רלב

Nussun of Breslov.

[Hebrew: אֲהוּבִי בְּנִי חֲבִיבִי....]

My beloved son — my dear one.

Your messenger arrived here — at the house of the righteous woman Maras Adel — may she live [מָרַת אָדְיל — Maras Adel — the pious widow of the Rebbe himself — who lived in Breslov. Reb Nussun was sitting at her table for the morning meal when the messenger arrived — a touching detail that places us in the warm intimacy of the Breslov household] — while I was sitting at the table at the morning meal — and I received immediately the letter sent via my son Rabbi Shachna — may his light shine. And I greatly gave life to my soul with the letter from my daughter and son-in-law — may they live. And the letter from Thursday I have still not received. And behold — on Motzai Shabbas this past — immediately after Havdalah — I traveled here to attend to my affairs for several reasons. And according to my view — I will stay here until Tuesday coming upon us for good. Therefore — if you can come here easily tomorrow — that would be good. And at present my mind is not clear at all to extend in words of truth and affection.

And let him receive the enclosed letter for his son-in-law — and strive to send it via a trusted person — and also add his own writing as he wishes. And inform me whether he sent my letter to them in Brayhilov [בְּרָאִיהְלוֹב — Brayhilov — another community in the Breslov circle whose members were anxiously awaiting a letter from Reb Nussun during his long exile in Nemirov] — for it is a great mitzvah — for I know they are greatly awaiting to see a letter from me. And behold — until now His mercies — Yisborach — have helped me that all was well established with Hashem's help. And also — praised be G-d — we rejoiced a little on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah and Shabbas Bereishis — and we spoke words of truth — and all was in peace — praised be G-d. May Hashem Yisborach complete His salvation — that I return to my home here in Breslov in peace quickly. And from the greatness of the preoccupation and the pressing of the bearer — it is impossible to extend as is fitting. And there is still a vision for the appointed time to extend the speech more. [cf. Chavakuk 2:3]

The words of your father who awaits salvation.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

Nussun of Breslov.

The words of your father who awaits salvation. Nussun of Breslov. And the general principle [וְהַכְּלָל — the general rule — a classic Breslov letter structure: Reb Nussun presents the entire teaching in one pithy principle, then elaborates] — that you need to think every day as if today you were born — and as if you have nothing in the world except that day alone — and not to trouble your mind about the past and about the future. And even though you are engaged in commerce and livelihood needs which is about the future — even so — the essential is this day that you are standing in — for you do not know what the day will bring. And there is much to speak about this — and you have already heard much about this — and every day may they be in your eyes as new. And how greatly we need to rejoice in our portion over the immensity of His chesed that He separated us from many errors and foolish counsels and so forth. And it is impossible to express in the open field — especially in these times. Be strong — my son — and be resolute — for Hashem is with you even now. And all the yearning of your good heart is all recorded on high for good. All the more so when you merit to bring from potential to actual — to speak with a full mouth your good longings every day — which is the essential. And Hashem Yisborach desires also your prayer and your speech — and no speech is lost. Be strong — my son — and be resolute in Torah and prayer and speech before Him — Yisborach — all that you can snatch every day and every time — whether much or little — for one who does much and one who does little and so forth. And behold — I am staying here — this is day 4 — and today or tomorrow if Hashem wills I will travel to my home. And we have still done nothing in our affairs — and when you will be with me if Hashem wills I will tell you everything — at present we are casting our burden only upon Hashem Yisborach alone — that He will show us the straight path and the good counsel — in a way that I will merit to return to my home here in peace. More than this there is no leisure to extend. [Postscript — on the woman Sarah and on casting all particular needs upon Hashem] The woman Sarah left in refusal after her promise to be in your house [שָׂרָה — a servant woman — it was apparently arranged that she would work in Yitzchok's household and she broke this arrangement] — and in my view — even though you now have great pain from this because there is no servant available — even so — certainly Hashem Yisborach will help you and you will find as you wish — and then you will thank Hashem that she refused — for it is for your good. And if Hashem wills — when you will be with me — I will speak with you about this also — for all the laws of derech eretz are all relevant and included in the service of Hashem. For the day is comprised of Torah and derech eretz — and they are included one in the other — as every person can understand for himself. And in all matters there is no counsel except to wait for His salvation — Yisborach — and in the meantime to ask from Hashem Yisborach that He arrange for him what he needs — whether a small matter or a great matter — all the particular needs of food and drink and clothing and dwellings and eating utensils and household utensils and servants and tuition fees — there is no counsel and strategy except to cast one's burden upon Hashem Yisborach that He arrange what he needs. And if some action and counsel and strategy is needed for this — that Hashem Yisborach will arrange it and show him the good counsel in its time and in its season — for in all matters one needs good counsel. For in all matters there are doubts and much division of counsel — until it is impossible to devise counsels for oneself — except to lean upon Him — Yisborach — and to ask from before Him that He have mercy and repair him with good counsel from before Him.

[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]