אות - קכה

At the festival of Succos in the year 5570, he then spoke about the esrog. That according to the aspect of the Awesome Days it is fitting that we have a beautiful esrog as was brought above (254). And in that year esrogs were not available. And the whole world thought there would be no esrogs at all. And there was no esrog in the province until the eve of Succos, when Hashem Yisburach performed wonders and orchestrated circumstances through miraculous means that esrogs came to several towns. And they were paying much money for an esrog — in some communities they paid fifty silver coins and more for a single esrog.

And also to the holy community of Breslov there came a very beautiful esrog to Rabbainu, the memory of the Tzadik is for blessing (255). And there was a great joy for Rabbainu o.b.m., and he commanded that musical instruments be brought from the greatness of the joy. And for three consecutive days he had great vitality from the esrog. And he was healthy all those three days and did not feel at all the severe illness that he had — from the greatness of the joy he had from the esrog.

And also after Succos he spoke much from the esrog and said that we do not know at all the greatness of the preciousness of the virtue of the mitzvah of esrog. And behold, we see that Israel scatter much money for this mitzvah — more than for other mitzvos. And certainly not for nothing is this. Presumably this mitzvah is very very precious — beyond estimation — only we do not know the greatness of its virtue. Perhaps if they knew the greatness of the virtue of this mitzvah they would do what they would do for the sake of this mitzvah — for Israel is a holy nation, they are wise, and it is hard to mislead them. And certainly when they scatter much money for this mitzvah, it is not for nothing. And he went on at length in this account and greatly praised the virtue of the mitzvah of esrog. 254. RAK: See above 87.

255. RAK: See Yemei Moharnat 28.