רס

Nussun of Breslov.

Peace — to my beloved son — the rabbinical scholar — and so forth — our Teacher the Rabbi Yitzchok — may his light shine.

Night before Friday — I arrived safely home from Vinitze and Rahilev. With your mechutan I did not speak at all — for I traveled from Breslov before he came home. About a gift for your son — may he live — if he gives — he gives — and if not — do not be distressed at all. For he has already spoken greatly that there is no good in this world that does not have mixed in it some pain or lack — and therefore the whole world is full of sufferings and griefs and many lacks — in every person and at every time — in every day and day and every time and hour — only the changes are very many between one person and another. And in one person himself the changes are many — between the times — between one day and another — and between time and time.

And all is included in what Koheles wrote — *"l'kol eis"* — "to everything there is a time" — he enumerated 28 times — 14 for good and 14 for the opposite — and concluded: *"mah yitron ha'oseh ba'asher hu ameil"* — "what advantage has the one who toils in his toil" [Koheles 3:1–9] — for there is no remedy except to flee to the toil of Torah. And even though he has already spoken greatly about this — one still must return to this every day — for the changes of the times that pass over every person in particular and in minute particular are many. And behold you see — that less than a quarter year ago — you did not think at all that there would be beautiful gifts for your son for Pesach — and also he did not have a new hat. And now Hashem helped that he be betrothed for good fortune — which is certainly a great salvation — for how many and how many people yearn for this — to merit to betroth their sons — and how many and how many yearnings of eyes without measure do people have about this. And now after Hashem helped you to this — and also he already received a fine gift — the above-mentioned hat — now your eyes yearn for beautiful gifts. And if you yourself were not particular about this — you have longing for it because of the desire of your wife and your son — and because of the dignity before people. And if he sends you a gift — you would need to think about returning to send him some small gift at any rate — which is also hard for you just now. And now see and understand and be wise — how there is no refuge except to Hashem Yisborach and to the Torah — and the essential is to pour out one's speech before Hashem about every matter — in a way that even in the ultimate physicality — whoever is placed even in whatever place he is placed — from there too he can connect everything to Hashem Yisborach — to think every time what will be the ultimate purpose of this — for are our days not like a passing shadow? And recently they sent me myself gifts for the groom in my youth — and already it has passed as the blink of an eye — and what happened with me has happened. And as the blink of an eye the time of all who come into the world will pass — and there will remain only what each person snatched for himself from the eternal purpose. "Havel havalim amar Koheles — havel havalim hakol havel." [Koheles 1:2] And now rejoice my son in what we merit at any rate to speak of this — and to draw our will to the eternal purpose — especially since we are supported at every time and moment through the great power of the holy elder. This is our comfort — this is our salvation — this is our hope — this is our joy forever and ever — ashreinu and so forth. And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu with great love and precious affection — apply your hearts well and well to all these my words — for it is not a vain thing from you — for it is your life forever. [cf. Devarim 32:47] The words of your father who awaits salvation — and may Hashem Yisborach help us to rejoice as fitting in the joy of the holy festival coming upon us for good — nagila v'nismecha bishu'aso. Nussun of Breslov.