קכו

Peace to you — fear not and be not dismayed for Hashem is with you [אַל תִּירָא וְאַל תֵּחַת כִּי ה' עִמְּךָ — the formula of divine encouragement throughout Tanach (D'vorim 31:8, Yehoshua 1:9 and many parallel places). In the Chanukah season of miraculous divine assistance, it carries its fullest resonance]. I received your letter now — and I have no time to reply at length. And behold — regarding the matter in which you are working on my behalf to provide the needs of the coming holy Shabbos — you have done your kindness well [הֵטַבְתָּ חֲסָדֶיךָ — a variant of the *heitivosa* formula recurring throughout the collection (Letters 98, 107, 110, 125): the biblical register of formal commendation for a kindness performed — rooted in Bereishis 19:19 (*higdalta chasd'cha*) and the royal formulas of Sh'muel and Divrei HaYomim. Here in the form *heiativta chasadecha* — you have done your kindness well. A gracious formal acknowledgment of sacred generosity]. May Hashem repay your act and may your reward be complete from Hashem. But I do not know why you long so much to be told explicitly how much I need for holy Shabbos. And truly I myself do not know.

[Hebrew: אֲהוּבִי בְּנִי חֲבִיבִי....]

To: My beloved son, my dear one. [Yitzchok] Peace to you — fear not and be not dismayed for Hashem is with you [אַל תִּירָא וְאַל תֵּחַת כִּי ה' עִמְּךָ — the

formula of divine encouragement throughout Tanach (D'vorim 31:8, Yehoshua 1:9 and many parallel places). In the Chanukah season of miraculous divine assistance, it carries its fullest resonance]. I received your letter now — and I have no time to reply at length. And behold — regarding the matter in which you are working on my behalf to provide the needs of the coming holy Shabbos — you have done your kindness well [הֵטַבְתָּ חֲסָדֶיךָ — a variant of the *heitivosa* formula recurring throughout the collection (Letters 98, 107, 110, 125): the biblical register of formal commendation for a kindness performed — rooted in Bereishis 19:19 (*higdalta chasd'cha*) and the royal formulas of Sh'muel and Divrei HaYomim. Here in the form *heiativta chasadecha* — you have done your kindness well. A gracious formal acknowledgment of sacred generosity]. May Hashem repay your act and may your reward be complete from Hashem. But I do not know why you long so much to be told explicitly how much I need for holy Shabbos. And truly I myself do not know. And what you wrote — to receive here flour and meat — good and fine. If you can bring more money — how good — for you know the multitude of necessities. And I need to pay this week for wood and candles — and this too is among the needs of Shabbos Kodesh — and so too the other many necessities. But I am not imposing all of this upon you — G-d forbid — only do what is in your power — and Hashem the Good will act and complete on your behalf. And behold — praised be G-d — on the past holy Shabbos there were also several guests — beyond count. May Hashem add to them and so forth [יוֹסֵף ה' עֲלֵיהֶם וְכוּ' — Tehillim 115:14: yosef Hashem aleivchem aleivchem v'al beneichem — "may Hashem increase you — you and your children." The blessing of divine multiplication applied to the gathering of guests: may Hashem multiply them further] . And also this week several guests remain in my home. May Hashem Yisborach help us to provide for them — and the essential thing is to provide for them the needs of their souls — for which they came here [הָעִקָּר לְהַסְפִּיקָם צָרְכֵי נַפְשָׁם אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁבִיל זֶה בָּאוּ לְכָאן — the primary hospitality is not the physical but the needs of the soul for which the guests made the journey to Breslov. The physical provision is the frame; the spiritual sustenance is the essential content]. May Hashem complete on my behalf and so forth. The words of your father — who intercedes on your behalf. Nussun of Breslov. [Translator's Note: Overview: Eve of Monday, the 3rd night of Chanukah. *Heitivta chasadecha*: now identified as a variant of the *heitivosa* formula recurring throughout the collection — the biblical register of formal commendation for a kindness performed. *Al tira v'al teichas ki Hashem imcha*. Flour, meat, wood, candles. Many guests beyond count — *yosef Hashem aleihem* (Tehillim 115:14). The essential provision: *tzarchei nafsham asher bishvil zeh ba'u l'chan* — the souls' needs for which they came to Breslov. Key Themes Heitivta Chasadecha — The Heitivosa Formula "You have done your kindness well" — a variant of the *heitivosa* formula from Letters 98, 107, 110, and 125: the biblical register of formal commendation for a kindness performed. Rooted in Bereishis 19:19 and the royal formulas of Tanach. A gracious formal acknowledgment of sacred generosity.]

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]