קכג

Overview: Parshas Vayetzei. *Ein hakadosh baruch hu ba b'truniya im briyosav* (Avodah Zarah 3a) — G-d does not deal harshly or demand beyond one's capacity. *Chasday Hashem lo samnu* (Eichah 3:22). Practical counsel: keep yourself so busy with prayer, learning, *hisbodidus*, commerce, eating, sleep — that there is no time left for melancholy. The choice to distract one's mind is always available. Then the great disclosure: this Shabbos they discussed the *sipurey ma'asiyos shel shanim kadmoniyos* — the Rebbe's holy stories — through which one is awakened from the sleep of exile. *Mi shama kazos, mi ra'ah ka'ayleh* (Yeshayahu 66:8). *Nagilah v'nismecha bishuaso*.

To: Peace to my beloved son, my dear one — may he live.

[Yitzchok] Your letter I received on Thursday — and yesterday I also received it along

[Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי אָבִיךָ....]

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

with three large coins for a redemption [פִּדְיוֹן — pidyon: a Breslov practice of giving coins as a spiritual redemption-offering, which the Rebbe or his representative would then use in prayer on behalf of the giver. The specific sum of three large coins on behalf of others indicates a serious spiritual need requiring intercession] — may it be His will that the divine judgments be sweetened for them through the supernal wonder and so forth. And he should inform me of the matter of his salvation that he wrote about. May Hashem Yisborach complete for him for good in all ways — in body and soul and money — and may he not toil in vain — G-d forbid — but rather merit — through all that Hashem Yisborach arranges with him each day and at every time — to draw near through this to Hashem Yisborach in truth. And behold — now I have no time at all to write — for I am now standing between the Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin [בֵּין תְּפִלִּין דְּרַשִׁ\"י וְרַבֵּנוּ תָּם — the two sets of tefillin worn by those who follow both the Rashi opinion and the Rabbeinu Tam opinion on the order of the Torah passages within the tefillin boxes. Those who are scrupulous in this practice wear the Rashi tefillin first, then — after a pause — wear the Rabbeinu Tam tefillin. Reb Nussun is in the interval between the two. Even in this interval of sacred preparation he writes a letter for the sake of his son] — and if Hashem wills — soon we will gather together during the coming holy days of Chanukah. And may Hashem Yisborach gladden us in His salvation — that we merit to receive the coming holy days of Chanukah with joy and holiness and purity as befitting. And it is impossible to extend now. And by implication — you will certainly hear from the bearer of this letter — who will tell you on Friday Erev Shabbos Kodesh some words and conversations from me — which will revive your soul and strengthen and embolden your heart to trust in Hashem at every time — and to begin each time fresh — like a child in school truly [לְהַתְחִיל בְּכָל פַּעַם מֵחָדָשׁ כְּמוֹ תִּינוֹק בְּבֵית הַסֵּפֶר מַמָּשׁ — one of the most precise and memorable expressions of the Breslov teaching of the fresh start. The child in school on the very first day: no history, no accumulated failures, no weight of yesterday. Just the pure beginning. This is not a metaphor for starting over — it is the instruction to be exactly like that child — literally, truly (mamash) — at the start of each new attempt at service] — as I spoke with the bearer of this letter. And remind him to speak about this — perhaps he can receive from him some words on this matter. And may Hashem the Good guide him in the path of truth in all ways — and may He make him succeed in this world and the next — forever. The words of your father. Nussun of Breslov. [Translator's Note: Overview: Monday, Parshas Vayishlach — written between Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam tefillin. Pidyon received. Looking forward to the Chanukah gathering. The great instruction transmitted through the bearer: begin fresh each time like a child in school — *k'mo tinok b'beis hasefer mamash*. Greeting to the Rebbe's grandson with the charge to speak words of truth and faith to each other and receive from each other — *yekablu dein min dein*. Key Themes Bein Tefillin D'Rashi V'Rabbeinu Tam Written in the sacred interval between the two sets of tefillin — the Rashi tefillin and the Rabbeinu Tam tefillin. Even in this interval of sacred preparation, a letter is sent for the sake of the son.]

[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]