רצד

Nussun of Breslov.

And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu with great love.

My beloved son — my dear one.

He received his letter. May Hashem Yisborach fulfil for him doubled and redoubled — wealth and honor and life. And above all — may He open for him His good treasury — the treasury of the fear of heaven — which is the essential truth of life. [אוֹצַר יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם — the treasury of the fear of heaven. Reb Nussun's formulation is characteristic: he lists wealth, honor, and life — but then says "above all" — and the single thing that transcends all the rest is the fear of heaven. This is the true treasury — the one that cannot be taken away — and the one that makes all the others meaningful] And greet all the anshei sh'lomaynu with love.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

And urge his friend Rabbi Yaakov — that he come here for the nearby Shabbas Kodesh. For it is close in his mind to travel afterwards to Uman — with Hashem's help. And it is certainly fitting for him to see his face — after Hashem Yisborach helped him to rise from his illness — and all his sins were forgiven — and he became a new creature. [וְנִמְחֲלוּ כָּל עֲווֹנוֹתָיו וְנַעֲשָׂה בְּרִיָּה חֲדָשָׁה — all his sins were forgiven and he became a new creature — this is the teaching of the Talmud (Yevamos 48b) that when a person converts — his past is wiped clean. Reb Nussun applies this to recovery from a serious illness: the person who arises from the threshold of death has been in effect reborn — and all his past is forgiven. This makes it not just appropriate but urgent for him to come and connect with the holy community anew] Certainly it would have been fitting for him to come here immediately when he arose from his illness. But the past is gone — just now — since you wrote that he desires to come — therefore it is fitting to urge the one who urges — that he urge in this.

Nussun of Breslov.

And urge his friend Rabbi Yaakov — that he come here for the nearby Shabbas Kodesh. For it is close in his mind to travel afterwards to Uman — with Hashem's help. And it is certainly fitting for him to see his face — after Hashem Yisborach helped him to rise from his illness — and all his sins were forgiven — and he became a new creature. [וְנִמְחֲלוּ כָּל עֲווֹנוֹתָיו וְנַעֲשָׂה בְּרִיָּה חֲדָשָׁה — all his sins were forgiven and he became a new creature — this is the teaching of the Talmud (Yevamos 48b) that when a person converts — his past is wiped clean. Reb Nussun applies this to recovery from a serious illness: the person who arises from the threshold of death has been in effect reborn — and all his past is forgiven. This makes it not just appropriate but urgent for him to come and connect with the holy community anew] Certainly it would have been fitting for him to come here immediately when he arose from his illness. But the past is gone — just now — since you wrote that he desires to come — therefore it is fitting to urge the one who urges — that he urge in this. He received his letter twice. And the bearer is pressing and there is no leisure to extend. And what you wrote — what you heard from Rabbi Yaakov about the three things that come through distraction of the mind [שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים הַבָּאִים בְּהֶסַּח הַדַּעַת — the three things that come through distraction of the mind — this is a reference to a Talmudic teaching: three things come only when one's mind is distracted from them — and Reb Nussun says he has much to say about this in connection with their path of service] — he greatly enjoyed this — that Rabbi Yaakov told him about this. And he has much to speak about this — but just now there is no sufficient leisure at all. If he lingers further on the road — he will write to him at length — with Hashem's help. For the time being — he does not know at all how the matter will fall regarding Shabbas Chanukah coming upon us for good. May Hashem have mercy on him and on you — in general and in particular — on each and every one — and lead him and you in the straight and true path always. Hashem Yisborach helps him and saves him greatly every day with very wondrous chasadim — but he still needs many salvations — and in particular for you. His eyes are raised to Hashem — that it be fulfilled in him *"padah v'shalom nafshi"* — "He has redeemed my soul in peace" — and so forth — *"ki v'rabbim hayah imadi"* — "for with many was He with me." [Tehillim 55:19] The words of your father who intercedes for you and awaits your reply. Nussun of Breslov.

[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]