hashem Yisbarach [לא לעצל פה — "not to be lazy of mouth" — the laziness of not opening the mouth to speak in prayer; the mouth must not be lazy but must open in prayer and supplication] in prayer and supplication — to strengthen oneself in trust — and to raise our eyes on high — and to believe in the personal divine providence of Hashem Yisbarach over every single particular — how He watches over us — and through this He watches over us with a complete and full gaze. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים אך לא יתנוני השב רוחי עם זוג' תח' כי ב"ה עזר לנו השי"ת והחזיר לה החיים אך אין אני יודע אם מכח עין הרע נעשה לה מכה בכאב גדול עד למאד עד שצועקת בקול מר ביום ובלילה זה ששה ימים ועדין אין ראים כי אם סימן אדום EN: And the general principle, my brothers my friends — if you want to live any life in this passing and drifting world — I do not know how it is possible to live without the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and the disciple of his disciple. For if you want to find any repose for your soul — whether in the service of Hashem: study in the Laws of Reading the Torah, law 6 — whether in how one can conduct buying and selling: study in the Laws of Buying and Selling, law 4. And if you truly look in them — with complete faith and with true attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — surely you will find repose for your souls. For I do not understand at all — how can one who is called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — how he does not constantly search in the treasure-house of the King — in the precious treasuries that Hashem Yisbarach revealed to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For they restore the soul in this world and the next — and every single day that one studies in them — they will give life-force to that day — according to what passes over the person on that day. And without them I do not know how one receives life-force. Segment 4 HE: והכל רמזים להתקרב לעבודתו יתברך כי אין מקום לברח מפגעי הזמן כי אם להשי"ת ולתורתו הק' ולהרבות בתפילה ותחנונים לפני השי"ת עד ישקיף ה' וימתיק כל הדינים הן למעלה והן למטה ועל פרנסה אין צריכין לדאג כלל כי אין אנו יודעים כלל אם לפעמים הפרנסה בצמצום גדול אין אנו יודעים מה מחליפין בזה ואין עצה לשום דבר כי אם תורה ותפילה ולא לעצל פה לפני השי"ת בתפילה ותחנונים להתגבר בבטחון ולתלות עינינו למרום ולהאמין בהשגחות השי"ת על כל פרט ופרט איך משגיח עלינו ועי"ז משגיח עלינו בראיה שלמה EN: For Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple lived good lives and long lives — and could sing songs and enigmatic teachings — and could make time so that the time is precious — and draw us with their voice toward Hashem Yisbarach. And with their words — which are few that hold much — they can heal our souls from all our illnesses — which strike with ten arrows. Only we must bend our shoulder — in wholeheartedness and simplicity — to walk in the ways of Hashem Yisbarach and in the ways of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and with strong desires day and night — and not to relinquish the desire at all. Segment 5 HE: והכלל אחי ידידי אם אתם רוצים לחיות איזה חיות בזה העולם העובר ושט אין אני יודע איך יכולין לחיות בלא ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ותלמיד תלמידו כי אם תרצו לבקש איזה מרגוע לנפשכם הן בעבודת השי"ת תלמדו בהלכות קריאת התורה הלכה ו' והן איך יכולין לעשות משא ומתן תלמדו בהלכות משא ומתן הלכה ד' ואם תעינו באמת ובאמונה שלמה ובהתקשרות אמתי לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' בודאי תמצאו מרגוע לנפשותיכם כי אין אני מבין כלל איך מי שנקרא על שם רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' איך אינו מתמיד לחפש בגנזיא דמלכא באוצרות היקרים אשר גלה השי"ת לרבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי הלא הם משיבין הנפש בזה ובבא וכל יום ויום שילמד בהם יתנו חיות לזה היום כפי מה שעובר על האדם בזה ומבלעדם איני יודע איך מקבלין חיות כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' חיו חיים טובים וחיים ארכים ויכולים לומר שירות וחידות ולעשות זמן שיהיה הזמן יקר ולהמשיך אותנו בקולם אל השי"ת ובדבריהם הם מועטים המחזיקים הרבה ויכולין לרפאת את נפשותינו מכל תחלואינו המכים בעשרה חצים רק אנו צריכין להטות שכמנו בתמימות ובפשיטות לילך בדרכי השי"ת ובדרכי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וברצונות חזקים יומם ולילה ולא נניח הרצון כלל EN: And Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple labored with great labors — with such healings — for the sake of drawing upon us and upon all who wish to shelter at the threshold of their holy presence [להסתופף בצלם הק' — "to shelter at the threshold of their holy presence" — from hisstopef — to linger at the entrance, to place oneself at the threshold; from saf — threshold; the image of one who stands at the threshold of the Tzaddik's holy presence, as in Psalms 84:11: "I would rather be a doorkeeper at the threshold of my G-d's house"] — such healings — precious healings — to heal our souls in this world and the next — and to clothe us in complete garments — so that nothing should be lacking for us — even at the time when he is in the synagogue in Yerushalayim — according to the garments. For every Torah teaching and every law is a garment for our souls. Segment 6 HE: ורבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' יגעו ביגיעות ברפואות כאלה בשביל להמשיך עלינו ועל כל הרוצים להסתופף בצלם הק' רפואות כאלה רפואות יקרים לרפאת נפשותינו בזה ובבא וללבש אותנו בלבושים שלמים שלא יחסר לנו אפילו בעת שהוא בביהכנ"ס בירושלים לפי המלבושים כי כל תורה והלכה הוא לבוש לנשמתינו EN: And above all — Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple warned us about joy. For even seclusion-prayer — which was the essential thing for Rabbainu ז"ל — even so he commanded us: only one hour or two hours. And for all the rest of the day he warned us about joy — and from worry and sadness we must guard ourselves greatly. For Rabbainu ז"ל commanded us even to be joyful with matters of foolishness — for Rabbainu ז"ל foresaw and looked at how in these times the adversary would greatly overpower the joy — and would strengthen himself with sadness and worries — for this is his side. Therefore he said: be joyful even with matters of foolishness — for from this joy the adversary still does not know. Segment 7 HE: ועל כלם הזהיר אותנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' על השמחה כי אפילו התבודדות שהיה עיקר אצל רבנו ז"ל אעפ"כ צוה עלינו רק שעה או שתי שעות ועל כל היום הזהיר אותנו בשמחה ומדאגות ועצבות צריכין אנו לשמר מאד כי רבנו ז"ל צוה עלינו אפילו לשמח במילי דשטותא כי רבנו צפה והביט איך בעתים יתגבר הבע"ד על השמחה מאד ויתגבר בעצבות ודאגות כי זה סטרא דילה ע"כ אמר לשמח אפילו במילי דשטותא כי משמחה זו עדין אינו יודע הבע"ד EN: And particularly you, Reb Aizikl — what do you have to worry about? Is it not written: "the one who multiplies possessions multiplies worry"? — and this is also not an obligation, G-d forbid — for one must be happy with one's portion. And whoever worries about what he will eat tomorrow is of the small in faith. But you — what do you have to worry about? — for you have no possessions at all. Only you have a Shulchan Aruch and the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and Psalms and prayers. Grow old and worn out in them — and trust in Hashem — for surely He will not abandon you — and you will not die, G-d forbid, of hunger. And raise your eyes on high — and fulfill: "the eyes of all look to You with hope — and You give them their food in its time" — according to the trust. Segment 8 HE: ובפרט ר' איזיקל ממה יש לך לדאג הלא אין כתוב בו מרבה נכסים מרבה דאגה וגם זה אינו חיוב ח"ו כי צריכין להיות שמח בחלקו ומי שדואג מה יאכל למחר הוא מקטני אמנה אבל אתה מה יש לך לדאג הלא אין לך כלל נכסים רק יש לך ספר ש"ע וספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ותהלים ותפלות סיב ובלה בהם ובטח בה' שבודאי לא יעזב אותך ולא תמות ח"ו ברעב ותלה עיניך למרום ותקים עיני כל אליך ישברו ואתה נותן להם את אכלם בעתו כפי הבטחון EN: And thus I speak to our friend Reb Henech, may his candle shine, and to Reb Avraham, may his candle shine, and to our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel, may his candle shine — although he has been withholding from me and has not written me any letter — even so I love him and have compassion on him — for he is a son of Avraham ז"ל. Segment 9 HE: וכן אני מדבר לידידנו ר' העניך נ"י ולר' אברהם נ"י ולאו"נ ר' נתן בן ר"י נ"י הגם שהוא מנע מאתי ואינו כתב לי שום מכתב אעפ"כ אני אהב אותו ומרחם עליו כי הוא ב"א ז"ל EN: And I ask of you — when you write to me a letter — write to me from the receipt of my letters — from which letter — in order to know whether you received my letter. And also — I received your letter with the draft for the sum of four and a half Meizhides — this morning after the morning prayer — and it gave us life. Segment 10 HE: ובקשתי מאתכם כשתכתבו לי מכתב תכתבו לי מקבלת מכתבי מאיזה בכדי לידע אם קבלתם המכתב שלי וגם אני קבלתי המכתב שלך עם או"ז על סך ארבעה וחצי מז'ידעס היום בבקר אחר תפילת שחרית והחייתנו EN: And know that from the day of my arrival I have not received any letter from the diaspora from any place — except last week I received a letter from my daughter Gitl, may she live, from Bobrents — how the relatives of my son-in-law ז"ל are taking revenge upon her and her children. And she asks me to receive her son to be with me — for he is ten years old — and she has no means to pay his tuition fees — and has no one to watch over him — besides that she has no means to provide for her six children. May the Omnipresent have mercy on her and on her children. The orphan and the widow He upholds — Hashem shall reign forever. Segment 11 HE: ותדעו שמיום באי לא קבלתי שום מכתב מחו"ל משום מקום רק בשבוע העבר קבלתי מכתב מבתי גיטיל תח' מבברינץ איך הקרובים מחתני ז"ל נוקמין בה ובבניה והיא מבקשת אותי לקבל בנה להיות אצלי כי הוא בן עשר שנים ואין לה במה לשלם עבורו שכר למוד ואין לה מי שישגיח עליו חוץ מה שאין לה במה לפרנס ששה בנים שלה המקום ירחם עליה ועל בניה יתום ואלמנה יעודד ימלך ה' לעולם EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace for you and all your household — and good tidings and complete healing. Segment 12 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום לכם ולכל בני ביתכם ובשורות טובות ורפואה שלמה EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Nussun from Breslov Written during the Omer, 5640 (late April or May 1880), from Teverya. The wife has an alarming new wound. A sustained teaching on studying Rabbainu ז"ל's books. Joy even with foolishness. Reb Aizikl has no possessions — only books; trust in G-d. A widowed daughter in poverty. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 13 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and your wife, may she live, and your son, may his candle shine, and all the members of your household with all goodness — and may Hashem Yisbarach save you from now on from all kinds of sickness and from all kinds of disease [מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה — the paired biblical formula from Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:60: kol choli v'kol madveh — "every sickness and every disease"; the writer deliberately echoes the Torah's words of protection — the same passage that promises G-d will remove all illness from those who keep His covenant; a citation of the Torah's own protective language] — and may He say "enough!" to your troubles — and sweeten from upon you all kinds of harsh judgments in body and in soul and in money — and may He make to shine upon you good tidings from outside the Land quickly and soon. And upon our beloved Anash here and in the diaspora — may He pour out in overflowing abundance [ישפת עליהם — yishpas aleihem — from the root שפע — shefa — to pour out in overflowing measure, to provide in abundance beyond ordinary giving; not merely "pour" but the overflow of shefa — the mode of divine abundance; life and peace poured out in full, overflowing measure] upon them and upon us life and peace and blessing and success — and the fullness of good. # עז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/77/ עז עז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/77 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' יום המיחס תר"ם פה טבריא EN: But now I was aroused — for the days of the holy festival of Shavuos draw near and come. And because I studied in Likutay Halachos, part two, Laws of Blessings on Fruits, law 5 — the entire law — and because of this I was aroused to write to you: what are we keeping silent about — and we do not cry out to one another with a great voice and with fresh arousal — that there is such a great light in the world — and we walk in darkness? And we are not even like a blind person who walks at least after his staff — and we who have such a great light — which can guide us in all the worlds in a good and straight path — and we can even in this bitter world live and rejoice — and its light can give us life in every kind of life and joy — if we would be constant in the book of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which are life for those who study them. And it is worth studying from their words even a single movement — and not to use our own intellect at all. And what was — is it with a boorish and unwise people? Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז חביבי כבני ממש ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י ועם שלום כל אהבינו באמת שיחיו לאיוש"ט א"ס מכם ומחו"ל מכל בני ובנותי ומאחי ומאחיותי חיים ושלום וכט"ס EN: And now what can I say to you, my brothers my friends? Now in this sweeping torrential flood of great waters of each and every one — we have no counsel except to receive the healings of the soul and the body from the Physician who is the owner of the holy books. And the more we are constant in them — to receive their candle-flames [נרותם — "their candles / their lamps" — from ner — a candle, a lamp; each book of Rabbainu ז"ל carries specific individuated candle-flames — not merely general illumination but the particular flame of each teaching] — this will be healing for life — so that it will be called life. And we have nowhere to flee except to the Torah and to prayer. And we have cause to rejoice at least — that we are not opponents of such lights. And if we are joyful — and one commandment draws another commandment — surely He will merit us to make use of the holy treasuries — and there will be drawn upon us joy that is more than our own joy. And the strength of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple comes from the crowns with which they crowned us at Mount Sinai — which were joy. And particularly sadness — Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple warned very greatly about this — for it avails nothing at all — and the mind is not in freedom because it is diminished thereby. And whoever is drawn after grief, G-d forbid, and so on. And everything that passes over a person — one must tell before Hashem Yisbarach every single thing in its detail — and rejoice in full expansive openness. Segment 3 HE: אך עתה נתעוררתי שימי חג השבועות הק' ממשמשין ובאין ומחמת שאני למדתי בלקוטי הלכות ח"ב ה' ברכת הפרות הלכה ה' כל ההלכה ומחמת זה נתעוררתי לכתוב לכם מה אנו מחשים ואין אנו צועקים אחד לחברו בקול גדול ובהתעוררות חדש שיש אור גדול כזה בעולם ואנו הולכים חשכים ואין אנו אפילו כסומא שהולך עכ"פ אחר מקלו ואנו שיש לנו אור גדול כזה אשר הוא יכול להנהיג אותנו בכל העולמות כלם בדרך טוב וישר ואנו יכולין אפילו בעולם הזה המר לחיות ולשמח ואורו יכול לחיות אותנו בכל מיני חיות ושמחה אם היינו מתמידים בספרו של רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר הם חיים ללומדים בהם וכדאי ללמד מדבריהם אפילו תנועה אחת ולא נשתמש בשכלנו כלל ומה היה שהוא עם נבל ולא חכם EN: And the beloved of my soul — Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — the adversary wants to overpower him — with melancholy over his not yet having children. For until now he had a great benefit — that he had no children together with these troubles — for if he had children with them he would not be able to release them. And we must believe that everything the Merciful One does — He does for good. And now one must pray before Hashem Yisbarach with grace and supplication — in joy and not in melancholy — for this and for every matter — and not, G-d forbid, in melancholy. For melancholy and sadness is like complaints against Hashem Yisbarach — and this is not the will of the Creator, may He be blessed. Only pray to Hashem Yisbarach and believe in Hashem Yisbarach that He hears your prayers. And "faith" — in gematria is "sons." And in this merit may you all be merited with the fullness of good. Segment 4 HE: ועתה מה אמר לכם אחי ידידי עתה בזה השטף מים רבים של כל אחד ואחד אין לנו עצה כי אם לקבל רפואות הנפש והגוף מרופא בעל הספרים הק' אשר מה שנתמיד בהם יותר לקבל נרותם יהיה לנו רפואה לחיים שיהיו נקראין חיים ואין לנו לברח כי אם אל התורה ואל התפילה ויש לנו לשמח עכ"פ מה שאין אנו מתנגדים על אורות כאלו ואם אנו שמחים ומצוה גוררת מצוה בודאי יזכה אותנו להשתמש באוצרות הק' וימשך עלינו שמחה יותר משמחה שלנו וכח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הוא מהכתרים שהכתירו אותנו בהר סיני שהיו שמחה ובפרט עצבות הזהיר מאד רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' מאד כי אין מועיל כלל ואין המח בחרות כי נקטן עי"ז ומי שנמשך אחר הצער ח"ו וכו' וכל מה שעובר על האדם צריכין לספר לפני השי"ת כל דבר בפרט ולשמח בהרחבה EN: And it is my will that G-d willing on the holy Shabbos you study this law — and give life to your souls. And G-d willing on Shavuos — receive the holy festival of Shavuos in great joy — with clapping of hands and dancing — for this befits the receiving of the holy Torah. And I G-d willing here will also rejoice — and will tie my joy to your joy — for we are all one soul — in the seventy souls of the house of Yaakov — and particularly since I love you without any division of heart. Segment 5 HE: וידיד נפשי ר' איזיקלע נ"י החכם רוצה הבע"ד להתגבר עליו ומרה שחורה על שאין לו בנים עדין כי עד עתה היה לו טובה גדולה שלא היו לו בנים עם הצרות האלו כי אם היו לו בנים עמם לא היה יכול לפטר אותם וצריכין להאמין שכל מה דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד ועתה צריכין להתפלל לפני השי"ת בחן ובתחנונים בשמחה ולא במרה שחורה והן כל דבר ולא ח"ו במרה שחורה כי מרה שחורה ועצבות הוא כמו תרעומות על השי"ת ואין זה רצון הבורא יתברך רק תתפלל להשי"ת ותאמין בהשי"ת ששומע תפילתכם ו'אמונה' בגימטריא בנים' ובזכות זה תזכו לכט"ס EN: And I ask of you to write to me whether you received this letter. And also to inform me immediately upon the arrival of your dear co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and if there are letters for me with him — to send them to me immediately and at once — and it will be a great mitzvah. Segment 6 HE: ורצוני שאי"ה בשב"ק תלמדו הלכה זו ותחיו נפשכם ואי"ה בשבועות תקבלו חג השבועות הק' בשמחה גדולה בהמחאת כף ורקודין כי זה שיך לקבלות התורה הק' ואני אי"ה בכאן אשמח ג"כ ואקשר שמחתי לשמחתכם כי אנו כלנו נפש אחד בשבעים נפש של בית יעקב ובפרט שאני אהב אתכם בלי שום פרוד לבב EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace and joy. For Rabbainu ז"ל said: what makes the world far from Hashem Yisbarach is because they do not have settled composure of mind — and the counsel for settled composure of mind is joy. And the completion of the tikkun that Rabbainu ז"ל wants to repair us with — is through the ten kinds of melody — and this is the generality of joy. Segment 7 HE: ומבקש אני מאתכם שתכתבו לי אם קבלתם המכתב הלז וגם להודיעני תכף מביאת חמיך היקר נ"י ואם יהיה אצלו מכתבים אלי לשלח לי תכף ומיד ותהיה למצוה גדולה EN: One who loves you in truth, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום ושמחה כי רבנו ז"ל אמר מה שהעולם רחוקים מהשי"ת הוא מחמת שאין להם ישוב הדעת והעצה לישוב הדעת היא שמחה וגמר התקון שרוצה רבנו ז"ל לתקן אותנו הוא ע"י עשרה מיני נגינה וזהו כלליות השמחה EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Written Wednesday, the Day of Kinship — the eve of Shavuos, 5640, from Teverya. What are we keeping silent about? Their candle-flames. Emunah = banim. Ten kinds of melody. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter from Sunday was received by me yesterday morning — immediately after the morning prayer. And at first when I saw the letter — I rejoiced at your letter — because I thought you wrote me some news of my sons, may they live, and of the peace of the safe arrival of your dear co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, home in peace. Although I had already had greetings of peace from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, through Reb Pinchas the Cantor — who traveled with him as one united company [בצותא חדא — b'tzusa chada — Aramaic: "in one companionship, as one unified unit" — from Aramaic tzus — companionship, fellowship; the specific Aramaic phrase for traveling together as a single company] from Odessa to Tzfas. But your letter was to me like seeing his face. But when I read the letter — tears poured down my face. And when my wife saw that I was weeping — I was compelled to tell her this sad tiding. And she nearly fell faint — and a headache seized her — and it has still not released her. And I the entire day did not study — and I was like a drunk and confused. And almost the entire night I did not sleep — from the grief and the unfortunate event that occurred to such a good brother. But in the night I studied the Torah "the Ancient One, hidden and concealed" — and there at its end Rabbainu ז"ל speaks of eternal life. And there it is explained that all suffering comes from a deficiency of inner awareness — "knowledge you have acquired — what have you lacked?" Therefore I settled my mind — that the main suffering out of all sufferings is the deficiency of inner awareness. # עח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/78/ עח עח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/78 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' נשא תר"ם לפ"ק פה טבריא תו"ת EN: Your letter from Sunday was received by me yesterday morning — immediately after the morning prayer. And at first when I saw the letter — I rejoiced at your letter — because I thought you wrote me some news of my sons, may they live, and of the peace of the safe arrival of your dear co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, home in peace. Although I had already had greetings of peace from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, through Reb Pinchas the Cantor — who traveled with him as one united company [בצותא חדא — b'tzusa chada — Aramaic: "in one companionship, as one unified unit" — from Aramaic tzus — companionship, fellowship; the specific Aramaic phrase for traveling together as a single company] from Odessa to Tzfas. But your letter was to me like seeing his face. But when I read the letter — tears poured down my face. And when my wife saw that I was weeping — I was compelled to tell her this sad tiding. And she nearly fell faint — and a headache seized her — and it has still not released her. And I the entire day did not study — and I was like a drunk and confused. And almost the entire night I did not sleep — from the grief and the unfortunate event that occurred to such a good brother. But in the night I studied the Torah "the Ancient One, hidden and concealed" — and there at its end Rabbainu ז"ל speaks of eternal life. And there it is explained that all suffering comes from a deficiency of inner awareness — "knowledge you have acquired — what have you lacked?" Therefore I settled my mind — that the main suffering out of all sufferings is the deficiency of inner awareness. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אחי ידידי או"נ ידידי עז כש"ת מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' הצנועה מ' זל"ר תח' עם שלום חתנו היקר או"נ בני ממש כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' יד"ל תח' עם שלום בנה היקר החכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים שיח' לאיוש"ט EN: מיין ליבער ברודער מיין הארציגער ברודער — My dear brother, my heartfelt brother — together with your wife, may she live, and together with all who share in your trouble — for the sake of Hashem — זייט מקבל באהבה — receive it with love — און היט דעם שכל — and guard the mind — ווער ווייסט וואס ס'האט איבער געבייטן — who knows what was exchanged for this — ווער ווייסט וואס פאר איין צרה איהר האט געפאטערט דער מיט — who knows what kind of trouble you were spared with this — for from the mouth of the Most High evil does not go forth, G-d forbid — אפשר האט איהר בעדארפט אין ים דערטראנקן ווערן עם המעות — perhaps you needed to be drowned in the sea together with the money — געלויבט איז השי"ת וואס מ'האט אייך אפגעלאזט — praised be Hashem Yisbarach that you were spared — און אז איינער איז ח"ו מחסר דעת וואלט ער נישט אוועק געגעבן הונו ורכושו — and if someone were, G-d forbid, deficient in inner awareness — he would not give away his wealth and possessions — אבי השי"ת זאל אים אפגעבן דעם דעת — only may Hashem Yisbarach restore his inner awareness to him — therefore my dear brother — remember how in the Semnasima you held your mind composed — and I strengthened you — and also in the Piderates of Meisnowitz — and I strengthened you — and today as well I ask: my dear brother — have compassion on G-d — and accept His act with love — and strengthen yourself. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ג' הנ"ל קבלתי ביום אתמול בבקר תכף אחר תפילת שחרית ובתחלה כשראיתי המכתב שמחתי במכתבך מחמת שדמיתי שאתה כתב לי איזה ידיעה מבני שיחיו ומשלום בא חמיך היקר נ"י לביתו בשלום הגם שהיה לי פ"ש מחמיך נ"י ע"י ר' פנחס חזן שנסע עמו בצותא חדא מאדעסי לצפת תו"ת אך מכתבך היה אצלי כמו ראית פניו אך כשקראתי המכתב שפכו דמעות על פני וכשראתה זוג' שאני בוכה מכרח הייתי לספר לה הבשורה לא טובה הזאת ונשארה כמעט חלשות ואחזה כאב ראש ועדין לא הניח אותה ואני כל היום לא למדתי והייתי כמו שכור ומבלבל וכל הלילה כמעט לא ישנתי מחמת הצער והמקרה לא טובה שקרה לאח טוב כזה אך בלילה למדתי התורה עתיקא טמיר וסתים' ושם בסופו מדבר רבנו ז"ל מחיים נצחיים ושם מבאר שכל היסורים הם מחסרון הדעת דעת קנית מה חסרת ע"כ נתישבתי בדעתי שעיקר היסורים מכל היסורים הוא חסרון הדעת EN: וויפל מענטשן האבן אוועק געגעבן כל הונם ורכושם בקאנסאלאטן נאך מעות אחרים אויך — How many people have given away all their wealth and possessions in proceedings pursuing other people's money as well — and praised be Hashem they also live — and are blessed be G-d in their minds. And the grief will accomplish nothing — Hashem Yisbarach has acted upon you — and He can fill you up again — how we do not know — only we believe that He is One Who lowers and also raises — and provides and sustains each and every one with a particular providence. Segment 4 HE: ע"כ מיין ליבער ברודער מיין הארציגער ברודער עם זוגתם תח' ועם כל המשתתפים בצרתם למען ה' זייט מקבל באהבה און היט דעם שכל ווער ווייסט וואס ס'האט איבער געבייטן ווער ווייסט וואס פאר איין צרה איהר האט געפאטערט דער מיט כי מפי העליון לא תצא הרעות ח"ו אפשר האט איהר בעדארפט אין ים דערטראנקן ווערן עם המעות געלויבט איז השי"ת וואס מ'האט אייך אפגעלאזט און אז איינער איז ח"ו מחסר דעת וואלט ער נישט אוועק געגעבן הונו ורכושו אבי השי"ת זאל אים אפגעבן דעם דעת ע"כ מיין ליבער ברודער געדיינק ווי אזוי עס האט זיך ביי אייך געלאזט דער מח בסמנאסימא אין איך האב אייך געשטארקט וגם בהפידראטי מאיסנוועצקע אין איך האב אייך געשטארקט אין היינט בעט איך אויך מיין ליבער ברודער האט רחמנות אויף גאט אין נעמט זיין מעשה באהבה אין שטארקט אייך EN: און איהר זענט געוואוינט צו זאגן תמיד געלויבט איז גאט זאלט איהר היינט אויך זאגן אלע מאל געלויבט איז גאט — And you are accustomed to always saying "praised be G-d" — so today as well say every time: "praised be G-d" — and sustain yourself in faith in Hashem Yisbarach. Imagine to yourself — they wanted to take your son Moshe, may his candle shine, as a military recruit — but if you would give the money they would release him — would you not certainly have given the money? — do not drag yourself after grief — do not be resentful against the attributes of Hashem Yisbarach — and even against yourself do not be in anger. Segment 5 HE: וויפל מענטשן האבן אוועק געגעבן כל הונם ורכושם בקאנסאלאטן נאך מעות אחרים אויך אין געלויבט איז השי"ת זיי לעבן אויך אין זענען ב"ה ביים דעת אין דער צער וועט גארנישט העלפן השי"ת האט אויס אייך געטאן אין ער קען ממלא זיין ווי אזוי ווייסן מיר נישט נאר מיר גלייבן אז ער איז איין משפיל אויך מרומם וזן ומפרנס לכל אחד ואחד בהשגחה אחרת EN: למען ה' היט דעם מח — For the sake of Hashem — guard the mind — Hashem Yisbarach will surely not abandon you — G-d is with you and lives with you and is by you — and do not be afraid — Hashem Yisbarach wills it so — one may not harbor doubting thoughts about His attributes, may He be blessed. For the sake of Hashem — do not take it to heart — not you, not your wife, may she live, and not your daughter and son-in-law, may they live. For blessed be G-d — our G-d, our Father in Heaven, has not been stolen away. And fulfill: "cast your burden upon Hashem and He will sustain you" — and also stand by G-d and rest — "for My salvation is near to come and My righteousness to be revealed" — turn the grief and sighing to joy — and you will see how Hashem Yisbarach will have compassion on you and make you joyful. For with us all the ends have ended — but with Hashem Yisbarach the ends have not yet ended — and the salvation of Hashem is as the blink of an eye. "When I said my foot slipped — Your loving-kindness, Hashem, held me up." Segment 6 HE: און איהר זענט געוואוינט צו זאגן תמיד געלויבט איז גאט זאלט איהר היינט אויך זאגן אלע מאל געלויבט איז גאט און דערהאלט זיך באמונת השי"ת לאז זיך אייך דאכטן מ'האט געוואלט ביי אייך נעמען בנך משה נ"י פאר איין נעקריט נאר אז איהר זאלט אוועק געבן דעם געלט וועט מען איהם געלאזט וואלט איהר אוודאי אוועק געגעבן דאס געלט ציהט זיך נישט נאך קיין צער זייט נישט מתרעם על מדותיו של השי"ת אפילו אויף זיך זאלט איהר אויך נישט ברגז זיין EN: אין מיט דער מרה שחורה וועט איהר גארנישט פועל'ן — And with melancholy you will accomplish nothing — strengthen yourselves with G-d. And thus I heard from Rabbainu ז"ל — who said: when a person has grief and accepts it and says that it is good — Hashem Yisbarach said to him: אט דאס איז גוט איך וועל דיר ווייזן וואס גוט איז — Now that is good — I will show you what good is! — therefore, my precious brother — have compassion on yourself. Imagine to yourself — as if a robber and murderer fell upon you on the road and wanted to kill you — and afterward take everything from you — and you barely begged him to let you keep your life — would you not have gone away in joy that you at least remained alive? Segment 7 HE: למען ה' היט דעם מח השי"ת וועט אייך בודאי נישט פארלאזן גאט איז מיט אייך אין לעבן אייך אין שרעקט אייך נישט השי"ת וויל אזוי טאר מען נישט מהרהר זיין אחר מדותיו יתברך למען ה' לאזט אייך נישט צו צום הארצן נישט איהר נישט זוגתכם תח' וגם בתכם וחתנכם שיחיו כי ב"ה לא נגנב אלהינו אבינו שבשמים ותקים השלך על ה' יהבך והוא יכלכלך אין שטייט אויך ביי גאט אין רעסטיר והנה קרובה ישועתי לבוא וצדקתי להגלות זייט מהפך דעם יגון ואנחה לשמחה וועט איהר זעהן ווי השי"ת וועט אויף אייך רחמנות האבן אין וועט אייך פריליך מאכן כי אצלנו כלו כל הקצין ואצל השי"ת עדין לא כלו כל הקצין וישועת ה' כהרף עין אם אמרתי מטה רגלי חסדך ה' יסעדני EN: And beyond all this — what does grief and melancholy avail now? There is no counsel at all except to pour out one's speech before G-d Who brought you naked from your mother's womb — and has fed and provided and sustained you with such great expense — until now — by His grace alone and by His abundant mercies. And the kindnesses of Hashem have not ended and His mercies have not been depleted. And with His great and abundant loving-kindness and mercies — He is able to provide for you also now — with greater elevation and greater might [ביתר שאת ויתר עז — the biblical phrase from Genesis 49:3: "first in dignity and first in power" — se'es — elevation, exaltation, dignity; and oz — strength, might; together: with greater elevation and with greater might than before]. And do not say "from where will my help come?" — "my help is from Hashem Who made heaven and earth." And trust in Hashem and rejoice in Him, may He be blessed — and this will be the counterweight of equal weight. For at the time when you had such wealth — you worried from where your livelihood would come — and that was worry for nothing. And now do the will of the Creator, may He be blessed — and do not worry at all — and He will do wonders and awesome things for you — and provide for you with manna from Heaven. Segment 8 HE: אין מיט דער מרה שחורה וועט איהר גארנישט פועל'ן שטארקט זיך מיט גאט וכך שמעתי מרבנו ז"ל שאמר כשאחד יש לו צער ומקבל אותו ואמר שהוא טוב אמר לו השי"ת אט דאס איז גוט איך וועל דיר ווייזן וואס גוט איז ע"כ מיין טייערער ברודער האט רחמנות אויף זיך לאז זיך אייך דאכטן אז איין גזלן ורוצח איז אנגעפאלן אויף אייך בדרך אין האט אייך געוואלט הרג'נען אין זאל נאך דעם צונעמען ביי אייך אלסדונג אין איהר האט זיך ביי אים קוים אויס געבעטן ער זאל אייך לאזן דאס לעבן וואלט איהר נאך אוועק געגאנגען מיט שמחה וואס איהר זענט כאטש געבליבן לעבן EN: למען ה' ברודער הארציגער ווארפט אוועק דיין צער פון דעם הארץ — For the sake of Hashem, heartfelt brother — throw off your grief from the heart — remember how the prince reflected: G-d can still do this for me — I must turn back to Him — and he then drew near to his greatness. So may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and make you great and magnify you [ויגדל אתכם — "and may He make you great and magnify you" — from gadol — great, to grow great; not merely to "raise up" but specifically to make great and enlarge in greatness and stature] quickly and soon — and rejoice you and your household. And we will be joyful in your joy. Segment 9 HE: וחוץ מזה מה מועיל העצבות ומרה שחורה עתה אין שום עצה כי אם לשפך שיחו לפני האל אשר הוציא אתכם ערם מבטן אמכם וזן ומפרנס וכלכל אתכם בהוצאה מרבה כזו ועד הנה בחסדו לבד וברחמיו המרבין וחסדי ה' לא תמנו ולא כלו רחמיו וברב חסדיו ורחמיו המרבין יכול לפרנס אתכם גם עתה ביתר שאת ויתר עז ואל תאמרו מאין יבא עזרי עזרי מעם ה' עשה שמים וארץ ובטחו בה' ושמחו בו יתברך וזה יהיה תשובת המשקל כי בעת שהיה לכם הון כזה דאגתם מהיכן תהיה פרנסתי והיה דאגת חנם ועתה תעשו רצון הבורא יתברך ולא תדאגו כלל והוא יעשה עמכם נפלאות ונוראות ויפרנס אתכם במן מן השמים EN: One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 10 HE: למען ה' ברודער הארציגער ווארפט אוועק דיין צער פון דעם הארץ דערמאנט זיך אזוי ווי דער בן מלך האט זיך באטראכט אז גאט קען מיר יא אזוי טוהן דארף איך מיך אום קערן צו איהם איז ער דער נאך צו געקומען צי זיין גדלה כן השי"ת יברך אתכם ויגדל אתכם חיש מהר וישמח אתכם ואת בני ביתכם ואנו נהיה שמחים בשמחתכם EN: And also to write to me the receipt of this letter as well — for I have eye pain — and I am compelling myself to write to you. And in any case I do not want the letter to be lost, G-d forbid. And also you should perform this mitzvah — to bring joy to your co-parent-in-law and mother-in-law, may they live — and not to give your melancholy in partnership to them — and show them a cheerful face. For thus Rabbainu ז"ל said: when one shows a person a cheerful face — one gives him life. And to give life to a Jew is not an empty thing — but a very, very great thing beyond reckoning. Segment 11 HE: אוהבכם EN: And I ask of all our truly beloved — that all of them strengthen our beloved Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and his household — for many matters of mitzvah were concluded at his table — and it is forbidden for us to be ungrateful, G-d forbid. And whoever strengthens him and brings him joy — his reward shall be doubled from Heaven. And there is no counsel to judge him to the pan of culpability, G-d forbid — only to the pan of merit. And also his wife, may she live — comfort her with words that gladden the heart — for she does not have the strength to bear such grief. And what does her grief accomplish? — for it avails nothing at all — only damages the life-force and the health of her body. And the greatness of the mitzvah you do in this is beyond reckoning and estimation. For whoever sustains a single soul of Israel — it is as if he sustained an entire world. And do not listen to the counsel of the adversary who wants to grieve you — only overcome him with joy. For you yourself see with your eyes that melancholy and sadness accomplish nothing — and beyond this — it is from the other side. And you want to be a proper person — and Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: whoever wants to be a proper person — let him guard against sadness. Only "eat your bread in joy" — and do not worry worldly worries — only "today if you will but hear His voice." And Hashem Yisbarach in His goodness renews each day always the work of Creation. And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to all the Anash — with strong love and with a willing soul. Segment 12 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who awaits your salvation — and desires your success in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov Segment 13 HE: ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י מאד בקשתי לכתוב לי הפרוש מה שאתה כתב לי שאודיע לאנ"ש איני יודע להיכן וגם לכתוב לי המעשה איך היה והיכן היה המעשה והיכן נודע לו וגם אם קבלת המכתב שכתבתי לך בשבוע העבר ושלחתי לך ע"י ר' חיים יהושע נ"י וגם אם אפשר לך ע"י חמיך נ"י איזה ידיעה מבני מטראויצע וגם מבתי פיגא תח' אשר היא באומן עם שלום בעלה ובניה נ"י וגם היתה מעברת מה ילדה וגם מכח הפאשפארטין מוואלחיי מה נשמע מהם במדינתנו ברוסיא כי חתני מו"ה ישראל נ"י ובני יצחק נ"י יש להם אלו הבילעטין EN: And I ask of all our truly beloved — that all of them strengthen our beloved Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and his household — for many matters of mitzvah were concluded at his table — and it is forbidden for us to be ungrateful, G-d forbid. And whoever strengthens him and brings him joy — his reward shall be doubled from Heaven. And there is no counsel to judge him to the pan of culpability, G-d forbid — only to the pan of merit. And also his wife, may she live — comfort her with words that gladden the heart — for she does not have the strength to bear such grief. And what does her grief accomplish? — for it avails nothing at all — only damages the life-force and the health of her body. And the greatness of the mitzvah you do in this is beyond reckoning and estimation. For whoever sustains a single soul of Israel — it is as if he sustained an entire world. And do not listen to the counsel of the adversary who wants to grieve you — only overcome him with joy. For you yourself see with your eyes that melancholy and sadness accomplish nothing — and beyond this — it is from the other side. And you want to be a proper person — and Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: whoever wants to be a proper person — let him guard against sadness. Only "eat your bread in joy" — and do not worry worldly worries — only "today if you will but hear His voice." And Hashem Yisbarach in His goodness renews each day always the work of Creation. And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to all the Anash — with strong love and with a willing soul. Segment 14 HE: וגם לכתוב לי הקבלה מזה המכתב ג"כ כי יש לי כאב עינים ואני מכריח עצמי לכתוב לכם ו עכ"פ איני רוצה שתאבד המכתב ח"ו וגם אתה תעשה המצוה הזאת לשמח חמיך וחמותך שיחיו ולא תתן המרה שחורה שלך בשתפות אליהם ותראה להם פנים שוחקות כי כך אמר רבנו ז"ל כשמראין לאדם פנים שוחקות מחיין אותו ולהחיות איש הישראלי אינו דבר ריק רק דבר גדול מאד מאד אשר אין לשער EN: Words of one who truly loves you — who awaits your salvation — and desires your success in this world and the next, Nussun from Breslov Segment 15 HE: ומבקש אני מאת כל אהבינו באמת שכלם יחזקו את אהבינו באמת ר' שמואל נ"י וב"ב כי הרבה דברי מצוה נגמרו על שלחנו ואסור לנו להיות כפוי טובה ח"ו וכל המחזיק אותו וישמח אותו יהיה שכרו כפול מן השמים ואין עצה לדון אותו לכף חוב ח"ו אך רק לכף זכות וגם זוג' תח' תח' אותה בדבורים המשמחים הלב כי אין בכחה לסבל צער כזה ומה תועיל בצערה כי אין פועלין כלל רק מפסיד החיות והבריאת גופה וגדל המצוה שתעשה בזה אין לשער ולהעריך כי כל המקים נפש אחת מישראל כאלו קים עולם מלא ולא תשמע לעצת הבע"ד שרוצה להעציב אותך רק תתגבר עליו בשמחה כי אתה ראה בעיניך שאין פועל כלל בהמרה שחורה והעצבות שלך חוץ מזה שהיא מסטרא אחרא ואתה רוצה להיות איש כשר ורבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש שמי שרוצה להיות איש כשר יזהר מעצבות רק אכל בשמחה לחמך ואל תדאג דאגות עולם רק היום אם בקלו תשמעו והשי"ת בטובו מחדש בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית ופב"ש למעני לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה ובנפש חפצה EN: My mother and my wife and my sister convey greetings of peace to your mother-in-law and your wife, may they live — and to your precious son — the complete one, the musician — Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — for length of days and good years. Omain, so may it be His will. Segment 16 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ומצפה לישועתכם וחפץ הצלחתכם בזה ובבא EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Nasso, 5640, from Teverya. Devastating financial loss for Reb Shmuel. An extended outpouring of consolation in Hebrew and Yiddish. Segment 17 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter I received on Thursday past — but I had no leisure to reply to you through the postal carriage. And the greatness of my suffering from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — who is truly my brother — is beyond reckoning and estimation. But know that Rabbainu ז"ל said: this world is a world of trial — and at all times Hashem Yisbarach tests a person in a different manner — sometimes He tests through wealth and sometimes through constriction. But let him strengthen himself to stand in his place — and to receive everything — to make from this some contentment of spirit for Hashem Yisbarach [נחת רוח — nachas ruach — "contentment of the spirit / resting of the breath" — the specific compound phrase for divine satisfaction; nachas — rest, contentment; ruach — spirit, breath; the standard term for giving Hashem a divine satisfaction through one's conduct] — and not to be resentful against Hashem Yisbarach, G-d forbid. And everything — to turn grief and sighing to joy. For the Ba'al Shem Tov — may his merit protect us — said: "Hashem is your shadow" — as a person acts — so, as it were, Hashem Yisbarach acts toward him. Therefore if you turn the grief and sighing to joy — so will Hashem act toward you — and turn your grief and sighing to joy. Segment 18 HE: אמי וזוג' ואחותי פורסים בשלום חמותך וזוג' שיחיו ובשלום בנך היקר המשלם המנגן מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט אכי"ר EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in the line of life and peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you life and peace and success and blessing. And may Hashem Yisbarach bring you joy — and turn your grief and sighing to joy. Your letter I received on Thursday past — but I had no leisure to reply to you through the postal carriage. And the greatness of my suffering from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — who is truly my brother — is beyond reckoning and estimation. But know that Rabbainu ז"ל said: this world is a world of trial — and at all times Hashem Yisbarach tests a person in a different manner — sometimes He tests through wealth and sometimes through constriction. But let him strengthen himself to stand in his place — and to receive everything — to make from this some contentment of spirit for Hashem Yisbarach [נחת רוח — nachas ruach — "contentment of the spirit / resting of the breath" — the specific compound phrase for divine satisfaction; nachas — rest, contentment; ruach — spirit, breath; the standard term for giving Hashem a divine satisfaction through one's conduct] — and not to be resentful against Hashem Yisbarach, G-d forbid. And everything — to turn grief and sighing to joy. For the Ba'al Shem Tov — may his merit protect us — said: "Hashem is your shadow" — as a person acts — so, as it were, Hashem Yisbarach acts toward him. Therefore if you turn the grief and sighing to joy — so will Hashem act toward you — and turn your grief and sighing to joy. And there is no counsel in this world except to flee to Hashem Yisbarach — for in every time of trouble and distress we have no helper and supporter except You. And particularly since Rabbainu ז"ל taught us the straight path — that everything that passes over a person — pour out one's speech before Hashem Yisbarach for some hours of the day — and afterward be in joy — and not to be drawn after melancholy and sadness. For you can receive proof from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — for before he had this financial damage — he also had worries. And now it seems — if he had not had this financial damage — would he have been in joy? # עט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/79/ עט עט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/79 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' שלח תר"ם לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in the line of life and peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you life and peace and success and blessing. And may Hashem Yisbarach bring you joy — and turn your grief and sighing to joy. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ב"א וחתן אחי כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו שיחיו לאיוש"ט אנס"ו EN: Your letter I received on Thursday past — but I had no leisure to reply to you through the postal carriage. And the greatness of my suffering from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — who is truly my brother — is beyond reckoning and estimation. But know that Rabbainu ז"ל said: this world is a world of trial — and at all times Hashem Yisbarach tests a person in a different manner — sometimes He tests through wealth and sometimes through constriction. But let him strengthen himself to stand in his place — and to receive everything — to make from this some contentment of spirit for Hashem Yisbarach [נחת רוח — nachas ruach — "contentment of the spirit / resting of the breath" — the specific compound phrase for divine satisfaction; nachas — rest, contentment; ruach — spirit, breath; the standard term for giving Hashem a divine satisfaction through one's conduct] — and not to be resentful against Hashem Yisbarach, G-d forbid. And everything — to turn grief and sighing to joy. For the Ba'al Shem Tov — may his merit protect us — said: "Hashem is your shadow" — as a person acts — so, as it were, Hashem Yisbarach acts toward him. Therefore if you turn the grief and sighing to joy — so will Hashem act toward you — and turn your grief and sighing to joy. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בקו החיים ושלום יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם החיים והשלום והצלחה וברכה והשי"ת ישמח אתכם ויהפך לכם מיגון ואנחה לשמחה EN: And there is no counsel in this world except to flee to Hashem Yisbarach — for in every time of trouble and distress we have no helper and supporter except You. And particularly since Rabbainu ז"ל taught us the straight path — that everything that passes over a person — pour out one's speech before Hashem Yisbarach for some hours of the day — and afterward be in joy — and not to be drawn after melancholy and sadness. For you can receive proof from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — for before he had this financial damage — he also had worries. And now it seems — if he had not had this financial damage — would he have been in joy? Segment 4 HE: מכתבך קבלתי ביום ה' העבר אך לא היה הפנאי להשיב לך ע"י השירה וגדל היסורים שלי מחמיך נ"י שהוא אחי ממש אין לשער ולהעריך אך תדע שרבנו ז"ל אמר שזה העולם הוא עולם הנסיון ובכל עת מנסה השי"ת את האדם באפן אחר לפעמים מנסה בעשירות ולפעמים בדחקות אך יחזק את עצמו לעמד על עמדו ולקבל הכל לעשות בזה איזה נחת רוח להשי"ת ולא להתרעם על השי"ת ח"ו והכל להפך מיגון ואנחה לשמחה כי הבעל שם טוב זכותו יגן עלינו אמר ש"ה' צלך כמו שעשה האדם כן כביכול עשה השי"ת נגדו' ע"כ אם תהפכו היגון ואנחה לשמחה כן יעשה ה' עמכם ויהפך לכם היגון ואנחה לשמחה EN: And I heard from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל — who spoke one time about the verse: "Who knows the strength of Your anger?" — and he pressed greatly on these words of this verse: "who knows the strength of Your anger?" — therefore it may be possible that one was saved from this — from the fury of G-d's anger. And so all of us must receive everything in joy — in order to save ourselves from the fury of His anger, G-d forbid, G-d forbid. And there is no counsel for a son of Torah learning [לבר אורין — l'var orin — Aramaic: "for a son of learning / a man of Torah knowledge" — from Aramaic orin — Torah; bar — son of; a scholarly learned person; distinct from the ish pashut — the simple person — who follows immediately] except Torah and prayer and clamor and crying and calling to Hashem Yisbarach. And for a simple person — very great prayer and supplications to Hashem Yisbarach. And to be saved from this world of trial — there is no counsel now in these generations except to engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for they are our life and the length of our days now. For whoever does not engage in them constantly — I do not know how he lives. For every Torah teaching and every law is one prescription for giving life to the soul and body in this world and the next. And we are very weak souls — the adversary chews us every day with his teeth. And Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple are such doctors who can give life to souls that are chewed between their teeth — and make a person sit on the throne — only if they receive their prescriptions — and become expert in the law — and not fall from any matter. Only begin at all times to draw ourselves close anew to Rabbainu ז"ל with fresh ardent longing — and look carefully in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — how they want to give us life — and not, G-d forbid, the opposite. And surely we will have a good end. Segment 5 HE: ואין עצה בזה העולם כי אם לברח להשי"ת כי בכל עת צרה וצוקה אין לנו עוזר וסומך אלא אתה ובפרט שרבנו ז"ל למד אותנו דרך ישר שכל מה שעבר על האדם ישפך שיחו לפני השי"ת איזה שעה ביום ואח"כ להיות בשמחה ולא למשך אחר מרה שחורה ועצבות כי הלא אתה יכול לקבל ראיה מחמיך נ"י כי קדם שהיה לו זה ההזק ג"כ היו לו דאגות ועתה נראה אם לא היה לו זה ההזק היה בשמחה EN: And regarding the money that you wrote to me — the sum of three rubles — the straight thing would have been to give it to you against the debt I owe you. But the money is very urgently needed by me — and it will be like a new act of loving-kindness that you do with me — and send it to me through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to Reb Dov his partner here. Segment 6 HE: ואני שמעתי מאדמו"ר מוהרנ"ת ז"ל שדבר פעם אחת מהפסוק מי יודע עז אפך ודחק מאד התבות האלו מפסוק זה מי יודע עז אפך ע"כ יכול להיות שנצל מזה מעז אפו של השי"ת וכן כלנו צריכין לקבל כל דבר בשמחה בכדי להציל אותנו מעז אפו ח"ו ח"ו ואין עצה לבר אורין כי אם תורה ותפילה ושועה וצעקה וזעקה להשי"ת ואיש פשוט תפילה ותחנונים הרבה להשי"ת ולהנצל מזה העולם הנסיון אין עצה עתה בדורות האלו כי אם לעסק בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי הם חיינו וארך ימינו עתה כי מי שאינו עוסק בהם בתמידות אין אני יודע איך הוא חי כי כל תורה וכל הלכה הוא ריצעפט אחר להחיות הנפש והגוף בזה ובבא ואנו נפשות חלושות מאד שהס"ם לועס אותנו בכל יום בשניו ורבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' הם דאקטורים כאלו שיכולין להחיות נפשות הלעוסים מבין שניהם ולעשות אדם לשבת על הכסא רק אם יקבלו הריצעפטין שלהם ולהיות בקיאים בהלכה ושלא לפל משום דבר רק נתחיל בכל עת לקרב עצמנו מחדש לרבנו ז"ל בחשק חדש ולעין היטב בדברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' איך הם רוצים להחיות אותנו ולא ח"ו להפך ובודאי יהיה לנו אחרית טוב EN: And perhaps your father, may his candle shine, will travel in peace to the diaspora — I ask of him greatly — as a brother to a brother — that he see himself with my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Yisroel, may his candle shine — and speak with him about the stoppage of letters to me. And also from the wife of my son, may she live — my son-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with his wife and her son Yitzchak, may his candle shine — who is my son-in-law from Marianovka and who sits now in the inn near Narchvika on the road that people travel to Uman — see with them and speak with them that they should send letters to their mother, may she live, to give life to her soul. Segment 7 HE: ואודות המעות אשר כתבת לי הסך שלשה רו"ח הישר היה שאתן לך על החוב שאני חיב לך אך המעות נצרך לי מאד ותהיה כמו גמילות חסד חדש תעשו עמי ותשלח לי ע"י ר' חיים יהושע נ"י לרב דב שתפו בכאן EN: And convey greetings of peace on my behalf to your father, may his candle shine — and to your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — ברודער הארציגער זארג נישט גאט איז מיט אייך אין לייבן אייך אין ביי אייך — Heartfelt brother — do not worry — G-d is with you and lives with you and is by you — and do repentance for the past worrying — and today do not worry. "Stand still and see the salvation of Hashem which He will do with you." And there is no counsel for you except to say Psalms and Sha'arei Tzion and many prayers every day — and to be in joy — for worries avail nothing at all — they only damage greatly. Segment 8 HE: ואולי יסע אביך נ"י בשלום לחו"ל אני מבקש מאתו מאד כאח לאח שיראה את עצמו עם חתני מו"ה ישראל נ"י ולדבר עמו על מניעת מכתבים אלי וגם מבני זוג' תח' חתני מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם זוג' ובנה יצחק נ"י אשר הוא חתני ממריאנווקע והוא יושב עתה בקרעטשמע מנרחביקע בהדרך שנוסעים לאומן יראה עמהם וידבר עמהם שישלחו מכתבים לאמם תח' להחיות נפשה EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 9 HE: ותפב"ש עבורי לאביך נ"י ולחמיך נ"י ברודער הארציגער זארג נישט גאט איז מיט אייך אין לייבן אייך אין ביי אייך אין טוהט תשובה אויף דעם איהר האט פריער געזארגט אין היינט זאלט איהר נישט זארגן התיצבו וראו את ישועת ה' אשר יעשה עמכם ואין עצה לכם כי אם לומר תהלים ושערי ציון ותפלות הרבה בכל יום ולהיות בשמחה כי דאגות אין מועיל כלל רק מפסידין מאד EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Shelach, 5640, from Teverya. Continuing consolation. "Hashem is your shadow." "Who knows the strength of Your anger?" The adversary chews us — Rabbainu ז"ל's books are the doctors. Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 11 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. Segment 12 HE: ואני שולח בכאן מכתב רצוף פה לעיר טייטרא לחתני מו"ה ברוך נ"י ואני מבקש מאתך איך שהאשה שהיתה אשת מחתני ר' נטע טייטרער ז"ל נוסעת לעיר טייטרא למסור לה המכתב ולבקש מאתה שתטמין היטב המכתב ולמסור אותו לחתני מו"ה ברוך נ"י מוכר נרות או לבתי מ' שינדיל וואס זי פארקויפט לעכט והיא מכרת אותה ולכתוב לי קבלה על מכתב זה עם המעות שתשלח לי ולכתוב לי מי שלח המעות ואני אכתב לטשעהרין כמו שכתבת לי ואולי לא תהיה האשה הזאת שנוסעת לטייטרא אולי נוסע איש ותבקש עבורי לר' יוסל דעם רויטן וועט ער פארזארגן המכתב לחתני בטח כי אין לי שום מכתב מטייטרא מיום באי ומכח זוג' תח' תדע שמכאן נסעו אנשים ונשים ומצפת תו"ת ג"כ נוסעים אנשים ונשים אין מספר והם אמרים הם טובים לכל אך אין אני יודע EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Know that I sent you a letter on Friday, the eve of the holy Shabbos of Pekudei — did you receive it properly? And I sent you my letter and a letter from Moldva [a letter forwarded from Moldova/Moldavia bearing news of the writer's diaspora family] — and I sent them through the nagid Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also the document [הפיסאליס — ha'pisalis — a specific item sent alongside the letters; the word may be Yiddish or a regional term — possibly a financial receipt, a promissory note, or a specific document; it is sent as a third item alongside the two letters; whatever it was, the writer asks whether it too was received]. And I asked Reb Dov, may his candle shine, several times about letters — and he told me he has nothing. And yesterday toward evening he opened his shop and himself brought me the letters. And now I am writing to you that Reb Dov himself wrote to Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine, to receive the money from you and give him a draft [אוו"ז — avez — a financial bill of exchange or draft; a negotiable promissory note used in this period's commerce; Reb Dov will receive the money in Tzfas through this instrument, and the writer settles the corresponding amount in Tiberias] — and I will settle here. And regarding what you wrote — that all the Anash agreed together to give one grosh from each ruble on behalf of our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — I also agree. And also in my letter I wrote that you should receive one and a half bishlikim for the Anash to divide among them. Now receive only one bishlik — which my sister Chana, may she live, sent — and divide it as I wrote to you: to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and to Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and to Reb Kalman, may his candle shine — equal to equal. And the remainder will go with the letter of Reb Dov, may his candle shine, that is written on my letter — and surely he will receive the money from you. And if you see that even so he does not want to receive it — send it with the donkey-driver Zeidel, as I wrote to you in my letter from yesterday — for the money is urgently needed by me now before the holy Passover. And I need to settle a little money with my sister as well. And may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and your wife, may she live, and your son, may his candle shine, and all the members of your household with all goodness — and may Hashem Yisbarach save you from now on from all kinds of sickness and from all kinds of disease [מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה — the paired biblical formula from Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:60: kol choli v'kol madveh — "every sickness and every disease"; the writer deliberately echoes the Torah's words of protection — the same passage that promises G-d will remove all illness from those who keep His covenant; a citation of the Torah's own protective language] — and may He say "enough!" to your troubles — and sweeten from upon you all kinds of harsh judgments in body and in soul and in money — and may He make to shine upon you good tidings from outside the Land quickly and soon. And upon our beloved Anash here and in the diaspora — may He pour out in overflowing abundance [ישפת עליהם — yishpas aleihem — from the root שפע — shefa — to pour out in overflowing measure, to provide in abundance beyond ordinary giving; not merely "pour" but the overflow of shefa — the mode of divine abundance; life and peace poured out in full, overflowing measure] upon them and upon us life and peace and blessing and success — and the fullness of good. Segment 13 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: And may Hashem Yisbarach bless you and your wife, may she live, and your son, may his candle shine, and all the members of your household with all goodness — and may Hashem Yisbarach save you from now on from all kinds of sickness and from all kinds of disease [מכל מיני חלי ומכל מיני מדוה — the paired biblical formula from Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:60: kol choli v'kol madveh — "every sickness and every disease"; the writer deliberately echoes the Torah's words of protection — the same passage that promises G-d will remove all illness from those who keep His covenant; a citation of the Torah's own protective language] — and may He say "enough!" to your troubles — and sweeten from upon you all kinds of harsh judgments in body and in soul and in money — and may He make to shine upon you good tidings from outside the Land quickly and soon. And upon our beloved Anash here and in the diaspora — may He pour out in overflowing abundance [ישפת עליהם — yishpas aleihem — from the root שפע — shefa — to pour out in overflowing measure, to provide in abundance beyond ordinary giving; not merely "pour" but the overflow of shefa — the mode of divine abundance; life and peace poured out in full, overflowing measure] upon them and upon us life and peace and blessing and success — and the fullness of good. # ח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/8/ ח ח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/8 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' מקץ לפ"ק פעה"ק צפת תו"ת EN: Wednesday, the Torah portion of Mikaitz [Parshas Mikaitz — the portion recounting Pharaoh's dreams and Yosef's rise to power; it almost always falls during Chanukah], [year given as לפ"ק — lifrat katan — "according to the minor reckoning," the standard way of writing the Hebrew year by its last three or four digits only, dropping the thousands; context places this in 5636, winter 1875–76 CE] — the Holy City of Tzfas [the writer has traveled from Teverya to Tzfas — this is the first letter written from Tzfas], may it be established and built for good. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ב"א האברך הלא הוא היקר מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום נטע נאמני או"נ החסיד מו"ה איזיק לעולמים EN: To the honor of — truly beloved [ב"א — be'ahavah — "with love / truly beloved"] — the young Torah scholar — why, it is none other than the dear one himself! [הלא הוא היקר — an exclamation of warm, affectionate recognition] — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — along with the faithful plant [נטע נאמני — neta ne'emani — "a faithful planting" — a poetic term of endearment, evoking a tree planted firmly in holy ground], our ohavainu, the pious one — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik — forever [לעולמים — "forever" — an unusual and affectionate addition: may this friendship and this piety endure forever and ever]. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם החיים והשלום ובשורות טובות לנצח EN: Thanks be to G-d — Blessed be He, Blessed be He — here all of us are in life and in peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace, and good tidings — unto eternity [לנצח — l'netzach — not merely "forever" but "unto eternal eternity" — an aspiration without end]. Segment 4 HE: אחר דרישת שלומכם הטוב באהבה רבה באתי להודיעכם שב"ה ימי חנכה באין והשכינה למטה מעשרה שאפילו אנו בדיוטא תחתונה יכולין אנו לדבק עצמנו בהשי"ת ואפילו במקומנו ע"י הצדיק המאיר אור של חנכה בעולם שלמד אותנו להתחיל בכל יום מחדש ולחנך עצמנו בכל עת להתחיל בהתחלה חדשה כאלו היום נולד ע"כ אנו צריכין להרגיל עצמנו בכל עת להתחיל בחשק חדש להמשיך עלינו שני הדרכים אזמרה' ו'איה' כי הוא תחום הקדשה ולהמשיך עלינו השלשה נקדות שהם כלליות הקדשה ולפרש שיחנו בכל יום כי עי"ז יהיו נמשכין עלינו השלשה נקדות ממילא כי עלינו נפל חובת היום בדור הזה לעסק בזה EN: After inquiring after your good welfare with great love, I have come to inform you that — blessed be G-d — the days of Chanukah are arriving, and the Shechinah descends below ten [השכינה למטה מעשרה — a kabbalistic teaching: during Chanukah the Divine Presence descends to below ten handbreadths from the ground — the very lowest levels — and therefore the Chanukah candles are kindled below ten handbreadths, precisely to receive this descending Presence] — so that even we, who are on the lowest level [בדיוטא תחתונה — "on the lowest floor / the bottom story" — the most humble spiritual rung], are able to attach ourselves to Hashem Yisbarach — and even in our own place, right where we stand [ואפילו במקומנו — "and even in our very place" — the word afilu — "even" — is emphatic: no journey or elevation is required; the Shechinah has descended to where we already are] — through the Tzaddik who shines forth [המאיר — ha'me'ir — actively radiating, shining out into the world] the light of Chanukah in the world — who taught us to begin each day anew, and to initiate ourselves [לחנך עצמנו — l'chanech atzmenu — the wordplay: Chanukah means "dedication / initiation" — this is a time to initiate ourselves afresh, to rededicate ourselves wholly] at all times — to begin with a new beginning, as though one were born today. Therefore we must accustom ourselves at all times to begin with fresh desire — to draw upon ourselves the two paths: "I will sing" [אזמרה — azamrah — "I will sing to G-d" — the path of joyful, grateful praise; drawn from a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל] and "Where is He?" [איה — ayeh — "Where?" — the cry of longing and passionate seeking for the Divine; together these two — joyful song and burning longing — form the full arc of the soul's approach to G-d] — for this is the domain of holiness [תחום הקדשה — the defined territory and boundary of holiness; to remain within this domain is to remain on holy ground]. And to draw upon ourselves the three nekudos [נקדות — "points" — a kabbalistic term: three foundational dimensions of holiness, corresponding to specific principles in Likutay Moharan] which are the totality of holiness. And to spread out our sicha before G-d each day [ולפרש שיחנו — l'faresh sichainu — "to set out, to spread out our sicha" — sicha means personal, intimate conversation; this is the Breslov practice of hisbodidus — speaking out one's heart to G-d each day in one's own words, spontaneously and fully] — for through this, the three nekudos will be drawn upon us of themselves. For upon us has fallen the obligation of this generation to engage in this. Segment 5 HE: ע"כ אהובי ורעי ואהבים לנו נא ונחזק אחד את חברו הן בתורה והן בתפילה ואת כל אשר עם לבבנו נסדר לפני השי"ת בכל יום מה שיעבר עלינו הכל עם לבבי אשיחה ומה שיש בלבי לדבר עמכם א"א לפרש על פני הכתב ועל פני השדה למען ה' עסקו בספרים הק' עכ"פ רביעית היום ותמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם בכל עת להחיות נפשכם לעד ולנצח נצחים EN: Therefore — my beloved ones, my companions, and those who are beloved to us [אהובי ורעי ואהבים לנו — three separate terms of address: "my beloved ones" — ahuvai; "my companions" — re'ai; "those who are beloved to us" — ahavim lanu — all three named, all three present] — please, let us strengthen one another — in Torah and in prayer alike. And all that is in our hearts — let us set it out before Hashem Yisbarach each day. Whatever passes over us — "with my heart I will speak" [Psalms 77:7]. And what is in my heart to speak with you — it is impossible to express on the face of the written page and on the face of the open field [על פני הכתב ועל פני השדה — not even a letter can contain it, and not even an open field is wide enough to hold what he wishes to say; a double image of boundlessness]. For the sake of Hashem — engage in the holy books at the very least a quarter of the day [רביעית היום — a quarter of the waking day: two to three hours minimum] — and you will find rest for your souls at all times, giving life to your souls forever and ever. Segment 6 HE: ידידי מו"ה נתן נ"י מאד אבקש ממך אולי יש לך איזה ידיעה מטראויצע וגם מבני תכתב לי תכף כי מה זה שעבר שלשה חדשים ור"ה ואין לנו שום ידיעה ובפרט כעת בצרות כאלה ר"ל וא"א לי עוד לסבל הבכיות מזוג' תח' אשר בלא זה היא נחלשת מאד אשר צערה אין לשער כי מיום באי לפה עבר עליה ארבעה מיני חולאת ואח"כ עזר השי"ת איזה ניחא השי"ת ירחם על כל אחינו בני ישראל ועליה ג"כ EN: My friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — I urgently ask of you: perhaps you have any news from Troyits? And also about my son — write to me at once. For what is this — three months have passed, and Rosh Hashana has passed, and we have no word whatsoever. And particularly now, in troubles such as these — may the Merciful One save us [ר"ל — rachaman litzlan — "may the Merciful One deliver us from this" — a protective exclamation inserted mid-sentence, as though to ward off the evil by invoking G-d's mercy at the very moment of describing it] — and I am unable any longer to bear the weeping of my wife, may she live, who even without this is weakening greatly — whose anguish is beyond reckoning. For from the day of my arrival here four kinds of illness have passed over her, and afterward Hashem Yisbarach helped and gave her some relief. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on all our brethren, the children of Israel — and on her as well. Segment 7 HE: גם תכתב לי מידידנו ר' איצילע נ"י ומזוג' תח' ומידידנו ר' נחום זלמן נ"י ומבני ביתם שיחיו וגם מהמעות שלי מבראד היכן הם בעולם וגם יש לי אצלך עוד בישליק לתן אותו לר' איצילע ועוד תלוה לי בישליק על חשבון אחותי חנה תח' לתן לר' נחום זלמן שני 20 ולר' איזיק שנים ולר' יוסיל שנים ואי"ה כשתהיה אחותי על הלולא דרבי שמעון בר יוחאי תחזיר לך בת"ח EN: Also write to me about our friend Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and about his wife, may she live — and about our friend Reb Nachem Zalman, may his candle shine — and about the members of their households, may they live. And also about my money from Brod [Brody — a major Jewish commercial city in Galicia, now Ukraine] — where in the world is it? And also — I still have with you one bishlik to give to Reb Aitzikel. And also please lend me one bishlik on account of my sister Chana, may she live — to give to Reb Nachem Zalman: two coins of 20 [para coins], and to Reb Aizik: two, and to Reb Yosil: two. And G-d willing, when my sister comes for the hillula [the joyous celebration on the anniversary of a Tzaddik's passing — here specifically the hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Lag Ba'Omer, held at his tomb on Mount Meron near Tzfas — one of the great annual gatherings in Eretz Yisroel] of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, she will repay you — with thanks and loving-kindness [בת"ח — b'todah v'chesed]. Segment 8 HE: ומחמת נחיצות תפילת שחרית אקצר ואמר שלום EN: And on account of the pressing need for the morning prayer [Shacharis — the morning prayer, which must be recited within a fixed time after dawn; the writer cuts the letter short so as not to miss it — as he did in Letter 2 for Minchah], I will be brief and say peace. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov [He signs himself "from Breslov" — his identity as a Breslov Chassid is his deepest and truest signature] Segment 9 HE: ידידך EN: Your friend, Nussun from Breslov [He signs himself "from Breslov" — his identity as a Breslov Chassid is his deepest and truest signature] Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Mikaitz, 5636 (Chanukah, winter 1875–76), from Tzfas. The letter opens with a rich Chanukah teaching and closes with urgent family news and precise financial instructions. # פ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/80/ פ פ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/80 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' לסדר בלק תר"ם פה טבריא EN: Your letter from Wednesday I received properly on Friday. And now — I had already written a receipt for the money and given the receipt to Reb Dov, may his candle shine. But the letter to you — I had thought at first to send it with your mother-in-law, may she live, who said she would travel home in peace. But afterward — I did not want to let her travel home — only that she stay here at least until tomorrow. And she went to the hot springs of Teverya three times. And blessed be G-d — my wife, may she live, is still not in good health — but blessed be G-d — as she was — blessed be G-d — her illness has eased from her head pain. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ הדבוק בקירות לבי ואינו נשכח מאתי מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' לאה תח' שירפא אותה השי"ת ועם שלום בנה מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט לתורה ולחפה ולמעשים טובים EN: And I received your letter that your wife is receiving remedies from the doctor. May Hashem Yisbarach help her — that the loan you lent me the money should stand in place of a redemption of soul — and should be upheld and maintained through her [ויהיו מקימים בה — "and may they be upheld and sustained through her" — from kayam — to establish, to uphold, to sustain; the money-merit should be maintained and uphold her in life, sustaining her] — and may she be healed. But I do not understand you — that you did something contrary to the will of Rabbainu ז"ל — for Rabbainu ז"ל warned about the doctor — not to receive remedies from him. And he warned very greatly to protect the body carefully. And have I not written to you many letters — do not act treacherously toward the wife of your youth [שלא תבגד באשת נעוריך — "do not act treacherously toward the wife of your youth" — the specific biblical phrase and condemnation from Malachi 2:14–15 and Proverbs 5:18: faithlessness to the wife of one's youth is a grievous transgression; bagad — to betray, to act with faithless treachery]? And particularly an upright wife. Therefore — of what use are the remedies — when afterward you do hard things? For you yourself must restrain her from doing things beyond her capacity. But all this is because you lack trust — and are always in sadness and melancholy — and all the worries fell upon you — and she surely immediately with grief and sighing. But you must turn her grief and sighing to joy and exultation — and this is the healing. And whoever is joyful — he succeeds. And "go eat your bread in joy" — and fulfill: "from all my teachers I gained understanding" — not for ill, G-d forbid — only for good. And believe and trust in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely not abandon you — and receive your livelihood from Hashem Yisbarach in prayer and in joy. And Rabbainu ז"ל did not want the Anash to have, G-d forbid, darkened faces — only luminous, radiant faces. And study in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Shabbos, law 3 — and there your soul will be revived. And know that I truly love you — for I want you to live good, long lives together with your wife and children. And faith is prayer — faith in gematria is sons — alive and well. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ד' קבלתי לנכון ביום ו' והנה כבר כתבתי קבלה על המעות ונתתי הקבלה לר' דב נ"י אך מכתב לך לכתוב בתחלה דמיתי שאשלח לך עם חמותך תח' שאמרה שתסע לביתה לשלום אך אח"כ לא רציתי להניח אותה לנסע לביתה רק שתשב בכאן עכ"פ עד יום מחר והלכה לחמי טבריא שלשה פעמים וב"ה זוג' תח' עדין אינה בקו הבריאה אך ב"ה כפי שהיתה ב"ה הוקל חליה מכאב ראשה EN: And it is a wonder to me about you — that a young scholar came from Tzfas — who brought me a letter from Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, from Bucharest — and told me that our friend, the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — together with his wife, may she live — are lying ill in their beds — may the Merciful One protect them. And I have very great grief from this. And you and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — I received letters from both of you — and neither of you mentioned this at all to me. Therefore for the sake of Hashem — immediately to inform me of their welfare — for I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely, G-d willing, restore them to their original full vigor [לאיתנם — "to their eissan" — the original primal strength and vigor; from eissan — enduring, primal, primordial strength; the restoration to the full original state before illness, not merely recovery but return to their primal vigor] — and grant them length of days and good years. And tell on my behalf to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, that he strengthen himself in trust in Hashem Yisbarach — for Hashem Yisbarach will surely heal him and his wife. For Rabbainu ז"ל said — it is a great benefit to a sick person when he strengthens himself — and even others who strengthen him — that too is a great benefit. Segment 4 HE: וקבלתי מכתבך שזוג' מקבלת רפואות מהדאקטיר השי"ת יעזור לה שההלואה שהלוית לי המעות יהיו במקום פדיון נפש ויהיו מקימים בה ורפא ירפא אך אין אני מבין אותך שאתה עשה שלא כרצון רבנו ז"ל שרבנו ז"ל הזהיר על הדאקטיר שלא לקבל מאתו רפואות והזהיר מאד לשמר את הגוף מאד והלא כתבתי לך כמה מכתבים שאל תבגד באשת נעוריך ובפרט אשה כשרה ע"כ מה מועיל הרפואות כשאח"כ עשה דברים קשים הלא אתה בעצמך צריך לעכב אותה מלעשות דברים שאינה כפי כחה אך כל זה מחמת שאתה מחסר בטחון ותמיד בעצבות ומרה שחורה וכל הדאגות נפל עליך והיא בודאי תכף ביגון ואנחה אך אתה צריך להפך היגון ואנחה שלה לשמחה וששון והוא רפואה ומי שהוא שמח הוא מצליח ולך אכל בשמחה לחמך ותקים מכל מלמדי השכלתי לא לרעה ח"ו רק לטובה ותאמין ותבטח בהשי"ת שבודאי לא יעזב אותך השי"ת ותקבל מהשי"ת הפרנסה שלך בתפילה ובשמחה ורבנו ז"ל לא רצה שאנ"ש יהיה להם ח"ו אנפין חשוכין רק אנפין נהורין ותלמד בלקוטי הלכות הל' שבת הלכה ג' ושם תח' נפשך ותדע שאני אהב אותך באמת כי אני רוצה שתח' חיים טובים וארכים עם זוג' ובנים ואמונה היא תפילה אמונה' בגימטריא בנים' חיים וקימים EN: For the sake of Hashem — immediately write to me through a trustworthy person — and not through a donkey-driver. For with us — there is not a single twenty-para coin available to give him — as your mother-in-law, may she live, will tell you. Segment 5 HE: ותמיה לי עליך שבא איש אברך מצפת תו"ת אשר הביא לי מכתב מר' איזיקל נ"י מבוקרעסט ואמר לי שידידנו ותיק וחסיד ר' נחמן נ"י עם זוג' תח' מנחים חולים על משכבם ר"ל ויש לי צער גדול מאד ואתה ור' איזיקל נ"י קבלתי משניכם מכתבים ולא הזכרתם לי כלל מהם ע"כ למען ה' תכף להודיע לי משלומם כי אני בטוח בהשי"ת שבודאי אי"ה יחזיר אותם לאיתנם ויתן אריכת ימים ושנים טובים ותאמרו עבורי לר' נחמן נ"י שיחזק עצמו בבטחון בהשי"ת שודאי ירפא אותו השי"ת ואת זוג' כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שתועלת גדול לחולה כשמחזיק עצמו ואפילו אחרים שמחזיקין אותו הוא ג"כ תועלת גדול EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: למען ה' תכף לכתוב לי ע"י איש בטח ולא ע"י מיקער כי אצלנו אינו בנמצא אחד 20 פאריס לתן לו כאשר תספר לך חמותך תח' EN: Written Sunday, Parshas Balak, 5640 (summer 1880), from Teverya. Rebuke about the doctor. Trust and joy are the true healing. Alarming news: Reb Nachman and his wife lying ill. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life and peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you and from all of you — life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit you to bring me good tidings of the recovery of our friend, the veteran Chassid, our beloved, Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and may my soul be revived. For my soul is bound to his soul. And your letter from Wednesday of Balak I received properly — and you gave me life with the recovery of your wife, may she live. For we have nothing to lean on except our Father in Heaven — and the strength of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and the love of companions. For our whole matter hangs on affection — and if we would be truly beloved to one another — as was the will of Rabbainu ז"ל — as is explained in Chayei Moharan — nothing would have dominion over us. And the essential quality of love must be: "love covers all transgressions" — and to judge each one to the pan of merit — and even oneself. And Rabbainu ז"ל warned very greatly about this — for all of our Jewishness depends on this. And about this we must ask day and night — for in this we are delaying the building of the holy Temple. And Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: that through judging to the pan of merit — a Tabernacle is made — and the Tabernacle is called the holy place. And do not forget that we are called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל — therefore we must at all times look within ourselves and reckon our ways — how to cleave to his holy ways. For the words of Rabbainu ז"ל are eternal — and belong to every person and every time and every place. And particularly as is explained in Likutay Halachos — that the boundaries of holiness are the two thousands — namely "I will sing" and "where." And in the Torah of "where" — it is explained that even when one is placed in defiled places — when one searches from there "where?" — through this the sealed saying is revealed. Therefore the resolution for this is "I will sing." And every day and every time we must look carefully in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and the words of his holy disciple — and draw ourselves toward these things — to fulfill them at least as a thin needle's thread. And Hashem Yisbarach will assist us like the opening of the Hall. געוואלד לאמיר נישט פארשלאפן אינזערע יארן [Yiddish: "Help! — let us not sleep away our years"] — אין אויף וועקן פין איהם שלאף איז נאר דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' [Yiddish: "and to awaken from that sleep — there is only the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple"] — רק ולחם עצלות לא תאכל [Proverbs 31:27: "the bread of laziness do not eat"] — אין מיר דארפן זיך כאטש שניצן איין רגז [Yiddish: "and we must at least stir ourselves with one moment of agitation"] — אין מיר זעהן עכ"פ אז ביי אינז זאלן די חובלים נישט קאליע מאכן די נעימים [Yiddish: "and we must at least see to it that among us the destructive ones do not ruin the pleasant ones"] — and through this one merits offspring. And particularly we are several people in Eretz Yisroel — and Rabbainu ז"ל surely does not agree that there should be, G-d forbid, division among us. For Rabbainu ז"ל said: if you are joyful — it would be good for the entire world. And if we truly loved one another — it would also be good for the entire world. For the entire world was not created except to be a fellowship and company for this [לצות לזה — "to be a tzusa for this" — tzavta — the Aramaic word for company, fellowship, companionship; the same root as b'tzusa chada in Letter 78; the world was created to be a fellowship, a community of companionship, in the service of this purpose]. And according to the Tzaddik's relationship with his people — so is the conduct toward the benefit of the world. And now it is the period between the straits — when the holy Temple was destroyed — because there was no love between them. And we must repair this. Therefore we must at all times reckon our ways — so that there be no obstruction from our side. And we must weep and supplicate before Hashem Yisbarach greatly — that there should be no obstruction from our side — and that we should not need, G-d forbid, to undergo another reincarnation for this reason [להתגלגל — lehisgaralgel — to be reincarnated, to undergo a gilgul — soul-transmigration; the specific Kabbalistic concept: if we do not repair the lack of love in this life, our souls may need to return in another round of existence to complete this repair; a weighty Kabbalistic concern]. Therefore each and every one must have love embedded in his heart for all the Anash — and judge each and every one to the pan of merit — for we do not know his place. And because of the time of the morning prayer I was brief. But what is this — that I wrote in the letter to your co-parent-in-law to reply to me on several matters — and you did not reply to me? And also to tell our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — that the large letter he sent me from Bucharest — I sent back to him through your mother-in-law, may she live — and within it was enclosed a letter that I wrote to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine — so ask for the letter. And also I received a letter from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — and tell him that I will write him a letter — and now there was no leisure — for by day and by night I cannot write — because I sit all day and all night in a bath of sweat. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Pinchas, 5640 (summer 1880), from Teverya. Love between the Anash builds the Temple. The needle's thread and the Hall's gateway. The period between the straits. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Today I received your letter with two Meizhides and a quarter Meizhide — and I did with them as you wrote to me. And also the Meizhide I will pass to the Rebbetzin — Reb Aitzikel's wife — but I do not know whether the Meizhide is against the old debt of two rubles pozit that she has been claiming for a while — or whether her son sent it now with your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, from Odessa. Therefore write to me. And also know — from your letter I was left nearly faint — for you wrote to me those three words: and the above-mentioned has left us the living — and I read the letter many times until I settled my mind — that these three words go about the Gralene — and I do not know the explanation. And the greatness of my grief — even from my own explanation — is beyond reckoning and estimation. And particularly from the sufferings that have been aroused upon you now — may Hashem Yisbarach sweeten the judgments quickly — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל who is able to sweeten all the twenty-four courts of law. And we need now to weep greatly over the destruction of the holy Temple — for one who has no inner awareness — it is as if the holy Temple was destroyed in his days. And when our words are not received — it is a sign that our inner awareness is not complete. Therefore we must weep greatly. And even so — we must find some expansiveness — from some exchange — and know that surely everything is for good. For one who has faith — his life is truly life — as is explained. And I have much to write to you — but because my intellect is thrown into confusion [שמחי מבלבל — "my intellect is confused / bewildered" — from sekhel — intellect, understanding; and mevulbal — thrown into disorder, confused; it is specifically the faculty of intellect and understanding that is thrown into disorder by the weight of the troubles] from the troubles that occurred to you — may the Merciful One protect you — may Hashem Yisbarach turn everything to joy for you and for us. And I have greatly asked to write to me the incident of the Gralene. And from all sufferings — we must nullify our own will and self toward the ultimate purpose. [לבטל עצמנו אל התכלית — "to nullify ourselves toward the ultimate purpose" — the specific Chassidic act of bitul — voluntary self-nullification of the ego and personal will; levatel atzmenu — to annul and make ourselves null; directed el ha'tachlis — toward the ultimate divine purpose and end-goal; a weighty Kabbalistic-Chassidic spiritual act] Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5640 (summer 1880), from Teverya. Three Aramaic words left the writer nearly faint. The intellect thrown into confusion. Nullify the self toward the ultimate purpose. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Wednesday I received properly on Friday. And now — I had already written a receipt for the money and given the receipt to Reb Dov, may his candle shine. But the letter to you — I had thought at first to send it with your mother-in-law, may she live, who said she would travel home in peace. But afterward — I did not want to let her travel home — only that she stay here at least until tomorrow. And she went to the hot springs of Teverya three times. And blessed be G-d — my wife, may she live, is still not in good health — but blessed be G-d — as she was — blessed be G-d — her illness has eased from her head pain. And I received your letter that your wife is receiving remedies from the doctor. May Hashem Yisbarach help her — that the loan you lent me the money should stand in place of a redemption of soul — and should be upheld and maintained through her [ויהיו מקימים בה — "and may they be upheld and sustained through her" — from kayam — to establish, to uphold, to sustain; the money-merit should be maintained and uphold her in life, sustaining her] — and may she be healed. But I do not understand you — that you did something contrary to the will of Rabbainu ז"ל — for Rabbainu ז"ל warned about the doctor — not to receive remedies from him. And he warned very greatly to protect the body carefully. And have I not written to you many letters — do not act treacherously toward the wife of your youth [שלא תבגד באשת נעוריך — "do not act treacherously toward the wife of your youth" — the specific biblical phrase and condemnation from Malachi 2:14–15 and Proverbs 5:18: faithlessness to the wife of one's youth is a grievous transgression; bagad — to betray, to act with faithless treachery]? And particularly an upright wife. Therefore — of what use are the remedies — when afterward you do hard things? For you yourself must restrain her from doing things beyond her capacity. But all this is because you lack trust — and are always in sadness and melancholy — and all the worries fell upon you — and she surely immediately with grief and sighing. But you must turn her grief and sighing to joy and exultation — and this is the healing. And whoever is joyful — he succeeds. And "go eat your bread in joy" — and fulfill: "from all my teachers I gained understanding" — not for ill, G-d forbid — only for good. And believe and trust in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely not abandon you — and receive your livelihood from Hashem Yisbarach in prayer and in joy. And Rabbainu ז"ל did not want the Anash to have, G-d forbid, darkened faces — only luminous, radiant faces. And study in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Shabbos, law 3 — and there your soul will be revived. And know that I truly love you — for I want you to live good, long lives together with your wife and children. And faith is prayer — faith in gematria is sons — alive and well. And it is a wonder to me about you — that a young scholar came from Tzfas — who brought me a letter from Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, from Bucharest — and told me that our friend, the veteran Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — together with his wife, may she live — are lying ill in their beds — may the Merciful One protect them. And I have very great grief from this. And you and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — I received letters from both of you — and neither of you mentioned this at all to me. Therefore for the sake of Hashem — immediately to inform me of their welfare — for I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely, G-d willing, restore them to their original full vigor [לאיתנם — "to their eissan" — the original primal strength and vigor; from eissan — enduring, primal, primordial strength; the restoration to the full original state before illness, not merely recovery but return to their primal vigor] — and grant them length of days and good years. And tell on my behalf to Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, that he strengthen himself in trust in Hashem Yisbarach — for Hashem Yisbarach will surely heal him and his wife. For Rabbainu ז"ל said — it is a great benefit to a sick person when he strengthens himself — and even others who strengthen him — that too is a great benefit. For the sake of Hashem — immediately write to me through a trustworthy person — and not through a donkey-driver. For with us — there is not a single twenty-para coin available to give him — as your mother-in-law, may she live, will tell you. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Balak, 5640 (summer 1880), from Teverya. Rebuke about the doctor. Trust and joy are the true healing. Alarming news: Reb Nachman and his wife lying ill. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life and peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you and from all of you — life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit you to bring me good tidings of the recovery of our friend, the veteran Chassid, our beloved, Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and may my soul be revived. For my soul is bound to his soul. # פא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/81/ פא פא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/81 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' פנחס בקנאו את קנאתי תר"ם טבריא EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in life and peace. May Hashem Yisbarach merit me to hear from you and from all of you — life and peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit you to bring me good tidings of the recovery of our friend, the veteran Chassid, our beloved, Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and may my soul be revived. For my soul is bound to his soul. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ באמת וכבני ממש ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: And your letter from Wednesday of Balak I received properly — and you gave me life with the recovery of your wife, may she live. For we have nothing to lean on except our Father in Heaven — and the strength of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and the love of companions. For our whole matter hangs on affection — and if we would be truly beloved to one another — as was the will of Rabbainu ז"ל — as is explained in Chayei Moharan — nothing would have dominion over us. And the essential quality of love must be: "love covers all transgressions" — and to judge each one to the pan of merit — and even oneself. And Rabbainu ז"ל warned very greatly about this — for all of our Jewishness depends on this. And about this we must ask day and night — for in this we are delaying the building of the holy Temple. And Rabbainu ז"ל said explicitly: that through judging to the pan of merit — a Tabernacle is made — and the Tabernacle is called the holy place. Segment 3 HE: ת"ל ב"ה ב"ה פה כלנו בחיים ושלום כן יזכה אותי השי"ת לשמע מכם ומכלכם החיים והשלום והשי"ת יזכה אותך לבשר לי מבריאת ידידנו ותיק וחסיד או"נ ר' נחמן נ"י ותח' נפשי כי נפשי קשורה בנפשו EN: And do not forget that we are called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל — therefore we must at all times look within ourselves and reckon our ways — how to cleave to his holy ways. For the words of Rabbainu ז"ל are eternal — and belong to every person and every time and every place. And particularly as is explained in Likutay Halachos — that the boundaries of holiness are the two thousands — namely "I will sing" and "where." And in the Torah of "where" — it is explained that even when one is placed in defiled places — when one searches from there "where?" — through this the sealed saying is revealed. Therefore the resolution for this is "I will sing." And every day and every time we must look carefully in the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and the words of his holy disciple — and draw ourselves toward these things — to fulfill them at least as a thin needle's thread. And Hashem Yisbarach will assist us like the opening of the Hall. Segment 4 HE: ומכתבך מיום ד' בלק קבלתי לנכון והחייתני בבריאת זוג' תח' כי אין לנו להשען כי אם על אבינו שבשמים ועל כח רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ועל אהבת חברים כי אנן בחביבותא תליא מלתא ואם נהיה אהבים באמת כאשר היה רצון רבנו ז"ל כמבאר בחיי מוהר"ן לא היה שולט בנו שום דבר ועיקר אהבה צריך להיות שעל כל פשעים תכסה אהבה ולדון את כל אחד לכף זכות ואפילו את עצמו ורבנו ז"ל הזהיר מאד מאד על זה כי כל יהדותנו תלוי בזה ועל זה אנו צריכין לבקש יומם ולילה כי בזה אנו מעכבין בנין בית המקודש ורבנו ז"ל אמר בפרוש שע"י שדנין לכף זכות נעשה משכן ומשכן איקרי מקודש EN: געוואלד לאמיר נישט פארשלאפן אינזערע יארן [Yiddish: "Help! — let us not sleep away our years"] — אין אויף וועקן פין איהם שלאף איז נאר דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' [Yiddish: "and to awaken from that sleep — there is only the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple"] — רק ולחם עצלות לא תאכל [Proverbs 31:27: "the bread of laziness do not eat"] — אין מיר דארפן זיך כאטש שניצן איין רגז [Yiddish: "and we must at least stir ourselves with one moment of agitation"] — אין מיר זעהן עכ"פ אז ביי אינז זאלן די חובלים נישט קאליע מאכן די נעימים [Yiddish: "and we must at least see to it that among us the destructive ones do not ruin the pleasant ones"] — and through this one merits offspring. And particularly we are several people in Eretz Yisroel — and Rabbainu ז"ל surely does not agree that there should be, G-d forbid, division among us. For Rabbainu ז"ל said: if you are joyful — it would be good for the entire world. And if we truly loved one another — it would also be good for the entire world. For the entire world was not created except to be a fellowship and company for this [לצות לזה — "to be a tzusa for this" — tzavta — the Aramaic word for company, fellowship, companionship; the same root as b'tzusa chada in Letter 78; the world was created to be a fellowship, a community of companionship, in the service of this purpose]. And according to the Tzaddik's relationship with his people — so is the conduct toward the benefit of the world. Segment 5 HE: ואל תשכחו שאנו נקראין על שם רבנו ז"ל ע"כ אנו צריכין בכל עת לעין בנו ולחשב דרכינו איך לדבק בדרכיו הק' כי דבורים של רבנו ז"ל הם נצחיים ושיכים בכל אדם ובכל זמן ובכל מקום ובפרט כמבאר בלקוטי הלכות שתחום הקדשה הם שני אלפין הינו אזמרה' ו'איה' ובהתורה של איה' מבאר שאפילו כשמונחים במקומות המטנפים כשמחפשין משם איה' עי"ז נגלה מאמר הסתום ע"כ התרוץ לזה אזמרה' ובכל יום ובכל עת אנו מכרחין לעין היטב בדברי רבנו ז"ל ובדברי תלמידו הק' ולהמשיך עצמנו אל הדברים האלה לקים אותם עכ"פ כמחט סדקית והשי"ת יסיע אותנו כפתחו של אולם EN: And now it is the period between the straits — when the holy Temple was destroyed — because there was no love between them. And we must repair this. Therefore we must at all times reckon our ways — so that there be no obstruction from our side. And we must weep and supplicate before Hashem Yisbarach greatly — that there should be no obstruction from our side — and that we should not need, G-d forbid, to undergo another reincarnation for this reason [להתגלגל — lehisgaralgel — to be reincarnated, to undergo a gilgul — soul-transmigration; the specific Kabbalistic concept: if we do not repair the lack of love in this life, our souls may need to return in another round of existence to complete this repair; a weighty Kabbalistic concern]. Therefore each and every one must have love embedded in his heart for all the Anash — and judge each and every one to the pan of merit — for we do not know his place. Segment 6 HE: געוואלד לאמיר נישט פארשלאפן אינזערע יארן אין אויף וועקן פין איהם שלאף איז נאר דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' רק ולחם עצלות לא תאכל אין מיר דארפן זיך כאטש שניצן איין רגז אין מיר זעהן עכ"פ אז ביי אינז זאלן די חובלים נישט קאליע מאכן די נעימים ועי"ז זוכין להולדה ובפרט מיר זענען עטליכע מענטשן אין א"י ורבנו ז"ל בודאי לא מסכים שיהיה בינינו ח"ו מחלקת כי רבנו ז"ל אמר שאם אתם תהיו שמחים היה טובה לכל העולם ואם אנו היינו אהבים זה לזה באמת ג"כ היה טובה לכל העולם כי כל העולם לא נברא כי אם לצות לזה וכפי הצדיק עם אנשיו כן מתנהג לטובת העולם EN: And because of the time of the morning prayer I was brief. But what is this — that I wrote in the letter to your co-parent-in-law to reply to me on several matters — and you did not reply to me? And also to tell our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — that the large letter he sent me from Bucharest — I sent back to him through your mother-in-law, may she live — and within it was enclosed a letter that I wrote to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine — so ask for the letter. And also I received a letter from Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — and tell him that I will write him a letter — and now there was no leisure — for by day and by night I cannot write — because I sit all day and all night in a bath of sweat. Segment 7 HE: ועתה הוא בין המצרים שנחרב בית המקודש מחמת שלא היתה אהבה ביניהם ואנו צריכין לתקן זה ע"כ אנו צריכין לחשב דרכינו בכל עת שלא יהיה עכוב מצדנו ואנו צריכין לבכות ולהתחנן לפני השי"ת הרבה שלא יהיה מצדנו שלא נצטרך ח"ו עוד להתגלגל עבור זה ע"כ כל אחד ואחד צריך להיות אהבה תקועה בלבו לכל אנ"ש ולדון את כל אחד ואחד לכף זכות כי אין אנו יודעין מקומו EN: Words of one who truly loves you in truth and wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: ומחמת עת תפילת שחרית קצרתי רק מה זה שכתבתי במכתב לחמיך להשיב לי כמה דברים ולא השבת לי וגם לומר לידידי ר' איזיקל נ"י שהמכתב הגדול ששלח לי מבוקרעסט שלחתי לו בחזרה ע"י חמותך תח' ובתוכו היה רצוף מכתב שאני כתבתי לר' פנחס יוסף נ"י ע"כ לבקש את המכתב וגם קבלתי מכתב מר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ולומר לו שאכתב לו מכתב ועתה לא היה פנאי כי ביום ובלילה איני יכול לכתוב מחמת שאני יושב כל היום וכל הלילה באמבטיה של זעה EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Pinchas, 5640 (summer 1880), from Teverya. Love between the Anash builds the Temple. The needle's thread and the Hall's gateway. The period between the straits. Segment 9 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת ובתמים EN: Begun Friday, Purim or Shushan Purim, Adar Sheni 5638 (late February or early March 1878); completed the following Sunday, Parshas Shemini. The letter sat two days because the postal courier could not be found. Lost letters, the Purim joy danced alone all day, and a prayer for 248 limbs and 365 sinews. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # פב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/82/ פב פב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/82 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' מטות ומסעי תר"ם לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: Today I received your letter with two Meizhides and a quarter Meizhide — and I did with them as you wrote to me. And also the Meizhide I will pass to the Rebbetzin — Reb Aitzikel's wife — but I do not know whether the Meizhide is against the old debt of two rubles pozit that she has been claiming for a while — or whether her son sent it now with your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, from Odessa. Therefore write to me. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ובנכם נ"י EN: And also know — from your letter I was left nearly faint — for you wrote to me those three words: and the above-mentioned has left us the living — and I read the letter many times until I settled my mind — that these three words go about the Gralene — and I do not know the explanation. And the greatness of my grief — even from my own explanation — is beyond reckoning and estimation. And particularly from the sufferings that have been aroused upon you now — may Hashem Yisbarach sweeten the judgments quickly — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל who is able to sweeten all the twenty-four courts of law. Segment 3 HE: הנה היום קבלתי מכתבך עם שני מז'ידעס ורבע מזידע ועשיתי בהם כאשר כתבת לי וגם המזידע אמסר לאצייקיר רעבצין אך איני יודע אם המזידע הוא על החוב שני רו"ח פזיט שתובעת מכבר או ששלח בנה עתה עם חמיך נ"י מאדעסי ע"כ תכתב לי EN: And we need now to weep greatly over the destruction of the holy Temple — for one who has no inner awareness — it is as if the holy Temple was destroyed in his days. And when our words are not received — it is a sign that our inner awareness is not complete. Therefore we must weep greatly. And even so — we must find some expansiveness — from some exchange — and know that surely everything is for good. For one who has faith — his life is truly life — as is explained. And I have much to write to you — but because my intellect is thrown into confusion [שמחי מבלבל — "my intellect is confused / bewildered" — from sekhel — intellect, understanding; and mevulbal — thrown into disorder, confused; it is specifically the faculty of intellect and understanding that is thrown into disorder by the weight of the troubles] from the troubles that occurred to you — may the Merciful One protect you — may Hashem Yisbarach turn everything to joy for you and for us. And I have greatly asked to write to me the incident of the Gralene. And from all sufferings — we must nullify our own will and self toward the ultimate purpose. [לבטל עצמנו אל התכלית — "to nullify ourselves toward the ultimate purpose" — the specific Chassidic act of bitul — voluntary self-nullification of the ego and personal will; levatel atzmenu — to annul and make ourselves null; directed el ha'tachlis — toward the ultimate divine purpose and end-goal; a weighty Kabbalistic-Chassidic spiritual act] Segment 4 HE: וגם תדע שממכתבך נשארתי כמעט חלשות שכתבת לי אלו שלשה תבות והג"ל שבק לן חיי וקראתי המכתב כמה פעמים עד שנתישבתי בדעתי שהשלשה תבות הולכים על הגראלנע ואין אני יודע פרוש וגדל הצער שלי אפילו מפרוש שלי אין לשער ולהעריך ובפרט מהיסורים אשר נתעורר עליכם עתה השי"ת ימתיק הדינים מהר בזכות רבנו ז"ל אשר יכול להמתיק כל הכ"ד בתי דינים EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ואנו צריכים עתה לבכות מאד על חרבן בית המקודש כי מי שאין בו דעת כאלו נחרב בית המקודש בימיו והדבורים שלנו כשאין נתקבלים הוא סימן שאין הדעת שלנו בשלמות ע"כ אנו צריכין לבכות הרבה ואעפ"כ אנו צריכין למצא איזה הרחבה מחמת איזה חלוף' ולידע שבודאי הכל לטובה כי מי שיש לו אמונה חייו חיים כמבאר ויש לי הרבה לכתוב לכם אך מחמת שמחי מבלבל מהצרות שארע לכם ר"ל השי"ת יהפך לכם ולנו הכל לשמחה ומאד בקשתי לכתוב לי המעשה מהגראלנע ומכל היסורים צריכים לבטל עצמנו אל התכלית EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Matos-Masei, 5640 (summer 1880), from Teverya. Three Aramaic words left the writer nearly faint. The intellect thrown into confusion. Nullify the self toward the ultimate purpose. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Letter 80 | פ (Pey) Segment 6 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Letter 80 | פ (Pey) # פג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/83/ פג פג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/83 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' דברים ה' מנחם תר"ם פה טבריא EN: Your letter from Thursday I received yesterday toward evening — through Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And about what you wrote to me at the end — about your son, may his candle shine — that he came home with headache and fever — my mind was greatly thrown into confusion. And surely I pray for him at all times. But now one must greatly multiply prayer — for we have nothing to lean on except prayer and supplication. And recite Psalms — as is explained in Shichos Ha'Ran, sign 98 [Shichos Ha'Ran — "The Conversations of our Teacher Reb Nachman" — a collection of the private conversations and teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל recorded by Reb Nosson ז"ל; sign 98 specifically discusses Psalms as a support and staff] — that Psalms is a support and staff. And immediately give a redemption — in the numerical value of his name — in paras [כמנין שמו פאריס — "in the numerical value of his name — in paras" — a specific instruction: calculate the gematria of the son's name, and give that number of paras — the small Ottoman coin — as a charitable redemption; Rabbainu ז"ל commanded to multiply redemptions as a healing practice]. For Rabbainu ז"ל commanded to multiply redemptions. And trust in Hashem — for He will surely lengthen his days and years. And I will return to Hashem and ask Him to forgive me — that I should not be the separating screen [שלא אהיה אני מסך המבדיל — "that I should not be the separating screen" — a specific concept from Shichos Ha'Ran and Chayei Moharan: the writer prays that his own sins not become a separating barrier between his prayers and their acceptance Above; the screen that blocks the prayer from rising] — as explained in Shichos Ha'Ran and in Chayei Moharan — the parable that Rabbainu ז"ל said to Reb Yudel ז"ל. And trust in Hashem and rejoice in Him — for even during the period between the straits it is forbidden to be in sadness — only a broken heart. [רק לב נשבר — "only a broken heart" — the crucial distinction: sadness is forbidden even during the mourning-period of the Three Weeks; but a broken, contrite heart — lev nishbar — which comes from longing and repentance rather than depression — is not only permitted but desirable and holy; the broken heart and sadness are not the same thing] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי באמת ידידי עז ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' תח' ועם שלום בנך היקר והנעים כבוד מורנו ר' סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט א"ס ולחמיך היקר מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום חמותך תח' EN: And I have greatly asked of you — as I heard here through a letter — that people came from Teiteira — new people — to Tzfas, may it be established — to ask them about my brother Michl, may his candle shine, and about my son Aizik, may his candle shine, and about my daughter Sheindl — the wife of Reb Boruch the candle-seller — and about my other brothers. For it is close to a year that there is no letter from them — and my life is spent. And if you have any news — write to me immediately. And also immediately to write to me about your son, may his candle shine — to give life to my soul and to my wife's soul. And Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, has no cause to be resentful against me — for I did what was fully proper and fitting [כהגן — k'hagen — "as is proper and fully fitting" — from hagen — proper, decorous, fully appropriate; the writer conducted himself in the entirely correct and fitting manner] — namely: I took the large letter — and inside it I placed my own letter that I wrote to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine, on thin paper — and wrapped them together. And on the outside of the large letter I wrote: to deliver the packet to Reb Aizik of Bucharest, may his candle shine. And furthermore I told her that I had written three letters — one to Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, one to your hand, and one to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and I commanded her that she herself should personally deliver each letter into the hand of each person — and not through her son, may his candle shine. And I do not know how it was lost with her. And about the receipts — surely they will write as is necessary to write — or I will send them — or I will bring them myself G-d willing when I travel to your encampment for the yahrtzeit, G-d willing. Segment 3 HE: מכתבך מיום ה' קבלתי אתמול לעת ערב מר' דב נ"י ואודות מה שכתבת לי בסוף מבנך נ"י שבא לביתו בכאב ראש וחמימות נתבלבל מחי מאד ובודאי אני מתפלל עליו בכל עת אך עתה צריך להרבות בתפילה כי אין לנו להשען כי אם על תפילה ותחנונים ולומר תהלים כמבאר בשיחות הר"ן בסימן צ"ח שתהלים היא משענת ותכף תתן פדיון כמנין שמו פאריס כי רבנו ז"ל צוה להרבות בפדיונות ובטח בה' שבודאי יאריך ימיו ושנותיו ואני אשוב לה' ואבקש מאתו שימחל לי שלא אהיה אני מסך המבדיל כמבאר בשיחות הר"ן ובחיי מוהר"ן המשל שאמר רבנו ז"ל לר' יודל זצוק"ל ובטח בה' ושמח בו כי אפילו בבין המצרים אסור להיות בעצבות רק לב נשבר EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ומאד בקשתי ממך איך ששמעתי בכאן ע"י מכתב שבאו אנשים מטייטרא אנשים חדשים לצפת תו"ת לשאל אותם על אחי מיכל נ"י ועל בני איזיק נ"י ועל בתי שינדיל אשת ר' ברוך מוכר נרות ועל שאר אחי כי זה קרוב לשנה שאין שום מכתב מהם וכלו חיי ואם יהיה לך איזה ידיעה תכתב לי תכף וגם תכף לכתוב לי מבנך נ"י להחיות נפשי ונפש זוג' ור' איזיק נ"י אין לו להתרעם עלי כי אני עשיתי כהגן הינו שאני לקחתי המכתב הגדול ובתוכו הנחתי מכתב שלי שכתבתי לר' פנחס יוסף נ"י על ניר בלאין וכרכתי אותם ביחד ולמעלה על המכתב הגדול כתבתי למסור האגרת לר' איזיק מבוקרעסט נ"י ועוד אמרתי לה שאני כתב שלשה מכתבים אחד לר' שמואל נ"י ואחד לידך ואחד לר' איזיק נ"י וצויתי עליה שהיא בעצמה תמסר כל מכתב ליד כל אחד ואחד ולא ע"י בנה נ"י ואיני יודע איך נאבד אצלה ואודות הקבלות בודאי יכתבו כמו שצריך לכתוב או שאשלח אותם או שאביא אני בעצמי אי"ה כשאסע למחנכם על היאר צייט אי"ה EN: Written Tuesday, 5th of Av, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya — four days before Tisha B'Av. The recipient's son is ill. Psalms as a staff. A pidyon in the numerical value of his name. The separating screen. A broken heart — not sadness. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I inform you that I arrived home blessed be G-d in peace — and all my household in life and peace — blessed be G-d. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace — and return and live from within great expansiveness — without limit. And I give thanks to Hashem — the G-d Who is good and Who does good — Who performed for me a miracle on this road. For all the mules arrived at a very narrow place — and there were trees and thorns — and my mule hastened to run there — and passed under one thorn — and threw off from me the cap and the skullcap and the glasses [הקאפילוס והיארמילקע והאוגין בריל — Yiddish: kapelyush — the outer cap or hat; yarmulke — the skullcap; and oygn bril — eyeglasses; all three thrown from him by the thorn-branch as the mule ran beneath it] — and a thorn pierced my hand — until approximately a quarter of a log of blood flowed from my hand [רביעית דם — "a quarter of a log" — a Talmudic measure of liquid volume; approximately half a cup; a significant loss of blood; the Talmudic revi'is — a quarter of a log — is the minimum amount of blood whose loss is considered significant in Halachic contexts]. And this was for me a miracle — that it did not pierce my eye, G-d forbid. And this was a miraculous path. And I attributed it to the merit of those who accompanied me — the Anash who are called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל. And if I had further merited that our friend the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and our friend the Chassid Reb Dov — were among my escort companions — I would have been saved from everything. And at the moment of the incident I accepted upon myself to love you with a new love — as a father for a precious son — and as beloved brothers. And I arouse myself and arouse you with a fresh arousal — to count all the days of Elul — each and every day. And this counting of repentance is above time — therefore there was no time at all until now. And from now our days and years begin. And we must return to Hashem Yisbarach — and yearn and pine toward Him — with strong desires — to do His will, may He be blessed — desire after desire. And desire is thought — and from thought speech and deed are made. For according to the desire of the person — so are the speech and the deed. And particularly you — the young ones — you can every day — either in the early morning or toward evening — go to the resting place of the holy Ari [Reb Yitzchak Luria ז"ל, the holy Ari — whose grave is in Tzfas; the writer is addressing the young Anash of Tzfas who have daily access to this holy site] — and meditate there in repentance — and pour out there all that is in your heart before Hashem Yisbarach. And there one can actualize all the good character traits — both children, life, and sustenance — and trust — and joy — and love of companions without any conflicts — only complete love. And to search and seek in each and every one only the good — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple commanded us and warned us very, very greatly about this — to walk on this path. And this is the boundary of holiness and love — and "love covers all transgressions" — and even each person for himself — the entire day let him cover his own transgressions with love — through his good point — and search in the good points. And only one hour a day let him confess his sins before Hashem Yisbarach — and conclude with good points. And may it be G-d's will that our merit multiply — until everything is turned to good. On both this and that there is no news. For the sake of Hashem — G-d willing — when Hashem Yisbarach sends a complete healing to our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — or perhaps when there is any good news from the diaspora — to inform me. Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Encamped in Teverya. My friend Reb Nussun son of our teacher Hirsh, may his candle shine — I bring you good tidings — that yesterday on Thursday a letter came to me from my son Aizik, may his candle shine, and from my brothers, may their candles shine — with money. And I wanted to send you six Meizhides against your debt — and for now I ask of you to inform me of Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and of your son, may his candle shine. Written Monday, 2nd of Elul, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya. A safe return from a journey — with a dramatic near-accident. A fresh arousal for Elul. Children, life, sustenance at the grave of the holy Ari. Love covers all transgressions. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Now — I already wrote to you on Monday a letter — and today I saw the letter still at Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and I wrote on it a good tiding — blessed be G-d — that a letter came to me from my son Aizik, may his candle shine, and from my brothers — from all of them — blessed be G-d — that they are in life and in peace. But from each and every one I have great suffering. But blessed be G-d — they are Breslov Chassidim — and finding great expansiveness — and they ask of the Anash who are in Eretz Yisroel to ask mercy for them — that Hashem Yisbarach fulfill for each one the requests of his heart for good. And particularly for my brother's daughter Morainu v'Rabbainu Ze'ev, may his candle shine — Mistress Miriam Figa daughter of Esther Rachel — for approximately four months she has headache and nasal pain [כאב הראש והחטם — "headache and pain in the nose" — ha'chatam — the nose; a specific nasal pain accompanying the headache; she cannot eat and cannot sleep from the pain] — and she cannot eat and cannot sleep from her pain — and she is the wife of my kinsman [ש"ב — abbreviation of שארי בשרי — "my flesh and kin" — a relative by marriage, a close kinsman; broader than merely "brother-in-law"] Yitzchak Ber, may his candle shine. Therefore I have asked of you to pray for her — and for all whom I list here — at every time you go to the holy graves. For they are my brothers — and also your brothers — for we are from one root. And also they sent me money — approximately nine Adamim [אדמים — adamim — a coin denomination; likely from the Turkish/Ottoman monetary system; the writer specifies "approximately nine" as the sum received] — and they greatly gave me life. May Hashem Yisbarach give them life in the fullness of good. And I am sending you the sum of six Meizhides — and write on my prayer-name-slip [הקוויטל — kvitl — Yiddish: the prayer-name-slip submitted at a holy grave; names are written on it for intercession at the grave of a Tzaddik; in Breslov usage specifically the slip presented at the grave of Rabbainu ז"ל; not merely a "receipt-note"] the sum of one hundred and fifty groshen that I received — and the remainder and two groshen distribute to the Anash as follows: And yesterday I studied in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Passover, law 9 — and I desire that you and our friend Aizik, may his candle shine, study it — and your soul will be revived — like cold water from a springing spring — from the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — which purifies from all impurities. For yesterday after the study I experienced a fresh new life-force. And my complete counsel is: in the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance — engage in studying in the book Likutay Eitzvos [Likutay Eitzvos — "Collected Counsels" — also known as Likutay Eitzvos Chadash — a work organizing the practical guidance of Rabbainu ז"ל and Reb Nosson ז"ל by topic; the writer recommends the section on Elul and Rosh Hashana specifically for this preparatory period] — the new section — the letter Elul and Rosh Hashana — and from there you will know G-d willing how to receive Elul and Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and Sukkos. Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov And write to me a receipt for the letters with the money. And also — what happened with our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and your son, may his candle shine. And also whether you had a letter from your father, may his candle shine — and what he wrote from the diaspora. And greetings of peace to your co-parent-in-law, our beloved, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife. Written Thursday, 5th of Elul, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya. Letters from the diaspora finally arrived. A niece has severe head and nasal pain. A distribution of six Meizhides. A teaching from Laws of Passover, law 9. The counsel to study Likutay Eitzvos during Elul. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Thursday I received yesterday toward evening — through Reb Dov, may his candle shine. And about what you wrote to me at the end — about your son, may his candle shine — that he came home with headache and fever — my mind was greatly thrown into confusion. And surely I pray for him at all times. But now one must greatly multiply prayer — for we have nothing to lean on except prayer and supplication. And recite Psalms — as is explained in Shichos Ha'Ran, sign 98 [Shichos Ha'Ran — "The Conversations of our Teacher Reb Nachman" — a collection of the private conversations and teachings of Rabbainu ז"ל recorded by Reb Nosson ז"ל; sign 98 specifically discusses Psalms as a support and staff] — that Psalms is a support and staff. And immediately give a redemption — in the numerical value of his name — in paras [כמנין שמו פאריס — "in the numerical value of his name — in paras" — a specific instruction: calculate the gematria of the son's name, and give that number of paras — the small Ottoman coin — as a charitable redemption; Rabbainu ז"ל commanded to multiply redemptions as a healing practice]. For Rabbainu ז"ל commanded to multiply redemptions. And trust in Hashem — for He will surely lengthen his days and years. And I will return to Hashem and ask Him to forgive me — that I should not be the separating screen [שלא אהיה אני מסך המבדיל — "that I should not be the separating screen" — a specific concept from Shichos Ha'Ran and Chayei Moharan: the writer prays that his own sins not become a separating barrier between his prayers and their acceptance Above; the screen that blocks the prayer from rising] — as explained in Shichos Ha'Ran and in Chayei Moharan — the parable that Rabbainu ז"ל said to Reb Yudel ז"ל. And trust in Hashem and rejoice in Him — for even during the period between the straits it is forbidden to be in sadness — only a broken heart. [רק לב נשבר — "only a broken heart" — the crucial distinction: sadness is forbidden even during the mourning-period of the Three Weeks; but a broken, contrite heart — lev nishbar — which comes from longing and repentance rather than depression — is not only permitted but desirable and holy; the broken heart and sadness are not the same thing] And I have greatly asked of you — as I heard here through a letter — that people came from Teiteira — new people — to Tzfas, may it be established — to ask them about my brother Michl, may his candle shine, and about my son Aizik, may his candle shine, and about my daughter Sheindl — the wife of Reb Boruch the candle-seller — and about my other brothers. For it is close to a year that there is no letter from them — and my life is spent. And if you have any news — write to me immediately. And also immediately to write to me about your son, may his candle shine — to give life to my soul and to my wife's soul. And Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, has no cause to be resentful against me — for I did what was fully proper and fitting [כהגן — k'hagen — "as is proper and fully fitting" — from hagen — proper, decorous, fully appropriate; the writer conducted himself in the entirely correct and fitting manner] — namely: I took the large letter — and inside it I placed my own letter that I wrote to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine, on thin paper — and wrapped them together. And on the outside of the large letter I wrote: to deliver the packet to Reb Aizik of Bucharest, may his candle shine. And furthermore I told her that I had written three letters — one to Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, one to your hand, and one to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and I commanded her that she herself should personally deliver each letter into the hand of each person — and not through her son, may his candle shine. And I do not know how it was lost with her. And about the receipts — surely they will write as is necessary to write — or I will send them — or I will bring them myself G-d willing when I travel to your encampment for the yahrtzeit, G-d willing. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, 5th of Av, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya — four days before Tisha B'Av. The recipient's son is ill. Psalms as a staff. A pidyon in the numerical value of his name. The separating screen. A broken heart — not sadness. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 5 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: I inform you that I arrived home blessed be G-d in peace — and all my household in life and peace — blessed be G-d. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace — and return and live from within great expansiveness — without limit. # פד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/84/ פד פד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/84 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' ב' אלול תר"ם קרנכם פה טבריא תו"ת EN: I inform you that I arrived home blessed be G-d in peace — and all my household in life and peace — blessed be G-d. May I merit to hear from you at all times life and peace — and return and live from within great expansiveness — without limit. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז בני ממש ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י שיח' לימים טובים אמן עם שלום חמיך היקר או"נ באמת מו"ה שמואל עם זוגתכם שיחיו עם שלום בנך מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י כן יהיה לחיים ארכים ושנים טובים אכי"ר EN: And I give thanks to Hashem — the G-d Who is good and Who does good — Who performed for me a miracle on this road. For all the mules arrived at a very narrow place — and there were trees and thorns — and my mule hastened to run there — and passed under one thorn — and threw off from me the cap and the skullcap and the glasses [הקאפילוס והיארמילקע והאוגין בריל — Yiddish: kapelyush — the outer cap or hat; yarmulke — the skullcap; and oygn bril — eyeglasses; all three thrown from him by the thorn-branch as the mule ran beneath it] — and a thorn pierced my hand — until approximately a quarter of a log of blood flowed from my hand [רביעית דם — "a quarter of a log" — a Talmudic measure of liquid volume; approximately half a cup; a significant loss of blood; the Talmudic revi'is — a quarter of a log — is the minimum amount of blood whose loss is considered significant in Halachic contexts]. And this was for me a miracle — that it did not pierce my eye, G-d forbid. And this was a miraculous path. And I attributed it to the merit of those who accompanied me — the Anash who are called by the name of Rabbainu ז"ל. And if I had further merited that our friend the Chassid Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and our friend the Chassid Reb Dov — were among my escort companions — I would have been saved from everything. And at the moment of the incident I accepted upon myself to love you with a new love — as a father for a precious son — and as beloved brothers. Segment 3 HE: להודיע שבאתי לביתי ב"ה לשלום וכל בני ביתי בחיים ושלום ב"ה כן אזכה לשמע מכם בכל עת החיים והשלום ושובו וחיו מתוך הרחבה גדולה א"ס EN: And I arouse myself and arouse you with a fresh arousal — to count all the days of Elul — each and every day. And this counting of repentance is above time — therefore there was no time at all until now. And from now our days and years begin. And we must return to Hashem Yisbarach — and yearn and pine toward Him — with strong desires — to do His will, may He be blessed — desire after desire. And desire is thought — and from thought speech and deed are made. For according to the desire of the person — so are the speech and the deed. And particularly you — the young ones — you can every day — either in the early morning or toward evening — go to the resting place of the holy Ari [Reb Yitzchak Luria ז"ל, the holy Ari — whose grave is in Tzfas; the writer is addressing the young Anash of Tzfas who have daily access to this holy site] — and meditate there in repentance — and pour out there all that is in your heart before Hashem Yisbarach. And there one can actualize all the good character traits — both children, life, and sustenance — and trust — and joy — and love of companions without any conflicts — only complete love. And to search and seek in each and every one only the good — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple commanded us and warned us very, very greatly about this — to walk on this path. And this is the boundary of holiness and love — and "love covers all transgressions" — and even each person for himself — the entire day let him cover his own transgressions with love — through his good point — and search in the good points. And only one hour a day let him confess his sins before Hashem Yisbarach — and conclude with good points. And may it be G-d's will that our merit multiply — until everything is turned to good. Segment 4 HE: ואני מודה לה' האל הטוב והמטיב שעשה לי נס בדרך הזה כי באנו כל הפרדות למקום צר מאד והיה שם אילנות וקוצים והפרדה שלי מהרה לרוץ שם ועבר תחת קוץ אחד והשליך מאתי הקאפילוס והיארמילקע והאוגין בריל ונעץ קוץ בידי עד שזב מאת ידי ערך בודאי רביעית דם וזה היה אצלי נס שלא נעץ בעיני ח"ו וזה היה בדרך נס ותליתי בזכות שלוו אותי אנ"ש הנקראים על שם רבנו ז"ל ואם עוד הייתי זוכה שידידנו החסיד ר' נחמן נ"י וידידנו החסיד ר' דב היו מבני לויה שלי הייתי נצל מכל ובעת מעשה קבלתי עלי לאהב אתכם באהבה חדשה כאב לבן יקיר וכאחים אהובים EN: On both this and that there is no news. For the sake of Hashem — G-d willing — when Hashem Yisbarach sends a complete healing to our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — or perhaps when there is any good news from the diaspora — to inform me. Segment 5 HE: ואני מעורר אותי ואתכם בהתעוררות חדש למנות כל ימי אלול כל יום וזה המנין של תשובה הוא למעלה מהזמן ע"כ לא היה זמן עד עתה כלל ומעכשו מתחיל ימינו ושנותינו וצריכין אנו לשוב להשי"ת ולכסוף ולהשתוקק לו ברצונות חזקים לעשות רצונו יתברך ברצון אחר רצון ורצון הוא מחשבה וממחשבה נעשה דבור ומעשה כי כפי רצון האדם כן הדבור והמעשה ובפרט אתם בני הנעורים אתם יכולים בכל יום או בבקר השכם או לעת ערב שתלכו על ציון האר"י הק' ולהרהר שם בתשובה ולשוח את כל אשר עם לבבכם לפני השי"ת ושם יכולין לפעל כל המדות טובות הן בני חיי ומזונא והן בטחון והן שמחה והן אהבת חברים בלי שום סכסוכים רק אהבה שלמה ולחפש ולבקש בכל אחד ואחד רק טוב כי על זה צוה לנו רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' והזהיר אותנו על זה מאד מאד לילך בדרך זה וזה תחום הקדשה והאהבה ועל כל פשעים תכסה אהבה ואפילו כל אחד על עצמו כל היום יכסה פשעיו באהבה בנקדתו הטובה ויחפש בנקדות רק שעה אחת ביום יהיה מודה על חטאיו לפני השי"ת ויסים בנקדות טובות ויהי רצון שירבה זכותנו עד שיתהפך הכל לטובה EN: Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Encamped in Teverya. Segment 6 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין למען ה' אי"ה כשישלח השי"ת רפואה שלמה לידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י או אפשר כשיהיה איזה ידיעה טובה מחו"ל להודיעני EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Monday, 2nd of Elul, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya. A safe return from a journey — with a dramatic near-accident. A fresh arousal for Elul. Children, life, sustenance at the grave of the holy Ari. Love covers all transgressions. Segment 9 HE: החונה בטבריא EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת ולפב"ש לאו"נ מו"ה איזיק נ"י המקח מחטים טוב דטוב דטוב הוא שמנה עשרה גר' הארמיט ומקח מחטים פשוט עד חמש עשרה גר' רק לוקחין מאד לעכו כי שם עומדין ספינות הרבה EN: My friend Reb Nussun son of our teacher Hirsh, may his candle shine — I bring you good tidings — that yesterday on Thursday a letter came to me from my son Aizik, may his candle shine, and from my brothers, may their candles shine — with money. And I wanted to send you six Meizhides against your debt — and for now I ask of you to inform me of Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and of your son, may his candle shine. Written Monday, 2nd of Elul, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya. A safe return from a journey — with a dramatic near-accident. A fresh arousal for Elul. Children, life, sustenance at the grave of the holy Ari. Love covers all transgressions. Segment 11 HE: ידידי ר' נתן בן מורנו הירש נ"י אבשר לך בשורה טובה שאתמול ביום ד' בא אלי מכתב מבני איזיק נ"י ומאחי נ"י עם מעות ואני רציתי לשלח לך ששה מז'ידעס על החוב שלך ולעת עתה אני מבקש מאתך להודיע לי מר' נחמן נ"י ומבנך נ"י EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And I am sending you the sum of six Meizhides — and write on my prayer-name-slip [הקוויטל — kvitl — Yiddish: the prayer-name-slip submitted at a holy grave; names are written on it for intercession at the grave of a Tzaddik; in Breslov usage specifically the slip presented at the grave of Rabbainu ז"ל; not merely a "receipt-note"] the sum of one hundred and fifty groshen that I received — and the remainder and two groshen distribute to the Anash as follows: And yesterday I studied in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Passover, law 9 — and I desire that you and our friend Aizik, may his candle shine, study it — and your soul will be revived — like cold water from a springing spring — from the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — which purifies from all impurities. For yesterday after the study I experienced a fresh new life-force. And my complete counsel is: in the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance — engage in studying in the book Likutay Eitzvos [Likutay Eitzvos — "Collected Counsels" — also known as Likutay Eitzvos Chadash — a work organizing the practical guidance of Rabbainu ז"ל and Reb Nosson ז"ל by topic; the writer recommends the section on Elul and Rosh Hashana specifically for this preparatory period] — the new section — the letter Elul and Rosh Hashana — and from there you will know G-d willing how to receive Elul and Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and Sukkos. # פה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/85/ פה פה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/85 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' ה' אלול תר"ם קרנכם פה טבריא EN: Now — I already wrote to you on Monday a letter — and today I saw the letter still at Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and I wrote on it a good tiding — blessed be G-d — that a letter came to me from my son Aizik, may his candle shine, and from my brothers — from all of them — blessed be G-d — that they are in life and in peace. But from each and every one I have great suffering. But blessed be G-d — they are Breslov Chassidim — and finding great expansiveness — and they ask of the Anash who are in Eretz Yisroel to ask mercy for them — that Hashem Yisbarach fulfill for each one the requests of his heart for good. And particularly for my brother's daughter Morainu v'Rabbainu Ze'ev, may his candle shine — Mistress Miriam Figa daughter of Esther Rachel — for approximately four months she has headache and nasal pain [כאב הראש והחטם — "headache and pain in the nose" — ha'chatam — the nose; a specific nasal pain accompanying the headache; she cannot eat and cannot sleep from the pain] — and she cannot eat and cannot sleep from her pain — and she is the wife of my kinsman [ש"ב — abbreviation of שארי בשרי — "my flesh and kin" — a relative by marriage, a close kinsman; broader than merely "brother-in-law"] Yitzchak Ber, may his candle shine. Therefore I have asked of you to pray for her — and for all whom I list here — at every time you go to the holy graves. For they are my brothers — and also your brothers — for we are from one root. And also they sent me money — approximately nine Adamim [אדמים — adamim — a coin denomination; likely from the Turkish/Ottoman monetary system; the writer specifies "approximately nine" as the sum received] — and they greatly gave me life. May Hashem Yisbarach give them life in the fullness of good. Segment 3 HE: ייטיב ה' הכתיבה והחתימה לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: And I am sending you the sum of six Meizhides — and write on my prayer-name-slip [הקוויטל — kvitl — Yiddish: the prayer-name-slip submitted at a holy grave; names are written on it for intercession at the grave of a Tzaddik; in Breslov usage specifically the slip presented at the grave of Rabbainu ז"ל; not merely a "receipt-note"] the sum of one hundred and fifty groshen that I received — and the remainder and two groshen distribute to the Anash as follows: And yesterday I studied in Likutay Halachos, Laws of Passover, law 9 — and I desire that you and our friend Aizik, may his candle shine, study it — and your soul will be revived — like cold water from a springing spring — from the flowing stream, the source of wisdom — which purifies from all impurities. For yesterday after the study I experienced a fresh new life-force. And my complete counsel is: in the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance — engage in studying in the book Likutay Eitzvos [Likutay Eitzvos — "Collected Counsels" — also known as Likutay Eitzvos Chadash — a work organizing the practical guidance of Rabbainu ז"ל and Reb Nosson ז"ל by topic; the writer recommends the section on Elul and Rosh Hashana specifically for this preparatory period] — the new section — the letter Elul and Rosh Hashana — and from there you will know G-d willing how to receive Elul and Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and Sukkos. Segment 4 HE: הנה כבר כתבתי לך ביום ב' מכתב והיום ראיתי המכתב אצל ר' דב נ"י וכתבתי עליו בשורה טובה ב"ה שבא לי מכתב מבני איזיק נ"י ומאחי מכלם ב"ה שהם בחיים ושלום אך מכל אחד ואחד יש לי יסורים גדולים אך ב"ה הם ברסלבר חסידים ומוצאים הרחבות גדולות ומבקשים מאת אנ"ש שבא"י לבקש רחמים עליהם שימלא ה' לכל אחד משאלות לבו לטובה ובפרט לבת אחי מו"ה זאב נ"י מ' מרים פיגא בת אסתר רחל שזה ערך ארבעה חדשים שיש לה כאב הראש והחטם ואינה אוכלת ואינה ישנה מכאבה והיא אשת ש"ב יצחק בער נ"י ע"כ בקשתי מכם להתפלל עליה ועל כל אשר ארשם בכאן בכל עת שתלכו על ציונים הק' כי הם אחי ואחיכם ג"כ כי אנו משרש אחד וגם שלחו לי מעות ערך תשעה אדמים והחיו אותי במאד מאד השי"ת יחיה אותם בכט"ס EN: Your friend, your truly beloved, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ואני שולח לך סך ששה מז'ידעס ותכתב על הקוויטל שלי סך מאה וחמשים גר' שקבלתי והמותר ושני גר' תחלק לאנ"ש הינו לר' נחמן שלשה גר' ולר' דב שני גר' ולר' איזיק שני גר' ולר' העניך שני גר' ולר' יואל הירש עם בנו שלשה גר' והמותר מעות שאני חיב לך אי"ה או קדם יו"ט או אחר יו"ט אי"ה בתורת חוב EN: And write to me a receipt for the letters with the money. And also — what happened with our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — and your son, may his candle shine. And also whether you had a letter from your father, may his candle shine — and what he wrote from the diaspora. And greetings of peace to your co-parent-in-law, our beloved, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife. Segment 6 HE: ואתמול למדתי בלקוטי הלכות הל' פסח הלכה ט' ואני חפץ שאתה וידידנו איזיק נ"י תלמדו אותה ותחי נפשכם כמים קרים ממעין הנבע מהנחל הנובע מקור חכמה אשר הוא מטהר מכל הטמאות כי אתמול אחר הלמוד חייתי חיות חדשה ועצתי שלמה שבחדש אלול ועשרת ימי תשובה תעסקו ללמד בספר לקוטי עצות חדש אות אלול ור"ה ומשם תדעו אי"ה לקבל אלול ור"ה ויוה"כ וסכות EN: Written Thursday, 5th of Elul, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya. Letters from the diaspora finally arrived. A niece has severe head and nasal pain. A distribution of six Meizhides. A teaching from Laws of Passover, law 9. The counsel to study Likutay Eitzvos during Elul. Segment 7 HE: ידידכם אוהבכם באמת EN: Written Thursday, 5th of Elul, 5640 (August 1880), from Teverya. Letters from the diaspora finally arrived. A niece has severe head and nasal pain. A distribution of six Meizhides. A teaching from Laws of Passover, law 9. The counsel to study Likutay Eitzvos during Elul. Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 9 HE: מיכל בן ביילא לאה עם ב"ב משה בן ביילא לאה עם ב"ב זאב בן ביילא לאה עם ב"ב מרים פיגא בת אסתר רחל איזיק בן יעכט שרה עם בני ביתם אדל בת יעכט שרה עם בעלה ובני ביתם ולכתוב לי קבלה על המכתבים מעם המעות וגם מה עשה ידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י ובנך נ"י וגם אם היה לך מכתב מאביך נ"י ומה הוא כתב מחו"ל ופב"ש לחמיך או"נ נ"י עם שלום זוג' EN: Letter 83 | פג (Pey-Gimmel) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 83 # פו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/86/ פו פו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/86 Segment 1 HE: האל הטוב ומטיב יתן כתיבה וחתימה טובה לכבוד או"נ באמת ובתמים ואהבת נפשו קשורה בנפשי הלא הוא הנגיד מו"ה ר' שמואל נ"י עם שלום זוג' מ' זל"ר תח' הנה איך שחתנכם היקר כתב לי בשורה טובה שהשגתם הגראלניק ע"כ אני מברך אתכם שיהיה בזכות הצדקה והכנסות אורחים לכל אנ"ש יעמד לכם עתה בזה היום הדין לחיים טובים ולשלום ויתן לכם הצלחה כזו שתוכלו לקים בא"י צדקה והכנסת אורחים ולעשות חנכה ופורים ופסח ושבועות וסכות עבור אנ"ש כמו שעשיתם בחו"ל ויהיה ביתכם בית ועד לחכמים ופתוח לרוחה ותשלמו כל החובות שלכם חיש מהר ושונאינו יראו ויבשו וזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' וזכות כל הצדיקים הגנוזים פה בכל ערי הקודש יגן עליכם ועל בניכם ובנותיכם ובני בניכם להשפיע עליהם שפע רב ויציל אותם מכל צרה וצוקה וישמיע בביתם ששון ושמחה ותזכה בשנה זו לראות עוד אצל בתכם יד"ל תח' בן זכר של קימא ונכדכם סענדיר חיים נ"י יאריך ימים ושנים טובים בתורה ובחכמה ובעשר ובכבוד ויקים בכם מה שאני חפץ לראות בכם דברי המברך אתכם נתן מברסלב EN: For as your precious son-in-law wrote to me — the good tiding that you obtained the Gralink — therefore I bless you — that in the merit of the charity and welcoming of guests for all the Anash — may it stand for you now on this day of judgment — for good life and for peace. And may He give you such success that you will be able to fulfill in Eretz Yisroel — charity and welcoming of guests — and to make Chanukah and Purim and Passover and Shavuos and Sukkos for the Anash — as you did in the diaspora. And may your house be a meeting house for the wise — and open wide. And may you clear all your debts quickly and soon — and our enemies will see and be ashamed. And may the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and the merit of all the Tzaddikim who are stored away as treasure here [הגנוזים — haghnuzim — "the treasured ones, the ones stored away" — from ganaz — to store away, to treasure; specifically the Tzaddikim whose holiness is preserved and radiating from the holy soil of Eretz Yisroel; not merely "hidden" but stored as a precious treasure] in all the holy cities — protect you and your sons and daughters and the children of your children — to pour down upon them abundant blessing — and save them from every trouble and distress — and let there be heard in your house gladness and joy. And may you merit in this year to see by your daughter Yidel-Leah, may she live, another male child who will endure. And your grandson Sender Chaim, may his candle shine, may he lengthen days and good years — in Torah and in wisdom and in wealth and in honor. And may He fulfill in you what I desire to see in you. Words of one who blesses you, Nussun from Breslov Undated — written upon the good news of the Gralene resolution. A beautiful multi-part blessing letter. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן May He make the inscription and sealing good — for all the household — and for all the Anash — in the midst of all Israel. My request — spread out and prostrated before your honor [בקשתי שטוחה — "my request is spread out, laid flat, prostrated" — from shitach — to spread out, to flatten; the image of a request that utterly prostrates itself before the recipient; a stronger image than merely "humble" — it is fully laid out and prostrate] — as I sent you a letter through a non-Jewish donkey-driver — for at first I wanted to send it to you through Reb Ber, may his candle shine, in the name of the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — but Reb Ber did not want to receive it from me — and I was compelled to give it to the non-Jew. And I wrote to give him twenty paras for his trouble. And within the letter was enclosed a letter from Breslov — to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine. And I have suffering — that I have no receipt for my letter. For when my letter is lost, G-d forbid — it is also a loss. For within it are found several good words from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל. And particularly now — before Rosh Hashana — we must be included together in love and unity — at least through letters — as is explained in the Torah Chadi Rabbi Shimon — and through this all the harsh judgments will be sweetened. And in the end I have no letter at all from you — and I have great suffering from this. May Hashem Yisbarach sweeten all our sufferings for us — and turn them to good and to blessing. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Who now dwells in the holy city of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Written Friday, 27th of Elul, 5640 — two days before Rosh Hashana. A lost letter. Unity through letters sweetens all judgments. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן One thing I ask of you — that you go on my behalf to the holy resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל — and to the resting place of my father ז"ל — and to the resting places of the Anash — to pray on my behalf. For I have been gravely ill for six days — and twice I had a full-night sweat throughout the entire night — and I have not the strength to bear my weakness. Only "He Who gives power to the weary" — He gives me strength. And also I ask of Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine, and Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and Reb Chaim, may his candle shine, and Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — also to pray on my behalf. And also I ask of my beloved friends to give on my behalf a redemption of two bishlikim at the resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל — and distribute it to the Anash — and formally present it to my account — and say the prayer for the redemption. And also know — that I have no letter at all — neither from Kalibulad nor from Troyits. And ask everything for me — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that I merit to lengthen my days further — to spend them in their holy books — all our days and years. One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Vayera, 5641, from Teverya. Six days gravely ill — twice full-night drenching sweats. Urgent plea to all the Anash of Tzfas to pray at the holy graves. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — corresponding to the thirteen measures of mercy [מכילן דרחמי — michlin d'rachamei — Aramaic: "measures of mercy" — from Aramaic michla — a measure; and d'rachamei — Aramaic for "of mercy"; the thirteen divine attributes of mercy are described using this specific Aramaic formulation] — which Hashem Yisbarach made known to me — in the merit of your prayers for me — and particularly in the merit of the chosen ones of the Tzaddikim [בחירי צדיקיא — bchirei tzadikaya — Aramaic: "the chosen of the Tzaddikim" — the select, specially-chosen Tzaddikim; tzadikaya is the Aramaic plural form; referring to Rabbainu ז"ל and Reb Nosson ז"ל as the uniquely chosen Tzaddikim] — and our strong love — and they revived me from death to life. For according to the heat of my fever — the heat was like the heat of Gehinnom — fourteen times I sweated — ten consecutive hours each time — and it brought me out as if from the water itself. And even so — the heat did not cool — and the entire world cried out to receive quinine — until my household had no choice — and they took quinine and gave it to me. And because of this — there remained several more illnesses — for two days and three days I could not — there was great constipation and a great cough. And my mind is a little confused. But all my truly beloved — I bind myself together with you — to give true, genuine thanks — for having revived me. And surely G-d willing Hashem Yisbarach will complete my salvation in wholeness. And I will give thanks in joy to the G-d of thanksgivings. And also G-d willing I will bring you joy with good letters. And do not cease from prayer ever. Your friend who writes to you, Nussun from Breslov Who shelters at the threshold of our root — which is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — may their merit protect us. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Written Tuesday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 5641, from Teverya. A thanksgiving letter — thirteen repetitions for the thirteen measures of mercy. The illness: fourteen drenching sweats of ten hours each. Quinine given. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן As I heard that you want to hear of my recovery for good — know that surely — thanks to you for your lives — as my illness was severe and life-threatening — surely thanks to you — and blessed be G-d — the G-d Who is good and does good — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of the prayers of the Anash — my illness has been eased. But I am still very ill. For I cannot stand on my feet even for the eighteen blessings of prayer — and I also cannot sit in an orderly manner for half an hour continuously. And I sit continuously in sweat. And sleep is far from me — and when Hashem Yisbarach helps me and I sleep — there is no song or praise in my mouth sufficient to give thanks to Hashem Yisbarach. And when I study for more than a quarter of an hour — I cannot hold my head — and I am compelled to lie down on my bed. And for three or four days I am constipated. And I do not taste any flavor in meat — only my main food is grapes. And every evening I have a great fever in my head. And even so — I give thanks for the past and cry out for the future. And I ask of all who love my soul — to greatly multiply prayer on my behalf. And I also in the midst of my illness — greatly ask for all the Anash — for now my strength is only in my mouth — to ask mercy for me and for all who love my soul. And do not be resentful against me that I do not write to you — for believe me — this small letter I did not have the strength to write to you. For I have no strength in my hands. But love overrides the rule [אהבה מקלקלת השורה — "love upsets the orderly row / overrides the rule" — from Sanhedrin 105b; love causes one to act contrary to normal expectations; here: love for his friends compels him to write despite total physical incapacity]. And from you I ask letters at all times — and particularly from your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — for length of days and good years. And G-d willing — when Hashem Yisbarach returns me to full health — I will write to you double. One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 5641, from Teverya. Still very ill — a detailed account of ongoing weakness. Love overrides the rule — he writes despite no strength in his hands. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Tuesday of Vayishlach I received on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — through the co-parent-in-law. And may Hashem Yisbarach give you life and your household — as you gave me life with your letter. It was truly a little healing for my illness. For three weeks ago — when you wrote to me that the animals of your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, were stolen — and also some other matters — I nearly fell faint — for it was in the very heart of my illness. And now I will write to you — that blessed be G-d — on the holy Shabbos I recited the Birchas Hagomel in the synagogue nearby — and I walked there with a staff. And when they called me to the Torah — I could not stand on my feet. And the prayer of the eighteen blessings — I cannot stand — for from the illness my legs were nearly broken — every single limb. And I also still have very great head pain — when I study for about half an hour — I have no ability to hold my head. And to walk to the house — about a quarter of a quarter of an hour — I cannot. But trust is in Hashem Who has begun to help — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of your love and your prayers — He will surely G-d willing complete it through their merit for me — and heal me fully — so that I can engage in Torah and prayer. And I have greatly asked — do not wait for my letters — and write to me at all times. Perhaps there is any salvation from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and also from you. And when will your father, may his candle shine, come home? And for my letters — do not wait — for believe me — with all my strength I wrote. Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Vayeshev, 5641, from Teverya. Birchas Hagomel recited — walking with a staff. Could not stand when called to the Torah. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # פז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/87/ פז פז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/87 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק כ"ז אלול תר"ם טבריא תו"ת לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ייטיב הכתיבה והחתימה לכל ב"ב ולכל אנ"ש בתוך כל ישראל בקשתי שטוחה מול כבודך איך ששלחתי לך מכתב ע"י ערל מיקער כי מתחלה רציתי לשלח לך ע"י ר' בער נ"י על שם הנגיד ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ולא רצה ר' בער לקבל מאתי ומכרח הייתי לתן להערל וכתבתי לתן לו 20 פאריס שכר טרחה ובתוך המכתב היה רצוף מכתב מברסלב לאשה דאבריס אשת ר' טעביל נ"י ויש לי יסורים שאין לי קבלה על מכתבי כי מכתב שלי כשנאבד ח"ו הוא ג"כ הפסד כי בשם נמצאים כמה דבורים טובים מאדמו"ר ז"ל ובפרט שעתה הוא קדם ר"ה אנו צריכין להכלל ביחד באהבה ואחדות עכ"פ ע"י מכתבים כמבאר בהתורה חדי רבי שמעון וע"י זה יהיו נמתקין כל הדינים ולבסוף אין לי שום מכתב מכם ויש לי יסורים גדולים מזה השי"ת ימתיק לנו כל היסורים ויהפך אותם לטובה ולברכה ידידכם נתן מברסלב היושב כעת בעיר הקודש טבריא תו"ת ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה ובאחדות גמור כאב לבנו EN: May He make the inscription and sealing good — for all the household — and for all the Anash — in the midst of all Israel. A humble request before your honor — as I sent you a letter through a non-Jewish donkey-driver [ערל מיקער — the non-Jewish donkey-driver; arel — the uncircumcised one; miker — donkey-driver; used because no other carrier was available] — for at first I wanted to send it to you through Reb Ber, may his candle shine, in the name of the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — but Reb Ber did not want to receive it from me — and I was compelled to give it to the non-Jew. And I wrote to give him twenty paras for his trouble. And within the letter was enclosed a letter from Breslov — to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine. And I have suffering — that I have no receipt for my letter. For when my letter is lost, G-d forbid — it is also a loss. For within it are found several good words from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל. And particularly now — before Rosh Hashana — we must be included together in love and unity — at least through letters — as is explained in the Torah Chadi Rabbi Shimon [Chadi Rabbi Shimon — "Rejoiced Rabbi Shimon" — a Torah discourse in Likutay Moharan beginning with the Zoharic phrase chadi Rabbi Shimon; the discourse teaches about unity and the sweetening of judgments through love and connection between Anash] — and through this all the harsh judgments will be sweetened. And in the end I have no letter at all from you — and I have great suffering from this. May Hashem Yisbarach sweeten all our sufferings for us — and turn them to good and to blessing. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Who now dwells in the holy city of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Written Friday, 27th of Elul, 5640 (September 1880) — two days before Rosh Hashana. A lost letter. Unity through letters before the holy day. Chadi Rabbi Shimon — love sweetens all harsh judgments. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן May He make the inscription and sealing good — for all the household — and for all the Anash — in the midst of all Israel. My request — spread out and prostrated before your honor [בקשתי שטוחה — "my request is spread out, laid flat, prostrated" — from shitach — to spread out, to flatten; the image of a request that utterly prostrates itself before the recipient; a stronger image than merely "humble" — it is fully laid out and prostrate] — as I sent you a letter through a non-Jewish donkey-driver — for at first I wanted to send it to you through Reb Ber, may his candle shine, in the name of the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — but Reb Ber did not want to receive it from me — and I was compelled to give it to the non-Jew. And I wrote to give him twenty paras for his trouble. And within the letter was enclosed a letter from Breslov — to the woman Dabris — the wife of Reb Tevil, may his candle shine. And I have suffering — that I have no receipt for my letter. For when my letter is lost, G-d forbid — it is also a loss. For within it are found several good words from our master and teacher Reb Nosson ז"ל. And particularly now — before Rosh Hashana — we must be included together in love and unity — at least through letters — as is explained in the Torah Chadi Rabbi Shimon — and through this all the harsh judgments will be sweetened. And in the end I have no letter at all from you — and I have great suffering from this. May Hashem Yisbarach sweeten all our sufferings for us — and turn them to good and to blessing. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Who now dwells in the holy city of Teverya, may it be established and built for good. Written Friday, 27th of Elul, 5640 — two days before Rosh Hashana. A lost letter. Unity through letters sweetens all judgments. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # פח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/88/ פח פח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/88 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' וירא תרמ"א לפ"ק פה טבריא לכבוד אחי ורעי מו"ה נתן נ"י ור' איזיק נ"י ור' נתן בן חנה ור' אברהם נ"י ור' העניך נ"י אחד אני מבקש מאתכם שתלכו עבורי על ציון הק' של האר"י ז"ל ועל ציון אבי ז"ל ועל ציון של אנ"ש להתפלל עבורי כי אני זה ששה ימים חולה מאד ושני פעמים האב איך גישוויצט כל הלילה ואין בכחי לסבל חלשתי רק הנותן ליעף כח נותן לי כח וגם אני מבקש מר' נחמן נ"י ור' דב נ"י ור' יואל הירש נ"י ור' שמואל נ"י ור' חיים נ"י ור' יעקב נ"י ג"כ להתפלל עבורי וגם אני מבקש מאת ידידי אהבי לתן עבורי על פדיון שתי בישליקיס על ציון האר"י ז"ל ותחלק לאנ"ש ולהציג לחשבוני ולומר התפילה מהפדיון גם תדעו שאין לי שום מכתב לא מקאליבלאד ולא מטראויצע והכל תבקשו עלי בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שאזכה להאריך ימים עוד לבלות בספריהם הק' כל ימינו ושנותינו אוהבכם נתן מברסלב EN: One thing I ask of you — that you go on my behalf to the holy resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל — and to the resting place of my father ז"ל — and to the resting places of the Anash — to pray on my behalf. For I have been gravely ill for six days — and twice I had a full-night sweat [האב איך גישוויצט כל הלילה — Yiddish: "I had a sweat the entire night" — a full-night drenching sweat, a serious symptom of grave illness; the Yiddish embedded in the Hebrew sentence; twice occurring, indicating the severity] throughout the entire night — and I have not the strength to bear my weakness. Only "He Who gives power to the weary" [Isaiah 40:29 — "He gives power to the weary — and to the powerless He gives great strength" — the verse of divine sustaining power for those who have none of their own] — He gives me strength. And also I ask of Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine, and Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and Reb Chaim, may his candle shine, and Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — also to pray on my behalf. And also I ask of my beloved friends to give on my behalf a redemption of two bishlikim at the resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל — and distribute it to the Anash — and formally present it to my account [ולהציג לחשבוני — "and present it formally to my account" — the same verb v'satzeg as in Letter 71: to formally place and present the expenditure on his behalf against his account] — and say the prayer for the redemption. And also know — that I have no letter at all — neither from Kalibulad nor from Troyits. And ask everything for me — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that I merit to lengthen my days further — to spend them in their holy books — all our days and years. One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Vayera, 5641 (October or November 1880), from Teverya. The writer has been gravely ill for six days — twice drenching sweats through the entire night. An urgent plea to all the Anash of Tzfas to pray for him at the holy graves. A redemption requested. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן One thing I ask of you — that you go on my behalf to the holy resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל — and to the resting place of my father ז"ל — and to the resting places of the Anash — to pray on my behalf. For I have been gravely ill for six days — and twice I had a full-night sweat throughout the entire night — and I have not the strength to bear my weakness. Only "He Who gives power to the weary" — He gives me strength. And also I ask of Reb Nachman, may his candle shine, and Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine, and Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, and Reb Chaim, may his candle shine, and Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — also to pray on my behalf. And also I ask of my beloved friends to give on my behalf a redemption of two bishlikim at the resting place of the holy Ari ז"ל — and distribute it to the Anash — and formally present it to my account — and say the prayer for the redemption. And also know — that I have no letter at all — neither from Kalibulad nor from Troyits. And ask everything for me — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — that I merit to lengthen my days further — to spend them in their holy books — all our days and years. One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Vayera, 5641, from Teverya. Six days gravely ill — twice full-night drenching sweats. Urgent plea to all the Anash of Tzfas to pray at the holy graves. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # פט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/89/ פט פט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/89 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' חיי שרה תרמ"א לפ"ק פה טבריא למען אחי ורעי אהובים הקשורים בלבבי בעבותות האהבה ולפניכם אתן תודה מרחוק תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח תל"ח כנגד שלשה עשר מכילן דרחמי שהודיע עלי השי"ת בזכות תפילתכם עלי ובפרט בזכות בחירי צדיקיא ואהבתנו החזקה והחיו אותי ממות לחיים כי לפי חמי היה חם גיהנם ארבעה עשר פעמים הזעתי עשר שעות כסדר והוציא אותי כמו מן המים ממש ואעפ"כ לא נתקרר החם וכל העולם צעקו לקבל חינא עד שבני ביתי לא היה להם בררה ולקחו חינא ונתנו לי ומחמת זה נשאר עוד כמה חולאת לא יכלתי שני ימים ושלשה ימים היה עצירות והוסט גדול עד למאד ומחי מעט מבלבל אך כל אהבי האמתיים אני מקשר עמכם לתן תודה הודאה אמתית על שהחיו אותי ובודאי אי"ה השי"ת יגמר ישועתי בשלמות ואתן בשמחה תודה לאל ההודאות וגם אי"ה אשמח אתכם במכתבים טובים ואל תניחו מתפילה עד עולם ידידכם הכתב נתן מברסלב המסתופף בצל שרשנו הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' זכותם יגן עלינו אנס"ו EN: Thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — thanks to you — corresponding to the thirteen measures of mercy [מכילן דרחמי — michlin d'rachamei — Aramaic: "measures of mercy" — from Aramaic michla — a measure; and d'rachamei — Aramaic for "of mercy"; the thirteen divine attributes of mercy are described using this specific Aramaic formulation] — which Hashem Yisbarach made known to me — in the merit of your prayers for me — and particularly in the merit of the chosen ones of the Tzaddikim [בחירי צדיקיא — bchirei tzadikaya — Aramaic: "the chosen of the Tzaddikim" — the select, specially-chosen Tzaddikim; tzadikaya is the Aramaic plural form; referring to Rabbainu ז"ל and Reb Nosson ז"ל as the uniquely chosen Tzaddikim] — and our strong love — and they revived me from death to life. For according to the heat of my fever — the heat was like the heat of Gehinnom — fourteen times I sweated — ten consecutive hours each time — and it brought me out as if from the water itself. And even so — the heat did not cool — and the entire world cried out to receive quinine — until my household had no choice — and they took quinine and gave it to me. And because of this — there remained several more illnesses — for two days and three days I could not — there was great constipation and a great cough. And my mind is a little confused. But all my truly beloved — I bind myself together with you — to give true, genuine thanks — for having revived me. And surely G-d willing Hashem Yisbarach will complete my salvation in wholeness. And I will give thanks in joy to the G-d of thanksgivings. And also G-d willing I will bring you joy with good letters. And do not cease from prayer ever. Your friend who writes to you, Nussun from Breslov Who shelters at the threshold of our root — which is Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — may their merit protect us. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed. Written Tuesday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 5641, from Teverya. A thanksgiving letter — thirteen repetitions for the thirteen measures of mercy. The illness: fourteen drenching sweats of ten hours each. Quinine given. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # ט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/9/ ט ט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/9 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ששי לחנכה תרל"ו טבריא תו"ת EN: Friday, the 6th day of Chanukah, 5636 [= December 1875] — Teverya, may it be established and built for good. [The writer has returned to Teverya from Tzfas.] Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי האברך המפלא ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: To the honor of my friend — the wondrous young Torah scholar, veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon all the members of his household. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח ב"ה כלנו בקו החיים והשלום כה אזכה לשמע מכם ומכל אנ"ש החיים והשלום א"ס EN: Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us are in the way of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you and from all the Anash life and peace — Omain Selah. Segment 4 HE: מכתבך מג' מקץ וגם מיום א' שבוע זו הגיעני ותדע שהמעות מר' חיים יהושע היום קבלתי בעת צהרים ומכתבך קבלתי בבקר ובתוכו רצוף המכתב מחמיך היקר נ"י ומחתנו נתן נ"י ומידידנו ר' צבי מקאליבלאד נ"י והיה לי למשיב נפש אך מי יתן השי"ת שחיש מהר יושיענו השי"ת לשמע הבשורה טובה מפדות נפש גיסך משה נ"י ובודאי אני מתפלל בכל עת על ישועתו בתוך בני ישראל ובפרט על אהבנו באמת הודיע ה' ישועתו לעיני הגוים גלה צדקתו' ואני בטוח בהשי"ת שבודאי כבר הציל השי"ת אותו מכף כל אויביו אך אעפ"כ אנו צריכין להתפלל על אנ"ש כי אין לנו להשען כי אם על אבינו שבשמים' ואין כחנו אלא בפה לבד EN: Your letter from Wednesday of Mikaitz [the same day Letter 8 was written — both letters crossed each other in transit] and also from this past Sunday — both reached me. And know that the money from Reb Chaim Yehoshua I received today at midday, and your letter I received in the morning — and enclosed within it was the letter from your dear father-in-law, may his candle shine, and from our shared son-in-law [מחתנו — mechassnainu — "our son-in-law" in the first-person plural — reflecting the Breslov understanding that all the family bonds of the Anash are shared among the whole fellowship] Nussun, may his candle shine, and from our friend Reb Tzvi of Kaliblad, may his candle shine. And it was a reviving of my soul. But would that Hashem Yisbarach swiftly save us — to hear the good tidings of the redemption of the soul of your brother-in-law Moshe, may his candle shine. And surely I pray at all times for his salvation in the midst of all the children of Israel — and particularly for our true beloved. "Hashem has made known His salvation, before the eyes of the nations He has revealed His righteousness" [Psalms 98:2]. And I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that surely He has already saved him from the hand of all his enemies. But even so, we must continue to pray for the Anash — for we have nothing to lean upon except our Father in Heaven. And our only strength is in the mouth alone [ואין כחנו אלא בפה לבד — the writer voices this as his own living conviction, drawing on the Talmudic teaching that Israel has no strength but prayer and Torah — "the voice is the voice of Yaakov"; not a quotation set apart but his own declaration]. Segment 5 HE: ותמיה לי שאני כתבתי לך אולי יש אצלכם איזה מכתב מטראויצע מחמיך ומבני שיחיו ואתה ב"ה עשית מצוה גדולה ובפרט נגד זוג' תח' שהחיית נפשה עד מאד ולסוף אתה כתב לי אולי יש איזה מכתב אצלך מטראויצע ותשלח לי ולא ידעתי פרושו אך אח"כ בעת כתיבת מכתבי עלה בדעתי אולי בעת כתיבת מכתבך ביום ג' מקץ לא בא עדין המכתב מטראויצע ע"כ כתב מעלתו ושאל אותי על איזה מכתב ולעת עתה כשבאו השני מכתבים ביחד היה פליאה אצלי ואעפ"כ אם יהיה איזה מכתב מטראויצע אלי בודאי אודיעך EN: And I am surprised: I wrote to you asking whether perhaps you have any letter from Troyits — from your father-in-law and from my son, may they live. And you — blessed be G-d — did a great mitzvah, and particularly in regard to my wife, may she live — you gave life to her soul to a very great degree. But at the end of your letter you wrote to me: "perhaps there is some letter with you from Troyits — send it to me." And I did not know its meaning. But afterward, in the very moment of writing my letter, it occurred to me: perhaps at the time you wrote your letter on Wednesday of Mikaitz the letter from Troyits had not yet arrived — and therefore your distinguished self wrote and asked me about some letter. And now when the two letters arrived together it was a wonder to me. But even so — if any letter from Troyits should come to me, I will certainly let you know. Segment 6 HE: וגם אודות הסך חמשה עשר רו"ח שיש לי אצלכם כמה שיעלה מעות אחר החלוף מטבע ואני צריך לעשר המעות כפי שאתה יודע וכמה שיעלה המעשר מהסך הנ"ל תקבל לידך שני חלקים מעשר ותחלק לאנ"ש כפי דעתך לכל אנ"ש וחלק שלישי תשלח לי עבור ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י עם המעות השיך לי EN: And also regarding the sum of fifteen rubles that is with you — however much it comes to in money after the currency exchange — and I must tithe the money, as you know [לעשר המעות — to separate one tenth of one's income as a tithe; a widely observed Jewish practice of giving a tenth of all earnings to charity and good causes] — and however much the tithe comes to from the said sum: take into your hand two portions of the tithe and distribute it among the Anash as you see fit — to each member of the Anash — and the third portion send to me, for our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, along with the money that belongs to me. Segment 7 HE: כי ידידנו ר' קלמן נ"י הוא עני ואביון גדול אשר אין להעלות על הכתב כי מיום באו לא אכל אפילו בשבת בשר רק לחם צר ומים לחץ והגר ג"כ על צואריו ואין בכל העיר אחד שישאל מהיכן ירקות אלו חיין ומאד בקש מכל אנ"ש ובפרט מידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י שיתפללו עליו שירחם עליו השי"ת בכל מיני רחמנות והוא באמת איש כשר וגם הגר הוא גר צדק והוא אינו רוצה להפרד מעליו והוא רך לבב ומה יכול לעשות ע"כ מחמתו הוא סובל דחקות גדול ומשבוע העבר כשנודע לי עצם דחקותו נתתי לו בישליק וגם אחותי נתנה לו בישליק והוא יושב יומם ולילה סגור ומסגר על התורה ותפילה ואני הולך אליו בכל יום ולומד עמו ספרי רבנו ז"ל ע"כ אני רוצה להחיות אותו ג"כ באיזה מתנה רק אני מחיה אותו בדבורים הנובעים מהננמ"ח EN: For our friend Reb Kalman, may his candle shine, is a great pauper and destitute [עני ואביון גדול — ani v'evyon — the biblical pair used throughout Psalms and Prophets: the poor and the utterly destitute — the writer uses both words, as the text demands both] — beyond what can be put into writing. For from the day he arrived here he has not eaten even on Shabbos so much as meat — only the bread of adversity and the water of affliction [לחם צר ומים לחץ — a deliberate citation of Isaiah 30:20: "bread of adversity and water of affliction" — the writer consciously reaches for this verse to give the full prophetic weight to what he is describing]. And the ger [a convert to Judaism] is also upon his neck [meaning: the convert is also his dependent, relying entirely on him for support]. And there is not one person in the entire city who asks: from where do these people live? [מהיכן ירקות אלו חיין — "from where do these vegetables live?" — a Talmudic idiom meaning: how do these people sustain themselves? No one notices, no one asks] And I have urgently requested of all the Anash — and particularly of our friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that they pray for him, that Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him with every manner of mercy. And he is truly an upright man. And the ger as well — he is a righteous convert [גר צדק — ger tzedek — one who converted sincerely for the sake of Heaven alone], and he does not wish to be separated from Reb Kalman. And Reb Kalman is soft-hearted — what can he do? Therefore on his account he suffers great hardship. And from last week — when I came to know the full depth of his destitution — I gave him one bishlik, and also my sister gave him one bishlik. And he sits day and night, shut and locked away [סגור ומסגר — completely enclosed, sealed in — wholly devoted to Torah and prayer, removed from the world], devoted entirely to Torah and to prayer. And I go to him every day and study with him the books of Rabbainu ז"ל. Therefore I wish to sustain him with some material gift as well — only right now I am sustaining him with the words that flow from our holy master and teacher [הננמ"ח — the honorific abbreviation for Reb Nosson of Breslov]. Segment 8 HE: וביום ב' למדתי עמו התורה ימי חנכה הם ימי הודאה' וגם למדתי עמו הלכה ו' מהלכות שבת בלקוטי הלכות חלק ג' מארח חיים וגם אתה וידידי ר' איזיק תוכלו לראות ההלכה הזאת ותחיו עצמכם כי הם חיינו וארך ימינו ועל זה אנו צריכין לבלות ימינו ושנותינו ובודאי יהיה לנו אחרית טוב כי הדבורים האלו הם ממש נס חנכה שירדה שכינה למטה מעשרה לאנשים כערכנו אורות כאלו אשרינו מה טוב חלקנו רק כשאנו משכימים ומעריבים בבתי תורה ותפילה וספרי רבנו ז"ל הם בתי תורה ובתי תפילה EN: And on Monday I studied with him the Torah: "The days of Chanukah are days of thanksgiving" [a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל connecting Chanukah with hodaah — thanksgiving and acknowledgment — which shares its root with the name Yehudah — Judah — and with the word hoda'ah — confession and gratitude]. And I also studied with him Law 6 of the Laws of Shabbos in Likutay Halachos, Part 3, Orach Chaim [Orach Chaim — "the way of life" — the first section of the Shulchan Aruch, dealing with daily life and prayer; Reb Nosson's Likutay Halachos follows the same four-section structure]. And you too, and my friend Reb Aizik — you can look at this law and give life to yourselves [ותחיו עצמכם — the plural reflexive: you yourselves, actively, give life to your own souls through studying this passage — the life flows from the text into you] — for these are our life and the length of our days. And it is upon this that we must spend our days and our years. And surely it will be good for us in the end — for these words are literally the miracle of Chanukah itself: that the Shechinah descended below ten — for people of our level, lights such as these! Happy are we — how good is our portion! [אשרינו מה טוב חלקנו — a direct citation of the joyful liturgical declaration sung in the morning prayers: Ashrainu mah tov chelkainu — every reader would have recognized this immediately as the morning prayer's cry of joy and gratitude; the writer applies it as his spontaneous response to these words of Torah] — only when we rise early and stay late [משכימים ומעריבים — mashkimim u'ma'arivim — an allusion to Proverbs 8:34: "blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors" — the language of one who rises early and stays late at the door of Torah] in the houses of Torah and prayer. And the books of Rabbainu ז"ל are houses of Torah and houses of prayer. Segment 9 HE: וגם לאביך נ"י שהוא באמת אחי תפב"ש למעני ותאמר לו שאל ידאג כלל שבודאי לא יעזב אותו השי"ת רק עצתי אם זכה אותו השי"ת לידע מאור כזה יבלה רב היום על זה ובודאי יצליח לנצח כי בכל יום שאני לומד חדושי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כמעט בכל יום עולה על דעתי לילך בחוץ ולצעק בקול גדול דעו שיש כזה בעולם אך כבר שמעתי מרבנו ז"ל שאמר שלא יועיל אבל נתישבתי לצעק עכ"פ לאהבנו באמת ושם בודאי אפעל איזה פעלה הן לי והן להם וב"ה שכבר נגמרו כל ספרי רבנו ותלמידו הק' וב"ה יש לנו במה לבלות ימינו ושנותינו ובודאי לא יהיה לריק ח"ו ובודאי יהיה טובה לנפשנו ורוחותינו ונשמותינו ואף יהיה ג"כ טובה גדולה ויותר א"א לבאר על הכתב והמשכיל יבין EN: And also to your father, may his candle shine — who is truly my brother — please convey greetings of peace on my behalf [תפב"ש — t'foras bish'lom — an imperative: "you should convey greetings of peace" — addressed directly to the recipient as a command of love]. And say to him: let him not worry at all — for surely Hashem Yisbarach will not forsake him. Only my counsel is: if Hashem Yisbarach has granted him the merit of knowing such a light as this — let him spend the greater part of the day on this, and surely he will succeed forever. For every day that I study the chidushim [new insights and teachings] of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — almost every day it rises in my mind to go outside and call out with a great voice: Know that such a thing exists in the world! But I have already heard from Rabbainu ז"ל that he said this will not help. But I have settled it in my mind to call out at least to our true beloved — and there, surely, I will accomplish some effect, both for myself and for them. And blessed be G-d that already all the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple have been completed [printed and available; the full corpus of Breslov literature has now been published]. And blessed be G-d — we have something with which to spend our days and our years. And surely it will not be in vain — G-d forbid. And surely it will be a goodness for our souls, and our spirits, and our neshomos [נפשותינו ורוחותינו ונשמותינו — the three levels of the soul in Kabbalistic teaching: nefesh — the vital soul; ruach — the spirit; neshamah — the higher soul; the writer invokes all three: the goodness will penetrate every level of one's being]. And it will also be a great goodness beyond what can be explained in writing — and the one who is wise will understand. Segment 10 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: These two weeks I have written you a letter, and in it I wrote you several matters that require your reply — and also your health: my soul and my ears have been spent with longing to hear [כלתה נפשי ואזני לשמע — literally "my soul and my ears have been consumed with longing to hear" — both soul and ears are straining toward them across the distance]. For here the despondency [mara shchorah — "black bile" — the classical term for melancholy and dread; here: a dark mood of anxiety spreading from bad reports] has grown exceedingly great, from your settlement — as people are saying that things are not well with you. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on all the cities of Israel and Judah with His great and abundant mercies. And believe me, my friend — when I have had no word from you for several days, my eyes are spent and longing for any good tidings. For your love is driven deep into my heart — within the very walls of my heart and within the innermost part of my mind — for I have here no beloved ones, no close and dear and beloved and dependable companions such as you. For your soul is bound to my soul with a strong and mighty bond — for we are from one pasture [mir'eh echad — we were nourished and formed from the same source: Rabbainu ז"ל], and one Father we all have [Genesis 42:11 — the writer uses Yosef's brothers' declaration in its deepest sense: we are all children of one heavenly Father, and disciples of one Rebbe]. Segment 11 HE: נתן בן מורנו יהודא זללה"ה EN: Words of your true beloved, Segment 12 HE: ותכתב לי בכל עת איזה ידיעה מידידנו החסיד ר' נחום זלמן נ"י ומרבי איצילע נ"י ומזוג' תח' מה הם עשים וגם מה שנשמע מהקאנצילאטין של אביך נ"י וגם לכתוב לי אם ידידנו ר' אבאלע נ"י היה על ר"ה מחמת שכתבת לי שזוג' הצדקת שבקה לן חיים בערב ר"ה אוי לנו על שברנו בשלום תנוח על משכבה בתוך נשמות הצדקניות ופב"ש לבנך החכם מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י השי"ת יתן לו חיים ואריכת ימים ושנים טובים EN: Nussun, son of our teacher Yehuda [זללה"ה] Segment 13 HE: זוג' תח' ואחותי תח' פורסים בשלום אמך תח' ובשלום זוג' יד"ל תח' ובשלום בנה נ"י EN: And write to me at all times any news about our pious friend Reb Nachem Zalman, may his candle shine, and about Reb Aitzikel, may his candle shine, and about his wife, may she live — what they are doing. And also what is heard from your father's consular affairs, may his candle shine. And also write to me whether our friend Reb Abaleh [an affectionate diminutive of Avraham], may his candle shine, was present for Rosh Hashana — since you wrote to me that his righteous wife [זוג' הצדקת — "his righteous wife"] departed this life on the eve of Rosh Hashana. Woe to us for our loss! [אוי לנו על שברנו — "woe to us for our brokenness" — shever is the word used in Lamentations for the shattering of Jerusalem; the writer applies it to this personal loss — a genuine cry of grief, not a formula] May she rest in peace upon her resting place, in the midst of the souls of the righteous women [בתוך נשמות הצדקניות — among the souls of the holy righteous women — a beautiful burial blessing]. And convey greetings of peace to your wise son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach give him life and length of days and good years. My wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, convey greetings of peace to your mother, may she live, and to the wife [מ' יד"ל], may she live, and to her son, may his candle shine. Words of the above-mentioned. Segment 14 HE: דברי הנ"ל EN: And I also request of you: perhaps you could write a letter to your father-in-law, may his candle shine, and ask him where my son-in-law Yisroel, may his candle shine, is dwelling with my daughter — and also about my son Yitzchak, may his candle shine — and about my daughter Chaikeh with her husband Shmuel, may his candle shine — what they are doing. And what is heard from your brother-in-law [גיסך — gischa — specifically a brother-in-law: a sibling's spouse, or a spouse's sibling] Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine — to revive my soul. And also write to your brother Sender, may his candle shine, or to your father-in-law, may his candle shine, to send me the one ruble [a Russian silver coin — the currency used by Russian-origin Jews in Ottoman Palestine] that he wrote to me he was sending for olive oil for the Rambam's tomb. And I have already kindled it for now from my own pocket — for your father-in-law forgot to send it to me, and your father, may his candle shine, knows that he did not send it. And I for now kindled it in exchange for the pidyon [redemption — a sum given as a spiritual redemption on a person's behalf; here the lamp-kindling at the Rambam's tomb serves as a pidyon] that he wrote to me about, from his enemies — and I prayed for him. May Hashem Yisbarach hear my prayer for him and for all the members of his household. # צ URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/90/ צ צ Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/90 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' וישלח תרמ"א לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא EN: As I heard that you want to hear of my recovery for good — know that surely — thanks to you for your lives — as my illness was severe and life-threatening — surely thanks to you — and blessed be G-d — the G-d Who is good and does good — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of all the Tzaddikim — and in the merit of the prayers of the Anash — my illness has been eased. But I am still very ill. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ היקר מו"ה נתן נ"י עם כל אנ"ש שיחיו EN: For I cannot stand on my feet even for the eighteen blessings of prayer — and I also cannot sit in an orderly manner for half an hour continuously. And I sit continuously in sweat. And sleep is far from me — and when Hashem Yisbarach helps me and I sleep — there is no song or praise in my mouth sufficient to give thanks to Hashem Yisbarach. And when I study for more than a quarter of an hour — I cannot hold my head — and I am compelled to lie down on my bed. And for three or four days I am constipated. And I do not taste any flavor in meat — only my main food is grapes. And every evening I have a great fever in my head. And even so — I give thanks for the past and cry out for the future. And I ask of all who love my soul — to greatly multiply prayer on my behalf. And I also in the midst of my illness — greatly ask for all the Anash — for now my strength is only in my mouth — to ask mercy for me and for all who love my soul. Segment 3 HE: איך ששמעתי שאתם רוצים לשמע מבריאותי הטוב תדעו שבודאי תל"ח כמו שהיה חלאתי קשה ומסכן בודאי תל"ח וב"ה הטוב והמטיב בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובזכות כל הצדיקים ובזכות תפלות אנ"ש הקל חליי אך עדין אני חלה מאד כי א"א לי לעמד על רגלי אפילו תפלות 18 וגם לישב חצי שעה כסדר א"א לי לישב ואני יושב כסדר בזעה והשנה רחוק מאתי וכשהשי"ת עזר לי שאני ישן אין בפי שיר ושבח להודות להשי"ת וכשאני לומד יותר מרבע שעה אין אני יכול לאחז ראשי ומכרח אני לשכב על משכבי ואני שלשה ארבעה ימים בעצירות ואין אני טועם שום טעם בבשר רק עיקר מאכלי הוא ענבים ובכל עת ערב יש לי חם בראש גדול מאד ואעפ"כ אני מודה על העבר וצועק על להבא ואני מבקש מכל מאהבי נפשי להרבות בתפילה עבורי ואני ג"כ בתוך חליי אני מבקש מאד על כל אנ"ש כי עתה אין כחי אלא בפה לבקש רחמים עלי ועל כל מאהבי נפשי EN: And do not be resentful against me that I do not write to you — for believe me — this small letter I did not have the strength to write to you. For I have no strength in my hands. But love overrides the rule [אהבה מקלקלת השורה — "love upsets the orderly row / overrides the rule" — from Sanhedrin 105b; love causes one to act contrary to normal expectations; here: love for his friends compels him to write despite total physical incapacity]. And from you I ask letters at all times — and particularly from your son Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — for length of days and good years. And G-d willing — when Hashem Yisbarach returns me to full health — I will write to you double. Segment 4 HE: ואל תתרעמו עלי שאיני כתב לכם כי תאמינו לי שזה מכתב קטן לא היה בכחי לכתוב לכם כי אין בי כח בידים אך אהבה מקלקלת השורה ומאתכם אני מבקש בכל עת מכתבים ובפרט מבנך מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י לאיוש"ט ואי"ה כשיחזירני השי"ת לבריאותי בשלמות אכתב לכם בכפלים EN: One who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 5641, from Teverya. Still very ill — a detailed account of ongoing weakness. Love overrides the rule — he writes despite no strength in his hands. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 5 HE: אוהבכם EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Vayishlach, 5641, from Teverya. Still very ill — a detailed account of ongoing weakness. Love overrides the rule — he writes despite no strength in his hands. Segment 6 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # צא URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/91/ צא צא Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/91 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום א' וישב תרמ"א פעה"ק טבריא תו"ת לכבוד ידידי או"נ באמת ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל מאהבי נפשי הקשורים בלבי בחבלי עבותות האהבה בל ינתק לעולם מכתבך מיום ג' וישלח קבלתי ביום ו' עש"ק ע"י המחתן והשי"ת יחיה אותך וב"ב כמו שהחייתני במכתבך ממש מעט היה רפואה לחליי כי זה שלשה שבועות אשר כתבת לי שגנבו הבהמות ועוד איזה דברים מחמיך נ"י כמעט נשארתי חלשות כי היה בעצם חליי ועתה אני אכתב לכם שב"ה בשב"ק ברכתי ברכת הגומל בבית הכנסת הסמוך והלכתי לשם במקל וכשקרא אותי לתורה לא יכלתי לעמד על רגלי ותפילת 18 אין אני יכול לעמד כי מחמת החולאת כמעט נשברו רגלי כל אבר וגם יש לי עוד כאב הראש מאד כשאני לומד איזה חצי שעה אין ביכלתי לאחז הראש ולילך אל הבית ערך חצי רבע שעה א"א לי אך לה' הבטחון שהתחיל לעזר בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובזכות אהבתכם ותפילתכם הוא בודאי אי"ה יגמר בזכותם אלי וירפא אותי בשלמות בכדי שאוכל לעסק בתורה ותפילה ומאד בקשתי שאתם אל תמתינו על מכתבי ותכתבו לי בכל עת אולי יש איזה ישועה מחמיך נ"י וגם מאתכם ומתי יבא אביך לביתו ועל מכתבי לא תמתינו כי תאמינו שבכל כחי כתבתי נתן מברסלב EN: Your letter from Tuesday of Vayishlach I received on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — through the co-parent-in-law. And may Hashem Yisbarach give you life and your household — as you gave me life with your letter. It was truly a little healing for my illness. For three weeks ago — when you wrote to me that the animals of your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine, were stolen — and also some other matters — I nearly fell faint — for it was in the very heart of my illness. And now I will write to you — that blessed be G-d — on the holy Shabbos I recited the Birchas Hagomel in the synagogue nearby — and I walked there with a staff. And when they called me to the Torah — I could not stand on my feet. And the prayer of the eighteen blessings — I cannot stand — for from the illness my legs were nearly broken — every single limb. And I also still have very great head pain — when I study for about half an hour — I have no ability to hold my head. And to walk to the house — about a quarter of a quarter of an hour — I cannot. But trust is in Hashem Who has begun to help — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of your love and your prayers — He will surely G-d willing complete it through their merit for me — and heal me fully — so that I can engage in Torah and prayer. And I have greatly asked — do not wait for my letters — and write to me at all times. Perhaps there is any salvation from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and also from you. And when will your father, may his candle shine, come home? And for my letters — do not wait — for believe me — with all my strength I wrote. Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Vayeshev, 5641, from Teverya. Birchas Hagomel recited — walking with a staff. Could not stand when called to the Torah. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # צב URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/92/ צב צב Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/92 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ג' ויחי תרמ"א לפ"ק פעה"ק טבריא EN: Thanks to you — that I am blessed be G-d alive. But I am not in complete health — nine weeks from the beginning of my great illness — for there is no song or praise in my mouth sufficient to bless the G-d Who is good and does good — for the great loving-kindness He performed with me — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of our joy — that we rejoiced together on the joy of the Torah and on the holy Sabbaths. And the merit of your prayers — that you pray for me. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד ידידי או"נ בקירות הלב ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב ולחמיו היקר או"נ מו"ה שמואל נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב EN: But this I tell you — my beloved brothers: from the day I rose from my great illness — there is no day that I do not have some other ailment. And I attribute everything to the quinine that they gave me. And every night I sweat — which draws out all my strength. And I had several times constipation of four days. And I have no strength in my legs even to stand for one hour. And I cannot walk in the house even for a quarter of a quarter of an hour. And I have no appetite at all for eating — and everything I eat under pressure — I fear lest eating excessively work against me. But for everything I have trust that Hashem Yisbarach will set everything right. But from Tuesday past the fever has gripped me every day — may the Merciful One protect us — toward evening — and I tremble for approximately two full hours — and then a heat is born in me beyond all reckoning — and because of this I cannot sleep — and my mind is confused. And nearly day and night I concentrate and contract all my brain into prayer and supplication [מצמצם מחי בתפילה ובתחנונים — "I contract and concentrate my brain in prayer and supplication" — from tzimtzum — contraction and concentration; the Kabbalistic term for the primal divine contraction; here: the writer focuses all mental energy, concentrating and compressing his very brain into prayer — an intense, total focusing of his intellect into the act of prayer]. And I know and believe: "in distress You have relieved me." In any case — by day I study blessed be G-d — a little at a time. Segment 3 HE: תל"ח שאני ב"ה בחיים אבל איני בחיים שלמים תשעה שבועות מתחלת חליי הגדול אשר אין בפי שיר והודאה לשבח האל הטוב והמטיב על החסד הגדול אשר עשה עמדי בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ובזכות שמחתנו ששמחנו ביחד בשמחת תורה ובשבתים הק' וזכות תפילתכם שאתם מתפללים עלי אך זה אמר לכם אחי האהובים מיום שעמדתי מחליי הגדול אין לי יום שאין לי חולאת אחר ואני תולה הכל מחמת החינא שנתנו לי ובכל לילה אני מזיע אשר מוציא כל כחי והיה לי כמה פעמים עצירות מארבעה ימים ואין לי כח ברגלי אפילו לעמד שעה אחת ואיני יכול להלך בבית אפילו חצי רבע שעה ואין לי שום אפטיט לאכילה וכל מה שאני אוכל בדחק ירא אנכי שלא יהיה אכילה יתרה לנגדי רק על הכל יש לי בטחון שהשי"ת יתקן כל דבר אך מיום ג' העבר תפס אותי הפיבער בכל יום ר"ל לעת ערב ואני מחריד ערך שני שעות בודאי ואח"כ נולד לי חם כזה שאין להעריך ומחמת זה אין אני יכול לישן ומחי מבלבל וכמעט יומם ולילה אני מצמצם מחי בתפילה ובתחנונים ואני יודע ומאמין שבצר הרחבת לי ש עכ"פ ביום אני לומד ב"ה מעט מעט EN: And I ask of you — and of our friends, my truly beloved ones, Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizik, may his candle shine — and also Reb Henech, may his candle shine — that you go on my behalf to the resting place of the holy Ari — and to the resting place of my father ז"ל — and all the Anash — to pray for me — and to awaken the divine mercies on my behalf in prayer and supplication — that there be an end and a conclusion to all our troubles. For I have many words to write to you — to give life to your souls. For during my illness — my main study is the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for I study only one hour — a little of the Five Books with Rashi — and beyond that — as much as I have the strength — I study the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and Psalms and prayers. And this is my main life-force. But what can I do, my brothers my friends — that I have no strength to bring it from potential into actual? And G-d willing when Hashem Yisbarach helps me and I am in full strength — surely we will speak together G-d willing. Segment 4 HE: ואני מבקש מאתך ומידידינו אהבי באמת מו"ה איזיק נ"י וגם ר' העניך נ"י שתלכו עבורי על ציון האר"י הק' ועל ציון אבי ז"ל וכל אנ"ש להתפלל עבורי ולעורר רחמים עבורי בתפילה ובתחנונים שיהיה קץ וסוף לכל צרותינו כי יש לי דבורים הרבה לכתוב לכם להחיות נפשכם כי בעת חליי עיקר למודי הוא ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי איני לומד כי אם שעה אחת מעט וחמש עם רש"י ויותר כמה שיש לי כח אני לומד ספרי רבנו ז"ל ותהלים ותפלות וזה עיקר החיות שלי אך מה אעשה אחי ידידי שאין לי כח להוציא מכח אל הפעל ואי"ה כשהשי"ת יעזור לי שאהיה בכל כחי בודאי נדברה בינינו אי"ה EN: And regarding the money — G-d willing when it comes into your hand — take for yourself half the money against your debt. And the remainder send to me — although I am now in a time of need — but even so — your debt weighs very heavily upon my head. And also the money of Reb Shmuel Henech — send that too immediately — and do not wait for a receipt. And know that Reb Shmuel Henech does kindness with me constantly — and goes every day to visit me. And also — perhaps there will be letters for Reb Shmuel Henech — send them to his hand immediately — for it will be considered a great mitzvah. And also write about my truly beloved Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — from where he draws sustenance — to give life to his soul — for he lies resting upon my head at all times. Segment 5 HE: ואודות המעות אי"ה כשיבא לידך תטל לך חצי מעות על חובך והמותר תשלח לי הגם שאני עתה בעת דחק אך אעפ"כ חוב שלך מוטל על ראשי מאד וגם המעות של ר' שמואל העניך תשלח ג"כ מיד ולא תמתין על קבלה ותדעו שר' שמואל העניך גומל עמי חסד תמיד והולך בכל יום לבקר אותי וגם אולי יהיו מכתבים לר' שמואל העניך תשלחו לידו תכף כי למצוה גדולה יחשב וגם לכתוב מידידי אהבי באמת מו"ה ר' שמואל נ"י מהיכן הוא חי להחיות נפשו כי הוא מנח על ראשי בכל עת EN: And also I asked to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — perhaps he has herring — and let him send me two or three. Segment 6 HE: גם בקשתי לומר לר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל אולי נמצא אצלו הערינג וישלח לי שנים שלשה EN: More there is not to write — only life for you and for us. Segment 7 HE: יותר אין לכתוב לו רק חיים לכם ולנו EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 5641, from Teverya — nine weeks into the illness. A new fever cycle every evening. Day and night the writer concentrates his brain into prayer. Segment 9 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 10 HE: ופב"ש לידידנו ר' נחמן נ"י ולר' דב נ"י ולר' חיים נ"י ולכל אנ"ש באהבה עזה וכלם יתפללו עבורי שיהיה לי רפואה EN: Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 5641, from Teverya — nine weeks into the illness. A new fever cycle every evening. Day and night the writer concentrates his brain into prayer. Thanks to you — that I am blessed be G-d alive. But I am not in complete health — nine weeks from the beginning of my great illness — for there is no song or praise in my mouth sufficient to bless the G-d Who is good and does good — for the great loving-kindness He performed with me — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and in the merit of our joy — that we rejoiced together on the joy of the Torah and on the holy Sabbaths. And the merit of your prayers — that you pray for me. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן In the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who bestowed upon us every good and saved me from several life-threatening illnesses that I had — as nearly the entire city who saw me were reciting the blessing of resurrection of the dead over me — and Hashem Yisbarach helped me with His abundant mercies — so may He help all the sick of His people Israel quickly and soon. And even so — I still have no strength at all in any limb — and every limb is broken in me. And I cannot stand on my feet for even a quarter of an hour continuously. And to walk as well — I cannot even to my mother's house, may she live — who is also lying ill — and I cannot go to her to visit her. But I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach Who has begun with a good beginning — surely G-d willing everything will be completed G-d willing for good. And I will ask of Hashem Yisbarach — and also of you I ask — to give thanks — and to cry out on my behalf for the completion of the salvation. For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — that even in the midst of my great weakness I did not forget you from praying on your behalf. For you are engraved in my brain and in my inner awareness and in the walls of my heart. And the financial straits of our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, does not depart from my thoughts — for I know that his brain is too small to trust in Hashem Yisbarach with great trust. [שמחו קטן לבטח בהשי"ת — "his brain is small — to trust in Hashem Yisbarach" — mocho katan — literally his brain, the specific organ of intellect and da'as; a small brain here means a limited capacity to hold the trust and inner awareness that faith requires; the brain as the instrument of trust] And now he gave me life with his letter — and alludes even within the Torah — for "when He has mercy upon them, He leads them" — when one studies the new teachings from the true Tzaddik — then kingship returns to the hands of wisdom — and she receives her livelihood. And today I studied the Laws of Blood, law 1 — look there and you will find repose for your souls. Regarding the money that our precious friend, the beloved of our soul, sent to us — I do not know the explanation — whether he sent it by post — where is it? — for it is three weeks already since you received a letter from me that he sent the money. And also regarding what you wrote about Nachman — the son of your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — it certainly seems to me: at first your mother-in-law argues that there they will not accept him again — and how can she let him be in the diaspora? But now — that their precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine, himself wrote that he should come there with a Turkish passport — I do not understand why she is delaying. דארטן וועט אי"ה זיין מער לייט פון איהם ווי דא [Yiddish: "there — G-d willing — there will be more people of his caliber than here"] — but I do not know whether now one can still travel — and where will he have the travel expenses? But she has no counsel except to be in the diaspora. And if they will listen to me — I very much agree — for here he is greatly disgraced — and there he will be turned into a different person. For in front of the crude and unrefined young people [בני הנעורים פראסטאקיס — prostakes — Yiddish-Russian: crude, coarse, unrefined people; from Russian prostoy — simple, rough; a Yiddish code-switch for coarse and unlearned people] here in Eretz Yisroel there is no purpose at all. But I do not know how your co-parent-in-law, our beloved, may his candle shine, can travel because of his legal matter. Therefore write to me the manner of this — and also what is this that at first you wrote to me that it is going well with the legal matter — and now you write to me that every day he becomes more deeply in debt? And I have greatly asked you to reply to me on every matter carefully — for at first you wrote to me about the proceedings — and I wrote to you again — and you did not reply again — and several other matters as well. And in the letter from last week I wrote to you that I have no appetite for eating — therefore it seems to me that if there were herring I would eat. And I asked of you to say to my friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — and he would send me some — perhaps I will sustain myself. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in fact, Nussun from Breslov Undated — winter 5641. Still in recovery. The city recited the blessing of resurrection over him. A Kabbalistic teaching on studying new teachings restoring livelihood. Advice about Nachman. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן There has come here from our city — from Breslov — one by the name of Reb Abba — and the wife of Reb Chaim Krish knows him — and he is a proper man who loved me like a brother — and used to send me money here every year. And he at first sat in Yerushalayim — but he specifically wanted to sit together with me. And in the end — what did Hashem Yisbarach Who sits in the heights and watches over those below do? — He fell ill in the city of Jaffa, may it be established, with the fever — and was detained there three weeks — and a doctor gave him his remedies — and he recovered. And he traveled by sea to Haifa — and from Haifa he traveled on a donkey to here. And he is a man who has a large hernia — and because of his riding on the donkey — every limb was jolted — and the hernia greatly worsened — and his entire body fell ill. And he came here in this miserable condition. And for six weeks he has been confined to bed — and his legs swelled greatly. And he asked of me — since he has a prescription for mastic — to anoint his legs — and in Jaffa they anointed his legs with it and they rested from their swelling — and here it is not available. To ask of his acquaintance in Tzfas — may it be established — for the sake of a great mitzvah. Therefore I ask of you my friend and my beloved — do this for the sake of the mitzvah and for my sake — to go with the prescription to Reb Aharon Yosef, may his candle shine — and to ask of him also for the sake of the mitzvah — that he give him this mastic. And if possible he has also some other ointment that is good for swelling — let him give that too. And pay him whatever the cost — and formally present it to my account — and send it quickly — on the second carriage — for this is a matter of life-saving urgency — for it is impossible for him to be without it — and he fears lest it crush and force itself, G-d forbid, into the abdomen [למעך לבטן — "to crush into the abdomen" — me'ach — to crush, to press, to mash; the medical fear of a strangulated hernia: the hernia contents being crushed and forced back into the abdominal cavity — an extremely dangerous, life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention]. And send it — and give to the donkey-driver — and here he will pay him his fee — whatever you write to give him. And write a letter — how much the mastic cost together with the carriage fee — from the letter I am sending you now — and I will collect here. And also send the prescription back to me enclosed in the letter. And you will fulfill in this what Rabbainu ז"ל said in the Torah Chosam b'soch chosam — that the body must serve the soul through commandments of deed. And write to me also whether you received the letter I sent to you through your co-parent-in-law Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And the letter with the prescription — seal them with a wrapper. And from my health — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — little by little my limbs are being strengthened. And G-d willing when we meet together — I will tell you what this man Reb Abba did for me now — and you will be astounded. And strengthen yourself as well [ותח' עצמך ג"כ — "and strengthen yourself as well" — abbreviation of v'titchazek atzmecha — from chazak — to be strong, to strengthen; an active strengthening and fortifying of oneself, not merely guarding]. And in the open — it is impossible to write [ועל פני השדה א"א לכתוב — "and publicly / in the open it is impossible to write" — the idiomatic meaning: there are things that cannot be written openly in a letter; they must be spoken in person; al pnei ha'sadeh — "on the face of the field" — the exposed, open, public surface; what is written in a letter is exposed to anyone who reads it]. Therefore do in this as if for my own sake — only may Hashem Yisbarach guard us from all illnesses — and particularly from this illness — may the Merciful One protect us. And greetings of peace to your dear co-parent-in-law, our beloved, Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — and to your dear brother, our beloved, the wondrous and exceptional, the veteran Chassid — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son the groom, the wise one, the complete one — the honor of our teacher Reb Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — with strong love — such that great waters cannot extinguish the love — for we are bound to the tree which has three roots. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Written Wednesday, Parshas Shemos, 5641, from Teverya. An urgent request for mastic ointment for a gravely ill Breslover. The writer's health slowly improving. What cannot be written in the open. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן But this I tell you — my beloved brothers: from the day I rose from my great illness — there is no day that I do not have some other ailment. And I attribute everything to the quinine that they gave me. And every night I sweat — which draws out all my strength. And I had several times constipation of four days. And I have no strength in my legs even to stand for one hour. And I cannot walk in the house even for a quarter of a quarter of an hour. And I have no appetite at all for eating — and everything I eat under pressure — I fear lest eating excessively work against me. But for everything I have trust that Hashem Yisbarach will set everything right. But from Tuesday past the fever has gripped me every day — may the Merciful One protect us — toward evening — and I tremble for approximately two full hours — and then a heat is born in me beyond all reckoning — and because of this I cannot sleep — and my mind is confused. And nearly day and night I concentrate and contract all my brain into prayer and supplication [מצמצם מחי בתפילה ובתחנונים — "I contract and concentrate my brain in prayer and supplication" — from tzimtzum — contraction and concentration; the Kabbalistic term for the primal divine contraction; here: the writer focuses all mental energy, concentrating and compressing his very brain into prayer — an intense, total focusing of his intellect into the act of prayer]. And I know and believe: "in distress You have relieved me." In any case — by day I study blessed be G-d — a little at a time. And I ask of you — and of our friends, my truly beloved ones, Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizik, may his candle shine — and also Reb Henech, may his candle shine — that you go on my behalf to the resting place of the holy Ari — and to the resting place of my father ז"ל — and all the Anash — to pray for me — and to awaken the divine mercies on my behalf in prayer and supplication — that there be an end and a conclusion to all our troubles. For I have many words to write to you — to give life to your souls. For during my illness — my main study is the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for I study only one hour — a little of the Five Books with Rashi — and beyond that — as much as I have the strength — I study the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and Psalms and prayers. And this is my main life-force. But what can I do, my brothers my friends — that I have no strength to bring it from potential into actual? And G-d willing when Hashem Yisbarach helps me and I am in full strength — surely we will speak together G-d willing. And regarding the money — G-d willing when it comes into your hand — take for yourself half the money against your debt. And the remainder send to me — although I am now in a time of need — but even so — your debt weighs very heavily upon my head. And also the money of Reb Shmuel Henech — send that too immediately — and do not wait for a receipt. And know that Reb Shmuel Henech does kindness with me constantly — and goes every day to visit me. And also — perhaps there will be letters for Reb Shmuel Henech — send them to his hand immediately — for it will be considered a great mitzvah. And also write about my truly beloved Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — from where he draws sustenance — to give life to his soul — for he lies resting upon my head at all times. And also I asked to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — perhaps he has herring — and let him send me two or three. More there is not to write — only life for you and for us. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Tuesday, Parshas Vayechi, 5641, from Teverya — nine weeks into the illness. A new fever cycle every evening. Day and night the writer concentrates his brain into prayer. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # צג URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/93/ צג צג Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/93 Segment 1 HE: לכבוד ידידי עז או"נ ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו נ"י EN: In the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who bestowed upon us every good and saved me from several life-threatening illnesses that I had — as nearly the entire city who saw me were reciting the blessing of resurrection of the dead over me — and Hashem Yisbarach helped me with His abundant mercies — so may He help all the sick of His people Israel quickly and soon. And even so — I still have no strength at all in any limb — and every limb is broken in me. And I cannot stand on my feet for even a quarter of an hour continuously. And to walk as well — I cannot even to my mother's house, may she live — who is also lying ill — and I cannot go to her to visit her. But I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach Who has begun with a good beginning — surely G-d willing everything will be completed G-d willing for good. Segment 2 HE: בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר גמלנו כל טוב והציל אותי מכמה חולאת המסכן אשר היו לי אשר כמעט כל העיר אשר ראו אותי מברכין מחיה מתים עלי והשי"ת עזר לי ברחמיו המרבין כן יעזור לכל חולי עמו ישראל חיש מהר ואעפ"כ עדין אין לי שום כח בשום אבר וכל האברים נשברים אצלי ואיני יכול לעמד על הרגלים אפילו רבע שעה כסדר ולילך ג"כ אין אני יכול אפילו לבית אמי תח' שהיא מנחת ג"כ חולה ואיני יכול לילך אצלה לבקרה רק אני בטוח בהשי"ת שהתחיל בהתחלה טובה בודאי אי"ה הכל יגמר אי"ה בטוב EN: And I will ask of Hashem Yisbarach — and also of you I ask — to give thanks — and to cry out on my behalf for the completion of the salvation. For Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth — that even in the midst of my great weakness I did not forget you from praying on your behalf. For you are engraved in my brain and in my inner awareness and in the walls of my heart. And the financial straits of our friend Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine, does not depart from my thoughts — for I know that his brain is too small to trust in Hashem Yisbarach with great trust. [שמחו קטן לבטח בהשי"ת — "his brain is small — to trust in Hashem Yisbarach" — mocho katan — literally his brain, the specific organ of intellect and da'as; a small brain here means a limited capacity to hold the trust and inner awareness that faith requires; the brain as the instrument of trust] And now he gave me life with his letter — and alludes even within the Torah — for "when He has mercy upon them, He leads them" — when one studies the new teachings from the true Tzaddik — then kingship returns to the hands of wisdom — and she receives her livelihood. And today I studied the Laws of Blood, law 1 — look there and you will find repose for your souls. Segment 3 HE: ואני אבקש להשי"ת וגם אתכם אני מבקש לתן תודה ולצעק עבורי על גמר הישועה כי השי"ת יודע האמת שאפילו בתוך חלשתי הגדולה לא שכחתי אתכם מלהתפלל בעדכם כי אתם חקוקים במחי ובדעתי ובקירות לבבי והדחקות של ידידנו ר' איזיקלע נ"י אינו זז ממחשבתי כי ידעתי שמחו קטן לבטח בהשי"ת בבטחון גדול ועתה החיה אותי במכתבו ומרמז אפילו בהתורה כי מרחמם ינהגם" כשלומדים החדושים מהצדיק האמת אזי חוזרת המלכות לידים החכמה ומקבלת פרנסה והיום למדתי הלכות דם הלכה א' תעינו שם ותמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם EN: Regarding the money that our precious friend, the beloved of our soul, sent to us — I do not know the explanation — whether he sent it by post — where is it? — for it is three weeks already since you received a letter from me that he sent the money. Segment 4 HE: אודות המעות ששלח לנו ידידנו היקר אהב נפשנו אין אני יודע הפרוש אם שלח על הפאסט היכן הוא הלא זה שלשה שבועות שקבלת מכתב ממני ששלח המעות EN: And also regarding what you wrote about Nachman — the son of your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — it certainly seems to me: at first your mother-in-law argues that there they will not accept him again — and how can she let him be in the diaspora? But now — that their precious son Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine, himself wrote that he should come there with a Turkish passport — I do not understand why she is delaying. דארטן וועט אי"ה זיין מער לייט פון איהם ווי דא [Yiddish: "there — G-d willing — there will be more people of his caliber than here"] — but I do not know whether now one can still travel — and where will he have the travel expenses? But she has no counsel except to be in the diaspora. And if they will listen to me — I very much agree — for here he is greatly disgraced — and there he will be turned into a different person. For in front of the crude and unrefined young people [בני הנעורים פראסטאקיס — prostakes — Yiddish-Russian: crude, coarse, unrefined people; from Russian prostoy — simple, rough; a Yiddish code-switch for coarse and unlearned people] here in Eretz Yisroel there is no purpose at all. But I do not know how your co-parent-in-law, our beloved, may his candle shine, can travel because of his legal matter. Therefore write to me the manner of this — and also what is this that at first you wrote to me that it is going well with the legal matter — and now you write to me that every day he becomes more deeply in debt? Segment 5 HE: וגם אודות מה שכתבת אודות נחמן בן חמיך נ"י בודאי נראה בעיני כי מתחלה טוענת חמותך ששם לא יקבלו אותו שוב ואיך היא יכולה להניח אותו בחו"ל אבל עתה שבנם היקר מו"ה משה נ"י בעצמו כתב שיבא לשם עם פאשפארט טערקישע אין אני מבין מפני מה היא מעכבת דארטן וועט אי"ה זיין מער לייט פון איהם ווי דא אך איני יודע אם עתה עוד יכולין לסע והיכן יש לו הוצאות אבל אין עצה לפניה כי אם להיות בחו"ל ואם הם ישמעו לי אני מסכים מאד כי בכאן הוא מבזה מאד ושם יהיה נתהפך לאיש אחר כי לפני בני הנעורים פראסטאקיס אין א"י שום תכלית אך אין אני יודע איך חמיך או"נ נ"י יכול לסע מחמת הגראלנע שלו ע"כ תכתבו לי האפן בזה וגם מה זה שבתחלה כתבת לי שעולה יפה בהגראלנע ועתה אתה כתב לי שבכל יום הוא נעשה בע"ח יותר EN: And I have greatly asked you to reply to me on every matter carefully — for at first you wrote to me about the proceedings — and I wrote to you again — and you did not reply again — and several other matters as well. And in the letter from last week I wrote to you that I have no appetite for eating — therefore it seems to me that if there were herring I would eat. And I asked of you to say to my friend Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — and he would send me some — perhaps I will sustain myself. Segment 6 HE: ומאד בקשתי להשיב לי על כל דבר במתינות כי מתחלה כתבת לי מכח הקאנצילאטין וכתבתי לך עוד הפעם ולא השבת לי עוד ועוד כמה דברים ובמכתב משבוע שעבר כתבתי לך שאין לי אפטיט לאכילה ע"כ נראה לי שאם היה הערינג אכלתי ובקשתי ממך שתאמר לידידי ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל והוא ישלח לי אפשר אחיה את עצמי EN: Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in fact, Nussun from Breslov Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבכם באמת לאמתו EN: Undated — winter 5641. Still in recovery. The city recited the blessing of resurrection over him. A Kabbalistic teaching on studying new teachings restoring livelihood. Advice about Nachman. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # צד URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/94/ צד צד Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/94 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ד' שמות תרמ"א פה טבריא תו"ת EN: There has come here from our city — from Breslov — one by the name of Reb Abba — and the wife of Reb Chaim Krish knows him — and he is a proper man who loved me like a brother — and used to send me money here every year. And he at first sat in Yerushalayim — but he specifically wanted to sit together with me. And in the end — what did Hashem Yisbarach Who sits in the heights and watches over those below do? — He fell ill in the city of Jaffa, may it be established, with the fever — and was detained there three weeks — and a doctor gave him his remedies — and he recovered. And he traveled by sea to Haifa — and from Haifa he traveled on a donkey to here. And he is a man who has a large hernia — and because of his riding on the donkey — every limb was jolted — and the hernia greatly worsened — and his entire body fell ill. And he came here in this miserable condition. And for six weeks he has been confined to bed — and his legs swelled greatly. And he asked of me — since he has a prescription for mastic — to anoint his legs — and in Jaffa they anointed his legs with it and they rested from their swelling — and here it is not available. To ask of his acquaintance in Tzfas — may it be established — for the sake of a great mitzvah. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי היקר המפלא וכו' וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: Therefore I ask of you my friend and my beloved — do this for the sake of the mitzvah and for my sake — to go with the prescription to Reb Aharon Yosef, may his candle shine — and to ask of him also for the sake of the mitzvah — that he give him this mastic. And if possible he has also some other ointment that is good for swelling — let him give that too. And pay him whatever the cost — and formally present it to my account — and send it quickly — on the second carriage — for this is a matter of life-saving urgency — for it is impossible for him to be without it — and he fears lest it crush and force itself, G-d forbid, into the abdomen [למעך לבטן — "to crush into the abdomen" — me'ach — to crush, to press, to mash; the medical fear of a strangulated hernia: the hernia contents being crushed and forced back into the abdominal cavity — an extremely dangerous, life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention]. And send it — and give to the donkey-driver — and here he will pay him his fee — whatever you write to give him. And write a letter — how much the mastic cost together with the carriage fee — from the letter I am sending you now — and I will collect here. And also send the prescription back to me enclosed in the letter. And you will fulfill in this what Rabbainu ז"ל said in the Torah Chosam b'soch chosam — that the body must serve the soul through commandments of deed. And write to me also whether you received the letter I sent to you through your co-parent-in-law Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And the letter with the prescription — seal them with a wrapper. Segment 3 HE: הנה איך שבכאן בא אחד מעירנו מברסלב ושמו ר' אבא כ"מ ואשת ר' חיים קר"ש מכירה אותו והוא איש כשר ואהב אותי כאח והיה שולח לי בכל שנה מעות לכאן והוא בתחלה ישב בירושלים אך דוקא רצה לישב עמי ביחד ולבסוף מה עשה השי"ת היושב במרומים ומשגיח התחתונים ונחלה בעיר יפו תו"ת על הפיבער ונתעכב בשם שלשה שבועות ונתן לו דאקטיר מרפואותיו והבריא ונסע על הים לחיפה ומחיפה נסע על החמור לכאן והוא איש אשר יש לו שבר גדול ומחמת רכיבתו על החמור הזיז כל האברים וגם השבר מאד ונחלה כל גופו ובא לכאן מסכן מזה וזה ששה שבועות אשר הוא מוטל למשכב ונפחו רגליו מאד ובקש מאתי איך שיש לו ריצעפט על מאסטין למשח רגליו וביפו משח בהם רגליו ונחו מנפיחתם ובכאן אינו בנמצא לבקש מאת מכירו בצפת תו"ת למצוה גדולה EN: And from my health — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — little by little my limbs are being strengthened. And G-d willing when we meet together — I will tell you what this man Reb Abba did for me now — and you will be astounded. And strengthen yourself as well [ותח' עצמך ג"כ — "and strengthen yourself as well" — abbreviation of v'titchazek atzmecha — from chazak — to be strong, to strengthen; an active strengthening and fortifying of oneself, not merely guarding]. And in the open — it is impossible to write [ועל פני השדה א"א לכתוב — "and publicly / in the open it is impossible to write" — the idiomatic meaning: there are things that cannot be written openly in a letter; they must be spoken in person; al pnei ha'sadeh — "on the face of the field" — the exposed, open, public surface; what is written in a letter is exposed to anyone who reads it]. Therefore do in this as if for my own sake — only may Hashem Yisbarach guard us from all illnesses — and particularly from this illness — may the Merciful One protect us. Segment 4 HE: ע"כ אני מבקש ממך ידידי ואהובי שתעשו למען המצוה ולמעני לילך עם הריצעפט לר' אהרן יוסף נ"י ולבקש מאתו ג"כ למען המצוה שיתן לו המאסטין האלו ואם אפשר יש לו עוד איזה מאסט אשר טוב לנפיחה יתן ג"כ ותשלם לו כמה שיעלה ותציג לחשבוני ותשלח חיש מהר על שירא שניה כי זה פקוח נפש כי א"א לו להיות בלא זה ומתירא שלא יעלה ח"ו למעך לבטן ותשלח ותתן להמיקער ובכאן ישלם לו שכר טרחא כמה שתכתב לתן לו ותכתב מכתב כמה שעלה המאסטין עם שכר טרחא מהמכתב שאני שולח לך עתה ואגבה בכאן וגם הריצעפט תשלח לי בחזרה רצוף בהמכתב ותקים בזה מה שאמר רבנו ז"ל בהתורה חותם בתוך חותם שהגוף צריך לשמש להנשמה במצות מעשיות ותכתב לי ג"כ אם קבלת המכתב ששלחתי לכם ע"י מחתנכם ר' חיים יהושע נ"י והמכתב עם הריצעפט תחתם אותם עם בלעטל EN: And greetings of peace to your dear co-parent-in-law, our beloved, Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — and to your dear brother, our beloved, the wondrous and exceptional, the veteran Chassid — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son the groom, the wise one, the complete one — the honor of our teacher Reb Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — with strong love — such that great waters cannot extinguish the love — for we are bound to the tree which has three roots. Words of one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: ומבריאותי ב"ה ב"ה מעט מעט נתחזקו האברים שלי ואי"ה כשנתועד יחד אספר לך מה שעשה לי זה האיש ר' אבא הנ"ל עתה ותח' עצמך ג"כ ועל פני השדה א"א לכתוב ע"כ תעשה בזה כמו למעני רק השי"ת ישמר אותנו מכל החולאת ובפרט מחלי זה ר"ל EN: Written Wednesday, Parshas Shemos, 5641, from Teverya. An urgent request for mastic ointment for a gravely ill Breslover. The writer's health slowly improving. What cannot be written in the open. Segment 6 HE: ופב"ש לחמיך היקר או"נ ר' שמואל נ"י ולאחיך היקר או"נ המפלא ומפלג ותיק וחסיד כש"ת מו"ה סענדיר נ"י עם שלום בנו החתן החכם המשלם כבוד מורנו ר' אברהם אליעזור נ"י באהבה עזה אשר מים רבים לא יוכלו לכבות את האהבה כי אנו נקשרים בהאילן אשר יש לו שלשה שרשים EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת ובתמים EN: Letter 92 | צב (Tzaddik-Beis) 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 92 Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 92 # צה URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/95/ צה צה Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/95 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' וארא שנת תרמ"א פה טבריא EN: My friend, my truly beloved — as I sent you a letter — and within it was enclosed the prescription — and I asked of you to rouse yourself with alacrity [לזרז עצמך — "to rouse yourself with alacrity and zealous swiftness" — from zerizus — alacrity, the eager and swift performance of a commandment without delay; one of the foundational virtues in Mussar and Chassidic thought; the opposite of sluggishness in commandments] for a great mitzvah which is a life-saving matter — and in the end there was now a wagon — and you did not send with them. Therefore I ask of you once more — to rouse yourself with alacrity and send quickly all the matters that I wrote to you in the letter — and also to send the prescription back to me in return. And do not let a commandment appear trivial in your eyes — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple wanted us to engage in practical commandments of deed — specifically with our bodies. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ המפלא וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום כל ב"ב ובפרט לבנו סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: And I come to arouse myself and also arouse you — for the sake of Hashem — engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For in every single study and study we see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and how they labor for our benefit forever and into eternities. For whoever studies them — it is impossible that some good quality not cleave to him with the cleaving of dveikus [שלא ידבק בו — "that does not cleave to him" — from davak — the cleaving of dveikus; the same root as the Chassidic ideal of cleaving to G-d; the good quality clings and attaches itself to the learner as a spiritual adhesion] — or at least some good point — for it is no empty word — the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And we must believe in them — in every single utterance — that it performed for us some good — in the physical and in the spiritual. For the sake of Hashem — do not be lazy about writing me some letters. Segment 3 HE: ידידי אהבי באמת איך שאני שלחתי לך מכתב והיה רצוף בו ריצעפט ובקשתי ממך לזרז עצמך במצוה גדולה שהיא פקוח נפש ולבסוף היה עתה שירא ולא שלחתם עמם ע"כ אבקש ממך עוד הפעם לזרז עצמך לשלח חיש מהר כל הדברים שכתבתי לך בהמכתב וגם הריצעפט לשלח לי בחזרה ואל תהיה מצוה קלה בעיניך כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' רצו שאנו נעסק במצות מעשיות בגופנו דיקא EN: And greetings of peace to my friend, our beloved in truth, the veteran Chassid, Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine — together with peace upon our beloved Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and your co-parent-in-law, our beloved in truth, Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine — and your dear precious brother, the wondrous one, Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — and to the patron Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine — and Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — and together with peace upon all the young men — and together with peace upon all the Anash. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Segment 4 HE: ובאתי לעורר עצמי וגם אתכם למען ה' תעסקו בספרי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי בכל למוד ולמוד אנו ראין גדלת רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואיך הם עוסקים בטובתנו לנצח נצחים כי מי שלומד אותם א"א שלא ידבק בו איזה מדה טובה ו עכ"פ איזה נקדה טובה כי לא דבר רק הוא דברי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' ואנו צריכין להאמין בהם בכל דבור ודבור שהוא עשה לנו איזה טובה בגשמיות וברוחניות למען ה' אל תעצלו לכתוב לי איזה מכתבים EN: Written Monday, Parshas Vaera, 5641 (January 1881), from Teverya. A rebuke — the mastic was not sent. Rouse yourself with zerizus. Every word of Rabbainu ז"ל performs a good. Segment 5 HE: ופב"ש לידידי או"נ באמת ותיק וחסיד מו"ה נחמן נ"י עם שלום או"נ ר' דב נ"י וחמיך או"נ באמת מו"ה שמואל נ"י ואחיך היקר המפלא מו"ה סענדיר נ"י עם שלום בנו אברהם אליעזור נ"י ובשלום הנגיד ר' חיים קר"ש נ"י ור' יעקב נ"י ור' איזיקלע נ"י ובשלום כל בני הנעורים ובשלום כל אנ"ש EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 6 HE: ידידך EN: I received from your co-parent-in-law the sum of ninety-five groshen — and you wrote ninety-seven — and also I received the mastic — and also to say to Reb Aizik that he should not travel now — for I am still not fully in good health. G-d willing on the Shabbos Shirah — if it is the will of the Creator, may He be blessed — then he may come. And beyond this — the precious guest with me — Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with his son — I have no place to lay them down at night — for my house is small. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: And also to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — that he sent the prik here — and wrote that my sister should sell one — and my sister, may she live, has had the fever now for ten days — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — and also on my mother who for six weeks has been weak and faint. And likewise he did not write the price — how to sell. Segment 8 HE: זוג' ואחותי שיחיו פורסים בשלום חמותך תח' ושלום זוג' תח' EN: My friend, my truly beloved — as I sent you a letter — and within it was enclosed the prescription — and I asked of you to rouse yourself with alacrity [לזרז עצמך — "to rouse yourself with alacrity and zealous swiftness" — from zerizus — alacrity, the eager and swift performance of a commandment without delay; one of the foundational virtues in Mussar and Chassidic thought; the opposite of sluggishness in commandments] for a great mitzvah which is a life-saving matter — and in the end there was now a wagon — and you did not send with them. Therefore I ask of you once more — to rouse yourself with alacrity and send quickly all the matters that I wrote to you in the letter — and also to send the prescription back to me in return. And do not let a commandment appear trivial in your eyes — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple wanted us to engage in practical commandments of deed — specifically with our bodies. And I come to arouse myself and also arouse you — for the sake of Hashem — engage in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. For in every single study and study we see the greatness of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and how they labor for our benefit forever and into eternities. For whoever studies them — it is impossible that some good quality not cleave to him with the cleaving of dveikus [שלא ידבק בו — "that does not cleave to him" — from davak — the cleaving of dveikus; the same root as the Chassidic ideal of cleaving to G-d; the good quality clings and attaches itself to the learner as a spiritual adhesion] — or at least some good point — for it is no empty word — the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. And we must believe in them — in every single utterance — that it performed for us some good — in the physical and in the spiritual. For the sake of Hashem — do not be lazy about writing me some letters. I received from your co-parent-in-law the sum of ninety-five groshen — and you wrote ninety-seven — and also I received the mastic — and also to say to Reb Aizik that he should not travel now — for I am still not fully in good health. G-d willing on the Shabbos Shirah — if it is the will of the Creator, may He be blessed — then he may come. And beyond this — the precious guest with me — Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with his son — I have no place to lay them down at night — for my house is small. And also to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — that he sent the prik here — and wrote that my sister should sell one — and my sister, may she live, has had the fever now for ten days — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — and also on my mother who for six weeks has been weak and faint. And likewise he did not write the price — how to sell. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — and tell him that I ask of him not to be obstinate and hardheaded. [עקשן — ikashan — one who is stubbornly obstinate, who twists and refuses to yield; from akash — crooked, twisted, perverse; a character trait of hardheaded refusal] And in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — may he lengthen his days and good years. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Vaera, 5641 (January 1881), from Teverya. The mastic arrived but two groshen short. Reb Aizik to wait until Shabbos Shirah. The sister has fever. The mother weak for six weeks. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן My sister, may she live, is sending seven groshen to Tzfas, may it be established — to be distributed with the hand-deliverer of this letter [המוסר כתב זה — "the hand-deliverer of this letter" — ha'moseir — the designated person who personally delivers from hand to hand; the same specific term as in Letters 71 and 97; not a general postal carrier but the one who personally passes it] — for she is not in good health. And give from this money two groshen to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and two groshen to Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine, and his son, may his candle shine — and one groshen to Reb Meir, may his candle shine — and one groshen to the wife of Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — and one groshen to the wife of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל. And I have asked to pray for her — for she is a proper woman — and she is also one of the people of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — like a Chassid in every sense. And beyond this — my mother, may she live, has been ill for six weeks — and she must attend to her as to a sick person. Therefore arouse great mercies for them. And also — I — blessed be G-d — every day my limbs are being strengthened. Only may Hashem Yisbarach grant that the legs strengthen quickly and soon — so that I can go to the mikveh and to the house of study to pray in public congregation. Although I hear Kedushah and Barchu every day — I fulfill the obligation of "he who performs but does not go" — and I want to fulfill "he who goes and performs." And Rabbainu ז"ל wanted us to perform practical commandments of deed with our bodies. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov The above-mentioned Nussun. My wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, convey greetings of peace to your wife, may she live, and your mother-in-law, may she live, and your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Written Thursday, Parshas Bo, 5641 (late January 1881), from Teverya. The sister's charitable distribution. The writer longs to go to synagogue and fulfill the commandment with his body. The prik returned unsold amid mockery. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And greetings of peace to my friend, our beloved in truth, the veteran Chassid, Morainu v'Rabbainu Nachman, may his candle shine — together with peace upon our beloved Reb Dov, may his candle shine — and your co-parent-in-law, our beloved in truth, Morainu v'Rabbainu Shmuel, may his candle shine — and your dear precious brother, the wondrous one, Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his son Avraham Eliezer, may his candle shine — and to the patron Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine — and Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — and Reb Aizikl, may his candle shine — and together with peace upon all the young men — and together with peace upon all the Anash. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Vaera, 5641 (January 1881), from Teverya. A rebuke — the mastic was not sent. Rouse yourself with zerizus. Every word of Rabbainu ז"ל performs a good. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # צו URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/96/ צו צו Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/96 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ו' עש"ק וארא פעה"ק טבריא לכבוד ידידי או"נ מו"ה נתן נ"י הנה קבלתי מחמיך סך תשעים וחמש גר' ואתה כתב תשעים ושבע וגם המאסט קבלתי וגם לומר לר' איזיק שלא יסע עתה כי עתה עדין איני בקו הבריאה בשלמות אי"ה על שבת שירה אם יהיה רצון הבורא יתברך אזי יבא וחוץ מזה האורח היקר אצלי ר' שמואל נ"י עם בנו אין לי מקום להשכיב אותם בלילה כי ביתי קטן וגם לומר לר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ששלח לכאן הפריק וכתב שאחותי תמכר אחד ואחותי תח' יש לה זה עשרה ימים הפיבער השי"ת ירחם עליה ועל אמי שזה ששה שבועות שהיא חלשה וכמו כן לא כתב מקח איך למכר והשי"ת ישלח רפואה שלמה לבנך סענדיר חיים נ"י ותאמר לו שאני מבקש אותו שלא יהיה עקשן ובזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' יאריך ימים ושנים טובים דברי אוהבך נתן מברסלב EN: I received from your co-parent-in-law the sum of ninety-five groshen — and you wrote ninety-seven — and also I received the mastic — and also to say to Reb Aizik that he should not travel now — for I am still not fully in good health. G-d willing on the Shabbos Shirah — if it is the will of the Creator, may He be blessed — then he may come. And beyond this — the precious guest with me — Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine — together with his son — I have no place to lay them down at night — for my house is small. And also to say to Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — that he sent the prik here — and wrote that my sister should sell one — and my sister, may she live, has had the fever now for ten days — may Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her — and also on my mother who for six weeks has been weak and faint. And likewise he did not write the price — how to sell. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine — and tell him that I ask of him not to be obstinate and hardheaded. [עקשן — ikashan — one who is stubbornly obstinate, who twists and refuses to yield; from akash — crooked, twisted, perverse; a character trait of hardheaded refusal] And in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — may he lengthen his days and good years. Words of one who loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Vaera, 5641 (January 1881), from Teverya. The mastic arrived but two groshen short. Reb Aizik to wait until Shabbos Shirah. The sister has fever. The mother weak for six weeks. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן # צז URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/97/ צז צז Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/97 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ה' בא תרמ"א לפ"ק פה טבריא EN: My sister, may she live, is sending seven groshen to Tzfas, may it be established — to be distributed with the hand-deliverer of this letter [המוסר כתב זה — "the hand-deliverer of this letter" — ha'moseir — the designated person who personally delivers from hand to hand; the same specific term as in Letters 71 and 97; not a general postal carrier but the one who personally passes it] — for she is not in good health. And give from this money two groshen to Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and two groshen to Reb Yoel Hirsh, may his candle shine, and his son, may his candle shine — and one groshen to Reb Meir, may his candle shine — and one groshen to the wife of Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — and one groshen to the wife of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל. And I have asked to pray for her — for she is a proper woman — and she is also one of the people of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — like a Chassid in every sense. And beyond this — my mother, may she live, has been ill for six weeks — and she must attend to her as to a sick person. Therefore arouse great mercies for them. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ הלא הוא המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום זוג' ובנו שיחיו EN: And also — I — blessed be G-d — every day my limbs are being strengthened. Only may Hashem Yisbarach grant that the legs strengthen quickly and soon — so that I can go to the mikveh and to the house of study to pray in public congregation. Although I hear Kedushah and Barchu every day — I fulfill the obligation of "he who performs but does not go" — and I want to fulfill "he who goes and performs." And Rabbainu ז"ל wanted us to perform practical commandments of deed with our bodies. Segment 3 HE: הנה אחותי תח' שולחת שבעה גר' מעות צפת תו"ת לחלק עם המוסר כתב זה כי היא אינה בקו הבריאה ותתן מזה המעות שני גר' לר' איזיק נ"י ושני גר' לר' יואל הירש נ"י ובנו נ"י ואחד גר' לר' מאיר נ"י ואחד גר' לאשת ר' יוסף נ"י ואחד גר' לאשת ר"י ז"ל ובקשתי להתפלל עליה כי היא אשה כשרה וגם היא מאנשי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כמו חסיד ממש וחוץ מזה שאמי תח' היא חולה זה ששה שבועות והיא צריכה לילך אצלה כמו אצל החולה ע"כ תעוררו עליהם רחמים גדולים EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Segment 4 HE: וגם אני ב"ה בכל יום נתחזקו האברים רק השי"ת יתן שיתחזקו הרגלים חיש מהר בכדי שאוכל לילך למקוה ולביהמ"ד להתפלל בצבור הגם שאני שומע בכל יום קדשה וברכו אני מקים עשה ואינו הולך ואני רוצה לקים הולך ועשה ורבנו ז"ל רצה שנעשה בגופנו מצות מעשיות EN: Your friend, one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 5 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 6 HE: ידידך אוהבך באמת EN: My wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, convey greetings of peace to your wife, may she live, and your mother-in-law, may she live, and your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Segment 7 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Thursday, Parshas Bo, 5641 (late January 1881), from Teverya. The sister's charitable distribution. The writer longs to go to synagogue and fulfill the commandment with his body. The prik returned unsold amid mockery. Segment 8 HE: ופב"ש לכל אנ"ש וגם לידידי או"נ ר' נתן נ"י בן ר"י ז"ל ולומר לו שאני שולח לו הפריק בחזרה כי זוג' תח' הלכה בכל המקומות ואינם רוצים לקנות ושחקו למי צריך עתה פריק EN: The above-mentioned Nussun. Segment 9 HE: נתן הנ"ל EN: Letter 95 | צה (Tzaddik-Hey) Segment 10 HE: זוג' תח' ואחותי תח' פורסים בשלום זוג' תח' וחמותך תח' ובנך סענדיר חיים נ"י EN: My wife, may she live, and my sister, may she live, convey greetings of peace to your wife, may she live, and your mother-in-law, may she live, and your son Sender Chaim, may his candle shine. Written Thursday, Parshas Bo, 5641 (late January 1881), from Teverya. The sister's charitable distribution. The writer longs to go to synagogue and fulfill the commandment with his body. The prik returned unsold amid mockery. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן 📜 Translator's Summary — Letter 95 # צח URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/98/ צח צח Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/98 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה יום ב' יתרו סופי תבות מישנ'י אדמ'ת עפ'ר יקיצ'ו שנת תרמ"א פה טבריא תו"ת EN: I am informing you that I received the money sent to me from Yerushalayim — the sum of four rubles pozit — made from this money the sum of two Meizhides together with the zibener — money of Tzfas, may it be established — through the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Ze'ev Ber Babis, may his candle shine — who brought it to me himself directly to my home. And also the money you sent me through Reb Yochanan, may his candle shine — I received in full according to your letter — and thanks returning to you for sending it immediately — for I now need at all times to sustain my soul — to maintain my good health — so that I can engage in Torah and in prayer. And I still cannot go to the house of study and stand for the prayer of the eighteen blessings — but I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely help me and everything will be properly set aright — only one must still wait and ask Him, may He be blessed — and then G-d willing the salvation will come in wholeness. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד אהבי שליח מצוה להחיות הלא הוא ותיק וחסיד המפלא מו"ה נתן נ"י EN: And my wife — blessed be G-d — the fever — may His name be blessed — she has none of it — without any remedies. But for three weeks she has fallen upon the crisis — and she has very great pain. Therefore pray for her — for she is the foundational root and anchor of the household [עקרת הבית — "the foundational root of the household" — from ikar — the essential root, the fundamental; the woman who is the foundational pillar and root of the home; more than merely its "mainstay"] — and she is compelled to serve me — for my strength is still not complete. And I have another request of you: as I received a letter from my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine — and he wrote there that he gave your father, may his candle shine, three rubles on my behalf — therefore if you write a letter to your father — write to him that he should command you to give me the above-mentioned money on his behalf. Segment 3 HE: הנה מודיע לך שקבלתי המעות הנשלח לי מירושלים סך ארבעה רו"ח פזיט הנעשה מאלו המעות סך שני מז'ידעס עם הזיבינער מעות צפת תו"ת ע"י הרב ותיק וחסיד מו"ה ר' זאב בער באביס נ"י אשר הוא הביאו לי בעצמו לביתי וגם המעות אשר שלחת לי ע"י ר' יוחנן נ"י קבלתי בשלמות כפי מכתבך ות"ח לך ששלחת לי תכף כי עתה אני צריך בכל עת להחיות נפשי להחזיק בריאותי הטוב בכדי שאוכל לעסק בתורה ובתפילה ועדין אין אני יכול לילך לביהמ"ד ולעמד תפילת 18 רק בטוח אני בהשי"ת שבודאי יעזור לי שיהיה הכל על נכון רק שצריכין עוד להמתין ולבקש אותו יתברך ואז אי"ה יהיה הישועה בשלמות EN: And also I ask of you to write to me whether you received my letter that I sent to you through Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and within it were two letters for the diaspora. And also to write to me whether our beloved your co-parent-in-law is traveling to the diaspora with his son, may his candle shine — and when he travels. And if he travels — G-d willing — tell him to fulfill the words that I spoke with him — that he not be a bungler in every place he will be — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple greatly hated and strongly condemned one who is a bungler. And if he will not be a bungler — I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely make his way prosper — and will have compassion on a broken and crushed heart as he is now — and fulfill in him: "You were a stronghold for me — a refuge in the day of my distress — my strength — to You I will sing — for G-d is my stronghold — the G-d of my loving-kindness." Segment 4 HE: וזוג' ב"ה הפיבער אין לה יתברך שמו בלי שום רפואות אך זה שלשה שבועות שנפלה על הקרעזיס ויש לה כאב גדול עד למאד ע"כ להתפלל עליה כי היא עקרת הבית ומכרחת לשרת אותי כי אין כחי עדין בשלמות ועוד יש לי בקשה ממך איך שקבלתי מכתב מבני משה אפרים נ"י וכתב שם שנתן לאביך נ"י עבורי שלשה רו"ח ע"כ אם תכתב מכתב לאביך תכתב לו שיצוה לך שתתן לי עבורו המעות הנ"ל EN: And greetings of peace to all our truly beloved — and in the greatness of my love for you — I entice and seduce you [אני מסית אתכם — "I entice and seduce you" — from meisis — normally a negative term for seduction toward wrongdoing; here used with loving irony: the writer playfully seduces his friends toward the holy books] to engage with constancy in the holy books — and there you will find repose for your souls in everything that passes over you. And through them many things will be sweetened — through the all-encompassing intellect. And I have much to write to you — but not in the open. Segment 5 HE: וגם בקשתי ממך לכתוב לי אם קבלת המכתב שלי ששלחתי לך ע"י ר' דב נ"י וע"י ר' חיים יהושע נ"י ושם היו שני מכתבים לחו"ל וגם לכתוב לי אם נוסע או"נ חמיך לחו"ל עם בנו נ"י ומתי נוסע ואם נוסע אי"ה תאמר לו שיקים דברי אשר דברתי עמו שלא יהיה שלימזאלניק בכל מקום שיהיה כי רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' שנאו מאד וגנו מאד מי שהוא שלימזאלניק ואם לא יהיה שלימזאלניק בטוח אני בהשי"ת שבודאי השי"ת יצליח דרכו וירחם על לב נשבר ונדכא כמו שהוא עתה ויקים בו כי היית משגב לי ומנוס ביום צר לי עזי אליך אזמרה כי אלהים משגבי אלהי חסדי" EN: Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Segment 6 HE: ופב"ש לכל אהבינו באמת ואני בגדל אהבתי אתכם אני מסית אתכם שתעסקו בהתמדה בספרים הק' ושם תמצאו מרגוע לנפשכם בכל מה שיעבר עליכם ועל ידם ימתיקו כמה דברים ע"י השכל הכולל ויש לי הרבה לכתוב לכם אך לא על פני השדה EN: Written Monday, Parshas Yisro, 5641 (late January or early February 1881), from Teverya. Money received. The wife in medical crisis. Rabbainu ז"ל hated a bungler. The Daniel verse as mystical date-acrostic. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I come to bring you good tidings — congratulations facing congratulations — congratulations to you on the divorce document — blessed be G-d — which has been concluded in this manner. And now we see how Hashem Yisbarach can help according to His will, may He be blessed. So may Hashem Yisbarach help your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and also you — in every kind of success and blessing — that there should begin from now favorable times — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who are engaged also now in sweetening all the harsh judgments from upon us — and performing miracles with us — and bringing faith into our midst. For the main thing of faith is prayer and supplication — and particularly in Eretz Yisroel — which is here the gate of prayer and the gates of Heaven. And there is nothing that a person cannot accomplish through prayer — even to change nature itself — only one must not be lazy in this — only to strike and not to stop — for Hashem Yisbarach desires the prayer of Israel — and the prayer of the lowly — and particularly the prayer that is bound to the power of the true Tzaddik — the Tzaddik who is the foundation of the world. And since I studied this night the Laws of Honoring Father and Mother — according to the Torah — "the measuring cords fell to me in pleasant places" [Psalms 16:6 — חבלים נפלו לי בנעמים — "the measuring cords fell to me in pleasant places" — chavalim — measuring cords, the ropes used to survey and mark out one's portion of land; the image is of land-surveying: the measuring ropes have landed and marked out a beautiful inheritance; not merely "lots fell" but specifically the land-measuring cords] — I do not know what we are keeping silent about — that Hashem Yisbarach bestowed upon us such loving-kindness — and illuminates within us a little of such lights — where every Torah teaching and every law and every prayer is a different new creation — and such treasuries — we are so culpably negligent about using them [מתרשלים — "we are negligent, we let ourselves become slack" — from roshel — culpably negligent, slackening one's effort and resolve when one should not; stronger than merely "sluggish" — it is a culpable loosening of the grip on what matters most]. For we must spend in them day and night — to give over soul and body for them — for they can bring us out from the lowest depths of the underworld and bring us to the uppermost Garden of Eden. For it is no empty word — Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for they will complete the repair of all the worlds and the repair for all the souls of the dead and the living. And Rabbainu ז"ל teaches us in such a path — that even people who are engaged in commerce and trade can be complete Tzaddikim — namely through trust and faith in the providence of the Creator, may He be blessed — and not to worry even about tomorrow — and particularly about a year — and particularly about several years. And to be happy with one's portion. And to guard oneself greatly from anger — for it damages the flow of abundance — and not to learn an evil quality even from a proper man who has some evil quality — but accept the good and discard the evil. And to be in joy always — and to be in joy always. [ולהיות בשמחה תמיד ולהיות בשמחה תמיד — the writer deliberately writes this twice in succession — the double repetition is intentional and emphatic; joy is so fundamental to Rabbainu ז"ל's path that the writer repeats the entire phrase twice without qualification] And to direct and aim in every business toward the ultimate purpose. And to fulfill: "in all your ways know Him and He will make straight your paths." And to believe in Hashem Yisbarach that through an easy cause He can provide. And worries and sadness and melancholy and anger avail nothing at all — they only embitter the life of the person and shorten the days of his life. And one who has faith and joy — lives life. And particularly as G-d willing the month of Adar comes in — one should multiply joy every day more and more — until G-d willing on the holy Purim — the joy should be in all the limbs. And now I come to bring you a good tiding — that blessed be G-d — today there arrived a letter from my daughter Mistress Adel, may she live — that blessed be G-d she is now six months pregnant — blessed be G-d. Therefore I ask of all the Anash to ask mercy for her — that the pregnancy should be easy and the birth should be easy — and a child who will endure — and may she and her husband merit to raise him for Torah and for the wedding canopy and for good deeds. And I ask of my brother my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizikl, may his candle shine — that at every time he goes to the graves of the Tzaddikim and the graves of the righteous Anash — they should pray for her: Adel daughter of Yachte Sarah — and her husband Yehoshua son of Tuvya. And also let him go to the grave of my father ז"ל to pray for them. And I assure him that I will pray for you — for even without this I pray for you — for you are engraved in my heart truly as my own children. And also to pray for my mother, may she live, and my sister, may she live — who are ill — and I still have no strength in my legs to go even to visit them. And also for my wife, may she live — who has fallen into crisis for three weeks. And your letters from Wednesday of Yisro and from Thursday of Yisro — I received properly. And write to me the day of departure of your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. From me — one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness — who always seeks your welfare, Nussun from Breslov And also I ask of you: if my friend Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, has not yet traveled — ask of him in whatever place he will be — where my son and the son's wife, may she live, are to be found — for the sake of Hashem — to spur them with alacrity through letters. And if your co-parent-in-law sends letters home — let him receive from them a letter within his letter. And my wife, may she live, assures him that she will pray for him — that he succeed on his way in peace — and may he accomplish the fullness of good. Omain, so may it be His will. Written Sunday night, Parshas Mishpatim, 5641 (early February 1881), from Teverya. Triple congratulations on a completed divorce. A complete teaching. The daughter Adel is six months pregnant. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And also I the writer convey greetings of peace to you — and surely it has already become known to you from the departure of my modest mother — may I be the atonement for her resting place — who left us the living — on the night before Friday of the Torah portion of Tetzaveh. And yesterday I rose from the seven days of mourning. May her rest be in peace. And may Hashem Yisbarach help me — in the strength and merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — to raise up the light of her soul to the place from which it was taken. And my sister Chana, may she live, is not at all in good health — and tell the Anash to pray for her. And she is sending eighteen twenty-para coins as a redemption for the Anash — namely nine groshen — and for the soul of my mother — nine groshen. And make from them your money and distribute to the Anash as follows: And also know — that my son Aizik, may his candle shine, sent into my hand for Reb Yosef Adam the sum of forty francs — and my son wrote that he wrote to you to give on account thirty-five francs — and when he sends me the money — he will then send you your money that he wrote to you. And from the remainder — five francs — deliver to the wife of Reb Yosef, may his candle shine. Therefore if you are here — I will deliver to you the money. And also write to me what the exchange rate of a franc is — in order to know how much money I must give — ours or yours. More there is no leisure to extend — because of the urgency of the caravan. And also to pray for my daughter Adel, may she live — an easy pregnancy and an easy birth — and a child who will endure. One who loves you truly and in wholeness, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, Parshas Ki Tissa, 5641 (February or early March 1881), from Teverya. The writer's mother has passed away — she died on the night before Friday of Parshas Tetzaveh; he rose from mourning yesterday. His sister Chana is ill. A detailed distribution. Francs from the diaspora. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן I am informing you that I received the money sent to me from Yerushalayim — the sum of four rubles pozit — made from this money the sum of two Meizhides together with the zibener — money of Tzfas, may it be established — through the veteran Chassid Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Ze'ev Ber Babis, may his candle shine — who brought it to me himself directly to my home. And also the money you sent me through Reb Yochanan, may his candle shine — I received in full according to your letter — and thanks returning to you for sending it immediately — for I now need at all times to sustain my soul — to maintain my good health — so that I can engage in Torah and in prayer. And I still cannot go to the house of study and stand for the prayer of the eighteen blessings — but I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely help me and everything will be properly set aright — only one must still wait and ask Him, may He be blessed — and then G-d willing the salvation will come in wholeness. And my wife — blessed be G-d — the fever — may His name be blessed — she has none of it — without any remedies. But for three weeks she has fallen upon the crisis — and she has very great pain. Therefore pray for her — for she is the foundational root and anchor of the household [עקרת הבית — "the foundational root of the household" — from ikar — the essential root, the fundamental; the woman who is the foundational pillar and root of the home; more than merely its "mainstay"] — and she is compelled to serve me — for my strength is still not complete. And I have another request of you: as I received a letter from my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine — and he wrote there that he gave your father, may his candle shine, three rubles on my behalf — therefore if you write a letter to your father — write to him that he should command you to give me the above-mentioned money on his behalf. And also I ask of you to write to me whether you received my letter that I sent to you through Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and through Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine — and within it were two letters for the diaspora. And also to write to me whether our beloved your co-parent-in-law is traveling to the diaspora with his son, may his candle shine — and when he travels. And if he travels — G-d willing — tell him to fulfill the words that I spoke with him — that he not be a bungler in every place he will be — for Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple greatly hated and strongly condemned one who is a bungler. And if he will not be a bungler — I am confident in Hashem Yisbarach that He will surely make his way prosper — and will have compassion on a broken and crushed heart as he is now — and fulfill in him: "You were a stronghold for me — a refuge in the day of my distress — my strength — to You I will sing — for G-d is my stronghold — the G-d of my loving-kindness." And greetings of peace to all our truly beloved — and in the greatness of my love for you — I entice and seduce you [אני מסית אתכם — "I entice and seduce you" — from meisis — normally a negative term for seduction toward wrongdoing; here used with loving irony: the writer playfully seduces his friends toward the holy books] to engage with constancy in the holy books — and there you will find repose for your souls in everything that passes over you. And through them many things will be sweetened — through the all-encompassing intellect. And I have much to write to you — but not in the open. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Yisro, 5641 (late January or early February 1881), from Teverya. Money received. The wife in medical crisis. Rabbainu ז"ל hated a bungler. The Daniel verse as mystical date-acrostic. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 7 HE: דברי אוהבך באמת EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Segment 8 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: I come to bring you good tidings — congratulations facing congratulations — congratulations to you on the divorce document — blessed be G-d — which has been concluded in this manner. And now we see how Hashem Yisbarach can help according to His will, may He be blessed. So may Hashem Yisbarach help your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and also you — in every kind of success and blessing — that there should begin from now favorable times — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who are engaged also now in sweetening all the harsh judgments from upon us — and performing miracles with us — and bringing faith into our midst. For the main thing of faith is prayer and supplication — and particularly in Eretz Yisroel — which is here the gate of prayer and the gates of Heaven. And there is nothing that a person cannot accomplish through prayer — even to change nature itself — only one must not be lazy in this — only to strike and not to stop — for Hashem Yisbarach desires the prayer of Israel — and the prayer of the lowly — and particularly the prayer that is bound to the power of the true Tzaddik — the Tzaddik who is the foundation of the world. # צט URL: https://ajew.org/reader-plain/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/99/ צט צט Source: https://ajew.org/reader/nosson-by-מכתבי-ר--נתן-ב--ר-יה/1/99 Segment 1 HE: ב"ה אור ליום ב' משפטיםאמונה תפילה נסים א"י והמחאת כף ורקודין להמתיק כל הדינים שנת תרמ"א פה טבריא תו"ת EN: I come to bring you good tidings — congratulations facing congratulations — congratulations to you on the divorce document — blessed be G-d — which has been concluded in this manner. And now we see how Hashem Yisbarach can help according to His will, may He be blessed. So may Hashem Yisbarach help your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine — and also you — in every kind of success and blessing — that there should begin from now favorable times — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who are engaged also now in sweetening all the harsh judgments from upon us — and performing miracles with us — and bringing faith into our midst. For the main thing of faith is prayer and supplication — and particularly in Eretz Yisroel — which is here the gate of prayer and the gates of Heaven. And there is nothing that a person cannot accomplish through prayer — even to change nature itself — only one must not be lazy in this — only to strike and not to stop — for Hashem Yisbarach desires the prayer of Israel — and the prayer of the lowly — and particularly the prayer that is bound to the power of the true Tzaddik — the Tzaddik who is the foundation of the world. Segment 2 HE: לכבוד או"נ ידידי עז כבני ממש ותיק וחסיד וכו' מו"ה נתן נ"י עם שלום ב"ב EN: And since I studied this night the Laws of Honoring Father and Mother — according to the Torah — "the measuring cords fell to me in pleasant places" [Psalms 16:6 — חבלים נפלו לי בנעמים — "the measuring cords fell to me in pleasant places" — chavalim — measuring cords, the ropes used to survey and mark out one's portion of land; the image is of land-surveying: the measuring ropes have landed and marked out a beautiful inheritance; not merely "lots fell" but specifically the land-measuring cords] — I do not know what we are keeping silent about — that Hashem Yisbarach bestowed upon us such loving-kindness — and illuminates within us a little of such lights — where every Torah teaching and every law and every prayer is a different new creation — and such treasuries — we are so culpably negligent about using them [מתרשלים — "we are negligent, we let ourselves become slack" — from roshel — culpably negligent, slackening one's effort and resolve when one should not; stronger than merely "sluggish" — it is a culpable loosening of the grip on what matters most]. For we must spend in them day and night — to give over soul and body for them — for they can bring us out from the lowest depths of the underworld and bring us to the uppermost Garden of Eden. For it is no empty word — Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — for they will complete the repair of all the worlds and the repair for all the souls of the dead and the living. Segment 3 HE: באתי לבשר לכם מז"ט מול מז"ט מז"ט לכם על הגט פטורין ב"ה שנגמר על אופן זה ועתה אנו ראין איך השי"ת יכול לעזר ברצונו יתברך כן יעזור השי"ת לחמיך נ"י וגם לכם בכל מיני הצלחות וברכות שיתחיל מעתה עתים לטובה בזכות רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' אשר עתה ג"כ עוסקים להמתיק כל הדינים מעלינו ולעשות נסים עמנו ולהכניס אמונה בקרבנו שעיקר אמונה היא תפילה ותחנונים ובפרט בא"י אשר בכאן הוא שער התפילה ושערי שמים ואין שום דבר שלא יכול לפעל האדם ע"י תפילה ואפילו לשנות הטבע רק צריכין שלא להתעצל בזה רק בעטן אין בעטן כי השי"ת מתאוה לתפילת ישראל ולתפילת השפל ובפרט התפילה שהיא מקשרת בכח הצדיק האמת צדיק יסוד העולם EN: And Rabbainu ז"ל teaches us in such a path — that even people who are engaged in commerce and trade can be complete Tzaddikim — namely through trust and faith in the providence of the Creator, may He be blessed — and not to worry even about tomorrow — and particularly about a year — and particularly about several years. And to be happy with one's portion. And to guard oneself greatly from anger — for it damages the flow of abundance — and not to learn an evil quality even from a proper man who has some evil quality — but accept the good and discard the evil. And to be in joy always — and to be in joy always. [ולהיות בשמחה תמיד ולהיות בשמחה תמיד — the writer deliberately writes this twice in succession — the double repetition is intentional and emphatic; joy is so fundamental to Rabbainu ז"ל's path that the writer repeats the entire phrase twice without qualification] And to direct and aim in every business toward the ultimate purpose. And to fulfill: "in all your ways know Him and He will make straight your paths." And to believe in Hashem Yisbarach that through an easy cause He can provide. And worries and sadness and melancholy and anger avail nothing at all — they only embitter the life of the person and shorten the days of his life. And one who has faith and joy — lives life. And particularly as G-d willing the month of Adar comes in — one should multiply joy every day more and more — until G-d willing on the holy Purim — the joy should be in all the limbs. Segment 4 HE: ולפי שלמדתי בזה הלילה הלכות כבוד אב ואם ע"פ התורה חבלים נפלו לי בנעמים אין אני יודע מה אנו מחשים שהשי"ת גמל עמנו חסד כזה ומאיר בנו מעט מאורות כאלו אשר כל תורה ותורה וכל הלכה והלכה וכל תפילה ותפילה הוא חדוש אחר ואוצרות כאלו אנו מתרשלים להשתמש בהם אשר אנו צריכים לבלות בהם יומם ולילה למסור נפשו וגופו עליהם כי הם יכולין להוציא אותנו מן השאול תחתיות ולהביא אותנו לג"ע העליון כי לא דבר רק הוא רבנו ז"ל ותלמידו הק' כי הם יגמרו תקון כל העולמות ותקון לכל הנפשות המתים והחיים EN: And now I come to bring you a good tiding — that blessed be G-d — today there arrived a letter from my daughter Mistress Adel, may she live — that blessed be G-d she is now six months pregnant — blessed be G-d. Therefore I ask of all the Anash to ask mercy for her — that the pregnancy should be easy and the birth should be easy — and a child who will endure — and may she and her husband merit to raise him for Torah and for the wedding canopy and for good deeds. And I ask of my brother my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Aizikl, may his candle shine — that at every time he goes to the graves of the Tzaddikim and the graves of the righteous Anash — they should pray for her: Adel daughter of Yachte Sarah — and her husband Yehoshua son of Tuvya. And also let him go to the grave of my father ז"ל to pray for them. And I assure him that I will pray for you — for even without this I pray for you — for you are engraved in my heart truly as my own children. And also to pray for my mother, may she live, and my sister, may she live — who are ill — and I still have no strength in my legs to go even to visit them. And also for my wife, may she live — who has fallen into crisis for three weeks. Segment 5 HE: ורבנו ז"ל לומד אותנו בדרך כזה שאפילו בעלי משא ומתן יכולין להיות צדיקים גמורים הינו ע"י בטחון ואמונה בהשגחת הבורא יתברך ושלא לדאג אפילו על יום מחר ובפרט על שנה ובפרט על כמה שנים ולהיות שמח בחלקו ולשמר עצמו מאד מכעס כי הוא מפסיד השפע ושלא ללמד מדה רעה אפילו מאיש כשר שיש לו איזה מדה רעה רק הטוב נקבל והרעה נשליך ולהיות בשמחה תמיד ולהיות בשמחה תמיד ולכון בכל עסק התכלית ולקים בכל דרכיך דעהו והוא יישר ארחתיך ולהאמין בהשי"ת שבסבה קלה יכול לפרנס והדאגות והעצבות והמרה שחורה והכעס אין מועיל כלל רק הם ממררים חיי האדם ומקצרין ימי חייו של האדם ומי שיש לו אמונה ושמחה חי חיים ובפרט משנכנס אי"ה אדר מרבין בשמחה בכל יום יותר עד שאי"ה בפורים הק' יהיה השמחה בכל האברים EN: And your letters from Wednesday of Yisro and from Thursday of Yisro — I received properly. And write to me the day of departure of your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. Segment 6 HE: ועתה באתי לבשר לכם בשורה טובה שב"ה היום הגיע מכתב מבתי מ' אדל תח' שב"ה היא הרה ללדת ב"ה זה ששה חדשים ע"כ אני מבקש מאת כל אנ"ש לבקש רחמים עליה שיהיה הריון בנקל והולדה בנקל וזרע של קימא והיא ובעלה יזכו לגדלו לתורה ולחפה ולמעשים טובים ואני מבקש מאת אחי ידידי מו"ה איזיקל נ"י שבכל עת שילך על קברי הצדיקים ועל קברי אנ"ש הצדיקים יתפללו עליה אדל בת יעכט שרה ובעלה יהושע בן טוביא וגם ילך על קבר אבי ז"ל להתפלל עליהם ואני מבטיח לו שאתפלל עליכם כי בלא זה ג"כ אני מתפלל עליכם כי אתם חקוקים בלבי כמו בני ממש וגם להתפלל עבור אמי תח' ואחותי תח' שהם חולים ועדין אין לי כח ברגלי לילך אפילו לבקרם וגם על זוג' תח' שנפלה על הקרעזיס זה משלשה שבועות EN: On both this and that there is no news — only life and peace. Segment 7 HE: והמכתבים שלך מד' יתרו ומה' יתרו קבלתי לנכון ולכתוב לי יום נסיעת חמיך נ"י EN: From me — one who truly loves you in truth and in wholeness — who always seeks your welfare, Nussun from Breslov Segment 8 HE: זו"ז חדשות אין רק חיים ושלום EN: On both this and that there is no news [זו"ז חדשות אין — "this and this, there is no news" — zu u'zu — "this and this, on both counts, in both directions"; the writer means: on both the matters you might wonder about, there is nothing new to report] — only life and peace and joy — נאר פריליך זיין — only be joyful — for in worries nothing is accomplished at all. Segment 10 HE: נתן מברסלב EN: Written Sunday night, Parshas Mishpatim, 5641 (early February 1881), from Teverya. Triple congratulations on a completed divorce. A complete teaching. The daughter Adel is six months pregnant. Segment 11 HE: מנאי אוהבכם באמת ובתמים הדוש"ת ואפשר עוד חמיך בביתו תפרס לו בשלום עבורי והשי"ת יצליח דרכו בכל מיני הצלחות ויבא בהצלחה לביתו לשלום ולפב"ש לאו"נ בנך היקר מו"ה סענדיר חיים נ"י שיח' לאיוש"ט בבריאות גופו תמיד ולכבוד ידידי או"נ באמת אשר אני דורש טובתו תמיד מו"ה איזיקל נ"י EN: And also I ask of you: if my friend Reb Shmuel, may his candle shine, has not yet traveled — ask of him in whatever place he will be — where my son and the son's wife, may she live, are to be found — for the sake of Hashem — to spur them with alacrity through letters. And if your co-parent-in-law sends letters home — let him receive from them a letter within his letter. And my wife, may she live, assures him that she will pray for him — that he succeed on his way in peace — and may he accomplish the fullness of good. Omain, so may it be His will. Written Sunday night, Parshas Mishpatim, 5641 (early February 1881), from Teverya. Triple congratulations on a completed divorce. A complete teaching. The daughter Adel is six months pregnant. Segment 12 HE: גם בקשתי ממך אם ידידי ר' שמואל נ"י עדין לא נסע תבקש מאתו באיזה מקום שיהיה אשר שם נמצאו בני ובני זוג' תח' למען ה' לזרז אותם במכתבים ואם חמיך ישלח מכתבים לביתו יקבל מאתם מכתב בתוך מכתבו וזוג' תח' מבטחת לו שתתפלל עליו להצליח בדרכו בשלום ויפעל כט"ס אכי"ר EN: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And my sister Chana, may she live, is not at all in good health — and tell the Anash to pray for her. And she is sending eighteen twenty-para coins as a redemption for the Anash — namely nine groshen — and for the soul of my mother — nine groshen. And make from them your money and distribute to the Anash as follows: