תנג

Overview: Sunday, Parshas Vayikra — Breslov — 5604. To Rabbi Avraham Ber — may the Master of Salvations and Master of Consolations save and console him. He received his letter on Monday Parshas Pekudei past — delayed in Uman and Tultchin. He had already sent a letter before his arrival — directed to Rabbi Abeli — for his heart was aching from the weakness of his daughter. He also hinted that it is forbidden to ponder the ways of Hashem — for the Lord is righteous and His judgments are upright — all is in chesed and mercy. And now he will tell him his troubles — since you already heard that the beloved small son of his son Dovid Tzvi passed away — a great break for him — for Dovid Tzvi is ill and hunchbacked and poor — sustained by him for nine years — and this son was all his life and consolation. He was in Lipovitz and fixed the wedding for Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Meanwhile his daughter-in-law — in her eighth month of pregnancy — became very weakened — she had a wound inside her mouth — and on Thursday Parshas Pekudei she passed away from this world — and the baby was born after her death. His son Dovid Tzvi is now mourning. You wrote your pain — you did well — for it is our obligation to hear the pain of our fellowship. But my beloved son — from the multitude of your pain — you erred greatly in several things. You wrote that you are ownerless before him — and also against Hashem Yisborach — things were thrown in your letter not as befitting — you wrote: men iz nor bashafen gevoren oyf der velt men zol dem mentshen mutshen. You were very foolish in your words. May Hashem forgive you. Even if Yaakov our father said "hatachas Elohim anochi" — we — orphans of orphans — what shall we say. The truth is we are obligated to pray — but it is forbidden and impossible to be stubborn about anything. The time of Minchah has arrived. Fear G-d — it is forbidden to ponder His ways — hope to Hashem — and He will save you. Send money for Pesach. Ashreinu ashreinu — that we are not opponents of such a light. Baruch Elokeinu she'b'ra'anu lichvodo. Lulei sorascha sha'ashu'ai — zos nechamasi v'anyi ki imrascha chiy'yasni.

He sent them a letter immediately after Purim — and until now there is no reply from him — no voice and no money. And he awaits every day — that their letter arrive — with what several people promised to send him for Pesach. And Rabbi Moshe from Breslov undertook to engage in this. And also upon you it is incumbent to oversee this. And yet he has not seen any trace of a letter from his holy hand — perhaps he already departed from there — but he has still received nothing at all. He wrote another letter two weeks ago — and has received no reply at all.

Just now there is nothing new to report — only his request — if the money has still not left their hands — or if some of it has gone and not all — that they do for the sake of the mitzvah and for the sake of our strong love — and strive with all their strength to hurry and send immediately — even during Chol Ha'Moed Pesach coming upon us for good — without any delay at all. For the needs of his home — and in particular the needs of Pesach — are very great. And he has already informed them of the great trouble that was in his home — G-d protect us — that his daughter-in-law passed away — the wife of his son Rabbi Dovid Tzvi — may he live — may her soul be bound in the bond of life. And his son remained a widower — and he must remarry him — and he is a baal mum — and his standing is known to them in the world. And all that is in his heart — from all the sides — it is impossible to explain — except that his eye is lifted to Hashem at every time — until He shows him grace for His name's sake. And also the expenses of her illness and burial amount to a specific sum. May Hashem Yisborach console his son in all — and save them quickly in all they need to be saved.

And behold — his mind is compelled to think thoughts about the repair of our Beis Midrash — as is known to them. And in their congregation — the majority gave nothing — and they promised to send before Pesach or immediately after. Therefore — for the sake of Hashem Yisborach — see to strive with all their strength to collect from each one what he already pledged — or what he needs to pledge now — and send immediately — in a way that it reach his hand immediately after Pesach. For a few days after Pesach he is compelled to travel to Uman — for the repair of the roof of our Beis Midrash as above. And he has money in his hand only a little — and he awaits the money — that it arrive from them as their promise. Please urge greatly in this — both what they need to send for themselves — for the Beis Midrash — both from themselves and from the other upright members of our anshei sh'lomaynu — the generous ones of the people of Hashem. May Hashem bless them and make them successful in all they turn to — and all who are diligent — behold this one is praised.

And behold — at the end of his letter sent to him — he informed him — that a great domestic quarrel arose in the home of his brother-in-law Rabbi Simcha Baruch — may he live. And his mother — may she live — left his home — for the rabbi's home. And afterwards also his sister — may she live — left the home of her husband — for the rabbi's home. And the greatness of the pain and anguish of soul that they had from this — it is impossible to imagine. Just now — after toils and efforts and many words of ours — praised be G-d — his mother — may she live — and his sister Rivka Miriam — may she live — returned to their home — on Thursday Parshas Tzav past. But his mother — may she live — with her son-in-law Rabbi Simcha Baruch — may his light shine — they still have no complete peace. And also what they accomplished — that she return to her home — was all on the basis that his mother — may she live — travel this summer to the Land of Israel — which is a great benefit before him in all the matters — as he spoke with him about this.

Therefore his view is — that he see to fulfil his words that he wrote to him in the previous letter — that he come shortly after Pesach here. And this is good and beautiful for him for several reasons. And if he will not be free to come immediately after Pesach — let him come some days afterwards. And presumably he will come first to Uman — and it is likely that he will find him there — and they will delight in each other's love together some days — and they will go out together to converse in the holy field — at the holy tziyun — and express their conversation there. And perhaps the holy point will illuminate from this one to the other — and from there to Breslov — to honor his mother — may she live. And he will presumably remain here until after Shavuos coming upon them for good.

And if also his dear friend Rabbi Abeli comes with him — very good. Provided that he first leaves his father's home with his wife — may she live — to be sustained at his table — as he spoke with him in Medvedivka. And perhaps the son-in-law of his son Rabbi Avraham Leib — may he live — will also travel with him — for he too wants to linger in Uman some days of the Sefirah before Shavuos. And may Hashem Yisborach lead you and your companions on the path of truth and uprightness — according to His good will — in a way that we merit from now to begin to be according to His good will in truth. For we have no consolation for the troubles that passed over us — and to be saved for the future in His mercies — except the merit and power and words of the holy Torah and conversations of our Master our Teacher and our Rebbe — the holy and awesome — the memory of the righteous and holy one for a blessing — he is your holy grandfather — his merit shall stand for you and for us and for all his holy descendants and for all our anshei sh'lomaynu. This will console us from our deeds.

And there is much to speak — but he is very preoccupied before Pesach. And may Hashem give them and us a kosher Pesach — and may we be careful from even a trace of chametz in simplicity — and in particular from the leavening of the mind by even a trace — which is the essential holiness. May we guard the thought in the mind from ponderings and from all kinds of evil and confused thoughts — and straighten the crookedness in the heart — not to ponder — G-d forbid — the ways of Hashem — only to know and to believe that all the events of a person are all for his good — and to return to Hashem at every time — for He greatly multiplies forgiveness. And may we merit to rejoice and exult and be glad in this holy festival of Pesach — for in every generation a person is obligated to see himself as if he himself went out from Egypt — for great are the deeds of Hashem — that He did with us in this generation — that we merited to be in his holy portion — not to oppose him — G-d forbid. In particular you — blessed be Hashem — who are from his holy descendants. Far be it from us to forget His faithful chasadim that He did with us — that He revealed to us such halachos — such deep and wondrous counsels — the revelation of the Torah — the revelation of His divinity like this. Puk chazei g'vurta d'maracha — what shall I say — what shall I speak — each one according to what he imagines in his heart is obligated to say: nora'os nifleis — nifl'aim ma'asecha — v'nafshi yoda'as m'od. And draw joy in his heart every day on the greatness of the chasadim and wonders that He did with us in this — and in particular on Pesach — when it is a mitzvah to multiply the telling of the Exodus from Egypt — which the essential is what happens in every generation as above. Nagila v'nismecha bishu'aso.

The words of one who loves them in truth forever — and who awaits their reply swiftly — quickly. And if a letter with money has already gone from them — let them hurry to reply to him with alacrity on this letter — so that he know how to conduct himself regarding his travel to Uman after Pesach — if Hashem wills — to engage in the repair of our Beis Midrash. And to Hashem the salvation.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]

Nussun of Breslov.

And great peace to all our beloved and pleasant anshei sh'lomaynu — to each according to his lofty level. And in particular to his dear friend the ancient veteran nagid — and so forth — our Teacher the Rabbi Dov Ber — may his light shine — with the peace of his sons and precious descendants — each according to his level. May their horn be raised in honor. And to his dear friend the rabbinical scholar — the veteran nagid — our Teacher the Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh — may his light shine — with the peace of his sons and precious descendants — may they live — in particular to his son Rabbi Yechiel — may his light shine — with the peace of his wife and descendants — may they live. And regarding the Sefer Torah — know — that it is already completed — praised be G-d — and only thirty columns remain to be written. And for this the sum of six new rubles is due to him — which remains with his honor — for he received from his honor only fifty-four new rubles — aside from five new rubles for the proofreader. Also due from his honor is one new ruble for candles he gave him this winter — aside from the scribal fee. Also for these six new rubles above-mentioned — he was compelled to lend him for Pesach one new ruble. Therefore two new rubles are due to him from him — and five new rubles he should give directly to the scribe — when he comes to his home — if Hashem wills — to complete the Sefer Torah at the beginning of the coming summer. Therefore let his honor see to send him immediately the above-mentioned sum of two new rubles — and hand them to Rabbi Avraham Ber — may he live — and he will send them to him immediately. And if he wishes to add to send his good contribution for Pesach — very good — and his reward will be doubled from Heaven. Please fulfil his words immediately. And if Hashem wills — he will find comfort from the Sefer Torah — and his righteousness will stand forever. And peace to his veteran in-law Rabbi Peretz — may his light shine — and to Rabbi Avraham Leib — may his light shine — with all his descendants. And great peace to his dear friend the veteran nagid our Teacher the Rabbi Yaakov son of Rabbi Tzvi — may his light shine — and to all his household. It would be proper to direct the word to him — but there is no leisure. And let him see to send for the Kloyz and also to him for the festival — and may Hashem Yisborach find him His blessing doubly. And peace to his dear friend the rabbinical scholar our Teacher the Rabbi Moshe the teacher — may his light shine. Your father and mother and household — praised be G-d — are in life and peace and extend their peace. He trusts — that certainly you are engaging with all your strength for his benefit — but he comes additionally to urge. Presumably some money has already gone from them to him — but certainly there is still more and more to collect through effort — therefore do not be lazy in this at all — for the hour requires it — in particular just now as above. May Hashem Yisborach have mercy and save quickly — and may they rejoice and be glad in the joy of the holy festival — and recount the praises of Hashem and His wonders — and all who multiply the recounting — behold this one is praised in chasadim. And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu with great love.

Overview: Sunday, Parshas Sh'mini — 11th of Nissan — Breslov — 5604. To Rabbi Avraham Ber and Rabbi Abeli. He sent a letter right after Purim — still no reply — no voice and no money. He awaits every day that their letter arrive with what several people promised to send for Pesach. Just now there is nothing new — only his request — if the money has still not left their hands — strive with all their strength to send immediately — even during Chol Ha'Moed Pesach — without any delay. His daughter-in-law passed away — his son Dovid Tzvi is now a widower and a baal mum — must remarry him — the expenses of her illness and burial amount to a specific sum. He must think about repairing the Beis Midrash roof — a few days after Pesach he must travel to Uman. He asks them to collect from all who pledged and send immediately. Also a domestic dispute — his mother-in-law left the home of his brother-in-law Rabbi Simcha Baruch — and his sister also left her husband's home — after much effort they returned on Thursday Parshas Tzav — but still no complete peace between his mother-in-law and Rabbi Simcha Baruch. All was based on his mother-in-law traveling to Eretz Yisrael this summer. He asks Rabbi Avraham Ber to come after Pesach — first to Uman — they will walk together in the holy field at the holy tziyun — and express their conversation there — perhaps the holy point will illuminate from one to the other — and from there to Breslov to honor his mother — remaining until after Shavuos. For we have no consolation for the troubles that passed over us — except the merit and power and words of our Master our Teacher and our Rebbe. And may Hashem give them a kosher Pesach — careful from even a trace of chametz — and in particular from the leavening of the mind by even a trace — which is the essential holiness. Each one according to what he imagines in his heart is obligated to say: nora'os nifleis — nifl'aim ma'asecha — v'nafshi yoda'as m'od. Nagila v'nismecha bishu'aso. Also detailed financial accounting regarding the Sefer Torah.

Until now he was standing and awaiting greatly his letter. And just now the bearer came to his home — with his good letter — and with grape wine for Pesach. Gratitude to them — and in particular that he urged himself to send via a special messenger. May Hashem repay his work — and may his reward be complete from Hashem. And may he merit to receive the holy Pesach in holiness and purity — and to renew himself from now — to accustom himself to forget completely what has passed until here — only to make himself as if he does not know at all. And the mind is in the hand of man — to direct it as he wishes — and strengthen yourself with all strength to hold the mind in your hand — to steal yourself from evil thoughts — in shev v'al ta'aseh. And if even so they strengthen — G-d forbid — fulfil: "g'ar chayyas kaneh" — to rebuke them. And the essential is to guard from chametz — that in any case he not leaven his thought with them — G-d forbid — as written in the Torah in the section on Chatzotzros — chapter 5. And in particular just now at this time — when all of Israel and we among them are engaged in burning the chametz from our domain and our borders with all our strength — so too we need more and more to burn the leavening of the mind by even a trace from our borders — through the power of the true tzaddikim — who are the aspect of matzah — d'avdin matzusa b'sitra achra d'lo yitkarvun l'mishkana di'k'dushah. Until we merit through this to straighten the crookedness in our hearts — until we merit to uprightness of heart and true joy. Ashreinu that we merited to hear all this. And even the little bit that we merited to fulfil from this — how good and how pleasant. His letter greatly gave life to his soul — in seeing that his words enter his heart — and he fulfils in this "v'hodatam l'vanecha v'livnei vanecha." Would that his son — his grandson Dovid Tzvi — may he live — also be accustomed to come to them — to hear and receive the words of the living G-d — flowing from the flowing stream — the source of wisdom. If possible that he come for the last days of Pesach — very good — for presumably there will be guests for the last days of the festival. Yesterday he wrote to Tshehrin — that it is fitting for each one of us to set his heart and understand — that it is not an empty thing — what we merited in this generation to such a light. And each one according to what he imagines in his heart — it is fitting for him to say to himself: nora'os nifleis — nifl'aim ma'asecha v'nafshi yoda'as m'od. And the time of Minchah has arrived — and he was also obligated to write the letter enclosed here to Tshehrin. Therefore it is impossible to extend further — and may the joy of the holy festival coming upon them for good be sweet for you. The words of your father — who awaits salvation.

[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]