רטו

Overview: Tuesday, Eve of Rosh Chodesh Shevat — Nemirov. Received all of Yitzchok's letters. Cannot say enough — the extent of his pain from this matter. On *Motzai Shabbas* he wrote him a long letter with great effort — sent it via the post — does not know at all what happened that it still hasn't arrived. This is one of the great distresses — until compelled to turn them into joy — certainly this too is for good. In that letter he wrote much about how many efforts are needed for letters to reach him — all because of the *machloket* — fear of the sect of scoffers. At present no words — bearer is pressed — hasn't finished his post-prayer learning. Will hear from the bearer. Give yourself life with what you hear. All is for good — *ha'meni'ah bishvil ha'chesheq* — the obstacle is because of the yearning. Hashem will not abandon us — He will complete all that He began — it is not an empty matter. The opponents are filled with anger and sorrows more than anyone. Remember what is written in the holy books: the world is full of sorrows (*gam kol yamav ka'as u'makhovos* — Koheles 2:23). Hashem's intention in the existence of the world is not for the ways of vanity — all vanities are only for free choice. The essence of His desire is only in every good movement and good point that each person of Israel snatches every day — which the true *tzaddikim* clarify and elevate and build from them wondrous and awesome structures. No vitality and existence except through the true *tzaddikim.* Return to this every day — there is no time at all — *ani hayom y'lidticha* (Tehillim 2:7).

The bearer of this letter is very pressed just now. And I do not know what to write to you.

My beloved son — my dear one.

I received all your letters. And what shall I say to you — my beloved son — the extent of my pain that I have from this matter. For on *Motzai Shabbas* I wrote you a letter at great length — and I had great effort over this — and I sent it via the post — and I do not know at all what happened — that it still has not reached your hand. The extent of the suffering I have from this — you can imagine in your heart — and I do not know at all what to do in this matter. And this is for me one of the great distresses — until I am compelled to turn them into joy — for certainly this too is for good — and who knows the ways of Hashem and His wonders. And in that above-mentioned letter I wrote much about this too — how many efforts I need to make for the letters to reach you — and all of it is because of the *machloket* — out of fear of the sect of scoffers and so forth. And through this I wrote there words that restore the soul. But certainly all is for good. At present there is no word on my tongue to extend — for the bearer of this letter is pressed — and I have not yet finished the learning after prayer. But in all likelihood you will hear from the bearer of this letter — who will give life to your soul. And from the little of the sufferings that you will hear from him — see to give yourself life with them — for we already know that all is for good — and the obstacle is because of the yearning [הַמְּנִיעָה בִּשְׁבִיל הַחֵשֶׁק — "the *meni'ah* is because of the *chesheq*": one of the most cherished Breslov principles. Every obstacle that stands in the way of a holy matter is itself a sign of the great yearning that the matter evokes — for the adversary's opposition is proportionate to the holiness of what is sought. Therefore the obstacle itself is proof of the value of what is being sought] . And certainly Hashem will not abandon us — and even if here too there are many obstacles — certainly Hashem will complete all that He began — for it is not an empty matter — what is being done with us now — in general and in particular with each and every one. And especially since we know that with the entire world too — what is being done — and in particular with the opponents — who are filled with anger and sorrows more than anyone — and it is impossible to extend in this. I have already spoken at great length — that you should remember well what is written in the holy books: that the world is full of sorrows — as is written in Koheles: *gam kol yamav ka'as u'makhovos* — also all his days are pain and sorrow [Koheles 2:23] . And you already understand a little of this — but you are still not paying sufficient attention — to understand from this that Hashem's intention in the ongoing existence of the world is not at all for the ways of vanity that are the custom in the world — for all the vanities are only for the sake of free will and choice. And the essence of His intention and will and desire — Yisborach — is only in every good movement and good point that each person of Israel snatches every day — which the true *tzaddikim* clarify and elevate and build from them wondrous and awesome structures [בִּנְיָנִים נִפְלָאִים וְנוֹרָאִים — from every tiny good point that each Jew snatches in his daily struggle — the true *tzaddikim* build extraordinary structures of holiness. This is the supreme vision: that the fragments of good — however small — are not lost but gathered and elevated into something vast and beautiful. The entire creation exists for this purpose] — and there is no vitality and existence except through the true *tzaddikim.* And even if all of this is already known — one must return to this every day and remember that there is no time at all — as written on the verse *ani hayom y'lidticha* — "I today have begotten you" [אֲנִי הַיּוֹם יְלִדְתִּיךָ — Tehillim 2:7: "the L-rd said to me — You are my son — I today have begotten you." Used in Breslov as the foundation of the teaching that every day is a completely new beginning — as if one is born fresh today. There is no yesterday and no tomorrow — only this day — *ani hayom* — therefore there is truly no time at all] [Tehillim 2:7] and so forth. More than this it is impossible to extend. The words of your father who intercedes for you and awaits your salvation quickly. Nussun of Breslov.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]