קנח

Overview: Monday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. *L'ma'an sapeir sh'mo b'chol ha'aretz*: now identified as Shemos 9:16 — Hashem's words to Pharaoh — the entire structure of Tishrei and its wonders arranged so that His Name be declared throughout the earth. *V'tagel nafshecha*: now identified as Tehillim 35:9 — *nafshi tagel b'Hashem tasis bishuaso* — soul-rejoicing directed specifically in Hashem as a response to salvation. *Kol chad k'fum mah d'misha'er b'libeih*: now identified as Zoharic Aramaic — reception according to the capacity of one's own heart. *Yerach ha'eisanim* (I Melachim 8:2). *Chasdo gavar / emes Hashem l'olam* (Tehillim 117:2). *Chedvas Hashem hi ma'uzenu* (Nechemiah 8:10). *Tefillah chadashah* and *sukkah chadashah*. *Sheker hachein* (Mishlai 31:30). *V'kovei Hashem yachalifu koach* (Yeshayahu 40:31).

[Hebrew: אֲהוּבִי בְּנִי חֲבִיבִי....]

Your letter I received just now — together with the quill [הַקֻּלְמוֹס — a quill pen sent by Yitzchok to Reb Nussun — which Reb Nussun will use to begin writing this very letter and comments upon in Letter 159] — and the time of Minchah has arrived.

My beloved son, my dear one. [ Yitzchok ] Blessed is the One who makes new things at every time [בָּרוּךְ עוֹשֶׂה חֲדָשׁוֹת בְּכָל עֵת — echoing the daily prayer *ham'chadesh b'tuvo b'chol yom tamid ma'aseh bereishis* — "who renews in His goodness every day always the work of Creation." The month of Tishrei brings continual renewal — of the year, of the soul, of all created order. Standing at Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan — the day after the great month closes — Reb Nussun opens with wonder at the divine novelty that pervades all time] — and the one who pays attention can see in every day and at every time new things and wonders of the Creator, Yisborach — who renews in His goodness every day always the work of Creation — for how many are born each day — and how many wondrous things are renewed each day — some of them we see with our eyes — and many are hidden from us — and many happen in other towns. And Hashem Yisborach performs great wonders alone at every time — and all of it for the sake of His Name, Yisborach — to reveal His Name and Divinity to all who come into the world — that His Name might be told throughout all the earth [לְמַעַן סַפֵּר שְׁמוֹ בְּכָל הָאָרֶץ — Shemos 9:16: Hashem's words to Pharaoh — ul'ma'an sapeir sh'mi b'chol ha'aretz — "and in order that My Name be told throughout all the earth." The verse of divine providence as cosmic declaration: all the events of the exodus — including Pharaoh's hardening of heart and the plagues — were arranged *l'ma'an sapeir* — for the sake of telling His Name everywhere. Applied to the month of Tishrei and all its wonders: the entire structure of the holy month — including the *machloket* and the miraculous joy within it — is arranged so that Hashem's Name be declared and known throughout all the earth] [Shemos 9:16] . What shall I say to you — my beloved son — friend of my soul and my heart — all that passed in this month — according to the smallness of our comprehension — for there was Rosh Hashana — and the Ten Days of Repentance — and Yom Kippur — and the four days between Yom Kippur and Sukkos — and Sukkos — and Hoshana Rabbah — and Shmini Atzeres — and Simchas Torah — and the days following them — for it is the month of the ancient ones [יֶרַח הָאֵיתָנִים — I Melachim 8:2: the ancient name for Tishrei — "the month of the mighty and ancient ones." The month in which the *eisanim* — the patriarchs — were born and in which the world reaches its greatest spiritual height] [I Melachim 8:2] — strong and mighty in many mitzvos — and this is among all of Israel the holy nation. But what happened to each person individually — and to us in this holy and awesome month — it is impossible to estimate or explain. And see to speak greatly with the bearer of this letter — Rabbi Nachman — may his light shine — perhaps he will tell you a little — of all the kindnesses and wonders that Hashem Yisborach performed with us in these days. How at every moment it seemed that now it is impossible to rejoice — and impossible to speak any word at all — especially because of the greatness of the opposition and commotion that sought to confuse us greatly — and even so His kindness prevailed over us — and the truth of Hashem is forever [Tehillim 117:2] — and we merited to speak much — wondrous novel Torahs that revive souls forever — and we also greatly rejoiced and danced — more than in other years. And the joy of Hashem — she is our stronghold [Nechemiah 8:10] — until this day Hashem performed wonders with us — that I merited anew to copy out a new tefillah [תְּפִלָּה חֲדָשָׁה — a new prayer composed from the Rebbe's Torahs for the community — the first new one in many years. The composition of a new *tefillah* from the *Likutay Tefillas* project is here experienced as a wonder and a gift] — as you will see with your own eyes — for I am sending it to you through the bearer of this letter. May your eyes see it and your heart be aroused and your soul rejoice [יִתְעוֹרֵר לִבְּךָ וְתָגֵל נַפְשְׁךָ — Tehillim 35:9: v'nafshi tagel b'Hashem tasis bishuaso — "and my soul shall rejoice in Hashem — it shall exult in His salvation." The verse in which soul-rejoicing (*tagel*) and exultation (*tasis*) are directed specifically *in Hashem* — as a response to His salvation. Here applied to Yitzchok's reception of the new prayer: when he sees it, may his soul rejoice in Hashem as the Psalmist's soul rejoices in its salvation] [Tehillim 35:9] — stand and contemplate the wonders of Hashem — for it is now many days and years that we did not merit a new prayer — and you have much share in this — that you merited to have a part in the new sukkah [סֻכָּה חֲדָשָׁה — the new sukkah this Sukkos. The parallel: a sukkah that is old can be invalid — it must be new; and prayer must likewise be constantly renewed. Both are acts of sacred newness — the physical and the spiritual renewal in the same season] that I sat in for this Sukkos — as you will hear a little from the bearer of this letter about the wonders regarding the new sukkah — that the sukkah must be new — for some authorities invalidate an old sukkah — and this corresponds to a new prayer. And all was renewed this year specifically — blessed is Hashem who gave you merit to have a share in this — and the essential part is your share — which surpasses them all. And now receive a blessing of good omen — may it be His will that your daughter born to you should be for a good omen and a blessing — for joy and gladness — and may she be a woman who fears Hashem — from whom shall come forth good and worthy generations who magnify His Name, Yisborach — and who multiply Torah and prayer in Israel — and may the holy new path spread — to make from the Torahs prayers — through which all of Israel will draw near to Him, Yisborach. And besides this — all is vanity — as it is written: grace is deceitful and beauty is vain — a woman who fears Hashem she shall be praised [שֶׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶבֶל הַיֹּפִי — Mishlai 31:30 — *Eishes Chayil*. In the Rebbe's teaching applied to *tefillah*: the *ishah yir'as Hashem* is the prayer made from Torah — the only thing that endures while all external forms are deceitful and vain] [Mishlai 31:30] — which was said regarding prayer — as is known. And the essential thing is when one makes from the Torah — prayer. And there is much to speak about this — but who can grant that we merit to fulfil this. And to tell the stories of what happened in these times until today — they have surpassed our understanding — but from afar each one according to what he estimates in his heart [כָּל חַד כְּפוּם מַה דִּמְשַׁעֵר בְּלִבֵּהּ — Aramaic: a phrase from the Zohar and Talmudic Aggadah — "each one according to what he estimates in his heart." The principle of spiritual reception according to individual capacity: the wonders of the Rebbe's Torahs and the divine providences of the month exceed all containment — but each person can receive and perceive according to the inner capacity of his own heart. No one's reception is total; but from his own vantage each can see something of the greatness of the Creator] — can see and understand from this the greatness of the Creator, Yisborach — and the greatness of our affairs. How fortunate are we — how fortunate are we — that we are those called by the name of our holy Rebbe — may the memory of the righteous and holy one be a blessing. And beyond this there is no time to extend — and also this letter is of His wonders and kindnesses, Yisborach. And may Hashem Yisborach strengthen your heart — and gladden your soul — and may you merit to walk in His holy ways in truth — and may your feet strengthen — and may you be among: those who hope in Hashem shall renew their strength — they shall walk and not grow weary — they shall run to serve Hashem and not be exhausted [וְקֹוֵי ה' יַחֲלִיפוּ כֹחַ — Yeshayahu 40:31: the great verse of renewal after weakness — *ya'alu eiver kan'sharim yarutzu v'lo yig'au yeilechu v'lo yiy'afu* — "they shall soar on wings like eagles — they shall run and not grow weary — they shall walk and not grow faint." Applied specifically to Yitzchok's feet (*raglecha yitchazku*): the feet that could not carry him to Uman now strengthening to walk and run in the service of Hashem] [Yeshayahu 40:31] . And peace to all our *anshei sh'lomaynu* — with great love — to each and every one. All these words were also said to them — and it is fitting to show them this letter together with the new prayer. May Hashem Yisborach help us to add further new prayers — in a general sense and each one on his own — until Hashem looks down and sees from the heavens — and may He give us merit to return to Him, Yisborach, in truth — forever. The words of your father — who awaits salvation at every time. Nussun of Breslov.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]