קעג

Overview: Motzei Shabbas Shira — Tcherin — the great letter to the entire community. *Tachas ahavasi yistnuni va'ani tefilah* (Tehillim 109:4). Full copyist's account of the Chanukah raid. Books recovered by Shabbas Shira — only one LH YD volume and the handwritten *Likutay Etzos* lost. *Ki adam la'amal yulad* (Iyov 5:7): now identified as Iyov 5:7. *Ktzar yamim usva rogez* (Iyov 14:1): now identified as a distinct second Iyov verse — not the same as Iyov 5:7. *Zeh ani kara v'Hashem shama*: now restored — Tehillim 34:7 — appearing here and in Letter 170 for the same experience on the road. The baby granddaughter's miracle. *Hineh El yeshuasi evtach* (Yeshayahu 12:2). *V'nilchamu eilecha v'lo yuchlu lach* (Yirmiyahu 1:19). *Gott iz mit dir* / *Zorgst nit!* *Lo lanu Hashem lo lanu* (Tehillim 115:1).

His letter from Friday I received yesterday — and it was a great comfort to me within this distress and oppression — in seeing that — praised be G-d — my words are fixed in your heart and revive you even now — even now.

Peace to my beloved — my brothers and my companions — faithful and beloved friends — my teachers and masters — my companions and my students — my sons and my grandchildren — may they live — may all of them stand in the blessing — life and peace and all good in this world and the next — forever — Omain — so may it be His will.

Hear me — and may Hashem hear you. [שִׁמְעוּ אֵלַי וְיִשְׁמַע אֲלֵיכֶם ה' — the Breslov bilateral formula drawing on the tradition of *Shema*: I open my ears to you — I hear your cry — and in that very act of listening, I ask that Hashem hear you. The one who hears the *tzaddik* merits to be heard by Hashem] Behold — just now I have received all the letters from you — through my friend Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg — with the document — and through my friend Rabbi Avraham Ber — may he live — and the greeting of peace from Rabbi Yosef the son-in-law of Rabbi Zalman — and all of them are full of great and bitter cries over the enormity of the persecutions — and especially against me — my enemies without cause — in place of my love they accuse me — and I am prayer [תַּחַת אַהֲבָתִי יִשְׂטְנוּנִי וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּה — Tehillim 109:4: "in place of my love they accuse me — but I am prayer." The Psalmist's declaration in the face of baseless enmity: my whole being has become prayer — I have nothing left but to turn toward Hashem] [Tehillim 109:4] — but within the enormity of the distresses there were expansions and wondrous and awesome salvations — that we merited in the abundance of His kindnesses to bring out the books — praised be the living G-d — what shall I return to Hashem for all His gifts to me [Tehillim 116:12] . We should make a great Purim over this — for it was no small miracle. How fortunate are you — my dear friend Rabbi Shmuel — that you merited that the miracle was completed through you — how fortunate are you my brothers and companions — all who had a share in the saving of souls and the holy Torah and so forth.

Whether one toiled with his body or with his money or with both — all of it is counted above for good — every step and every word and every movement and every coin you toiled and expended on this — each one separately — their righteousness will stand forever for them and for their children to their generations. And also the document you sent me revived my soul very greatly — for my eyes were exhausted for this from the day of my separation from you. And Hashem Yisborach arranged causes that I was delayed until the above-mentioned Wednesday when I received it in Krakow at the time I was prepared to travel. And all of this is in wondrous providence from Him — as I will tell you when Hashem brings me home in peace.

And behold — praised be G-d — I arrived here for the above-mentioned Shabbas in peace — and praised be G-d everything is in order here — and in all these surroundings there is none who opens his mouth or chirps — and no one hears at all the noise of the controversy in our surroundings. And as heard — also in Zlatopolye and its surroundings nothing is heard of this. And the essential controversy in our surroundings is because there the holy words have begun to enter the hearts of several worthy ones — and because of this they were incited so greatly. And behold my stomach is full of words to speak to your hearts — but I do not know from where to begin — for I have already anticipated speaking with you greatly — how one must break obstacles — and how the entire world stands against each and every one who wishes to draw close to us. And already all our old and young *anshei sh'lomaynu* have endured very great sorrow and bitterness and sufferings from their very beginnings until this day — and how many were pushed away from this — may the Merciful One preserve us. But those who remained at their post — how fortunate are they — how fortunate is their portion.

And you — the people of the city of Breslov themselves — you have not yet tasted sorrow and bitterness and obstacles until now — and now what shall I do for you my brothers and companions — it is necessary that over each person should pass obstacles and trials many times from his youth until his old age — how fortunate is the one who stands in them — as you see what has happened with Moshe Hinkes — whom all the world — even opponents — are astonished and laugh at — that he divided and fell so greatly like an antelope in a trap — may Hashem Yisborach have mercy on him and raise him up and return him to the truth quickly — but at present his trouble is a true trouble — great and doubled and redoubled beyond all our troubles. Woe to his old age that he is losing daily what he is losing. And such stories have already occurred in the world — as our sages said on the Mishnah: do not trust in yourself until the day of your death [Avos 2:4] . And with what shall we precede Hashem — for all He has bestowed upon us — that we merited to be saved from this — and even until old age and grey hair — O G-d do not forsake us until we tell [Tehillim 71:18] — until our souls depart among true Breslov Chassidim — connected and bound to his holy name — of blessed memory.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

The words of your father who prays on your behalf.

Nussun the above-mentioned. And the Examiner of Hearts knows that our holy Rebbe — of blessed memory — leads us in the straight and true path — in wholeness and simplicity — with wonderful wisdom and very deep counsels to strengthen oneself at one's post always — to fulfil all the words of the written and oral Torah as explained in his holy books — which speak of all the commandments and all the character traits and all the holy paths in a wondrous and true way. There is no room to extend on this here. What shall we say and what shall we speak — and surely you know that I have already spoken greatly of this — that the entire world is full of sufferings and pains — for man is born to toil [כִּי אָדָם לְעָמָל יוּלָּד — Iyov 5:7: "for man is born to toil." One of Iyov's comforters speaks the universal truth of the human condition — toil is built into the nature of earthly existence] [Iyov 5:7] — short of days and full of agitation [קְצַר יָמִים וּשְׂבַע רֹגֶז — Iyov 14:1: adam y'lud ishah k'tzar yamim usva rogez — "a person born of woman — short of days and full of agitation." A distinct verse from Iyov 14 — not Iyov 5:7 — though both speak of the human condition. Here the emphasis is on the brevity of days (*k'tzar yamim*) and the turbulence that fills them (*usva rogez* — saturated with agitation and unrest). Two verses from Iyov cited together as complementary portraits: one emphasizes the toil that is the essence of life; the other the brevity and agitation that characterize it] [Iyov 14:1] — as I have already spoken greatly of this. And behold — in all these surroundings I have passed through — no one hears our controversy at all — and yet all of them are full of sorrow and distresses and great preoccupations and pressing livelihood. And the Examiner of Hearts knows that we are truly pursuing the straight path in wholeness — as our sages guided us. And what has passed — we are obligated to receive with joy as atonement for sin — and to cry out about what is to come — that He do it for the sake of His great Name and rescue us from them. And you who are worried and pained over my trouble — the truth is you need to share in my trouble and to pray and cry greatly to Hashem Yisborach that He rescue me from my enemies and pursuers — and to exert all stratagems and all forces in body and soul and money — so that I may be able to dwell in Breslov in peace. But according to your letters you are more frightened than necessary — and you do not take account of the greatness of the salvations and miracles and wonders He has done with me and with you. For almost every day I had sufferings and dangers on the road — and Hashem Yisborach helped me each time — this poor one called and Hashem heard [זֶה עָנִי קָרָא וַה' שָׁמֵעַ — Tehillim 34:7: zeh ani kara v'Hashem shama umikal tzarosav hoshi'o — "this poor one called and Hashem heard — and from all his troubles He saved him." The verse of the individual specific cry that is heard. Applied here and in Letter 170 to the same experience on the arduous road: each day's new danger — and each day's specific divine hearing and rescue. The *zeh* — "this one" — is particular: not an abstract prayer but the cry of this specific poor person in this specific moment] [Tehillim 34:7] — and I have hope in His kindness that certainly I will dwell — if Hashem wills it — in Breslov — and they will not be able to do anything to me. And as for stone-throwing — there is not so much fear — for they too have windows — and if it was permitted to break windows not one window would remain in Breslov. But truly from the law of the Tsar — may his majesty be exalted — judgment will be rendered on this. And were it not for the fear of the kingdom — a man would swallow his fellow alive [Avos 3:2] . And truly these wicked stone-throwers wish to destroy Breslov G-d forbid — which is the opposite of stones — as it is written (Yechezkel 36): and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh — and I will give you a heart of flesh [Yechezkel 36:26] . But they will perish — and those like them — and Breslov will not be destroyed G-d forbid — and the word of our G-d will stand forever [Yeshayahu 40:8] — and the above verse will be fulfilled. Listen to this and understand — for Hashem is with us and among us. And especially since our Rebbe — of blessed memory — said to me personally: "Gott iz mit dir, ba dir, shreck zich nit." And behold I intend to travel soon toward home — and perhaps I will be at Uman for the coming Shabbas. And to Hashem belongs the salvation — that He bring me quickly to my home in peace — behold — G-d is my salvation — I will trust and not be afraid [Yeshayahu 12:2] and so forth. The truth is that we feel the distresses of Israel more — about whom it is said (Yeshayahu 51): also drunk — but not from wine [Yeshayahu 51:21] — they reel and stagger like one drunk. But how great are the kindnesses of Hashem that He brought us to fulfil what is written nearby: and they cried to Hashem in their distress [Tehillim 107:28] and so forth. And also it is not good to punish the righteous [Mishlai 17:26] — only when it is a great necessity — then he removes them in their season and in their time. And he has already removed many — and to Hashem belongs the salvation — that even now He remove and destroy those who must be removed if they do not return. And however it will be — I am confident that He will certainly rescue me and all of us from them — Hashem is for me — I shall not fear — what can man do to me [Tehillim 118:6] . And even so — you must do your part — and especially in the matter of the letter of testimony you are engaged to gather signatures — be strong and of good courage in this. And also you — my dear faithful friend Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg — do not fear and do not be frightened. How fortunate are you that you merited this — and my son Rabbi Yitzchok has already written to me of this — that you sanctified the Name in public. And praised be G-d — Hashem Yisborach has already preceded the cure to the blow — in what we merited to speak greatly of the greatness and holiness of our Master our Teacher and Rebbe — of blessed memory. And from all of these it is fitting for each and every one to be greatly strengthened — and not to look and not to be frightened by any matter. And to greatly strengthen oneself in firm trust that they will not prevail against him — of blessed memory. As it is written (Yirmiyahu 1): and they will fight against you — and they will not prevail against you [Yirmiyahu 1:19] . And all this noise and distress has come only to rouse me and you — to engage more in Torah and prayer — and especially in the private conversation between a person and his Creator — which one now needs to increase greatly — so that each person should pour out his speech before Hashem Yisborach — whether for himself — whether for my sake — whether for the community. And may He who hears the prayer of every mouth — hear and have mercy and save me quickly for the sake of His great Name that is called over us. Beyond this there is no free time to extend. The words of your lover in truth forever and eternally. Nussun of Breslov. And peace to my modest wife Marat Dishle — may she live — and to her sons — may they live — and to my daughter Channah Tzirel — may she live — and to my son-in-law my dear one — our Teacher the Rabbi Baruch — may he live — and to his daughter — may she live. And behold stones are also thrown at her — may Hashem Yisborach give us merit that from her should emerge generations and generations of generations who will be G-d-fearing people and people of truth — for this is our entire aspiration. And peace to my son David Tzvi — may he live — and to my stepson Shmelke — may he live. Zorgst nit! Gott iz mit unz — se vet im yirtze Hashem alts recht zayn. Se hobin shoin fiel Yudin geliten azoine tzaros un zenin nitzol gevoren. Sof kol sof veln di son'im ale a groise mapole hobin, un oif unz vet Hashem yisborach zich merachem zayn bizchuso haGadol zal. Mir veln hobin ein ort vi tzu zitsen take in Breslov. [Yiddish: "Do not worry! G-d is with us — if G-d wills it everything will come to its place in peace. Many Jews have already suffered such troubles and were saved from them. In the end all the enemies will suffer a great downfall — and upon us Hashem Yisborach will have mercy through his great merit — of blessed memory. We will have a place to sit — precisely in Breslov.] With the help of Hashem Yisborach — and our enemies will see and be ashamed. And peace to my beloved son — the Rabbinical one — our Teacher the Rabbi Shakhna — may his light shine. My beloved son — I have a grievance against you in my heart that you did not send me any letter until now — and also did not come with a signature. You acted foolishly — my dear son — you still do not set your heart to turn your mind from your preoccupations for some hour each day to think of your end and purpose. Do you not see what is happening in the world — and already many of your years have passed — and our days are like a passing shadow — and if not now when? Would it not have been better for you if you had stolen and seized some hours to cry out to Hashem Yisborach over your livelihood — over the livelihood of the soul and the body — and this certainly helps in this world and the next. And also to seize times for Torah — as our Master our Teacher and Rebbe — of blessed memory — wrote on the saying of our sages: *kava'ata ittim laTorah* (LM I:284). My dear and beloved son — my heart yearns for you — for I know the goodness of your heart in its inwardness — but the multitude of your anxiety and preoccupation distracts you so greatly — and you delay and push yourself from day to day. May Hashem Yisborach lengthen your days and years — but all our days will not be sufficient for what must be done and repaired in this world — for the day is short and the work is great — and it is not upon you to complete the work — only whatever your hand finds to do — do it in your strength. And see at least to write me a letter to Uman immediately — and write me in detail about the peace of my wife and my son and my daughter — from each one — and from all that is happening there. And I trust in Hashem that all is for good. Nussun the above-mentioned. And peace to my dear friend — like my own soul — the distinguished one — our Teacher the Rabbi Avraham Dov — may his light shine. Your letter I received in Uman and in Kremenchug — and you revived my soul. Although you informed me of many troubles — even so I give you warm thanks for your letter — and especially for the multitude of your exertions for me. May Hashem Yisborach give you merit through this — that you merit to dwell over Torah and service — for length of days and good and long years — Omain so may it be His will. And regarding us — I have already written above — and beyond this you will understand yourselves — for praised be G-d my words have proven true. And may Hashem help and save and protect us and rescue us from them — and may we merit to return to Hashem Yisborach and draw close to Him in truth — for to this we were created. The words of your lover in truth — the servant of your father — prepared to serve him as his will — of blessed memory — until the soul's expiration. And may Hashem the Good do and complete for me for good — for his sake and not for my sake — not to us, Hashem — not to us — but to Your Name give glory [Tehillim 115:1] and so forth. Nussun the above-mentioned. My beloved dear one — Rabbi Chayyim son of Rabbi Yaakov — the proofreader. I know that you toiled greatly in this matter — but I have a grievance in my heart against you that you wrote me no letter. Now see that all our *anshei sh'lomaynu* should come with a signature in the letter you write to Uman — for their souls are bound to my soul — and I await hearing from each one. And give peace to all our *anshei sh'lomaynu* — from great to small. And see immediately to make shutters for my windows from outside as is fitting — and if it is impossible to gather money for this — borrow for my account — and I will pay immediately when I come in peace if Hashem wills it. Beyond this I have already written above. Nussun the above-mentioned. They are our life and the length of our days in this and in the next forever. Gott firt tamid ois.

[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]