שע

With the help of Hashem Yisborach — Motzo'ei Shabbas — the eve of Sunday — Parshas Sh'mos — 5604 — Uman.

Peace — to my beloved son — my dear one — the rabbinical scholar — and so forth — our Teacher the Rabbi Yitzchok — may his light shine — with all his children who go forth from his loins — may they live.

Praised be G-d — he arrived here to the congregation of Uman on Tuesday — Parshas Toldos. Ad heinah azaruni rachamecha — "until here Your mercies helped him." And he found here his letters. And yesterday he received his letter — via the bridegroom of his brother — the nagid our Teacher the Rabbi Shaul — may his light shine — who brought him his letter himself. And it was a very great comfort. In particular that he informed him of Rabbi Nachman — may his light shine — may Hashem make his way successful in every place that he treads — as His will — and may they merit to complete the desires of heaven in His wondrous salvation — and to Hashem the salvation. For now there is nothing new to say.

And what you wrote — about the immensity of his longing to gather together with him on Shabbas Chanukah coming upon them for good — he too greatly desired this. But what can he do for you my beloved son — for it is very far from him to return home for Shabbas Chanukah. For he has no strength to go and return — and he is compelled to remain here still some time. And still there is no clear knowledge with him as to how Hashem Yisborach will arrange things for him in His chesed on Shabbas Chanukah. Gadol Hashem u'm'hulal m'od — and newnesses are made every day — chadashim la'b'karim — and so forth — and all of it to awaken and to strengthen a person to draw close to Him Yisborach. And as it is written in the Torah — to preserve the memory — on the verse "vay'hi mi'keitz" — "Hashem Elokai gadalt'a m'od" — "Hashem my G-d — how very great You are" — and so forth. And because of the great urgency it is impossible to extend at all — but he could not restrain himself from hinting to you this — in order that you preserve the memory at every time — in the preservation of the memory stated there. And behold — very well you did — in that you explained to him well how Rabbi Nachman was received with joy. All of it is a hint and a growth of the horn of salvation — but still they need — in the general and in the particular — each person — salvation and very great mercies.

And be strong and resolute — and awaken and strengthen yourself to joy at every time — and to turn all the grief and sighing to joy — as they have spoken of this greatly with Hashem's help. More than this there is no leisure to extend. And store this letter of his well — for it will be needed in the coming days with Hashem's help. And also store all his letters — and guard them as is your custom — and do not reveal them except to our anshei sh'lomaynu.

Overview: Thursday, Parshas Vayechi — Uman — 5604. To Yitzchok. He arrived here on Tuesday the 10th of Teves — and found ruin — the upper roof of the Beis Midrash had collapsed on the previous Thursday Parshas Vayigash — due to winds and trembling. A miracle that no creature was killed or harmed. The terror of Rabbi Naftali and his household. The opponents rejoiced. The Beis Midrash stands without the upper roof. He trusts in Hashem Who helped until here — He will fix also the roof — and all will turn to good. After many thoughts — he hired a cart to Tshehrin — to travel after Shabbas on Sunday. May Hashem strengthen their hearts — to gladden their soul and convert all sorrow to joy. After all that passes over us — we are called by his holy name — we are troubled in his trouble — but we trust — all will be rectified. The adversary strengthens greatly in sadness — but one must be a great stubborn one — to remember oneself the truth in truth. Hashem helped us without measure — whatever makes him weak in spirit — on the contrary — this is the strength of his joy — that even so I too merit to be in the category of this holy gathering called by the name of the flowing stream. And to his grandson Dovid Tzvi — he was in the home of his father-in-law — all his desire is only that he continue in good learning — to pray with intention — to say Psalms — to distance himself from mockers and childish deeds — to rejoice in the joy of Israel — ben chakam y'sameach av. After completing the letter — he received a letter from Tultchin with a bad tiding — his son of Dovid Tzvi passed away in our many sins. He rebuked him not to be in anger. In all your trouble he is troubled — for grandchildren are like children. You are not the first. What has passed has passed — He is gracious and merciful — greatly multiplies forgiveness. From now throw off from yourself the deeds of youth and rage and irritability. Return home immediately from Tultchin. Spend your days in Torah — this is our consolation in our poverty. And from Motzo'ei Shabbas Parshas Sh'mos — Uman — another great commotion — an edict went out to expel all those not registered here. Rabbi Naftali is one of them — he must get a permit. Strive with all your strength for his benefit. And also speak with Rabbi Leib the Kohen about permitting prayer in his home. Also — your wife does not agree that you be a dratchman — and he had comfort from this — that she is an upright woman and understands it is not appropriate. Leave this appointment — your livelihood will not be diminished.

The words of your father who awaits salvation.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

Nussun of Breslov. And behold — you already know — that your father — may his light shine — has longed and his soul has consumed itself for these many years — to travel to the Land of Israel. Just now he awakened even more — and wanted to travel alone. And his wife refused — and said that she specifically wants to travel with him. And they said they would rely on his view. All this the members of our anshei sh'lomaynu told him. And on the holy Shabbas of Parshas Vayechi — he spoke with him greatly about this — and explained to him the matter — that it is impossible for him to travel alone — for several reasons. And he promised him — that certainly the members of our anshei sh'lomaynu will sustain him with honor when he will be there — for all those who give him now — will obligate themselves and fulfil to send him to there — what they give him every year and more. And you and also he will oversee this — that it come to collection. And just now he was persuaded and agreed to his words. But they already know — that your father — may his light shine — is not a man of capacity at all — to engage in receiving the permit and the other preparations. And they spoke — that he should speak with you here about this. And their view was — that you should travel with him to our vicinity — and confer together in Uman. And it may be the need — that you travel with him immediately to Breslov and to Nemirov — to begin to engage in receiving the permit. And more than this it is impossible to explain — on what there is to speak of this.