שכ

I could not restrain myself — from the very immensity of my love for you — to strengthen you and to urge you — that you should have no doubts whatsoever — G-d forbid — in your heart — regarding Rosh Hashana coming upon us for good. Only say with a whole heart: Baruch she'hecheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higianu laz'man hazeh — that we merited to gather together with true people — worthy people — to assemble at the holy tziyun of the holy tzaddik — who promised to help all who come to him — in particular on Erev Rosh Hashana — and to be counted together on Rosh Hashana among us. What shall I say to you my brother — a little you heard and understood from afar — but more than this my son — be very very careful — that you should not be — G-d forbid — in the category of the deficiency that cannot be counted — that our Sages — of blessed memory — expounded (Chagiga 9b) — this is one whose companions were counted and so forth — in particular for such a holy and awesome work as this. And if you wish — you can read the above-mentioned letter — which was said also to you — and to each one according to what passes over him. And also remember well all that was spoken between them — and all the glimmering that glimmered in your heart — the light of truth — and so forth. And strengthen your soul to come in joy — bo tavo b'rinah — come with singing — with my son — may he live — and with our anshei sh'lomaynu. Nagila v'nismecha bishu'aso. And I am confident that without my words — certainly you would not have refrained — G-d forbid — from coming. But I come to add urgency. For well known to them is the multitude of the obstacles that spread themselves just then — specifically. And in truth all of them are mere illusion — for the essential is the obstacle of the mind — as is known to you all. Therefore it is necessary to urge at the time of action — as our Sages of blessed memory said (Bamidbar Rabbah 7). Blessed are you if you fulfil my words — certainly you will be grateful for this in this world and in the World to Come — forever.

— and peace to my son — the rabbinical scholar — our Teacher the Rabbi Dovid Tzvi — may he live.

He received his letter — and it was a great comfort to him. And his language praised be G-d is already somewhat refined — with Hashem's help — and soon it will be refined as befitting. Only in writing — you must accustom yourself every day — so that your hand is well trained in writing. And it will be needed for you in all ways — both for the way of the world — and for Torah and the service of Hashem. And to reply to your letter — the time is not right just now. And if Hashem wills — from Uman — he will reply to him in writing — and also they will speak — if Hashem wills — with Hashem's help. Only be strong my son and very resolute — to flee every time from strange thoughts — for the thought is in the hand of a person to bend it as he wills. And every time one draws the thought from outside to inside — it is very very precious in the eyes of Hashem Yisborach. [כָּל פַּעַם שֶׁמַּמְשִׁיכִין הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה מִחוּץ לִפְנִים — every time one draws the thought from outside to inside — the image is of a person's mind as a palace with an outside and an inside. Strange thoughts come from outside — from the outer courts of the mind. Each time one makes the effort to bring the thought inward — toward Hashem — toward Torah — this is immensely precious. And for this — says Reb Nussun — a person comes to the world: to fight this war] And for this a person comes to the world — to fight this war. And according to the ways of the holy counsels of our Master our Teacher and our Rebbe — and through his great power — one can save his soul. Only one needs great strengthening and immense stubbornness in desire — to engage every day in Torah and prayer — and let whatever happens happen. I will do what is mine — and I will snatch good — all that I can — little or much — like a rooster pecking in a rubbish heap. And in particular to cry out and to supplicate before Hashem Yisborach at every time. In particular in these holy awesome days.

My beloved son Nachman — may he live. I received your greeting — and I had great pleasure from what you yourself wrote. In particular since you were not well — praised be Hashem Yisborach Who helped you. Today you must begin to put on tefillin — you have been born anew. For the sake of Hashem Yisborach — take careful note of what is beginning now. Throw away all the foolishness that has been until now — and create for yourself a new heart for good. [בִּיסְטוּ גָּאר נַייא גִּיבּוֹרֶין — you are entirely newly born — the Yiddish is raw and powerful. A boy putting on tefillin for the first time is not merely fulfilling a new mitzvah — he is born again — an entirely new being. Reb Nussun speaks to him with the most direct fatherly love: throw away the foolishness — the old way of a child — and create for yourself a new heart. This is a moment of true birth] If Hashem wills — from Uman — I will write to you more — with Hashem's help. The tefillin batim — I will tell my son Rabbi Itzik — may he live — to send to you. Be well and joyful — and say Tehillim every day — and desire to learn — and everything will be well — with Hashem's help.

And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu with great love. It is impossible just now to address you separately as befitting. Presumably you will see or hear what he wrote to his son Rabbi Itzik — may he live. And the post is very urgent.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

Nussun as above. The words of your father — who awaits to see all good in you. Nussun of Breslov.

[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]