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A verbatim, letter-for-letter copy of a letter in the handwriting of our Master himself, of blessed memory, which he wrote to his brother the Rabbi, our Teacher Yechiel, of blessed memory, of Krementchuk. There was at that time a machlokes (controversy and strife) against him there, stirred up by wicked misnagdim (opponents of Chassidus), who caused him very great distress — as is evident from our Master's own words in this letter.

With the help of G-d, may He be blessed

My beloved brother, my dear and cherished friend — the extraordinary and outstanding scholar, the complete and perfect sage, and so forth — our Teacher the Rabbi Yechiel Tzvi — may his light shine and radiate.

Your letter reached me here in the holy community of Zaslav, and it caused me very great grief — how could the hearts of these wicked men have been so filled, and how could they have been so brazen against you. And I marvel that no righteous person was found to stand against the evil and to oppose them, to root out the wickedness.

My beloved brother, my very soul and my heart — fear them not, and be not broken before them. Only be strong and courageous in Torah and in the fear of Hashem all day long — as we have spoken between us. And the merit of your forebears will support you. For all of this is in order to elevate you, to increase your honor, and to enlarge your mind. For just as it is impossible for all manner of seeds to reach the fullness of their growth — until the seed is first placed in the earth, and then the seed decays, and only after its decay does it sprout and blossom and become a great tree — so too is this very matter:

I hereby inform your eminence that it is my intention to remain here in the holy community of Zaslav for approximately three months — and afterward I shall know which direction to turn.

I hereby inform you that my wife — at first she had experienced a change for the better, but now it has reversed and is going the other way, and her strength diminishes each day. And the expenses here are considerable — for I have had expenses here of fifty-four adumim (red coins). Nothing further for now — only life and peace.

From me, your brother, who loves your soul, who constantly seeks your welfare, and who longs to hear good tidings from you and to see you in life and in peace.

Nachman, son of our Teacher the Rabbi Simcha — may his Rock protect him and give him life.

Postscript — From the Family; To His Followers My wife extends greetings of peace to your wife. My daughter Miriam extends greetings of peace to all of you. And extend greetings of peace to his supporters and to all those attached to him. Be strong and courageous — for there is reward for your efforts, in this world and in the World to Come. Nachman, as above.

[Hebrew: נַחְמָן הַנַּ"ל...]